96th Rose Bowl Game- #8 Ohio State vs #7 Oregon

When- 5:10 EST Kickoff (4:30 coverage begins)
Where- Rose Bowl (Pasadena, CA)
TV- ABC National

I've never been more excited for a bowl game in a very long time. I like to forget about my arrogant attitude and excitement heading into January of 2007 vs Florida, meaning that I haven't felt this way since the Notre Dame Fiesta Bowl. It is an interesting feeling to feel the way that I do about this game, considering that the Buckeyes have dropped three straight BCS bowl games. I am truly confident in this team, their game plan, their physical superiority over Oregon, and where their heads are mentally heading into the first Rose Bowl Ohio State has taken part in since 1997. That game was a thriller, and many fans expect it to be the same. Many others believe Oregon is going to destroy OSU. I just laugh at such talk.

If you know anything about this season, its that we are seeing the Pac 10 for what it truly is. Even I was fooled at how "deep" the Pac 10 has been this season. Deep?? Yeah right, just deep with mediocrity. Teams that score a lot of points and give up nearly as much aren't exactly high caliber teams. The Pac 10 has one bowl victory against the ACC (in my opinion, the most under performing conference in America this decade), and that is it. Last night, Arizona didn't score a single point against Nebraska's vaunted black shirt defense. The Pacific Ten is a joke right now, and I think they are starting to feel the pressure to win these big games. Stanford and Oregon are the last true shots for their conference to get a signature win, and that pressure could very well lead to them succumbing to two more bowl losses.

Oregon has certainly talked the talk since beating arch rival Oregon State, maybe a little too much. The general consensus is that the Ducks believe they will score early, quick and often against Ohio State's defense. The numbers 45 and 50 have been tossed out by Oregon offensive players. Even head coach Chip Kelly has blurted out his fair share of potential locker room material. Plain and simple, they have appeared over confident thus far heading into the game tomorrow afternoon. But do you think they are looking at themselves in the mirror and asked themselves: who have we beaten? Who has made us look good? Nobody has. Purdue scored a WHOPPING 26 points on OSU's defense this season. Oregon gave up ten more against the same opponent. Oregon has allowed 51, 41 and 33 points since beating USC in October, and hasn't looked impressive at all. You ask what teams they allowed such gaudy numbers against this season? Stanford, Arizona and Oregon State. Arizona and Oregon State were destroyed in their bowl games against Nebraska and BYU. Stanford might be headed for the same fate when they take on a motivated and jacked Oklahoma squad. Oregon is all smoke and mirrors. I do not buy into their defense at all, and their offense is more simple than you think.

The Ducks run a few major run plays, while the pass game is pretty much non-existent and a non threat if the run game isn't working. OSU is in the top 5 in the nation in rush defense and in the top 10 in overall defense. I really don't have much else to say. Ohio State is bigger, better and more professional than Oregon and it will show tomorrow afternoon. The Ducks will have their moments because they have all season, but the score won't be indicative of how dominant Jim Tressel and the Buckeyes will be in the 96th Rose Bowl Game.

Speaking of Jim Tressel, do you realize how important this game is to him? This is on the same caliber of playing for a national championship. He is an old fashioned coach, and back in the day if you won your conference and played in the Rose Bowl you have accomplished your major goals of the season and you were playing a game that goes beyond the game of football, but rather encompasses all the history of the All-Americans, Heisman trophy winners and Hall of Fame coaches that have stepped foot on the most storied stadium in college football. Tressel is ready, and will get his victory. It won't be his last either.

OSU sets up a run at the 2010 national title with a huge win vs Oregon. It's duck hunting season... get your guns ready.

Note: Notice I didn't have to use motivating strategies to lead into me picking OSU to win. When I am confident in a game, I don't use much motivation in my posts. I give facts. I have given the facts. We will win this game. You heard it here first. GO BUCKS!!!!!!

Prediction:

Ohio State- 31
Oregon- 20

Awesome Pump-Up Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHlAN2ouiTs

It's a must watch. Trust me.

It gets you pumped.

Rose Bowl Thoughts- One Week to Go

It has been several weeks since anything of note has been written on here, however that will all change with the Rose Bowl approaching in just about six days. It is time to start discussing the game and getting a feel for how both teams are preparing for this monumental contest.

What has Ohio State been up to since it was officially announced that they would be playing in Pasadena? Oh, not much I suppose. Aside from suspending two of their top four receivers, including senior never-do-well Ray Small, everything in Buckeye nation seems to be going swell. Please do not get me started on Mr. Raymond Small being suspended for his final game as a Buckeye. No one knows why he has been revoked of his team privileges (Duron Carter was suspended due to grades), however it doesn't really come as any surprise that this is how his career at OSU will end. No matter how non-suspenseful this suspension appears, it doesn't take away how disappointing it also is. #82 - formally #4 - has always had a huge impact in the return game with both punts and kickoffs, while working his way back onto the field this season as the teams number three wideout. His career has been filled with stories of how unmotivated Ray has always been, and it is too bad that he couldn't turn it around after four years of falling short of very lofty expectations.

The fact of the matter is that the Buckeyes are going to probably just run the football... a lot. Losing two receivers really doesn't kill OSU's chances like ESPN is making it out to be. DeVier Posey, Dane Sanzenbacher, Jake Stoneburner (who has taken increased #3 receiver reps in practice), Taurian Washington and Lamaar Thomas are all capable of stepping up in the aforementioned suspendees absence. You can bank on Posey having a nice day in Pasadena in my opinion regardless of the situation. I think that the players and coaches are disappointed and, quite frankly, pissed off at what has transpired, but it should have little affect on how the team performs against Oregon.

What will be the only affected position on the field? Punt returner. I am concerned that plays in which Ray would be able to take up field for a big gain could turn into just getting five yards or less by Dance Sanzenbacher. We will see...

I will be back to preview the game this coming week.

Probably a Mistake

According to a highly informed source (he goes by "nevadabuck" when it comes to OSU inside info), Brian Kelly will announce that he is leaving for the Notre Dame job on Friday, the day after Cincinnati's team banquet.

I'm not shocked at all. He has been gone ever since Charlie Weis' seat began to get slightly warmer. I do not think that it will be a good hire for Notre Dame in terms of getting back to the glory days, but he will be an excellent recruiter and should be able to bring some buzz to the program. Wait... that sounds just like Charlie Weis. As a matter of fact, Kelly is an offensive guru as well.

Way to go Notre Dame! You are bringing in Charlie Weis on slimfast to replace aforementioned fired head coach.

Good luck.

Bowl Update

The source from which I get my information from is suggesting that TCU has been contacted by the Fiesta Bowl committee, and has been told that their likely opponent will be (drum roll) the Boise State Broncos.

That would be so damn cool. WAC vs Mt. West. The top two non-BCS conferences squaring off in a BCS game for the first time ever. I may not be part of the majority here, but I would be highly interested in this match up.

FINAL BCS Bowl Predictions

(After Big 12, ACC Championship games)

This is what I think will happen when the BCS bowls are announced tomorrow.

Oh, and Brian Kelly will be the next head coach at Notre Dame. Just thought everyone should know that even know it really isn't that relevant of a job in most people's eyes. Quite frankly the golden days for the golden domers are longgggg gone. Until further notice, I do not respect Notre Dame football.

Citi National Championship Game (Jan 7th, 2010 - Pasadena, CA)

#1 Alabama Crimson Tide (13-0)

vs

#2 Texas Longhorns (13-0)

Rose Bowl Presented by Citi (Jan 1st, 2010 - Pasadena, CA)

Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2)

vs

Oregon Ducks (10-2)

Allstate Sugar Bowl (Jan 1st, 2010 - New Orleans, LA)

Florida Gators (12-1)

vs

Cincinnati Bearcats (12-0)

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl (Jan 4th, 2010- Glendale, AZ)

Iowa Hawkeyes (10-2)

vs

Boise State Broncos (12-0)

FedEx Orange Bowl (Jan 5th, 2010- Miami, FL)

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (11-2)

vs

TCU Horned Frogs (12-0)

It's simple: Alabama is a clear cut entry for the national title, while Texas won their last two games in lackluster fashion to finish undefeated and get into the championship game (hats off to Nebraska for an amazing defensive game). Cincinnati, Ohio State, Oregon and Georgia Tech receive automatic bids for winning their conferences, while TCU receives an automatic bid by finishing in the top 4 of the BCS standings...at least I am assuming they will be. That leaves two at-large teams, and Boise State is a no brainer for that one. The only other team that is really under any serious consideration is Iowa, so I have them going to a BCS game despite losing two of their final three games of the season.

I am confused on whether the Fiesta or Orange Bowl will get the first selection of BCS at-large teams. The Orange was supposed to have the first selection, however because the Fiesta Bowl loses Texas to the national championship game, I believe that they might have the first pick instead. If the Fiesta Bowl has the first pick, they will take TCU in a heartbeat. I will stand by the facts as of right now and stick with the Horned Frogs going to Miami - for now.

Let's see if I am as dumb as I look when the bowl game announcements are unveiled tomorrow night.

It's a Date

An opponent has been named for the Ohio State Buckeyes, and it will be the 10-2 Oregon Ducks, who last night were crowned the Pac 10 Champions for 2009.

The game will kick off at 5:00 PM on ABC in Pasadena, CA.

Just so everyone knows... I am giddy about this match up. It will be very exciting!

Games of the Week- Championships

I'm going to go through these briefly so I apologize for the laziness.

#16 Oregon State @ #7 Oregon-

Both teams thrive on running the football but OSU doesn't have a do-it-all QB named Jeremiah Masoli. Oregon wins (closer than the experts think) and goes on to play the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl.

#5 Cincinnati @ #15 Pitt-

If Brian Kelly loses, does he lose the ND gig? The source I rely on says that while Kelly and the Domers haven't spoken yet, his agent is working relentlessly trying to work out a deal. It is in the bag, in other words. So win or lose, Kelly is in good shape, and I see him winning this one by the slimmest of margins with a better offense. UPSET ALERT!!!!

ACC Championship Game

Clemson vs #10 Georgia Tech-

Yawn. GT will win because they are destined to. Clemson won't because no one wants a 9 win team in a BCS game (remember Illinois in 2007? No thank you, I don't want a reprisal).

Big 12 Championship Game

#22 Nebraska vs #3 Texas-

The Cornhusker defense is a legitimate force to be reckoned with, and Texas will discover that sooner rather than later. Once they take the game seriously, they'll roll to their first Big 12 title since 2005 and go on to play the winner of....

SEC Championship Game

#2 Alabama vs #1 Florida-

The biggest game of the season: #1 vs #2 for the second year in a row. It doesn't get too much better than this. Florida has too many senior leaders to let this one slip away, but I have always loved this Bama team. If Alabama wins I won't be shocked but I can't go against Florida until someone takes them down. It'll be another classic.