Final Sugar Bowl Updates/Thoughts

Just wanted to run down some final thoughts on the Sugar Bowl that is a mere two days away (unbelievable). Practice got under way this past week and everything seems to be going as smoothly as possible.

- It seems as if the team is focused at the task at hand despite the news on December 23rd about the 2011 suspensions. I expect big games out of the players involved in the controversy.

- Why do I think they'll have big games? All of them keep mentioning sending their seniors out the right way, which is generally the Tressel mantra that has payed dividends over the years....except against SEC opponents :(

- The SEC hype machine on ESPN hasn't been too overwhelming this bowl season, since most of the attention has been on OSU in light of the NCAA suspensions. What has Arkansas been doing this whole time? Preparing and enjoying the usual dose of not being in the spotlight and out of the national stream of consciousness. This is a very good football team and will be extremely prepared for the Buckeyes.

- What type of game plan do I expect from OSU on Tuesday night? I am not sure at this point, as I usually have more inside info from the Scout insiders. I'll go out on a limb and say that the offense will be put in Pryor's hands and the team will go only as far as his arms and legs take them - ala the Rose Bowl. This isn't exactly rocket science, as this has been the average Buckeye game plan all season long and ever since 2009, really.

- Guarantee: Arkansas RB Knile Davis will NOT rush for 100 yards... but neither will Boom Herron. Both will be close though.

- One big factor when Ohio State plays SEC opponents is the play of the offensive line. This is one of the best offensive lines the Bucks have had since 2005, so I'll go ahead and say that if there is a time to get it done against an athletic defensive line from the SEC, this is it.

- The Florida game was simply OSU being fat and happy and Florida wanting to kick their ass. LSU was a sheer mismatch as the Tigers were by far the best team in the nation when healthy. I talked a big game that Ohio State would beat LSU based off of motivational hype. Why do I think Tressel can lead the Bucks to a victory over an SEC team this time around? Because they are better than Arkansas- plain and simple.

- Why won't I go ahead and say that Ohio State will win now? Because Arkansas scares the hell out of me with their offensive balance, the strength of their wins this season and how their defense has improved each and every week since the Auburn loss.

I'll have my game preview tomorrow...