Monday, January 07, 2008

Thoughts on the BCS Title Game

Here are my keys for tonight's BCS Title Game.....

For Ohio State to win
1. Run, run, run
- OSU must get Chris Wells started early and often...
2. Surprise, surprise - I'm not talking Gomer Pyle here....but look for OSU to throw some type of trick play to keep LSU off balance...a flea flicker could be big - especially if LSU is determined to stop the run...don't be surprised if they go with a deep pass early to show LSU that they are here to play....
3. Stay close - if Ohio State is close at halftime, they will be a threat in the second half...Tressel wants to stay close then grab the lead in the second half and play Tresselball....

For LSU to win
1. Stop the run
- Defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, must stop the Ohio State running game....if OSU can run the ball and then get the lead in the second half, Tressel will go into Tresselball mode and shorten the game....force Boeckman to beat you!!!...
2. Over the top - Juice Williams and Illinois proved that Ohio State cannot play the deep ball well...LSU needs to throw in some playaction and go for the big play....
3. Keep your foot on their throat - if LSU gets an early lead, they cannot let down for 1 second...if you do, Tressel will grab momentum...LSU must play 60 minutes of hell...not 59 minutes and 59 seconds....60 minutes!!!

Prediction
If this game was played immediately following the regular season, my pick would have been Ohio State because LSU was banged up...Glenn Dorsey and Matt Flynn were hurt...the Tigers are now healthy....

Sure Ohio State has all the "motivation" after what happened last season to Florida....and I believe all coaches need to motivate their players, but Tressel goes overboard....in August, he made the passcode 4114 to get into the Hayes Center (the score of last year's Florida loss)....then he gave his team these DVDs about all the negatives that the national media are saying about OSU...motivation is good, but Tressel lives off it....

I pick LSU to win a close game....not only does Les Miles want to win this game, but so does Pelini who can use this victory for recruiting purposes when he becomes head coach at Nebraska...a healthy LSU will be difference....

LSU 27-16

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