Big Ten Bowl Matchups

[Marc D]

I'm an OSU fan so I obviously want the B10 to do well but this isn't looking too promising.

OSU vs Texas
PSU vs USC
MSU vs UGA
Iowa vs South Carolina
Northwestern vs Mizzou
Minny vs Kansas

Hopefully it turns out better on the field than it looks on paper. In 1998 the B10 went 5-0 in its Bowl games, this year could realistically be an 0fer. I'd say 2-4 at best on first glance.

Ouch.

[Unassisted]

I agree that an 0-fer is a distinct possibility. It'll be interesting to see if oddsmakers favor any of the Big 10 teams in their games.

2009 is not really the year I wanted to see the Buckeyes play a rubber game against the Longhorns.

[GAC]

It doesn't look good does it.

Texas, IMHO, will destroy us. OSU's Big 10 defense is not good enough vs Texas' Big 12 offense. Tressell, being Tressell, will emphasis their strength (running game), ball control, field position, clock management, and try to keep it a low scoring affair to give his team a chance. That may work for the first half, but not an entire game. McCoy (QB Rating 179, 3445 Yds passing, 32 TDs) will have a huge 2nd half simply because our offense won't keep our defense off the field. They'll wear us down. IMO, it won't be pretty.

USC vs Penn State? The West Coast is the Bermuda Triangle for Big 10 teams. I really don't know how good USC is because the PAC-10 is so down this year. But I could still foresee USC coming away with at least a 10 pt win here.

MSU vs Georgia? MSU was destroyed by OSU and PSU. Georgia was somewhat of a disappointment when one looks at their pre-season ranking; but two of their three losses came at the hands of elite teams (Alabama, Florida). And Georgia Tech, their other loss, is a good program. QB Stafford will have no problem with MSU's pass defense.

Iowa vs S. Carolina? I like Iowa. We may get our lone win, which would give us a 1-1 record in bowl games vs the SEC.

Northwestern vs Missouri? Chase Daniels vs Northwestern's pass defense? Nuff said.

Minnesota vs Kansas? Kansas

[Marc D]

Originally Posted by GAC

It doesn't look good does it.

Texas, IMHO, will destroy us. OSU's Big 10 defense is not good enough vs Texas' Big 12 offense. Tressell, being Tressell, will emphasis their strength (running game), ball control, field position, clock management, and try to keep it a low scoring affair to give his team a chance. That may work for the first half, but not an entire game. McCoy (QB Rating 179, 3445 Yds passing, 32 TDs) will have a huge 2nd half simply because our offense won't keep our defense off the field. They'll wear us down. IMO, it won't be pretty.

I think a properly coached OSU defense would be fine, it would be the first defense with a pulse that Texas has seen all year. The problem is Heacock and his famous rush 3 drop 8 Chris Leak defense. He will allow McCoy to absolutely pick us apart.

Offensively unless Pryor evolves dramtically during the bowl practices we are screwed. It takes about 30 seconds of watching game film to see we are no threat passing the ball.

The only positives I see are 1) Texas having a bad letdown after missing out on the NC game 2) JT used to be good at getting them ready for a big Bowl game, maybe he's due to find the magic again 3) B12 teams often look like juggernauts untill they play someone who is dedicated to playing an ounce of defense and is physical, if Heacock will be aggressive we fit the bill on both counts.

Bottom line to me is if we use the same gameplan as the past 3 big games (UF, LSU, USC) we will get the same result. If Tress and his staff are tired of getting humiliated and come out swinging we have the athletes to play with anyone.

[MWM]

Originally Posted by Marc D

I think a properly coached OSU defense would be fine, it would be the first defense with a pulse that Texas has seen all year. The problem is Heacock and his famous rush 3 drop 8 Chris Leak defense. He will allow McCoy to absolutely pick us apart.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks OSU's defense is very poorly schemed. They're designed to stop Big Ten offense, but aren't capable of adapting to anything else (that is unless they're just freakishly talented like the AJ Hawk senior year D. Oh man, was that defense outstanding).

[cincrazy]

Originally Posted by MWM

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks OSU's defense is very poorly schemed. They're designed to stop Big Ten offense, but aren't capable of adapting to anything else (that is unless they're just freakishly talented like the AJ Hawk senior year D. Oh man, was that defense outstanding).

Agreed. We need to be more aggressive. If we sit back and don't blitz, McCoy will kill us. If we apply some pressure, we have more than a fighting chance. I like our chances moving the ball on them, as crazy as that sounds.

[MWM]

I think they'll win one or two, but no more. I really believe the Big Ten is on it's way up right now, but it's a couple of years away.

[guttle11]

Wisconsin is playing Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl as well. I see that as a toss up game unless FSU decides to go shoe shopping.

[*BaseClogger*]

Northwestern v. Missouri might be the biggest mismatch of the bowl season. Northwestern is one of the worst 9-3 teams I have ever seen come from the Big Ten...

[MWM]

Originally Posted by *BaseClogger*

Northwestern v. Missouri might be the biggest mismatch of the bowl season. Northwestern is one of the worst 9-3 teams I have ever seen come from the Big Ten...

Yeah, that one could get ugly. But Mizzou's efense is missing the D. That conference as a whole just doesn't play D at all.

[Marc D]

Originally Posted by MWM

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks OSU's defense is very poorly schemed. They're designed to stop Big Ten offense, but aren't capable of adapting to anything else (that is unless they're just freakishly talented like the AJ Hawk senior year D. Oh man, was that defense outstanding).

Its not that they aren't designed to stop the spread, its that lately they cannot control the LOS. In 2002 OSU had a dominant DL and could rush 3 or 4 and still get a pass rush. OSU hasn't been able to that lately and the current DC seems to be content getting dinked and dunked to death instead of going down fighting and sending some blitzes.

The spread has been in the B10 since 1999, its not new to OSU and in theory if you have an extremely athletic back 7 who are very good at tackling in space I agree with keeping everything in front of you and making the offense work a long field. Chances are they will mess something up and can't consistently drive and score. That all goes out the window if your DL is getting worked and this has been OSU's issue since the 2005 team.

Originally Posted by *BaseClogger*

Northwestern v. Missouri might be the biggest mismatch of the bowl season. Northwestern is one of the worst 9-3 teams I have ever seen come from the Big Ten...

Agreed, this looks similar to the "game" thay had with Nebraska a few years back when they were still good. This could be brutal and Mizzou isn't known for calling off the dogs.

[Caseyfan21]

Originally Posted by Marc D

Its not that they aren't designed to stop the spread, its that lately they cannot control the LOS. In 2002 OSU had a dominant DL and could rush 3 or 4 and still get a pass rush. OSU hasn't been able to that lately and the current DC seems to be content getting dinked and dunked to death instead of going down fighting and sending some blitzes.

The spread has been in the B10 since 1999, its not new to OSU and in theory if you have an extremely athletic back 7 who are very good at tackling in space I agree with keeping everything in front of you and making the offense work a long field. Chances are they will mess something up and can't consistently drive and score. That all goes out the window if your DL is getting worked and this has been OSU's issue since the 2005 team.



Agreed, this looks similar to the "game" thay had with Nebraska a few years back when they were still good. This could be brutal and Mizzou isn't known for calling off the dogs.

OSU has shut down the spread in the past. Heck, they tore a few teams up before the BCS National Championship disasters. Weren't Kansas State and Oklahoma St. both spread style offenses when OSU beat them? Just please blitz and toss in some man coverage. Oh, and find out what a play action pass is and introduce T. Pryor to the tight ends.

[Marc D]

Originally Posted by Caseyfan21

OSU has shut down the spread in the past. Heck, they tore a few teams up before the BCS National Championship disasters. Weren't Kansas State and Oklahoma St. both spread style offenses when OSU beat them? Just please blitz and toss in some man coverage. Oh, and find out what a play action pass is and introduce T. Pryor to the tight ends.

Yes, that's my point, OSU has faced the spread and defended it well many times. The problem the past couple of years has been recruiting/development of DL talent and poor defensive scheme imo. The slow plodding B10 defense that has never seen the spread offense bunk is just a media soundbyte that casual fans take as scripture.

If we take another big game curb stomping I think Heacock and Bollman need to go. There is no coach in America I want running the show at OSU more than Jim Tressel but no one is perfect, I think they need some new blood on the staff.

[Hoosier Red]

The second team in the BCS really hurts the Big 11 again this year.

Imagine say Boise State got the final BCS at large spot.

Penn State vs. USC
tOSU vs. UGA
Wisconsin VS South Carolina
tMSU vs Florida State
Iowa vs. Mizzou
Northwestern vs. Kansas
Minnesota vs. Central Michigan?

I'd feel a lot better about those matchups. Of course as IU profits from the rest of the Big Ten, I'm all about two BCS pay days. Thanks guys, the practice facilities are coming along quite nicely.

[Unassisted]

Originally Posted by Hoosier Red

The second team in the BCS really hurts the Big 11 again this year.

Imagine say Boise State got the final BCS at large spot.

Penn State vs. USC
tOSU vs. UGA
Wisconsin VS South Carolina
tMSU vs Florida State
Iowa vs. Mizzou
Northwestern vs. Kansas
Minnesota vs. Buffalo?

I'd feel a lot better about those matchups.

I agree. That's a great point.

I suspect that the Fiesta Bowl folks figured that Texas-Boise State would have been a bigger mismatch and wouldn't have drawn nearly as many fans to Tempe. They know better than any other bowl what they are getting with the Buckeyes.