Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Predictions

[GAC]

How do you think it's going to play out between OSU and Texas?

As a lifelong Buckeye fan I'll obviously be rooting for them, and anything can happen (I guess); but I'm not optimistic. I understand this group of senior's urgency to finish strong. They will play their hearts out for sure. I have a feeling I'm going to be watching the game with one eye closed a majority of the time though.

Why? There are numerous reason; but one of the primary ones is OSU's offensive line. I don't think they have faced a defensive line and line backing corp as speedy and talented as they will see from Texas. Will OSU's line be able to create the seams for Wells and Pryor to perform in?

Unless Tressel has some tricks up his sleeve (and that usually gets him in trouble IMO), Texas is going to stack the line due to OSU's weakness in passing the ball, and make Pryor/Wells beat them. And Texas was 2nd in the nation in run defense, allowing only 73 yds/game.

Texas LBers Kindle, Muckelroy and Bobino are fast, have excellent range and, swarm to the ball. And DE Spikes worries me. I just feel that Texas' defense will pressure/force Pryor to get rid of the ball before he can scan the field and locate the open man.

I really hope I am wrong, but I have a feeling we are going to struggle to put points on the board, and our defense will wear down as the game progresses.

Far more importantly, the stingy Ohio State run defense doesn't match up particularly well with the read-option attack Texas employs. And I don't think the Buck's defensive line has that dominant pass-rusher to pressure McCoy, who also has a very quick release.

I think when it's all said and done you're looking at a 38-17 game Texas.

I hope I'm wrong.