Texas-OSU Breakdown

By Jeff Zell
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Some have labeled this game “The Throwdown at the Showdown.” Some have labeled it “Troy Smith’s Revenge on the University of Texas.” Whatever nickname you conjure up, it’s sure to be an instant classic come Saturday night. It’s a regular season meeting pitting No. 1 vs. No. 2 – which hasn’t happened in a decade.

According to WagerWeb.com, Texas is a 2.5-point favorite (over/under 50) to take the contest at home. So who’s going to win?

Well, looking at it on paper, the edge goes to …

Quarterbacks: Troy Smith brings leadership and maturity to Ohio State’s offense. Leading his team to 500-plus yards of offense and earning the Fiesta Bowl MVP carried over to the Buckeyes' first quarter rampage over Northern Illinois in Week 1. Smith has the ability to scramble as well as thread the needle on a pass, making him a double threat. Coach Mack Brown has compared Smith to one of his former own, Vince Young. For Texas: Read about it anywhere: NO VY – NO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. While there’s no sane way to make a case for Colt McCoy being a great quarterback yet -- he did have an impressive game against North Texas when he threw for three touchdowns and no interceptions. If the game’s on the line in the fourth quarter, which quarterback would you want on the field?
Edge: OhioState

Running Backs: Whoever wins the running game may be crowned No. 1 at the end of this contest. Being able to control the clock and sit on a lead is vastly underrated in college football. Both teams have two serviceable backs who can carry the load. Texas has track star Jamaal Charles and the nifty Selvin Young, while Ohio State boasts Antonio Pittman and prep star Chris Wells. Young is a different type of running back in 2006. He lost 20 pounds and improved on his footwork and handles the ball with more care than last season. Wells could have his coming-out party Saturday night. His 6-foot-1, 225-pound frame is a force to be reckoned with.
Edge: Texas

Wide Receivers: Ted Ginn Jr. is a touchdown waiting to happen. It was evident in the Northern Illinois matchup that Ginn wanted to be a big part of the offense. The way he burned the one-on-one coverage in the first quarter for a 58-yard touchdown pass was phenomenal. Anthony Gonzalez is a nice second option for Troy Smith and has exceptional speed. Texas' big-play wideout is 6-4 Limas Sweed. He’s got the skill set to be something special but has lacked consistency in his first two years. Last week, Sweed looked good as his yards-after-catch numbers (YAC) were great. Other than Sweed, the Texas receiving corps wasn’t too effective last week. Billy Pittman and Jordan Shipley both dropped passes, and the tight ends (a young QB's best friend) have zero catches.
Edge: OhioState

Offensive Line: When you are a five-star school like both Texas and Ohio State are, getting the premium “hog-mollies” up front is not an issue. Ohio State boasts one of the best offensive lines in some time. Three seasoned veterans in Doug Datish, TJ Downing and Kirk Barton combined with raw offensive tackle Alex Boone, who is 6-foot-8, 325 pounds. The Longhorns' offensive line is not exactly a pushover. All-American candidate Justin Blalock anchors the line with returners Lyle Sendelin and Kasey Studdard being All-Big 12 performers around him. Converted tight end Tony Hills now has the size to go with his tremendous speed (for a lineman), which allowed him to block in the open field.
Edge: Toss Up

Defensive Line: I’m on record as to have said the Texas defensive line is the best in the country. It’s not just their front four, the Longhorns are six-deep. Brian Robison and Tim Crowder are veteran defensive ends, but the most talented could be sophomore Brian Orakpo, who recorded two sacks in last week’s win. Frank Okam and Roy Miller have incredible size and power. Last week, Texas gave up eight total rushing yards. Ohio State’s Quinn Pitcock has the size to be a defensive tackle and the speed to be an end -- making him a deadly combination. The rest of the Buckeyes have not proven themselves. Giving up 187 rushing yards to Northern Illinois running back Garrett Wolfe means the line did not get penetration.
Edge: Texas

Linebackers: If Ohio State is going to fly back from Austin with a victory, it’s going to be the play of the linebackers. Two sophomores and a senior will have the daunting task of stopping Texas’ running game. Sophomore Marcus Freeman was a superstar recruit coming from and recorded nine tackles against Northern Illinois. Like the Buckeyes 'backers, the Longhorns' trio has potential. Rashad Bobino has the experience from last year’s title run to be successful. Robert Killebrew is aggressive (sometimes too aggressive) and could be a difference-maker on Saturday.
Edge: Even

Secondary: When starting cornerback Tarell Brown was ruled out for Saturday’s game, it hurt Texas tremendously. Brown presumably would have been covering Ted Ginn Jr., leaving other talented Texas cornerbacks to cover the rest of the Buckeyes receiving crew. Aaron Ross and Michael Griffin are great in the secondary and will have to step up even more without Brown. Marcus Griffin packs a punch and will also need to step up to slow down the Ohio State offense. The Buckeyes secondary is brand new. Free safety Brandon Mitchell can make the open field tackle (eight solo tackles in Week 1). Based on the Texas offense with an inexperienced quarterback going against this secondary, Ohio State has a huge opportunity to exploit Colt McCoy and be the difference in the game.
Edge: OhioState

Coaching: Both Mack Brown and Jim Tressel have won a national championship. Both are known for being excellent recruiters. Both are known for not being the greatest “coach” coaches. Texas will have an advantage however because of defensive coordinator Gene Chizik. Chizik is the mastermind behind stopping Ted Ginn Jr. last year (three touches – seven yards in 2005 meeting). Chizik also limited Reggie Bush in the national championship game. Chizik was a part of the spectacular Auburn defense in 2003, when the Tigers went undefeated. Despite losing part of the secondary due to off-the-field issues, Chizik will scheme and put Texas over the top when it comes to preparation for the game.
Edge: Texas

 
For gambling books search "GAMBLING" here: