Oregon will be favored but by a TD or less imo.

Ohio State just needs to do what they do best.

1) Run the football
2) Pryor to Posey deep
3) Solid defense creating multiple turnovers.

Oh I agree, but we weren't talking about Vegas odds--ESPN saying they're heavily favored is a bit different, no one is set to make money on that.

OSU 7-0 all-time against Oregon.

Pryor is going to have a huge game, imo. He's gonna surprise a lot of people in this one.

Buckeyes should put the red shoes on, like they did against a perceived far superior opponent in the '87 Cotton Bowl (Texas A & M), and watch out!

^^^^

Anyone have a pic of them in the red shoes?

I think this will be the best bowl game. I can honestly see either team win this game. I just give the nod to Oregon because of the two common teams, and that they don't really turn the ball over much. I don't believe in OSU's offense quite yet, not against a top team on the road. Oregon has a quick hitting offense. We all know Heacock likes to sit back in his coverage until it's a bit too late. I see Oregon making some nice drives. They'll score on a few, but I can also see them passing on FG's and being stopped on 4th downs to keep OSU within striking distance. I see OSU defense playing like they usually do, bend but don't break. OSU giving up 31 would usually mean breaking, but I don't think it is when you play Oregon. Oregon's little back scares me. OSU loves to pursue and gang tackle, and they have a tendency to break contain. I can definitely see the little guy breaking a tackle and hitting the open field.

I think Ohio State could win this game if all the right things happen.

First off, Big 10 teams do not normally fair well in the Rose Bowl because they travel half way across the country to play in PAC 10 territory. This is an advantage for the PAC 10 teams in a Rose Bowl. This is why a Big 10 team hasn't won a Rose Bowl in close to a decade.

Now as to the match up, I love it. I think Oregon is the best team in the PAC 10 this season, so if we beat them, it is a legit win IMO.

Oregon's offense is incredibly good and incredibly one dimensional. They have 3 great runners, but not much of a passing game. I think our d-line dominates their o-line all day. They need to bring pressure every play and disrupt the run game of Oregon. If OSU can take Oregon out of their element early, it will set the tone for the game. I think the Bucks need to blitz all day and let the secondary man up.

Ohio State's offense is obviously the achillies heal of this team. Hopefully within the next month the Buckeyes, mainly Terrele Pryor, will learn how to throw the deep ball. The receviers have been getting seperation from DB's and then have been overthrown so often. Pryor needs to get that ball in their hands and score td's that way. Our running game has come on strong as of late, so our o-line should be able to move their d-line at the LOS and we should be able to run at will. Mix TP in that and we could put some points up on a very mediocore defense.

As long as we don't get into a scoring match, Ohio State should win this game by a td. If Oregon forces Ohio State to score every possession, Oregon wins by 7-10.

Ohio State must make Oregon play Buckeye style football, it's the only way to win this game. Slow it down. That won't be easy, Oregon is a fast team and scores quickly.

If OSU can win this game, with all the returners (especially if Heyward and Gibson return), I don't see how OSU isn't a pre-season top 3 next year. This game has alot riding on it. Break the bowl game skid and going into next season strong.

dw, B10 teams have trouble facing USC in their backyard. Some USC teams that B10 teams have ran into at the Rose Bowl were national contenders in the title race which Oregon is not even close to. To say B10 teams have had trouble with PAC10 teams is misleading, its mainly USC. Also to say its been almost a decade is misleading because there have been 3 Rose Bowls that a B10 team haven't played in (2002, 2003, 2006).

I think Posey is going to have a huge game with two long TD's from Pryor. This pass has been there all season with Pryor connecting most of the time but missing lately against PSU and UM. I have a feeling these passes will result in 14 points for the Buckeyes on Jan 1st.

TP`s ankle should be 100% by bowl game & I think he will run a lot more then he did the last 3 games, remember how good he look running against Texas last year & Oregon`s defense is not as good as Texas. Bucks by 7-10

A bit off topic. IMO, whoever wins this game will become the preseason #1 in my mind. We all know what OSU could have coming back next year. However, Oregon will return 10 on offense and 9 on defense.

jpake1 wrote: A bit off topic. IMO, whoever wins this game will become the preseason #1 in my mind. We all know what OSU could have coming back next year. However, Oregon will return 10 on offense and 9 on defense.

It depends on what Bama does. If Bama wins the NC, they return some studs on offense including Jones and Ingram.

devil1197 wrote: dw, B10 teams have trouble facing USC in their backyard. Some USC teams that B10 teams have ran into at the Rose Bowl were national contenders in the title race which Oregon is not even close to. To say B10 teams have had trouble with PAC10 teams is misleading, its mainly USC. Also to say its been almost a decade is misleading because there have been 3 Rose Bowls that a B10 team haven't played in (2002, 2003, 2006).

Nevermind, I see what you meant.

I honestly think Tressel will open up the offense a bit for this game. They are going to need to get momentum if they want to win this game, and being aggressive and getting TD's is what's going to do that along with moving the ball hard on the ground.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_bowl

2003- Oklahoma 34 WSU 14
2002- Miami 37 Nebraska 14
2006- Texas 41 USC 38

UM lost in the 2004 and 2005 Rose Bowl games to USC and Texas.

And yes it does matter because unless you consider USC as the entire Pac 10? Oregon hasn't proven anything on a national level, sorry they haven't. You cannot contribute USC's success to Oregon having an advantage on Jan 1st.

The PAC 10 is 47-29 vs. the Big 10 in the Rose Bowl.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_Bowl_Game#Game_results

Like I said, the Big 10 doesn't fair well in that game. I don't care who the Big 10 rep is playing, they struggle out there. They have to travel acrossed the country to play a team that is from that region. Not fair for the Big 10.

I understand 50% of those games were won by USC, but even then we are even at best with the PAC 10. I'm not saying Oregon is a favorite, I am saying that the distance of travel and timezones are in their favor. That is all.

devil1197 wrote:

jpake1 wrote: A bit off topic. IMO, whoever wins this game will become the preseason #1 in my mind. We all know what OSU could have coming back next year. However, Oregon will return 10 on offense and 9 on defense.

It depends on what Bama does. If Bama wins the NC, they return some studs on offense including Jones and Ingram.

They also will only return 4 starters on D. I could be wrong on that. I just skimmed earlybirdpreview.com the other day.

I'm willing to bet the house on Oregon by 10+!
I'm ready for these Buckcry fans to really see that OSU is mediocre at best!

I see Masolli having a huge game against the overrated OSU defense!
If the Oregon D can contain Pryor this game will be a laugher!

OSU 's defense is good as long as they are playing the meat bags of the big ten. if they gave up 27 to navy oregon, is liable to throw up 50 on them. looks like the annual january roasting of buckeyes will continue

KnightRyder wrote: OSU 's defense is good as long as they are playing the meat bags of the big ten. if they gave up 27 to navy oregon, is liable to throw up 50 on them. looks like the annual january roasting of buckeyes will continue

We heard that before the Texas game also last year too.

Face it, OSU has a great defense this year because of their stellar defensive line play that they have lacked. Yeah, they may have a Gholston but not 4 guys + a steady rotation of athletic DL guys that are one of the best in the country. Their the main reason this OSU defense is truly legit this season. OSU has lacked a full defensive line for some time now but not this year. They'll be all over Masoli because they have the athletic ability that most teams lack at those positions.

tank2nasty wrote: I'm willing to bet the house on Oregon by 10+!
I'm ready for these Buckcry fans to really see that OSU is mediocre at best!

If both teams are 100%, I'll take that bet. What are we betting and where can I get ahold of you?

BORIStheCrusher wrote: I honestly think Tressel will open up the offense a bit for this game. They are going to need to get momentum if they want to win this game, and being aggressive and getting TD's is what's going to do that along with moving the ball hard on the ground.

I hope so

Oregon opens as a 4 point favorite.

Edit.

Buckeys need this game bad. Tressel needs this game bad, and the big 10 needs it worse. Please big 10 vome through for once.

Ohio State is going to have great success on the ground the more I watch Oregon games today imo. Oregon doesn't have the athlete's that OSU does on defense.