Tressels,
This is the space where all my Ohio State Rose Bowl memories would go.
It would include recent images of Rose Bowl heroes breaking historic touchdowns that we’ve all seen replayed over and over. It would include stories about how the whole room erupted when such-and-such made the key interception to end the game. Or, how we always make that special good-luck appetizer for January 1st. Maybe, it would even include tales from a trip or two out to Pasadena. I’d also have those heartache moments that fill out the drama and keep you coming back. Hated Pac-10 rivals, players I can’t stand, bad-luck TVs and remorseful “if-only” plays.
I’ve always viewed the Rose Bowl as the pinnacle. It is the ultimate game in the only sport worthy of complete devotion – and always will be. But, my Buckeye-related Rose Bowl memories are mostly of one single game. Germaine to Boston and all the moments that preceeded and followed. Outstanding, but pretty limited.
I wish I experienced all the historic Rose Bowl games of the past.
Jan. 1st, 1955: Ohio State 20 Southern Cal 7…Woody’s first National Championship.
Jan. 1st, 1969: Ohio State 27 Southern Cal 16…the Super Sophs become legendary.
Four straight for Archie.
The first line I wrote this year prior to the Navy season opener was — I don’t know about you, but I’ve been ready for uncertainty and it’s finally here. In a season where the motto at the outset was “embracing uncertainty,” my Rose Bowl memories will be doubled within 48 hours. I’m so excited — I’m going to wear a Buckeye jersey and white headband with “EARLE” written across the front into the office tomorrow.
Twelve games later, I’m a lot more certain now…and I believe in this team at this point in time. Spare me all of the recent bowl game futility counters. Got it. Well aware.
Different team, different situation.
Late this season, there definitely has been something refreshing about this group of Buckeyes. After the Purdue debacle, they’ve played like a team. By the time they headed into Ann Arbor, they were limping to the finish. But, they found a way to win out in November and get to Pasadena. Forty days later, it sounds as if all the key players who have been injured at some point this season — Terrelle, Boom, Brandon, Justin Boren, Brewster, Ross Homan, Hines, Larimore, Pettrey, Cordle — are more healthy than they have been for some time.
Different team, different situation.
It pains me to say this, but in the three previous BCS bowl games, the Bucks have been outmatched (Florida, LSU and — to some degree — Texas), especially in the trenches. Ohio State will be the more talented team in this one.
The last time Ohio State played a mediocre defense in a bowl game (Notre Dame), during his post-game news conference Coach Tressel said something to the effect of — we just practiced not overthrowing the deep ball. Translation – we knew it was completely up to us. I have a feeling the post-game tone will be similar for this one.
To me, this game feels a little bit like the 2004 Alamo Bowl. I remember being shocked that Ohio State was the underdog against Oklahoma State. I think perception that year was based on who Ohio State was when the season began (see: 2004 Iowa debacle) as opposed to whom Ohio State became before the bowl game (see: mid-season development of the “Shot-Ginn’”). Ohio State 33 Oklahoma State 7.
To illustrate my point that Oregon’s defense is mediocre, I looked at the games for both teams from Oct 24th on – the games that are really indicative of how good the Bucks are. If you exclude the OT points and adjust the season averages to exclude the games against Ohio State or Oregon, you would predict OSU wins 31.0 – 18.8. Since Oct 24, OSU has held opponents to 39.4% of their scoring average…Oregon opponents actually were +1.5% ABOVE their scoring average (i.e. Oregon’s defense is average). Ohio State has scored 43.1% above the opponents average points allowed and Oregon is +87.0% above.
From all the pre-game quotes coming out of Pasadena, you get the sense that the Buckeyes are appropriately confident and Oregon is overconfident. I guess it’s understandable…we’ve all been subject to it…Oregon has a dynamic, flashy offense and the Pac-10 hasn’t lost a Rose Bowl game since 2000.
Most of the discussion has revolved around Oregon’s offense vs. Ohio State’s defense — a match-up of strength (Oregon rushing attack) vs. strength (Ohio State rush defense). Oregon has mastered the art of deception and tempo. Up-tempo teams have given the Buckeyes fits in the past, but I think the OSU coaching staff will have the Bucks ready to attack every play. And Ray Small (if you are able to remember him), was right about one thing — Oregon has not seen a defense like OSU. (Thanks for that parting contribution, Ray…very helpful.) The OSU defense is full of guys that will play at the next level. Combine fast, physical talent with gap sound discipline and perfect tackling technique and the Bucks D can play with anyone.
Of course all the Oregon weapons, make me nervous. Massoli has a quick release, is deceptively fast and makes sound decisions. LaMichael and LaGarrett are a great RB tandem. If OSU commits to stop the run, the Ducks’ TE (Dickson) can 
burn them over the middle. But, I think Gibson, Worthington, Coleman and Denlinger will be ready to go for their last game as a Buckeye. (Hopefully, Heyward doesn’t join them.) Homan and Rolle are quick to the ball every single play, which is critical against Oregon’s spread.
I’m actually more interested to see Ohio State’s strength (rushing attack) vs. Oregon’s relative weakness (mediocre defense). The Ohio State offense went through a transformation mid-season. Terrelle became a game manager as opposed to the focus…and the Bucks pounded the ball. A combination of things contributed to the rushing success during the stretch run. Continuity improved after many of the OL missed time with injury, illness or suspension. The true freshman FB (Zach Boren) seemed to “get it” and was outstanding in the later half of the season. Terrelle kept the defense more honest with his improved decision-making and scrambling ability. Lastly, the experienced RBs (Boom and Saine) were on the field. I think the Bucks won’t miss Ray-Ray and Duron because they can just keep Boren, Ballard and Stoneburner on the field. Pound away at the smaller Oregon defense and just don’t turnover the ball.
People may groan, but healthy portions of Tresselball could be a good way to approach the Ducks. It will be very important for the Buckeyes to avoid three and outs on offense. After a series against the rapdi-fire Ducks, the defense will need a breather. Picking up four yards on the ground is not a bad thing. But, Tresselball in its purest form would be risky. The Ducks can strike quickly, so Ohio State cannot sit on a lead — something that continually gets them in trouble. OSU needs to have good intentions every time they possess the ball – no three and outs.
I’ll feel a lot better if Terrelle hits one big one. This would relieve some of the pressure Tresselball inherently creates and could help dictate tempo. He hit it against Penn State, but missed it twice against Michigan.
Even though the offensive gameplan will revolve around OSU’s core DNA (conservative rush attack), I think we’ll see some wrinkles. There are rumors that Jermil Martin has seen some reps. Remember watching him running all over Minnesota (another mediocre defense)? This would be reminiscent of Brandon Joe taking it to Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl. Saine could split out. We could see Terrelle catching passes, like he did last year. Or, maybe we’ll see a pass attempt to the TE (like Stoneburner). We’ll see.
To someone my age, the Rose Bowl almost seems as if it is this mythical thing. Parades celebrating other teams. Games played long ago. Standard definition images of Woody, Archie, Rex Kern, Charles White and OJ. Tales told to me by someone else.
I can’t wait for ABC’s opening sequence in HD showing the vast, alive stadium with the San Gabriel Mountains as the backdrop.
We’ll talk about this game over holiday dinners with grandchildren many years from now. “You-shoulda-seen” and “you-couldn’t-believe” stories.
It creates history and rememberance.
Touchdowns: Posey, Saine, Terrelle, Boom
OSU 31 Oregon 20
Go Bucks! Beat Oregon! Thaddeus Gibson for Heisman!
Large Father
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