2008 BCS Championship - Title
Game Pick - Tony George
Betus Pressbox
Articles
Ohio State +4 vs. LSU
BCS national Title Game - Courtesy of
Tony George Sports
I cannot ignore
some trends in the bigger bowl games. Under estimated teams, a high emphasis
on speed versus brawn, and public perception
have led to some point spread covers where everyone
is scratching their head. I watched LSU's
final 2 games of the season, one of them a loss
to 8-5 Arkansas, who were soundly beaten by Missouri
in the Cotton Bowl, and Tennessee who beat a
decent Wisconsin team in a bowl game as well. One
can make an argument that Tennessee beat themselves
in the SEC title game with 2 costly turnovers,
one for a TD that lost them the game. Other
than that, Tennessee was in command of that game
for 3 1/2 quarters. Hardly a blueprint
for LSU to dominate a physical team like Ohio
State.
Ohio State returns
to the national title game for the second year
and the one thing that worries me is the same
thing that happened to them last year, over
50 days off between games. I
assume they have learned how to oversome that
issue with experience on the coaching staff. While
the Big 10 is overrated, throw that out a minute. Ohio
State has one game they messed up and it was
Illinois. Other than that they beat who
they were suppose to beat and many times in dominating
fashion. They say speed kills, but did
anyone watch Michigan light up Florida last
week? Clearly Florida was loaded with speed,
it did little to help them against a Big 10 foe,
who is not as good as Ohio State. While
one game has nothing to do with the other, it
is a good argument for speed versus brawn.
Both teams are
healthy, which is a huge plus for LSU who were
missing key players including QB Flynn. That being said, Ohio State is
on a mission and have the "no respect" card
in their favor. They also have a MONSTER
defense allowing 10 ppg all season and 16 ppg
their last 3. This is a physical bunch
who want to redeem themselves for last years
national title game debacle against Florida. LSU's
defense, led by now Nebraska coach Bo Pelini
has showed signs of weakness, and an inability
to stop the run. They are not as dominant
as 2006's edition. Ohio State's defense
ranks #1 in scoring defense, yards allowed, pass
defense and rank #3 in pass defense, Granted
the Big 10 does not pass as much as the SEC,
but the bottom line is defense wins championships,
and I am sticking to my guns in this one for
that reason.
LSU is a solid
team with playmakers, but they need big plays
to make things happen and Ohio State is good
at stopping big plays. 3
zone coverage's, man to man and doubles at WR
position, and still being able to stop the run
is what Ohio State is good at and that is what
you need to beat LSU. LSU is also horrible
when it comes to penalties, they create their
own adversity numerous times in big games. I
think this will tip the balance tonight, especially
with time off, and a unit that is at times very
undisiplined.
All in all, a great
game of strategy tonight and I like the more
physical team who is back for the second time
to make a statement. Played
in the Superdome or not, Ohio State pulls off
a small shocker as LSU simply has struggled away
from home even when winning, and Ohio State clearly
have done what it takes since last years BCS
championship game to get back here and make things
right.
Ohio State
21 LSU 16 - I
am grabbing the points
Thanks for
all your business in 2007 in College Football. Tony
George www.sportsaudioshows.com
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