AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2008 > January > 07 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFinal thoughts before the BCS championship game
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’re a little less than an hour from kickoff for the BCS championship game between Ohio State and LSU. Here are five things I’m looking for as keys to this game.
LSU, by the way, just came out in their traditional white jerseys that they wear at home. This place is going to be LOUD.
Ohio State’s entire team just took the field and they are PUMPED UP!!
1. Is Glenn Dorsey REALLY 100 percent? I asked Dorsey, defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, and a bunch of LSU players the same question. Is the Big Guy really completely healthy? Because if he is, then Ohio State is really going to have a tough time running the ball tonight. If Ohio State can’t run the ball, then the play action pass doesn’t work. If Ohio State can run, the Buckeyes have a lot of options.
2. Keep an eye on Brian Robiskie: The word around the SEC is that LSU’s Chevis Jackson may be a pretty good lock down corner but you can hit him for a big play every now and then. Robiskie, the son of former LSU great Terry Robiskie, is the home run hitter on this Ohio State offense. Ohio State knows it can’t sustain many long drives against this LSU defense, but the Buckeyes believe they can hit some big plays.
3. Ohio State wants a low-scoring game: I picked LSU to win the game 24-23 and most of the writers around the country have both teams scoring in the 20s. I believe that if the game gets into the 20s, then LSU wins. Ohio State has the No. 1 defense in the nation (225.25 ypg). Ohio State can win 17-14, but they can’t win 24-20. LSU scored over 40 points seven times this season.
4. Is Antonio Henton really going to play?: The freshman quarterback from Fort Valley (Peach County) has been given a small package of plays that he can run. But the people I know who cover Ohio State are skeptical about whether or not coach Jim Tressel will actually put him in the game. Regardless of what he can do, would Tressel take such a risk in a game that he needs to be so low-scoring? The one thing Ohio State cannot do is give away some cheap points. We’ll see.
5. How long before we see Ryan Perrilloux?: LSU’s Matt Flynn is the senior quarterback and has been waiting a long, long time for this opportunity after backing up JaMarcus Russell. By Perrilloux is more mobile and started and won the SEC championship game against Tennessee. Perrilloux can make the big play but the can also make the big mistake. How much will coach Les Miles use him in a game where avoiding turnovers is going to be so crucial?
If you’ve got some questions or if you have some other keys to the game, let me know. But I’m ready for this thing to get started.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By D Gelbart
January 7, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
Ohio State will want to win because of last year but, if everyone is healthy for LSU then I don’t see Ohio State winning.
If Glenn Dorsey is 100 percent then I really don’t see Ohio State winning.
Ohio State is going to be fired up to try to get revenge for getting thumped last year.
By Alan
January 7, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
Georgia likely will finished 3rd again in the SEC in 2008 — behind LSU and Florida. Nationally USC will likely be number 1. Mr. College football is basically a UGA homer and an SEC bigot.
By Gutrake
January 7, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this
Dadgumit! I hate like heck to say this…but Ohio State will win tonight. There’s just too much favorable emotion trailing from the Buckeyes’ soul. It still doesn’t mean that they are the National Champions—it just means that they beat a good, two-loss team from the SEC. Should be glad they’re not playing UGA. This whole BCS mess is just shameful. Just sickly shameful. For those of you who adhere to this charade…you are dumber than a rock. It is just delusional.
By Crown & Ginger
January 7, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
Hey Alan:
What is the square root of zero?
By Bob
January 7, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
Well Corso just picked OSU, so Buckeye fans brace yourself. ESPN wonders why some folks in the South think they might be slightly slanted in their favoritism?
This afternoon’s ESPN Mike Tirico Radio Show had the following guests: Eddie George, Archie Griffin, THE Ohio State University President and of course Kirk Herbstreit. Hmmmm
Tonight’s Pre Game show was hosted by Kirk (OSU), Corso (Indiana Coach), Todd Blackledge (Penn State) and Desmond Howard (Michigan). Only Howard picked LSU and Chris Fowler picked the Tigers.
ESPN can pick whom they like and OSU may indeed win, but it should surprise no one that some folks feel that they are the voice of the Big Ten.
By dawn
January 7, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this
I cannot believe that we did not get to see all of the high school bands play during the pre game show. That’s the ONLY reason I was going to watch the game. GO Menasha High School Band. You are OUTSTANDING!!!!
By matilda schetchenhorse
January 7, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
Alan took me on a date last summer we split the cost of a chili dawg and orange at the varsity…we got back in his volvo and he premature ejacted to micheal jackson on the radio “beat it” as I remember I wished him well and know I am a bonified lesbian do to the site of Alan;s penis
By Bob
January 7, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
No lack of speed on Wells’ TD run.
By Biddbelle
January 7, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this
I am simply not looking forward to watching this game on FOX. 1.Bad color 2.Poor commentating 3.No pertinent instant replays. Other than than, I think LSU will pull this one out. OSU hasn’t beat one team in the top 20 - why are they there anyway?
By DWG
January 7, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
Looks like another buckeye nightmare. HEY BIG 10 - get another dang team in your freakin conference, play a championship game and quit taking two months off before the bowl games. LSU is not this good. Doucet walked into the endzone with three defenders around him. Is OSU on the take? Last time I saw tackling like that was the UF/Neb. game in 95. Pathetic. There’s still time left but if this keeps up OSU is officially a JOKE.
By bluegrassdog
January 7, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this
I don’t understand why The Big 10 Network was needed. Didn’t they already have ESPN?
By robby
January 7, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
someone please do scientific studies on media picks and coverage…
nemore of this judgment and accusation based only on what a single fan sees is gettin old…and its making people look pretty stupid…
the each member of the media has favorites to be sure…but i think they do a fair job of stating the criteria they use to evaluate and then do it…
and what wrong with having ‘personality’ being apart of judging a team…or ‘likeability’ being a factor…if a team is given ‘favorite’ status its likely cause they are doing a ton of things right
By Dale G
January 7, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this
Hey .. Big 10 LSU like the Gators kicked OSU maybe the Big 10 or Big 12 should be down rated … #1 team … LSU played OSU like the Gators … and killed them … maybe the BSC will think again about ranking a big 10 nothing so a SEC…. the big ?? is not big maybe a new name the big little ??? want your a* kick don’t come south or west … hell USC could have beat OSU…
Anynother great game for the SEC maybe the little 10 compete next year
Later
By DWG
January 7, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this
OSU = BCS JOKE. BCS = JOKE.
If ever there was a year when we needed a playoff…
And, when did the Big Ten become the Big East/ACC? One horse conference with no regular season.
FOX = JOKE. How many times tonight did they circle the wrong guy on the telestrator?
Did they just say that OSU could be back next year???? Please lord no. I say, let OSU play Hawaii next year. THAT would be a killer game!
Was Jamarcus Russell auditioning for a part in coming to America 2? The guys worth a billion and bought his clothes from a snack shop in the quarter.
Ladies and gentlemen, LSU is your 2008 ALLSTATE TERMINATOR TACO BELL CHEVY TRUCK AT&T DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VISA GATORADE DIRECT TV AMERICAN IDOL BCS CHAMPION!!!
By Dale G.
January 8, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this
Now it’s official … the SEC are the Big in football .. second try for OSU ended up like the first .. maybe they will have better luck with a second or third string team… the Big teams can never handle the southern teams … hell go back in time and look at Miami and the Irish … Miami and OU … Well you know the Gaters beat OSU last year … SO… next year ….. maybe the Big get’s smaller.. wow did you know OSU is the largest university in the country… and can win back to back..
By 11bdad
January 8, 2008 12:16 AM | Link to this
You have it nailed Dale G. The SEC is the big dog in college football. I’m an ACC fan first but SEC is the hound. Go home Yanks, 2007 belongs to the SOUTH. Congrats to LSU.
By reality check
January 8, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this
You people in the media are …I’m trying to be polite and not say dumb.
But Corso starts talking about USC being NC because OSU didn’t win and it has only been a few days since you were talking about Kansas State. Tony, you and your colleagues do not have as much sense as God gave the average turnip.
By azcat225
January 8, 2008 1:09 AM | Link to this
Maybe Ohio State will schedule some decent ooc games in the years to come—-their schedule sure didn’t prepare them (again) for the NCG. Congrats to LSU and to Les Miles. I didn’t see Herbstreit offering any apologies for the bogus Michigan story, did you?
Fox coverage sucked as badly in this game as all the others they broadcast. Pathetic is all I can think of to describe Fox. A high school journalism class could do the same job for a lot less money.
Top four in the preseason polls for 2008, in no particular order: Southern Cal, Georgia, Florida and (damn, I hate saying this but the media loves them and they have a ton of players coming back next year), Ohio State.
By shane #1
January 8, 2008 3:34 AM | Link to this
the game went as i expected.does the big ten have a chance against the sec?no!ohio st.was not the second best team in the country,having them as no.one was a joke!they had NO right to be in ther ncg.period.they do not belong in the top ten nrxt year and they were no.5 at best this year.how long do we have to watch a joke of a game for the nc?forget the{so calledbig ten!
By geaux boy
January 8, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
In the last 5 Years of SEC Football…LSU has 3 SEC WEST Crowns…2 SEC Championships…and 2 National Championships….!!!
By geaux boy
January 8, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
In the last 5 Years of SEC Football…LSU has 3 SEC WEST Crowns…2 SEC Championships…and 2 National Championships….!!!
By geaux boy
January 8, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
In the last 5 Years of SEC Football…LSU has 3 SEC WEST Crowns…2 SEC Championships…and 2 National Championships….!!!