The New York Times checks in with 10 Stories Worth Following as we head into the game. At #3:
The Imperfect Quarterback — Plenty of observers are going to say that this Ohio State team is better than last season’s. Well, it’s not. The disparity at quarterback is enough of a reason, as the Buckeyes traded the Heisman Trophy winner, Troy Smith, for the immobile and not-so-accurate Todd Boeckman. L.S.U. has the solid-but-unspectacular Matt Flynn, which means that whichever quarterback makes the least mistakes will probably win.
That may be the single biggest story not being written about only 5 days from kickoff. Let's face it: the two starting quarterbacks that will square off on Monday night could be the least exciting pair to ever face each other in a BCS game. Their backups may bring a little more to the table, but how much will each play?
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I can't believe I've read something worthwhile and sensible from the NYT. I think the analysis is correct. I can't help but think we were better last year - offensively, in particular - but hope this team can finish out better.
Sometimes the greatest teams don't finish, and the lesser ones do. Ohio State in '69 was better than they were in '68, but one team finished, and the other didn't. Look at a couple of Woody's 70s teams. That's just the way it goes.
Roll on, Bucks.
"2. The Speed Factor — After Florida, like L.S.U. a team in the Southeastern Conference, routed Ohio State in last season’s title game, team speed was cited as a strong factor. That came into play especially with the Gators’ defensive front seven. Expect the speed factor as an advantage for L.S.U. to be discussed excessively leading up to the game."
I can't believe I just read that. I actually laughed out loud. I'm surprised they put that up there after the Michigan/Florida game and Wisconsin/Tenn. game. And I'm pretty sure I've read quotes from LSU coaches and players not buying into the myth of SEC speed.
"I can’t believe I’ve read something worthwhile and sensible from the NYT."
Really?
I don't think the analysis of TB is correct. He had trouble with the conditions at scUM, but what first year starter in The Game has not had at least a small amount of jitters and such. The 3 INT's against Illinois overshadowed the fact that he had his best scrambling effort oftthe season. The mechanical flaw he developed late in the season is now well documented, and it has been corrected. I expect we will see a much better effort from TB in the championship game, and contrary to conventional wisdom I expect to see the gameplan open up with a lot of passes like we saw at the beginning of the season. You heard it here first.
GB89, you heard it here first: TB likes to throw into double coverage.
First, the NYT pre-game summary was great. Sure, our QB might not be as strong. But there's no sense in comparing Smith to Boeckman -- after all, Troy didn't get it done last year, regardless of how good he is/was. Let's worry about the real match-ups: Boeckman vs. LSU D and Flynn vs. OSU D. Yup... WE WIN!