The shifty James could be a nightmare for OSU.The Buckeye defense hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher all season and give up just 83 yards rushing per game, but that could change Friday, as they face their toughest challenge to date.
Oregon has one of the nation's most potent rushing attacks, especially now that LaGarrette Blount is back from his "season long" suspension. The Ducks finished the regular season ranked 6th in rushing at 236 yards per game, in comparison, OSU was 19th at 199 YPG.
After redshirting in 2008, LaMichael James came into this season ready to spell starter LeGarrette Blount in certain situations, but when Blount went postal after the season opener, James took advantage and caught the PAC-10 and nation by surprise.
James posted just 9 carries for 78 yards in the first 2 games against Boise St. and Purdue, but exploded for 1,398 yards in the next 10, setting both school and PAC-10 records for rushing yards by a freshman. He became the first player ever to win both freshman and player of the year in the conference.
At 5'9", 185 pounds, most schools shied away from the native Texan due to his size, but he has shown that anytime one possesses 4.4 speed, it makes up for any lack of size that is perceived. He compliments his speed with great vision, a much needed trait in Oregon's up-tempo, spread to run offense.
Overall on the season, James averaged 6.9 yards per tote and has had only 1 game (Washington State) in the last 10 where he didn't top the 100 yard mark. His season high came against USC, where he ran 24 times for 183 yards and followed that with a 214 total yard performance in the loss to Stanford. He tallied at least 150 total yards in 7 of the last 10 games.
Though he didn't catch many balls out of the backfield (13/143), Ohio State has had troubles in recent years defending the pass in the flats, so this could be an adjustment the Ducks make in their game plan.
By now, we all know the story of LaGarrette Blount. After coming to Oregon from East Mississippi CC, the 6'2", 246 pound tailback was set to recreate his 1,038 yards and 17 TD performance from last year, but his Rocky imitation in Boise cost him that chance. He returned from his suspension in time for the Civil War, when Oregon realized they had a chance at the PAC-10 title.
In 2008, Blount topped the 100-yard mark 4 times, but had 90+ in 3 other games. He has had double digit carries just 6 times in his Oregon career, but his 17 TD's were a school single season record. He is not a threat to catch any out of the backfield.
He is the opposite of James, looking to run through defenders instead of around them. Though I don't think he'll steal too many carries away from James and Masoli, he will give Chip Kelly another rushing option, if the Bucks can snuff out the speed of James.
According to Buckeye Football Analysis, Oregon runs the ball on 62% of their offensive plays, averaging 5.5 YPC on their 514 totes this season. The article goes on to talk about Oregon's 2 favorite run plays, the inside zone and outside zone read plays, which consist of about 55% of their run plays. They will also mix in counter and draw plays.
From BFA, Coach Kelly on the inside zone play:
The inside zone play is our “go to work” play. We want to get off the ball and be a physical downhill running football team. This is not a finesse play. This is physical football. The offensive lineman play with confidence because they know they have help from their teammates in their blocking scheme. This is the offense we run and everyone knows that. We have great players but we also execute it well. We ran this play 202 times this past season. We averaged about seven to eight yards per carry with this play.
And the outside zone play:
The outside zone play is a complement to the inside zone play. The inside zone is a hole to cutback play. The outside zone is more of a hole to bounce play. The reason we run the outside play is to circle the defense. When you get good at running the inside zone the defenders begin to tighten their techniques and concentrate on squeezing the inside gaps. If we feel that is happening or we start to get many twists and blitzes inside we run the outside zone play. It gives you speed in space and the offensive line can play with confidence when you have something to change the focus of the defense. We ran the outside zone play 122 times last season for 6.8 yards per carry. It is a good compliment to the inside zone play.
From the quotes above, Ohio State knows exactly what is coming their way in Pasadena and it is just a matter of stopping it. The PAC-10 hasn't been labeled as a run stopping conference, in fact 3 of the nation's top 9 rushers hail from West Coast, but the Buckeyes have always prided themselves on stopping the run and this game will come down to which team can hold the other's rushing attack in check. The speed of James makes me a bit nervous, but if the Buckeyes can tackle in space, they should win the game. If they put on a tackling display like the other OSU did in the Civil War, it will be another long BCS game for the Buckeye faithful.
Comments
I'm scared. Let's not play. Forfeit.
Is it just me, or is this ONE ARROGANT TEAM? From the players down to the coaches, you'd think these guys have won 3 national championships in a row.
The fact that they removed his suspension in time for their conference championship game shows a lot about their school and sports system.
The Pac-10 does not have a conference Championship game. In fact Blount was reinstated 3 weeks prior to the civil war game. He did not get any carries because Kelly placed him at the bottom of the RB depth chart and he had to earn his way back up to 2 or 3 before he got any playing time. There is no conspiracy here, Oregon did not remove his suspension simply to defeat their rival. Ohio State shoult be very nervous about this game. When the Ducks played ASU earlier this season the Sun Devils averaged 92 yds in rush defense (ranked top 10 nationally) and the ducks ran all over them. I would worry about how the Buckeyes plan to score enought points to hang with the Ducks. This could be a tough game for the Buckeyes.
Spivan-Blount was actually reinstated earlier in the season. Once he was reinstated, he still sat for two additional games as he was listed as 5th on the depth chart. He steadily moved up the depth chart and earned some PT in the civil war game. So, insinuating that he was brough back for the "conference championship game" is wrong. Also, the Pac10 does not have a conference championship game just so you know. Lastly, if you have players like Maurice Clarett in your history, you really shouldn't be spouting off about another teams players. Most of us Duck fans respect Ohio State. You have great history, great players, and have had great success. Stay Classy!
Great point...any team that would suspend a player for ten games and make sure they are rehabilitated before getting back on the field should be commended. Oregon's handling of the Blount situation proves they are classy and are more interested in doing what's right than winning. They could've been like Florida and suspended Blount for half a game...or like Miami...or any of a million other examples. I'm not sure if you're a tOSU fan or what Spivan but I appreciate your ability to be objective.
What an ignorant comment. More so than the author of this piece. Blount came off suspension after the USC or Stanford game, can't remember which. That was the 7th or 8th game of the season. The point is, he had to work his way back into the lineup. At that time James, Barner, Crenshaw and Alston were all ahead of him on the depth chart. If the Ducks thought they needed him to win a game, why not play him in the Arizona game the game before, which went to double overtime? Well?
Also, the Pac-10 does not have a "conference championship game" anymore than the Big-10 does. They play a true round-robin to determine the conference champion. As it happened this year, the winner of the Civil War was going to the Rose Bowl. Are you people really this new? Where are you getting this "arrogance" stuff from? Are the Ducks supposed to bow down to The mighty OSU? Ha! Talk about arrogance.
Spivan: Its obvious you know nothing about the Blount suspension and just want to dis Ducks football. Blount was suspended for the season by Kelly. He then quietly gave Blount the option of completing an as yet publicly unknown set of challenges to get back on the team. He was reinstated as a member of the team on I believe the 9th game of the season (total suspension 8 games I think). He didn't play in the next two games although eligible, he had to earn his playing time according to Kelly. He was promoted to #2 back for the last game of the season against Oregon State based on his performance in practice, and carried the ball 9 times in the second half for 52 yards. He only played in that game when James ran out of gas in the second half and Blount gave him a break for a couple of late series. You are correct in your last statement. Instead of just giving a young man the boot, Coach Kelly gave him a chance at redemption and Blount accepted. We could have used him long before the last game of the season and would have probably survived without him against Oregon State. He is a better young man for completing Kelly's challenges and coming back. It also made the team better for obvious reasons. Get your rants correct before you go off without a clue about the Duck program and the University of Oregon. Most Duck fans think it does show a lot (good) about the University of Oregon and the Duck program and are proud of Blount coming back, the Ducks, Kelly, and the University of Oregon.
My fault. That was the information I had gathered from the little TV I have gotten to watch over the past months and a little reading on the net. It just seemed coincidential. To be honest though, if you sucker punch someone like that, you should be suspended for the year, if not kicked off the team for good. I would say that for anyone, even an OSU player. I have no issue with Oregon. The only schools I intentionally dis is Michigan and Florida.
Spivan,
No big deal, I think a lot of people have that same idea of how things went down with Blount and I could see myself thinking the same thing had I not known..... I was with you as far as himn getting thrown off the team. I was so upset, angry, and embarrassed when he punched the Boise St player. Then after reading and learning more about the time table leading up to the game kind of opened my eyes.... His Grandmother who helped raise him passed away not two weeks before that game. Then to play such a horrible game, I guess he kind of snapped. That is no excuss, but at the same time, we where all young and dumb once. Have we all not done something we wished we could take back? I know I have. The way Oregon handled the situation, the more impressed I was with them and with Blount. I read all the thngs he had to do just to stay on the scout team. Instead of kicking him to the curb, they gave a young man a second chance to become a better person. They gave him a chance to right his wrong and to grow from his mistake. I am now a Blount fan again, when befor, I wanted his head on a platter. He now has a chance at chasing his dream of playing in the NFL. To have the means of raising his new born baby and showing his child that hard work and determination does pay off. I say good for him and I wish him the best of luck and hopefully a great career.
Good luck to Ohio St. They are a great team with great history and a great fan base.... Still, I love my Ducks, soooo, go Ducks :)