Apologies to those who read this before it went to Blog Heaven.

THE RUNNING START
TV: Thursday, 8:30 on ESPN

Ohio State is 0-3 against Alabama. The Buckeyes lost to Alabama 17-24 in the 1995 Citrus Bowl. Ohio State is 2-2* in the Sugar Bowl.

Below you will find some interesting facts about the teams, key offensive player stats, coach information, and team stats.

 

The Last Time...

Ohio State won a game played in January was 2011 when the Buckeyes defeated Arkansas* 31-26.
The Buckeyes lost in the Sugar Bowl was a 14-31 defeat against Florida State in 1998.

 

6 Things On the Horizon...

1. Ohio State can win its 35th Big Ten title with a victory over Wisconsin.
2. The Buckeyes have thrown a touchdown pass in 21 consecutive games. The school record is 24 games (1994-1996).
3. Devin Smith comes into the game with 29 touchdowns. Smith is --- touchdowns away from tying David Boston ( TDs) for first all-time.
4. Joey Bosa has 13.5 sacks and 20.0 tackles for loss this season. Bosa is 1 sack away from breaking Vernon Gholston's single season record of 14 sacks.
5. Ohio State has won 24 consecutive regular season Big Ten games. With every B1G win the Buckeyes are setting a new record.
6. The Buckeyes next game will be January 12th in the College Football Championship Game or against Virginia Tech September 7th.

 

'Bama Bowl Business...

1. Alabama is 35-23-3 in bowl games.
2. The Crimson Tide has lost two straight Sugar Bowls by a combined score of 48-76 (2013 Oklahoma and 2008 Utah)
3. Alabama is 8-6 in the Sugar Bowl.
4. The Tide is 5-3 against Big Ten opponents in bowl games. That Team has two bowl wins (1987 Hall of Fame and 1999 Orange) and Minnesota one (2004 Music City).
    

Today's Trivia Questions

1. What quarterback set an Ohio State record with 38 pass attempts in the Sugar Bowl?
2. The most points Ohio State has scored in a bowl game is 47. Can you name the bowl game and opponent?

 

Repeat Performance?
Cardale Jones completed just over 70 percent of his passes for 257 yards and 3 touchdowns in the win 59-0 over Wisconsin. I have faith that Urban Meyer and Tom Herman will find and exploit the weaknesses they can find in Alabama's defense. If the offensive line performs like it did against the Badgers Cardale Jones and company should be in good shape.

Seasoned Sophomore
Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 220 yards (11.0 ypc) and 2 touchdowns in the Big Championship. I believe the Buckeyes' Sugar Bowl hopes will rely heavily on Elliott's legs.

 

ALABAMA'S INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

PASSING

Last Game: 23/27 (.852), 262 yards, 2 TDs

2014 Stats: 230/ 355 (.648), 3,250 yards, 26 TDs, 7 INTs

Career: 253/394 (.642), 3,494 yards, 28 TDs, 7 INTs

 

 

RUSHING

 
Last Game: 47 yards, 3.4 ypc 2 TDs

2014 Stats: 932 yards, 5.1 ypc, 10 TDs

Career: 3,275 yards, 5.8 ypc, 36 TDs

 

 

 

Last Game: 141 yards, 7.1 ypc, 2 TDs

2014 Stats: 895 yards, 5.6 ypc, 10 TDs

Career: 1,277 yards, 6.6 ypc, 13 TDs

 

 

RECEIVING

Last Game: 83 yards, 6.9 ypr

2014 Stats: 1,656 yards, 14.4 ypr, 14 TDs

Career: 3,392 yards, 15.5 ypr, 29 TDs

 

 

 

 

Last Game: 101 yards, 25.3 ypr, TD

2014 Stats: 439 yards, 11.9 ypr, 4 TDs

Career: 1,229 yards, 13.5 ypr, 12 TDs

 

 

 

OHIO STATE'S INDIVIDUAL STATS

PASSING

Last Game: 12/17 (.706), 257 yards, 3 TDs

2014 Stats: 22/34 (.647), 375 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INTs

Career: 23/36 (.639), 378 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INTs

 

 

RUSHING
 

 
Last Game: 220 yards, 11.0 ypc, 2 TDs

2014 Stats: 1,402 yards, 6.5 ypc, 12 TDs

Career: 1,664 yards, 6.7 ypc, 14 TDs

 

 

 

 

 
Last Game: 23 yards, 5.8 ypc, 2TDs

2014 Stats: 376 yards, 6.7 ypc, 6 TDs

Career: 376 yards, 6.7 ypc, 6 TDs

 

 

 

RECEIVING
​

Last Game: 137 yards, 34.3 ypr, 3 TDs

2014 Stats: 799 yards, 26.6 ypr, 11 TDs

Career: 2,371 yards, 20.1 ypr, 29 TDs

 

 

 

​ 
Last Game: 41 yards, 13.7 ypr

2014 Stats: 680 yards, 15.8 ypr, 8 TDs

Career: 702 yards, 15.3 ypr, 8 TDs

 

 

 

 

THE RUNOFF

COACHES

 

Urban Meyer

36-3 at Ohio State (3rd year) .923

140-26 overall (13th year) .843

 

 

 

 

 

Nick Saban

86-16 at Alabama (8th year) .843

177-58-1 overall (19th year) .752

 

 

 

 

2014 Statistical Comparison

2014 Stats	Rank	Category	2014 Stats	Rank
45.2	4th	Points For	37.1	16th
21.2	23rd	Points Against	16.6	4th
		OFFENSE
260.8	10th	Rushing Offense	209.5	34th
246.8	49th	Passing Offense	281.0	21st
507.6	8th	Total Offense	490.5	16th
		DEFENSE
139.8	33rd	Rushing Defense	88.7	2nd
188.2	17th	Passing Defense	223.7	31st
328.0	15th	Total Defense	312.4	11th
		OFF. MISC.
.515	4th	3rd Down Conv.	.541	2nd
.831	61st	Red Zone	.850	50th
11.7	18th	Punt Return	9.7	38th
23.3	20th	Kickoff Return	21.5	52nd
		DEF. MISC.
.369	40th	3rd Down Conv.	.362	31st
.838	75th	Red Zone	.825	58th
103.7	7th	Pass Eff. Def.	115.8	31st
41.3	6th	Net Punting	43.4	2nd
	Total: 7	THE EDDGE	Total: 9

 

 

Cliff Clavin's Little Known Facts Corner:

• Ohio State is the first team to go undefeated in the Big Ten regular season for 3 straight years.
• This will be the Buckeyes' seventh night game in 2014, a school record.
• Ohio State has won 11 consecutive games.
• The Buckeyes lead the nation in average home attendance (106,296).
• Joey Bosa has a TFL in 18 of his last 19 games.
• The Buckeyes have rushed for a touchdown in 21 straight games.
• The Buckeyes are out-scoring opponents 300-101 (33-8) in the first half this season. 

 

Today's Trivia Question Answers

What quarterback set an Ohio State record with 38 pass attempts in the Sugar Bowl?

Answer: Joe Germaine completed 21/38 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown in the 24-14 win over Texas A&M in the 1999 Sugar Bowl.
 

The most points Ohio State has scored in a bowl game is 47. Can you name the bowl game and opponent?

Answer: Ohio State defeated BYU 47-17 to win the 1982 Holiday Bowl.

Sources
ohiostatebuckeyes.com
espn.com
GIFS

In Case You Missed It
Morganna The Kissing Bandit's Last Interview (Worth The Read/Watch)
Blast From the Past: Liberty Bowl 12-27-1990
Blast From The Past: Fiesta Bowl 12-26-1980
Blast From The Past: Holiday Bowl 12-17-1982
The Series History: Ohio State in Bowl Games

*NCAA sanctions be damned.