*** Oregon vs. Ohio State Discussion & In-Game Thread ***

The coaching angle is overrated- players that make plays decide the game.

Meyer's edge is that his team will hang tough unlike the quitters from FSU and their coaching staff that kept making excuses for the team all year.

I like Oregon just because of the edge at QB.

I would wait on the line because early word is the Vegas sharps are going to be on OSU.

Players ultimately decide the game on the field yes of course... but cfb is ALL about coaching

Lots to continue thinking about guys, I'm definitely excited for this game though. Should be good. Maybe I won't make a big play on it because I'm slightly hesitant about both teams.

I keep hearing how fast Oregon is, how great the Oregon defense is, Oregon has the best QB. Well you want to know what, let's see what they say after Ohio St beats Oregon Monday night, because that is what is going to happen. The better team wins. Take Ohio State money line, do not believe the hype...

I think Oregon is the better team- faster, better QB, its defense causes more turnovers.

But it seems like OSU might be one of those teams that lucks out this year.

don't forget, Ohio St. gets MORE prep time than Oregon, because they are in school, whereas Ohio is not.  Oregon limited to 20 per week, including game time, Ohio St. is not.  Imho, I think that give Ohio State an advantage.  Urban Meyer is the better coach, now he has more time to prepare his team. 

Ohio St.'s D allowed some pretty shiity teams to put some points on the board...No reason to think Oregon can't drop a good 45 points on them.

I don't think this extra prep time means anything. Oregon has enough practice all season long running their offense and tempo.

I agree.. means nothing, just propaganda. They will do what they got to do.

I just finished re-watching both semi-final games today, And I am convinced the Buckeyes will certainly be able to establish the run against Oregon. They ran all over Bama and their previous opponent Wisconsin as well, running inside and outside against the big bodies and the speed of SEC. Oregon DL is fast but smaller and Ohio State is not slow, contrary to belief. They will limit the possession time of Oregon and goes on long scoring drives. I also re-watch Oregon vs. Stanford and the Ducks do have problem containing big physical team with strong running game. The way I see it, Ohio State will muster up a couple of stops each half and score when they have the ball. And escape with a cover if not win outright... Just my thought.

Oh and do not forget Ohio also has a few burners on the outside who can run with anyone on Oregon DBs.

Buckeyes have the most QB depth of any team, any level. I once saw a seventh grade football team that had three really top notch RBs. Every play was an 80-yard touchdown no matter who was carrying. OSU is the same way with these QBs. If Cardale Jones goes down OSU probably has the next Aaron Rodgers lurking as their 4th string QB. On the Oregon side Mariota is a stat machine. He completes his 80-yard touchdown passes with 5 yard throws on the illegal pick plays that Oregon runs throughout each game. Tony Scott is not going to be calling Oregon to star in a remake of Unstoppable after this game. I think Ohio State comes up with about four stops and that's all they'll need. Buckeyes by 7. GL

I have a question for everyone :

If you were to tease Ohio State to +14.5 and you need to add another play, obviously, would you tease the Under or the Over and why?

To add, I would only assume that if you tease OSU Up you would probably add the 7 points to the Under?

Turnovers gained:

OSU 32

Oregon 30

OSU actually has created more turnovers

"Oregon DL is fast but smaller"

Definitely, and that is why I am leaning OSU. Oregon is +20 in turnover margin good for second in the country. Yet all we hear is about is how prolific Oregon's offense is. Oregon only managed 2.2 more points per game than OSU despite that +20 margin. OSU was 17th in the country at +10., still -10 to Oregon but they scored 2.2 less ppg? OSU played by far the better defenses. They have played some very good scoring defenses #6 Alabama, #7 PSU, #17 Wisconsin, #22 Michigan State, and #28 Michigan. Oregon has only played #2 Stanford and #22 Michigan state, is +10 in turnover margin over OSU and only scored 2.2 points more than OSU?

I almost think that Oregon will have to win the turnover battle by 2+ just to win the game. OSU will score vs Oregon, I don't see any way Oregon stops their run game. I think OSU's defense gets a few more stops and their run game limits potential turnovers from Jones. If the turnover margin is 0. I see an OSU win, possibly pretty convincingly. ( not by 21+ like a lot of people on here LOL)

Yeah it is a 3-4 not setup for power run teams!!!!!!!!!!!!! DUH!!!!!!!!!!!

If the turnover margin is 0, I'd say it's about a toss up.

i think that urban meyer has turned the buckeyes into a SEC team... i like the buckeyes getting points... i have them at 6-1 the morning before jt barrett got hurt...

You can't say Mariotta isn't better than Cardale. . One of the reasons I lean Oregon here.

I agree that Cardale is more likely to make a mistake. But the thing is, I think OSU's offense is  better than Oregon's outside of Jones. That is my point. Oregon only scored 2.2 points more per game than Ohio state with a +10 turnover margin and vs inferior defenses. With increased opportunity from turnovers Oregon could only muster 2.2 more points per game with that tempo? OSU turned the ball over twice and was forced to kick a FG after having a first and goal from the 1 vs Alabama and still put 42 points on a defense that is much better than Oregon. If the turnover margin is even, OSU wins. Why? Because the one weakness OSU has is inexperience at QB and a ZERO margin eliminates that advantage.

While Oregon is good on defense, OSU I think has a decent edge and their speed matches up well vs Oregon.

Total defense:

OSU 17th 333.6 ypg

Oregon 84th 421.9

Rush defense:

OSU: 34th 142ypg

Oregon: 49th 156.1

Pass defense

OSU 16th 191.6 ypg

Oregon 108th 265.9

Pass efficiency defense

OSU 4th 104.79

Oregon 50th 123.59

Sacks:

OSU 13th 3.07 per game

Oregon 33rd 2.57

TFL:

OSU 10th 7.5 per game

Oregon: 49th 6.4

Scoring defense:

OSU 26th 22.1 ppg

Oregon 27th 22.3

I think you could say some of OSU's stats are inflated because of the weak offensive schedule they played. But I think you also say Oregon's are padded because of the turnover margin and teams playing from behind. I don't think Oregon is as good vs the run as their stats show, and as bad vs the pass.

Basically the only advantage I have Oregon with is a slight one on offense predicated on Jones' inexperience.

Oregon offense slightly> than OSU's.

But OSU's speed on defense matches up well.

OSU's Defense > Oregon's

OSU's run game bad matchup.

OSU's special teams> Oregon's

coaching OSU> Oregon