We have the pertinent info, depth charts, statistics and a prediction on the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl between No. 7 Oregon and No. 8 Ohio State (5 p.m., ABC).
Game Data: Ohio State vs. Oregon
* Bowl: Rose Bowl presented by Citi
* Date, Time: Fri., Jan. 1; 5:10 p.m. (Eastern); 2:10 p.m. (Pacific in California)
* Location: Rose Bowl Stadium (surface, grass; capacity, 88,500); Pasadena, Calif.
* TV: ABC national broadcast (Announcers: Brent Musberger and Kirk Herbstreit call the action from the booth with Lisa Salters on the sidelines.) In Columbus, the game will be seen on WSYX-TV (Ch. 6).
* Radio: ESPN national broadcast (Announcers: Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden will call the action from the booth with Shelley Smith on the sidelines); OSU Football Radio Network (Announcers: Paul Keels and Jim Lachey will call the action from the booth with Marty Bannister on the sidelines) available locally in Columbus on WBNS-AM (1460) and WBNS-FM (97.1 The Fan).
* Records, Rankings: Ohio State, 10-2 overall, 7-1 Big Ten (first), ranked No. 8 in Associated Press poll, USA Today coaches poll and BCS standings; Oregon, 10-2 overall, 8-1 Pac-10 (first), ranked No. 7 in AP and coaches polls and BCS standings.
* Coaches: Ohio State, Jim Tressel (ninth year at OSU, 93-21; 24th year overall, 228-78-2; vs. Oregon, first meeting; bowl record, 4-4); Oregon, Chip Kelly (first year at Oregon, 10-2; vs. OSU, first meeting; bowl record, first bowl).
* Series History: Ohio State and Oregon meet for the eighth time in history with OSU holding a 7-0 record in the series. The first meeting was in the 1958 Rose Bowl, won by OSU 10-7. Five of the six regular season meetings have been in Columbus. OSU won the last meeting on Sept. 19, 1987, in Columbus (24-14).
Click here for a look at the 1958 Rose Bowl, the all-time OSU-Oregon series and OSU’s record against Pac-10 opponents.
* Rose Bowl History: Ohio State is 6-7 all-time in the Rose Bowl and will be making its first appearance in the Rose Bowl since the 1997 game (a 20-17 win over Arizona State). OSU is 18-22 all-time in bowl games.
Click here for OSU’s history in the Rose Bowl.
Oregon is 1-3 all-time in the Rose Bowl and will be making its first appearance in the Rose Bowl since the 1995 game (a 38-20 loss to Penn State). Oregon’s lone Rose Bowl win was over Penn in 1917 (14-0). Oregon is 9-13 all-time in bowl games.
* Team Information: Ohio State will wear its white jerseys and use the west bench on game day. Oregon will wear its dark jerseys and use the east bench on game day.
* Team Payout: Approximately $18 million per team.
Charting Ohio State
* Ohio State Schedule (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten): Sept. 5, Navy, W 31-27; Sept. 12, USC, L 18-15; Sept. 19, vs. Toledo (at Cleveland), W 38-0; Sept. 26, Illinois, W 30-0; Oct. 3, at Indiana, W 33-14; Oct. 10, Wisconsin, W 31-13; Oct. 17, at Purdue, L 26-18; Oct. 24, Minnesota, W 38-7; Oct. 31, New Mexico State, W 45-0; Nov. 7, at Penn State, W 24-7; Nov. 14, Iowa, W 27-24 (OT); Nov. 21, at Michigan, W 21-10.
* Ohio State Key Players (2009 Stats): QB Terrelle Pryor (144 of 258 passing, 1,828 yards, 16 TDs, 10 INTs; 142 carries, 707 yards, 7 TDs), RB Brandon Saine (131 carries, 694 yards, 4 TDs), RB Dan Herron (139 carries, 558 yards, 7 TDs), WR DeVier Posey (52 catches, 727 yards, 7 TDs), WR Dane Sanzenbacher (27 catches, 506 yards, 6 TDs), LB Brian Rolle (91 tackles, 7 TFLs, 1 INT), LB Ross Homan (96 tackles, 5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 4 INTs), DB Kurt Coleman (64 tackles, 5 INTs), DE Cameron Heyward (42 tackles, 5-1/2 sacks, 9 TFLs), DE Thaddeus Gibson (41 tackles, 4 sacks, 11 TFLs).
* Ohio State National Rankings: Offense -- Rushing, 19th (198.9 ypg); passing, 106th (165.9); total, 71st (364.8); scoring, 47th (29.3 ppg). Defense -- Rushing, fifth (83.4 ypg); passing, 17th (179.1); total, fifth (262.5); scoring, fifth (12.2 ppg).
* Ohio State Fast Facts: Location: Columbus, Ohio; Enrollment, 47,952; Nickname, Buckeyes; Colors, Scarlet and Gray; Stadium, Ohio Stadium (surface, FieldTurf; capacity, 102,329).
* Ohio State National Championships: 5 consensus titles (1942, 1954, 1957, 1968, 2002), 2 splinter titles (1961, 1970).
* Ohio State Conference Championships: 34 Big Ten titles
* Ohio State Heisman Trophy Winners: 7 (Les Horvath, 1944; Vic Janowicz, 1950; Howard “Hopalong” Cassady, 1955; Archie Griffin, 1974-75; Eddie George, 1995; Troy Smith, 2006)
OSU Game-By-Game
Note: Game day Associated Press poll rankings in parentheses
* Sept. 5 at Columbus: Ohio State (6) 31, Navy 27 – OSU hosted Navy for thefirst time in 78 years and had to hold off a late charge by the Midshipmen. LB Brian Rolle returned a potential game-tying two-point pass for two points with 2:33 to thwart the threat. QB Terrelle Pryor threw for 174 yards and a TD and also rushed for a score.
* Sept. 12 at Columbus: Ohio State (8) 18, USC (3) 15 – USC QB Matt Barkley led the Trojans on a late 86-yard march – capped by Stafon Johnson’s 2-yard TD run with 1:05 left – to steal the win. OSU was limited to just 88 yards rushing in dropping a sixth straight game to a top-five opponent.
* Sept. 19 at Cleveland: Ohio State (11) 38, Toledo 0 – Pryor and the Buckeyes rebounded in a big way with this game at Cleveland Browns Stadium. He completed 17 of 28 passes for 262 yards and three TDs and also had 110 yards rushing with a score. The OSU defense held the Rockets to 13 yards rushing.
* Sept. 26 at Columbus: Ohio State (13) 30, Illinois 0 – The Buckeyes braved steady rains and the defense had three interceptions in blanking the Illini. RBs Boom Herron and Brandon Saine combined for 156 yards rushing with Herron scoring twice. OSU notched back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 1996.
* Oct. 3 at Bloomington, Ind.: Ohio State (9) 33, Indiana 14 – Pryor threw for 166 yards and three TDs and also rushed for a score, while Saine notched his first-ever 100-yard game with 113 yards on 17 carries in a workmanlike road win for the Buckeyes.
* Oct. 10 at Columbus: Ohio State (9) 31, Wisconsin 13 – Safeties Kurt Coleman and Jermale Hines each had interception returns for scores and Ray Small had a 96-yard kick return touchdown in this win over previously unbeaten Wisconsin. Those plays bailed out the offense, which produced just 184 yards. OSU sacked UW QB Scott Tolzien six times.
* Oct. 17 at West Lafayette, Ind.: Purdue 26, Ohio State (7) 18 – OSU suffered its first loss to a team four games under .500 in 22 years. Pryor threw for 221 yards and a TD and rushed for a score, but he was sacked five times, lost two fumbles and threw a pair of interceptions. Purdue QB Joey Elliott threw for 281 yards and two TDs.
* Oct. 24 at Columbus: Ohio State (19) 38, Minnesota 7 – OSU again bounced back with a 509-yard outburst against visiting Minnesota. Pryor threw for 239 yards and two TDs and also rushed for 104 yards and a score. Freshman RBs Jordan Hall and Jermil Martin also had TD runs in this laugher.
* Oct. 31 at Columbus: Ohio State (17) 45, New Mexico State 0 – OSU notched its third shutout, limiting the visiting Aggies to 62 yards total offense and two first downs. OSU spread the wealth with 559 yards total offense. WR Dane Sanzenbacher caught TD passes from Pryor and WR DeVier Posey.
* Nov. 7 at University Park, Pa.: Ohio State (15) 24, Penn State (11) 7 – Small had two big punt returns to set up touchdowns as OSU took its second consecutive win at Penn State. Pryor had two TD passes – including a 62-yard bomb to Posey – and ran for a score. The defense held PSU to just 201 yards. DE Cameron Heyward had a pair of sacks.
* Nov. 14 at Columbus: Ohio State (10) 27, Iowa (15) 24, OT – OSU clinched its fifth straight Big Ten title and the Rose Bowl bid on walk-on K Devin Barclay’s 39-yard field goal in overtime, touching off a huge celebration. That followed a defensive stop as DT Doug Worthington knocked Iowa out of FG range with a sack. Saine rushed for 103 yards and two TDs. Iowa nearly pulled off the win with James Vandenberg starting at QB in place of the injured Ricky Stanzi.
* Nov. 21 at Ann Arbor, Mich.: Ohio State (9) 21, Michigan 10 – OSU secured an unprecedented sixth straight win over rival Michigan by rolling up 251 yards rushing. Herron (96 yards), Saine (84 yards, TD catch) and Pryor (74 yards) all had success on the ground. Coleman had two of OSU’s four interceptions against UM QB Tate Forcier, who also lost a fumble recovered by OSU’s Heyward in the end zone for a touchdown.
Charting Oregon
* Oregon Schedule: Sept. 3, at Boise State, L 19-8; Sept. 12, Purdue, W 38-36; Sept. 19, Utah, W 31-24; Sept. 26, California, W 42-3; Oct. 3, Washington State, W 52-6; Oct. 10, at UCLA, W 24-10; Oct. 24, at Washington, W 43-19; Oct. 31, USC, W 47-20; Nov. 7, at Stanford, L 51-42; Nov. 14, Arizona State, W 44-21; Nov. 21, at Arizona, W 44-41 (2 OT); Dec. 3, Oregon State, W 37-33.
* Oregon Key Players (2009 Stats): QB Jeremiah Masoli (168 of 285 passing, 2,066 yards, 15 TDs, 5 INTs; 115 carries, 659 yards, 12 TDs), RB LaMichael James (215 carries, 1,476 yards, 14 TDs), WR Jeff Maehl (52 catches, 686 yards, 6 TDs), TE Ed Dickson (42 catches, 551 yards, 6 TDs), FS John Boyett (78 tackles, 2 INTs), ROV Javes Lewis (77 tackles, 4-1/2 TFLs, 2 INTs), DE Kenny Rowe (36 tackles, 8-1/2 sacks, 11 TFLs), CB Talmadge Jackson III (46 tackles, 4 INTs), MLB Casey Matthews (72 tackles, 2-1/2 sacks, 4 TFLs, 1 INT).
* Oregon National Rankings: Offense -- Rushing, sixth (236.1 ypg); passing, 91st (188.6); total, 25th (424.7); scoring, seventh (37.7 ppg). Defense -- Rushing, 39th (126.7 ypg); passing, 37th (202.8); total, 32nd (329.4); scoring, 52nd (23.6 ppg).
* Oregon Fast Facts: Location: Eugene, Ore.; Enrollment, 20,376; Nickname, Ducks; Colors, Green and Yellow; Stadium, Autzen Stadium (surface, FieldTurf; capacity, 54,000).
* Oregon National Championships: None.
* Oregon Conference Championships: 7 (4 Pacific Coast Conference titles; 3 Pac-10 titles since 1968)
* Oregon Heisman Trophy Winners: None.
Oregon Game-By-Game
Note: Game day Associated Press poll rankings in parentheses
* Sept. 3 at Boise, Idaho: Boise State (14) 19, Oregon (16) 8 – Chip Kelly’s head coaching debut was a nightmare. Boise State held Oregon to 152 yards total offense. RB LaGarrette Blount had eight carries for minus-5 yards and punched a Boise player after the game, leading to what became a 10-game suspension.
* Sept. 12 at Eugene: Oregon 38, Purdue 36 – The Ducks rallied from down 24-17 in the third quarter to win a shootout over the visiting Boilers. QB Jeremiah Masoli accounted for 247 yards offense. Oregon cashed in a fumble and an interception for touchdowns. Purdue QB Joey Elliott threw for 266 yards and one TD.
* Sept. 19 at Eugene: Oregon 31, Utah (18) 24 – Redshirt freshman RB LaMichael James carried 27 times for 152 yards and a touchdown as the Ducks snapped Utah’s 16-game winning streak. Masoli had a pair of touchdown runs as well for Oregon.
* Sept. 26 at Eugene: Oregon 42, California (6) 3 – Oregon’s offense hit full stride, going for 524 yards against the visiting Golden Bears. Masoli was 21 of 25 for 253 yards with three TD passes to TE Ed Dickson, who had 11 catches for 148 yards. James added 118 yards and a TD on 21 carries.
* Oct. 3 at Eugene: Oregon (16) 52, Washington State 6 – Oregon’s offensive onslaught continued with a 514-yard showing. James had 81 yards and two TDs rushing. Masoli rushed for 52 and a score and threw for 116 before taking an early powder. The Ducks held the Cougars to 158 yards total offense and four first downs.
* Oct. 10 at Pasadena, Calif.: Oregon (13) 24, UCLA 10 – Trailing 3-0 at the half, Oregon exploded for three third-quarter touchdowns. Kenjon Barner had a 100-yard interception return and Talmadge Jackson III returned an interception 32 yards for a score. Backup QB Nate Costa played in place of an injured Masoli and threw for 82 yards and a TD.
* Oct. 24 at Seattle: Oregon (11) 43, Washington 19 – Masoli returned from his knee injury to rush for 54 yards and two scores and he also threw a TD pass in the win. James was strong as well with 154 yards and two TDs on 15 carries. The Ducks also blocked a punt for a touchdown and had two interceptions off UW QB Jake Locker.
* Oct. 31 at Eugene: Oregon (10) 47, USC (4) 20 – Masoli accounted for 384 yards total offense in handing Pete Carroll his then-worst loss as the USC coach. Masoli had 13 carries for 164 yards and one TD on the ground and threw for 222 yards and a score. The Ducks amassed 613 yards total offense in claiming another top-10 victim at Autzen Stadium.
* Nov. 7 at Palo Alto, Calif.: Stanford 51, Oregon (7) 42 – The good feeling was short-lived as Stanford piled up 505 yards total offense and snapped the Ducks’ seven-game winning streak. RB Toby Gerhart had 223 yards and three TDs on 38 carries. Oregon lost despite rolling up 570 yards total offense. Masoli threw for 334 yards and three TDs in the loss.
* Nov. 14 at Eugene: Oregon (14) 44, Arizona State 21 – James carried the load. He carried 22 times for 150 yards and three TDs. Masoli also rushed for 67 yards and threw for 120 and two TDs.
* Nov. 21 at Tucson, Ariz.: Oregon (11) 44, Arizona 41, 2 OT – With first place in the Pac-10 on the line, these two staged a nearly four-hour classic with two lead changes and three ties. Masoli accounted for six touchdowns, three rushing and three passing. His 1-yard TD run in the second overtime was the margin of victory, denying UA students who were already surrounding the field a chance to celebrate. Oregon clinched a share of its first Pac-10 title since 2001.
* Dec. 3 at Eugene: Oregon (7) 37, Oregon State (13) 33 – The Civil War never meant this much in 113 years with the Rose Bowl berth to be decided between these two rivals. James led Oregon’s 288-yard rushing assault with 166 yards and three TDs on 25 carries. Blount (nine carries, 51 yards, one TD) returned to action for the first time since his suspension. Masoli was money in the fourth quarter, converting a pair of fourth downs with a pitch and a run to seal the win. Fans stormed the field at Autzen to celebrate the school’s first Rose Bowl berth in 15 years.
Depth Charts
Ohio State Offense
WR 8 DeVier Posey, 6-3, 205, So.
7 Lamaar Thomas, 5-11, 186, So.
LT 64 Jim Cordle, 6-4, 297, Sr.
55 Andrew Miller, 6-7, 295, Jr.
LG 56 Justin Boren, 6-3, 315, Jr.
55 Andrew Miller, 6-7, 295, Jr.
C 50 Mike Brewster, 6-5, 296, So.
66 Andrew Moses, 6-3, 280, Sr.
RG 70 Bryant Browning, 6-4, 312, Jr.
66 Andrew Moses, 6-3, 280, Sr.
RT 76 J.B. Shugarts, 6-8, 298, So.
79 Marcus Hall, 6-5, 300, Fr.
TE 86 Jake Ballard, 6-6, 256, Sr.
11 Jake Stoneburner, 6-5, 230, R-Fr.
QB 2 Terrelle Pryor, 6-6, 235, So.
14 Joe Bauserman, 6-2, 220, So.
TB 3 Brandon Saine, 6-1, 217, Jr.
1 Dan Herron, 5-10, 193, So.
29 Jordan Hall, 5-10, 190, Fr.
41 Jermil Martin, 6-0, 227, R-Fr.
FB 44 Zach Boren, 6-1, 255, Fr.
49 Adam Homan, 6-4, 235, Fr.
WR 12 Dane Sanzenbacher, 5-11, 175, Jr.
5 Taurian Washington, 6-2, 179, Jr.
K 23 Devin Barclay, 5-11, 195, Jr.
or 20 Aaron Pettrey, 6-2, 199, Sr.
Ohio State Defense
DE 90 Thaddeus Gibson, 6-2, 240, Jr.
43 Nathan Williams, 6-4, 245, So.
98 Solomon Thomas, 6-5, 240, So.
DT 84 Doug Worthington, 6-6, 276, Sr
53 Garrett Goebel, 6-5, 280, R-Fr.
DT 92 Todd Denlinger, 6-2, 292, Sr.
72 Dexter Larimore, 6-2, 300, Jr.
54 John Simon, 6-3, 265, Fr.
DE 97 Cameron Heyward, 6-6, 287, Jr.
87 Lawrence Wilson, 6-4, 274, Sr.
WLB 51 Ross Homan, 6-0, 229, Jr.
41 Tony Jackson, 5-11, 227, So.
or 55 Jonathan Newsome, 6-3, 230, Fr.
MLB 36 Brian Rolle, 5-11, 221, Jr.
32 Storm Klein, 6-3, 225, Fr.
SLB 38 Austin Spitler, 6-3, 234, Sr.
6 Etienne Sabino, 6-3, 232, So.
CB 10 Devon Torrence, 6-1, 193, Jr.
13 Andre Amos, 6-1, 183, Sr.
SS 4 Kurt Coleman, 5-11, 188, Sr.
19 Orhian Johnson, 6-2, 178, R-Fr.
FS 21 Anderson Russell, 6-0, 205, Sr.
7 Jermale Hines, 6-2, 210, Jr.
CB 5 Chimdi Chekwa, 6-0, 188, Jr.
18 Travis Howard, 6-1, 180, R-Fr.
P 48 Jon Thoma, 6-2, 201, Sr.
17 Ben Buchanan, 6-0, 200, R-Fr.
Oregon Offense
WR 10 D.J. Davis 6-1, 205, Jr.
19 Jamere Holland 6-1, 188, Jr.
LT 69 Bo Thran 6-5, 293, Jr.
74 Darrion Weems 6-5, 302, So.
LG 77 Carson York 6-5, 285, R-Fr.
76 Charlie Carmichael 6-4, 295, So.
C 54 Jordan Holmes 6-5, 285, Jr.
64 Max Forer 6-3, 267, Jr.
RG 79 Mark Asper 6-7, 323, So.
70 Ramsen Golpashin 6-4, 280, So.
RT 68 C.E. Kaiser 6-4, 290, Jr.
61 Nick Cody 6-5, 285, R-Fr.
TE 83 Ed Dickson 6-5, 243, Sr.
42 David Paulson 6-4, 233, So.
WR 23 Jeff Maehl 6-1, 175, Jr.
86 Garrett Embry 6-1, 200, So.
WR 80 Lavasier Tuinei 6-5, 200, So.
86 Garrett Embry 6-1, 200, So.
QB 8 Jeremiah Masoli 5-11, 220, Jr.
7 Nate Costa 6-1, 219, Jr.
RB 21 LaMichael James 5-9, 180, R-Fr.
24 Kenjon Barner 5-11, 180, R-Fr.
22 Andre Crenshaw 5-11, 188, Sr.
9 LeGarrette Blount, 6-2, 246, Sr.
K 23 Morgan Flint 5-9, 173, Sr.
93 Rob Beard 6-0, 220, R-Fr.
Oregon Defense
DE 39 Will Tukuafu 6-4, 262, Sr.
45 Terrell Turner 6-3, 255, So.
DT 88 Brandon Bair 6-7, 268, Jr.
99 Zac Clark 6-2, 260, Jr.
DT 90 Blake Ferras 6-6, 290, Sr.
50 Simi Toeaina 6-4, 292, Sr.
DE 58 Kenny Rowe 6-3, 232, Jr.
33 Tyrell Irvin 6-1, 210, Jr.
SLB 11 Eddie Pleasant 5-11, 207, So.
43 Bryson Littlejohn 6-1, 227, Jr.
MLB 55 Casey Matthews 6-2, 235, Jr.
47 Kiko Alonso 6-4, 225, R-Fr.
WLB 35 Spencer Paysinger 6-3, 226, Jr.
46 Michael Clay 5-11, 209, Fr.
LCB 3 Cliff Harris 5-11, 160, Fr.
18 Anthony Gildon 6-1, 175, So.
FS 2 T.J. Ward 5-11, 208, Sr.
20 John Boyett 5-10, 190, R-Fr.
ROV 14 Javes Lewis 6-1, 185, So.
1 Marvin Johnson 5-11, 200, Jr.
RCB 37 Talmadge Jackson III 5-10, 182, Jr.
7 Chad Peppars 5-10, 179, Jr.
P 49 Jackson Rice 6-3, 217, Fr.
30 Tim Taylor 5-11, 190, Jr.
Breaking It Down
* When Ohio State Has The Ball: Down the stretch in the regular season, the Buckeyes got healthy and they got back to their roots by emphasizing the running game. OSU exceeded 225 yards rushing in each of its last five games, including the three November showdowns with Penn State, Iowa and Michigan.
The tailback combination of Brandon Saine and Boom Herron really started to click by the end of the season. There is also hope that quarterback Terrelle Pryor is healthy once again and ready to be the run/pass threat that can make defensive coordinators pull their hair out.
Oregon’s defense is best described as middle-of-the-road. They were 32nd nationally in total defense, 39th against the run and 52nd in scoring. The game that kind of sticks out like a sore thumb is the 51-42 loss at Stanford, where the Cardinal had 254 yards rushing (including 223 from RB Toby Gerhart). The Ducks gave up 33 or more points in four of their 12 games.
The key guys to watch are DE Kenny Rowe, MLB Casey Matthews and safeties John Boyett and Maves Lewis. The corners are inexperienced and smallish (neither is taller than 5-11) and that means OSU could do some damage with Pryor throwing to 6-3 DeVier Posey.
* When Oregon Has The Ball: Oregon’s running game was awe inspiring at times. Oregon is sixth nationally in rushing and seventh in scoring at nearly 38 points per game.
The Ducks rolled up 391 yards rushing in their 47-20 rout of USC and 288 more in their 37-33 showdown victory over rival Oregon State. It all begins with the play of versatile quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. Redshirt freshman LaMichael James set a Pac-10 freshman record with 1,476 yards and the Ducks will also have bullish 240-pound LeGarrette Blount back in the fold for the Rose Bowl.
Ohio State is fifth nationally against the run and hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher all season. The stellar front seven, led by DEs Cam Heyward and Thad Gibson and LBs Brian Rolle and Ross Homan, must come ready to play.
Masoli is best termed as an opportunistic passer. He only had five interceptions in 285 attempts all season so he takes care of the ball. OSU did have 23 interceptions on the season (second nationally), though, so the Buckeyes will try and force an errant toss.
* How It Will Go: This really ought to be one heck of a game. If Pryor is back to form and able to, say, run for close to 100 yards and throw for 150 or more, the Buckeyes could be a hard team to beat.
The same would be said for Masoli. Oregon will want to pile up the rushing yardage. If the Ducks can exceed 150 and push the 200-yard mark, you have to like their chances.
My guess is that OSU will start out trying to pound the ball. Playing the game without Ray Small and Duron Carter leaves OSU a bit short-handed at the receiver position. The absence of Small could put OSU at a disadvantage particularly in the special teams and field position battles.
We may, indeed, see the promised balance from the OSU offense. I don’t see OSU using the spread for four quarters, though. And if OSU ever gets any kind of lead, it will surely be put on lockdown.
You can’t diminish what Chip Kelly did in his rookie season. Jim Tressel, by contrast, has been a college head coach for 24 years. Advantage Tressel.
Ohio State has lost six straight to top-10 teams and three straight bowls. My guess is the Buckeyes show some pride, sack up and pull off a big win here in the Rose Bowl.
I think a healthy Pryor can exploit some things against this Oregon defense. Nobody gives the OSU defense the respect it deserves. This should be one fun game. But in the end, it will be Ohio State hoisting the Rose Bowl trophy for the first time in 13 years. I’ve got it: Ohio State 31-24
* For The Record: I am 9-3 straight-up and 4-8 against-the-spread with Ohio State. (Oregon is a 3-1/2 point favorite over Ohio State.)
* Other Picks: Mr. Bucknuts picked OSU 30-20. Dave Biddle said OSU 27-24. Kirk Larrabee said OSU 31-27. We had Matt Prehm from DuckTerritory.com provide his pick as well. He said Oregon 27-21.
-- Steve Helwagen
