11-08-2012, 10:04 PM
Good thread. I've only seen a few OSU games this year, saw a fair amount of their last game against ASU. They look pretty similar to OSU teams of years past on offense, with perhaps less of a dominating running back, and more deep threat at receiver, but it was mostly pro-set offense with a healthy mix of fly sweeps and lateral motion. Those damn fly sweeps have been a persistent thorn in our side, but I think this team will be well equipped to deal with it. My understanding is that their O-Line is a big weakness for them, though I didn't necessarily appreciate that in the limited time I've watched them.
Their defense was pretty good. Obviously the numbers demonstrate they are a superior team at stopping the run, and their points against is very good. I think it should be noted when looking at their ranks in the Pac-12 that their conference slate thus far has been relatively weak. They have yet to play Oregon, USC, or ourselves.
They're a team not too dissimilar from ourselves at this point. If we had faced them with a healthy, early-season Mannion this would be a bit more concerning, but Vaz has put up decent numbers in his place. A stout defense that stops the run and puts pressure on the QB.
Like them, we squeaked by Arizona, and lost a close, low-scoring game at UW. I think with their questions at QB, and our seeming upgrade, combined with our slightly better defense and playing at home puts the line at a very reasonable ~5 points.
To me this game will come down to pressuring their quarterback, like the USC game. They won't be able to run on us consistently, so if we can make Vaz throw the ball with pressure, before his very talented receivers have time to uncover, we'll keep them off the scoreboard. Combine that with a more flexible offense, I think we win by two scores. Obviously a couple big plays from their playmakers, or an ill-advised pick 6 on our end could change things a lot.
Their defense was pretty good. Obviously the numbers demonstrate they are a superior team at stopping the run, and their points against is very good. I think it should be noted when looking at their ranks in the Pac-12 that their conference slate thus far has been relatively weak. They have yet to play Oregon, USC, or ourselves.
They're a team not too dissimilar from ourselves at this point. If we had faced them with a healthy, early-season Mannion this would be a bit more concerning, but Vaz has put up decent numbers in his place. A stout defense that stops the run and puts pressure on the QB.
Like them, we squeaked by Arizona, and lost a close, low-scoring game at UW. I think with their questions at QB, and our seeming upgrade, combined with our slightly better defense and playing at home puts the line at a very reasonable ~5 points.
To me this game will come down to pressuring their quarterback, like the USC game. They won't be able to run on us consistently, so if we can make Vaz throw the ball with pressure, before his very talented receivers have time to uncover, we'll keep them off the scoreboard. Combine that with a more flexible offense, I think we win by two scores. Obviously a couple big plays from their playmakers, or an ill-advised pick 6 on our end could change things a lot.