My opinion is that we will need to change up our offense for the national championship game. We have a month to prepare so I think our team can handle it. We will need to spread the field out more, because the big 10 and Ohio State have shown themselves to be vulnerable to the spread offense. Ohio State has a very good run defense so we will need some misdirection and more spread out formations to surprise their D. If we line up in the I-formation and run it the whole game, we will not get far at all. Truthfully, as a result we will maybe see less of Hester because he always runs in the I-formation. We need to use our speed to our advantage in Keiland, Scott, and Trindon. Hester can still get the ball a lot but I would like to see him more at Fullback because he can still go out for a pass and he is still an option to run the ball. Also, RP seems to have his act together so I think we will need him to come in with and run some option plays and maybe some run-fakes where he passes instead. Assuming all our WR's are healthy, we really need to spread the field with them as well. I'm sure Ohio State will have "vaunted" WR screen engraved in their minds, so we need to test their cornerbacks and run deep a lot. Byrd, Doucet, Tolliver all have deep-threat ability and LaFell has shown he can handle the underneath route. Anyways, thats just my 2 cents on what I think we need to come out with. This is a huge game, it's beyond LSU and Ohio State. It is basically the SEC vs everyone else. We need to prove to everyone we deserved to be there. But Ohio State should be afraid, the Hat is coming for ya
I do not think Ohio is afraid. I think you have some good points about spreading the defense out. My question about OSU vs Flordia last year is we it speed or scheme?
It was more scheme last year, but their schemes emphasized their speed advantages at certain positions, like at WR with Harvin and all them. We aren't that much faster than them as a team in whole but we do have advantages at a many positions.
I only saw osu play against Illinois. They certainly didn't seem to be able to handle the spread coupled with a QB draw ten times in a row. Let's make sure RP gets some snaps!
Miles and Crowton will have the team ready...Just look at what we have done in the last two bowl games.
I agree with you. I think Flynn can do a hell of a job with his running ability and not be afraid to because of the option we have with RP. All of what you said is great, but one thing we need to make sure of in this game is that our Offensive Line is blocking their asses off that is the most important part of this game. Ohio st, tries to beat teams running and hitting the tight end. We need to emphasize the linebackers covering the tight end and running back in screens and in the seams. in order to win this game we have to be more physical than Oh st in the trenches, we know we have to speed and skill advantage, but upfront is where this game will be won.
We never really run power run. Even when its Hester up the middle its usually out of Shotgun on a delay hand off, or some kind of counter misdirection. I think Ohio State realizes their suspect against the spread, and I'm sure we will mix it in ie the 5 wide QB Draws and such. From last year I noticed that Ohio State is very easily beaten with screens, because of the aggressive nature of their D. LSU is a team that will almost live and die by the screens, because in the SEC, getting the ball to your best players in space is a very easy way to win against overly aggressive defenses. I think this battle will be won in the trenches. If our quick DEs can beat their powerful, but slow Oline, I believe we will be able to pressure their first year QB (Boeckman) into making some mistakes. They will not be able to power run on our D (if healthy), and with the questionable mobility of Boeckman, will likely have to beat us through the air (something they won't be able to do against our Secondary). Chris Wells is a great young back, and was ranked just above Keiland Williams coming out of Highschool. If he is able to get the ball past the line of scrimmage, he has a great burst of speed and great moves in space. But something I noticed this year is that he will go down very easily, much like Keiland, if hit at the line. Their other two backs (Saine, Mo Wells) are more speed backs, but that speed should be negated with our quick linebackers and safeties. Their recieving corp is above average with Robiskie, Hartline, and Small being the main threat. They are not an overly fast corp, but what they lack in speed, they make up for in clean route running and strength. Small is the quickest of their WRs but I believe has had the dropsies a few times this year. Mainly what it comes down to is pressuring the QB, stopping the power run, and not giving up the long playaction bombs they will try and set up. They only part of this game that worries me is special teams... if we give them field position, they will take advantage of it.
We also need to jump on OSU fast and furious. If we can go up a quick 2 TD's in the first quarter they will cave. Then we just keep the metal to the floor and keep running.
A very poor defensive scheme coupled with our biggest play maker going down the first play. I'm not going to make excuses but we were a much better team than the final score indicated. We overlooked UF and I highly doubt that we didn't learn our lesson. Should be a good game.
I don't think a player makes up for a 41-14 difference...Unless maybe it is a Heisman Trophy winner...Wait you had the Heisman winner last year...Do OSU fans still believe that their team was better than Florida last year??? Don't take it personal, I'm just wondering.
