The Matchup: Ohio State Offense vs. USC Defense
September 12, 2008
Continuing yesterday’s analysis of the matchups between the Buckeyes and the Trojans. Let’s get to it:
Ohio State Offensive Line vs. USC Defensive Line
Like much of the team, the USC d-line is long on talent but short on experience. The top two linemen, Sedrick Ellis and Lawrence Jackson, have both moved on to the NFL, but there’s plenty of talent left in SoCal. Fili Moala and Averell Spencer handle the duties on the inside, while Kyle Moore and Everson Griffen are the ends. All were highly-regarded recruits, and all are plenty talented. The defensive line as a whole is expected to be solid against the run. The pass rush is something of a question mark. Ellis and Jackson were the primary sources of pressure last year, and it remains to be seen if the other guys can replace them.
OSU’s offensive line wasn’t supposed to be a question mark. Four returning starters, a big and talented left side - they were supposed to dominate. And they still might, but I haven’t been that impressed thus far. They were pretty bad for much of the Ohio game. It wouldn’t be unreasonable, though, to think that they were playing down to the opponent, as plenty of Tressel lines have done over the years. If they play like we all think they’re capable of, they’re one of the better lines in the country.
This one’s a tough call. Before the season started, I’d have given the edge to the Buckeyes. The talent’s there to match USC, and they have the edge in experience. But the o-line’s performance, especially against USC, has me worried. However, if they can’t get up and play well against USC, they never will. And I think they will. So I’m giving a slight edge to the Buckeyes.
Edge: Ohio State
Ohio State Receivers vs. USC Secondary
Much has been made of USC’s safeties, and with good reason. Senior Kevin Ellison is a big hitter, and junior Taylor Mays might be the most imposing safety in college football. He’s 6′4″ and 225 lbs., and he runs a 4.3 forty - in other words, he’s a freak of nature. The corners are Shareece Wright, the big hitter of the tandem, and Cary Harris, the speedy cover guy. About the only thing these guys don’t do well is pick off passes, a problem we Buckeye fans can relate to.
The Buckeye receivers laid a bit of an egg last game. The Brians had several dropped passes and the aerial attack didn’t have much in the way of a punch. That kind of performance will not fly against USC. The good news is that the Trojans apparently play a lot of man defense, which plays to the strengths of this defense. I don’t think any of the OSU receivers have that Anthony Gonzalez-style knack for finding the holes in a zone defense, but Robiskie and Hartline both run solid routes. which are one element of beating man defense. The other element is raw speed, which Ray Small certainly has. I wouldn’t be surprised if Small continued to emerge against the Trojans. I also hope to see more DeVier Posey, who has the combination of size and speed to become a star for the Buckeyes.
While the Buckeyes might play better against man defense than zone, I’m still giving the edge to the Trojans. The corners sound solid, and those safeties scare me. I don’t think they can shut down the Buckeyes for the entire game, but I think they can keep the passing game more or less under wraps.
Edge: USC
USC Linebackers vs. OSU Backfield
This was supposed to be the marquee matchup, and it should still be a good one. Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing made like Laurinaitis and Freeman and came back for their senior years. Cushing is 6′4″ and 240 lbs., while Maualuga is 6′3 and 260 lbs. Maualuga’s the big, though not especially fast middle linebacker that decapitates guys coming over the middle, while Cushing is the speedier outside linebacker, more of a Bobby Carpenter type. Kaluka Maiava is the third linebacker, and he’s plenty good as well. The only knock against these guys is that they tend to get a bit dinged up; both Cushing and Maualuga are battling minor injuries, though it shouldn’t impact either. Good thing, too, as there isn’t much proven depth behind them.
Beanie’s traitorous toe can completely change the outlook of this game for the offense. A healthy Beanie Wells means Todd Boeckman merely has to avoid mistakes, which I think he’s capable of doing. If Beanie’s out or severely limited, then more pressure rests on Boeckman’s shoulders. I don’t think Boeckman would lose this game for the Buckeyes, but I wouldn’t count on him to win it.
As for the other backs, collectively I think they add up to one Beanie Wells: Saine’s outside running ability, Boom’s toughness inside, and Mo’s pass blocking. However, none are the complete back that Beanie is (but then, nobody in college football is the complete back that Beanie is). Since we can’t have all three on the field at the same time (well, we could, but that would be dumb), this backfield is in some trouble if Beanie’s out. And since he probably won’t be healthy even if he’s playing, I’m giving the edge here to USC.
Edge: USC
Beanie is talented enough to singlehandedly change the course of this game. In short, if Beanie’s in and reasonably close to healthy, then other guys on the offense can be average and the Buckeyes still have a shot to get the win. But if Beanie’s out or limited, then the rest of the offense has to play at their best. I don’t think Beanie will be near 100%, but will he be close enough? If he’s not, can the rest of the offense all manage one great game at the same time? I don’t have the answers. I’m hopeful, though.
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