The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns meet for the first time this week in a game that ranks as one of the most anticipated matchups in the history of either school. The game, circled in red by Longhorn and Buckeye fans alike and long since sold out, will have stately old Ohio Stadium (cap. 102,329) bulging at the seams. ABC will attempt to appease those fans without tickets with a national telecast that gets underway at 8:08 p.m. (EDT) Saturday. Additionally, ESPN College GameDay will set up just north of the Stadium for a full day of college football updates, as will ESPN Radio's version of the same program. The early season clash of titans has generated so much interest the ABC halftime show, which normally originates in-studio in New York, will be on location in Columbus. Both teams enter the game with 1-0 records. The sixth-ranked Buckeyes opened the season Saturday afternoon with a convincing 34-14 victory over Miami (Ohio). The second-ranked Longhorns got off on the right foot later in the day with 60-3 stampede over visiting Louisiana-Lafayette. Ohio State enters the game with a modest three-game winning streak, while Texas has reeled off eight-consecutive wins. The two teams do have a pair of common foes in those winning streaks. Both played Michigan and Oklahoma State last year. The Buckeyes defeated Michigan 37-21 and Oklahoma State 33-7, while the Longhorns were 56-35 victors over the Cowboys and 38-37 winners over Michigan. Ohio State has won 36-consecutive non-conference games in Ohio Stadium, last losing a home tilt in 1990 against the University of Southern California. Including the bowl win over Michigan, the Longhorns have won five-consecutive road games. SOURCE: http://ohiostatebuckeyes.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090505aaa.html ~~~~~~~ This is most important college game I am watching, even more than the Michigan match. While I won't be in the horseshoe, I will be 10 minutes away watching. I wish OSU would have given a student ticket for this game, instead I watch it over broadcast. What are your predictions? Go Bucks!
I honestly don't know how I'm going to get anything done this week. I can't concentrate on anything but this game. I'm still trying to find tickets and decide if I want to be their in person (like I was at the Rose Bowl) or just watch it on TV with my buddies.
You have to ask such a question on a site that has PREDOMINANTLY people living in Texas?? I hope Texas beats the living **** out of Ohio State.
I expect a game similar to the Rose Bowl. Hopefully it will go back and forth, and live up to the hype. The Rose bowl featured a 5th ranked Texas team vs a 12th ranked Michigan team (lead by a Freshman Quarterback) at an impartial location and the game was decided by a wobbly fieldgoal in the final seconds 38-37. Not quite the overpowering victory Longhorn fans have made it out to be. Next weeks game features a 2nd ranked Texas team vs a 6th ranked Ohio State team at Ohio State. There is pressure on both teams, but more on Texas. Homefield advantage goes to Ohio State. The question is which Texas team will show up and can they take advantage of OU's loss? Neither team can take much from their week one games, other than a workout against someone other than themselves. I expected Ohio to do better against Miami of Ohio last week, but I have seen the Redhawks (with Rothlisberger) play very well in the past. I don't pay attention to the Big 12 much, so I don't how well Texas looked other than the scoreboard. I'm a loyal Big Ten fan and don't really care for either team in this matchup. As much as it soils my heart to type this, GO BUCKS! (I used SI.com for rankings, so if they are off - sorry. I could have sworn UT was 4th going into the Rose Bowl last year)
Texas has a couple of major weaknesses: WR's - their inexperience will play a major factor. My honest opinion is none of the current receivers are that good. Limas Sweed is talented but very raw. Brian Carter has barely cracked the lineup in his 4 seasons. Jordan Shipley has potential but hasn't played a down. Billy Pittman hasn't caught a pass and Ramonce Taylor is really a RB. Our best receiver is David Thomas our TE. Ohio State would be smart to double him. K/P - Every possession inside the 30 should be 4 down territory. Amazing how a campus of 50,000 people cant find someone to make an extra point. These guys suck in the worst way. Do not be suprised if they cost us the game. They may make 50% of our extra points- at best. Biggest Strengths: Our OL and DL are loaded. And of course Vince Young can be unstoppable if we can establish our passing game. Vince may force some bad throws if our WR's suck - as I predict they will. Biggest widcard: Turnovers - Im still not completely convinced Aaron Ross has the hands to return punts. Also, our RB's are talented but may cough it up.
Yeah, I'm heading out there as well. Costs a fortune, but I hope it's worth it! My biggest concern with Texas after week 1 is the ability of the RB's to protect the ball. I think the PAT thing will be fixed, and I'd prefer they go with Pino over Richmond McGee. However, I was impressed with the rhythm Vince had with his Wr's. They are inexperienced, but atleast they have a year under their belt that they didn't last year. I really liked the way they moved Ramonce around to get him the ball, but I'm curious to see what kind of workload the young RB's get in Columbus since Mack has been hesitant to use freshmen runningbacks in big games..... Anyway, I don't know why, but I feel really confident in Vince leading this team to a victory. Maybe 27-20, or something like that. I think turnovers will be key, as will the QB play of OSU. Who do they go with, or do they rotate them? Guess we'll see....I can't wait!
It's going to be a very unproductive 3 days for me this week. Flying out to Columbus Friday morning. I don't have tickets yet, but I'm prepared to pay up to $275. RIET is correct in that Richmond McGee has serious issues with the kicking game. I DO NOT want this game coming down to a last second field goal. Unlike years past, we don't have a dependable PK. I'd almost rather see David Pino kick for us, since he's got better range. Our best pass catching threats are WR/RB Ramonce Taylor and TE David Thomas. Both guys are very explosive big play threats, as they accounted for 4 TDs in the opener.
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I was just plugging it for personal reasons. And it is a classy area. CATE'S STEAKHOUSE 4421 Broadway St. Grove City, OH 43221 It is the best in the area, but it isn't Columbus directly, it's off of 270 though.
Here's hoping that this national stage is where RT becomes the next Reggie Bush and that GD doesn't go "OU style" on the offensive playcalling.
This is gonna be the biggest game this season for both clubs. I honestly think it's bigger than the OU game this season. I expect a good hard-fought game from both clubs, hopefully my Horns will be able to pull out a win at the horseshoe at night. Keys to UT's game: 1. The Wide Receivers- Young played a very effecient game vs. LAL, he was on target w/ every pass he made. Unfortunately, we still have a very young and inexperienced core of receivers. There were a couple dropped passes by Sweed and crew. They need to get open and make the grab. 2. Special Teams- 3 missed PATs are unexcusable, I don't think it will be a problem next week, but it's definitely something that's on McGee's mind. Aaron Ross had some decent returns vs. LAL, but I don't think think they were good enough for the level of competition. Field position will be very important this week. 3. Running Game- Young, Charles, Melton, and Taylor make up a formidable group of backs. They give you a dynamic running game that can run smash mouth (Young and Melton) or speed ball (Taylor, Melton). However, Young's ankle seemed a little banged up after 1/2 a game. Also, we did see a couple fumbles from them. The backs need to hold on the rock and be ready if Young's ankle starts acting up. Can anyone give a good summary of the Buck's game? I've never watched a lot of Ohio games, but interested to see what they are all about.
