Congratulations to reader Gulf Coast Razorback for the closest prediction last time of 31-24. His quote: “Here Kitty Kitty…” Yes, Gulf Coast…the Hogs did tame the Tigers and their grass-eating ring leader. And in doing so, they earned the right to travel down your way to play in their first-ever BCS bowl game.
What an unbelievable season we’ve all been privileged to witness. And now, 11 wins and a year-end ranking in the top 5 are within reach.
This is why you play in the SEC…to have a chance every year to play in a BCS bowl. Win 10 games in the Big 12 and you go to the Alamo Bowl. The slugfest that is the SEC regular season should have this team more than prepared to face anyone in the country.
Sunshine and I are headed to the Gulf Coast ourselves for the big game in the ‘Big Easy.’ We’ll be posting updates on our Twitter feed throughout the trip and, of course, from the game.
So here we go:
Walking on Sunshine: Most of the time, bowl games are decided in large part on ‘who wants to be there.’ (See the 2008 Cotton Bowl disaster for recent reference.) This time the shoe is on the other foot, with OSU wondering what their 2011 team (and coach?) might look like post-suspensions. The prepared, interested Hogs should be there to take advantage, and Bourbon Street will belong to the 50,000 victors. Hail to the Victors. Arkansas 31, Ohio State 19.
HogBaller: The Hogs make a historic trip to New Orleans to play in the school’s first BCS bowl. On offense, Arkansas needs to run the ball and provide protection for Mallett. On defense, the Razorbacks need to stop Dan Herron and Terrelle Pryor. This matchup comes down to who is hungrier, and who controls the line of scrimmage. Arkansas 35, Ohio State 17.
HogBlogger: Coach Petrino has had a lot of time to prepare the game plan. This will be interesting to watch. Arkansas 34, Ohio State 17.
TipsterHog: The Razorbacks recent bowl record against Big 10 teams (Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin) hasn’t been so good. But this team has proven more than once this season that they can compete against the best in the country and win. A hard-fought, sweet victory in New Orleans. Arkansas 28, Ohio State 24.
Leave a comment with your name, e-mail address and pick. And feel free to add your own take like “After the game, Tressel takes off sweater vest and runs down to Bourbon Street to get an 0-10 tattoo” or “Legends…Leaders…Losers. Hogs roll.”
We match up well and definitely want it more.
35-24 HOGS
Right attitude, wrong QB
The Big 10 needs a fig leaf.
Too Bad. Hogs 38-21
Perhaps you should stick with golf
Hogs win 35-20. Woooo Pig Sooie!!!
Big 10's bowl season is pitiful so far! I think Ohio State will try to take it on their back to get the Big 10 some redemption. However Hogs wont be denied their first BCS Bowl.
Hogs 34
Buckeyes 28
Wow, if the big10 is pitiful, what is Arkansas? No BCS wins and a QB who couldn't beat OSU with two different teams. No wonder he's running away to the NFL.
Arkansas offense is virtually unstoppable all night long! OSU-midwest struggles and stumbles all night long!
CBP wins his second bowl in a row with little trouble!
Hogs 37
Suckeyes 13
Yes unstoppable, that's how I would describe Cameron Heyword against the yellow backs offensive line.
"suckeyes"? Really, that's the best youv got?
Arkansas wins its first ever BCS game
Arkansas 34
OSU 24
After watching the Big 10 beat-down yesterday, it reaffirmed what I already suspected.
OSU has a good D, but it's no better than LSU's at all.
This one is close at the half with a 14-14 tie, but the Hog D will come up with key INTs on T. Pryor trying to carry his team in the 2nd half.
Hogs roll to 1st BCS win, 28 – 24.
better than LSU
This isn't a Houston Nutt coached team!! So forget the ill prepared past with Big10 and Arkansas. This is the regular Arkansas we were used to years ago and a lot stronger, and better prepared to actually play a big game. So besides having three plays to prepare for, the OSU defense will be wondering how they looked as good as they did all year. They talk about how Wisconsin was, but they were handled by a team I think we could handle. I think there will be some pride on both sides and it will be a good game. But if Mallet, the linemen on both sides, the receivers, Davis, are hungry, we will prevail. If the secondary can play like they can when they are alert, and the linebackers remember who they are and their assignments, even more so. And the kicking game will be huge in this one for a lot of reasons, but they must pin OSU back and make them pay for yardage. I dislike the Buckeyes, I have since he Woody Hayes days. The Hogs Prevail and I so hope I'm right, Mallet finds lots of openings, with receivers and running backs….
Hogs 42
OS-who 28
Ooooooo…very penetrating analysis but wrong.
Hogs-42
tOSU- 17
Dominance.
BMFP
I agree, by the OSU D.
My son Collin saysHogs 31-28 Field Goal wins it in the last minute
I say Hogs 41-3 Yeah baby- The SEC West dominates!!
I'm SEC and a Bama fan. The West did very well yesterday. A few days ago I was listening to ESPN radio and your game came up and the 0-9 record against the SEC for Ohio State. Then they went on to say "yeah, but ARKANSAS,ARKANSAS? Arkansas has never been to a BCS bowl game. Surely Ohio State will win this one"! That made me angry and I hope some of the Razorback team or coaches hear this one to use for motivation. YOU CAN DO IT! Go get 'em Razorbacks and I can't wait to watch this game. 0-10, coming up! GO Razorbacks and Roll Tide!
Thanks, Carol! We appreciate the support and we know the Hogs will give it their best shot. That should be more than enough (as Mich St found out on the 1st ;^).
Guess what Carol, no they cant
A little nervous about the layoff, a little nervous about what Pryor can do on the ground. But, overall, very confident of our offensive capabilities.
Hogs 28
Bucks 14
Growing up in Michigan and being a State fan through my teen years I learned one thing, "hate Ohio State". I still do. After seeing how the SEC west handled the Big Ten teams yesterday and how Wisconsin fell to TCU once again the Big Ten is way over rated again this702 holly st. Atlanta texas 75551 year. Ohio State will fall and we will put 49 points on them.
Hogs 49
Arogent Pryor and his over rated team 26
I also predict Pryor is knocked out of the game.
Yeah, that arrogant Pryor who volunteers at childrens hospital and helps veterans organizations. How arrogant
Hopefully I'm wrong and it'll be a blow out but, I think both teams will be slugglish to start. I see this one being won in the fourth quarter.
Hogs: 24
OSU: 20
WPS!!
Well, I thought this would be a close one until I saw what happened on New Years. Michigan State, Wisconsin, and Ohio State are the powerhouses in the Big Ten this year. State looked like a high school team and most importantly couldn't handle the speed and strength of the SEC. Wisconsin was manhandled by a good TCU team that had defensive speed and was woefully undersized.
Considering that Wisconsin put up 31 on Ohio State I am not concerned about their defense. Arkansas can move the ball on anyone, and with our receivers speed it's gonna be a long day for their D.
On our defense, an above average defense in the SEC with speed will destroy Ohio State.
Considering the above, the chip on our shoulder plus the all business approach, it's gonna be a great game for us.
Hogs – 42
Ohio Sucks U – 10
Razorbacks kick buckeye browneye:
Hogs: 35
Bucks: 21
bwahahahaha! Love it!
The Monkey on the back of Ohio State as it relates to it's record vs SEC teams in bowl games, just gets heavier and heavier.
Hogs 40
OSU 23
Buckeyes have already beat down Mallet before, they can do it again. Mallet will be hit early and often. Buckeyes 31-14
This from the fan of a team which is ranked 88th (1.58 per game) for sacks in the ncaa? How are y'all going to hit Ryan when you can't get to him?
Granted, you may get as many as three sacks during the game (we do allow 2 per…); however, that definitely doesn't' qualify as 'often'. Y'all are certainly invited to try though. Our receivers would love to see that, I'd have to think. ;^)
Defense: Pryor can't throw as well and as consistently as Newton. That combined with his running is what makes Newton special.
Newton only passed for 140 yards against the Hogs…
Pryor just passed for over 200 and also ran for another 115
Yes, we already knew he is better than Newton and now you know too!
Really?
Charleston, you may want to go to the film of stronger and faster SEC teams that have tried to do that. Ya'll gotta come with more than that to stop our offense.
No we don't.
I thought it was an exciting sugar bowl and I give Arkansas a lot of credit for pushing through the second half and taking advantage when OSU got sluggish late in the game.
But you hog fans didn't give us one OUNCE of credit beforehand. On either side of the ball. So soupdhog, go ahead and watch that film a few more times.
I never said we didn't give you an ounce of credit – I gave you at least 3 ounces.
I still believe the SEC is dominant over the Big 10..that is clear when you look at the entire volume of what's happened over the past week. I'd also say that Arkansas dominated OSU the second half – and that half was more indicative of the Hogs performance over the season. I don't attribute that to sluggishness by OSU, I contribute it to better defense and awesome special teams play.
It's a shame we couldn't play more grounded the first half – but it was a great game and I give OSU alot of credit for preparation and taking advantage of the Hogs nerves. I also give a lot of credit for the 4th quarter defense, but it's hard to say that was the total reason for the win when our receivers dropped balls in the open field – your defense didn't do that.
Great game!
Blah, blah, secondary, blah blah. If the OSU d was so bad why did mallet head get sacked so many times?
Hoopla prior to a big game seldom plays out the way we expect. There are many things one could consider in looking at the match up and match ups matter greatly. I doubt that OSU's defense is better than LSU defense. My head says this will be a blow out with Arkansas 42 and Ohio State 28 but I do adhere to the axiom of "nothing is as good as it seems (Arkansas and outstanding QB and West thus far blowing Big 10 out) and nothing is as bad as it seems (OSU)." And law of averages says that OSU will break their losing streak sometime, even if they have nothing but pure luck. So, my pick, not using my head, is: Ohio State 37 Arkansas 34. But Go Hogs! Go! I want to be wrong. OSU has done nothing in the past to prove that they can win but….
Pryor is good but Newton is better because Pryor does not appear to be as disciplined as Cam Newton, nor have as good an attitude. Between the two, I trust attitude and discipline. I strongly want Pryor to come out on the short end of the score.
Certainly game draws a lot of interest.
You SEC/Hog fans are sooooooooo full of yourselves. Essentially you're just S-outhern E-gotistical C-lowns. You remind me so much of Oregon fans last year before the '10 Rose Bowl. OMG! I can't wait till the 4th quarter clock reads 0:00 so I can see your shocked, pathetic faces and listen for the "wooooo pig soouie" then. GO BUCKEYES!!!!
Sweet utilization of 'OMG' there chief. For adolescent message boards pertaining to the sugar bowl, please direct your opinions to http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com. I hear they have lollipops and magic markers there too. Enjoy.
Wondered when this troll would show up. We'd better give him the web address again as, judging from his posts on other forums, he doesn't have the necessary gray matter to correctly follow even simple instructions.
Here you go, chief: http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/
Now, go 'bye-bye'.
Us clowns are 9-0 against you, so you may want to wait until you win one before you talk smack…
Please stop piggybacking the conference.
Arkansas is 0-0 vs Ohio State, period.
There is no we, you lost the game because somehow the sec was going to carry you to victory. Come to play next time and stop resting on the laurels of Florida and lsu.
I've waited a long time for a Sugar Bowl appearance. This one is just the first of more to come with Petrino at the helm.
Pigs – 31
buckeyes – 19
Give me a break – 'you guys can play, if you promise to come back next year to take your punishment' – the punishment comes early for the Buckeyes!
Hogs – 38
Free Tattoo U – 17
Go Hogs Go!
After going 0-4 in the bowls, the Big 10 should consider naming their divisions: Losers & Wannabe's
Hogs simply want it more and will not be denied….Razorbacks are tested though….Tyler Wilson is the hero after a Ryan Mallett injury….Arkansas 38,
Ohio State 34 in a classic!
Motivation.Looks like advantage to Arkansas. Preparation: Tressel doesn't have a good track record there. Score, who knows? Hogs should wind by 2 TDs but one never knows. Hope Bobby doesn’t try to sit on a lead and lose momentum.
Road: You previously wanted to revisit my “predictions” regarding the SEC bowl games. These “predictions” were my assessment of the teams’ attitude, preparation and motivation and not necessarily on who would win, but that those factors might play a role in the outcome of the games. Robert Smith (I believe it was) commenting on motivation said that if you were not primed and up that your body won’t push itself to the max, even if you wanted it too. It’s not necessarily being able to just turn it on, the mind has to be prepared to get your hormones raging. Given that here is how I saw those recent SEC games from that perspective.
Tennessee-North Carolina. Both teams seemed to be highly motivated (I can’t a handle on prejudging most teams outside the SEC until they play). Tennessee lost the game because Dooley got cold feet. He went systems instead of putting the ball at the end of the game into the hands of his freshman QB that got him there. The scenario: Tennessee has the ball near the Carolina 40 with less the 2 minutes to play. One more set of downs and Carolina is toast. (The announcers already had the game won for the Vols and gave QB Bray the MVP). Dooley went “system”. He ran the ball three times with the Vols nonexistent running game and lost yardage back to near the 50. Then they kicked into the end zone (don’t punters ever practice coffin corner kicks anymore?). This gives T.J. Yates, a pro prospect, 90 seconds to go about 50 yards against a prevent defense to get the excellent Carolina kicker a chance to tie it and go into overtime. After the UNC-LSU game, I didn’t like those odds. In overtime you have Yates vs freshman QB Bray. Miracles don’t have good odds. Dooley did the safe thing, put it on his defense rather than taking a chance for Bray to get the 1st down (and hopefully not make a mistake). No Petrino, Miles, or Saban there. No guts, no glory. UNC was the better team and when you’re the underdog well… There will be, I’m sure, a lot of discussion about this in the Vol Nation (which filled the stands). Tennessee motivation: A, preparation: B+ (A until the end). Note to next year's Vol opponents, this team does not have a running game and will probably still not next season.
Georgia-Central Florida. If you saw this game, you probably saw a coach lose his job for a couple of inches. In the first quarter the Dogs had the ball on the 2 yard line with 4th and about 2 inches for a first down (on replay I thought they had it and should have asked for a review). They kicked a field goal!!!! At the time I said if those 4 points left on the field means the game Richt is finished. Lou Holtz said don’t disrespect your opponent. I said before that Richt would learn from last year’s Liberty bowl. I was wrong and Lou was right. Some Knotheads just don’t learn or get it. Georgia wasn’t prepared, the offense was terrible, and only defense played well. Motivation; D (defense saves this from being an F), preparation F-. Conclusion: Losing to a team with less talent is unacceptable, even in the Liberty (I said that UCF would be sky high and they were), Richt is gone.
South Carolina-Florida State. The word for USC’s offense was discombobulated and reminded one of the Keystone Kops. Yes, USC lost Lattimore, but FSU lost Ponder who’s headed to the NFL. The defense showed up at times, but that was about all. I had said that Spurrier could be very good or very bad. And that Garcia could be good or inconsistent. This time both ball coach and QB were on the same page. Lousy. Best thing you could say about Garcia was that he seemed rattled at times. At other times he simply didn’t seem to know what was going on. That Spurrier was yelling at an RB on the sidelines for not finishing his route told you all you needed to know about preparation. Spurrier obviously thinks that beating Florida and Clemson in the same year is a successful season. FSU is a good team and not coming with your best means… well, what happened. Motivation D, preparedness F (Georgia already set the lowest standard for that). Conclusion about above three games. The SEC East proved what everyone had known. Weak. And won’t improve much next year either.
Alabama-Michigan State. Easy. Alabama motivation high. A+, preparation A+. Saban wanted this game and more importantly Ingram wanted it badly too. The Spartans didn’t know what hit them. Perhaps the MSU players thought they had a good chance after the previous sec (small letters intentional) three games.
Florida-Penn State. The best word for Florida’s offense was sputter. But the Gators had the athletes to best a walk-on QB. Motivation; win for the Urb, seemed to work. B. Preparation; B- or C+. (but qualified with you go with what you got and Florida does not have any QBs – and Brantley was supposed to all SEC at the end of he season by some football magazines?
Mississippi State-Michigan. I saw this coming. Michigan does not have a defense and everyone knew that. Motivation for the Dogs; A+, preparation; A+. Saturday should have thrown cold water on OSU regarding confidence against Arkansas. I’m sure the sec east may have given the Buckeyes some uplift, but now? Someone will remind them that ‘Bama and MSU were only 4th and 5th in the SEC West. Buckeye fans must have knots in their stomachs wondering what’s in store for their team. Hope the Hogs aren’t overconfident. Can’t wait.
Sorry but I can’t resist this. Rodriquez is gone. Mainly, because the faculty will march to the President’s office and demand his ouster. The results of the MSU game has female faculty screaming down the school corridors and male faculty members threatening to commit suicide by jumping out of their first floor offices. (both faculties usually don’t take an interest in University sports unless it involves gender equalization). To lose to a team from MISSISSIPPI!! And by that lopsided score. That West Virginia hillbilly Rodriquez has got to go.
Michigan State and Penn State faculty and alumni are not that passionately extremist.
However, in Madison, Wisconsin it has been reported that female faculty members with wild hair and uncoordinated wardrobes have been found staggering around in the snow babbling incoherently, with the only thing the police can recognize is, “They lost to a team with the name Christian in it, ieeee”. Male faculty are burning their Birkenstocks, painting their Volvos black and cutting their ponytails in remorse having lost to a team from that evil state of Texas. Sorry folks, but you would have needed to have been there.
No clue…OSU has more BCS victories than anyone else.
Hogs start slow but lead by halftime and cruise with Knile in the 4th. And, mark it down, we'll be even better next year.
HOGS 31, BUCKTATS 16
In a small sampling facing the 2007 Buckeye defense, Mallet was 1-for-3 passing for eight yards and had one carry (sack) for minus-six yards in that game.
While the Arkansas offense has been good most of the year, their defense has not measured up on occasion. They have given up nearly 23 points per game on average this season, including a 65-point outburst in a loss to Cam Newton's one-man Auburn show. Pryor and Newton are very similar players, but Pryor does not have to be a one-man band. He has several other weapons (Herron, Jordan Hall, Jaamal Berry, DeVier Posey, Dane Sanzenbacher) at his disposal.
• Jim Tressel is 5-4 at Ohio State in bowl games (2001-2009).
• Terrelle Pryor is now 30-4 as Ohio State's starting quarterback.
• Arkansas is 0-3 all time vs. Big Ten opponents in bowl games.
• Arkansas is 12-22-3 all time in bowl games (1933-2009).
• Arkansas ranks 33rd nationally in total defense—66th vs. the rush, 18th vs. the pass and 42nd in points allowed.
Final Score Prediction: Last year, Ohio State stopped what was considered to be a very high-powered, potent offense when they faced the Oregon Ducks in their 26-17 2010 Rose Bowl win. Nobody considers Arkansas offense to match Oregon's.
It's going to feel kind of like déjà vu all over again in 2011.
Ohio State 34
Arkansas 23
Arkansas' offense does not match Oregon's offense, you're right. Only because each team runs two completely different styles of offense. Arkansas' O looks more like Wiconsin's than Oregon's, and I don't think you want us to bring that one up again.
*Terrelle Pryor is 30-4, but 0-0 vs. Arkansas. Give me a statistic that matters to us, please.
*Arkansas has never faced a big 10 opponent with Petrino or Mallett.
*Pryor hasn't faced an opponent with the likes of Petrino or Mallett at the helm.
*Jim Tressel is 5-4 in bowl games at OSU… including 0-3 vs. the SEC. I'm really glad he can play well against the likes of the Big 12, but it's not the same ball game.
Comparing Oregon's offense with Arkansas' is comparing apples to oranges. Oregon is run oriented. I am waiting to see if James can run as well against a SEC defense as well as he had against the PAC 10's. In the Oklahoma-Connecticut game, the focus was on the Yukon's star running back Todman. Against the Sooner defense he was not very impressive at all. I'm thinking that James might get the same treatment from Auburn. Insofar as past statistics are concerned, may I remind you from that perspective, that TCU didn't belong on the same field as your omnipotent Badgers. The matchups that I'm looking forward to, that seem to be under the radar, are the Hog wide receivers in the open field. These guys break tackles, are elusive and are fast. Throw DJ Williams in the mix and Tressel has one big headache. Given an opening and an open field Davis can break big. Arkansas has several weapons and is more balanced than Oregon. Regarding Newton, Spurrier's game plan was to let Newton beat him with his arm. And he did, badly. Auburn does have receivers that can catch and Malzahn to orchestrate the offense. Insofar as Pryor is concerned, he's lucky he does have a supporting cast. He's nowhere near Newton. Regarding Arkansas's defense, it's one of the best in the country in the red zone. Better have a good field goal kicker. Lastly, aside from being a Hog fan with long association with the University, I am an LSU grad. You do remember that game don't you?
You really think that OSU can hold Arkansas to 23 points? Boy, you haven't been paying attention. OSU's best hope is to get into a shootout.
Jim Dogg,
Ask a large majority of Oregon fans who were collectively predicting a 50-17 blowout over the Buckeyes in the 2010 Rose Bowl about our "D" and its' ability to shutdown a high-powered potent offense.
You guys are sounding a lot like they did before we shoved a plateful of crow down their throats…
I predicted the Buckeyes would defeat Oregon 24-17. Anyone remember the actual final score?
Anyone…?
In case not, it was Ohio State 26, Oregon 17
So remember where you heard it 1st — Ohio State 34, Arky 23
Arky got 26 instead of 23 and OSU won as I predicted….I was pretty damn close to the actual final score.
Anything to say now Jim Dogg?
"In a small sampling facing the 2007…"
You're dredging up stats from Mallett's freshman season at MI? Really?!
"…including a 65-point outburst in a loss to Cam Newton’s one-man Auburn show."
Remember to factor in that 14 points of that total came courtesy of the refs. And Newton is certainly not a 'one-man show'. He has two very good RBs at his disposal. He also has a couple of decent+ WRs who have to be accounted for. He doesn't have much in the way of a TE, as I recall, but then he really doesn't need help in that area. Then there's the real difference maker: his OC, Malzahn. Now we've handled Malzahn's offense the two previous times we've played him. However, you add Newton to the home field mix (not to mention the scummy refs) and they were a bit too much that day.
Your OC and overall offense don't scare me much. Are they 'special'? No more than several other offenses we've faced this year. Are your defense/DC 'special'? No more than several others we've faced this year.
I hope your coaching staff has the same attitude many of the bloggers I've read (including the posting you copied your info from…) have. They seem to think Arkansas won't adapt their schemes when needed. They also seem to have little respect for (or knowledge of, outside of the starters…) the players who make up the Hog's defense. That will prove costly, should tOSU's staff make the same mistakes. I doubt they will so the game will be tough and tight, just the way we like 'em.
I was going to post my score prediction, but looks like Charleston already did that along with half of my Sugar Bowl article, LOL!
But yeah, Ohio State 34, Arky 23
http://blog.blockonation.com/2011/01/ohio-state-a…
Well, I am a man they call Hogs Guy. And my predict score is Arkansas 34, Ohio State 28.
And if you want to take me on in a bet-game, make your predict score over at the Fayetteville Flyer website internet homepage. If you get closer than anyone else, you can win a legal autographed picture of me in a picture frame.
http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2011/01/01/hogs-…
I'm Hogs Guy, bye.
Tipster and Sunshine, I want a Hog WIN for a belated Christmas present!!!
Hogs 31
OSU 27
Ive picked against the Hogs like 5 games in a roll on purpose because they keep winning everytime I pick against them. I will never forgive myself if I pick for them and they lose. With reverse psychology firmly entrenched in my pick I give the following prediction.
Pryor runs wild OSU: 27
OSU stops Davis ARK: 21
You have the correct winner….Just add another TD to the Buckeye score and then you'll have it almost exactly right nuclearhog!
I noticed you made your post at 3:40 am. Dude get some sleep and don't worry yourself sleepless. I'm sure you will have a hard time sleeping tonight after OSU gets embarrassed, and to much sleep depravation can kill a person.
Mallet & Company prove too much to handle for the so-called good OSU D.
Woo Pig Sooie!!
Arkansas 38
OSU 24
The Hogs in recent history definitely have let us down when it comes to big bowl games but this team is something special. They no longer play on emotional highs and lows. They know there abilities and they go out and play to the full extent of them. The never quit and are a mature football team. In all my years I haven't seen a team come together and play like this one, and I think they're mentally prepared and excited to bring home a BCS win to a more than proud state and fan base.
Hogs 31
OSU 21
Making all these comparisons on past history has nothing to do with how this game will be played. Who wins tonight will depend a lot on which coach has prepared his team the best and who will execute their game plan the best. You can throw all the past bowl games out the window, this is about 1 game being played on this 1 night. With that being said if I had to pick one coach in country to get a team ready Coach Patrino would be on of my top picks. I bet at this point he may now more about Ohio State that 80% of their fans and probably some of their coaches.
Intangibles:
The Demo-Zette, in its Sports Section, compared Ohio State to Arkansas, position by position. One of the factors is Intangibles. Things that are hard if not impossible to measure that you have to have a feel for (Sorta like the AP and other non-computer polls). There are several intangibles two of which that were not mentioned which may be in Arkansas’ favor.
First: I was reminded by a poster in a Buckeye blog that Arkansas played half of its scheduale against teams in the final top 25 as opposed to none for OSU. The non-intangible here is that the Hogs have played a tougher scheduale and have been more challenged. But the intangible comes when you try, as the Demo-Zette did, to compare strength at the different positions. It seems logical to assume that lesser opponents (if you believe the polls) would also mean greater stats and performances for playing against lesser players. In other words, if you play against weaker opponents, your performance should be better. It’s hard to judge players and positions based on stats from different opponent sets or the hype spread by media (national or local homers). It’s only when it’s head to head as in bowl games where true comparisons of ability can be measured (generality obviously – everyone can have a bad day). Because of its schedulae it seems like the Hogs have an advantage here.
Second: Fan support. This was mentioned in the Demo-Zette piece. Very intangible. But it must have some important role. I think that the overwhelming number of Vol fans at the Music City Bowl had a great part in the motivation shown by the players on the field. Effective both on the field and around Nashville. Conversely, from the ridiculous to the subtle; the total lack of fans for Hawaii at the Hula Bowl which should have been a home game and the lack of fans and perceived lack of enthusiasm by Virginia Tech followers at the Orange Bowl (they didn’t sell out their allotment, and part of the stands were empty). The vibes I’m getting from this blog and reports from New Orleans is that Hog enthusiasm is sky high. OSU did not sell out its allotment and as one OSU fan said from New Orleans it is an odd feeling to be outnumbered by one’s opponent's fans. Arkansas supporters seem really into it in the Big Easy, while Buckeye fans are more reserved (been here, done that). What I get from blogs is that Hog fans seem optimistic although anxious but OSU fans seem to be foreboding and even negatively fatalistic, no matter what some of their supporters put up as a front. This should be greatly in Arkansas’ favor, especially inside the Superdome.
Third: Player and team attitude. The Hogs seemed motivated and raring to go. With OSU there is a major puzzle. This was best put by a Buckeye blogger who wondered if the Buckeyes would rally around the “felony five” (my perhaps unfair ad hominem) or would those players be on an island by themselves which would affect the team’s performance? I might be mislead, but it seems to me that Pryor is something of an arrogant and self absorbed personality, as compared to say Cam Newton, who is equally self confident, but who is affable with a natural likeability. Everybody on the OSU team praises Pryor’s talent, but it seems that only Tressel has said what a wonderful human being Terrel is (could be wrong on this). There is an animosity and competiveness on athletic teams between players which is usually kept in check if the team is doing well. If not, things boil to the surface. Which situation it will be, island or coming together, is yet to be seen. If the Buckeyes fall behind Pryor’s and the other four’s popularity among their teammates will be challenged.
These intangibles are what make game predictions, or worse, scores between equally matched opponents a crap shoot.
HOGS 42 BUCKEYS 21 SOOOOOOOOOOOIIIIEEEEEEE!!! NO STOPPING MALLET AND HIS MANY TALENTED RECEIVERS
THE Arkansas Razorbacks – 34
The new "Thug U" – 30
Hogs spot Bucky an early TD either a long kickoff return or some spotty officiating. Bucky looks very flat for the rest of the game, and Hogs offense ends up manhandling that vaunted OSU defense. On his way to being selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the 5th overall pick of the upcoming NFL draft, Ryan Mallett throws for 350 and 4 TD's, including 2 to DJ Williams, who also becomes the Hogs' all-time leading receiver by game's end. Damn it's good to be a Razorback!
Hogs — 45
OSU — 24
Wanted to think logically about the score… just haven't been able to do so. Therefore, going with my gut… what does it tell me? Hogs come prepared with a statement and win 48-24. The SEC win streak lives on! Willy has the defense ready for 4 quarters!
HOGS 30 Ohio 27.
Go Hogs!!
Or, you lose. Thanks for playing.
Come on mods please dont give the shirt to the Buckeye guy. I been trying for one of these for awhile now, and this is the closest Ive been to winning it. Go Hogs!!! I cant wait for next year.
@nuclearhog:
I predicted 34-23 Ohio State. The final was 31-26 Ohio State.
Sorry, but I was closer (only off by 3 points for each team) and I had the correct winner!
As I said in my January 2nd post, the Buckeyes would hit Mallet and win. Mission accomplished. Ohio State recorded 4.0 sacks, 9.0 TFL overall, and five QB hurries. It was a great game and a valiant comeback effort by the Hogs.