Steven A

Here is a good article in full. I couldn't get the url or whatever it is termed to load. I’ve really enjoyed diving into the numbers for Oregon football this season. As it has allowed me to either confirm or deny some suspicions that I have developed from watching games. When I watched Ohio State not just beat Tennessee, but absolutely demolish them into oblivion, it made me suspect that the Buckeyes have returned to being the mostly excellent team we have seen all year after taking a one game hiatus against Michigan. Ad If Ohio State had limped away a win against Tennessee 17-13, as I thought what was going to happen, and would be coming into the Rose Bowl the shell of their former selves my feelings and outlook for this game would be very different. But instead, Ohio State made Tennessee look like a below average MAC team. I’m not kidding Ohio State outgained Tennessee by an incredible 3.73 yards per play which is better than the 3.46 yards per play they outgained Akron by in week 1 of the season. In fact, Ohio States per play performance against Tennessee was better than their performance against Northwestern and Purdue. PURDUE! After taking some time to digest the fact that Oregon will be playing Ohio State in a rematch with everything on the line there are two main reasons I’m nervous about the re-match. Reason Number 1: The first game was a one-point win inside Autzen stadium.SportsGridOhio State Dominates Tennessee: A Full Game Breakdown 2:41 If one single play out of the 130 plays run in the game had gone a different way in favor of Ohio State, Ohio State could have won that game. Now if I had wheels, I could be a bicycle (which I’m not) but the point being the first game was incredibly close Let’s take a deeper look at the first meeting between these two teams. I decided to re-watch this game to write this article and track the yards per play myself as often box scores and online play by play sheets can have errors in them. Here is how each team performed on a per play basis in Total, Per Attempt, and Per Rush. Oregon vs Ohio State YPP Analysis In that game Oregon was slightly the better team on a per basis. They outgained Ohio State by 0.58 yards per play which would indicate they won a close game and as we all know, they did in fact win a close game. They did this thanks to averaging an excellent 10.03 yards per attempt against the number one defense per Bill Connelly’s SP+. Ad Ohio State averaged 0.50 yards per rush more than Oregon for the full game, but I wanted to highlight something I talked about with Ohio State when I was comparing them on a per play basis to Tennessee. The biggest (and maybe only) weakness of Ohio State’s team is their beat up O-Line. The injuries began mounting for the Buckeyes during the game against Oregon when they lost their improved starting Left Tackle Josh Simmons. I split up and tracked Yards per Rush for Ohio State before and after the injury to Josh Simmons which happened with 8:47 remaining in the second quarter. For context I split up Oregon’s YPR for the 1st and 2nd half. Here is how each team ran the ball to start and finish the game Oregon vs Ohio State YPP Analysis Now please take this chart with a grain of salt. We are dealing with quite small sample sizes of 12-17 designed running plays and Ohio State’s first half figure is buoyed by a 53-yard Treyveyon Henderson run. But I do believe it shows how big a loss Josh Simmons was for Ohio State in this game and has been for this season, as they were only able to average 3.50 yards per carry against Oregon’s defense without Mr. Simmons. Ad It should also be noted that Ohio State may have once again successfully re-shuffled there O-Line as they ran for a very good 4.73 yards per rush against what I believe to still be a very good Tennessee front. From watching that game it appeared that Ohio State attempted to use the pass to set up the run and my guess is that they will broadly try to do the same against Oregon. Reason Number 2: This shouldn’t shock anyone but, Ohio State is really really good Oregon and Ohio State are starting to build-up quite the rivalry now that they are conference foes. Both on the field and in recruiting the Ducks and Buckeyes have been battling with each other very intensely for the last 3 and half years. And while it is natural to try and disparage a rival, I’m here to tell you that despite the animosity we may feel towards Ohio State they are as good as advertised. They are the number one team still per Bill Connelly’s SP+ and across all opponents for the entire season they have even been better than Oregon on a per play basis as this chart shows. Oregon vs Ohio State YPP Analysis Without looking at the rest of college football, my guess is that Ohio State and Oregon are the two best teams on a per play basis in all of college football against Power opponents. Each team has played 13 games thus far. 3 Games against Group of 5 teams, and 10 games against Power 4 opponents. Oregon and Ohio States’ 4 common opponents are the following teams. Michigan State, Purdue, Michigan, and Penn State. Here is how each team has performed in each game categorized by the different buckets of YPP I use to evaluate a game post-game. Oregon vs Ohio State YPP Analysis Now that I should have made you the reader sufficiently nervous here is why I’m confident that Oregon can win the re-match. 1. Oregon beat Ohio State earlier this year, we saw it happen with our own eyes and brain a. Not only did they beat Ohio State, but they were the better team on a per play basis. As close as that game was, Oregon had some glaring missed opportunities. If one single play out of the 130 plays run in the game had gone a different way in favor of Oregon they could have won by a full touchdown. Again, if I had wheels. 2. Jordan Burch a. Oregon was without its best Pass Rusher in the first game against Ohio State. Ohio State’s banged up Offensive Line now must try and stop the exact same cast of characters from Oregon’s front, plus Jordan Burch. Here is how Oregon has stopped the run on a per play basis when Jordan Burch has played with no limitations, on a snap count, and without him Oregon vs Ohio State YPP Analysis Now does Oregon’s ability to defend the run solely hinge on Jordan Burch. Likely not, but he is a phenomenal player and having him fully healthy for the re-match is a huge X-factor in favor of Oregon. As is the case whenever the two best teams in college football meet the one feeling I can almost guarantee you will feel on New Years Day, is tense.

Besides Burch, I had forgotten there was no T Ferg in game 1.

Present company excepted also!!!

Group thread: Bucknuts & Duck Territory Right click on the above and open in a new window. Mutual hate vs M and W schools.

Trouble is, if we get that then the narrative will be they were down to their 2nd string QB. Let's take down PSU again and have a three-game winning streak vs osu and two against PSU going into next season.

Will Howard to shine? 19 of 29, 257 yds, 2 TDs and no Ints? Ohio State Buckeyes QB Receives Great Prediction Against Oregon WWW.SI.COM The Ohio State Buckeyes are laser focused on their upcoming matchup against the Oregon Ducks on New Year's Day. After... Marcus Harper interviews Boettcher, Bassa and Jackson. Oregon Ducks Earning Respect Like Alabama, Georgia In College Football? WWW.SI.COM Merry Christmas, Oregon Ducks fans! A present under the tree... An exclusive interview as the Ducks are preparing to face the...

Now, pressure is really on osu Ohio State Buckeyes' Future is at Stake Against Oregon WWW.SI.COM The Ohio State Buckeyes will be facing the Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl next Wednesday, which is enough of a doozy in and...

I think this is a great idea and it would add TV eyes = $$$ for the networks . . . Conference semifinals. In an 18- or 16-team conference, all teams can’t play each other in the regular season. So, the top four could meet in made-for-TV semifinal games followed by the conference title game one week later. The conference semifinal game would be set aside for the weekend before the conference title game. On that same weekend, the other teams in the conference would play games against opponents not previously scheduled. It’s basically a variation of the flex game policy, but it tries to create a four-team mini-playoff within a conference.

Also, please let Vegas know when setting their spreads that home field is now a 26 point advantage.

Yes, and the third time would have been in the CShip game with osu getting Penn St's seeding. We can still hope for an all BIG finale which would have the BIG beating Tenn ; Texas next; Penn St. over Georgia if they can get by the NDers. That, and my two front teeth is all I want.

Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.

Let's make history. Here is the article. Ohio State could repeat unwanted history in CFP quarterfinals against Oregon WWW.YARDBARKER.COM The two Big Ten Conference juggernauts met once already on Oct. 12 in a dramatic 32-31 victory for the Ducks at home in Eugene...

1) I think if you look at last year's CU game, you saw fire in the eyes from play 1. In talking to several football sportsmen, Bruse Feldman stated that the loudest game start to finish he has ever witnessed, it was round 1 with osu. 2) I like being an underdog for betting purposes, otherwise couldn't care less. 3) Prefer the longer rest: rest and recovery; fix our own issues; add new wrinkles; more time to prepare/can spend a little time on each team you may play and then fine tune once you know the foe.

Here we go again. Which osu team will show up? Sunday Morning Sidewalk: Full Circle OREGON.RIVALS.COM Today on the Sunday Morning Sidewalk, early thoughts on the Rose Bowl - plus its full circle moment for me.

Finebaum, rust vs can Buckeyes repeat their last performance. Paul Finebaum Reveals 'Reservations' About Ohio State Before Oregon Ducks, Rose Bowl WWW.SI.COM The Oregon Ducks will have a rematch vs. Ohio State in their College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup. The Ducks...

Geez Charles, we can't thank you enough. Without the two sites, hell I might have to get a life.

Until Eugene gets an NFL franchise or his kids finish high school, he's ours.

Indy 31 - 18 2 TOs 1 sack 230 PYds

Right on, as it should be. We will let Dan continue to use it.

The article states "If you’re going to say that Gabriel struggles in big-time games — something that was a fair knock entering the season" i guess the writers didn't watch the Red River Rivalry two years ago.

i don't know, could Dan have overcome the Reggie Bush penalties any better than Riley? Cuz I'm pretty sure the sc fan base thinks that is the problem.

Hey Charles, we need a thumbs down emoji so I don't have to go into too much detail in regard to JJ's posts. JK. I'm going to go with Tenn. They are used to cold weather, have nothing to lose as an underdog, can pressure Howard, and ALL the pressure is on Day. I think osu goes in the chipper and loses. And, I'll take the killer Cignetti's. I listened to him describe what he learned after the L to osu and think they will be prepared for this. Plus, ND had to have a near miracle to hold off the "safe sexers" and who did they lose to . . . not the Illinois team that plays in the BIG, but the one that went 4 - 4 in the Middling America Conference. Lastly, I just realized that we went from the Pac 12 with a little brother osu to the BIG with the same result. GO DUCKS!!

I would think that you have to be in the same digit code at the least. I do wonder if everyone is playing with their cards faceup or close to the vest.

This guy too

Me, no thanks to Branch. I like the room we have and the young talent. I do not want to scare away recruits if we get too much of a reputation for portal poaching. However, I will always trust Dan and the gang.