Synopsis:
Ohio State was left for dead midway through the season when the offense couldn’t even score as much as the defense, and they were upset at the hands of hapless Purdue. Oregon is arguably the best two-loss team in football, and one of the best stories of the season after the infamous fiasco that ensued after the season-opening loss to Boise State on the road. Oregon is one of the most fun teams to watch, and head coach Chip Kelly is on the rise as a big name in the industry.
Player to watch: There are two dual-threat quarterbacks in this game in Jeremiah Masoli for Oregon and Terrelle Pryor for Ohio State. However, the name from this game that fans will hear most over the next three seasons is LaMichael James. James replaced Legarrette Blount as the starting running back after the season opener, and all he did was rush for 1,476 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2009. The diminutive back is an energetic piece to the Oregon offensive attack.
Who has the edge?
For Ohio State, a program which has been trying to discover the nuances of a successful spread offense, what better way to learn some of these than to see the best in the business first-hand? Masoli is a magician in the backfiled when it comes to executing play fakes and running the option. Pryor should pay close attention to his counterpart when he’s on the sideline.
Prediction:
Oregon 38
Ohio State 31
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