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The last time Ohio State was in the BCS National Title game, they were drubbed by the Florida Gators. The last time that LSU played in the Superdome, they destroyed Notre Dame in the 2007 Sugar Bowl. Can the Buckeyes overcome last year’s loss and go the distance this year, or will the Tigers make them back-to-back losers?

Perhaps the most intriguing element of the Buckeyes preparations is how they cope with a 51-day layoff between their last game and the BCS National Title tilt. It was obvious in their 41-14 loss to Florida last season that they were complacent and apathetic heading in to the matchup. Back then, they were invincible and an obvious top-seed in the nation. This year, they are anything but invincible despite the attaining the top-seed again.

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LSU Offense vs. Ohio State Defense
Whether it’s Matt Flynn or Ryan Perrilloux at the helm, the LSU offense has been nothing short of prolific for the entire season. They rank ninth in scoring with 40.2 points per game and hurl the ball for a solid 227.3 pass yards per game. Flynn will get the start as his shoulder looks to be healed, but the two-quarterback system of LSU will keep Ohio guessing at every turn. 

Mobile quarterbacks have given this stout defense fits for the majority of the year. However, this unit proved it was the best in the nation by silencing opponents to an astounding 10.7 points per game against, while containing offenses to only 148.2 pass yards and 80.5 rushing yards per game. John Laurinaitis, the line-backing leader of this incredible unit, still has the bitter taste of defeat in his mouth and will rally this defense to throw everything it has at this LSU offense.

The top priority will be stopping running-back Jacob Hester, who averages 5.0 yards per carry and is responsible for moving the chains between the twenties for the Tigers. Ohio State will have trouble containing Hester on the edges because the line-backing corps, while strong, lacks speed and will lose a step as they are forced to spy on Flynn who can demoralize the Buckeyes with a play-action pass.

Ohio State Offense vs. LSU Defense
Ohio State’s offense is efficient, well-balanced and focused on pounding the rock. Starting tailback Chris Wills averages 5.8 yards per carry and has amassed 14 touchdowns. He is spelled by Maurice Wells, who gains 3.3 yards per carry and has the kind of breakaway speed that can ruin a defensive coordinator’s day. Both will be challenging a fierce front-seven led by defensive-tackle Glenn Dorsey. The Tigers only give up 106.1 yards on the ground.
 
Todd Boeckman is nowhere close to the threat that Troy Smith was in college, but he is an efficient passer who completed 64.5 percent of his passes while gaining 2,171 yards, 23 scores and 12 picks through the air. LSU is fast, agile and aggressive in the secondary and allows only 175.1 passing yards per game.

The LSU defense is slightly more vulnerable on the scoreboard, as is proven by their 20.1 points allowed per game. While Ohio State only puts up 32.0 points on average, it is important to note that they usually go in to squat mode after gaining a decisive lead and pull the reigns off their offensive assault when they gain a lead.

The Tigers defense has only been ripped by two players this season – Andrew Woodson of Kentucky and Darren McFadden of Arkansas. Ohio State lacks that kind of game-breaking superstar, but that will lend itself to their advantage as LSU will have trouble keying off any single player on the Buckeyes. Expect Jim Tressel to deploy Wells early and often to open up passing lanes for Boeckman as he targets Brian Robiskie as much as possible. Robiskie holds a strong physical advantage over anyone on the LSU secondary and will be the Buckeyes main scoring threat.

NCAA Football Betting Trends
-Ohio State is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
-Total has gone OVER in 4 of Ohio State’s last 6 games
-LSU is 1-7-2 ATS in its last 10 games
-Total has gone OVER in 7 of LSU’s last 8 games

Final Verdict
The bandwagon is pulling hard for LSU and for good reason. They are essentially playing at home, in a bowl that they’ve enjoyed a truckload of success with a team that has only been beaten when two teams threw the kitchen sink at them. So why bet against them?

Because Ohio State has been here before, and the team leader’s will refuse to be complacent about letting another national title slip them by. The well-balanced attack of Ohio State will help move the chains against an LSU defense that has appeared vulnerable at time.

Ohio State will win this game as their defense grounds Hester and forces Flynn to throw against a secondary that is underrated in their ability to cause turnovers and generate coverage sacks. Vindication is a powerful motivator, and it will turn the tides against LSU as Ohio State goes on to win the BCS Championship.

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