LAST year, in this same space, we spent 600 words explaining the weaknesses of what was viewed as a mighty Ohio State team, the No. 1 squad in the land, the undefeated, unchallenged machine favored to win the national title.
We get plenty of things wrong here, especially this season, but that was a theory that paid off. We just didn’t think that team could take a crack in the mouth.
This year, we have another theory. It happens to be the opposite.
“The credit has to go to so many,” Buckeyes quarterback Todd Boeckman said. “You have to give credit to the linemen, the receivers, the running backs, because everyone has done so much.”
We agree. We think this year’s Buckeyes squad is better than last. No, Boeckman did not win a Heisman like Troy Smith. No, receivers Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline aren’t as dynamic as Ted Ginn and Anthony Gonzalez.
But Ohio State – thanks to Chris Wells and Maurice Wells – can run the ball better. Its dominating defense is another year wiser. And most important, these Bucks showed they can take a punch.
“After we lost to Illinois, we thought we were out of it,” Robiskie said. “We went to Michigan and took care of business.”
And that’s why we love Ohio State over LSU in the BCS title game Jan. 7 in New Orleans.
Sure, things broke right. But when it counted most, when everyone thought they were finished, the Buckeyes dominated their biggest rivals in The Big House, 14-3, in a game that wasn’t that close.
LSU? When the Tigers took a punch from Kentucky, they responded by nipping Auburn and Alabama in the closing seconds. When they took another shot from Arkansas, they responded by beating Tennessee in the SEC title game on a late pick six.
Take nothing away from the Tigers. Though we may be discounting style points, they did win the nation’s best conference amid controversy.
But Ohio State is tougher, healthier and hungrier. The Bucks (+4) are the pick.
Utah (-71/2) over Navy: (Poinsettia) Line is high for a reason. The Utes score quickly. The Middies don’t.
Cincinnati (-11) over Southern Miss: (PapaJohns) Bearcats can set the tone for what could be a huge 2008.
Nevada (+21/2) over New Mexico: (New Mexico) Lobos lost this bowl last year to San Jose State. The Wolfpack are better than the Spartans.
BYU (-51/2) over UCLA: (Las Vegas) Revenge game for the Cougs, who love playing in Vegas, their second home.
Boise State (-101/2) over East Carolina: (Hawaii) No BCS magic for the Broncos this year, just a beatdown of an inferior opponent.
Central Michigan (+81/2) over Purdue: (Motor City) Home crowd in Detroit for the Chippewas. We question the Boilers’ interest.
Arizona State (+21/2) over Texas: (Holiday) We love BCS-snubbed teams to make a point. Stage is set for the Sun Devils.
Boston College (-31/2) over Michigan State: (Champs Sports) Matt Ryan goes out a winner against a team happy to be there.
TCU (-4) over Houston: (Texas) Cougars’ coaching situation is a mess. Frogs will be ready to pounce.
Oregon State (-5) over Maryland: (Emerald) Beavers finished the year as well as anyone.
Wake Forest (-21/2) over UConn: (Meineke Car Care) Last year’s storybook tale for Jim Grobe ended with a loss. Not this year.
Mississippi State (+3) over Central Florida: (Liberty) We fade teams that win conference title games like UCF, the thinking being its year is made.
Texas A&M (+51/2) over Penn State: (Alamo) Crowd favors the Aggies, who can begin life without Dennis Franchione like they ended his era.
Colorado (+31/2) over Alabama: (Independence) More incentive with the Buffs, who won two games last year.
Cal (-31/2) over Air Force: (Armed Forces) Too easy to go against the Bears. Jeff Tedford has had time to rally what was once the nation’s No. 2 team.
Georgia Tech (-6) over Fresno State: (Humanitarian) Matchup problem for the run-heavy Bulldogs. The Jackets stop the run better than most.
South Florida (-61/2) over Oregon: (Sun) Hard to take the Ducks without Dennis Dixon. Yes, they battled against Oregon State . . . and lost by seven.
Kentucky (-3) over Florida State: (Music City) SEC over the ACC was too good to pass up, even before the suspensions.
Indiana (+4) over Oklahoma State: (Insight) Far too much inspiration, far too much motivation to ignore the Hoosiers.
Auburn (+21/2) over Clemson: (Chick-fil-A) Please see Kentucky-Florida State.
Wisconsin (+21/2) over Tennessee: (Outback) Badgers close a solid season in style.
Missouri (-3) over Arkansas: (Cotton) Please see Arizona State-Texas.
Virginia (+6) over Texas Tech: (Gator) Defense over offense. Al Groh has seen teams that can throw before. His Cavs will be ready.
Florida (-101/2) over Michigan: (Capital One) If the Wolverines were going to end the Lloyd Carr Era with a bang, they would have done it vs. Ohio State.
Southern Cal (-131/2) over Illinois: (Rose) Too much, too soon for the happy-to-be-there Illini.
Georgia (-71/2) over Hawaii: (Sugar) The Bulldogs want to be No. 1 next year, and can make a statement to that end.
West Virginia (+71/2) over Oklahoma: (Fiesta) Bob Stoops has been known to stumble in BCS games. Ask Boise State.
Kansas (+31/2) over Virginia Tech: (Orange) Please see Central Florida-Mississippi State.
Rutgers (-10) over Ball State: (International) Fueled by Greg Schiano’s loyalty, RU closes with authority.
Tulsa (-5) over Bowling Green: (GMAC) Points aplenty, but we’ll take the better offense and the better quarterback: Paul Smith.
Week 14: 10-5 Overall; 2-1 Best Bets. Season: 99-105-6; 18-22-2.