2005-06 College Bowls

The Tigers remember where they come from – the SEC, the best league in college football. LSU has played the better schedule. It's got dynamic playmakers in Jacob Hester, Early Doucet and Demetrius Byrd. And the Tigers are led by a risk-taker in coach Les Miles. This will feel like an LSU home game in New Orleans. What more could this team want?

The Buckeyes show up angry. Throughout December, Ohio State players heard they were too slow. They heard the Big Ten was weak. They heard that this game will be Florida all over again. Linebacker James Laurinaitis and defensive end Vernon Gholston must slow LSU's running game and turn it into a grudge match.

All good Big Ten teams start with a good running back. The Buckeyes have one in Chris Wells, a first-team all-Big Ten pick who had eight 100-yard games this season. But he'll be running straight into the waiting arms of LSU's Glenn Dorsey and three stout linebackers, two of whom were top linebacker recruits in Louisiana. Maurice Wells (103 att., 367 yards) must provide some help. Edge: Ohio State.

Ohio State's Todd Boeckman has thrown 23 touchdown passes this season but none in the last two games. Against Illinois and Michigan, he threw four interceptions. He'll have to make quick decisions with defenders breathing down his neck. If the Tigers can shut down WRs Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline, Boeckman will have to throw short dump-offs all night. Edge: LSU.

RB Jacob Hester has gotten a lot of attention this season, and for good reason. He broke the 1,000-yard barrier against Tennessee in the SEC title game and averages 5 yards per carry. But the Tigers have rushed for 2,846 yards overall this season, the most since 1977. The Buckeyes didn't see anyone remotely that good on the ground this season, except for Illinois, and that was a 28-21 loss. Edge: LSU.

QB Matt Flynn's shoulder injury was a huge question mark in Baton Rouge throughout December. Leading up to this game, Flynn professed to being healthy. This is a quarterback who once played for Tyler Lee in the Class 5A state semifinals with a fractured foot. Flynn and backup Ryan Perrilloux give the Tigers a strong dual threat behind center, much like Florida had last season. Edge: LSU.

Neither team has dynamic return games; Ohio State ranks 117th nationally in kick returns (17.6 yards per return); LSU ranks 87th nationally (20.1). Ohio State K Ryan Pretorius is more accurate with his leg than LSU's Colt David. Pretorius is 17-for-21 on field goals and is 6-for-7 from 40 yards or more. His season long was a 50-yarder against Penn State. Edge: Ohio State.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel tried to downplay the game's significance. "We have some great opportunities to play in great venues in big games," Tressel said in New Orleans. Well, that was also true last year, and Florida romped to victory. Last year's BCS title game in Glendale, Ariz., was a true neutral site. The Superdome is LSU territory. If that doesn't fire up the Buckeyes, what will? Edge: Ohio State.

Dorsey (6-2, 303) became the most decorated defensive player in LSU history this season despite being slowed by a strained knee suffered Oct. 20 vs. Auburn. He won the Outland and Lombardi Trophies and the Nagurski Award after notching 11 ½ tackles for losses and six sacks. Though head-to-head matchups seem unlikely, Barton (6-6, 300), a senior, is responsible for overseeing the protection against Dorsey.Edge: Dorsey

You have to figure that Ohio State DE Vernon Gholston is tired of all the talk about LSU DT Glenn Dorsey. Gholston is a star himself, and he can control a game, too. He was named the Big Ten defensive lineman of the year after piling up 13 sacks. He must assert himself early. If Gholston draws multiple blockers, that should free up others like the versatile Larry Grant, Marcus Freeman or James Laurinaitis. If the Buckeyes can pressure LSU's quarterbacks, Ohio State's secondary will have more breathing room.

The Ohio State defensive coaches have no doubt spent plenty of time studying LSU receiver Early Doucet. He's made a team-high 50 catches for 474 yards and has done a lot of damage on third-and-long. But look at the other guys, too. Demetrius Byrd has six catches of 25 or more yards. Almost 40 percent of Brandon LaFell's catches have come on third down (19 of 48). If the Buckeyes commit an extra safety to stopping Doucet, they could still get burned badly.

The Buckeyes have the nation's No. 1-ranked defense because they don't let the opposing team's offense stay on the field. Ohio State has forced the opponent to go three-and-out on 48.5 percent of its possessions this season. The Buckeyes have also forced 18 turnovers. That's how you keep the game low scoring. Ohio State allowed only 10.7 points per game. Conversely, Buckeyes QB Todd Boeckman and his unit need to move the chains when they get a chance and eat up clock.

Has any coach pulled off more gambles than LSU's Les Miles? The Tigers are 12-for-15 on fourth down this season. That includes a 5-for-5 performance in a 28-24 victory over Florida on Oct. 6. LSU had only four successful fourth-down conversions in the entire 2004 season. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel must be ready to go for broke, because Miles sure will be. If that means onside kicks, trick plays or whatever it takes, Tressel must go against the grain.

Ohio St., 27-24: Jim Tressel maintains his dominance over Michigan (Les Miles).

Ohio St., 27-21: OSU players got a DVD reminder of last year's BCS fiasco from coach Jim Tressel.

LSU, 45-24: LSU's speedsters rule the day against a slow Big Ten team.

LSU, 24-13: OU found out in '04 how much it helps for LSU to have home-field advantage in a title game.

LSU, 31-17: SEC speed overwhelms OSU for second straight year.

LSU, 21-17: LSU players reward Les Miles for sticking around.

Ohio St., 24-23: Late pass interference call helps OSU win unlikely title.