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Date: Jan. 5
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Glendale, Ariz.
Television: FOX
Payout: $17 million
Last result: West Virginia 48, Oklahoma 28
2008 results: Ohio State; Texas
2008 statistics: Ohio State; Texas
Tickets: Buy them here
Coaches: Jim Tressel (Ohio State); Mack Brown (Texas)
Bowl history/last appearance: Ohio State 18-21 (lost 38-24 to LSU in '08 BCS title game); Texas 24-21-2 (won 52-34 over Arizona State in '07 Holiday)
Series: Tied 1-1 (Ohio State 24-7 in '06; Texas 25-22 in '05)
What Ohio State has to do to win: The Buckeyes offensive line will have to create some running room for junior TB Chris “Beanie” Wells and freshman QB Terrelle Pryor against a Longhorns defense that’s allowing just 73.6 yards per game on the ground (No. 2 in the nation). Without the threat of a running game, Ohio State doesn’t have much chance of being able to take advantage of a Longhorns defense that’s 109th versus the pass. In addition, running the football is important to limiting the time Texas’ explosive offense spends on the field.
Defensively, the Buckeyes need to contain Texas QB Colt McCoy without committing too many linebackers to the pass rush. McCoy’s mobility keeps him from getting sacked and he’s a master at improvising to make plays downfield if you open up too many zones and allow his receivers to find the soft spots.
Finally, if making his team’s long layoff a benefit is out of the question, Jim Tressel needs to at least figure out how to make it a non-factor. Having been out of action since dismantling hapless Michigan on Nov. 22, the Buckeyes remember that in their last two bowl games — both miserable loses in back-to-back BCS title games — one of the chief excuses was rustiness after a long period of inactivity.
What Texas has to do to win: The Longhorns can’t afford to get too caught up in their long shot chance of pulling out a split national championship via the AP poll (if they register a stylish win and Oklahoma ekes out a narrow victory over Florida in the BCS title game). Their full attention will be required as they line up against the best defense they’ve faced this season by far.
The Texas defense isn’t exactly a pushover either, but defensive coordinator Will Muschamp will have to get his unit to shift gears from life in the pass-happy Big 12, to facing a multi-faceted attack triggered by Pryor. Baylor freshman QB Robert Griffin, the closest thing the Big 12 has to Pryor, rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown on just 13 carries in a 45-21 Longhorns victory in Austin on Nov. 8. That gives Ohio State lots of hope. The Texas LBs and DBs need to be extra careful with the angles they take on Pryor. His long strides make him deceptively fast.
Getting off to a quick start also will serve the Longhorns well, as it will give the Buckeyes that “oh no, here we go again” feeling.
Who the NFL is watching: Ohio State CB Malcolm Jenkins and LB James Laurinaitis are sure-fire first rounders, as is Wells if he decides to come out. Texas DE Brian Orakpo could very well be the best player available at his position.
Opening point spread: Texas by 10.5 (54)
Prediction: Texas 23, Ohio State 20
MVP: Texas QB Colt McCoy
Live vote: Who will win?
Before there will be significant changes to the postseason and how to determine a champ, there are plenty of options to be considered. Conference commissioners who run the BCS are just getting started on that process.
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Not much heat from the Hawks for Jeremy Lin and the New York Knicks.
Andrew Bynum had 19 points and 14 rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers hit the halfway point of their season with a 96-91 victory over the defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.
Sacramento's last shot to remain an NBA city appears headed for another overtime.