Ay-Ziggy-Zoomba.com

Link to an article about Saturday's game posted today on ohiostate.rivals.com.

http://ohiostate.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=591038

Hope it is not a repeat post.

I like that they refer to 1992 as "recent history". Makes me feel even younger than my boyish looks would lead you to believe!

cant read the whole article

Here is the article.

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Can the Falcons Soar?

Kevin Noon
Managing Editor

The Ohio State football season appears to be broken into three very distinctive hurdles as the Buckeyes look toward the ultimate goal. The first hurdle was the September gauntlet that they had to play three ranked teams, including two of them on the road at night. The final hurdle is pretty obvious with Michigan at the end of the schedule and the potential of having a National Championship play-in game set up if both teams make it undefeated to that point. The middle hurdle might be the most difficult of all three though, where they Buckeyes must remain focused as they play opponents that appear to be outmatched and just speed bumps at this point.


Will 2006 be similiar to 2003 when the Falcons gave Ohio State a scare?
The first of these speed bump hurdles comes this Saturday as the Buckeyes prepare to host the Bowling Green Falcons. If you listen to anyone affiliated with the team though, nobody is looking at any of the next six games as formalities, especially a game against an in-state rival who the Buckeyes had a narrow escape against in 2003. The odds makers don't believe that that this year will be a repeat of the 24-17 game installing the Bucks as a 34 and a half point favorite. Which match-ups in this game should you key in on? We're checking them out to get you ready for the game.

1. Ohio State receivers vs. Bowling Green pass defense

It isn't necessarily the strength versus strength match-up that it appears to be on paper. The Buckeyes have legitimate strength with one of the deepest receiving groups in the country behind the usual suspects of Ted Ginn Jr., Anthony Gonzalez, Brian Robiskie, Brian Hartline, Roy Hall and the list goes on. The Bowling Green pass defense is only allowing 147 yards per game, but that is deceiving because the 12th ranked pass defense in the nation has not been tested because of the run defense is ranked 83rd nationally.

It is surprising that more opponents have not tried to take it at the young secondary of the Falcons. Bowling Green will be starting two freshmen and two sophomores on Saturday and they will be in for a long day if the Buckeyes decide to release the hounds in the passing game.

This is the type of game where the Buckeyes are hoping to get up early and be able to clear the bench. If this game goes according to plan the Buckeyes would like to see second and third team receivers be the ones testing the BGSU secondary while Ted and Anthony are both enjoying a sunny second half at the Horseshoe from the sidelines.

2. Ohio State defensive line vs. Bowling Green offensive line



Will the Ohio State defensive line continue to have success?
Many observers of the Buckeyes felt going into the season that the defensive line would be the strength of the defense. Little did everyone know that the entire defense would surpass expectations this season. Ohio State has been able to get a consistent pass rush sending only four in, which is a testament to the talent of the line. This week they will have their hands full with the big Bowling Green line, a line that only has one starter under 300 pounds.

Bowling Green plays two different quarterbacks and with the better passing Anthony Turner still banged up with a non-throwing shoulder injury pass protection will be a must for the Falcons. Freddie Barnes is the team's leading rusher and will need the offensive line to open holes for him to have any running lanes.

The BGSU offensive line has given up nine sacks on the year but will run into a buzz saw with the Buckeye's dishing out 18 sacks so far this season led by Quinn Pitcock's four sacks alone on the season. The Buckeyes will look to win the war in the trenches and get to the Bowling Green quarterback, whichever one may be in at the time.

3. Ohio State team vs. National media hype

For anyone who has been on the moon for the past week or two the Buckeyes should be favored by around double-digits until the end of the season showdown with Michigan. The problem the Buckeyes will face is how to keep the edge when the national media has already proclaimed that they will be undefeated going into their big rivalry game.

Jim Tressel and the coaching staff is well aware of the pitfalls that face the team during the next month and a half leading up to the season finale, but it will be something that each individual member of the team will have to find in themselves.

This is a battle that coaches have had to face as long as there have been coaches, keeping a team sharp during games against overmatched opponents. There is no true game plan for a coach to lay out for a team to follow. If the Buckeyes continue to win expect the hype around the team to continue to grow until the third Saturday in November when the Wolverines come calling in one of the biggest games in the history of the storied rivalry.