Buckeye Fans Only · @buckeyefansonly
22nd Dec 2014 from TwitLonger
Tide preps 4 #Buckeyes: #OhioState compared to what SEC foe #GoBucks #BeatBama
...the Tide’s players have watched a bit of film and offered up some opinions on the Buckeyes on Thursday.
“They’ve got athletes all over the field, good quarterback, good running backs, too,” Tide cornerback Cyrus Jones said. “Just like the teams we play in our league (Southeastern Conference), just got to account for everything they like to do and be prepared to try and stop it the best you can.”
Asked who Ohio State reminds him of, Tide defensive end Jonathan Allen said the Buckeyes’ offense is similar to Mississippi State. Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen was the offensive coordinator at Florida when Ohio State’s Urban Meyer was the head coach for the Gators.
One similarity is how the Bulldogs and Buckeyes run the quarterback — Mississippi State with Dak Prescott and Ohio State with Cardale Jones.
Jones is the Buckeyes’ third-string quarterback after backup J.T. Barrett suffered a broken ankle in the regular season finale. Jones has made just one career start which came in the Big Ten Championship Game so there’s limited game film on him.
“He’s definitely a big guy. Someone who likes to run with the ball,” Allen said. “They like to run with the quarterback. That’s something we’re really going to have to focus on is tackling. He’s a powerful guy, but can still throw the ball. So he’s a really good dual-threat quarterback.”
As for the Buckeyes defense, Tide right tackle Austin Shepherd is impressed with their defensive line.
“I think their d-line is one of the strongest parts of their team,” Shepherd said. “I know they have an All-American in Joey Bosa and the interior guys are really good. Just all around, they’re a good d-line.”
Bosa is fourth in the nation and leads the Big Ten with 13.5 sacks. He was a finalist for multiple national awards. While Bosa will likely line up over Shepherd’s side for most of the game, Shepherd isn’t letting the matchup overwhelm him.
“I don’t really think about who I’m playing against,” Shepherd said. “I kinda approach everybody the same way, so I’m really not thinking about the accolades. I’m just trying to look at how I can beat him every play.”
Source: annistonstar.com
Link: http://www.annistonstar.com/sports/article_41c95c9a-8727-11e4-a2cb-f7cb8e3f1a2f.html?mode=jqm
And this from Eleven Warriors:
Say what you will: Mississippi State only lost to Alabama by five when the final whistle blew. But given Alabama featured the vaunted "game control" against the Bulldogs, I assume Alabama will attack Ohio State in similar fashion.
Granted, Ohio State doesn't play in the NFC South SEC West, but I'd like to think the Buckeyes are a more robust version of Mississippi State. Couple that with the fact Alabama won't be playing at home, and you begin to see why I'm higher on Ohio State's chances than most.
Link: http://www.elevenwarriors.com/skull-sessions/2014/12/46729/monday-skull-session