Is Ohio State vs Texas as big of a game as last year, considering what both teams lost? Who will win it?

Question

Considering how many defensive players Ohio State lost, can they still stop Texas' offense. Texas has lost Vince Young, main factor against Ohio State last year. And Ohio State's offense, minus Santonio Holmes, should still be very effective, can Texas stop them.

And could you give me a good score prediction as well. I am a fan of Ohio State, but with a good explanation, I will accept the best prediction.

Answer 1

This game is going to be bigger than last year's game! These two teams may very well be the top 2 teams in the polls when the season starts. I know that on NCAA '07 OSU is number 1 and I'm pretty sure Texas is 2.

OSU lost they're entire defense aside from those killer DTs. Pitcock and Patterson are two of the best DTs in the entire country this year. It's not like they don't have replacements either. Mike D'Andrea is coming back for his 6th year of play. He got a medical redshirt. If he can stay healthy, who knows. He was the number 1 defensive prospect out of High School in the when he came out. Kerr and Freeman are no joke either. Last year, those guys would have been starting outside linebackers pretty much anywhere, except they were backing up 2 first round draft picks. OSU's new secondary is kind of shakey. Aside from Patterson at Safety, our only returning starter is Jenkins, who was a freshman last year and he did relatively well. They shifted 4-star recruit Jamario O'Neal to Safety, so that covers up the hole made by Whitner's absense. I think that OSU's defense will be pretty dominant again. Maybe not as dominant, but pretty close. They're offense is going to be simply amazing. Two preseason Hiesman candidates in Smith and Ginn, as well as the number one recruit in the nation last year Chris Wells at halfback. Plus, Pittman's returning as well as some pretty good linemen. Not to mention the receiving core. Sure hey lost Holmes, but Gonzales is a phenominal receiver that i think is probably going to turn some heads this year. Then we have the aforementioned Ginn, as well as fellas like Hall and Lyons. OSU is a good team.

Well, I'm pretty much a Buckeyes fan, so I can't tell you too much about Texas except for that they lost a great player in Vince Young, but they also lost Huff another great player, and Cedric Griffin. Young pretty much single-handedly won that Rose Bowl and I think it's safe to say that he's the main reason that beat the Buckeyes last year as well. They have some pretty returning receivers though. I really don't know too much about Texas except for that they're going to be good. I guess that quarterback they got is pretty good too. No Vince Young, but he's good.

I am hoping that this is going to be a good game, but my gut's telling me that Texas is going to have a lot more pressure to win this game this year. They need to prove that they are still a threat, even without Young. Plus no one wants to lose at home. But without Young's leadership, I think they go back to the old Texas and lose the big game just like they have been criticized so harshly for doing it so much in the past (especially against those Sooners). Projection of the final score? I say...


OSU 34

Texas 24

Answer 2

Even with what both teams lost since last year, it should be a great game. Besides Vince Young, the most important player gone for the Longhorns this year is Michael Huff, the safety. That dude cleaned up mistakes in the secondary for Texas, and was solid against the run.

Not a fan of either team (Oklahoma fan), I think it will come down to who Texas has at QB. Turnovers will be big, 'cause there will be a few. I'll say Ohio State 24 Texas 20.

Answer 3

To begin with, Texas was an underdog last season, because the game was being played in Columbus. That was with Vince Young. This time, the game will be in Austin, but Texas will still be the underdog because Vince Young left for the NFL. Texas basically will return the same offense, but with a different QB. Mack Brown is known for recruiting talented QB's, and I think whoever is starting QB for Texas will be a solid QB. Texas will return almost all of it's starting defense, which was pretty solid last season as well. From what I've saw of Ohio State, their offense will be good, but obviously with the loss of Santonio Holmes, the downfield threat won't be as great, but still there nonetheless. The Ohio State defense will be the x-factor this game, and I think the loss of A.J. Hawk and Bobby Carpenter will really hurt the linebacking corps. I think for Ohio State to have any chance of winning in Austin, there defense will really have to step up. This is a pivotal game for both teams, and a must win for either team to have any chance at the National Championship. Because it's in Austin, and I think Mack Brown can groom QB talent, I'm picking UT over Ohio State, 27-20.

Answer 4

Texas was driven by the confidence of Vince Young. If they didnt have Young, they wouldnt have gone anywhere. Ohio St. last year was a few plays away from competing in the national championship game. The OSU defense will still be very good because that is what Tressel builds his team on. The OSU offense will be even better than last year because almost everyone is back and Ted Ginn Jr. will be inserted into the offense much more. No one can catch him. Ginn will give defenses fits in every game. Texas also lost key players other than Young. They lost Michael Huff, Cedric Griffin, and David Thomas. Two good defensive player and their tight end. Texas may be overwhelmed by the offense of OSU because they are so experienced, and because of the incoming freshman running back who is absolutely spectacular. OSU will most likely win this important game because of the experienced offense and the defensive mind of Tressel. Texas will make it close though because it is a home game. 31-28 OSU.

Answer 5

Absolutely the Ohio State vs. Texas game will be huge (go Buckeyes!) ;)

Plenty of sports authorities already are predicting Texas and Ohio State to win their conferences & be in the national title hunt, despite the teams' respective player losses. Early high rankings in the polls that these two teams will get ought to further increase that national title implications of the game.

And the game will be a good one, too: With Jim Tressel and an explosive offense & Mack Brown and a deep RB and WR corps, the game is sure to be another classic. Despite Ohio State losing most of its defense & Texas losing stars like Vince Young, Michael Huff, Cedric Griffin, David Thomas, Will Allen and Jonathan Scott, these two teams will still have tons of talent on the field.

Answer 6

This will be a huge game for The Ohio State University as it will begin their march to another National Championship.The Buckeyes don't rebuild,they reload! Quinn Pitcock and David Patterson will be dominating DT's, Both started last year.New DE's will be Lawrence Wilson and Jay Richardson.Linebacking will be exceptional again with 3 new starters-- John Kerr,Marcus Freeman and James Laurinaitis,average 6-2 240 and FAST.New DB's will be Malcolm James,Antonio Smith and safeties will be Nick Patterson and Jamario O'Neal. Northern Illinois is no pushover and should give our new kids on defense a game to work out the kinks,before beating up on Texas.The Offense will be stellar! We have 43 returning lettermen,19 are seniors and 16 of those are 5th year.Plenty of leadership among this bunch. Being away from "The Shoe" will give them a "Us against the world" mentallity that will result in a 31-17 VICTORY! GO YOU BEAUTIFUL OHIO STATE BUCKEYES!

Answer 7

Even though OSU lost a lot of defenders, they still and have always had animals for linebackers. Look for a Mr. Troy Smith to dominate Texas, moreso than Vince Young did to us last year. This is gonna be a Heisman coming out party for Smith. OSU wins by 10 and steps forward as a National Champion contender. Final score 24-14. O-H-I-O!!!!!!

Answer 8

Ohio State will win 31-24. Texas just won't be able to score enough without Vince.

Answer 9

Texas a home underdog? My aren't we full of our buckeye self? I don't think Vince was all that in last years meeting but no matter Texas will win and by double digits

Answer 10

Not quite as big, but still has some significance, given that there are very few good intersectional games anymore, especially with the B(c)S giving more credit to your record vs. who you play.

This one can go either way. A FG decides it.