The Battle at the Horseshoe

Every year there is one HUGE game between two different conferences in the College Football regular season. In 2009, that game is tomorrow night in Columbus. Ohio State lost 35-3 last year in Pasadena, and they do not want that to happen again. The games with the highest rated teams are not always the best, but I think this will be one of the better games played this year. The Trojans and the Buckeyes match up really well this year: both teams have some flaws and inexperience, but both also have some strengths and experience. For Ohio State, sophomore Terrelle Pryor needs to lead the offense because if he can't, no one can. On defense, Ohio State lost some important pieces to last years team, but still have some confident players such as Kurt Coleman and Thaddeus Gibson. USC lost Mark Sanchez to the draft on the offensive side, and true freshman Matt Barkley has been picked by Pete Carroll to fill in for Sanchez. USC should rely on their running game tonight and should not overuse Barkley because it is his second collegiate game, and he has never played in front of a crowd like this. On defense, USC lost all three linebackers to the first and second round of the NFL Draft, so a lot of inexperience at the linebacker position, but senior safety Taylor Mays returned to school and provides a big threat and experience in the secondary. Ohio State has lost their last five games against Top 10 opponents, and sorry Buckeye fans, but I think it's going to be six by tomorrow morning. Yes, Ohio State has more experience at QB, but I think Pete Carroll realizes that and I think he will not use Matt Barkley too much. I believe the running backs for USC will be the difference maker for today and it will be too hard to stop them for the Ohio State defensive line. Taylor Mays will have a great game, and in my opinion, there is a little too much hype for Terrelle Pryor today. I pick USC to start 2-0 for their 8th straight year, 31-17.