BCS Championship Preview
#2 Louisiana State Tigers (11-2) versus #1 Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1)
Monday, January 7, 8pm on FOX

Random Stats

Avg. Margin of Victory - LSU 19.2 (7th), OSU 21.3 (6th)
Turnover Margin - LSU +18 (5th), OSU -1(64th)
Team Passing Efficiency - LSU 43rd, Ohio State 14th

When LSU has the ball: EDGE OSU

LSU is our 11th ranked offense facing off against the top-rated defense of the Buckeyes (see Bowl Index below). Tigers are deep at all positions, including QB where you can expect to see Coach Les Miles alternate between Matt Flynn and Ryan Perriloux.

Offensive coordinator Gary Crowton runs a multiple-spread built upon the running of Senior RB Jacob Hester (right, Lynn Bass/Icon SMI) while mixing in passes to some amazing athletes like Early Doucet and Trindon Holliday. Over/under on trick plays to expect is three.

OSU defense is led by an outrageously good line anchored by All-Big Ten DE Vernon Gholston and supported by Butkus Award winner LB James Laurinaitis. The secondary is topped by senior CB Malcolm Jenkins and freshman Chimdi Chekwa.

Not only were the Buckeyes the top defense in our rankings overall, they were #1 in the land on each of the components - Yards per play allowed, yards per point allowed, and points per game allowed. Solid edge to Buckeyes.

When OSU has the ball: PUSH

Ohio State offense and the LSU defense are a perfect matchup - each ranks 26th on our lists and this is where the game will be won. Buckeyes are well balanced with the exceptional running of Chris Wells (right, Icon SMI) and the passing game of QB Todd Boeckman to big-play WR Brian Robiskie.

The Tigers perhaps have the top NFL Draft pick in DT Glenn Dorsey who will no doubt benefit from the layoff to heal an injured leg from the Auburn game. Freshman safety Chad Jones and senior Craig Steltz will be charged with keeping the big plays from happening, but very little in the run game gets past excellent LB Ali Highsmith.

Special Teams: EDGE LSU

With K Colt David leading the nation in scoring (the fake FG TD he ran in helped) and the return game led by Holliday give a strong edge to the Tigers.

Matt Ryan Quantitative Projection:

LSU 24-21

Matt normalized the statistical performances of each game versus a national rank of each opponent faced, then applies those results to the current matchup.

For more on College Football please visit Fantasy College Blitz