BuckeyeGrove.com - Mail it in: Bowl destination

November 6, 2009

Andy McLachlan
Staff Writer

Anticipating one of the biggest games of the season, the loyal followers of The BuckeyeGrove need answers to their inquiries. In this week's mailbag, we will go in-depth on the Penn State receivers and take a look at possible bowl destinations for the Buckeyes.

Q: Last year, we shut down the Penn State receivers pretty easily. Should be expect another mismatch or is there something we don't know about their new group of receivers?

A: It's never easy to replace three legends and despite being only one year removed from college, Derrick Williams, Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood will be remembered as legends in State College. Their numbers back it up and the impact of their departure appeared to be impossible to replace.

Graham Zug, Derek Moye and Chaz Powell are not setting records. Their likely not going to find their names on award lists or all-conference teams but each week they demonstrate their ability to make difficult plays in timely situations. During this season, this crew has hauled in 13 receiving touchdowns, which is only four less than what Williams, Butler and Norwood finished with last year.

The major advantage this year's Penn State receivers have compared to last year is their size. Powell is the shortest at 6'1, which makes him one inch taller than Williams, who was the tallest within his trio. Ohio State cornerbacks Chimdi Chekwa and Devon Torrence will have their hands full on jump balls with the 6'5 Moye and the 6'2 Zug.

The Penn State receivers remind me a lot of the Buckeyes defense. Going into the year, many had concerns about replacing the likes of James Laurinaitis, Malcolm Jenkins and Marcus Freeman.

These were popular players who solidified their hype through their play and finished their collegiate careers as some of the best in the last decade. Maybe Buckeyes like Chekwa, Brian Rolle and Austin Spitler will not be remembered as regarded as the three above but they have exceeded expectations. Which underdog will outperform the other will be determined this weekend.

Q: We all know the tough stretch Ohio State has ahead of them. Basing off their record of 1-2, 2-1 and 3-0 the rest of the way, what bowl do you see them ending up in and what opponent realistically would you like to see them play?

A: Overconfident, are we? I agree with you that Ohio State will win one at the minimum but finishing 3-0 will be quite the feat. I view Penn State as the toughest challenge left and Iowa as the easiest. Let's face it; the Buckeyes do not lose on senior day.

If they would disappoint and only pick up one more win, an 8-4 record would more than likely land the Outback Bowl with a SEC opponent. In a bowl matchup that would certainly grab media attention, Ohio State would likely end up facing the rejuvenated Tennessee Vols.

A favorable end to their schedule gives the Vols a great chance at finishing 8-4 in head coach Lane Kiffin's first season. Two storied franchises on New Year's Day would certainly be scheduled on my DVR.

With only one loss the rest of the way, the Buckeyes will just miss a BCS bowl bid but will settle for a trip to Orlando for the Capital One Bowl. Just like the Outback, this sunshine state bowl will pit a Big Ten and an SEC team on the first day in 2010. In a rematch of the 2008 BCS Title game, the Buckeyes will seek their revenge against the 10-2 LSU Tigers.

Another battle of two powerhouses, this matchup would showcase two great defensive teams with offensive talent abundant on each side as well. It would also be a great showdown of two promising duel threat quarterbacks in the country in Terrelle Pryor and Jordan Jefferson.

If all the stars align and the Buckeyes run the table going into their bowl game, the BCS will come calling and after a lengthy hiatus from Pasadena, Ohio State will make their much anticipated return to the Rose Bowl. Waiting for them will be the terrifying Oregon Ducks. Maybe the deadliest team in the country, the quack attack is dismantling teams week-by-week.

An anticipated game by all means, this maybe is a matchup OSU fans might want to steer away from but I also said the same about Texas last year.

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