Meadowdale H.S. graduation 2012
Middletown H.S. graduation 2012
Dunbar H.S. graduation 2012
Home > Blogs > Buckeyes Beat > Archives > 2008 > September > 19
Friday, September 19, 2008
Buckeyes big favorites; time to prove it
Wounded Ohio State is a 20 1/2-point favorite against Troy on Saturday at The Horseshoe. First off, let’s get this out of the way: Troy is from Alabama. From a small town named Troy, in fact. It’s in the southeast part of the state … smack dab in the middle of SEC country!
So, if the Buckeyes pull one out, can they claim a pseudo-victory over the hated Southeastern Conference? Well, probably not, but it’s a start to rebuilding OSU’s psyche.
Troy has a short, fast running back named DuJuan Harris who could cause problems if the Buckeyes come out snoozing. The Trojans have a defensive lineman named Bear Woods. That is truly an awesome name, and this guy someday could be governor of Alabama. And he has two sacks.
That said, Troy’s victories over Middle Tennessee and Alcorn State won’t scare the Buckeyes. And if the Bucks don’t come out angry this week, I don’t know if they ever will.
Two key stats:
— Troy is 1-13 vs. ranked teams since joining Division I-A in 2001. The win was one of those midweek ESPN jobs when they ambushed Missouri 24-14 at home in 2004. So we can assume the Buckeyes will win.
— Troy, Ala., has a population of about 14,000, although the Troy campus has nearly 30,000 students. Still, the site of 100,000 fans in Ohio Stadium should be worth a touchdown.
I’m not real high on this game, but if you must bet — and that might be the only way to stay interested in this matchup — lay the points and root for OSU to score a defensive touchdown.
LAST WEEK: We advised our clients to go long on USC, and the Trojans delivered in decisive fashion.
THE SEASON: 2-0 against the spread.
