OSU-USC; The Science Behind “The Game of the Century”

While I consider myself to be well educated, I have struggled to fully understand where the scientifically articulated data and logic of all those who despise The Ohio State Buckeyes derives from. I have since learned, through hours of research and education, that the information articulated as fact is NOT quantified science at all… it is theoretical science!

 

hy·poth·e·sis: 

a: an assumption or concession made for the sake of argument

b: an interpretation of a practical situation or condition taken as the ground for action

 

theory:

a: the analysis of information in relation to other information

b: abstract thought

 

College football fans as a whole have been entertained for months now on talk of the “Game of the Century”. There has been absolute analysis of “facts” from sports experts and sports bar-flies alike. A scientific application is in order to set the record straight. 

 

conspiracy theory: 

A theory that explains an event or set of circumstances as the result of a secret plot by usually powerful conspirators

 

How far will a team go to throw off a future opponent? Conspiracy theory on this topic suggests the hesitancy to use freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor has been strategic. The lack of playing time for Pryor could be a result of him still learning to read the defense or improperly articulating and administrating plays as he has only been practicing with the team since the beginning of August. OR is could be because Tressel does not want USC to have record of his skill on film. OR maybe they are planning to use him as a decoy and he will either step in as a back, a receiver or just Antwaan Randle El the Trojans.

 

Pryor will be used as needed. QB Todd Boeckman has struggled, arguably, since the Illinois game. Boeckman and wideouts Brian Hartline and Brian Robiskie admitted their timing was off last week against Ohio University. If Boeckman starts off on the wrong cleat than The Vest will have to use alternative resources. A solid passing performance is imperative for a Buckeye victory as the verbally bashed running game took another hit, figuratively.

 

Theory: Beanie Wells is faking injury to throw off the opposition.

(unfortunate)Fact: Wells will not play on Saturday night.

 

Beanie Wells’ toe injury and subsequent alleged recovery were said to be part of a plot to throw off the No. 1 ranked Trojans. Having your best player fake an injury is really a bit far fetched. There are, however, a lot more questions about the offense than you’d expect from a team that returned nine offensive starters.

 

This leads to my next theoretical evaluation.

 

decision theory: 

a branch of statistical theory concerned with quantifying the process of making choices between alternatives

 

Who will take the field in place of Beanie Wells?  Wells averaged 124 yards on 21 carries last season. Without him last week against Ohio, Boom Herron (12 carries, 50 yards), Maurice Wells (9 for 48) and Brandon Saine (5 for 15) combined for 113 yards on 26 carries. Saine needs to and will play more against the Trojans. He was limited during the preseason and had only five carries against OU, but the sophomore brings speed and versatility to the offense. Look for Herron to get the first shot at moving the ball, but know that Saine will play a much greater role. Buckeye faithful can only hope that Mo Wells is left to keep his non-related counterpart company on he sidelines. His lack of knowledge in the theory of relativity was evident as he was stopped hard on every straight up the middle running attempt in last week’s game.

 

A hypothesis could be made in support of decision theory to utilize Pryor if he shows up for the challenge. A mobile quarterback has been behind six of Carroll’s 14 defeats — Kansas State’s Ell Roberson (twice), Notre Dame’s Carlyle Holiday, Texas’ Vince Young, UCLA’s Pat Cowan, and Oregon’s Dennis Dixon. USC hasn’t seen much of Pryor, and his size and speed are tough to plan for.

 

The deciding factor of the game could lie in the hands of the Buckeyes defensive. Ohio State must attack on D and not lay back in the zone coverage. If USC has one glaring weakness it is the O-line. While the Trojan O line didn’t allow a sack against Virginia two weeks ago, the group consists of first timers and have never played in any game like this before. QB Mark Sanchez can pick apart opposing defenses in many ways, but running the ball is rarely his method of choice. He has only 23 career rushing yards on 19 carries, an average of 1.2 yards per rush.

 

Additionally Ohio State’s secondary is experienced and full of talent. The Malcolm Jenkins led unit - which also gets back veterans Donald Washington and Jamario O’Neal, who were suspended for the first two games - will challenge USC’s long list of wideouts. Vidal Hazelton is nursing an ankle injury so the Buckeyes will set their sights stopping on Damian Williams, Ronald Johnson and Patrick Turner from sustaining their momentum gained in week one.

 

Theory: The Big Ten is slow and OSU cannot contend on a national level due to lack of speed.

Fact: Ohio State has won 88 percent of its games, more than any other team from a “Big Six” conference.

 

Theory: “Luckeyes”.

Fact: Not scientifically possible.

 

Let’s look at some numbers. The following is a comparison of the two coaches since accepting their respective jobs:

	USC	Ohio State
Overall record	77-14	78-16
Conference record	49-11	45-11
Conference titles	6	4
Bowl record	5-2	4-4
Heisman winners	3	1
National titles	2	1
AP top-5 finishes	6	5
First-round picks	11	11

 

Theory: Pete Carroll sits next to a heavenly power.

Fact: That heavenly power will be STANDING on the opposite sideline.

 

Theory: Coach Tressel is an idiot.

Fact: Only an idiot would present this as fact.

 

catastrophe theory: 

mathematical theory and conjecture that uses topology to explain events (as an earthquake or a stock market crash or the collapse of an empire) characterized by major abrupt changes. A systematic classification of sudden changes from one stable condition to another

 

USC has won 10 of its past 11 games following a bye week.

 

They have bragging rights to 38 of the last 39 victories when playing in Coliseum.

 

The Trojans were 2-4 last season covering the spread as a home favorite.

 

This is the first game between the teams since 1990.

 

USC has an 11-9-1 record in the series.

 

Trojans have won the last five match-ups since Ohio State prevailed 42-21 in the Rose Bowl following the 1973 season.

 

Theory: 2006 Florida 41- OSU 14/ 2007 LSU 38- OSU 24…

Fact: O.K. well you got me there.

 

 

BE Theory:

The no-one-believed-in-us motivational mantra is a proven winner in sports.

“It’s extremely important because nobody believes in us except ourselves,” Buckeyes defensive end Lawrence Wilson said. “Nobody outside our locker room thinks we have a chance, so it’s definitely big for us to show what we have.”

 

Fact: 41-point underdog and catch Carroll’s guys in a stupor (aka, Stanford).

 

Fact: The past five match-ups of top five teams have all been won by the lower-ranked team? The past three times a top-five match-up has featured a double-digit line, the underdog has won each time.

 

Fact: “And with the pressure from Cie Grant, the Buckeyes have won the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl (National Championship)!!!!”

 

 

Here is actual science for you…

 

What goes up (in the polls) must come down.

 

Go Bucks!

BE

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