Fiesta Bowl Preview

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Ohio State vs Texas
Monday, January 5, 8:00
on FOX
University of Phoenix Stadium - Glendale, Arizona

Why you should watch:

• Big Ten vs Big 12
  
• Will Texas show up to play?
  
• Colt McCoy is worth watching for sure
  
• 2 very good teams on a nice neutral field
• Nothing else on
  

Why you shouldn't watch:

• It might not be close depending on which teams show up
  
• Ohio State has failed miserably in the last 2 BCS games
  

Streaks and Scheduling Notes:
Ohio State:

• 10-2 (7-1)
  
• 9th straight bowl game (4-4)
• Only losses to USC and Penn State
  

Texas:

• 11-1 (7-1)
  
• 11th straight bowl game (7-3); 4 straight wins
• Only loss to Texas Tech
  

Key Stats, Figures, and Players:
Ohio State:

• Offensively they run the ball all day with Pryor and Wells. They CAN throw but they don't do it much. They are 104th in passing offense but are actually 26th in passing efficiency. In other words they are successful when they throw it.
  
• Defensively their strength is against the pass as they only allow 164 yards per game. They aren't bad against the run allowing 115 yards per game.
  
• QB Terrelle Pryor is a solid player. He has thrown for over 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for over 500 yards and another 6 touchdowns.
  
• RB Chris "Beanie" Wells is the man to stop for Texas. He has over 1,000 yards and 8 touchdowns this season even while missing 3 full games.
  

Texas:

• Offensively they are one of the best. They average 176 yards on the ground and almost 300 yards through the air.
  
• Defensively they are better than you think. Against the run they are 2nd in the country but against the pass they are a little weak.
  
• QB Colt McCoy is the little engine that could for this team. He has thrown for almost 3,500 yards and 32 touchdowns and is the leading rusher with over 575 yards and 10 touchdowns.
  
• WRs Jordan Shipley and Quan Cosby are both dangerous. They have combined for 157 receptions, 1,934 yards, and 19 touchdowns.
  
• LB Sergio Kindle has registered 11.5 tackles for loss and 8 sacks on the season.
  
• DE Brian Orakpo has 16.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks.
  

Who Wins:
Texas....I don't think Ohio State can even come close to staying with the Longhorns in this game. They MIGHT make a game of it but I think it is unlikely. But defensively they have the edge. They just need to do more on offense and anything can happen.