Washington State (2-0) at Ohio State
(2-0)
3:30 PM EST - ABC (Coverage
Map)
Commentators: Brent Musberger, Gary Danielson
Weather Forecast (as of Today): High of 86 degrees, Isolated
Thunderstorms (40%)
Washington
State Depth Chart
Here it is... this week's version of the country's biggest game, and for the
first time in what seems like many moons, the country's biggest game (at least
in the eyes of the country... for us, every Buckeye game is the country's
biggest game) is going to be at the Horseshoe. Two top-ten teams are going
to go at it with College Gameday in town... you won't see a bigger home game
than this (not before November anyway).
The Washington State Cougars are somewhat of an unknown to many in this part
of the country. They came out of nowhere last year to become a Pac-10
title contender, and after a 10-2 record, they come back strong this season as
they are the pick of many to be the conference champs in 2002. Part of
that has to do with senior quarterback Jason Gesser, who played a big part in
last season's emergence. Gesser has been compared to Jake Plummer, and he
is being touted as a Heisman candidate. So far this year, he is 29 of 45
for 462 yards with 4 TDs and one INT. A big game in Columbus would do
wonders for that campaign...
Gesser isn't all the Cougars bring to the table though. One of the
reasons he is successful is due to a fine group of wide receivers, led by the
6-6 two-sport standout Mike Bush. Bush's size and athleticism makes him
hard to handle. But that's not all; he's joined by Florida State transfer
Devard Darling, another receiver with good size (6-3, 205) who is also making an
impact this year as he has 117 receiving yards on 11 catches (the team's leading
WR right now) and two TDs as well as a rushing TD. He also returns
kicks. Throw in Jerome Riley (5 catches, 117 yards in game 1 but is
questionable for this game due to injury) and the experienced Collin Henderson,
and you can see why they are one of the better WR groups in the Pac-10.
Freshman Troy Bienemann is at TE.
The Cougars have a solid offensive line as well. It is led by one of
the best guards in America in right guard Derrick Roche, and it also returns
starters at tackle in Calvin Armstrong (a big guy at 6-8, 310) and Josh Parrish
as well as Tyler Hunt at center. Phil Locker (6-5, 325) fills the left
guard spot. This front could be one of the best OSU will see this
year.
If there was a question mark coming into the season for the Washington State
offense, it was at RB since they needed to replace last year's starter.
There is quantity at tailback; senior John Tippins and junior Johnathan Smith
will be the main men and Jermaine Green could get carries as well. The tailbacks
shouldn't be taken lightly, but the guess here is to say that they won't have
the success against OSU that they've had in the first two games.
Defensively, Washington State's strength is up front and at cornerback.
Rien (pronounced Ryan) Long leads the way at tackle; he had three sacks in last
week's game against Idaho. Long and Tai Tupai are an experienced tandem at
DT. The ends will be solid pass rusher Isaac Brown and returning starter
Fred Shavies. Shavies, Brown and back-up DE D.D. Acholonu combined for 21
sacks in 2001. At corner, Marcus Trufant leads the way; he is touted as
one of the conference's best. He's joined by Jason David, a returning
starter who is a little small at 5-8, 170.
Coming into the season, the questions were at linebacker, where three
starters left including 2nd-round NFL draft pick Raonall Smith, and safety,
where both starters left including perhaps their top defensive player in safety
Lamont Thompson, who is now on the Cincinnati Bengals. The linebacker
spots are filled with Al Genatone at Will, Kevin Sperry at Mike, and freshman
Will Derting at Sam, who had an impressive start to the season as he picked off
three passes against Nevada including a 98-yard TD return, but is listed as
doubtful for this game due to a sprained ankle. At safety, junior Erik Coleman and
senior Virgil Williams are the starters. In addition, there is some depth
on the line, but the depth of the back seven on defense has been questioned.
Overall, the Cougars allowed 600 total yards in their two games against Nevada
and Idaho but just 21 points.
On special teams, Drew Dunning is a returning starter at kicker was expected
to be solid coming into the season, but he has gone 1 for 3 so far in the
place-kicking department. The punter is Kyle Basler, who has averaged 44.9
yards per punt this season.
On paper, this game looks like it could go either way. The Cougars
appear pretty sound overall, and they could pose several problems for Ohio
State. Both teams are going to have the chance to show everyone they are
for real, and Washington State doesn't get the spotlight too often like this, so
this is a particularly big game for them.
There are several keys to this game for the Buckeyes, but the big matchup is
how the OSU defense plays the Washington State passing game. The WSU
receivers are a concern, and stopping a quality quarterback like Jason Gesser is
always a key. The Buckeyes also have to be tough in the trenches as both
Washington State lines are touted as being pretty strong, and also, the Bucks
need to watch out for a trick play or two as the Cougars are said to have some
of those up their sleeve. The Cougars also do not have the overall depth
that OSU does; we will see if that plays in the Buckeyes' favor.
Overall, look for a fun, entertaining game between two good teams. This
is a game that could turn on one mistake, one big play, one big call, etc.
Both teams will need to be at their best to win. A win for either team
would mean big things, but in the end, it might prove to be a lot to ask for the
Cougars to come all the way to a packed house in Columbus and get a
victory. We will find out soon enough!