Bowl Breakdown: Fiesta

Low-scoring Buckeyes won't have an answer for Sproles, Wildcats

No. 7 Ohio State (10-2) vs. No. 8 Kansas State (11-3) Friday, 8 p.m. EST (ABC) Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Ariz.

SI.com's Stewart Mandel breaks down the game.

Ohio State at a glance

Craig Krenzel managed to fend off Scott McMullen and maintain the starting job after a shaky season. AP

Despite losing their star running back before the season, the defending national champs nearly made it back to the big game, rising as high as No. 2 in the BCS standings before a season-ending loss to Michigan.

Without Maurice Clarett, the Buckeyes' offense this season was, to put it bluntly, awful, ranking 93rd nationally. QB Craig Krenzel struggled at times but combines with athletic WR Michael Jenkins to make for a nice passing tandem. RB Lydell Ross (744 yards) picked up steam as the season progressed.

The Buckeyes' bread and butter are defense and special teams. All-America DE Will Smith (10.5 sacks) and DT Tim Anderson get to the quarterback, while LB A.J. Hawk (96 tackles) gets to the ball. Safety Will Allen is a difference-maker, and punter B.J. Sander (43.6 yards per kick) is a weapon in his own right.

Kansas State at a glance

Picked in the preseason top five, the Wildcats were a disappointment early on when they lost three straight contests, but they turned it around in time to win their last seven, stunning No. 1 Oklahoma 35-7 in the Big 12 championship.

Darren Sproles tore up Oklahoma's defense in the Big 12 title game; will he be able to do the same to Ohio State? AP

There is no more electrifying backfield tandem than K-State's Ell Roberson, a dual-threat quarterback who posted 3,194 total yards, and All-American Darren Sproles, a pint-sized tailback who sped his way past defenses for 1,948 yards and 15 touchdowns. It is unclear whether Roberson, who was accused of sexual assault early on the morning of Jan. 1, will play in the game. (See full story)

Defensively, the 'Cats finished fifth in the country at 279.2 yards allowed per game. Linebacker Josh Buhl (171 tackles) is a relentless defender, getting his hand in on every play. Defensive end Andrew Shull (eight sacks) is an excellent pass-rusher, and safety Rashad Washington (90 tackles) is a rock in the secondary.

How they match up

After watching him shred Oklahoma's vaunted defense for 235 yards, it's hard to believe Ohio State, as good as it is against the run, will be able to completely silence Sproles. Without nearly as much firepower on offense, the Buckeyes won't be able to answer.