Ohio State
(10-1 record; John Cooper, 11th year) |
Texas A&M
(11-2 record; R.C. Slocum, 10th year) |
School's Bowl Record: 13-17
Coach's Bowl Record: 4-8
Last Bowl Appearance: January 1, 1998 (Lost to Florida State 31-14 in Sugar Bowl)
Record in Sugar Bowl: 0-2 (Lost to Florida State 31-14 in 1998) |
School's Bowl Record: 12-11
Coach's Bowl Record: 2-5
Last Bowl Appearance: January 1, 1998 (Lost to UCLA 29-23 in Cotton Bowl)
Record in Sugar Bowl: 1-0 (Beat Tulane 14-13 in 1940) |
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Offensive Stud |
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David Boston, WR, Jr. (75 catches, 1,324 yards, 13 TDs): Prototype NFL receiver has size (6' 3", 205 pounds), speed and great hands. A true gamebreaker.
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Dante Hall, RB, Jr. (243 carries, 1,024 yards, 8 TDs): Career average of 7.2 yards per carry dropped significantly, but small (5' 8", 190 pounds) runner still led Aggies in rushing for second straight year.
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Defensive Stud |
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Na'il Diggs, LB, So. (74 tackles, 6 sacks, 14 TFLs): Ultraquick playmaker burst onto national scene and out of considerable shadow of Andy Katzenmoyer.
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Dat Nguyen, LB, Sr. (147 tackles, 4 sacks, 20 TFLs, 2 INTs): Stiffed out of the Butkus Award, but did grab the Lombardi and Bednarik. Great nose for the ball and terrific will to win.
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Player to Watch |
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Joe Germaine, QB, Sr. (210-347, 3,102 yards, 24 TDs, 7 INTs): Threw for more than 300 yards in six of last seven games; veteran comes up big when it matters most (see: 1997 Rose Bowl).
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Ja'Mar Toombs, FB, Fr. (86 carries, 425 yards, 3 TDs): Prototype fullback is a bruiser who's bigger than his listed 235 pounds; his blocking is significant part of Hall's success.
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Key Stats |
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No. 6 nationally in total offense (503.6 ypg); No. 9 in scoring offense (36.9 ppg); No. 1 in rushing defense (67.4 ypg); No. 2 in pass-efficiency defense (87.4 opp. rating); No. 2 in total defense (257.7 ypg); No. 3 in scoring defense (11.8 ppg).
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No. 10 nationally in total defense (289.3 ypg) and scoring defense (14.6 ppg); No. 15 in pass-efficiency defense (105.4 opp. rating).
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Surprise Stat |
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That 1 under the L column. |
No. 91 nationally in total offense (312.0 ypg), behind such football powers as Duke (No. 70) and Temple (No. 90), but No. 55 in scoring (24.7 ppg).
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1998 Turning Point |
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November 7 -- Stunning 28-24 home loss to Michigan State cost Buckeyes a trip to Tempe and almost knocked them out of the BCS.
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December 5 -- Upset Kansas State 36-33 (2OT) in Big 12 title game to secure a lucrative BCS spot.
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Key to Victory |
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Play to the level the players' ability dictates -- i.e., at least an average game.
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Aggies need to play a perfect game or Ohio State has to self-destruct.
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Outlook |
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Still considered by many to be the most talented team in the country, and this is the Buckeyes' chance to prove it. Won't overlook A&M after Aggies upset Kansas State. Theoretically still have a chance at the AP national title with a blowout victory and a sloppy win by Florida State over Tennessee in Fiesta Bowl.
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Grim. Slocum will face a tough decision if starting QB Randy McCown can play with a fractured left (non-throwing) collar bone, since Branndon Stewart threw so well against K-State. One miracle a season is probably all the Aggies will get.
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