Duel for the Roses: How Ohio State Can Contain the Powerful Oregon "O"

Well, Buckeye Nation, Ohio State now has an opponent in Pasadena for the Rose Bowl—the Pac-10 Champion Oregon Ducks.

Chip Kelly's bunch is riding a huge wave of momentum after big wins over Cal, USC, and Oregon State to win the Pac-10.

And the Ducks' offense is a force to be reckoned with, with weapons at every position, including the potent Jeremiah Masoli at the trigger, and two talented backs in LaMichael James and LeGarrette Blount.

Not to mention that Oregon has two talented targets in the passing attack in WR Jeff Maehl and TE Ed Dickson, behind a deep, talented offensive line.

But waiting in the wings for the last few weeks has been Ohio State, which brings a talented, though more conventional, running game, anchored by RBs Brandon Saine and Dan "Boom" Herron, and QB Terrelle Pryor.

And Ohio State brings probably the most talented defense the Ducks have seen in 2009. Though conversely, Ohio State has not seen an offense as diverse and talented as Oregon's this season.

No doubt this matchup of the two strengths will be the emphasis of the Rose Bowl.

The Buckeyes do have the capability to slow down or contain the mighty Ducks offense, mostly from a schematic sense.

Ohio State runs a bend-but-don't-break defense more times than not, and forces offenses to go on long drives, and Oregon is known to be a big-play offense.

And there is little doubt that the best matchup will be in the trenches.

While the Ducks have a very talented offensive line, Ohio State brings one of the best defensive lines in the country, loaded with bookends in Thaddeus Gibson and Cameron Heyward, and a two-deep that sees little dropoff in production.

This line has a great combination of speed and physicality, which beats up on an opposing offensive line, creates disruption in the running game, and can force turnovers.

And it seems like no coincidence that Ohio State leads the FBS in interceptions and has a turnover margin of plus-16.

If Oregon wants to run that zone read, the Ducks will have to establish the line and find ways in between the big linemen and into a group of athletic, cerebral LBs anchored by Ross Homan and Brian Rolle.

Rolle is only 5'11", 220 lbs., but flies to the football, and should be the one that spies Masoli, looking to match the latter's speed with his own great tackling and speed.

Homan is more of the do-everything LB, who won't wow people with his athleticism, but is cerebral enough to be in a great position.

The front seven will have to be stellar to take pressure off of a secondary, which has seen its ups and downs.

Safety Kurt Coleman has been outstanding in his senior season in pass coverage, and Jermale Hines has been a great find alongside him in the secondary.

Opportunistic corners Chimdi Chekwa, Andre Amos, and Devon Torrence are capable of holding their own in pass coverage, and will be hawking for interceptions if the opportunity presents itself.

For the Buckeyes to be successful, they simply have to be ready for anything. The Ducks' offense has a running tilt, but has no true tendencies and is as unpredictable as it gets.

But if the Bucks can win the battle up front and force turnovers, it could be tough sledding for the Ducks.

And Ohio State no doubt has the horses to make that happen with such an opportunistic, fast group.

But if the Buckeyes think a conservative defensive gameplan can win, they are mistaken.

They will need to be in attack mode in the front seven and mix up packages and coverages to be successful.

With a month left until kickoff, no doubt the speculation and prognostications are kicked into high gear.

But now we have a big bowl matchup set, and it's time for both teams to begin their long preparations before the showdown in Pasadena to kick off 2010.