How To Play The Florida Gators & Ohio State Buckeyes Vanilla Gameplans
One thing that is unique to Week One betting in college football is the superior team going vanilla against a lesser in order to hide scheme from their next opponent.
There are plenty of examples of this in the past such as Florida vs. Hawaii in 2008 prior to Miami (Fla.) or Ohio State against Navy last year prior to USC.
Sometimes it just won’t matter when the mismatch is too great, but just be sure to factor it in.
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Florida managed to cover their game against Hawaii despite being the wrong side ( see play by play or box score ) and Ohio State failed to cover last year against Navy.
Because some coaches do this, it is important to note which games this could really come into play.
Marshall at Ohio State
We already know the sweater vest is capable of doing this and with Miami on deck it seems possible again. We also know that Tressel loosened the reins a little late last year and that Pryor figures to be an even bigger weapon for them this year.
It seems logical that Tressel will not want his star QB to get hit much in this game either. Staying healthy has to be one of the main goals.
For this reason, it is very difficult for me to get involved in this particular game. On paper, Ohio State can name their score but it is just too hard to determine if they will want to.
Marshall will struggle to get to double-digit first downs, however, making them a hard side to back as well. Ohio State might just “happen” into points.
I hope you understand the simple point that I am trying to make. Beware “The Vanilla Factor.”
Some other games that need to be examined to see if they could be similar in this respect……
Miami Ohio at Florida: Florida has in-state opponent USF on deck. Close call as to whether this qualifies but I tend to think not. For one, they are breaking in a new QB in the post- Ewok era.
USC at Hawaii: Virginia on deck. Virginia is not a big enough opponent and it's Lane Kiffin's first game as a USC head coach. This does not qualify.
Texas vs. Rice in Reliant Stadium: Wyoming on deck so it does not qualify.
New Mexico at Oregon: Tennessee on deck. This is a tricky one. Off the field turmoil and wanting to get the starting QB quality snaps might override the want to be sneaky for Oregon who is already a hard team to prepare for. Hard to tell so be careful getting involved here.
Utah St at Oklahoma: FSU on deck. This game definitely qualifies. There is no reason for OU to show FSU anything.
San Jose State at Alabama: Penn State on deck. This one definitely qualifies.
Food for thought.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
