Tide Roll, Buckeyes Scramble Through Early Season Tests

The SEC and the Big Ten had a lot at stake in week two, and for the most part, both passed their tests with ease.  Since conferences don’t win championships, a more appropriate analysis of week two is Alabama and Ohio State nailed their early season tests.  A close look at both teams reveals they are prepared for a championship run.  Here’s why:

Defense

Alabama

The Tide held Penn State’s offense to 283 yards, three points and 30% third down conversion efficiency.  One word – suffocation.  Penn State was clearly going to struggle with a freshman quarterback, but the Nittany Lions could not run the ball either.  Though it is too early to evaluate the strength of Alabama’s defense, they are clearly ahead of schedule in the rebuilding process.

Ohio State

The Buckeyes forced four interceptions, and only allowed 10 points against a veteran Hurricane offense.  They gave up 352 yards which is a lot, but when a big play was necessary, the defense delivered.  The Silver Bullets also kept the penalties to a minimum forcing the Hurricanes to earn all of its yards.  Heyward and Simon are beasts, and barring injury, will cause havoc the rest of the season.

Powerful Running Game

Alabama

No Mark Ingram, no problem.  Trent Richardson rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown against a good Penn State defense.  He also did it on just 22 carries.  Richardson is a workhorse, and with the likely return of Ingram this week, the Tide will beat the ball down the opposition’s throats all season long. 

Ohio State

Similar to the Tide, the Buckeyes have multiple threats coming out of the backfield.  The only difference is Ohio State’s main threat is the quarterback, not running back.  Pryor is certainly better passing the ball this year, but he showed yesterday that his ability to scramble and run is going to do some serious damage to opposing defenses again this year.  Herron looked better in week two and Saine did not, but over the next four weeks against inferior opponents, the running game is going to get much stronger. 

Leadership

Alabama

Nick Saban gets the talent, and he knows how to coach them.  Considering the losses on defense and not having Ingram, the Tide should have been more vulnerable against Penn State.  Instead, they were dominant and executed almost to perfection.  Saban has this team focused and ready for the challenges they will face all season. 

Ohio State

Jim Tressel gets mocked, criticized and second guessed more than any other elite level coach, and yet his teams are always strong.  The Buckeyes may not have put the dagger in the Hurricanes’ heart yesterday, but when the offense needed to score, they did. It has been a while since the Buckeyes have counter punched effectively.  This is an upgrade over the last few seasons.  Also, Tressel is a master at navigating his teams through the ups and downs of a season.  They are set for the run at the title.

Vulnerabilities

Alabama

Complacency.  This seems unlikely with Saban leading the group, but it only takes one off week to slip up and suffer the consequences.  Every season is a grind, but Alabama’s is more difficult because the Tide will take everyone’s best shot all year long.  If they stay focused on the game at hand, Alabama will end the season playing in Glendale for the BCS title.

Ohio State

Special Teams.  Almost seems un-natural to say special teams’ vulnerability and Ohio State in the same sentence.  Tresselball emphasizes this part of the game, and right now this unit is terrible.  Fortunately for the Buckeyes, their next four opponents are not tough.  They can get the issues fixed before heading to Wisconsin on October 16^th.

Obviously, the wins against Penn State and Miami are not the most difficult games the Tide or Buckeyes will face this season.  Florida, LSU, Iowa and Wisconsin are just waiting to dethrone the giants.  The wins did highlight their strengths.  Bama is going to punch their opponents right in the mouth – over and over again until they surrender.  Ohio State is going to force their opponents to make costly mistakes, and counter strike quickly. It is working right now.  We'll see if it lasts through January.