2011 Sugar Bowl: Last-Minute Preview of Ohio State vs. Arkansas

The Sugar Bowl has seen some of college football's most talented and productive players, and that will be the case today as well, when NFL prospects Terrelle Pryor, Ryan Mallett and DeVier Posey step on the field at the Superdome in New Orleans.

The following Heisman winners have participated in the historic Sugar Bowl over the years: Tim Tebow (Florida, 2010), Chris Weinke (Florida State, 2000), Danny Wuerffel (Florida, 1995 and 1997) and Bo Jackson (Auburn, 1984).

In what is guaranteed to be a thrilling game, the 11-1 Ohio State Buckeyes will be taking on the 10-2 Arkansas Razorbacks with the Sugar Bowl trophy on the line.

The following slides exhibit a last-minute preview of the 2011 Sugar Bowl.

Introduction to the Mastermind of Each Team

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COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 23: Head Coach Jim Tressel of the Ohio State Buckeyes watches his team play the Purdue Boilermakers at Ohio Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Coach Resumes:

Ohio State Head Coach Jim Tressel

Overall Head Coaching Record: 240-79-2

10 Seasons with the Buckeyes: 105-22

Bowl Record: 5-4

Highest AP Ranking While Head Coach: First (in 2002)

Accomplishments: National Championship in 2002, Four National Division I-AA National Championships with Youngstown State, and seven Big Ten titles.

Arkansas Head Coach Bobby Petrino

Overall Head Coaching Record: 64-23

Three Seasons with the Razorbacks: 23-14

Bowl Record: 3-2

Highest AP Ranking While Head Coach: Fifth (in 2006)

Accomplishments: One C-USA title and One Big East Title

Details Of 2011 Sugar Bowl

The Sugar Bowl ranks as one of the most successful amateur athletic achievements in the history of American sports.  As of 2006 the payout to each school was $17,000,000. In last year's Sugar Bowl Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer and the Florida Gators convincingly defeated the Cincinnati Bearcats by a score of 51-24.

Date and Time

January 4, 2011 at 8:30 p.m. EST

TV Network

ESPN

Stadium/Location

Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, La.

Inaugural Game

January 1, 1935

* Information gathered from allstatesugarbowl.org

The Quarterback Duel

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes prepares to take the field against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

No. 2 Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State Buckeyes

2010 Stats

Passing: 196-of-298, 2,551 yards, 25 TDs, 11 INTs, 65.8 CMP% and a 157.98 QB Rating

Rushing: 120 attempts for 639 yards and four TDs

The 6'6'' junior from Jeannette, Pennsylvania has had a tremendous season leading his team to an impressive 11-1 record. He proved to be a versatile weapon this season, not only showcasing an outstanding arm but also running with effectiveness.

No. 15 Ryan Mallett, Arkansas Razorbacks

2010 Stats

Passing: 242-of-364, 3,592 yards, 30 TDs, 11 INTs, 66.5 CMP% and a 170.53 QB Rating

Ryan Mallett had a terrific junior season, recording the third highest QB rating in the nation. The last three games Mallett has recorded a total of 11 touchdowns and three interceptions.

Who Has The Better Kicker?

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COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 2: Devin Barclay #23 of the Ohio State Buckeyes kicks an extra point against the Marshall Thundering Herd at Ohio Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

When a football game is on the line in the final seconds, it is heartbreaking when the team you're rooting for loses the contest because of a missed field goal or extra point.

With two accurate kickers, a crucial field goal could be the deciding factor.

Ohio State Kicker Devin Barclay

2010 Stats

19-of-22 FGM-FGA (86.4 PCT); 58-of-58 XPM-XPA; 115 Total Points

Arkansas Kicker Zach Hocker

2010 Stats

13-of-16 FGM-FGA (81.3 PCT); 55-of-55 XPM-XPA; 94 Total Points

Who Has The More Explosive Running Game?

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AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 16: Running back Knile Davis #7 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs with the ball during the game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. The Tigers beat the Razorbacks 65-43. (Photo by

No. 7 Knile Davis, Arkansas Razorbacks

2010 Stats

Rushing: 178 attempts for 1,183 yards and 13 TDs

Receiving: 16 receptions for 128 yards and one TD

No. 29 Broderick Green, Arkansas Razorbacks

2010 Stats

Rushing: 104 attempts for 365 yards and three TDs

Receiving: Six receptions for 42 yards

No. 1 Dan Herron, Ohio State Buckeyes

2010 Stats

Rushing: 192 attempts for 1,068 yards and 15 TDs

Receiving: 18 receptions for 180 yards

No. 3 Brandon Saine, Ohio State Buckeyes

2010 Stats

Rushing: 66 attempts for 312 yards and two TDs

Receiving: 22 receptions for 195 yards and five TDs

No. 2 Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State Buckeyes

120 rushing attempts for 639 yards and four TDs

Ohio State has the edge going into this battle, with the 14th overall ranked rushing offense in the nation, averaging a total of 219.7 YPG.

Both Teams Are Solid Against Ranked Opponents

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FAYETTEVILLE - SEPTEMBER 25: Head coach Bobby Petrino and quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks look on during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Fayetteville,

Arkansas' Record Against Ranked Teams

3-2

Ranked Teams Faced

Loss vs. No. 1 Alabama 24-20

Loss @ No. 7 Auburn 65-43

Win @ No. 19 South Carolina 41-20

Win @ No. 21 Mississippi State 38-31 2OT

Win vs. No. 5 LSU 31-23

Ohio State's Record Against Ranked Teams

2-1

Ranked Teams Faced

Win vs. No. 12 Miami (FL) 36-24

Loss @ No. 18 Wisconsin 31-18

Win @ No. 20 Iowa 20-17

The Playmakers at Wide Receiver

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 03: Wide receiver Jarius Wright #4 of the Arkansas Razorbacks makes a touchdown pass reception against the Texas A&M Aggies at Dallas Cowboys Stadium on October 3, 2009 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

No. 12 Dane Sanzenbacher, Ohio State Buckeyes

2010 Stats

52 receptions for 889 yards and 10 TDs; four rushing attempts for 14 yards

Dane Sanzenbacher is ranked 15th overall throughout Division I college football in receiving touchdowns.

No. 8 DeVier Posey, Ohio State Buckeyes

2010 Stats

50 receptions for 778 yards and six TDs

Posey finished the season with some momentum, scoring three touchdowns in his last five games.

No. 4 Jarius Wright, Arkansas Razorbacks 

2010 Stats

38 receptions for 718 yards and four TDs; one rushing attempt for nine yards

Wright proved to be Ryan Mallet's favorite target this season, being the leading receiver for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

No. 3 Joe Adams, Arkansas Razorbacks 

2010 Stats

41 receptions for 693 yards and five TDs; six rushing attempts for 32 yards

Overall Performances Leading Up to The Sugar Bowl This Season

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 27: DeVier Posey #8 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball after a pass reception against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Ohio State Buckeyes

2010 Record: 11-1 (7-1 in Big Ten)

Key Wins: 36-24 vs. No. 12 Miami Hurricanes, 20-17 @ No. 20 Iowa

Ohio State only lost one game this entire season, and it was to the No. 18 Wisconsin Badgers, shattering the Buckeyes' dreams of a national championship. Since then, they've defeated their opponents by an average margin of 29.5 PPG.

The Buckeyes are third overall in the entire nation in points against, only giving up an average of 13.3 PPG.

Arkansas Razorbacks

2010 Record: 10-2 (6-2 in SEC)

Key Wins: 41-20 @ No. 19 South Carolina, 38-31 2OT @ No. 21 Mississippi State, 31-23 vs. No. 5 LSU

Arkansas' only two losses this season were to the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (24-20) and the No. 7 Auburn Tigers (65-43).

Led by a very talented quarterback, Ryan Mallett, the Arkansas Razorbacks are ranked third overall in passing offense throughout the nation, putting up an average of 338.4 yards per game.

Prediction

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with Chimdi Chekwa #5 of the Ohio State Buckeyes after Devon Torrence returned an interception 34-yards for a touchdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions a

Predicted Outcome: Ohio State Buckeyes 30 - Arkansas Razorbacks 27

Both teams have excellent defenses, but I have a feeling that this will be a fairly high scoring game.  Expect Ryan Mallet and Terrelle Pryor to go out in style, both having memorable performances in a very close game that will be decided in the final minutes.