Dave Thurman (9:04 pm)

While the Buckeyes prepare for their January 4th game versus Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl we are previewing a few of the key players for the Razorbacks.  So far we have looked at running back Knile Davis, defensive end Jake Bequette, tight end D.J. Williams, and linebacker Jerry Franklin. Today we conclude with quarterback Ryan Mallett, who probably needs no introduction.

Mallett, who hails from Texarkana, Texas, was the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Texas in 2006, and was ranked by some scouting services as the top signal caller in all of America.  Upon graduation from Texas High School he signed with Michigan where he earned playing time as a true freshman throwing for 892 yards and 7 touchdowns.  However, when Lloyd Carr stepped down, the big, dropback passer (6'6", 238 lbs) realized he wasn't a good fit in Rich Rodriguez' spread option attack and transferred to Arkansas. Hog fans have been thanking their lucky stars ever since,

After sitting out the 2008 season, "Big Tex" took over the Razorback offense and immediately began putting up huge numbers. In 2009 he threw for 3627 yards (55.8%) and 30 touchdowns, but has been even more accurate this season, hitting 66.5% of his passes, for 3592 yards, and 30 more touchdowns, with the bowl game still to play. A candidate for about every quarterback award that is given, Mallett has set or tied 38 Arkansas' team and stadium records in his two years in Fayetteville.  Although he still has one season of eligibility left, most folks look for him to head to the NFL following the Sugar Bowl. 

Possessing a cannon for an arm, Mallett has all the tools that make pro teams drool.  He can complete every throw in the book, but more than that, can fit the ball into a tiny window.  The big right hander is most dangerous when given time in the pocket, so Ohio State will look to pressure him, and will probably employ multiple defenses including a number of blitz packages.  If he gets on a roll, which Mallett is more than capable of doing, it could be a long game for the Silver Bullets.  Although every contest has a number of key match-ups, this is the one everyone will be watching. Ultimately the game will probably be decided by the level of success achieved by the Razorback quarterback. If he lights it up look for Arkansas to secure the victory,  However, if he can be slowed down, even a little bit, the Buckeyes are a good bet to get the win. 

Dave Thurman (10:42 am)

While the Buckeyes prepare for their January 4th game versus Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl we are previewing a few of the key players for the Razorbacks.  So far we have looked at running back Knile Davis, and now move ahead to big, defensive end Jake Bequette.

Bequette is a redshirt junior who possesses nice size for an end at 6'5", 271 lbs, along with good speed (4.8 40).  Hailing from Little Rock, Jake has been a starter from day one, and after two solid seasons, he came into his own in 2010.  He enters the Sugar Bowl with 31 tackles, including 8 for loss, with 7 sacks.  On a squad that has done an excellent job of getting to the quarterback (37 sacks), Bequette is the team leader.  He also has 2 pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. 

Certainly one of the keys for the OSU offense will be protecting quarterback Terrelle Pryor, and it is imperative that tackles Mike Adams and J.B. Shugarts slow down Bequette and his fellow defensive ends, Tenarius Wright and Demario Ambrose, who have combined for an additional 9.5 sacks.  If the seat of Pryor's uniform winds up dirty it could be a long night in New Orleans for the Buckeyes.  Watch to see who wins this battle in the trenches, as Ohio State will have their hands full against the relentless Bequette,

Dave Thurman (9:01 am)

As the Buckeyes prepare to face the University of Arkansas  in the Sugar Bowl, I plan to introduce Ohio State fans to a few of the key players for the Razorbacks.  Let's start with Knile Davis (pronounced like the Nile River). 

Davis kind of came out of nowhere this season as a sophomore running back, since his freshmen numbers weren't especially noteworthy: 163 yards (4.8 ypc) and 4 td's.  However, he was banged up in 2009, and Arkansas coaches looked for big things from him this year.  He certainly delivered, rushing for 1183 yards, averaging 6.6 per carry, and scoring 13 touchdowns.  He also caught 16 passes for 128 yards and 1 touchdown.  Like Boom Herron for OSU, Knile came on strong down the stretch with four straight 100 yard games to close out the year, and averaged 148 yards per game over the final six contests.  Early on, he shared time with junior Broderick Green, but eventually took over as "the man" in the second half of the season.

Davis combines size (6', 220) with excellent speed (a reported 4.37 40), and will be a huge challenge for the Buckeye defense to stop.  While opponents key in on Ryan Mallett and the Arkansas passing game, the sophomore from Missouri City, Texas, has been known to bust a long one which often proves to be a backbreaker.  Watch to see how well the Silver Bullets can contain number 7 as it will be one of the keys to victory come January 4th. 

Dave and Drew Thurman (9:14 am)

Check out our Know the Opposition feature for full information on TSUN. Below we have five things to look for as the Buckeyes host RichRod and the Wolverines:

1) Watch to see if the Silver Bullets can slow down Denard Robinson. 

The unstoppable force meets the immovable object, as Michigan's big play offense (ranked #5 in the nation at 514.6 ypg) faces Ohio State's stingy defense (ranked #3 in the nation at 241.5 ypg).  There is no doubt that Robinson is the key for UM, and it is crazy to think that the Buckeyes will completely shut him down,  However, if they can contain the swift quarterback and keep him from making too many big plays, Michigan will be in trouble, because he has been their offense for much of the season.  Ohio State will also try and force Mr. Robinson into some turnovers, which may be the best way to stop the Wolverine offense. He has battled turnovers in the biggest games this season, and when you add it that the Buckeyes have been very opportunistic, it could produce a similar result to last year's.

2) Watch Tressel's offensive game plan.

Michigan's defense has been down right awful (445.2 yards, 33.5 points per game). It will be interesting to see how the Buckeyes attack, because the Wolverines have been equally ineffective stopping the run and the pass.  No doubt Pryor will want to light up the young secondary, but on cold, November days, Tressel usually prefers to play old-fashioned smashmouth football. Besides the fact that it will wear a smaller Wolverine defense down, it will also keep Denard Robinson and the Michigan offense off the field. So we expect Boom Herron should get every opportunity to rush for the 107 yards he needs to reach 1,000 for the year, but hopefully OSU will feature a diversified attack.  And, since it is Michigan week it will be interesting to see if the coaches will throw in a couple of trick plays or new formations.