OSU offense preps for fight with Dorsey, Tigers

Lantern File Photo Ohio State tailback Chris Wells (28) uses a stiff arm on Michigan's Brandent Englemon (31) in this years 14-3 win over the Wolverines.

Entering the season, most expected the Ohio State offense to wilt under the pressure of replacing a Heisman-winning quarterback, two first-round draft-pick receivers and its leading rusher.

Little did anyone know there was a contingent of more-than-ready replacements waiting in the wings.

"The credit for this season has to go to so many people," junior quarterback Todd Boeckman said. "You have to give credit to the linemen, the receivers, the running backs because everyone has done so much for this team to be good."

Boeckman threw for 2,171 yards tallying 23 touchdowns with a mere 12 interceptions. The St. Henry native's efficiency rating of 150.28 is good enough to place him 13th in the nation, drawing praise from notable college football analysts everywhere.

Opening up the field for Boeckman and the passing game is sophomore running back Chris Wells, who finished the season with 1,463 yards on 254 carries for an average of almost six yards-per-carry.

Brian Robiskie leads the receiving corps with 885 yards and 10 touchdowns on 50 catches. Stretching the field with him is Brian Hartline. The Canton-GlenOak product finished the regular season with 619 yards and five touchdowns on 46 receptions.

Steve Franz/LSU LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey sacks Auburn quarterback Brandon Cox.

"I think that especially last year, playing behind guys like Ted (Ginn Jr.) and Gonzo (Anthony Gonzalez), I tried to learn as much as I could," Robiskie said. "Then coming into this year I used all that to prepare all offseason to become that guy."

Lining up across the field from the Buckeyes is the No. 3 ranked defense of LSU. Leading the Tigers defense is All-American defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey. Dorsey cleaned up on the awards circuit this season, taking home the Outland Trophy, the Lombardi Award, the Lott Trophy and the Nagurski Award.

"Glenn is a point now where you don't have to make comparisons," said Bo Pelini, LSU defensive coordinator. "Glenn Dorsey is Glenn Dorsey. I think he is as decorated a football player that has ever come through LSU and it is with good reason. The bottom line is what is special about Glenn is he is a heck of a football player."

All-American Craig Steltz anchors the LSU secondary. The former teammate of OSU defensive tackle Nader Abdallah leads the Tigers with 97 tackles on the season.

Joel Renner/The Lantern Brian Hartline celebrates in the endzone after Ohio State took a 14-3 lead in the third quarter against Michigan.

Armed with the task of stopping receivers Hartline and Robiskie are talented cornerbacks Jonathan Zenon and Chevis Jackson. The pair has combined for seven interceptions this season.

Darry Beckwith and Ali Highsmith control the middle for the Tigers.

OSU Offensive Line vs. LSU Defensive Line The National Championship Game will undoubtedly be won in the trenches. Last season, the Buckeyes were picked apart by the Florida defensive line but don't expect the same treatment this season.

Each team is strong on the line in areas where the other is weak. OSU is anchored by tackles Alex Boone and Kirk Barton. Boone, a junior, was heavily criticized for his performance last year. Barton, a senior captain, is projected to be taken in the early rounds of the NFL draft. The popular duo will battle LSU defensive ends Tyson Jackson and Kirston Pittman.

The interior line advantage is heavily in favor of the Tigers. Dorsey and fellow tackle Marlon Favorite will look to impose their will on OSU guards Steve Rehring and Ben Person and center Jim Cordle.

Hailed by some as the best offensive line in the country, OSU's unit is big and experienced.

The ends for LSU have problems getting pressure on the quarterback without the help of the tackles. They should pose little threat to Boone or Barton. However look for Favorite to get his fair share of hurries on Boeckman. OSU will likely double-team Dorsey leaving Favorite one-on-one with either Rehring or Person.

If OSU utilizes a tight-end set regularly, look for the blocking of tight end Rory Nicol to make the difference for the Buckeyes.

OSU Backfield vs. LSU Linebackers Establishing a ground game has been the basis of OSU's success on offense this season.

Running back Chris Wells battled injuries most of the season but still managed to finish atop the Big Ten in rushing.

Backup Maurice Wells gained 399 yards on 103 carries in relief. Freshman Brandon Saine added another 287 on 60 carries providing the Buckeyes with much-needed depth at the running back position.

A solid corps of senior fullbacks featuring captain Dionte Johnson, Trevor Robinson and Tyler Whaley rotate to give Boeckman and the backs as much quality protection as possible.

Linebackers Ali Highsmith (93 tackles), Darry Beckwith (63) and Luke Sanders (28) are the second line of defense for LSU. The trio combined for 14 quarterback hurries on the season but have yet to face a blocking team quite like the Buckeyes.

Helping the Buckeyes impede the rush are tight ends Rory Nicol and Jake Ballard. Both men will be counted on to help the line stop the pressing pace of Dorsey and company.

LSU could get quality production from their linebackers if Dorsey and Favorite wreak havoc on the OSU offensive line. Should the interior line hold up for the Buckeyes, expect Boeckman to have plenty of time to throw as Barton and Boone should lock down the ends.

OSU Receivers vs. LSU Secondary After losing receivers Ted Ginn Jr., Anthony Gonzalez and Roy Hall, the Buckeyes' receiving corps was expected to take a step back this season.

However, thanks to OSU's regular season dominance in 2006, receivers Brian Hartline and Brian Robiskie were able to gain valuable reps against top-quality opponents. Freshman Dane Sanzenbacher and sophomore Ray Small also added quality grabs for the Bucks this season.

The LSU secondary is led by senior All-American safety Craig Steltz. Steltz finished with 97 tackles, 6 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Junior Curtis Taylor will line up at free safety for the Tigers.

LSU's passing defense ranks 9th in the country allowing 180.8 yards per game. OSU averages 195.5 yards per game in the air. Corners Chevis Jackson and Jonathan Zenon will have the task of shutting down OSU's talented tandem.

Both corners have the speed to lock down the Buckeyes' deep threats however each has tendencies to lapse in coverage from time to time. The secondary's over-reliance on the defensive line can oftentimes make them susceptible to play-action plays.

OSU's slight lack of receiving depth gives the edge to LSU. If the Buckeyes get down early and are forced to pass, the Tigers have just enough to lock down the only real conceivable threat the Bucks can offer.

Overall The matchup between the two squads is fairly even. OSU's Chris Wells has the ability to carry the team on his back as does LSU's Dorsey. The talent of the defensive tackles as well as the experienced secondary gives LSU the slightest of advantages but only if Dorsey and Favorite can get into the Bucks' backfield.

Zack Timmons can be reached at timmons.60@osu.edu.