Ohio State's defense would appear to have the advantage against LSU's offense in the national championship game, but then again the Buckeyes were supposed to have the upper hand last year against Florida's offense, and we know how that turned out.
But LSU players respect how good that Buckeye defense has been again this year.
"They're No. 1 for a reason," LSU center Brett Helms said, noting that Ohio State's defense ranks first in the nation in total defense (225.2 yards per game) against the pass (148.2) and in average points allowed (10.7). "All that underdog stuff, it's not the truth. I think we're the underdogs. We're going to have to play our best to beat them."
LSU's offensive strength is its versatility. Seven LSU players - five running backs and two quarterbacks - rushed for at least 197 yards. Each of them rushed for at least two touchdowns.
'The word I keep thinking about is 'multiple,' ' Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Jim Heacock said.
'They have two outstanding quarterbacks ... and five tailbacks that are a little bit different and very multiple. ... Then you add a stable of wide receivers that are big and strong and fast and certainly an offensive line that's very physical. They're very multiple. They do a lot of different things.
They give you a lot of problems.'
Heacock expects LSU - which is -3.5 on WagerWeb.com (over/under: 48) to use both starter Matt Flynn and backup Ryan Perrilloux at quarterback. Perrilloux twice filled in for Flynn led the Tigers to victories over Middle Tennessee State and Tennessee, the later effort coming in the SEC title game.
Flynn can move his feet, but is considered the passing quarterback, while the large (6-foot-2, 222 pounds) and speedy Perrilloux, who has a big arm, is the running threat.
Calling on five tailbacks who carried the ball at least 33 times apiece, LSU has averaged 218.0 yards per game - good for the 13th in the country. Jacob Hester is probably the star of the group, rushing for 1,017 yards and 11 touchdowns, while catching 14 passes for 106 yards and a score.LSU gained at least 198 yards on the ground in 10 of its 13 games. The Buckeyes allowed that many rushing yards just once, giving up 260 to Illinois' spread offense - not coincidentally Ohio State's only loss.
The Tigers have has a 1,000-yard running back in Hester, a 2,000-yard passer in Flynn and two receivers - Early Doucet and Brandon LaFell - who combined for 98 catches.
"I think it presents a huge challenge," said OSU junior linebacker Marcus Freeman. "You have definitely a talented running back like Jacob Hester, a powerful guy, but one that also has deceptive speed. Then a little guy like the (Trindon) Holliday guy. He has very, very good speed. And they have a lot of other talented running backs.
Doucet caught 50 passes despite missing four consecutive games and all but the final play of LSU's loss to Kentucky. He was injured in practice after catching 15 passes - two for touchdowns - in the Tigers' first two games.
LaFell caught 48 passes. But Doucet - expected to be a high NFL draft selection - and LaFell might not be LSU's most dangerous receiver Demetrius Byrd had just 33 catches, but seven of them went for touchdowns and he averaged 18 yards per reception.
Ohio State safety Anderson Russell likes the challenge.
'Personally, I know we're all looking forward to it, because we've done a good job this season,' he said.
'We've faced some good guys, but (Doucet) is definitely going to be the best receiver we've seen all season. 'But it's something that we've got to deal with, and I think we can get the job done.'
Ohio State opponents have completed just more than 50 percent of their passes and averaged just nine yards per reception. The Buckeyes have intercepted 10 passes, led by cornerback Malcolm Jenkins' three picks.
'They're really good,' LSU offensive coordinator Gary Crowton said. 'I had a lot of time to watch film and I have a great respect for what they do. ... They know when to gamble and they know how to gamble. They disguise things well. They have straight coverages, zone coverages off of their blitz and vice versa."
The leader of Ohio State's defense is junior linebacker James Laurinaitis, the Butkus Award winner with 103 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and two interceptions.
'He's just a great linebacker,' LSU left tackle Ciron Black said. 'He's very fast, and he has strength, too. ... We have to know exactly what we're doing, because if we mess up, you know, he can hurt us.'
LSU also must be concerned with defensive end Vernon Gholston, who had four sacks against Wisconsin and three against Michigan in Ohio State's regular-season finale. Gholston's 13 sacks on the season tied Mike Vrabel's team record.
When Ohio State's Jenkins looks at the Tigers' offense, he sees the Michigan Wolverines.
"They would be kind of like a little bit more diverse Michigan, where they can pound the ball if they want to and then spread you out and throw deep," Jenkins said Friday. "They would fit very well into the Big Ten."
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