Opening line and total: LSU -3 (51 ½)

LAS VEGAS – The Buckeyes had problems containing Florida’s speed and athleticism in last year’s title game. LSU presents similar problems, as the school has a dominant defense and dangerous playmakers on offense. Playing in the Superdome is also a plus for the Louisiana-based Tigers.

But, with Michigan upsetting Florida on Tuesday in the Capital One Bowl, maybe the Big Ten isn’t as down as some might think.

Statistically, the Buckeyes have the best defense in the country. They rank first in total defense (227.6 yards per game), passing defense (148.2 yards) and scoring defense (10.7 points).

LSU starting quarterback Matt Flynn may not be 100 percent after suffering a shoulder injury against Arkansas. The senior passed for 2,233 yards and 17 touchdowns, but didn’t play in LSU’s 21-14 win against Tennessee in the SEC title game. The Tigers were favored by seven, while the combined 35 points fell significantly ‘under’ the 60-point closing total.

There’s a chance LSU coach Les Miles could rotate Flynn with sophomore Ryan Perrilloux, a good running quarterback. The balanced Tigers offense averaged 38.7 points and 448.2 yards per contest. Jacob Hester rushed for more than 1,000 yards, while five players had more than 200 yards receiving, including pro prospect Early Doucet.

Ohio State doesn’t have the speed dimension it had last year, as quarterback Troy Smith and wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. have turned pro. The Buckeyes do have bruising running back Chris Wells, who rushed for more than 1,500 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. Junior quarterback Todd Boeckman is more efficient than flashy. He has thrown for more than 2,000 yards and has a 23-to-12 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

LSU is No. 3 in total defense and 20th in scoring defense, yielding 19.3 points per game. The Tigers ranked fourth in takeaways and were fifth in interceptions with 21. Defensive line star Glenn Dorsey beat out Ohio State’s James Laurinaitus for Defensive player of the Year honors despite battling through a knee injury.

The Buckeyes’ lone defeat this season occurred as a 15-point home favorite to Illinois, 28-21. The combined 49 points went ‘over’ the 46-point closing total. The Buckeyes covered seven of their 11 games against board teams.

Both of LSU’s defeats occurred in overtime. The Tigers lost as nine-point road favorites to Kentucky, 43-37, and as 13-point home favorites to Arkansas, 50-48. Until now, the Tigers had been favored in every game by at least a touchdown. LSU, though, is 2-7-1 against the spread in its past 10 games.

The ‘under’ is 7-3 in Ohio State’s past 10 non-conference matchups. The ‘over’ is 7-1 in LSU’s past eight contests.

Ohio State went ‘over’ in six of its 11 games versus lined opponents this season. The ‘over’ is 9-4 in LSU’s 13 games. In fact, the Tigers have gone ‘over’ in seven of their last eight games.

January 7, 2008