2002 117-Team Division I-A Tournament

[Wolfpack]

Scoreboard Update

East Regional Final
(2) Iowa 27, (4) NC State 17
An offensive explosion in the third quarter as the Wolfpack try to battle their way back into the game, but the Hawkeyes keep them at arm's reach, losing only a point from the halftime lead.

[Wolfpack]

Last quarter of the Southeast Regional Final...

15:00 4th, OU leads 12-7
Sooners are unable to pick up a first down to keep the drive going and are forced to punt away.

13:55 4th, OU leads 12-7
The Miami offense finally comes to life for the first time in the half and they mount an impressive drive that results in a 15-yard touchdown strike to propel the Hurricanes into the lead. Miami goes for two to stretch the lead to three. The ball is handed away to the running back who follows excellent blocking into the end zone and the Hurricanes have their three point lead.

8:45 4th, MIA leads 15-12
The OU offense picks an inopportune time to sputter as they work for a first down, but are smacked around and do not pick up another one and punt away.

6:46 4th, MIA leads 15-12
Miami pushes back to midfield but are unable to advance further before being made to punt. They do pin Oklahoma with the kick, leaving the Sooners with a long way to go and not much time.

2:45 4th, MIA leads 15-12
The Sooners put forth their best effort to try to get a field goal. They are moving the ball very effectively and utilizing the clock. They push into Miami territory and are about to reach field goal range when disaster strikes. The QB drops back to pass and fires out to his receiver on the sideline. However, the ball is batted at the line and the ball waddles through the air into the arms of an awaiting Miami safety who races the other way with it. The Sooner players can't catch him and the stadium erupts as he scores the touchdown that seals the game. Extra point is good.

0:54 4th, MIA leads 22-12
Very first play of the new drive, a desparate pass is thrown downfield and this one is picked off as well. The cornerback runs around a bit before going to ground to chew up some clock.

0:27 4th, MIA leads 22-12
The QB takes the snap, takes a knee, and the Miami sideline races onto the field in celebration. The Hurricanes are the Southeast Regional winners! They'll advance to South Bend where they face the winner of Boston College and Southern California.

Final Score
Miami 22, Oklahoma 12

[JeeberD]

:o

[Wolfpack]

Scoreboard Update

East Regional Final
(2) Iowa 27, (4) NC State 17 (FINAL)
Early in the 4th, the Pack faced a critical decision to go for it or kick a field goal on fourth down or go for it. The coach gambled and went for it and came away empty. It was to be the only good chance at a score the rest of the quarter as the defenses dominated. More importantly, because NC State couldn't score, they couldn't get any closer, allowing the Hawkeyes to keep them at bay and win the East Regional Final. The Hawkeyes are heading to South Bend! (Congrats, tucker...grumble, grumble, grumble) They'll get either Ohio State or Kansas State.

[NAIWF]

Yay, Miami won

[larrymcg421]

Woohoo, Go Canes!

[tucker342]

YES!!!

Go Iowa!

[sterlingice]

Originally posted by Wolfpack
The FOFC gang gathers once again for Regional Final Saturday. JeeberD is decked out in Sooner attire, which generates some applause as people rib him for finally picking a team and sticking with them. Tucker is dressed out in black, save for the Hawkeye logo smack in the middle of his shirt. He's muttering something about "not having read the entire thread". NAIWF, as he has often done in the past, grabs the remote and starts up the television. The image appears of the Orange Bowl in Miami, filled to capacity with a very partisan crowd rooting for the Hurricanes against the Sooners in the Southeast Regional Final.

And I hide in the corner in Jayhawk gear, lamenting the school's lack of a quality football program.

Damn Miami bastards.

SI

[tucker342]

hehe, Kansas sucks

[JeeberD]

Solecismic's computer rankings have Kansas as second to last in the entire nation for the preseason. Even UTEP's better than that! Hurrah!!!

[Wolfpack]

As the OU-UM game draws to a close, the announcer in the studio intones, "Miami is in and Iowa is in. Two more bids up for grabs for the Final Four. Let's get you out to Lincoln, Nebraska where one of those bids is up for grabs in the Midwest Regional Final between Kansas State and Ohio State." The image on screen switches from the Orange Bowl to Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, filled to capacity, mostly silver and purple in appearance, though there is a decent grouping of silver and red.

Ohio State wins the toss, defers, Kansas State will receive

15:00 1st, game tied 0-0
The Wildcats come out well on their opening drive, moving into OSU territory easily. However, the Buckeye defense does finally stiffen as the Wildcats move into field goal range and force K-State to attempt a field goal. Snap, hold, kick is up and it is...no good! Buckeyes get the first break.

10:38 1st, game tied 0-0
OSU, behind the power of the running game, pounds its way back down the field and into Wildcat territory before they, too, run out of steam and send on the kicker. Snap--fumble! There's a pile on the ball...it doesn't matter who comes out with it as Kansas State will take over on downs at least! OSU's kicker did manage to get on it and protect it so the damage was contained.

5:28 1st, game tied 0-0
First play from scrimmage, the Wildcats go for the home run ball and succeed. Only a shove out of bounds from behind at the OSU 25 prevents a touchdown. However, the Wildcats only go backwards from there as the Buckeyes stuff a running play, force an incompletion and drop a sack on the QB. The kicker comes out for a longish attempt. Snap, hold, kick is on it's way...no good again! Neither team is doing well on special teams right now.

3:43 1st, game tied 0-0
The Buckeye offense works its way out to just into K-State territory before they face a third down on the last play of the quarter. The QB drops back but is sacked on a blindside blitz and OSU will have to punt to start the second quarter.

End of 1st Quarter
Kansas State 0, Ohio State 0

[Wolfpack]

Scoreboard Update

West Regional Final
(1) Southern California 10, (7) Boston College 3
Trojans up as expected, but Eagles are at least on the board

[Wolfpack]

2nd quarter in Lincoln...

15:00 2nd, game tied 0-0
A good punt bounces around inside the ten before being downed by OSU. K-State starts deep in its own end, but does a great job of moving downfield. Once again, though, the offense can't complete the job and once again the field goal unit is sent on. Snap...it's a fake! The holder looks...throws! Incomplete! Just off the hands of the receiver and the ball goes over on downs! If the pass was just a bit better, that was a first down and might've been six.

10:10 2nd, game tied 0-0
The Buckeyes get a great run on first down that moves them into field goal range immediately, but the Wildcats respond and don't let them get any further. The kicker comes on for OSU. Snap, hold, kick is up...and it is good! The Buckeyes get on the board first!

8:51 2nd, OSU leads 3-0
The Wildcat offense has its first really bad drive of the game as a blocking penalty sets them back immediately and they are unable to pick up a first down as a result. Punt.

6:53 2nd, OSU leads 3-0
The Buckeyes do not fare much better as they go three-and-out after picking up a first down on the first play of the new drive.

5:29 2nd, OSU leads 3-0
The Wildcats get the ball and the offense is once again in gear as they push their way back down field and get first and goal. Three plays later, they're facing fourth and goal at the one. The coach gambles and goes for it. The QB takes the snap and hands away, but the runner is snowed under in the backfield. He never had a chance. Great stand by the Buckeyes!

1:20 2nd, OSU leads 3-0
The Buckeyes push their way to a first down before ultimately killing the clock to end the half.

End of 1st Half
Ohio State 3, Kansas State 0

[Wolfpack]

Scoreboard Update

West Regional Final
(1) Southern California 13, (7) Boston College 9
A feast of field goals in the second quarter and the Eagles are hanging around as a result. Can Cinderella do the unthinkable?

[Wolfpack]

3rd quarter between OSU and KSU...

15:00 3rd, OSU leads 3-0
Ohio State gets the ball first, but they don't have it very long. On the second play of the drive, the running back breaks through the right side of the line and uses a great spin move to break into the clear. A good block by a receiver frees him for a race down the sideline that he wins easily. Touchdown, Ohio State! Unfortunately, the special teams problems continue to plague as the snap is mishandled on the extra point and the holder is buried trying to throw the football into the end zone. (I think missed extra points are way too frequent in this game, even at 1 in 20...I feel like I have at least one a game)

14:06 3rd, OSU leads 9-0
K-State's first drive of the half is penalty-plagued, which means they struggle to reach midfield before they have to punt.

10:12 3rd, OSU leads 9-0
The Buckeyes also have to punt, but not before just missing on a deep bomb play over the middle that would've resulted in six points were it not overthrown.

7:13 3rd, OSU leads 9-0
The Wildcat offense comes to life at last and they plow their way through the Buckeyes, eventually scoring a touchdown on a 17-yard pass play. Extra point is good.

3:05 3rd, OSU leads 9-7
It's now OSU's turn to suffer the slings and arrows of the referees. They're struggling their way to midfield as the quarter comes to a close.

End of 3rd Quarter
Ohio State 9, Kansas State 7

[NAIWF]

Come on K-State, knock out those evil Buckeyes.

[Wolfpack]

Scoreboard Update

West Regional Final
(1) Southern California 16, (7) Boston College 9
The Trojans only manage a field goal, but the Eagles are shut out. Still anyone's game with a quarter to go.

[Wolfpack]

4th and final quarter in the Midwest Regional Final...

15:00 4th, OSU leads 9-7
Penalties and a sack bury the Buckeye drive. They still don't quite reach midfield.

12:37 4th, OSU leads 9-7
The Wildcat offense continues to tear up the Buckeye defense. Another great drive results in another great touchdown pass and just like that, the Wildcats are in front. Extra point is good.

8:03 4th, KSU leads 14-9
The Buckeyes look for an answer to turn the tide, but can't find one. Again the offense struggle and ultimately has to punt away, putting the game in the hands of the defense to get the ball back.

4:37 4th, KSU leads 14-9
The Wildcats continue to roll. They are well on their way to at least a field goal and stretching the lead. However, a short out pass to pick up a first down proves calamitous. The QB completes the pass to his receiver who is drilled immediately, coughing the ball into the air. It is plucked by an OSU safety who eludes a couple of linemen, stiffs the QB and is gone the other way. 62 yards later, he scores a touchdown, stunning the crowd except for the small Buckeye contingent into silence. With a 15-14 lead, the Buckeyes go for two. The stunned Wildcats try but fail to stop the running back from picking up the conversion and the Buckeyes now lead 17-14.

1:38 4th, OSU leads 17-14
Kansas State is still shell-shocked. The offense that had performed so well throughout the game is unable to get the ball past the 25-yard line on their last drive and a meager fourth down attempt falls incomplete.

0:50 4th, OSU leads 17-14
The QB takes a couple of kneel-downs. The OSU sideline explodes onto the field in celebration. The Buckeyes have done it again! In the face of adversity, they always seem to find a way to win and this game is no different. The Buckeyes win the Midwest Regional and are on their way to play the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Final Four in South Bend!

Final Score
Ohio State 17, Kansas State 14

[Wolfpack]

Scoreboard Update

West Regional Final
(1) Southern California 23, (7) Boston College 9
The clock strikes midnight and Cinderella BC's dream tournament comes to an end. A touchdown in the fourth sealed the game for USC as the BC offense struggled throughout the entire half. The Trojans advance to South Bend to face Southeast Regional winner Miami.

[Wolfpack]

Final Four Pairings

Notre Dame Stadium, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN
(2) Iowa vs. (1) Ohio State
(1) Miami vs. (1) Southern California

**--Strong home field advantage this game
*--Some home field advantage this game

[Wolfpack]

Schedule and Lines--Final Four

12:00 PM
E/MW	(2) Iowa vs (1) Ohio State			Pick em  o/u 46

7:00 PM
SE/W	(1) Miami vs (1) Southern California		USC -10  o/u 64

Both of these games will be played out in detail, so no need to nominate, obviously.

Essentially, we have a scramble of this year's Fiesta and Orange Bowls. We also finally get to see who could have won the Big Ten outright.

[Wolfpack]

It's Final Four Saturday. The FOFC crowd, having spent the last several weeks watching more games than they care to remember, are all excited at the prospect of great games in the coming hours. The TV is turned on and the remote is promptly tossed away, since both games are on the same station, several hours apart. On the screen appears the mural of Touchdown Jesus, just beyond Notre Dame Stadium. The introductory graphic appears, showing this to be the National Semi-Final matchup between Ohio State and Iowa. The announcer mentions something about settling the issue of who is really the best in the Big Ten. Naturally, tucker yells "Iowa!" at the TV.

Iowa wins the toss and defers to the second half, so Ohio State will receive first.

15:00 1st, game tied 0-0
An inauspicious start for the Buckeyes as their first possession is a three-and-out.

13:28 1st, game tied 0-0
The Hawkeyes, however, start very well. They move down the field and deep into Ohio State territory. Facing a fourth and short just inside the ten yard line, the Hawkeyes go for it. The QB fakes the handoff, momentarily freezing the Buckeyes. He drifts right...throws...batted away at the last second! Great recovery by the corner in the end zone! If not for that, it'd have been six for sure.

8:26 1st, game tied 0-0
The Buckeyes waste no time in taking advantage. They strike on a couple of nice pass plays to get out of the shadow of the goalposts. The QB hands away to his running back, and, well, you can assume the rest. The kid is good. 59 yards later, it's 6-0 Buckeyes. Extra point is good.

6:18 1st, OSU leads 7-0
The Hawkeyes again are able to move into OSU territory, but this time, the Buckeyes hold them to a field goal attempt. Snap, hold, kick is away...no good! Just outside the right upright!

3:37 1st, OSU leads 7-0
The Buckeyes take over and have maneuvered back to midfield as the quarter expires.

End of 1st Quarter
Ohio State 7, Iowa 0

(duh, there are no other games to report on, so I'll continue in this post)

15:00 2nd, OSU leads 7-0
A pass is incomplete on the first play of the second quarter. On third down, the OSU QB drops back and goes deep downfield, but overthrows his receiver and OSU will punt away, but the punt is too strong and results in a touchback.

14:38 2nd, OSU leads 7-0
The Hawkeye offense catches lightning in a bottle this time. A pair of plays net a first down. On the next play, the QB eludes the pressure and fires downfield. It's his lucky day as the covering corner slipped leaving his receiver alone and in front by five yards when he catches it near the OSU 40. With a five-yard head start, it's an easy footrace to win and Iowa gets on the board. The extra point ties the game at 7.

13:00 2nd, game tied 7-7
OSU grinds out some yards and a first down, but eventually have to punt.

9:50 2nd, game tied 7-7
Iowa's drive is plagued by mental mistakes and penalties that translates into a lot of plays that don't get very far. It does burn a healthy amount of time, though, as they rescue the drive on third down a couple of times. Still, they have to punt away.

4:31 2nd, game tied 7-7
OSU gets the ball back and time to work for another score. The running back makes a spectacular run that moves the ball into Iowa territory on the first play. On the next play, the QB drops back and goes for six. The safety is lying in wait and makes a perfect break on the ball and comes away with it before stepping out of bounds inside the Iowa 15 to kill the drive.

3:28 2nd, game tied 7-7
Once again, the Hawkeye offense struggles with penalties. Two steps forward, one step back. They do a great job of siphoning off their remaining time in the half, but can't get into field goal range in time. A last ditch pass downfield is batted away to end the half.

End of 2nd Quarter
Iowa 7, Ohio State 7

15:00 3rd, game tied 7-7
Iowa starts the third very well. They seem to have fixed their mental problems in the second quarter and pound their way deep into Ohio State territory. Once again, however, the Buckeyes offer up resistance and the Hawkeyes face a fourth down red zone choice. The kicker is sent on. Snap...it's a fake! Holder looks, throws...incomplete! Good effort, but just over the hands of his receiver! Gutty call but it doesn't pay off.

9:45 3rd, game tied 7-7
The Buckeyes also seem to have gotten over their second quarter malaise. They embark on a time-consuming drive of their own and work to a goalline situation. The Hawkeyes make a great stand to force fourth down. The Buckeyes decide to go for it. The QB...fakes to the running back and circles to his left. However, the Hawkeyes aren't fooled and there are several black helmets in pursuit. The QB tries to fire it through the sea of hands to his tight end standing in the end zone, but one of those hands deflects it and it falls to the ground just in front of the lunging tight end, incomplete. Ball goes over on downs.

4:48 3rd, game tied 7-7
The Hawkeyes make great plays and are able to bust out from the end zone and eventually are able to get across midfield. The offense stalls, however, and the Hawkeyes settle for a field goal attempt. Snap, hold, kick is on the way...no good! Second miss on the afternoon for the Iowa kicker and the game remains tied.

1:50 3rd, game tied 7-7
Ohio State gets their drive going and are approaching Hawkeye territory as the quarter comes to an end.

End of 3rd Quarter
Iowa 7, Ohio State 7

15:00 4th, game tied 7-7
The Buckeye drive continues into Iowa's half of the field before the Iowa defense forces fourth down and a pretty long field goal attempt. Snap, hold, kick is away, and this one isn't going to be good. It was going left almost from the moment it was kicked.

13:36 4th, game tied 7-7
Very next play from scrimmage, the running back bursts through the right side of the line, shrugs off a tackle and, races to the sideline where he outruns the cutoff safety to the end zone and the Hawkeyes take the lead. Tucker is practically screaming his head off at this point. Extra point is good.

13:20 4th, Iowa leads 14-7
The Buckeyes bounce back strongly from the turn of events. They take the ball downf field and into the red zone. But, the Hawkeyes stiffen up and force a critical fourth down decision. A field goal is somewhat ineffective as they'd still need a touchdown to take the lead, so the Buckeyes roll the dice and go for it. It's handed away to the running back, but he's tripped up just after crossing the line and falls down a half-yard short of the first down. Tucker is borderline delirious.

7:56 4th, Iowa leads 14-7
Ball deep in its own end, up by seven, Iowa pushes forward to burn some clock. They manage to pick up a first down, but are unable to pick up a second one that could have really damaged Ohio State's chances. Punt.

5:39 4th, Iowa leads 14-7
Up against the scoreboard and the clock. Sounds like the story of Ohio State in 2002. And, well, this game is no different. A masterful drive by a team that knows how to play with backs against the wall carves up the Iowa defense and punches the ball into the end zone from seven yards out. The extra point is good.

1:34 4th, game tied 14-14
There is, however, enough time for one last crack at a win for Iowa. The Hawkeyes burn sidelines and timeouts but are only able to reach the OSU 20 before trotting out the field goal unit with :22 left and fourth down. It's going to be 37 yards. Snap, hold is good, kick is away...it hits the upright and bounces away! No good! The Ohio State sideline erupts in celebration! Tucker is crestfallen at this point.

0:17 4th, game tied 14-14
The QB takes a knee, kills the clock, and sends the game into overtime.

[JeeberD]

Come on Iowa! Make my grandma happy!!!!

[Wolfpack]

In overtime

Iowa won the toss and decided to go second.

Ohio State sends on the offense for the first overtime series. A pair of handoffs move the Buckeyes to the 18, where they face 3rd and 3. The QB fakes the handoff and drops back...throws to the end zone! Caught! Touchdown, Ohio State! The Buckeyes go in front! The extra point is good! Iowa now has to match with a touchdown of their own to extend the game.

Iowa comes onto the field. They are able to pick up a first down, but ultimately, it comes down to fourth down at the 11 yard line after a short run and a pair of incompletions. The QB takes the snap, looking, looking...throws! Batted up at the line! It falls to the ground incomplete and Ohio State wins in overtime 21-14! The Buckeyes are moving on to the championship game!

(Sorry tucker and Jeeber...I've been saying that a lot this tournament, haven't I?)

[JeeberD]

Hmmm. Should I announce the last remaining team that I have any ties to? Probably not, cause that would cause a certain jinx. I'll just give a hint and say that I'm rooting for the team whose starting QB has a younger brother who's a freshman QB for UTEP this year.

Hope I didn't blow it for them...

[Wolfpack]

After a break that lasts a couple of hours for dinner, the FOFC gang returns to the television to witness the other semi-final game. Notre Dame Stadium, though still filled, is noticably less so for this matchup, Miami versus Southern California.

Miami wins the toss and elects to take the ball first.

15:00 1st, game tied 0-0
The Hurricanes get off to a rough start as a holding penalty on the initial play contributes to a three-and-out and a punt.

13:03 1st, game tied 0-0
The Trojans take almost immediate advantage as on the second play of the drive the QB throws a perfect bomb over the middle that catches the safety out of position. The receiver never breaks stride and cruises into the end zone and the Trojans leap in front. The extra point is good.

11:59 1st, USC leads 7-0
Miami's offense continues to founder a bit here at the start as they pick up a first down on the first play of the drive but are immediately set upon after that by the Trojans and have to punt away again.

9:55 1st, USC leads 7-0
It's another short USC drive, only this time the result isn't what they want. On second down, a quick slant is read by the linebacker and he cuts off the pass and intercepts it before being brought down.

8:49 1st, USC leads 7-0
The Hurricane offense finally comes to life as they capitalize on the mistake and the short field, scoring on a 15-yard scamper into the end zone by the running back and the ensuing extra point to tie the game up.

6:51 1st, game tied 7-7
The Trojan offense seems to be struggling a bit now as they suffer through a three-and-out and punt away.

5:11 1st, game tied 7-7
Miami does not fare any better, failing to pick up a first down before punting back to the Trojans, but not before just missing on a big bomb play that was swatted away at the last second.

3:34 1st, game tied 7-7
The Trojans finally get the offense going again and another quick drive results in six points for the Trojans from the arm of the quarterback. Extra point is good.

1:06 1st, USC leads 14-7
Miami has enough time for a few plays before the quarter comes to an end.

End of 1st Quarter
Southern California 14, Miami 7

15:00 2nd, USC leads 14-7
The Hurricanes are able to work to near midfield before the offense stalls out and Miami punts away.

12:16 2nd, USC leads 14-7
The Trojans finally organize a longish drive that sees them work into field goal range before the Hurricanes rise up. The kicker is sent on. Snap, hold, kick is away...and it is good! The Trojans extend the lead to 10.

8:05 2nd, USC leads 17-7
The Miami response is not long in coming. A couple of strong runs sets up a beautiful play-action. The QB fires to his big receiver on a medium slant. The lead is perfect and the receiver turns on the jets and beats everyone to the end zone to cut the Trojan lead. Extra point is good.

6:37 2nd, USC leads 17-14
USC's offense is still running well as they embark on another solid drive that gets them into Miami's half of the field. Once again, however, the Miami defense strengthens in their own end and the field goal unit is sent on. Snap, hold, kick is up...and it's good!

1:56 2nd, USC leads 20-14
The Hurricanes try to make something happen before halftime, but the Trojans just aren't allowing anything deep, so a nickel-and-dime effort only nets a heave by the QB at the end zone as time expires, which falls harmlessly incomplete.

End of 2nd Quarter
Southern California 20, Miami 14

15:00 3rd, USC leads 20-14
The USC offense continues where it left off, with another great drive that moves them into Miami territory. However, as with the three previous forays, this drive ends disappointingly in another field goal attempt. The kicker is able to convert this one as well.

10:21 3rd, USC leads 23-14
The game's momentum shifts completely as on the third play of the new drive, the QB is drilled attempting to pass and coughs up the football. A big pileup ensues and it is found that a Trojan has the ball at the bottom of the pile.

8:48 3rd, USC leads 23-14
The Trojans struggle a bit but eventually take advantage of the opportunity. A great run from 19 yards out results in a Trojan touchdown and suddenly with the extra point added, the lead is 16.

5:43 3rd, USC leads 30-14
The Hurricanes continue their second half dozing on offense as they only manage a first down before being forced to punt away.

3:16 3rd, USC leads 30-14
The avalanche continues as two great passes move the Trojans into Miami territory and then a flanker screen, with the support of great blocking by other receivers, turns into a 41-yard touchdown romp and it looks like the rout is on.

2:00 3rd, USC leads 37-14
Miami's offense continues to be ineffective as they flounder around for a bit before punting again. The Hurricanes seem bewildered and demoralized right now. The punt is the last play of the quarter.

End of 3rd Quarter
Southern California 37, Miami 14

15:00 4th, USC leads 37-14
The Trojan offense begins to throttle back after the third quarter explosion. Maybe too much. They work for a couple of first downs but ultimately they punt.

11:19 4th, USC leads 37-14
Miami finally gets the offense going, pushing their way down the field and capping the drive with a 28-yard touchdown pass. The Hurricanes go for two and a strong run up the middle behind great blocking picks up the conversion.

8:10 4th, USC leads 37-22
The faint hopes of a Miami rally are promptly crushed as the Trojan offense reasserts itself with another strong drive that results in likely a game-clinching touchdown run of 7 yards. The extra point is good.

4:45 4th, USC leads 44-22
The Hurricanes are running short of everything at this point. With any chance of a comeback snuffed out, they can only manage a couple of first downs before punting away.

1:50 4th, USC leads 44-22
The second stringers are sent on for a bit of glory and mop-up duty for the Trojans. The glory isn't there, though, as the center exchange on the first play of the drive is mishandled and the Hurricanes are able to fall on it.

1:30 4th, USC leads 44-22
The Hurricanes don't do anything with it as they throw four straight incomplete passes to turn the ball back over on downs.

0:42 4th, USC leads 44-22
The QB takes a couple of kneels to burn the rest of the clock and the game is over! The Trojans win in dominating fashion and now advance to the championship game against Ohio State!

Final Score
Southern California 44, Miami 22

[Wolfpack]

Championship Game

Notre Dame Stadium, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN
(1) Southern California vs. (1) Ohio State*

**--Strong home field advantage this game
*--Some home field advantage this game

[Wolfpack]

Schedule and Line for Championship Game

8:00 PM
W/MW	(1) Southern California vs (1) Ohio State		USC -12   o/u 46

115 games down, one to go. Fittingly, it is between the top two teams in the field. Southern Cal is looking very strong right now, but OSU has managed to cheat death two games in a row now (again, not that different from real life). USC I think needs to dominate the game. If they allow Ohio State to stick around, OSU's toughness in close games will become a factor and they could take the game from USC late.

[JeeberD]

Hmmmmm.....

I don't know what to say...

Damn jinxes shutting me up...

[tucker342]

damn!!! Oh well, it was a good run

[sterlingice]

I'm officially happy because Miami lost.

SI

[Butter]

Go Bucks....

[Wolfpack]

Sorry about not having finished this yet. Have had visiting family and friends (and THE blackout) over the last couple of weeks to contend with and haven't gotten around to doing this. I'm also still deciding whether I want to stay in this game engine for consistency or go to the more detailed game that I have, which would entail some research on my part to produce the rosters and ratings I'd need to play it out.

[JeeberD]

Go Team-Whose-Name-I'm-Not-Saying-Because-If-I-Did-They-Would-Lose!!!!!!

[Wolfpack]

I'm putting out an all-points for help. I've got the general team ratings for both Ohio State and Southern Cal. Both OSU and USC's websites list season statistics for all their players from last year. However, I can only make educated guesses about the depth chart and positions for OSU based on starts (specifically linemen) and USC's site has no information whatsoever related to starts and depth charts for last year's team.

So, what I need from the community at-large is for resident experts on both these programs to inform me who would be the starters and reserves for all positions (reserves can be put at multiple positions, if needed). I'd also like to know what the formations each team used were. For example, did OSU just have Clarett in the backfield or did he have a fullback? If it was a single-back set, who takes the fullback's place, an extra tight end or an extra receiver? Similarly, did USC have a single-back or two-back formation? Do the teams ever go to four- or five- wide arrangements (sacrificing tight ends and backs in the backfield)? In a short-yardage situation, what constitutes the "jumbo" package? Tight end lined up as a fullback? Any receivers?

The essential thing I'd need is the basic formation as a single-back or two-back and receiver arrangement based on that (multiple TEs and/or WRs). The situational formations I could take a stab at by adding a receiver for a tailback on long passing downs and adding a tight end or fullback for a receiver on short running downs, though a specific arrangement would lend some authenticity.

Any helpers out there?

And yes, you can glean from this I'm going to do the full monty for the championship. Play-by-play, statistics, everything.

[Butter]

Link

Here is OSU's 2-deep from the end of last season.

Hope that helps some.

[Butter]

Originally posted by Wolfpack
I'd also like to know what the formations each team used were. For example, did OSU just have Clarett in the backfield or did he have a fullback? If it was a single-back set, who takes the fullback's place, an extra tight end or an extra receiver?

OSU almost never runs a one-back set. It's pretty rare. They do enjoy using the "unbalanced line" formation in some situations, usually power running type situations, as well as the occasional regular situation.

Article about the unbalanced line. 2 TE's to one side and a FB were pretty common for Clarett to run behind last year. 4 and 5 wide sets for the Bucks are really REALLY uncommon. But, they played a lot of different sets vs. Miami that they barely used all year. So, take that for what it's worth.

[Wolfpack]

Thanks, Butter. I had forgotten about that two-deep chart on OSU's site. So, if I have it right, OSU uses a standard two-back formation (HB/FB) with a TE and a pair of receivers in most instances. If they go heavy, they bring in a second tight end (precise formations like unbalanced don't factor in the game I have, just the fact that one player is substituted for another) to replace a receiver and keep the two-back. I would guess then that on passing downs, the FB is replaced by a third wideout. Would this third wideout only be used in third-and-long (4 yards or more, I think) or on second-and-long as well (probably 7 or more yards)? The more info I have, the more authentic I can make this game. Also, one more thing. Was Clarett a better runner between the tackles or going outside or was he about equal at both? This game does have the ability to measure a running back's performance in those areas. Given OSU's predilection for smashmouth, I'd wager going up the gut.

Again, thanks for the help.

Any USC folks or anyone from SoCal or Pac-10 country want to pitch in for the Trojans?

[Butter]

OSU was more likely to use the third wideout on 3rd and long, but not necessarily 2nd and long. They would use a 2nd and long 3-WR set about 1/3 of the time, I'd say. Clarett was fairly equal at both, but I would say he was better between the tackles. OSU had a time with Hall and Ross as tailbacks because they weren't bruisers like Clarett. It seemed to take them a series or two to adjust their play-calling to more draw type plays for Maurice Hall. Clarett is not as fast as Hall, so a lot of times if you could string Clarett out, you would be successful. It was his ability to shed LB tackles that made him most effective.

Although I guess much of that is besides the point.

[Wolfpack]

No, it's not totally beside the point. I can grade Clarett as being better to the inside than to the outside. The trick is to estimate how much better, but have the grades balance so that his overall rushing average in game terms be close to his season averages.

With what you say about the infrequency of the three-wide set on second down, I'll likely just let them stay in the base formation on second down and use the three-wide on third and 4+.

Thanks again for your help. Feel free to add anything else about OSU that you think would be useful.

[Wolfpack]

To see the championship game after you've wasted an hour or two of your life reading this thread to see who got there, go here:
Championship Game

See you there.