National Championship Game Analysis: LSU vs. Ohio State

Championship games are highly intense personal and team battles of will, training and expertise. I watched the National Championship Game because my husband is an Ohio State Alumni. The start of the game showed Ohio State Buckeyes playing and acting like a well-oiled machine, on top, cool and taking an early advantage. The Louisiana State Tigers made a couple early mistakes and in the first quarter with Ohio State 10 and Louisiana 0, it looked like the Tigers would be tamed. The Tigers were shaken by the early lead, many players sweating and unhappy after a fumbled ball that led to an Ohio State touchdown, this despite being the top-rated team. They had the home advantage with what looked like no less than three squads of beautiful cheerleaders.

The Buckeyes gave up their early advantage to well-executed teamwork by the Tigers, who play-after-play made their first down and continued on to score a touchdown and field goal to tie the game by the end of the first quarter.

Quarterback Todd Boeckman unwisely threw 5 or 6 long passes that cost the team important first downs. Two led to interceptions that cost the team two touchdowns. Yet, he showed courage and skill when going up against the strong Tiger defense and had the best success throwing short tight 10-15 yard passes.

The Tiger defense stopped the Buckeyes cold, several times within touchdown distance. They were effective in tying up the Buckeye receivers and stopping the running action. Several times they nailed the quarterback and even blocked a kick.

Matt Flynn, on the other hand, was caught on air mumbling where's my hole? Unlike the Buckeyes, when Matt Flynn demanded breaks in the Ohio defense, he received them.

The sad part of tonight's National Championship game was that the game was lost by costly mistakes by the Ohio State team. The Buckeyes gave up over 150 yards to penalties where personal fouls were committed. These were transgressions of rules that these athletes knew, understood and were trained not to make. It cost not only the individuals but the entire team. Why then were the mistakes made? Was success more important than personal integrity? One of the exciting things about college team football is that it reveals the youth of the team members and their maturity. They are in training for the big leagues.

Emotions ran high on field and in the stands. Tension was palpable throughout. The stadium was filled with fans screaming encouragement. The Buckeye fans had a healthy cheering section. This is why many admire both teams for playing. Competition momentarily selects a winner, next moment another. Theory states competition encourages improvement, alumni hope for it. But it also provides defeat. Overall, the athletes, colleges, and audience thrive on the contest and the knowledge that here is where the best are tested. Careers are made. Lavish money spent with the most being spent on advertisements for the movie "Jumper", a science fiction movie thriller where going anywhere is possible.