Matching Up: Special Teams

Kicking/Punting

Advantage: Ohio State

Pettrey/Barclay/Thoma: As far as the OSU kicking game goes for 2009, Jim Tressel probably was a little dissatisfied with how it ended up. After a dirty block on kicker Aaron Pettrey during the NMSU game, Devin Barclay had to fill in fast. The 23 year old kicker then proceeded to kick a simple game winning, rose bowl clinching, field goal in ovetime aganist Iowa. I think that Barclay is reliable, but I think we need to use Pettrey in long FG oppritunites, while using Barclay in shorter ones. As for punting, during the course of the season, the punting has been solid by Jon Thoma, but nothing compared to what usual Ohio State punting is. He has gotten the job done, and it has worked out just fine so far.

Rice/Flint: With Flint being the kicker, last year he had trouble getting them in, especially the 35-40 yarders, but this season he has done a pretty good job going 15 of 17 giving him an 88 percent. That is pretty darn good, and should help in the long run aganist Ohio State. Jackson Rice, the freshman punter, earned his starting spot in a duel with the other punter, and has a average of 40.3 yards a punt. For a freshman, that's not something to scoff at, and he will play a key role for the Ducks, because of Ray Small being suspended.

Returning

Advantage: Oregon

Ohio State: With Ray Small, and Duron Carter being gone, the Buckeyes will have to get creative on the punt returns. Laamar Thomas will return with Brandon Saine in the Kick Returns, but for the punt returns, Tress will probably go ahead and use DeVier Posey, and mabye Dane Sanzenbacher. Without Ray Small, though, the returning game, would have gone to the Buckeyes, but without him, it is a much less lethal attack.

Oregon: They to, lost a huge asset to their return game, by losing the Oregon version of Ray Small. Oregon has greater speed, and I wouldn't be to surprised if LeMichael James wasn't used in some sort of situation, either on kick returns or punt returns.

Overall

Advantage: None

Ohio State/Oregon: I'ts really hard to judge special teams, anything can happen. Both teams have speed and quickness, so they are pretty even. This game might come down to special teams, whether it be a FG to win it, or better field position for a game winning drive. Special teams has always been stressed and preached at Ohio State, whenever Jim Tressel is around. He is going to make it better, even with the loss of Small.