Arkansas vs Ohio State -- Sugar Bowl Preview

Photo via HogDatabase
Petrino is an X's and O's Guru.

The Big Ten has been anything but legendary, nor have they displayed much leadership so far in the Bowl Season. The conference went 0-5 on Saturday, and a few of the games weren't even competitive.

Their last hope is "The Ohio State University" in a BCS bowl game versus an athletic SEC opponent. The Buckeyes are 0-9 versus SEC teams in bowl games.

It's been a Bryant family tradition to attend the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans every year. We didn't attend last year's game because we thought the game was going to be ridiculous. And thank goodness we were right.

This game will be different. That's just because a Big East team won't be playing.

This year's game will be well worth the time and travel. With plenty of NFL players on both sides of the ball, this will be a treat to watch.

I like Arkansas in this game, but not because of the history of Ohio State's struggles versus the SEC. The Razorbacks are playing in their first BCS bowl game in their program's history. Ohio State has played in numerous BCS bowl games, winning their last one versus Oregon in the Rose Bowl.

The shaky Arkansas defense will have their hands full with Terrelle Pryor. The Razorbacks have struggled versus mobile quarterbacks all season, and Pryor loves the bright lights. He was impeccable last year's Rose Bowl.

The difference in this game is the main man under the headset for Arkansas. Their might not be a better play caller in the country than Bobby Petrino.

Nobody is better than creating match-ups with his speedy receivers than Petrino. Watch how Petrino, out of a timeout, was able to get Joe Adams in a 1-on-1 situation versus LSU dimeback Tyrann Mathieu on a crucial 4th and 3. The result speaks for itself...

I see some match ups that will be problems for the Buckeyes on defense, and Ryan Mallet's arm can out throw any defense sent his way. The offensive line has improved rapidly this whole season, coming off their best game versus LSU.

This game will be back and forth early on, but I see Arkansas pulling away late. Arkansas isn't known for strong finishes, but neither are the Buckeyes. I see the SEC West runner-ups starting to light the scoreboard up in the fourth quarter.

The Razorbacks will win this game, marking a dominant 3-0 start for SEC West teams in bowl games.

Arkansas 34 - Ohio State 17