I want to be wrong, but this is our first Rodeo in more than two decades, and this is OSU's second in a very short amount of time. Taint has the expectation and the infrastructure to be in and out of the playoffs going back through the past decade through the Urban Meyer era. None of this is new to them. It is to us. I think Taint wins narrowly, by less than a TD, in a low scoring game, say 20-16.
This reminds me of the time the Miami Dolphins went to the Super Bowl (VI) for the first time in January of 1972 to cap off the 1971 season. They played the Dallas Cowboys under Tom Landry. Roger Staubach was the QB and Bob Lilly anchored their "Doomsday" Defense. The Fish had a puncher's chance, but Dallas won, 24-3, because they had been there the year before and had the experience (losing to Baltimore in 1971 at the old Orange Bowl). The Cowboys had the experience the Dolphins lacked and it showed.
I don't think that Miami has the kind of experience gap that the Dolphins had in 1971, and they have a real talent parity with Taint, but I think OSU has strengths at WR that will make themselves felt in the last two quarters of a tight game that will be the difference. I just don't think we have the horses to keep up with that. It's not Beck, he's quite good, it's the WR room that has yet to show itself.
If Cam were back there I might change my mind, given his ability to make gold out of lead and extend plays, but I think OSU's QB will be able to get off enough lucky shots to make the difference. My heart tells me that Toney can match that production. My head tells me that Jojo, etc., haven't stepped up enough to compensate for Cornell Tate AND JJ.
I do hope I'm wrong. Go Canes!