Buckeyes, Pack Keeping an Eye on Ivan

Sept. 16, 2004

There's a new `Ivan the Terrible' making its presence felt, and it could very well be a major player in Saturday's big college football game between Ohio State and NC State at Carter-Finley Stadium. In this case, Hurricane Ivan, which is hammering the gulf coast, will be meandering its way up the southeast region over the next few days. And if its forecasted track continues, the storm could leave fans, players and coaches soaked to the bone when the Buckeyes and Wolfpack stage their much anticipated rematch at 3:30 p.m.

Last year's meeting, a triple overtime classic in Columbus that was eventually won by Ohio State 44-38, was played on a picture-perfect afternoon Ohio Stadium. This time, however, the two clubs may not be as fortunate.

So who would have the edge in rainy weather? Would it be the team that likes to grind it out on the ground like Ohio State or the Wolfpack, a club that employs more of a passing attack?

The Buckeyes are, of course, perceived to be the stereotypical Big Ten-type team that tries to wear its opponents down with a jackhammer running game. It's a style that suits them well, especially when the weather can become cold and nasty in November.

"I never really stopped to think of it," said Ohio State coach Jim Tressel. "I don't know that Big Ten teams are built for bad weather. I don't know if anyone is built for bad weather. Most ballgames come down to who makes the least mistakes and who makes the most big plays, and it may be magnified in poor weather conditions."

And when it comes to mistakes, Tressel has to be concerned somewhat since his Buckeyes are minus-7 in the takeaway/giveaway ratio over the first two games. Still, however, Ohio State managed to win both contests.

"Most of the time when you're down seven in the turnover department like we are you expect to be 0-2 and not 2-0," said Tressel, whose defense has yet to take the ball away through two games. "[The turnovers] have to stop and we need to start getting a few of our own."

Although sophomore quarterback Justin Zwick has completed 32-of-56 passes for 537 and four touchdowns in his first two career starts, he has also thrown four interceptions to this point.

Of course, early season downpours are nothing new for NC State or its fans. Four of the Wolfpack's last six season openers have been played in wet conditions. Still, to have any chance of hanging with the Buckeyes, the Pack will have to slow down the running game, whether the playing conditions are sloppy or not.

"We're young up front defensively, but we've got some speed and we're quick," said NC State head coach Chuck Amato. "One way to negate that is to run right at it on a wet field. They certainly can run the ball whether it's a wet field or a dry field. They're going to test us. I don't know how well we're going to play against the run."

Along with the overall playing conditions, the footballs can also become a major issue. Each team will have their own footballs and will have a plentiful supply available in hopes of keeping dry balls on the field as much as possible. During one of the Pack's wet weather games a few years ago, NC State equipment manager Eddie Gardner had a total of 18 footballs on hand.

Otherwise, both coaches say preparations for the game will remain the same, regardless of the forecast.

"Obviously, you can't predict and you've got to handle it whether you like it or not," Tressel said. "I think all of us within our game plans have things that might be more conducive to poor weather and good weather. But no, I don't look at us sitting here saying it's going to rain and changing our game plan.

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