Why is this news?: ESPN projects Ohio State in Peach Bowl, Navy needs perfection for upset

"Chick-fil-A Peach/Cotton: Ohio State"

- Josh Moyer, ESPN

Josh Moyer, along with the rest of the Big Ten crew over at ESPN, made their predictions on which teams would make bowls, and which bowls specifically, teams would be representing the Big Ten at. This season, the ESPN B1G crew sees 10 of the 14 Big Ten teams making it into a bowl game this season (keep in mind Penn State is facing a bowl ban).

The teams not making a bowl game this season are Illinois, Purdue, and Rutgers. As for the rest of the conference, ESPN projects Indiana in the Heart of Dallas bowl, Minnesota in the Quick Lane bowl, Maryland in the New Era Pinstripe bowl, Northwestern in the San Francisco bowl, Michigan in the TaxSlayer Music City bowl, Wisconsin in the National University Holiday bowl, Nebraska in the Outback bowl, Iowa in the Capital One bowl, Ohio State in the Peach/Cotton bowl, and Michigan State in the College Football Playoff semifinal game.

I for one was surprised to see the Spartans projected so highly, but I suppose that's why they're predictions. Hopefully the Buckeyes can prove the critics wrong and move on with a successful season.

"Asked what the Midshipmen need to be Saturday to beat the Buckeyes in a noon kickoff in Baltimore, Reynolds said, 'Perfect.'"

- Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds, via Doug Lesmerises, Cleveland Plain Dealer

The superb dual-threat Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds had one simple answer for the question about what it would take to beat Ohio State tomorrow afternoon. As you see above, Reynolds is of the opinion that it will take a perfect game for the Midshipmen to come out on top, which was a surprisingly honest answer from the excellent runner.

The Buckeyes defense will have their hands full with Reynolds' ability to run the football, as well as having to be wary of his passing game. If Reynolds believes a perfect game will get the job done, you'd better believe he's going to give it his best shot to accomplish just that. Some are calling Reynolds a "darkhorse" for the Heisman trophy this season, and he'll get a fantastic chance to showcase his skills against a top team.

"...Navy is one of those teams that can upset you if you don't do what you're supposed to do. It definitely gives a nice little spin to the season and definitely is going to show where we're at."

- Tyvis Powell, via Tim May, The Columbus Dispatch

Don't think the Buckeyes are taking Navy lightly tomorrow. Ohio State is well aware of what the Midshipmen's triple option attack can do to a defense that isn't disciplined. In 2009, they got a scary crash course in how effective Navy's offense really is when it took an intercepted pass on a two-point conversion attempt by Brian Rolle to seal the deal against an unranked team.

There are going to be mistakes made during the game tomorrow, that's inevitable. It's all about whether the Buckeyes can limit those mistakes and stay collected enough to force Navy into difficult situations or get them out of their comfort zone. I'm ready for some football.

"Coach Meyer, people see him on TV, he's a handsome, good-looking guy. But he's a tough sucker, and it permeates his team."

- Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo, via Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch

Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo is familiar with the Ohio State program (he was the coach back in 2009) but this is his first meeting with coach Meyer as the head man for the Buckeyes. Niumatalolo had nothing but good things to say about Ohio State and coach Meyer in particular.

Niumatalolo added:  "He came from the Earle Bruce school. He was on his staff at Colorado State when I was at Hawaii, and I remember you'd come out on the field for pregame (warm-ups) and every position was having a ‘bull-in-the-ring' drill. Every position.'

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