OSU Buckeyes Rumors + 2012 Recruiting + News + Blog: Football / Basketball

noreply@blogger.com (topofstep) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 06:14:00 +0000

UNPACKING THE PACK: PART I

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Hons) — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 02:54:00 +0000

By: Pete Honsberger

That was fast. Two weeks of college football are officially in the books, and while some teams are reeling from early disappointments, others are finishing up their celebrations and preparing for the next challenge. It is extremely interesting how some teams can separate themselves from the pack (for better or worse) in such a short period of time. Let’s start with “for better.”

The Ohio State Buckeyes, not surprisingly, are better in the eyes of their fans and the national media. Perhaps as important, they are introducing doubt into the minds of naysayers (SEC anyone?). No, they did not knock off Alabama or Florida (though I wish OSU could have played the Gators in either of the last two weeks), but they defeated an up-and-coming Miami Hurricanes team. The ‘Canes told the country that they had their swagger back, and this talented team convinced many that they would topple the Scarlet and Grey.

This, of course, was not the case, though Miami showed flashes of speed and playmaking ability (punt and kick return for touchdowns in the same half against a coach who takes intense pride in special teams). QB Terrell Pryor proved that all the talk of his improvements from 2009 was not just for public relations purposes. He handled himself like a big-time quarterback, and to be honest, I can’t think of another college signal caller who operates as smoothly and effortlessly as Pryor when the pocket begins to collapse. There were unblocked defenders flying at him from every corner of the field, and he continued to either shrug them off or step forward at the very last moment. Pryor conducted his own “roast” of the ‘Canes defense through his play on the field, making numerous would-be-tacklers look foolish. Oh, and he did not commit a turnover while throwing for 233 yards and rushing for 113 more.

Shifting gears into the rest of the college football world, Alabama did little to weaken their number one ranking, humbling Penn State without reigning Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram. I found out how hopelessly optimistic I can sometimes be, considering I actually thought that the Nittany Lions could pull off the upset on the road. With a true freshman quarterback and considerably less talent than the Crimson Tide, my idealistic prediction was not my most intelligent. On the bright side for Penn State, a game like that is great experience for their young players, as well as a measure of where they are now compared to the country’s elite. And hey, it’s not like they lost 48-13 to Oregon (blame Lane Kiffin, Tennessee fans).

Which brings us to the Ducks. What an interesting story they have been the last two years. On the field, they were stymied by Boise State to begin 2009, then wound up winning the PAC-10 (defeating USC and Oregon State along the way) before the loss to the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl. Off the field, their returning 1,000-yard rusher LeGarrett Blount was suspended for nearly the entire season after one game, their 2010 Heisman-Hopeful quarterback Jeremiah Masoli was kicked off the team in the spring, and LeMichael James, their replacement running back-turned star ball carrier was suspended for the 2010 opener. This turmoil would pave the way for a slow start, right?

Ask that to New Mexico’s coach and you might get a black eye. Their 72-0 victory over the Lobos probably had people wondering if Urban Meyer was somehow pulling the strings, because outside of the Florida Gators, I cannot remember the last time somebody put up 70+ points on a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent. To make things wackier, James’ backup Kenjon Barner (5 TDs) looked like an emerging star. What is Phil Knight putting in the uniforms in Eugene? I suppose you could have written that game off as a fluke, but Oregon responded by pounding Tennessee in Knoxville. The jig is up. The Ducks are officially contenders.

Speaking of contenders, Boise State has played itself into a delightfully confusing predicament. Critics wanted a tougher schedule for the Broncos, so they scheduled Virginia Tech, on the road, at night. One of the nation’s loudest stadiums housed a Hokie team that was ranked in the top 10 to start the season. A great battle ensued, and Boise came out on top. Finally, credibility was theirs. They received some first place votes in the polls, and were a solid third behind Alabama and Ohio State. Then, James Madison of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) indirectly pulled that rug out from under Smurf Turfers by downing Virginia Tech, 21-16, less than a week later. Now we will be subjected to another year-long discussion about whether or not Boise State deserves respect, rankings, etc. Thanks a lot, James Madison.

Not to stray from the topic of who is hot right now, but it’s hard on the streets for ACC football right now. Whether it is North Carolina’s violations derailing their promising season, or the Hokies and Hurricanes falling on the same day, the conference is not proving to be on the up-and-up in football. Add this scenario to the mix: Kansas (not in the ACC, I know) loses to North Dakota State (FCS), while failing to score a touchdown in the game. The Jayhawks (who hilariously have grown infamous for fighting members of the basketball team) then turned around and beat Georgia Tech, a ranked opponent and legitimate contender to win their second straight ACC Championship.

TCU is in a position similar to Boise, and as much as people complained about them having to play each other in last year’s Fiesta Bowl, I liked the idea of the two teams jockeying for underdog dominance. The Horned Frogs have played with a chip on their shoulder thus far in 2010, beating a solid Oregon State team before dismantling Tennessee Tech, 62-7, last weekend. TCU is as hot as QB Andy Dalton’s hair right now, and it looks as if they will continue to punish opponents until Mark May acknowledges them as a national title contender (which, however, may never happen).

It seems like a long time since this next squad has been called a national contender: The Michigan Wolverines. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting that people from Grand Rapids move to Ann Arbor just yet, especially with Grand Valley State providing Division II championships to the region. However, there is some room for optimism in the land of Maize and Blue, and Rich Rodriguez has perhaps been able to enjoy that elusive good night’s sleep for a few weeks. With the fire on the back of his pants temporarily extinguished, he can focus on other tasks, such as a plan to reassert Michigan’s relevance in the Big Ten. QB Denard Robinson, who looked about as much like a quarterback last year as Seth Rogen does an A-list celebrity, now appears to be the nation’s most improved player. 502 yards of total offense is a number that most TEAMS would kill for, and it was done by a sophomore quarterback who WASN’T EVEN announced as the team’s starter until opening day. I don’t know if Michigan is back. Michigan doesn’t even know if it is back, but at least they have a chance if Robinson can remain anywhere near the torrid pace he has set through two games.

Torrid is not exactly a word that described Oklahoma during their too-close-for-comfort victory over Utah State (31-24). They did some media damage control with a 47-17 waxing of a Florida State team that looked as disappointing as the Sooners did impressive. I expected more from QB Christian Ponder and the Seminoles, who had a strong offensive performance in their first game. But perhaps some credit and national respect should go to Oklahoma. RB Demarco Murray perhaps hasn’t gotten the recognition he deserves, but don’t be surprised to see him in New York for the Heisman presentation in a few months if he stays healthy. QB Landry Jones looks like a 1970s detective with that majestic mustache, and he uncovered some serious weaknesses on FSU’s defense to the tune of 380 yards passing and four touchdowns. As David Starsky might say, it looks like Florida State punched its last ticket for 2010 championship aspirations, amigo.

Though many other teams are deserving of positive recognition, we are already halfway to a novel (collegiate version of Friday Night Lights, anyone?). Somewhere, ESPN.com’s Bill Simmons is already thinking about which American Pie character embodies each team I just mentioned. Stayed tuned for Part II of this mildly anticipated series…

Why Evan Turner Should Leave Ohio State for the NBA

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew King) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 17:56:00 +0000

As an Ohio State fan through and through, I never imagined that I would one day suggest that perhaps the most important Buckeye on the team should do the unthinkable...leave for the world of professional basketball.

If Evan Turner were an Ohio State quarterback, a running back, even a linebacker, fans bearing the scarlet and grey would be shouting from the rooftops. They would invade radio stations with phone calls, and write letters to every newspaper in town claiming that he would never be welcome in Columbus again, should he leave.

However, unfortunate as it may be, Evan Turner is not a football player. Instead, he is the next product of a broken system, a broken rule, and I daresay, an unfortunate set of fans.

Again I present the situation: How would things be different if the state of the Buckeye basketball team was somehow experienced by the football team? Would the school truly accept a loss in the sweet sixteen of the college football landscape (assuming, god forbid, there was ever a college football playoff system)?

More applicable to Turner himself, is the question: why are we not talking about him more? He’s the best player on the most beloved team in Ohio, but instead of talking about why we want him, we are all too concerned about our (arguably) successful junior quarterback’s knee. All because he plays in the ‘Shoe.

Think about what YOU would do, when presented with Turner’s position. Sure, he could stick around; play another year among the whining and complaining of Columbus that those stupid commentators don’t give the Big 10 football teams enough credit (we beat Oregon!). He could play another fantastic year, run away with the next player-of-the-year award, maybe even take us to a Final Four with the amazing new recruiting class.

Doesn’t that sound great?

Consider this. Last year’s number one overall pick was Blake Griffin, who is slated to make 4.9 million dollars in 2010, regardless of how many points he scores. He has yet to play a game in the NBA. If Turner were to leave, and the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have point guards coming out of their ears and are currently the second-worst team in the NBA, were to win the lottery, Turner would be an almost guaranteed number one selection.

If Evan Turner stays with OSU this year, he will play every game he physically can, he will score every point he can, he will bring the ball up the court every possession...and he will make exactly zero (legal) dollars.

That doesn’t sound so great.

My wishes are not to condemn the Ohio State basketball program, or its fans (of which I can be included). I only hope that I can point out to everyone the incredible double standard of Buckeye Nation, and maybe have them recognize Evan Turner, and those who follow, for what they really are.

Andrew King

AN ODE TO THE EXPERTS

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Hons) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:21:00 +0000

This one goes out to all of the so-called “experts,” analysts, and talking heads who have criticized the Ohio State Buckeyes and the rest of the Big Ten for the entire 2009 football season. The Buckeyes can’t win on a big stage, the Big Ten is slow, the Big Ten can’t hang with the SEC, Pac 10, etc. Sound familiar? Haters like Mark May have given Big Ten teams very little credit all year, but after the bowl season he and his pals should be hard-pressed to provide analysis with their feet in their mouths.

Guess what national analysts? Ohio State beat Oregon, a team that was too fast and too talented for the Buckeye defense. Apparently the experts forgot that Terrell Pryor and Brandon Saine are pretty fast, too. Penn State beat LSU. Wait what?! A Big Ten squad defeating someone from the untouchable SEC?! It can’t be! Well, it is, and there’s more. Iowa beat Georgia Tech, the same Iowa team who critics called “lucky” and overrated for most of the year. The Hawkeyes shut down a Yellow Jacket rushing attack that averaged nearly 300 yards per game, surrendering only 143 yards on the ground, 155 total. And finally, Wisconsin beat Miami, a team that had its ups and downs, but defeated Florida State and Oklahoma in the regular season. The Badgers represented the tough, physical nature of the Big Ten, putting the hurt on the U.

Ohio State made a statement to the nation on New Year’s Day. The Buckeyes represented their school and their conference, displaying the stifling defense and efficient offense that got them to the Rose Bowl in the first place. But perhaps the biggest statement made was that football “experts” and analysts don’t know any more than the next guy. During the Rose Bowl pregame show, Desmond Howard, Lee Corso, and Jesse Palmer all picked Oregon, and they were positive that the Ducks would get the last quack. I can understand (former Michigan Heisman Winner) Desmond’s pick, because he was on the other side of the (once) great rivalry. I guess Corso’s pick makes sense because he usually picks the team that loses anyway, but I thought that the young statistic machine and former Bachelor Jesse Palmer would get it right. Instead, he foolishly picked Oregon and he repeated the name “Jeremiah Masoli” so many times that I wanted to jump through the television and Duct Tape his mouth shut.

The beauty of college football is that it does not matter what so-called “experts” think is going to happen; the games are played anyway. In this case, the “experts” became inaccurate meteorologists, predicting Pac-10 sunshine but getting a Midwestern chill instead. These analysts can’t predict the future, no matter how much they try to convince the viewer that they can. And to be a Buckeye/Big Ten fan watching them pick incorrectly? Well, 2010 is looking like a pretty good year.

Welcome to the Rivalry Forcier

noreply@blogger.com (Derek Blair) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:27:00 +0000

(AP Photo/Tony Ding)

The Buckeyes came into Saturday’s game looking to win their 6th in a row against the Michigan Wolverines. The Buckeyes defense proved dominant over a Michigan offense that has had its up and downs this season. The Bucks D came up with big plays all day including the Forcier fumble and his 4 interceptions.

I’m not going to drone on about how we won because we all know that, I just have a couple of post game thoughts.

This game could’ve been very different if Michigan could have kept its offense rolling. OSU punted away 5 times while Michigan only punted 5 times. We have to do better against whoever we play in the Rose Bowl. If Michigan could’ve capitalized on their missed field goal they could’ve easily been up 6-0.
I was happy with the maturity Pryor played with. Besides his lone pick he played with a lot of poise.

Michigan fans should definitely be worried about their head coach, but not only should they be worried about losing their coach but also losing their starting quarterback. At the end of the game Rich Rodriguez said something along the lines of he has no starters penciled in for next season. He said that he wants “open competition”. A couple hours after the game there were some rumors swirling around that Forcier and Denard Robinson may transfer. The Wolverines also have the #5 QB in the country Devin Gardner coming to campus this summer. Could there be trouble brewing in Ann Arbor? I think so.

Mellow-Drama

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Hons) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:06:00 +0000

It’s too bad it has to be like this.

Barring a near miracle, Michigan will lose to Ohio State on Saturday, and the outcome will likely be lopsided. I say it is too bad because, as much as I love the Buckeyes, there was nothing better than this rivalry when both teams were national contenders.

In the days of Tim Biakabutuka, Charles Woodson, and even Chad Henne, the Michigan Wolverines were consistently the toughest test of the season for the Buckeyes. Some of the battles between these teams were epic, some were upsets, and some were heart-breakers (for both sides). But games like that were why fans have so much passion for the rivalry. It was a bitter war between bordering states, fought on fields surrounded by more than one hundred thousand screaming spectators. Of course, it is nice to see Ohio State emerge victorious year after year, but the recent incompetence of Michigan football has detracted considerably from the excitement and controversy surrounding the rivalry.

Just a few years ago, I performed a persuasive speech for a class where I argued that the Michigan / Ohio State rivalry was the best in all of American sports, and I truly believed that. I would not be able to honestly give that speech today.

One cannot place the blame for this on Jim Tressel and the Scarlet and Grey. He has done what he was hired to do: win Big Ten championships and beat Michigan. The players have become confident that this game, as well as the gold pants that come with a win, belong to them. It is the turmoil surrounding the Michigan program, coupled with apparent recruiting problems, which have caused such a lull in the annual contest. Lloyd Carr may have lost a few of his final games against Ohio State, but at least those were close and competitive. The Rodriguez-led squad did not present much of a challenge at all last year, and Saturday’s match-up does not promise to deliver much suspense.

I understand that it is tough to inherit a team and immediately succeed, but Tressel beat the Wolverines in his first season. The overhaul of offensive strategy and personnel has slowed the progress of the Maize and Blue under their new leader, but that cannot be an excuse for a program like Michigan. This is a proud program that, oh by the way, is the winningest in college football history. You cannot lose to teams like Toledo and Purdue and chalk them up to learning a new system; not at Michigan. The way they have played in recent years is simply unacceptable.

As much as I have rooted against the Wolverines, I long for the day when Ohio State and Michigan meet once again in late November in a game that has Big Ten and possibly National Championship implications. Something must be done to preserve the rivalry, even if it means rooting for the Team up North to win a few games earlier in their season.

Knocking Michigan out of the national title game or a BCS bowl would be much more rewarding than knocking them out of a bowl game, period. So, for the sake of rivalry, say a little prayer that their freshmen quarterbacks and much-maligned defense will show up to play Saturday…at least for the first half.

Roses are Scarlet?

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Hons) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:55:00 +0000

Roses are scarlet
Michigan’s blue
Purdue made us bleed
But no quit in OSU.

Not quite one month ago, Ohio State was in turmoil. QB Terrell Pryor was turning over the ball more than a car engine that refused to start, the team suffered a 26-18 defeat at the hands of (1-5) Purdue, and some fans were even calling for (GASP) Jim Tressel’s job. While the latter may have been temporary frustration talking, the Vest would be put to the test.

The result was a 38-7 trouncing of Minnesota and a 45-0 beat-down of New Mexico State, followed by a 24-7 defensive conquest of Penn State in Happy Valley. Whether Michael J. Fox told Pryor “The Secret of my Success,” or the more likely scenario that the young QB and his henchmen took coaching and got better, the Buckeyes have played near mistake-free football since the Boilermakers drew Buckeye blood on October 17. Now, Tressel’s troops control their destiny in the Big Ten and are poised to fight the Pac-10 champion for national respect in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.

Granted, they should not book those flights to Pasadena just yet. Iowa is ranked in the top 15 nationally, and they have played extremely well at times, so they do deserve credit; however, the promising season for the Hawkeyes was severely sprained with QB Ricky Stanzi’s ankle last Saturday afternoon. Leading 10-0 and looking impressive, Stanzi was spun around in the end zone and sacked by a Northwestern defender, losing the football. When the smoke cleared from the play, the Wildcats had gained a touchdown and momentum, while Iowa lost their leader, their offensive potency, and their undefeated record. This is not to say that there are not other talented players on the Hawkeye squad, and that they will not fight, but they do have only one week to prepare for an Ohio State team that may be beginning to peak. Sounds like a tall mountain for Iowa to climb.

If the Scarlet and Grey show up and take care of business Saturday, they will clinch at least a share of the Big Ten Championship and a Rose Bowl invitation, even if Michigan pulls an unlikely upset in Ann Arbor the following week. I like Rich Rodriguez and the intensity with which he coaches football, but his team is not ready to seriously compete with Ohio State. The Wolverines are improved from last season, but their Big Ten record (1-5) is awful, and their top two quarterbacks, though explosive, are true freshmen. Neither has faced a defense like the Bucks, nor players like Cameron Heyward and Thaddeus Gibson coming after them like there is a bounty on their heads.

The last thing I want to do is jinx Ohio State with all this praise, so I guess the objective of this discourse is that the Buckeyes’ season did not end against USC, or at Purdue. In fact, several goals remain intact. There is an opportunity yet to win a Big Ten title and play in a BCS bowl. What has been a roller coaster of a season for Terrell Pryor can potentially end with a bigger splash than Snake River Falls. The past two weeks have proven that Pryor can be an effective quarterback, and the next two can prove that he is a dangerous offensive weapon, and that this team is for real. The scent of roses in Columbus grows a little stronger each day.

Commemorative Uniforms

noreply@blogger.com (Derek Blair) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:36:00 +0000

These uniforms are to honor the 1954 National Championship team. They will be worn November 21 when the Buckeyes play Michigan.

Keys to a W at Penn State

noreply@blogger.com (Derek Blair) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:18:00 +0000

There's been a lot of media nonsense about Pryor coming home, and Pryor against Daryl Clark. Of course Pryor has to play well for us to win. Thats what he does, he plays quarterback. And what do you do? You play. To win. The game.
The key to beating Penn State is simply defense. The Lions haven't faced a defense like ours and I'm sure we can stop them. As long as the offense can stay on the field. I liked Tressel's creative WR pass in last weeks game so I'm eager to see if he uses any gadgets.

THE GAUNTLET LOOMS

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Hons) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:55:00 +0000

The next three weeks will reveal what the 2009 Buckeyes are made of. With Penn State, Iowa, and Michigan on the horizon, this final stretch will almost certainly be the toughest of the season for the boys from Columbus.

The question weighing heavily on my mind is, which Ohio State team will show up for these games? Will it be the bullish Buckeyes, who wiped the floor with Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota, or will it be the bumbling Buckeyes who squeaked by Navy and were de-pants’d by Purdue. Will the offense come to life like against Toledo (75-yard touchdown pass on first drive) and Minnesota (38-7 victory), or will it look disorganized and inept (Wisconsin and Purdue)?

For the most part, the defense has done its job, posting three shut-outs and surrendering 11.7 points per game. However, that side of the ball was confused for much of the afternoon against Navy, and in the Purdue disaster, they allowed Boilermaker quarterback Joey Elliot to throw for 281 yards and two TDs.

For as much criticism as Terrell Pryor and the offense has taken this year (from myself included), they have shown flashes of explosiveness. Wide receiver DeVier Posey seems to have emerged as a home- run threat, while Dane Sanzenbacher has caught everything except the swine flu (knock on wood) out on the field. And there are times when Pryor looks unstoppable running the ball, evading the rush, and heaving it downfield.

Still, the question of consistency remains. Which Ohio State team will show up these next three weeks?

Let’s start with Penn State. They waltzed into Columbus last year and handed the Scarlet and Grey their only Big Ten loss, 13-6, costing Buckeye Nation a trip to the Rose Bowl. That memory should be located conveniently in the front of the brain for this year’s Buckeyes, though they may not be able to hear themselves think over the roar of more than 107,000 Nittany Lion fans in Happy Valley this Saturday. Penn State should have no trouble getting up for this game, as they still have hope for a Big Ten Championship despite a home loss to Iowa on September 26th.

If the Bucks can make it out of the Nittany Mountains alive, the Iowa Hawkeyes will be waiting. All these guys have done is amass a 9-0 record and a #4 ranking in the most recent BCS poll. While it has not always been pretty, including a one point victory over Northern Iowa and a two point win at Michigan State, the Hawkeyes have found themselves collectively perfect. Some may remember a 2002 Ohio State team who narrowly escaped the jaws of defeat several times on their way to a national championship. The 2009 Hawkeyes bear an unsettling resemblance to that team, as they play a tough, sometimes downright ugly style of football, yet find a way to win week after week.

And finally, a Michigan Wolverine squad who has ridden a proverbial rollercoaster all season will host Ohio State to round out the 2009 campaign. I’m aware that Michigan has not beaten the Buckeyes recently. I also realize that they were far from competitive last year, but the Wolverines do have a few things going for them this time around. They have shown signs of life (victories over Notre Dame and Indiana), they actually have athletes at the quarterback position (Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson), and the Michigan / Ohio State rivalry is one of the best in all of sports. Anything can happen…especially at the Big House.

With this gauntlet of challenges staring the Buckeyes in the face, the uncertainties remain. Will they get chewed up and spit out, or survive unscathed? Only time will tell, but the unfolding of these unknown mysteries is what makes college football of America’s greatest spectacles.

Sophomore Slump?

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Hons) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:06:00 +0000

I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but what’s up with Terrell Pryor? After a promising freshmen season in which he beat out All Big-Ten Quarterback Todd Boeckman for the starting job, 2009 has been a series of small steps forward, followed by much larger steps back. There is no question that he is an extraordinary athlete, but most Buckeye fans would agree that he’s not currently as far along as he should be. Last weekend’s loss to Purdue, which was painful to watch, was the low point of the year so far for Pryor, who threw two interceptions and lost a pair of fumbles.

It probably isn’t fair to be critical of only Pryor, because there are 10 other guys on the field that contribute to the play of the quarterback. And I know that the running game has been average and the receivers are young, but such scrutiny comes with the territory when you are the quarterback of the largest school in a football-crazed state. To make things worse for Pryor, he was the top high school recruit in the country, with coaches from every major school drooling all over him.

The expectations were sky high, and I feel for the kid, but he didn’t do anything to divert attention away from himself then, so he’s not going to catch a break from his viewers now. I mean, he drew out his college decision as long as possible and held a widely publicized press conference to announce his intent to play for the Buckeyes. He is just a sophomore, but it’s time for him to grow up and be a major college quarterback. Tim Tebow won the Heisman as a sophomore, and it may be unfair to compare Pryor to Tebow, but it is fair to expect some special things from a guy who was so heralded.

From what he has shown so far this year, it looks like Pryor could use some more time to develop. Unfortunately for Coach Jim Tressel and the Buckeyes, they do not have the luxury of another quarterback who can come in and play well enough to win big games. Anyone who watched Cincinnati play South Florida last Thursday night could see that the Bearcats did not skip a beat when Zach Collaros (from Steubenville) was forced to replace an injured Tony Pike (who was being mentioned as a Heisman candidate). Nothing against Ohio State back-up, Joe Bauserman, but I wouldn’t like OSU’s chances against the big boys of the Big Ten with him at the helm.

The good news is that Pryor is only a sophomore, and he is a spectacular athlete. Also, the Purdue fiasco was only one game, and Buckeyes still have a lot to play for. If Pryor can get it together and play well enough to beat teams like Iowa and Penn State, the Rose Bowl is not out of the question.

To play us out, here is a link to a decent song with an appropriate title. What Terrell Pryor chooses will significantly impact the rest of the season, as well as the general morale of a few hundred thousand people in Columbus.

Tough Nuts to Crack

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Hons) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:57:00 +0000

In a time of spread offenses, complicated schemes, and the rule of thumb that “speed kills,” the apparent emphasis on fundamentals and toughness has kept Ohio State’s defense among the nation’s best year after year.

After losing 2008 All-Americans James Laurinaitis and Malcolm Jenkins to the pros, as well as fellow NFL draft pick Marcus Freeman, it looked as if the Buckeyes’ offense, led by preseason Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Terrell Pryor, would be carrying the team. As it turns out, the opposite seems to be happening. While the offense averages a lukewarm 29.7 points per game, the defense surrenders only 12.0 every Saturday. And with several new starters and contributors, the defense has been doing it with a hard-hitting, fundamentally sound style of play.

Fundamentals usually do not make headlines or highlight reels, but facets like sure-tackling, pursuit to the ball, and each player’s dedication to his own assignment make highlight-worthy plays possible.

With Wisconsin coming to town this past week, Defensive Coordinator Jim Heacock and his boys were facing perhaps the toughest, most traditional offense in the Big Ten. The Badgers’ objective has generally been to use an enormous offensive line to pound the football on the ground (200 ypg.), thus wearing down defenses and controlling the clock. Facing this style of play, the Buckeye defense needed to strap their equipment up tight and prepare for an afternoon of rock-em, sock-em, smash-mouth football.

The result was a 31-13 victory over previously undefeated Wisconsin, a game in which the toughness and big-play ability of Ohio State’s defense was prominently on display. Pryor struggled, completing only five of 13 passes, but the defense more than made up for the lack of offensive ball movement. Despite being outgained in yardage 368-184, the Buckeyes yielded just 13 points to a team that came into the game leading the conference in scoring (35 ppg). Badger RB John Clay entered the horseshoe with intent to take a bite out of the Buckeye defense, but left with a sore body and a bad taste in his mouth. Averaging 119.4 yards per game prior to Saturday, Clay finished with 59 yards on 20 carries, zero touchdowns, and a long gain of eight yards. In addition to stopping the run, Ohio State defensive backs Kurt Coleman (89 yards) and Jermale Hines (32 yards) both returned interceptions for touchdowns.

Fundamentals and solid football have lead to big plays for the Scarlet and Grey’s defense this season, as they have combined for 10 interceptions and four recovered fumbles in six games. With Big Ten contenders Minnesota, Penn State, and Iowa still ahead, Ohio State’s defenders will continue to be tested, but after what they have shown so far, I wouldn’t bet against them.

Lawrence Wilson: A Tale of Resilience

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Hons) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:16:00 +0000

Was anyone else pumped to see defensive end Lawrence Wilson record an interception against Illinois?! I mean, this guy has basically been through hell and back since joining the Buckeyes in 2005.

After Wilson graduated from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron (yes, where Lebron went) as the top rated defensive end prospect in Ohio by many recruiting services, he arrived in Columbus with high expectations and an even higher ceiling.

His freshmen season was a transition, but a success. He played in all but one game, and even saw 17 minutes of action in the Buckeyes’ 2005 Fiesta Bowl triumph over Notre Dame. Entering his sophomore campaign, Wilson now weighed in at approximately 275 pounds (slightly more than the 225 he weighed when he graduated high school), and his combination of speed and strength began to strike fear into opponents. That year, he contributed 17 tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble to the always stout Ohio State defense.

He was expected to be a star as a junior, but football had other plans. He soon found himself on a wicked roller coaster of injuries, rehab, success, and more injuries. In the first game of 2007, against Youngstown State, Wilson’s predicted breakout year ended as quickly as it had begun. He suffered a broken leg, and was immediately lost for the season. After months of rehabilitation, he fought his way back onto the field, using 2007 as a learning experience and as motivation to come back even hungrier. Sitting out a season can be killer for someone trying to play at such a high level, but not to be denied, Wilson put one hand on the ground and bulled his way back into the starting lineup. Through seven games, he had 18 tackles, one sack, one interception, and a fumble recovery.

However, injury struck again versus Purdue, as Wilson was dealt a torn ACL. His second major leg injury in as many years was a devastating blow. A once promising career for a top prospect was now nothing more than a locker filled with MRI results, bags of ice, and shattered dreams.

This was no longer the guy who, in the spring of 2007, was the first pick by his own teammates for the annual Scarlet and Grey game, as a defensive end! He was a far cry from the same wide-eyed high school senior who saw (University of Florida head coach) Urban Meyer fly to Akron to try to entice him to become a Gator. Now, it seemed, was probably as good a time as ever to hang up the pads for good. He graduated last June with a degree in Strategic Communication, so it was with no disrespect that many Buckeye fans, including myself, figured he was done.

But he wasn’t done. Amazingly, he reemerged from the ACL tear with three tackles in the Buckeyes’ 2009 opener against Navy. In five games so far this year, Wilson has eight tackles, two pass breakups, one tackle-for-loss, along with that interception of Illinois Quarterback Juice Williams. Lawrence Wilson has refused to quit. He has refused to proclaim himself “done.” And if you asked him today, he would probably tell you that he is just getting started.

Dane Sanzenbacher: College Football at its Finest

noreply@blogger.com (Pete Hons) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:47:00 +0000

Relatively undersized for today’s big-time college football game, 5’ 11,” 175lb. wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher has made huge plays for the Buckeyes so far in 2009. In fact, his hands might be as important to the offense right now as Terrell Pryor’s feet.

In four games, Sanzenbacher leads the Buckeyes with four touchdown receptions, and averages a scorching 23.1 yards per catch. In a heartbreaking 17-15 loss to USC, he caught a pass over the middle, made All-American safety Taylor Mays miss, and sprinted for a 56-yard gain to give the Buckeyes first-and-goal. A week later, this time against Toledo, he scored two touchdowns in the first quarter, including a 76-yard catch-and-run on the game’s first drive.

But skills alone are not entirely what make him fun to watch. Rather, the way he conducts himself on the field is equally as refreshing. He always appears focused, but at the same time plays with an air of confidence, suggesting that he is well prepared and determined to get the job done. Sanzenbacher does not possess a particularly imposing figure, but crisp routes, sharp cuts, and excellent hands have made him the first option for Pryor and the Ohio State offense.

In street clothes, he could pass for a regular college student, and his muscles do not bulge out of his jersey like former OSU receiver David Boston, but he is a guy that will answer the call on a big third down when the team needs it the most.

Having never met Sanzenbacher, I cannot claim that he is a great person with an excellent personality, but his actions and demeanor these last two-and-a-half years strongly suggest that he is a solid young man. And unlike so many major college players, he has not been associated with any violations of team rules or off-the-field antics, which can give coaches some major headaches.

Sanzenbacher has put the team first, and is now flourishing as the “main man” of the receiving core. He has never publicly demanded the ball, or shown any sign of selfishness (even when he caught only 21 passes and one touchdown in 2008). Instead, Sanzenbacher has quietly gone about his business this season, a business that is proving extremely profitable for the Buckeyes.

Random Thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (Derek Blair) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:15:00 +0000

Before I start talking about last week’s Toledo game and today’s Big Ten game against Illinois, there’s something I want to go on the record about on the USC game. USC was a predicted Nation Champ; we had the game won but lost by three. The way we played USC I think we could beat anybody in the country, given the offense finds its stride which we caught a glimpse of in the Toledo game.

That said the Toledo game was a good one for both offense and defense. The defense was flying around and really kept the spread attack at bay. Terrelle played a great game aside from the one pass where he just lofted it up into double coverage and got picked. Sanzenbacher is definitely turning into a big play threat which I like because we need a good number one target, Posey is struggling and hopefully he can turn it around and give us two big play receivers. The run game besides Pryor’s 110 yards was lackluster at best. Heron needs to get himself going, but it is nice to see Saine and freshman Jordan Hall help to carry the load. I’m personally still waiting to see Jaamal Berry.

This week Illinois is coming to town. Juice Williams left last week’s game but is expected to start. Our defense is playing great and I don’t see any way Illinois defense could stop our offense. I don’t want to write the game off as a win just yet, but let’s just say if we lose I’ll be surprised.

Ohio State Round Table: Split Personality Edition

noreply@blogger.com (David Regimbal) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:51:00 +0000

By: David Regimbal

Being a fan of Ohio State football has its highs and lows. We've seen the mountain top with wins over Miami in the National Championship Game in 2002 as well as the "Game of the Century" against Michigan in 2006. We've suffered through the valleys as our team dropped 4 games in 2004, as well as getting dump-trucked (that's my adjective for these losses) by Florida and LSU in back to back National Championship games.

All of the emotions that build up and condense, as if my mind were a pressure cooker, have had an unnatural effect on me. I first noticed it when I was arguing with myself after the Buckeyes lost to Texas in the Fiesta Bowl. Part of me was happy that Ohio State played a heck of a game against a good team; another part of me was disappointed that they weren't able to come out on top.

It's the moment I was able to identify what was going on. Over the last few years, I have developed split personalities that only come out on game day. They are the direct result of being a fan of Ohio State. They each force me to feel something different.

This round table will be my weekly platform to showcase these personalities and their opinions on different subjects about Ohio State Football. Let's jump in!

What was your first impression of the Buckeyes against Navy?

Optimistic Oscar: What a game! Our team displayed a lot of growth in key areas from last year; I'm eager to watch this progress through the rest of the schedule.

Terrelle Pryor is showing he's more comfortable standing in the pocket and is throwing with solid mechanics. His growth as a passer was on display against Navy. When faced with pressure, he kept his eyes downfield and routinely found his playmakers instead of scrambling for those yards.

The defense played well against a tough offense in Navy, namely Brian Rolle and Kurt Coleman. Most people don't realize how tough it is to stop the triple option, especially when our defensive linemen are getting their legs cut out from under them. Think about this -- Navy quarterback Ricky Dobbs only dropped back 15 times to pass the ball, but the defense was able to sack him twice. That means we're getting a sack every seven and a half pass attempts! I'll take that.

Pessimistic Parry: Oh my God, we are screwed.

Our offensive line still protects our quarterback like Janet Jackson protects herself from unfortunate wardrobe malfunctions. Taurian Washington acts like Terrelle Pryor is throwing a pile of feces in his direction when he gets the ball thrown to him. And what the heck was going on in the fourth quarter? That fourth down call was horrible; we ran the same (unsuccessful) play twice in a row, and got stuffed. Ugh.

I'm making a prediction: our defense will give me shingles by the end of the season. How do we give up scoring drives of 80, 85, and 99 (!) yards to Navy? I know they're a good team, but we're supposed to have superior athletes and better technique then them. Unless their ball carriers were covered in Vaseline, there is no excuse for what we saw on Saturday. Navy was killing us four yards at a time.

Realistic Randy: First off, someone needs to get Parry a drink before he has a panic attack. The game this past Saturday wasn't all that bad, but there are definitely areas where we can improve.

I have a good feeling that Coach Tressel was keeping the offensive play calling very basic against Navy. He obviously didn't want to give USC much tape to watch; we didn't throw a pass farther than 15 yards all day. I have confidence in the fact that our offense will be a little more dynamic next week, but the guys up front are going to have to give Pryor a little more time to get through his reads. I was also pleased with the play of our running backs. I know there were some low points (the fourth down debacle that Parry mentioned), but I was very happy with both Boom and Saine's contributions. The opening kickoff where Saine got the reverse was the first time I saw his top-end speed. Very Cool.

The defense did a decent job against a very tough offense. It was a little discouraging to see quarterback Ricky Dobbs have that much success against our secondary. Obviously, our defensive backfield was playing man to man most of the day, but Anderson Russell got burned a couple of times. Fortunately, it looks like Jermale Hines will be taking his place against USC this week. You have to like that our defense was able to force four turnovers against a disciplined Navy offense.

Real quick, give us one thought on the upcoming USC game:

Optimistic Oscar: The last time we won a big non-conference game was against Texas in 2006 -- the second week of that season. The Longhorns were coming off a monstrous win against an outmatched opponent where they scored 56 points. They had a freshman quarterback in Colt McCoy starting his first big game. Sound familiar?

Pessimistic Parry: USC thinks were a joke. Taylor Mays (USC's freak of a safety) wear's the number 2 jersey for the Trojans. He was quoted this week referring to Terrelle Pryor as the "Little Duece" and declared himself the "Big Duece". As funny as it is that he called himself a big duece, it shows you what the Trojans think of us. They expect to crush us again.

Realistic Randy: It's hard to imagine the Ohio State getting blown out of the water like they have in their past big games, especially in their own stadium. True freshman quarterback Matt Barkley will have to deal with 105,000+ fans screaming their throats dry for three straight hours. Hopefully, the Buckeyes will be able to use that to their advantage and get a big win!

Some Good Some Bad in Bucks - Navy Game

noreply@blogger.com (Derek Blair) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:23:00 +0000

After the close win over Navy there are a few things that concern me. Number one is Anderson Russell must know that there is a bull’s-eye on him now to every offensive coordinator the Bucks face. Russell has given up by my count three big plays in the Bucks last two games. There was Texas’s touchdown in the Fiesta Bowl, Ricky Dobbs first rushing touchdown in the Navy game, and the touchdown that led to the intercepted two point conversion. Much of Andre Amos’s career has been hampered by injury and Russell is on a streak of giving up big plays. Will the Buckeyes secondary be able to keep the USC offense in check or will we see Russell’s streak continue?
Staying with defense but moving on to the good, I thought we did alright. Not particularly well, but good. Brian Rolle was a force. He definitely let it be known to the Navy offense that he came to play even before the interception. The defense did a good job at keeping Navy’s ground game in check with only allowing 186 yards on 44 attempts. In Navy’s win last year over a ranked Wake Forest they had almost 300 yards on the ground. The ground game wasn’t working for Navy which is why they started going to the air. In the past 5 years Navy has averaged 122 passes a season. In Saturday’s game they took 13 passes roughly 10 percent of their average pass attempts over the past 5 seasons. Navy’s coordinators knew the Bucks were watching the run and took advantage of the play action. Another thing that I really liked was defenses ability to force turnovers.
Going on to the offense we have to convert the third downs, 3 – 12 on third down is just terrible. Through the one game of the season we are tied for 83’rd in the country on third down conversions. Maybe we wouldn’t have had so many third downs to convert if our line would play well. The run blocking was alright but the pass protection was absolutely terrible. USC’s defense is coming into the game with 5 sacks so the line better be ready to protect Pryor. One thing that lets me breathe a little bit easy about the USC game is USC is tied for 97’th in third down conversions. I watched some of the San Jose State - USC game over the weekend and USC’s offensive line was getting blown back at least 3 yards off the line of scrimmage. If San Jose can get USC off the line of scrimmage we should have no problem with it.
Hopefully the Buckeyes can fix what they need to and hopefully they can continue to improve on the good things.

-Derek Blair

Five predictions that haven’t already been predicted to death for the 2009 Ohio State Buckeyes

noreply@blogger.com (David Regimbal) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:01:00 +0000

By: David Regimbal

The start of the college football season is less than twenty four hours away. On the eve of my favorite day of the year, I wanted to take a different look at the Ohio State Buckeyes:

We’ve basically been reading the same articles and asking the same questions over and over again all summer long. Will Terrelle Pryor improve as a passer? Will the defense be able to replace All-Americans James Laurinaitis and Malcolm Jenkins? Will the running-back-by-committee work in Columbus? Who’s going to protect Pryor’s blindside at left tackle?

So, in an effort to bring a fresh look to the 2009 season, here are five predictions that haven’t already been predicted to death for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

An opposing defender will try and punch Justin Boren at some point this season:

Justin Boren's physical play doesn't make him many friends on the football field. We all read the quotes from our team’s defensive linemen this spring, tabbing Boren as “the nastiest dude I have ever seen”. He plays with an attitude.

It won’t matter if it’s the fourth quarter of a blowout; he is going to hurt you. It won’t matter if he’s already put the first string defensive tackle in the hospital’s intensive care unit -- if you’re second on the depth chart -- he is going to hurt you. It won’t matter if you’re still upset over the news that your cat has cancer, he will show no mercy and hurt you.

His approach to the game will inevitably upset a few people. Someone is going to lose their composure and take a swing at Justin. Picture Andy dick punching Brock Lesnar.

Duron Carter will be a starter by season’s end:

Duron comes to Columbus his freshman year under the very tall shadow of his father and all-time Buckeye great, Chris Carter.

There are many similarities between Duron and Chris. Just like his dad, Duron was a highly touted wide receiver recruit coming out of high school. They both have incredible hands and leaping ability. And by the end of the year, it will be scary how similar their freshman seasons will have turned out.

Chris Carter began his freshman season in 1982 on the bench, but his ability and raw talent forced him onto the field over more experienced players. He became the team’s second leading receiver and scorched USC in their matchup.

I expect Duron to mirror his father exactly during his freshman year.

Buckeye fans will hate Jim Bollman a little less as the season progresses:

I was watching the 2006 Ohio State-Michigan game the other week (I still have the original broadcast saved on my DVR) and marveled at the diversity of that offense. Troy Smith and the Buckeyes lined up in I-formations, shotgun formations, bunch formations, 3-wide, 4-wide and 5-wide formations all game long, confusing a good Michigan defense and yielding 42 total points.

It gave me some perspective on our offensive struggles the last two years. The first thing I keep in mind is that Jim Tressel is the one who gets the final say on play calling, so harsh judgment on Bollman is a little misguided in the first place. Secondly, this staff consistently forms the offense around the personnel available. You didn’t see Todd Boeckman running a ton of spread formations and you won’t see Terrelle Pryor running a ton out of the I-formation. Jim Tressel & Co. will call the plays that best suit the players on the field. And for our current personnel, the best plays available will be shotgun formations with multiple receivers to utilize our team speed. This will, in turn, ease the waves of hatred crashing down on Jim Bollman.

Ohio State will be inspired by Under Armour’s catch phrase and ‘protect this house’:

Only once in the last five years has Ohio State won every home game during the regular season (Troy Smith’s senior year in 2006). This is a trend that must stop. I don’t like it that Boise State has a better home record with 80,000 less fans in their stadium. If we have to make our field turf red to gain the extra advantage, I’ll make the first donation dollars and half a tuna melt).

In all seriousness, ‘The Shoe’ does not need scarlet turf. A hundred thousand screaming fans give the Buckeyes one of the best home field advantages in the country.

This will be the year the Buckeyes protect their home turf, meaning they will beat USC on September 12.

Ohio State will beat Michigan by 3 touchdowns this year, making Rich Rodriguez’s already warm seat hot enough to give him second degree burns:

Rich Rodriguez has had a tumultuous start in Ann Harbor, to say the least. Last year’s 3-9 record was as gruesome as a Wes Craven film, and the offseason hasn’t been any better. If the bizarre number of transfers wasn’t enough (I know that player transfers always occur with coaching changes, but not at the alarming rate at which we’re seeing up north), now we have news of players reporting violations of practice time-limits, as well as the recent lawsuit filed against Rich for defaulting on a 3 million dollar loan.

The struggles will continue as we move through the season, and Michigan will come into the Big House on November 21 needing one more victory to become bowl eligible. Terrelle Pryor will throw for three touchdowns and run for one more as the Buckeyes defeat the Wolverines for a sixth (!) time in a row.

Matta Does It Again

noreply@blogger.com (alexcallos) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:34:00 +0000

By: Alex Callos

Ohio State men’s basketball coach Thad Matta is once again in line to have one of the best recruiting classes in the country with his 2010 incoming recruits. With players leaving early Matta has to find a way to keep the talented recruits coming in and this class certainly has the players to rival his class from ‘06 led by Greg Oden and Mike Conley.

Columbus’ own Jared Sullinger headlines the latest Matta recruiting class. Sullinger is the younger brother of former Buckeye J.J. Sullinger and is rated as one of the top five players in the country. At 6’8” and over 260 pounds, Sullinger will be a force down low and is the overall top high school center in America. He is clearly the pride of the incoming class and attends Northland High School in the Columbus area.

Other names headlining the list include forward Deshaun Thomas from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Thomas is rated one of the top 20 prospects in the country and in the top five at the power forward position. Just down Interstate 71, Matta was able to find sharp shooter Jordan Sibert out of Princeton High School in Cincinnati. Sibert is listed as one of the top six or seven shooting guards in the country and after Sullinger is as good a player as there is in Ohio. Rounding out Matta’s class is point guard Aaron Craft from Findlay, Ohio and small forward Lenzelle Smith from Zion, Illinois. Craft and Smith are both in the top 25 at their respective positions.

Don’t look now, but these five recruits could make up the new ‘Thad Five’. With all five potential top 100 players, it is certainly possible they could take the Buckeyes farther than the original ‘Thad Five’ took them. Who knows, on April 4, 2011 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas this group of young Buckeye freshmen could be cutting down the nets and celebrating the first Buckeye National Championship in over 50 years.

Where will BJ Mullens Go?

noreply@blogger.com (Trauty) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 01:03:00 +0000

By Rob Trautman

There have been many players leave school early to enter the NBA. Players like Greg Oden (No. 1 pick/2007), Mike Conley Jr. (No. 4/2007), Daequan Cook (No. 21/2007) and Kosta Kouvos (No. 23/2008) are the others. Center BJ. Mullens is the only Buckeye to be added to that list. The stats don't lie, Mullens did not play consistent the whole year, and he had alot to prove at the collegiate level.

Ohio State finished 22-11 in 2008-09 with Mullens coming off the bench to provide 8.8 points and 4.7 rebounds a game. He shot 64 percent from the field to set an Ohio State freshman record for accuracy. He also blocked 37 shots and scored 292 points. He averaged 20.3 minutes a game with two starts in 33 appearances.

The Buckeyes return its entire starting five for the 2009-10 season and a total of 12 letterwinners. If Mullens would have stayed, he could not only have improved his game, but added to an already good Ohio State basketball team. Mullens might be considered a late first round pick by a stretch. After watching his freshman season, he had inconsistency scoring and staying on the floor. Look for him to struggle picking up the quickness of the NBA game and also the physical play. He will be a project, but eventually could be a good NBA player. Some mock drafts have Mullens going in the late first round to a team like the Atlanta Hawks who need a center. Another team that could use a center with size is the Detroit Pistons.

Two Bucks on Trophy Watch

noreply@blogger.com (Derek Blair) — Thu, 28 May 2009 00:10:00 +0000

Two Bucks on Trophy Watch

Sophomore center Mike Brewster was included on the list of 44 centers to win the Rimington Trophy. Brewster was highly recruited coming out of high school and beat out Andrew Moses as a freshman. His first start came in the Wisconsin game.
http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=87743&SPID=10408&DB_OEM_ID=17300&ATCLID=3743259

Sophomore quarterback Terrelle Pryor was named as a sleeper in the preseason race for the Heisman. Pryor head a great freshman year leading the Bucks to a 8-2 record as a starter. The odds are against him though as only two sophomores have won the Heisman trophy in 74 years. If Pryor can have a great year he may take the trophy home, as the last two people to win it were sophomore quarterbacks. The person to win it before those two was Troy Smith.
http://cfn.scout.com/2/867300.html

Derek Blair

Ohio State Catches Recruits Interest

noreply@blogger.com (Derek Blair) — Tue, 26 May 2009 19:10:00 +0000

Ohio State Catches Recruits Interest

Recruit Terrance Mitchell may be considering Ohio State over instate schools such as, Florida, and Florida State. At 5’10” 165 pounds I defiantly expect him to red shirt. His video shows he pretty much plays everywhere in the secondary. I’ve seen him line up at both corners and both safety positions. He’s also a two way player and plays wide receiver. One thing he demands is whichever school he chooses he wants to run track too. At one event he ran the 100 in 10.68 seconds. The sweater vest normally doesn’t mind when football athletes do track, but he may reconsider after Chimdi Chekwa pulled a hamstring this spring. As I said earlier since he is so small I definitely would expect him to redshirt. Once he gets on a college strength plan I could easily see him playing at 190. It would also give the coaching staff time to figure out where to place him. The kid has a high motor and lots of energy it would be a real treat to see him on the field in a couple years. He’s a hard hitter and plays like he’s 7’ tall, he appears to excel at both coverage and coming up for the big hit. His rival’s page can be found here http://rivals100.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=91473

And some YouTube highlights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqVzRySwJ_g

Derek Blair

Preseason Offensive Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Derek Blair) — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:07:00 +0000

Ray Small is my pre season x factor. He’s the most experienced and maybe the hungriest. Hopefully the number change has helped to change his attitude. Small performed well in the spring game and hopefully he will practice hard, stay injury free, and become a leader for this team. If Ray comes early and comes hard as a legitimate deep threat, it can open up the whole offense for us completely. We have some good young receivers in Sanzenbacher and Washington. With Beanie gone and for the most part untested backs, much of the offensive pressure will of course be on Terrell Pryor. If our line underperforms just as they did last year we could be in for some trouble early on especially with that game on the 12th. Luckily Pryor lead the Big Ten in passing efficiency as a freshman. He should only do better now that he’s a year wiser. One thing Tressel should think about is spreading the ball around. The tight ends and the backs combined for 42 receptions and 3 touchdowns (including Terrell’s Fiesta Bowl snag). Robiskie himself had that many receptions all season. If we can find some good balance in the passing game this year, and the players play like they know they can, with the way the BCS is I honestly don’t think a National Championship is out of the question.

-Derek Blair

noreply@blogger.com (topofstep) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:19:00 +0000

Ohio State Buckeyes Score-Michigan, Preview|TV Game Time,Buckeyes Live Score

noreply@blogger.com (topofstep) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:54:00 +0000

Ohio State Buckeyes vs Michigan at home on Saturday, November 22, at 12:00 PM ET. TV coverage of Ohio State Buckeyes vs Michigan is on ABC. The live Ohio State Buckeyes score is always on the homepage. All the Ohio State Buckeyes game preview and talk from local, national media and Buckeyes blogs can be found at Buckeyesmix.com.

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