Mmm, tasty Buffalo Quarterback Wings.
Archives for November 2007
Weekly Vernon Gholston Shot
November 8, 2007 by Leave a Comment
Mmm, tasty Buffalo Quarterback Wings.
Data on Common Opponents – Illinois
November 8, 2007 by 1 Comment
How many of you knew that it was Illinois, and not Michigan, that used to be OSU’s primary rival? The annual matchup with Michigan didn’t really become a full-blown rivalry until WWII. Prior to that era, however, the Buckeyes and the Illini were among the fiercest rivals in college football. They met on the last game of the season until 1933, and have been on each other’s schedule every year but two (2003 and 2004).
To this day the teams pass back and forth the “Illibuck,” the second-oldest trophy in the league. They originally passed back and forth a real turtle, but its death in 1927 caused them to modify the tradition. Since then, nine wooden replicas of the original Illibuck turtle have been carved, each with the scores of the games on its back. Yes, Illy Illibuck even has a Facebook page.
Bonus tradition goodness: Honor societies from both schools used to ritualistically share a “special” peace pipe at halftime. I assume the tradition stopped due to the lack of twinkies and BBQ potato chips in the vending machines at the ‘Shoe.
The tables list the opponent(s) in chronological order down the first column, and include the following ‘important’ stats: total points (Pts), total yards (Yds), total first downs (Dwns), and turnovers (TOs); for each team and its opponent (Opp).
Table 1: Illinois
| Pts | Pts (opp) | Yds | Yds (opp) | Frst Dwns | Dwns (opp) | TOs | TOs (opp) | |
| Penn State | 27 | 20 | 336 | 427 | 17 | 18 | 2 | 4 |
| Wisconsin | 31 | 26 | 410 | 519 | 18 | 28 | 0 | 2 |
| Minnesota | 44 | 17 | 655 | 337 | 27 | 18 | 2 | 1 | TOTAL | 102 | 63 | 1401 | 1283 | 62 | 64 | 4 | 7 |
| AVERAGE | 34 | 21 | 467 | 427.7 | 20.1 | 21.3 | 1.3 | 2.3 |
Table 2: Ohio State
| Pts | Pts (opp) | Yds | Yds (opp) | Frst Dwns | Dwns (opp) | TOs | TOs (opp) | |
| Minnesota | 30 | 7 | 459 | 277 | 24 | 15 | 1 | 2 |
| Penn State | 37 | 17 | 453 | 263 | 24 | 14 | 1 | 2 |
| Wisconsin | 38 | 17 | 377 | 281 | 21 | 15 | 0 | 2 |
| TOTAL | 105 | 41 | 1289 | 821 | 69 | 44 | 2 | 6 |
| AVERAGE | 35 | 13.7 | 429.7 | 273.7 | 23 | 14.7 | 0.7 | 2 |
Oohh!! Oooh! Bonus table goodness this week!! The values in Table 3 indicate a team’s overall performance, percentage-wise, against the average numbers the common opponents typically allow.
For example, in the table below, Illinois scored an average of 24% more points on these common opponents than what those opponents typically allow, while the Illini defense held these opponents to 27% fewer points than what they were typically used to, and so on.
Table 3: Performance against what Common Opponents Typically Allow
| % Scoring | % Scoring Defense | % Yards | % Yards Allowed | |
| Illinois | +24 | -27 | +15 | +6 |
| OSU | +26 | -52 | +8 | -32 |
Notes:
At first glance, it seems the teams perform similarly to one another. That’s if you skim the Average and Total rows in Tables 1 and 2. However, compare the games themselves. Look at how Illinois performed against Penn State (7 point differential) to how OSU performed against that same team (20 point differential). Wisconsin is very similar: the Illini won by less than a touchdown, where OSU beat the Badgers by three touchdowns. Moral: the Illini’s performance against hapless Minnesota seems to be skewing its averages.
Also notice the scoring trends. (It’s why we list the teams chronologically.) Both teams’ offenses are scoring more points each game. FWIW.
Check out the Yards Allowed column in Table 3. Illinois is actually allowing opponents 6% more yards than what they typically average. It hasn’t come back to bite them, though, as their offense has performed well enough to cover for the weakness.
Anything else jump out at you?
Wisconsin Performance Evaluations
November 7, 2007 by 3 Comments
Let’s do this
Defense – 3 Sweatervests
I struggled with this one. On one hand Vernon Gholston and James Laurinaitis had huge games. Almost 20 tackles for the Little Animal and four sacks for the Python Tamer. Laurinaitis was free to roam thanks to the D-line keeping blockers off him and Gholston and the rest of the DE’s (we are so deep at the ends, it’s almost unfair) got pressure all game long. On the other hand, you have the to two sustained touchdown drives, missed tackles on crucial 3rd-and-long plays and again, TWO TOUCHDOWNS. I’ll give Jenkins a little slack for his missed tackle on Beckum, as Travis has NFL talent and size. He is a big dude (6-4, 224) and Jenkins (6-1, 208), not as much. Nevertheless, that was one of many missed tackles that drove me crazy.
I’m taking all this under consideration without giving any weight to the luck Wisconsin had on more than one occasion. It can’t be ignored. The second touchdown was a desperation heave by Donovan, off his back foot, into the most improbable and almost uncatchable location possible. Kudos to him. There’s no defense for going up against Lady Luck.
This has nothing to do with the Defense’s performance, but I was really hoping PJ Hill could have played in this game. Zach Brown was a competent runner, but the defense could have used Hill as preparation for Mendenhall this week and Hart next week. They need confidence they can shut down a great running back, not just a decent one. Still, how can you be worried about opposing offenses when you see this:
Opponent – 1 Sweatervest
Wisconsin came close to getting the dreaded no-sweatervest score not because of how they played (which wasn’t bad and would have earned them at least 3.5 SV’s) but how they acted after the whistle. I mentioned it in my semi-live update, but it bears repeating — hooting and hollering and getting in people’s faces after you make a tackle, no matter how impressive it was, has no place when you are losing by 14 points. Get pumped, high-five your buddy and get your sorry, no good, yella, losing-the-game-by-14-points keester back to the huddle. You made a great play. Good work. Now do it again on the next play.
Ooops, did Beanie just ran over your FACE?!
I listened to some of Bielema’s press conference after the game. He mentioned that he didn’t want his team to back down, not to be intimidated. That’s fine. Do it with your arms and legs, not your mouth. One of my favorite aspects about Tressel-coached teams is that you never see this. It’s never “look at what I did,” it’s all about “what we did.” Cue up Beanie’s score and run straight to the bench if you want to see how to do it. Make a great play? Great. Get ready to line up and run another.
The Running Game – 4 Sweatervests
Like most of you, I was wondering where the running game went during most of the second and third quarters. I thought we had good success running Beanie on the first couple of drives, when Wisconsin was obviously playing to stop the pass. Getting away from the run was a mistake and it showed. Going back to the run paid dividends very quickly. Twenty eight straight points prove that point.
I love how Beanie is running. Even when it looks like he’s in pain after every run, he gets back there and does it again. Wisconsin defenders were lucky they never really got close to tackling him. They were spared punishment via the Stiff Arm of Justice™
Officiating – 0.5 Sweatervests
Garbage. Absolute garbage. While I can’t point to any particular play, I had the pervading feeling the whole game that we were getting jobbed. A missed holding call here, a questionable call there. Maybe I’m not remembering correctly. Something just didn’t feel right. But worse than the missed calls were the fact that they never flagged Wisconsin for obvious taunting on more than one occassion. They had the power to take control of the game, but the never did.
Vernon Gholston – figure it out
What more can be said about our collective man-crush? Wisconsin’s offense, Donovan in particular, was absolutely abused by Gholston. We’re talking pull-the-pants-down, spanked-on-the-bare-bottom-with-a-wooden-paddle-with-holes-cut-out abused. The defense is starting to call him “The Animal.” I don’t think that’s quite right. I prefer Manimal. Dude is just sick.
Overall Performance – 4 Sweatervests
Baseline: 3 Sweatervests; +1 for each of Beanie’s TD runs, -1 for each of Wisco’s; +1 for each time Donovan was sacked, -1 each time a Wisconsin player whooped it up after a non-play.
BlogPoll Ballot, Week #10
November 7, 2007 by Leave a Comment
Our weekly BlogPoll Ballot, along with some discussion points can be seen after the break.
Big 10 Roundtable – Week 11
November 6, 2007 by Leave a Comment
We’re a bit late to the party on the Big 10 Blogger Network, and we thank the rest of the group for inviting us. You’ll notice the new widget to your right – make sure you keep up with the posts from the other members of our fine community.
Anyway, BTC is hosting this week’s roundtable discussion. Brad’s questions and our responses follow below:
1. Every year we hear that the quality of play in the Big Ten is “down” and that the conference as a whole is “weak”. This season most pundits would consider the Pac 10 or SEC as superior conferences. Give your best argument for the over strength of the Big Ten and evaluated how your team would be doing if they were placed in either the Pac 10 or the SEC.
This “my conference is better than yours” argument is very new to college football. For most of history, it’s only come up in the context of non-conference or bowl games. But in 2003/04, Auburn was pushed out of a shot at the national title game, and the SEC ADs and coaches got angry. They organized themselves and began a four-year, nonstop marketing campaign aimed at changing reality through perception; specifically, that the SEC was superior to everyone else. Terms like “SEC speed” were coined, and myths were created. ESPN ate it up, and the rest is history.
Again, the “conference wars” are a very new phenomenon. Using history’s way of comparing conferences, the SEC is fair-to-middlin’ at best. They have a very unimpressive nonconference performance. They lose most of their bowl games. And they seem to be terribly inconsistent.
However, using the same criteria, it seems clear that the Pac 10 is the toughest overall conference this year. Bowl victories, impressive non-conference wins, and generally consistent play abound. Every conference has some measure of parity, but the Pac 10 has about four or five teams’ worth of it at the top. Would anyone have wanted Washington’s schedule this year?
Therefore, it seems that the Big 10 lies in between the Pac 10 and the SEC, strength-wise.
Where might OSU fit in as regards the superior Pac 10 conference? Let’s compare OSU to Oregon via a common opponent – Washington. Against the Huskies, Oregon was more impressive offensively, where Ohio State was more impressive defensively. OSU won the game by 19 points, and Oregon won their game by 21 points. One important observation: OSU was dominant and in control for the entire game against the Huskies… but the Ducks entered the fourth quarter tied with Washington. For me, therefore, it’s clear that OSU’s strength is at least very similar to Oregon’s overall, and therefore, the Buckeyes would probably be performing at a similar pace (atop the conference).
2. Pick your team’s Most Valuable Player to date and tell us why he should be in consideration for Big Ten Player of the Year.
Boeckman. Instead of making the case myself, I’ll direct you to some cogent points recently made by Pfef @ AtO:
Boeckman has played beyond the role of caretaker that everybody expected him to be this year, leading the Big Ten in Passer Rating by a ridiculous 21+ points, completion percentage, yards per pass attempt, and is tied for second in the conference in touchdowns. Not half bad for a guy that has the second least passes attempted for starting quarterbacks in the conference.
To put Boeckman’s stats against some of the other Heisman contenders, there is no reason to believe that Boeckman shouldn’t be at least a part of the Heisman conversation. His yards are right on line with Dixon, and his completion percentage (66%) is almost identical to Tebow’s and Dixon’s 68% rates. Boeckman actually averages less pass attempts per game than either Tebow or Dixon, and he still has more TDs through the air than either of them.
3. Sure it’s the time of year that has most fans looking ahead to Bowl games, but we covered that last week. Plus, basketball season has officially begun! If you plan on covering basketball, give a brief analysis on your team and how far they will go in this year’s postseason (Final 4, Sweet 16, NIT, friend’s couch, etc.).
I’ll let el Kaiser expand on this… he probably has more insight than I. I’m thinking Sweet 16, though.
Bonus Question:
It’s time again for annual “rip on the BCS” party! In your opinion, what is the best way for college football to determine its National Championship?
Current BCS system, current system plus one, 16-team playoff, 4-team playoff, something totally cool I’ve never even thought of before?
The BCS system has problems, but most people don’t realize the problems we’d encounter with a playoff system. I still think the BCS could be tweaked to be more credible.
Remember, the problem the BCS was created to solve was NOT to “match up the two best teams in the country.” ESPN is pushing that myth. Remember how bad it was in the late 90s, when teams couldn’t be matched up due to bowl affiliations? That’s what the BCS system addressed. How to get someone like 1997 Michigan out of the Rose Bowl, so that it could play 1997 Nebraska for a no-questions, undisputed, winner-takes-all matchup.
The BCS was designed to match up the teams ranked #1 and #2, giving them a way out of any potential contractual bowl obligation. That is NOT the same as “matching up the two best teams.” It’s the voters who determine who is #1 and #2, not the BCS.
Therefore, improve the voter polls, and you’ll make the BCS more credible. Step one would be to get rid of preseason rankings. Shoot, get rid of rankings altogether until bowl season nears. That fix alone could separate out the wheat from the chaff.
Greg Oden is magical
November 6, 2007 by 5 Comments
For all you video gamers out there, your big man, Greg Oden, is the coverboy (man? old man?) for 2K Sports College Hoops 2K8. They got the picture on the cover wrong, though. Oden going with a finger roll? Puhhhleeze. They needed to use this one.
You can check out some gameplay videos (with an appeareance of Oden and Conley, making jokes about how old Oden looks) at the 2K Sports website. College Hoops 2K8 comes out November 19th. It would make an excellent gift for your favorite OSU blogger.
Seriously, hasn’t the “Greg Oden looks old” joke run its course? Are they even funny anymore? Hit the jump to see an in-game screenshot of Oden in action:
[Read more…]
It’s been over two years…
November 5, 2007 by 17 Comments
…since Ohio State last lost a conference game.
On October 8, 2005, OSU lost a frustrating matchup against Penn State. The following week, the Buckeyes started a conference winning streak that has lasted until now.
A Big Ten record 20 straight conference victories. Eleven of those earned against ranked teams.
The last time Ohio State lost to a Big Ten opponent:
- The NHL lockout was ending.
- New Orleans was still draining water after Hurricane Katrina.
- Ted Koppel was planning his retirement.
- Movies like Capote, Into the Blue, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory were playing in theaters.
- Matt Leinart was on pace for what everyone assumed would be a second Heisman Trophy.
- Mike Hart and Chad Henne were only 0-1 against the Buckeyes.
- Chris “Beanie” Wells was in high school.
If you extend the record and include the entire 2005 season, and all the non-conference and bowl games since then, Ohio State is 32-3.
32-3.
About those three losses? 2005 Penn State, who finished ranked #3 in the country. 2005 Texas, who finished ranked #1. And 2006 Florida, also #1.
To sum up:
- Three seasons.
- 35 opponents (15 of them ranked!!)
- 32 victories.
- Only 3 losses, to two national champions and a #3 squad.
And it’s not going to end soon, folks: There are still three more games to go in the season. And depending on the number of juniors that jump to the NFL, OSU’s 2008 team figures to be even stronger than in years past.
It boggles the mind as to why some still question Ohio State’s #1 ranking.
Michigan fans – the biggest OSU supporters in CFB
November 4, 2007 by 7 Comments
If OSU beats Illinois next week, Michigan locks up a spot in the Rose, no matter what happens in their final two games. (Even if they lose for the rest of the season, they’re in to the Rose with a Buckeye win over Illinois).
Explanation? So long as OSU wins this Saturday, Michigan is in with a win over the Bucks (Big 10 champs, tiebreaker rules), or a loss against the Bucks (OSU would vacate the spot for a trip to New Orleans).
Granted, the latter assumes that the Rose would select UM in the Bucks’ place – which technically, they don’t have to do. But history shows that’d be a near lock.
What is more satisfying about this? That a Big Ten team who suffered the most humiliating loss in college football history has a shot at representing the conference in the grandaddy of all bowl games? Or that it will happen only if OSU allows it to happen?
In short, it’s not Lloyd Carr, or Chad Henne, or Mike Hart, or Jake Long that control Michigan’s destiny. It’s Jim Tressel that does. How awesome is that?!?
If the Bucks lose to Illinois, it gets a bit messier for UM. Win out and it’s the Rose, drop one and it could be the Capital One bowl.
As for the Buckeyes, there are four possible bowl games:
- Beat Illinois, Beat UM = BCS title game
Lose Illinois, Beat UM = Rose
Beat Illinois, Lose UM = BCS at-large – or – Capital One (unlikely)
Lose Illinois, Lose UM = Capital One – or – BCS at-large (unlikely)
Sing it with me, Michigan fans**: O-H!!
** ‘Cmon… Your boy Braylon Edwards has been singing it…
UPDATE:
Some commenters have pointed out two important things I totally neglected… first, UM must finish in the top 14 to have an at-large shot at the Rose, and secondly, the BCS has a stated policy of avoiding matchups in bowl games if possible.
In short, that means it’s pretty unlikely that UM will get to the Rose after all. The only paths to Pasadena for Carr’s team are (1) for OSU to lose one of its last two games while UM wins out, or (2) for Oregon to self-destruct and lose the Pac10. Any other scenario occurs, and it’s likely the Capital One bowl for the Wolverines. (Where they’ll play the LSU/Tennessee loser, probably.)
Gameday: (1) OSU vs. (24) Wisconsin – Semi-live Update
November 3, 2007 by 4 Comments
First Half
Did you hear? Wisconsin is NOT INTIMIDATED BY OHIO STATE.
Not sure if you heard.
Wisconsin defenders are Pee-You-Enn-Kays. All of them.
Second Half
Randle-El tries to cheap shot Gholston at the knees, a-la Ken Dorsey. Two problems here: Randle-El is not a 300 pound lineman. Vernon Gholstons legs are tree trunks with steel cables for tendons. Not a good idea. I don’t think Gholston even noticed.
Ohio State’s secondary has apparently forgotten how to tackle. Come on Jenkins!
I’m not one to complain about the refs, but Holey Moley is this egregious. The amount of calls going uncalled is ridiculous. Ohio State currently down a touchdown.
BEANIE! BEANIE! BEANIE! Tied game, 17-17.
Now let’s go D! Vernon can’t do it alone.
BEANIE! BEANIE! BEANIE! OSU up, 24-17. This is fun again.
They’re still doing it! They’re about to be down by two touchdowns and the defense is still jumping in Buckeye faces as if they were up winning. Even the horrible BTN commentators are calling them on it. The Wisconsin coaches need to put a stop to that.
Bielema gambles on fourth and loses. Robiskie makes a beautiful catch and wins. Or at least is winning. OSU up 31-17.
BEANIE! BEANIE! BEANIE!
Wisconsin Open Thread
November 2, 2007 by 3 Comments
You know what to do. More to follow, if we have time tomorrow.
el Kaiser’s wisdom
I guess if I start the actual thread, I should at least throw in a prediction: OSU 34-13
sportsMonkey’s $.02
OSU 37-6
Much has been made of Tressel’s losing record to Wisco, but it’s a bit overblown. Two of his three losses came with his two weakest, unranked Buckeye teams (including one from his first season). The remaining loss occurred during a rainstorm so intense that the student section was actually photographed building an ark. Mix some heavy rain with Alvarez retirement plans, add a dash of Chris Gamble making his only mistake of the season & letting Lee Evans score, and throw in two tablespoons of conspiring-for-back-to-back-years-at-Camp-Randall unfairness, and you’ve got the recipe for three losses. None of those conditions will exist this Saturday.
The Vest is eager. No way are the Bucks looking ahead to Illinois.
