Archives for September 2013

Tried to get this out earlier today, but Real Life™ has conspired against me. But since tomorrow’s game is a prime time kickoff, we can have a later open thread, too, right?

This is Ohio State’s first real (and quite possibly only) test. A Top 25 team, one of the best rushing attacks in the nation with a couple of the best running backs in all of college football. Their defense, especially their front four, isn’t a push-over easy. This should be a slugfest from start to finish (or at least the end of the third quarter). But hey, Ohio State has some pretty nifty running backs themselves and they have quite the defense as well. This should be a great one.

Speaking of great, we had a lot of great Wisconsin content here on the site. Starting off with Andrew’s preview, we get a glimpse of what to expect tomorrow in the ‘Shoe:

Wisconsin is loaded with players such as Melvin Gordon, James White and James Abbrederis. Gordon has already ran for 624 yards and White has ran for 442. Gordon averages 11.8 yards per carry while White averages 7.2. These are two backs that Ohio State’s defense is going to have to contain. The last thing the Buckeyes want to happen is to have Wisconsin control time possession. James Abbrederis has given Ohio State trouble in the future. He seems to make plays when it matters most. If Wisconsin is in a big situation I will be hoping that Abbrederis is covered.

Ronnie gives us a list of who to watch, and just like Andrew said, it’s those pesky running backs and Wisconsin’s MLB, Chris Borland:

Four years later, Borland is an All Big Ten linebacker, and is the cornerstone of the Badger defense. Borland won’t put up amazing stats, but he anchors the Badgers stingy rush defense. He has excellent positioning and will rack up massive amounts of tackles for the Badgers. Look for Borland to be the consistent stronghold of the Wisconsin defense on Saturday.

Looking at the how the numbers match up, Ohio State has the slightest of advantages in the head-to-head match-ups in this week’s By The Numbers.

Shannon had a chat with Wisconsin blogger Andy Coppens of MadTownBadgers, and while I think Andy had a bit of an edge to some of his answers, we appreciate him coming on and being a good sport. Definitely no love lost in this “rivalry”.

Finally, Chip looks to keep his streak of watching the Buckeyes beat the Badgers in the Horseshoe alive tomorrow night and has predicted a Buckeye victory: Ohio State 35, Wisconsin 24.

So let’s hear from you. What do you think the score will be? Will it be close to an upset as some people think? Or is Wisconsin overmatched, like most right-minded folks think?

Congratulations to Ohio State’s players and coaches for the 76-0 walloping administered to Florida A&M. I stated before the game that this was the type of game that Ohio State should not schedule, and 76-0 is pretty clear evidence of that argument. Moving forward into the playoff system, this is the kind of game that will only hurt Ohio State’s playoff chances.

On to B1G conference play and the Wisconsin Badgers.  Wisconsin began conference play last week versus Purdue, and enter into Ohio Stadium confidently after a strong 41-10 victory over the Boilermakers.

Wisconsin will also enter into Ohio Stadium with a sizable number of its roster, specifically fourteen players, who may feel a little extra motivation versus the Buckeyes.  Fourteen Ohioans on Wisconsin’s roster, with only one of them, senior DE Pat Muldoon, who earned a scholarship offer by Ohio State.  The most notable of these Ohioans, senior LB Chris Borland, was not recruited by Ohio State.

This game, as so many other notable Ohio State/Wisconsin games over the past decade, will be decided by which team is able to control the line of scrimmage.  If Ohio State is pushed around by Wisconsin, as they were up in Madison in 2010, it could be a long night for the Buckeyes.  Ohio State’s rebuilt defensive line, as well as linebackers Joshua Perry, Ryan Shazier, and especially Curtis Grant, need to shut down Wisconsin’s running game.

While I understand Coach Urban Meyer stresses how Braxton Miller is still considered the starter, I am of the mindset that perhaps it may be better for Miller, and the team, if Kenny Guiton starts versus Wisconsin.  Coming off two straight weeks of inactivity, and playing against Wisconsin in a nationally televised game, it would not surprise me if Miller may be too hyped for this game and begins to press.  If that were to happen, would Coach Meyer pull Miller for Guiton?  What would that do to Miller’s confidence, and the team’s confidence in Miller?  No sense in creating a quarterback controversy.

Conversely, if Guiton were to start, and have Miller come into the game after a series or two, it may provide an opportunity to ease Miller back into the starting lineup.  Miller may even be able to provide a spark to the offense, as he is much more dangerous with his legs than Guiton.

There's the "or": It's just a depth chart, but for 1st time, Kenny Guiton listed as a co-starter with Braxton Miller http://t.co/GyAffNERON

— Doug Lesmerises (@DougLesmerises) September 24, 2013

I will be anxious to see how the Ohio State coaching staff uses its strong arsenal of running backs versus Wisconsin.  Jordan Hall, Carlos Hyde, Rod Smith, as well as true freshmen Dontre Wilson and Ezekiel Elliott.  It could be the debut of Hyde in the backfield, with Hall playing the pivot role.

Another match-up I will keep an eye upon is Wisconsin WR Jared Abbrederis versus Ohio State defensive back Bradley Roby.  I have no idea if the Ohio State coaching staff will isolate Roby on Abbrederis, but I would be surprised if they did not, as Abbrederis is Wisconsin’s top receiving threat.

Wisconsin TE Jacob Pedersen also poses a problem in coverage.  The linebackers will need to come up big here coverage-wise, especially on play action passes by Wisconsin.

This will be my fourth straight Ohio State/Wisconsin game in Ohio Stadium.  My good friend Sean and I attended in 2007, when Ohio State defeated Wisconsin 38-17.  My Dad died in the summer of 2010, and we enjoyed watching Ohio State defeat Wisconsin in 2009, 31-13.  And my brother-in-law Kevin and I were sitting up in C Deck along the 40 yard line as Braxton Miller threw this pass to defeat Wisconsin, 33-29, in 2011.

With Ohio Stadium rocking, all of Ohio State’s top 2014 recruiting targets in the house, and a national television audience, I feel comfortable putting my winning streak on the line in this one.  I am predicting Ohio State 35, Wisconsin 24, with a late Ohio State touchdown sealing the deal.

As we enter the fifth week of the season, there are just 29 undefeated FBS teams remaining, while 14 are still waiting on their first win. This week, we’ve got an interesting mix of crucial conference match-ups and interesting non-conference clashes, including one that I’d never have guessed would be one to watch. For your previewing pleasure, old-time team nicknames have been used where available.

Thursday

7:30pm

Virginia Tech @ Georgia Tech. While Miami looks like the team to beat in the Coastal division, both the Fighting Gobblers and the Golden Tornado can keep themselves in the mix with a win tonight. (ESPN)

Saturday

Noon

South Carolina @ UCF. Two weeks ago, the Golden Knights knocked off Penn State on the road. They’ve spent the past two weeks prepping for this home game. Is another upset in the works? (ABC)

3:30pm

LSU @ Georgia. A match-up with huge implications in the SEC, where everyone thinks they’re going to the national title game until they lose three games. (CBS)

Oklahoma @ Notre Dame. The Rough Riders haven’t had much luck against the Ramblers, with their last (and only) win against the Catholics coming in 1956, followed by seven losses. Can the Boomers turn it around this year? (NBC)

8:00pm

Wisconsin @ Ohio State. This game will most likely decide the third and final Leaders division championship. Each of these teams has one already, so consider this the rubber match. (ABC)

10:00pm

Stanford @ Washington State. Washington State has rebounded nicely since an early 7-point road loss to Auburn, but the Indians are a front-runner in the Pac-12, second only (for now) to the Webfoots. (ESPN)

Other Notable Old-Time Nicknames:

Washington Sun Dodgers
East Carolina Teachers
Northwestern Purple
Arkansas State Gorillas
Nevada Sage Hens
Maryland Old Liners
Bowling Green Normals
Texas Tech Matadors
Michigan State Fighting Farmers
Ball State Hoosieroons
Rutgers Queensmen

All-Time Nickname Champion:

Nebraska Antelopes, Treeplanters, Rattlesnake Boys, and Bugeaters

Week five signals the last of the non-conference games and the beginning of conference play for the B1G. A majority of the teams actually have a bye this week. The big matchup is obviously Ohio State versus Wisconsin in the Horseshoe on Saturday night. Be sure to check out the review for that game from one of our great writers. As for the rest of the conference, there is only three games to preview. Let’s get to them:

Miami (OH) @ Illinois

After a loss to Washington, Illinois was on a bye last week. This week they get one of the worst teams in the country, statistically speaking. Miami is 0-3 on the season, being outscored 107-21 (ouch). The Redhawks don’t have much of a chance in this game, especially going against one of the best quarterbacks in the B1G this season. Fighting Illini quarterback Nathan Scheelhasse has completed 63 of 98 passes for 884 yards and seven touchdowns and only two interceptions. Scheelhaase and the Illinois offense should have no problems picking apart the weak Redhawks’ defense and should cruise to an easy victory.

Northern Illinois @ Purdue

This is the second B1G opponent for Northern Illinois this season. The Huskies beat Iowa in the season opener with a last second field goal and have won ever since. Purdue is coming off a beat down at the hands of Wisconsin, who ran all over the Boilermakers’ defense. I give Purdue a slight chance to win, but I just don’t see them stopping Northern Illinois star quarterback Jordan Lynch. Lynch has been putting up numbers many expected out of him this season, throwing for 662 yards and seven touchdowns while also leading the team in rushing with 404 yards and two touchdowns. Lynch and the Huskies have played in tight games all season and this one could be tight too, but even if it does I expect Lynch to be a good closer as he’s demonstrated throughout his career.

Iowa @ Minnesota

I think this will quietly be one of the better games in college football this weekend. Iowa comes into the game 3-1, with a good running game and solid defense. Minnesota is 4-0 and also boasts a good running game and defense. These two teams are pretty identical and it will interesting to see who’s able to execute better. Both have quarterbacks that are young and certainly won’t light the world on fire, but really are going to be the difference makers for their teams. If either can step up and produce nice numbers, then their team should be victorious. Iowa quarterback Jake Rudock has the edge over Gophers’ quarterback Mitch Leidner, who made his first start of his career last weekend against San Jose State. Despite the edge, I still like the Gophers to pull off the win due to home-field advantage and a slightly better running game. I also should mention this is a trophy rivalry game, as the winner will win the Floyd of Rosedale trophy. It’s a giant pig trophy! Why wouldn’t you want to win it?