Archives for October 2013

Bye weeks are a mixed bag for college football fans. On one hand, the wait to watch your favorite team play is extended to a nearly unbearable length of time. (That’s why Christmas is scheduled during the off-period between the regular season and bowl games. Otherwise, nobody would get anything because when would we shop?) On the other hand, it’s nice sometimes to have a break to watch other teams struggle and fail without worrying about what your own team is doing. And after a couple of health-threatening games, most Buckeye fans are feeling pretty okay with not playing again this week.

Our bye comes right in the middle of our regular season and while things didn’t exactly go as expected, we are exactly where we want to be: 6-0. Undefeated. In the mix for a national championship.

Right?

Well, hopefully. I don’t need to tell you about the weekly articles about how overrated Ohio State is and how “down” the Big Ten is that started before any games had even been played and won’t stop unless we lose a game. Here’s this week’s version that hits on all your favorite anti-Buckeye/Urban talking points.

While the current flood of unbeaten teams is daunting, it’s unlikely that the season will end with more than two. And if we’re one of those two, we’ll be in the title game, no matter how many hearts it breaks. A one-loss Alabama (Or Oregon or Clemson or Oklahoma) isn’t going to be ranked ahead of an undefeated Ohio State at the end of any season. Ever.

The only thing that will keep us out of the title game (should we be fortunate enough to go 13-0) is the small chance that there are multiple other major undefeated teams. If Alabama and Oregon don’t lose, we’re out. But if that happens, then what? We go to the Rose Bowl against the Pac-12’s runner-up with a pretty good shot at yet another undefeated season. While getting shut out of the national title game would be disappointing, 26-0 is going to feel good no matter how we get it.

If the playoff were in place this year, we wouldn’t even be worried. It’s hard to even imagine a scenario where we wouldn’t make it into a four-team field at 13-0. That’s probably why it’s so easy for me to not stress over our potential impending snub. These BCS titles are about to be viewed in the same way as the pre-BCS titles are now: a legitimate source of pride, sure, but with the acknowledgement that they are open to debate. That won’t be the case with the playoff, even if there are some quibbles with the make-up of the field.

I’ll admit right up front that I was wrong on most of my picks last week. Just when you think you have the B1G figured out, then you have a weekend like the past one. This conference is so unpredictable that it’s pretty much impossible to call these games. Ohio State is clearly the best team in the conference. But after that it’s a tossup. It’s going to be fun watching the rest of the conference schedule unfold, as the slate of games will only get better.

Indiana 44 Penn State 24

When Indiana got dismantled by Missouri (still undefeated), I immediately wrote the Hoosiers off as a flash in the pan who can only beat cupcakes and can’t play defense. Well I was wrong. Indiana’s offense had a great day against a decent Penn State defense, while the Hoosiers’ defense shutdown the Penn State rushing attack. The Nittany Lions came into the game with a pretty solid running game, but were held to only 70 yards rushing on Saturday. The quarterbacks for both teams shined. Indiana quarterback Nate Sudfeld threw for 321 yards (two touchdowns, one interception), while Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg threw for 340 yards and three touchdowns (zero turnovers too). Indiana appears to be one of the teams in the upper part of the conference and could prove to be the trap game remaining for Ohio State on their schedule due to the Hoosiers’ high-flying spread attack that can give opposing teams fits.

Nebraska 39 Illinois 19

Perhaps I was too hasty in judging these two teams. Illinois clearly benefited from their weak non-conference schedule because quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase, who had looked great up until this game, had a very pedestrian performance against a defense that was struggling to contain great quarterbacks. Scheelhaase was 13 of 26 passing for only 135 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception. On the flip side, Nebraska’s offense was firing on all cylinders. Backup quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. threw for 135 yards and two touchdowns (zero interceptions). Clearly Armstrong is the future for the Huskers, which will make losing star Taylor Martinez to graduation sting a little less. But the guy everyone overlooked who had an absolutely great game was running back Ameer Abdullah. He rushed 20 times for 225 yards and two touchdowns. Maybe Nebraska reaching the B1G Championship for a second straight season isn’t so far-fetched after all.

Michigan State 26 Iowa 14

I said coming into this game that Iowa would win this game due to the ineptness of the Michigan State offense. Well the Spartans proved they can put up enough offense to win close games. Spartans’ quarterback Connor Cook threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns and the running backs chipped in 135 yards on the ground. The Michigan State defense played even better than they usually do, which is pretty impressive. They completely shutdown an Iowa rushing attack that was pounding opposing defenses, allowing the Hawkeyes to rush for only 23 yards and zero touchdowns. Star Mark Weisman ran seven times for nine yards. This should put into perspective how good Michigan State is defensively and is the reason the Spartans will remain in the conversation for the Leader’s division title.

#19 Michigan 42 Minnesota 13

Michigan took care of an inferior opponent with ease AND quarterback Devin Gardner didn’t have any turnovers. What is going on here? Is this a dream? But in all seriousness congratulations to Michigan for doing what they were supposed to do in this game. Gardner threw for 235 yards, threw for a touchdown and rushed for one also. The Wolverines’ defense kept Minnesota in check all game and didn’t let them get their running attack going. It was a solid day all around for Michigan. Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill suffered yet another seizure before the game and obviously couldn’t coach, which put the Gophers at a disadvantage from the start. I just don’t see how Kill can keep coaching. At most let him coach the rest of the season and then give him an administration role because he’s just not healthy enough to keep his current position. It’s a detriment to his health and it’s a distraction for his team. I hope Minnesota does the right thing.

On a night in Evanston, Illinois that won’t soon be forgotten, it was the forgotten man, Carlos Hyde, who came up huge for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Hyde’s 168 yards and 3 touchdowns were the difference for the Buckeyes as they beat the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field, 40-30. The stage was set for an upstart Northwestern program to show the country they had arrived.

However, the Buckeyes weren’t to be denied. They weren’t ready to give up their spot amongst the Big Ten’s elite. The game felt like a pendulum, swinging back and forth effortlessly. Sometimes it was swinging towards Ohio State and sometimes toward Northwestern. As a Buckeye fan in the stands, the energy in the stadium was electric. At times, I felt like we were in Columbus. Then a moment later, Northwestern’s play on the field reminded me we were in Evanston. As the night pushed forward, I could tell there was some magic in the air. I was just hoping it was scarlet and gray magic and not purple and black.

When I watch a game, I always look at the offensive and defensive line play. Typically, if one team dominates both sides of the ball they will win. I got that feeling with Ohio State Saturday night. They were dominating both the offensive and defensive line but not the scoreboard. Every time Ohio State did something well, Northwestern answered. The Wildcats created 3 turnovers and hadn’t committed any meaningful penalties until well into the 3rd quarter. The recipe for an upset had been written and the Wildcats were following it like they were watching Bobby Flay on HGTV.
It was starting to look dicey enough that Coach Meyer contemplated putting in Kenny Guiton at quarterback in replace of Braxton Miller. Meyer stuck with Miller and he ended up 15 of 26 for 203 yards, 1 interception and no touchdowns. Northwestern even caused the Ohio State signal caller to fumble in two key situations. Once in the 1st quarter deep in Ohio State territory and once in the 2nd half as Miller was lunging for a touchdown.

On the other hand, the Ohio State defensive line had a monster game. They held the Wildcats under 100 yards rushing and sacked the Northwestern QB’s a combined 5 times. The silver bullets also held the Wildcats under 50% on 3rd down conversions. The secondary on the other hand, struggled throughout most of the game. It seemed like whenever Northwestern wanted to hit a 10-12 yard out, they could. Roby seemed to be a step or two behind the whole game and Pitt Brown appeared to be lost at times. C.J. Barnett had a monster game and held the secondary together throughout the night. Doran Grant made the biggest play of the night, as he intercepted a pass in the 2nd half deep in Northwestern territory that swung the game back to Ohio State.

On a day that started out on the banks of Lake Michigan for ESPN’s College Gameday, it ended on a rain soaked field under the Ryan Field lights. Victory was captured and the halfway point in the season had been reached. The Buckeyes proved one more time why they are the Big Ten’s elite team. I’m just glad I was there to witness such a magical night.

Good morning Buckeye Nation.

Happy Belated Birthday: The home of The Ohio State University Football just turned 91 years young yesterday. Its hard to imagine such a great venue is only 91. One of the best, largest, and noisiest stadiums in the country. There have been many a great game in there, great players battled on the field and great coaches roamed the sidelines and many greats will continue to do so. To me I still remember when there was a track in the ‘Shoe (also got to run on it for a couple of meets). Ever time I enter into the gates of the ‘Shoe I get goosebumps thinking of all the greatness that has been associated with it and I hope she is around for at least another 91 years.

Give it a Break Already: In this weeks morons corner(think i’m really going to start a weekly thing for these idiots) first place prize goes to non other than the infamous Scarlet and Gray loving Matt Hayes from the Sporting News. He claims that Carlos Hyde shouldn’t have played because he hit that girl in the bar. He goes on to basically say that the reason the girl didn’t press charges was because she was afraid of retaliation from Columbus.

Here’s what I don’t understand Matt is how you say Carlos clearly hit the female in question. I guess you know more and seen more than the police and coach Meyer, oh wait that’s right they covered it up I’m sorry. I’m sure that the 3 game suspension that Hyde served was cause he DID assault the young lady. I’m sure that she refused to press charges because of retaliation not the simple fact that it appears she may have assaulted him first.

Why don’t you come down from your ivory tower and let the world know what mistakes you have made when you were young and let morons such as yourself judge you. I’m glad that the mistakes I made weren’t judged by the likes of you since all you know how to do is blow things out proportion.

Sorry this one is short and sweet Buckeye Nation but until next time…

1.) Clemson
2.) Alabama
3.) Ohio State
4.) Oregon
5.) Florida State
6.) Stanford
7.) Louisville
8.) Oklahoma
9.) UCLA
10.) Miami of Florida
11.) Georgia
12.) Northwestern
13.) LSU
14.) Texas A&M
15.) Washington
16.) Oklahoma State
17.) Florida
18.) Va Tech
19.) South Carolina
20.) Texas Tech
21.) Baylor
22.) Northern Illinois
23.) Fresno State
24.) Michigan
25.) Missouri

– Not a ton of movement this week in the top 25. Mostly because Tony handled it for me last week and his rankings were completely different from mine.

– I am still really high on Northwestern. I think they may be the best 1 loss team in the country just behind Georgia.

– I am still not sold on Michigan it was 28-13 with 4 mins to go in the game against Minnesota. They got 2 cheap late TDs to make it look like a bigger win than it was.

– The PAC 12 is probably the best conference right now with 3 teams that are head and shoulders above the rest.

– The SEC is the SEC they have a lot of teams ranked and might be the best conference but not by much if they are.

– Florida State and Clemson are on a collision course that will explode in 2 weeks when they play each other.

– If you had Missouri and Bama as the last 2 undefeated teams in the SEC after week 6 congrats you are a genius.

That is how I see it this week what do you think? What did I get right and wrong?

My wife was born in Oklahoma and raised in San Diego. But she has come to love the Buckeyes as much as I do. As we sat at home early in the third quarter, I said “it’s really rare when you see a team dominating both lines of scrimmage like the Buckeyes are, with the other team ahead. But Northwestern just wants it more. They fight and won’t go down. But will 5:03 (the amount of time for Northwestern between three losses and an undefeated season) come back to haunt them like last year? Do they have the depth to stick in a game for 60 minutes?” Her response, “our cheerleaders are cuter than theirs.” So there it is.

I have learned not to question Urban on certain things. I thought he should have called a time out with 1:40 left in the first half, but then what happened? Ohio State played it safe in their territory and moved to midfield. With 30 seconds left, OSU opened up, and promptly turned it over—at that point, I was glad there were only 11 seconds left. Still, I wondered why you’d have an Australian rules player in his first month of American football run a fake at his 30? Urbs, you got some splainin to do.

This was not Braxton’s night–until crunch time. Foiled by dropped passes in key circumstances, until late, he still had errant throws, was terrible on scrambles (great on designed runs) and fumbled twice. But in the clutch, Brax was pure gold.

Kenny Guiton got ready to come in not because he was about to come in, but because, I believe, Urban realized the Buckeyes were going to have to rely on the designed run—and Braxton could well get hurt—so get the right hander loose. Northwestern could not handle C. Hyde (Ezekiel on first down near the goal line? Come on man). After experimenting with the quick strike with no luck, Urban decided to go with smash mouth in the second half. A Braxton fumble near the goal line only stalled the inevitable. The Buckeye defense held, a punt penalty put the ball in Northwestern territory and B and C took over with the smash mouth.

Yes, there was poor tackling, dropped passes, very nervous first half play and Curtis Grant, while great otherwise, has a long way to go in pass defense. And Bradley Roby added very poor tackling to his growing list of weaknesses (love the blocked punt and touchdown saving tackle though). But in the trenches none of that mattered, and in the end that is what wins most games. Adophus Washington was a monster on every play and Michael Bennet, Joey Bosa and Noah Spence were there to pour it on. Northwestern’s play calling was high risk but effective and that put them nominally in control for a long time. But those things usually catch up to a team, and did.

So after the sack late in the third quarter put Northwestern out of field goal range, with Hyde unstoppable behind a totally in control O-line, barring yet a third Buckeye turnover, the outcome was never really in doubt even if the Buckeyes were losing by 3 at the time and even if Northwestern had come back to take the lead after Carlos’ stretch TD.

Oh, and the time Ohio State went ahead for good? 5:22–sometimes 16 inches on fourth down can seem like a mile.

Line play, when it is punishing, usually decides a game. And when it doesn’t, relax. There are always our cheerleaders.