Archives for September 2014

When the negativity of Twitter gets to me, I go to my happy place (thanks for the advice, Chubs). MotSaG is my happy place, and while I don’t anticipate much negativity this week, we still have a safe place here to discuss civilly (and sometimes not, believe me, we get frustrated too) in our Open Thread.

Go Bucks!

The last week has brought a lot of bad news for OSU fans. There has been some good news mixed in though. Yesterday Mickey Mitchell re-committed to OSU after a brief 3 week breakup. Today we learned that 4 star 6’4″ 220 lbs WR/TE/H-Back AJ Alexander from Burke, Virginia has committed to OSU.

Here is a snippet from what our friend Mike Rockstedt from Eleven Warriors had to say about AJ…

The nation’s No. 53 wide receiver prospect, according to the 247Sports composite index, Alexander is a composite three-star and is ranked as the nation’s No. 488 prospect in the country. However, the Buckeyes have been recruiting him as an athlete, and he’s more likely to line up in the role of H-Back in Columbus. As mentioned earlier, it was the opportunities on and off the field at Ohio State that made it so attractive.

Our friends at elevenwarriors.com are reporting that sources have told them that Noah Spence has allegedly failed another drug test and his future with the Buckeyes may be in jeopardy.

The junior defensive end was expected to play this Saturday against Kent State after serving his 3 game suspension that was handed down by the Big Ten for violating an unspecified rule. Later it was said that someone allegedly put Ecstasy into one of his drinks without his knowledge. He appealed the 3 game suspension and lost costing him playing time in the Orange Bowl, Navy and Virginia Tech games this year. This will be a big blow to the Buckeye who have dealt with a lot this year already but an even bigger blow to this young man’s future if true. As more develops we will keep you informed.

Update:

Tim May of the Columbus dispatch is reporting that Spence is out indefinitely after second violation of Ohio State and Big Ten Rules

Tim May has a great article on the Columbus dispatch site detailing a lot of the information a long with talking with Spence’s parents and Noah admitting he has a “medical problem”

The season must go on, even after the bitter disappointment of a horrible showing against Virginia Tech in Primetime last Saturday night. The Buckeyes as a team are moving forward, trying to fix what went wrong and still prepare for a challenging Big Ten season. That road to recovery starts tomorrow against Kent State.

Ronnie, who has been on a tear for us recently not only profiled the players to watch on both sides of the ball, but also brought the preview knowledge that you need to watch this game with eyes wide open. The season is still very much salvageable, and it starts with a convincing win over Kent State. Ronnie predicts we’ll see Ohio State try to establish a running game early:

On offense expect to see a healthy dose of the run early on. This won’t be because Herman wants to play conservative versus a MAC opponent, but because the offense has yet to establish its power inside running style against an opponent. Carries will be divided among several running backs and h-backs, but there will be lots of carries early on to get the offense in a groove. The Buckeyes desperately need a feature back to step up so expect to see Ezekiel Elliott get plenty of touches and opportunities to earn that privilege.

Jacob took a look at the game as well and had a few strident things to say about Corey Smith (can’t disagree there)

Our guys casted a pod that you might find informative, entertaining and funny. You should check it out (and subscribe in iTunes, if you haven’t already).

No funny stuff this week with the Open thread. Just give us your thoughts on this week’s game and what you think the final score will be:

I say Ohio State works out some frustrations on Kent State and is up by a sizeable lead by halftime:

Ohio State: 52
Kent State: 9

We’ve also got a new poll, as well:

[poll id=”71″]

Ohio State vs. Kent State Preview

Last week was a tragedy. All my predictions about Ohio State were dead wrong. The only prediction I got right was stating that Michael Brewer needed to play great for the Hokies to win, which he did. This week the Buckeyes play Kent State and this week looks to be different.

Quick Rant: Before we start the preview, I would like to get something off my chest. I do not blame the poor secondary, or the poor offensive line performance for this loss. I look at the poor by WR Corey Smith. While Herman had questionable play calling all night, there were several times Smith was the focal point of the deep ball throws. Smith dropped a touchdown pass; that drive resulted in a missed field goal. He also had several deep balls that were put right in his hands to make a play and he failed. I question why it was Corey Smith was getting the deep ball looks and not senior Devin Smith. With that said Corey Smith had a chance to make plays and failed to do so. While I am not suggesting it is Corey Smith’s fault the Buckeyes loss, I do question why a junior college transfer is getting looks over a senior wide receiver, Devin Smith, who has proven to make the deep ball play.

When Kent State is on Offense: The Golden Flashes of Kent State are pretty young on the offensive side of the ball, only having three upperclassmen on the starting side of the ball. That does not stop them from passing the ball a lot. Sophomore quarterback Colin Reardon has thrown the ball eighty-one times this season already. This Ohio State secondary will get plenty of work this week. Reardon averages less than six yards per attempt. The Golden Flashes will go as he goes. The offensive line for the Golden Flashes will need to play the game of their lives this week; they have already allowed four sacks this season. I expect Reardon to have a lot of quick passes and quick screens this week. The running backs do not see a lot of work. Sophomore Nick Holley leads the Golden Flashes with nineteen rushing attempts, also has fifty three rushing yards and zero touchdowns. Reardon likes to spread the ball around; leading receiver Ernest Calhoun has fourteen receptions. While the Golden Flashes have not put up any big numbers, I would not count them out to keep the game close in the first quarter.

When Ohio State is on Offense: This section will be short and sweet. I expect this Buckeye offense to come out and do whatever they want. Many will see that the Golden Flashes have forced four turnovers, but that came all against the Ohio Bobcats and all were forced fumbles. The credit I will give to this Golden Flashes defense does not give up a lot of points. Kent State plays the bend but don’t break kind of defense. Navy played the similar style, but that did not last long and Navy had better athletes than Kent State does. Again while I expect the Buckeyes to do whatever they want, I expect the Buckeyes to be very physical and run the ball a lot. I also expect JT Barrett to get some throws to help rebuild his conference.

Kent State NFL Potential: I currently do not see any NFL talent on the Golden Flashes roster, but there is a guy I think has a shot. Casey Pierce is a TE for the Golden Flashes. He is six foot four inches and two hundred and thirty-five pounds. He has only played tight end for a few years, but I think he has raw enough talent to get a shot to get invited to a mini camp.

Buckeye to Watch: I am very excited to watch Noah Spence this week. Spence missed two games because of a suspension. I expect Spence to come out and have a big game. Especially against a Kent State offensive line who seems to get pushed around a lot.

Bottom Line: Ohio State comes out with a huge chip on their shoulder and wins big. JT Barrett has a huge day, along with a defense that is desperate to prove something.

Weekly Getting SEC Fans Worked Up About the Truth: While many SEC fans are probably sitting and laughing at the Big Ten, we will not mention the fact that the whole SEC conference played nobody’s this past week. Why don’t we talk about South Carolina? If Ohio State or any Big Ten team for that matter, went out and got embarrassed in their home opener and then barely beat a weak East Carolina team. Ohio State, or any Big Ten school, would have started in the top ten and then by the second week played like that; we would have dropped faster than a bag of bricks out of the rankings. We also would have been the laughing stock of the country; I mean could we have anymore bias in the polls? South Carolina clearly is getting the benefit of being in the SEC. South Carolina allowed a receiver, from East Carolina or also referred to as “wide receiver U”, to have over hundred and thirty yards. How is that possible in the mighty SEC? South Carolina reminds a lot of the guy who you work with, and the only reason he gets any recognition is because the CEO is his uncle. South Carolina is as good as the Little Giants were, in the beginning of the movie before they get Icebox.

BUCKEYES

(9/13) Kent State @ Ohio State. Noon, ABC/ESPN2.

It’s time to start the healing process. You’ll remember from previous losses that the Buckeye Healing Process consists of a home game against an Ohio MAC team, against which we will play poorly for at least the first quarter before finally overpowering them, leaving fans happy but nervous and nearly convinced that we’ll lose all of our remaining games.

So enjoy!

UPCOMING OPPONENTS

(9/12)

Toledo @ Cincinnati. 7:00p, ESPNU.

(9/13)

West Virginia @ Maryland. Noon, Big Ten Network.

Another Big Chance for the Big Ten. Can a conference newbie help erase last weekend’s debacle? Or would that just make it look worse?

Indiana @ Bowling Green. Noon, ESPNU.

Miami (OH) @ Michigan. 3:30p, Big Ten Network.

Illinois @ Washington. 4:00p, Fox.

Minnesota @ TCU. 4:00p, FS1.

Penn State @ Rutgers. 8:00p, Big Ten Network.

The first Big Ten game of the season is an East Division matchup of unbeaten teams. Penn State and Rutgers have played 24 times (including every year from 1982-1995) and Rutgers has won twice, in 1918 and 1988.

Michigan State: no game.

OTHER BIG TEN TEAMS
PLEASE DON’T EMBARRASS US ANY FURTHER

(9/13)

Iowa State @ Iowa. 3:30p, ESPN.

Purdue @ Notre Dame. 7:30p, NBC.

Western Illinois @ Northwestern. Noon, ESPN News.

Nebraska @ Fresno State. 9:30p, CBS Sports Network.

Wisconsin: no game.

OTHER OHIO TEAMS

(9/13)

Ohio @ Marshall. Noon, CBS Sports Network.

OTHER TOP NATIONAL GAMES

Texas vs. UCLA in Arlington. 8:00p, Fox.

Tennessee @ Oklahoma. 8:00p, ABC.

The Golden Flashes of Kent State (0-2) roll in to the Horseshoe on Saturday at noon to face what should be a very angry Ohio State team (1-1). The Buckeyes are fresh off a tough loss at home to the Virginia Tech Hokies and will be looking to avenge said loss versus their MAC opponent. The Golden Flashes have had a tough start to their 2014 campaign as well, narrowly losing to in state and conference rival Ohio University in their first game, and being dominated by South Alabama in their second game.

The Golden Flashes, like Ohio State, are a young and inexperienced group led by former Buckeye assistant Paul Haynes. Haynes served as a defensive backs coach, as well as co-defensive coordinator, under former Buckeye coach Jim Tressel prior to taking over the Golden Flashes. In his first season, Coach Haynes and his team finished 4-8 and 5th in their conference respectively. The Flashes seem to be headed down a similar path this year, however an upset win on the road could certainly turn things around for the program. Lets take a look at what to expect from both teams.

What to Expect from Them

On offense Kent State will do its best to stay balanced, however in their first two games the Golden Flashes rushing attack has mustered a very threatening and terrifying 1.9 yards per carry. That being said, sophomore quarterback Colin Reardon leads Kent State’s attack attempting 40 and 41 passes in his first two starts this season. He also is second on the team in rushing attempts with 15. Reardon is the do it all play-maker for Kent State, and the majority of their success will depend on his arm and legs. He will need help from senior tight end Casey Pierce (8 receptions, 106 yards, 1 touchdown) and sophomore wide receiver Ernest Calhoun (14 receptions, 119 yards-leads team) to keep the chains moving and provide their defense with a breather. Needless to say, the key to the Golden Flashes success lies with Reardon and he has yet to lead this offense to any great deal of success, ranking just 68th in passing yards, and 120th in points scored.

The strength of this Golden Flashes squad is on their defense. The Golden Flashes has only given up an average of 20 points in their first two contests, and bolster the 20th ranked pass defense in the country. The Golden Flashes have also forced 5 turnovers in their first two games (4 fumble recoveries, 1 interception). They field a young and talented defensive front that has decent size for a MAC opponent and could cause problems for the Buckeyes young offensive line. That unit is led by senior defensive end Richard Gray who is a talented and versatile athlete. Gray missed last season due to ineligibility reasons, so he will be looking to leave a lasting impact on his lone visit to the Horseshoe in senior year.

The one area of weakness for the Golden Flashes is their run defense which ranks 90th in the country allowing around 200 yards a game. Due to its offenses inefficiencies the Golden Flashes defense has seen a great amount of snaps this season and I expect to see something similar in the game on Saturday. The lack of depth will begin to show for this defense later in the game and their stubbornness will wear off facing a relentless Ohio State attack.

What to Expect from Us

On offense expect to see a healthy dose of the run early on. This won’t be because Herman wants to play conservative versus a MAC opponent, but because the offense has yet to establish its power inside running style against an opponent. Carries will be divided among several running backs and h-backs, but there will be lots of carries early on to get the offense in a groove. The Buckeyes desperately need a feature back to step up so expect to see Ezekiel Elliott get plenty of touches and opportunities to earn that privilege.

You could see more Michael Thomas and Corey Smith in the game plan again this week. Meyer was adamant in defending Smith’s performance versus Tech and I think it was quite obvious the head coach is rooting for the kid. Smith has earned playing time and targets, and Barrett and Thomas have a good chemistry so I would expect those two to feature largely in the passing game Saturday.

As for the offensive line I don’t expect much movement at the center spot, but you could see Joel Hale and Jamarco Jones get rotated in Saturday to see if there are any better results. I do expect the offensive line to have a better performance on Saturday but take it with a grain of salt, I’m not 100% this will be the group that will start throughout the whole season.

The big story on the defensive side of the ball will be the return of Noah Spence. Spence has served his 2 game suspension and has found himself listed as the back-up for Steve Miller entering Saturday’s contest. I would expect Spence to enter the game early and for that first line unit to get plenty of reps to gel together. It will be important for them to generate pressure on Golden Flash quarterback Colin Reardon to disrupt their very one dimensional offense.

The secondary will be tested to tackle play-makers in space, trigger on screens, and force Reardon in to a couple of bad decisions. Expect them to have a solid performance against an offense that does not have a true play-maker on the outside.

I would also expect to see more of Raekwon McMillan this Saturday as the stage should be just right for him to receive some first team snaps. The linebacker play by Grant and Perry has been O.K. so far this season, but it lacks speed in space especially at the middle linebacker spot. This defense should play very well against the Kent State offense, and provide the Buckeye offense ample opportunities to improve their chemistry and identity.

Score Prediction: Ohio State 45, Kent State 13