As always, presented without comment.
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Stats are grabbed from cfbstats.com
Archives for December 2014
By The Numbers: Wisconsin
December 3, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Cardale Jones: A Man With Many Expectations
December 3, 2014 by Leave a Comment
What can we expect of Cardale Jones in the Big Ten Championship this Saturday? This is the million dollar question on everyone’s minds.
Really it depends on who you ask. Urban Meyer says he believes in his quarterback and expects him to perform quite well in the game. If you ask the media, they expect a make or break performance. Just tune into ESPN or FOX when they’re discussing the Buckeyes and you’re bound to hear them discuss how Cardale’s performance will determine whether the Buckeyes make the playoffs or not. If you ask Buckeye detractors and really most college football fans, they expect Jones to have a bad game and cause the Buckeyes to lose. If you ask Buckeye fans, you could get any answer. Some have full confidence, while others have already given up on the season (way to be a true fan).
So what do I expect out of Cardale Jones this Saturday? Well let’s go over the facts. He’s a redshirt sophomore from Cleveland, Ohio. He’s listed at 6’5″ and 250 pounds. Jones saw little playing time in 2013, as he went one of two passing for three yards and rushed for 128 yards and one touchdown. With starting quarterback Braxton Miller going down with an injury in August, Cardale competed with J.T. Barrett for the starting job and narrowly lost the quarterback battle. Jones has been the backup for Barrett all season and has seen some playing time. Currently this season he’s 10 of 17 passing for 118 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Jones has also rushed 26 times for 206 yards.
This Saturday will be the first ever start for Jones in college football. Based on the facts I just laid out, this seems like a pretty daunting task for the young quarterback. Really on paper it seems like an impossible task for Jones to replace Barrett and match his production. That’s because it is impossible. But guess what? Jones doesn’t have to replace Barrett and match his production. If you’ve watched Ohio State football this season, while J.T. Barrett was a big part of it, the offense has been more than one player. As they say it takes a team to win.
You shouldn’t expect Cardale Jones to put up great numbers. If he does, that’s great. But you know what Jones’ main job will be on Saturday? Win the game. It’s that simple. Jones won’t be expected to make all of the big plays because he has several dynamic offensive weapons around him in Ezekiel Elliott, Jalin Marshall and Curtis Samuel. Those are just his running backs/h-backs. He also had wide receivers Michael Thomas, Devin Smith, Corey Smith, Jeff Heuermann and Nick Vanett. Yes J.T. Barrett is talented, but he didn’t put those big numbers up on his own. He’s had a pretty good supporting cast around him and Urban Meyer’s system to thank too.
The talking heads can speculate all they want about the Buckeyes’ playoff chances being affected by Cardale Jones. It’s their job to sit around and deliver hot takes to entertain the masses. I’m not saying the injury to Barrett is affecting the playoff chances of the Buckeyes. I’m sure it is, but the Buckeyes can’t worry about. Their job is to go out, execute the game plan and win the game. That’s all they can do. What a novel concept! Win the game and then see what happens. Style points are bullshit. It’s just a term the media loves to use in one of their debate segments. At the end of the day, getting the win is what matters and I think Urban Meyer will be drilling this into the players’ heads all week.
So what can we expect of Cardale Jones in the Big Ten Championship against Wisconsin? You can expect him to try to win the game. (And maybe hurdle someone)
MotSaG Live Episode #16 – The Big Ten Championship & The College Football Playoffs
December 2, 2014 by Leave a Comment
On our 16th episode we discuss Ohio State’s win over Michigan, pick some conference championship games and of course preview the Buckeyes’ matchup against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game. Added bonus! You also get our live reactions to the announcement of the new college football playoff rankings. Our special guest for this podcast is Andy Coppens, managing editor & founder of MadTownBadgers.com and publisher for Talking Ten. He was a fantastic guest who was informative and entertaining. He too agrees that Urban Meyer not winning the Big Ten Coach of the Year award is bullshit!
Ignore Hoke
December 2, 2014 by Leave a Comment
He’s outta there! Brady Hoke is out as Michigan’s Head Football Coach:
Brady Hoke’s tenure at Michigan has been terminated, finally. The school’s interim AD Jim Hackett opted to move in a different direction. The decision, a fait accompli for quite a few weeks, surprised no one.
Back a couple years ago, a popular App had everyone playing Pictionary 2.0, called Draw Something.
I played quite a few rounds with my fellow MotSaG’er (and much better artist than me) Jason. The game started out innocently enough, each of us drawing something for words like butterfly and totem pole. Then Jason started adding a little flair to his posts:
Around this same time, there was another guy adding some “flair” to some of the things he was drawing. His instructions to his friend were to “ignore Hitler”. He then collected them in a Tumblr called (appropriately enough) “Ignore Hitler“. I told Jason I was saving his pictures and I was going to start a Tumblr called “Ignore Hoke”. We had a good laugh, and because I’m a lazy bum, I half-assed it and saved a bunch of his pictures but never actually followed through and started that Tumblr. Yet another quality opportunity to troll gone by.
I see those pictures on my phone all the time and I have a pang of guilt because that window of timeliness has come and go. But I’ve held on to the pictures nonetheless because they bring me joy.
And now, in honor of Brady Hoke’s firing, I FINALLY have a reason to share them here.
So, in the immortal words of Jason, IGNORE HOKE (click to behold the Hokeness in all its glory):
NegaBuck: The First Annual Big Ten Player Hatin’ Awards
December 2, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The good guys pulled away late against the evil empi… well, more like a local coffee shop from the North on Saturday but it came with a price-J.T. Barrett is out for the season and Ohio State is down another leading man before taking on the Badgers in Indianapolis in a few days.
I’ve never seen a team have such horrible luck as the 2014 Ohio State squad- Oh wait, I have. Somehow it seems like every player on my Blue Jackets has AIDS…
Honestly I don’t think they have enough healthy bodies to change a light-bulb.
Unfortunate hockey players aside, somehow the regular season is over (except for the communist Big 12) and conference awards are being announced. Being a negative fan, this makes me sick.
These coaches and players don’t need their already huge egos fed so it’s time to put some people in their place. I’ve decided to give out some shame awards to some really messed up people. It’s time to make some people feel really bad.
Put on your nicest jean jacket-Here is the first ever Big Ten Player Hatin’ Awards:
Heathen of the Year:
What is the best food option if it’s ten degrees outside and you need a bite to eat? You eat a damn dilly bar as this Minnesota electronics coordinator did.
Frostbite and diabetes, does this man have no care for his limbs?
Congrats to Dan Lehman you goof.
http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/111165/dilly-bar-dan-enjoys-his-brush-with-fame
The Patrick Bateman Bipolar Award:
There is a team this year that doesn’t know who they are most games. This team somehow has convincing wins @ Wisconsin @ Penn State and a neutral site overtime win over Notre Dame.
This same squad has also lost to Northern Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Illinois…
There is nothing more uncomfortable than dealing with somebody who doesn’t know who they are.
Northwestern you should be ashamed, find a way to define yourselves next year. Are you wusses or are you cold blooded killers?
The Anne Hathaway- Should I Kiss or Punch You- Coach of the Year:
Sometimes she looks like a ten, sometimes she looks like a gremlin…
Sometimes Tom Herman, Ohio State’s offensive coordinator, will out think himself on a 2nd and 1 and call something stupid like a delayed quarterback run to the outside that will lose 3 yards.
Other times he looks like the Broyles Award candiate that he is. You can’t deny how amazing quarterbacks have performed under him for the last three years.
Similar to Northwestern, pick a trait you ignorant genius.
The Rickety Cricket Bum of the Year:
I’m in a giving mood so this prestigious award will go to 5 men- The Penn State offensive line. Maybe the worst position group I have ever seen from a Big Ten school and that’s saying something.
These clowns get beat more than me when my wife gets a little liquor in her and that’s also saying something.
The You Look Like Randy Bobandy Award:
Going to have to leave the conference this year but it’s finally good to see Randy isn’t hooking for cheeseburgers anymore- He’s a professional kicker! Randy Bullock wins the big one.
First Team All Conference Horrible Names Team:
This is more a hate indictment on the player’s parents but these kids should be ashamed nonetheless. Some names really piss me off.
QB: Reilly O’Toole, Illinois– So Irish that he puts whiskey in his water bottle and prefers the center to snap him bangers over footballs.
RB: Keyante Green, Purdue-Â Goes delicious with fava beans and dude brains.
WR: Connor Cummins, Wisconsin– I think I’ve seen one of his “online videos” and it was definitely on accident, I promise.
TE: Freedom Akinmoladun, Wisconsin– …
FYI: Jake Butt was too easy and my brother actually is pretty good friends with him so I’ll leave him alone, for now.
Butt lol
OL 1: Mitch Keppy, Iowa-Â Most Iowa white boy name ever. Guarantee you he loves Taylor Swift, pickup trucks and Chipotle. Get some culture bro.
OL 2: Bryan Stonkus, Rutgers– He’s probably a nice guy but his name just gives off a vibe of a really gross dude.
DL 1: Thieren Cockran, Minnesota– His first name reeks of a pretentious Shakespeare character, his last name…
DL 2: Taco Charlton, Michigan– My brother also grew up with this young man but every time I see him play I get real hungry and somehow end up at Taco Bell which adds to my gut that is growing at an alarming rate. Please graduate soon.
LB 1: Zepheniah Grimes, Illinois– Simply dismal.
LB 2: D’Cota Dixon, Wisconsin– This makes zero sense homey. Is substituting an ‘ really saving you that much more time than using an A?
DB 1: Lubern Figaro, Wisconsin– For god’s sake Badgers, does Gary Anderson only recruit kids with terrible names?
DB 2: Godwin Igwebuike, Northwestern– Holy hell, another Pickerington kid that I watched grow up with my brother. Maybe there is something to the crazy names and being successful in this city…
Now that I am married and live in Picktown, I have decided my first born will be named God-Butt Taco Black.
Kicker: Emmit Carpenter, Minnesota– Sorry kid but watching the Cowboys growing up I just cannot accept an Emmit who looks like this:
Punter,: Logan McElfresh, Minnesota– Another goofer, sounds like a damn Mcdonalds 5 dollar salad.
There it is you jamokes, the first edition of the Big Ten Player Awards is finally over. Thank God.
I’m headed to Indy in a few days and I hope to see you there.
I’ll be the ugly guy in the red scarlet shirt sitting with other lower middle class people in section 625.
Lucky me, as I just read that this is listed as a Wisconsin section so Badger fans come find me and we can do two things:
Get drunk and fight.
Bonus: This basically sums up one of the funniest shows on t.v.
Double Bonus: Severe spoilers from Season 4 of Boardwalk Empire below, you are warned. One of the most beautifully sad scenes in history in my opinion.
B1G Weekly Recap: Wisconsin Takes West, Sets Up Showdown With OSU In Indy
December 2, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Wisconsin had to come from behind again this week to beat Minnesota and earn their berth to the Big Ten Championship Game this weekend in Indianapolis. They will meet Ohio State, who will turn to Cardale Jones at quarterback after losing J.T. Barrett for the season. Nebraska beat Iowa in their rivalry game, but it wasn’t enough to save Bo Pelini’s job as he was let go on Sunday. Illinois became bowl eligible at the expense of their in-state rivals, Northwestern, while Indiana, Michigan State, and Rutgers also earned victories in the final games of the regular season.
Nebraska 37, Iowa 34 (OT)
Tommy Armstrong Jr. led the way for Nebraska as they completed one of their biggest comebacks in history. The Cornhuskers trailed 24-7 midway through the third quarter before staging their comeback. De’Mornay Pierson-El gave Nebraska the 28-24 lead early in the fourth quarter but the Cornhuskers still needed a Drew Brown field goal to send the game to overtime after Jake Rudock found Jordan Canzeri in the endzone with less than two minutes to play.
Iowa kicked a field goal on their only possession of overtime and Nebraska responded with a game-winning touchdown pass from Armstrong to Kenny Bell. Nebraska ends the regular season at 9-3, Iowa at 7-5, and both teams will await their assignments for bowl season.
Ohio State 42, That Team Up North 28
Ohio State took care of business against their rivals in a game that was too close for too long in the minds of many. The Buckeyes finally pulled away in the fourth quarter, but only after losing their star quarterback. A 45-yard touchdown run on 4th-and-1 by Ezekiel Elliott followed up by a Darron Lee fumble return for a touchdown sealed the deal for the Buckeyes, earning Urban Meyer his third victory in as many tries over the Wolverines.
Elliott finished with 121 yards and two touchdowns while J.T. Barrett ran for two as well to go along with a passing touchdown to Nick Vannett that set the Big Ten record for touchdowns in a season, besting Drew Brees’ old mark. The Wolverines will sit out bowl season after finishing 5-7 but the Buckeyes move on to Indianapolis with a spot in the College Football Playoff still on the radar.
Illinois 47, Northwestern 33
Both teams came into this rivalry game at 5-6, with the winner getting the prize of extending their season and going to a bowl game. Reilly O’Toole was the star of the show for the Illini, throwing for 147 yards and three scores while running for 147 more. Josh Ferguson added 95 yards and two TDs on the ground as Illinois became bowl eligible for the first time since 2011.
Freshman running back Justin Jackson led the attack for the Wildcats, rushing for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Zack Oliver was starting in place of the injured Trevor Siemian and turned the ball over five times in the defeat.
Indiana 23, Purdue 16
Tevin Coleman shouldered most of the load as usual when Indiana took on Purdue in their battle for the Old Oaken Bucket but it was freshman quarterback Zander Diamont that was the hero with his game-winning 1-yard touchdown run with less than a minute to play. Coleman ran for 130 yards, increasing his season total to 2,036 yards and becoming the first Hoosier to hit the 2,000-yard mark rushing the football.
Akeem Hunt was the lone bright spot for the Boilermakers, rushing the ball for 171 yards and their only score of the game. Purdue ends up 3-9, Indiana finishes 4-8, and neither will be going bowling (unless at the local alley) this offseason.
Michigan State 34, Penn State 10
Michigan State coasted to another easy victory, this time dismantling Penn State in Happy Valley on Senior Day. The Spartans took the opening kick back for six points and never looked back. Jeremy Langford had himself a day, rushing for 118 yards and two touchdowns as Michigan State moved to 10-2 and are likely looking at a bid in one of the top six bowl games on New Year’s Day.
Sam Ficken set a Penn State record with his 23rd field goal of the season when he knocked in a 41-yarder in the second quarter. Christian Hackenberg was unimpressive again, completing just 21-45 passes for 195 yards and no touchdowns. The Nittany Lions fall to 6-6 and await their fate for bowl season.
Wisconsin 34, Minnesota 24
Minnesota took a 17-3 lead early in the second quarter, but Wisconsin would rattle off the next 24 points to take control of the game and clinch their spot in the Big Ten Championship Game. Melvin Gordon finished with 151 yards rushing, pushing his season total up to a Big Ten record 2,260.
David Cobb was the anchor of the Minnesota offense, rushing the ball 25 times for 118 yards and a touchdown. Mitch Leidner also ran for two scores and added 54 yards of his own on the ground. The Golden Gophers fall to 8-4 but will look to salvage their season with a bowl victory.
Rutgers 41, Maryland 38
Maryland let a 25 point lead slip away and fell to Rutgers in their first matchup as conference rivals. C.J. Brown threw for 195 yards and two TDs and ran for 107 and another score but it wasn’t enough as the Terraping collapsed in the second half at home.
Gary Nova led the comeback for the Scarlet Knights, passing for 347 yards and four scores with no interceptions. Kyle Federico hit the game-winning field goal for Rutgers from 25 yards out with just over six minutes to play. The result left both teams at 7-5 on the season as they will now wait for their bowl assignments.
What did you think of the last week of the regular season in Big Ten play? Will the Buckeyes be able to overcome the loss of J.T. Barrett to defeat Wisconsin? Or will Melvin Gordon and the Badger rushing attack be too much for Ohio State to handle? Let us know your favorite moment of the Big Ten season below!
Buckeyes Win B1G Awards
December 1, 2014 by Leave a Comment
JT Barrett also won “Hardest Working Player of the Year” award.
Offense All B1G
Pat Elfien was named 1st team all B1G by Coaches named 2nd team by Media.
Jeff Heuerman and Taylor Decker named 2nd team All B1G by both media and coaches.
Defense All B1G
Joey Bosa was named 1st team All-B1G by both the media and coaches.
Doran Grant was named 1st team by Coaches 2nd team by Media.
Media 2nd team All B1G- Michael Bennett, Joshua Perry, and Doran Grant.
Coaches 2nd team- Micahel Bennett.
Thad Matta Lands a Young Gun
December 1, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Local kid makes hometown proud and becomes a Buckeye. I could come up with days upon days of titles for this post. What I cant do is offer a lot of info about this young man. He is a Freshman at Upper Arlington in the class of 2018. He is 6’4″ and 170 pounds but that is sure to change by 2018 right?
Here is Dane Goodwin in his own words….
Hopefully we will have more on Dane soon…
