Archives for October 2015

Before we get started here, I just want to point out how extremely awesome the atmosphere was at The Shoe this past Saturday night. I was lucky enough to be given a ticket to the game and man was it awesome. There is just something about a night game in The Shoe that is special. If you have never been able to make it to one I highly suggest that you find a way to make it happen in the near future; you won’t regret it. Also while we are on the topic of pure awesomeness, those uni’s where SICK. I understand some of you had your undies in a bunch over the Buckeyes not wearing their traditional colors, but your’re going to have to get over it…… It’s 2015. Tradition is great but every once and a while it doesn’t hurt to switch things up a little bit. Not to mention the players loved them and got all jacked up to wear them so ,in my opinion, there is not a single negative to these jerseys. Embrace change people; evolve or die!

Now to the topic that I’m suppose to be writing about. The topic that every writer that writes for the Buckeyes has talked about at nausium the past few months: who is our starting QB. Well folks if you watched the game at all on Saturday I thing that question got answered. JT Barrett came into the game when Cardale was struggling to get anything going for the OSU offense, and it seemed like from the moment he stepped on the field the team was his. JT accounted for 4 total TD’s and over 100 yards of offense. This is all while playing about half the game. Not to mention that he is now a perfect 12 for 12 in the red zone in the last 2 games. That is simply incredible considering that Cardale has been terrible in the same state line. It’s interesting that just 2 or 3 weeks ago I wrote a post about how everyone needed to relax and to trust Urban to do what was best for the team, and if that means starting Cardale then so be it, but after Saturday there is no ground to stand on in the defense of Jones. When JT is in the game it just feels like things are in control and the right guy is leading this team. The stat  line does nothing but support that argument. I also think that JT is about at the end of his road when it comes to being named the starter. I think he really feels that he is the better choice at this point and he is such a competitor that he wants the ball any chance he gets.

The one issue I’m having with all of this is that I really thought it would be an easy decision for the coaching staff to make. I thought that even in the post game interview Urban would name JT the starter, but that did not happen. Hopefully once they are able to watch the film it is clear to the staff that JT is the guy and that it’s his team to lead!

It’s the halfway point of the regular season for most Big Ten teams, and the East division has settled into two tiers, comprised of exactly the teams everyone expected when the new format was introduced prior to last season. Ohio State and Michigan are joined by Michigan State and Penn State at the top of what could turn out to be the toughest single division in college football. Today is the first of three weekends this season where these four teams will be playing each other. The second and third rounds will close out the regular season, so while today’s winners will get an early jump on the division title, there will be plenty of time for the losers to get back into the race.

The big story of the first half of the season has been Michigan’s defense. The unit has posted three consecutive shutouts and is in the top 3 nationally in every defensive category, including #1 in scoring. The Wolverines seem to be putting all of their eggs in the defensive basket, as their offense doesn’t even crack the top 30 in any category. Since a disastrous three-interception performance in the opener at Utah, QB Jake Rudock throwing the ball has essentially been erased from the offensive game plan. Rudock has scored just 3 of the team’s 18 offensive touchdowns since the Utah game through the air, while he’s added another 3 on the ground.

For Ohio State, the storyline of the first six games was unsurprising: the quarterback situation. Urban Meyer faced constant criticism over his handling of the Buckeyes’ two top-notch talents, but finally seemed to settle into a solution last Saturday against Maryland. By inserting J. T. Barrett as a red-zone specialist, Meyer simultaneously found a suitable way to feature both QBs and shore up Ohio State’s ineffectiveness inside the 20-yard line, scoring touchdowns on all six opportunities. It would be surprising if this approach didn’t continue for the remainder of the season, and it may be the key to returning the offense to the explosive level they achieved last year.

This afternoon, Michigan hosts Michigan State, a rivalry that has been just as lopsided as The Game over the past seven years, with the Wolverines snagging just one victory in that span. The Spartans are undefeated but also play the underdog role in this game, which gives the match up an interesting twist. To this point in the season, Michigan has been playing with house money, but now they will see how things feel on the other side of the table. One of the reasons Michigan State was able to wrest control of the rivalry from the Wolverines in the first place was Coach Dantonio’s ability to fuel his players’ fire with the shoulder-chip of disrespect (whether real or manufactured). It must bring a smile to his stone face to be able to play that same card while still on top.

Tonight, Penn State visits Ohio State, and the Nittany Lions’ story has been similar to (albeit not as impressive as) Michigan’s. After an opening road loss to the currently undefeated Temple Owls, Penn State has rallied to win their last five games. All of those wins were in the comfort of their home stadium, however, and they won’t have that luxury tonight. The last time the Lions beat an Ohio State team ranked higher than them was in 2005 in State College. They have never won when the Buckeyes were ranked #1.

Nick Bosa

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Jonathon Cooper

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Kareem Walker

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Demario McCall

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Austin Mack

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Jake Hausmann

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Michael Jordan

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Tyler Gerald

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Luke Farrell

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Tristen Wallace

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Tuf Borland

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Malik Barrow

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Kierre Hawkins

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Wayne Davis

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Jack Wohlabaugh

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Gavin Cupp

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Kareem Felder

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Drue Chrisman

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A revenge seeking Penn State program visits the Buckeyes this Saturday for a much anticipated 8 p.m. night game. The Nittany Lions come into this game 5-1 overall, and 2-0 in the Big Ten. Meanwhile, Ohio State heads into the prime-time showdown 6-0 overall, and 2-0 in the Big Ten.

The top-ranked Buckeyes will have their hands full with this Penn State team. It was only a few months ago where many of us were looking at the schedule and believing Penn State would come into this game undefeated. After suffering a tough loss to Temple in week one, the Nittany Lions find themselves on a five game winning streak heading into Columbus.

Although the Buckeyes are a 17 point favorite, this will not be an easy game for the team. Penn State gave the Buckeyes a nail-bitter last season, bringing the game to double-overtime. We all remember those favorable calls Ohio State got too. The Nittany Lions are seeking revenge and hope to ruin the Buckeye’s first ever “Black Out”.

With both teams undefeated in Big Ten play, there is a lot at stake. The Buckeyes look to continue their undefeated season in hopes for another successful playoff push. Penn State looks to show the country that despite their week one loss, they are under looked in not only the Big Ten, but as a playoff contender.

Keys for Ohio State:

Limit Turnovers:

Quarterback Cardale Jones comes into this game with five interceptions. If Jones can keep the ball out of the defenses’ hands, the offense can find more opportunities to put the ball in the end-zone. If the offense can limit those big interceptions and fumbles, it gives them a much greater opportunity to put big points on the board, and keep the crowd in the game. Penn State’s defense averages two turnovers a game, which is among the top in the country.

Find Red-Zone Success:

Heading into last week’s Maryland game, the Buckeyes struggled to find touchdowns in the red-zone. The offense was able to score six touchdowns coming from the red-zone against Maryland. Before that, they found just six in their first five games alone. The good news is it looks as if the offense has found it’s success in JT Barrett last week. Barrett was a huge key in helping the Buckeyes match their season total with touchdowns scored inside the red-zone last week.

Keys for Penn State:

Continue Playing Strong Defense:

After holding Indiana to just 234 yards last week, the PSU defense is coming into this game with some momentum. If they want a chance to win this game they will need to come up with some turnovers that lead to points. It isn’t easy stopping the powerful running game the Buckeyes bring each game.

Control The Crowd:

A “Black Out” in the shoe has been in discussion for a couple years now. Buckeye fans can finally experience the first ever “Black Out” in Ohio Stadium. There is no question the crowd will be hyped up for kickoff. This poses a big threat to Penn State. If they want to seek composure early on they need to grab quick momentum.

This is a huge night game for both teams. Penn State has momentum, but Coach Meyer seems to always find a way to win the big Big Ten regular season games. Look for Ohio State to stress a well played 1st half. If they can do that, they should handle the Nittany Lions. Prediction: Ohio State 35 Penn State 14.

Kareem Walker is a 6’1″ 210 lb running back from Wayne, New Jersey. He is a 5 star, #1 ranked running back in the nation for the class of 2016. You know him as one of the prized commits for Ohio State’s 2016 class.

On January 12, 2015, during halftime of our National Championship Game, Kareem surprised Buckeye Nation by committing to play for Urban Meyer and Ohio State. Now, 9 months later, drama is surrounding his recruitment. Kareem had not been shy that he would take visits, and he did. But, he was persistent that he would remain solid to Ohio State, and in January he was going to enroll early, and get a head start on being a Buckeye.

Then, just last week, news swept over Buckeye fans everywhere that “the 5 star running back” was going to visit “the school up north” for their game against a resurging team in Northwestern.

Statement from Ohio State RB commit Kareem Walker @_KareemWalker after his Michigan visit, sent from his coaches pic.twitter.com/ldXtNRUiLF

— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) October 12, 2015

Unlike some other schools; at Ohio State, they will let their commits visit other schools. As a parent, Urban realizes that kids need to be able to be reassured that they are making the right choice, so he’s fine with reasonable visits. Because of that, fans weren’t too worried, but recently, rumors have surfaced that Kareem may visit the Big House for the 2nd straight week to watch them take on Michigan State.

A 2nd straight visit would definitely be significant. He would be watching a huge game that could potentially change how the country looks at the Wolverines, and he gets more time for his fellow New Jersey friends such as Ahmir Mitchell and Jabrill Peppers to attempt to flip him.

Obviously, the Buckeyes aren’t going to easily let go of a prized recruit like Kareem, and UM is starting to like their chances with him. Because of that, there was some serious subtweeting going on between coaches on either team.

Just remembered a great quote. "A person is only insecure about losing someone when they know someone else can treat them better"

— Chris Partridge (@CoachCPartridge) October 14, 2015

My dad, RIP, taught my brothers & I that we NEVER should feel insecure about what others do/think if we KNOW WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE STAND FOR

— Coach Tony Alford (@CoachTonyAlford) October 14, 2015

Now that there is a legitimate chance of a flip, our coaching staff will not sit back and risk not having any true RBs in the class. They went out and started looking around for a potential replacement. That guy was somebody from New London, North Carolina named Antonio Williams. He is a 5’11” 210 lb running back who is ranked the #7 player at his position in the 2016 class.

One apparent problem at the time was that he was a long-time commit to the Wisconsin Badgers. Just two days ago, he said he was going to visit the Buckeyes from October 17th-18th, and then see what happens. Then, the next day, on Wednesday, October 14th, this happened:

pic.twitter.com/wRHimRCzf1

— Antonio Williamsâ„¢ (@A_B_Williams34) October 14, 2015

It’s easy to assume that this means Kareem is going to decommit, and that Antonio is looking to become a member of the 2016 class. But, you never know what will happen. So, as we wait and see how this officially unfolds, let’s look at some highlights and statistical differences between these two.

It’s not hard to see why Kareem is ranked so highly when it comes to his highlights. For being a fairly tall and big back, he has nice 2nd level speed to makes some big plays. In there, he shows pretty good patience, and he definitely shows good agility and ability to find the hole. One problem he has is that his lower body isn’t very big and strong. With his height, people are going to be hitting him especially low, so if he wants to be a successful and efficient RB in the B1G he will definitely have to improve that. Just look at Ezekiel Elliott’s legs, which are very large muscular, and he still suffers from big hits and bruises to his thighs, (which is what brought upon the “Zeke Leap”) so it would be especially hard on Kareem.

Being obvious from the beginning, Antonio is more of the shorter, thicker RB that is similar to Carlos Hyde and Mike Weber. Antonio doesn’t possess the break-away speed that Kareem has, but if he gets to the 2nd level, then he is certainly capable of taking it to the end zone. Being shorter than Kareem he is a bit more difficult to bring down. Less height=Less target, and a lower center of gravity. You can see that Kareem is prone to take big hits, but Antonio more frequently bounces off of tacklers. Also, Antonio isn’t as good at finding the hole and running in between the tackles as Kareem is. Antonio has the frame to run inside, but he definitely likes to bounce it to the outside (even though a lot of it is by design). When he does get to the outside, he is excellent at making one cut and then making a big play. So, from his highlights, he has great ability as a RB, which is obvious from his ranking, but like everybody, he has some room for improvement.

Antonio Williams : Junior Year- 12 games. 231 carries, 2,267 yards, 27 TDs. (9.8 yards per carry, and 188.9 yards per game)

Senior Year- 7 games. 153 carries, 1,824 yards, 18 TDs. (11.9 yards per carry, and 260.6 yards per game)

Kareem Walker : Junior Year- 12 games. 199 carries, 1,607 yards, 26 TDs. (8.1 yards per carry, and 133.9 yards per game)

Senior Year- 5 games. 93 carries, 612 yards, 5 TDs. (6.6 yards per carry, and 122.4 yards per game)

Williams is obviously more depended upon from his team than Walker, and he produces too. Even though the competition he faces isn’t quite as tough as those who Walker faces, running for over 10 yards per carry is an extremely impressive feat. Like I mentioned, Walker plays stiffer competition, who are often some of the best in the country. Obviously, it’s harder to run the ball against them, so his stats aren’t as elevated.

Stats don’t always tell the full story, but they are fun to look at and compare.

So, who’s better? From rating, Walker is. From stats, Williams is. They’re two different types of running backs who have the ability to be successful in college. Either way, the team will be in a good position with these two players. Should you be worried? No, because they are two of the best in high school, and we will get one or the other. If Kareem leaves, then we have a great player to “pick up the rifle,” and if not, then we have the top ranked RB in the country. Urban and his staff are the best in the country; things will be just fine.

Antonio Williams

Kareem Walker

By: Phil Schoch, Twitter me @osuphil95

Each week in this spot, we look at college football’s point spreads and match-ups and predict each B1G game as well as a few national spotlight games.

WOW! What a week! Not my humdrum picks or the uneventful action Saturday, but the drunkenness, firings, failings, voodoo PED use, retirement and the absurdity of Bert that unfolded Monday in the aftermath of the Week 6 action.

As more and more details of deposed Southern Cal coach Steve Sarkisian’s alcohol fueled antics have come to light, a few things have become quite obvious. First, USC athletic director Pat Hayden and his hiring crew did a shabby job of looking into Sarkisian’s past escapades at Washington. Second, Coach Sark couldn’t coach his way out of the bottle. Drunk at a game!? Drunk in team meetings? Too drunk to conduct practice? This guy needs serious help.

BIG GAME BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! (Imagine that Texas is the tiger)

Gainesville residents thought they had been freed. New Gator football coach, Jim McElwain, had the antidote to reverse the voodoo curse Urban Meyer had turned loose on the Gator program five years ago. But Lo! Gator fans! You shan’t underestimate the mystic powers of Urban Frank Meyer! Meyer shape-shifted into a spandex-clad, Gold’s Gym bench press ultra-grunting, parking lot pharmacist. He lured  Gator QB, Will Grier, into his 1983 IROC-Z and filled him with PED-tainted candy. Gator officials are working to re-name the Meyer Era at Florida as “The Time between Zook and Muschamp.” The curse continues.

Steve Spurrier never met a one-liner he wouldn’t use to zing a rival. When a fire in an Auburn football dorm destroyed property, including twenty books, Spurrier needled, “But the real tragedy was that 15 hadn’t been colored yet.” Over the past few years, Spurrier also never met a golf cart he couldn’t coach from. Apparently the floodwaters in South Carolina were too deep for effective golf cart coaching and instant retirement became a necessity. College football folks will miss the Head Ball Coach’s one-liners, but his on-field product at South Carolina never measured up to his great Florida teams. He thought he had a shot a few years back, but couldn’t get past the big boys.  Lee Corso was right when he predicted in 2005 that Spurrier would never win an SEC title (even if he coached there for 400 years).

Bret Bielema is the drunken lout hitting on your recently widowed aunt at your family reunion. He’s the balls-to-the-wall jerk in full uniform at the office co-rec softball game who takes out Marge from Accounting as she pivots at second base trying to turn-two. He’s the red-faced, foul-mouthed, know-it-all blowhard at every sports bar and tailgate. He has tickets right next to you at every game you will ever attend. His scent is crotch-sweat, mildewed clothes, Axe and stink bug extract. In real life, Bert is a meathead football coach who baits opponents, flops like a Uraguayan footballer to draw a penalty, then dances a celebratory Pig Sooie jig. He is the worst! And that is why we need/want him back as the B1G villain. #bertforillini

Oh yeah, there were some games last week.

Week 6 saw Pick ‘em & Tidbits level-out with a 5-5 mark versus the spread and 7-3 straight up. For the first time this season, my PM Stukenborg Fearless Prediction (Northwestern over M) did not cover as the Wildcats got boot-stomped by Michigan. After six weeks, I am 39-44 (47%) against the spread and 63-20 (76%) straight up. Not too bad.

Disclaimer: Warning! Do not try this at home! Your spouse might find out.

Around the B1G… (My word count is up, so short and sweet)

Saturday, October 17

Who is undefeated and who got shellacked by Michigan?

Pick ’em says… Iowa, 18-13.

Why was Purdue grad and first man to walk on the moon, Neil Armstrong, so quiet and out of the spotlight after his astronaut career? Because he knew the truth about extraterrestrials and the government made him keep silent.

Pick ’em says… Pick Wisconsinbly, 27-13.

The Boss vs Tito Jackson.

Pick ’em says… Same as last week for Indiana, if Sudfeld and Howard can effectively play, Indiana wins. If not, Rutgers wins.

Prediction: Lot’s of glowering. 

Pick ’em says… Too many injuries for Sparty. Cook HAS to make big plays. Is there such-a-thing as “program momentum?” We’ll see. Michigan, 23-17.

Oh Nebraska. I bet you wish you still had Old Bo to kick around. At least then you’d be kicking around a coach who won 71% of his games when he was ranting and raving up and down your sidelines.

Pick ’em says… It’s Dilly Bar Dan time! Gophers, 20-16.

I hate matte helmets. The helmet shouldn’t be black too. Get off my lawn! Bah!

Pick ’em says… Impostor uniforms, 45-13.

I wish they both could lose. I remember the good ol’ days when I could watch this game and root for a tie. Bah!

Pick ’em says… Eggplant Head, 24-17.

From 1966 – 2012, legendary Minster (Ohio) resident, Paul ‘P.M.’ Stukenborg (pictured above) posted his weekly sports predictions in the hometown paper, The Community Post. Each week, Pick ’em will make a P.M. Stukenborg Fearless Prediction and call for an underdog to to knock off the favorite.

Pick ’em says… Wishful thinking perhaps, but I would love to watch the 12th Man celebrate to the Aggie War Hymn while Nick Saban sulks. Gig ’em! 34-31.

COME ON JACKETS! 0-3? OUTWORKED BY THE SABRES? BAH!

By: Ryan Black

Websters defines a wildcard as a person or thing that can affect a situation that cannot be predicted.

The Lions of Nittany are headed East to Columbus in a few days and many are having a hard time figuring them out. They’ll be plenty of talk about quarterbacks, tackling, special teams, etc…Sometimes the basics don’t tell the whole story.

When Ohio State plays Penn State the outcome is usually unpredictable. Two years ago Ohio State sent the Penn State team straight to hell with a 63-14 smashing, while last year’s National Champion Buckeyes struggled mightily into double overtime.

I expect more wackiness this year and this will be due to some factors nobody sees coming.

Before we get started let’s get a brief overview of the Nittany Lions so far:

The Bad:

1. Killed By Temple.
2. Ugly wins against Army, San Diego State and Buffalo.
3. Passing game is non existent 90% of the game.

The Good:

1.  Sound wins against decent Rutgers and Indiana.
2. Saquon Barkley is one of the most dynamic freshmen in the country (though he is 50/50 to play Sat.).
3. The Penn State defense looks like last years stout unit; the defensive line is outstanding.

It’s hard to place a guess as to which team will show up in Columbus and it may not be as simple as execution, turnovers, boring football rhetoric etc. Let’s explore some other factors that may determine the story…

Here are 5 Wildcards to pay attention to Saturday night:

5. Referee Payback

Last year there were two missed calls that went Ohio State’s way in the first half that had Penn State fans fuming. There was a replay malfunction that gave the Bucks an interception that hit the ground at the 40 yardline and a missed delay of game on a made OSU field goal.

Were these bad calls? Absolutely.

Did they giftwrap Ohio State 10 points? Hell no.

Many of the PSU fanbase honestly believe they beat the eventual champs last year with the simplistic logic that since Ohio State was “given” 10 free points by the refs, they should have won 17-7 in regulation.

They are just assuming that Ohio State wouldn’t have scored on their opening drive and that our favorite German would have missed the longer field goal. The calls were bad but they didn’t have anything to do with Penn State getting run over on their first drive.

The worry Saturday for Buckeye fans should be that a lot of the 50/50 calls will go the Nitt’s way to avoid the conspiracy of OSU being the Big 10 cash cow as many PSU fans believe. I’d bet money James Franklin has been in the Big 10’s ear since last year.

It seems every 50/50 call has gone against the Bucks this year (esp. at Indiana) and it is something to pay attention to Saturday.

4. Penn State Offensive Line Shuffle

All the injury talk right now is about sensational freshmen running back Saquon Barkley but some injuries on the offensive line could spell disaster for Penn State.

The plan maybe to shuffle some lineman around to avoid a Joey Bosa vs Paris Palmer matchup in the trenches. Palmer has been very very bad in pass protection to put it mildly but some injuries may keep the matchup inevitable.

If this happens look for Bosa to feast on roast Hackenberg for dinner.

3. Blackout Issues

Some are worried about how the Blackout planned for the game will affect downfield passes, myself included.

Will the ball blending in with a dark crowd be in issue? Maybe a couple times.

As a guy who has never caught a pass on any football field with any crowd, I am probably not the guy to give his expertise but I’m always good at worrying.

2. Nickleback

Pardon my French but if Ohio State has another injury in the secondary then they will be headed straight to DB Heck.

Marshon Lattimore (freshmen) is now the teams nickleback after injuries to Cam Burrows, Erick Smith and the Damon Webb suspension.  He’ll be a good one but he may not be ready for a title run at this time.

Ohio State tried to mask this against Maryland by staying in the 4-3 set and moving Darron Lee out wide on many occasions. This limits Lee’s ability as a playmaker and is not ideal for the stretch run.

Against Penn State it may not be too bad as they are struggling a bit at wide receiver. Look for Ohio State to be in mostly 4-3 all night and see if Hackenberg will gamble downfield.

1. Motivation

After the loss to Virginia Tech last season, Ohio State was the hungriest team on the field no matter who they played on the way to a Championship. They still made mistakes, every team will, but the motivation was never questioned.

After the win to Virginia tech this season, Ohio State has slept walked through the first half of every game. Do they need to lose again to bring back the fire?

If Ohio State can’t get pumped up for the school’s first blackout night against a rival who nearly took away everything from them last year, then it’s time to worry.

My gutless prediction: Ohio State 38 Penn State 17