War Room Wednesdays

The CFB Playoffs debuted this week and the Buckeyes remained and was slotted at the #6 spot in the initial rankings.  This is the perfect spot for the Buckeyes as they continue to play at a higher level as they continue to build their resume after the heartbreaker against Oklahoma.  Their offense has gelled together and they continue to scorch opposing defenses to earn style points to place them into further consideration for another CFB Playoff berth.

This week, the Buckeyes travel to Kinnick Stadium as they look to continue their hot streak after their miracle comeback by J.T. Barrett and his brothers on defense.  They erased an 18-point deficit and beat the then #2 Nittany Lions in one of the wildest games of the season, and most likely the best game of the year so far.

Blackout at Kinnick Stadium

This game will pit #6 against an unranked Iowa team that could catch the Buckeyes sleeping after their dramatic win at home.  A potential hangover after battling to survive is possible when away from the confines of Columbus, and I am positive that the coaches have drilled that into their heads as they prepare to face another scrappy Iowa defense.  This is one of three of the trap games the Buckeyes will have.

This uniform choice will ignite this crowd and give the team added motivation to the fire.  It would be a major letdown if the Buckeyes fall in this contest and it would all but ruin their chances of making the CFB Playoffs.

If Urban Meyer and company wants another shot at redemption, he must get 110% from every unit, especially for his Special Teams unit who have been the Achilles heel so far this season.

Not so Special Teams

In what has been the most unfortunate surprises for the team this season, Special teams has been flat-out bad this season.  This is Coach Meyer’s unit and they have not been playing to his or the Ohio State standard and other teams have been taking advantage of this weakness and they have been making them pay for 8 consecutive games.

Per Ohiostatebuckeyes.com, Ohio State has been decent on kick and punt returns so far this season.  They have 19 for 535 yards and 15 for 73, both without any TD’s.  Their only potential TD was turned away after another constant theme, penalties negated and wiped it away.

Opponents have scorched the Buckeyes unit in kick returns.  They have 52 total kick returns for 988 yards and I believe 2 TD’s, a 100-yarder to Nebraska and the 97-yarder on the opening kickoff captured above.  On punt returns, this unit is flawless giving up zero yardage on returns.  One was blocked and Chrisman has shanked a couple, but they are not as bad as the kickoff unit.

If they want to win and win comfortably, they need to improve as a whole unit.  The angled kickoffs seem to be putting them out of position, but we will see what improvements will be made.

The Barrett Gang

The J.T. Barrett show will continue to be the primary show followed closely by the Silver Bullets.  Barrett has showed his resolve by performing against Penn State.  This game will not have the flash, but it will be another hard fought contest against Josey Jewell, who has been the heart and soul of the Hawkeyes defense.

Barrett will be challenged offensively while facing the #12 scoring defense in the country after facing the top-ranked defense.  Ohio State ranks 18th in the nation, so the drop off isn’t that severe, but it should be another good, hard-fought contest.  The margin in PPG is small with Iowa holding the edge giving up 17.4 PPG while Ohio State is giving up 18.3 PPG.  Iowa has surrendered 15 TD’s and 11 FG’s to Ohio State’s 20 TD’s and 2 FG’s.

Both teams are active in the sack department with the Buckeyes holding the small edge with their 20 sacks to Iowa’s 19.  Ohio State’s defense is disruptive and is #2 in the nation in TFL’s and 12th in total defense.

Iowa’s offense will need to scheme against the Silver Bullets in order to prevent another Buckeye blowout.  The same goes for their defense.  They need to play disciplined in order to stop Barrett and his playmakers.  The Buckeyes will look to establish balance into their gameplan to confuse Jewell.

Prediction:

I feel like the momentum will be too much to handle for the Hawkeyes and that they run into a buzzsaw even though they are at home.  Ranked 6th in the CFB Playoffs, the Buckeye will take it as a slight, but they are in the correct place, but that won’t stop them from coming into this game angry and motivated.  Barrett will continue his hot streak, but the RB’s will shine the most to prove a point.  

Buckeyes over Iowa 42-17