This is what the first half of the year has felt like for Ohio State players, coaches and fans:

Ohio State has been very average this year. There is no other way to put it. There is plenty of blame to go around. From interim head coach Luke Fickell to offensive guru (cough, cough) Jim Bollman to bright red ginger Joe Bauserman. For me the biggest reason for OSU’s struggles thus far has been this:

RB Jordan Hall
RB Boom Herron
WR Corey Brown
WR DeVier Posey
OL Mike Adams
OL Corey Linsley
OL Antonio Underwood
DL Chase Farris
DL Solomon Thomas
DL Nathan Williams
DL Melvin Fellows
LB Scott McVey
LB Conner Crowell
DB Corey Brown
DB Travis Howard
DB Donnie Evege
QB Terrelle Pryor
WR James Jackson
WR James Louis
LB Ejuan Price
LB Dorian Bell
LB Jonathan Newsome

That is 21 players that have been suspended, injured, transferred or booted off the team. That is a TON of talent not to have. The coaches have certainly had their issues and will most likely be replaced, but this year’s Ohio State football team simply put has a lack of talent…at least compared to most years. That is an average of 3.95 stars per player when they were being recruited, folks…that’s a lot of talent and a big reason why OSU is struggling.

Not only is this team lacking a huge amount of talent, it’s got to be mentally drained after going through the offseason from hell that has bled into the season with the continuing onslaught of off the field treats the OSU players continue handing out. It has also lost its legendary coach and is dealing with the everyday incompetence of an offensive coordinator who doesn’t seem to have a clue out there.

I have stolen this secret OSU offensive weapon from deep within the bowels of the interweb…this is what Bollman uses to call his plays:

However this week we will finally be able to watch Boom Herron run the “Dave” series as he makes his return after a 6 game suspension. Oddly enough it was his game last year vs. Illinois that catapulted Herron into being OSU’s work horse. Herron scored 16 TD’s last year and ran for over 1000 yards. Herron, Hyde and Hall will carry the offense with a wounded Braxton Miller likely to start. Reports have Miller getting all the action with the 1’s and apparently he is not limited physically. I can’t see Ohio State running Miller too often due to his injured ankle. We may see Miller use some play action off runs he has typically made this year and look for a couple shots deep.

Make no mistake…OSU will try to establish the run on Saturday. If not…there always this guy:

On to Illinois…

They have a pretty good squad this year. They are 6-0 for the first time in like 2000 years or something. Nathan Scheelhaus has been outstanding in his sophomore season and is running a spread option attack to the tune of 34 points per game. He runs and throws well and has a big-time playmaker at wide receiver in A.J. Jenkins who has 7 touchdowns already this year. Three backs split carries along with Scheelhaas to form an effective option attack. Something OSU struggled with vs. Nebraska in the 2nd half.

Defensively I expect Illinois to follow the MSU model of blitzing the hell out of OSU QB’s, whoever they may be. Nebraska didn’t really pressure OSU at all, especially in the 1st half and nearly got blown out of their own building. I don’t see Illinois following that model.

For me this comes down to two things: Will Braxton Miller play and will he be able to use is very gifted legs. I’d also love to see him throw a few more times than 8 through 3 quarters. If Miller can make a couple plays with his legs, a couple plays with his arm and stay healthy I think OSU can win this game. I also can’t wait to see what Boom Herron does. Will he be rusty or will he carry the load vs. Illinois 9th ranked rush defense?

Oh yeah…and they are playing for this thing:

Prediction:

Illinois: 30
OSU: 24

Until the coaching staff can show they have a full game in them, I don’t trust’em…and I don’t think the players are far behind me…

vs.

For a better part of a decade Miami Hurricane fans have been complaining that the passing interference call vs. OSU was BS. Let’s get this out of the way early:

Now, onto Saturday’s primetime game.

The Al Golden era has begun in Miami. They lost their first game of the season to a Maryland team that quite frankly isn’t all that good. The Miami defense was without most of their starters and that was a real issue, as Maryland amassed 499 yards of total offense, however only scored 32 points thanks to a sputtering red zone offense.

Also missing from that game was Jacory Harris, Miami’s starting QB for the last couple years. As most Buckeye fans remember, Harris threw 4 interceptions last year in the Shoe and struggled most of the day with constant pressure from OSU’s defensive line. For those counting on Harris to fork over footballs to the Buckeye’s defense like douche bag politicians handing out campaign bumper stickers… it’s not going to happen. Either he will play a mistake free game or at the first sign that he is going to turn into an interception machine Golden will yank him for ultra talented sophomore Stephen Morris. Morris showed flashes vs. Maryland but threw 2 costly INT’s of his own including a pick six that sealed the game.

Miami runs a pro style offense very similar to USC. Which ever QB Golden goes with they will surely rely on their running game, or try to with tailback Lamar Miller. Miller averaged 6.6 yards per carry last week on his way to a 119 yard, 1 TD night. He kept the Hurricane’s in the game and should be productive come Saturday night.

The OSU defense needs to be great. That will be difficult because their best pass rusher Nathan Williams will be out after having a minor surgery recently. OSU does get back the suspend Travis Howard, their #1 corner. The big eaters up front need to clog those running lanes and that means Garrett Goebel, Big Hankins and Johnny Simon need to continue their stellar play. Look for Andrew Sweat to have 8987 tackles in this game.

The OSU offense last week was, well, offensive. They barely managed 300 total yards and scored only 3 touchdowns. Braxton Miller didn’t get a single rep and was held out because he missed practice time the week before the Toledo game. He is full go this week and could play a big role in the offense. Also back from suspension is Jordan Hall. Jon Gruden called Hall the best player on Ohio State’s team during a recent visit. Having Hall running and running well will open up Stoneburner on playaction.

I have to think that last week OSU was playing conservative on purpose, for multiple reasons. Not only to protect Joe Bauserman with an injured and ill practiced Miller on the bench, and also to not show their cards come Saturday vs. Miami. I see Miller, Hall and Berry all getting meaningful playing time and being used primarily out of the gun. Ohio State’s offense desperately needs playmakers on the field and Miller, Hall and Berry all fit that description. Berry average 8.3 yards per carry last year and NEEDS to be on the field far more often.

If Ohio State can figure out how to play special teams — you know, learn how to block for your punter and actually make a field goal I see OSU winning this game. But only if those skill players play early and often. I think Harris will play better than last year but make a critical error at the worst possible time.

OSU: 31
Miami: 20

OSU pictures above curtesy of Josh Winslow at jwinslow.com

Ohio State trio not cleared to play

Brown, Hall, Howard to sit a minimum of two games
NCAA.com
Last Updated – September 9, 2011 5:25 GMT
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Contrary to recent media reports, Ohio State football student-athletes Corey Brown, Jordan Hall and Travis Howard are not cleared to compete in the game on Saturday with Toledo.

The nature and scope of their violations merit a minimum two-game suspension.

In addition, the facts submitted by the university have raised further questions that need to be answered before the reinstatement process is complete.

The Buckeyes have gone 32,844 days since their last loss to a backyard opponent.

Suspensions, NCAA investigations, a vacated season, a deposed coach and a departed quarterback have stung Ohio State. But by virtue of Saturday’s 42-0 beatdown of Akron, and the overwhelming popularity of the scarlet and gray, the Buckeyes continue to maintain their in-state dominance within Ohio’s borders.

The Buckeyes are 42-0-1 against their closest neighbors since their last loss, a 7-6 setback to Oberlin during native son Warren Harding’s administration back in 1921.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The Big Ten will crank up the level of competition this week, which wouldn’t be hard to do as the 12 members of one of the toughest conferences in the nation played Alex and Dan’s Trucking School For The Awesome, East Toronto JV West, Poughkeepsie Beauty School, True Blood Academy, Jim Jay Bullock Actors For Freedom, Whitehall Kindergarten, Duck, Duck, Goose High, Chutes and Ladders North, and USC in week one.

Heck, Minnesota nearly pulled of the upset of USC but fell just short.

Alabama vs. Penn State

Penn State will take on #2 in the Nation Alabama. Last week PSU played some terrible D1AA school and won 41-7. Silas Redd had a decent game and should get a ton of action vs. a damn good Alabama team. Trent Richardson will get a bunch of work on the other side of the ball. Both schools really aren’t settled at QB. PSU will most likely start Rob Bolden. But they will also play Matt McGloin who is a giant douche. Alabama could also play two QB’s. Other than home field advantage, Penn State doesn’t have much going for them. They have a really bad QB situation, a struggling offense and a coach that needs this:

Notre Dame vs. Michigan

This will be the first night game in Ann Arbor…ever. So they finally figured out how to turn on lights in Michigan. Fantastic!

Next up we have a battle of two teams that have been struggling to get back to their once former glory. Michigan an Notre Dame. Both of these teams remind me of Andy Dick. They used to be decent back in the day, but now…now they are just REALLY embarrassing. I shall call this the Andy Dick Bowl.

I really don’t know what to make of either team. Notre Dame is already 0-1 after losing to mighty South Florida and Michigan played some other crap team in Michigan until Brady Hokes tummy starting growling and the refs called the game for thunder (and lighting). Can’t we just have both teams get swallowed up by Mego Streisand?

Anyway, here is a great video of my new favorite college head coach molding the hearts and minds of 18-22 year olds in Notre Dame:

Oregon State vs. Wisconsin

This will be Wisconsin’s toughest OOC opponent…and Oregon State lost to a D1AA school last week. When will the Honey Badgers sack up and actually play a decent OOC team?

This game will be a blowout. They will run all over Oregon State and Russell Wilson will have another big day. And I will be totally unimpressed. Anyway here is a video of the Badgers next opponent:

Here is the rest of the docket:

Iowa @ Iowa State
Florida Atlantic @ MSU
Toledo @ Ohio State
South Dakota State @ Illinois
Eastern Illinois @ Northwester
New Mexico State @ Minnesota
Purdue @ Rice
Virginia @ Indiana
Fresno State @ Nebraska

(via ABC6)

COLUMBUS, Ohio— As part of its continued work with the NCAA to resolve any remaining football compliance issues, Ohio State today announced that it has self-reported violations involving three student-athletes. That review has led to junior running back Jordan Hall, sophomore defensive back Corey Brown, and junior defensive back Travis Howard disclosing that they had received impermissible benefits of $300 or less each in total at a charity event they attended earlier in the year.

Consistent with past practice, the university immediately reviewed this information and self-reported the infractions to the NCAA and the Big Ten. In accordance with NCAA regulations, the university will not permit them to participate in the Sept. 3 game versus Akron. Although Ohio State has filed for their reinstatement for the remainder of the 2011 season, the university also is considering institutional sanctions for these student-athletes.

Athletics Director Gene Smith said, “We take this matter seriously. Our commitment to institutional integrity is steadfast, and we must hold everyone associated with our athletics programs accountable for lapses in judgment. We believe in transparency with the NCAA, all regulatory bodies and all of Buckeye Nation.”

The university will have no further comment.

Here’s a link to Ohio State’s site:

DEFENSE
DE (Leo) 43 NATHAN WILLIAMS ...........................6-3, 255, SR.
50 J.T. Moore .........................................6-1, 252, RFr.
LT 54 JOHN SIMON ......................................6-2, 270, JR.
93 Adam Bellamy .......................................6-4, 302, RSo.
Nose 53 GARRETT GOEBEL ................................6-3, 290, RJR.
68 Evan Blankenship ...................................6-3, 288, Sr.
RT 52 JOHNATHAN HANKINS ...............................6-3, 335, SO.
63 Michael Bennett ....................................6-3, 280, Fr.
WLB 42 ANDREW SWEAT ...................................6-2, 238, SR.
10 Ryan Shazier .......................................6-2, 212, Fr.
MLB 32 STORM KLEIN ....................................6-2, 230, SO.
41 Tony Jackson .......................................5-10, 225, Sr.
SLB 6 ETIENNE SABINO ..................................6-3, 242, RJR.
37 Chris Maxwell ......................................6-2, 220, RSr.
LCB 7 TRAVIS HOWARD ...................................6-1, 190, RJR.
5 Dominic Clarke ......................................5-10, 191, So.
LS 19 ORHIAN JOHNSON ..................................6-2, 205, RJR.
2 Christian Bryant ....................................5-9, 190, So.
RS 4 C.J. BARNETT .....................................6-0, 190, RSO.
3 Corey Brown .........................................6-1, 189, RSo.
RCB 25 BRADLEY ROBY ...................................5-11, 185, RFR.
12 Doran Grant.........................................5-11, 180, Fr.
Star 26 TYLER MOELLER .................................6-0, 210, RSR.
2 Christian Bryant ....................................5-9, 190, So.

SPECIALISTS
PK 24 DREW BASIL ......................................6-1, 212, SO.
20 Russell Doup .......................................6-1, 175, Fr.
KO 24 DREW BASIL ......................................6-1, 212, SO.
20 Russell Doup .......................................6-1, 175, Fr.
P 17 BEN BUCHANAN .....................................6-0, 180, RJR.
39 Derek Erwin ........................................5-10, 200, Sr.
LS 56 GEORGE MAKRIDIS..................................6-2, 230, RSO.
54 Bryce Haynes .......................................6-4, 185, Fr.
H 39 DEREK ERWIN ......................................5-10, 200, SR.
14 Joe Bauserman ......................................6-1, 230, RSr.
PR 7 JORDAN HALL ......................................5-9, 195, JR.
10 Corey “Philly” Brown................................5-11, 182, So.
KR 7 JORDAN HALL OR ...................................5-9, 195, JR.
80 CHRIS FIELDS .......................................6-0, 180, RSO.
16 Evan Spencer or ....................................6-1, 190, Fr.
15 Devin Smith ........................................6-3, 190, Fr.