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.

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.

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:

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

A full slate of conference games for the first time in 2015 was on the schedule for the Big Ten this weekend. The Wolverines became the first time in 20 years to shut out three straight opponents when they blanked Northwestern in a Top 25 matchup. Wisconsin rallied in the closing seconds in Lincoln to keep their hopes of another Big Ten West championship alive.

Ohio State 49, Maryland 28

Ohio State struggled to find its footing early yet again, but managed to get its act together to outscore the Terrapins 28-7 after a Perry Hills touchdown run made it 21-all just a few minutes into the second half. Ezekiel Elliott hit 100 yards once again and the QB tandem of Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett proved effective, as the Buckeyes went 6-for-6 on touchdowns in the red zone.

Perry Hills was a nuisance to the Silver Bullets, passing for 133 yards on just 10-27 passing but the scrambler ran the ball 25 times for 170 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Maryland gets a week off to prepare for a visit from Penn State while the Buckeyes will unveil their black uniforms for the first time Saturday when the Nittany Lions come to Columbus.

Penn State 29, Indiana 7

Penn State made quick work of Zander Diamont and the Indiana Hoosiers. Christian Hackenberg threw two touchdowns and ran in two more for the Nittany Lions who had some struggles on special teams, with Joey Julius missing two extra point attempts in the first half.

Diamont and the Hoosier offense never got off the ground, gaining just 234 total yards and converting on just three of their 16 third down attempts. Indiana tries to get back on track this weekend when Rutgers heads to Bloomington and Penn State takes a trip west to take on the Buckeyes.

Iowa 29, Illinois 20

Jordan Canzeri was the workhorse for the Hawkeyes as they improved to 6-0 for just the 7^th time in school history. Canzeri totes the rock an amazing 43 times on Saturday, racking up 256 yards and a score.

Illinois was no pushover and had their chances to win this football game before Iowa ultimately emerged victorious. A 53-yard touchdown pass from Wes Lunt to Geronimo Allison early in the 4^th quarter cut the lead to three points, but the Illini would get no closer. Illinois will get their bye week out of the way before hosting Wisconsin in two weeks and Iowa goes to Northwestern where they could put a stranglehold on the B1G West crown.

Michigan 38, Northwestern 0

This one was over the minute the ball was kicked for the first time. Jehu Chesson took the opening kickoff back 96 yards for a touchdown and the Wolverines never looked back. Drake Johnson and Jake Rudock added touchdown runs before the 1^st quarter was over and even Derrick Green managed to find the end zone late in the ball game.

The Wolverine defense took the headlines once again though, shutting out their third consecutive opponent and allowing just 168 yards of total offense. College GameDay heads to Ann Arbor this weekend for the Wolverines matchup against Michigan State and Northwestern heads back to Ryan Field to take on undefeated Iowa.

Minnesota 41, Purdue 13

In a game some were picking the Boilermakers to pull off the upset, Minnesota led just 10-6 at halftime before blowing the doors off things with four 3^rd quarter touchdowns. Shannon Brooks got the rout started early in the half with a 71 yard run before Mitch Leidner and Brandon Lingen hooked up for a pair of red zone touchdowns.

David Blough attempted nearly 50 passes in the loss, completed just 21 of them for 207 yards and a touchdown while getting picked off three times. Minnesota goes back home on Saturday to take on a struggling Nebraska team and Purdue hits the road for the first time this B1G season to play Wisconsin.

Wisconsin 23, Nebraska 21

If you were told Joel Stave threw the ball 50 times in a game, you wouldn’t believe that Wisconsin was anywhere near their opposition. That’s exactly what happened on Saturday and the Badgers managed to claim a come-from-behind win over Nebraska. Stave completed 24 of those passes for 322 yards and a touchdown.

Rafael Gaglianone was first the goat and then the hero in this one for Wisconsin. Gaglianone doinked a field goal off the right upright with just 1:26 left in the game but the Badgers got the ball back and Gaglianone redeemed himself by hitting a 46-yarder with just four ticks left on the clock. Wisconsin will head back to Madison at 1-1 in the conference and a visit from Purdue up next while Nebraska will go on the road to Minnesota.

Michigan State 31, Rutgers 24

Michigan State needed a 3-yard touchdown run from LJ Scott with just :43 left in the game to avoid being upset by the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers benefitted from Leonte Carroo’s return as Carroo caught 7 passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns.

Connor Cook led the way for the Spartans, throwing for 357 yards and two touchdowns the much close than anticipated victory. Michigan State will stay on the road next week in Ann Arbor while Rutgers looks to rebound at Indiana.

Will Iowa essentially lock up the Big Ten West with a victory over Northwestern? What’s your prediction for the game in Ann Arbor?

Heading into the sixth week of the 2015 college football season, Michigan is playing the best football of any team in the Big Ten Conference. They’re displaying a better on-field product than both Ohio State and Michigan State right now. It’s okay to admit it – I’m a Buckeye fan who just typed those last two sentences and I feel completely fine.

It is critically important for Ohio State fans to realize that Michigan actually being a good team isn’t a bad thing – it’s an awesome thing! I know, at first glance, my argument may seem contradictory of my previous article about my general indifference towards the rest of the conference, but I really just want this to serve as comfort for all of my fellow OSU fans who like to share opinions online.

As an Ohio State fan, if you admit that Michigan is a good team playing inspired and impressive football, while being led by an excellent coaching staff, it doesn’t mean that you’re scared of the Wolverines. It doesn’t even mean that you think that Michigan can beat Ohio State. It simply means that you’re reasonable. It means that you can objectively watch and evaluate college football. And that’s how it should be.

Not every success by That Team Up North needs to be dismissed for some obscure reason. Likewise, not every struggle by the Buckeyes needs an excuse. Just call it how it is. Yes, Ohio State entered the season ranked No. 1 in the country and is undefeated – but Michigan is playing better football right now. The Wolverines just held three straight opponents scoreless – an impressive feat no matter who the games were against. Whether their shutouts were against BYU, Maryland and Northwestern, or against Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon, it’s an incredibly difficult accomplishment – one that hasn’t happened since 1995. Don’t belittle the tremendous three-week defensive performance by trying to point out their opponents’ key injuries or lack of offensive firepower. Those are just biased excuses that make you look pathetic. Besides, OSU’s competition has been worse – and the Buckeyes have only held Hawaii scoreless.

The truth is that, right now, Michigan’s on-field performance looks exactly like the way we wish Ohio State had been playing through the first five weeks of the season. I can guarantee that if the Buckeyes had posted lopsided shutout victories over Hawaii, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan, the majority of Buckeye Nation would have been pounding their collective chests, referring to the team as an unstoppable freight train en route to its second consecutive national championship.

Ohio State fans should be reasonable and except the reality that Michigan is playing better than OSU right now, because that reality contains a silver lining for the Silver Bullets. Michigan performing so smoothly now, heading into Week 6, while the Buckeyes steadily gain momentum as the season progresses is actually an ideal situation for the Scarlet and Gray. The goal for any team, in any sport, is to progress throughout the season, weather any possible storms, and be at their best later in the year. The great part about OSU not looking as impressive as Michigan in Game 5 is that the two teams don’t face off until Game 12. That’s plenty of time for the more talented Buckeyes to hit their stride and beat the Wolverines who may have actually peaked far too early in the season.

So Ohio State fans can and should remain optimistic about the rest of the season. But don’t be such a homer that you deny giving Michigan credit for the outstanding results they’ve achieved up until the midway point of the season. The Maize and Blue are looking like a quality team, and that’s not a bad thing. They’ll have to face a hot Buckeye team with more talent and more momentum come November – the time of year that championships are actually played for.