The Buckeyes began the Non-White-Out in UnHappy Valley looking like they were going to maul the Lions and ended up needing their offense to continue being studs! “The best thing about being 2-0″

Justin, Fields, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson continued their onslaught of the record books while the secondary continued to find out what needed fixed!

Offense

Stud(s) – After being #TongaTrains duds a week ago against Nebraska the slobs along with Master Teague III as well as Trey Sermon asserted their will early and often and the perfect misdirection to start the game with Garrett Wilson set it all up. At one point in the broadcast, bot commentators expressed their feelings on just how good the Buckeyes O-line is and will be.

Stud(s) – Once again the three headed monster of Fields, Olave and Wilson reared it’s beautifully ugly head and showed America they may have three viable Heisman candidates. Olave and Wilson both had 100 yard receiving nights (120 and 11 respectively) and its the first time in the history of the storied program that has happened. Could it be they have 8 straight with what the schedule looks like? Justin fields has definitely cemented himself atop the Heisman board after two games.

Dud – No real dud this week, as much as the offense can improve they put together a pretty good night altogether and play calling was superb

Defense

Stud(s) – In our preseason roundtable I mentioned Tommy Togiai as being the one defensive player that would shock everyone. I am not shocked at the night he had in Happy Valley and the future will only get better. As much credit as Jonathon Cooper deserves for the game he had, Tommy benefitted from the attention the Buckeye DE’s were recieving.

Stud(s) – This LB core(and back to Tonga’s duds a week ago) played it’s best game in the last two years. Having Browning and Werner tag team the PSU TE Pat Freiermuth kept him out of the game. Leaves me to ask the question, where has tis kind of work against a TE been?

Dud(s) – As much as it pains me, and we knew it was going to experience some growing pains, but the secondary might have had it’s worst half of the young season. Specifically against their best receiver and it could mean a move for Shaun Wade as the season goes. Coombs will continue to help this young group improve but it needs Wades leadership to shine!

Game

Stud – Ryan Day arrived awhile ago and sent a pretty clear message when he took over this offense. We will have the best QB play and there will not be a time the offense isn’t aggressive. With Urban Meyer still in the fold we did not see it all the time, but now that he is calling all of the shots? Well, you get what I am saying, he is as aggressive a coach on 4th and 1 as any that we have ever season. You do not know if you are getting a QB sneak under center or a wide open TE in the end zone that causes the entire secondary to shrug.

Dud(s) – I officiate HS football and basketball and nothing infuriates me more than inconsistent calls. I got a text from my best friend early on after the first penalty against the Buckeyes and it simply said, “oh no, not this crew!” I agreed with Gary and just sat back to watch the typical phantom calls they have against the Buckeyes. I needed to go back and look at it but they penalized the Buckeyes for 6 yards on a 5 yard penalty and the end of the half debacle will go down as a Halloween treat for ages.

As deep and good as the front seven are the secondary may just be the best the Buckeyes have seen in recent years. The speed and talent covering opposing teams WR’s can be potent and led by one of the top prospects for next years NFL draft in Shaun Wade.

The starting line-up will more than likely not get a lot of breathers but they probably don’t need all that much with how quick the front seven will get after the opposing QB and give them time to help shutdown the run.

Wade is helped at CB on the other side by one of the coolest names in college football in Sevyn Banks. the safeties will probably be Junior Josh Proctor and Senior Marcus Williamson.

Red-shirt Sophomore Marcus Hooker is the one youngster everyone is hoping to see a lot of and most thing he has a lot of the same talent his older brother and former Buckeye Malik Hooker had when in the Scarlet and Grey.

Also look for Cameron Brown and true frosh Legond Cavazos to contribute when there’s opportunities.

Today we roll with the glue that has held the defense together for quite sometime thanks to Larry Johnson and his ever improving Rushmen packages. Anyone that has played for him the past several years stands a good chance of becoming a pro.

Lets start at the ends where the rotation should be all but set for this season.

DE – Jonathon Cooper backed up by Tyler Friday, then Tyreke Smith backed up by Zach Harrison and there should be plenty of plays for all four which will make things difficult on opposing QB’s.

DT – Is a different story altogether but we should see Tommy Togiai and Taron Vincent emerge as starts in this years defense which will see more of Togiai lined up over the C. He has proven to be a problem already and will shine as this years starter.

The rest of the group can produce but may not see as much time as the others. Haskell Garrett is a proven leader and will be a force after returning from an off-season shooting that left him needing to work his way back. As of late he is practicing and doing well. Antwuan Jackson is a graduate transfer that will see some time and opportunities to prove himself behind Togiai.

DE 18 Cooper, Jonathon RS SR 54 Friday, Tyler JR
NT 72 Togiai, Tommy JR 52 Jackson, Antwuan RS SR/TR
DT 92 Garrett, Haskell SR 6 Vincent, Taron RS SO

With just a Saturday and a wake up call before Ohio State Football returns against Nebraska in The Shoe, we take a look at the positions depth and make some “minor” predictions. I tackle the running backs today.

There was one thing pundits could knock Urban Meyer for and it had to do with not ever having a 1,000 yard rusher at the running back position. Carlos Hyde erased that distinction and there’s been a star RB in Columbus every year since. Add Tony Alford as the position coach in 2015 and the Buckeyes have been one of the best rushing teams in the country.

Now he and head coach Ryan Day have some decisions to make this season after the 1-2 punch they posses in returning letter-man Master Teague III(135 for 789 and 4 TD’s) and graduate transfer Trey Sermon(Oklahoma over 2,000 total yards in 3 seasons). The latest is that both backs will share the duties this season while watching in awe of Justin Fields.

After those two and the moving of Demario McCall to wide-out everyone’s guess is as good as mine! However, I have my hunches that we will see plenty of Marcus Crowley and Steele Chambers this season as we did last.

When I migrated over to MOTSAG after TWSS with my buddy Scott, I brought some “baggage” with me. I have always liked roundtables and have enjoyed the interactions we have with the fans because of the answers our guys provide. Zack, Richard and I spin our thoughts on some simple questions you will get to answer on Twitter.

Sit back, “pop a top” and let us know what you think!

Who do you believe had the best offseason considering all of the COVID issues they had. Explain why this player exceeded your expectations.

Zack – It would easily be Justin Fields and not to beat a dead horse, but the kid is flat out impressive the way he handled everything, and he never wavered from Ohio State.  He also attempted to unify all the players, and he received almost 300 thousand signatures to show how much the fans and players wanted B1G 10 football and he didn’t have to do any of this he could’ve left and trained on his own for the draft but he never did because he loves this university so that was very impressive to me.

Richard – Justin Fields, hands down.  He became the face of the team and was a vocal leader in the quest to get the season back for us while working on his craft.  Overall, he’s improved and I feel something special is coming this season. 

Chris – I am with Richard, Justin Fields has gone all out in bringing B1G back to us fans. His leadership has grown by leaps and bounds and might be the difference between a los in the Fiesta Bowl last year and winning it all this year.

What defensive player is going to shock the world and why?

Zack – Zach Harrison – I honestly feel like last year he only scratched the surface of what he will be when his development is complete. It would not shock me if he had 10 sacks even in a shortened season, he is that talented.

Richard – Josh Proctor.  That hit on Jack Coan sold me on his potential and the expectation for the 2020 season.  Working behind Fuller, he learned alot and he will apply it this season.  I fully expect him to be the enforcer on a stingy defense.

Chris –  I am rolling with Tommy Togiai simply because it’s his time to shine. He will show people why he has been high on my list since day one!

What offensive player is going to shock the world and why?

Zack – Master Teague – the guy has put in the work to get back and he was very impressive in the time he was able to play last year

Richard – FroZone 6.  The combined talent of Smith-Njigba, Scott, Fleming and Cooper has a ton of potential and it adds needed depth to a position that gets developed and heads off to the pros.  Pick your poison.  Each is capable and with Olave and Wilson garnering the attention of opposing defenses, one or all of these players will shock the world with a highlight play in crunch time.

Chris –  I am going to roll with Paris Johnson on the OL, the true frosh is a beast and will work himself into the two deep quickly and push for playing time. He has a nastiness that most frosh don’t bring to the table.

What will be the average score during the season, and will it be because Coombs and Johnson are back together or because Ryan Day wants to hang a hundred on everybody?

Zack – With the offensive firepower we have I think 50 plus points per game is very attainable.

Richard – Fields, Sermon, Olave, Wilson and Ruckert are names you need to pay attention to.  Smith-Njigba, Cooper, Scott and Fleming are stars in the wings.  Anyone not mentioned, they are still potent offensive threats, at all skill positions.  I think an average of 52 points per game.

Chris –  As scary as the output of last years offense was 46.9 which was a new record breaking the one set in 2013. This group will leave having one that may be unbreakable and finish in the high 50’s. Sadly this season will forever have a COVID * beside it but it’s scary to think how many points they may score overall!

What is your prediction for the season and will there be games lost due to COVID?

Zack – If there is anything I have learned during this pandemic it is that this team is very close to one another and truly love each other so if there is any games lost to covid it wont be because we didn’t follow the protocols. Ohio State will be 9-0 when its all said and done this schedule is super favorable and we drew no top teams from cross conference.

Richard – The schedule pans out for the Buckeyes and I think an undefeated season lies ahead.  Penn State without the whiteout, at MSU, at Illinois and at Maryland is doable.  TTUN at home will be fun.  8-0 with a chance to make it to the big tourney.

Chris –  I rarely make predictions about the Buckeyes but I think this shortened season will be a walk. They have had the Clemson game on their minds for a very long time and look forward to exorcising those demons this season. I think the B1G will stay in their bubbles and finish the season without losing players or games to COVID. They had a great plan before all things were cancelled.

The last “close game” The Joey Burrow led Tigers of LSU has was October 26th against a very game #9 Auburn Tiger team that had one game plan, try to keep the ball out of his hands. The Auburn Tigers failed(23-20) but the Clemson Tigers and Trevor Lawrence played it almost perfectly in a first quarter that saw them go on top just as the quarter ended.

Almost every scripted first drive by Clemson this season has ended up in a TD. Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne combine for all of the rushing yards until 3 and goal from the 4 yard line and an incomplete pass intended for Tee Higgins. Dabo Swinney took a time out but chose to kick the FG and go up 3-0.

The key stat here is Clemson ate up more than 7 minutes of the 1st quarter clock(7:13) and turned things over to their defense, hoping to force a three and out and get back to work quickly.

Joey Burrow was not going to have any of that and only needed 1:52 of the clock to score. Derek Stingley gave LSU great field position and a short field after a 47 yard return. After two quick hitter to Jamar Chase, Burrow found a wide-open Thaddeus Moss over the middle for the 34 yard score.

On the ensuing kick-off disaster almost struck as Joseph Ngata muffed the short kick that bounced off the back of a teammate and into his hands. He then advanced to their own 39 yard line for Trevor Lawrence.

Etienne picked up where he left of chewing up short yardages and giving Clemson better efficiency on RPO as Lawrence kept it himself a few times to gain first downs. With 3rd and 11 from LSU’s 22, Trevor Lawrence found Tee Higgins who made maybe the best catch of the season in the corner of the end-zone as time expired in the first.

Clemson heads to the second quarter leading 10-7.

This should be a match-up for the ages as far as playoff games go in this first ever quarter final, but #7 Oregon hasn’t had much of a break after winning the PAC12 championship game and coming right back and playing a very game Appalachian State the following week in a play-in game.

Justin Herbert had to lead the ducks down the field on the final drive to defeat the Mountaineers 35-28.

These two teams met in 2011 and it was mostly the Tigers as they won 40-27.

Joe Burrow and his on fire Tigers of the Bayou have had a nice rest since rolling over Jake Fromm and the Georgia Bulldogs 37-10 in the Mercedes-Benz Dome in Atlanta, Georgia and appear perched for a run to possibly meet his former Buckeyes in the final.

First Quarter – The Tigers wasted little time scoring and Joe Burrow had nothing to do with it. On the first play from scrimmage for the Ducks, Derek Stingley Jr. stepped in front of an Justin Herbert quick out and took it to the house 27 yards later. The next drive by the Ducks stalled at their own 43 and after a 45 yard punt, Joe burrow and the guys took over at their 17.

The expected winner of the Heisman Trophy completed a 12 play 83 yard drive eating most of the first quarter clock and made the score 14-0 at the end of one.

Second Quarter – Justin Herbert, Oregon’s all-time leader in pass completions (827) and pass attempts (1,293), took a golden opportunity after a great kick-off return by Mykael Wright for 65 yards to LSU’s 35 yard line and then connected with Johnny Johnson III on a 35 yard scoring strike and pulled within 7 at 14-7.

That lasted for all of 15 seconds as Edwards-Helaire return the kick-off for a 100 yard score and put the Tigers back up two scores 21-7. That’s would be the score at the half and neither team had much offensive statistics to boast. Herbert finished 4-9 for 57 yards, one pick-six and one score. Joe Burrow wasn’t much better but was enjoying a perfect day throwing the ball, 8 of 8 for 75 yards and one score.

Third Quarter – Joe Burrow and the tigers got the second half kick-off and did what they have been doing all season. Continuing to be perfect in the passing category, he lead the team down the field and finished the drive with a 7 yard TD toss to a wide open Thaddeus Moss all but sealing the Duck’s fate. 35 – 7

Fourth Quarter – Justin Herbert tried to make things better for his draft prospects but finished he day with two pick-sixes and two scored himself finishing with stats he’d probably like to forget. Joe burrow finally had an incompletion but did what he has been doing to defenses all season. The former Buckeye finished the day 15 of 18 for 234 yards and three scores. Final Score from the Bayou, Tigers 42 the Ducks 14.