It has been 234 days since we Buckeye fans enjoyed a meaningful moment of Ohio State football.  Did you hear me?  Two hundred thirty four days.  That’s 5,616 hours – 64% of the year without the football that we love!!  What did we do to deserve such cruel and unusual punishment that is the desolately long off-season?  What we’ve endured is a practice in patience that Tibetan monks would envy.  But frankly I’m running out of it, and I’m guessing you are too.  So let me provide you with a few methods to make these last five days a bit more bearable.

“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet” -Aristotle

Hype Videos

Is there a better preseason appetizer than reliving the past in a series of clips set to dramatic music?  We are currently breathing the rare air of defending champions, so the cup overfloweth with exciting mementos of rising from the ashes and lifting trophies inside confetti littered stadiums.  Here, and here, and here you can find excellent examples.  Just don’t send me the bill when you run through your cubicle wall or smash your wife’s favorite glass coffee table.  This stuff is going to amp you up: you’ve been warned.

If those three aren’t enough, do not fret.  This is the internet and if you somehow stumbled upon this article then I’m guessing you’re savvy enough to find your way to other corners of the web.  The corners where they hide two hour videos of coin-flip-to-final-whistle action.  Go watch our boys stomp the Ducks in the National Title game.  Go watch the downfall of the mighty SEC at the hands of Ezekiel Elliot and Company.  Go watch the 59-point drubbing of the Badgers that was a foreshadowing that the CFP Selection Committee should have taken notice of before letting the Buckeyes into their little playoff.  Hell, go watch the entire season if you have the time.  It’s all out there somewhere and I can say with confidence that it’s the most satisfying way to pass the time between now and kickoff.

“Patience is the art of concealing your impatience.” -Guy Kawasaki

Get Educated

I know some of you are probably sneaking a peak at this while you sit at work, bored beyond belief and daydreaming of next Monday night.  And some of you may not have the ability to check out the videos that I linked above.  (I get why companies block You Tube from their employees’ PCs but come on… it’s 2015, how else do you expect us to make it through the day?)  That’s a bummer and I know your pain.  But you don’t necessarily need a video to get you over the hump.

Now is the time to fill your mind with as much Buckeye knowledge as possible.  You’re going to need it.  This team may be returning a boatload of starters on both sides of the ball, but that doesn’t mean that there is nothing to learn.  If you rest on your laurels you may be asking yourself, “Wait, did Doran Grant graduate?  And who is that guy wearing #1 on offense?  He looks familiar…”  You don’t want to be that guy.  And don’t forget about Urban Meyer’s ability to recruit monster athletes.  They will see the field, even if it is during mop-up duty, and they will make an impression.

You can find a plethora of the info you need right here on this site.  Here are a few that should be considered required reading:

• Jason’s preview of The Rivals
• Ryan’s guide to being a True Fan
• Jeremiah’s 5 Must See Games
• Richard’s WR Outlook post Noah Brown injury
• The MotSaG Podcast

“Rivers know this: there is no hurry, we shall get there someday.” -Winnie the Pooh

Diversion

It may seem simple, but finding things to help divert your need for college football is a kind of art that must be practiced over time.  I remember growing up waiting for Christmas day and having this same feeling in my stomach.  I would watch all the movies, help my parents decorate the house, and get excited when cards from my family from out of town would come in the mail.  But nothing quenched the thirst quite like the 25th day of the month eventually would.

The week before opening day doesn’t have to be like that for you.  Why?  Because unlike waiting on Christmas, we Buckeye fans can find some joy in watching the other children open their gifts for their own holidays.  This past weekend I watched FCS foes Montana and North Dakota State face off.  I’m not joking.  I watched almost every minute and it was actually pretty good… in the way high school ball is pretty good if you squint your eyes just correctly.  But it helped.  For a moment it was football season again.  For a moment I could taste it and the itch was subsiding just a bit.

There are more opportunities to divert the impatience upcoming this week.  Thursday you get to sit back and watch Harbaugh’s Fightin’ Khaki Pants take on Utah and the TCU-Minnesota rematch.  #5 Michigan State and #4 Baylor play on Friday, unfortunately not against each other.  Then there College Gameday on ESPN and a full slate of games on kickoff Saturday, highlighted by the Wisconsin versus Alabama game in Arlington, Texas. (Of course it’s in Arlington – we all know Bama won’t come north of the Mason-Dixon line)  Tune in to as many of these games as you can.  It should help make the time pass just a bit faster until Monday night.  Hopefully.

234 days and only 5 more to go.  Tick tock.

Welcome to my weekly column called, A Look Around the Country, which will highlight notable games from the week before and week ahead as well as the Heisman and Playoff race. Special features include an in-depth look at the Buckeyes as well as a Michigan update, mainly to bask in their misfortunes. As always, feel free to comment back with your own opinions and I hope you enjoy!

Well, it’s finally back. Our beloved game of college football is finally back which means all of our Saturday’s from here on out are most decidedly, booked solid. Sign me up. The biggest storyline to begin the season is whether or not Ohio State will be able to repeat as National Champions for the first time in program history. Urban Meyer is definitely set up well with a massive amount of talent at his disposal but as history has shown; repeating is very, very difficult. Needless to say I still have the Buckeyes pegged as my National Champions for 2015.
I preview Week One below but how much does the first week of the season matter in the grand scheme of things? Ohio State lost in Week 2 yet still went on to win it all. Nevertheless, it will be great to see football back in action with a huge slate of games set for the first week of the season. Sit back and enjoy.

Notable Games Last Week

This is where I will highlight the biggest and most important games each week which are relative to the national landscape or have major conference implications. Unfortunately, there were no games last week. Come back soon.

Big Games This Week

Michigan at Utah

The Jim Harbaugh Era officially kicks off on Thursday night as the Wolverines head to Salt Lake City to take on the Utes. Fan expectations couldn’t be any higher in Ann Arbor but we’ll see how long it actually takes him to put his system in place. Make no mistake; Michigan will be much better this season.

Thursday, September 3 at 8:30pm on FOX Sports 1

TCU at Minnesota

Many people, including me, have TCU in their Playoff this season but not as many have much confidence in the Golden Gophers. Well I do and definitely see this game being a competitive one despite the talent TCU Quarterback, Trevone Boykin has. TCF Bank Stadium will be rocking for this one and if a play or two goes Minnesota’s way look for the upset right out of the gates.

Thursday, September 3 at 9pm on ESPN

Texas at Notre Dame

When it comes to storied programs, these two schools are always mentioned near the top. Brian Kelly is getting the Irish ready for a potential playoff run (they are picked by some to make it) and they definitely have the talent to do it. Charlie Strong still has a long way to go to bring the Longhorns back to Big XII supremacy. Having said that, I do have the Irish as a Playoff dark horse and expect them to win big in South Bend but a tough schedule (Georgia Tech, @Clemson, USC to name a few) will keep them from going.

Saturday, September 5 at 7:30pm on NBC

Wisconsin vs Alabama

I can hear sweat starting to trickle down the faces of Alabama fans everywhere. The Tide have lost their last 2 bowl games (Sugar Bowl’s vs Oklahoma and well, you know) and this season presents itself with more uncertainty at the QB position. Paul Chryst has taken over the reigns in Madison but will be without Melvin Gordon (although RB Corey Clement should have no problem filling the void). Nick Saban still has plenty of talent though and should not have too much trouble in this one.

Saturday, September 5 at 8pm on ABC

Ohio State at Virginia Tech

The Defending National Champions kick off their season in Blacksburg on Labor Day night looking to avenge their lone loss from the 2014 campaign. The Buckeyes will be without Joey Bosa, Corey Smith, Dontre Wilson, Jalin Marshall, and Noah Brown (leg injury) so it will be up to the young receiving corps (including Michael Thomas and Braxton Miller) to pick up the pace. Expect Ezekiel Elliott and Curtis Samuel to get a lot of touches. This game will also serve as the answer to our 8 month question: Who starts at QB? For the record, I am going with J.T. with splashes of Cardale. Virginia Tech is no slouch this season and will have a great defense to test Ohio State so do not expect a snooze fest. The Buckeyes better be ready or else we will see a repeat of last season.

Monday, September 7 at 8pm on ESPN

Michigan Update

I will highlight the Wolverines season opener with Utah next week and provide analysis as we move closer to The Game.

Heisman Watch

I will begin to highlight the nation’s best players next week after the first games of the season kickoff. A plus sign (+) means an improvement, E means no change, and minus sign (-) means drop in poll. Everyone starts with an E.

Trevone Boykin, TCU: E

Ezekiel Elliot, Ohio State: E

J.T. Barrett/Cardale Jones: E

Cody Kessler, USC: E

Leonard Fournette, LSU: E

Connor Cook, Michigan State: E

Dak Prescott, Miss. State: E

My Playoff if the Season ended Today

1. Ohio State (at Virginia Tech)

2. TCU (at Minnesota)

3. Auburn (vs Louisville)

4. USC (vs Arkansas State)

Just Missed the Cut

5. Michigan State (at Western Michigan)

6. Clemson (vs Wofford)

7. Baylor (at SMU)

8. Alabama (vs Wisconsin)

9. Oregon (vs Eastern Washington)

10. Notre Dame (vs Texas)

This week we will be presenting to our readers a bunch of posts from potential writers for MotSaG. All of these guys have applied to write for us and were given an assignment to perform. This particular post is brought to you by Mark Prine. So leave some feedback on your thoughts and opinions. Thanks

Here we are just under two weeks away from the start of the 2015 season for the Ohio State University Football Buckeyes, and I’m sure you all have been asking yourself “what are the five most important games of the year??” Well I have been sent to tell you to ponder no more, for I have compiled a list.

1. Virginia Tech

On Labor Day the bucks will travel south to Blacksburg, Virginia to fight it out with the Hokies. This is an absolute must win for Ohio State. But it doesn’t have anything to do with last year. We know that OSU lost to VT last season and they want revenge and blah blah blah. That all sounds very good but let me tell you, last year’s loss doesn’t matter anymore. This is a nationally televised game on week 1 AND Ohio State is the away team AND they are facing a defensive powerhouse. With everybody and their mother watching, including the playoff committee, the Virginia Tech game will set a precedent for Ohio State’s season.

2. Penn State

In the weeks following the Virginia Tech game, Ohio State takes on Devry, ICDC College and THE University of Phoenix online, so I’ll confidently say that those will be wins and we’ll just fast forward to October 17th in Columbus when James Franklin’s Nittany Lions come to town. Penn State gave OSU one of it’s toughest games last season; and with nine returning Offensive Starters and seven defensive starters coming back, this year’s game is sure to be another nail biter.

3. Sparty

This is THE game before “The Game.” Connor Cook was all B1G last year and he is back again for the sole purpose of playing in this game. He has a great O-Line protecting him, led by Jack Conlin and All-American Jack Allen. Not to mention, Defensive End, Shilique Calhoun plays with a chip on his shoulder. There’s not a more evenly matched team in the conference, who could knock off the buckeyes, than Michigan State.

4. The game

Coming off of a game against MSU, Ohio State has to remain focused for the next game. I don’t see that being a problem when Urbs is the man in charge. On paper this game should be a blow out. Jimmy’s players won’t match up with this Ohio State team in ANY facet of the game, IF AND ONLY IF the Buckeyes are firing on all cylinders. If OSU comes out going half speed and waits until late in the 3rd quarter to turn it on then we can see another barn burner. Should the boys come out flying around, then watch out….It could get ugly.

5. Big ten championship

As OSU is favored to run the table this regular season, I fully expect them to participate in the conference championship game. Ohio State is a confident football team that knows, everything is earned, nothing is given, and just showing up is never enough. But….there is a fine line between confindence and arrogance. As the season progresses and Ohio State wins and wins and wins, the coaching staff’s ability to keep the team grounded and focused will determine whether they will win this game and appear in the second annual College Football Playoff.

This week we will be presenting to our readers a bunch of posts from potential writers for MotSaG. All of these guys have applied to write for us and were given an assignment to perform. This particular post is brought to you by Phil Schoch. So leave some feedback on your thoughts and opinions. Thanks

The 4,220th Buckeye Quarterback Competition Article

An article about nothing? Why should I read it?

The focal point of the 2015 college football universe is situated precisely three yards behind Ohio State center Jacoby Boren’s upturned posterior. He likely doesn’t mind the attention. He knows an elite signal caller, Cardale Jones or J.T. Barrett, will position himself three yards behind and clap his hands for the senior center to initiate the launch sequence for what is predicted to be a legendary Buckeye offensive onslaught this fall. With nearly two weeks until opening weekend, Buckeye Nation awaits. Jacoby the Slob will be positioned, listening, ready to maul. Will Jones or Barrett clap first in Blacksburg? Who will clap in Ann Arbor? Will either clap in Glendale?

2,821 articles had been written detailing the impending OSU QB triple threat match, featuring Barrett – “The Record Setter” vs Jones – “The Championship Winner” vs Braxton Miller – “The B1G Legend*.” On July 23rd, Miller confirmed that his twice surgically repaired shoulder would not permit him to compete for his former position and a change to H-back/receiver was his new reality. Had Miller’s shoulder maladies abated, Twitter, sports radio and TV heads that talk too much would have exploded by now and the Buckeye coaching staff would be delicately handling a hypothetically volatile situation. Now it’s Jones or Barrett. When scanning the national columns and beat reporters, the only constant is that no one truly knows: Cardale or J.T.?

*In its 91 year history, only four individuals have twice won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as MVP of Big Ten: Paul Giel, Minnesota, 1951-52; Archie Griffin, Ohio State, 1973-74; Anthony Thompson, Indiana, 1988-89; and Braxton Miller, Ohio State, 2012-13. Miller’s legendary status is not up for debate. He can certainly add to it this year with a breakout year at receiver.

Let’s take a look at the current roster of Ohio State quarterbacks and develop a best case/worst case scenario moving forward into the highly anticipated 2015 season.

A blue chip, dual-threat quarterback and athlete out of the coveted South Florida recruiting region, Torrance Gibson came to Ohio State this summer set to compete at the quarterback position. Recruiting analysts loved his athleticism and potential behind center, but they gushed and drooled at the idea of Gibson as a wide receiver. A week into fall camp, Gibson became the third high profile Buckeye (Terrelle Pryor & Braxton) to recently make the switch from QB to WR. The early reviews are glowing. Buckeye WR coach, Zach Smith gushed as well, “He has skills that most human beings should not have. His size and speed is very, very unique. And he can throw the heck out of the ball.” Whether this is a permanent move is a decision for a later date.

Best Case Scenario: Gibson establishes himself as a force at receiver and becomes an all-time great Michael Jenkins/David Boston-type big play big receiver. Think about J.T. to Gibson, not just this year, but for the following two as well!

Worst Case Scenario: Gibson bounces back and forth between receiver and quarterback and never maxes out his tremendous potential.

Worst Case Scenario, Part II: Instead of becoming a Boston-esque receiver, Gibson flakes out and becomes the Boston of body sculpting (COUGH…HGH) and nipple piercing.

From South Florida to Southern Ohio. During his senior season of high school, four-star recruit, Joe Burrow, threw for nearly 4,500 yards and an eye-gauging 63 TD’s/2 INT’s in leading his Athens Townies (I assume) to the brink of a state championship. He also claimed the 2014 Ohio Mr. Football award. With the number of full time quarterbacks on the roster cut to four, the key numbers for Burrow this season are 0 and 3. Play 0 snaps this season and redshirt. By season’s end, establish himself as the clear #2 option on the 2016 QB depth chart behind Barrett. The only time his name should be mentioned in a telecast this season is when Glenn Mason is filling time with folksy anecdotes in the second, third and fourth quarters of blowouts on BTN.

Best Case Scenario: Joe Burrow gets into absorption! Leadership, work ethic, film study, knowledge of the offense, skills and technique… all free and provided on a daily basis by J.T. Barrett.

Worst Case Scenario: Due to a maelstrom of injuries, Burrow makes the two-deep or loses his redshirt season.

Worst Case Scenario, Part II: Burrow grows an unwieldy beard and leaves the program to play the git-fiddle on Athens street corners and Appalachian music festivals.

Stephen Collier has a National Championship ring; Deshaun Watson and Brandon Harris do not. While Collier gets to be mentored by Urban Meyer, Watson gets to learn the meaning of Clemsoning from Dabo Swinney and Harris gets to learn the importance of Columbus Day from certified lunatic Les Miles. When Watson (Clemson) and Harris (LSU) turned down the Buckeyes, Stephen Collier (rated the 12th best dual-threat quarterback his senior year) became the choice for Meyer and the Buckeyes. His senior season he threw for nearly 2,300 yards, rushed for over 1,000 yards and accounted for 44 TD’s.

2014 was Collier’s year to be a sponge. He watched his name rise from 4th to 2nd-ish on the depth chart due to the injuries of Miller and Barrett (H-back Jalin Marshall would have assumed the role of quarterback had Cardale Jones gotten hurt in the post-season). He did not play a single snap in 2014, preserving his redshirt. In spring practice, Collier experienced a major uptick in reps due to the injury recoveries of Barrett and Miller. His performance in the spring game was quite un-Bam-like (7-19, 81 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT’s & 1 fumble). 2015 will be a crucial season for Collier. He has been in the system for a season and two springs (early enrollee). He has two stars ahead of him in Jones and Barrett, but he now has company on the depth chart in Burrow, perhaps Gibson, plus future signee Tristen Wallace arriving in 2016. With the amount of potential blowouts on the schedule, Collier should see regular 4th quarter mop up duty. He must value every snap he gets and prove to the offensive staff that he is a viable option in the future.

Best Case Scenario: Stephen Collier uses his legit size, strength and athleticism, his experience within the program, makes the most of his 4th quarter snaps and proves he is the 3rd best quarterback on the roster.

Worst Case Scenario: Stephan Collier is taking meaningful snaps at any point this season.

Worst Case Scenario, Part II: Two quarterbacks – two years in a row? You’ve got to be kidding me!

August 19, 2014. Fall camp. One routine throw. One re-torn labrum. One season down the drain. Hopes dashed before the season could kick off. Well, let’s see what this J.T. Barnett can do?

September 6. Virginia Tech. Night game in the ‘Shoe. 9/29, 1 TD passing, 1 TD rushing, 3 INT’s and sacked 8 times in a 35-21 drubbing. Brutal. The epitome of a total team loss. Maybe they’ll make the Outback Bowl.

NO ONE could have prophesied that these bleak two and half weeks would foreshadow an epic run to a National Title. NO ONE would have predicted that J.T. Barrett would win the Big Ten Freshman and Quarterback of the Year, make first team All-B1G and second team All-American, lead the Buckeyes on a ten game winning streak, account for 45 total touchdowns, set 19 (!) school and conference records, finish 5th in the Heisman voting and fracture and dislocate his ankle on the first play of the fourth quarter against Michigan.

Simply amazing! The steel will, the focused leadership, the technical and statistical improvement and the total admiration and respect of the coaching staff and team. And now he’s locked in a 1-on-1 battle just to start again? How is that even possible?

One Nagging Question: Can J.T. Barrett win championship level big games?

An Answer, Perhaps: In the biggest game of the regular season (at Michigan State – who finished the season ranked 5th) J.T. went off! 16/26, 300 yards passing, 3 TD’s passing, 86 yards rushing, 2 TD’s rushing, 568 yards of team total offense and 49 points. Bottom line is – we just don’t know.

Another: Does Barrett have enough of the arm strength possessed by Jones to consistently stretch the field vertically, therefore un-loading the box for Ezekiel Elliot and the Slobs to eviscerate opposing defenses?

Three starts. Three wins. Legend! Without the improbable rise of Cardale Jones, Buckeye Nation would not have experienced the euphoria of winning the first College Football Playoff. No bloody Badger beatdown. No slaying of the evil Nicktator and his Crimson Tide. No splattering of the Nike Ducks. Three games. Buckeye legend for life!

In three years at Ohio State, Jones had played about 6 meaningful snaps of football. He had been a stud QB out of Cleveland’s Glenville HS, but a year in military school, a redshirt year and a year handing off in mop up duty as the third string had made him a forgotten man (I know, except for the Tweet). Questionable work ethic. Questionable focus. A penchant for immaturity. Cardale was likely on his way out of town. But with Barrett wincing in pain on the Ohio Stadium turf in the fourth quarter of The Game, #12’s number was called. The rest is the stuff of legends.

The season, capped by Cardale Jones unfathomable National Championship run, still seems implausible. Through potentially crippling turnovers and inexperienced miscues, Jones was unflappable. In the hours of post-season media sessions, he handled himself with humility, thoughtfulness and the maturity of an old pro that had seen it all. He gracefully bypassed the opportunity to cash in on his instant fame and NFL status by returning to Ohio State for his fourth season. And now he’s locked in a 1-on-1 battle just to start again? How is that even possible?

One Nagging Question: Can Cardale Jones sustain the season-long maturity and focus necessary to win every week?

An Answer, Perhaps: Wisconsin – 59 points. Alabama – 42 points. Oregon – 42 points. If Cardale Jones has the offense humming at this pace, the rest of the competition should be bugs on the windshield.

Another: You’re on the road at night at Happy Valley. Raucous atmosphere. You’re playing like crap. You’ve blown a 17 point lead. You’ve thrown a pick six. You’re playing hurt – sprained MCL. You’re going to overtime. Penn State has all of the momentum. Does Cardale Jones have the mettle to win this game?

CARDALE VS J.T.

Publicly, Urban Meyer has praised both for their physical and mental preparation entering fall camp. He has praised their maturity and comradery as well. “I think they’re both right there, and you probably wouldn’t expect me to say anything different, but that’s what it is. They’re both working their tails off, and it’s one of the most refreshing competitions I’ve ever witnessed … When I say best friends, they’re unbelievable how well they get along,” Meyer said.

Meyer has hinted at playing two quarterbacks, while both Jones and Barrett have bristled at the idea.

“I don’t think that would be a great idea,” Jones said. “In a two-quarterback system, let’s say I’m on the field for three plays and I’m off the field and he runs a drive or something like that; I don’t know how well that would work as far as rhythm and developing timing with the guys.”

“So, I think that would be kind of tough and it would be weird if we switched like every quarter,” posited Barrett. “So, I don’t think it would be best as far as the quarterback position being that we wouldn’t have the same rhythm or efficiency if we used a two-quarterback system. But if they haven’t ruled it out, I’ll just do what they say. They’re the coaches; I’m a player. So, I just do what they say.”

In his three+ years at Ohio State, Urban Meyer has been building a culture of brotherhood and family and playing for the man next to you. Unless one man wins the job outright in camp, this delicate QB balancing act will certainly test the foundation of the culture of brotherhood.

Would Jones be able to handle being second string? “That’s a good question,” he replied. “I’m pretty sure I would be able to, just being older and having more experience. Being more mature. It’s more than just me. It’s about more than just me. This team is bigger than any one single person so if I have to take that backseat role again I will have to — no choice.”

Every alpha dog wants to be the man. But let’s face it, after the Virginia Tech opener, the Buckeyes will be favored by a minimum of three touchdowns in six of their next 8 games (and those are conservative estimates). The schedule is not a murderer’s row. Relax man. There’s enough juice here to keep us all fat and giggly.

Best Case Scenario: An outright winner is declared in camp, the vice-quarterback throws his full support behind the starter and the Buckeyes begin their mission of back-to-back National Championships.

Best Case Scenario, Part II: No one is the clear cut winner and both dedicate themselves to the two quarterback system and the mission of back-to-back National Championships.

Worst Case Scenario: A few shaky QB performances, whispers in the locker room and the team subconsciously begins aligning with the quarterback of their preference. Cracks develop in the façade. The culture of brotherhood resembles a lot of hot air and hyperbole. NFL prospects start playing to protect their knees and draft position. A team from north of the border strikes a death blow to the title dreams.

Worst Case Scenario, Part II: Cardale and J.T. suffer season ending injuries in the first half of the opener in Blacksburg and the QB controversy becomes Collier vs Burrow.

Worst Case Scenario, Part III: Jacoby Boren becomes jealous of all the attention taking place three feet behind him. When the QB claps, he twerks. By season’s end, Boren supplants J.B. Shugarts in the record books as Buckeye O-lineman most frequently flagged for false start. Jones and Barrett request position changes.