2009-01-24
Bucks new dance: the Thad three-step
I know it's only late January, but the Buckeyes are already dancing. And if they continue this dance much longer, the only dance they'll be doing in March is defending their NIT "title." The dance I'm referring to is what I like to call the "Thad Three-Step." It goes something like this: one step forward, two steps back.
I know that OSU had two decent wins in the non-conference season, beating Miami on the road in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge and a neutral-site win over a then top-10 Notre Dame team. Looking back, OSU was given a little to much credit for those wins. Miami's best player, Jack McClinton, was ejected with 10 minutes remaining in the first half, and Notre Dame was overrated. If you don't believe the latter, I have two words for you....St. John's.
So the non-conference part of OSU's schedule was a step forward. Well, most of it. The last part, a home game with West Virginia, was like two steps back. Not only was OSU unbeaten at the time, they were ranked 13th in the country. The Mountaineers routed the Buckeyes by 30 points the largest home defeat ever under Thad Matta. One step forward, two steps back.
The Buckeyes then recover to win their Big 10 opener against Iowa, but backed that up wtih road losses to Minnesota and Michigan State. One step foward, two steps back.
Wins over Indiana and Houston Baptist, you read that correctly, don't count as anything other than scrimmages. However, a road win against an improving Michigan club (ranked No. 24 at the time) is a step forward. But to go on the road and lay an egg in Champaign and follow that up with what should be a blowout loss at home to Michigan State will be more of the same. One step forward, two steps back.
Looking at OSU's remaining schedule (with my prediction in parentheses), it could be more of the same:
TSUN (W), at Indiana (W), Purdue (L), Minnesota (L), at Wisky (L), at Northwestern (L), Illinois (L), Penn State (W), at Purdue (L), at Iowa (L), Northwestern (W).
Now, I'm sure I'll be wrong on some of these, but I should be around the ballpark. And by my calculation, that works out to a 17-12 record. OSU could always make some noise in the Big 10 tournament, but it's not likely. And despite the conference's overinflated RPI ranking, the Buckeyes won't have done enough to get into the Big Dance. But hey, look at it this way: the Thad Three-Step will allow Matta's streak of consecutive 20-win seasons to continue thanks to the Not Invited Tournament.
2009-01-03
Big 12 defenses are soft, but don't expect an OSU win
The meaningless bowl season has helped clear up a few things. First, there is no question that the Little, er, Big Ten is as bad as we thought and should be removed from the BCS (being replaced by the Mountain West). Secondly, we now know that the Big 12 South offenses were so good because the defenses were so bad.
That being said, I don't want to hear any noise about how Ohio State has a chance against Texas in the Tositos Fiesta Bowl. In fact, I think OSU's pathetic offense coupled with the lack of a pass rush from their front four will allow Colt McCoy to do whatever he wants as the Longhorns rout the Buckeyes by at least 20.
But keep the faith OSU homers. Things wouldn't change if OSU pulls off the upset. Tress would continue to try and confuse defenses with spread looks only to run the ball up the middle. And Jim Heacock would continue not to trust the talent he has on the field playing soft zone defenses until his assistant Luke Fickell gets so frustrated that he jumps out of the press box.
Instead, the Buckeyes will be embarrassed, again, on national television and things will have to change or the program will never again be relevant. I doubt even Tressel thinks he can continue with his current philosophy of punt and play defense and still go into homes and land top-notch offensive recruits. And if he does think what he's doing is working, he'll get what he deserves....a pink slip. Why? I can give you 3.4 million reasons.
2008-12-16
The Thads impressive thus far, but still have questions
The Thads are off to an impressive 6-0 start that has landed them in the Top 25. The Buckeyes even have a couple of quality wins on their resume: a road win against then No. 22 Miami and a neutral-site win over then No. 5 Notre Dame. So the rise up the charts is justified. I''m just afraid this team''s inability to put the ball in the hole is going to cost them a few winnable games. And that could go a long way toward determining if the Buckeyes go dancing in March or have to settle for trying to defend their NIT "title."
Take OSU''s next opponent, Jacksonville, for example. A should win, but no gimme. This is a team that is 2-5, but a closer examination of their schedule says that the Thads will have their hands full come Wednesday night. The Dolphins lost to Florida State at home by two (59-57), Georgetown on the road by nine (71-62), Baylor in Waco by 8 (76-68), Georgia Tech in Atlanta by three (79-76). They have won two straight including a win over Belmont, a team that was a three-pointer away from upsetting Duke last season in the first-round of the NCAA tournament. The ''Phins can ball and if the Buckeyes think they can rely solely on their matchup zone defense to win games, they are mistaken. Improving their 42 percent FG percentage, 31 percent 3-point FG percentage and 68 percent FT percentage will go a long way in relieving the stress on their defense.
This is the get fat and happy portion of the schedule, with games against Iona and UNC-Asheville coming up before Huggy Bear and the boys from Morgantown (West Virgina) roll into the Fred Taylor Center, er, Value City Arena. I''d like to see OSU find another scorer before the Big Ten season starts, as conference teams won''t let Evan Turner beat them. It''s hot hard to see that Ohio State misses John Groce, the former assistant coach now at Ohio University. He was the brains behind the Xs and Os and, at times, it''s painfully obvious his clipboard and dry-erase marker are missed.
I have been pleasantly surprised by Dallas Lauderdale''s development as a defensive presence in the lane. That will allow B.J. Mullens to ease his way into more playing time and eventually will give OSU two quality bigs. I''m still worried, however, about the point guard situation. Jeremie Simmons is a shot-first kind of player, and the offense struggles to find consistency when he''s on the floor. Anthony Crater brings a defensive toughness and is a better floor general than is Simmons, but doesn''t have the range that his backcourt counterpart possesses. I''m guessing that they will split time for most of the year, as their differences bring a certain versatility to the lineup, even if offensive flow is hard to come by.
The Little Eleven is deeper this year, even if the top of the conference is weaker than in the past. Improvements by Minnesota, Northwestern and Illinois will make road wins more valuable and despite being a notch below last season, Michigan State and Purdue will be tough no matter the venue. So consistency will be key for this young Buckeye team. The sooner they find some on the offensive end, the sooner they will announce their arrival as a threat to win the conference and make a run in their dancing shoes.
2008-11-29
OSU won't contend for another national title under Tress
Forgive me if I don't give a rats ass that the overrated Buckeyes routed a horrible team from Ann Arbor. Yeah, it's always nice to get a win over TSUN, but it doesn't matter when the Buckeyes' offense failed to show up in the two games that DID mean something this season.
And now that I've gotten a chance to see several Big 12 and SEC games, I've come to only one conclusion: Ohio State will never again be relevant on the national stage as long as Jim Tressel is the head coach. Let that soak in.
The Buckeyes don't get the athletes they need to compete with the Big 12, SEC or any national power (i.e., USC). And if they do get the athletes, Tress and his staff doesn't use them correctly. Case in point: Ray Small, DeVier Posey and Lamaar Thomas are the best receivers/athletes on the team. None of them start and none of them return kicks on a regular basis. Gonna be hard to recruit the best athletes when you can't show any film of current players that you use in a variety of ways. And if you don't land receivers, how can you land quality quarterbacks? No passing game? No running backs are going to want to face 8- and 9-man fronts. But I digress.
I don't care how many conference titles OSU wins under Tressel. The Buckeyes will be viewed as soft until they can win games against the big boys. And they deserve that label. When OSU goes up against a highly-ranked, non-conference opponent, they get manhandled in the trenches, badly outcoached and the ugly outcomes are predictable.
Until Tress lets someone else call the offensive plays and gets rid of defensive coordinator Jim Heacock (who never saw a soft zone defense he didn't like), Buckeye fans should forget about national titles. Hell, conference titles are going to be hard to come by when you set college football back 30 years each time your team takes the field in a big game.
So for all you myopic OSU fans that think the Buckeyes are a national power, set down the special brownies that you are stuffing your pie hole with and come to grips with the fact the 2002 national title was the high point in the Tressel era and until OSU athletic director Gene Smith sacks up and shows The Vest the door, the program will be wasting $3.4 million dollars (Tressel's salary) each year.
2008-10-24
Five questions - OSU/PSU
By Cal Remkey
1. What clicked for the offense against MSU?
It's difficult to pinpoint one thing in particular, but rather a combination of things – the o-line, play calling and maturation. I think the offensive line had their best game of the season by far. They were creating space for Terelle Pryor and Beanie Wells to make plays.
The play calling was quite innovative in the first half with the utilization of Brandon Smith. That guy had the half of his career by catching three passes and throwing some huge blocks on Pryor runs. Yep, Jim Tressel flipped to page two of the playbook.
Like I said last week, I think that we will continue to see Pryor grow by leaps and bounds from now until the end of the season. He is going to be more and more comfortable out there and the same can be said for the rest of his offensive counterparts. I do think that he will eventually have to win a game by passing the football, although I guess you could say that he already did that in Madison.
2. Is the defense back?
I think so. I was holding judgment until after the Michigan State game, and I would have to say they are playing better now than they have at any point over the last two and a half years. Javon Ringer was completely shut down and the Bucks forced Sparty to put the ball in Brian Hoyer's hands. I think that Jim Heacock and Tressel finally conceded that they were not going to be able to pressure the QB by just using the defensive line. They are now bringing people from all sides.
As for Sparty, they may have just taken their first step towards another end of the year collapse. Mark Dantonio may wind up being a very good coach but that program seems to just have that failure stigma. Of course it's hard to win football games when you've got both hands wrapped around your neck, squeezing.
3. Will this be Joe Paterno's last trip to the Horseshoe?
I don't know about that. I mean really he's been playing the "Weekend at Bernie's" routine for about the last eight or nine years now hasn't he? He isn't even on the sidelines anymore and he doesn't address the team before the game or at halftime. Why make a change at this point? They obviously have competent people picking up the slack, in fact, they are having a great year. So why even bother? This could go on for another ten years and no one would even know the difference. Even when Joe eventually passes on, why even fill the position? Just distribute his salary to the remaining assistants and continue to say that Joe Paterno is the "head coach.”
4. What are the keys to Penn State?
You know what I said earlier about Pryor developing his ability to pass the ball? Well, this is a game that they are going to need to pass to win. Penn State's front seven are as good as I have seen in college football this year. Their secondary is somewhat vulnerable though and if the Bucks can hit a deep ball early, that could open up some things in the short passing game and the running game.
Defensively, they have to get pressure on Daryll Clark. He and Evan Royster are the difference makers for this team. Royster will probably get some decent numbers, but Penn State is at their best when they can get people to the outside and on the edges. If OSU can limit the amount of time Clark has to distribute the ball, then there could be some opportunities for turnovers.
5. What can OSU not afford to have happen?
Don't fall behind early. That's one thing that this team really has zero experience with. Think about it. Over the last 2+ years, can you remember a time where OSU did not put the first points on the board? Can you remember a time where they fell behind 14-0, or 10-0, or even 7-0? The Bucks can't afford this for a couple of reasons. #1- it takes the crowd out of the game. People are going to be fired up for this game and they need to be loud throughout. #2 -- it forces OSU to lengthen the game by passing the football more than they would like. The more passes OSU puts in the air, the more chances they have for a freshman QB to make a mistake.
2008-10-20
Win over TSUN Lite sets up big fall
45-7. Not bad. A 38-point thrashing of a ranked opponent on the road. Even better. Did someone forget to mention that OSU didn't have one passing yard in the second half? Not one! Even when the Buckeyes rout a team it's by accident.
That game against Sparty should have been about a 10-point win. It was clear that McVest (a political jab) wanted to keep it close and not blow out his mentor, Mark Dantonio. Second-half game plan: No passing allowed and turn the defense back into a bunch of zone cupcakes. Does Tress understand how the system works? It's OK to rout inferior teams. Someone needs to tell Jim that winning a national championship by barely scraping by half the time by less than seven points only happens once....ever!
I shouldn't get all worked up because Penn State is going to come to C'bus and party like it's 1994. For those who aren't familiar, JoePoo and boys laid a 63-14 beatdown on the Bucks that year. It may not be that bad this time because the game in the Horseshoe, but it will be ugly. Wait, home field advantage doesn't exist at the 'Shoe. It's the most overrated place to play a college football game in the country. I've heard louder crowds at poetry readings...but I digress.
OSU will be exposed once again on the national stage for the fraud that they are. And Tress, Bollman and Heacock will be outcoached by a staff led by an 81-year-old! I find it funny that there are headlines in some newspapers that that say things like "OSU faces uphill climb", inferring the Buckeyes have a shot at getting into the national title game. Come late Saturday night, the Buckeyes won't even have a shot at winning the Little, er, Big 10 title.
2008-10-16
Five questions - TSUN Lite (Mich. St.)
By Cal Remkey
Well, contrary to popular belief I did make it back from Madison in one piece. Let me tell you, those guys know how to party. If there's any college in this country that is crying out for Karen Holbrook, it's UW because I saw more open containers and drunken orgies than I've ever seen in all my years in Columbus combined. A fantastic game turned into a fantastic bender, and I didn't wake up until Tuesday when I found myself on the side of the road on I-94. But I digress... Anyway I didn't get a chance to write a column last week and I apologize to all of our loyal readers at MeanBrutus.com. I hope everyone was able to make it through the week.
1. Where was the offense against Purdue?
They must have left in the locker room. I have to be honest hear, I don't ever remember being as bored watching an Ohio State game as I was last Saturday. It was reminiscent of the 2001 and 2004 teams. The frustrating thing is, we've seen this offense be explosive. Last year it was ten times what it is right now. Pryor just looks so hesitant and I think that he is terrified to turn the ball over. It seems like every new QB that we've had under Tressel, catches this syndrome. I look to see drastic improvement from now until the end of the season, I just hope it arrives this weekend.
2. Did the defense turn the corner?
Mmmm... If Javon Ringer doesn't run for 150 this week, I'll be convinced. Yes they did look better than they have the whole year, but it was Purdue. Through the first seven weeks I think Purdue is far and away the worst team in the Big Ten, which is really saying something. I mean they've scored 33 less points than any other team in the conference through their first two games. The next four games are going to be the defining moments of this season, and the defense better be ready because the O didn't make it out of the Youngstown State game.
3. Why should OSU fans be optimistic about the Michigan State game?
Last year, Beanie ran for 221. Sparty did not score an offensive touchdown. MSU did not score a point until the 3rd quarter. (Hey, I'm looking for any ray of light that I can find going into this week)
4. Why should OSU fans be worried?
Given all of the above -- Michigan State still almost won the game. With a much improved all around team, I think OSU is going to be in for their toughest game of the season (at least since USC). Hopefully they learned something in LA. MSU has a ton of momentum going into, not only this game, but also their program. Mark Dantonio took that job at the right time and I predict that for the foreseeable future, Sparty will be the new TSUN.
5. What does OSU have to do to win the game?
The key to the game, for OSU is going to be getting pressure on Brian Hoyer. They need to contain Ringer, but if they can put pressure on Hoyer, he will make some mistakes. Conversely, the Bucks need to put points on the board. RED ZONE OFFENSE is going to be critical in this game. This deficiency hasn't come back to bite OSU yet, but I can guarantee that it will be a long trip home from Lansing if this trend doesn't reverse itself.
2008-10-02
Five questions - Week 6 (Wisconsin)
By Cal Remkey
1. Is the return of Beanie Wells, a return to dominance for the Bucks?
Umm...Dominance of the Big Ten, maybe. I have to admit, Beanie looked way ahead of schedule. In fact, he looked as close to 100% as I've seen him at Ohio State. Other than the lineman's shoe he was wearing, did anyone notice a difference from how he looked last year? Terrelle Pryor will obviously make some mistakes as a freshman, especially in some of these tough road games. But, if you're a Buckeye fan, you have to like the look that a healthy Beanie and a continually improving Pryor give you on the offensive side of the ball. The only thing holding this team back is the defense, and until they fix the problem (Jim Heacock), a Rose Bowl loss seems to be the ceiling for this team through the first five games.
2. Is the National Championship still out of the picture?
Through week 5, yes it is. It was obvious to any objective fan of college football that the people in control will never allow Ohio State to sneak back into the NC picture. With three of the top five teams in the country losing and Ohio State staying in virtually the same spot, don't expect the writers to allow the Bucks to sniff the Orange Bowl this year. Now, if they are able to post an impressive win in Madison this weekend, that could be a step in the right direction. But at this point, with the defense looking the way it does, I don't want to see OSU turn into the Buffalo Bills of college football.
3. What sort of threat does Wisconsin pose?
Let me just say that I was a lot more worried about this game last week at this time. Then Wisconsin crapped the bed during the second half in Ann Arbor and all of a sudden this became a game that Ohio State should win. I think Ohio State actually matches up pretty well against this team. They are a very traditional offense, and with a better defensive line, I would probably come close to guaranteeing an Ohio State victory. But alas, the defensive line is very porous and I could see P.J. Hill having his way, especially in the second half.
Travis Beckum is a fantastic talent at tight end, but I don't see him making a significant contribution because of some nagging injuries. Wisconsin's ability or inability to run the football is going to be the difference in this game.
4. What does Ohio State need to do to win the game?
STOP THE RUN!!! It's going to be a tall task, especially when your scheme is to rush three and drop eight into coverage. On the other side of the ball, OSU needs to establish the run. Wisconsin is going to put eight in the box and beg Pryor to throw the ball. The best case scenario is driving down and getting in the end zone early. Take the crowd out of the game. The Bucks have to score touchdowns and not settle for field goals in the red zone, and if they can do this, I fully expect them to return to Columbus with a 5-1 record.
5. I'm heading to Mad-town, what are my expectations?
I expect to eat my weight in bratwurst. State Street Brats has been calling my name since I booked my plane flight and the "Blue Cheese Brat Basket" is first on my list of things to do.
I expect to see Bret Bielema wearing a bright red wind breaker zipped all the way to the top. It doesn't matter if it's 90 degrees or -15, Bielema is always ready for rainy and windy conditions.
Lastly, I expect to see 80,000 people with an unhealthy obsession with cheese repeatedly "Jump Around" between the third and fourth quarters. Can't wait for another trip behind enemy lines.
2008-09-28
Nice win, but it's still gonna be a long season
So Beanie's back. Fourteen carries, 106 yards and a Knoshown Moreno impersonation on a hurdle-the-defender type move during Ohio State's 34-21 victory over Minnesota last Saturday. The Buckeyes are still in trouble.
The defense is still soft as a baby's bottom and the offensive line couldn't push it's way out of a twinkie. The passing game is nearly non-existent when Terrelle Pryor is in the game, and ditto for the running game when Beanie is on the sideline.
After what I've seen from the Big Ten this year, OSU will be lucky to go 4-4 in conference. I know that sounds crazy, but let's take a quick look at the remaining schedule.
Wisky. Bucky gagged at TSUN, how I don't know, but they did. Camp Randall will be even more crazy than usual as the Badgers will be a little upset. Hell, I'd be pissed too. Stomach acid burns your throat on the way back up. The Badgers will circle the wagons, pound the ball on the ground behind their huge offensive line and Heacock and the boys will just sit there and take it. And when they finally stop the run, Wisky will go up top and burn a soft zone defense. Pryor and Beanie will do their best to keep the Bucks in it, but it won't be enough. Loss.
Purdon't. Or should I say actually be respectful and say Purdue? The Boilers' defense is a sieve. Losing to the Domers? Come on. I'll say that even The Vest won't be able to mess this one up, even if Wilford Brimley is on the opposing sideline. Win.
At the Lites. As in TSUN Lite. Michigan State has shown some life under second-year head coach Mark Dantonio. But the one way you can't beat OSU is pound Javon Ringer a million times. I know they've got some injuries to their wideouts, but any ol' wideout will do against Heacock's defense. Sparty will have to throw the ball around a little bit, but I think they find a way to get it done and send the Buckeyes tumbling out of the Top 25. Loss.
State Penn. JoePoo and the boys have definitely turned the corner offensively. The Spread HD, or whatever they're calling it, puts even good defenses on their heels. I can only imagine what it will do to OSU's powder-puff zone attack. The Nittany Lions will get their first win in the 'Shoe in a big way. Loss.
At the Mildcats. It's a new day in the Big Ten when Northwestern poses a threat to the Buckeyes, but such is life. This team will be able to score some points against OSU, not that that is saying much. I still don't think they have enough athletes to stop the Buckeyes, but only if Beanie is still healthy. Win.
At the Zooks. I'd love to say that there would be some pay back, but Illinois has too much talent on the offensive side of the ball, and this game is in Champaign. It sold out in like 7 minutes. Memorial Stadium will be loud, for once. I know the Illini can't stop much of anything, so OSU keeps it close. Loss.
TSUN. The Super Bowl for The Vest. Tress still thinks this is a big game, no matter if the teams are both ass. I thought this was a lock earlier, but now I'm not so sure. I know it's here, and Dick Rod's boys are pathetic, but stranger things have happened. Just ask Coop. Win.
So there you go. Not that far fetched to see OSU go 7-5. Then we'll see if Tress is really willing to go down with the ship (assistant coaches I'm looking at you.)
2008-09-25
Five questions - Week 5 (Minnesota)
By Cal Remkey
1. What do you take away from the Troy game?
Terrelle Pryor is the future!!! I don't care who you're playing, four touchdown passes in your first career start is exceptional. Especially when you consider that exceeds the total number of touchdown passes thrown by Ohio State all year.
Boom Herron is inching towards being effective. He has been one of the lone glimmers of hope on this team. He is no Beanie Wells, but he is far and away better than Mo Wells or Brandon Saine (at least after four games.) He would actually be an adequate back with a decent offensive line.
Speaking of the offensive line! God awful!!! It was great to see Michael Brewster out there. Even Jim Tressel saw that Ben Person and Jim Cordle were blocking more players wearing white than they were red against USC.
On the other side of the ball! The defense is absolutely stagnant. I've seen more imagination in a Jim Tressel opening statement at a press conference. This, my friends, is where a change needs to be made. Jim Heacock is in over his head. Last Saturday, the highlight of my day was watching the Michigan State defense completely dismantle the Notre Dame offense. The Irish looked completely lost out there. Can we please put some pressure on the quarterback?!?!?!?!?!
2. How will things change now that Beanie Wells has returned to the lineup?
I think you will see a dramatic improvement on the offensive side of the ball. Pryor is still going to make freshman mistakes, which is understandable. But having someone like Wells lining up in the same backfield is going to take tons of pressure off of him. More than anything, I think the key to winning is going to be outscoring opponents. I just don't see the defense winning any games for us this year.
3. Are the Buckeyes still the favorite to win the Big Ten?
In my mind they are, but what do I know. Next week in Madison will be the real test. After the game in LA, the Big Ten became less of an afterthought and more of a goal that wasn't going to be easy to achieve. Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan State both look to be teams that will challenge the Buckeyes. The team that looks the best out of that group up to this point is Penn State and luckily Ohio State has them in the Horseshoe. The month of October should be a fun month of football with road trips to Mad-town and East Lansing, and home games against Penn State and Purdue.
4. Is the BCS National Championship out of the picture?
I would say yes. Unless every team in front of Ohio State loses 2-3 games and if OSU were to win out, then maybe there's a chance. To be honest, I don't even know if I would want to see Ohio State be put in a big game situation outside of Columbus. I have very little confidence that they can perform on the big stage. You need a defense to compete with the best and that is one element of this team that is severely lacking. I've just accepted that the best this team can do at this point is win the Big Ten and go to the Rose Bowl. That may be a disappointment to many based on the expectations of this year, but it is probably the best case scenario at this point in the season.
5. Will Minnesota be any sort of a threat on Saturday?
Excuse me??!. Ummmm no. The Goofs are probably going to be less of a challenge than Ohio University or Troy. They most likely have improved this year, but could they really have gotten any worse than they were last year? They might even make the Buckeye defense and Jim Heacock look competent.
2008-09-18
Five questions - Week 4 (Troy)
By Cal Remkey
1. Was the USC game a "Flagship Game" for the program as Kirk Herbstreit suggested earlier this season?
I don't think so. A flagship game to me means the program is taking a distinctive turn for better or for worse based on the outcome of that particular game. I would say that since Jim Tressel has been coach, OSU has played approximately eight flagships. The TSUN games of '01, '02, '04, and '06; all three BCS National Championships; and the 2006 Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame.
Based on that logic, the true flagship game came in the 2007 NC game against Florida. That is where this program started to take a dive back to that second tier of elite teams. Until the Bucks are able to redeem themselves and win another national championship, every other game is just a stepping stone back to that pinnacle. The TSUN games mentioned earlier, while not NC games, were very important in reversing the direction of the program in that particular series. I would be hard pressed to include any other TSUN game in the foreseeable future as a flagship game given the state of their program as well as OSU's recent dominance. I don't believe you can have a flagship game against a team that you consistently smack every year.
2. Would a healthy Beanie Wells have made a difference?
In the outcome of the game? Absolutely not. He doesn't play defense. Would the score have been closer? Most likely. The fact is, Ohio State is not the same team without Beanie on the field. In fact, the offense most closely resembles the juggernaut of 2003. The difference between that team and the current one is the defense. The real problem with this team is the defense. For the past three seasons, Jim Heacock has built his defense's statistics and reputation by feasting on inferior opponents. Then whenever they play a team that has equal or better athletes, they get absolutely lit up.
3. Will Terrell Pryor's increased playing time make for a more explosive offense?
Well, anyone who watched the USC game could obviously tell that the Bucks were a different team with Pryor in the game. It gives the defense a different piece to worry about. After six years, it's obvious that Todd Boeckman is not the man. Ohio State is currently ranked #86 in the nation in passing offense. Pryor may not be a better pure passer (at least by what we've seen so far), but he obviously gives the Buckeye offense a different element that is just not available with Boeckman in the game. His constant threat to run, maybe will open up the passing game and allow the receivers to find some space. What would help the OSU offense more is a healthy Beanie Wells.
4. Is Troy a legitimate threat to pull off the upset this weekend?
I'd like to say no but I wouldn't put anything past anyone at this point. If Ohio University can give this team a scare, then I'd say just about anyone could. If the Bucks come out lethargic and uninspired, and allow the Trojans to hang around, then it could be a long day in the Horseshoe. Ohio State ultimately has better athletes, but the defense is not going to win any games this year. The offense needs to put points on the board and ultimately keep the defense off the field. If they can get on top early it should be an easy ride.
5. Is Beanie going to see the field the rest of the season?
The only people that know the answer to that question are Beanie and Tressel. Although, I find it extremely hard to believe that this is a season ending injury. If it were season ending, how is he able to run and carry on while on the sideline without so much as wearing a boot. I think it's a smart move on Tressel's part to save him for the Big Ten season at this point, and try to concentrate on getting to the Rose Bowl. It would be stupid to play him against Troy and then maybe risk not having him at Wisconsin. He is going to be needed badly against Wiscy, Michigan State and Illinois, all of which are on the road.
2008-09-05
Wells won't make difference against USC
So Beanie Wells was helped off the field in the third quarter of Ohio State's 43-0 win over Youngstown State. And when he was carted to the locker room for further evaluation, he was acting like it was a season-ending injury.
If we've learned anything watching Wells tote the rock the past two seasons is that Beanie has a little rag doll in him. Sure, he gained over 1,600 yards last year (an OSU sophomore record), but it seemed like he acted hurt when he really wasn't once for every yard he gained.
I'm not saying that Wells didn't get nicked up from time to time. He is the starting running back for a run-the-ball-first, Big Ten team. But most college football players are nicked up, it's the nature of the game. Guys play with injuries. So memo to Beanie: if you're not hurt, don't act hurt. It's a sign of weakness, and if you think the hits you're taking now hurt, just wait until you get hit by men on Sundays.
Speaking of the NFL, OSU travels to Los Angeles Sept. 13 to play a team that will seem like it should be playing on Sundays. And Beanie or no Beanie, the Buckeyes will get their lunch handed to them. And that will be that. No national title. All those starters back for naught. Hope you enjoyed the "Golden Era" Buckeye fans. Come early Sept. 14 in the Eastern time zone, it's over.
2008-06-29
Koufos' slip to No. 23 not a surprise
Former OSU center Kosta Koufos slipped to No. 23 in last week's NBA draft after having been projected as high as No. 14.
He and the Utah Jazz, who took the 19-year-old from Canton, both made a mistake. Koufos won't fit into Utah's up tempo style, and he's not big enough to handle the NBA. Hell, he couldn't even hold his own inside in the Big Ten!
Let's review. Three players left early for OSU's 2006-07 team that went to the NCAA championship game. How'd they do last year in the NBA? Greg Oden missed the entire season with a knee injury. Mike Conley Jr. played well when he was healthy, but that was only about half the time. And Daequan Cook? Well, let's just say the D in Daequan stands for D-League, as in NBA Developmental League. Nice decision scrub. If Koufos would have looked at what happened to his predecssors he may have been able to make a decision that would help for years to come.
2008-01-30
Buckeyes win total needs an asterisk
Earlier this season I came out and said Thad Matta's streak of 20-win seasons was in serious jeopardy. And it still isn't a sure thing, as Ohio State (15-6, 5-2) needs to win half of it's remaining regular season games to reach the magic number.
I said what I said earlier this year not knowing how dreadful the Big Ten would be this year. Front-running Indiana just got thumped at home by UConn (the Big East's fourth-best team). The Hoosiers deserved that loss, after having played one of the worst non-conference schedules around. Second-place TSUN Lite (Mich. State) lost to Grand Valley State in the exhibition season and isn't nearly as good as their 18-2 record indicates. Wisconsin is, well, Wisconsin. A bunch of over-achieving players who gel as a team and then struggle against good teams come tourney time.
As for the Bucks, they have roadies to Iowa (Saturday), Northwestern, TSUN, Indiana and Minnesota. They also host the Wolverines, Hoosiers, Wisky, Purdon't and TSUN Lite. Except for the Mildcats, er, Northwestern, I don't see a guaranteed victory on the remaining slate. And that's a conference that is rated sixth among the 30 that get automatic bids to the Big Dance.
I'm not quite sure why OSU is in the Ratings Percentage Index Top 25 considering they haven't beaten any of the quality teams they loaded up with this year. Some would argue Florida was a big win, but at the time the Gators hadn't left the Sunshine state for a game and lost to their only real opponent (Florida State). I'm glad the Buckeyes have played some quality teams, but it won't do them any good if they don't get to dance in March.
2008-01-09
Another BCS loss tough, but help on the way?
So we all know that Ohio State lost their second straight BCS title game, this year to LSU 38-24. And so more and more national pundits will pile on with all their venom and OSU hate. That's fine. Help may be on the way.
According to sources here in Columbus that spoke on the condition of anonymity, coveted quarterback Terrelle Pryor will be a Buckeye next season. Granted, there are still several days left before National Signing Day, and Dick, er, Rich Rodriguez has all the pieces in place to make TSUN a great fit for Pryor.
The salve Pryor would be to a Buckeye Nation that has suffered through three national championship game defeats in the past calendar year would nearly heal all the SEC-caused wounds. But then again, a new wound may be opened up when Pryor tells the ultra-conservative Jim Tressel that his offensive style doesn't suit Pryor's game and that he's going to TSUN or Oregon. As far as I'm concerned, The Vest has used up all his credit for winning the title in '02. Landing Pryor would buy him more time as the C'bus natives start to become restless.
2007-12-03
Matta's 20-win streak in jeopardy
So the Ohio State men's basketball team has played seven games this season. I realize that four have been against ranked opponents, but yikes. This season is going to be a struggle all year long. And I'll go on record right now as saying Thad Matta's streak of winning at least 20 games in every year that he's been a coach is in serious jeopardy. And that's playing in one of the worst of the major conferences.
A few thoughts about this year's squad:
>> Jamar Butler is a great point guard if you are worried about assist-to-turnover ratio, but he can't break down a defense like Mike Conley Jr. That's a problem when there is no go-to scorer on the floor and the shot clock is running down. Butler is forced out of his comfort zone and will probably shoot well below his career average this season.
>> OSU center Kosta Koufos has great footwork, a nice touch on his jump shot and can handle the ball pretty well for a 7-footer. But like most European big men he's as soft as a baby's bottom. And if Matta continues to ask him to play down low, his development will be severely restricted.
>> When will Matta decide that Jon Diebler isn't ready to be a starter at this level? He turns the ball over way too much and for someone who came in touted as an incredible scorer, I've yet to see anything except someone who never met a shot he didn't like. The OSU bench must be really weak if Diebler starts.
>> OSU will need to focus on rebounding and defense if they are to stay in games this season. Twice already this year they've had stretches where they missed at least 17 shots in a row. I don't care how talented a team is, it's hard to overcome shooting slumps like that.
2007-11-16
Five questions -- TSUN
By Cal Remkey
1. What the hell happened on Saturday?
Well, as any journalist/columnist/guy who writes on the internets can tell you, sometimes you can be flat wrong. I did not see that one coming. The Zooker came to Columbus on a mission and in some amazing twist of fate, actually got the best of Jim Tressel. If you would have told me that I would wake up with my head sewn to the floor, I would not have been more surprised than I was on Saturday. All the credit goes to the Illini as they thoroughly outplayed Ohio State in every aspect of the game. Jim Heacock and the OSU defense leave a lot to be desired. The biggest problem with this defense, and why it doesnt come close to matching up to 2002, is the defensive line. Gholston and Heyward are great ends, but the tackles definitely do not come close to the Tim Anderson, Kenny Peterson duo. OSU is also not quite deep enough at this position as was evidenced during the last 8 minutes of the game.
2. What are the chances of this repeating in Ann Arbor?
Looking at how the Ohio State defense has performed over the last three weeks, I'd say Michigan is going to put some points on the board. I really feel that this defense was a paper tiger. Once the Bucks hit the meat of their schedule, the defense has been exposed for what it is a reincarnation of last year build up stats against weaker teams and then get burned against stronger opposition. The chinks in this team's armor started building from the Purdue game forward. Remember Boeckman's weak deep balls that night? How about the near meltdown against Sparty? Or Penn State gouging the Bucks on the ground? Or more recently, Wiscy putting up a number of big plays? The evidence was mounting against this team and a guilty verdict was finally rendered against Illinois. All that being said, I expect the Bucks to come out swinging in Ann Arbor for a shot at the Rose Bowl.
3. What are going to be the keys in this game?
I believe the biggest factor will be matching TSUNs intensity out of the gates. With Chad Henne's and Mike Harts careers riding on this game, you know that this team is going to try to out muscle the Buckeyes early and set the tone. Plus you throw in Lloyd Carr's expected departure and you are looking at a game for the ages in TSUN folklore. Todd Boeckman is going to be a huge factor in this game. If he gets rattled, like last week, the Bucks are in for a long day. OSU will need to be able to run the ball and stop the run. Let TSUN throw all day because eventually that will catch up with them. You must be able to run the ball in this game!
4. Where do you see OSU bowling now?
With a win - Rose Bowl without a doubt. With a loss that is going to be ugly. BCS is probably out of the question when losing your last two games. Most likely it will be the Cap One Bowl, but it could be the Outback assuming Illinois beats Northwestern. Illinois will have then tied OSU for 2nd in the Big Ten, and have a head to head win over them. This game against TSUN is truly a chance to salvage the season for both teams. But looking back to the beginning of the year, if you had said that OSU would be 10-1 heading into Ann Arbor with a chance to win the Big Ten outright and go to the Rose Bowl, I know I would have been satisfied. This really has been a great season, and if there is any silver lining at all after the Illinois game, maybe all of these juniors will come back.
5. What is your favorite Lloyd Carr moment over the last 13 years?
One of the endearing memories of Lloyd Carr that I will always remember will be his "blow-by" handshakes after losses. As Bob Knight had his trademark red sweaters, Lloyd Carr has the "blow-by." My favorite memory of Carr will forever be tied to this recurring action. In 2005, Jim Tressel was well prepared to receive said handshake and gave him a nice pat on the ass. If you can make it through this entire clip, check out the very last scene. Hilarious.
Watch the blow by
Cal Remkey is a columnist for MeanBrutus.com
2007-11-09
Five questions - Illinois
By Cal Remkey
1. Should last weeks lapse during the second and third quarters be cause for concern?
Yes. I was officially worried when Wisconsin took a 17-10 lead. Luckily the Bucks snapped out of their funk but it was awfully quiet in Ohio Stadium for a few minutes there. It was nice to see Ohio State pull through with the running game when they needed to, but why didn't they use it more in the first half? If this same scenario plays out at TSUN in a couple weeks, don't expect the outcome to be the same.
2. What is the key to victory this Saturday against Illinois?
Stop the freaking run! Rashard Mendenhall is sweet, but The Juice is not going to be able to put the ball in the air, so if Ohio State can take away their only strength then look for OSU to be heading into the TSUN game undefeated for the 3rd time in the last six years. Also you have to like the coaching matchup: The Vest vs. The Zooker. It reminds me of that Bob Knight quote after the 1987 regional final against LSU: "I was worried about losing until I looked down the floor and saw Dale Brown."
3. Where does this team stack up against 2002 and 2006?
For now, they are at least on par with 2006, although, I think the defense is vastly improved. The offense is not quite what 06 brought to the table, but that was probably the greatest offense ever assembled in Columbus. 2002 will always be a benchmark that cannot be reached until they are walking out of New Orleans with the BCS trophy. That team was tested throughout the entire year, and although it cannot be helped, you just cannot say the
same about this team.
4. Heisman Watch: Where does Todd Boeckman stand this week?
Well, just keep on winning but he's going to have to do a lot in the next two games to even get an invite to New York. Dennis Dixon appears to be the clear front runner, and with two easy games left, it will be difficult to derail him. Also I think that voters are going to be very sympathetic to his cause because the Ducks are probably going to be the odd man out if OSU faces off against LSU in the National Championship game.
5. TSUN has won eight straight, are they a legitimate threat to beat the Buckeyes?
Always. As clich as it is to say, you can truly throw the records out when these two teams square off. Who would have thought in 2004 that OSU would come out and smoke the Wolves? TSUN's entire season and the reputations of a number of their players and coaches are riding on The Game. An interesting scenario presents itself this weekend when they head up to Madison. If Lloyd Carr were a smart man, he might consider sitting anyone with an injury this week because this game is meaningless. Even if they fall to the Badgers, they can still go to a BCS bowl with a win over the Bucks. But that would be way too "slick" for Carr to think up.
Cal Remkey is a guest columnist and analyst for MeanBrutus.com
2007-11-02
Five questions -- Wisky
By Cal Remkey
1. What was most impressive about Ohio State's big victory at Penn State?
I was most impressed by the offensive performance. Todd Boeckman threw a virtual cup of beer all over the crowd at Beaver Stadium on Saturday night. The thing that has impressed me the most about him this season has been his ability to help the offense sustain long drives for touchdowns. It has been very apparent over the past two weeks. What did not impress me was the defense. To be honest, I had a hard time believing that Penn State was going break into double digits. Anthony Morelli was as bad as expected but I was shocked at how easily the Nits moved the ball on the ground. That actually makes me a little nervous for TSUN and Mike Hart in two weeks.
2. Do the Badgers stand a chance of upsetting the Buckeyes this weekend?
This game does have "trap" written all over it. The number one team in the nation is coming off their biggest win of the year and for the first time this season, many in the media are singing their praises. Ohio State also has not defeated Wiscy at home since 1996. Tressel is 1-3 against the Badgers with his lone win coming in the national championship year. But at the end of the day, it's going to come down to the talent on the field. PJ Hill is dinged and Lance Smith is confined to the state of Wisconsin, so I'd again be surprised to see big numbers put up against the Buckeye defense. I could definitely see the Bucks coming out flat, but then pulling away at the end.
3. Where does Tressel stand in terms of the best coaches in the country?
Top three. The only other coaches who are there with him are Pete Carroll and Bob Stoops. Stoops may even be a reach now since he technically had to forfeit an entire season. With the Reggie Bush scandal about to come to a head, Carroll may be in the same boat. But on the field you really have to marvel at what Tressel has been able to accomplish. In his first 6+ years, he has compiled a record of 71-14, while winning three Big Ten Championships, and another might be on the way. He has been to 4 BCS bowls including two BCS championship games and has won a national title. He is also knocking on the door this year. He has also earned a 5-1 record against his arch-rival. As an OSU fan, you have to consider these years to be the golden age. Try to enjoy every minute of watching his teams out there, because it won't always be like this.
4. What are Todd Boeckman's Heisman chances?
Honestly, they're looking a lot better this week than they were before the Penn State game. But Boeckman would probably have to throw for about eight touchdown passes against TSUN to even get an invite to New York. He did not have the necessary hype heading into this season and the fact that he is succeeding Troy Smith has not helped him in the least bit. The schedule too, has played a part as he does not have a signature win to hang his hat on. But don't worry folks, he has certainly laid the groundwork for next year.
5. What odds do you give Ohio State to win out in their three remaining regular season games?
I'd say that the biggest challenge the Bucks will face up until Nov. 17, will be a repeat of the Illinios game last year. Obviously TSUN, when healthy, is the
most imposing foe remaining on the schedule. But they have been anything but healthy this year. I give the Bucks 3:2 odds on winning out. I like this team, and I like their chances. As far as winning the BCS title this year, I'll let you know when I find out who theyre playing.
Cal Remkey is a guest analyst and columnist for MeanBrutus.com.
2007-10-26
Five questions - State Penn
By Cal Remkey
1. Was Ohio State's close call against Michigan State reason to be concerned about the remainder of the schedule?
I'm concerned about the remaining schedule, but definitely not because of the MSU game. OSU dominated the Spartans for 59 of 60 minutes. In fact, it was probably the most impressive performance of the year prior to Todd Boeckman's interception. I think that if anything, the comeback may have served as a reminder to this team that they need to finish games. Hopefully, it will help with preparation this week for the trip to Happy Valley.
2. The game at Penn State will be the Buckeye's biggest test to date. What does Ohio State have to do to win?
I think that it comes down to what they have done on the road every game since the last time they visited Happy Valley. Take the crowd out of the game. You accomplish this by getting up early. Ohio State needs points on their first possession, and needs to stop the Nits the first time they get the ball. Take a look at this stat: Ohio State has outscored opponents 80-2 in the first quarter. Penn State on the other hand, has been outscored 45-41. If the game is still close at the end of the first quarter, I will be officially worried. More directly proportional to the play on the field, I think this game will hinge on my feeling that Anthony Morrelli will not be able to throw the ball against the Bucks. The guy just flat sucks. Hes the right-handed Steve Bellesari without the mobility.
3. How much success will Penn State's attacking style of defense have against OSU's offense considering Jim Tressel's conservative nature in tough road games?
Well that's an interesting question. To me, Tressel is not really a conservative coach in tough road games. At least since the Buckeye's last trip to Happy Valley. I believe that the impression that Tresselball is conservative, is an unfair label that is based on the early years of Tressel's tenure at Ohio State. The conservative approach that he took during his first three years was due mostly to the talent on those teams. There are three mainstays of Tresselball: 1) A dominating defense 2) Flawless special teams and 3) Turnover-free offense. Turnover-free does not necessarily mean that you cannot score points. Really since the 2005 Penn State game, Tressel's approach to tough road games has been to come out with guns-a-blazin'. He may have approached the game this way in '05, were it not for the rain.
4. Speaking of rain, it looks like there is currently a 60 percent chance of showers at "The Beav" on Saturday night. Who does the rain hurt the most?
I am of the thinking that the weather always helps the underdog. And let's face it, Ohio State has developed into a "speed" team (save 1/8/07) at least in comparison to the rest of the Big Ten. The rain neutralizes speed, and makes your offense less dynamic (see OSU-PSU '05). It also is probably not the best surface to run on if you have a tender ankle. The rain actually scares me more than a traffic accident between Joe Paterno and Grandpa Simpson. If the game
is close at all, my guess is that it will be due in large part to the weather.
5. Is Penn State a rival?
In short, yes. They are certainly not on the same level as TSUN, but a rival none-the-less. I heard a bizarre argument earlier this week, that TSUN is Ohio State's rival and that any "true Buckeye, would know this." Look, Penn State is a traditional power that is a member of the Big Ten Conference. The two teams are both usually ranked, and they compete for the same recruits. Is it a bigger rivalry for the Nits? Yes. But until the Bucks start smacking them around like
TSUN does, they should at least be acknowledged if not respected.
2007-10-20
OSU nearly relives '98 debacle against TSUN Lite
By Scott Clifton
Midway through the third quarter of Ohio State's 24-17 win over The School Up North Lite (TSUN Lite) Saturday afternoon, it was like someone kidnapped Jim Tressel and replaced him with John Cooper. It was like OSU fans everywhere were forced to relive the '98 game all over again.
Yes, the top-ranked Buckeyes escaped this time, but not without an offensive meltdown and a coaching staff that decided to impersonate the Bush adminstration with an ultra-conservative approach to their decision making.
How can you decide to run the ball into the middle of the line -- THREE STRAIGHT TIMES -- when you have the ball at your own 44 with over nine minutes remaining in a game that you lead by only seven points? The Sweater Vest reverted back to his 2001 ways when he didn't trust his quarterback as far as he could throw him, and it drives me wild. Does Tress not pay attention to what happens to ranked teams when they shut it down and think they've won a game? Just ask USC. And at the rate unranked teams have been beating top-10 teams this year should make any coach to get as big a lead as they can.
The Buckeyes dominated this game and yet, it looks like they squeaked by. OSU outgained TSUN Lite 420-185. Sparty running back Javon Ringer came in averaging over 178 yards per game. He gained only 50 on 18 carries. MSU was averaging 36.8 points per game. They did score 17, but only three came against OSU's defense. Beanie Wells had 223 yards on 31 carries for the Buckeyes. But all that doesn't matter because all the skeptics that said OSU doesn't deserve to No. 1 will have plenty of reason to spew the same mindless crap this week. Why? Read the ticker. It will say (1) Ohio St. 24, Mich. St. 17. Sketchy.
2007-10-19
OSU may have trouble holding on to No. 1
By Scott Clifton
Ohio State starts a new chapter in this season when they kickoff tomorrow against TSUN Lite at 3:30 p.m. The chapter should be titled 'Being ranked No. 1: Hanging On For Dear Life.'
Last year, the chapter took 12 weeks to read. This season it will take, at most, 6 weeks. But the challenge will be more difficult. OSU is overrated and will have to wear the bullseye as the nations top-ranked team. The No. 2 team has lost three straight weeks. No. 1 has gone down two of the last three. The Buckeyes don't strike me as a team that will be able to hold up under the pressure for over a month.
And the Buckeyes' schedule gets pretty meaty over the next five weeks. First, Sparty comes to town with the same players as a year ago (a 38-7 OSU rout), but a different mindset thanks to former OSU defensive coordinator Mark Dantonio taking over as head coach. A stout running game and an opportunistic defense, plus the belief they can do what their Sparty brethren did nine years ago, gives MSU a great chance to pull of what would be the next in a long line of upsets this year.
OSU's defense will be fine. They'll give up some yards and may give up some points, but will make Sparty make several big plays to beat them. The Buckeyes offense will have to come to play. No limping off the field because your ankle hurts, Beanie Wells. No throwing into double coverage because a long interception is as good as a punt, Todd Boeckman. Now you're No. 1. Top-ranked teams can't and shouldn't make excuses. If you're really the best, you'll beat all your opponents.
No one expected OSU to be ranked No. 1 this year. And now that they are, no one expects them to stay there. The game against Sparty will tell the college football world all they need to know about OSU's chances to run the table.
2007-10-17
Five questions - Sparty
By Cal Remkey
1. Does Ohio State deserve to be the number one ranked team in the country?
One statement that I have heard repeated over the past few days has been, "Ohio State hasnt beaten anyone yet." Well no disagreement here, but they haven't lost to anyone either. Which is much more than I can say for LSU, USC, and Florida. Let me say this about deserving, they deserve it as much as anyone else. I guess the only team that could make an argument would be South Florida. Don't forget they did get a W at Auburn while the Gators fell at home to the same team.
2. Does Kentucky's win over LSU prove the SEC's supremacy as the best conference?
Hardly. Talk to me after the bowl season. You know, it never ceases to amaze me how many pundits and talking heads can make these claims after only six games. Every year these people make these claims: "Miami is maybe the greatest team of all time" "USC cannot be beaten" "The SEC is the greatest conference." Listen, I truly believe this SEC thing is all hype And yes, as a Buckeye fan, I understand that I am probably the last person that should be saying this. But don't forget, Florida was the SEC's only saving grace last year. The Big Ten actually won two out of three games against the SEC in head to head match ups. Had Florida not, admittedly, taken the Bucks behind the woodshed, would we be having this same discussion in favor of the Big Ten? Maybe we should be anyway.
The fact is, you cannot judge a conference's depth at this point in the season. Lower tier teams beating upper level teams within a conference does not mean jack. Especially a conference that hasn't proven anything yet. Let's take a look at the toughest out-of-conference opponents that the contenders in the SEC will face or have already faced:
Florida: Florida St -- unranked and they play in Gainesville
Georgia: Oklahoma St -- unranked and they played in Athens
Kentucky: Louisville -- unranked and they played in Lexington
S. Carolina: @ N. Carolina or Clemson -- both unranked
Tennessee: @ Cal-Berkley -- Vols got completely bitched
Auburn: South Florida -- Probably the best opponent of any SEC school and the Bulls ran the Tigers over at Jordan-Hare
LSU: Va Tech -- probably the SEC's best out of conference win, but I wouldn't say that the Hokies have really impressed anyone, plus the game was in Death Valley (I'd also say that a guy like Les Miles can't possibly win a national title, but Mack Brown disproved that theory)
Does the Big Ten look much better? No, very similar, but the point is that no one really knows anything at this point in the year. Very rarely do you have a national title contender play anyone decent in the pre-conference schedule. We will just have to wait until the bowl games just like every other year. Glad we got that cleared up.
3. What are Ohio State's chances of a national title appearance at this point?
I'd say as good as anyone else's. The schedule does seem somewhat daunting the rest of the way, but there is one thing that Ohio State has that no other team in the country has: The experience of playing with a target on their back. They went wire-to-wire last year, and every No. 1 team this year has definitely felt the pressure of playing as a hunted team. I am officially worried about Penn State and TSUN, but just remember one at a time baby.
4. Should the Bucks be on upset alert against TSUN Lite this weekend?
Never say never, but I don't see it happening this weekend. Michigan State will present the first real rushing attack that Ohio State has seen all year, but a team that gave up over 50 points to Northwestern doesn't really scare me. This is a team that could be dangerous in the future with Mark Dantonio at the helm, especially with TSUN fading. But this season, I dont see the Spartans being able to repeat what happened in 1998.
5. Hypothetically, if OSU does win out, who would you like to see them play in the National Championship game?
No question about it, I want LSU. I want Tressel to go up against Les Miles again. I want to beat the SEC in their back yard on national television and I want it to shock the world. I want Tim Brando to stick his foot so far in his mouth that he chokes. I guess the general theme here is that I want revenge for last year and my guess is that Tress and the boys do too. So break out the ankle braces everyone, it's a five game tournament to the title game.
Cal Remkey is a guest columnist and analyst for MeanBrutus.com
2007-10-15
Don't look now but that's a bullseye on OSU's chest
So the chaotic world that is college football continued last weekend as the top two teams in the Associated Press poll lost on the same day for the first time in 11 years. And by default, Ohio State was pushed into the top spot of all the major polls including the AP, USAToday, Harris and the newly released BCS poll.
Not good if you're a Buckeyes fan. Let me repeat. Not good if you're a Buckeyes fan. And let me explain why.
Lets forget for a moment that only once has the team ranked No. 1 in the initial BCS poll made it to the title game. That aside, OSU has no business being ranked No. 1 in any poll this season. The last real opponent they faced beat them by 27 points in the BCS title game and all of the offensive weapons from that team are now playing on Sundays. OSU was ranked No. 11 preseason based on tradition and reputation alone, and we all know that those don't mean a damn thing in reality. Amazingly, all ten teams ranked ahead of OSU to start the season have already lost at least once. So, by default, the Buckeyes are your new No. 1 team in the nation. Even though any rational person would favor LSU, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Kentucky and Oregon over OSU.
OSU's best win is against Purdue. The Boilermakers got thumped in Ann Arbor last weekend and are looking like the same old team with the Wilford Brimley lookalike as a coach. Washington was hyped up as a good win, but the Huskies are in last place in the Pac-10. Youngstown State, Akron, Northwestern, Minnesota, Kent State? Please. All the tests are still to come, but how many off OSU's remaining slate can be considered tests? Would LSU be concerned if they were playing MSU, Penn State, Wisconsin, Illinois and TSUN to end their season? Uh, no.
The Buckeyes play in arguably the worst major BCS conference. And that's why they have a chance to run the table. But the lack of conference depth is also the reason why OSU shouldn't be anywhere near the top 5 in the rankings. The Spartans come to Columbus this weekend at 5-2, 1-2...and they'll be the best team the Buckeyes have faced! All of OSU's remaining opponents currently have a 5-2 record and all will be licking their chops at the opportunity to be the next team to knock off No. 1.
And if OSU gets to the national title game, Buckeyes fans everywhere better hope that South Florida (currently ranked No. 2 in the BCS poll) runs the table. Because if the Buckeyes are lucky enough to punch their ticket to New Orleans, the only team they'll be able to play with is South Florida.
2007-10-12
Five questions - Kent State
By Cal Remkey
1. Are the Buckeyes in danger of letting up this week against Kent State?
Yes. Anytime you play a weak, out of conference opponent after you have already played two Big Ten games, you are never mentally prepared. That's not to say that Ohio State wont walk all over the Golden Flashes, but they should be reminded of what happened to USC last week. The Trojans were 40 point favorites and were blindsided by Stanford. Having said that, I don't think that the Bucks will struggle this weekend.
2. What was most impressive last week against Purdue?
The defense looked very fast. I'll tell you what, they don't seem to be as tricky as they were under Mark Dantonio, or as intimidating as they were under Fred Pagac. But this defense is just solid. They dont miss tackles, they are always in the right spot, and they don't give up the big play. The schemes that they run are not that complex, but everyone out there knows where they are and what their assignment is. They are a well prepared, efficient unit, and they absolutely dissected a talented Purdue offense. Wisconsin, Illinois, and TSUN will all be interesting tests for this defense because they all have good, solid running backs which this team has not really seen yet this year.
3. What was most troubling last week against Purdue?
Beanie Wells' ankle. It seems like the weight of the world is riding on that kids wheel. High ankle sprains are tricky. I don't know what the answer is, but I think that over the next month, he's going to be asked to play through a lot more than he has had to tolerate so far this season. His ability (or inability) to work through this ankle injury is going to dictate the season for Ohio State.
I have heard a lot of comparisons over the past few weeks, between the 2007 team and the 2002 team. Many of these comparisons pair the shoulder injury of Maurice Clarett to Wells' ankle. But the hole in that argument is that Clarett was the absolute epicenter of the 2002 offense. I mean the alternative that year was Little Ross. Beanie at least has a competent back up in Brandon Saine and a potent passing attack. I think this is also why Clarett is perceived to have toughed it out through the injuries, and Wells is perceived as being weak. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. Do you really think Wells wants to be on the sideline?
4. What will be the Buckeye's most difficult remaining game?
I'd say that at this point, it will be a toss-up between Illinois, Penn State and TSUN. Sparty's loss to Northwestern really took them down a peg in my mind. If the Wisconsin game were at Madison, I would throw them in there but they will struggle on the road without Lance Smith. Illinois will be tough because they have a big strong back and a whole lot of momentum going this season. And TSUN and Penn State are both on the road in traditional hostile environments. I would say that I am most worried at this point about Penn State and that's probably just because they are first. The Nits are a bad offensive football team, but they always seem to give Ohio State trouble in Beaver Stadium. Name one game in Happy Valley since PSU joined the Big Ten, where you felt comfortable going into the fourth quarter. Can't do it can you? Who's to say this year will be any different?
5. What are the chances of going back to the BCS National Championship Game?
At this point I would say that it is yet to be determined. I still don't feel as if OSU has truly been tested. After Kent State, the next five weeks will go a long way in making that determination. But this is kind of what people expected through the first seven weeks of the season. I don't know how it will turn out but Buckeye fans have got to feel good knowing that they have Jim Tressel at the helm because if there is one thing his teams do, its finish strong in November. Let's just hope he can get them there unbeaten.
Cal Remkey is a guest columnist and analyst for MeanBrutus.com
2007-10-06
Five questions -- Purdue Boilermakers
By Cal Remkey
1. What Top 10 upset last week surprised you the most?
I would have to say that Colorado's upset of Oklahoma was the most shocking. Maybe I just bought into the Sooner's hype, but that one really surprised me especially considering that the Buffs had already fallen to two unranked teams. I think that Stoops crew may have been looking past the folks in Boulder in anticipation of the Red River Shootout, but that is just one more reason to appreciate Jim Tressel if you're an Ohio State fan. At least he got his team to the national championship game before he allowed his players to look past an opponent.
2. Despite the upsets, does OSU deserve to be No. 4 in the polls?
Yes, no question about it. If Kentucky deserves to be number 8, and Boston College deserves to be number 6 then Ohio State most definitely deserves to be number 4. In fact, if Saturday proved anything it's that OSU's win at Washington was a big time victory. I havent heard that mentioned much this week, but for a period of time, UW had the Trojans on the ropes. I know SC's defense held the Huskies under 200 yards but I think that if this past weekend proved anything it's that everyone is vulnerable.
3. Was OSU's lackluster offensive performance against Minnesota cause for concern?
Nope, not at all. I think that the fake punt on the first drive proves that Tressel was prepared to put points on the board if necessary. Once he realized that his defense was going to be able to keep the Goofs in check, he bottled it up. After watching the Northwestern game, OSU has plenty of firepower on the offensive side of the ball, and that would be the least of my concerns (as long as everyone named Beanie remains healthy.)
4. Will Purdue be OSU's toughest road game this season?
I don't think so. Any team that gives up over 400 yards to Notre Dame's pathetic excuse for a team this year, should not be feared by a team of Ohio State's caliber. I'm sure everyone will be very fired up in West Lafayette, and Joe "Wilford Brimley" Tiller might even dress his boys up in an all black outfit. But after the first quarter, all that will wear off.
5. What will be the key matchup against the Boilermakers?
I think that Ohio State's ability to run the ball will dictate the ease of this game for the Buckeyes. Obviously Brandon Saine's return will be helpful, but the weight of this game will fall on Chris Wells and the Ohio State offensive line. If the Bucks can establish the run early, they may be able to put up 500 yards in the air against a secondary that was torched by the worst team in football's third string quarterback.
Cal Remkey is a guest columnist and analyst for MeanBrutus.com
2007-10-03
Is OSU really the No. 4 team in the country?
So five top 10 teams lost last weekend, and Ohio State moved up four sports to No. 4 in the country. So my question is are the Buckeyes really better than all but three college football teams? At this point, I'd have to say no.
The game this Saturday at Purdue will go a long way to proving the No. 4 ranking. OSU's road win at Washington was nice, but the Huskies are 2-3 after losing at UCLA and by three to then top-ranked USC. I know the Boilermakers haven't played anyone in reaching 5-0 and No. 23 in the latest Associated Press poll, but a night game with that gimmicky offense will prove a diificult task for Jim Tressel's Buckeyes.
Even with all the meltdowns in the top 10, I still think OSU is overrated and should be ranked somewhere between Nos. 8 and 12. This season is shaping up exactly like last year. The Buckeyes got a big road win early in the year against overranked teams (Texas, UW). Then they'll play a poor conference slate before running into a much better team in a BCS bowl game. I know you can only play who's in your conference, but until the Big Ten decides to focus on getting more speed through recruiting, they'll always struggle against the top teams.
Don't get me wrong, OSU's conference slate has plenty of landmines. Purdon't, Sparty, State Penn, Wisky, the surprising Zook's and a resurgent TSUN all pose problems to a young team like the Buckeyes. Most of those games are at the end of the season, and that's why I think it will be a while before know how good this Buckeyes team really is.
They could shock some people and return to the national title game. Look at the teams ranked above the Buckeyes and you'll see that it's not that far-fetched that OSU could be No. 2 going into the TSUN game. If the Buckeyes win out, a huge if, but if they do they get help as No. 2 USC and No. 3 Cal play Nov. 10 and No. 1 LSU hosts an angry defending national champion in Florida Saturday. Is this team any more prepared to play on that stage? Ask me again Nov. 24.
2007-09-27
Five questions - Minnesota
By Cal Remkey
1. Was Saturdays performance against Northwestern, the most dominating game of the Tressel era?
Yes, without a doubt. From the opening kickoff, the Bucks made it look like they were playing the Wildcats from Hilliard Davidson, and not a Big Ten opponent. They literally could not be slowed down, and if this is any indication of how down the Big Ten is, the Buckeyes are in for an easy ride again this week, and then probably up until the last week in October. The only possibility of a trip up could come in the form of a night game in West Lafayette.
2. How much does the loss of Brandon Saine impact the OSU offensive attack?
Well not much last week, and not much this week. Minnesota is a terrible football team. There is not really a nice way to put it. The Buckeyes will need for him to be ready to go against Purdue, but he could probably afford another week off against the Gophers. I think that he impacts the passing game more than the running game because of his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield as well as line up split out wide. Beanie Wells continued to dominate again this week, and he should be getting more mention as a viable Heisman candidate. Saines presence on the field will only open things up more for Wells as defenses will not be able to focus in on the big bruising back.
3. Who impressed you the most on Saturday, both offensively and defensively?
Defensively, it would have to be Vernon Gholston. He is not naturally. He has definitely taken on the Mike Kudla training regiment of body by chemistry. The guy has crushed quarterbacks for two years now and I have yet to see an offensive lineman who can legally defend him. I think that on Saturday, Ohio State really could have just rushed him and dropped everyone else back into coverage. He was that dominating. I hope he sticks around for the National Championship run next year.
Offensively, Id say that Brian Robiskie has really impressed me the entire season. Saturdays game was statistically his best of the season, but I think that he has really impressed me the most with his speed. The guy was not that fast last year. Butch Reynolds impact on the program has been felt from the moment he stepped on campus, and I think that Robiskies improvement is a great example of that.
4. Through four games, does Ohio State really have the 2nd best defense in the country?
I dont think so. They really have not played a quality team to make a statement like that. The test against Purdue, will really put this defense on display. However, last year the statistics painted a different story than reality. OSUs defense was exposed against TSUN and then again in the national championship game. The one distinct difference this season is that the defense is not giving up nearly as many yards. While they didnt surrender many points last year (save for the last two games), they were absolutely gashed in yardage. This year theyre off to a good start, but only time will tell if its actually as formidable as the stats say.
5. With Antonio Hentons apparent infatuation with undercover police officers, what impact will this have on the Ohio State football team?
Well, I guess this means that Robbie Schoenhoft is now actually 2nd string and not just by title only. I am actually pretty disappointed by this for two reasons. First, because I wanted to see Henton out there against TSUN. After watching what Oregon, Appalachian St. and the Troy Smith-led 06 Buckeyes did to them, I was really looking forward to Henton lining up under center. And secondly, do you really need to pay for that when you play football for OSU? Oh well, Henton gets the Lydell Ross award for this season.
Cal Remkey is a guest columnist and analyst for Meanbrutus.com
2007-09-27
Henton arrest may be good for recruiting
By Scott Clifton
I don't have to say much because we are all thinking the same thing. Why in the world would a quarterback at Ohio State have to try to spend $20 to get some lovin'? Well, that ship has sailed. So now for the reality.
Henton didn't threaten anyone with a weapon, he didn't sell drugs or do any number of other things that some OSU players have been known to do in the past. However, he still represents OSU and his decisions don't just affect himself, they affect the entire program, including recruits.
Now with Henton's future in jeopardy, the top-rated player in the country, Terrelle Pryor, may think he has a chance to play sooner than he thought at OSU. Pryor has narrowed his choices to three, one of which is Ohio State. The do-it-all quarterback is more in the mold of Troy Smith and would give Jim Tressel the flexibility to be more creative with the offensive play calling.
I'm not saying what Henton did was a good thing. I'm just saying sometimes when one person makes a mistake, it opens up the door for someone else to show what they can do. Todd Boeckman and Rob Schoenhoft are fine, but they are traditional, drop-back passers. As college footbal continues to evolve, a dynamic quarterback can give a defense fits. Just ask TSUN about App. State and Oregon's signal callers.
Just a little food for thought.
2007-09-21
Five questions - Northwestern
A weekly look at five questions facing the Buckeyes and their opponent.
By Cal Remkey
1. The running game finally got going against Washington. Will we see more of that kind of offensive line play or will OSU always play to their competition level?
I think that there is some truth to the notion that the line had been playing to the level of their competition. But at the same time, coaches always say that the third game of the season is the best indicator for what a teams potential might be. So the hope would be that the success that they experienced in Seattle, carries over to the Big Ten season. I'd say at this point though, it's still too early to tell. Who knows how good the Huskies are?
2. Todd Boeckman had good numbers against the Huskies, but got away with some bad decisions. What grade would you give the OSU quarterback three games into the season?
Well you knew that whomever they put under center this year, was going to look inept in comparison to Troy Smith. I mean how do you replace a Heisman Trophy winner? But given a comparison to Justin Zwick or even Craig Krenzel, Boeckman actually looks pretty productive. I'd give him about a B so far. Had this question been asked at halftime of the Washington game, I would have said about a D+. Hopefully he continues to improve at the rate of the offensive line, and if he does, the Buckeyes could be looking pretty good heading into November.
3. Between now and Oct. 27 when the Buckeyes roll into Happy Valley, what game(s) scare you the most?
Purdue scares me the most, followed closely by Michigan State. Purdue hasn't really been tested so far this season, but it is going to be a road night game against a team that will most likely be undefeated at that point in time. MSU is a little different. I fear this team because of the looming game against the Nits the following week. This is not a team that OSU can afford to look past, because Mark Dantonio will have his boys ready to play. I think that is going to be an interesting coaching matchup to see who counters who better. Dantonio has had two shots at Tressel so far, but this time he's playing with some better cards.
4. We saw a little more emotion from Jim Tressel on the sideline than usual in Seattle. Was that a one-time thing or will it be the norm this season?
Few and far between. It's just not in his nature. The fact that you have to go back five years to think of the last time he did something like that shows that
this is not going to be the norm. But it was kind of fun to see.
5. The Big Ten continued to look bad out of conference in week 3 (see Minnesota, Northwestern, Iowa). Is it the worst of the BCS conferences this year?
That could be an accurate statement. Senator Tressel tried to sugar coat it by saying that with some surprise teams (Indiana, Purdue and Michigan State) being unbeaten that the depth is better. I am still of the feeling that when a team like TSUN, Penn State, Wisconsin or Ohio State is down, the conference as a whole is suffering. Relying on a team like Indiana does not say much for the Big Ten as a whole.
Cal Remkey is a guest analyst and columnist for Meanbrutus.com.
2007-09-20
Good win, but don't be sold just yet
By Scott Clifton
If you would have told me when the preseason (read meaningless) rankings came out Ohio State was No. 12, I would have said they're overrated. If you would have told me after week two that OSU struggled to a 20-2 win over Akron, but moved up to number 10 in the rankings, I would have said that they're overrated. And even though I was impressed that OSU was able to handle Washington on the road with a 33-14 win, I still think the now No. 8 Buckeyes are overrated.
Don't get me wrong, there were things about the win over the Huskies I really enjoyed, like Beanie Wells finally living up to some of the hype (135 yards on 24 carries). Or James Laurinaitis' two interceptions as he led a defensive performance that was reminicient of the game last year at Texas. You know, bend, don't break and then rip the hearts out of you opponent with a huge turnover.
And what about Todd Boeckman's 218-yard, two touchdown performance? Oh, wait. Boeckman should have thrown two picks if the Washington defensive backs didn't have hands made of stone. And there was that phantom incomplete pass call that the refs clearly bailed out the Buckeyes' signal caller. That would have made three turnovers and it would have changed the game completely. Probably into an L, and then we'd all be screaming for Rob Schoenhoft or even Antonio Henton to start against Northwestern.
I'm not ready to say OSU deserves their current ranking because of the QB position. Boeckman has more talent than one of his predecessors Craig Krenzel, but makes decisions about the same way ‑- like he's afraid to make a mistake. That's when bad things happen. It's one thing to get away with mistakes against Akron or Washington because you're just a better team. It's another thing to have to go to Penn State at night and perform well. Just ask Heisman Trophy-winner Troy Smith how easy it is to win there.
This OSU team will be better than I thought thanks to the Big Ten being absolutely horrible this season. A 10-2 season is possible, but 9-3 is more realistic. It's not that I don't think they can win the conference, it's just that potential interceptions won't always fall harmlessly to the turf, and the defense won't always come up with a blocked field goal or an interception inside the red zone. And on those occasions, the Buckeyes will need the quarterback to make a play. And not just make a play, make a play under fire, in a hostel environment with a Big Ten title on the line? To me, the jury's still out on if Boeckman's that guy.
2007-09-14
Five questions - Washington
By Cal Remkey
1. What will be the key to the game against Washington this week?
I think that the key to this game will be winning the turnover battle. In the past 4 games, Ohio State has given the ball up 11 times while only forcing one turnover. The Bucks cannot expect to walk out of Seattle with a W if they have a repeat of last week, against Akron. Expect OSU to come out trying to run in order to set up easier passes. If the running game doesnt get going early, Buckeye fans need to pray for a big game defensively. The key to this will be blitzing, and we all know that Jimmy Heacock would rather wear a skirt than send more than three people at the quarterback. But this will be the key to forcing turnovers. The crowd in Husky stadium is going to be rocking, and Ohio State cannot afford to fall behind early.
2. Why can the Ohio State offense not seem to get the running game going?
Well, I would say that it's still pretty early at this point, but obviously anyone in their right mind would want to see better production by the staple of any Jim Tressel coached team. As Tress always says, "In order to be successful, you have to be able to run the football, and you have to be able to stop the run." Even though Beanie Wells wound up with some pretty good stats by the end of the game, I think I speak for everyone when I say that I'd like to see a little more consistency out of him. 65 of his 143 yards came on back to back runs in the 4th quarter. He has shown that he can make huge plays (TSUN '06), but he just needs to show it more often.
3. At this point in the year, what would you consider to be a successful season?
The good news is that the schedule guarantees 8 wins. Wisconsin, Penn State, Washington, and TSUN are the only games that are up in the air. I would say anything less than 9-3 would be a disappointment. After the first half against Akron, I said that it would be an amazing season to go 10-2. After letting that game sink in a little more, I think that 10-2 is not only possible but it is likely. Honestly, the two games that present the most challenging scenarios will be Penn State on the road and Wisconsin at home. Washington is scary because its early in the year and nobody really knows anything yet. I put TSUN up there just out of habit more than anything I've seen on the field so far.
4. Who has impressed you the most so far this season? Who has been the biggest disappointment?
For me, the most impressive player that I've seen on the field so far has been Brandon Saine. That guy can fly and he seems to have some great instincts in terms of finding space on the field. Hes going to be a good one. Most unimpressive has to be Robert Rose. I had big expectations for this guy after Lawrence Wilson went down against Youngstown State. But he has really been outperformed at this point by the true frosh, Cameron Heyward. This guy is a load and he is very quick. Id like to see more of him.
5. Who are you rooting for this week TSUN or Notre Dame?
Well I have to tell you, I never look forward to this game. I usually have to hold my nose and pull for TSUN, but this year presents a little bit different
scenario. This is obviously going to be LLLLLoyd Carr's last season, and they are a bad football team. Win or lose on Saturday, they are still a bad football team. But how many seasons have you seen TSUN start off with the potential to be the worst TSUN team in modern history? Anyone who lived in Columbus throughout the John Cooper era should be pulling for an 0-3 start for the Wolverines.
On the flip side, the Irish continue to enjoy the benefits of being a successful program, without actually experiencing any success. They start out every season being ranked after getting spanked in their bowl game from the previous year. They enjoy an exclusive TV deal, which allows everyone in the nation the privilege of watching them lose every week. They scrape together 6 to 9 wins a year by beating up on the likes of the service academies, Stanford, Syracuse, and Purdue (only when they are down), and then wind up in a New Year's Day bowl where they are completely overmatched. Notre Dame hasnt been relevant nationally since 1988 and theyve been "Returning to Glory" every year since 1994. Charlie Weis' best win as coach was a loss to USC in 2005.
So the question remains: TSUN or Notre Dame? Im rooting for the comet.
2007-09-09
Akron no help as tune-up for Washington
The stench coming from Ohio Stadium last Saturday wasn't just coming from the sopping wet fans who sat through a 30-minute rain shower. It was the smell of the two horribly inefficient offenses as the alleged 12th-ranked team in the land struggled to a 20-2 win over a less than mighty in-state opponent.
Not to take anything away from Akron. The Zips came to play defensively. Unfortunately for them, the offense didn't make the trip to Columbus from Summit County. And on the flip side, I have to give some kudos to the OSU defense. Not allowing your opponent to score an offensive point is tough to do, no matter who you're playing.
Quarterback Todd Boeckman regressed a little bit from his week one performance. The junior signal-caller threw for only just over 130 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The problem was his decision making. Throwing into double coverage, locking in on a receiver. He looked like a freshman rather than a player that's been in the system for five years. He won't have the luxury of the defense bailing him out this week.
Washington is for real and Husky Stadium will be rocking. I smell a conservative, ground-based game plan because of it. And that's a problem in itself. Offensive line coach Jim Bollman has lots of work to do with this group up front. They are average at pass protection and below average when they try to create holes for the running backs. If the boys in the trenches don't get better, my original prediction for this team of 8-4 will be optimisitic soon.
Now the offensive woes aren't all up front. Beanie Wells is no Jonathan. He may have been highly-touted and showed glimpes of greatness last season, but he doesn't show that extra something that great backs have. Yes, he had 143 yards most of which came on two runs in the fourth quarter, but the rest of the game was rather pedestrian. And word on the street is that Beanie is a baby in practice. Doesn't like to get hit. Kind of reminds you of a certain Little Ross, huh? Not a good omen.
But even if the Buckeyes go up to Seattle and lay an egg....I'm guessing Huskies win by 18....it can't be as bad as things up in Ann Arbor. 39-7? I know Buckeye nation likes to root against TSUN, but soon we'll all have to start the "Keep Lloyd" campaign. Seriously, haven't we all liked the last six years?
-- Scott Clifton
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