Bama Can Be Beat

 

The reputation of Alabama is almost as unbeatable as the team itself. While Saban has been one of the most consistent coaches in the country at winning and winning big, the Crimson Tide have not been perfect the last couples years. During last years Iron Bowl and Sugar Bowl, the Crimson Tide's weaknesses were exposed enough for them to lose. In this post, my strategy for beating Alabama will be put forth. Saban's defense has shown it's dominance versus teams that depend upon their running game to establish other parts of their offense. In which case, no running game, their opponent has a difficult time sustaining drives and winning the game. When Manziel was at Texas A&M, he beat the Crimson Tide with his feet and a weak, but experienced secondary. The same can be said for Auburn, Oklahoma, and Ole Miss, which have all dealt the Crimson Tide an "L."

With three weeks to prepare for a showdown, both Urban and Nick have ample time to realize and exploit each others weakness. The key for the Buckeyes is penetration and disciplined football. Many examples of this rest in the Big Ten Championship game, where Melvin Gordon was held to 74 yards the WHOLE GAME. Our defense will have to be very disciplined and physical. Bosa, Bennett, Washington, and Frazier (granted the front four were subbed in and out) did a great job of collapsing the pocket. Larry Johnson will have a fun time (yes I am being sarcastic) creating defensive line strategies that will confuse the Alabama offensive line enough to get pressure on a mobile quarterback. Luke Fickell will have to rotate and create different schemes, in which line backers are sent for blitzes, as well as keep them in coverage to guard against the passing game and running. Chris Ash and Kerry Combs have the task of guarding Amari Cooper and the rest of the wide receiving core. On the flip side, Urban and Tom have the task of creating match ups with the advantages going to Ohio State. First and foremost, I would have Jalin, Jones, Elliot, and a couple wide receivers on the field at all times. During the Big Ten Championship, Jalin did something Buckeye Nation has been waiting for, throw the ball. Now Alabama has to guard against Jones and Jalin having the ability to do the same thing accurately during any play they are on the field together. It is said that Alabama's defensive line will stop our running game. Well, that is a simple fix. At that time, we will have Samuel, Elliot, Jalin, and Wilson as players that can run from the back field, either as running backs or as hybrid backs. These four will have to run around the front 4 or however many players are on the line. Is it really that difficult to understand? Spreading out Bama's defense will allow running attacks up the middle, until their defense and Kirby Smart have to commit to stopping one before the other. Jones has already proved he has an arm, why not throw some deep balls to Devin Smith? Recently, Elliot has proven to be smaller version of Carlos Hyde with his ability to bounce off hits, run though tackles, and sprint down the field.

In the end, I think the Buckeyes stun College Football with a victory and send Nick back to Tuscaloosa with another "L." I come to this conclusion with this simple acknowledgement. At this point, what do we have to lose? If we lose, (granted I don't want to think like that) we were in the inaugural playoffs with the Nation's top, although it won't count for anything besides luck in the eyes of naysayers and those that believe the Big Ten is weak. However, with a win we move onto the "King" of them all against the winner of Oregon and Florida State (I am thinking the Seminoles.....unfortunately). In other words, we have nothing to lose. I keep hearing analysts and announcers say, Ohio State wishes they were put at #3 so they go up against Oregon, but than again, what better way to prove you're the best and the SEC is overrated, than to beat the King of the SEC?

In closing, this game should not be as lopsided as everyone thinks, and the only that happens is if Ohio State plays defense and offense as they have most of the year. However, we come away with a win if we play like we did at Michigan State and the Big Ten Championship.

GO BUCKS!

The Battle Comes From Within, Not So Much On The Field

During my first deployment in the Marines, my unit, 2nd Battalion 4th Marines, was deployed to Ramadi, Iraq. My unit was facing an enemy that had nothing to lose and were willing to die for their cause. My Battalion SgtMaj. SgtMaj. Ellis gathered the entire battalion before traveling out to the city, and gave his Marines a speech I will never forget.

"We left Camp Pendleton, Ca 3 months ago, and ended up here. Does anyone know why Marines are kept on ship for so long? Sure it's nice to stop at Ports all over the world, but Marines don't want to stop at Ports, we want to watch each others backs in combat, like we are trained to do. Back to what I was saying, Marines are kept on ship and away from the combat zone so that when we do arrive to the fight we are angry and ready to rumble. We are angry that our brothers and sisters in arms have been hurt or are taken from us without us to have a say. Marines are born to fight, We are born to fight. Once we get to the fight, we take the fight to the enemy! We don't wait to get attacked, we attack! We train for war everyday we are in the Corp., and when we get to use that training we are perfect in our craft. That is why the United States is free and The United States Marine Corp. exists! So as we unleash hell upon the cities we go to, keep in mind who you are fighting for, your fellow Marines, your family, and the millions of people who make up our great nation! Ooorah!"

Near the end of my first deployment, SgtMaj. Ellis was killed by a suicide bomber in Iraq, weeks before we were scheduled to return home. RIP.

I speak of this memory because the idea applies to this team Saturday night. The enemy we are encountering is a team that wants another Championship. We want our first. It is easy to make excuses for why we will lose: no JT Barrett, no Dontre Wilson, no Noah Spence, ect. At Ohio State, we do not make excuses, we make Champions. Urban Meyer and our coaching staff is my SgtMaj., and there speech is much the same. The game of football is nothing but a war zone on a football field. This team has been stopping at Ports every Saturday since September, on their way to the war zone. Lucas Oil Field is that battle field. This team is angry because they have every right to be. All year long we have been downplayed, disrespected, and tossed to the side. This game, we will unleash Hell upon the Badgers. Our defense has had instances of dominance and laziness, but all of that comes to an end starting this Saturday. Our players and this coaching staff understand what is at stake, and it is much more than a Playoff bid, it's pride! Last year we came up short, this year we had a hiccup, but we have come back roaring. Saturday night will be our Finale.

The stage is set and we are underdogs. I don't mind, considering we play at our best when we are expected to lose. I am nervous about this game, but that won't end until the ball is kicked. As long as this team believes in itself and relies on their instincts, rather than over thinking where they should be, we will be Big Ten Champions. It does not matter who our quarterback is, Urban Meyer has built this team to spread the load around. We simply need to play smart football and play at our level.

Have faith Buckeye Nation, even if no one else does!

Ohio State Will Win If........

Since the end of the Michigan and Wisconsin all I have heard is.....how Ohio State will lose a close one because of how unstoppable Gordon is. In fact, we (Ohio State) are underdogs. These are my keys to the game.

Ohio State:
- Keep Wisconsin confined to the middle of the field. The majority of Melvin's runs start from him redirecting an inside run to the perimeter, than simply outrunning the defense once he gets outside.
- The front 4, and Lee have to get into the backfield quickly. The last time we stopped the run, Wisconsin threw the ball all over us. Stave is improving, but has not faced a defensive line with the speed we have.
- Raekwon and Curtis Grant will have to "spy" on Gordon and Stave. If Gordon has the ball, beat him to the edge or fill a gap. If Stave keeps the ball, either drop into coverage or follow his eyes for option plays to either side.
- Corner backs have to be put on notice. Ohio State will put an emphasis on stopping the run, so fakes may cause the defense to run away from the ball instead of to it leaving room for wide receivers to get open.
- Aggressive defenses can be taken advantage of. Quick throws to the outside to Jalin, Samuel, or Elliot will make blitzes useless, and one on one tackling situations.
- Do not try running right at their defense, take advantage of the speed advantage we have and get to the outside.
- Do not try too many Wildcat formation, quarterback draws, or jet sweeps. All the defense has to do is watch every game this year and they will see the same offensive setup every time. If Jalin is in the Wildcat, actually let him pass the ball, a bootleg maybe. That'll throw the defense for a loop.
- Short intermediate throws to speedy receivers that can accelerate in space (like Thomas against Michigan State, and Spencer against Minnesota)
-  Devin Smith has to be utilized. Shots down the field will cause Wisconsin to not pack as much in the box, but instead defend the pass, leaving space for runs up the middle.
- Ohio State cannot win grinding offense to defense time and time again. We must use our speed advantage and weaponry. Cardale will not win this game alone, but instead getting the ball quickly to the play makers. We must do this or we will be talking about next year's expectations instead of a college playoff birth.

O - H!!!!