What is Talent?

During all of this hoopla, the topic that has been driving me nuts is the word talent. Why? Every sports writer I have read or listened to has made it their mission to talk about how much more talent Alabama has over Ohio State. It is mentally annoying to think that Alabama will win this game based upon talent. Do not get me wrong, talent is needed, but what is more important is the coaching that develops whether the player is rated at 2 or 5 stars. And another thing, if recruiting classes really mattered, Alabama would have been the 7 time National Champion, but they are not. Respectfully, Auburn and Oklahoma have had lesser ranking of recruiting classes, yet they handed Alabama their two losses last year. This year, Ole Miss's recruiting class was not even mentioned in the top 10, yet they handed them a loss this year. So, talent does play a role in the likelihood a team will be successful, but more importantly it is the coaching staff. Another issue I am having, amongst others, is the defensive mastermind of Nick Saban and Kirby Smart. These two are among the best in the business at stopping teams, scoring points, and getting the Win. However, among the other best coaches out there, you may find Pat Narduzzi, Greg Mattison and Mark Dantonio.Go figure three Big Ten coaches that have mastered their craft of stopping an offense. What these three coaches have in common though, Urban Meyer beat all of them!

The media would like for you to think that the best of the best reside in the South, which may be true to an extent. Case in point, Nick Saban started his coaching career in Ohio, Les Miles played for Michigan. Two of the most prominent SEC coaches have their roots in Ohio, even though their mind has been melted by the powers that be. Lets get back to what I was saying earlier about talent. The Tide have their talent in Cooper, Henry, Yeldon, White, and Sims. The Buckeyes have their talent in Wilson, Marshall, D. Smith, Michael Thomas, Ezekiel Elliot, Curtis Samuel, Cardale Jones, Nick Vannett, and Jeff Heuerman. Just by this alone, Ohio State has more talent. Talent will not be an issue for this game, considering both sides have an abundance. What will win this game is the coaching. The biggest downside for Saban is that his coaching style has no changed immensly, there are 12 games for the Buckeyes to watch, and Blake Sims is just as green as Cardale Jones. Sure, Cardale has played in one major game in his career, but Blake is still a first year starter, just like Jones. The biggest advantage for Urban Meyer is that the quarterback as so many weapons and he has a great coaching staff.

Before the Michigan State game, the hype was whether or not Ohio State could move the ball against the tough Spartan defense. Well we saw how that went. Make no mistake about it, Lane Kiffin is no match for Urban Meyer, where the match will be is between Larry Johnson, Luke Fickell, and Chris Ash against Nick Saban and Kirby Smart. If I was Urban, I would show Saban something he did not think would happen. Turn Cardale into a dual threat. During the Big Ten Championship he showed the awareness of pressure, in which he simply stepped back and ran the opposite way. If Cardale shows he can run and the passing game comes about, then Elliot will have the chance to do something very few have done and that is run. I see our defense stepping up again and stopping the run, forcing Sims to run and the passing game to become more. However, I think Grant and McMillan will spy on Sims enough to where his running abilities will be few and far between. Cooper won't be taken out of the game, but his productivity won't be what everyone thinks it will.

This game is simple, let it all hang out. Why not? What is there to lose? This team and coaching staff have all the talent and brains in the world to overcome a team that hasn't really been tested. You could say that LSU and Arkansas tested them, but they came out victorious, which is true. Troy Smtih was a 2 star recuit, that became a Heisman Trophy winner and he was recuited and coached by Jim Tressel. What do you think a team coached and recruited by Urban Meyer and his staff can do? So I must ask again, what is talent? The stars beside a players name or the development of a young player and his coaches?

Bob Stoops and Gus Malzahn beat the all mighty Nick Saban last year in back to back fashion in two championship bowl games. Their recruiting classes did not seem to matter, but they still won. One cannot say that Ohio State will not be prepared to win this game. One cannot say that Nick Saban will destroy our Buckeyes, but what one can say is that, these teams are evenly matched for the moment.

As I have faith in my time, I will always exepect them to win the game. This game is no different!
 O-H!

A Mountain Became A Mole Hill

The weeks leading up to the Sugar Bowl are going to be brutal. The media is being relentless in their pursuit of advertising the "greatness" of the SEC. After watching interviews, players were pounded with questions about SEC speed, SEC talent, and basically anything else that made the SEC look like more than a conference, but a factory of which turns college men into NFL stars. I was not mad, per say, but annoyed with the assumption that the SEC is somehow the end all, be all of college football. Before Urban Meyer, Ohio State was not as prominent in the South under Jim Tressel, nor John Cooper. However, with Urban, more an more recruits are not only coming from the South, but everywhere else. Can it really be assumed that players from the South are faster, than players from up North? Absolutely not! There is no such thing as SEC speed, talent, nor anything else. A player who runs a 4 at 40 yards in Alabama, would do the same in Ohio or anywhere else. The reality of the matter is simple. Players are in the south because of where their parents are. For example, last year my family and I contemplated moving to Florida or Texas because of job opportunities. If you do not think other families have or are not doing the same, you are kidding youself. The fact of the matter is simple, if families from the South found better career opportunities in the North, and this was happening to hundreds of thousands of people, the South would have to spend much of its time in the North.

During the early 90's, the Big Ten was the dominant conference because the majority of jobs that were paying well and attracting people were in Big Ten country. If you think about it, the SEC was not really known much until Urban Meyer destroyed us in 2006. At that time, it was all about Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, and a few teams from the West. You cannot deny though, that recently, as in the last 10 years, the SEC has dominated the National Championship bowls. If Tressel was still the coach, and Urban was still the announcer, Ohio State would be bigger underdogs to Alabama.

Anyways, back to my post. Since the beginning of the year, the Crimson Tide have been stepping on each step the media has given them, until they are so high in the sky, they look down upon everyone else. All I hear is how Ohio State is inferior to Alabama in every fashion, that the Tide are going to Roll. Urban Meyer is going to need more anti depressants, blah, blah, blah. It is inconveiable to think Ohio State has a fighting chance. Do these idiots understand that what they are doing is feeding a caged animal? The attitude of the players is starting to show with each interview. And while, they are being polite and respectful, the fact still remains the same, Ohio State has  great chance of upsetting the Giant that is Alabama. All I hear about is how Blake Sims, Amari Cooper, TJ Yeldon, Ed Henry, and Deandre White are going to torch our offense. The Tides defense is going to have their way with us. I say, BRING IT ON!!!!!!! First and foremost, Ohio State has the advantage. Saban and company have one film to watch featuring Cardale. Secondly, if our defense plays lights out again, TJ Yeldon and Ed Henry will be stopped, no doubt. Third, Blake Sims has an entire year of football underneath his belt, which is great because that gives us an entire year to see all his strengths and weaknesses. Only Ohio State knows his weaknesses and strengths, Alabama will only see his strengths. Fourth, ESPN and the media like to say how Amari Cooper is the second Heisman finalist we will face. That is hilarious, considering we held the 2nd place finalist to under 100 yards! And we have two Heisman quarterbacks on our roster. So take that and shove it!

When these teams walk onto the field Jan. 1, all the hype will be gone. The mountain will disapper underneath the Tide and the two will battle. At this point, the media will not be able to help. At this point, the victor will be who wants it more. Lets not forget that we are only human. Lets not forget that Alabama has lost before and barely won to those of lesser perceived talent. Lets not forget, that everything is settled on the field.

O-H

Silent Confidence

 

I have come to a couple conclusions before writing this post. First and foremost, I think we will win the Sugar Bowl, and Title Game. Secondly, this team is vastly underrated. First and foremost, I think this team has a silent confidence about them. All the interviews I have seen with players, has shown me that this team has grown together, that there is no mountain they cannot climb, nor any team they cannot beat. I think that this team will shock the entire country. One must not forget that, as much as national media outlets talk about Nick Saban, Kirby Smart, and Lane Kiffin with time on their hands being deadly. Ohio State has offensive coaches of the year, Ed Warriner and Tom Herman, and a defense that has come together during a very short season. In a weeks time, Tom Herman took a third string quarterback and transformed him into the Big Ten Championship MVP. So with three weeks to prepare, who knows what Cardale will become. Alabama loves to boast that their play makers will be too much for Ohio State, but what is more important is that underestimation of this team. Urban Meyer, Tom Herman, and Ed Warinner will not be denied. Alabama's defense will be tested, if not proven to be unsuccessful.

 

This team is vastly underrated. Watching ESPN, with all the experts, lol, they have all said that JT Barrett was much more of a threat than Cardale, because JT Barrett can run and Cardale cannot. The irony of Cardale and the offensive line is that Cardale can run, and he has the instinct to get away from the pressure. Just watch the Big Ten Champ game, where Cardale ran away from the defense all day. Our offensive line is meshing at the perfect moment, which means that defensive line could be pushed around enough for Elliot, Samuel, and Marshall to penetrate. Once more, if our offensive line is penetrating their defense, than Alabama will have to commit more people to stopping the run, making one on one coverage in a weak secondary for our speedy wide receivers.

The SEC West will never be seen as weak, because the rest of the country outside of that division will always be ranked lower than anyone of theres. However, as the season progresses and teams begin to fall, anaylsts and the nation have to come to terms with the simple notion that other conferences are just as good, if not better than the loved SEC West.

 

In conclusion, the type of confidence I see in this team is one of pride and honor in knowing what you are capable of. Take for instance, in my case, I served in the Marine Infantry, in which, one is taught how to defend themselves and take a life if necessary. That type of training, a very small portion of people experience. But those who do experience it, do not flaunt it, they let their actions speak for itself.

 

Go Bucks!

Great Teams Are Not Dynasties

This debate should end quickly. The success of this Buckeyes team has brought some to look at Ohio State in a different light. That light is starting to shift from successful and sustainable to dynasty, which is a totally different subject. Successful and sustainable was Ohio State under Jim Tressel, where Ohio State was always in the BCS Bowl games, Sugar Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, and Rose Bowl. These Bowl games brought joy and sorrow to the hearts of Buckeye Nation. Tressel was never a prominent figure in the recruiting game enough to satisfy a top 3 ranking. However, Tressel enjoyed success with the players he found, which is an undervalued asset to any program.

Under Tressel, the Buckeyes could count on BCS Bowl games nearly every year, with the notion of letting the game slip away. We beat Miami in 2002 and took home the title. The next few years saw Sugar Bowl and Fiesta Bowl appearances with losses to Florida, LSU, and Texas. It was not until the Rose Bowl against Oregon that we won, then a year later against Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl. Even with this success, Tressel was considered to be a great coach in charge of a great team, but not a dynasty. The scandal takes place and all of the sudden Tressel resigns and in steps Urban Meyer. With Urban Meyer, the Buckeyes have had top 5, if not top 3, recruiting classes, and immediate success. Three loses in 3 years is an amazing goal to accomplish. However, this team is not yet a dynasty. Unfortunately, there are not many dynasties in college football. For me, a dynasty is very difficult to accomplish considering there are multiple areas that have to be top notch if not perfect.

Perfection will never be accomplished, but near perfection can be obtainable. For Ohio State to become a dynasty they will need to unseat Alabama or become a bona fide #2 recruiting class year in and year out. They will need to go undefeated and repeat Big Ten Champs every year, then consistently win the Playoffs or their bowl games, if for some reason they do not get in. These are my requirements, but not necessarily THE requirements. I am sure we have our own, but if you take a look at Alabama's dynasty, it is not much different. Once a team has become a dynasty a different kind of excuse becomes the only needed for losing a game or bowl. For example, last year Alabama lost the Iron Bowl and Sugar Bowl. The reasoning was that Alabama lost the Iron Bowl because they were looking ahead to Florida State for the Title. Once that was no longer the case, the reasoning for losing the Sugar Bowl was that Alabama did not want to be there. It was beneath them to play for a lesser bowl than the Title. At the beginning of this season, Alabama was thought to be out of contention because of the quarterback situation. That reasoning was, the Tide was in their transition phase. I find it funny that Alabama loses and it's not because the other team was better, it was because Alabama's head was not in the game. That is the excuse that I am talking about. Analysts and announcers automatically assume that The Tide will be at the top where they should be year in and year out.

Will Ohio State ever be a Dynasty? I think our opportunity has arrived. Meyer has said that he did not think they would be where they are considering the circumstances. However, we are here and we have nothing to lose. If Ohio State does take it all, I think this year could be the beginning considering our coaching staff is in pursuit of something that is impossible, perfection. Our recruiting classes have been getting better each year, and Meyer will always find the best assistant coaches to fill vacancies. Ohio State did more then they could have imagined by signing Meyer and Buckeye Nation will see those dividends.

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!

Reaction to Ohio State vs. TTUN

Today's game was nothing short of a heartache waiting to happen. While, the Buckeyes may have had complete confidence in their team to pull out a win, I was having flashbacks of perfect seasons ending in the past. I hate to be a pessimist, but sometimes I can't help it. I felt like the whole game, we were holding back, in terms of the passing game and our perimeter game. Jalin Marshall did not get the ball much, Michael Thomas did not get the ball much, and neither did Devin Smith. I was perplexed, but then again I do not keep track of That Team, so what do I know about their team as a whole. Oh wait, they were below 500 before the game, and they still are. I know that Rivalry games bring out a different side of any team, but for That Team to come into the Shoe and score three touchdowns, was just embarrassing. This team should not need a half time speech by a defensive lineman to come out punching, when we should have that attitude the entire game. Forgive me for seeing more flaws, than strengths, however; as a Buckeyes Fan this is my job. I will sleep easy when we finish the season on top. I do know though, that no one is perfect, that people make mistakes. I love this team regardless. With that being said, I hope the missing player is found soon, safe and unharmed.

My heart stopped beating when I saw Barrett leave on a stretcher, and saw Cardale on the field. But than again, worse has happened. Buckeye Nation and this team put a True Freshman in charge of a high octane offense, and we succeeded. Why not feel the same about Cardale. I put faith in a coaching staff that is around their players enough to say they have confidence in their team to continue and carry out their mission, to be champions. I must agree, but in my own way with this sentiment. There are many team around the nation that have one Achilles heal, and that is their quarterback or other member of the team. Take for instance, Florida State, without Winston against an already bad Clemson team, the Noles needed overtime to win. Take for instance the inventory of starters we have: Marshall, Elliot, Smith, Smith, Spencer, Samuel, Huerman, and Vannette. On the defense, our weakness is experience alone. Cardale is not the team, but instead a part of it. His mission will be simple for the next two or three games, get the ball out quickly or hand it off. Tonight's game, Wisconsin vs. Minnesota, showed that even the toughest teams are weak. Ohio State beat Minnesota, and Minnesota almost beat Wisconsin. Although, the experts maybe saying Ohio State is done, I think we are just beginning. This team did not come all this way, to lose it. We all persevere. Considering our coaching staff, Urban Meyer and Tom Herman, two of the best offensive coaches in college football. Cardale is not stepping into a situation that Barrett did. He understands the offense, and our offensive scheme, which is paramount. Plus, he is not a freshman, but instead a senior. Fear not Buckeye Nation, we maybe in for a bumpy ride, but the road is not worth it if it's not difficult.

Tonight, Mississippi State lost to Ole Miss. Ole Miss is already a two loss team. I believe, Ohio State and TCU will move up in the Playoff together, without anyone being leapfrogged. However, at the conclusion of the Big Ten Championship, granted Ohio State wins, the Committee will have no choice but to put Ohio State at #4. More than anything, the purpose of the Committee is to put the four best teams into the spotlight. The four best teams will be Ohio State at #4 because the match ups of the decade would be #1 Alabama vs #4 Ohio State, and #2 Oregon vs. #3 Florida State. What better way to start the playoffs, with a Urban-Nick Bowl. Plus, an overrated, but still undefeated, Seminoles and against the Ducks. This way, if the Seminoles are really overrated, they'll be destroyed by the Ducks, likewise, if the Big Ten is really as good as we portray, then their best should be able to beat the SEC's. Enough Said

This Game Should Not Be Close

I grew up watching Ohio State Football, screaming and crying multiple times a game out of frustration and happiness. The Game, this Saturday brings to the forefront that while this game is no different than past games, against TTUN, this team is very different. In years past the eyes of Buckeye Nation has been fixed upon a dominate running back and quarterback. In 2012 and 2013, the Wolverines knew they had to stop Hyde and Miller, but could not do either. In 2014, however, the Wolverines have much more to contend with. As a counter, one may say that the Wolverines defense is getting better considering the games that they have lost have been close, except for the few that were against far superior teams (or seemed as though).

Michigan has faced close games, that may not have defined them per say, but tell a story not unlike most. The Wolverines are a team with a great history, much like Ohio State. These two teams created the hype of the Big Ten, which has superseded any other conference. When Ohio State and Michigan are undefeated and dominating the media cannot get enough of the Big Ten. It is though, the drama of other conferences does not matter because the two most dominate teams are at their best. Sure the SEC is dominate now, but we are starting to see a glimpse of what could be. Jim Tressel, Urban Meyer, Lloyd Carr, and the next coach of TTUN have in their job duties, to tare down the SEC and put the Big Ten on center stage. We cannot and must not forget teams that are holding their own currently or are getting tools able to to do so. But, history has shown that the Big Ten is back when the Wolverines and Buckeyes are at their best. 

At the beginning of the season, the talk was about Ohio State's dominance, Michigan State's stability, and Penn State's march forward. Everyone knew TTUN was destined to fail this year. There was hope that TTUN would solve all their problems with the hire of Nussmeir as their new offensive coordinator, but everyone knew an offensive coordinator from Alabama would not be able to do the same considering the personnel and quality of players are much different. No one can escape the fact that Hoke was hired because of Tressel's success. Tressel was vastly underpaid but highly successful and from a lesser division. Michigan fired Rich Rod hoping to find the same thing, but came up short. Now they have to open multiple check books and kiss the ass of any respected coach. 

Urban Meyer has built this team to be unstoppable. Just look at our roster: Marshall, Wilson, Elliot, Thomas, Smith, Smith, and Spencer. This offense gets set up quickly, takes a look at the defense, than calls an audible or runs the original play call. I have seen multiple times, read options plays called, the play is changed at the line, than a short pass is thrown to the outside, which avoids the effectiveness of a blitz up the middle. Likewise, if pressure comes from the outside, the play can be changed to a run up the middle to avoid the pressure. There is no reason Ohio State should not dismantle the Wolverines, nor any other team, other than the simple excuse of turnovers. However, Barrett has shown his ability to makes plays, more with his arm, than his legs. As much talent as the Wolverines have, they do not comes close to comparing against the Buckeyes. This is not a guarantee of a win simply because of talent, but instead recognition of what one has versus another. 

The Wolverines will come out with everything they have, but not for Hoke, for their seniors and themselves. Hoke is gone and everyone knew it at the beginning of the year. I would love to beat the Wolverines so badly that Hoke is not allowed on the team bus, but this probably won't happen. I look for our defensive line to have a great day.Barrett will steal the show though, considering he needs only one touchdown throw to break Drew Bree's Big Ten record. Regardless of all the predicting going on, one thing is for sure about rivalries, they are unpredictable and all about opportunity. How many opportunities will the Buckeyes have and take advantage of, and how many opportunities will the Wolverines have and take advantage of? The answer to that question will be the deciding factor in the game.  

TTUN Predictions

As a young man growing up in Groveport, I remember many Saturdays watching the Buckeyes cruise through their season. The likes of Eddie George, Bobby Hoying, Joe Germaine, Stanley Jackson, Terry Glenn, and David Boston leading the charge. I always remember Ohio State being highly ranked, the Big Ten in general and not knowing anything about the SEC (lol), and highly favored in their last games of the season, the highly anticipated and sometimes dreaded, Meatchicken vs. Ohio State. As I have stated in earlier posts, I do not have confidence in this being a blow out yet, and I do not know if I will get there. Don't get me wrong, our team, this year, seems poised enough and has the ability to attack teams at every angle, as we have proven this year multiple times. However, I get the feeling that this game will be closer than what it should be. The reasoning being, our youth. These Buckeyes have played at the Shoe, during times in which the stadium has no seating left and people are standing just to see the game. They have not played against a team with nothing to lose. Meatchicken has nothing to lose. Their coach is all but fired, the players have no idea who will replace him, their record is embarrassing, and all year they have heard about Ohio States chances of getting into the playoffs. This game is textbook upset, considering we all remember the Cooper years. Although, those years were forgotten because of then Tressel, and now Meyer years.

I would like to think that Meatchicken will enter into the game without a thought of provoking our Buckeyes, considering this game, like the next 3 or possible 4, means everything to this team, this season, and Nation (Buckeye Nation). However, I doubt this will happen because of the stakes. I do like, however; that Meyer has already told his team, that if they fight, they are off the team. That is quite an ultimatum considering how the emotions will be come kickoff. My suggestion for lessening the altercations to nothing is simple, every players, most importantly Barrett, has to become a field general, so to speak, What do I mean? After every play, get the offense back on the line. Every player needs to make sure every player is not buying into what they will be selling or trying to do. If Elliot runs the ball, is tackled, than the defense just lays on him, someone on the offense needs to call the refs attention to that, then help get him up, not necessarily pull the guy off of him. If Ohio State pulls a meatchicken defensive players off another Buckeye, that is all meatchicken needs to start something, and I am sure the refs will be watching. After a few penalties on the defense for personal fouls or unsportsman like conduct, meatchicken will get the hint or get blown out.

Historically speaking, this game has defined National Championships, as the victor goes on to play for everything. This team has too much talent both on the field and in the coaching staff to waste it on a close game. Meatchicken will probably play at its best, but their best could not even beat our second string, so here's my prediction for this game.

Ohio State: 55 TTUN: 14

This is Why:
This score is dependent upon whether or not last games mistakes are corrected. Fumbles, interceptions, and missed throws cannot happen this week, especially considering the next game decides everything else. I think Meatchicken gets two running touchdowns off two turnovers. Ohio State will overwhelm the defense, but mental mistakes will be our downfall. I am sincerely hoping that this game is a blowout, but given the past, this is what I pick. I think that our secondary will show the best of what Coach Ash has to offer, our defensive line will mostly dominate, but show flashes of weakness. I understand that offenses and defenses are not perfect and that mistakes happen. I am not expecting a perfect game, what I am expecting is a decisive win. As much as Buckeye Fans and Nation does not want to admit it, we are putting on a show for the Committee, for that coveted #4 spot. It is as simple as that. Truth be told, without 3 turnovers last game, Indiana probably would not have had 27 points, but this game is different and everybody knows it.

To say we need to destroy Meatchicken is an understatement. We need to strike fear into the hearts of their players with big hits and big plays. We know that Gardner has more interceptions than touchdowns, that regardless of how many picks he has, he won't stop throwing. We know that they will run too. Our defensive front 4 will have to get pressure on Gardner, which goes without saying. Pressure with 4 allows our linebackers to stay in coverage to stop any screens or back doors tosses, as well as Gardner running the ball. Barrett has to play within the contexts of what he's given. There is no need to throw into double coverage if an H Back or running back is open for an easy pass and 15 yards after that. Don't force it if you don't have to. Try not to take as many hits this game, The last thing we need is Barrett to get injured. He has to be perfect for the Big Ten Championship and maybe beyond. Utilize quick throws and the new running formation we saw last week. Quick throws cut down a defenses ability to get to the quarterback. The formation where Barrett, Elliot and Samuel are in the back field will work every time. It is very difficult to tackle our guys in space because of their speed. Elliot and Samuel are bruising backs, let them loose.

This game should be decided in the first half. We destroyed Maryland, and they beat Meatchicken. This game will not be boring, but it will be brutal. I expect Meatchicken to come out and throw punches (literally and figuratively). We need to throw them harder, faster, and for longer periods of time.

O -H!!!!!

The Calm Before The Storm

I was listening to the Urban Meyer Call In Show yesterday, and thought to myself, what is it that the coaches say to the players, getting them to perform the way they do? This got me to thinking of what I would say. It may not be perfect, but it is what it is. I must preface this by giving my prediction for Indiana and Ohio State.

Ohio State 56 Indiana 10

I served in the Marines from 2005-2009, as an Infantryman. This is where I was taught that relentless effort is perfection, that being good is not good enough. 

Infantry Marines train tirelessly towards the perfection of their craft, so that when the times comes and bullets are coming at you in war, your body reacts before your mind does. Your body is trained by your superiors and seniors to react in a manner that could save a life, whether it is your own or another Marines. This coaching staff was assembled to bring together mental and physical toughness through repetition. You all (the players) have been taught to be more powerful than a coach. When someone messes up and it is not because of effort, your brothers pick up before a coach does. Brotherly love can be stronger than fatherly love. This is the essence of this football team. Our pursuit of perfection extends to every game we play, regardless of who we play. It does not matter if it is Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Alabama or anyone else. Our pursuit of perfection is not not making mistakes, it is making mistakes and learning from them, from each other. Our pursuit of perfection ends when we are in Dallas, holding up the National Championship trophy and not until than. Every game until then is a battle that we must win. At the end of every battle is a war that must be finished. College Football has wages a war upon us, and game by game we have won the battles convincingly. I model our team as if we were in the military because of this; we have the most lethal military known to mankind. On one hand we fight a war as viciously as possible, making our enemy think twice about attacking us once more. On the other hand, we are able to be human beings and help others out in need. We fight a way every Saturday from August to December, just to finish the war in January. The character of a Unit is immortalized with how they end a campaign. Tonight, we choose how we will be immortalized. 

Tomorrow, this team will run into the Horseshoe a motivation we have never seen. This motivation comes from the recognition of how close to the finish line we are, how close we are to finishing what we started. The week after this is TTUN in our stadium. The only way to finish to STRONG!

O-H!!!!!!!!!!

College Football Playoff

As an avid Buckeyes Fan, I feel as though our backs are always against the wall. No matter what we do, our schedule is never tough enough and even when it is the teams we beat (if we do), those teams are having a bad game and does not mean the other conference is weak. The old BCS system was a computer program created to put the best teams at the front of the line, competing for a National Championship. The BCS put two teams in the National Championship every year, no more and no less. However, with the creation of the College Football Playoff system, 13 experts are thrown into a room and told to create a list of the best teams in college football. Some would say this is awesome, some would say this is a joke. I, for one, think there are many cons. First and foremost, the replacement of computer programs to human beings is a bad idea. 13 people deciding on what teams deserve to be where is subject to bias. There is no way for bias not to enter the equation. This past Saturday, Ohio State beat Minnesota in 20 degree weather, with snow falling. Alabama and Mississippi State played in 60 degree weather, with nothing but sunshine above. Will this be taken into account once the committee releases their top 4? Should it be? Are the conditions, with which a team has to play in really that important? I would contend that they most certainly do. For any team to travel into a different climate, that is drastically, the results could reflect a totally different outcome. Could any team outside of the Big Ten play and dominate in the weather Ohio State just played in? This is where bias comes in, in regard to what different members of the committee understand and know from experience.

Even if Ohio State’s wins at Penn State and Minnesota are not impressive, but still result in a W, the environment is the reasoning. I just watched an ESPN clip, where the hosts were discussing the #4 spot in the playoff rankings that were being released. Once analysts said they feel Ohio State should be #4, but that they won’t get it because of their resume. The other analysts said they wouldn’t have even mentioned them at all, that the loser of Mississippi and Alabama deserves to be in that spot. Ohio State is overlooked because the argument is never had on national television. While the committee members have to make a choice, if any portion of that choice is based upon television super powers, which choice has to take into account the growth of a team, not the blemishes of that team. To say the Buckeyes are not worthy of the 4^th spot because of Virginia Tech, is to say that a late season loss is college football suicide. In the interest of fairness, is this not the case? At this point in the season, conference championships are what matters.

Why should a conference champion be substituted for a one loss (at the moment) SEC team? This in my opinion is the exact reason for why the Playoff Committee is useless. If the BCS system were expanded to include 4 teams the rankings would be based solely upon computer programing taking into account key aspects of a game. Secondly, a 4 team playoff is far too short for anything meaningful to happen. This playoff formula needs to include 6 teams, which would include the Conference Champions, then two other wild cards that could come from any conference. I believe Ohio State will end up in the 4 team playoff because of this, by the time Ohio State gets to the Conference Championship, Wisconsin should be in the top ten, which if Ohio State wins the Championship, that win will be more impressive than anything TCU and Baylor has, considering the entire country knows how dominate the running game of Melvin Gordon is, especially posting 400+ on Nebraska. If Ohio State stops him, and wins the Championship, we are in. Is there any other team that can boast that dominant of a running game?

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The Big Ten Will Be Back

Perception is only half the equation, in becoming a dominate conference. The other half is winning all of your games. The Big Ten, the way I see it could be one of the most dominate conferences in college football. Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes will bring great pride to Columbus and the Big Ten through scheduling, winning, and coaching styles. This is proven through press conferences with the players and coaches. Coaches and players constantly reiterate that they are never satisfied with their performances because they realize the only celebration that matters is at the end of the year: The Big Ten Championship and National Championship. The games leading up to those though, are stepping stones used to keep this team on their toes. Consider this, Braxton is injured less then two weeks before the season starts. The national perception is that Ohio State is nothing without him, and that their inevitable failure is imminent. Fast forward to the Virginia Tech game, where nothing seemed to go right on either side of the ball. We lose, then start on a rampage of winning games in a convincing manner. We are a hungry team, that is not satisfied with simple appetizers, but instead an entire 4 course meal. 

Ohio State will always be considered the most consistent team in the Big Ten. The problem, however, is that Big Ten teams have problems winning games against perceived big time opponents. For example, Week 2 of this years season was brutal. Michigan State, Ohio State, and Wisconsin all dropped their games against Oregon, LSU, and Virginia Tech. The problem as I stated before, is the perception of these games no matter the score. The perception of the Big Ten is that the conference is overall weak, therefore; even if these games were won the consensus would have been that these teams had a bad night, and the score was not a rational reason for the turnout. In other words, the Big Ten is still weak even though they beat good teams in great conferences. The only way to contradict the perception of the Big Ten is to win and constantly at that. 

This Buckeyes team is poised for greatness, that can only be described as relentless. Rising into the Final Four is nothing more than Ohio State being Ohio State. What do I mean by this? The rotation of players into the program, than to graduation is starting to show the end of the Tressel era, and transition into the Urban Era. Since Urban has taken the helm, the Buckeyes have sustained top 5 recruiting classes and Freshman are no strangers to the battle field. This team is young and poised. There is no question, this team will not be satisfied until there are many trophies at the Woody Hayes Facility. As Buckeye Fans, we cannot rely on other teams to hold up their end of the bargain, but we can expect this team to hold there's up, which they have done. 

I listen to radio shows, ESPN (for about 5 minutes), and other sports outlets to gain a feel for where all the attention is. I hear the discussion of whether SEC, Big 12, and PAC 12 teams should have to play in the colder north. The problem is that, until more Big Ten teams dominate their games, there is no reason for these conferences to prove themselves. They may be weak, but there is no way to prove so. In 2016 and 2017, Ohio State plays Oklahoma; in 2018 and 2019 Ohio State plays TCU; in 2020 and 2021 Ohio State plays Texas, and in 2022 and 2023, Ohio State plays Notre Dame. These up and coming series will help the Buckeyes tremendously, but the Big Ten has to do so as well. Having one strong team will do nothing but harm the conference. It has got to be a collective effort. Remember Buckeye Nation we have the super power of ESPN against us.

My final argument and remedy for perception is coaching staffs. Ohio State, as I stated in an earlier blog, took a huge step and slapped the Big Ten in the face by hiring Urban Meyer. I have not been to the facilities, only to the Horseshoe for games, but Ohio State has invested in its brand. Michigan has no choice but to open their bank accounts to a top notch coach. This coach will be on a time table much like Urbans was at Ohio State. Universities and coaches have to coach to win, and cut weak coaches. There is no other way to say it. Illinois gave Tim Beckman his two weeks notice, Michigan's weakest link is Brady Hoke. I understand the friendship is important, but winning is a job, not a hobby. We must act as such.