At least he has his shirt on for once....
Who: Marshall, a once successful and still proud football program located in Huntington, WV. undergraduate population of just over 9,000. Formerly in the MAC, now in C-USA.
What: The first victim
When: Thursday September 2nd, 7:30 PM EST
Where: Ohio Stadium for those of us that are lucky, Big Ten Network(happy hour at bar) for those that aren't so lucky(me).
Why: Because it's been far too long, that's why.
Under first year head coach, Doc Holliday, Marshall aims for back to back bowl games and sort of by default of the first goal back to back winning seasons. Holliday, who played and was an asst coach at WVU, once took over for one Richard A Rodriguez when he left the team high and dry before the 2008 Tostito's Fiesta Bowl. It was thought that Holliday would become head coach, and honor that went to Bill Stewart. He stuck it out another year, thinking like most WVU fans, that Stewart would and should get fired, before taking his first head coaching position at Marshall University.
What do I know about this year's Marshall team? Only slightly more than you do I'm guessing. Doc Holliday is their coach, check. The have a defensive line that is supposed to be good, check. They probably like shot gun, multi-wide receiver formations, mmkay. They have a true freshman as a starting quarterback, Cam Heyward wants ribs for dinner. Not saying that he isn't a fine young QB, but taking your first snaps under center as a college quarterback in the shoe, at night usually doesn't end well for a visitor.
Honestly, that's about All I can write about Marshall, and you should know enough about the 2010 Buckeyes to not have to read my take on them.(hint, I think They're really good!) So let's get to the fun part shall we?! Time for what I want to see, bold predictions, etc.
"Do that thing you do where you make opposing players look like 6th grade girls. Un-athletic 6th grade girls."- Consistent pressure on the opposing QB. Knock him down early and often. Just imagine him as Jacory Harris.
- OSU's secondary making big plays, without penalties. This group is one of the few questions marks on the 2010 squad.
- Terrelle Pryor holding a clip board in the 3rd quarter. A couple of reasons for this actually. One, less chance for injury. Two, put Marshall away by half time, and get the backups some reps. Let's not have a Beanie situation 2.0, or Navy 2.0 either.
- This thing called a Jake Stoneburner. Throw to the TE in the end zone, and everywhere else. Linebackers shouldn't be able to cover him, expose and use the mismatch
- Shut out
- 50 points
- Pryor will throw early, and show the improvement we've been reading all about.
- Pryor will account for at least 2 touchdowns, more likely 3, one on the ground 2 through the air.
- T-Wash will make an appearance, and not revert to his "Mr March" form.
- Carlos Hyde will carry the rock in the 2nd half and get his first career TD.
- Cam Heyward will have ribs for dinner.
- 50 points won't happen. Jim Tressel only hangs 50 for revenge.
If Brutus is happy, I'm happy.
