Andrew Sweat has done a fine job filling in for Ross Homan but we will need the talented middle linebacker back on the field for the late season push. The run defense will have to be at its’ best with Evan Royster (assuming the talented Royster shows up) coming to town next weekend. Iowa also boasts a dangerous backfield that the Buckeyes will have to deal with in the near future. From all the reports I have read recently, Homan is questionable for the Penn St. game. If he isn’t 100% for PSU, I say keep him on the sideline. The nittany lions haven’t been world beaters this year and the Buckeyes should be able to get by without him. I can’t say the same thing with a straight face for the trip to Iowa City the following week. OSU will need a healthy Homan for that one.
- Michigan stuff- Living in Northwest Ohio can be perplexing at times. I am pretty sure that we are still within Ohio state lines but you wouldn’t know it by walking around. Sure there are plenty of OSU supporters but Michigan and Notre Dame gear are quite prevalent around here which angers me to no end. Unfortunately, two of my best friends are supporters of TTUN which leads to many spirited debates. Lately we have been discussing the train wreck that is the Michigan defense. I can’t believe it has gotten that bad this fast.
As little as five years ago, I remember being terrified for Ohio St. to play against a Michigan defense… definitely ten years ago.
When I watch a Wolverine game now, I don’t even recognize what I am looking at. Their line is small, the corners are lacking talent and they no longer have the enforcer linebackers/safeties that they once possessed. This is not the way to battle in the Big Ten.
DickRod has brought in the speed players that fit his offensive game plan and you really can’t argue with the results his team has put up. Why did he bring in a smaller defense though? Why couldn’t you keep a Lloyd Carr type defense and still have your pretty dink and dunk offense on the other side of the ball. Rodriguez is not the recruiter that Carr was but it I am amazed at what he has done to a once proud defense in such a short period of time. I have enjoyed the misery and self loathing that is happening right now in Ann Arbor but it is getting old. Having the Wolverines back in contention is good for the conference and it is much more gratifying kicking their ass every year when they are competitive.
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| Running into the #1 spot |
- A number one continues to emerge- Boom Herron had his best game as a Buckeye last week when he finally eclipsed the 100 yard mark… in the first half! The Gophers didn’t have an answer to the bruising, and suddenly explosive, running by the Sonic Boom (your welcome Danny). I don’t know what has gotten into Mr. Herron lately but he looks like a completely different back to me. Granted this performance came against one of the worst teams in the conference but the signs of progress were there. Herron was very patient waiting for his blocks to develop and he showed a quick first step that I haven’t seen out of him previously. Maybe his new zest for running was caused by Saine’s demotion or maybe he just decided to eat his Wheaties. Whatever it is, keep it up young man.
The less the Buckeye’s have to rely on the legs of Terrelle Pryor the better. Having a feature back that can grind out the tough yards along with breaking a big one are crucial for the Buckeye’s chances of winning out.
I was also impressed with the running of Carlos Hyde at the end of the game. He shows the power and speed to possibly fight for major playing time next year. He reminded me of Keith Byars a little bit. Those are big shoes to fill at tOSU but I think this guy has the potential to be a beast in the backfield in the next year or so.
- Shocking!- The BCS is a mess. How Ohio St. stands pat at #11 and gets jumped by the likes of LSU and Nebraska is beyond me. Obviously, the Buckeye’s have nobody to blame but themselves for being this far out of the title conversation but getting jumped by teams behind you on the heels of a 52-10 blowout is infuriating. A Big Ten title is still well within reach but any hopes of clawing back into the title picture were pretty much extinguished this past Monday. It is going to take another 2007 scenario for Ohio St. to get back in this thing. I will never understand why the most popular sport in America, aside from the NFL, uses a computer formula to put teams in a title game.
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| Actually looks good! |
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