Ryan Shazier Emerging

Glorious

This season has been a rollercoaster ride from the beginning. It was apparent OSU wasn't really going to contend this year but I, along with many of you, tried to convince myself that this team had a chance to contend. After all this was Ohio St. and we still had the athletic cream of the crop in the big ten.

Unfortunately, many of those top athletes were suspended for more than half the season and our starting quarterback bolted for the NFL to hold a clipboard. It was OK I told myself. We had one of the top-rated quarterbacks coming in to replace him and a slew of young talent itching to see the field and become the next set of stars in Columbus.

The defense always played with a chip on its' shoulder and the running backs went almost 5 deep heading into the Akron game. It all sounded great in my head and looked even better on paper. Unfortunately that’s not how things have played out this year. This team has been extremely tough to watch at times. Beginning the year with Akron served as a temporary cloak as to what OSU really was. Things went downhill in a hurry after that opening game and culminated with the disaster in South Beach.

The Hurricanes dominated nearly every facet of the game with a mediocre squad and exposed the Buckeyes for what they really were. Losses to Michigan St. and Nebraska would soon follow and I had written the season off for good. Then a funny thing happened. Well it was only funny at the time until it blew up in my face once again.

OSU rattled off a couple against ranked some ranked teams and were suddenly controlling their own destiny again this past weekend when they took on Purdue. I'm not sure how it happened but before you knew it I was riding high on the Buckeye bandwagon once again. It was hard not to believe that OSU was for real after their amazing win against the Badgers a couple weeks ago. Stout defense, an amazing running game plus a rejuvenated defensive line were the name of the game. Then... THUD!

The freshmen group tried their best to beat Purdue

The Buckeyes passed up the perfect opportunity to roll to another Big Ten title shot. Purdue is a team that was ripe for the taking and the Buckeyes played uninspired and sloppy football en route to a 3 pt. overtime loss. I swear this season has felt like 3 or 4 different campaigns all wrapped in one. I think the most surprising thing to me was the lack of young talent claiming their right to be the next superstar at OSU.

Guys like Roby, Spencer, and Hankins have had their moments but none seemed to take this season by the balls and claim it as their own. Well folks, I think we finally have that guy in Ryan Shazier. The dude has been an absolute menace for the past few weeks. He started the year on Special teams for the most part. Right away you could see the kid had skills but I don't think anyone thought he would emerge first with all the love 5 star recruit Grant got in the preseason. Boy where we wrong.

After his HUGE block in the Wisconsin game and a number of jarring blows including a forced fumble against the Boilermakers, Shazier is poised to get his first start this week against Penn St. Seriously, this might be the most exciting storyline to me for this weekend’s game. I'm sure the first road game for PSU since the Sandusky allegations will be the main story. OSU still even has a shot (outside shot at best) of getting back into the Big Ten title conversation so that will be a hot topic for some. 

I am firmly in the how-does-Shazier-react-to-starting camp though. This guy has proven to have that swagger about him that just oozes big play potential. He only know one speed, which is FAST, and I want to see what the kid can do with a whole weeks' worth of preparation in the starting role. Between Grant and Shazier, Columbus just might have the dynamic duo at the LB position that it has been craving ever since Laurinatis left.

Sweat and Klein aren't getting things done.

I love Sweat and Klein but they just aren't living up to the rich line backing tradition at Ohio St. I hate to say that about kids giving their all for Ohio State, but sometimes the truth stings. This season is all but lost so let’s see what the young kids can do. I seriously don't know what to expect from the Buckeye's this weekend. I thought they would give their all and hand Purdue an ass kicking with all that was on the line. I guess I was wrong. Was I wrong about the lack of effort or talent though? Both answers are disturbing if you ask me.

This may be a bit off topic, but I have to mention that I am also waiting for the NCAA to hand down their F'n punishment already. How long does this take? You give be a six figure salary and tell me to figure out a punishment and I have that shit is done in 5-6 hours with a lunch break. What the hell is taking so long? Why must they drag their feet in an effort to make themselves look important? Don't give me this shit either about the "failure to monitor" charge that was just handed down adding to this ridiculous time table.

If it such a big deal then add on another lost scholarship or suspend another player for a game. Look that just took me about 10 seconds or whatever amount of time it took me to type it. I'll be awaiting my bonus check and luxury golf club membership for doing your job. Get it done already! It is getting ridiculous.