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| Fickell In Charge In 2011 |
The departures of Tressel and Pryor aren't the only absences which may plague the Buckeyes. Although the team returns top rusher Boom Herron and brings back receiver DeVier Posey, they are among four players who were suspended the first five games for taking part in the exchange.
Also sitting out will be starting tackle Mike Adams, backup defensive end Soloman Thomas, starting running back Jordan Hall, starting corner Travis Howard, and 2nd string defensive back Corey Brown. The last 3 came with the release from Ohio State yesterday, when we reported that they had received a combined total of $300 in a supposed gift basket from a Breast cancer charity event.
While the Buckeyes said fifth-year senior Joe Bauserman will likely start at quarterback Saturday, they expect to rotate him with freshman Braxton Miller as the team tries to replace Pryor.
Over three seasons, Bauserman is 23 of 47 for 320 yards and two touchdowns, while Braxton has yet to take a collegiate snap. The two quarterback platoon hasn't been at Ohio State since 2004, when Justin Zwick and Troy Smith were both young QB's looking to get their shot. Zwick ended up disappointing, and Smith shined, leading the Buckeyes the next 3 seasons and winning a Heisman trophy.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the field Saturday, In Rob Ianello's first year as coach in 2010, the Zips lost their first 11 games before closing the season with a win over Buffalo. They were outscored by an average of 19.5 points and averaged 268.5 yards of offense -- second-fewest in the FBS. Akron has lost 14 straight on the road and is 1-21 all-time against Top 25 opponents, last beating a ranked Marshall team in 2002. Quarterback Patrick Nicely particularly struggled, throwing 13 interceptions to 10 touchdowns while completing only 49.4 percent of his passes for 1,753 yards.The Buckeyes are 6-1 all-time against the Zips, with the one loss coming in 1894. Ohio State won the last meeting 20-2 in 2007.
Without Jordan Hall, and Jaamal Berry being injured, we will finally get to see what Carlos Hyde and Roderick Smith can do against a D-1 college. We've seen them against a couple of 3rd string defenses, but if they can prove they can run all over the Zips defense, we could see a serious stable as the season progresses, keeping fresh legs in, giving more firepower to the quarterbacks, with room to throw.
My Prediction: Joe Bauserman starts slow, and continues to hand it off to the two backs, and we see some Braxton Miller in the 2nd quarter. The defense is going to manhandle the Akron front, and hopefully keep it so that the QB's don't have to feel any pressure. I also believe the WR's will be better than expected, with Verlon Reed and Philly Brown the starters. Lot's of spread formations, and a pass to T.Y. Williams in the redzone, preferably a fade route. Ohio State wins, 34-7
