Who you got?

Everyone's ready.

It's here. It's finally here everyone, the first game week for Ohio State and Inside The Shoe. As you saw the schedule yesterday, we have our picks ready to go. Let us know you're thoughts and scores. We'll keep you up to date on the happenings all week long.

The writer's have spoken, and the results are in.

Ian: 38-7 Ohio State comes ready for action, but Marshall gets a late touchdown to ruin the shutout.

SBB: 45-3 Marshall gets a FG in garbage time, and the freshman QB has a very rough day. Bauserman sees the field.


Brady: 27-10  Being the first game of the season, I expect Marshall to play a solid first half and maybe go in to the break only down a touchdown.  OSU tends to play things close to the vest (no pun intended) and I suspect it will take a half for the silver bullets to knock the off-season rust off.  Things will go much smoother in the second half and the bucks should have control midway through the third quarter.  Look for big games out of Saine and Herron with some of the younger backs getting touches later on as well.


Cliff: 31-10 The Buckeyes come out rusty early, but then continue the dominance we will be used to seeing.


Tomorrow is our interview with a Marshall Blogger..be here for that!

High Rankings...My Thoughts and Worries

This was the last play I remembered that night...

I posted the preseason top 25 rankings a few days ago and as you all know our beloved Silver Bullets sit at #2 sandwiched between 2 SEC schools. As I looked at the rankings and read other blogs and random articles this week, I only have one question. Are we ranked to high to start the season? Hold off your torches and pitchforks for just moment.... It just feels as if the hype around this team feels eerily similar to 2006. I just hope for the sake of this season (and my sanity since I live in the South) that this team takes all the hype for what it is...hype.

As stated in previous posts, the downfall of the '06 team was their willingness to believe the "un-beatable" hype that surrounded them for pretty much the entire year. Luckily we aren't viewed as unbeatable (at least not yet) and I hope that this team will play the entire season with a chip on their shoulder (similar to the 3.80 quarters of the '08 Fiesta Bowl and the '10 Rose Bowl) and send a message all season long.

LeBron: From and Akron Native's Perspective

Yesterday, LeBron put an ad in the Akron Beacon Journal thanking everyone from Akron for all their support, vowing to do whatever he can for his hometown. He also said:

"Akron is my home, and the central focus of my life. It's where I started, and it's where I will always come back to."

This would've been viewed as a great gesture from our native son if he would've handled himself like someone who cared about any one's feelings over these past few months. Because he's acted like a complete (fill in desired adjective here), this gesture that would normally be viewed as humble and caring, is seen (in my opinion) as very hollow. As someone who went to elementary school with him and was a high school student in Akron during his tremendous high school career, it's sad to see what he has become. During his years in Akron he was very humble, nice and approachable (as documented in this lovely musical montage). I was overjoyed that Akron finally had a representative on the global scene. I still get goosebumps (or at least I used to) when I see video of Austin Carr's emotional reaction after the Cavs won the draft lottery in 2003.

My opinion of LeBron remained unchanged during his 7 years in Cleveland however, after reading various articles and reports, the LeBron I thought I knew wasn't who he really was. Reports of his horrible attitude and lack of respect are truly saddening and disheartening, his great service and dedication to his hometown has been overshadowed by his ego. This type of person is not who I want representing my hometown, we may not have many notable natives, but I hope and pray that one day someone else will eclipse the so called "King".

A Comparison of 2nd Chances

Normally I'm all for giving guys second chances who have made mistakes in life. Take Maurice Clarett for example, who has re-enrolled at THE Ohio State University this summer after serving time in prison. He was a guy that made some mistakes, broke some laws and paid his debt to society. I am all for him receiving a second chance in putting his life back on the right track.

However in the case of former Oregon QB Jerimiah Masoli, I am not so sympathetic. Masoli was a guy that had several run ins with the law following the Ducks' loss to our beloved silver bullets in the Rose Bowl this past January. After he was arrested for burglarizing a frat house on campus this past March (hilarious 911 call), he was suspended from the team for the upcoming 2010 season. He was then subsequently kicked of the team in June after another arrest, this time for possession or marijuana. Most people would think this would end the major Division 1 football career of most players (see Perilloux, Ryan). However, Yahoo is reporting Masoli will be visiting Ole Miss, and if he enrolls in graudate courses there, he would be (somehow) eligible to play for the Rebels this season, immediately making him the favorite to start.

Although there is no rule against this happening, there needs to be one created ASAP. He should at least have to sit out a year or not be eligible to play at the D1 level anymore, or else this phenomenon will become more of the norm. This sends the wrong message to young players across the country, "Hey I screwed up at this school, but since I already graduated I can just go here and play next season with no real punishment". One value I've instilled in all the players I've coached is that when you break the rules, you have to face the consequences, no matter how small the violation is and that's the same message the NCAA needs to send, NOW.

ITS Mourns the Loss of Jack Tatum

Former Buckeye legend and NFL All Pro Safety Jack Tatum died of a heart attack at age 61 yesterday. Tatum was part of the "super sophs" class that lead Ohio State to an undefeated season and national championship in 1968. In his three years as a starting safety at Ohio State, the Buckeyes went 27-2 and also won two Big Ten titles. Coach Tressel had this to say about Tatum:

"We have lost one of our greatest Buckeyes. When you think of Ohio State Defense, the first name that comes to mind is Jack Tatum. His loss touches every era of Ohio State players and fans."

The Downfall of the Wolverines

Lets take a trip back to November 2006, the Big Ten was in the national spot light as No. 1 Ohio State (11-0) prepared to face No. 2 Michigan (11-0). Buckeye QB Troy Smith was at the top of his game and leading the Heisman race and these two bitter rivals were battling for a spot in the BCS National Championship Game. In one of the best games in the rivalry (and one of the best games I've ever seen live) the Buckeyes held on for a trip to Glendale with many pundits clamoring for a re-match for the national championship.

A little over a month later things began to spiral out of control, the No. 3. Wolverines lose in the Rose Bowl to USC 32-18, and the downward spiral began. A week later their bitter rivals, the Buckeyes, lose in a similar embarrassing fashion to Florida 41-14. All of a sudden a conference that was on top of the world immediately had its reputation "tarnished" as a result of these bowl losses. Following the end of the 2006 season, current UM coach Lloyd Carr's hot seat only got hotter and his team needed a great season to save his job.

 

I wasn't smiling for long..... 

The 2007 Wolverines were riddled with injuries all season and limped into a Capitol One Bowl game vs the Florida Tebows (oops I mean Gators). The Wolverines destroyed the 2006 National Champion Gators in their best performance of the season, however the writing was on the wall and that bowl victory was Coach Carr's last game on the sidelines as Michigan head coach. A change needed to be made, however in my opinion, the fact that UM chose to hire Rich Rodriguez from WVU as opposed to one of Carr's assistants or another candidate that would continue to run the UM system set the Wolverine football program back at least a decade.

It was clear that Michigan needed to make a change, however nothing was really "wrong" with their system. I think hiring one of Carr's assistants or maybe a top assistant/coordinator from within the conference would have been the best choice in the long run for the Wolverines. Before the RRod era, UM's system was pretty simple but every effective.

On offense: -Smart, Strong Armed QB -Big, powerful OL -Tough RBs -Big Play WRs They ran pro sets which allowed them to run the ball and set up for the pass and sometimes vice versa.

 On defense: -Big, strong, hole clogging DL -Quick, play making LBs -Smart, Athletic DBs They would concentrate on stopping the run and forcing you to beat them through the air while blitzing their LBs off the edge and trying to force turnovers. When it worked they won (Exhibit 1), when it didn't (Exhibit 2), they lost. Coach Rodriguez came into Ann Arbor in 2008 immediately implementing his "system" and soon after, players who represented what Michigan Football was all about began to leave one way or another. Some declaring early for the draft, others (like freaking HEISMAN CANDIDATE Ryan Mallet and Justin Boren) just outright transferring.

After RRod's first few horrible seasons, I feel it was proven that his "system" will not work in Ann Arbor. Coach Carr's system was similar to what Coach Schembechler used with a few tweaks to keep up with the times and that's all that was needed back in 2007, just a few tweaks, not a full system overhaul. In my opinion, Coach Rodriguez's drastic changes will also continue to hurt the program for years when it comes to recruiting. Today's college recruit isn't just looking at being part of a schools tradition, he's looking to see which coach and program can give him the best opportunity to make it to the next level. A perfect example illustrating my point would be the Terelle Pryor situation.

One of the major reasons Pryor chose the Buckeyes over the Wolverines was due to the fact that Pryor knew Coach Tressel ran more of a pro style offense, which would allow him to develop his skills as a true QB and not a "system guy" (see White, Pat). This is not to say that they wont still recruit good athletes, however the 5-star QBs aren't looking to play 4 years in a option oriented system, which will force them to take their talents elsewhere.

Conclusion (c) SBB As a lifelong Ohio State fan and Alum, I hate the Wolverines as much as the next guy. However it hurts the rivalry and the conference when Michigan is down in the dumps. Michigan needs to make a change and do it very soon, barring a major miracle, I'm sure that RRod will coach his way right out of Ann Arbor this season. When give the opportunity, the Wolverines need to choose a coach that will bring this program back to life which means they need someone that will get UM back to playing tough physical Big Ten Football, none of that namby pamby "spread" crap.

Tonight is the Night!!!

LeBron promises to announce his decision on 'The Decision' within the first 10-15 minutes, for those of you who haven't seen this yet, try not to tear up (I did, seriously). Tonight is the night, and only time will tell.

Be sure to join us for the live blog tonight at 8:45 pm!!!!

'The Decision': The Details, plus Live Blog!

So it looks like we'll have full LeBron coverage tomorrow from about 6pm until midnight on ESPN. Here's the details of tomorrow night according to ohio.com. Also, please join us for the Live Blog here at Inside The Shoe, which will include Ian, SBB, and I. Come join us in the tearful, or fantastic night. Live Blog starts at 8:45 PM, EST. The regular 6 pm Sportscenter will be extended from one hour to three which will lead right up to 'The Decision'. The actual decision isn't expected to come until around 9:45. Immediately following 'The Decision' will be a two hour Sportscenter special... Looks like the King will own the night tomorrow in sports...literally...

Top 10 for '10

The Top 10 for '10 series ends next week when Ian caps it off. 

10. Emergence of a Consistent Special Teams Threat

This has been something that has been lacking over the past few seasons due Ray Smalls constant flirtation with the doghouse, a consistent threat (or 2) on kickoff and punt returns would add another facet to the Buckeye attack that has been lacking since the Gonzo/Ginn/Holmes Era

9. Any glimpse Carlos Hyde and/or Jammal Berry

As a Florida resident and football coach, I had a chance to see both of these kids play during my first year of residency in the Sunshine State and let me tell you, they’re special (and this is coming from a guy that played against Beanie Wells and Antonio Pittman). Hyde had one of the most ridiculous seasons I’ve ever seen from a HS RB while getting limited caries because of his teams’ constant annihilation of their opponents (like this). It would be great to see Carlos and Jammal get a couple carries here and there. I know the backfield is crowded but a tandem of Berry/Hyde in the years to come will be something special to watch

8. A consistently powerful and punishing O line

I know I know, we’ve all heard the typical line of Coach Speak, “The game is won or lost up front..” But in no conference and for no other team is this statement more true than in the Big Ten for the Buckeyes. The big boys up front need to earn their keep this season. This is possibly the most talented set of skill players this offensive line has seen since 2007 and the pretty boys (skill guys) will rely on the OL for their success.

7. Thursday Night Season Opener

Night games are rare in Columbus, Thursday night games are even more of a rarity.. The Thundering Heard of Marshall come into town to open the season against the Buckeyes who have lofty expectations. The silver bullets need to make a statement in this nationally televised game in preparation for a much anticipated showdown with the ‘Canes the following weekend

6. The Maturation of T Pryor

The third year for Buckeye QBs has been a turning point in the past few seasons and I hope he can finally make the cut and make a legacy come true.

5. Brian Rolle

This kid hustles and is an all around player, after a full year as a starter I fully expect B Rolle to be an impact player from day one of the season and be a leader in a very talented Buckeye LB corps

4. LBs

In my opinion this may be the best set of LBs we’ve had since the glory years of Hawk/Carpenter/Schlegel, these guys are strong, fast and talented and will be the anchor of this defense

3. Complete and Utter Domination of The “U”

For those of you that don’t know, Miami still hasn’t gotten over our last skirmish in the desert which resulted in Jim and the boys bringing the crystal ball back to Columbus waaaay back in 2002 (seems so long ago doesn’t it?). A win over Miami will get the country’s attention and set the tone for what should be a very special season.

2. Tyler Moeller at the Star Position

Kind of sad to see what happened to Tyler last season. However, I’m glad that he is able to return to the gridiron. Tyler is another one of those special players a defense needs to dominate, he has the experience and the physical gifts, and I just hope that his head injury won’t affect his ability to make an impact

1. Set Everything Right with the World of College Football, Bring it home boys!!!

Ok, enough with all this SEC crap, remember when a team other then one in the Southeast won national championships? It was a great time to live right? The air was cleaner, food tasted better, gas was cheaper and I didn’t have nightmares of Chris Leak throwing TDs and Glenn Dorsey Blocking FGs… haha…but seriously. It’s time for the Buckeyes to return to their rightful place as champions, the Buckeyes need to shed the light of truth on this mythical SEC speed and dominance. If there was any year to do it, this should be it. We have just the right mix of leadership and new talent to bring it home

Happy 4th Of July!

We here at ITS hope you had a great 4th of July weekend, and to finish it off with fun as well. Come back tommorow for Cliff's Top Ten wishlist for 2010!

And So It Starts...

Joe Johnson signed his deal yesterday and now more free agent news....

Fox Sports is reporting the Knicks and Amare Stoudemire are close to a max deal and Paul Pierce is re-signing with Boston.

The Pierce signing is really no surprise, however Amare to the Knicks is. If anyone, I was almost sure he would end up in Miami (while praying to sweet baby Jesus he may still be able to be a Cavalier) sigh....Oh well (crossing fingers for Bosh and/or Brendan Haywood)

Cavs New Coach/Possible New Big Man

Update: Byron Scott agrees to 4 year deal.

It's going to be a busy July 1st for the Cavs. Fox Sports and ESPN are reporting that Byron Scott will be named the Cavs new head coach some time today. Scott formerly coached the New Jersey Nets to two consecutive finals appearances in 2002 and 2003 and the New Orleans Hornets from 2004-2010.

I am hoping he will be leader the Cavs need to take them to the next step. Now they need is a PG, SG and F/C

Speaking of Forwards and Centers, Brain Windhorst of Cleveland.com talks about the possibility of a double sign and trade with Dallas involving Shaq and Brendan Haywood as well as other FAs the Cavs have contacted.

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day, Buckeye Nation. F

From the staff of Inside The Shoe