Taylor Graham To Transfer To Hawaii

Gone

It has been rumored for a while now that Taylor Graham would be transferring, but now that rumor is reality. Doug Lesmerises of the Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting that Graham is transferring and taking his talents to the Warriors of Hawaii.

Graham was released from his Ohio State scholarship when Urban Meyer became the new head coach. At 6'4, Graham is a tall, immobile passer who would not fit in Ohio State's new offensive scheme, so a change was best for both parties.

Newly crowned Hawaii head coach Norm Chow is known as a quarterbacks guru and will get the most out of Graham. Chow recruited Graham two years ago when he was UCLA's offensive coordinator, but Graham elected to come play at Ohio State, his father's alma mater.

Live Blog: #25 Ohio State vs. Purdue

A week after coming out slow and unprepared for the Indiana Hoosiers, Ohio State must travel to Purdue, to keep their B1G CCG dreams alive. Braxton Miller and the offense have to continue to improve, and the defense needs to up their game for this one. 

Join us at 11:45 AM EST for the Live Blog!

The Big Ten Season Begins

Here comes the B1G..skirts?

Well folks, the fake season is officially over and it is time to finally enter conference play. I guess it really isn't a fake season although it felt like one this year. Going into the season I think we all knew, even if you didn't want to admit it to yourself, this was going to be a rebuilding year. After the fallout from over the summer it was hard to picture the Buckeye’s demolishing opponents and vying for a spot in the National title game. If Tatgate and the mess it caused never happened I think that would have been a possibility.

Unfortunately, our worst nightmares were realized which in turn thrust numerous young and unproven players into the limelight.

The dust has settled somewhat and OSU now stands at 3-1 heading into the Big Ten gauntlet. At many other schools, 3-1 would be cause for parades but here in Ohio it is a tough pill to swallow. We have been spoiled over the past decade and expect to beat teams like Miami. That didn’t happen this season (thanks Joey Ballgame) and the focus must lie on getting into that inaugural Big Ten title game. It won’t be easy though, especially right out of the gate this weekend with MSU coming to town.

Live Blog: #19 Ohio State vs. Miami

The game has finally arrived, and it's time to join the chat for the 2011 edition of Ohio State-Miami. Last season the Buckeyes came out on top, but down in Coral Gables, hopes are high for an upset of the Scarlet and Gray.

Join us at 7:15 PM EST for our Live Blog!

Preview: #13 Ohio State vs. Toledo Rockets

Eric Page is the fuel to the Rockets O

The Ohio State Buckeyes enter this game with the streak of 32,845 days since an Ohio-based team has beaten the kings of the Buckeye state. Tomorrow, the Toledo Rockets have one of the best chances to do so on paper then any other team since 2003. Before that, after their first loss to Oberlin (7-6 loss) OSU is 42-0-1 against teams in Ohio. While this Rockets team is capable of doing some good things against Ohio State, they haven't put up any points on OSU at all in the 2 times that they've played them.

This time around, it might be tougher on OSU's defense. Toledo runs a spread-based attack, and behind this is a prediction from many experts for the Rockets to win the MAC. While that in itself isn't overally impressive compared to a winner of the SEC, against a lower tier opponent, Ohio State chose one of the best. Don't forget that Ohio State is missing players such as DeVier Posey, Terrelle Pryor (left for NFL), starting O-lineman Mike Adams, and Boom Herron. Toledo has a right to come in guns blazing, for if their offense can score against our stout defense, then Luke Fickell must rely on the offense that features Joe Bauserman at QB, and that's 1 game of experience against Akron.

We Are The Ohio State Buckeyes And You Are Buckeye Nation

Forever Changed The Internet

YouTube is a great place online to remember and recall plays of the past, to watch the world react to a soccer goal and find things that keep you distracted for hours at work.

This week, as we approach the first game of the season, the first game of a new Era of Ohio State Football...a YouTube video was posted, with messages from this year's team to Buckeye Nation. It is a video including players comments on why they came to Ohio State, what they want out of this season and also a reassurance that we are in this 'together', against the world and together, we will shock the world!

As I watched, I was filled with an enormous sense of pride and passion...some of which I honestly lost on Memorial Day...it has been a long, hard summer for us fans, but now it is time to get back to doing what we do best...cheering on our Buckeyes! 

ITS's Preseason Blogpoll Ballot

Happy Monday to you, and welcome to the first week of the 2011 College Football season. How awesome does that sound? As we told you yesterday, Inside The Shoe has been given the honor of being on the staff of the prestigious Blogpoll, presented by SB Nation. Look at us all grown up, using big words. The way the ITS Blogpoll Top 25 works, is that our 5 writers all send in their own personal Top 25, and I average them out into the "final" ballot that gets turned into SB Nation. So while I might have put Western Kentucky at #1, the rest of the writers might have them at #2 or #3, ultimately pulling them down to #2 or #3. We are very excited about this opportunity, and we hope you give us your thoughts on how the poll turned out, so we can adjust it in the future polls.

This is as much as our poll as it is yours. We will take all comments into consideration, and nothing gets overlooked. With that, our rankings are after the jump, so we'll see you there!

Terrelle Pryor And Other Thoughts

Waving goodbye to college

Terrelle Pryor has become quite possibly the most polarizing figure in the history of OSU football over his tenure at the university. There is no question the man possesses athletic ability that the common man can only dream of. He is at least partially responsible for giving the fans a great record since 2008 and has single handily won several big games for the scarlet and gray. There is no denying that he will go down as one of the great quarterbacks in the school’s history. 

Unfortunately, with good comes the really REALLY bad. From most accounts he was an arrogant and self involved individual. I can’t say I wouldn’t be the same way if I had grown up with the public adoration and fan fare that he did. As a two sport star in western PA, I imagine the kid rarely heard the word no and was constantly praised throughout the community and the nation. Every one of us that fawned over him in the recruiting process through message boards and blog posts is partially responsible for the monster that ended up taking down our beloved coach, and to a degree, the university.

Devan Bogard Is Number 9

Devan is ready for some action

After woes such as losing recruits to other schools, and more bad news for Ohio State keep on coming, it's nice to find some good news headed towards the Buckeye's way. Devan Bogard, a 2012 defensive back, has committed to Ohio State. The 6'1'', 185 lb DB becomes number 9 in a class that just might shape up to be one of the better ones in the future. Bogard runs a 4.67 40, and has great instincts on where to be and when. A hard hitter, some might compare him to Mike Doss, and that's always good news. The four-star safety will be counted upon to help lead Glenville this season, and might also be seeing some time on offense at quarterback for the Tarblooders. 


Here's what Devan had to say:


"I have committed to Ohio State," Bogard stated Saturday evening. "I was at camp today, but I didn't work out. When I returned home I decided to call (head coach) Luke Fickell and commit. Now I can just work on my grades and get better as a player without worrying about recruiting."

Is Ray Small Really To Blame?

Under surveillance indeed.

Saturday, ESPN launched a story that Ray Small was misquoted, and that the Lantern added things that Small never said. In the actual interview, Small says that he never said to the Lantern that "everyone did it" at Ohio State, talking about selling rings and other Ohio State memorabilia. Also in the interview, Small explained that "It was either break the rule or get evicted,". "That was the best thing I could do. It was the smartest plan I came up with to pay my rent." 


Small, whose senior season with the Buckeyes was in 2009, said he sold the rings midway through his Buckeye career because his regular scholarship check for room and board didn't cover his year-round costs of living in Columbus. He also felt compelled to unload them because he lacked the funds to afford a car he was driving at the time, a 2007 Chrysler 300 that carried a $600 monthly payment.

Heyward Selected 31st, No Other Buckeyes Drafted Yet

With the only surprise in the draft as far as Ohio State players was that Cameron Heyward was selected that low. He was heard to be in serious talks with the Ravens, but they ended up taking another person before him. It seemed chances were grim when they reached toward the end of round 1, but Cameron Heyward was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31st overall.

Meanwhile, the other Buckeyes in waiting will most likely be there awhile, with the possibility of a couple of them  going in the 2nd and 3rd round. After not having a player selected in the first round of last season's draft, Heyward gives OSU its 17th first round selection since 2000.


Here's the NFL Draft's take on the pick, and Heyward:


 "The Steelers opt to upgrade their defensive line instead of addressing their secondary with the selection of Heyward. He gives them another athletic five-technique to throw into the rotation, and his overall skill set is a perfect fit in their "30" scheme. This pick is another illustration of the Steelers stockpiling young players to groom for huge roles down the road."

Signing Day Predictions Part 2

Can Walker become elite?

In Part 2 of the 3 part series, I will be taking a look at and predicting where Aundrey Walker, Ejuan Price, and Cardale Jones will land. You can see Part 1 here.

These next 3 recruits are pretty important to grab. Ejuan Price committed to Ohio State, but could be having second thoughts after his visit with Pitt. It's possible to change his mind.

Aundrey Walker is down to his final three: USC, Ohio State, and Michigan State. This will come down to the last day, without a doubt in my mind.

Cardale Jones is like a lesser version of Braxton Miller. He would be a nice addition to the class, but this man is not a need as it stands.

On to the recruits, broken down:

Buckeye's Adjustments Foils PSU's Upset.

Howard seals the deal
AP Photo/Al Behrman

The Nittany Lions gave the Buckeyes everything they had in the first half. It was enough, but they had to continue with the domination. They couldn't. The first drive in the 2nd half set the momentum for Ohio State from the get-go. Down 14-3, Tressel and the Buckeyes rode on the back of Daniel "Boom" Herron for the second straight game. He finished with 21 carries for 190 yards and a score. The score was the one that cut the 11 point deficit (biggest comeback for Tressel in his 10 years at OSU). Right away, the crowd went from booing and quiet, to loud and cheering. McGloin threw, Torrence picked, and the rest was history.

After that score, there was no looking back for the Buckeyes, as they would score 3 more times, winning 38-14. Terrelle Pryor was decent, but only threw the ball just 13 times, completing 8 passes for 139 yards with 2 touchdowns against 1 interception. In the first half, he struggled to find a rhythm, and it showed, as the offense itself wasn't ready to play physical, Ohio State football. Tressel improved to 27-4 in November games as Ohio State's head coach -- and 3-4 in the week after a bye. Joe Paterno who was closing in on his 401st win, instead got his 133rd loss.


With this win, the Buckeyes moved to 9-1 on the season and remain in a three-way tie with Wisconsin and Michigan State atop the Big Ten standings. The Buckeyes have two tough games remaining, as they travel to Iowa next week and come home to face Michigan the week after. Wisconsin heads to Ann Arbor next week and plays Northwestern at home the following week, while MSU has the easiest schedule, hosting Purdue and traveling to Penn State.

Conner Crowell, #18 of '11 Class.

Crowell looks to make an impact.

Conner Crowell, a three-star linebacker from Walford, Md., became Ohio State's 18th commitment in the class of 2011 on Friday night. He chose the Buckeyes over Penn State and a host of other schools vying for his services. 


Conner is a big pick me up for the Buckeyes line-backing core, because some experts put him as a lock to play for Paterno and the Nittany Lions. As he led his high school defense, Crowell might be a name you hear about in the next couple of years, because he's got the size, strength and speed to lead this defense.


After the jump, we have some highlights for you to see what to expect.

Ohio State hurdles Indiana, 38-10

AP/Jay LaPrete

So the Buckeyes are victorious on the back of Terrelle Pryor's arm. Passing for over 300 yards, the Buckeyes offense took full advantage of the domination from the defensive side of the ball. The Buckeyes (6-0, 2-0) will start preparing for the Badgers (5-1, 1-1) already.

Tressel also got his 100th career win. Here's the trophy he got.

Recap up tomorrow.