Preview: #14 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Akron Zips

Fickell In Charge In 2011

The Ohio State Buckeyes are without head coach Jim Tressel for the first time in 10 years. Luke Fickell has taken over a program that continues to hold the headlines with the NCAA, and that's not good news for any football program in America. Yet, despite all this the Buckeyes are still ranked fairly high with some decent expectations. 


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. 

Buckeyes Looking For Revenge Against Badgers

Sullinger's turn soon?

Heading into their second showdown in three weeks, top-ranked Ohio State and No. 10 Wisconsin are saying too much was made of their first meeting and all the words and accusations that followed. Buckeyes coach Thad Matta is advising Ohio State fans to calm down and leave their animosity at home on Sunday. Ohio State is also the regular season outright Big Ten Champions. On to the teams:

First, the Badgers, ranked No. 13 at the time, came back from a 15-point deficit to end Ohio State's perfect season and knock the Buckeyes out of the top spot in the polls.

Then Buckeyes center Jared Sullinger alleged in a postgame message on Twitter that one of the Badgers faithful spit in his face as he was trying to escape the floor amid a mass of celebrating fans.

Later, Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan didn't make a whole lot of friends in Columbus when, in response to questions about the Sullinger incident, he said, "We won the game. Deal with it."

Matta says all of that ancillary stuff doesn't have much bearing on the rematch between the Badgers (23-6, 13-4 Big Ten) and Buckeyes (28-2, 15-2).

Preview: #1 Ohio State vs. Northwestern

Since their last win against Purdue, in which they steamrolled the Boilermakers, the Buckeyes have "earned" the #1 spot and respect from all or most of the country's pollers. Before that, they would win close games against not great teams, but still win against decent opponents. The Purdue game might just keep the ball rollling, as the Buckeyes take on the Northwestern Wildcats (13-7, 3-6).


In the all-time series between the teams, Ohio State holds a commanding 107-45 lead, although last season ended in a last second shot, losing 72-69. Northwestern runs the "Princeton Offense" meaning the Wildcats will be spreading the ball around with moving players in and out. It usually ends in an open shot for them, providing plenty of pressure for the Buckeye defense.

Preview: #1 Ohio State vs. Iowa

The Ohio State Buckeyes (18-0, 5-0) enter this game in Value City Arena coming off a big win against Talor Battle and the Nittany Lions. After taking the #1 spot for the first time since the 2006 season, they bring in the Hawkeyes of Iowa. They've been anything but dominant of late in staying unbeaten, however, with their last four wins, all against unranked opponents, coming by a total of 15 points.

Those four teams shot a combined 47.7 percent, and Ohio State allowed Penn State to hit 55.6 percent from the floor -- the second highest mark against the Buckeyes this season -- in a 69-66 win Saturday. Thad Matta said he would rather have a better defense then the #1 ranking, and I would agree with him. For right now, rankings don't mean too much. March Madness seedings are usually dependent on RPI (which, for the Buckeyes, looks pretty decent right now).

The stretch of close results began with a 73-68 victory at Iowa on Jan. 4. The Hawkeyes led 35-29 at halftime, but freshman Jared Sullinger had 24 points and 12 rebounds to help the Buckeyes hold on.

Preview: #1 Ohio State vs. Penn State

Sullinger has led the Buckeyes to 17-0

The Buckeyes are coming off a close win over Michigan, in which Brady Hoke was introduced, on their way to a 17-0 start, the third best start in school history. They will be looking to keep this train going, whether or not it means much to them for being #1 in the country:

"It doesn't mean anything at all, really," Lighty said. "I've been No.1. I'll be happy. If I'm No. 1 at the end, I'll be excited."

Today, Ohio State faces an interesting challenge in Penn State. They have beaten consecutive ranked opponents for the first time in more than half a century by knocking off two of the Big Ten's premier programs in the past week, and Ohio State (17-0, 4-0) hasn't quite looked like a juggernaut during its three January wins. The Buckeyes have been tested, but rallied to win 73-68 at Iowa on Jan. 4, defeated Minnesota 67-64 on Sunday and knocked off Michigan 68-64 on Wednesday.


Penn State had lost four of five heading into a visit from then-No. 18 Michigan State last Saturday, but beat the Spartans 66-62 despite conference scoring leader Talor Battle finishing with 13 points on 3-of-14 shooting. There is no doubt that Battle is the leader of this team, but he is also a dangerous threat to this OSU defense, and should provide Penn State with a chance.

Preview: Ohio State vs. Arkansas

The Ohio State Buckeyes have face many challenges since their last game against Michigan, and the Sugar Bowl hasn't even started yet. As Buckeye fans are well aware, Terrelle Pryor and company will be leading the charge against the SEC, who is sweeping the Big Ten in bowls, and will look to complete with a win from Arkansas. Ohio State is 0-9 vs. SEC schools in bowl games, and this one is no cupcake. The NCAA, and Jim Tressel, have decided that what's done is done, and to let these kids play.

Much has been said of this match-up, including that the #3 defense in the country will have it's hands full with Ryan Mallett come tomorrow night. The same is said for Arkansas defense against Terrelle Pryor. The hype is that this is the best quarterback match-up in a bowl game this year. Pryor has a lot on his shoulders, including the conference. The junior has posted a 22-3 record as Ohio State's full-time starter the last two seasons. 


He's led the Buckeyes to victory in 17 of their last 18 games, including a five-game winning streak to end the 2010 regular season. The Buckeyes are familiar with Ryan Mallett, facing him in the 2007 version of "The Game". Ohio State has been to BCS Bowl Games every year since the 2005 season, and posts a 2-3 mark. Arkansas, on the other hand, makes it's first experience on the BCS level, and some pressure will be added on the Razorbacks.

A look back... and ahead

One of my first posts for ITS discussed my concerns with our current running backs (Saine and Herron) and not giving enough touches to the younger potential studs that OSU had waiting in the wings. Well, I’ll take my foot out of my mouth right now. Brandon Saine looked like the back that we all thought he could be last Thursday against the Thundering Herd. His breakaway speed and terrific downfield cuts in the game will give Big Ten defensive coordinators nightmares this season. Coming out of Piqua, he was heralded as a terrific speedster but many had worries about his injury laden past. Those fears seemed to come to fruition over the past few seasons with nagging injuries taking a chunk out of his playing time. He finally looked the part Thursday night, appeared to be healthy and proved to me that he deserves the number one slot at running back. Brandon, if you by some chance you happened to read that post from July, I apologize. I realize it was only Marshall but he looked like a different dude out there.