Five Things To Look For: Akron Edition

Buckeye football is back!

Today is the day! College Football starts today, with kickoff between Murray State and Louisville at 6. The real college game is at Madison, where the UNLV Rebels take on #8 Wisconsin Badgers at 8 PM EST. Of course, all this means..

Is that Buckeye football is mere hours away from being back! Are you excited? Because I sure am.  If you’re not, then this video definitely will get you pumped up. After all the offseason drama, getting back on the gridiron in the Horseshoe will be sweet for the players and the fans.  I will be going through five things that I am looking forward to from this game and my prediction for the game.

Spring Practice Update: Defense Dominates, Offense Struggles

John Simon and the defense dominated 

With the annual Scarlet-Gray spring game just a week away, the Buckeye defense seems ready for the games to begin.  The offense may be hoping for a few more weeks of practice after struggling in the storm-shortened 42-16 defeat to the defense.

The four quarterbacks fighting for the starting job for the first five games of 2011 had very below average days, combining to go 7-22 for 69 yards and multiple interceptions.  Cornerback Bradley Roby led the defense with two interceptions, while Dorian Bell had another interception and John Simon had a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery all on the same play.

Silver Bullet Points: Bye week edition

- Rest those weary bones- The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for the Buckeyes. OSU is battered and bruised and really could use the time to rest. Many people, Jim Tressel included, aren’t thrilled about taking a week off in the middle of the season. I suppose the fear of ruining chemistry or throwing off timing are the major concerns JT has. Usually I would agree with that assessment but this team needs to get some of their playmakers back on the field.

Andrew Sweat has done a fine job filling in for Ross Homan but we will need the talented middle linebacker back on the field for the late season push. The run defense will have to be at its’ best with Evan Royster (assuming the talented Royster shows up) coming to town next weekend. Iowa also boasts a dangerous backfield that the Buckeyes will have to deal with in the near future. From all the reports I have read recently, Homan is questionable for the Penn St. game. If he isn’t 100% for PSU, I say keep him on the sideline. The nittany lions haven’t been world beaters this year and the Buckeyes should be able to get by without him. I can’t say the same thing with a straight face for the trip to Iowa City the following week. OSU will need a healthy Homan for that one.

- Michigan stuff- Living in Northwest Ohio can be perplexing at times. I am pretty sure that we are still within Ohio state lines but you wouldn’t know it by walking around. Sure there are plenty of OSU supporters but Michigan and Notre Dame gear are quite prevalent around here which angers me to no end. Unfortunately, two of my best friends are supporters of TTUN which leads to many spirited debates. Lately we have been discussing the train wreck that is the Michigan defense. I can’t believe it has gotten that bad this fast. As little as five years ago, I remember being terrified for Ohio St. to play against a Michigan defense… definitely ten years ago. 

Silver Bullets, Short preview

Argh

• I’m beginning to run out of excuses to give my Michigan friends as to why Denard Robinson’s video game numbers are a fluke. The guy is electric… period. When you can run the same play over and over and still get at least 10 yards, I don’t care what defense it is against. The guy has a gear that doesn’t exist within many other individual’s DNA. His running ability is unquestionable but his passing has been good as well. It’s not that I think he that accomplished of a passer but the threat of him running is so immense that the defense has to stack the box. This leaves opposing corners on an island and any quarterback worth a damn is going to exploit that sooner or later.

As of right now, Denard’s numbers are so ridiculous it makes him the Heisman leader going away. If the trophy was given today there is no rational argument to be made against him receiving the hardware. Obviously he has not faced a defense with the talent of Sparty. Little brother is going to be focusing all of their attention on Denard this Saturday and you can bet Greg Jones is licking his chops in anticipation of this game. I am anxious to see what the Nardster can do against a defense with a pulse.

SI releases regional cover

Why, yes, we are the Silver Bullets.