Colorado Thoughts/Feelings

Braxton played well, but he's still learning

Well, we are four games into the season, and let me tell you something I have absolutely no idea what to think about this team. I can tell you we are not as good as we thought we were after the Akron game, and we are definitely not as bad as we thought we were after the Miami debacle. This year we have played 2 decent teams (Toledo who got robbed last week and Miami), one incredibly average team (Colorado), and one really really bad team in Akron.

We are 3-1 and we don’t know much. Let’s take a look at the Colorado game. First of all we finally got a true look at our future. We are Braxton’s team now. He played well. He showed the escapability that we all expected. He also showed that as a runner he is more like the QB from That School Up North, then Terrelle Pryor. He doesn't glide as he runs, he doesn’t have the famous stiff arm. What Miller does is fake a defender right out of his socks and then outrun the rest down the field. It appears at this time he is a run first QB with happy feet.

What Went Right/Wrong: Colorado

You could say Brutus was happy

The Buckeyes bounced back in their fourth game of the season, as they took on the Buffaloes of Colorado. After suffering their first loss to the hands of the Hurricanes (Who got beat the next weekend by undefeated Kansas State), Luke Fickell and the coaching staff finally decided to start true freshman quarterback Braxton Miller. For Buckeye fans across the nation, it was finally Miller's time to shine, and we would get to see how a whole playbook would look like under his reins. A solid 37-17 win showed a couple of things from the offense, as well as the defense. While the win may not have looked so grand on the television, the fact of the matter is that Ohio State scored 20 more points than the Buffaloes, with a freshman quarterback with no real playing experience other than a couple designed runs against Miami, one of which ended in a turnover.

This week might prove to be will be a real Big Ten test for the Buckeyes, who are headed into conference play with a 3-1 (0-0) record. Starting off for Ohio State they meet the Michigan State Spartans in the 'Shoe. After that, they travel to Lincoln to take on the new-comers to the B1G, Nebraska. For now, though, they have to set their sights on MSU, and to do that, they'll have to improve on some things from the Colorado game. With that, let's take a look at what went right and wrong for the Buckeyes on Saturday. 

Recap: Ohio State 37, Colorado 17

Miller had 83 yards rushing

The Miller era has begun in Columbus, Ohio. After being announced that true freshman Braxton Miller would be starting the game against Toledo on Thursday of this past week, you could expect the youngster to have some nerves before and during the first couple of minutes of the game. It showed on the first drive, after Miller fumbled a snap, but was soon taken care of thanks to forcing a quick 3 and out from our defense. That's when Miller seemed like a different person, a calm and collected QB that was able to rush where he wanted when he wanted. Against Colorado (1-3), Miller went 5/13 (38% completion percentage) for 83 yards, but had 2 beautiful touchdown strikes to his main target this season, Devin Smith.

Troy Smith had Ted Ginn and Anthoney Gonzalez as his targets, while Boeckman had Robiskie, and Terrelle Pryor had Posey and Sanzenbacher. It seems like the new connection is Miller to Smith, who paired up 3 times. He finished with 64 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Reid Fragel was Miller's other target, who he only found once, but the majority of the play-calling was in favor of Braxton's legs. Of course, handing the ball of is also important when you have the thunder-lightning combo of Jordan Hall and Carlos Hyde. Hall, who amassed 231 all purpose yardage, with 84 of that coming on the ground. He also had two long kickoff returns, 1 which was called back while the other was stopped short inside the 5-yard line. Carlos Hyde only had 6 carries to Hall's 18, but still managed to get 40 yards out of it, and a touchdown that sealed the deal for Ohio State (3-1) later in the game.

When Colorado came into the 'Shoe, they didn't run their offense like they wanted to. Early on pressure from the defense didn't allow much to happen on the offensive side of the ball for the Buffs, including not rushing Rodney Stewart as much as they should have, which is one their strong suits. Eventually on long drives quarterback Tyler Hansen was able to float 2 touchdowns over the top of Buckeye defense, but they didn't use the screen until late in the game (Ironically, when things were moving well for the Buffs) which might prove to be an Achilles heel for this defensive secondary. Michigan State next week will be sure to watch the film and take advantage of situations like this. Colorado truthfully had a chance to make this game competitive, but misfortune fell when they stepped on their own feet by turning the ball over twice, and not doing well on special teams.

Live Blog: Ohio State vs. Colorado

Today starts a new era in Buckeye football. Braxton Miller is getting his first start as the OSU QB, and it comes against the Buffaloes of Colorado. Once again the Buckeyes will be tested at home, but if the defense can step up and Miller provides the spark needed to light a fire under the offense, then Ohio State will come out of defeat with a victory.

Join us at 3:15 PM EST for the Live Blog. Hope to see you on the chat!

Enemy Blogger Interview: Colorado

The first interview following a loss. Fortunately for the Buckeyes, they have the luxury of returning to the friendly (well, maybe not now) confines of the 'Shoe. This week OSU faces off against a newly aligned Pac-12 team in Colorado. Bob Bell of Ralphie Report joins us this week to answer our questions.

1. The Colorado Buffaloes have left the Big 12 recently and joined the Pac 12. So far since then, you guys are 1-2 in the 2011 season. What's the general feeling right now among Colorado fans with the program and it's move to the Pac 12?

Ultimately, the Buffs have had a chance to win the two games they lost, especially California who beat the Buffs 52-7 last season. So that is an improvement. I think offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy has done a solid job calling plays in his first stint at running an offense. The thing we at the Ralphie Report are judging this year on, is game over game improvement which we have seen. Some of the things that are still frustrating fans after these past three games, are the mental mistakes and penalties. Colorado continues to be one of the highest penalized teams in the nation, something that carried over from the Dan Hawkins era apparently.

The Buffs are lacking in depth and overall talent which is something Embree will have to improve on over time. If Embree can get that talent, I think this coaching staff has the ability to be a good one.

So far, we like the Pac-12 a ton. The road trips will certainly be better and the University of Colorado is much more like Pac-12 schools than Big 12 programs (academic reputation, quality of life, alumni base, etc.) Throw in the fact that the Big 12 is days/weeks away from not existing, CU fans are excited we got out when we did. As fans, although it will be a tough year, we will get to see first hand Oregon, USC, and Arizona at home which is a heck of a lot better than last year's home slate that included Iowa State, Kansas State, Baylor...you get the picture.

2. Who are the #1 play-makers on offense and defense? 


On defense it would Columbus, Ohio native LB Doug Rippy. He has been far and away, Colorado's best defensive player this season. He is second  on the team in tackles with 26, averaging 8.7 a game and two total sacks. Rippy has been all over the field and has made a big impact in his first year as a full time starter.

On offense, WR Paul Richardson is Colorado's best playmaker. Like we said above, he set a Colorado record with 284 yards against Cal. He has four touchdowns and is ranked 11th in receiving yards per game with 120. The true sophomore emerged late last season to be a big time threat and he continues to show that ability in 2011.

RB Rodney Stewart is also an offensive threat for the Buffs. He is only 5'8", but one of the strongest players on the team and is unbelievably shifty. It is scary to think where this offense would have been without Stewart the past few years. He moved into fourth place on CU's all-time rushing yards list, closing the Colorado State game with 2,967 career rushing yards. He is within striking distance of being the top Colorado running back ever in terms of rushing yards.

Thoughts On Fickell: My Take

Saving 1 timeout at a time.

First of all let me remind you all I am a 1997 graduate of The Ohio State University. For those of you who may not realize this, 1997 is the same our current Head Coach Luke Fickell graduated from the great university. I did not know Luke Fickell personally, but I went to every home game, a couple of road games, and the 1997 Rose Bowl, a game in which Fickell showed his unbelievable toughness by playing the game with a torn pectoral muscle. He was “the man”. Because of our going to OSU at the same time I can honestly say I feel a kinship to Coach Fickell (though I am sure he does not feel the same way about me), and I hoped he would succeed as a coach, and one day become our head coach, I just don’t think that one day is now. Coach Fickell was a very good linebackers coach and a good co-defensive coordinator. However, he has never actually been in charge of a side of the ball by himself. As co-defensive coordinator he was basically in charge of linebackers, and worked with Jim Heacock on calling plays for the defense. I believe he needs more seasoning as an assistant coach, or if he is going to be a head coach right now or next year, it needs to be at a smaller school, not a school the size of and with the pressures of The Ohio State University.

Let’s take a look at how he has looked so far. Against Akron, he looked like Cooper. I say Cooper because like in the Cooper years we crushed teams that we were supposed to crush. Even with the suspensions Fickell looked to be making all the correct calls (though I thought maybe we would see a little more Braxton Miller in the game). It seemed people began drinking a little of the proverbial kool-aid. Then came Toledo. Make no mistake they are a good team, but elite they are not (look at their Boise State game as proof). We had the same suspensions, nothing new, and we looked awful. In the end our talent and depth was too much for Toledo to handle and we squeaked out an all too close win.

Category 5

QB controversy doesn't work at OSU

I’m literally speechless. I haven’t seen that kind of performance from the Buckeye’s since the debacle in Southern California a few years back. Even that game against USC wasn’t as painful as this past weekend’s contest against the Hurricanes. After the dust settled on Sunday, the Buckeyes dropped out of the Top 25 for the first time in 7 years. Think about that. It has been since 2004 since our beloved football team haven’t shown up somewhere on that list. You know what? There is no argument from me nor should there be from any true Buckeye fan out there. The “offense” was absolutely pathetic and at no time during that game did I believe we had a shot to punch it in the end zone. It will take a miracle for this team to stay in contention for the Big Ten title after what we all witnessed on Saturday night.

The limited opportunities that the Buckeye’s were given at Miami came from everyone’s favorite pick machine Jacory Harris. With Miami already up 14-0, Jacory threw two interceptions in the first half setting up the Buckeye “offense” with excellent field position and a chance to tie this thing going into half. Unfortunately Joe Bauserman and his high-octane offense wouldn’t have any of that. Doing their best Browns circa 2008 impression, OSU only managed two field goals from inside the 20 yard line. After those two wasted possessions you could almost feel the air let out of the whole state.

If The 'Shoe Fits: Podcast #5

Brady and Ian are discussing the Miami game in this week's podcast, along with Bauserman vs. Miller, Luke Fickell and the coaching staff, how the running backs played, and much, much more.

The podcast is after the jump. Enjoy, and leave us your thoughts and comments!

What Went Right/Wrong: Miami

Hall did his best, no doubt.

The first loss in the 2011 season was in serious contention among Buckeye fans for one of the worst offensive performances in recent memory. Miami seemed to be in control for most of this game, and even when they gave chances for Ohio State to get themselves back into it, Bauserman failed to bring about any offense. Even when true freshman Braxton Miller came in, the offense showed sparks of life, but ended up stepping on their own feet and stalling the drives with turnovers, and lackadaisical effort.

While the Buckeyes have 1 more week to learn what they need to do to win games, the Big Ten season is right around the corner, which means it's go time for the Scarlet and Gray. Let's take a look at what went right and wrong on Saturday.

ITS's BlogPoll Ballot: Week 4

Week 3 brought some marquee match ups that showed who might be a contender, and who might be sipping drinks in the bowl season. Oklahoma, Clemson, and Miami were big winners, but that doesn't mean anything in the BlogPoll. Ohio State, Michigan State, and Arizona State were losers, and disappointing ones at that. As for the rest, you'll just have to hit the jump to find out how they did and where they stand in this week's BlogPoll Ballot.

Cashin Checks: Nick Mangold/The Villain/Colorado

"I like money."

Lot's of people are getting some straight cash, homey.

• Nick Mangold is set to become the highest paid center in the No Fun League. Mangold is close to signing a deal that would net him $55million over 7 years, of which $24million is guaranteed. Guaranteed money in the NFL is what's up. Congrats to Nick on this deal and being the only OSU offensive lineman worth a damn in the NFL since Mr Pancake himself.

• Evan Turner signed a multi-year deal with Bejing-based athletic apparel company Li-ning. Other NBA athletes to endorse this brand include Baron Davis and Shaq. in year two of this contract ET will have his own signature shoe. May we suggest these be called "Villains"? Chinese companies are making some serious moves with NBA players with guys like Turner, Davis, Artest and even KG lending their images various brands. China is also the NBA's fastest growing market in the world. (all these logos look the same, btw. don't even make that joke, too late, I know some of you did. That's racist, bros.)

• Colorado inked a $1.4 million deal to come to Columbus for a beat down. This was set in motion by the summer's conference expansionpolooza and Colorado joining the pac 10. The Buffs had scheduled Cal in a non-conference game in 2011, however this is now a conference game and made for an opening. Colorado contacted Ohio State and initially asked for $2million, but Gene Smith got them down to $1.4 million. Dear Colorado, how do you get the huevos to call Ohio State and ask for $2 million? This isn't the early 90's when you were good. Here's your check, now kindly assume the position.
  

Doesn't this guy just bother you? I mean, look at him and that haircut. Is he 12? Also, I blame Dan Hawkins for every media member's current hard-on for Boise State. Plus this guy couldn't coach an NFL All Pro team to victory against Western Kentucky. He's that bad.