Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 9:26 am
The kid is a good runner but he isn't that fast. Lets not put him in Tommy Frasier-land yet.Gixxer wrote:they have to catch the usain bolt of CFB first.
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Ohio State Buckeyes Thread
Page 20 of 24
Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 9:28 am
Not even close to being that fast. Shoot, wait until he runs into Taylor Mays in September. Now that guy is fast. We are talking 240+lbs, 6'3 and has ran a sub 4.3.tao_jones wrote:The kid is a good runner but he isn't that fast. Lets not put him in Tommy Frasier-land yet.
Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 10:12 am
i know, i was bloating a little.tao_jones wrote:The kid is a good runner but he isn't that fast. Lets not put him in Tommy Frasier-land yet.
TP is 235, 6'6 and runs 4.4 ... so damn near close to even. both impressive anyway you slice it.Roody wrote:Not even close to being that fast. Shoot, wait until he runs into Taylor Mays in September. Now that guy is fast. We are talking 240+lbs, 6'3 and has ran a sub 4.3.
Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 10:18 am
He's a big kid no doubt and a fast one also.Gixxer wrote:i know, i was bloating a little.
TP is 235, 6'6 and runs 4.4 ... so damn near close to even. both impressive anyway you slice it.
Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 2:19 pm
In the 13 seasons prior to Jim Tressel taking over, Ohio State averaged 8.5 wins per year and 4.9 players chosen in the NFL draft.
Since 2001, Tressel has raised those numbers to 10.4 and 7.8, respectively. The 2008 team was the most veteran of Tressel's career which, perhaps, means more Buckeyes than ever will be playing pro ball next year.
Since 2001, Tressel has raised those numbers to 10.4 and 7.8, respectively. The 2008 team was the most veteran of Tressel's career which, perhaps, means more Buckeyes than ever will be playing pro ball next year.
Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 4:14 pm
USC has most players drafted; OSU tied for 2nd most
http://www.daytondailynews.com/dayton-s ... 99525.html
http://www.daytondailynews.com/dayton-s ... 99525.html
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 10:41 am
There is obviously more to this story.. Florida for Example cause all the best players are still playing like TeBow. Just cause some accepted the draft or were graduating and couldn't play no more really doesn't mean anything in these regards. You might see a complete flip flop next year or a whole different list of schools with amounts.
so I'll say it.. big deal.
so I'll say it.. big deal.
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 10:44 am
Sava700 wrote:There is obviously more to this story.. Florida for Example cause all the best players are still playing like TeBow. Just cause some accepted the draft or were graduating and couldn't play no more really doesn't mean anything in these regards. You might see a complete flip flop next year or a whole different list of schools with amounts.
so I'll say it.. big deal.
there is no more to the story. this story is about the players who were drafted this year.
i see what you are doing.......bring it
you are severely outgunnedPosted: Wed May 20, 2009 10:46 am
I'm not doing anything... I'm posting the facts here. For one we are talking about last year but that's ok (for now). Look at what might be for the next or the next after that. The numbers change all over the place and last year alone since you were looking at it has the best players still playing on many teams for another year. Just cause any certain schools drafted more players than the other doesn't mean that school or schools are the best or better than the next at this point or any other.Gixxer wrote:
there is no more to the story. this story is about the players who were drafted this year.
i see what you are doing.......bring it
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 10:48 am
It's called Florida running the spread offense Sava. The spread is not popular in the NFL so alot of Florida's talent goes lower if at all. In comparison both USC and OSU run pro-style offenses thus NFL teams know what they will get.Sava700 wrote:There is obviously more to this story.. Florida for Example cause all the best players are still playing like TeBow. Just cause some accepted the draft or were graduating and couldn't play no more really doesn't mean anything in these regards. You might see a complete flip flop next year or a whole different list of schools with amounts.
so I'll say it.. big deal.
It's pretty simple stuff really.
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 10:48 am
Sava700 wrote:I'm not doing anything... I'm posting the facts here. For one we are talking about last year but that's ok (for now). Look at what might be for the next or the next after that. The numbers change all over the place and last year alone since you were looking at it has the best players still playing on many teams for another year. Just cause any certain schools drafted more players than the other doesn't mean that school or schools are the best or better than the next at this point or any other.
the numbers can change? no way!
this article is about the most recent nfl draft. how many ways do i have to say this.
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 10:49 am
please don't make me quote you.Sava700 wrote:I'm not doing anything.
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 10:49 am
regardless of what offense or defense the teams are playing you still have the better players playing on different teams.... it is pretty simple to see for sure.Roody wrote:It's called Florida running the spread offense Sava. The spread is not popular in the NFL so alot of Florida's talent goes lower if at all. In comparison both USC and OSU run pro-style offenses thus NFL teams know what they will get.
It's pretty simple stuff really.
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 10:51 am
What's your point? No one said other teams don't have great players. In fact no one even remotely implied it. However a person would have to be naive not to think that the style of offense a player plays in doesn't affect their draft status.Sava700 wrote:regardless of what offense or defense the teams are playing you still have the better players playing on different teams.... it is pretty simple to see for sure.
Anyway, I have to ask. Is this a pissing contest thing with you because Gixxer started a thread about Va. Tech to discuss a team we all have talked about?
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 10:54 am
Roody wrote:What's your point? No one said other teams don't have great players. In fact no one even remotely implied it. However a person would have to be naive not to think that the style of offense a player plays in doesn't affect their draft status.
Anyway, I have to ask. Is this a pissing contest thing with you because Gixxer started a thread about Va. Tech to discuss a team we all have talked about?
I made the point already and I won't discuss anything to do with that thread.
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 10:58 am
Sava700 wrote:I made the point already and I won't discuss anything to do with that thread.
no, i'm sure you won't
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 10:59 am
Just going publicly on record that you are turning this into a pissing contest because you disagree with Gixxer creating a Va. Tech thread.Sava700 wrote:I made the point already and I won't discuss anything to do with that thread.
Contrary to your possible opinion a thread regarding Va. Tech doesn't have to be created by you in order for it to be "official" and contrary to your views it wasn't created with malicious intent. We asked you before to create a thread for Va. Tech. You refused to do so, but because we always talk about those 4 teams and 3 already had a thread the decision was made to add the 4th.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 11:02 am
I knew it.. LOL fell in to the little plan Your getting a PM now cause I dont' want to derail his thread.
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 11:03 am
into and you're and i think you missed a period.Sava700 wrote:I knew it.. LOL fell in to the little plan Your getting a PM now cause I dont' want to derail his thread.
derail derail. no need for pm's
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 11:03 am
Again there is nothing wrong with the thread he created and there is no need for that thread to be removed. His actions were not malicious.Sava700 wrote:I knew it.. LOL fell in to the little plan Your getting a PM now cause I dont' want to derail his thread.
Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:42 pm
Top 25 Intel: No. 6 Ohio State
Some new surrounding castmates might be the best thing for the brilliant Pryor
"Originally ranked below USC at No. 7, Ohio State moves up one spot after securing the services of No. 1 QB Terrelle Pryor. Pryor will get the benefit of not having to play right away."
-- ESPN's 2008 Recruiting Rankings
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/columns/story?columnist=luginbill_tom&id=3233826
Well, maybe that didn't go quite according to plan.
For quarterback Terrelle Pryor, a year of marinating as a freshman, with some spot duty here and there, turned into a one-way ticket to the barbecue of college football. Here's the ball, kid, remember to keep an eye out for those USC linebackers.
But was it worth it? Was it better to play Pryor and get him used to a group of skill position talents, all of whom have since left for the NFL?
Yes, says Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel.
"I don't care if you're a young quarterback or an old quarterback, you can talk about the receivers all you want," says Tressel, "if you don't have time to throw, it doesn't matter. But when you do, and you can stay on rhythm and have a chance to make your reads, it's going to mean the world to you."
In 2009, Pryor will get that chance.
And are you really worried about finding skill position talent? Ohio State has produced 243 NFL draft picks since 1967, including 50 since 2002. The Buckeyes' 10 first-round picks in the last four years are the most of any school. So while they have big holes to fill, they have an unmatched track record in finding that talent.
For Pryor, a new cast might even be good for him.
Some new surrounding castmates might be the best thing for the brilliant Pryor
"Originally ranked below USC at No. 7, Ohio State moves up one spot after securing the services of No. 1 QB Terrelle Pryor. Pryor will get the benefit of not having to play right away."
-- ESPN's 2008 Recruiting Rankings
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/columns/story?columnist=luginbill_tom&id=3233826
Well, maybe that didn't go quite according to plan.
For quarterback Terrelle Pryor, a year of marinating as a freshman, with some spot duty here and there, turned into a one-way ticket to the barbecue of college football. Here's the ball, kid, remember to keep an eye out for those USC linebackers.
But was it worth it? Was it better to play Pryor and get him used to a group of skill position talents, all of whom have since left for the NFL?
Yes, says Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel.
"I don't care if you're a young quarterback or an old quarterback, you can talk about the receivers all you want," says Tressel, "if you don't have time to throw, it doesn't matter. But when you do, and you can stay on rhythm and have a chance to make your reads, it's going to mean the world to you."
In 2009, Pryor will get that chance.
And are you really worried about finding skill position talent? Ohio State has produced 243 NFL draft picks since 1967, including 50 since 2002. The Buckeyes' 10 first-round picks in the last four years are the most of any school. So while they have big holes to fill, they have an unmatched track record in finding that talent.
For Pryor, a new cast might even be good for him.
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 4:29 pm
Q: What is wrong with the Big Ten?
A: You mean besides billing itself as a collection of eleven of the world's elite institutes of higher learning while being named the Big Ten?
Is the Big Ten as good as the SEC? No. No one is. But the conference, outside of Ohio State, has had its moments against the big bad boy on the block with Michigan and Penn State winning New Year's Day games over the SEC a few years ago and Iowa beating up South Carolina last year. Wisconsin has always played the SEC tough and Michigan State wasn't horrible in last year's Capital One Bowl loss to a superior Georgia team.
The problem is that the league hasn't come through on the biggest stages, with issue one being the constant waterboarding provided by a USC program that, when fully focused, is the best in America and would beat 110 other teams in the Rose Bowl by three touchdowns, would beat six of the top teams by double digits, and would be in a battle to the final gun against the other three, whichever they might be, and would probably win two of those games. You can't dog an entire conference because it has problems with USC.
The Big 12 was a better league than the Big Ten last year, but that's relatively new and that's mostly because Texas and Oklahoma have been killers. So, at worst, the Big Ten is probably the third best league in college football. However, because of all the attention, and because of the TV time slots, helped by being in the middle of the country and by getting the first games on ESPN on a weekly basis, many believe the Big Ten should be better.
While USC is the big problem, the other issue in the conference's national perception is Ohio State, who gets obliterated by fans and media because it can't beat the best of the best teams in America over the last few years. But again, you can't rip on a team or a conference because they can't beat USC, and there shouldn't be too much ripping on a team or a league because of losses to the elite.
I've used this fun stat before, and I'm going to throw it out there again because it's so interesting when it comes to these debates. Look who Ohio State has lost to over the last four years.
- 2008: USC (Rose Bowl champion), Penn State (Big Ten champion, Rose Bowl bound), Texas (arguably the best team in America, lost in the Fiesta Bowl).
- 2007: Illinois (Rose Bowl bound), LSU (the national championship).
- 2006: Florida (the national championship).
- 2005: Texas (the eventual national champion), Penn State (Big Ten champion, Orange Bowl champion).
The Buckeyes have lost eight games in four years, all to BCS teams including three national champions. This is what I'm talking about in my ongoing fight with USC fans about why they should be angrier that their Trojans don't play fully focused for a full season. It would be one thing if USC were to slip up against a big-time, BCS-bound team, but you don't see Ohio State losing to Oregon State or Stanford. (Or to Kentucky and Arkansas, like LSU did two years ago on its way to a national title, or even to Ole Miss at home.) But I digress.
And then there's the talent-level argument. Eventually, when it comes to the Big Ten, someone will look up from their Transformers coloring book and blow some noise about how the Big Ten is slower and less athletic than the rest of the top conferences. Again, it's all relative. Almost no one can run with last year's Florida or the 2007 LSU Tigers; that's why they were national champions.
Yes, last year the SEC, ACC, and Pac 10 each had more players drafted, but the Big Ten has held its own over time with 41 players taken in 2005, 31 in 2006, 27 in 2007 and 28 in 2008. No, Northwestern and Indiana haven't exactly held up their end of the bargain, but Wisconsin has stunningly be fantastic at sending players to the pros, Ohio State almost always owns the Combine with its top players, and even Purdue has cranked out some amazing prospects.
As far as this year, Ohio State and Penn State will be the top teams, and they're rebuilding, so the lazy and disinterested will chirp about the Big Ten being lousy. But Illinois is loaded, Iowa is strong again, and Michigan State is as good as it's been in several years. Northwestern and Minnesota are better, while Wisconsin should be fine, even if it won't be the power it was a few years ago. The midsection of the conference is solid, but it all comes down to the wins in the key games. And there's your problem.
Outside of the Ohio State - USC game, there are few good Big Ten non-conference games as the league, for the most part, has wussed its way out of playing teams with a pulse. The Trojans will probably beat Ohio State, and Cal will likely wipe up Minnesota, so it'll be easy to assume the Big Ten can't handle the Pac 10, even though the Left Coast teams will be the favorites, but that means the Big Ten has to win the other key battles like Michigan State vs. Notre Dame, Illinois vs. Missouri, and Illinois at Cincinnati.
Is all right with the Big Ten world? No, but it did get its network into more homes with a big-time cable deal. That makes up for not being able to play with USC, right?
(One final footnote. PLEASE, Big Ten fans, save your time and work energy and don't e-mail me that USC catches a break by playing a home game in the Rose Bowl or that the SEC gets a home field advantage in the bowl games. I usually get at least 15 of these arguments every time I write something about the Big Ten, and I always respond the same way. The Rose Bowls could've been played in Champaign, Happy Valley, Ann Arbor, or Timbuktu and USC would've won in a walk. No, Ohio State wouldn't have beaten Florida or LSU in Columbus.)
A: You mean besides billing itself as a collection of eleven of the world's elite institutes of higher learning while being named the Big Ten?
Is the Big Ten as good as the SEC? No. No one is. But the conference, outside of Ohio State, has had its moments against the big bad boy on the block with Michigan and Penn State winning New Year's Day games over the SEC a few years ago and Iowa beating up South Carolina last year. Wisconsin has always played the SEC tough and Michigan State wasn't horrible in last year's Capital One Bowl loss to a superior Georgia team.
The problem is that the league hasn't come through on the biggest stages, with issue one being the constant waterboarding provided by a USC program that, when fully focused, is the best in America and would beat 110 other teams in the Rose Bowl by three touchdowns, would beat six of the top teams by double digits, and would be in a battle to the final gun against the other three, whichever they might be, and would probably win two of those games. You can't dog an entire conference because it has problems with USC.
The Big 12 was a better league than the Big Ten last year, but that's relatively new and that's mostly because Texas and Oklahoma have been killers. So, at worst, the Big Ten is probably the third best league in college football. However, because of all the attention, and because of the TV time slots, helped by being in the middle of the country and by getting the first games on ESPN on a weekly basis, many believe the Big Ten should be better.
While USC is the big problem, the other issue in the conference's national perception is Ohio State, who gets obliterated by fans and media because it can't beat the best of the best teams in America over the last few years. But again, you can't rip on a team or a conference because they can't beat USC, and there shouldn't be too much ripping on a team or a league because of losses to the elite.
I've used this fun stat before, and I'm going to throw it out there again because it's so interesting when it comes to these debates. Look who Ohio State has lost to over the last four years.
- 2008: USC (Rose Bowl champion), Penn State (Big Ten champion, Rose Bowl bound), Texas (arguably the best team in America, lost in the Fiesta Bowl).
- 2007: Illinois (Rose Bowl bound), LSU (the national championship).
- 2006: Florida (the national championship).
- 2005: Texas (the eventual national champion), Penn State (Big Ten champion, Orange Bowl champion).
The Buckeyes have lost eight games in four years, all to BCS teams including three national champions. This is what I'm talking about in my ongoing fight with USC fans about why they should be angrier that their Trojans don't play fully focused for a full season. It would be one thing if USC were to slip up against a big-time, BCS-bound team, but you don't see Ohio State losing to Oregon State or Stanford. (Or to Kentucky and Arkansas, like LSU did two years ago on its way to a national title, or even to Ole Miss at home.) But I digress.
And then there's the talent-level argument. Eventually, when it comes to the Big Ten, someone will look up from their Transformers coloring book and blow some noise about how the Big Ten is slower and less athletic than the rest of the top conferences. Again, it's all relative. Almost no one can run with last year's Florida or the 2007 LSU Tigers; that's why they were national champions.
Yes, last year the SEC, ACC, and Pac 10 each had more players drafted, but the Big Ten has held its own over time with 41 players taken in 2005, 31 in 2006, 27 in 2007 and 28 in 2008. No, Northwestern and Indiana haven't exactly held up their end of the bargain, but Wisconsin has stunningly be fantastic at sending players to the pros, Ohio State almost always owns the Combine with its top players, and even Purdue has cranked out some amazing prospects.
As far as this year, Ohio State and Penn State will be the top teams, and they're rebuilding, so the lazy and disinterested will chirp about the Big Ten being lousy. But Illinois is loaded, Iowa is strong again, and Michigan State is as good as it's been in several years. Northwestern and Minnesota are better, while Wisconsin should be fine, even if it won't be the power it was a few years ago. The midsection of the conference is solid, but it all comes down to the wins in the key games. And there's your problem.
Outside of the Ohio State - USC game, there are few good Big Ten non-conference games as the league, for the most part, has wussed its way out of playing teams with a pulse. The Trojans will probably beat Ohio State, and Cal will likely wipe up Minnesota, so it'll be easy to assume the Big Ten can't handle the Pac 10, even though the Left Coast teams will be the favorites, but that means the Big Ten has to win the other key battles like Michigan State vs. Notre Dame, Illinois vs. Missouri, and Illinois at Cincinnati.
Is all right with the Big Ten world? No, but it did get its network into more homes with a big-time cable deal. That makes up for not being able to play with USC, right?
(One final footnote. PLEASE, Big Ten fans, save your time and work energy and don't e-mail me that USC catches a break by playing a home game in the Rose Bowl or that the SEC gets a home field advantage in the bowl games. I usually get at least 15 of these arguments every time I write something about the Big Ten, and I always respond the same way. The Rose Bowls could've been played in Champaign, Happy Valley, Ann Arbor, or Timbuktu and USC would've won in a walk. No, Ohio State wouldn't have beaten Florida or LSU in Columbus.)
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 8:06 pm
They got it right about USC. They are loaded, have no equal talent wise and they consistently lose to 1 team not because that other team is better persay, but because they don't take them seriously enough.
Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 2:50 pm
USA Takes Gold!
7/5/2009
For most incoming freshmen on major-college football teams, the summer routine is usually the same -- high school graduation, campus move-in, workout sessions, maybe a local all-star game.
But for two Ohio State newcomers, the summer of 2009 has been a little different. Linebacker Storm Klein and offensive lineman Jack Mewhort aren't spending their early summer days in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center weight room but on a synthetic field in North Canton.
Klein and Mewhort are among the 45 soon-to-be Division I athletes on the United States national team, one of eight from around the world competing in the first Junior World Championship in Canton.
"I don't know when I'm going to play at Ohio State -- it could be two more years before I play football again," said Mewhort, who is likely to redshirt this fall. "So being here, playing against these guys, playing in an international tournament, is great."
Klein, who played at Licking Valley, and Mewhort, from Toledo St. John's, have been roommates since enrolling early at OSU in January, and they haven't strayed far from football since.
"We were working on a lot of stuff," Klein said. "But taking it here, I'm one step ahead. I think that's a big advantage. At Ohio State, the guys are bigger and stronger. You have to work and you have to prove yourself, and it's the same way here."
Although the NFL backed global junior tournaments between 1997 and 2007, this is the first one coordinated by the International Federation of American Football, an organization promoting football in 52 countries. The U.S., which was awarded the No. 2 seed behind Canada, has lost the previous three international tournaments to its neighbor to the north. It's made Klein and Mewhort more than ready to show the world what the U.S. can do.
"I've played in a lot of big games," Mewhort said. "The spring game was obviously what I thought was the biggest game of my life. But if we make the championship (July 5), then that will definitely be the biggest game of my life."
The U.S. team is coached by Chuck Kyle, whose teams have won nine state championships in his 26 years at Cleveland St. Ignatius.
Kyle was charged with handpicking the players for the U.S. team. Not knowing where to begin, he was at the American Football Coaches Association convention in January when he ran into Jim Tressel, who offered to send some names his way.
Those names, it turned out, were Klein and Mewhort, and those two have soaked up the experience so far.
So what do they expect?
"I want to win it," Klein said with a smile. "That's what I came here to do."
Team USA made it to the finals on July 5th where they beat Canada 41-3. The two Buckeyes on the winning squad look to bring that success to Columbus this fall.
GO BUCKS!
7/5/2009
For most incoming freshmen on major-college football teams, the summer routine is usually the same -- high school graduation, campus move-in, workout sessions, maybe a local all-star game.
But for two Ohio State newcomers, the summer of 2009 has been a little different. Linebacker Storm Klein and offensive lineman Jack Mewhort aren't spending their early summer days in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center weight room but on a synthetic field in North Canton.
Klein and Mewhort are among the 45 soon-to-be Division I athletes on the United States national team, one of eight from around the world competing in the first Junior World Championship in Canton.
"I don't know when I'm going to play at Ohio State -- it could be two more years before I play football again," said Mewhort, who is likely to redshirt this fall. "So being here, playing against these guys, playing in an international tournament, is great."
Klein, who played at Licking Valley, and Mewhort, from Toledo St. John's, have been roommates since enrolling early at OSU in January, and they haven't strayed far from football since.
"We were working on a lot of stuff," Klein said. "But taking it here, I'm one step ahead. I think that's a big advantage. At Ohio State, the guys are bigger and stronger. You have to work and you have to prove yourself, and it's the same way here."
Although the NFL backed global junior tournaments between 1997 and 2007, this is the first one coordinated by the International Federation of American Football, an organization promoting football in 52 countries. The U.S., which was awarded the No. 2 seed behind Canada, has lost the previous three international tournaments to its neighbor to the north. It's made Klein and Mewhort more than ready to show the world what the U.S. can do.
"I've played in a lot of big games," Mewhort said. "The spring game was obviously what I thought was the biggest game of my life. But if we make the championship (July 5), then that will definitely be the biggest game of my life."
The U.S. team is coached by Chuck Kyle, whose teams have won nine state championships in his 26 years at Cleveland St. Ignatius.
Kyle was charged with handpicking the players for the U.S. team. Not knowing where to begin, he was at the American Football Coaches Association convention in January when he ran into Jim Tressel, who offered to send some names his way.
Those names, it turned out, were Klein and Mewhort, and those two have soaked up the experience so far.
So what do they expect?
"I want to win it," Klein said with a smile. "That's what I came here to do."
Team USA made it to the finals on July 5th where they beat Canada 41-3. The two Buckeyes on the winning squad look to bring that success to Columbus this fall.
GO BUCKS!
Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 4:23 pm
Top 10 players to watch in the fall
Monday, July 13, 2009
http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=4324108&type=blogEntry
While working on a project for ESPN The Magazine's college football season preview issue, I've had the chance to speak with many top players from each conference. One side effect of these conversations is that you tend to get more fired up for the upcoming season. It's not just because of the matchups but also because you want to see how certain players have developed.
2.) Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State: The 6-foot-6 sophomore had some spectacular moments this past fall, but he was reluctant to pull the trigger and throw passes to open receivers. Rival coaches say it's because Pryor didn't trust his eyes and was too afraid to make mistakes. Most think he needs more refinement and must work on anticipating when his targets will come open. Still, a 12-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 61 percent completion rate is impressive for a true freshman quarterback. Now in Year 2, Pryor's Ohio State offense will be without some very talented and experienced receivers who have moved on to the NFL, along with star running back Chris "Beanie" Wells. Privately, some Buckeyes have said they would've preferred if OSU had went with senior Todd Boeckman more this past fall. Regardless, it's the Pryor Show now.
Monday, July 13, 2009
http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=4324108&type=blogEntry
While working on a project for ESPN The Magazine's college football season preview issue, I've had the chance to speak with many top players from each conference. One side effect of these conversations is that you tend to get more fired up for the upcoming season. It's not just because of the matchups but also because you want to see how certain players have developed.
2.) Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State: The 6-foot-6 sophomore had some spectacular moments this past fall, but he was reluctant to pull the trigger and throw passes to open receivers. Rival coaches say it's because Pryor didn't trust his eyes and was too afraid to make mistakes. Most think he needs more refinement and must work on anticipating when his targets will come open. Still, a 12-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 61 percent completion rate is impressive for a true freshman quarterback. Now in Year 2, Pryor's Ohio State offense will be without some very talented and experienced receivers who have moved on to the NFL, along with star running back Chris "Beanie" Wells. Privately, some Buckeyes have said they would've preferred if OSU had went with senior Todd Boeckman more this past fall. Regardless, it's the Pryor Show now.
Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 2:37 pm
OSUAA Unveils All-Alumni Football Team COLUMBUS, Ohio -
Ohio State alumni have selected a 26-member All-Alumni Football Team.
The team was selected after more than 1,400 members of the Alumni Association submitted votes between Nov. 2008 and Feb. 2009. Those members selected starting offensive and defensive players, a kicker, punter, and coach.
Former linebacker Chris Spielman was the leading overall vote recipient and captured 1,240 out of 1,439 possible votes. Other vote leaders included: offensive tackle Orlando Pace (1,192); running back Archie Griffin (1,181); defensive back Jack Tatum (1,201); and kicker Mike Nugent (1,229). The team's coach is Woody Hayes (1,055 votes).
"No school has a tradition like Ohio State and a look at this team tells you why-amazing players from all eras at every position and these are just the tip of the iceberg," said current Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel. "This is a fantastic list of memorable Buckeyes. My only question would be: Who were the folks who didn't vote for Archie?"
The 134-man ballot was compiled by Buckeye football historian, Jack Park. His ballot appeared in the November/December 2008 edition of Ohio State Alumni Magazine and his takes on the All-Alumni Team appear in the July/August 2009 edition.
For a complete listing of all winners as well as player profiles and additional content, visit the OSUAA Web site at www.ohiostatealumni.org/football/allalumni.php.
The All-Alumni Team was selected as a way to recognize the 100th anniversary of Ohio State Alumni Magazine. A complete recap of the magazine's first 100 years will be included in the September/October edition.
The Alumni Association is a dues-supported organization of graduates, former students, and friends of the university with more than 122,000 members. For more than 125 years, the Alumni Association has been dedicated to connecting alumni, friends and students to enhance and strengthen the traditions and reputation of The Ohio State University.
Ohio State alumni have selected a 26-member All-Alumni Football Team.
The team was selected after more than 1,400 members of the Alumni Association submitted votes between Nov. 2008 and Feb. 2009. Those members selected starting offensive and defensive players, a kicker, punter, and coach.
Former linebacker Chris Spielman was the leading overall vote recipient and captured 1,240 out of 1,439 possible votes. Other vote leaders included: offensive tackle Orlando Pace (1,192); running back Archie Griffin (1,181); defensive back Jack Tatum (1,201); and kicker Mike Nugent (1,229). The team's coach is Woody Hayes (1,055 votes).
"No school has a tradition like Ohio State and a look at this team tells you why-amazing players from all eras at every position and these are just the tip of the iceberg," said current Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel. "This is a fantastic list of memorable Buckeyes. My only question would be: Who were the folks who didn't vote for Archie?"
The 134-man ballot was compiled by Buckeye football historian, Jack Park. His ballot appeared in the November/December 2008 edition of Ohio State Alumni Magazine and his takes on the All-Alumni Team appear in the July/August 2009 edition.
For a complete listing of all winners as well as player profiles and additional content, visit the OSUAA Web site at www.ohiostatealumni.org/football/allalumni.php.
The All-Alumni Team was selected as a way to recognize the 100th anniversary of Ohio State Alumni Magazine. A complete recap of the magazine's first 100 years will be included in the September/October edition.
The Alumni Association is a dues-supported organization of graduates, former students, and friends of the university with more than 122,000 members. For more than 125 years, the Alumni Association has been dedicated to connecting alumni, friends and students to enhance and strengthen the traditions and reputation of The Ohio State University.
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 5:04 pm
Pace is a no-brainer imo. Amazing lineman. 
Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 12:38 pm
No article about Cooper going into the College HOF?
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 2:34 pm
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:42 am
Here are the 10 best nonconference matchups over the season's first three weeks:
1. USC at Ohio State (Sept. 12)
Yes, last year's blowout at the Coliseum proved anticlimactic, and yes, both teams lost a bunch of big names from the past few years. But these two tradition-laden programs rarely have trouble reloading and will both be ranked in the top 10 yet again.
The Buckeyes should stand a better chance than last year, what with sophomore QB Terrelle Pryor's development (he alternated with Todd Boeckman in last year's matchup) and the fact USC will be relying on an untested signal-caller, most likely third-year sophomore Aaron Corp. Then again, the latter may not matter, given the Trojans' last three QBs -- Matt Leinart (at Auburn), John David Booty (at Arkansas) and Mark Sanchez (at Virginia) -- all routed BCS-conference foes in their first career road starts.
1. USC at Ohio State (Sept. 12)
Yes, last year's blowout at the Coliseum proved anticlimactic, and yes, both teams lost a bunch of big names from the past few years. But these two tradition-laden programs rarely have trouble reloading and will both be ranked in the top 10 yet again.
The Buckeyes should stand a better chance than last year, what with sophomore QB Terrelle Pryor's development (he alternated with Todd Boeckman in last year's matchup) and the fact USC will be relying on an untested signal-caller, most likely third-year sophomore Aaron Corp. Then again, the latter may not matter, given the Trojans' last three QBs -- Matt Leinart (at Auburn), John David Booty (at Arkansas) and Mark Sanchez (at Virginia) -- all routed BCS-conference foes in their first career road starts.
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:45 am
Aaron Corp will be just fine. He's running the offense behind what is the nation's best Offensive line. He has all, but 1 of his starting WR's back. All his RB's , their top FB also.
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:50 am
Roody wrote:No article about Cooper going into the College HOF?
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports ... 40749.html
cooper looks really old...probably the stress of never beating mich
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:05 am
Don't even see his picture in there.
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:05 am
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/footba ... ms/ohiost/Roody wrote:Don't even see his picture in there.
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:06 am
2009 CFN Ohio State Preview 
Ohio State LB Ross Homan & SS Kurt Coleman
By [url=http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:location.href=%27http://search.scout.com/a.z?s=451&p=4&c=1&search=1&sskey=%22%27%20+%20escape%28%27Pete%20Fiutak%27%29%20+%20%27%22&sssiteid=451%27;]Pete Fiutak[/url]
CollegeFootballNews.com
Posted Jul 9, 2009
CollegeFootballNews.com 2009 Preview - Ohio State Preview
[LEFT] Ohio State Buckeyes
Preview 2009
By Pete Fiutak [SIZE=-1]
Interested in blogging about Buckeye football? Let us know
[/b] [/size] - 2009 CFN Ohio State Preview | [size=-1] 2009 Ohio State Offense
[/size] - 2009 Ohio State Defense | [size=-1] 2009 Ohio State Depth Chart
[/size] - 2008 OSU Preview | 2007 OSU Preview | 2006 OSU Preview[/LEFT]
Head coach: Jim Tressel
9th year: 83-19
24th year overall: 218-76-2 Ten Best OSU Players
1. QB Terrelle Pryor, Soph.
2. DE Thaddeus Gibson, Jr.
3. OG Justin Boren, Jr.
4. DE Cameron Heyward, Jr.
5. SS Kurt Coleman, Sr.
6. WR DeVier Posey, Soph.
7. CB Chimdi Chekwa, Jr.
8. DT Doug Worthington, Sr.
9. C Michael Brewster, Soph.
10. LB Ross Homan, Jr. [CENTER] 2009 Schedule
CFN Prediction: COMIMG
2009 Record: 0-0[/CENTER]
9/5 Navy
9/12 USC
9/19 Toledo (in Clev.)
9/26 Illinois
10/3 at Indiana
10/10 Wisconsin
10/17 at Purdue
10/24 Minnesota
10/31 New Mexico State
11/7 at Penn State
11/14 Iowa
11/21 at Michigan
11/28 OPEN DATE
[CENTER] 2008 Schedule CFN Prediction: 12-0
2008 Record:10-3[/CENTER]
8/30 Youngstown St W 43-0
9/6 Ohio W 26-14
9/13 at USC L 35-3
9/20 Troy W 28-10
9/27 Minnesota W 34-21
10/4 at Wisconsin W 20-17
10/11 Purdue W 16-3
10/18 at Michigan State W 45-7
10/25 Penn State L 13-6
11/1 OPEN DATE
11/8 at Northwestern W 45-10
11/15 at Illinois W 30-20
11/22 Michigan W 42-7
Fiesta Bowl
1/5 Texas L 24-21
After losing two national championship games and getting blasted by USC in ugly, embarrassing fashion, Ohio State has to do something big to regain its good standing in the world of superpowers. But is that really fair?
What major sin has Ohio State football committed? Yes, it has lost three BCS games in a row, but it battled hard in a war in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl against Texas and lost in the final moments. Should the Buckeyes be dogged for losing to a Texas team that probably should've been playing in the national championship? How much flak should they get for daring to lose two national championships? Should Jim Tressel be fired for losing to a USC team, on its own turf, that probably would've beaten 117 other teams like a drum, too?
The fact of the matter is that Ohio State remains every bit the powerhouse it was when it was 4-0 in BCS games and came up with wins in 2006 over Texas in Austin and an unbeaten Michigan squad. Just as important, it's not like the team loses to the weak and the sad. OSU has the longest streak in the nation of not losing to a team that didn't end up in the BCS, and it's not even close. The last loss to a non-BCS bound team was against Purdue on November 13, 2004. That's a run of 53 straight games, and over four years ago, while USC's streak is at ten, as is Florida's. Oklahoma's streak is at 17, Alabama's is at 15, Utah's is at 14, Texas's is at four, and LSU's at one. So yes, Ohio State is having problems with the who's who programs in a given year, but it's not coming up with any egregious errors.
That whole The Ohio State University thing is obnoxious, and it's hard for Goliath to garner too much sympathy, but the program deserves more respect than it's currently getting. It'll only get that respect by coming up with a monster win (USC comes to Columbus on September 12th), and it'll need to play up to its athleticism and talent level week after week. It'll be easy to assume this will be a rebuilding year considering the losses in the linebacking corps and in the backfield, but after years of impressive recruiting classes, the speed and the tools across the board are as good as any team in the country, Florida, USC, Oklahoma, and Texas included.
The running backs won't be better after losing Beanie Wells and Maurice Wells, but it'll be faster with Dan Herron and Brandon Saine playing bigger roles. The receiving corps lost Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline, but it might be even better, and it'll be a whole lot speedier, with DeVier Posey, Taurian Washington, Ray Small, and Lamaar Thomas starring as the new playmakers. The linebacking corps is the other major concern after losing James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman, but it's rock-solid sound at all three spots.
Throw in the improvement of the defensive line, an upgrade on the O line with the addition of Justin Boren, three returning starters in the secondary, and Terrelle Pryor, who might just be the nation's best quarterback after improving his passing this offseason, and Ohio State is Ohio State again.
You might be tired of the Buckeyes and you might think they're overrated, but you'll probably have to spend your New Year's Day watching them play in Pasadena.
What to watch for on offense:The line. While the overall production wasn't bad, when push came to shove, last year's line got shoved. It got ripped apart this spring by the defensive line, but the OSU front four will probably be dominant against everyone. With three good starters returning, led by center Michael Brewster, and with the addition of former Michigan Wolverine, Justin Boren, to bring more of an attitude and a nastiness to the offensive front, the line should be better and should allow all the speedy skill players time and room to work.
What to watch for on defense:The rotation on the end. The pass rush was supposed to be unstoppable, even after losing Vernon Gholston, but it was only above average. This year, there are too many ends to get on the field at the same time. Thaddeus Gibson is a star who could grow into an All-America-caliber pass rusher, while Cameron Heyward is productive inside and out. Nathan Williams and Lawrence Wilson are just a few of the great options who'll be a part of the rotation. With good tackles in Doug Worthington and Dexter Larimore to eat things up on the inside, the ends should be free to blow into the backfield.The team will be far better if …the line gives Pryor more time. The Buckeye front five struggled in pass protection giving up 29 sacks on the year. While many came when Todd Boeckman, hardly a mobile option, was under center, it didn't do enough when Pryor took over, either. The coaching staff will play around with the tackles with Mike Adams getting the first look on the left side, while veteran Jim Cordle getting a shot at the right after starting most of last year at guard. Andrew Miller is a promising prospect who'll be a part of the equation. If Pryor gets time, the speedy receivers should be able to work deeper and the offense should be more balanced.
The Schedule: The last thing a team with new starting linebackers needs is to deal with Navy in the opener, and worse yet, everyone will be looking ahead to the showdown against USC. If the Buckeyes can pull off the win that could redefine and turn around the program, it should be smooth sailing until November when the trip to Penn State could turn out to be for the Big Ten title. The other three Big Ten road games are against Indiana, Purdue and Michigan; the three duds of last year. There aren't two road games in a row and playing USC is offset by non-conference dates against Toledo and New Mexico State. While OSU might still be the top dog in the conference, missing Michigan State is a major bonus. Not playing Northwestern isn't a positive.
Best Offensive Player: Sophomore QB Terrelle Pryor. He worked so much on his passing this offseason that he suffered tendonitis in his throwing arm. He's fine, and so are the legs that should make him a threat to 1,000 yards now that he'll be the pillar-to-post full-time starter. For the next three years, Pryor is the face of the franchise and the type of talent who can make a team of ultra-athletic playmakers better. Now the gloves will come off and he'll be able to throw the ball deeper to open things up a bit. If he's on as a passer, the offense will be devastating.
Best Defensive Player: Junior DE Thaddeus Gibson. The defense is full of very good, very sound players who won't come up with too much flash, but will make routine play after routine play. Gibson is the exception as the speed rusher who led the team in sacks last season and should dominate this year with a a good enough rest of the line to take the pressure off. While he's built like an outside linebacker, and will likely play there in the pros, he's tough enough to handle himself well on the end.
Key player to a successful season: Senior CB Andre Amos. Chimdi Chekwa is an all-conference caliber corner on one side, but Amos, Devon Torrence, or Travis Howard must take over on the other in place of Malcolm Jenkins. The safeties, Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell, are decent veterans, but they're not elite playmakers against the pass, especially Russell. Amos is a 6-1, 183-pound talent who has the skills to be a shut-down corner, especially on a No. 2 receiver, but he has bad knees.
The season will be a success if ... the Buckeyes win a BCS game. They might not be good enough to be a USC team that's reloading, but still tremendous, but they can still be the star of the Big Ten and get to the Rose Bowl for the first time in the Jim Tressel era. Winning the Big Ten with a team that has to patch so many holes would be nice, but getting the bitter BCS taste out of the program's mouth would be truly sweet ... especially if it's against the Trojans.
Key game: Nov. 7 at Penn State. On a national scale, the home date is the most important game of the 2009 season outside of Oklahoma vs. Texas. It's gut-check time for each program with Ohio State needing a big win, especially on its own turf, to reestablish its national street cred and to make a statement in the national title chase. But beating Penn State in Happy Valley is more important for the more realistic goals of winning the Big Ten and getting to the Rose Bowl. Last year's 13-6 Nittany Lion win was a classic, and this year's battle should be for the Big Ten championship.
2008 Fun Stats:- First quarter scoring: Ohio State 97 - Opponents 24
- Fourth down conversions: Opponents 11-of-18 (61%) - Ohio State 4-of-9 (44%)
- Rushing touchdowns over the last two years: Ohio State 42 - Opponents 10
Ohio State LB Ross Homan & SS Kurt Coleman
By [url=http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:location.href=%27http://search.scout.com/a.z?s=451&p=4&c=1&search=1&sskey=%22%27%20+%20escape%28%27Pete%20Fiutak%27%29%20+%20%27%22&sssiteid=451%27;]Pete Fiutak[/url]
CollegeFootballNews.com
Posted Jul 9, 2009
CollegeFootballNews.com 2009 Preview - Ohio State Preview
[LEFT] Ohio State Buckeyes
Preview 2009
By Pete Fiutak [SIZE=-1]
Interested in blogging about Buckeye football? Let us know
[/b] [/size] - 2009 CFN Ohio State Preview | [size=-1] 2009 Ohio State Offense
[/size] - 2009 Ohio State Defense | [size=-1] 2009 Ohio State Depth Chart
[/size] - 2008 OSU Preview | 2007 OSU Preview | 2006 OSU Preview[/LEFT]
Head coach: Jim Tressel
9th year: 83-19
24th year overall: 218-76-2 Ten Best OSU Players
1. QB Terrelle Pryor, Soph.
2. DE Thaddeus Gibson, Jr.
3. OG Justin Boren, Jr.
4. DE Cameron Heyward, Jr.
5. SS Kurt Coleman, Sr.
6. WR DeVier Posey, Soph.
7. CB Chimdi Chekwa, Jr.
8. DT Doug Worthington, Sr.
9. C Michael Brewster, Soph.
10. LB Ross Homan, Jr. [CENTER] 2009 Schedule
CFN Prediction: COMIMG
2009 Record: 0-0[/CENTER]
9/5 Navy
9/12 USC
9/19 Toledo (in Clev.)
9/26 Illinois
10/3 at Indiana
10/10 Wisconsin
10/17 at Purdue
10/24 Minnesota
10/31 New Mexico State
11/7 at Penn State
11/14 Iowa
11/21 at Michigan
11/28 OPEN DATE
[CENTER] 2008 Schedule CFN Prediction: 12-0
2008 Record:10-3[/CENTER]
8/30 Youngstown St W 43-0
9/6 Ohio W 26-14
9/13 at USC L 35-3
9/20 Troy W 28-10
9/27 Minnesota W 34-21
10/4 at Wisconsin W 20-17
10/11 Purdue W 16-3
10/18 at Michigan State W 45-7
10/25 Penn State L 13-6
11/1 OPEN DATE
11/8 at Northwestern W 45-10
11/15 at Illinois W 30-20
11/22 Michigan W 42-7
Fiesta Bowl
1/5 Texas L 24-21
After losing two national championship games and getting blasted by USC in ugly, embarrassing fashion, Ohio State has to do something big to regain its good standing in the world of superpowers. But is that really fair?
What major sin has Ohio State football committed? Yes, it has lost three BCS games in a row, but it battled hard in a war in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl against Texas and lost in the final moments. Should the Buckeyes be dogged for losing to a Texas team that probably should've been playing in the national championship? How much flak should they get for daring to lose two national championships? Should Jim Tressel be fired for losing to a USC team, on its own turf, that probably would've beaten 117 other teams like a drum, too?
The fact of the matter is that Ohio State remains every bit the powerhouse it was when it was 4-0 in BCS games and came up with wins in 2006 over Texas in Austin and an unbeaten Michigan squad. Just as important, it's not like the team loses to the weak and the sad. OSU has the longest streak in the nation of not losing to a team that didn't end up in the BCS, and it's not even close. The last loss to a non-BCS bound team was against Purdue on November 13, 2004. That's a run of 53 straight games, and over four years ago, while USC's streak is at ten, as is Florida's. Oklahoma's streak is at 17, Alabama's is at 15, Utah's is at 14, Texas's is at four, and LSU's at one. So yes, Ohio State is having problems with the who's who programs in a given year, but it's not coming up with any egregious errors.
That whole The Ohio State University thing is obnoxious, and it's hard for Goliath to garner too much sympathy, but the program deserves more respect than it's currently getting. It'll only get that respect by coming up with a monster win (USC comes to Columbus on September 12th), and it'll need to play up to its athleticism and talent level week after week. It'll be easy to assume this will be a rebuilding year considering the losses in the linebacking corps and in the backfield, but after years of impressive recruiting classes, the speed and the tools across the board are as good as any team in the country, Florida, USC, Oklahoma, and Texas included.
The running backs won't be better after losing Beanie Wells and Maurice Wells, but it'll be faster with Dan Herron and Brandon Saine playing bigger roles. The receiving corps lost Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline, but it might be even better, and it'll be a whole lot speedier, with DeVier Posey, Taurian Washington, Ray Small, and Lamaar Thomas starring as the new playmakers. The linebacking corps is the other major concern after losing James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman, but it's rock-solid sound at all three spots.
Throw in the improvement of the defensive line, an upgrade on the O line with the addition of Justin Boren, three returning starters in the secondary, and Terrelle Pryor, who might just be the nation's best quarterback after improving his passing this offseason, and Ohio State is Ohio State again.
You might be tired of the Buckeyes and you might think they're overrated, but you'll probably have to spend your New Year's Day watching them play in Pasadena.
What to watch for on offense:The line. While the overall production wasn't bad, when push came to shove, last year's line got shoved. It got ripped apart this spring by the defensive line, but the OSU front four will probably be dominant against everyone. With three good starters returning, led by center Michael Brewster, and with the addition of former Michigan Wolverine, Justin Boren, to bring more of an attitude and a nastiness to the offensive front, the line should be better and should allow all the speedy skill players time and room to work.
What to watch for on defense:The rotation on the end. The pass rush was supposed to be unstoppable, even after losing Vernon Gholston, but it was only above average. This year, there are too many ends to get on the field at the same time. Thaddeus Gibson is a star who could grow into an All-America-caliber pass rusher, while Cameron Heyward is productive inside and out. Nathan Williams and Lawrence Wilson are just a few of the great options who'll be a part of the rotation. With good tackles in Doug Worthington and Dexter Larimore to eat things up on the inside, the ends should be free to blow into the backfield.The team will be far better if …the line gives Pryor more time. The Buckeye front five struggled in pass protection giving up 29 sacks on the year. While many came when Todd Boeckman, hardly a mobile option, was under center, it didn't do enough when Pryor took over, either. The coaching staff will play around with the tackles with Mike Adams getting the first look on the left side, while veteran Jim Cordle getting a shot at the right after starting most of last year at guard. Andrew Miller is a promising prospect who'll be a part of the equation. If Pryor gets time, the speedy receivers should be able to work deeper and the offense should be more balanced.
The Schedule: The last thing a team with new starting linebackers needs is to deal with Navy in the opener, and worse yet, everyone will be looking ahead to the showdown against USC. If the Buckeyes can pull off the win that could redefine and turn around the program, it should be smooth sailing until November when the trip to Penn State could turn out to be for the Big Ten title. The other three Big Ten road games are against Indiana, Purdue and Michigan; the three duds of last year. There aren't two road games in a row and playing USC is offset by non-conference dates against Toledo and New Mexico State. While OSU might still be the top dog in the conference, missing Michigan State is a major bonus. Not playing Northwestern isn't a positive.
Best Offensive Player: Sophomore QB Terrelle Pryor. He worked so much on his passing this offseason that he suffered tendonitis in his throwing arm. He's fine, and so are the legs that should make him a threat to 1,000 yards now that he'll be the pillar-to-post full-time starter. For the next three years, Pryor is the face of the franchise and the type of talent who can make a team of ultra-athletic playmakers better. Now the gloves will come off and he'll be able to throw the ball deeper to open things up a bit. If he's on as a passer, the offense will be devastating.
Best Defensive Player: Junior DE Thaddeus Gibson. The defense is full of very good, very sound players who won't come up with too much flash, but will make routine play after routine play. Gibson is the exception as the speed rusher who led the team in sacks last season and should dominate this year with a a good enough rest of the line to take the pressure off. While he's built like an outside linebacker, and will likely play there in the pros, he's tough enough to handle himself well on the end.
Key player to a successful season: Senior CB Andre Amos. Chimdi Chekwa is an all-conference caliber corner on one side, but Amos, Devon Torrence, or Travis Howard must take over on the other in place of Malcolm Jenkins. The safeties, Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell, are decent veterans, but they're not elite playmakers against the pass, especially Russell. Amos is a 6-1, 183-pound talent who has the skills to be a shut-down corner, especially on a No. 2 receiver, but he has bad knees.
The season will be a success if ... the Buckeyes win a BCS game. They might not be good enough to be a USC team that's reloading, but still tremendous, but they can still be the star of the Big Ten and get to the Rose Bowl for the first time in the Jim Tressel era. Winning the Big Ten with a team that has to patch so many holes would be nice, but getting the bitter BCS taste out of the program's mouth would be truly sweet ... especially if it's against the Trojans.
Key game: Nov. 7 at Penn State. On a national scale, the home date is the most important game of the 2009 season outside of Oklahoma vs. Texas. It's gut-check time for each program with Ohio State needing a big win, especially on its own turf, to reestablish its national street cred and to make a statement in the national title chase. But beating Penn State in Happy Valley is more important for the more realistic goals of winning the Big Ten and getting to the Rose Bowl. Last year's 13-6 Nittany Lion win was a classic, and this year's battle should be for the Big Ten championship.
2008 Fun Stats:- First quarter scoring: Ohio State 97 - Opponents 24
- Fourth down conversions: Opponents 11-of-18 (61%) - Ohio State 4-of-9 (44%)
- Rushing touchdowns over the last two years: Ohio State 42 - Opponents 10
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:06 am
hmmm I see Lou Holtz, but don't see Cooper.Gixxer wrote:it is the really old guy...that is why you probably don't recognize him
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:09 am
replaced the linkRoody wrote:hmmm I see Lou Holtz, but don't see Cooper.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/footba ... ms/ohiost/
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:26 am
Yeah that hair is getting gray. 
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:35 am
[YOUTUBE]f718Ei0TAck&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 1:55 pm