It really sounds like all Roby did was push a bouncer.  I don't expect him to miss any time.

 

The frosh OL who got sent home for the year is no big loss.  He was likely to get redshirted anyway.

It really sounds like all Roby did was push a bouncer.  I don't expect him to miss any time.

 

Depends on a lot of things, including the circumstances.  Technically, hitting a bouncer is a more serious charge than hitting another guy you are arguing with.  I had a guy call the cops on me for throwing him out of the bar once, they didn't even talk to me about it and arrested him.

 

But he won't miss more than a game or two, and that will be Buffalo and maybe San Diego State.  Okay, make that one game.  :)

Reports I've read are that Roby caused "bodily injury," which sounds more serious than just pushing a bouncer.  What the heck was he doing in Bloomington, Indiana on a random July weekend anyways?  It's not like he's even from there.

the formerly infamous Red Zone in downtown Columbus

 

99% OT, but I really liked Red Zone. :(

Depends on a lot of things, including the circumstances.  Technically, hitting a bouncer is a more serious charge than hitting another guy you are arguing with.  I had a guy call the cops on me for throwing him out of the bar once, they didn't even talk to me about it and arrested him.

 

I'm not aware of any 'more serious charge' for hitting a bouncer.  Are you suggesting it has some special application such as assault on or in the presence of a police officer?  Maybe what you were suggesting is that the cops are more likely to believe the bouncer's side of the story?  I get that.  When I worked the door at a bar back in my college days, all I usually had to do was point to the drunk a##hole I had just thrown into the parking lot and his interaction with the cops would take care of the rest.

 

Reports I've read are that Roby caused "bodily injury," which sounds more serious than just pushing a bouncer.  What the heck was he doing in Bloomington, Indiana on a random July weekend anyways?  It's not like he's even from there.

 

The police report very vaguely noted "pain in chest"....... which leads me to believe he pushed a bouncer in the chest.  Bouncers are more than willing to trump up the charges on those people who put their hands on them

Things are looking much better for Carlos Hyde according to Yahoo Sports:

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ncaaf--source--club-video-shows-ohio-state-running-back-carlos-hyde-didn-t-strike-alleged-victim-232225921.html

As someone else said on the CU boards, this is why people should not jump to conclusions.

 

I'll be interested to hear what further information (hopefully credible information, e.g., video) surfaces with respect to the Roby incident.  Obviously, even just pushing a bouncer is still a concern, but it is still different than a real fight.

Things are looking much better for Carlos Hyde according to Yahoo Sports:

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ncaaf--source--club-video-shows-ohio-state-running-back-carlos-hyde-didn-t-strike-alleged-victim-232225921.html

Or maybe not.  Or maybe who struck who depends on who views the club's surveillance video.  From today's Columbus Dispatch: http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2013/07/25/off-field-events-frustrate-meyer.html

 

"One source not associated with Ohio State who has seen the video said it shows the woman striking Hyde and that Hyde did little more than touch her cheek softly, if that, before stepping away.  But WCMH-TV reported last night that a source allowed reporter Mindy Drayer to watch the video several times.  She said she wasn’t sure whether the woman made contact with Hyde but that he retaliated with a slap to the face that did land."

 

Here's the NBC4 report: http://www.nbc4i.com/story/22929377/surveillance-video-shows-encounter-between-hyde-alleged-assault-victim

 

UPDATE: Here's the NBC4 Video of the Mindy Drayer report: http://collegespun.com/big-ten/ohio-state/nbcs-mindy-drayer-carlos-hyde-did-slap-victim-in-surveillance-tape#

Who the heck knows anymore.  I guess I'm more worried about Roby, though, because the Buckeyes are deeper at RB.  If Hyde hit her, give him the boot.

^I'd be concerned because Roby is flat out one of the best players in the country, but I think we are actually going to be deeper at corner than we have been in the past few years.  In addition to Roby and Grant, there are a few new guys to watch IMO - Armani Reeves, Tyvus Powell, Eli Apple, and Cameron Burrows.  Apple is a true freshman who enrolled early and really showed well in the spring game.  Burrows is another true freshman who was in the conversation for best in-state prospect this past year.  Reeves is either a sophomore or a redshirt freshman who the coaches like.  Powell is a bigger guy who they may ultimately want to play the 'star' position once Christian Bryant moves on, but might be too good to keep off the field.

Looks like the Carlos Hyde incident (whatever it was) has been put to rest.  Depending upon what the alleged victim has to say tomorrow and possibly any further action from Urban Meyer.

 

Columbus police: Carlos Hyde will not face charges in assault case

Posted by Ben Kercheval on July 30, 2013, 1:30 PM EDT

 

Ohio State running back Carlos Hyde was connected… and then reportedly cleared… only to be re-connected later… to an alleged assault of a female victim earlier this month.

 

But it looks like Hyde won’t face charges in the incident.  Columbus police told multiple outlets today that the running back will not be charged with assault because the woman involved does not want to pursue the case.  Since the decision was made by the woman, the case is considered closed.

 

According to Kyle Rowland over at Eleven Warriors, the alleged victim will release a statement on Wednesday.

 

MORE: http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/07/30/columbus-police-carlos-hyde-will-not-face-charges-in-assault-case/

Looks like some boosters opened up their wallets to this lady.

^ Then apparently taking a swing at an OSU player in a nightclub pays off.  But you can take a look at the video for yourself at http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/07/30/video-of-incident-involving-carlos-hyde-released/

Hyde is suspended for the first 3 games of the upcoming season.

 

http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2013/07/31/hyde-eludes-charges-not-meyer.html

Hyde is suspended for the first 3 games of the upcoming season.

 

http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2013/07/31/hyde-eludes-charges-not-meyer.html

 

Two preseason games and Cal, who was 3-9 last year.

^Cal nearly beat OSU last year.  OSU held on by one TD.  It's not a walkover game, no matter the records.  The other two are easy wins, but not "preseason."  I honestly don't understand the criticism as to which games he is suspended.  If you want to argue that the LENGTH of the suspension is wrong, there can be a valid debate on that (especially because I think the video show he clearly did something in retaliation for the girl smacking him..... which is another debate).  But I'm not aware of any suspension handed out in the preseason which did not attach to the start of the season, beginning with the first game and consecutive games beyond that.  Further, this was an individual player incident, not a team violation.  There is no cause to punish the team.  Hyde, on the other hand, will likely lose a significant amount of $ over this because it will shadow him through the draft process.  A red flag will be attached to every scouting profile of him.

^Cal nearly beat OSU last year.  OSU held on by one TD.  It's not a walkover game, no matter the records.  The other two are easy wins, but not "preseason."  I honestly don't understand the criticism as to which games he is suspended.  If you want to argue that the LENGTH of the suspension is wrong, there can be a valid debate on that (especially because I think the video show he clearly did something in retaliation for the girl smacking him..... which is another debate).  But I'm not aware of any suspension handed out in the preseason which did not attach to the start of the season, beginning with the first game and consecutive games beyond that.  Further, this was an individual player incident, not a team violation.  There is no cause to punish the team.  Hyde, on the other hand, will likely lose a significant amount of $ over this because it will shadow him through the draft process.  A red flag will be attached to every scouting profile of him.

 

Bingo and after the Hernandez situation, Player Personnel is going to adopt terms in contracts that stiffen moral clauses.

As of right now, there are tons of players in the NFL that have done way worse things.

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph0_8-LiCL0#ws

Watch out for this kid Dontre Wilson, a true freshman who can play WR and RB.  Most likely, Meyer will put him at that hybrid position occupied last year by Philly Brown.  Reports from camp indicate he is really standing out in terms of being an electric playmaker/speedster

Watch out for this kid Dontre Wilson, a true freshman who can play WR and RB.  Most likely, Meyer will put him at that hybrid position occupied last year by Philly Brown.  Reports from camp indicate he is really standing out in terms of being an electric playmaker/speedster

The Dispatch ran a profile today on Dontre Wilson: http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2013/08/13/ohio-state-football-dontre-wilsons-explosive-potential-excites.html

 

Bob Hunter's Friday Rumblings column also praised Wilson.  Other freshmen he praised were two defensive lineman - Billy Price from Austintown-Fitch and Michael Hill from Pendleton, SC - who both weigh in at over 300.  They could help fill the void of Johnathan "Big Hank" Hankins, who left early and was the 2nd round draft pick of the New York Giants.

I like the black stripe system Meyer uses.  You are not officially a Buckeye until you lose the black stripe on your helmet.  I believe Mike Mitchell (OLB) was the first this year to have his stripe peeled off, followed by Wilson and then by Joey Bosa (DE) and Ezekiel Elliot (RB).  It's probably a good indication of who may play right away and not take a redshirt.  Devon Boggard (S from Glenville) led the way last year but unfortunately got hurt before he could do much.  In addition to Wilson, I have my eye on Bosa.  He seems to be somewhat of a John Simon clone, plus a few inches...... I just don't know how he will find the PT given that "loaded" doesn't do justice to our depth of young talent at DE.

While we are on the topic of OSU freshmen, another intriguing one is punter Cameron Johnston.  Normally, there is little intriguing about punters.  But Cameron Johnston is a 21-year-old from Australia who has never played even one down of American football.  But he does have a booming rugby-style kick (or in this case Australian Rules Football-style kick) that can go ... reportedly ... 80 yards with amazing hang times.  If he makes starting punter, this should be interesting to see.

Cornerback Bradley Roby had his initial battery charge for a bar incident in Bloomington, Indiana reduced to disorderly conduct after the bar's video backed up part of Roby's side of the incident.  OSU suspended Roby for the opening game against Buffalo.  OSU also announced that junior running back Rod Smith has also been suspended for the team's season opener for an unnamed disciplinary issue that was said to have occurred last winter.  More from ESPN and SBNation's Land Grant Holy Land below:

 

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9574193/ohio-state-bradley-roby-battery-charge-reduced

 

http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/8/17/4631086/ohio-state-cb-bradley-roby-rb-rod-smith-suspended-for-one-game

While we are on the topic of OSU freshmen, another intriguing one is punter Cameron Johnston.  Normally, there is little intriguing about punters.  But Cameron Johnston is a 21-year-old from Australia who has never played even one down of American football.  But he does have a booming rugby-style kick (or in this case Australian Rules Football-style kick) that can go ... reportedly ... 80 yards with amazing hang times.  If he makes starting punter, this should be interesting to see.

 

UC brought in a guy from Australia. Never played football. Should be a LB or FB.

^ Interesting.  But I'd prefer to have the "Australian's-who-never-played-American-Football" as punters or kickers on my team!

Anyone remember the time when we had more quality LBs than we could find PT for?  There always seemed to be a few studs waiting in the wings.  I miss those days.  Shazier is a stud, but the rest of the unit concerns me.  It sounds like we are going to play in a 2 LB set most of the time.  That's probably a trend in CFB due to the spread attack, not just tOSU

We faced spread attacks with that loaded linebacking corps you mentioned and the standard 4-3 set, or even the 3-4, worked well enough even against the spread.  After all, if the offense spreads so thin that they don't have enough people to cover all seven defenders in the box, the QB had better be getting rid of that thing really fast, meaning reading the LBs to see who's dropping and who's blitzing and then getting the ball behind one of the blitzers.  And many of the OLBs in that LB set we had back then were fully capable of covering a TE or SE in the midfield.

 

The fact that an offense goes to a spread in no way obligates a defense to go to a nickel or dime package, especially if that's not the best personnel you've got.  If we were more loaded at DB than LB, then sure, but you design your defense around your own personnel as much as the opponent's (or more).

I'm not so sure about that.  I'm a traditionalist on the gridiron, so I would much rather prefer a third (or fourth) LB over the "star" position the last two defensive staffs have featured.  But the evolution of the spread has taken it from a gimmick (i.e. Texas Tech, BYU, etc.) to a focal point of some of even the most historically run-happy programs (i.e. tOSU).  If you have a LB like we had in Cie Grant who can indeed legitimately cover wideouts, then running a base 4-3 might be an option, but there aren't many LBs that have his straight line speed AND agility in the open field.  Given his lack of size and inability to play on the line, he really was more of a 'star' anyways.

 

Teams have known for at least the last decade that trying to run straight at tOSU is a losing formula.... Wisconsin being the lone exception, it seems.  The only way to move the ball on us is to spread the defense thin.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/23253973/charge-against-ohio-states-bradley-roby-dismissed

 

The bar scuffle charge against CB Bradley Roby was conditionally dismissed earlier this week.  The condition is that Roby will have to complete a diversion program that just requires him to avoid legal trouble until August 16, 2014.  He's still suspended for Ohio State's season opener against Buffalo one week from today.

 

With this news and the earlier news about Carlos Hyde, the OSU haters are trolling away.  Saying that OSU gets all the breaks.  Really?  After all the hype about these two bar incidents, it only leads to a dismissed charge and to no charge - after video review backed up the OSU players side. 

 

Meanwhile, there's evidence that the current Heisman Trophy winner at Texas A&M was paid five figures for autographs.  Meanwhile, previous Auburn Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton's dad admits to being paid six figures.  Is Johnny Football suspended?  Is Auburn giving back their national championship?  And is the NCAA ever going to do anything to Miami for the systemic illegal activity around their program?

 

Meanwhile, Ohio State loses a starting QB, a starting RB, a starting WR, a head coach and an entire season for something that had been overshadowed by multiple other programs.  And while OSU gets punished, the NCAA overlooks far worse in other programs.  Yeah, "OSU gets all the breaks".  Right.

I'm not so sure about that.  I'm a traditionalist on the gridiron, so I would much rather prefer a third (or fourth) LB over the "star" position the last two defensive staffs have featured.  But the evolution of the spread has taken it from a gimmick (i.e. Texas Tech, BYU, etc.) to a focal point of some of even the most historically run-happy programs (i.e. tOSU).  If you have a LB like we had in Cie Grant who can indeed legitimately cover wideouts, then running a base 4-3 might be an option, but there aren't many LBs that have his straight line speed AND agility in the open field.  Given his lack of size and inability to play on the line, he really was more of a 'star' anyways.

 

Teams have known for at least the last decade that trying to run straight at tOSU is a losing formula.... Wisconsin being the lone exception, it seems.  The only way to move the ball on us is to spread the defense thin.

 

Offenses have changed a ton, and you can multiple offenses out of spread formations. Not that long ago the Big 12 was a run heavy conference, household names at

RB. The change there started with Stoops and Jason White at QB. Dude has 75 TDs in 2 seasons. Soon thereafter the rest of those programs started slinging

the ball all over, but much differently than the stuff Tiller did at Purdue. Defenses are can be in the nickel or dime often these days.

40-20 opening win over Buffalo.  Offense looked mostly sharp.  Defense struggled at times.  But certainly understandable with the Buckeyes new players going up against a professional team like Buffalo.  Although not having their QB's E. J. Manuel or Kevin Kolb certainly hurt the Bills offense and ... uh what?  Oh, we played the Buffalo Bulls.  Well then nevermind.

I'm sure there's a story behind that Bulls/Bills thing but I'm too lazy to look it up.

Yeah, well that could've been a 14-point swing when Buffalo had the penalty on the OSU turnover on the 2-yard line. What could have been a 30-27 game with lots of time left became a 37-20 game.

Buffalo avoided it being a laugher only because they had the best player on the field yesterday:  Khalil Mack.  I had seen the first round projections, so I had made it a point to try and pay attention to what he did.  As it turns out, I didn't have to pay any special attention...... it is impossible to not notice that guy play.  He was all over the field with TFLs, sacks, returning an INT for a TD, and was even the one that sacked Miller way back on the goal-line when that penalty was called that KJP referenced.  I know the announcers harped on it, but I have to re-emphasize that Mack (6-4 250) could not be caught by either Dontre Wilson or Braxton Miller on his way to the TD.  Those are two of our fastest, if not THE fastest, players on our team.  I honestly think that I haven't been as impressed with a college level OLB since Lavar Arrington played at PSU.  It looks like the MAC is going to have two straight years of a top 5 pick in the draft

I'm sure there's a story behind that Bulls/Bills thing but I'm too lazy to look it up.

 

I don't even want to know how The Buffalo Bills barbershop quartet factors into this.

 

AAAAAAAH! Porkpie hats and seersucker!

As the schedule's game times start to fill in, we see that this year is going to have many more 7-8pm games, most likely due to the excellent TV ratings Buckeye games enjoy. Noon games are known for lower TV ratings, quiet stadiums and grinding the city's economy to a halt on what is normally a productive day of the week during the most pleasant time of the year. Unlike last season's four straight noon home games to start the season, currently there are no more nooners left this season, but 5 games' start times are still TBA.

 

Will the predictions by some of chaos and rioting come true, or will today's nerdy, phone-obsessed risk-averse students show little interest in rowdyness as compared to the bored meathead college students of the '90s (of which I was a member)? We don't really know for sure yet and it may take years to find the truth. Here's the schedule so far:

 

vs. Buffalo TV Columbus, Ohio W, 40-20

09/07/13 vs. San Diego State TV Columbus, Ohio 3:30 p.m. ET

09/14/13 at California TV   Berkeley, Calif. 7:00 p.m. ET

09/21/13 vs. Florida A&M TV Columbus, Ohio TBA

09/28/13 vs. Wisconsin * TV Columbus, Ohio 8:00 p.m. ET

10/05/13 at Northwestern * TV Evanston, Ill. 8:00 p.m. ET

10/19/13 vs. Iowa * TV   Columbus, Ohio 3:30 p.m. ET

10/26/13 vs. Penn State * TV Columbus, Ohio 8:00 p.m. ET

11/02/13 at Purdue * TV West Lafayette, Ind. TBA

11/16/13 at Illinois * TV   Champaign, Ill. TBA

11/23/13 vs. Indiana * TV  Columbus, Ohio TBA

11/30/13 at Michigan * TV Ann Arbor, Mich. TBA

 

Big Ten Championship Game

12/07/13 TBA * TV Indianapolis, Ind. TBA

 

As the schedule's game times start to fill in, we see that this year is going to have many more 7-8pm games, most likely due to the excellent TV ratings Buckeye games enjoy. Noon games are known for lower TV ratings, quiet stadiums and grinding the city's economy to a halt on what is normally a productive day of the week during the most pleasant time of the year. Unlike last season's four straight noon home games to start the season, currently there are no more nooners left this season, but 5 games' start times are still TBA.

This looks like the trend.  It also explains why the next renovation of Ohio Stadium will include a set of permanent lights.  So no more renting those temporary lights we now see at the night games.

 

While we're talking tailgating:

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2013/08/tailgating-season-is-upon-us-with.html

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2013/09/tailgating-tbdbitl-and-traditions-on.html

I'm sitting here at work in 5XNW just west of campus and its around 1:15 with the game starting at 3:30. The traffic in every direction (not just in the direction of the stadium) is incredible. People need to get their errands out of the way NOW before the game starts. When I was out to lunch earlier I saw at least a couple drunk drivers during the middle of the day. Clearly noon games are even more disruptive. Noon games are a tradition left over from when women didn't have to work and could take care of all the errands during the week instead of racing around on Saturdays and all the men were alcoholics sitting on the couch watching the game on Channel 10 and drinking all day.

. Noon games are a tradition left over from when women didn't have to work and could take care of all the errands during the week instead of racing around on Saturdays and all the men were alcoholics sitting on the couch watching the game on Channel 10 and drinking all day.

 

^well put!

I'm sitting here at work in 5XNW just west of campus and its around 1:15 with the game starting at 3:30. The traffic in every direction (not just in the direction of the stadium) is incredible. People need to get their errands out of the way NOW before the game starts.

 

Memo to Columbus: it's just a football game! Christ, you can DVR the game if need be. Life is too important to be lost to sports.

^^^ Ironically my sister as a suburban Columbus mother is going to spend more time sitting in traffic and waiting in line taking care of errands, because of the switch. Also, the last few weekends of their neighborhood pool being open will be more crowded.

Memo to Columbus: it's just a football game! Christ, you can DVR the game if need be. Life is too important to be lost to sports.

Memo to Cleveland: Stop moving to Columbus so we can watch Bengals games on our CBS station instead of the Browns.

Fairly uneventful 42-7 victory - except for starting QB Braxton Miller getting rocked in the 1st quarter.  He suffered an MCL strain and didn't return.  Doesn't look too serious though and is expected to start next week at California.  Kenny Guiton lead the offense very well the rest of the game.  After a poor first game, super-frosh Dontre Wilson had a much better second game.

The only good MCL strain is the one you get from eating too much at MCL!

It really looks like the Bucks put their hours in the weight room this offseason.  Everyone seems to have bulked up and slimmed down in the right places at the same time.  Noah Spence looks like he added that extra 10 lbs he needed.  Curtis Grant looks like a bodybuilder (he, in fact, might be a bit too bulky for his own good).  Small guys (relatively speaking) like Jordan Hall and Bradley Roby look a little thicker and more cut-up.

 

After a poor first game, super-frosh Dontre Wilson had a much better second game.

 

He had a fumble in game 1, but I don't recall him playing poorly otherwise

Indeed, very little in the way of beer bellies among the linemen.

After a poor first game, super-frosh Dontre Wilson had a much better second game.

He had a fumble in game 1, but I don't recall him playing poorly otherwise

We might be splitting hairs because Wilson also had a 18-yard reception in game 1.  But 5 carries for 51 yards with a TD in game 2 vs. 3 carries for 11 yards and a lost fumble in game 1 seems like an improvement.  With Jordan Hall playing well, Wilson didn't seem to be getting many touches in the first two games.  And with Carlos Hyde returning after the California game, his touches might be harder to come by.

Braxton Miller is out for the Cal game.  Kenny Guiton throws 3TD passes in the first quarter in the starting role.  Looks like a shootout - OSU up 24-14 at the end of 1st quarter.

FINAL: OSU 52 - CAL 34

 

Kenny Guiton: Passing - 21/32, 276 yds, 4TD --- Rushing - 14 carries, 92 yds

 

Jordan Hall: Rushing - 30 carries, 168 yds, 3TD