Unanimous #1 selection in the AP poll

 

4 ESPN preseason All-Americans - Elliot, Elflein, Bosa, Bell

 

Urban Meyer narration + college mascots = Awesome Sauce

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cy2CLLFbJs

OSU Football schedules 2015 thru 2023: http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/content/sections/schedules/osu-football.html

 

This year's schedule is the final one with 8 B1G schools and 4 non-conference games.  Starting in 2016, the Big Ten requires its schools to play 9 conference games.  Some interesting future home-and-away series:

 

2016-17: Oklahoma

2018-19: TCU

2020-21: Oregon

2020-21: Boston College

2022-23: Notre Dame

2022-23: Texas

Hmm, you conveniently left off the team tOSU will be most scared of... 2019 - Sept. 7: Cincinnati

 

I will belatedly and begrudgingly congratulate that team for doing something I didn't think was possible, winning a championship on the field. No backroom deals, no payoffs, no poll manipulation, no cronyism, just a quality team taking it to Alabama and Oregon.

 

I do question whether they would of even made the playoffs if the Big 12 had a true conf. champ.

 

As for this year, it will be nearly impossible not to pick the defending champ for a playoff spot. With their standard god-awful non-conf schedule then moving on to an even more truly awful conf. schedule, even if they had 2-3 loses, I see them in the playoffs.

 

Still not a fan, still won't root for them but enjoy the mini-dynasty.

Hmm, you conveniently left off the team tOSU will be most scared of... 2019 - Sept. 7: Cincinnati

 

What is it with you guys?

Everytime this 'rivalry' is raised in here, it brings me back to that Seinfeld 'insignificant piece of dust' line.

Everytime this 'rivalry' is raised in here, it brings me back to that Seinfeld 'insignificant piece of dust' line.

 

No doubt.  I actually have one more year of rooting for Cincy since Shaq Washington is coming back.  Couldn't do it if it was an actual rivalry.

Six team captains were selected by the players:

 

- Redshirt Sophomore QB J.T. Barrett

- Senior left tackle Taylor Decker

- Senior center Jacoby Boren

- Senior H-back Braxton Miller

- Senior linebacker Joshua Perry

- Junior safety Tyvis Powell

The two-deep roster for tonight's opener at Virginia Tech:  http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/9/1/9240633/ohio-state-virginia-tech-2015-depth-chart-news-notes-quarterback

 

Of course, no Joey Bosa at DE, Dontre Wilson at H-Back, Jalin Marshall at H-Back/WR or Corey Smith at WR for the opening game.  Sophomore WR Noah Brown is also out with a season-ending broken leg suffered in practice.  Brown didn't do much as a frosh.  But he lost 15 lbs off-season and was called "the most improved WR" in training camp.  He would have gotten a chance to shine with three major receiver options missing vs. VT.

 

The two-deep roster shows Cardale Jones or J.T. Barrett as the starting QB.  Since J.T. was selected one of the team captains, you might think he's got the inside track to start.  So far, Urban Meyer has confirmed nothing.  He still says, "you'll know who the starting QB is on our first offensive snap."

 

So the choice is (1)last season's Big-Ten offensive player-of-the-year, or (2)the guy led the team during the Big Ten Championship win, the Alabama semi-final win, and the Oregon win for the National Championship.  No wrong answer there!

I'm a JTB guy and would've went with him, but I understand the choice.  JTB will be back next year and possibly the year after that.  It is now or never for Cardale and it is hard to argue against his track record.

 

As for Braxton, wow.  I hope a lot of running QBs pay attention to how much money he makes himself by making this switch in his final year of eligibility.  Probably gonna wind up being a first round pick if he can keep it up all year.

 

OSU's skill positions are just sick.  So much athleticism.  So many weapons, it's almost not fair.

^agreed.  Cardale is just brute force but seeing JT turn the corner running the ball, made me want to see him play more at QB.  Braxton Miller was absolutely electrifying with the ball.  He's going to be a Heisman contender if he gets a few more plays like that in his highlight reel.  OSU seemed a little rusty with some of the blocking schemes but the sheer amount of talent helped them overcome.  Credit to Virginia Tech too though, they have a good team.  Played with a lot of intensity but they were just overwhelmed in the second half.  I think that's one of the great strengths of Urban Meyer is his second half adjustments

It's hard for your blocking schemes to look good against a bear defense with 8 in the box and the CB's in press coverage.

As for Braxton, wow.  I hope a lot of running QBs pay attention to how much money he makes himself by making this switch in his final year of eligibility.  Probably gonna wind up being a first round pick if he can keep it up all year.

 

Unfortunately, Miller already has a durability asterisk by him in every NFL scout's notebook, and you can imagine how different that spin move would have looked if, instead of two hapless VT defenders careening past him and off the field, Justin Houston or Elvis Dumervil had suddenly leveled him in mid-move.

 

The switch was still definitely the best move for him because he doesn't have a pro-level arm, but I think that no matter how he performs this year, there are going to be injury questions.  And if he gets hurt again, those asterisks become exclamation points.

Right, the announcers kept talking about how the spin move looked like something you can only get away with in a Madden game. Nonetheless, he did it, but that's the kind of stuff NFL players take particular glee in stopping with a hot college player. I'll take it while it lasts!

He had those concerns no matter whether he stayed at QB or made this move to H-Back.  As a QB, and especially given his lack of height, he would be lucky to get picked in the top 3 rounds.  He is a virtual lock to be picked in the top 2 rounds if he can prove he can play a skill position, like he did last night.

 

Speaking of getting leveled, did anyone see what Zeke did to that VT defendant on Braxton's spin move run play?  Ouch.

Speaking of getting leveled, did anyone see what Zeke did to that VT defendant on Braxton's spin move run play?  Ouch.

 

Given that it's VT, this might actually be intentional ... but not completely sure ... :-P

 

http://espn.go.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=400756905

 

http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/9/7/9273787/virginia-tech-ohio-state-2015-final-score-recap

 

http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/9/8/9274921/virginia-tech-ohio-state-2015-advanced-stats-recap

- Everyone you know watched Ohio State-Virginia Tech:  http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/9/8/9277879/everyone-you-know-watched-ohio-state-virginia-tech

 

- We're buying Braxton Miller after Ohio State's big win over Virginia Tech:  http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/9/8/9274799/ohio-state-virginia-tech-final-score-stock-market-report-braxton-miller-cardale-jones

 

- Vine Video of Braxton Miller's spin move TD run (aka The Madden Play):  http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/9/7/9274563/braxton-miller-hit-virginia-tech-with-a-real-life-madden-play

Ohio State-Hawaii 2015 depth chart reminds me of http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,29508.msg763515.html#msg763515

 

- Joey Bosa returns at DE and Corey Smith returns at WR.  With Braxton's amazing debut at H-Back, Dontre Wilson and Jalin Marshall have been moved from the H-Back position to WR in the depth chart.

The plan was always to play Marshall at WR. That was reported after Braxton made the switch. I hadn't heard about Dontre, but it doesn't surprise me given that the coaches have switched Curtis Samuel from RB to H-back, which I suspect has a lot to do with the prospects of Mike Weber being anointed the heir apparent to Elliot

Despite Hawaii defeating Colorado in their opening game and despite Ohio State playing on only 4 days rest (while Hawaii is playing on 8 days rest), its unlikely that Hawaii will prevail later today.  In fact, you probably wouldn't want to bet on Hawaii plus the 41-points on the most current betting line.  But no matter today's outcome, the Rainbow Warriors will still look sharp in their new road retro-style uniform: http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/9/10/9305437/hawaii-throwback-jerseys-ohio-state#4829414

 

^Totally rad to the max!

38-0: OSU beats Hawaii; Hawaii beats point spread

 

http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/9/12/9315735/hawaii-ohio-state-2015-final-score-recap

 

Northern Illinois comes into Ohio Stadium with an impressive resume.  NIU is 2-0 this year; has been to the MAC Championship game for 5 straight seasons; and has beaten three B1G teams in the past two years (2013: Iowa, Purdue - 2014: Northwestern).  And they'll still a 34-point underdog for today's game.

 

OSU does have a full week to prep for the Huskies.  Highly sought freshman RB Mike Weber might make his first appearance on the field after recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery:  http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/9/18/9346651/ohio-state-northern-illinois-preview-odds-prediction-keys-week-3

Well, that was a ugly performance!  Got the win, but the offense really really struggled.  Three turnovers on the first four drives (two of them INT's by Cardale, who was then pulled for JT).  The Buckeye offense ended up with 5 turnovers (3 INT's & 2 fumbles lost).  It was up to the defense to win the game for OSU.  A pick-6 by Darron Lee ended up being the game-winning TD!

 

OSU 20 - NIU 13:  http://espn.go.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=400763514

I'm wondering how much the offense is missing the OC from last year.  Too many miscues and mistakes.  Play calling seems odd too.  Forcing plays.  Just run Zeke more. 

We're missing a number of WRs from last year too.  In my lifetime at least, OSU has always been able to bomb it downfield if need be.  Yesterday it didn't look like that option was available.

Devin Smith was a good deep threat, but not much else. I actually think they miss Evan Spencer's edge blocking more.  As a receiver, Michael Thomas is the best we've had in awhile

 

It was frustrating but I'm not worried at all. Lasts year's team had worse performances (VaTech and PSU) but showed up when it mattered. The Tressel championship team also had some very close calls. A win is a win and our win streak means we don't have to worry too much about how we win as far as making the playoff is concerned

NIU is a very good program. I'm not that surprised it was a close game.

NIU plays in the MAC, so it's easy to put an asterisk by their record.  But even small conferences can field one or two decent teams (witness what we see in the NCAA basketball tournament year after year).  NIU has never had fewer than 11 wins or more than 3 losses in each of the last five seasons.  They've finished in the top 25 each of the last three seasons.  This was not a cupcake game just because the school had a "directional" name.  In fact, Northern Illinois probably helps our strength of schedule more than Illinois does.

The play calling needs to be simplified, especially this early in the season.  We have 2 if not 3 offensive linemen headed to the NFL and a top notch RB in Zeke Elliot.  Run between the tackles more and force them to stop us.  Zeke will break some big plays open, it will pull down the safeties for over the top big play passing attack and the defense will wear down.  As the season progresses, more complex plays can be run but right now, the offense looks like a group of guys that met on the way to the stadium.  O-Line is having a hard time blocking, QB is having a hard time reading, WR's dont have the timing down...

NIU is a very good program. I'm not that surprised it was a close game.

...said the Odds makers that had OSU giving 34 points?

NIU is a very good program. I'm not that surprised it was a close game.

...said the Odds makers that had OSU giving 34 points?

 

The oddsmakers set the line not based on how they think the game will go, just how they think the betting will go

The play calling needs to be simplified, especially this early in the season.  We have 2 if not 3 offensive linemen headed to the NFL and a top notch RB in Zeke Elliot.  Run between the tackles more and force them to stop us.  Zeke will break some big plays open, it will pull down the safeties for over the top big play passing attack and the defense will wear down.  As the season progresses, more complex plays can be run but right now, the offense looks like a group of guys that met on the way to the stadium.  O-Line is having a hard time blocking, QB is having a hard time reading, WR's dont have the timing down...

 

I think they are trying to keep Zeke fresh for later in the season. no need to use up his legs now.

NIU is a very good program. I'm not that surprised it was a close game.

 

NIU, Toledo, Ohio, BCSU all look pretty good out of the MAC.

NIU is a very good program. I'm not that surprised it was a close game.

 

NIU, Toledo, Ohio, BCSU all look pretty good out of the MAC.

 

BCSU?

NIU is a very good program. I'm not that surprised it was a close game.

 

NIU, Toledo, Ohio, BCSU all look pretty good out of the MAC.

 

BCSU?

 

Beaver Creek State University

I still can't believe Cardale stayed at OSU.  He had a golden meal ticket to the NFL based on those 3 great starts last year.  Now his stock is going down and JT may ultimately be the starter.  Very bad move by Jones.

I disagree. NFL scouts don't give a crap about someone who had only 3 good starts in college.

I still can't believe Cardale stayed at OSU.  He had a golden meal ticket to the NFL based on those 3 great starts last year.  Now his stock is going down and JT may ultimately be the starter.  Very bad move by Jones.

 

No way.  He had plenty of folks advising him.  He's got a lot to learn and would not have done well at the NFL combine/tryouts with such a small amount of time in actual game conditions

He has NFL athleticism and NFL size.  Someone will take a chance on him in a lower round and work to develop his arm and vision as a long-term prospect.  Those can be coached (or at least "arm" in the accuracy sense can, and he's got range).  He won't be an instant impact player but I could see him as an NFL QB someday.

He has NFL athleticism and NFL size.  Someone will take a chance on him in a lower round and work to develop his arm and vision as a long-term prospect.  Those can be coached (or at least "arm" in the accuracy sense can, and he's got range).  He won't be an instant impact player but I could see him as an NFL QB someday.

 

the window to hit in the NFL as a starter is short as ever.  Nobody spends time to develop a guy like they used to. 

 

- Tim Tebow

^Everything's getting to be like that now -- sports, music, NASCAR

From 1-23-2015....

 

Here's another surprise: according to one NFL team executive, Jones could have been drafted as high as the top 10 or 15 picks.

 

"Maybe he would have gone in the second round," the executive told foxsports.com, "but I think it's just as likely (he) could have gone in the top 10 or 15. Look at that body, that arm -- and look at his competition (in the draft).

 

The same executive also expressed surprise that Jones (6-foot-5, 250 pounds) decided to return to Ohio State.

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000462467/article/report-cardale-jones-could-have-been-top-1015-draft-pick

Ohio State plays Western Michigan later today.  But that's not what's on the minds of most Buckeye fans.  It's the offense - or more to the point, the QB.  Here's a couple of thought pieces from the Buckeye's SB Nation site:

 

--- Breaking down the disaster that was Ohio State-Northern Illinois: http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/9/22/9365215/ohio-state-football-northern-illinois-tape-analysis-x-s-and-o-s-breakdown

 

--- Separating the fact from the fiction with Ohio State's offensive struggles: http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/9/20/9359723/ohio-state-offense-breakdown-urban-meyer-braxton-miller

 

Now, these are both fine pieces from LGHL.  And I encourage you to read them.  But the shorthand version from these pieces, and especially most Buckeye fans, is to start JT.  And I admit I'm also in the "start JT" camp because I believe he is a better QB fit for Urban Meyer's read-option system than Cardale is.  But you know what, Urban's got 3 more national championships to his name than all of the fan critics combined.  So he's going to start Cardale against Western Michigan today (see below):

 

--- Cardale Jones to remain Ohio State's starting quarterback: http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/9/23/9385587/ohio-state-football-cardale-jones-j-t-barrett

 

However, you can't help wonder if this start is Cardale's last shot at proving he deserves to stay the starting QB before the B1G schedule begins.  Another NIU-type performance and it might be JT's show going forward.

Lots of problems today.  Defense isn't doing its job.  WMU is moving the ball.  O line isn't holding up or opening running lanes.  Play calling is still bizarre

OSU 38 - WMU 12:  http://espn.go.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=400763524

 

The final score looked okay and so did Cardale's numbers (19/33, 288yds, 2 TD's-1 INT).  However . . . Cardale missed two big plays with underthrows and 7 of those points came from the defense (very nice pick-6 by Adolphus Washington BTW).  Better, but still a disjointed offensive effort.  JT came in during 4th-quarter garbage time to throw an INT.  Zeke did well with 16 carries, 124 yds, 1 TD plus 3 rec/29 yds - but seems like he's still too underused.  Curtis Samuel looked very good running and receiving.

 

Quick takeaway: Still much work left to do offensively.

I wonder if the play calling isn't costing Ezekial more consideration for the Heisman.  ESPN is all over LSU back Fournette for his performance but he got the ball 24 times to get 240 yds.  I think Elliot can definitely do that but the coaches seem to be saving him?  He looks great catching the ball on crossing routes across the middle. 

I'm all for saving Elliot for when it counts

OSU begins their B1G schedule with a trip to Bloomington to take on the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers.  Indiana undefeated?  In football, not basketball, right?  As strange as that sounds - yes IU is 4-0 after unconvincingly winning its first 3 games against lower-level opponents but then winning at Wake Forest last week.  With a win IU could go 5-0 for the first time since 1967.

 

Indiana has another kick-a$$ offense this season, with a new RB replacing last season's nation's leading rusher Tevin Coleman - who is now in the NFL.  And they're at home with nothing to lose and everything to gain with an upset win over the #1 team in the country.  Well, as IU's most famous football coach says, "Not so fast my friend".

 

Indiana also has a "get-your-a$$-kicked" defense to go along with their kick-a$$ offense.  IU has more PPG then OSU (38.2 vs 34.5).  But they've given up almost as many points as they've scored (32.0 vs 12.2 points allowed by OSU).  And the stadium in Bloomington is usually half-filled by Buckeye fans who (1) like travelling with the team, or (2) couldn't get tickets to the Shoe.

 

But IU does have the "nothing to lose" on their side.  And if OSU doesn't get it together offensively, this could be a close game.  Although if OSU does get it together, it'll be this:  http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/10/3/9437109/ohio-state-indiana-2015-football-letter-sorry

 

ESPN Preview: http://espn.go.com/college-football/game?gameId=400763529

 

LGHL Preview: http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/10/2/9437151/ohio-state-indiana-preview-odds-prediction-keys-week-5

Well, that was easy. (NOT!)  ---  OSU 34 - IU 27:  http://espn.go.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=400763529

 

- Zeke was great with 23 carriers for 274 yards and three TD's of 55, 65 & then 75 yards!

 

- Rest of the offense was not.