"The unmitigated gall!"

Hey Buckeyes, from 1961 prior to the National Championship game, when UC beat you. And then UC beat you the following year,  :shoot:

 

Hey, if Cincy has a 'little man's complex' because of UC, what does that leave Cleveland with? Does Cleveland State even have dorms or division 1 athletics? It's essentially a community college, right? Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones...

 

Without supporting or defending the comment you were responding to in any way..... no one in Cleveland would ever dream of comparing CSU and OSU.  But, yes, it has dorms and D1 atheltics and no it is not essentially a community college..... it is a university, albeit with a high (though dramatically dropping) enrollment of commuters.  But, also, as far as academics go, CSU is not the top university in Cleveland.  That title would belong to CWRU, which is generally considered the top academic university in the State of Ohio

^LOL. UC needs to chill with this OSU 'rivalry' thing.  They are a secondary university in the state system, and it's silly to think that they are on the same plane as OSU.  They've got a handful of really great programs, and their basketball legacy is probably the best in the state, but that's about where it ends.  It's a great university in its own right, but they need to really check themselves with all the bUCkeye state shit. 

 

UC had nothing to do with this. A couple of 20 year old kids did this. And the "secondary" language is silly. UC is a major top 25 public research University.

 

Why does it seem like everyone in CIN has little man's complex?

 

Hard to believe that a harmless prank would even register to all mighty OSU fans (maybe this demonstrates who the little guys are)

 

The insecurity of OSU fans is what gets me, I mean take a gander at this: http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2014/02/33485/uc-affiliate-broke-ohio-stadium-disgraced-sacred-sod

 

Poking a dragon? It's also interesting the fan "broke into" the stadium. At UC, this kind of cheerful behavior would be welcomed as the stadium is always accessible to students and visitors. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see a copycat soon, there's typically giant wieners carved out of the snow every time it falls, anyway.

 

This year will be my first visit to said stadium, as the girlfriend is an OSU grad and I'm a UC grad. I wonder if I will be met with cheerful jests as visiting fans are in Cincinnati, or vile hatred like I've been subjected to visiting Pittsburgh?

The funny thing is you are all in tOSU thread...which proves my point, little men.  We aren't in the UC thread b/c no one cares. 

The funny thing is you are all in tOSU thread...which proves my point, little men.  We aren't in the UC thread b/c no one cares. 

The funny thing is you are all in tOSU thread...which proves my point, little men.  We aren't in the UC thread b/c no one cares. 

 

I think you just proved my point.

^I would say that too if I had your Cincinnati little man's complex.

O NOES, looks like I poked The Dragon.

^oooooooooooooo burn! 

O NOES, looks like I poked The Dragon.

 

LOL

You've got...

 

Hard to believe that a harmless prank would even register to all mighty OSU fans (maybe this demonstrates who the little guys are)

 

...to be...

 

The insecurity of OSU fans is what gets me, I mean take a gander at this: http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2014/02/33485/uc-affiliate-broke-ohio-stadium-disgraced-sacred-sod

 

...kidding.

 

Last I checked, a "prank" by some UC supporters was posted into an OSU thread.  And now "OSU fans are insecure" because some UC supporter went into Ohio Stadium to write UC in the snow?  Am I missing a punchline here?  This "prank" wouldn't even have registered here if it weren't posted to begin with by said UC supporters.

 

So.

 

Aside from the upcoming Cincinnati vs. Cleveland posts which will likely come (from a university not based in either city) after this, this prank just kinda fell flat to me.  I mean, again, if the "C" looked like a C and not a 1950's television antenna, I'd give props. 

 

As far as...

 

This year will be my first visit to said stadium, as the girlfriend is an OSU grad and I'm a UC grad. I wonder if I will be met with cheerful jests as visiting fans are in Cincinnati, or vile hatred like I've been subjected to visiting Pittsburgh?

 

If it's UC vs. OSU, you'll be met with "meh," to be honest.  There is no "hatred" for UC at Ohio State.  If you wore a Michigan shirt, sure, but if you wear a Bearcats shirt, people won't care.  It'd be like going to see a game at Nippert and somebody wore a Delaware State shirt.  I mean, really, what relevance does Delaware State have with UC?  What relevance does UC have with OSU?  Pickin' up what I'm layin' down?

Hey, if Cincy has a 'little man's complex' because of UC, what does that leave Cleveland with? Does Cleveland State even have dorms or division 1 athletics? It's essentially a community college, right? Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones...

 

Without supporting or defending the comment you were responding to in any way..... no one in Cleveland would ever dream of comparing CSU and OSU.  But, yes, it has dorms and D1 atheltics and no it is not essentially a community college..... it is a university, albeit with a high (though dramatically dropping) enrollment of commuters.  But, also, as far as academics go, CSU is not the top university in Cleveland.  That title would belong to CWRU, which is generally considered the top academic university in the State of Ohio

 

Oops!!

I don’t think UC – Delaware St. is analogous to Ohio State – UC at all because you’re a few degrees of separation off, but I get the gist of what you’re implying (I also think that proposing that particular analogy further confirms my point above but I’ll leave it at that). UC isn’t supposed to win the game, and it’d be an upset if they did (not an Appalachian State – Michigan level upset, but an upset nevertheless – after all, UC is being paid to play in Cbus). I won’t be upset if UC loses because they’re supposed to lose, and if they win I won’t gloat or be overly happy because sports aren’t that important to me. I would find it pretty funny, though.

But in generally, the point isn't off.  From a perspective of UC, a school in Delaware playing you guys in a stadium in which a game you should win wouldn't give anyone an incentive to say "F*ck the Hornets!"  In the same token, as you stated, UC isn't taken as a viable threat to Ohio State so OSU fans will not be going "F*ck the Bearcats!"  Why waste energy, man?  That isn't to say UC isn't a good team nor is it to say that they couldn't win (they've been a Top 25 team before) but in all fairness, if UC beat OSU, they'd celebrate it like they won the Super Bowl versus Ohio State fans feeling like "damn, we lost to UC."  It isn't the same "feeling" as losing to, say, Michigan or Penn State.

 

I think that says something about the aforementioned insecurities of the state's second largest university versus the largest.  It's natural to want to be known.  KyleCincy incorrectly stated that UC isn't a second tier university in Ohio in which it very much is (along with Miami, Kent State, OU, Bowling Green, etc).  That does not negate the fact that UC is a wonderful university with nationally recognized programs. 

I heard OSU is ranked #1 in the we have more fans that shop at Wal Mart category. Bama is close behind at #2.

UC, Miami and Ohio University did not make the cut (Tier 2 of course).

I heard OSU is ranked #1 in the we have more fans that shop at Wal Mart category. Bama is close behind at #2.

UC, Miami and Ohio University did not make the cut (Tier 2 of course).

 

How many beers deep is this guy? Sorry, I meant little guy. 

I heard OSU is ranked #1 in the we have more fans that shop at Wal Mart category. Bama is close behind at #2.

UC, Miami and Ohio University did not make the cut (Tier 2 of course).

 

That joke fell flatter than the snow masterpiece of U[ but *pinches cheeks* ya tried!

 

And on a lighter note, at least you acknowledged Miami and OU. :)

It's a bit more like the UC-Miami games, I would think...minus the history. People at OSU know people who go to UC and vice-versa, unlike Delaware State.

 

UC is an up-and-coming program and sees OSU as a measuring stick for making it. I guess OSU is content with the Michigan rivalry and doesn't care about getting an in-state rival. But UC is on the hunt for new rivalries, since the old ones are outdated (they are clearly in another league from Miami now) or lost due to conference reshuffling (Pitt, Louisville).

 

Yes, UC has a bit of a Rodney Dangerfield outlook. Call it "little man syndrome" or whatever. But OSU would be wise not to sleep on UC, and to expect that UC will have years where they have a better team, and to not be surprised if UC's improvement continues to where there really is some parity.

It's a bit more like the UC-Miami games, I would think...minus the history. People at OSU know people who go to UC and vice-versa, unlike Delaware State.

 

A lot of people at OSU know people who go Kent State, Bowling Green, and Wright State but I don't see any of those schools proclaiming "rivarly!"  The Delaware State example was a blunt way to explain the mentality of home fans viewing other visitor fans.

 

UC is an up-and-coming program and sees OSU as a measuring stick for making it. I guess OSU is content with the Michigan rivalry and doesn't care about getting an in-state rival. But UC is on the hunt for new rivalries, since the old ones are outdated (they are clearly in another league from Miami now) or lost due to conference reshuffling (Pitt, Louisville).

 

A rivalry has to occur from somewhere.  You can't just snap your fingers, point to a state university and say "we're in the big boys now!  Screw the RedHawks, we're going after the Buckeyes!"  And then the crickets chirped.  If you want a new rivalry, go after a school that's more compatable like UCF in your conference.  It's rare to have out-of-conference rivalries except for the dual-primate universities i.e. Georgia/Georgia Tech or Clemson/South Carolina.

 

Yes, UC has a bit of a Rodney Dangerfield outlook. Call it "little man syndrome" or whatever. But OSU would be wise not to sleep on UC, and to expect that UC will have years where they have a better team, and to not be surprised if UC's improvement continues to where there really is some parity.

 

I agree with this.  But with Tuberville, I dunno about that one. 

I didn't know my friend Uptown Charlie was going to cause that much trouble by putting his initials in the snow.

I heard OSU is ranked #1 in the we have more fans that shop at Wal Mart category. Bama is close behind at #2.

UC, Miami and Ohio University did not make the cut (Tier 2 of course).

 

How many beers deep is this guy? Sorry, I meant little guy. 

 

So you have graduated from calling UC fans little man, to personally calling me little. Why so you quote me and

ask "how many beers deep is this guy?" Would it be more appropriate to ask "how many beers deep are you".

A harmless prank has you all flustered.

I heard OSU is ranked #1 in the we have more fans that shop at Wal Mart category. Bama is close behind at #2.

UC, Miami and Ohio University did not make the cut (Tier 2 of course).

 

How many beers deep is this guy? Sorry, I meant little guy. 

 

So you have graduated from calling UC fans little man, to personally calling me little. Why so you quote me and

ask "how many beers deep is this guy?" Would it be more appropriate to ask "how many beers deep are you".

A harmless prank has you all flustered.

 

Honestly, I think the bigger point being made here is the "prank" wasn't funny.  You've been here long enough to know people will "give you a hard time" for trying to be funny...but failing.  Don't take it personal and move on.

ColDayMan--

UC has been in a BCS conference for a while. And rose to become an annual contender for the conference title during that time. That's playing w/ the big boys (even if Big East is not SEC). Kent State, BGSU, etc., are not comparable. In the 2009-2010 season, UC came within an inch of the National Championship; the Longhorns had to have the play clock reset to make a game-winning field goal, and UC finished the season ranked #3. Granted, they got their asses handed to them in the Sugar Bowl, but where were BGSU and Delaware State? Where was Ohio State?

 

UC's Rodney Dangerfield attitude is justifiable IMO, as its peers (WVU, Pitt, Louisville) and even lesser teams (Rutgers, anyone?) have gotten a lifeboat out of the sinking Big East but not UC. Then there is pre-season ranking, where UC routinely out-performs or hits parity with conference rivals that get a preseason ranking, but UC never gets one. They outperform expectations almost every year. Kinda makes you wonder about those expectations, doesn't it?

 

Yeah, a rivalry has to come from somewhere. The 1960s basketball championships could be a start. But mostly it has to come from actually playing each other, which UC has been wanting to do for several years, but OSU seems to shy away from. Finally they're playing this year, which I think is fantastic. And I think it would be hubristic for OSU fans to think the outcome of that match-up is predictable at the current time. I also think that hubris is alive and well.

HAHAHAHAH The old tOSU is afraid to play UC bit...Now that's funny! 

UC has been in a BCS conference for a while. And rose to become an annual contender for the conference title during that time. That's playing w/ the big boys (even if Big East is not SEC). Kent State, BGSU, etc., are not comparable. In the 2009-2010 season, UC came within an inch of the National Championship; the Longhorns had to have the play clock reset to make a game-winning field goal, and UC finished the season ranked #3. Granted, they got their asses handed to them in the Sugar Bowl, but where were BGSU and Delaware State? Where was Ohio State?

 

And yet UC has as many national championsships as BGSU and Delaware State.  The point is that in order to earn respect (or a rivalry in this case), you must show it on the field.  So while, yes, UC had a great season, that does not make it in a tier above Bowling Green, Ohio, or Toledo (which have also had Top 25 showings in the past).  The AAU might as well be the MAC, if we are gonna keep it all the way real here.

 

UC's Rodney Dangerfield attitude is justifiable IMO, as its peers (WVU, Pitt, Louisville) and even lesser teams (Rutgers, anyone?) have gotten a lifeboat out of the sinking Big East but not UC.

 

And you gotta ask yourself "why?"  UK certainly didn't care if Louisville left to another conference; Penn State didn't care if Pitt went to another conference; but why was UC left standing?  In order to have a lifeboat, one must have air.  That's all I'm saying.

 

Yeah, a rivalry has to come from somewhere. The 1960s basketball championships could be a start. But mostly it has to come from actually playing each other, which UC has been wanting to do for several years, but OSU seems to shy away from. Finally they're playing this year, which I think is fantastic. And I think it would be hubristic for OSU fans to think the outcome of that match-up is predictable at the current time. I also think that hubris is alive and well.

 

OSU clearly doesn't shy away from playing anyone in-state yearly.  They do it with Akron, Ohio, UC, etc.  You have to wait your turn.  To think we should play UC every year is absurd.  They aren't in the Big 10 Conference and they'd have to share time with Ohio's other university system schools.  What makes playing UC more worthy than playing Bowling Green or OU?  That's what I'm getting at.  If anything, displaying UC's superiority to other similar sized and storied sports programs in Ohio is quite degrading itself.

I heard OSU is ranked #1 in the we have more fans that shop at Wal Mart category. Bama is close behind at #2.

UC, Miami and Ohio University did not make the cut (Tier 2 of course).

 

How many beers deep is this guy? Sorry, I meant little guy. 

 

So you have graduated from calling UC fans little man, to personally calling me little. Why so you quote me and

ask "how many beers deep is this guy?" Would it be more appropriate to ask "how many beers deep are you".

A harmless prank has you all flustered.

 

Honestly, I think the bigger point being made here is the "prank" wasn't funny.  You've been here long enough to know people will "give you a hard time" for trying to be funny...but failing.  Don't take it personal and move on.

 

The funny part is how mad some OSU fans are, not that someone spent 5 minutes walking a path that marginally resembles the letters UC on OSU's field.

OSU does not play any non-conference school yearly. It's just not something they do. Why do people expect them to do it for UC?

HAHAHAHAH The old tOSU is afraid to play UC bit...Now that's funny! 

 

What happened to the scheduled game in 2012? First OSU wants the game moved to Columbus, then they cancel it all together. Either they were afraid of bad publicity due to a loss, or they were afraid it would be a hit in strength of schedule. Either way, they shied away from it, which is what I said.

The funny part is how mad some OSU fans are, not that someone spent 5 minutes walking a path that marginally resembles the letters UC on OSU's field.

 

This article:

http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2014/02/33485/uc-affiliate-broke-ohio-stadium-disgraced-sacred-sod

 

...isn't showing "anger."  It shows what I previously stated.  "That's cute that you tried but...back to life!"  If anything, "The Dragon" is quite hilarious and I'm going to start using that.  OSU THE DRAGON!!!

HAHAHAHAH The old tOSU is afraid to play UC bit...Now that's funny! 

 

Not so much "afraid" but they have nothing to gain from it, and something to lose. If they play UC every few years and beat them, they don't gain anything, they just maintain the status quo. If they lose a few times, or even worse a few times in a row, they risk losing recruiting clout over Cincinnati's high school teams.

 

If you're the biggest guy in the room and have to fight someone, why fight the second biggest guy when you can beat up a few of the "little guys?"

What happened to the scheduled game in 2012? First OSU wants the game moved to Columbus, then they cancel it all together. Either they were afraid of bad publicity due to a loss, or they were afraid it would be a hit in strength of schedule. Either way, they shied away from it, which is what I said.

 

Blame UC.

 

According to OSU spokesman Jerry Emig, the trigger for the change occurred when Texas Christian joined the Big East Conference. That required Big East schools to modify their schedules, and Cincinnati approached Ohio State about changing the 2012 date.

 

http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2011/10/31/osu-cincinnati.html

Keep swinging that truth axe, CDM!

What happened to the scheduled game in 2012? First OSU wants the game moved to Columbus, then they cancel it all together. Either they were afraid of bad publicity due to a loss, or they were afraid it would be a hit in strength of schedule. Either way, they shied away from it, which is what I said.

 

Blame UC.

 

According to OSU spokesman Jerry Emig, the trigger for the change occurred when Texas Christian joined the Big East Conference. That required Big East schools to modify their schedules, and Cincinnati approached Ohio State about changing the 2012 date.

 

http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2011/10/31/osu-cincinnati.html

 

Hm, guess I was wrong. Thought I read it was OSU canceling.

 

Anyway, I'm done here...until September! Or until there's another funny prank.

That's some good advice.  This thread needs a time-out.

 

Time-in.  There's some news about the football team.  Unfortunately, the news is that Braxton Miller had shoulder surgery on Friday.

 

Apparently its to correct an injury he suffered during the Orange Bowl.  They're calling it "minor surgery" that will keep on the sideline during spring practice.  So with last year's backup Kenny Guiton graduating, we'll see alot of sophomore Cardale Jones, redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett and freshman Stephen Collier this spring at QB.

 

More at http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2014-02-21/braxton-miller-right-shoulder-surgery-minor-ohio-state-quarterback-orange-bowl-big-ten

Work began last week on some upgrades to Ohio Stadium.  The upgrades include the installation of permanent lighting, new field turf, and the addition of about 2,500 seats to the south stands.  These new seats will be built over the entrance tunnels to the team locker rooms and will raise the official capacity of the stadium to just under 105,000 (104,851). 

 

More about this work at http://www.nbc4i.com/story/25528883/ohio-stadium-renovation-underway.  Renderings and plans of this work from http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/osu-stadium-renovations

Here I was, getting ready for that start of the OSU football season.  I got my SI College Football Preview issue last week.  Fourth-year senior Heisman-candidate Braxton Miller is on the cover.  And look where OSU is ranked:

 

And then I get this screaming headline in today’s Dispatch:  “Braxton Miller could be out for season” at http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2014/08/18/braxton-miller-injury-update.html

 

Apparently, Braxton Miller re-injured his right throwing shoulder in practice.  This is the same shoulder Miller had surgery on in February.  It is now expected that redshirt Freshman J.T. Barrett will start the Aug. 30 opener against Navy.  Previously, Urban Meyer said that J.T. Barrett had moved ahead of third-year Sophomore Cardale Jones for Ohio State's backup quarterback position:  http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2014/08/19/0818-osu-qbs.html

 

Recap of those two Dispatch stories at http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2014/08/38882/report-braxton-miller-re-injures-shoulder-in-practice

^That is probably a regional cover for SI

 

Losing Braxton can never be a good thing, but I actually think Barrett has the better arm and the WRs (not the offense as a whole) might be more productive with him at the helm.  He somewhat reminds me of Troy Smith.  Not too tall.  A bit on the thicker side.  Rocket arm.  Quick, but not blazing fast.

^That is probably a regional cover for SI

Yes.  The other three 'top 4' SI teams got regional covers too, plus the #5 team UCLA.

 

Losing Braxton can never be a good thing, but I actually think Barrett has the better arm and the WRs (not the offense as a whole) might be more productive with him at the helm.  He somewhat reminds me of Troy Smith.  Not too tall.  A bit on the thicker side.  Rocket arm.  Quick, but not blazing fast.

I hope you're right.  Before Braxton's re-injury, the reporting was that he was going to do much less designed-runs and more in-the-pocket passing this year.  Which pretty much describes J.T. Barrett's style of play.

It's official: 

 

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/11376253/braxton-miller-ohio-state-buckeyes-miss-season-due-shoulder-injury

Assuming he will get a medical redshirt?

It appears that way.  I think that's one reason they made the decision to take him out for the entire season so quickly.

No way will he get much interest in the NFL right now despite how much he is held in high esteem in Columbus. Without a good final season after sitting out a year his stock is at about $0.07 a share.

He'd get interest..... just not that much as a quarterback.  Best long term equation for Braxton might be him sitting out this year, JT lighting it up as a more of a pure QB, and then Braxton playing out a final year at a position which he projects better at for the NFL.  My guess is that would be either WR or some kind of scat-back.

The opening game is only two days away.  This season the Buckeyes will open on the road against Navy.  They'll be facing Navy's triple-option offense at M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens.

 

We know that Braxton Miller is out for the season.  But what about the rest of the team?

 

OFFENSE

Offensive Line:  The O-Line was a point of strength last season.  But losing 4 of those 5 starters makes this year's O-line a question-mark.  Last year's RT Taylor Decker moves to LT.  The rest of the O-line starting spots look up for grabs until things settle a few games into the season.  The coaching staff does seem to like the athleticism and depth of those vying for the starting spots.

 

Quarterback:  No Brax.  Redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett will start the opener against Navy with third-year sophomore Cardale Jones as his backup.

 

Running Back:  No more Carlos Hyde and Jordan Hall.  Outside of senior Rod Smith, there's alot of youth, talent and potential - led by Ezekiel Elliott and Dontre Wilson.  Elliott looks like the lead running back going into the season (although a question-mark going into the Navy game as he is recovering from wrist surgery).  Wilson looks like he's being groomed for a hybird RB/WR (h-back) role.  Watch for speedy true freshman Curtis Samuel and redshirt sophomore Bri’onte Dunn as backups.

 

Wide Receiver and Tight End:  Gone is Corey 'Philly' Brown, who led the team in targets, catches, receiving yards and touchdowns last season.  But both senior WR Devin Smith, who was right behind Brown in each of those categories, and Senior TE Jeff Heuerman, who was third best last year, return.  Also returning is senior WR Evan Spencer.  Pushing Spencer for a starting WR spot is plenty of underclass talent and junior Jeff Greene.  Greene is a 6'-5" transfer from Georgia Tech who sat out last year.

 

DEFENSE

Defensive Line:  The D-line is the strength of the team this year.  The four returning starters are senior DT Michael Bennett, junior DT Adolphus Washington, sophomore DE Joey Bosa and junior DE Noah Spence.  Longtime Penn State assistant Larry Johnson has been added to the coaching staff to led this group.  Beyond the starting four, Johnson is said to be focused on using a deep rotation to wear down opposing offensive lines.

 

Linebackers:  Ryan Shazier was lost to the NFL 1st-round.  This year's starting trio looks like senior Curtis Grant, junior Joshua Perry and sophomore Darron Lee.  But they should be pressured by five-star freshman Raekwon McMillan and Ohio's 2013 Mr. Football, freshman Dante Booker for playing time.

 

Defensive Backs:  Last year's d-backs couldn't have been much worse, ranking 112th in the country and 11th in the Big Ten in pass defense.  This prompted Urban Meyer to bring in former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Chris Ash to coach the safeties and take the title of co-defensive coordinator with Luke Fickell.  Ash brings in a more aggressive defensive style.  And that should be felt most by the d-backs with an aggressive press-style coverage.  As for who will be doing this coverage is a question-mark.  Senior Doran Grant and sophomore Tyvis Powell are the only confirmed starters going into the Navy game.  Otherwise, a group of talented but untested underclassmen are in the mix for starting spots.

 

SPECIAL TEAMS

Punter:  Australian punter Cameron Johnston will stay in this role.  As a freshman last year, Johnston lead the country in percent of punts downed inside the 20 and finished 2nd in the Big Ten with 44.0 yards per punt.

 

Kicker:  It looks like freshman Sean Nuernberger will win this job.  Senior walk-on Kyle Clinton could potentially handle kickoff duties.

 

Kickoff and punt returns:  Dontre Wilson will likely continue both punt and kickoff returns to start the season.  But young speedsters like Curtis Samuel, Jalin Marshall and Johnnie Dixon might take over these roles later.

Good summary, Columbo.  Here are a few names I would add to the watchlist:

 

HB/WR Jalin Marshal - every bit the recruit Wilson was but got hurt last year.

 

WR Corey Smith - looked good in the spring game

 

WR/RB Noah Brown - true freshman who is built like a young David Boston

 

S - Vonn Bell - stud

 

CB- Eli Apple - extremely high ceiling

 

LB/S Chris Worley and Devon Bogard - two Glenville kids who are right behind Lee in that combo role.  Bogard just needs to stay healthy

 

Can't tell from the 34-17 final score, but Ohio State got a real scare from Navy.  That triple-option offense was pretty effective at racking up the rushing yards and keeping the OSU offense off the field.  OSU didn't get control until the defense forced a fumble return for a TD and then Barrett threw an 80-yard TD in the third quarter.  Then OSU dominated the fourth.  Outside of one interception, J.T. Barrett played a very solid game.

 

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=400547982

The offense seemed to catch its stride as the game went along.  Barrett had close to a 75% completion percentage.  I thought his decision making was exceptional for a RS freshman.  What was lacking was any sense of a power running game.  With no Carlos Hyde and a very green offensive line, that shouldn't come as a surprise.  Navy's defense, although limited athletically, was very experienced and hung in there as well as it could.

 

The defense is very hard to judge on a game like this.  Navy is one of the best 'gimmick' teams in the country.  They do one thing and do it very well.  It can be frustratingly hard to stop.  The defense lost a few 'game of inches' moments, most notably Navy's first touchdown as well as a few critical first downs.  Best as I can tell, however, we continue to have a huge weakness at MLB.  Our defense requires a stud MLB and Grant ain't it.  I don't understand why he is so bulky.  Being too muscular can hurt your mobility, and he plays like a stiff, figuratively and literally.  Time to give the freshman a look, I think.  Too many times yesterday Von Bell was having to clean up Grant's whiffs.