^ In this game, it was about JT Barrett and his knee sprain that sputtered the second half offense.

 

OSU had a 17-0 lead going into halftime and was getting the kickoff to start the second half.  That pick 6 on the opening drive put Penn State back in the game.  And after that, the OSU offense could not generate any points and turned the ball over to PSU in OSU territory.  Just look at the second half drives for OSU:

 

3 plays, 4 yds - INT Return for TD

5 plays, 16 yds - PUNT

12 plays, 47 yds - MISSED FG

3 plays, -8 yds - PUNT

1 play, 0 yds - INT returned to OSU 45 (led to PSU TD)

6 plays, 21 yds - PUNT

3 plays, 1 yd - PUNT

1 play, -1 yd - end of 4th quarter

 

OSU's offense found their stride over the past four games with JT Barrett quarterbacking a run-option attack with RB Ezekiel Elliott and then adding in some down-the-field passing from Barrett.  With Barrett not running in the second half, that deceptive run-option attack was unavailable.  They tried running some wildcat with Dontre Wilson and Jalin Marshall, but it was ineffective.  Only when OSU resumed the Barrett-Elliott run-option in the OT's did they regain control of the game.  Barrett scored both TD's in overtime.

The Buckeyes steam-rolled the Illini 55-14 in a game that looked like a tune-up for next Saturday's big game against Sparty: http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=400547912

 

Probably the most interesting take away from this game was the QB play of backup Cardale Jones.  He got extended playing time with the first-team because JT Barrett only played in the first half.  (No injury to JT, but with OSU up 31-0 at halftime, they could afford to rest him.)  Cardale looked really good passing - especially on that touch-pass 27-yard TD to Wilson early in the third.

 

But its now all eyes toward East Lansing for what will certainly be the biggest Big Ten game of the season and a de facto elimination game for the CFB playoffs.

Night game in East Lansing coming up!

 

The Michigan State rivalry has become something to really watch:

 

2011: MSU 10-7

2012: OSU 17-16

2013: MSU 34-24

 

Even though I'm obviously still sore about the conference title game last year, I'm happy that Marc Dantonio is finally getting the respect and bowl wins that he deserves.  (Once it was clear Tressel was going to be leaving, I actually had kind of hoped we'd pick him up.)

You're assuming that Apple and Conley stay at corner.... and Smith stays at S.  UM moves guys around to get the best 11 on the field.  That includes special teams.  Roby was on special teams.... so was Hyde.  If you make one of UM's kick coverage teams, you are one of his favorites and are going to see the field with the defense as well.  That is why I brought up Bogard, because he was on the kick coverage team as a true freshman under UM.

 

Tanner was on the field this past year at safety quite a bit.  He played mostly because of injury, but the coaches like him.  He's a hitter.

 

I have no idea how you relegate Jayme Thompson to special teams at this stage.  He was a four-star prospect in last year's class who broke his ankle in practice before the season even started and took a medical redshirt as a result.  He was every bit the recruit Smith is and has an inch or two on him in height.

 

Same goes for Worley.  He redshirted last year.  Sure, he might have been a 3-star recruit.  So was AJ Hawk, Troy Smith, James Lauranitis, and Malcolm Jenkins.  Give the kid a chance before burying him on the depth chart.

 

As for Smith's Alabama offer...... ehhhhhh, I don't want to say it, but SEC recruiting can be extremely shady.  I have the strong feeling that Lattimore was really the target and Smith would've washed out like 1/3 of their recruits do every year.  Is it a coincidence that every school that offered Smith also had an offer out to Lattimore?  The only ones I can tell who offered Lattimore but not Smith were Oregon and USC (and, for whatever reason, Toledo).  Take from that what you will.....

 

My guy Erick Smith was just named Special teams Player of the Game against Illinois...

My man, Marshon Lattimore, took a redshirt after having surgery to repair the hamstring which had bothered him since his senior year of high school.  Even with the bad wheel, he was competing for playing time and even in consideration for the starting CB opposite Grant which was eventually won by Eli Apple.  In the interest of full disclosure, I think Apple would've won the job regardless..... I do, however, suspect that Lattimore would've had a very good shot at the nickel spot ahead of Reeves and Conley.

 

Sorry man, I'm going with what Im hearing from my source over anything I hear on an internet forum.  He'll be in the two deep at the beginning of Fall camp. At least, thats what's expected.   

 

Looks like you should have trusted what you heard on an internet forum over your source ;)

 

http://www.ourlads.com/ncaa-football-depth-charts/depth-chart/ohio-state/91533

Urb got his guy - http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2014/11/five-star_qb_torrance_gibson_c.html

 

Five-star QB Torrance Gibson commits to Ohio State over LSU, Miami: Buckeyes recruiting

My man, Marshon Lattimore, took a redshirt after having surgery to repair the hamstring which had bothered him since his senior year of high school.  Even with the bad wheel, he was competing for playing time and even in consideration for the starting CB opposite Grant which was eventually won by Eli Apple.  In the interest of full disclosure, I think Apple would've won the job regardless..... I do, however, suspect that Lattimore would've had a very good shot at the nickel spot ahead of Reeves and Conley.

 

Sorry man, I'm going with what Im hearing from my source over anything I hear on an internet forum.  He'll be in the two deep at the beginning of Fall camp. At least, thats what's expected.   

 

Looks like you should have trusted what you heard on an internet forum over your source ;)

 

http://www.ourlads.com/ncaa-football-depth-charts/depth-chart/ohio-state/91533

 

That's okay, Erick is right on schedule....I see him out there making plays on special teams.  You know he's caught Urban's eye now.  Once Erick mentally understands the defense, he'll be in the rotation.  Von Bell is the only safety on the roster more physically gifted than Smith.

 

Future 1st team All-American. 

^How's he "right on schedule" when he isn't in the 2-deep "as expected"?

 

More physically talented than Cam Burrows?  I would strongly disagree with that statement.  I see Smith as more of a Ron Tanner type.  Tanner was always a special teams demon who could play in some dime packages.  As far as him breaking into the depth chart, he could do it easily and in short order with a few injuries.  We are not exactly deep at safety, with Smith being #5 on a 5-man depth chart.  But he better be looking in his rear-view mirror at that kid from Maryland (Green?) and I also think that Eric Glover-Williams ends up at safety when all is said and done...... just a hunch.  EGW would instantly become the most physically talented safety on the team.  Jerome Baker might also get a look at SS.

He's out there making plays on special teams while still learning the defense.  He lost a lot of reps in fall camp due to a hamstring injury.  That's the only reason he's currently behind Tanner.  Smith will eventually become the best safety on the team.  If Glover wants to be a D1 safety he better put on 30lbs.  I believe he will stay a CB...

 

"While Cam Burrows and Vonn Bell are listed as co-starters at free safety, expect for Burrows to slide down to the dime back position when the Buckeyes are facing obvious passing situations. Erick Smith cracking the two-deep as a true freshman is also intriguing, as the hard-hitting safety from Cleveland Glenville has the potential to be an X-factor on the OSU defense".

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2176702-ohio-state-football-5-takeaways-from-the-buckeyes-final-depth-chart

The Michigan State rivalry has become something to really watch:

 

2011: MSU 10-7

2012: OSU 17-16

2013: MSU 34-24

 

Since the recent wolverine implosion, MSU has been one of the best conference rivalries for OSU.  Some Buckeye fans who like to refer to Michigan as TTUN have now started calling Michigan State TOTUN.

Predictions for the game this weekend?  I think OSU has to score a lot to win.  If they have a shot at all.  I think OSU is very streaky and struggled against a good defense in Penn State.  I hate the fact that it's a night game at East Lansing.  If I had to bet, I'd go with something similar to last year's outcome.  MSU by 7-10 points

^Tough game to predict.  Hate to put it on one guy but this game is going to come down to the performance of JT Barrett.  If he can handle the pressure of MSU's defense, along with playing on the road, I think the Bucks will roll.  If not, it could get ugly.  The experience he gained playing at State College should help big time in this match-up. 

I am extremely glad that this is not our first Big Ten game and also won't be J.T. Barrett's first night game anymore.  I understand that a night game in East Lansing is probably the most inhospitable possible scenario for us in this matchup, but I'm glad we're only getting to this in the later part of the season.  There was a stretch of several years when MSU was actually our first league game of the year.  I'm glad for whatever scheduling gods managed to throw us a bone on that front here, because unlike last year's team, this one really does seem to have improved markedly over the course of the year (certainly since Virginia Tech).

Methinks Urban has stashed a few plays/wrinkles up his sleeve for this one which we haven't seen yet this year.  Him and D'Antonio don't seem to like each other much and it probably irks Meyer that he broke his streak.

 

I wouldn't bet on this game, no matter the odds.  Very tough to predict.  I could see anything from a blowout either way or a slugfest down to a last second field goal.  tOSU has to be able to run the ball against this defense to keep them from keying in on our WRs and blitzing the sh!t out of JT.  Speaking of Barrett, how is his knee?

MSU is coming off of a bye week, which kind of irks me, but I'm not sure how much it matters since the Buckeyes had Illinois taken care of early on last week.

While this game is shaping up to be the de facto Big Ten championship game, it looks like neither team would have a shot at making the Final Four for the NCAA Playoff.  Too many other teams in front and neither OSU nor MSU has any big ranked opponents left to play that might help them advance in the polls.  TCU, Oregon, FSU, ND and the SEC winner all have an inside track

Yeah, its been a down year for the Big Ten.  If OSU wins out, there's probably no chance they'll be in the Final Four.  If MSU wins out, they might have a slim chance for the Final Four.  But they would need alot of help.

Guys, if Nebraska wins out up until the B1G title game, they'll almost certainly be in the Top 10, which gives either OSU or MSU another high quality opponent. This is the best case scenario for the B1G East champion looking for a playoff spot. In fact, the best case scenario for the entire league would be for Nebraska and either MSU/OSU to win out. That would pit two one-loss squads against one another in the B1G title game and give the league an outside, but legitimate, shot at getting a team into the dance.

1) OSU has a trap game next week, a nooner @Minny.

2) What happens of Baylor and/or TCU win out with both at 11-1? Can 12-1 OSU jump them?

Well, that was just a dominant win wasn't it?  http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=400547958

 

49 points and 568 total yards against one of best defenses in their own house?  That should give the Buckeyes alot more credibility to the committee.  Two more hurdles to winning out - at Minnesota next week and the Big Ten championship game.

 

I still think its an uphill fight to get in the Final Four.  But two more wins like this would make it much more difficult to keep the Buckeyes out.

 

 

huge momentum swing after OSU fumbled the punt in the 2nd half.  MSU had the TD called back on a penalty then they missed the FG.  OSU came back and hit the two long TD passes.  I think MSU was playing too aggressive in the defensive schemes with the blitzes, left the corners with no help and OSU receivers only had 1 man to beat for the big plays

Well the Buckeyes are up to 7th/8th in the polls, but because of who's in front of them and who those teams play, I think there's a very real ceiling as to how high OSU might get. One of the PAC-12 teams is likely going to fall below Ohio State, another SEC team is likely to drop below the Buckeyes, but that puts them at 5th or 6th at best.

 

The good news is that Nebraska is up to 11th in both polls. Hopefully they keep winning and rising so that would give Ohio State another quality opponent if/when they meet in the B1G title game. It's a long-shot, but the Buckeyes are still alive.

Yeah, its been a down year for the Big Ten. 

 

It's been a down decade for the Big Ten

 

1) OSU has a trap game next week, a nooner @Minny.

2) What happens of Baylor and/or TCU win out with both at 11-1? Can 12-1 OSU jump them?

 

Both Baylor and TCU probably have a more impressive resume, but it is impossible to tell if that will be the case at the end of the year.  If the status quo remains, OSU would not jump either based on their losses.  Baylor lost a road game at a decent WVU team.  TCU lost a very close road game to Baylor.  OSU lost at home to an unranked VaTech...... a game they would easily win if played at this point of the season, but counts as a loss..... a bad loss..... nonetheless

Here's a piece about SEC bias in the polls, based on statistical analysis:

 

http://regressing.deadspin.com/the-sec-really-does-benefit-from-media-bias-in-polls-1652415873

 

Almost makes you think we should hold off on rankings until at least a few weeks into the season.

H-back and kickoff return man Dontre Wilson is out indefinitely with a cracked bone in his foot.  Given his performance on Saturday where he fumbled away two returns to MSU, this might not be bad news for the team.  Especially since Jalin Marshall and Curtis Samuel seem perfectly capable of replacing Wilson's role.

If OSU continues to win out, convincingly, I think there's a fair shot they could get into the Final Four playoff.  OSU has the largest fan base in the country and those fans will travel to and watch the games much more so than a Mississippi State or Oregon fan base will, by a long shot.  This college playoff scenario is all about money, and increased revenue from tickets or advertising is a strong option to consider

If OSU continues to win out, convincingly, I think there's a fair shot they could get into the Final Four playoff.  OSU has the largest fan base in the country and those fans will travel to and watch the games much more so than a Mississippi State or Oregon fan base will, by a long shot.  This college playoff scenario is all about money, and increased revenue from tickets or advertising is a strong option to consider

 

Agreed. The loss to VT was horrible, but if/when the Buckeyes finish off a 12-1 Big Ten title run, that game will have occurred exactly three months earlier and Ohio State will have transformed into a completely different team (they really already have). It will be hard to hold that loss against them, especially if they've got wins on the road (MSU) and on a neutral field (Nebraska, potentially) against Top Ten conference opponents.

 

If OSU continues to win out, convincingly, I think there's a fair shot they could get into the Final Four playoff.  OSU has the largest fan base in the country and those fans will travel to and watch the games much more so than a Mississippi State or Oregon fan base will, by a long shot.  This college playoff scenario is all about money, and increased revenue from tickets or advertising is a strong option to consider

 

Is this actually still the case? Is the corporate/business side downplayed with the new selection committee? I thought they were meant to inject more impartiality and look at teams based on their true merits? Why would Tom Osborne or Condi care if a team travels well?

 

If OSU continues to win out, convincingly, I think there's a fair shot they could get into the Final Four playoff.  OSU has the largest fan base in the country and those fans will travel to and watch the games much more so than a Mississippi State or Oregon fan base will, by a long shot.  This college playoff scenario is all about money, and increased revenue from tickets or advertising is a strong option to consider

 

Is this actually still the case? Is the corporate/business side downplayed with the new selection committee? I thought they were meant to inject more impartiality and look at teams based on their true merits? Why would Tom Osborne or Condi care if a team travels well?

 

Yeah that's my understanding as well. Though nothing is more impartial than a well-designed computer ratings system, which is what they've actually gotten rid of since going from the BCS to the CFP.

 

If OSU continues to win out, convincingly, I think there's a fair shot they could get into the Final Four playoff.  OSU has the largest fan base in the country and those fans will travel to and watch the games much more so than a Mississippi State or Oregon fan base will, by a long shot.  This college playoff scenario is all about money, and increased revenue from tickets or advertising is a strong option to consider

 

Is this actually still the case? Is the corporate/business side downplayed with the new selection committee? I thought they were meant to inject more impartiality and look at teams based on their true merits? Why would Tom Osborne or Condi care if a team travels well?

 

Consider the draw of another Big Ten team like OSU vs SEC team matchup in round 1 of the playoff.  Then consider the draw of a team like Baylor or TCU vs the SEC team...

So they are factoring in fan appeal?  While I see the benefit for me the buckeye fan, I would be ticked if I was a fan of another more deserving team.  This would be akin to the Yankees being picked every year in baseball.

it's no different than all the bowl games when Notre Dame sucked and still got a big bowl selection.  Or a mismatched Big Ten team vs an SEC team like Iowa vs LSU...  To sell tickets and draw viewers...  who thinks TCU fans will buy 50,000 tickets to a game? 

If OSU continues to win out, convincingly, I think there's a fair shot they could get into the Final Four playoff.  OSU has the largest fan base in the country and those fans will travel to and watch the games much more so than a Mississippi State or Oregon fan base will, by a long shot.  This college playoff scenario is all about money, and increased revenue from tickets or advertising is a strong option to consider

 

Agreed. The loss to VT was horrible, but if/when the Buckeyes finish off a 12-1 Big Ten title run, that game will have occurred exactly three months earlier and Ohio State will have transformed into a completely different team (they really already have). It will be hard to hold that loss against them, especially if they've got wins on the road (MSU) and on a neutral field (Nebraska, potentially) against Top Ten conference opponents.

 

Winning out is the minimum that needs to happen, but realistically, we do not control our own destiny, not with VT spiraling.  We need at least one shocker to knock off one of the other teams in front of us; it can't be just when two teams already ranked ahead of us play.

If OSU continues to win out, convincingly, I think there's a fair shot they could get into the Final Four playoff.  OSU has the largest fan base in the country and those fans will travel to and watch the games much more so than a Mississippi State or Oregon fan base will, by a long shot.  This college playoff scenario is all about money, and increased revenue from tickets or advertising is a strong option to consider

 

Agreed. The loss to VT was horrible, but if/when the Buckeyes finish off a 12-1 Big Ten title run, that game will have occurred exactly three months earlier and Ohio State will have transformed into a completely different team (they really already have). It will be hard to hold that loss against them, especially if they've got wins on the road (MSU) and on a neutral field (Nebraska, potentially) against Top Ten conference opponents.

 

Winning out is the minimum that needs to happen, but realistically, we do not control our own destiny, not with VT spiraling.  We need at least one shocker to knock off one of the other teams in front of us; it can't be just when two teams already ranked ahead of us play.

 

Here's what's guaranteed:

*One team from Oregon or Arizona State will lose again.

*One team from Alabama and Mississippi State will lose (again).

 

Here's are some possible shockers that would really help OSU's cause:

*Ole Miss at home knocking off Mississippi State.

*Arizona at home beating Arizona State.

*Kansas State going on the road beating Baylor.

 

If Ohio State wins out, the lowest I see them being ranked is 6th, so to feel really good about their chances I think they need two surprising outcomes. In fact, I can't see the Buckeyes jumping Mississippi State or Florida State if either ends up with only one loss.

 

 

Other things to consider:

 

*How would the committee look at a situation where no SEC team finished with less than two losses?

*Further, would the commitee roll over and take two teams from the Big XII without that league having a title game?

We need at least one shocker to knock off one of the other teams in front of us; it can't be just when two teams already ranked ahead of us play.

 

I think the only "shocker" would be that all the teams ahead of us win out.  I know there will be an SEC & Pac 10 championship but it's college football - there are always upsets. 

 

Thanks for the warning Admiral Ackbar!

 

Ohio State wins its second straight road game against a Top 25 team: http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=400547965

Jalin Marshall must be confused how to feel this morning.  He had both his best game and his worst game as a Buckeye on the same day.  As great as he was filling in for Wilson (in fact, he looked better than Wilson has ever looked in that role), but those two fumbles nearly gave Minny the window it needed to get back in that game. 

^ Jalin filled in for Donte in every way: great speed (check); rec TD (check); two fumbles (check)

 

Maybe the snow and cold weather was a factor, but if not for his fumble going into the endzone that erased an OSU TD and his fair catch fumble that set up a short field Minnesota TD drive, the Buckeyes win much more easily.

Well because of the Arizona State loss and because TCU looked very pedestrian on the road at Kansas, many prognosticators are putting the Buckeyes at 5th. We'll see what the committee says. It's really too bad that Miami couldn't finish the job against Florida State, though. Also of note, folks are still giving Mississippi State credit for playing 'Bama tough on the road and most are putting two SEC teams in the Top Four. We're really going to need Auburn to beat Alabama and/or Ole Miss to beat Mississippi State.

OSU moves up to #6 in the playoff rankings:

 

http://espn.go.com/college-football/rankings/_/poll/21

Man, those close wins by TCU and FSU could have gone differently.

 

TCU does still have to go through Texas, but Texas isn't the Texas of Vince Young anymore, to put it mildly.

 

Fortunately, it doesn't look like others behind us are in that good of a position to leapfrog us; #8 Ole Miss is probably the best candidate if they somehow blow out Miss St, but that's unlikely, and they do already have two losses.

Baylor fans must be up in arms with TCU ahead of them despite losing the head-to-head matchup

Buckeyes held off a scrappy Indiana team today.  Added a few late scores to make it look convincing but this was a very close game.  But, a win is a win.

 

Now it's Michigan Week.  U of M lost today to Maryland.  The loss probably sealed the fate of Brady Quinn's firing.

 

Consider this stat:

Michigan has lost 6+ games for the 5th time in 7 seasons post-Lloyd Carr. The Wolverines had 1 6-loss season in their previous 40 seasons prior to this stretch.

Buckeyes held off a scrappy Indiana team today.  Added a few late scores to make it look convincing but this was a very close game.  But, a win is a win.

 

Now it's Michigan Week.  U of M lost today to Maryland.  The loss probably sealed the fate of Brady Quinn's firing.

 

Consider this stat:

Michigan has lost 6+ games for the 5th time in 7 seasons post-Lloyd Carr. The Wolverines had 1 6-loss season in their previous 40 seasons prior to this stretch.

 

Another fun stat, if OSU beats Michigan next week, the Wolverines will have more seven loss seasons in the last seven years than the Buckeyes have had in the history of their program.

 

Edit: It's actually not that "fun." I love beating Michigan, but it's no fun beating a crappy Michigan. A good Michigan=good for the Big 10=good for Ohio St.

Buckeyes held off a scrappy Indiana team today.  Added a few late scores to make it look convincing but this was a very close game.  But, a win is a win.

 

Now it's Michigan Week.  U of M lost today to Maryland.  The loss probably sealed the fate of Brady Quinn's firing.

 

Consider this stat:

Michigan has lost 6+ games for the 5th time in 7 seasons post-Lloyd Carr. The Wolverines had 1 6-loss season in their previous 40 seasons prior to this stretch.

 

 

Quinn would probably have done a better job than Hoke.   :-)

I note that those hoping for Nebraska to win out to give us one more quality opponent in the Big Ten title game saw a setback: #25 Minnesota just won a comeback victory at #23 Nebraska.  Of course, we already have the win in hand against Minnesota (a win at Minnesota, at that), so our existing resume also looks better now.

 

Wisconsin remains our best bet for a strong Big Ten title game opponent; they're already at #16 and they host Minnesota next week, so they have a chance to add a quality win to their own resume before they face us in the title game.  Of course, OSU still needs to win at Michigan to preserve a chance at a playoff spot, but AFAIK, we have the Big Ten title game slot locked up already because we have the direct win against MSU.  I'm also hoping to see Wisconsin there rather than a rematch against Minnesota simply because OSU and Wisconsin played every year from 2007 to 2013 and they were almost all fantastic games; we only lost one of them, but we had some real nailbiters in there.

The Good News: The Buckeyes defeat the Wolverines 42-28.

 

The Bad News: The Buckeyes lose JT Barrett to a serious looking leg injury in the 4th quarter of the win.

 

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/11953910/jt-barrett-ohio-state-buckeyes-carted-right-leg-injury

 

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=400547951

Well Barrett is out for the year. Unbelievable.

TTUN has had more losing seasons during the last seven years than the Buckeyes have had in the last forty seven.

can't believe Pellini was fired from Nebraska before Hoke was fired from Michigan...