OSU vs. MD DEPTH CHART:  Season-ending injuries to senior WR Corey Smith, who suffered a broken leg against IU, and backup saftey Cam Burrows with a foot injury:  http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/10/6/9463579/ohio-state-maryland-2015-depth-chart-corey-smith-cam-burrows-injuries

 

Today's a BTN nooner against reeling Maryland.  How reeling?  Word leaked out that the 2-3 Terps will likely not ask Coach Randy Edsall to return in 2016!  (Yeah there's still at least 7 games remaining in 2015 for them)  After UM-Ann Arbor blanked UM-College Park 28-0 last week, this should be a great chance for the OSU offense to get back on track.  Unless they keep playing like the past three weeks, then it won't:  http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/10/9/9487051/ohio-state-football-news-maryland-preview-tbdbitl

In other news, today's game will be a "Pink Out" game for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  So don't adjust your sets (or devices) thinking the color is off:  http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/10/6/9460925/ohio-state-football-maryland-pink

 

Another weak start with OSU playing down to its opponents.  21-21 and OSU just punted.  Receivers either can't get open it Cardale can't find them.  Defense giving up steady drives.  Seems succeptibke to big plays

^ The 49-28 final score hides that it was 21-21 early in the third quarter:  http://espn.go.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=400763537

 

- Cardale's final numbers look good (21-28; 291 yds; 2TD/0INT) but he was shaky.

- JT is used as a "red-zone QB"(?) - only passes twice, mostly runs, but effectively for 3 rushing TD's.

- Zeke pitches in with 21 carries for 106 yds and a 2 rushing TD's.

I like the idea of using JT as the red zone QB. Of course, if it was up to me, he'd be the full time QB

It's been a struggle, but OSU remains #1 in the AP Poll.  Which is significant because Ohio State remaining at #1 means they passed Oklahoma for most number of weeks at the top spot in the AP poll, which began in 1936:

 

- College football rankings: Ohio State makes AP Poll history, remains No. 1 in Coaches Poll

 

Top five schools with most weeks at #1:

1) Ohio State - 102

2) Oklahoma - 101

3) Notre Dame - 98

4) USC - 91

5) Alabama - 73

 

And if you're interested in which OSU coaches spent the most weeks at #1 - and I was - here's that breakdown from http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ohio-state/:

• Woody Hayes - 54 weeks during 10 seasons from 1954 to 1975

• Jim Tressel - 23 weeks during 4 seasons from 2002 to 2010

• John Cooper - 9 weeks during one season (1998)

• Urban Meyer - 8 weeks during this season and the final poll last season

• Paul Brown - 4 weeks during 1942 (yeah, that Paul Brown; and he did it in the pre-B1G Western Conference)

• Earle Bruce - 3 weeks during his first two seasons in 1979-80 (after that he was "ole 9-3")

• Wes Fesler - 1 week in 1950 (notable for being the coach that got fired so Woody Hayes could get hired)

Tonight's a "Black Out" game for the 8PM start against Penn State:  http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/10/16/9521357/penn-state-vs-ohio-state-2015-preview

 

And the crowd won't be the only thing "blacked out":  http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2015/10/3/9442441/ohio-state-nike-black-football-uniforms

 

More about the black alternate unis:  http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/10/3/9443923/ohio-state-penn-state-2015-blackout-alternate-uniforms

 

Card ale is losing millions for himself. Urban knows it and, IMO, has let that affect his decision making on who the starting QB should be

The offense looked so much better last night with JT as QB.  Faster, better rhythm, more aggressive, taking it to the defense rather than trying to find an open man

OSU 38 - PSU 10: http://espn.go.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=400763545

 

So, JT became the "red-zone QB" for the previous game.  Now, he replaces Cardale as the "full-time QB" in the second half of this game.  Does Urban complete this evolution and make JT the "starting QB" next week at Rutgers?

The emphasis going into this "Dark Night" game was on OSU's all-black uniforms.  I thought they looked OK, and you got used to them more as the game wore on.  But I was much more impressed by the Black Out crowd.  I liked how the black color made 109,000 people virtually fade away.  The aerial views during the game highlighted this effect even more then the photo below.  It's too bad we don't have a game on Saturday, Oct. 31, because the effect was spooky:

 

 

Of all the single-color effects, white in a night game has always looked the most dramatic to me, to the point where I could really believe it was affecting play on the field.

 

I'll say this, though: The one time I've seen the referees directly warn the fans to take signs down or the team would incur a penalty, it was because of signs that were actually reflective.  It was like staring into a gaggle of paparazzi.  Made me wonder what would happen if everyone wore reflective clothing to a night game.  Of course, that would affect all sides equally, in theory, unless the fans covered up while their team had the ball (in which case they'd be ordered to do so when the other team had the ball as well).  Just a fun image, though.

 

===============================================

 

In other news, Houston is now 6-0 and has not scored fewer than 34 points per game ... which was in an away victory at Louisville.  And if you think that is off topic for this thread, I assure you it is not.

^great point about Houston, cannot underestimate the loss of former offensive coordinator.  Directly tied to the offensive sputtering we've seen so far in my opinion

I don't know what to make of OSU or the B1G; very strange year....

 

Cardale Jones has hurled back to earth (I still contend he totally blew it $$-wise by not going pro), JT's really the man, while Urban continues the mix 'n match QB experiment, with very shaky offensive results, save the last 6 quarters.  Meanwhile Michigan, though sucker punched by THE PLAY on Saturday, is still lurking with (in my opinion one of the best, if not the best coaches); and OSU has a 2-week gauntlet to end the B1G with MSU then UM.... And, oh yeah, Iowa, the team nobody is talking about, is also undefeated after polishing off NWern...

Has anyone here actually had the game on when Iowa has been playing? How do they actually look? I haven't seen them live yet.  Honestly, I can't even remember actually seeing much of their highlight reels on SportsCenter, just seeing the scores tick by.  I probably ought to take them more seriously than I do if we might see them in the B1G title game, but like clvlndr said, given the gauntlet we have to run in the last two weeks of the regular season, we have to reach it first.

I watched a bit of the Iowa-NW game.  Typical Iowa team it seems..... disciplined, big, powerful, but a lack of elite speed.

This week's depth chart against Rutgers shows what most of us have expected:  http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/10/20/9575017/ohio-state-rutgers-2015-depth-chart-j-t-barrett-starts-at-quarterback

 

So its JT running the read-option with Zeke (and maybe a bit of Braxton and Samuel).  More running, less passing.  Unless teams stack the box too much or a game situation calls for more passes (and Cardale is still available for that).  Probably won't be an issue for OSU's first-ever game at Rutgers tonight.  Although, Rutgers had an amazing 28-point comeback 55-52 win last week at Indiana and played MSU to a tough 31-24 loss the week before, these Scarlet Knights are not a powerhouse team.

There has been much speculation among OSU fans and in this thread about the effect of losing last season's Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach Tom Herman (who is now Houston's Head Coach and has them 6-0 & 21st-ranked).  There's been some evolution between Herman's replacement(s):

• Last year's O-line coach, Ed Warinner, was made co-OC.  Tim Beck was brought in to be co-OC/QB Coach from Nebraska, where he was their OC/QB Coach from 2011-14. (Somewhat similar to the co-defensive coordinator roles of Fickell and Ash.)  Initially, both coaches started this season in the sky box.  But after three games (and some shaky o-line play) Warinner was brought down to the sideline to help stabilize the o-line.

• That left Beck as the primary play caller up in the box.  And even though Urban Meyer emphasizes the "team nature" of the offensive game plan, we have seen less Cardale and more JT since Beck's ascension to "game-OC", if you will.  Now this season's evolution to JT is complete.  It may just be coincidence that it occurred along with this season's coaching evolution, but I think the two evolutions have some linkage.

Well now, THAT was more like last season's offense.  It took halfway into the second quarter, but with JT at the helm, OSU's offense got going and steamrolled Rutgers 49-7:  http://espn.go.com/college-football/game?gameId=400763551

 

- JT: 223 passing yards and 3 passing TD's; 101 rushing yards and 2 rushing TD's

- Zeke: 142 rushing yards and 2 rushing TD's

- Braxton: only 71 total yards, but had an acrobatic 45-yard catch

- Michael Thomas led all receivers with 5 rec - 103 yds and a 50 yard TD catch

 

Overall, the JT-Zeke read-option looked like it did last year - deceptive and dangerous.  You get three different options from the same look: (1) JT keeps the ball and runs; (2) Zeke keeps the ball and runs; (3) JT keeps the ball and passes.  All the WR's and H-back's seemed more involved in the offense.  And no turnovers!  Let's have some more of that!!

No turnovers?  I think we coughed it up on the first drive.  I remembering wondering if Jones was about to get his spot back.

Offense had a nice crisp rhythm that has been lacking in previous games.  JT was putting the ball where just his receivers could make the play on it.  Cardale always seemed to be forcing it or not throwing unless guys were wide open.

JT hits his receivers 'in stride', which is a critical elements of our offense.  We have so many guys on O who are truly special in the open field.  You have to get them the ball in space and with the opportunity for YAC.

 

For all this talk about the offense, the play of the defense has somewhat been lost.  I thought they played their best game of the season.  The interior DL still concerns me, but it was nice to see our playmakers (Bosa, DLee, Bell) starting to make the impact we expected of them at the start of the season.

No turnovers?  I think we coughed it up on the first drive.  I remembering wondering if Jones was about to get his spot back.

 

That's what I get for using the box score only and not reviewing the play-by-play drives.  You're right.  JT did fumble it away on the first drive.  But no turnovers for the rest of the game.  (I either must've blocked out that fumble or was doing something else and didn't see it.) :|

You know the best thing about a bye week?  No stress or tension of a game.  All is calm and peaceful...

 

[ANNOYING BUZZER SOUND]

 

http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/10/31/9649984/ohio-state-quarterback-jt-barrett-ovi-arrest

Urban Meyer press conference from earlier in the week where he talks about the J.T. Barrett one-game suspension: http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/11/2/9658366/urban-meyer-press-conference-minnesota-talking-points-quotes-cardale-jones

 

Depth chart for tonight's Minnesota game: http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/11/3/9621602/ohio-state-minnesota-2015-depth-chart-cardale-jones-jt-barrett-quarterback

 

Obviously, Cardale is back as starting QB for tonight's game.  Urban didn't commit to returning JT as starter after the Minnesota game.  So welcome back to the uncertainty of games 1 thru 7 Buckeye Nation!  Interestingly for tonight's game, Braxton Miller is listed as the backup QB.  Will Brax split time at H-back and QB?  Will Cardale be the "starting QB" and Brax be the "red-zone QB"? (hello games 5 thru 7)  And if Brax does see time at QB, will he actually throw a pass?

 

These questions and more will be answered tonight on ABC.  Maybe.

We got a little bit of "vintage 2014" Cardale Jones in the TD drive at the end of the 2nd quarter, the TD drive early in the 3rd quarter and his 38-yard TD run in the final OSU drive.  But otherwise it was "2015 Cardale" on display.  Fortunately, Zeke and the defense were good enough to make up the difference in what could best be described as a workmanlike 28-14 win over Minnesota:  http://espn.go.com/college-football/game?gameId=400763562

From Urban Meyer's weekly press conference:

 

-- Urban Meyer says if J.T. Barrett practices well 'he'll start against Illinois':  http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/11/9/9696532/ohio-state-press-conference-minnesota-illinois-braxton-miller-injury-update

 

And given how Cardale played against Minnesota, I'll bet JT has a good practice week.  Urban also updated Braxton's condition after he left the Minnesota game with an injury sustained after a 45-yard catch in the 4th quarter.  Braxton's head hit the turf hard after being tackled.  Urban says Braxton has a "sore neck" and should resume practice this week and be available for Saturday's game.

J.T. Barrett returns to QB the Buckeyes to 10-0.  It was a better-than-workmanlike 28-3 win at Illinois with the Zeke & JT show on the ground, pedestrian-but-efficient passing from JT, and a shutdown performance by the defense:  http://espn.go.com/college-football/game?gameId=400763564

 

Now, the 9-1 Spartans await.

Okay.  Here we go.  The Game before the Game.  The battle between OSU and TOTUN.  Or simply #3 Ohio State versus #9 Michigan State.  But whatever you call it, it's the biggest game of this season for the Buckeyes. (so far)

 

The pre-game should be fun with the customary tailgating plus ESPN's College GameDay returning for their up-to-12:00PM broadcast.  But GameDay won't be at their usual spot in front of St. John Arena.  ESPN Radio will be there instead.  This time, the big TV show with Corso, Herby and others is setting up on the Oval in front of the Main Library.  (interesting choice)

 

MSU's QB Connor Cook was knocked out of last week's game with a shoulder injury and held out of the second half.  MSU says he's "fully healthy" for today's game.  The weather might get bad around the 3:30PM kickoff.  A line of rain is forecasted to come through about then.  The rain should last an hour, but the high winds might last the entire game.

 

Which won't matter if you watch it on TV or your device:  http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/11/21/9767194/msu-ohio-state-2015-streaming-live-tv-channel-watch-online

WELP: http://espn.go.com/ncf/game?gameId=400763573

 

Game-ending FG for MSU ends OSU's bid for a back-to-back National Championship.  Michigan State deserved this win.  The Buckeyes had the breaks:  (1)Connor Cook didn't play for MSU; (2)MSU missed a FG earlier in the game; and (3)OSU's two TD drives were set up by MSU fumbles in MSU territory.  Outside of those two short TD drives, MSU's defense just plain shut down OSU's offense.  The JT/Zeke running attack never got going.

Godd*mnit!!!!

WELP: http://espn.go.com/ncf/game?gameId=400763573

 

Game-ending FG for MSU ends OSU's bid for a back-to-back National Championship.  Michigan State deserved this win.  The Buckeyes had the breaks:  (1)Connor Cook didn't play for MSU; (2)MSU missed a FG earlier in the game; and (3)OSU's two TD drives were set up by MSU fumbles in MSU territory.  Outside of those two short TD drives, MSU's defense just plain shut down OSU's offense.  The JT/Zeke running attack never got going.

 

... add to OSU's advantages the fact that MSU's secondary is banged up and inexperienced going with 2 freshman D backs.  And while the rainy weather through 3 quarters clearly hampered passing and punting for both teams, I was shocked Urban played it so conservatively with only 2 air-it-out JT passes.  Hell, Dantonio trusted his 2 platooned backup QBs through the air more than Urban did with his powerhouse Barrett-to-Braxton hookup... In general, OSU just looked like the proverbial deer in the headlight all afternoon long despite the fact that the game was played in The Shoe with OSU coming in as heavy favorites.  This was by far Meyer's worst coaching performance I can remember despite the fact that he's a no-brainer future HOF inductee...

 

... btw, Elliott, who rushed for 30-something yards, ragged on the coaching staff after the game and announced he's not coming back to Columbus after this season... Ouch!!

 

Well, on the bright side, I still believe that OSU has a path to the playoffs, but it needs some help. Most notably, it needs PSU to beat MSU next weekend.

 

FWIW, Nate Silver has OSU's playoff chances now at about 30%. I'm not ready to give up hope yet...

that game totally sucked but you have to give credit to Sparties and Dantonio for coming in to OSU and playing a tight game.  I think a blind person could see the play calling is horrendous.  Way too much gimmicks.  Stick with off-tackle run-read options and some quick passes, with a few shots over the top.  JT was way out of sync, couldn't seem to find his open receivers or throw them open the way he's done in other games.  They need to get it together this week big time, Michigan is getting better every week. 

 

As far as Zeke's post game comments, I think everyone agrees with his frustration but he's now created a distraction by announcing he's leaving with a couple games yet to play.  No surprise he's leaving for the NFL of course but he's tarnished what's been a great career otherwise.

... btw, Elliott, who rushed for 30-something yards, ragged on the coaching staff after the game and announced he's not coming back to Columbus after this season... Ouch!!

 

More about that:  http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/11/21/9776610/ohio-state-football-ezekiel-elliott-offensive-coordinator-ed-warinner-tim-beck

More fallout from the MSU loss:

 

-- Cardale Jones implies he's going pro or transferring:  http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/11/21/9776546/cardale-jones-ohio-state-nfl-draft-2016-transfer-rumors

 

-- Ezekiel Elliott's not wrong, Ohio State's coaching staff did hold the offense back:  http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/11/21/9776742/ohio-state-football-coaching-offense-problems-ezekiel-elliott

Way too much gimmicks. 

 

 

I hate gimmicks. They're insulting to the level of play. Save that crap for a Division II vs. Division V high school game in Adams County or something.

Seems like everyone is trying to squash the post-game fallout from The Loss:

 

-- Urban Meyer says the play calling was 'not very good', will be more involved moving forward:  http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/11/23/9782904/ohio-state-urban-meyer-press-conference-recap-talking-points-playcalling-michigan

 

-- Ezekiel Elliott apologizes, 'My intentions were not to point fingers ... but I do not regret anything I said':  http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/11/23/9783296/ohio-state-football-ezekiel-elliott-apology-playcalling-criticism-michigan-msu

As if the MSU loss hadn't already put enough of a damper on The Game -- there is this tragedy that came during the student tradition of jumping into the chilly waters of Mirror Lake on the week before the Michigan game:

 

-- Ohio State student died of broken neck from Mirror Lake jump:  http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/11/26/Ohio-State-student-died-of-broken-neck.html

Looking forward to the game today.  Hoping OSU can bounce back and find a way to win.  Trevor Matich said Michigan is the better team but OSU is more talented.  I think most would agree with that.  I also watched Iowa yesterday.  They are a very complete team.  Offense is crisp and efficient.  Defense is fast and disciplined.  Well coached, capitalized on mistakes.  They will give whomever they face a run in the Big 10 championship game.

I'm only partly looking forward to the game today.  I'll be rooting for the Bucks but almost expecting a UM victory.  It just seems like it's their time to win.

 

We've absolutely dominated the rivalry lately, winning 10 of the last 11 games.  The last UM win was in 2011 (the tattoo-gate year) and prior to that the last UM win was in 2003.  But now UM has some momentum, is hosting the game and has players who have never beaten OSU and are hungry for a win.  And while this is a pick-em game odds-wise, that MSU loss seemed to take alot of wind from our sails.

 

I could be wrong (and hope I am) but Michigan seems to have to edge going into this game.  Although, win or loss, the addition of Jim Harbaugh adds some spice to the mix.  If UM wins, Urban might be the recipient of the "Jim Schwartz post-game handshake". (Remember that?)  But if the game goes against UM, we might get a Jim Harbaugh sideline tirade.  Like we got last week when he protested a call and awkwardly removed his coat "with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind", as the ESPN video shows: http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/127259/watch-jim-harbaugh-rips-off-jacket-with-an-enthusiasm-unknown-to-mankind

 

^ Sorry, that post was a bit of the downer.  Let's cheer things up with this very weird game preview from The Taiwanese Animators!  To call this clip surreal is like saying Salvador Dali had a weird mustache.  It features competitive urination, Sparty pooping on OSU and UM, Cardale referred to as "Big Boy Jones" and Michigan's Jake Butt drawn as an actual butt!  YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!

 

 

- I wish I could take credit for finding that video, but LGHL did an article on it (with screencaps!) at http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/11/26/9804920/video-michigan-ohio-state-taiwan-animators

 

- And for a normal game preview: http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2015/11/27/9802084/michigan-ohio-state-2015-preview-ezekiel-elliott-harbaugh-boo-hiss

Now THAT was the OSU team everyone was looking for this season:  http://espn.go.com/college-football/game?gameId=400763578

 

-- 42-13 blowout in the Big House.  Competitive 14-10 first half gives way to a 28-3 domination by OSU in the second half.

 

-- Now Buckeye Nation starts rooting for Penn State!

Makes me even more mad about last weekend. Regardless, let's go PSU!

I'll just put this out there now, even with an MSU win I do think there might be another path for the Buckeyes into the CFP, but it would take a lot of help. However I like their chances in any scenario that forces the committee to decide between Ohio State and other 1-loss teams, though it gets dicey if it comes down to the Bucks and (potentially) Oklahoma State for the last spot.

Osu totally demolished Michigan today.  Read coverage on free press.com.  Aside from that, Spartans are handling Penn State.  This is their year.

Osu totally demolished Michigan today.  Read coverage on free press.com.  Aside from that, Spartans are handling Penn State.  This is their year.

 

But it's never their year....they seemed to be cursed, forever losing games when they count the most.

Alright here's my amateur analysis as play wraps up this weekend:

 

The Buckeyes were sitting at #8. Baylor #7 and Notre Dame #6 lost this week. Stanford was at #9 with two losses and they knocked off #6, but I don't think that's enough to jump Ohio State. Next week, #4 Iowa plays #5 Michigan State, and although I have to assume Ohio State would jump the loser of that game regardless, it probably benefits the Buckeyes if Michigan State wins and wins big.

 

Ultimately, it seems that Ohio State's chances come down to the ACC title game or the SEC title game. If either Clemson or Alabama lose in their respective conference championship games, I think the Buckeyes sneak in at #4. If not, they're almost certainly going to the Rose Bowl and likely going to play Stanford or USC in what would be an incredibly lame way to end the season.

I was at the game at the Big House today, and it was pretty sweet to lay an epic smack down on Michigan in their house. However, I don't think there's any way that the Bucks go to the playoff this year, and I honestly don't think they deserve to. Ohio State scheduled a bunch of cupcakes for their out of conference opponents, and they didn't play Northwestern or Iowa in in-conference play- 2 of the better Big 10 teams this year. They only played two ranked teams this year (maybe MN was near #25 when the played, too) and they lost to one of them. Their schedule was so weak this year that they really had to go undefeated to get back into the playoffs. Throw in the fact that they struggled offensively almost all season, and barely squeaked out wins against Indiana and Minnesota, and it's just hard to make the case for why they are worthy of a spot. Also, IMO, the Big 10 should not get 50% of the playoff spots.

 

I'm curious about where the Bucks will end up come bowl time. The winner of Iowa/Michigan State will be in the playoffs, but wouldn't the loser of that game go to the Rose Bowl? Where does that leave OSU?

I love the analysis and optimism but  there's no way they jump either Iowa or MSU after whichever team wins big ten title game