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Home > Blogs > Buckeyes Beat > Archives > 2008 > September
September 2008
Saine off to slow start
Sophomore running back Brandon Saine has had a diminishing role in Ohio State’s rushing attack this season, and that’s not likely to change anytime soon.
The former Ohio Mr. Football from Piqua was limited in preseason practice because of a hamstring injury, and he hasn’t been able to make progress on the depth chart since his return.
Redshirt freshman Daniel “Boom” Herron has clearly become the No. 2 tailback behind Beanie Wells and has shown more burst and shiftiness than Saine has displayed.
Saine rushed just three times for 11 yards against Minnesota on Saturday and returned three kickoffs for 59 yards.
“Brandon was on the sideline for 20-some practices, and it’s hard at that position if you don’t get your rhythm and get rolling and get opportunities and so forth,” OSU coach Jim Tressel said Tuesday.
“I thought Brandon did a good job bringing kicks back on Saturday. He got in a little bit on the offensive side. We continue to talk about how we can utilize him, but right now with all of a sudden Beanie getting back, and Boom, I think, doing very well, the tailback reps become even more rare.”
While the opportunities for Saine may be shrinking, another area product could be taking on a bigger role this week.
Tight end Jake Ballard, a junior from Springboro, will likely see increased playing time against Wisconsin on Saturday with starter Rory Nicol out with a sprained ankle.
Ballard had 13 catches last season and two so far this year.
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Wounded Badgers await Buckeyes
It’s tough to gauge what effect Wisconsin’s second-half meltdown at Michigan will have on Saturday night’s UW-Ohio State game in Madison.
No doubt Buckeye fans were disappointed for two reasons: 1) Had Wisconsin won, the Buckeyes would’ve had a shot to knock off a top-10 team; 2) Michigan won a game, which is bound to help the Wolverines’ confidence.
The Saturday night showdown in Madison is the only Big Ten game this week featuring two ranked teams. OSU is No. 14, Wisconsin is No. 18. Penn State is the conference’s other ranked team, checking in at No. 6.
The Buckeyes will be making their first trip to Madison since 2003. That was the infamous Robert Reynolds-chokes-Jim Sorgi game. OSU was ranked No. 3 going in, but came back to Ohio with a 17-10 loss.
Jim Tressel has pretty much owned the Big Ten since taking over the OSU program in 2001. Everyone except Wisconsin. Tressel is 2-3 vs. the Badgers.
IN THE BOOTH: Saturday’s game is an ABC prime-time production. In the booth: Mike Patrick and Todd Blackledge. Your sideline reporter is Holly Rowe.
ON TO WISCONSIN: Here’s what WR Brian Robiskie had to say about playing at Wisconsin this week:
“Having the chance to play against them last year at our place was a good experience, but I think it’s going to be a whole new thing to go up there and go into that environment because we’ve been hearing a lot about it.
“Obviously we know this is going to be a big week of just preparation for us and doing a lot of the little things to make sure when we get up there, we’ll be able to handle the environment and the crowd and be ready for them.”
REWIND: A few items from Saturday’s 34-21 victory over Minnesota at Ohio Stadium:
— OSU linebacker Ross Homan (Coldwater) had a career-high 10 tackles and recovered a fumble.
— The Shoe was packed again. The students were back and attendance was 105,175 — the 45th straight time OSU has played in front of more than 100,000 fans at home.
— OSU’s all-time record as a top-25 team is 416-127-14.
KICKOFF SET: Game time for the OSU-Purdue game on Oct. 11 at Ohio Stadium is 3:30 p.m., OSU announced today. The game will be televised by ABC.
NUMBERS GAME: Penn State has scored 249 points in five games this season, averaging an extra point under 50. Ohio State and Michigan have combined to score 217 points.
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Buckeyes ‘pass’ first Big Ten test, but it’s no A+
If you’re an Ohio State football fan, you probably haven’t had that “MAN, WAS THAT GREAT!” feeling after a Buckeyes game this season. Could’ve had it Saturday, but the Buckeyes defense fell asleep in the fourth quarter and OSU settled for a 34-21 victory against a so-so Minnesota team.
Jim Tressel certainly didn’t do cartwheels after singing Carmen Ohio. He wants a balanced offense, and right now OSU isn’t much of a threat through the air. Terrelle Pryor might someday remind us all of Dan Marino, but he’s got some work to do.
Tressel asked in his postgame press conference how many times the Buckeyes threw the ball. Somebody glanced at the stat sheet.
“Thirteen times? Is that all we threw?” Tressel asked in amazement. “Oh, man.”
Well, Pryor threw 13 times. Completed eight for 70 yards and a touchdown. Backup Todd Boeckman was 5-for-9 for 65 yards and a TD.
Minnesota coach Tim Brewster compared Pryor to Vince Young (Pryor doesn’t like that), and the freshman looks like more of a runner than thrower. He ran for 97 yards.
“I hope we throw it more effectively down the road,” Tressel said. “It didn’t feel like we threw and caught and protected as well as we’ll have to.
“I envision us being a balanced team. Whoever we need to use to do that, we will.”
Mmm. Boeckman looked better throwing Saturday. Does that mean … nah, there’s no QB controversy. But Boeckman better be ready next week at Wisconsin. The way Pryor holds on to the ball and dances around the pocket, he’s liable to get squished like a piece of cheese by the Badgers defense.
Meanwhile, Beanie Wells got back on the field and looked good, except for that early fumble. He finished with 106 yards rushing on 14 carries.
“I felt like a freshman again,” Wells said. “I was nervous the whole day.”
Considering how angry Wisconsin will be after choking against Michigan, OSU fans will be nervous all week.
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Buckeyes gotta cover sometime, right?
You might look at the USC-Oregon State score and reason that Ohio State is one terrible team. But, hey, that’s college football. Just think: This sets up a potential USC-OSU rematch in the Rose Bowl.
So what about Saturday’s Big Ten opener against Minnesota? The Buckeyes are 18-point favorites and have yet to cover this season. They play a team that hasn’t been tested, although Minnesota is 1-0 in Ohio this season (42-17 win at Bowling Green).
The only reason to think about taking the points is Minnesota QB Adam Weber. He can throw it (and complete it, connecting on 72 percent of his passes).
Reasons to lay the points:
— Jim Tressel has been yelling at the offensive line all week. Tressel has been animated and seems intent on salvaging this season. We’ll know if his motivational tactics work after the Buckeyes’ first series. Look for a big push up front.
— Beanie Wells is back. He might not carry it 30 times, but his presence gives OSU a lift. It also makes Terrelle Pryor more dangerous.
— Pryor is confident. That first, awkward start is water under the bridge.
— This is personal for James Laurinaitis. You think the Minnesota native wants to get shown up by his hometown team?
— Speaking of Minnesota, the Gophers have allowed an average of 355 yards per game in victories against Northern Illinois (31-27), Bowling Green (42-17), Montana State (35-23) and Florida Atlantic (37-3). U of M’s 4-0 record is a sham.
— Hey, the law of averages has to kick in sometime, right?
LAST WEEK: I predicted that OSU (20 1/2-point favorite) would cover, but that the Buckeyes might need a defensive touchdown to pull it off. As soon as defensive back Jermale Hines dropped a sure TD, I knew the underdog would pull through, and Troy covered in a 28-10 snoozer.
The loss dropped us to 2-1 vs. the spread.
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Tressel: Beanie is back
Running back Beanie Wells will be on the field for the first time in four weeks when Ohio State hosts undefeated Minnesota on Saturday.
OSU coach Jim Tressel said Wells is still trying to regain the form he had before suffering a foot injury in the season-opener against Youngstown State, but the junior standout has practiced at full speed and will be in the lineup against the 4-0 Gophers.
“He’s run the ball well. He’s excited to be back in there. He brings an energy,” Tressel said on his radio show Thursday.
“I’m not sure he’s ready to plant his feet on the ground and shuck people, but he’ll get there.”
Running backs coach Dick Tressel, who also was on the radio show, said Wells is making steady progress.
“He’s getting better and better each day and developing a little more confidence,” Dick Tressel said. “It’ll be a couple more days of that, but we’re excited to get him back there.”
Jim Tressel said defensive tackle Todd Denlinger, a Troy native, has been battling a high-ankle sprain and won’t be 100 percent against the Gophers.
“He’s probably a little bit limited for us now, but he’ll keep getting healthier,” Tressel said.
Back-up linebacker Austin Spitler, a Bellbrook product, will be sidelined Saturday with an undisclosed leg injury.
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Dayton-area Buckeyes getting sacked
Our Dayton-area Ohio State Buckeyes have had mixed results this season. Marcus Freeman and Kurt Coleman look strong on defense, but Brandon Saine seems to be losing ground, and Todd Boeckman has gone from Sports Illustrated cover boy to the bench.
Here’s where nine of our guys stand on the OSU depth chart with a third of the 2008 season in the books:
STARTERS
LB Marcus Freeman — Second on team in tackles with 26, trailing only James Laurinaitis. The Wayne grad has one QB sack.
LB Ross Homan — Third in tackles with 19. Coldwater product looks like he’s secured a starting position for the next couple of years.
SS Kurt Coleman — Northmont grad sixth in tackles with 15. Grabbed first two interceptions of his career last week.
RG Ben Person — Xenia grad has been mainstay on offensive line.
SECOND STRING
TE Jake Ballard — Two receptions for 34 yards. Springboro grad getting plenty of snaps.
QB Todd Boeckman — Lost starting job last week. Has completed 44 of 67 passes for 2 TDs (2 INT) and 381 yards. Look for him to see some time during the Big Ten season. Team captains usually don’t sit on the bench.
THIRD STRING
RB Brandon Saine — Former Mr. Football from Piqua has just 16 carries for 54 yards (3.4 average) and one TD. Lost ground to Dan Herron when Beanie Wells went down. Doesn’t look real comfortable running the ball. Still listed as No. 1 kickoff returner.
DT Todd Denlinger — Four tackles in three games for Troy grad, who has been slowed by injuries this season. Jim Tressel moved gifted sophomore Cameron Heyward from end to tackle, which means Denlinger’s playing time will be decreased.
INJURED
LB Austin Spitler — Six tackles. Was Laurinaitis’ backup, but is out with a leg injury. Etienne Sabino steps into Spitler’s role.
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Beanie Wells likely to play
Running back Beanie Wells hasn’t officially been cleared, but he’s considered probable for Ohio State’s home game Saturday against Minnesota.
Coach Jim Tressel said he was told by the OSU medical staff that the foot injury Wells suffered in the season-opener Aug. 30 has healed sufficiently, but the player is still trying to get accustomed to the specialized cleats he must wear.
“What the training report said today is that they feel as if it’s to the point now that it’s just a comfort in the rebuilt shoe more than a comfort in the injury,” Tressel said.
If Wells does play, he probably won’t get his normal workload.
“We have to be smart as to how much we ask of someone who hasn’t practiced in the last three weeks or so,” Tressel said.
As for the pecking order behind Wells, Tressel said: “Boom Herron is certainly a guy who deserves ample opportunity. Mo Wells was a little banged up last week, and we’d like to think he’d be back and be a little more available. And Brandon Saine, who missed a good bit of our preseason, we’re hoping we can grind him into midseason form as soon as we can because, obviously, he can help.”
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Buckeyes back in their element — the Big Ten
After playing four nonconference games that triggered a call for Jim Tressel’s head, the Ohio State Buckeyes have got to look forward to the Big Ten season. That should calm down the irate callers and bloggers.
The Buckeyes kick off their push for the Rose Bowl on Saturday at Ohio Stadium. First up: Minnesota. OSU has a 40-7 all-time record against the Gophers, who come to Columbus undefeated but untested.
The Gophers last defeated the Buckeyes in 2000. John Cooper’s last season at OSU started fine — five straight wins. Then Minnesota took the field at Ohio Stadium on Oct. 14 and put a 29-17 hurting on OSU. The tailspin started, the Bucks split their last six and Coop was gone.
I doubt anything that dramatic will happen this week. Tressel might have problems when he runs into the nation’s elite, but his 39-9 record against the Big Ten shows that he’s mighty comfortable playing grind-it-out football.
TV INFO: Saturday’s OSU-Minnesota game starts at noon. It will be televised by the Big Ten Network. (The big game in the conference this week is Illinois at Penn State on Saturday night.)
AWARDS TIME: Northmont grad Kurt Coleman, who recorded two interceptions in Saturday’s 28-10 win over Troy, is the Buckeyes’ defensive player of the week.
Quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who threw four touchdowns, is the offensive player of the week. Punter A.J. Trapasso is the special teams player of the week after dropping three punts inside the Troy 10.
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Pryor takes over as Buckeyes QB
Even though his coach won’t say it, Terrelle Pryor is Ohio State’s quarterback. That is obvious now, and Pryor showed he deserved a shot in a solid debut Saturday at a ho-hum Ohio Stadium.
Pryor passed for 139 yards and ran for 66 in a workmanlike 28-10 win over Troy. He threw four touchdown passes. Impressive. But best of all, in Jim Tressel’s eyes, he didn’t turn it over. Pryor’s one interception was a Hail Mary at the end of the first half.
Listening to Tressel last week, he sounded most disturbed that former starter Todd Boeckman had been careless with the football. After Saturday’s game, Tressel said he wished Boeckman would’ve got more than a few snaps, but was careful when someone asked whether Pryor was now OSU’s starter.
“Weren’t you at the game?” Tressel said. “You have to keep doing what you need to do.”
So, how about the new kid?
“It was feeling to me that Terrelle had some rhythm, making some plays with his feet,” Tressel said. “He has a lot of presence back there. He doesn’t get flustered when things aren’t perfect.”
Good quote, and maybe a message directed at Boeckman. And what about his senior QB?
“I wish Todd would’ve got to play more,” Tressel said. “I had a whole column of Todd things (on his play sheet).”
SOME THINGS that jump out on the stat sheet:
— Dan Herron rushed 20 times for 94 yards. Looks like Piqua’s Brandon Saine is officially a third-string tailback. “Boom is a football player. He’s a physical guy and wants the ball,” Tressel said (maybe sending a message to Saine?).
— Troy’s QB completed 30 of 43 passes. That’s a pretty good percentage, and something that has to concern the Buckeyes, who host Minnesota in their Big Ten opener next week.
— Northmont graduate Kurt Coleman intercepted two passes — the first two of his career, including a beauty during which he was undercut by teammate James Laurinaitis. “Kurt Coleman’s a player,” Tressel said. “He flies around and adds energy to a fast defense. We’re better when number 4’s in the game.”
— Just one turnover for the Buckeyes, and it really didn’t count. OSU cut down on turnovers, won the field-position battle (A.J. Trapasso dropped three punts inside the Troy 20), plugged away and won.
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Buckeyes big favorites; time to prove it
Wounded Ohio State is a 20 1/2-point favorite against Troy on Saturday at The Horseshoe. First off, let’s get this out of the way: Troy is from Alabama. From a small town named Troy, in fact. It’s in the southeast part of the state … smack dab in the middle of SEC country!
So, if the Buckeyes pull one out, can they claim a pseudo-victory over the hated Southeastern Conference? Well, probably not, but it’s a start to rebuilding OSU’s psyche.
Troy has a short, fast running back named DuJuan Harris who could cause problems if the Buckeyes come out snoozing. The Trojans have a defensive lineman named Bear Woods. That is truly an awesome name, and this guy someday could be governor of Alabama. And he has two sacks.
That said, Troy’s victories over Middle Tennessee and Alcorn State won’t scare the Buckeyes. And if the Bucks don’t come out angry this week, I don’t know if they ever will.
Two key stats:
— Troy is 1-13 vs. ranked teams since joining Division I-A in 2001. The win was one of those midweek ESPN jobs when they ambushed Missouri 24-14 at home in 2004. So we can assume the Buckeyes will win.
— Troy, Ala., has a population of about 14,000, although the Troy campus has nearly 30,000 students. Still, the site of 100,000 fans in Ohio Stadium should be worth a touchdown.
I’m not real high on this game, but if you must bet — and that might be the only way to stay interested in this matchup — lay the points and root for OSU to score a defensive touchdown.
LAST WEEK: We advised our clients to go long on USC, and the Trojans delivered in decisive fashion.
THE SEASON: 2-0 against the spread.
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Beanie Wells to miss another game
Beanie Wells’ injured foot is getting better, but the Ohio State running back will sit out Saturday’s game against Troy, coach Jim Tressel said on his radio show Thursday.
The junior All-American hasn’t played since the third quarter of the Aug. 29 season-opener against Youngstown State.
“Beanie had a real good workout Tuesday, and we were interested in seeing how he came back Wednesday,” Tressel said. “And then Wednesday, his work was even more and he felt better than he did.
“I’d like to think it won’t be long (before he’s back), but no promises. I can’t promise we’ll have him in a couple weeks.”
As for the quarterback situation, Tressel said freshman Terrelle Pryor is taking 60 percent of the snaps with the first-team offense in practice, while senior Todd Boeckman is getting the other 40.
“We expect it to be a fairly even balance (against Troy). But what happens during the course of the game can dictate a change one way or the other,” Tressel said.
Left guard Steve Rehring is expected to miss several games with a foot injury. Tressel said eight players have been rotating at the five linemen spots, and one option for the Buckeyes is to put center Jim Cordle at guard with freshmen Michael Brewster taking Cordle’s spot.
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Tickets available for Troy game
Here’s a news release you don’t see every day: Ohio State football tickets are available.
THE OSU just sent us a message saying a limited number of tickets for Saturday’s game are available after Troy returned its unsold allotment. Apparently, Troy fans aren’t impressed with the Buckeyes, either.
Tickets can be purchased by going online at OhioStateBuckeyes.com and clicking on “tickets.”
You might have to sit by some folks from Alabama (that’s where Troy is located, FYI), but it might be a nice break after a tough week.
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Tressel: QB job up for grabs
Todd Boeckman or Terrelle Pryor?
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel didn’t announce any change on the depth chart at quarterback during the Big Ten weekly teleconference Tuesday, but he did say both players will compete this week to determine how the playing time will be divvied up for the Troy game Saturday.
“The nice thing is we have three good practices this week, and we’ll have a nice, healthy competition,” Tressel said. “I think Terrelle has shown he has an unusual moxie about him. He didn’t seem to be out of place in that (Southern Cal) football game. He didn’t seem to be in his first game. He seemed to have good presence about him.
“Obviously, the first thing Todd will tell you is that he can’t throw the ball to the other team (with interceptions) — especially if the other team is as good as the one we just played.
“How much playing time happens from here on out will be based in large part on how practice goes and then in large part on how we’re doing on Saturday.”
Tressel also said Chris “Beanie” Wells hasn’t tried to cut on his injured foot since late last week. The star running back will test it rigorously today and be evaluated after that.
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Buckeyes must regroup for Big Ten run
Cleaning up some loose ends from Saturday night’s not-so special performance by THE Ohio State Buckeyes:
— My first question after the game: When was the last time the Buckeyes were held without a touchdown? The answer: Nov. 23,1996, in a 13-9 loss to Michigan. The TD streak was snapped at 141 games.
— I’ve never seen Jim Tressel visibly upset and rattled. He was both in the first half as USC all but delivered a technical knockout by halftime. And Tressel’s speed isn’t what it used to be. I mean, how do you get run down from behind by Erin Andrews? That was one uncomfortable halftime interview.
— The Buckeyes can forget about a national championship after being hammered 35-3. Heck, winning the Big Ten will be a supreme challenge. Suddenly, road games against Wisconsin (Oct. 4), Michigan State (Oct. 18) and Illinois (Nov. 15) look tough, as does a home date against Penn State (Oct. 25).
— Terrelle Pryor? Why not? He’s not Joe Montana, but he can avoid the rush. Todd Boeckman never had a chance.
— “Buckeye Football Weekly with Jim Tressel” airs tonight at 6 on the Big Ten Network. If you have power by then, that might be worth checking out.
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Tressel facing tough decision
Ohio State emerged from a 35-3 blow-out at Southern Cal game with its pride wounded and confidence shaken, and the Buckeyes also left the L.A. Coliseum with another thing no team wants: a quarterback controversy.
Todd Boeckman deserves kudos for his stellar showing last season, leading the Buckeyes to an outright Big Ten title (how many OSU QBs can say that?). But he had another sloppy outing while playing on a big national stage, and back-up Terrelle Pryor proved against the Trojans that he isn’t a typical freshman that needs time to develop.
Pryor’s dual-threat ability even had USC’s snarling defense looking a little uneasy at times. He can turn a broken play into a 12-yard gain quicker than anyone the Buckeyes have had in decades, and his poise, competitive nature and, yes, even his occasional jawing with the opposition shows he wouldn’t be intimated if he were asked to lead a veteran team the rest of the season.
ABC’s Kirk Herbstreit noticed a difference while the Buckeyes were alternating QBs, saying late in the first half that the offense had a better rhythm with Pryor under center.
Given the uncertain status of Beanie Wells and the continued disappointing play of the offensive line, coach Jim Tressel is in a difficult position. He’s loyal to his seniors and no doubt would want to stick with Boeckman, but a suspect running game, a porous O-line and an immobile quarterback are a bad combination.
Other observations from USC’s rout:
* The Buckeyes lost their composure again while facing an elite team. Three false start penalties — two by senior All-Big Ten tackle Alex Boone. Ray Small drops an easy first-down pass. Two holding infractions after driving inside the USC 5-yard line. A makeable field goal gone awry.
And that was just in the first half.
But the truth is, the Buckeyes need to play practically a perfect game to compete with the best of the best, and that’s just not going to happen.
* Could Beanie Wells have made an impact? Probably. Enough to keep the Buckeyes from getting whipped. Uh, not likely.
ABC’s Brent Musberger said midway through the first half: “From what I’ve seen, I don’t think one man could make that big a difference. This is a very, very good USC team.”
Agreed.
* For Buckeye fans, the most disappointing aspect of the night might have been the breakdown of the highly touted defense. Again. The absence of a pass rush and relative lack of speed were glaring.
* Last thing. Not that it would have mattered, but didn’t linebacker Rey Maualuga step out of bounds on the 5-yard line while returning an interception for a TD?
Oh, well. That probably only would have delayed the inevitable.
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It’s official: Beanie’s not playing
It’s Jim Tressel’s decision, via the Columbus Dispatch:
“I’m not sure he’ll ever speak to me again (but) I think it’s the right thing to do,” Tressel said.
Tressel said the decision to not play Wells was his alone after talking the matter over with medical personnel. The coach said he is concerned that letting Wells play might expose him to further risk of injury.
And Buckeye hearts drop everywhere.
This doesn’t guarantee an OSU loss, mind you. It just nudges the assumption in that direction. Think of it this way, Ohio State fans. If the Buckeyes lose, there’s at least a good reason to point to: “Well, Beanie Wells didn’t play. Woulda been a different game if the big guy played.”
Because, even at full strength, it wasn’t looking so good.
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Don’t count the Buckeyes out
The Sporting News is hailing Southern Cal as the most talented college football team ever, and while that claim is a bit of a stretch, of course, the magazine does make a pretty convincing argument that the Trojans may be the most gifted team in the country this year.
Pete Carroll’s squad currently has 18 five-star recruits on the roster, while the other four schools ranked in the top-five — Ohio State (7), Oklahoma (6), Georgia (4) and LSU (4) — have just 21 combined.
But let’s not ship the national title trophy to L.A. just yet.
I was reading a piece by former Auburn coach Terry Bowden on Rivals.com today, and he pointed out that Phil Steele’s College Football Preview — perhaps the most respected publication of its kind — had Ohio State rated higher than USC at every position group on offense and defense before the season.
Yes, OSU will suffer a cruel blow if Beanie Wells can’t play — and I don’t see coach Jim Tressel putting his star at risk for just one game — but there’s talent galore at other positions.
Does that mean the Buckeyes have a shot Saturday night? Bowden thinks they do.
“Although I agree completely with where these teams are ranked right now, let me assure you of one thing: Come Saturday, these teams will be ready to play - except maybe an injured Chris Wells.
“This game will be as close and exciting as most of us thought it would be three weeks ago. It’s a toss-up that most likely will be decided at the end of the game by less than a field goal.
“So who is going to win? I picked Ohio State to win a few weeks ago, and in spite of Beanie Wells’ status I see no reason to change my mind now.”
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USC is a strong favorite (lay the points)
USC is favored by 10 1/2 points in Saturday’s much-hyped football get-together with Ohio State. At least they were before Jim Tressel dropped the bombshell about Chris Wells’ “doubtful” status prior to boarding the plane for sunny California on Thursday.
This not good. A colleague joked (I think) about putting Terrelle Pryor at tailback. That sounds like desperation, and the Buckeyes could be a desperate bunch at halftime if they’re down by more than a touchdown (likely).
That, in a nutshell, is why I’d lay the points and put my money on the Trojans (even though I’m a Midwestern guy who prefers steak over Cali quiche). The Buckeyes’ heads will be spinning back to LSU and Florida if they fall behind. They’re damaged goods, folks.
Southern California is full of overpriced psychiatrists, and Tressel might want to look into a group session before his team takes the field at the L.A. Coliseum.
OSU’s plodding offense is not made to come from behind. USC’s offense is made to score at will. And do you really think Pete Carroll will let off the gas and let the Buckeyes score a couple late TDs to make things respectable? Don’t think so.
Here are two more stats that seal the deal, even if the spread balloons to 14:
— USC has won its last seven games against the Big Ten … by an average spread of 27.8 points.
— Ohio State is 21-6 vs. ranked teams since 2002, but USC is even better — 23-4 vs. the Top 25 in that same time span.
LAST WEEK: We advised our clients to take the 34 points and Ohio U. Cha-ching!
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USC players just discovered Penn State is a member of the Big Ten
Adam Maya, a reporter at the Orange County Register, wanted to have a little fun the week of the Ohio State-USC football game, so he cornered a few Trojans players and played trivia. The second question seemed simple enough. How many teams are in the Big Ten?
RB Stafon Johnson: “Ten”
WR Damian Williams: “Ten”
DT Fili Moala: “Ten. … No? … Nevermind”
It is kind of a trick question, of course, even though the conference has slipped the numerical 11 into the Big Ten logo. Don’t take from this that USC players are stupid, because that’s not the case at all. Many of them didn’t grow up anywhere near the Midwest (although Williams is from Arkansas).
College football players aren’t always college football fans. When they’re away from football, they get away from football. Or, they’re keeping a close eye on the Pac-10 instead.
It’s just another way, though, that Big Ten and Ohio State fans can play the underdog card, saying that the rest of the country doesn’t respect them.
There was one other funny answer. Johnson had a good line when he was asked what a buckeye is: “I thought it was some kind of soldier.”
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Halftime with the Big Ten Network
The Big Ten Network knows a good thing when it sees it. If you’d rather not watch ABC’s halftime coverage of OSU-USC on Saturday night, you can flip over to what the BTN is calling: Big Ten Tonight: Halftime Special.
Big Ten Tonight’s Dave Revsine, Gerry DiNardo and Howard Griffith will chat about the first half of the OSU-USC game (and hopefully it’ll be close) and show highlights from other Big Ten games. Big Ten Tonight also will air following the OSU game.
“This type of in-depth, as-it-happens coverage is what the Big Ten Network strives to be about,” Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman said. “No other network covers the Big Ten like we do.”
True, Mark. You can’t see Big Ten cross country highlights anywhere else.
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No, your momma. No! Your Momma!
We begin this post — a highlight of the insult-riddled and disrespect-driven undercurrent to this weekend’s Ohio State-USC football game — with our friend Ray Small, the Buckeyes receiver who apparently was good enough at Cleveland’s Glenville High School to be recruited by USC. Asked about USC recently by ESPN.com, Small offered a few thoughts. Among them, he said:
“I took my visit to USC, I’m like, ‘How are they successful? They’re not even serious about the game,’ ” Small said. “Before the game, they’re all going crazy. Me and [defensive end] Rob Rose was on the visit and I’m looking like, ‘Wow.’
“And then the coach said, ‘You better get out of here. It’s ‘bout to get hectic.’ “
There’s more.
It’s “a class thing. Here at Ohio State, they teach you to be a better man. There, it’s just all about football.”
(Wince.) Jim Tressel, it’s time to freak out. Not only are the USC Trojans the best college football team in this country, one of your players (who, we might add, has been in and out of Tressel’s dog house since he got to the campus anyway) has just told them that they’re crappy people. Folks in Hollywoodland think the same about the Buckeyes.
No one at USC has said that. But the view from L.A. is clear in this column from Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times (I’ll give Mr. Plaschke a good amount of space on this one):
Don’t get me started.
I’m still furious at the Buckeyes for ruining the last two national championship games by failing to show up in either.
I’m sick of annually watching them awkwardly slog their way to the top of the polls by winning a conference that has become college football’s version of the International League.
And, yeah, at the end of that 2002 national championship game against Miami? Bad call. That was not pass interference. Period.
It’s not that slow, boring, overrated football bothers me. Hey, during the Pete Carroll era, I’ve sat through entire bowl games featuring Iowa, Michigan and Illinois.
Deep breath.
It’s as if Ohio State folks believe they invented the game, while USC has only exploited it.
Ohio State plays football, USC entertains with it. Ohio State teaches football, USC taunts with it.
Blah, blah, blah.
This is why a lot off folks around the Ohio State program feel like the rest of the country is against them. The rest of the country would say the Buckeyes bring it on themselves.
(Rubbing hands together.)
This is getting interesting.
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What role will Pryor play against USC?
Heard a short Jim Tressel interview on ESPN Radio today. Tressel talked with Colin Cowherd, one of the most deep-thinking guys on the dial.
Reading between the lines, it sounds like Ohio State will unveil freshman QB Terrelle Pryor on the national stage Saturday night against USC. He won’t start, of course, but he’ll have to pitch in. That might come as a mild surprise, considering how Pryor was pretty much Super-Glued to the sideline last week against Ohio U.
“We won’t hesitate at all if the situation is right,” Tressel said when asked about using Pryor. “He’ll find the speed he’ll see will be faster. It will be much different that training camp, but he’ll adjust.”
I think Ohio State has to use a few tricks to win. I recall Nebraska’s trip to USC a couple years ago. The Huskers had no chance, but went deep into the playbook and used a fake punt and other assorted hi-jinks. They got killed, but stayed in it early and made things interesting.
Cowherd asked Tressel if it was fair to label the OSU offense as conservative.
“It probably is,” Tressel said. “I’ve never felt being conservative is a negative. … I’d rather be called conservative than reckless.”
Asked if he were a little concerned about the Buckeyes’ lackluster performance last week, Tressel answered, “I was a lot concerned.”
I think that qualifies as a joke for OSU’s coach.
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Looks like Beanie will play against USC
Jim Tressel chatted with the media moments ago on the weekly Big Ten teleconference. The third question was about Chris Wells, the Buckeyes’ injured star running back. Here’s what Tressel had to say:
“Based on what I saw yesterday (Monday) he’s running well. The key is how well he’s able to practice in the back half of the week. I’ll be anxious to see how much soreness he has after yesterday’s workout. I was encouraged.”
Later, at his weekly media luncheon, Tressel said that Wells would practice Wednesday.
“The (trainers will) let him do a lot of football things without people around,” Tressel said, “and then tomorrow they’ll let him be in the fray.”
Other nuggets from Tressel:
— He called the chance to play USC “a privilege” and said “maybe we’ve been thinking about it too much, who knows?”
Comment: Closest thing to an excuse Tressel will give about the Buckeyes’ poor performance against Ohio U.
— On USC’s improved vertical passing game: “Everything begins with protection. If you let Mark Sanchez stand in, he’s going to hurt you.”
Translation: The Buckeyes need to put that pretty boy on his butt.
— On the point spread (USC is a 10-point favorite): “I didn’t know until you just mentioned it that that was the point spread or whatever. I don’t know if we can invest a lot of time into that. … We know we’re playing a great football team. Quite honestly I didn’t know anything about it.”
Comment: I’m surprised the words “point spread” crossed Tressel’s lips.
— On carrying the battered Big Ten banner into arguably the biggest early-season matchup of 2008: “Every time we play another conference, you’re always carrying your league’s banner. We feel that way, especially with all the notice this game has.”
Comment: It would be nice if the Big Ten could win a big nonconference tilt. The other big ones Saturday are Michigan at Notre Dame and Wisconsin at Fresno State.
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Carroll ideal coach for Southern California
Southern Cal coach Pete Carroll has a lot to sell to recruits — great tradition, gorgeous weather, access to Hollywood, the Pacific Ocean and a program that attracts more celebrities to games than the rest of the nation combined.
But Carroll also deserves credit for USC’s resurgence. In a culture that promotes an easy-going lifestyle, Carroll is the perfect.
Unlike Ohio State’s Jim Tressel, who runs a tight ship — controlling most every aspect of his team — Carroll has always seemed like a practice-is-optional kind of guy.
“If you look at the two coaches, they’re different,” OSU cornerback Malcolm Jenkins said. “Coach Tressel is a laid-back guy, kind of conservative. He wears sweater vests and things like that.
“You look at the other coach, and he’s out there having fun with his guys. You can tell they’re more loose as far as how they play the games and how they prepare. They’re two styles of football, and both are successful. There’s more than one way to skin a cat.”
Jenkins insists he’s comfortable with Tressel’s way of doing things.
“That’s how my coaches have always been — pretty conservative. You say the right things, do the right things. … That’s all I know.
“I’m not sure if I would fit in USC’s program or not. I’m not saying anything is wrong with it, but it’s a lot different than what I’ve experienced.”
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Trash-talking Buckeyes, Trojans … kind of
Don’t expect to see a lot of bulletin-board material this week as we feed the OSU-USC hype machine. But in our quest to find something, anything, that qualifies as college football rivals ripping each other, we came up with the following tidbits.
Buckeye wide receiver Roy Small spouted off to ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg about USC. Small visited USC on a recruiting trip in high school.
“As I took my visit to USC, I’m like, ‘How are they successful? They’re not even serious about the game,’ ” Small said. “Before the game, they’re all going crazy. Me and (OSU defensive end) Rob Rose was on the visit and I’m looking like, ‘Wow.’ And then the coach said, ‘You better get out of here. It’s ‘bout to get hectic.’
“And then I come (to OSU) on the visit and before the game it’s all quiet, everybody getting taped, coaches talking. It’s the total opposite.”
Small’s parting shot: “Here at Ohio State, they teach you to be a better man. There, it’s just all about football.”
From the other sideline, we offer the comments of USC fullback Stanley Havili in Sporting News Today. When asked about the Buckeyes defense, he said:
“Obviously they’re great. Their linebackers are physical and fast. Their defensive speed is very impressive. They’re smart football players.
“But from what I’ve watched, they’re not anything more special or on a higher scale than what we face in practice with our ones.”
OK, maybe some bad grammar by both players, but nothing off the charts. And you could argue that Havili’s comments are extremely positive, because Southern Cal’s defense probably could shut down the Bengals.
Maybe Jim Tressel will say that the Trojans are overrated and predict a 30-point OSU win. Maybe not.
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$5,000 to see Ohio State-USC game?
A quick check of Stub Hub’s web site this morning reveals that there are thousands of tickets for the OSU-USC game on the market. In fact, the number of available tickets on the site jumped from 3,470 to 3,485 in about 30 seconds.
Tickets on the 50-yard line are going for as much as $5,000 apiece. That’s where the Hollywood types will sit. If you’re from the Midwest, you might be snapping up the seats in the upper corner going for a cool $127.50.
Talked to local attorney Anne Frayne today. She’s going to the game, and she’s taking her two sons. What a great mom! She bought tickets for $285 apiece up high in the end zone. Face value was $75, so that’s not bad.
Anne will also see the sites — Hollywood, Disneyland, Santa Monica Beach — and says “I’m going to wear Buckeye attire everywhere I go.”
Good luck, Anne.
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Southern Cal must be licking its chops
We’ve seen Ohio State play uninspired football before, so the Buckeyes’ 26-14 victory over Ohio U isn’t a reason to panic. Or is it?
Jim Tressel wasn’t real happy with his team’s performance. Among the insight he shared with reporters afterward:
“Obviously you were there as well as we were, and I guess the way that I would take a nutshell look at it would be, it kind of looked like everyone predicted you might look like in between your opener and your big “national stage game,” which is disappointing.”
Pretty much sums it up. My wife was so fired-up she fell asleep on the couch in the second half, when the Buckeyes actually resembled a ranked team.
Five thoughts about the Bucks, who officially can look ahead to next Saturday night’s nationally televised mega-showdown against USC:
1) Maybe OSU should change its scheduling strategy and go with more than one BCS conference opponent before the Big Ten kicks in. The Buckeyes just look like zombies when they play against the MAC, or teams from similar conferences.
These types of games won’t end anytime soon, though. The next year that OSU plays two real BCS league foes in nonconference play will be 2012, when Cincinnati and California are on the schedule.
Give OSU points for playing the big boys (USC, Texas, Notre Dame, Miami coming up in 2010), but too much MAC, Conference USA or Division I-AA is a tough sell — to the fans and players.
2) It’s encouraging to see the defense get after it. Four interceptions is a positive sign. OSU’s defense appears stout enough to keep the Bucks in any game. But it needs help from the offense, which brings us to …
3) Todd Boeckman needs to step up against USC, although I’m not sure he’ll ever deliver more than he already has. If Boeckman — who threw for only 110 yards against Ohio — falters in the L.A. Coliseum, the Start Terrelle Pryor Club will grow like weeds in my garden.
Boeckman has not been impressive for several games, but if he can perform well against a USC defense loaded with future NFL players, the murmurs will subside.
4) Pryor didn’t get enough snaps Saturday, the most unfortunate byproduct of surprisingly close game. I gotta believe Jim Tressel wanted to get him more action. He did say that Pryor was going in with OSU clinging to a 19-14 lead in the fourth quarter, but Ray Small’s punt return for a TD ruined the dramatic moment.
5) Ohio U’s gotta be kicking itself. Its starting QB got knocked out early and the Bobcats turned it over five times. What would’ve happened had the boys from Athens played a perfect game? Scary thought.
The Buckeyes will need more than a healthy Beanie Wells next week.
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Buckeyes won’t cover spread against Ohio U
Ohio State is a 34-point favorite Saturday against Ohio University. If Jim Tressel’s history against the Mid-American Conference is any indication, I doubt the Buckeyes will cover.
My advice: Take the points.
Tressel is 9-0 against the MAC since taking over in Columbus in 2000. Only twice have the Buckeyes defeated a MAC foe by more than four touchdowns during that span — both times against Kent State, including a 48-3 thumping last year.
The spreads in the other seven games: 14, 7, 3 (remember Mike Nugent’s long field to beat Marshall in 2004?), 20, 23, 28, 18.
OSU hasn’t play Ohio since 1999, a 40-16 victory, and the Buckeyes are 5-0 all-time against the Bobcats.
I keep going back to last year’s 20-2 snoozer over Akron. And, hey, ESPN wouldn’t televise this game if the brains in Bristol thought it would be 48-7, right?
I don’t think the game will be close, but Ohio U is a step up from Youngstown State, and the Buckeyes’ running game will be average at best without Beanie Wells.
And Tressel will still be working Terrelle Pryor into the lineup, which means some disruption at the QB spot. Pryor, a freshman, probably is feeling pretty full of himself after last week’s impressive performance. He’ll learn a lesson Saturday, which will help him get down to business when OSU goes to USC.
Some off-the-field tidbits about Saturday’s game:
— Honorary captain for the Buckeyes is Dave Foley, an All-America offensive lineman from Springfield and Ohio State’s only three-time Academic All-American (1966-68).
— Olympic basketball gold medalist and former Buckeye Michael Redd will be recognized at halftime.
— Inductees to the Varsity O Hall of Fame will also be honored at halftime; the induction dinners are Friday night.
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It’s official: Beanie Wells won’t play Saturday
Jim Tressel made it official on his weekly call-in show: Chris Wells won’t play Saturday when Ohio State hosts Ohio U.
Jim Lachey popped the question about Wells, and the answer to the query about Beanie’s injured right foot was no surprise.
“I think it’s coming along really well,” Tressel said. “We won’t have him this week.
“He seems to move around well, not well enough to practice, and if you don’t practice I think you’re asking for trouble.”
No word on Wells’ status for the Sept. 13 showdown at Southern California.
Running backs coach Dick Tressel told reporters Wednesday night that Wells’ injury is at the base of his big toe, and that he has been in and out of the protective boot he’s been wearing.
A trio of tailbacks will take handoffs this week. Jim Tressel mentioned Mo Wells’ name first — and he is slated to start against the Bobcats. Dan Herron and Piqua’s Brandon Saine will also carry the football.
“If there’s an upside (to Beanie’s injury) it’s that the other guys get a lot of reps,” Tressel said. “That’s important — especially for Brandon, because he missed 20 practices or so. He really needed the work.”
Saine, Ohio’s Mr. Football in 2006, missed much of the preseason with the injury. He carried five times for 20 yards last week.
In other OSU injury news, The Columbus Dispatch reports that left tackle Alex Boone has a skin infection that has limited him in practice this week. No word on whether Boone will keep Beanie company on the sideline Saturday.
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Tressel probably won’t party with reporters
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel joked with reporters this week about what he could do with his $1 million raise. Hey, anything to avoid those Beanie Wells questions.
Tressel joked at his Tuesday news conference that he might throw a party for reporters (not likely), then mentioned that he’d like to “hopefully give it away.”
Tressel has a clause in his contract that guarantees him a faculty position at OSU when he retires from coaching. Any subjects he’d like to tackle?
“I was certified to teach math coming out of college, but I couldn’t even help my kids when they were in fourth grade,” Tressel said.
Hey, I know the feeling. My fifth-grader mentioned something about “prime numbers” last night and the only digits that came to mind were 36-24-34.
BIG TEN MUSINGS
The Big Ten went 7-3 last week (Purdue didn’t schedule a late-August scrimmage) and the best win might’ve been Northwestern’s 30-10 thumping of Syracuse. At least the Orangemen are from an official BCS conference (Big East).
Kudos to Illinois for meeting Missouri in St. Louis, but there are rumblings that the ADs at those border schools don’t like the neutral-site game.
Some of the Big Ten’s Week 1 foes included Coastal Carolina, Akron, Western Kentucky and Northern Illinois. Sounds like UD’s nonconference basketball schedule.
This week, there are more lower-level D-I opponents. The best game on the slate is Penn State hosting Oregon State, which lost to Stanford. The only other BCS conference matchup: Northwestern visits Duke, and that hardly counts.
NUMBERS
373 … Joe Paterno’s career victory total. JoePa is tied with Florida State’s Bobby Bowden for No. 1 on the all-time list. Wonder how long the stare-down between these two senior citizens will last.
799 … Ohio State’s victory total. The exclusive 800 Club awaits Saturday when Ohio U visits The Shoe. Will JoePa stick around and try to catch the Buckeyes?
451 … Passing yards last Saturday night for Illinois QB Juice Williams, who really isn’t a great passer. The Illini came up short against Missouri, 52-42, and Big 12 QBs are licking their chops.
50 … Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio hits the big 5-0 Saturday. A win against Eastern Michigan will make a nice birthday present. Dantonio, who looks like Bill Belichick and never smiles, was THE OSU’s defensive coordinator before he went to UC, then East Lansing.
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Buckeyes’ Wells is doubtful for Saturday’s game
Jim Tressel is a master at playing dumb while looking like a genius. The latest example of this extraordinary gift came today during the Ohio State coach’s weekly news conference. Tressel was asked about Chris Wells’ foot injury — you know, what it is, exactly? — and deflected the query like a lobbed pass into the wind.
“I can’t even think of the word … his foot’s hurting,” Tressel said while alluding to long medical terms that most of us have never heard. “I’m still in the ‘his foot hurts’ era.”
That said, Wells is doubtful for Saturday’s game against Ohio, although Tressel said Wells told him “he feels great.”
Wells went down in the third quarter of Saturday’s 43-0 pasting of Youngstown State. I’m fairly sure the Buckeyes can get past Ohio U without Wells. But that Week 3 trip to USC might be another matter.
“I’m hoping he can get back in there as soon as possible,” Tressel said, speaking for an entire state of OSU crazies.
As for tearing up the game plan for the Bobcats from Athens, Tressel said backup running backs Brandon Saine, Dan Herron and Mo Wells will be running familiar plays.
“We won’t do a bunch of different things. We’re not going to change conceptually. It’s just different people,” Tressel said.
