Recent Comments

I had no idea if this was a Tech or Buckeye fan until I read the username.

I both agree with you, and disagree.

Yes, Virginia Tech at Blacksburg has a small community, small town "homey" feel to it. It's beautiful location in the mountains and friendly locals add to that.

BUT (and I think this is what the author was getting at) once you are a Hokie you join a "fraternity" where every other person who is or has been a Hokie is a member. You are part of a large family of people who despite various differences all have something in common, a love and respect for our University and by extension, each other. At Virginia Tech it's not just a saying when you say "Once a Hokie, Always a Hokie", it's the truth of life.

Nope Nope nope! This is why so many crimes take so long to solve. You know someone has committed a crime speak up.

Not to mention both of our starting wideouts were true fr., along with a red-shirt fr. Bucky Hodges.

Thanks, Techman. Glad to hear that the other Buckeye visitors have largely been respectful and I hope that continues. I'm obviously not very excited to lose 4 important players but if last year was any indication of the team's ability to handle adversity I think they'll be OK.

This is my first comment here at "The Key Play", but I've been lurking for a while. By the way, I'm not one of those Kool-aid drinking Buckeyes who believes this game will necessarily be a blow-out - in spite of how well our team played in the post-season. I'm fully aware that Virginia Tech is a solid program. If you guys are interested in some input from an old Buckeye - here goes.

There's no way any team can lose a player of Bosa's caliber and not feel it. Sure, the coaches are very high on Tyquan Lewis, Sam Hubbard, and Jalyn Holmes - but they're all inexperienced and they all lack Bosa's power. Each of them may be a touch quicker, however - so it's not like it's an enormous step down in every aspect.

When Ohio State played Virginia Tech last season, Jalin Marshall (as a redshirt freshman) was splitting reps with Dontre Wilson. Marshall didn't have the opportunity to really take over at H-back until after Wilson was lost to injury during the Michigan State game.

Marshall was one of many young Buckeyes who did not have the same kind of impact against the Hokies he might have had if the game had been played later in the season. You can call it an excuse if you like - but it happens to be true

In any case, OSU is absolutely jammed with talent at H-back this year. During Spring practice, the coaches experimented with Marshall at wide receiver to make room for a couple of up-and-coming playmakers at H. This was before Braxton Miller's shoulder forced him to switch from QB.

The Buckeyes might not have improved at H-back - but they just got a little quicker with this announcement. Believe it or not - Braxton Miller, Curtis Samuel and Paris Campbell are each a step faster than Jalin Marshall.

Wide receiver, Corey Smith has a ton of potential, but he was a little disappointing last season. He was probably going to be losing snaps to one or more of the younger receivers, anyway.

Again - I am in no way suggesting these suspensions won't hurt - especially, Bosa. But forunately for the Buckeyes, every player in question, plays a position where they are particularly deep this year. If a defensive tackle, a corner or a tight end had been involved, it would be a completely different story.

To boil this match-up down to it's simplest parts - I look at it this way. Virginia Tech has a great defense (one thing I'm sure we can all agree on at this site). Ohio State has a great offense - and - a great defense. Special teams look like they're about a wash. (Although, I must add - I've always been curious to see what Miller might be capable of as a punt returner)

As much as I admire Bud Foster, I'm not sold on VT's offensive coordinator so much. So while many of my fellow Buckeyes will be focusing on our offense - I believe the game will be won by our defense. Even without Joey Bosa -

That he doesn't shy away from hits is the issue. How can you say that injury isn't a concern when he's been hurt 6 times (to varying degrees) and missed 17 total games because of it?
thttp://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2013/09/braxton_millers_durabilit...

The cadets took a good beating in '96.

My guess is Saban delegates his voting to Finebaum.

Yeah I'll take them out as well. Nice write up about it though.

I think the loss of the WRs favors us because if we load up to stop the run and can limit Elliot then you improvens against one of the top secondaries in the nation and one of the best duos of facyson and fuller. They both played last year against osu and are both very experienced talented players in the secondary.

Soooo....if we can limit Elliot and play shut-down against inexperienced receivers I think it helps us tremendously. But as you say boss is probably the biggest loss as his backup isn't as vaunted as he is and allows us to not have to focus on where he is on the field.

Wait - Herbie is giving us love again?