College Football Live discusses the Ohio State Suspensions. No only do they think OSU still wins, but that they could loose 4-6 more players and still win.
Edit: Audio, approximately 42 minutes long.
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About 1/3 of the way through they start discussing Techs defense and call VT a potential 9-10 win team. So they do give VT credit, but they don't see any way we win against OSU.
We already beat them WITH these 4 players last year. Both teams had a new qb, they had a new O-line, we had a new D-line, we had new running backs, wide receivers, and a new tight end we barely had any experience on offense. Their only injury was Miller and ours was Cline. That team had more experience and big names than ours did, yet we still won. But their fans and ESPN forget this fact and talk trash as bad as last year. If Miller being out hurt them that bad last year these 4 will hurt them worse. I hate hearing they had a new O-line, because it was a new D-line that annihilated that O-line and both qb's were new.
I forgot to mention we had O-lineman injured before the season even began, Shuman and Benedict.
And the Teller House of Pancakes hadn't opened yet.
VT was also missing Trey Edmunds -- its leading rusher from the previous season.
And Facyson was far from full strength.
The beauty is all the experience our backups got last year, and the promising redshirt freshman and true freshman we have this year, I am definitely expecting big things, so glad Loeffler has a qb for a 2nd year in a row to work with and an o-line coach for a 2nd year in a row to work with!
Look, I'm with ya, but we don't need no more talkin' (or grammar police). We need to just get down to business. If the coaches want it, the players want it, then however hard we must work, we must work that much harder.
does anyone else believe that this is urban Meyers strategy to get by the toughest game on his schedule unscathed by keeping these four players out, the four best players they have, I think it's his strategy cuz he knows if he wins or loses this game he still has a chance to go to the national why not pull the four best players 3 on off, 1 on defense, and keep them from potentially getting hurt for the rest of the season because they have a creampuff schedule they play nobody except us and Michigan State and we are going to be a handful they're not going to know what hit them just like in the horseshoe, HOKIES!!!!
no.. this wasn't a coaches decision more of a schools decision.. all meyer did was agree with the suspensions that came down from higher authority's
No.
Yes Sir!, you're right on the money about that, I agree 100% yeah, when I heard that, I couldn't believe my ears, they could lose four to six more players, and still pull it off in Blacksburg, right then made me really wonder if these people really knew what they were talking about when it comes to college football
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I could see how they think that we'll still lose..
...but the bit about losing MORE players and still winning is downright insulting.
Can't wait to hear ESPN explaining how they were wrong! I actually like them talking like that because I expect Bud and Lefty to be telling their platoons the world is against you boys.
Good God if there's ever been a game with more locker room material, I haven't seen it. We straight up beat these guys, there was no question which was the better team that night, and we still are double digit underdogs in our own stadium. This has a '95 Sugar Bowl feel as far as the level of statement that our program could make.
I concur sir
Me too, way more than just ESPN everybody, I haven't heard one person take us yet, has anyone else?, all I keep hearing is there's no way Ohio State is going to lose this game, I think BS everytime I hear that, No respect for who are Coach is and for what our program is, and has been.
They & Urban talked about having the locker room culture to lose 1 game or some players and still get to the playoff; but I haven't heard it put this way:
If they lose to Virginia Tech twice, is that something they'll be able to mentally overcome? We have all this talent and chemistry and we won the national championship and we now have experience, but why can't we beat those guys?
That would really come into play if we met them in the post season.
OOOOh, now wouldn't THAT be something?
They'd claim they would roll us by 50 in the rematch because they'd have the suspended players back.
Them not having these players in the game is some insurance to get them in the playoffs especially when they roll straight through their cream puff conference games, because you know there's no more computers it's all the human element and the human element will take that into regards and catapult them rite into the playoff.
The suspensions will ultimately mean very little once the game gets here. There's nothing that can be done to get those guys on the field for game one, so Ohio State has to just man up and move on. Obviously missing Bosa hurts, and Marshall moved outside in the Spring which will be a pretty sizeable loss since he played well down the field late in the year in 2014 and made huge plays.
There is plenty of young talent that will have to work hard and develop, but that's what Urban Meyer loves in his programs: competition. There are at least 4 defensive ends and 7 WR/H-Backs that are chomping at the bit to get a chance. They won't have the experience and talent of Bosa and Marshall, but they are talented enough to be place holders and hopefully make a play or two.
No excuses, next man up. Best of luck.
it's pretty funny to hear all of you saying that your team go better and your players have gotten better down the stretch of last year, why is that? cuz you guys were playing lesser opponents no one to the caliber of Us VT we were the best team you saw last year that's why you lost at home, where you guys had like a what 65-68 home game winning streak against non-conference opponents, and Urban Meyer's first loss in the horseshoe ever, that was a historic day! HOKIES!
Eh, I find it hard to argue that our team last year was a better caliber than Oregon and Bama. We did, remember, lose rather pathetically to Wake.
While we played very well against OSU and earned that win, let's not get carried away. Last season proved that while we can beat the best, we can also lose to the worst.
Dagnabbit! This is the second time this week I've taken a troll's bait.
This is a joke post right?
new account: check
obnoxiously pro VT: check
fake twitter handle: check
my money is on troll
You sayin' that's a bad thing?
there's fans, then there's people going over the top in an attempt to seem like fans.
it's nice when the trolls do us the favor of posting multiple times. Easier to get the requisite 25 down votes.
on top of that, the moderators didnt even have to lift a finger. High fives all around guys.
I figured I would let you guys have your fun with this one.
I'm really worried we are going to get curb stomped by Ohio State. The OSU team that won the national championship is a significantly better OSU team than we faced in week 2. Hate hate hate all ya want but those are the facts. We caught them off guard. Now they are pissed and are going to destroy us worse than Miami did last year. I am terrified but also so excited for this game... Just hope it's a game and not a blowout by halftime.
I keep going back and forth about how I think this game will play out. Add in the suspensions and it closes the gap and creates more uncertainty for a team that was really experienced with young talent.
The thing that y'all have going for you is three-fold IMO:
1) A stout defensive line and elite defensive backfield (if you have all your guys available and healthy)
2) Bud Foster
3) Not being intimidated knowing that you beat us on our own turf last year
I think that #3 is being understated. VT was young last year just like Ohio State but they didn't have the depth to overcome a slew of injuries as the year went on as y'all know. But this VT team won't be intimidated and they'll have a loud home crowd behind them.
Obviously the game could get out of hand if Ohio State is clicking 100% on offense and able to dictate the pace to the VT defense. I really don't see that happening though unless VT can't stop the run. Elliot will obviously be very key this year, and probably get more carries in the first quarter than he had the entire game in 2014 (8 carries).
I don't see a blowout unless it happens late in garbage time for the above 3 reasons.
Everywhere I turn all I see is commentary about the OSU offense vs the VT defense. I'm interested to see how the OSU defense holds up to the VT offense. Last year, with an extremely inexperienced and young offense we were still able to make some plays against you. I expect our offense to be better this year and I'm interested to see that match-up. I think most people and prognosticators have 0 respect for the VT offense (and can you really blame them?) lending to the general consensus that if Urban solves the Bud Foster riddle this game will be a blowout. But what if....just what if...somehow the VT offense dictates the game? What if VT scores early and quickly...what if this game turns into a barn burner and comes down to who has the ball at the end of the game? Nobody would expect that...right?
The issue I see there is that the Ohio State defense never even really started clicking until the Michigan State game last year. Everyone was scoring points on us in the first half of the year. If Ohio State can pick-up generally where they ended last year as far understanding the defensive backfield schemes that Chris Ash brought in (cover 4 mainly), then they should be able to do pretty well against a perhaps improved, but not very high octane VT offense.
This game could easily turn into a track meet if Ohio State has an issue getting to Brewer once in a while (and with Bosa out, that could certainly be a concern) but our back 7 are probably better than last year's version that handled Alabama and dominated Oregon. I don't see that happening. The more likely scenario for a VT win IMO, is a 24-17 game where Ohio State really struggles converting 3rd and medium like we did last year, and VT picking up 3rd down after 3rd down and frustrating our back 7 if we can't get pressure.
I don't think it's reasonable to have any expectation for our offense. We've seen it clicking (OSU, Cincy) and anemic (Wake, Miami). Who the hell knows what we'll see? I don't expect our offense to dictate the game.
Wow really!, that is crap you need to turn off ESPN, you'll see. Bud will have something else up his sleeve that Urben hasnt seen, I don't know where you're from but don't forget the game is in Blacksburg, just remember, what we lost last season many key players, and a raw 1st yr QB, the Big Ten is a soft conference and the media loves Urban Meyer and the Ohio State Buckeyes, they've already won and the game hasn't been played yet, look on the bright side we have Bud, Beamer Ball and 18 returning players the most in the country, oh ya its in Lane. Peace!
I think VT is going to be surprised at the ferocity that Ohio State is going to come in with.
As long as VT comes in loose like they did last year, and aren't surprised when Ohio State shows up like it's "for real", I think they'll do fine.
But VT really can't come in overconfident. Just confident enough. Just like last year. With any luck, some things will work for them this year, also like last year.
If Bud's defense can shut them down, and VT shows up with an offense and a loose Michael Brewer, that will be quite the game. Lane Stadium will rock if it's a real game.
Otherwise, it could be a long night.
It's the first game of the year, at home, at night, against the defending national champions. If Frank and Bud can't make VT understand that Ohio State is coming in with something to prove and they aren't ready to play, then they just wouldn't deserve to win.
I highly doubt that's the case. Especially with all the quotes from 3rd parties about how VT doesn't stand a chance against us. It's the perfect storm for a great football game.
while I was reading your post the bottom portion of this gif (with the subtitles) was hidden from view and I thought this guy was saying "yeah boy!!"
I welcome the arrogant comments from Ohio State.
It just adds to the motivation for VT.
there's no time for those type of comments from a team that got their ass kicked last year
OSU still is not settled on a QB.
JTB was easily aggitated and lost his cool early last year. CJ is great but lacks mobility and has never been harrased by a VT defense. His long ball will be picked if our front 8 can get pressure.
As far as our offense, they have to be better. Yes last year there were bounces that went our way, but OSU had the home field and every other advantage. It is important to score first.
I think Urban Meyer is a baby, and will try too many trick or gimmick lineups to help him cope with last year's loss.
I think OSU is planning to win and will get too cute for a bud foster defense. Meyer will lose this game on playcalling alone.
Mark it down.
Once JT got into a rhythm later in the season he was pretty unflappable and showing he is a starting DIV 1 QB. He's real good at developing plays and putting the ball at the right spot at the right time. 12 Gauge is a bit less polished but a more bruising runner, he's the short yardage goal line guy because ehe is a running as well as a passing threat and will hit you right in the mouth and drag you 5 more yards, whereas the other two are more of a make you miss runner.
I agree your O needs to be better but our D improved significantly since we played you and I think it is better overall this year than last year at this tim; even without Bosa. Washington is a beast and will cause you problems on the line.
I doubt we get cute. We're going to run the ball on the backs of Zeke and Samuel, with some jets weeps and passes to keep your D honest. Do we try a trick play? Maybe, but if we can establish a running game we'll ride that as long as it works. UM is one of the best coaches in college ball right now, and I'm confident he'll play to our strengths without resorting to gimmicks. I think he'll test your backfield to see if it is as good as advertised; but we're a run first team so I expect him to run 60 - 70% of the time; unless for some reason your pass protection falls apart.
As for not being settled on a QB, that's a function of having 3 really good ones, not because none has stood out as a playmaker. That's a lot different then wondering which of 3 guys will be good enough to win.
I'll throw a little different interpretation out there. Is there much evidence that QBs in Urban Meyer's system are anything more than products of the system (like what is debated about air raid and accepted as a given with option QBs)? Now that certainly speaks to Urban Meyer having an excellent system that produces loads of success at the collegiate level, but it also could suggest that a defense with the right coaching (scheme) and players stands a decent chance at slowing down Meyer's offense regardless of the guy taking the snaps.
In the case of Miller, who was recruited by Tressel, he had already won accolades in the BIG before Meyer got there. I think UM's system definitely takes advantage of all available athleticism and turns out Offenseive juggernauts. They recruit for H Backs for Petes sake! Their use of Samuel will be key I think. UM gained much more confidence in him by the end of the season.
They're system quarterbacks to some degree, but J.T. Barrett is legit. He doesn't have the biggest arm and he can work on accuracy and reading defenses some, but he should have the latter two completely solved by the end of his junior year or so and be incredibly, scary good. I'll be surprised if he doesn't win a Heisman in his career if he stays healthy. I'm glad we get him early in his career.
I agree JT if healthy will be scary.
Samuel was recruited as an H-Back but was moved to RB because Meyer thought he could get him on the field there. From reports during the spring, Samuel is a full-time H-back and with the suspensions I don't see that changing for fall camp. He can always move back to RB if necessary, but we are deep there as well.
It will be Miller and Samuel at H, and Elliot at RB with Bri'onte Dunn at 2-deep RB and possibly true freshman Mike Weber (if things stay the same as they were in the Spring).
When Meyer has playmakers all over the field, his offense is extremely difficult to stop. That includes a RB that can take pressure off the QB on the read option. At that point, the QB only becomes a player that distributes and keeps the defense honest with the QB run once in a while. That's why JT Barrett (in my opinion) will win the starting job this year. He is a supreme distributor that understands how the offense runs.
In regards to play calling, Meyer has never been one to really get cute. They run the base offense (jet sweep, read option) which sets up everything else later in the game. Case in point Alabama and Oregon last year. We ran the same plays (read-option, counter trey, jet sweep) over and over because they couldn't be stopped. The key to the whole thing is establishing the base offense and that's what killed Ohio State last year vs y'all. We ran Zeke 8 times the entire game. If you can force us to abandon our base O and force us 3rd and long, you have a great chance.
But I think the O-line is too good this year to get abused like they did last year.
We shall see, that's the beauty of college football. They actually play the games.
But I think the O-line is too good this year to get abused like they did last year.
Well putting it that way, it is a darn shame we are returning everyone on D-Line... just sayin. What was it 6 sacks?
7
So you don't think our offensive line improved as a group last year in any way shape or form? Or dare I say, even may have improved more than your DL did over the course of the year?
Would that be possible, or would there maybe be any evidence of that?
Sorry I can only grin from ear to ear reading this and just say the evidence will be on game day
So you don't think we improved even a little bit to win the national championship last year?
Interesting take.
That's not what he's saying.
He's saying he thinks our D line improved more than your O line did.
He might be right. We had some players emerge. Your TEs won't be running too many receiving patterns is what he's getting at.
The impact of the loss of your WRs will be felt because the TEs will be blocking probably the best random of DEs in the country. If they go out, they'll need to get the pass in less than 2 seconds. If it takes longer than that, your QB feels it.
I'm not so sure we'll be hurting in the WR department. We lost a potential deep threat but have a good set of backups that can step up. We really didn't loss much at H Back with Samuel and Miller potentially playing the position. It will be interesting to see how it plays out in the trenches.
I would not trust inexperienced backups against our secondary.
The problem with what happened with these suspensions is that we'll be able to blanket Fuller on your top guy, and pretty much focus on stopping the run from there. Yeah, sure, the backups have talent, but they were backups for a reason, and that inexperience will show in missed cuts and timing issues. The suspensions played right into our strengths, and now turns our defensive strength into a potential game changer. And with Bosa now being out as well, opening back up an entire side of the field we didn't (couldn't) utilize or attack last year, you can't fault us for feeling far more optimistic about our chances now than we were this time last week.
Why don't we all just see,what happens in the field.. Anything can happen in college football
What's the fun in that?
Solid response.
Woah, wait, letting it play out on the field and not hyper dissecting what might happen endlessly for weeks on end before it happens?
Bro, do you even internet forum?
Give him a break. He's one of Uncle Sam's Misguided Children. As a bubble head, I've learned to speak slowly, clearly and not make any sudden movements around them.
Go Navy...
As a former Naval Aviator/Brown Shoe/Airedale, you have made me chuckle once again recalling the joys of inter-service rivalries. My father the ex-Black Shoe, Tin Can driver concurs, while my brother, the USMC representative in the family, scowls at you from afar. Leg to you sir.
That's fine, and why I asked the question.
Obviously, I think that from the VT game to the game vs Alabama, I think our OL went from the worst OL in the country to the best unit in the country. And that is shown in film, and results.
We shall see.
How is that possible? According to Homer on 11warriors you guys always have the most terrifying and talented brutes already to seamlessly step up. (Sarc. off)
In other words, your talented, but inexperienced backups from last year took a few games before they started playing well :)
Talented backups at offensive line across the board are way different than H-back and defensive end.
But you already knew that.
Ok I have to argue that VT had the worst OL in the country. Brewer was a tackling dummy most of the year. Hackenburg is the only one that got sacked more.
Eh, Wake Forest had the worst OL in the country. Penn State, Connecticut, and Kansas State were arguably worse as well. Arizona State was in the same area. There were other teams who were worse at pass protection too.
But the point is still valid, the OL was absolutely awful last year.
There was a point last year due to injuries and the sanctions due to the Sandusky situation, that Penn State didn't have a scholarship player starting on their offensive line. That's just craziness.
I may have heard that stat incorrectly, but that's what I recall.
Yeah, against Maryland and Indiana I think.
Welcome to Bud Foster.
How did Penn State and Minnesota stay within 50 so late in the season last year?
I watched that Penn State game again a couple weeks ago. OSU was extremely lucky to get their two TDs. As in, "the video booth got the wrong feed and couldn't overturn an interception that clearly hit the ground" lucky.
Either divine intervention or mercy on the part of Urban Meyer, as he must have felt sorry for them and wanted to keep the game close as to not tip off the rest of the country to his master plan.
Or Penn State played a hell of a defensive game backed by a great atmosphere. Either one.
Well then we're in good shape.
Of course you are. You have a great chance to pull an upset with a stout Defensive line and a hell of a back 4.
And the best defensive mind in the game (especially at attacking system offenses with ample time to prepare), AND one of the best game day atmospheres in CFB. <- feel free to fix this for me.
...Yeah but our O will be better than last year. I think that's what most Tech fans are screaming at the talk of their proverbial lungs that SECSPN and OSU fans don't hear. We get that you guys have revenge on your mind, and we get you guys are the reigning national champs...
...but this isn't last year. Every team will be different (not even including your suspensions). Our O will be better, and our D will be lights out as usual - as long as we have no injuries! You guys will be great too, but I think if you take the tinted glasses off, you'll see that you can't play at the level of last years play offs from the get-go. That isn't realistic moreso than anything else, but no doubt you have the caliber and skill to do so quickly down the line.
If we lose, it'll be by two TD's. If we win, it'll be closer, but our Special Teams will be indeed Special
Same running backs same line same coach what did you do? what did Ezekiel do? not a damn thing lowest output all season, I wouldn't put your hopes and dreams on that guy, you better bet for the other side might make some money, at least you wouldn't be so disappointed, just remember we're a year older too and we have 18 players returning the most in the NCAA, kicker place kicker, 8 on offense 8 on D-fens and nobody hurt, and remember who you're missing
Well, we went from "How do we replace Hyde" to "Carlos who?" By the end of the season and had from losing a Heisman candidate QB to another one getting Heisman talk to 12 Guage. Losing Bosa hurts, as does our best deep ball caliber WR, but I am pretty confident some of the backups will do well. Samuels is a legitimate threat at ah back with Zeke at RB. Whoever starts at QB will be
GodErr, good as well. Judging our team by that game is as wrong as judging yours by how your season progressed. I think it will be a close game but we have some depth to fall back on despite the suspensions.That's a tall order.
Virginia Tech's defense last year was the best defense Urban Meyer has ever seen while he's been at OSU and what happened? we all know what happened, he got beat you guys got beat in your house on the big stage by 2 touchdowns, and still went to the playoff and won the national because you guys moved through a soft schedule and you guys lost early enough and to a good enough team, the only reason TCU and Baylor didn't go ahead of you because there's schedules were sorrier than yours you guys got lucky plus the media loves Urban Meyer and OSU you guys definitely have that going for you, if you guys played in the ACC or the SEC you would lose more than half your games, Cya @ Lane, Peace!
I think you are forgetting we were in that game until a late pick 6 and TD. I get that you have a great D but we're coming back with an experienced QB and a coach that has fewer questions about players abilities to make plays than last year. You guys won and I respect that, but to judge us by that game is, IMHO, a bit of an overreach.
I am looking forward to this game because I want revenge and it'll be a good test against a tough opponent.
As for the SEC, they're a great conference but the B1G did ok against them last year. Heck, one of our worst teams beat their East champs. We did ok against their champ as well.
It's a new year and new teams.
My thing is that, when you played us last year you didn't yet know who you could trust in games at WR and H-back. The emergence of Michael Thomas in this game last year and Jalin Marshall and Ezekiel Elliot later in the year seemed to me to play a big role in the improvement of your offense. These suspensions largely creates that uncertainty again, at least for this particular game. Your unproven talent at those spots struggled against us last year, but in replacing these four players your unproven talent is going to be just fine this year? That seems to be the main line of thinking, and I would say it's a slightly illogical argument.
While I get your point, I think we have less uncertainties this year as we have a QB and RB that are known quantities, unlike last year. Samuels is a known commodity as well and should prove capable at H back. WR is more of a question mark, I grant you that. Overall I think we enter this game a more complete team than last year.
Okay, I can agree with this.
tone it down there buddy
Calm down man. Try having an intelligent conversation and treating other people with respect for once.
I believe we have a anOSU troll masquerading as one of us
Yuuuuuup! We sure do! talking about they have experience quarterback now after last year they tend to forget so do we 18 players returning all ready for battle
you think the games going to be close when we beat you guys in your house by two touchdowns it's going to be worse than that in our house cuz we're not going to give you anything you're going to have to take it, you guys couldn't take it last year, you definitely not going to take it in Lane in Blacksburg this year, peace!
For someone who keeps saying "peace," you sure are trying to instigate a lot.
OSU hasn't ANNOUNCED a starting quarterback, which is different from saying that they haven't settled on one.
They haven't started practice yet I would be shocked if the coaches had decided yet.
Meyer is saying he's not going to announce it before they run on the field in Lane. That won't mean it's not decided before then. You just won't know what the decision is.
It will be difficult for Meyer to do that if he wants to get his starter the majority of reps. It will get leaked most likely. He will try his damnedest though.
Exactly. That approach might hurt his preparation more than it hurts that of VT. Can you really prep two quarterbacks at the same level? Maybe. But you certainly would pay at least a little of a price for it.
The down side (from an opponent's perspective), is that he may well have two top-notch quarterbacks ready to go.
it doesn't matter who they start will be ready for them, will be more ready this year than we were last year and you all know how that turned out, besides all three of their quarterbacks are similar if we're ready for one of them we're ready for all of them, Peace!
While I see where you are coming from, I have to disagree. I believe we will see a heavy does of Elliott. No doubt.
As far as I'm concerned, it will be a good game and a fun game.
As long as neither of us allow some SEC team sneak into the playoffs, I'll be happy.
I'd love to see the SEC shutout of the playoffs. Oh that would be so sweet. It's highly unlikely but that would shut some people up who need a good dose of STFU.
For that to happen the winners of the ACC, BIG 10, Pac 12, and Big 12 most likely would need to finish with better records than the SEC Champ. The playoff committee will most assuredly have a tie go to the SEC. It could totally happen though. Something like: VT 12-1, OSU 12-1, USC 12-1, TCU 11-1, and in fifth Alabama 11-2.
pretty much the only way the SEC is getting shut out of this playoff is if 4 non-SEC teams go undefeated. Considering that we haven't had that many undefeated teams in a long time I seriously doubt it will happen. So I think it has to be OSU 13-0, Clemson/FSU/GT 13-0, Oregon/USC/Stanford 13-0 and TCU/Baylor/Oklahoma 12-0
disclaimer: I have done 0 research on these teams' schedules so if I'm proposing an impossible outcome because, for instance, Stanford plays Oklahoma this year and I don't know it..go easy on me.
Or, God forbid, Notre Dame
I think there is some over thinking going on around here. Regardless who is the QB for OSU, we still need to smack their O Line in the mouth early and suppress them into obedience. That's one way to try and win.
True, but they know that as well. That's going to be a hard-fought battle.
While it may seem unlikely, one thing I have not heard mentioned much is possible team dissension for Ohio State when you have two quarterbacks as talented as Barrett and Jones. Some guys obviously have to favor one over another. Highly unlikely, but I've seen similar situations bite highly talented teams, and obviously it is extremely hard to repeat. Just a thought.
That's definitely an issue and it happened to Ohio State in the mid 90s with Stanley Jackson and Joe Germaine.
I think Urban will pick a starter and stick with it for that reason. All this talk of three QB formations that OSU fans keep talking about is laughable. It might be a trick play at some point, but nothing more.
Pick one and stick with it.
I fully expect at least 1 trick play from Urban. Heck, if I was him, with those athletes, Id run a couple.
I think OSU only ran one trick play all of last year, which was that WR pass against Bama. Urban Meyer seems to much prefer leaning on his bread and butter and then running counters off of that.
I think maybe that becomes an issue after a loss, but they've shown that they can win with either guy up to this point... winning takes care of everything
My biggest concern is the play of Motuapuaka. I could quickly see him play poorly and be exploited and this turns in to what Miami did to us last year.
I'm with you here 100%. Given the Reavis suspension I should probably be worried about rover first, but I can't stop thinking that mike backer could be a glaring weak spot for us. Andrew seems to have a good head on his shoulders, but he has shown a tendency to miss tackles and be timid in the hole. Miami was his first start but he struggled. The arm tackle that gave Edmunds the TD in the spring game was glaring as well - should have been a tackle for a loss. Foster was high on him in the spring, so hopefully he continues to improve. If not, that's a hell of a place to have a weakness with the athletes that OSU has. He needs to step up bigtime. I can't help but think that, given the offseason troubles on both teams and the resulting strengths/weaknesses, Foster will use the whip more than we saw last year to get another able tackler close to the ball.
I agree was often a step late against Miami, and they got a lot of third and 4 conversions because of it, which really helped them wear down our D and win, but it was (I think) his first real D 1 game. I really enjoyed French's piece on his play, and believe that with this time to work on it, and what we saw in the Spring, his mind is not tying his feet up anymore. It is one thing to tell a teenager "be ready, you could be in at anytime", and for them to experience what it means to not be as ready as you thought. I don't think it will happen again.
He's certainly a key player. He wasn't as ready as we might have liked when Chase Williams was injured and he was thrust in as a starter. Miami was his first start, and Duke Johnson was definitely a trial by fire.
He's a talented player, though, and I'm hoping his experience from last year will make him an improved contributor. The good thing is that he did get some starting experience last year. Otherwise, he'd STILL be in this position, but without that additional experience.
You better believe Ohio State is going to test him. If he's a step late, he'll be toast.
With respect to Whip, I would love to see RVD have a coming out party in a big way! We will desperately need him ST also.
So long as RVD's shoulders hold up, I think he's gonna have a sneaky good year. DiNardo was solid, but he definitely didn't have RVD's athleticism.