Spring in the Shoe

A sun drenched Ohio State Horseshoe took on a record crowd of 95,722 fans to show-off the Ohio State Buckeyes to the nation. The score might have reflected an unbalanced contest in the Gray’s favor, but I don’t think that bothered any of the fans there. Dawning the shorts, tank-tops and sandals (Tressel even chose clothes for the weather putting on the Hawaiian Ohio State shirt) you came with sun tanning lotion and a curiosity that you didn’t have the past three seasons. It is not a scary feeling, but a charged feeling of nervous energy walking into a party and saying, “I wonder who we are now?”

The entire country is asking the same question. After watching two national championship trips end in disappointments and watching last year’s Buckeyes loose to 3 different national championship contenders (USC, Penn State, and Texas) the view beyond Ohio is not suppose to a favorable one, but if anyone part of that view watched ESPNS’s top plays on Saturday they saw the pretty 44 yard rainbow pass thrown from Terrelle Pryor to an open Lamar Thomas in the corner of the end zone maybe they will become as curious as the rest of us. Below are some other observations and highlights that showed up like blooms in spring.

Quarterbacks. We might have not gotten to see Pryor for as long as promised, but we saw what we wanted to see, an athlete that has improved from just being a running quarterback to a complete player. Terrelle Pryor showed a live-arm with better accuracy, that when given time he will hit seams and plays that will make highlight reels. His instincts might always slow down his release, but he showed more confidence in looking over a defense and letting it fly. Joe Bauserman was 10-21 and showed confidence throwing into several tight windows. Jason Siems finished 2-5 for 21 yards and had good poise for being the third string quarterback. Terrelle Pryor has made it hard to recruit some of the top Quarterbacks in the nation that want more playing time, but Pryor’s size and strength should protect him. When you are as big as some linebackers playing quarterback you are hard to bring down.

Running Backs. Brandon Saine is back looking faster and more determined displaying a majority after a season troubled by a hamstring injury that should make him a threat to defenses in the Big Ten. His 6’1” frame and 217 pounds should be more rugged this year. When we first met Saine we were introduced to a versatile back with a lot speed. This year I am hoping to see a complete versatile back that can be a threat to burst through the middle or catch the 5-yard dump off and turn it into 10 or more. Boom Herron was steady playing for the scarlet team that looked like it had the better O-line for the run. Both of these backs together in the backfield will create a diverse offense. The depth at running back for Ohio State is always deep. History draws running backs to the Buckeyes. I saw 5 backs play in the game the biggest highlight coming from Marcus Williams for the Gray who finished the game with 98 yards on only 7 carries the most which came on his first that was a burst out of the backfield. Probably the best run-blocking of the game was given to Williams on that play when he slid out from behind the line and into one of those holes that he dreams of in his sleep.

Wide Receivers. They are who we thought they are!! Too put a spin on the too-famous a quote from Dennis Green. We thought they were talented and they proved that they are and they should continue to prove it in the fall. Devier Posey enters his sophomore season as a 6’3” 205 pound imposing giant that should make corners start to shake when they see him line up across from them. The most impressive thing about him is his hands. He just snags the ball out of the air whenever he wants with perfect form (I think everyone wanted to see Pryor and him on the same team, we will have to wait). Lamar Thomas might have given a fist-pump when he got put on the same team as Terrelle, but he also knew he have to show up and he did, getting behind the defense to catch the opening TD of the game. I was worried about Ray Small and so was someone else, because after dropping a pass and looking a little shook up the Gray team ran an onside-kick play and recovered the ball. This let him have one more shot (some people just need a second chance) and he took advantage of it. Catching an underthrown ball from Pryor he showed who he was with an ankle-breaking fake and an appearance in the endzone at enof the first-half.

Defense. The Ohio State moniker might be a little concerned that Terrelle Pryor put up 191 passing yards, but then again he is on our team. The Ohio State University is Linebacker-U (I am not sure what the course numbers are though). The lineage is lengthy and drooled over by the NFL if you are patient you will be rewarded. Tyler Moeller should be rewarded for not just tackling Pryor on his first jaunt out over the line-of-scrimmage, but also for chasing down the longest run of the game from behind. The defensive backfield looked shaky, but in the spring Wide Receivers have the advantage early so I wouldn’t be concerned right now. The Gray did get an opportunistic interception late. Turnovers are often a specialty of the Buckeyes defense and the depth at linebacker should create lots of blitzing opportunities.

Offensive Line. This might have been the biggest surprise in the entire game. I saw plenty of penetration by the defensive line like a lot of fans did, but there was a certain physicality out there by individuals that was not there last year. The leader has got to be Justin Boren the Michigan defect that will be interesting to watch when it is time to play Michigan and the crafty Rodriguez. He is like having an NFL veteran on the college level. He is exactly what Ohio State needed on the O-line this year a leader that has it out for that team up north should provide our line with nasty instincts it needs to compete this fall.

All in all it was a beautiful spring day for the Buckeye fans that could enjoy working on their tan while watching their beloved Buckeyes. The highlights should be good memories to keep all of us happy for the next couple of months before July (that is about the time I get really antsy for football). I’ll continue to give some highlights in these dry months ahead, trying to keep my excitement in check for the upcoming season. Though if you feel like I do right now you can say it with me…”Bring on the Trojans!!”

Thoughts on Pryor, 1st pick of the Spring Game Draft. Pryor Vs. Gibson

“You know what, the minute you don’t go full speed, I think your chances for injuries go higher,” Tressel said. “We need to be ready, and where there is risk there is reward, too. Maybe we’ll step a little closer to being better if we go a little harder.”

Risk verses reward those are probably the two perfect words you think of when having Terrelle Pryor as your quarterback. Going in to this year’s draft for the April 25^th Spring Game everyone had to be thinking who is the best player? Everyone says defense wins championships and Thaddeus Gibson was the first defensive player picked to counter the Terelle Pryor pick. When Tressel said that the quarterbacks were going to be live for even just part of the annual Ohio State Scarlet vs. Gray backyard brawl, you would be foolish not to pick who would become the most exciting player in that circumstance.

Everyone will be saying on the outside, “I like to see if he has improved in throwing the football.” While on the inside you are thinking of the line from the movie Forrest Gump, “Run Terrelle, Run!!” Run he will. Thaddeus is extremely athletic and hopes to be one of the best sacking prototypical combo linebackers in division 1a this year, and is begging to sack Terrelle Pryor. The chase will be fun to watch and I think all the fans will appreciate it when both are left still standing after their cat and mouse game in the Shoe.

There are other names too, the new Mr. Spring Brandon Saine which everyone is hoping can shed the title and be Mr. Autumn as well, the electrifying Devier Posey I am sure will make a play receiving and punt returning, Ray Small is looking to be the comeback player of the year and will also look for an opportunity on a punt return, and will we find the missing Cornerback opposite Chimdi Chekwa? We hope so.

No this is not your usual backyard football game of tag football with your friends. This is The Ohio State Buckeyes annual spring game and they have a lot to show their fans. I’ll be watching the game with the rest of the Buckeye nation in hopes that I can see answers before we meet the USC Trojans on September twelfth. You don’t have to pick sides, you don’t have to root against anybody. For one game you can just be a fan and be grateful your heart won’t be torn out  or your breath taken away screaming when the winning field goal is kicked, so after another game against the Fighting Irish sit back and have a party and wonder. “Do you think Tressel would ever leave behind the sweater-vest for the Ohio State Scarlet and Gray Hawaiian shirt he wore on Wednesday?”

USC Names Corp Starter

The Trojan

In between Springsteen shows, condensing the “Win Forever” concept into book form, and trying to lure Will Ferrell to Twitter, Pete Carroll has taken time out of his awesome life to evaluate the quarterback situation at USC and has chosen redshirt sophomore Aaron Corp to be the Trojans’ starter …
Continue reading at Eleven Warriors

Sophomore Aaron Corp To Be USC’s QB

Southern California coach Pete Carroll says sophomore Aaron Corp will be the Trojans’ starting quarterback through the summer and into fall camp.
Continue reading at College Sports for NBC4i.com

Ohio State-USC: Preview to "THE SHOWDOWN"—Sizing Up the Trojans

The Buckeyes play host to USC in Week Two of the upcoming 2009 season, and while they did lose numerous key players on both sides of the ball, they never seem to be rebuilding, but rather, reloading.

I’ve decided to take a closer look at this USC team and highlight a few players who may be called upon to fill some very big shoes this year in SoCal.

Quarterback

With Mark Sanchez heading off…
Continue reading at Bleacher Report – Big Ten Football

Preview to "THE SHOWDOWN"—Sizing Up the USC Trojans

The Buckeyes play host to USC in Week 2 of the upcoming 2009 season and while they did lose numerous key players on both sides of the ball, they never seem to be rebuilding, but rather, reloaded.

I’ve decided to take a closer look at this USC team and highlight a few players who may be called upon to fill some very big shoes this year in SoCal.

Quarterback:

With Mark Sanchez heading off to the…
Continue reading at Bleacher Report – Big Ten Football

Early schedule snapshot: Ohio State

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

In what has become a trend, Ohio State once again will play the Big Ten's premier nonconference game this season as USC visits Columbus on Sept. 12. Here's a look at the Buckeyes' full 2009 slate. 

NONCONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Sept. 5 Navy

Sept. 12 USC

Sept. 19 Toledo (at Cleveland)

Oct. 31 New Mexico State

My take: The Buckeyes' philosophy of scheduling one national showcase game and three revenue-generating contests holds true again this season. USC provides an excellent barometer for a young Ohio State team trying to regain its swagger in big games. A win against the Trojans could put the Buckeyes in the BCS title mix. A home loss, and especially a lopsided one, would reinforce the perception about Ohio State and the Big Ten. So there's definitely risks and rewards with the game, which makes it more exciting for players, coaches and fans. Navy is a well-respected team that should provide Ohio State a nice Week 1 test. The Buckeyes won't have any trouble with Toledo or New Mexico State.

BIG TEN SCHEDULE

Sept. 26 Illinois

Oct. 3 at Indiana

Oct. 10 Wisconsin

Oct. 17 at Purdue

Oct. 24 Minnesota

Nov. 7 at Penn State

Nov. 14 Iowa

Nov. 21 at Michigan

Byes: Michigan State, Northwestern

My take: Aside from the trip to Beaver Stadium — the last place Ohio State lost a Big Ten road game (2005) — the schedule favors Jim Tressel's squad. The Buckeyes open with three of five at home and make trips to arguably the league's two worst teams in Indiana and Purdue. Should Ohio State knock off USC, it could be 8-0 heading to Happy Valley. November won't be easy with games against Penn State, Iowa and archrival Michigan, which should be much improved by the time Ohio State visits the Big House. So it's important the Buckeyes avoid October stumbles. Though the Buckeyes have dominated Michigan State this decade and Northwestern for several decades, they won't mind having two teams that finished in the league's upper half off of the 2009 slate.

Go to Source

Buckeyes, Trojans to meet under the lights

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

For the second straight year Ohio State and USC will clash in one of the nation's premier nonconference games, so it's no surprise that the Buckeyes are bringing out the lights for this one. 

Ohio State announced this morning that its Sept. 12 home showdown against USC will kick off at 8 p.m. ET and be televised by ESPN. 

Last year's meeting at the Los Angeles Coliseum started in the late afternoon and finished under the lights, though USC plays many more home night games than Ohio State.

This will mark only the ninth night game at Ohio Stadium and the second in the last two seasons. Having covered last year's contest against Penn State, I can say night games at The Shoe are truly special and create an excellent day-long atmosphere around the stadium.

But will the lights be a bad omen for the home team?

After winning its first six night games at Ohio Stadium, Ohio State has dropped its last two to Texas and Penn State. The Buckeyes hold a 32-15 record in games that kick off after 5 p.m. ET.

USC's lone loss last season came in a night game at Oregon State.  

Go to Source

Minnesota’s Brewster excited for USC series

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Go ahead. Call Tim Brewster a masochist. 

The idea that a Big Ten team would voluntarily elect to play USC sounds downright batty to some. No team has contributed more to the Big Ten's declining national perception than the Trojans, who have won nine consecutive games against Big Ten teams, stretching back to the 1996 season. 

So why did Brewster push for Minnesota to schedule the Trojans, a careful-what-you-wish-for proposition that became true last week with a home-and-home series scheduled for 2010 and 2011?

"It's a marquee game," Brewster told ESPN.com today while on a recruiting trip. "Obviously, when you play USC, you're jumping in the deep end. And they're the ultimate measuring stick. I want our program to be one of national focus. I've said from day one I want to win a Big Ten championship and I want to recruit players that can help us win a Big Ten championship. We've already got an unbelievable amount of positive response from recruits about us playing USC."

Brewster's approach to nonconference scheduling mirrors that of Ohio State. He wants one headline game every year to go along with others against mainly regional foes. 

Minnesota hosts Cal on Sept. 12, faces USC the next two seasons and takes on both Colorado and Syracuse in 2012. Brewster's philosophy marks a change at Minnesota, a program long criticized for its soft scheduling. 

"I certainly don't want my whole nonconference schedule filled with USCs," Brewster said. "I'd like to play one marquee, nationally televised nonconference game a year, a big-time game against a big-time opponent that's going to draw tremendous focus to Minnesota. Already, this game has brought a great deal of focus to the Gophers."

Go to Source

Minnesota announces USC series, future dates

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

One of the biggest knocks on former Minnesota head coach Glen Mason was his approach to nonconference scheduling.

The Golden Gophers repeatedly breezed through one-ply Septembers before tripping up in Big Ten play.

Those days are over.

Continuing a trend of more aggressive scheduling, Minnesota announced a home-and-home series against national powerhouse USC. The Gophers will host USC at TCF Bank Stadium on Sept. 18, 2010, before opening the 2011 season at the L.A. Coliseum (Sept. 3). Minnesota canceled a home-and-home series against Washington State to make room for the Trojans. 

"Playing against arguably one of the best football teams of this decade really indicates the type of challenge coach [Tim] Brewster and our football program wants to take on," Minnesota athletic director Joel Maturi said in a statement. "I think this series should really excite our fans, our players and our potential recruits."  

Minnesota will face Air Force and Cal next fall and begin a series against Colorado in 2012. 

"As I've said from the beginning, I want to upgrade our nonconference schedule to help with our national recruiting base," Brewster said in a statement. "I've said that I would like to play a marquee BCS opponent on national television one time a year. I'm excited about the series with USC and would like to commend associate athletic director Marc Ryan on his ability to schedule those games." 

The school also announced several other changes to future schedules. 

• Minnesota will host South Dakota in 2010 and North Dakota State in 2011.
• Minnesota moved its 2010 game against UNLV to 2012. The Gophers will open the 2012 season in Las Vegas against the Rebels.
• The Gophers' 2012 contest at Air Force has been canceled.
• San Jose State will visit Minnesota in 2013 and 2014. Western Illinois will visit in 2013.
• Minnesota will host South Dakota State and Ohio in 2015. 

Go to Source

Next Page »