After a sound thumping of a truly awful Akron team, complete with whining from a coach expecting mercy in addition to $850k, the Buckeyes now turn their attention to the Toledo Rockets.
Favorites to make noise in the MAC, Toledo is miles of ahead of Akron in that they actually have some players with talent, returning 18 starters from last year's 8-5 squad though they will be without the services of LB Dan Molls. In that regard, this should be an improved litmus test as we try to figure out just how good this team is now, and might be down the road.
Anyhoo, to keep these roundtables to respectable length, we'll cut the staff in half and alternate weeks. For today's edition, we'll dive into the QB situation, some fan fiction, the freshmen earning reps and those Rockets from the armpit of Ohio.
"Let's roll"...(utmost H/T to those lost in 9/11)
Hyde and Smith looked good toting the rock against a dismal Akron squad but with the impending return of Hall from suspension and Berry from injury, who will be the odd man out of the rotation in the games leading up to Boom’s return and why?
Joe: I think it will be Smith. Hall is obviously going to play a lot; he’s earned it. Berry has bided his time the past two years and I think the coaches are anxious to see what they can get from him. He has the ability to break a long run at any moment, which is something I did not see from either Hyde or Smith on Saturday. Hyde got the nod over Smith against Akron and I think he will retain that.
Sarah: Until Berry's hamstring convinces me it can be trusted with the responsibility of not getting injured, then it's him. Otherwise, I think it's Smith. He's the youngest of the group and at least at this point, the most fumblish.
Danny: For now, I believe it’s Berry. Hall is too versatile as an offensive threat to keep out of the rotation, Hyde was on monster against Akron last Saturday and could possibly be the starter moving forward with more games like that, and Smith, despite a fumble near the goal line, still has so much potential as a third-down power back. However, if Smith continues to display butter fingers, Berry could push his way back into the rotation.
Are you in favor of a two quarterback approach lasting the entire season? Why or why not?
Johnny: Absolutely not. Against terrible teams where you can afford to take a play or even a series to get your head on straight, it's fine to switch guys back and forth, but I feel like calling in Braxton Miller to help you win a game in Memorial Stadium at night after having him sit for a couple of quarters is a recipe for disaster.
Danny: No, at some point this offense needs some consistency. While the prospect of facing two quarterbacks would make it difficult for a defense to prepare for OSU, I think it might make it difficult for the wide receivers and running backs to develop chemistry with their quarterback. In short, it might hurt our own offense more than an opposing defense.
DJ: I hated it... but ol' Bauserman has a little big of swag about him. Unless the offensive line is getting shredded... Hell, I'm on board.
When the dust settles on the 2011 campaign, which true or RS freshman will have had the most impressive debut? What makes you say that?
Danny: Devin Smith. While Evan Spencer has shown the ability to catch balls he has no business catching and Jake Stoneburner is setting receiving records for a tight end, the receiving game still worries me. From the minute Smith walked out onto the field against Akron, he displayed he’s going to be too talented to keep out of the rotation. He also established an instant connection with fellow freshman Braxton Miller, who could ultimately be the starting quarterback at some point. It’s not crazy to believe Smith could be a starter down the road this year.
Joe: Since you’re including RS Freshmen, I’d have to say Verlon Reed because he’s a starter and I think he’s going to be the go-to guy at WR for the first part of the season. His catches might decrease a bit when Posey returns but I still think he’ll play a lot as the 3rd WR sort of like Robiskie in 2006.
Toledo brings 18 returning starters to town including arguably the best stable of running backs receivers and defensive backs in the MAC. Taking that into consideration, what is one positional battle or one on one confrontation to watch come high noon Saturday?
Sarah: Both Teams will play two quarterbacks with differing styles. I want to see how Bauserman and Miller perform against slightly tougher competition, and I'll be curious to see how the OSU defense handles Toledo's QB's and whether they change schemes based on who is under center. It's also worth mentioning Eric Page, Toledo's All-American return man who brought back three kickoffs for TDs last season. Will we notice an improvement in Ohio State's kick coverage under the tutelage of Doc Tressel?
Joe: Eric Page vs. OSU special teams, Page and Bernard Reedy vs. OSU secondary. Page was 1st team All-American at kick returner last season and is also a very accomplished receiver. He has been named to the watch list for the Fred Biletnikoff Award and the Paul Hornung Award. Having a guy like Reedy to complement him makes Page all the more dangerous, so I’m interested to see how Clarke/Howard and Roby handle the matchups when they go to man coverage.
Johnny: This game is going to be decided in the trenches between their O-Line and our D-Line. I'm not too terribly worried about putting up 28-35ish on the Rockets if we can keep their offense off the field, and the best way to do that is to prevent their RBs from moving the chains. If Toledo gets push from their big uglies, things could get interesting.
What are the odds that at least one Rocket is involved in a point shaving scheme this week, a la Scooter McDougle Jr.?
Sarah: 5-2, though to be honest, I don't know what that means. I have never understood odds or bothered to learn. I was always a pretty good math student, especially at algebra (polynomials, I own your soul), but I'm not a gambler at all. The only thing I hate more than losing is losing money.
DJ: I'm from Marion, so let me hit up a few contacts I have in the street and I'll get you the answers you need.
If you could poach any active player in college football and add them to the Buckeye roster for just this year, who would it be and why?
Danny: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor Bears. I feel so sorry for you if you missed the sensational game that took place between Baylor and TCU last Friday. All the hype after the game surrounded their quarterback Robert Griffin III, but who was he throwing to that made him look so good? Kendall Wright, who had 12 receptions, 189 yards, and 2 touchdowns against an impressive TCU defense, would be a blessing for OSU’s offense this season. The inexperience at both wide receiver and quarterback makes Wright the perfect addition to take some of the pressure off both the wide receivers and quarterbacks looking for a go-to guy.
Johnny: Kellen Moore, hands down. That kid is an absolute wizard. Lost some of the best parts of his offensive weaponry and responds by hitting over 80% of his passes against an athletic SEC secondary in the first game of the season. Nobody does more with less than this guy, and at OSU he could make guys like Reed and Smith and Spencer household names.
Joe: If anyone it would be Andrew Luck but I hate the idea of messing with team chemistry. I’ll take the current squad as it is: the good, the bad, and the beardy.
DJ: The resurrected corpse of Jack Tatum. I'd love to be in the Shoe and hear him hit somebody... I bet it sounds like a 50 cal bullet going off.
Andrew Norwell looked strong last week filling in for Mike Adams and for my money, he’s clearly one of OSU’s best four guard/tackles. What about you - when Adams comes back, how do you restructure the line? Who is the odd man out and why?
Danny: I think Norwell’s the odd man out here. Adams has seniority and was nothing but solid throughout fall camp, on and off the field. Norwell could still be rotated in occasionally, but let’s see how he continues to handle himself as the defensive challenges toughen up.
Johnny: Norwell has to stay in, he's just too good to demote once Adams gets back. Really it's between Hall and Mewhort as to who will give up their spot for Norwell, and between the two you might as well flip a coin. Neither of their backups are particularly great, although Carter getting destroyed in practice makes me lean toward Mewhort getting the short end of the stick.
How many more quarters before Shugarts picks up his first false start of the year?
DJ: I remember back when FB created network homepages. JB Shugarts, then a freshmen, got on OSU's home page and said "Who's trying to party?" I've never partied with JB---but I don't think it will be until the Michigan State game.
Joe: 0. He's long overdue, so I expect two of them in the 1st quarter this week.
Upon locking up Mark May in your basement, what would be your torture tactic of choice? I’m torn between making him watch the 2002 National Championship on a loop, putting Schlichter in charge of his finances or covering him in sausage gravy and turning Hankins loose.
Johnny: Mark May awoke, groggy yet acutely aware that he had been tied to a chair, unable to move. "I've got you for the next theven hourth, Mark. Thay your prayerth."
"What? What... what are you doing Lou?"
The small man leaned in, inches from May's face, and yelled
"THALLY THELLTH THEA THELLTH BY THE THEA THORE! THIE THWINE TO
THREE THREE THWIGTH! THAILBOAT THAILBOAT THAILBOAT!"
May, covered in spittle and bits of last night's broccoli, sobbed. "N-no... Coach... it's too much. too much"
Lou Holtz took a swig of water and grinned. "Ith gonna be a loonnnggg night, thubby."
Finally, though Toledo is expected to provide a much stiffer test, the Buckeyes are still favored by about 19 points on most major betting sites. Without giving an actual score prediction, do you see Ohio State covering? Why or why not?
Danny: Yes I do. Toledo, while they’re the biggest fish in a small pond that is the MAC, I’m not the least bit frightened of this team. Let’s remember that Toledo, in Ohio State’s only two meetings with them, has failed to score a point.
Joe: Yes, because they’re playing at home and the visitors will be rattled into some early turnovers.
Johnny: I do see them covering, but barely. Toledo's offense is good enough that if I were a betting man, I would probably be a money losing man.
Sarah: Yes. This team isn't going to ease up on the gas with Luke Fickell in charge.
