Wednesday's Skull Session will offer some commentary on things happening in the world of college athletics. Our main focus, though, will be on the upcoming game in Ann Arbor. Though Legends and Leaders were won last week with Michigan State's victory over Northwestern, and Ohio State's victory over Indiana, a lot is still riding on this game. As we will see in the second item, there appear to be repercussions for recruiting.
Toward that end, we'll start with a discussion of the depth chart for this week's game.
NEW DEPTH CHART RELEASED. Ohio State released its final regular season depth chart. There appears to be no change on the depth chart, and no real change since the Purdue game at the earliest.
The immediate items of interest were at middle linebacker and cornerback. Curtis Grant was scratched from the Indiana game by the coaching staff, thinking he would not be needed against a predominantly spread team in a game in which Ohio State was heavily favored. The coaches were vindicated in that belief, carrying a shutout into the fourth quarter before conceding two garbage time touchdowns with the game well in hand. Grant will be required against the Wolverines, which is a bigger team with more conventional "pro" sets. He is listed at starting middle linebacker, still, and will be ready to go on Saturday.
The same holds for starting cornerback, and cousin of Curtis Grant: Doran Grant. Grant sat the second half against the Hoosiers with an unspecified injury, leading to extended playing time for Cam Burrows. Grant is expected back for the game against the Wolverines.
There's no real change elsewhere. Armani Reeves, who is expected back in action as well, is not on the depth chart.
Kenny Guiton is still the first team holder.
PEPPERS SHAKIN' ON ANN ARBOR? This has not been the best stretch for That Team Up North's recruiting class. At one time, Hoke was looking at having possibly the no. 1 and no. 2 players in the entire country as part of its recruiting class. This would have almost assuredly put the Wolverines' recruiting class as the best recruiting class in the Big Ten, and likely nationally as well.
That fell apart when Da'shawn Hand, long considered a lock for Hoke's program, opted to commit to Alabama instead. Now, Jabril Peppers, the crown jewel of the Wolverines' current recruiting class, has a wandering eye.
Imma take a couple Officials after the season myself
— Breezy (@JabrillPeppers) November 26, 2013
If this seems sudden, it is. Peppers is apparently concerned with some of the rumors of Hoke's possible dismissal after this season concludes. For as tough (and hilarious) as this season has been in Ann Arbor, I can't envision any scenario short of a scandal that leads to Hoke being sacked. While message board rumors of Hoke's hot seat are just that, message board rumors, it led Peppers to announce on Twitter that he wanted a contingency plan.
Clarification was subsequently provided by Peppers.
Following tweets are a statement from Jabrill Peppers.
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) November 26, 2013
"I am still 100% committed to the University of Michigan and that is the place where I want to go to college."
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) November 26, 2013
"For the sake of my future I need to make sure I have other options. No need to look into it any further. Go Blue and beat TDS." - Peppers
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) November 26, 2013
I have no reason to believe that Peppers will sign with any program but the one in Ann Arbor, but I also have no reason to not enjoy seeing Wolverines fans panic this late into a season and recruiting campaign.
Troy wants Braxton to have another crack at this.TROY SMITH THINKS BRAXTON MILLER SHOULD RETURN FOR 2014. Troy Smith is channeling the inner wishes of every Ohio State fan with at least one eye toward the future.
Ohio State fans should be expecting that this season will be a turning point in the Urban Meyer era. Meyer and his staff had to correct a lot of bad habits, but they also inherited a lot of talent toward that end. Most of the key parts of the current roster were brought to Columbus by Jim Tressel.
Most will also leave by the end of this season. We already know Bradley Roby will declare early for the NFL. We suspect Ryan Shazier will as well. We do not know if Braxton Miller will follow suit.
Troy Smith has an opinion on the matter, though. He believes Miller should stay for another year.
Troy Smith is home in Cleveland for the holidays, and during a break in a charity event Tuesday afternoon Smith said if Miller asked his opinion on where he should play football next season, Smith would tell Miller to "definitely come back" for his senior season at Ohio State and wait until 2015 to enter the NFL Draft.
"I've come to understand and learn over the years, that where he wants to go in the NFL, you want it to be a closed casket type deal," Smith said. "When you make that leap, you want it to be a shoo in. No type of gray area whatsoever, no wondering what might have (been).
"If I was Braxton, I would pound the playbook, pound the playbook, pound the playbook and try to be the top quarterback when he comes out, be the best he can be. I wouldn't want to be the second guy, the third guy, anywhere but in the best position he can be. And he has the talent to eventually be in that spot."
While it's difficult to tell people to stay in college when NFL money is so fickle in the long run, I'm inclined to agree with Troy Smith here. Quarterback is sui generis in the NFL. It pays more and quarterbacks are protected more now. However, there are no special teams for quarterbacks to justify a coveted salary for NFL teams. If Miller is not ready now, and I'm inclined to agree with Urban Meyer that he isn't, there should be no strong incentive for Miller to leave when he has yet another year to work on his craft. Tajh Boyd, of Clemson, may be an exemplar here. Boyd returned for a senior season and may have played himself up a round in the NFL Draft as a result.
Alas, we can worry about that in January. There's a team up north that needs a whoopin' post haste.
AN ASIDE, FOR FLORIDA. It's Hate Week, but these are too funny.
So … Georgia Southern's passing downs success rate was higher than Florida's. GS didn't complete a pass.
— Bill Connelly (@SBN_BillC) November 26, 2013
Florida State is now a 27-point favorite over Florida. The Gators were a 2-point fav in this game back in the summer.
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) November 26, 2013
Lol.
MISCELLANY. This Week in Schadenfreude... Bottom 10... John Kasich gets in on the Hate Week action... Mississippi State helmets, because reasons... Illinois football staffer who pulled a gun on his co-workers is placed on administrative leave... Steve walks warily down the street with the brim pulled way down low... Northern Illinois' current husky mascot retiring after nine years of service... Former Vanderbilt wide receiver, dismissed from the team for allegations of rape, preparing to enter the NFL Draft... We may not know of Jameis Winston's fate until after the ACC Championship Game... Florida Gators finding humor in infamously blocking each other...
