Hello and happy Thursday, Buckeye faithful. Believe it or not, Halloween is just around the corner. You really can’t beat this time of year if you’re a scary movie nut, and I happen to be one of those weirdos. That’s why Saturday looked pretty familiar.
The Buckeye D was as terrifying as I've ever seen. If I had to compare them to any horror film I’d probably choose The Ring, but only because my face looked like this after point number 49 was tallied.
Seven Two days…let’s get to it.
BRONZE IN LIEU OF CRYSTAL. The AP had a write-up arguing Braxton Miller’s Heisman candidacy could be the Buckeyes’ de facto championship run.
This from the piece:
“Meyer understands that if Miller can make a serious run at the big bronze statue, and get an invite to New York city for the awards ceremony on Dec. 8, it keeps the Buckeyes in the headlines even though they won't be preparing for a bowl game.
And what's better to add to a trophy case, anyway, a Heisman Trophy or whatever they give you for winning an Outback Bowl?”
This is an excellent point, and one I admittedly hadn’t thought of until now. Consider what a Miller NYC invite would do for Urban Meyer’s recruiting efforts. It gives Urban the ability to walk into any kid’s living room and say, "Look what I did in just one season with a very raw Braxton Miller".
Granted, number five is an incredible ball of clay to work with, but it still adds (additional) credibility to Meyer and his coaching staff.
Imagine if he won! Beyond the publicity and boon in recruiting cache it would give me the opportunity to create this t-shirt: #(4)5TM
This exists. And the world is better for it.DEPTH FOR A MOVE TO D. The move to LB for Zach Boren was a surprise to many, but he certainly performed in his first game on the defensive side of the ball.
Many know WHY the move was made (injuries on injuries) but what’s been less discussed is HOW the move was executed.
The Plain Dealer’s Doug Lesmerises gives the answer: incredible depth.
This from Lesmerises:
"The OSU fullbacks and tight ends are lumped together under a single coach, Tim Hinton, this season and are asked to do many of the same things. The trust the staff developed in Heuerman and Vannett in their second seasons in Columbus allowed Boren to move to the other side of the ball. Those players joined veteran fullback Adam Homan and freshman tight end Blake Thomas, of St. Ignatius, as the four players on the roadtrip to Indiana at the tight end/fullback/H-back spot."
Redshirt freshman Nick Vannett and sophomore Jeff Heuerman have stepped up for an offense a defense that desperately needed them to do so.
"That move could not have been made if you didn't have Heuerman," Meyer said. "Just can't do it, as much as you'd want to do that. Heuerman has been coming on. He's been playing 10 to 15 plays a game, and now he played 50. Same with Nick Vannett. He's really coming on. Good thing is those guys are around here for a few years."
As Chad pointed out yesterday, Meyer is no stranger to position flip-flops and more often than not, they’ve worked out in the flipped player's favor.
While I’d love to see Boren continue to get better at LB, I just want this team healthy. Anyone else?
RUN THIS TOWN. In the following moving picture, ESPN’s Austin Ward describes how the Buckeyes’ running game has truly come along this season.
Last year it seemed Braxton was largely toting the rock himself. This season the offense is built around utilizing Miller’s insane talents to get other guys going, and the strategy is paying off. Braxton's ability to attack the edges any part of the field has opened up inside running lanes for Hyde. Hyde's inside power has opened up the edge for athletes who can attack it like Philly Brown. It's a continuous cycle of amazingness that is seeing real results:
This week, running backs coach Stan Drayton discussed the same topic, comparing the offense now with Urban’s early Florida offenses (where Drayton held the same title).
The money soundbyte here is when Drayton contrasts the Buckeyes’ current stable of running backs with his previous Florida units:
“It’s new for Urban because we’ve never had that type of physicality at that position.”
You know Meyer loves the ability to line up and run it between the tackles with a beast like Hyde. With all of the talk about Florida speed, there’s something to be said for a guy who can change the pace of a game by grinding it out and smashing you in the mouth.
PREVIEWIN'. CBS Sports is predicting a bounce back in a big way for the Buckeye D.
Their prediction: OSU 48, Purdue 17.
CBS points out the Boilermakers have only managed 27 total points over the last two games. Purdue’s ineptitude coupled with an OSU D looking for redemption after the embarrassment in Bloomington should help the Bucks come out unscathed at 8-0.
If Ohio State hopes to keep Purdue’s offense at bay, they’ll have to stop senior WR Antavian Edison, the team’s top receiving threat. Thus far he has tallied 31 catches for 371 yards and five TDs.
Roby…I’m looking at you.
P(LINK)O. Seniors who are young at heart... Brothels supporting a Greek soccer team... The best response ever to a Facebook rant?... Finger art is crazy yo.
