Thursday Skull Session

By Jeff Beck on November 8, 2012 at 6:00 am
98 Comments

OH HEY!!!! It’s Thursday. Hello and welcome. So glad you could make it. Let’s get down to business.

RODDY SMYTHE. Rod Smith’s acute case of fumblitis has been well-documented. While the third-year sophomore has shown glimpses of brilliance, his case of frying pan hands has kept him out of significant action.

On Saturday the disease struck again, but this time Coach Urban Meyer could live with it.

“When I looked closely at it, as I always do, if it was a ball security issue (the wrist below the elbow) or laziness or not doing what we teach, then that would have had a major issue on it. But it wasn’t that at all.”

“The defender put his face right on the ball.

While fumbles are never completely forgivable, it sounds like this one was a case of bad luck rather than bad technique.

Meyer’s evaluation is promising. If ball security is sneaking its way into Smith’s repertoire...look out!

The three-headed monster of Braxton, Carlos and Rod or “BRACARO” (which absolutely no one is calling it) could be absolutely deadly. Having all three in the formation saw immediate returns against the Illini, particularly on a 51-yard wheel route to Smith for a TD.

This from Meyer on Smith and the new formation:

"I thought he played real hard. He caught a big touchdown pass for us and has really come on. So we might do more of that two backs in the backfield at the same time.”

Again, if Smith can consistently put together solid efforts without putting the ball on the turf, the OSU offense is in business. Consider this: next year the Buckeyes will have Hyde, Smith, Jordan Hall, Bri’onte Dunn, and newcomer Ezekial Elliott (the 9th ranked RB in the country according to Rivals). I can’t remember a time when the position had a deeper stable.

LOOKING AHEAD. Yesterday the BTN’s Tom Dienhart dipped into his mailbag to answer some reader questions. Among them was this little gem from Kevin:

Pinky powerNumber two?! Why not number one? 

Ohio State should return the majority of its starters in 2013. Do you think the preseason polls for next year will feature Alabama No. 1 and Ohio State No. 2? – Kevin

And Dienhart's response:

"Hey, I like to look ahead as much as the next guy. But let’s finish this season first! The Buckeyes should be in a good position to start high in the polls in 2013. Players like quarterback Braxton Miller, running back Carlos Hyde and almost the entire line will be back on offense. On defense, cornerback Travis Howard and lineman John Simon are the key seniors to be replaced. Bottom line: A lot of key players will be back for what looks like a top 5 preseason team."

So what do you think? No. 2? If the Buckeyes remain undefeated, I absolutely think it's possible. Also, consider this: Collin Klein, Kenjon Barner and Manti Te’o are all seniors. Each player is considered the motor that makes his team go and each players’ team is ranked ahead of the Buckeyes this year.

Unlike those teams, the Buckeyes are returning nearly everyone, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.

Next year could be a lot of fun.

THIS AIN'T HIGH SCHOOL. Speaking of quality players staying in the system, here’s one that could be around for a while: true freshman DL Noah Spence.

BuckeyeNation’s Austin Ward had a good write-up on the young gun’s transition to the college game.

This from Spence on the increased level of competition:

"I mean, that [realization] happened like the first day of practice when we started hitting. You know, these dudes are not anything like high school.

"When we started going against each other, I felt it. You don't see that in high school. Especially when they can move like that, that's not normal."

Welcome to the bigs, kid.

Still, Spence didn’t experience the true increase in opponent talent until recently. Early in the season he recorded a couple of stops and even a sack, but against stiffer competition the true freshman disappeared.

DL Coach Mike Vrabel explained how he sets up H.S. studs like Spence for success in a much bigger pond:

"I think it's a process. I try to tell all our guys that are younger, first- or second-year guys, this is a process. It's tough. I think they come from really, really successful high school careers and it doesn't happen overnight."

However, as Ward explained, the Buckeyes can’t afford to put off the development of Spence or fellow freshman Adolphus Washington. With John Simon, Garrett Goebel and (possibly) Johnathan Hankins leaving, the defensive line is going to need players like Spence and Washington to step up immediately.

That’s why game-day snaps (even against weaker competition) have been so valuable this season.

WE BALLIN'. Sports Illustrated and Athlon Sports put together a quick team preview for the 2012-2013 OSU roundball team.

The outlet has them ranked seventh, and here is their final analysis:

"Matta wasn't able to secure an immediate replacement for Sullinger and is back to operating with a limited roster and just one senior. However, OSU has a horse to ride in Thomas and one of the best leaders and defenders in the nation in Craft. The Buckeyes are a high-effort, athletic outfit, which means they should defend well yet again. But how far they go will depend upon the ability of young players to properly fill in the cracks."

Like many of you, I worry about where this team is going to get their points. SI stated Deshaun Thomas has the ability to average 20 a game, but will that be enough?

In addition, how deep is this team? Matta has never utilized his bench much, but can he even afford to with this team?

Either way, you can’t overstate the importance of Aaron Craft to this team. An on-ball defender like No. 4 can change a game without scoring a bucket. Keeping him healthy should be priority number one for Matta’s squad. Much like a Braxton Miller injury to the pigskinners, Craft going down would be devastating.

Let’s end on a high note. This team is returning most of a Final Four squad and has arguably the best point guard in the nation. Can’t wait for the season to start.

STANKY LINKS. You want interactive pictures on Twitter? You got interactive pictures on Twitter... During election time everyone pays attention to Ohio, but then some people forget about it. Here's why they shouldn't... Tim Tebow's lost E-mails... Some do it for the love of the game, others for Big Macs... Drink beer, fight prostate cancer.

98 Comments
View 98 Comments