The scary thing is that when Joe Nuxhall began using his signature signoff line, "This is the old lefthander rounding third and heading for home," he was not yet 40.

The unit needs to thrive as a unit. Let the offense pick its poison deciding who to given help on. If they triple team Young so that he gets no stats but everyone else is picking up sacks and TFLs, then he has had a successful season.

I'll see your Al Michaels and Marty Brennaman and raise you a Jim McIntyre. Damn I'm old.

One man's opinion:

1) Should Fields have been immediately eligible under current rules? No

2) As a Buckeye fan, am I glad that he was deemed immediately eligible? Yes

3) Am I happy that (at least some) Michigan fans are upset that he received immediate eligibility? Hell yes! 

4) Should the rules be changed to make it easier for a player to transfer without having to sit out? Yes

Chug filling in for a game as starter and game-managing for a win, even against a so-so opponent, would make a great story. I just want to avoid the necessary injury to Fields to make it possible.

If I were a betting man, that's where I'd put my money. The timeline sounds about right at both ends (Dantonio retiring and Fickell moving on), and MSU needs Ohio talent to be reasonable competitive in the Big Ten (not to mention that MSU has had some success on the Ohio State to Cincinnati to MSU highway).

Could Winovich's 31 be a mirage?

Uh, because it's not that easy at this time if year to get a QB who could be even reasonably effective if needed (at the top level of completion) and yet still has to be content never to be THE starter (what with Fields likely being here for 2 and possibly 3 season, and Miller already on his way here)?

Whether or not he starts, Walker should offer some stability at the point which will be important, especially since the guy he'll be sharing time with will be a freshman.

... and yet another reason to hate the off-season.

I don't see how making Day sweat a bit helps him at all.

If he truly just wishes to be closer to home, whether or not he's eligible wouldn't matter that much to him.

It was awkward for sure, but something to get outraged about? Nah.

Overridden a play call, or a decision on players seeing the field, but he was not himself an offensive coach, and he had no coach on that side of the ball to develop (or cover up deficiencies of) a QB, or put together an offensive game plan. Tressell had been, in reality, both the QB coach and the OC, and so Fickell in effect wasn't allowed to have either - while having the choice between a (basically uncoached) true freshman and a minor league pitcher at QB to run that non-offense ( not to mention the loss of other key starters for stretches if the season).

Perhaps it'll be right after they unleash the diamond formation or a Braxton throw as H back.

Although I expect the Buckeyes to do better than that, there are legitimate reasons for procrastinators to drop them significantly from their #3 finish last season's. Last year's defense was pretty bad. The offense a LOT - not just it's QB, but also 4 of 5 starting OL, one of the 2 top RBs, the 3 starting WRs. A future HOF HC is being replaced by someone who has never (really) been a HC before. The coaching staff turnover (particularly on the defensive side of the ball) is probably a good thing, but it's untested. There will be an untested player at the most important position (QB). The only clear positive is the innate talent of the players on the roster, however untested they are,, or how much their performance did or did not live up to expectations in the past.

Not a bad take. Just from one game in the Buckeyes' most recent title run (against 'Bama) I can think of a few examples - Evan Spencer and Michael Thomas creating a TD out of a trick play that didn't fool anyone; Darron Lee singlehandedly blowing up screen pass; Evan Spencer making the greatest catch of his career, in traffic, recovering a perfect onside kick by the Tide; Evan Spencer taking out two linebackers and Ezekiel Elliot outrunning the defense on a jaunt through the south. (is there any coincidence that three of these four were not possible without the efforts of the team's MVP?)

Compare that to what Michigan has had to offer in recent years - Rashan Gary disappearing; Chase Winowich being launched by Billy Price; Jabrill Peppers either being blown up or outrun; Karan Higdon disappearing in a "guaranteed victory;" Shea Patterson throwing a timely interception; or even Blake O'Neall fumbling against MSU.

Great job by Zach.  Even if we get only a taste this coming fall, by 2020 I'm expecting a monster.

And what about the hit on Brutus by David Perkins?

At least you waited until he was outside the bathroom to get the picture.

When they're running you out of town, stay in front of the mob and tell everyone you're leading a parade.

... and you know that HOW?

I don't expect him to come ask my advice, but in that scenario would be that, unless he's really needed cash right now, to get his degree and THEN head overseas. Unlike the NBA, the money isn't so good there that you don't need to worry about risking your only shot at getting some.

$5? You get what you pay for. Play a little pitch and catch, avoid the injuries. We fans still will get enough info to "intelligently" second-guess the coaches' decisions on who to play this fall. What else do we need?

I think he may be LOOKING FOR advice via the NBA evaluation process. If he actually leaves this year, then he is absolutely getting bad advice (and/or not following good advice).