That's because Krenczel made them better. Good enough to make the NFL in fact. /s

I posted my thoughts elsewhere -there's an "alternative narrative" available (to the one that Smith developed them) for each of his ERa now in the NFL. This year should show whether the alternative narratives are correct.

Having 7 players to compete is a bit disconcerting. That implies one of two things - a whole bunch of players ready to contribute and a need simply to pick one (which seems improbable), OR no one being ready with the hope that one of them steps up.

This is the year when we should see if Coach Smith has what takes. Sure, a lot of his charges have made it to the NFL (or at least been drafted), but for every one of them there is an alternative narrative to one of of the position coach being responsible Miller's insane athletic talent, Devin Smith's innate ability to do one thing well (but otherwise being unprepared to be an not receiver), Thomas getting "outside coaching" from his uncle, Corey Brown having residual coaching from Smith's predecessor, Noah Brown having to operate in an inept offense, Marshall being more a return man than a receiver. Now Smith has a bunch of unproven upperclassmen who have been under his title page their entire collegiate careers, as well as a bunch of talented but unproven underclassmen, with the need for one or more of them to break out in a offense being coordinated by a knowledgeable OC. It no one shows up as an impact WR this year, then it would be clear where the responsibility/fault lies.

Pretty simple? Sure, there's more to it than that, but with those fundamentals in place, an actual passing offense can happen.

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!

"Around the edges" - the best description of Zeke's escapades thus far. Although he has not been "proven innocent" in this case (or the DV one from a year ago) as some people seem to think, neither has he been proven guilty, which is the standard in our legal system. What these incidents share with the couple others is bad judgment on the "where" (sketchy bar, legal pot shop), the "who" (the woman from last year - just what was their relationship?), the "what" (drinking, pulling down a woman's top in public, however consensual). It's quite possible that none of these involved actions that were "wrong" (legally, morally) and certainly haven't been proven to be such. So what's the problem? Two things. First, the optics. Why does that matter? He's making a lot of money not just because he's talented, but because the NFL has a product to sell. If the product gets tainted, the money dries up. Like it or not, the NFL, whose product it is, can be the arbiter of what taints the product. When you benefit from a system (making a boatload of money), the follow the written and unwritten rules. Which brings us to the second problem - a lack of judgment. Zeke doesn't seem to get that, and sooner or later, it's gonna come around to bite him in the ass. The judgment that So far has led to bad optics and unproven (and perhaps false) allegations sooner or later will lead to something that sticks, or (sooner than would otherwise happen, even if no time soon) to an employer deciding it just isn't worth it. Zeke is young, famous, and has a lot of money. It doesn't necessarily follow that this trail of incidents will follow. Current teAmmate Dak Prescott? Former teammates - Bosa, Thomas, Apple, Lee? Don't think that it's just a matter of time. Think of LeBron James, who had every bit as much money at an even younger age. Nothing in all these years. Zeke is being paid as a grown ads man. He should act like one. End of rant.

It's the NCAA. 'Nuff said.

A frontrunner is always going to suffer do to an off game. Everybody has an off game.

Except perhaps for PG, I've heard that in the NBA they essentially evaluate a player's position by who he can guard. When you're on offense, the other team is the one who has to adapt to defend against whatever you do offensively, allowing offenses to be built using the skills of the personnel available.  On defense, though, the other teams is determining how to attack, and so you need to have players able to guard the typical types/positions. So, for example, if you don't have a defender quick enough to guard your typical SG, that guy is going to kill you. I'm imagining that the same is true, at least to some extent, in college, even if not to the same extent.

I think Holtman almost HAS to add another big to the 2018 class, which would then not only allow more depth, but having the opportunity to play two together.

Ok, I'll add to my list - "... and one other major upset to a team who shouldn't even be in the game against the Buckeyes."  I think that covers it.

The Haskins (or Burrow) in 2018 might well be much improved over the Haskins (or Burrow) of 2017 It's easy to surmise that a Haskins (or Burrow)i who is better in 2018 than Barrett in 2017 would also have been better in 2017. That's not necessarily the case. This same situation has been debated (with opinions on both sides) for Hooker of 2016 vs Hooker or Powell in 2015. It's easy for us to opine; but fortunately the coaches who have to make the call have more expertise and info. (not that this always makes them right).

I didn't see anywhere that he said "irrelevant."  But there may be offsetting qualities - in this case, JT's ability as a runner, his decision-making in the run game, his leadership, Other factors which could come into play with experience, like decision-making in the passing game (JT has been questioned on this, but neither have his backups actually demonstrated it while truly under fire in a game).  And no, not every upperclassman with experience is necessarily going to better when considering all factors simply because he is experienced. But experinece DOES matter, even if it it isn't the be-all and end-all.

Apparently it's merely a title.

Potter won't play alongside Wesson (at least against a good opponent) until the Buckeyes get another big man. There's no one else to stick in that 5 spot should one or both get in foul trouble.

I'm so bad at predictions that I'll predict losses against, Oklahoma, Iowa, Penn state, Nebraska and Michigan... just so that we have a chance at going undefeated in the regular season. Then for a loss in the Big Ten championship, then a loss in the 1st round of the playoffs, then a loss in the national championship game.

You're damned straight! Go Bucks!

I know it's not what you meant, but the next step is to win a Natty with these players. Recruiting is merely the means to an end.

Wow! So how does one sign up?(I'll avoid that line)

maybe if they handicapped teams by allowing them to play whatever number of players at a time to equalize the recruting points on the field at any given time

Those benefits... are they as good as those for "friends with benefits?"

Yep. Just look what that did to us.

A quick mental tally shows that to be 22 more points and 21 more assists than in my career.

And as unfair as that might be, and however much we might not LIKE it, how does it really AFFECT us?