Are the Buckeyes headed to a bowl game? (Shake, Shake)
Drew Thurman (8:52 pm)
The Buckeyes enter their bye week with a 4-3 record, coming off of a much needed victory over Illinois. Not only did that victory all but insure that Ohio State will be going to a bowl game this season, but you have to think it will give this young team a reason to believe in themselves moving forward. In fact, I think this team could end the season with a pretty decent record. Let's take a look at the remaining schedule.
Wisconsin (10/29):
Everyone knows the No. 4 ranked Badgers have passed the looks test. They stand at 6-0, averaging 50 points a game, and have yet to be challenged this season. Most experts and fans will give the Buckeyes very little hope in this game, but there are a few small things to remember. First, Bielema and company have not played on the road so far this season and have played a very weak schedule outside of Nebraska. I'm very interested to see how Wisconsin looks when they head to East Lansing this weekend to take on Michigan State. Second, Ohio State has two weeks to rest and prepare for what should be the most physical game they play all season. While traditionally the Buckeyes have been poor coming off bye weeks under Tressel, this year feels a lot different. With the Buckeyes entering this contest as major underdogs, I think they stay on task.
Still with a few things going for Ohio State in this game, I'm not sure it will be enough to win. I think they will play a competitive game and outperform the expectations nationally, but will ultimately come up short. The Badgers have arguably the best line in college football and I think they will wear down the Silver Bullets in the second half. I do think the offense will play better in this game, but they won't be able to sustain drives long enough to keep the defense fresh. Oh ya, Wisconsin also has that Russell Wilson guy. Early Prediction - Wisconsin 31, Ohio State 20
The Buckeyes enter their bye week with a 4-3 record, coming off of a much needed victory over Illinois. Not only did that victory all but insure that Ohio State will be going to a bowl game this season, but you have to think it will give this young team a reason to believe in themselves moving forward. In fact, I think this team could end the season with a pretty decent record. Let's take a look at the remaining schedule.
Wisconsin (10/29):
Everyone knows the No. 4 ranked Badgers have passed the looks test. They stand at 6-0, averaging 50 points a game, and have yet to be challenged this season. Most experts and fans will give the Buckeyes very little hope in this game, but there are a few small things to remember. First, Bielema and company have not played on the road so far this season and have played a very weak schedule outside of Nebraska. I'm very interested to see how Wisconsin looks when they head to East Lansing this weekend to take on Michigan State. Second, Ohio State has two weeks to rest and prepare for what should be the most physical game they play all season. While traditionally the Buckeyes have been poor coming off bye weeks under Tressel, this year feels a lot different. With the Buckeyes entering this contest as major underdogs, I think they stay on task.
Still with a few things going for Ohio State in this game, I'm not sure it will be enough to win. I think they will play a competitive game and outperform the expectations nationally, but will ultimately come up short. The Badgers have arguably the best line in college football and I think they will wear down the Silver Bullets in the second half. I do think the offense will play better in this game, but they won't be able to sustain drives long enough to keep the defense fresh. Oh ya, Wisconsin also has that Russell Wilson guy. Early Prediction - Wisconsin 31, Ohio State 20
Indiana (11/5):
This is the one game on the remaining schedule I pencil in as a win. Not only have the Hoosiers been beat by some pretty suspect competition like Ball State and North Texas, but they have shown themselves as a poor performing team on the road. The only thing that could possibly hurt Ohio State is that they will be coming off of a very physical game against Wisconsin, and in past years there have been lingering effects from that kind of game a week later. All in all though, I see this game playing out much like the game against Colorado. Bollman will want to establish early domination with the running game and allow Braxton to slowly get into the flow of the game. Early Prediction - Ohio State 35, Indiana 10
@ Purdue (11/12):
How could anyone forget about the last time the Buckeyes went to West Lafayette? I know I can't, I was in the stands to watch Pryor's four turnovers and the Buckeyes 26-18 loss that day. Maybe it's me just reliving that moment, but this game scares me a little bit. While I know the Boilermakers are a very mediocre team, they proved this last week in Happy Valley that they are tough. Offensively they held their own against a solid Nittany Lion defense, but fell short thanks to three turnovers, a missed field goal, missed extra point, and a failed two-point conversion. I do think that Purdue will be pesky enough against the Buckeyes to hang around, but ultimately I don't think they are physical enough the hang with the Buckeyes for four quarters. Early Prediction - Ohio State 28, Purdue 16.
Penn State (11/19):
The Nittany Lions (6-1) and the Buckeyes mirror each other in so many aspects of the game, making this a very intriguing matchup. Both have had strong defensive efforts while dealing with major problems on the offensive side of the ball, primarily at quarterback. In fact, I foresee this game being a low scoring defensive battle with field position and turnovers being the difference. My only hope is that it isn't as ugly as the Michigan State game!
I do see the Buckeyes winning this one, though, for a few reasons. One, they are playing at home and Penn State has looked very average on the road. The only two road games they have had thus far have been against Temple and Indiana, and they won those games by a combined 10 points. Second, DeVier Posey could possibly be back for this game. With Ohio State's leading receiver being Devin Smith, who has 187 yards total and only one catch in the last three weeks, Posey's return cannot be understated. Finally, the Nittany Lions will be coming off of games against Illinois and Nebraska, and play Wisconsin the following week. That's a tough stretch, and I don't think they will have the kind of confidence the Buckeyes do coming into the game. Early Prediction - Ohio State 17, Penn State 10.
@ Michigan (11/26):
I was a ton more nervous about this game before watching the Wolverines get punched in the mouth by Michigan State. While Brady Hoke has improved the attitude of Michigan's team, he still lacks the personnel to have the physical identity he longs for. That being said, Denard Robinson's incredible athleticism has put lots of points up to hide some of the flaws this team does have. When Robinson is bottled up, though, as he was this last week, the Wolverines look very suspect. After having a bye this week, they will face Purdue, Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska before the Buckeyes. We should get a much better look at how this team holds up against physicality week in and week out in the conference, and if Robinson can stay healthy throughout.
The hope will be for the Buckeyes to emulate the Spartans game plan. On offense they need to play good old-fashioned Big Ten football (as they have been), and control the line of scrimmage. Let Herron, Hall, and Hyde beat on the smaller Michigan defense and keep their offense off the field. When they do have the ball, containing Robinson on the ground will be vital, while making him beat them through the air. That will be a tall order in Ann Arbor though. I obviously believe we see a much more competitive game than in the last few years, but I don't think Denard's arm punts are enough to oust the Buckeyes. Early Prediction - Ohio State 28, Michigan 21.
Final Record: 8-4 (4-1 on the remaining schedule) I realize that's a pretty gutsy prediction considering how inept the offense has looked at times, but I think the remaining schedule lays out nicely for OSU. Do I think that it is enough to save Luke Fickell's job? Maybe, but I'm not holding my breath.
This is the one game on the remaining schedule I pencil in as a win. Not only have the Hoosiers been beat by some pretty suspect competition like Ball State and North Texas, but they have shown themselves as a poor performing team on the road. The only thing that could possibly hurt Ohio State is that they will be coming off of a very physical game against Wisconsin, and in past years there have been lingering effects from that kind of game a week later. All in all though, I see this game playing out much like the game against Colorado. Bollman will want to establish early domination with the running game and allow Braxton to slowly get into the flow of the game. Early Prediction - Ohio State 35, Indiana 10
@ Purdue (11/12):
How could anyone forget about the last time the Buckeyes went to West Lafayette? I know I can't, I was in the stands to watch Pryor's four turnovers and the Buckeyes 26-18 loss that day. Maybe it's me just reliving that moment, but this game scares me a little bit. While I know the Boilermakers are a very mediocre team, they proved this last week in Happy Valley that they are tough. Offensively they held their own against a solid Nittany Lion defense, but fell short thanks to three turnovers, a missed field goal, missed extra point, and a failed two-point conversion. I do think that Purdue will be pesky enough against the Buckeyes to hang around, but ultimately I don't think they are physical enough the hang with the Buckeyes for four quarters. Early Prediction - Ohio State 28, Purdue 16.
Penn State (11/19):
The Nittany Lions (6-1) and the Buckeyes mirror each other in so many aspects of the game, making this a very intriguing matchup. Both have had strong defensive efforts while dealing with major problems on the offensive side of the ball, primarily at quarterback. In fact, I foresee this game being a low scoring defensive battle with field position and turnovers being the difference. My only hope is that it isn't as ugly as the Michigan State game!
I do see the Buckeyes winning this one, though, for a few reasons. One, they are playing at home and Penn State has looked very average on the road. The only two road games they have had thus far have been against Temple and Indiana, and they won those games by a combined 10 points. Second, DeVier Posey could possibly be back for this game. With Ohio State's leading receiver being Devin Smith, who has 187 yards total and only one catch in the last three weeks, Posey's return cannot be understated. Finally, the Nittany Lions will be coming off of games against Illinois and Nebraska, and play Wisconsin the following week. That's a tough stretch, and I don't think they will have the kind of confidence the Buckeyes do coming into the game. Early Prediction - Ohio State 17, Penn State 10.
@ Michigan (11/26):
I was a ton more nervous about this game before watching the Wolverines get punched in the mouth by Michigan State. While Brady Hoke has improved the attitude of Michigan's team, he still lacks the personnel to have the physical identity he longs for. That being said, Denard Robinson's incredible athleticism has put lots of points up to hide some of the flaws this team does have. When Robinson is bottled up, though, as he was this last week, the Wolverines look very suspect. After having a bye this week, they will face Purdue, Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska before the Buckeyes. We should get a much better look at how this team holds up against physicality week in and week out in the conference, and if Robinson can stay healthy throughout.
The hope will be for the Buckeyes to emulate the Spartans game plan. On offense they need to play good old-fashioned Big Ten football (as they have been), and control the line of scrimmage. Let Herron, Hall, and Hyde beat on the smaller Michigan defense and keep their offense off the field. When they do have the ball, containing Robinson on the ground will be vital, while making him beat them through the air. That will be a tall order in Ann Arbor though. I obviously believe we see a much more competitive game than in the last few years, but I don't think Denard's arm punts are enough to oust the Buckeyes. Early Prediction - Ohio State 28, Michigan 21.
Final Record: 8-4 (4-1 on the remaining schedule) I realize that's a pretty gutsy prediction considering how inept the offense has looked at times, but I think the remaining schedule lays out nicely for OSU. Do I think that it is enough to save Luke Fickell's job? Maybe, but I'm not holding my breath.
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