TBBC Awards: Tulsa Golden Hurricane; Samuel Shines, Pick Sixes Aplenty, Hooker Pancake
WVaBuckeye via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
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The staff here at tBBC bailed me out this week with the awards. Real job is pulling in all different directions so I apologize up front for not having my thoughts! No need to worry, we have some of the best opinions going from the staff!
Offensive
COLUMBUS, OH – SEPTEMBER 10: Curtis Samuel #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes eludes the defense of Jesse Brubaker #8 of the Tulsa Hurricane as he picks up 18 yards in the third quarter at Ohio Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Tulsa 48-3. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
tOSU Offensive MVP
MDotySr –. Curtis Samuel showed up in the second half like all great players should. We are finally seeing what all the so called experts have been saying for the last three years.
Scott – JT Barrett. Ran the offense well in a variety of conditions. Still being an efficient game manager and contributor.
Ben v. – Curtis Samuel. He has proved that this year he is Barrett’s go to man out of the backfield and he has taken on the true hybrid role. 400+ yards in two games so far this season, which had only been twice by an Ohio State player before puts him in rare company.
Brandon – Curtis Samuel. It wasn’t nearly as impressive as last weekend but Samuel had another very solid day rushing and receiving. He had 13 touches for 140 yards (78 rushing/62 receiving). While it wasn’t a wow type of day, the Buckeye limited his touches quite a bit. He did manage 9.8 yards per rush and 12.4 yards per reception which is pretty darn good.
Mike Meals – If I had to pick my favorite player on offense this year, it’s Weber. I’m super high on him. But against Tulsa, even with his first TD, I have to go with Curtis Samuel as well. He has shown his ability to catch passes in both games, but I was impressed with him running the ball, like a true “Ohio State” running back. He showed me how tough he really his. (PS…what a problem to have, eh? 2 GREAT backs to carry the load this year? I’ll take it!)
Shannon – I am gonna have to go with Curtis Samuel. His explosiveness and dynamic plays helped wake up the sleep-walking offense.
Curtis Samuel wins in a landslide, no need to fire me this week!
tOSU O-line MVP
MDotySr – In the first half, No One!! But in the second have, I got to say the ring leader Pat Elflein as well. The group jelled better and opened holes which allowed us to see Weber his first TD of many more to come.
Scott – See Brandon.
Ben v. – Pat Elflein – Even though he had some poor snaps, he is the ringleader on offense and as long as he stays healthy, the offensive line will continue to grow under his tutelage.
Brandon – Pat Elflein. I will continue putting his name down every week. Any success they have is with his leadership. The line struggled early but came together and showed their dominance.
Mike Meals – Brandon is right…Elflein, for all the same reasons!
Shannon – Elflein, some high snaps were worrisome. His leadership on the line is great and he is really starting to call better blocking schemes to help protect Barrett.
Pat Elflein had a ridiculous game at center and will continue to!
tOSU Offensive Unsung
MDotySr –. Dontre Wilson has been very consistent so far and Saturday was no different. You are not seeing the pinball wizard routine from the past. Color me impressed so far.
Scott – Mike Weber. Solid numbers. Nothing flashy but important yards.
Ben v. – Dontre Wilson – He is certainly taking his role to heart this season. Whether it is running the wildcat, catching the ball out of the backfield, or running out of the pistol, Wilson is providing another quality option behind Samuel and Weber.
Brandon – Mike Weber. He was stuffed a few times early and it seemed like the offensive staff decided to move on early. Once they decided to use Weber again, he did not disappoint. It was not an easy day for him but he very quietly put up 92 yards (5.4 avg.) and had his first touchdown.
Mike Meals – Dontre Wilson. Everyone is looking for him to have a breakout year, and he’s getting overshadowed in the headlines department, but he is doing exactly what is needed of him. Urban will reward him when the time is right. But until then, Wilson is quietly putting together a solid campaign so far. He is turning into the perfect team player, who does what is best for OSU instead of just himself, and that needs to be commended.
Shannon- Mike Weber, rushed for 92 yards with a touchdown in his second career game.
Dontre Wilson has been a pleasant surprise and wins in a nail biter 3-2
Defensive
So…we all knew the Silver Bullets would be the ones to carry the Buckeyes today, right?
— Mike Meals (@mmeals)
September 10, 2016
. Marshon Lattimore stepped up big and played to his potential. Hopefully signs of the next great CB at Thee Ohio State University.
Scott – Malik Hooker. Just because I like the name Hooker. And dude can ball.
Ben v. – Lattimore – Two picks, and the first one was flat out impressive. The second one, well a wet ball that looked like a duck was a pretty easy catch for him, but the return was spectacular.
Brandon – Marshon Lattimore. One of the big question marks this off-season was wondering who would start opposite of Conley. So far in the first two weeks, Lattimore has stepped up to the challenge. Against Tulsa, Lattimore had two interceptions and returned one for a touchdown.
Mike Meals – Lattimore…you can’t overlook a game like that. Two interceptions, in that weather, against a DANG good quarterback, the entire defensive secondary played well. But Lattimore, scoring a TD, having the game of his career? Got to be my MVP this week.
Shannon – Marshon Lattimore. What looked like a huge concern to me before the season, the secondary has balled out so far. Lattimore was amazing this past week.
Marshon Lattimore is taking part in the new Buckeye secondary(save for Gareon Conley) in spreading the ball and pick sixes around!
tOSU D-line MVP
MDotySr – Jalyn Holmes. My man played all four positions along the dline and was as consistent as we have seen him. Again, another Buckeye starting to live up to his potential.
Scott – Sam Hubbard. Turning into a stud.
Ben v. – Sam Hubbard. He is certainly coming into his own, and even though Dane Evans was able to throw the ball quickly yesterday, the defensive line was still putting pressure on him, and they caused 5 turnovers because of it.
Brandon – Jalyn Holmes. All four defensive ends (Hubbard, Lewis, Holmes, Bosa) played a pretty good game but I was most impressed with Holmes. He won’t show up as dominant in the stat book but he did a lot of little things which probably went unnoticed. One example was when Holmes lined up at DT and took two guys out of the play which opened up Hubbard for a stunt and easy sack.
Mike Meals – As a former lineman, I want to give credit to Holmes, for all the reasons Brandon says. But I am going Hubbard as my D-line MVP. Getting a sack and being a part of 6 tackles, all while being the single Dlineman that Tulsa game planned against is more than impressive. That’s going to be the story this year. Until someone else steps up and dominates, anything Hubbard does will be done while being the focal point of the opposing game plan.
Shannon – Sam Hubbard, the kid is starting to show why he is going to be a force to recon with as the season wears on.
Hubbard is a man amongst boys right now and is taking the brunt of teams double teams.
tOSU Defensive Unsung
MDotySr – Jerome Baker was involved in quite a few plays where he was not mentioned. I thought this was an excellent showing for the young man with bigger things to come.
Scott – Marshon Lattimore. Has turned a defensive question mark into an exclamation point!
Ben v. – Raekwon McMillan. He really isn’t unsung, but as the secondary keeps dominating the headlines with pick-sixes, his steady presence in the middle led to a 1.6 yard per carry average for the running game of Tulsa yesterday.
Brandon – Malik Hooker. It is really hard to say Hooker is unsung but I’m picking him simply based off his block of that poor defensive tackle on Lattimore’s TD. That play was pretty unsung when it happened but ensured Lattimore was able to go to the house.
Mike Meals – I mentioned this to Brandon while we were talking during the game, but Raekwon McMillan may be the very best MLB Ohio State has had in years, and he is constantly overlooked. You don’t really hear about him the way the OSU press has went on all over former LBs in Columbus. I don’t get it, he is as good or better than anyone else to play there in the last 15 years or so.
Shannon – Joe Berger. I am going with him for second week in a row. Tulsa is on the one yard line going for it on fouth down. Who plugged the hole preventing the touchdown? Berger
Lots of choices here but Raekwonza get’s the surprising nod, he is the best LB’er in the B1G but is flying under the radar right now.
Odds and Ends
tOSU Special Teams MVP
MDotySr –. Cam, Cam, Cam!
Scott – Cam Johnston. Wish I could get that kind of spin on my golf ball.
Ben v. – The Aussie – A 50+ average is normal for him, but when he got ran into on the punt late and didn’t fall down like most punters would have, he gained more respect from me than he already had. The fact that he also raced down field and talked smack to the offender made it even better.
Brandon – Cameron Johnston. After being ignored week one, Johnston reminded everyone how good he was. He punted the ball five times for an average of 51.2 yards. That is a pretty darn good average. His long on the day was 61 yards.
Mike Meals – Johnston…We are all disciples who worshipped at the Temple of Tressel. The way Cam can turn the field over is an amazing weapon to have in our back pocket.
Shannon – The Aussie! How disheartening is it for opposing coaches to know if you do stop the Buckeyes on offense, you will be pinned back and have a very long drive to score.
Unanimously to the Aussie this week. He continues to be one of the best in the country and won’t get the recognition due to lack of punts.
tOSU Needs Improvement
MDotySr – Playing to your potential for all four quarters. Can afford to play down to the competition again or it will cost the Buckeyes at least one game maybe two.
Scott – Return game.
Ben v. – Wide Receivers – Besides the “running backs” the OSU receivers had 5 receptions all game. That is simply unacceptable. If they are going to have any chance against Oklahoma, the wide receivers are going to have to step up and become an actual threat, or Oklahoma will load the box and force us to pass.
Brandon – Defensive Tackles. I worry about the ease the Tulsa running game had pounding the ball straight up the middle. With Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon waiting, the middle of the defensive line will have to play their best game. If they can hold their ground in the middle, it will allow the talented ends time to put pressure on Baker Mayfield without worrying about playing the run.
Mike Meals – Offensive Coaching Staff. It felt like they came into this game planning on the rain and wind being there the whole time and it wasn’t. Then, for the entire 1st half, they still insisted sticking to their guns and not making the adjustments they finally did in the 2nd half (which ironically, was when the rain came). I don’t want to see them abandon what they feel is the best plan to beat an opponent, but Ohio State’s MO seems to be ride out a game plan for an entire half, and then try to fix it, instead of on the fly changes.
Shannon – There are a bunch of issue that need worked on. Major one is dicipline. I believe Buckeyes are averaging nine penalties a game, that has to stop or its gonna hurt you.
A plethora of issues here and no “clear” favorite although play calling seems to be the theme!
tOSU Next Big Star
Scott – Hooker.
Ben v. – Hooker. The way he reads the offense, and the quarterbacks eyes is simply impressive. What looks like a play where he is nowhere in sight, he shows up and makes the play.
Brandon – Malik Hooker. He continues to impress me more and more. His instincts and ball-hawking abilities are truly something we have not seen at Ohio State in awhile. Everything he does looks so smooth and looks like it is all scripted and he is simply going through the motions.
Mike Meals – Can I say Weber here? I know I am not all alone in thinking this, but he is going to be something special. I don’t mean just good…I mean SPECIAL before he leaves Columbus.
Shannon – Honestly there just are to many to pick. First one that comes to mind right now is Malik Hooker the ball hawk. Let’s not forget he summened his inner Orlando Pace for a pancake.
By Hook or by Crook is something I am trying to get going on social media, future Captain Hooker.
TB1G Coach of the Week
MDotySr – Chris Ash, not only for his first win but trailed 14-0 in the first quarter to come back and win big.
Scott – Harbooger. Just because.
Ben v. – Chris Ash. Yes it was Howard, but he got his first career head coaching win at Rutgers. Many more to come.
Brandon – Kirk Ferentz. This guy has a career record of 129-87 at Iowa. He does just enough every five years to get Iowa excited and they give him a crazy contract. He is 6-7 in bowl games…9-9 against in-state rival Iowa State..yet he was signed this week to a contract extension which runs through 2025 and giving $4.5 million a year. This guy won the week.
Mike Meals – Out of loyalty, Chris Ash. For the reasons above from Ben…but my coach of the week overall is Tom Herman. Yes, same thing as Ash, it was an FCS school UH played (Lamar). But our Mensa Man was smart enough to hold his all-everything QB, Greg Ward Jr, out of a meaningless game to get him healthy for the Coogs conference championship run. Houston had a longer weather delay than the Buckeyes did, and they still dominated. And I don’t know how much everyone has been following, but Herman has this Houston football team ready to run through a wall for him, much like Urban gets out his players in Columbus.
Shannon – I pick Jim Harbaugh. He had the best pick six of the week.
I am not surprised Chris Ash gets the nod, going to be a long season for Rutgers but he got his first win!
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TBBC Awards: Tulsa Golden Hurricane; Samuel Shines, Pick Sixes Aplenty, Hooker Pancake appeared first on
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