Game Thread CFP Semifinal: Ohio State vs. Clemson, Sat 12/31 @ 7p ET, ESPN

[cincibuck]

Is moxie still a thing? You may need some of that too.

And let us not forget vim, vigor and vitality along with speed (preferably Southern), agility, and bulldog tenacity.

 

[cincibuck]

Let's just not forget who threw the TSUN guys off the bus here...before they bombed Pearl Harbor.

Clearly, you amateurs failed to notice that I was typing with my ears pinned back. Look at the picture below. Pinned back. Big Time. Missed that didn't you?

Also, I typed in space. There's one between every word. But do you notice? Moxie? I would accept the criticism that I wasn't typing in beast-mode, but I did show high motor.

When it comes to adding two plus two to get five, I trust me every time.

I see you play them one word at a time. You didn't get caught looking into the back space, or the next sentence. We still don't know how well you play on the road, but you have the entire playbook to chose from.

 

[UrbanBuckeye]

Great point. Typically the bowl practices are when your younger guys start stepping up and making big improvements. Considering those young guys are our starters for the most part, you could see significant improvement. I am particularly hoping to see it from Prince and to a lesser extent Jordan on the OL.

Agreed. This will be better than Spring Practice. I believe they focused on Oklahoma for the majority of the pre-season. Which is why the team came out swinging and looking better than anyone ever thought (even Meyer).

It's my opinion that if, during this time, the coaching staff sees talent in a player they need to utilize him. Whether it be moving a starter, or getting a player on the field that's seen minimal time.

I'm hoping to see more of Noah Brown in particular.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

Evan Spencer had maybe the best block in the history of OSU football from a non-lineman. He detonated both interior LBs. That play alone makes him a legend, but also throwing the best WR pass I've ever seen, recovering the onsides kick and almost hauling in that absurd one hander? Mercy.

I'm convinced he caught that pass. And that onsides kick recovery was practically impossible. Love me some Evan Spencer.

 

[UrbanBuckeye]

The underdog mentality as it really was Ohio against the world. Urban, as always, the x factor. Tebow said during 2006 Meyer mentioned several quotes, etc. that weren't true to motivate the Gators against the Buckeyes.

Also, as others have mentioned previously, a well rested Cardale Jones was a fairly unknown x factor as he and Ohio State were playin' w/house $$$. Could JT have done as good against 'bama? Again, the stars aligned for the Buckeyes (2) years ago.

Just like the stars aligned against the Buckeyes last year ie too much talent, plus the two qb situation disaster. Mike Greenberg mentioned yesterday the best "team" the past three years didn't make the playoffs ie the 2015 Buckeyes. woulda, coulda, shoulda.

I digress.

>

There's probably another thread for this, but don't underestimate/take for granted Washington. It's usually a team w/no frickin' chance who upsets the apple cart. Pun intended. Washington will definitely be playing with house $$$.

I freakin hope Washington puts Bama down. I'd love to see the Buckeyes do it, of course. Next best thing would be to see a team that nearly everyone has counted out--to the point of saying they'll be blown out, destroy their world.

 

[UrbanBuckeye]

Geez, you're bringing me down UB. Take 2 of these and call me in the morning ... it will all be better. Among the many benefits are reduced stress, lower blood pressure, high in anti-oxidants and late term termination of Heisman candidacy.

View attachment 14588

As for Dabo:

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Didn't you know, I was recruited to be the worry wart of the crew? So far, I'm 12 for 12 attempts and I'm feeling good about going into this game.

You guys need me around...By the end of the season I'm pretty confident I'll suffer an injury. (ulcer, etc.). But, I'm willing to take one for the team.

 

[UrbanBuckeye]

Phoenix has the largest Ohio State alumni base in the country. Heck, there's a Buckeye, Arizona just west of Phoenix.

The front page of the Tampa Bay Times yesterday featured an article about businesses readying themselves for the invasion of fans. Most business owners wanted to see Ohio State & Bama fans here. Someone mentioned, specifically, how well Ohio State fans travel. It seemed Washington was the least favorite considering how far they'd have to travel.

Here's the full article just in case you're interested:

http://www.tampabay.com/news/busine...ld-bring-100000-visitors-to-tampa-bay/2305205

 

[3yardsandacloud]

Didn't you know, I was recruited to be the worry wart of the crew? So far, I'm 12 for 12 attempts and I'm feeling good about going into this game.

You guys need me around...By the end of the season I'm pretty confident I'll suffer an injury. (ulcer, etc.). But, I'm willing to take one for the team.

Well if it's working ... by all means continue. Don't want you to have an ulcer though.

Does that 12 for 12 include Penn State?

 

[bukIpower]

The front page of the Tampa Bay Times yesterday featured an article about businesses readying themselves for the invasion of fans. Most business owners wanted to see Ohio State & Bama fans here. Someone mentioned, specifically, how well Ohio State fans travel. It seemed Washington was the least favorite considering how far they'd have to travel.

Here's the full article just in case you're interested:

http://www.tampabay.com/news/busine...ld-bring-100000-visitors-to-tampa-bay/2305205

Nonsense... Washington can boat to Tampa just as they do at home.

I think the Washington game will be close to be honest. Not sure if they'll win but they'll have everything to prove.

However you guys are spot on IMO regarding the practice. Think about this, we are the youngest team in College football this year and endured the most daunting schedule I've ever seen an OSU program go through (and that's with MSU being down this year, Imagine if they weren't).

I'm confident we will be improved just for the fact that we will be healthy. Even though we put up 126 points in two weeks in November we were tired, beat up, and played to the elements.

Playing Inside with 5 weeks to prepare I know we will put a better effort together on offense. Also imagine being a defensive starter for our team these 5 weeks and how people will talk about the greatness that is Clemson. For five weeks they're going to hear about how Clemson "will get theirs", how NFL talent is everywhere on their offense , and how well they're clicking on offense now (easy to do on a will muschamp defense but sure ok).

IMO this game will be a shock for one team and it'll be Clemson. OSU has played 3 defenses tougher then Clemson and OSU has faced Oklahoma who IMO is equally dangerous as Clemson. OSU has played better teams and because of it won't be a floored with competition as Clemson will be.

More I think of things the more confident I get.

 

[Gcashwell]

Playing Inside .

This is a good point. OSU seems to play much better in nice weather.

 

[lvbuckeye]

Clemson is 109th in turnovers!!!!!
Clemson has had turnover issues this year with 9 fumbles and 15!!! interceptions. We have to get an advantage here and in the field position game.
Turnover could make all the difference in two teams evenly matched.

Is it weird that before I even finished reading this post, let alone looking who posted it, that "orange creme margaritas" popped up in my head?

 

[Onebuckfan]

My biggest worry ST. Being inside should help..,.

 

[UrbanBuckeye]

Well if it's working ... by all means continue. Don't want you to have an ulcer though.

Does that 12 for 12 include Penn State?

That's where the blanket comes into play. I screwed up. I was instructed me to go get my lucky Buckeye blanket out of storage. At the last minute, I called an audible.

Later, everything came out--but I was ultimately redeemed. It was introduced for the Nebraska-- it's powerful nature was released on an unsuspecting Tommy Armstrong.

Due to safety concerns, we didn't bring it out again until the 2nd quarter of 'The Game'. Low and behold... as soon as I sat down with it I said, "time for a pick six." Hooker comes through.

Does all of this sound ridiculous? Yes.
Has it failed me yet? No.
Have people on this board joined me on the crazy train? Yet to be determined.


Finally, it's my belief nearly everyone on this board would get VERY nervous if I didn't freak out each week. In this case...2-3. Let the nail biting begin!

Edit: I appreciate your concern. I've taken precautions and invested in Alka Seltzer

 

[UrbanBuckeye]

I don't understand why everyone thinks Clemson is such an underdog. Can anyone explain this to me? There have been multiple articles citing this as fact. The line is practically as close as you can get.

It's hard to believe a team with a QB that's a possible Heisman winner & played Bama last year in a VERY close game would be plastered all over the media as the underdog.

This isn't Washington-Bama for fuck sake.

 

[UrbanBuckeye]

BTW, with Deshawn Watson traveling to NYC this weekend, I had a thought...

The spotlight, swag, styling, etc. will surely draw his focus from the game.

Heck, I hope he wins the trophy. It'll piss JT off..