CFP Title Game, Alabama vs tOSU, Jan 11, 8:15 ET on ESPN, Miami

[billmac91]

Garrett will be a top 50 pick. Togiai, who probably isn't playing, should be when he declares, if not higher. We'll have to see about the ends, they are mostly a young unit. Cooper is a solid guy but probably not a high draft pick. The future draft talent is Harrison and Smith. The latter is making big strides lately.

Baron Browning has elite athleticism as a pass rusher. Not sure they trust him on less than 3rd and 10 (he's a starting LB who may get some situational reps at DE)

They do not have an instant nfl pro bowl rookie like the last 6 seasons.

If I were a betting man, I'd say they have 4 guys that will eventually be top 3 round picks, , mostly top 2, but I'm not sure if Harrison and Smith are going to put it all together. Or if smith is in miami.

I think you’re selling OSU a tad short on draft talent.

Wyatt Davis is 1st guard off the board and a top 15 pick.

Fields clearly goes top 10 (prob top 3).

Olave has moved up to back end of first rd in several mocks I’ve seen.

Shaun Wade is borderline first rd (I think he will be if he’s available to Pittsburgh).

I think by time frat rolls around, Togiai is a clear 1st rounder.

Josh Meyers has a shot if he declares but sounds like he’s surprisingly considering a return.

And Baron Browning might be slightly “over-rated” by “draftniks” but when healthy his explosion pops off screen. A few weeks ago CBS sports had him a s a first rounder....but as a 3-4 LB as a stand-up rush end (which makes sense).

I also think Pete Warner, with his coverage ability as an LB, goes no later than 2nd rd. Maybe that’s too optimistic, but kid is a baller.

And then, let’s be fair to Garrett Wilson and Nicholas Petite-Frere who could be 1st rounders next year when eligible.

 

[billmac91]

These are the giant shoes to fill if tommy can't go (72)



There are rumblings of a false positive for osu, meaning someone thought to be gone is back.

Kid is so fucking strong it’s ridiculous.

 

[Jim Hunter]

Is there a lot of running in ping pong? LOL

 

[Redhawk]

I think you’re selling OSU a tad short on draft talent.

Wyatt Davis is 1st guard off the board and a top 15 pick.

Fields clearly goes top 10 (prob top 3).

Olave has moved up to back end of first rd in several mocks I’ve seen.

Shaun Wade is borderline first rd (I think he will be if he’s available to Pittsburgh).

I think by time frat rolls around, Togiai is a clear 1st rounder.

Josh Meyers has a shot if he declares but sounds like he’s surprisingly considering a return.

And Baron Browning might be slightly “over-rated” by “draftniks” but when healthy his explosion pops off screen. A few weeks ago CBS sports had him a s a first rounder....but as a 3-4 LB as a stand-up rush end (which makes sense).

I also think Pete Warner, with his coverage ability as an LB, goes no later than 2nd rd. Maybe that’s too optimistic, but kid is a baller.

And then, let’s be fair to Garrett Wilson and Nicholas Petite-Frere who could be 1st rounders next year when eligible.

I think they were specifically discussing the D-line.

 

[Jim Hunter]

I think you’re selling OSU a tad short on draft talent.

Wyatt Davis is 1st guard off the board and a top 15 pick.

Fields clearly goes top 10 (prob top 3).

Olave has moved up to back end of first rd in several mocks I’ve seen.

Shaun Wade is borderline first rd (I think he will be if he’s available to Pittsburgh).

I think by time frat rolls around, Togiai is a clear 1st rounder.

Josh Meyers has a shot if he declares but sounds like he’s surprisingly considering a return.

And Baron Browning might be slightly “over-rated” by “draftniks” but when healthy his explosion pops off screen. A few weeks ago CBS sports had him a s a first rounder....but as a 3-4 LB as a stand-up rush end (which makes sense).

I also think Pete Warner, with his coverage ability as an LB, goes no later than 2nd rd. Maybe that’s too optimistic, but kid is a baller.

And then, let’s be fair to Garrett Wilson and Nicholas Petite-Frere who could be 1st rounders next year when eligible.

Not selling them short, I know they're talented. On Bama Waddle and Smith are definitely first rounders, Patrick Surtain the CB is probably the first corner off the board, Mac Jones late first round, Naji Harris late first round

 

[Jim Hunter]

All I know is Vegas set the line at 7 and it's at 8 now, meaning 8 point favorites win 78% of the time. They know about it more than I do, and are not right all the time like the last time we played. Still looking forward to it. Have a good time!

 

[jwinslow]

I think they were specifically discussing the D-line.

Yes this was exclusively a DL convo. Last year, osu had the best pass rushing prospect in a generation, maybe longer, but the DL as a whole was not as good as this year.

Teams could and did triple team Chase (and hold till the cows came home), and the second best guy was probably Davon Hamilton inside.

Current stars Garrett and Togiai played occasionally but were not anchors like this year.

I tend to think Tommy is a first rounder in 2022.

Browning is getting some late first chatter. When he's attacking the line of scrimmage, he flashes that five star ability that Bama fought for.

I agree with your other general draft projections.

Wades another departure from the norm. Many recent osu defenses had 2-4 dbs that would go in the first round and solid safeties to support them. He's the only one with any chance for now (we'll see where ransom ends up). Wade is probably a #40ish pick that can sneak into the late first with a good combine.

 

[billmac91]

All I know is Vegas set the line at 7 and it's at 8 now, meaning 8 point favorites win 78% of the time. They know about it more than I do, and are not right all the time like the last time we played. Still looking forward to it. Have a good time!

Bama’s offense is freakish and any time you can get a stop it’s massive.

I think -8 makes sense to me, even if I still have confidence in Bucks. Getting stops is gonna be tough. We don’t have the exact depth we’d prefer. And word is out best defensive lineman is out. So, again, it makes sense.

But we’ll see....I’m excited to see what Day has up his sleeve. His gameplan against Clemson was elite. I hope he doesn’t get too cute, especially with lateral type shit, but man I’m a huge fan when he goes misdirection, and attacks downfield like with the TE seam against Clemson. He can be lethal with that stuff....just need to execute.

 

[billmac91]

Yes this was exclusively a DL convo. Last year, osu had the best pass rushing prospect in a generation, maybe longer, but the DL as a whole was not as good as this year.

Teams could and did triple team Chase (and hold till the cows came home), and the second best guy was probably Davon Hamilton inside.

Current stars Garrett and Togiai played occasionally but were not anchors like this year.

I tend to think Tommy is a first rounder in 2022.

Browning is getting some late first chatter. When he's attacking the line of scrimmage, he flashes that five star ability that Bama fought for.

I agree with your other general draft projections.

Wades another departure from the norm. Many recent osu defenses had 2-4 dbs that would go in the first round and solid safeties to support them. He's the only one with any chance for now (we'll see where ransom ends up). Wade is probably a #40ish pick that can sneak into the late first with a good combine.

I’d bet my life Wade goes before #40....he’s been a little soft in coverage, but come on late. His tackling against Clemson was tremendous for a CB. Super physical.

His versatility is huge at next level too. While we committed to making him
a better boundary corner if he came back, NFL teams are going to love they can slide him inside and out. He’s a better nickel corner, but he’s no slouch outside.

 

[jwinslow]

One colossal factor in this game, the flip of Jordan Battle. Not only is he a huge part of your defense, but osu inexplicably went an entire class without a quality DB, and then had their only blue chip corner flipped by Utah after their coach left.

This coaching malfeasance was particularly inexcusable given the unprecedented run they were having at corner, yet they recruited at a northwestern level.

Osu really took a hit when they lost their db coach to the nfl, and then Grinch/Johnson collected paychecks for unknown reasons. The spring before the 2019 class entered their senior year, Denzel Ward was drafted top 5 and made the pro bowl. Lattimore was the reigning DROY and top 10 pick and they had had 6 guys in 5 years. Yet those guys signed absolutely no one. Ridiculous.

Osu lost 3 nfl starters from the 2019 defense, and battle would have gone a long way to shoring that up. Ironically it's not the two cbs they miss most, but their captain safety who was a sleeper in the draft but a key part of the rams defense now.

It's painful watching his physical, rangy play in tuscaloosa instead of columbus.

 

[billmac91]

One colossal factor in this game, the flip of Jordan Battle. Not only is he a huge part of your defense, but osu inexplicably went an entire class without a quality DB, and then had their only blue chip corner flipped by Utah after their coach left.

This coaching malfeasance was particularly inexcusable given the unprecedented run they were having at corner, yet they recruited at a northwestern level.

Osu really took a hit when they lost their db coach to the nfl, and then Grinch/Johnson collected paychecks for unknown reasons. The spring before the 2019 class entered their senior year, Denzel Ward was drafted top 5 and made the pro bowl. Lattimore was the reigning DROY and top 10 pick and they had had 6 guys in 5 years. Yet those guys signed absolutely no one. Ridiculous.

Osu lost 3 nfl starters from the 2019 defense, and battle would have gone a long way to shoring that up. Ironically it's not the two cbs they miss most, but their captain safety who was a sleeper in the draft but a key part of the rams defense now.

It's painful watching his physical, rangy play in tuscaloosa instead of columbus.

Fair analysis.....but Proctor is such a wild card. Kid could give up a terrible TD, or come up with the most freakish defensive play of the game.

I’ll cross my fingers for the freakish play of the game.

 

[1926Buckeyes]

CNS, not sure of player, big outbreak in preseason. If OSU was trying to post-pone game, assuming they're going to have several out, if not assuming the postponement was designed to buy time for Fields to get healthy.

This dumb talking point remains incredibly dumb. There was never any sort of double secret plan to fake COVID positives to rest Fields. Not sure I'd rely on a coach's daughter running her mouth on twitter as some oracle of information. Just reeks of a desperation to make something out of nothing.

It's even more annoying as it's the 5th time this team has had significant issues due to COVID and all we hear is "tHEy'Re LyInG bEcAuSe ThEy'Re ScArEd!". Whatever makes you feel better. We all know that if the roles were reversed Bama fans would be crying about how unfair it is and the national conversation would be "Does this tarnish an OSU title???". Unfortunately, OSU doesn't have the luxury of being in a conference where the talking points revolve around them and the top teams are given 2nd and 3rd chances.

 

[billmac91]

It’s not worth getting defensive over narrative OSU is trying to postpone game
to get Fields extra time. After everything that’s happened this football season....like, why give a shit?

We are in title game, and 2 months ago we didn’t even have a season. Sucks we’re a bit short handed, and sucks we didn’t start earlier, as I think we’d have far fewer cases among team right nkw. Don’t want to go too far down rabbit hole, but the upside to SEC and ACC starting so early, is they minimized new exposure at this time of year, since their teams has been exposed. I don’t think it’s coincidental we are where many SEC/ACC teams were not that long ago.

But we are playing Monday...likely short handed. It is what it is. I still expect them to compete hard and keep it close. I don’t think OSU is intimidated to be honest......and I love it.

 

[Jim Hunter]

I don't know the specifics about what or where his ankle fracture was, but it isn't uncommon for an athlete (especially a highly skilled, trained athlete like Waddle) to come back from an ankle fracture 4-6 weeks after injury depending on what and where the fracture was at, and he's had that much time and more. If he fractured the non-weight bearing fibula, I have had HS athletes return in 4-5 weeks without any performance issues, and I'm sure Waddle is getting better rehab and more attention than an 18 year old female soccer player in HS.

Surprisingly, bone heals a lot quicker than some of the soft-tissue and ligamentous injuries that often hamper an athletes ability to return to 100% quickly. To your point about just starting land running. That is the more important aspect of this, and with the muscle atrophy that occurs with significant lay-off, it would be very unlikely that he be @ or near 100% if he is available next week. But a Waddle at 85% is still an additional weapon that the Bucks DB's would need to account for and Bama has plenty. Just like OSU's youngsters, just bc people have not heard of them doesn't mean they can't play.

Right on point! Doc

 

[Jim Hunter]

Y’all ever get the feeling that God may be an SEC fan? Crooked SEC refs and now a damn pandemic may stop Day from winning a NC.

LOL- crooked Refs? Where did that come from? Maybe our 4 win, Ole Miss beating the heralded Indiana football team? LOL