buckeye247
# 33
I wish we were playing at the metrodome again. Ginn seems like he runs faster on artificial turn.
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RhodeIslandBuck
This guy's a real jerk
buckeye247;644321; said:
Just another reason why we should get artificial turf.
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chuck_jax
Senior
daddy bet bucks
daddy,
Your predictor is VERY interesting indeed. Funny, I had been working some a similar rating system for a little while involving differentials to running and passing statistics, but for some reason, I hadn't yet worked on scoring.
I really think you are on to something. Something I think would really tell the story is somehow be able to throw out the stats after the coach calls off the dogs, so to speak. Not an easy thing to assess, is it.
Regardless, you have been able to throw out the problem of a team playing tomato cans to pad stats, or playing teams that only plays good pass teams, etc.
When you look at your numbers and who does well in this, you do see a "who's who" for 2006 cfb, don't you. Certainly, LSU is a very tough team. We will see about Rutgers.
daddy,
Your predictor is VERY interesting indeed. Funny, I had been working some a similar rating system for a little while involving differentials to running and passing statistics, but for some reason, I hadn't yet worked on scoring.
I really think you are on to something. Something I think would really tell the story is somehow be able to throw out the stats after the coach calls off the dogs, so to speak. Not an easy thing to assess, is it.
Regardless, you have been able to throw out the problem of a team playing tomato cans to pad stats, or playing teams that only plays good pass teams, etc.
When you look at your numbers and who does well in this, you do see a "who's who" for 2006 cfb, don't you. Certainly, LSU is a very tough team. We will see about Rutgers.
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sandgk
Watson, Crick & A Twist
He is not injured, and there is no overt issue with discipline as he has been getting in games - just not a lot.CleveBucks;643688; said:
Daniels still is backing up Pinnix in the 2-deep. Result, in my view of a failed experiment foisted on Minny by the RB departures last year.
The Minny offense was really the 2-headed monster only once this year - versus Kent State. Perhaps because of Minny chucking the ball more than in years past, only one back has been featured since that point. Pinnix got the nod and Daniels has been used sparingly.
Maybe they should have just switched him back to LB and made the best use of his talents.
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OSU: Will Gophers bring their AA game?
By JON SPENCER
For The Marion Star
COLUMBUS - Three years ago, North Dakota State was playing football in the Division II North Central Conference. Last week, the Bison buffaloed and almost beat a Big Ten team that will try and ruin Ohio State's storybook season on Saturday.
What was supposed to be an easy tune-up for the Buckeyes nearly turned into disaster for Minnesota. The Gophers practically apologized for the 10-9 win after being thoroughly out-played by their I-AA visitor in the Metrodome.
Is that any way to prepare for the No. 1 team in the nation?
The Bison outgained the Gophers 380-249 in total yards, had 11 more first downs, ran 22 more offensive plays and held nearly a 10-minute advantage in time of possession. Thanks to a blocked field goal on the final play of the game, Minnesota avoided becoming the third Big Ten team to lose on its own field to a I-AA opponent this season.
Former Michigan State coach George Perles watched the game from the press box. His son, Pat, is North Dakota State's offensive coordinator.
"There's a lot of parity in college football today because of the lack of scholarships," Perles told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "In the old days, a lot of these kids at North Dakota State would have been in the Big Ten, but we cut the scholarships from 125 down to 85 now."
Bruce Hooley, host of the "Big Show" with Kirk Herbstreit on WBNS Radio in Columbus, isn't sipping the parity punch. He sees Minnesota's close call and losses by Indiana and Northwestern earlier this season to I-AA schools as proof of what he has asserted for years - the Big Ten is weak.
"It's an indictment of your recruiting and your overall program if you lose to a I-AA at home," Hooley said. "Let me say this: It's an indictment of your program if you're even playing a I-AA team. You have no business if you're in a BCS conference playing a I-AA team and ripping your fans off for $60 a ticket to go watch an exhibition or glorified scrimmage."
That salvo was directed at OSU athletics director Gene Smith, who arranged for the Buckeyes to open the 2007 and 2008 seasons at home against I-AA Youngstown State. Such scheduling was approved and encouraged by coach Jim Tressel, who won four national championships at YSU.
"North Dakota State is good," Tressel unconvincingly told reporters. "On film they look very good. Thirty-five or so players on their team are natives of the state of Minnesota, so those are kids that couldn't wait to get to the Metrodome, and they played lights out."
The Buckeyes expect the Gophers - with 17 Ohioans on their roster - to adopt North Dakota State's mentality when they invade Ohio Stadium.
"The Ohio guys are going to come home and try to play their best game, kind of like the North Dakota State kids did last week against Minnesota," linebacker James Laurinaitis said. "They wanted to go home and play (the Gophers) tough, so we know we can expect that from the Gophers."
Laurinaitis is from Minnesota and knows many of the Gophers and Bison. So he treaded delicately when discussing the wisdom of a Big Ten team scheduling a I-AA opponent that, by NCAA rule, has 22 fewer scholarship players.
"You should win that game," he said. "It's a great test of focus for a (I-A) team. You can't take any team lightly. Just because they have AA next to the D-I doesn't mean they can't play football.
"It's interesting how some of our Big Ten teams have played them. It could be lack of focus, but whenever you play you have to be at your best because anybody can get you."
The Horseshoe is going to overflow with fans no matter the opponent. Smith looks at any home game as another financial bonanza to help fund 36 varsity sports, apparently without taking into account that scheduling a I-AA opponent puts the players in the worst of no-win binds.
Don't expect the Buckeyes to complain, however, about facing YSU. Such criticism would be hitting too close to home with their coach.
"You shouldn't look at it as a I-AA team," punter A.J. Trapasso said. "You should look at it as another team you have to play, and not to take it easy on them because you don't know what can happen.
"It's not like they're jokes ... you should never take anyone lightly."
But, besides a victory, what do the Buckeyes get out of such a matchup? How does beating up on a sacrificial lamb from a lower division make them better?
"It gives you a chance to work on your fundamentals," Trapasso said, "and become technique sound."
Isn't that what the spring game is for?
OSU: Will Gophers bring their AA game?
By JON SPENCER
For The Marion Star
COLUMBUS - Three years ago, North Dakota State was playing football in the Division II North Central Conference. Last week, the Bison buffaloed and almost beat a Big Ten team that will try and ruin Ohio State's storybook season on Saturday.
What was supposed to be an easy tune-up for the Buckeyes nearly turned into disaster for Minnesota. The Gophers practically apologized for the 10-9 win after being thoroughly out-played by their I-AA visitor in the Metrodome.
Is that any way to prepare for the No. 1 team in the nation?
The Bison outgained the Gophers 380-249 in total yards, had 11 more first downs, ran 22 more offensive plays and held nearly a 10-minute advantage in time of possession. Thanks to a blocked field goal on the final play of the game, Minnesota avoided becoming the third Big Ten team to lose on its own field to a I-AA opponent this season.
Former Michigan State coach George Perles watched the game from the press box. His son, Pat, is North Dakota State's offensive coordinator.
"There's a lot of parity in college football today because of the lack of scholarships," Perles told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "In the old days, a lot of these kids at North Dakota State would have been in the Big Ten, but we cut the scholarships from 125 down to 85 now."
Bruce Hooley, host of the "Big Show" with Kirk Herbstreit on WBNS Radio in Columbus, isn't sipping the parity punch. He sees Minnesota's close call and losses by Indiana and Northwestern earlier this season to I-AA schools as proof of what he has asserted for years - the Big Ten is weak.
"It's an indictment of your recruiting and your overall program if you lose to a I-AA at home," Hooley said. "Let me say this: It's an indictment of your program if you're even playing a I-AA team. You have no business if you're in a BCS conference playing a I-AA team and ripping your fans off for $60 a ticket to go watch an exhibition or glorified scrimmage."
That salvo was directed at OSU athletics director Gene Smith, who arranged for the Buckeyes to open the 2007 and 2008 seasons at home against I-AA Youngstown State. Such scheduling was approved and encouraged by coach Jim Tressel, who won four national championships at YSU.
"North Dakota State is good," Tressel unconvincingly told reporters. "On film they look very good. Thirty-five or so players on their team are natives of the state of Minnesota, so those are kids that couldn't wait to get to the Metrodome, and they played lights out."
The Buckeyes expect the Gophers - with 17 Ohioans on their roster - to adopt North Dakota State's mentality when they invade Ohio Stadium.
"The Ohio guys are going to come home and try to play their best game, kind of like the North Dakota State kids did last week against Minnesota," linebacker James Laurinaitis said. "They wanted to go home and play (the Gophers) tough, so we know we can expect that from the Gophers."
Laurinaitis is from Minnesota and knows many of the Gophers and Bison. So he treaded delicately when discussing the wisdom of a Big Ten team scheduling a I-AA opponent that, by NCAA rule, has 22 fewer scholarship players.
"You should win that game," he said. "It's a great test of focus for a (I-A) team. You can't take any team lightly. Just because they have AA next to the D-I doesn't mean they can't play football.
"It's interesting how some of our Big Ten teams have played them. It could be lack of focus, but whenever you play you have to be at your best because anybody can get you."
The Horseshoe is going to overflow with fans no matter the opponent. Smith looks at any home game as another financial bonanza to help fund 36 varsity sports, apparently without taking into account that scheduling a I-AA opponent puts the players in the worst of no-win binds.
Don't expect the Buckeyes to complain, however, about facing YSU. Such criticism would be hitting too close to home with their coach.
"You shouldn't look at it as a I-AA team," punter A.J. Trapasso said. "You should look at it as another team you have to play, and not to take it easy on them because you don't know what can happen.
"It's not like they're jokes ... you should never take anyone lightly."
But, besides a victory, what do the Buckeyes get out of such a matchup? How does beating up on a sacrificial lamb from a lower division make them better?
"It gives you a chance to work on your fundamentals," Trapasso said, "and become technique sound."
Isn't that what the spring game is for?
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No. 1 Buckeyes Play Host To Golden Gophers
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(Sports Network) - Having recently run their national-best winning streak to 15 games, the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes continue their quest for a perfect regular season when they play host to the Minnesota Golden Gophers this Saturday at the Horseshoe in Columbus. Glen Mason's Minnesota club had been reeling in recent weeks, dropping its first four Big Ten bouts, but slipped past I-AA foe North Dakota State at home last week, 10-9. With only four games remaining, the Gophers need to win at least three of them to gain bowl eligibility -- a tough task when you consider the opposition (Ohio State, Indiana, Michigan State and Iowa). Ohio State put forth its most productive offensive performance of the season last week against Indiana, whipping the visiting Hoosiers, 44-3. The Buckeyes are 8-0 on the season (4-0 in conference), and on a collision course with No. 2 Michigan for the Big Ten championship. Finishing strong has been a hallmark of Jim Tressel's team this year as OSU has outscored the enemy, 90-23 in the fourth quarter. Ohio State is 34-10 in league play under Tressel, who is 58-13 at the helm in Columbus overall. He is 45-4 when the Buckeyes score at least 24 points. Ohio State owns a commanding 38-7 advantage in the all-time series with Minnesota, and the Buckeyes have won the last three meetings, including a 45-31 decision a year ago. OSU has won 19 of the 22 previous matchups in ColumbusIt wasn't easy, but Minnesota remained perfect in the all-time series with North Dakota State (7-0) last weekend, coming up with a late blocked field goal to preserve the 10-9 victory. Amir Pinnix led the Golden Gophers with 97 yards and a TD on 27 carries, giving him a rushing score in three consecutive games, while QB Bryan Cupito finished with 150 yards on 14-of-24 passing. Matt Spaeth had 49 yards on six receptions, and he has caught at least one pass in 17 straight games and needs just 44 yards to become the school's all-time leader in receiving yards by a tight end. Talented wideout Logan Payne, who has caught multiple passes in seven straight games, became the 20th member of Minnesotas 1,000-yard receiving club against NDSU. For the season, the Gophers are averaging 25.9 ppg behind an offense that churns out 359.5 ypg. Cupito is hitting the mark on nearly 60 percent of his throws for 193.5 ypg with 11 TDs against only four INTs, while Pinnix heads the UM rushing attack with 747 yards and six TDs. Payne and Spaeth share the top spot in terms of receptions, checking in with 35 apiece and they have a combined nine TD grabs, with Payne logging seven of them. The Minnesota defense is allowing an average of 22.8 ppg, with opposing offenses gaining 390.1 total ypg. Foes have found it relatively easy to move the ball on the ground, chewing up almost 170 ypg, while the pass has yielded success as well at 223.0 ypg. The Gophers have bent far too often in critical moments, allowing a 44 percent success rate on third down. Mike Sherels has enjoyed a solid campaign from his safety spot, making 64 tackles, 40 of which have been solo efforts. His nearest teammate, Dom Barber, has 48 total stops. Jamal Harris has a team-high three INTs, while William Van DeSteeg has pounced on a club-best three fumbles. Van DeSteeg also paces the Gophers with four sacks and 8.5 TFLs, the team averaging almost five TFLs per contest. North Dakota State picked up 23 first downs to Minnesota's 12 and outgained the Gophers, 380-249. The Bison averaged 10.8 yards per pass completion, converted 7-of-16 third down chances and were guilty of just three penalties in the game. Mario Reese led the UM stand with 14 tackles, 12 of which were unassisted, and Deon Hightower finished with 10. Sherels had nine stops and a PBU. The 44 points and 540 yards put up by the Buckeyes last week in the easy win over Indiana were season highs for the country's top-ranked team. Led by Heisman hopeful QB Troy Smith, the OSU offense averaged 8.4 yards per play compared to just 2.6 ypp for the Hoosiers. Smith, a 67.9 percent passer who averages more than 214 ypg through the air, threw for 220 yards and four TD passes, hitting a different receiver each time. He now has 21 TD passes on the year, earning the distinction of being only the third player in school history to surpass the 20-TD mark in a season. Ted Ginn Jr., who threw a TD pass of his own in the rout, wound up with five catches for 72 yards and a score, while Anthony Gonzalez had four grabs for 69 yards and a TD. Antonio Pittman led the OSU ground assault with 105 yards on 16 carries for an average of 6.6 ypc. Pittman is averaging 5.5 ypc and 97.2 ypg. He has scored eight of the team's 12 rushing TDs, while Ginn Jr. and Gonzalez have combined for 13 of the club's 22 receiving scores. As it has all season long, the Ohio State defense stood tall against an overmatched Indiana squad last week, allowing the Hoosiers just three points and a measly 165 total yards. Indiana managed to convert nearly half of its third down tries, but turned the ball over twice and gave up four sacks. Antonio Smith led the Buckeyes with 12 total tackles, 11 of which were solo efforts, while Jay Richardson logged a pair of sacks. Malcolm Jenkins and Andre Amos each came up with an INT, and the Buckeyes have picked off 15 passes this season. James Laurinaitis heads the OSU tackles list with 64, 21 more than his closest teammate (Smith). Vernon Gholston has been a force in the trenches, collecting a team-high 10.5 TFLs, while Quinn Pitcock paces the club with seven sacks. The Ohio State defense is giving up just 8.3 ppg this season, which is tied (with LSU) for the best mark in all of college football, while opponents have found it equally tough to move the ball on the ground (97.2 ypg) and through the air (173.6 ypg). Minnesota has yet to win a Big Ten game this season, and facing the No. 1 team in the land on its home field isn't where the Gophers are going to break that trend. Expect the Ohio State offense to chew up yards and put points on the board, while the defense does more than enough to shut down the Gopher ground attack. Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Ohio State 35, Minnesota 13
No. 1 Buckeyes Play Host To Golden Gophers
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(Sports Network) - Having recently run their national-best winning streak to 15 games, the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes continue their quest for a perfect regular season when they play host to the Minnesota Golden Gophers this Saturday at the Horseshoe in Columbus. Glen Mason's Minnesota club had been reeling in recent weeks, dropping its first four Big Ten bouts, but slipped past I-AA foe North Dakota State at home last week, 10-9. With only four games remaining, the Gophers need to win at least three of them to gain bowl eligibility -- a tough task when you consider the opposition (Ohio State, Indiana, Michigan State and Iowa). Ohio State put forth its most productive offensive performance of the season last week against Indiana, whipping the visiting Hoosiers, 44-3. The Buckeyes are 8-0 on the season (4-0 in conference), and on a collision course with No. 2 Michigan for the Big Ten championship. Finishing strong has been a hallmark of Jim Tressel's team this year as OSU has outscored the enemy, 90-23 in the fourth quarter. Ohio State is 34-10 in league play under Tressel, who is 58-13 at the helm in Columbus overall. He is 45-4 when the Buckeyes score at least 24 points. Ohio State owns a commanding 38-7 advantage in the all-time series with Minnesota, and the Buckeyes have won the last three meetings, including a 45-31 decision a year ago. OSU has won 19 of the 22 previous matchups in ColumbusIt wasn't easy, but Minnesota remained perfect in the all-time series with North Dakota State (7-0) last weekend, coming up with a late blocked field goal to preserve the 10-9 victory. Amir Pinnix led the Golden Gophers with 97 yards and a TD on 27 carries, giving him a rushing score in three consecutive games, while QB Bryan Cupito finished with 150 yards on 14-of-24 passing. Matt Spaeth had 49 yards on six receptions, and he has caught at least one pass in 17 straight games and needs just 44 yards to become the school's all-time leader in receiving yards by a tight end. Talented wideout Logan Payne, who has caught multiple passes in seven straight games, became the 20th member of Minnesotas 1,000-yard receiving club against NDSU. For the season, the Gophers are averaging 25.9 ppg behind an offense that churns out 359.5 ypg. Cupito is hitting the mark on nearly 60 percent of his throws for 193.5 ypg with 11 TDs against only four INTs, while Pinnix heads the UM rushing attack with 747 yards and six TDs. Payne and Spaeth share the top spot in terms of receptions, checking in with 35 apiece and they have a combined nine TD grabs, with Payne logging seven of them. The Minnesota defense is allowing an average of 22.8 ppg, with opposing offenses gaining 390.1 total ypg. Foes have found it relatively easy to move the ball on the ground, chewing up almost 170 ypg, while the pass has yielded success as well at 223.0 ypg. The Gophers have bent far too often in critical moments, allowing a 44 percent success rate on third down. Mike Sherels has enjoyed a solid campaign from his safety spot, making 64 tackles, 40 of which have been solo efforts. His nearest teammate, Dom Barber, has 48 total stops. Jamal Harris has a team-high three INTs, while William Van DeSteeg has pounced on a club-best three fumbles. Van DeSteeg also paces the Gophers with four sacks and 8.5 TFLs, the team averaging almost five TFLs per contest. North Dakota State picked up 23 first downs to Minnesota's 12 and outgained the Gophers, 380-249. The Bison averaged 10.8 yards per pass completion, converted 7-of-16 third down chances and were guilty of just three penalties in the game. Mario Reese led the UM stand with 14 tackles, 12 of which were unassisted, and Deon Hightower finished with 10. Sherels had nine stops and a PBU. The 44 points and 540 yards put up by the Buckeyes last week in the easy win over Indiana were season highs for the country's top-ranked team. Led by Heisman hopeful QB Troy Smith, the OSU offense averaged 8.4 yards per play compared to just 2.6 ypp for the Hoosiers. Smith, a 67.9 percent passer who averages more than 214 ypg through the air, threw for 220 yards and four TD passes, hitting a different receiver each time. He now has 21 TD passes on the year, earning the distinction of being only the third player in school history to surpass the 20-TD mark in a season. Ted Ginn Jr., who threw a TD pass of his own in the rout, wound up with five catches for 72 yards and a score, while Anthony Gonzalez had four grabs for 69 yards and a TD. Antonio Pittman led the OSU ground assault with 105 yards on 16 carries for an average of 6.6 ypc. Pittman is averaging 5.5 ypc and 97.2 ypg. He has scored eight of the team's 12 rushing TDs, while Ginn Jr. and Gonzalez have combined for 13 of the club's 22 receiving scores. As it has all season long, the Ohio State defense stood tall against an overmatched Indiana squad last week, allowing the Hoosiers just three points and a measly 165 total yards. Indiana managed to convert nearly half of its third down tries, but turned the ball over twice and gave up four sacks. Antonio Smith led the Buckeyes with 12 total tackles, 11 of which were solo efforts, while Jay Richardson logged a pair of sacks. Malcolm Jenkins and Andre Amos each came up with an INT, and the Buckeyes have picked off 15 passes this season. James Laurinaitis heads the OSU tackles list with 64, 21 more than his closest teammate (Smith). Vernon Gholston has been a force in the trenches, collecting a team-high 10.5 TFLs, while Quinn Pitcock paces the club with seven sacks. The Ohio State defense is giving up just 8.3 ppg this season, which is tied (with LSU) for the best mark in all of college football, while opponents have found it equally tough to move the ball on the ground (97.2 ypg) and through the air (173.6 ypg). Minnesota has yet to win a Big Ten game this season, and facing the No. 1 team in the land on its home field isn't where the Gophers are going to break that trend. Expect the Ohio State offense to chew up yards and put points on the board, while the defense does more than enough to shut down the Gopher ground attack. Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Ohio State 35, Minnesota 13
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