Game Thread Game One: #1 Ohio State 35, Northern Illinois 12 (9/2/06)

[osugrad21]

Between 25-40 yards.

If tOSU needs more than 25-40 from Smith, we are likely in trouble anyway.

 

[sonofbrutus5]

Was Bruce a Mobile QB?

Wasn't he more of drop back passer, I mean yeah he may have great speed but speed is all in how you use it, you can be fast as lightning but you don't have the skills to aviod, and the footwork, (which are very much natural instincts) that dosen't profit you anything, a great defensive back can cut corners destroy lanes and make fast players look slower, speed isn't everything if it was The Tenn. Titans would have taken Bruce before Vince.

 

[OSUBuckeye4Life]

Between 25-40 yards.

I agree with Grad on principle BUT I have a hard time believing that he wont get 20-25 yards on ONE scramble, let alone the course of a game.

You must have a better defense than what I've deciphered through the research I've done on NIU.

 

[sonofbrutus5]

G-force honestly

NIU hasn't seen anything like tOSU, there are way to many intangibles, x-factors that a team like the wolf pack has ever experienced do you honestly believe you guys have a shot to beat us at the shoe on opening day?

 

[Bucklion]

NIU hasn't seen anything like tOSU, there are way to many intangibles, x-factors that a team like the wolf pack has ever experienced do you honestly believe you guys have a shot to beat us at the shoe on opening day?

They played Michigan last year...no, the team wasn't as good as we will be this year, but "never experienced"...you're laying on a bit thick here, don't you think? They're playing another (very good) college football team...not the 85 Bears.

And yes, Bruce was a weapon with his feet, but was also a very good QB...just like Smith (but not quite as good)

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

I agree with Grad on principle BUT I have a hard time believing that he wont get 20-25 yards on ONE scramble, let alone the course of a game.

I went back to the two games last season I remember off the top of my head where we ran the shit out of the ball: Iowa and Northwestern.

Iowa: 60 rushes (314 yards), 21 passes (214 yards), 3:1 ratio - Smith had 127 yards on 18 carries
Nothwestern: 54 rushes (317 yards), 15 passes (105 yards), 3.6:1 ratio - Smith had 75 yards on 11 carries

 

[sonofbrutus5]

They played Michigan last year...no, the team wasn't as good as we will be this year, but "never experienced"...you're laying on a bit thick here, don't you think? They're playing another (very good) college football team...not the 85 Bears.

And yes, Bruce was a weapon with his feet, but was also a very good QB...just like Smith (but not quite as good)

They're aren't playing the 85 bears or even the 2002 buckeyes, what I'm saying even more then michigan last tOSU has a lot more weapons at there disposal, Troy Smith for one, mobile and accurate, so I mean maybe I am a little overboard but I think its justified, having a QB like Smith, or even like vince, in the college games is huge tOSU is alot more fast paced and also there are a lot more fluid, because they have an athlete that is fast as hell and also very very very versed and knowledgable about his offense, that right there is worth its wait in gold something the wolf pack hasn't seen.

 

[Dryden]

NIU hasn't seen anything like tOSU, there are way to many intangibles, x-factors that a team like the wolf pack has ever experienced do you honestly believe you guys have a shot to beat us at the shoe on opening day?

First, its the Huskies, not the Wolf Pack (that'd be NC State). Second, you should probably watch more college football, because the five year resume for NIU includes:

2001- Took Big-10 champ Illinois to the wire in Champaign.
2002- Beat Wake Forest in DeKalb, took Wisconsin to the wire at Madison.
2003- Beat Maryland and Iowa State in DeKalb, beat Alabama at Tuscaloosa.
2004- Fell three points short of beating Maryland again at College Park, and a TD short of Iowa State in Ames.
2005- Hung around with Michigan in Ann Arbor until TOs took them out of it, one point shy of upsetting Northwestern in Evanston.

So, the seniors on this team have played road games at Ann Arbor, Madison, and Tuscaloosa (impressive) to go along with trips to Evanston, College Park, and Ames (yawn).

They've actually beat BCS teams at home and on the road, and frankly, played 2001 Illinois and 2002 Wisconsin pretty much as well as the Buckeyes did -- and both of those teams were excellent Big-10 squads.

Will they win? Probably not. But I assure you they won't be intimidated by Ohio State, the Shoe, the Band, or our message boards.

Some of the Buckeye fans in this thread need to can the chest-thumping and cut G-FORCE some slack. He doesn't deserve a lot of these posts, nor the total lack of respect being shown towards his team.

 

[OSUBuckeye4Life]

I went back to the two games last season I remember off the top of my head where we ran the shit out of the ball: Iowa and Northwestern.

Iowa: 60 rushes (314 yards), 21 passes (214 yards), 3:1 ratio - Smith had 127 yards on 18 carries
Nothwestern: 54 rushes (317 yards), 15 passes (105 yards), 3.6:1 ratio - Smith had 75 yards on 11 carries

I want to add:

That is only if Troy wanted to run for that much of course. If Troy put it in his head he was running for 50+ I have no qualms with him being able to do it. I actually dont EXPECT him to rush for that much.

 

[sonofbrutus5]

First, its the Huskies, not the Wolf Pack (that'd be NC State). Second, you should probably watch more college football, because the five year resume for NIU includes:

2001- Took Big-10 champ Illinois to the wire in Champaign.
2002- Beat Wake Forest in DeKalb, took Wisconsin to the wire at Madison.
2003- Beat Maryland and Iowa State in DeKalb, beat Alabama at Tuscaloosa.
2004- Fell three points short of beating Maryland again at College Park, and a TD short of Iowa State in Ames.
2005- Hung around with Michigan in Ann Arbor until TOs took them out of it, one point shy of upsetting Northwestern in Evanston.

As I said before oh wise one, looking at any of those teams do any of them have a Troy Smith? and as for there somewhat impressive "resume" they fell short, wins talk! losses of 7,3, or even 1 are still loses. I don't know because I apparently don't watch enough College football, but I think might loses of 1-100 are still in the same column (you know the L column) if you know otherwise oh prophet college football please tell me.

 

[Bucklion]

First, its the Huskies, not the Wolf Pack (that'd be NC State). Second, you should probably watch more college football, because the five year resume for NIU includes:

2001- Took Big-10 champ Illinois to the wire in Champaign.
2002- Beat Wake Forest in DeKalb, took Wisconsin to the wire at Madison.
2003- Beat Maryland and Iowa State in DeKalb, beat Alabama at Tuscaloosa.
2004- Fell three points short of beating Maryland again at College Park, and a TD short of Iowa State in Ames.
2005- Hung around with Michigan in Ann Arbor until TOs took them out of it, one point shy of upsetting Northwestern in Evanston.

As I said before oh wise one, looking at any of those teams do any of them have a Troy Smith? and as for there somewhat impressive "resume" they fell short, wins talk! losses of 7,3, or even 1 are still loses. I don't know because I apparently don't watch enough College football, but I think might loses of 1-100 are still in the same column (you know the L column) if you know otherwise oh prophet college football please tell me.

First off, you might want to check that attitude at the door when you come in here...some people on this board have forgotten more about football than the casual fan ever knows or finds out...I don't know you, so I don't know where you fit in to that spectrum, but it's best to show some respect...there are a lot of people you can learn from here.

Second, it's not just about Troy Smith...but there are a lot of good QBs in the MAC recently who have decent gigs in the NFL (Leftwich, Rothlisberger, Frye) so the idea they've never "seen anything like OSU" is not accurate. Smith may be a weapon they can't deal with, but it's not because they've never played anybody good.

 

[sonofbrutus5]

First off, you might want to check that attitude at the door when you come in here...some people on this board have forgotten more about football than the casual fan ever knows or finds out...I don't know you, so I don't know where you fit in to that spectrum, but it's best to show some respect...there are a lot of people you can learn from here.

Second, it's not just about Troy Smith...but there are a lot of good QBs in the MAC recently who have decent gigs in the NFL (Leftwich, Rothlisberger, Frye) so the idea they've never "seen anything like OSU" is not accurate. Smith may be a weapon they can't deal with, but it's not because they've never played anybody good.

there is no doubt in my mind that MAC QB's have made a big splash in the NFL the last few seasons, and not my intention to dis on the MAC, I just think that whether you agree or not I thought this was a message board where thoughts can be expressed freely apparently I was wrong. Sarcasm was only given where it has been recieved. Before you charge me with a hot head maybe you step back take a deep breath, maybe have a cigarette if you a smoking man, and chill for a second and read the past messages on the thread. Dryden have exchanged messages before in that tone. So put down the badge and stop and being the site Cop.

 

[Bucklion]

there is no doubt in my mind that MAC QB's have made a big splash in the NFL the last few seasons, and not my intention to dis on the MAC, I just think that whether you agree or not I thought this was a message board where thoughts can be expressed freely apparently I was wrong. Sarcasm was only given where it has been recieved. Before you charge me with a hot head maybe you step back take a deep breath, maybe have a cigarette if you a smoking man, and chill for a second and read the past messages on the thread. Dryden have exchanged messages before in that tone. So put down the badge and stop and being the site Cop.

Ideas can be expressed freely...it is wise to do so in a manner that fosters positive discussion and rigorous debate...this type of rhetoric is what leads threads down the road to personal attack wars...we don't tolerate that here, and we will step in to nip that in the bud.

And, um, see, the whole "moderator" thing means I AM a "site cop". I need no deep breath, no stogie, and no "chill"...I am perfectly fine. We treat visiting fans as well as other Buckeye fans here with respect...I suggest you and everyone else to do the same. There are plenty of "smack" boards out there where anything goes...this is not one of them.

 

[G-FORCE]

First, its the Huskies, not the Wolf Pack (that'd be NC State). Second, you should probably watch more college football, because the five year resume for NIU includes:

2001- Took Big-10 champ Illinois to the wire in Champaign.
2002- Beat Wake Forest in DeKalb, took Wisconsin to the wire at Madison.
2003- Beat Maryland and Iowa State in DeKalb, beat Alabama at Tuscaloosa.
2004- Fell three points short of beating Maryland again at College Park, and a TD short of Iowa State in Ames.
2005- Hung around with Michigan in Ann Arbor until TOs took them out of it, one point shy of upsetting Northwestern in Evanston.

So, the seniors on this team have played road games at Ann Arbor, Madison, and Tuscaloosa (impressive) to go along with trips to Evanston, College Park, and Ames (yawn).

They've actually beat BCS teams at home and on the road, and frankly, played 2001 Illinois and 2002 Wisconsin pretty much as well as the Buckeyes did -- and both of those teams were excellent Big-10 squads.

Will they win? Probably not. But I assure you they won't be intimidated by Ohio State, the Shoe, the Band, or our message boards.

Some of the Buckeye fans in this thread need to can the chest-thumping and cut G-FORCE some slack. He doesn't deserve a lot of these posts, nor the total lack of respect being shown towards his team.

Thank you!!!!

Awesome post.

 

[txbuckeye1983]

there is no doubt in my mind that MAC QB's have made a big splash in the NFL the last few seasons, and not my intention to dis on the MAC, I just think that whether you agree or not I thought this was a message board where thoughts can be expressed freely apparently I was wrong. Sarcasm was only given where it has been recieved. Before you charge me with a hot head maybe you step back take a deep breath, maybe have a cigarette if you a smoking man, and chill for a second and read the past messages on the thread. Dryden have exchanged messages before in that tone. So put down the badge and stop and being the site Cop.

This is a site built on respect. This isn't the board to have a pissing contest on. If you are going to come on here with a shitty attitude looking for confrontation, you will not last long.