Matt Tamanini
Guest
Ohio State fans enter season with sky-high expectations for DBs and WRs
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
You ask, we answer. Sometimes we ask, others answer. And then other times, we ask, we answer.
Before, during, and after the Ohio State football season, we here at Land-Grant Holy Land like to ask and answer questions about the team, college football, and anything else on our collective minds of varying degrees of importance. If you have a question that you would like to ask, you can tweet us @LandGrant33 or if you need more than 280 characters, send an email HERE.
We’ve made it, friends. We are finally to the first game week of the Ohio State football season. The Buckeyes take on Akron on Saturday and that means that we can finally dispense with all of the made-up, silly talking points and focus on what lies ahead.
But, before we get into game week stuff, we need to revisit the results of last week’s fan survey where we asked about the OSU schedule and the individual position groups on the team this year. We will have these fun little surveys every week of the season, so if you want to participate, check out the link below.
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Look, with all due respect to the environment in Happy Valley, I just can’t get myself excited about playing the Nits until they prove they have the ability to take a monumental step forward and do something. The Buckeyes have lost to PSU a grand total of five times this century (and not since 2016), and only two of those games have taken place in State College (and one of them was in the first year of the century).
So while I respect the tradition and the passion in Happy Valley, you’re not going to get me to be overly amped up about a game there until James Franklin can get out of his own way and let his team actually win a big game.
While I could have made an argument for this weekend’s game against Akron for the sole purpose of it being the season opener, I think I am going with Iowa. It will be the first (and probably best) test for the OSU offense to go up against a dominant defense before the postseason, but it also gives Ryan Day, Chip Kelly, and the players plenty of time to make adjustments. So, I’m excited for the Oct. 5 game against Iowa as a window into just how good the offense is, and how far it has to go.
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I love how close these two position groups are, because I too have no clue how to pick between them. If I had to choose, I think I would go with the wide receivers, just because I think there is a slight possibility of more guys getting meaningful snaps out of that room.
The defensive backs will be led by Denzel Burke, Davison Igbinosun, Jordan Hancock, Lathan Ransom, and Caleb Downs, and barring an injury, I don’t think that many other guys will see a significant number of snaps in high-pressure situations.
However, for the wide receivers, I think that people are dramatically overlooking both Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss because of the talent of Emeka Egbuka and the potential of Jeremiah Smith. Then, when you start to throw in guys like Kojo Antwi, Jayden Ballard, Mylan Graham, and Bryson Rodgers, I think there is a legitimate shot for those guys to step up in important situations.
So, while I assume that both units will be absolutely incredible this year, I’ll go with the wideouts.
Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Ohio State fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
You ask, we answer. Sometimes we ask, others answer. And then other times, we ask, we answer.
Before, during, and after the Ohio State football season, we here at Land-Grant Holy Land like to ask and answer questions about the team, college football, and anything else on our collective minds of varying degrees of importance. If you have a question that you would like to ask, you can tweet us @LandGrant33 or if you need more than 280 characters, send an email HERE.
We’ve made it, friends. We are finally to the first game week of the Ohio State football season. The Buckeyes take on Akron on Saturday and that means that we can finally dispense with all of the made-up, silly talking points and focus on what lies ahead.
But, before we get into game week stuff, we need to revisit the results of last week’s fan survey where we asked about the OSU schedule and the individual position groups on the team this year. We will have these fun little surveys every week of the season, so if you want to participate, check out the link below.
Question 1: Which non-Oregon or Michigan game are you most looking forward to this season?
Look, with all due respect to the environment in Happy Valley, I just can’t get myself excited about playing the Nits until they prove they have the ability to take a monumental step forward and do something. The Buckeyes have lost to PSU a grand total of five times this century (and not since 2016), and only two of those games have taken place in State College (and one of them was in the first year of the century).
So while I respect the tradition and the passion in Happy Valley, you’re not going to get me to be overly amped up about a game there until James Franklin can get out of his own way and let his team actually win a big game.
While I could have made an argument for this weekend’s game against Akron for the sole purpose of it being the season opener, I think I am going with Iowa. It will be the first (and probably best) test for the OSU offense to go up against a dominant defense before the postseason, but it also gives Ryan Day, Chip Kelly, and the players plenty of time to make adjustments. So, I’m excited for the Oct. 5 game against Iowa as a window into just how good the offense is, and how far it has to go.
Question 2: Which Ohio State position group will end up having the best season?
I love how close these two position groups are, because I too have no clue how to pick between them. If I had to choose, I think I would go with the wide receivers, just because I think there is a slight possibility of more guys getting meaningful snaps out of that room.
The defensive backs will be led by Denzel Burke, Davison Igbinosun, Jordan Hancock, Lathan Ransom, and Caleb Downs, and barring an injury, I don’t think that many other guys will see a significant number of snaps in high-pressure situations.
However, for the wide receivers, I think that people are dramatically overlooking both Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss because of the talent of Emeka Egbuka and the potential of Jeremiah Smith. Then, when you start to throw in guys like Kojo Antwi, Jayden Ballard, Mylan Graham, and Bryson Rodgers, I think there is a legitimate shot for those guys to step up in important situations.
So, while I assume that both units will be absolutely incredible this year, I’ll go with the wideouts.
Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Ohio State fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Continue reading...