OL Doug Datish (official thread)

[Buckskin86]

Aztec Domination
Posted by Doug Datish on 9/10/2013

As we all know and expected, the Buckeyes dominated the Aztecs in all phases of the game last Saturday. The real question is: what did we learn from this game?

Most pleasantly we learned that Kenny Guiton is more than just a serviceable backup quarterback. I might even go as far to say that he does some things better than the vaunted Braxton Miller. I was excited to see how he took control of the game and how he gave the appropriate amount of touch on his passes. He showed off his arm strength and accuracy throughout the game as well.

We also got to see Kenny G’s athleticism on display as he ran the option and quarterback keepers to near perfection. I liked the control and leadership he showed throughout the game as well. Plus, he looked like he was having fun out there and I love that he has the confidence to step in there and perform if he is called upon again. He did however show his lack of experience by tossing a few errant balls and an interception. Overall I thought he played well and I am excited that he got to have this moment. He stuck it out at OSU and should be rewarded for it.
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http://www.huddlepass.com/huddle/osu-football/feature/10347

 

[Buckskin86]

West Coast Road Trips
Posted by Doug Datish on 9/13/2013

Some would argue that the west coast is the best coast. However, I would argue that traveling there for a game is lame. The only thing you care about as a player during the season is performing well on game days and winning the game. Everything that gets in the way of that is simply a distraction. A long road trip to the Bay Area in California qualifies as a huge distraction. The Buckeyes will have to endure that travel schedule this week against the University of California Berkeley Golden Bears. (Side note, in my opinion Jack Nicklaus is the only true Golden Bear. I vote for a Highlander situation here.)

All of my brethren on this site will understand my aversion to west coast road trips. First, you must understand that the location of the game is simply that, a location. It is not a destination. No matter what city you go to, you never get to explore it. Instead, you get excited to play inside of the stadium and some of them are historic landmarks. I would venture to say that California Memorial Stadium is not one of them. You will spend most of your time there and it will be the only time you get to interact with anyone outside of the team. It is really the only place you can get a feel for where you are.

I have been to many cities as a player and the only information I could ever give you on the city we travelled to would be about the hotel and the stadium. It’s not like this weekend the team will be hitting up China Town in San Francisco with some side trips to Napa. That sounds like a great trip, but the Buckeyes have a different kind of trip to take care of; this is a business trip.

Lets start from the beginning. The flight is long and not fun. It is a chartered plane and you get more room than normal. However, the players are big guys and you are all still stuffed in there. It is not comfortable…. ever. This flight is going be five-plus hours. Sitting in the most comfortable seats for five hours is awful and plane seats do not qualify as plush. Also, you are subjecting your body to a whole set of poor variables for performance. First off, you are pressurizing yourself. If you have inflammation going on, get ready for that thing to blow up. I took a shot to the face on a road trip to NC State and my swelling went crazy on the way back. I have seen the same thing happen to guys’ knees.
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http://www.huddlepass.com/huddle/osu-football/feature/10384

 

[Buckskin86]

The Two Quarterback Effect

Posted by Doug Datish on 9/21/2013

This week Ohio State takes on the Florida A&M Rattlers. As we all know, it should be an easy win for the Buckeyes, but with that being said, it doesn't mean this week is without serious questions and challenges. The obvious question is: what is Coach Meyer going to do with these two quarterbacks, and how will his decision affect the team?

The Buckeyes are fortunate to have Coach Meyer in this situation. He used the two quarterback system to perfection while at Florida. However, the main difference between those Florida teams and this Ohio State team is that Tim Tebow and Chris Leak were vastly different players while Kenny Guiton and Braxton Miller are quite similar. In Coach Meyer’s eyes it's probably a much better situation now because he knows he has two quarterbacks that can excel in his system. He does not need the entire team to switch gears just because a different guy is playing quarterback.

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http://www.huddlepass.com/huddle/osu-football/feature/20448

 

[Buckskin86]

Force = Mass x Acceleration
Posted by Doug Datish on 9/26/2013

This weekend the Badgers of the University of Wisconsin are coming into the Shoe for a showdown against the Buckeyes. I feel like the media is making this out to be a marquee matchup, yet we don’t know much about either team. All we know is the #4 ranked team in the AP Poll is up against the #23 ranked team, but I think that is a bit misleading.

The Badgers only loss came from that abysmal officiating mishap at the end of the game at Arizona State. I think it is safe to say that Wisconsin should have won that game. If they had not been screwed over by the refs, they would be undefeated. That should make them at least a top 15 team. Also, this team has something to prove. They will have a chip on their shoulders coming into this rivalry game.

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http://www.huddlepass.com/huddle/osu-football/feature/30474

 

[Buckskin86]

The Roar Thermometer
Posted by Doug Datish on 10/3/2013

This weekend the Buckeyes are travelling to Illinois to take on the Wildcats of Northwestern University under the lights at Ryan Field. If anyone has been to Ryan Field you know that it is a fun and unique experience. One of the main staples of the experience is the roar of the cat. Unlike Penn State’s cat roar, this roar has a sharper tone.

The roar that emanates from the sound system at Ryan Field can be viewed as a catalyst for the crowd, but I see it as a thermometer. You can tell how well you are doing in that stadium simply by the frequency and situational use of the roar.

As an opponent coming into that hostile stadium it is a fine instrument to use. I have been on both sides of the roar scale. In 2004 my friend Brett Basanez beat us for one of the Wildcats’ signature wins. In 2006 we avenged that loss with a sound drumming led by Heisman Trophy-winner Troy Smith. I feel that through my experiences I can explain what it’s like to take on the Wildcats in their own back yard.

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http://www.huddlepass.com/huddle/osu-football/feature/30521

 

[Buckskin86]

"Buckeye Takeover" in Full Effect at Northwestern's Ryan Field
Posted by Doug Datish on 10/9/2013

In honor of the premiere of the new Tom Hanks thriller “Captain Philips,” I would like to discuss another form of takeover. By the way, special shout out to the Frogs that dispatched Capt. Phillips captors. Truly an amazing bunch of shooters.

Back to the football.

I want to begin by asking a question. Is it truly a “home game” when the opposing fans takeover the stadium? I would argue that the so called “home field advantage” is voided when the opposing fan base overwhelms that of the home crowd.

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http://www.huddlepass.com/huddle/osu-football/feature/50513

 

[Buckskin86]

Bye Week: Time for Reflection
Posted by Doug Datish on 10/18/2013

This week as the Buckeyes head into battle against the Hawkeyes, it is important to note that they are coming off of a bye week. What is a bye week? For fans, it is a week to schedule something on a Saturday in the fall that does not revolve around the Buckeye game. For me personally, I was up in a tree stand bow hunting and it was glorious. Many people schedule weddings, births, christenings, etc. No one really wants to be the person that schedules an event during a Buckeye game. Believe me when I say this, if you want to have a focused group of revelers you need not schedule the party during a Buckeye game. I know this is a bit repetitive, but it’s a real phenomenon.

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http://www.huddlepass.com/huddle/osu-football/feature/60576

 

[Buckskin86]

Early Short Yardage = Nostradamus Powers
Posted by Doug Datish on 10/27/2013

Last week’s game vs. the Iowa Hawkeyes was a great test for the Buckeyes. Iowa is a physical team with great heart. They played with the intention of winning and nearly pulled it off. Hats off to them for performing to the best of their abilities in a hostile environment. The Buckeyes will look back and realize that the amount of physicality was an excellent learning experience. Any time you get to face down a hard-nosed, physical opponent that has the will to match, the struggle will make you better. At the risk of “broing down” really hard, I feel the saying “Iron Sharpens Iron” exemplifies my point.

Throughout the game my friends and family were highly worried and frustrated by the Buckeye performance. I simply sat there and said “things will be just fine.” The main reason that I had the amount of confidence was due to an early 3rd and 1 play. This play occurred at 6:49 in the first quarter, Iowa leading 7-0.

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http://www.huddlepass.com/huddle/osu-football/feature/70503