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TBBC Game Preview: Michigan State Spartans vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
jcollingsworth via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
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*ichigan State Spartans @ The Ohio State Buckeyes — Ohio Stadium Saturday Nov. 21st @ 3:30 pm EST (ABC)
The season now begins – so all the pundits will tell you. The temptation is to ignore their sarcasm is great … but one thing that is correct in those words is that November does weed out the weary and magnify the strong.
The Ohio State University currently sits at # 3 in the CFP Rankings while *ichigan State rides in at # 13. Even before the season began this game very specifically was getting press. Last season on Nov. 8th in East Lansing the Buckeyes would prevail in a hard-fought battle 49-37. Ever since that victory – especially following the Buckeyes march for the Inaugural CFP’s – Spartan Nation seemingly has been salivating for this rematch.
It is now upon us. The opportunity for either the Spartans revenge or the Buckeyes needs to impress a clearly “unimpressed” CFP Committee will all happen this coming weekend in Columbus.
The Buckeyes are unbeaten. Some of their victories have risen red-flags, portraying a needed tune-up for what had been an indestructible team following last year’s final run and the unanimous # 1 Ranking Pre-Season 2015. It hasn’t always panned out well for the Buckeyes in the press this year, be it the questioning of their #1 status, the QB controversy, the lack-luster starts in seemingly every game, and finally the JT debacle. But through it all they have won – most not pretty – but a win is a win … is a win! But the CFP Committee sees it all differently – and maybe justifiably so…
The Spartans started the Preseason at #5 in the Polls. They would climb to #4 come the 3rd week. And they would rise all the way to #2 in the 4th week. But from there their hopes began to diminish. In the 6th week in an unexciting victory over Rutgers (31-27) they would drop from #2 to #4. In week 7 after their unbelievable, jaw-dropping, win over TTUN (27-23) they’d drop from #4 to #7. They would eventually lose in controversy in week 10 to Nebraska (39-38).
So the Spartans too are clearly in the hunt for the East Title – and a statement.
The Ohio State Buckeyes
Offensively
The Buckeyes rose in the ranks of the undefeated to 10-0 against the Illinois Illini 28-3. In that victory reports are saying “another lack-luster” victory for the Buckeyes. In such a statement clearly disrespect is being generated towards the Illini in an attempt to underscore the Buckeyes in their pursuit to remain in the top 4 of the CFP Rankings. But hopefully the Committee that oversees these rankings will know that the Illini, in fact, minus their internal ills, are a solid defensive unit.
In the Illinois victory JT Barrett returned from a 1-game suspension for his DUI arrest and produced 150 yards in the air with 1 TD to Mike Thomas. He would also run for 74 yards with 1 TD. There would be concern following both a critical fumble and 1 interception.
Ezekiel Elliott was the superstar we know him to be. He’d have 181 yards added onto his already accumulated yardage of 1,244 – equaling 1,425 yards for the season. He would cross the goal twice which now gives him 16 TD’s for the year.
Mike Thomas snatched 6 balls from the skies equaling 76 yards for the day with 1 TD. This would finalize his numbers for the year at 651 yards with 8 TD’s.
Jalin Marshall would add 38 yards to his season total of 357 yards in the air (= 395 yards).
Braxton Miller would have -4 yards on 2 receptions. But what does that really mean? Braxton can NEVER be excluded period.
Defensively
The saving grace for the Buckeyes all season has been this Defensive unit. They have won games. Both the Northern Illinois and Indiana games alone (just off the top of my head) were victories solely credited to the Defense.
Through 9 games Raekwon McMillian has had 38 Solo Tackles with 45 Assists equaling 83. Joshua Perry has had 33 Solo Tackles with 31 Assists equaling 64. Vonn Bell in the same time frame has had 35 Solo Tackles with 14 Assists equaling 49. And Joey Bosa has had 23 Solo Tackles with 10 Assists equaling 33.
The Buckeyes, regardless of their placement on nationally ranked defenses (14th in Total Defense), their knowledge and timing is invaluable and immeasurable. They step up when stepping up is in need – and they do not fail.
Luke Fickell is the unheralded star of this unit. His leadership and knowledge is contagious and it shows in the intensity that his lessons bring to each and every player in his unit. His ability to adapt and readapt is completely uncommon and a treasure to acknowledge.
*ichigan State Spartans
The Spartans at 9-1 have had a rough go. They are a good team that was not fortunate enough to be Defending National Champions while having lack-luster victories; specifically in their victory over Rutgers in their fall from # 2 to # 4. This, in my mind, could be perceived anti. What it is – fair or not – is a system we all have embraced that dictates a humiliation of an opponent that has been perceived as lesser-than. The victory over TTUN where they dropped from #4 to #7 is confusing. The loss to Nebraska was just bad luck.
Offensively
In their victory over Maryland (24-7) many predictions had Connor Cook on fire over a totally incompetent Defensive Secondary. It didn’t play that way. Connor would throw for 77 yards, 0 TD’s and have one pick. He would leave the game at halftime with an injured shoulder. Gerald Holmes would be the leading rusher for the Spartans with 83 yards in 18 attempts and 1 TD. And Aaron Burbridge would add 27 yards to his yearly numbers of 994 (= 1,021 yards).
The loss of Cook with an injury is being shuttled as miniscule by Cook as saying “…I’m okay. I just landed funny!” And Coach Mark Dantonio who said ”Connor will be all right! I think he could have gone, but he felt like if he threw it hard, it would set him back.”
Will this ultimately be an issue come this weekend? Positively for Cook and the Spartans he will have 6 days rest until then.
Defensively
The Spartans aren’t as gifted as the Buckeyes on the Defensive side of the ball. But this is not by any means a slight – or an arrogant assumption that due to sheer numbers they have no chance. Such an idea would be silly. The Spartans have proven they can win games too. Common knowledge of any run on wins is done with good Defenses. *ichigan State has had continual runs in the win column. They get the job done.
Riley Bullough LB leads the team with 30 Solo Tackles and 42 Assists equaling 72. Darien Harris LB has 31 Solo Tackles with 28 Assists equaling 59. John Reschke has 23 Solo Tackles with 31 Assists equaling 54. Other names to keep on an eye are Demetrious Cox DB and Malik McDonnell DL.
They have 4 players with 2 interceptions: RJ Williamson, Demetrious Cox, Montae Nicholson, and Riley Bullough who got his 2nd pick in last week’s victory against Maryland.
Final Conclusion
The Spartans are hungry. They believe they have something to prove. This in itself could be a danger for the Buckeyes. Even if *ichigan State Defensively is ranked at 45th nationally while the Buckeyes Offensively sits in at 35th. It will come down to determination.
The Buckeyes have weapons on both sides of the ball. I am talking about NFL ready talent. *ichigan State has the next level talent too, but just not equal. This is not in any way a conclusive belief of a Spartans defeat. But what it does outline that if the Buckeyes are ready and are capable of readapting any failures along the way in this game then it is – in fact – a conclusive belief of an imminent Spartans defeat.
“Obviously he’s a workhorse; he gets stronger as the game goes on.” Coach Urban Meyer said of his star running back Ezekiel Elliott. The message is clear. And trust me Dantonio is listening. If the Buckeyes cannot establish a passing game they will fall back on the sure thing – and that is on the legs of # 15.
Look for a Buckeyes victory. It will not be pretty – it never is. But a win is a win … is a win.
And this one will be big.
The post TBBC Game Preview: Michigan State Spartans vs. Ohio State Buckeyes appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...
jcollingsworth via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
*ichigan State Spartans @ The Ohio State Buckeyes — Ohio Stadium Saturday Nov. 21st @ 3:30 pm EST (ABC)
The season now begins – so all the pundits will tell you. The temptation is to ignore their sarcasm is great … but one thing that is correct in those words is that November does weed out the weary and magnify the strong.
The Ohio State University currently sits at # 3 in the CFP Rankings while *ichigan State rides in at # 13. Even before the season began this game very specifically was getting press. Last season on Nov. 8th in East Lansing the Buckeyes would prevail in a hard-fought battle 49-37. Ever since that victory – especially following the Buckeyes march for the Inaugural CFP’s – Spartan Nation seemingly has been salivating for this rematch.
It is now upon us. The opportunity for either the Spartans revenge or the Buckeyes needs to impress a clearly “unimpressed” CFP Committee will all happen this coming weekend in Columbus.
The Buckeyes are unbeaten. Some of their victories have risen red-flags, portraying a needed tune-up for what had been an indestructible team following last year’s final run and the unanimous # 1 Ranking Pre-Season 2015. It hasn’t always panned out well for the Buckeyes in the press this year, be it the questioning of their #1 status, the QB controversy, the lack-luster starts in seemingly every game, and finally the JT debacle. But through it all they have won – most not pretty – but a win is a win … is a win! But the CFP Committee sees it all differently – and maybe justifiably so…
The Spartans started the Preseason at #5 in the Polls. They would climb to #4 come the 3rd week. And they would rise all the way to #2 in the 4th week. But from there their hopes began to diminish. In the 6th week in an unexciting victory over Rutgers (31-27) they would drop from #2 to #4. In week 7 after their unbelievable, jaw-dropping, win over TTUN (27-23) they’d drop from #4 to #7. They would eventually lose in controversy in week 10 to Nebraska (39-38).
So the Spartans too are clearly in the hunt for the East Title – and a statement.
The Ohio State Buckeyes
Offensively
The Buckeyes rose in the ranks of the undefeated to 10-0 against the Illinois Illini 28-3. In that victory reports are saying “another lack-luster” victory for the Buckeyes. In such a statement clearly disrespect is being generated towards the Illini in an attempt to underscore the Buckeyes in their pursuit to remain in the top 4 of the CFP Rankings. But hopefully the Committee that oversees these rankings will know that the Illini, in fact, minus their internal ills, are a solid defensive unit.
In the Illinois victory JT Barrett returned from a 1-game suspension for his DUI arrest and produced 150 yards in the air with 1 TD to Mike Thomas. He would also run for 74 yards with 1 TD. There would be concern following both a critical fumble and 1 interception.
Ezekiel Elliott was the superstar we know him to be. He’d have 181 yards added onto his already accumulated yardage of 1,244 – equaling 1,425 yards for the season. He would cross the goal twice which now gives him 16 TD’s for the year.
Mike Thomas snatched 6 balls from the skies equaling 76 yards for the day with 1 TD. This would finalize his numbers for the year at 651 yards with 8 TD’s.
Jalin Marshall would add 38 yards to his season total of 357 yards in the air (= 395 yards).
Braxton Miller would have -4 yards on 2 receptions. But what does that really mean? Braxton can NEVER be excluded period.
Defensively
The saving grace for the Buckeyes all season has been this Defensive unit. They have won games. Both the Northern Illinois and Indiana games alone (just off the top of my head) were victories solely credited to the Defense.
Through 9 games Raekwon McMillian has had 38 Solo Tackles with 45 Assists equaling 83. Joshua Perry has had 33 Solo Tackles with 31 Assists equaling 64. Vonn Bell in the same time frame has had 35 Solo Tackles with 14 Assists equaling 49. And Joey Bosa has had 23 Solo Tackles with 10 Assists equaling 33.
The Buckeyes, regardless of their placement on nationally ranked defenses (14th in Total Defense), their knowledge and timing is invaluable and immeasurable. They step up when stepping up is in need – and they do not fail.
Luke Fickell is the unheralded star of this unit. His leadership and knowledge is contagious and it shows in the intensity that his lessons bring to each and every player in his unit. His ability to adapt and readapt is completely uncommon and a treasure to acknowledge.
*ichigan State Spartans
The Spartans at 9-1 have had a rough go. They are a good team that was not fortunate enough to be Defending National Champions while having lack-luster victories; specifically in their victory over Rutgers in their fall from # 2 to # 4. This, in my mind, could be perceived anti. What it is – fair or not – is a system we all have embraced that dictates a humiliation of an opponent that has been perceived as lesser-than. The victory over TTUN where they dropped from #4 to #7 is confusing. The loss to Nebraska was just bad luck.
Offensively
In their victory over Maryland (24-7) many predictions had Connor Cook on fire over a totally incompetent Defensive Secondary. It didn’t play that way. Connor would throw for 77 yards, 0 TD’s and have one pick. He would leave the game at halftime with an injured shoulder. Gerald Holmes would be the leading rusher for the Spartans with 83 yards in 18 attempts and 1 TD. And Aaron Burbridge would add 27 yards to his yearly numbers of 994 (= 1,021 yards).
The loss of Cook with an injury is being shuttled as miniscule by Cook as saying “…I’m okay. I just landed funny!” And Coach Mark Dantonio who said ”Connor will be all right! I think he could have gone, but he felt like if he threw it hard, it would set him back.”
Will this ultimately be an issue come this weekend? Positively for Cook and the Spartans he will have 6 days rest until then.
Defensively
The Spartans aren’t as gifted as the Buckeyes on the Defensive side of the ball. But this is not by any means a slight – or an arrogant assumption that due to sheer numbers they have no chance. Such an idea would be silly. The Spartans have proven they can win games too. Common knowledge of any run on wins is done with good Defenses. *ichigan State has had continual runs in the win column. They get the job done.
Riley Bullough LB leads the team with 30 Solo Tackles and 42 Assists equaling 72. Darien Harris LB has 31 Solo Tackles with 28 Assists equaling 59. John Reschke has 23 Solo Tackles with 31 Assists equaling 54. Other names to keep on an eye are Demetrious Cox DB and Malik McDonnell DL.
They have 4 players with 2 interceptions: RJ Williamson, Demetrious Cox, Montae Nicholson, and Riley Bullough who got his 2nd pick in last week’s victory against Maryland.
Final Conclusion
The Spartans are hungry. They believe they have something to prove. This in itself could be a danger for the Buckeyes. Even if *ichigan State Defensively is ranked at 45th nationally while the Buckeyes Offensively sits in at 35th. It will come down to determination.
The Buckeyes have weapons on both sides of the ball. I am talking about NFL ready talent. *ichigan State has the next level talent too, but just not equal. This is not in any way a conclusive belief of a Spartans defeat. But what it does outline that if the Buckeyes are ready and are capable of readapting any failures along the way in this game then it is – in fact – a conclusive belief of an imminent Spartans defeat.
“Obviously he’s a workhorse; he gets stronger as the game goes on.” Coach Urban Meyer said of his star running back Ezekiel Elliott. The message is clear. And trust me Dantonio is listening. If the Buckeyes cannot establish a passing game they will fall back on the sure thing – and that is on the legs of # 15.
Look for a Buckeyes victory. It will not be pretty – it never is. But a win is a win … is a win.
And this one will be big.
The post TBBC Game Preview: Michigan State Spartans vs. Ohio State Buckeyes appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...