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tBBC Preview: Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors
Ken via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The #1 Buckeyes (1-0) open their home schedule by hosting the University of Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors (1-0). This is the first meeting between the two schools.
Overview:
Hawai’i, of the Mountain West Conference, is coached by long time coach Norm Chow. This is Chow’s 4th year at Hawai’i, but has been coaching since the mid ’70’s, so he knows his way around a football field pretty well. Hawai’i opened their season with a 28-20 home win over Colorado last Thursday.
Ohio State, the defending national champion, overpowered Virginia Tech 42-24 Monday night. I’m pretty sure that most of us watched it.
Saturday’s game will be the first of two games that Hawai’i plays against B1G teams. The second game is September 20th at Wisconsin. Two tough opponents, a long way from home. I hope that UH is being compensated properly.
Ohio State on Offense:
Last Ohio State averaged 45 points and 512 yards per game. Playing a bit shorthanded against a tough VT defense, the Buckeyes rang up 42 points and 572 yards. All the components are there for a murderous offense against Hawai’i; high proficiency at quarterback (regardless of who takes the snaps), running back, receivers and a nasty offensive line. However, there were chinks in the armor against VT that need addressed. First is ball security. Cardale had a tipped pass for an INT (although that may have been more of an issue with his decision making). Dunn’s fumble was a “hold on to the damn ball” issue. The other chink was Jacoby Boren’s tendency to have several bad snaps that threw off play timing. Boren is a senior, he should have the snapping thing figured out by now.
Hawai’i gave up 26 PPG last year. Last week, it was 20 against Colorado. They were actually better, in PPG allowed, on the road. I don’t think that will be the case this week. Against Colorado, the Rainbow Warriors were led by senior Luke Shawley, a 6’3″, 250 lb DL with 14 tackles and sophomore Nick Nelson, a 6’2″ 200 lb DB with 11 tackles. Ten of Nelson’s tackles were solo, which may not be a good thing if you;re a DB. Against Colorado, they did have 3 sacks, one INT and 1 fumble recovery, so they are a very active defense. Unless OSU gets its ball handling squared away, there could be a couple OSU possessions cut short.
Ohio State on Defense:
USC transfer senior Max Wittek had an unspectacular, but productive debut for Hawai’i. Wittek was 19-38 for 202 yards, 3 TD’s and 2 INT’s. Actually, these numbers aren’t too dissimilar from Cardale’s production on Monday night. The difference is on the ground; Max had 4 carries for -22 yards, so he doesn’t appear to be much of a running threat. However, Columbus OH native Paul Harris (5’11”, 190) had 68 yards in 17 carries and Quinton Pedroza (6’2″, 215) had 19 yards in 2 carries. Pedroza, a WR also had 5 receptions for 41 yards and 1 TD. Hawai’i was led in receiving by Marcus Kemp (6’4″, 210) with 6 receptions for 116 yards and 1 TD.
Hawai’i has big receivers, and with Pedroza, will seek to get the ball in their hands by any means. After the way the 2nd quarter played out against VT, Norm Chow may put in a TE throwback or delay to sucker OSU’s defense.
Wrapping It Up:
At the time this article is written, Ohio State has opened as a 38 point favorite over Hawai’i. Or, as a college friend of mine would phrase it; “Ohio State by five and a half, and I don’t mean points.”
I don’t think there will be too much to this game. Ohio State will overwhelm Hawai’i wire to wire to get the win. The Buckeyes probably won’t cover the spread (38 points is a lot of points) but will come away with a convincing win. Ohio State’s objective is to come out of this game injury-free.
Prediction: Ohio State lei’s the wood to Hawai’i.
Kick-off is at 3:30 ET. Radio coverage will be by 97.1. Television coverage is at this point TBD.
The post tBBC Preview: Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
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Ken via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The #1 Buckeyes (1-0) open their home schedule by hosting the University of Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors (1-0). This is the first meeting between the two schools.
Overview:
Hawai’i, of the Mountain West Conference, is coached by long time coach Norm Chow. This is Chow’s 4th year at Hawai’i, but has been coaching since the mid ’70’s, so he knows his way around a football field pretty well. Hawai’i opened their season with a 28-20 home win over Colorado last Thursday.
Ohio State, the defending national champion, overpowered Virginia Tech 42-24 Monday night. I’m pretty sure that most of us watched it.
Saturday’s game will be the first of two games that Hawai’i plays against B1G teams. The second game is September 20th at Wisconsin. Two tough opponents, a long way from home. I hope that UH is being compensated properly.
Ohio State on Offense:
Last Ohio State averaged 45 points and 512 yards per game. Playing a bit shorthanded against a tough VT defense, the Buckeyes rang up 42 points and 572 yards. All the components are there for a murderous offense against Hawai’i; high proficiency at quarterback (regardless of who takes the snaps), running back, receivers and a nasty offensive line. However, there were chinks in the armor against VT that need addressed. First is ball security. Cardale had a tipped pass for an INT (although that may have been more of an issue with his decision making). Dunn’s fumble was a “hold on to the damn ball” issue. The other chink was Jacoby Boren’s tendency to have several bad snaps that threw off play timing. Boren is a senior, he should have the snapping thing figured out by now.
Hawai’i gave up 26 PPG last year. Last week, it was 20 against Colorado. They were actually better, in PPG allowed, on the road. I don’t think that will be the case this week. Against Colorado, the Rainbow Warriors were led by senior Luke Shawley, a 6’3″, 250 lb DL with 14 tackles and sophomore Nick Nelson, a 6’2″ 200 lb DB with 11 tackles. Ten of Nelson’s tackles were solo, which may not be a good thing if you;re a DB. Against Colorado, they did have 3 sacks, one INT and 1 fumble recovery, so they are a very active defense. Unless OSU gets its ball handling squared away, there could be a couple OSU possessions cut short.
Ohio State on Defense:
USC transfer senior Max Wittek had an unspectacular, but productive debut for Hawai’i. Wittek was 19-38 for 202 yards, 3 TD’s and 2 INT’s. Actually, these numbers aren’t too dissimilar from Cardale’s production on Monday night. The difference is on the ground; Max had 4 carries for -22 yards, so he doesn’t appear to be much of a running threat. However, Columbus OH native Paul Harris (5’11”, 190) had 68 yards in 17 carries and Quinton Pedroza (6’2″, 215) had 19 yards in 2 carries. Pedroza, a WR also had 5 receptions for 41 yards and 1 TD. Hawai’i was led in receiving by Marcus Kemp (6’4″, 210) with 6 receptions for 116 yards and 1 TD.
Hawai’i has big receivers, and with Pedroza, will seek to get the ball in their hands by any means. After the way the 2nd quarter played out against VT, Norm Chow may put in a TE throwback or delay to sucker OSU’s defense.
Wrapping It Up:
At the time this article is written, Ohio State has opened as a 38 point favorite over Hawai’i. Or, as a college friend of mine would phrase it; “Ohio State by five and a half, and I don’t mean points.”
I don’t think there will be too much to this game. Ohio State will overwhelm Hawai’i wire to wire to get the win. The Buckeyes probably won’t cover the spread (38 points is a lot of points) but will come away with a convincing win. Ohio State’s objective is to come out of this game injury-free.
Prediction: Ohio State lei’s the wood to Hawai’i.
Kick-off is at 3:30 ET. Radio coverage will be by 97.1. Television coverage is at this point TBD.
The post tBBC Preview: Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...