tOSU vs. USC 08 & 09 series

[methomps]

You let us play the Rose Bowl in january in the 'Shoe, and we'll give you 40% of the tickets!
You won't like it.

You have my permission.

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

You have my permission.

Well then... that settles it.


The only things standing in the way now are; both universities, both conferences and 100 years of tradition. Paint the end zones!

 

[TheUndertaker]

Im what you would call a pac 10 homer, I dont watch alot of Big 10/east coast football. I only watched a few games from the buckeyes last season (Illini, LSU, UM, Washington) I was wondering if anyone could give a strengths/weakness of the buckeyes without getting too partial about it.

And grade these positions try to be objective about it as you can:

QB-

RB-

FB-

WR-

TE-

DE-

DT-

CB-

S-

And lastly, how are they different from Ill, Iowa and Michigan?

 

[xcrunner]

Im what you would call a pac 10 homer, I dont watch alot of Big 10/east coast football. I only watched a few games from the buckeyes last season (Illini, LSU, UM, Washington) I was wondering if anyone could give a strengths/weakness of the buckeyes without getting too partial about it.

And grade these positions try to be objective about it as you can:

QB-

RB-

FB-

WR-

TE-

DE-

DT-

CB-

S-

And lastly, how are they different from Ill, Iowa and Michigan?

I'm no expert by any means and I'm sure someone else will follow this with something better, but this should help you a little bit.

QB- Moderate strength. Boeckman was the best QB in the B10 last year, maybe second behind Henne. During the season, before the Illinois game, he was outstanding, but it's unclear whether he regressed, or whether the competition just got better. I would expect him to be quite good next year. We also have outstanding depth with Henton (dual-threat QB) and Bauserman backing him up, as well as Terelle Pryor coming in.

RB- Huge strength. Beanie wells should be a Heisman candidate. We also have Brandon Saine (ran a 10.36 in HS i believe), Lamaar Thomas coming in (also a real burner), Mo Wells, who is very elusive, quick, and a great pass blocker, and finally "Boom" Herron who so far is having a great spring game, and I think we can expect great things from him.

FB- Weakness at the moment. We lost our starting FB and all of our depth there. However, hopefully we can get this up to a strength with perhaps some LB's learning to play FB. After all, last year our best FB (in my opinion) was a converted Center, so I think we can be pretty good there.

WR- Moderate strength? Last year I might say they would be a weakness, since we didn't have a whole lot of depth. However, we return everyone, we had a lot of young players, we get a few great additions, and our QB situation should be improved. Robiskie is a great player and typically Boeckman's go-to guy; Hartline is very fast (won states in the 110 hurdles in track in HS) and also has great hands; Ray Small is similar to Ginn in play style (but not as good). Sophomore Sanzenbacher has been compared to Gonzalez because he's clutch, has great hands, and has some wheels. We also have a few other guys who could be big playmakers coming in; Devier Posey and Stoneburner, both incoming freshmen, are expected to make a big impact- Posey is a great route runner and very fast, and Stoneburner is a guy who looks like a TE and runs like a WR.

TE- I don't really know how to classify them. We have great TE's, and judging by how good they are, I'd categorize them as a moderate strength. However, we don't throw to them a whole lot- maybe it's a QB issue, maybe they're not as good as I think, I don't know- but either way, I'd call them a moderate weakness.

DE- Moderate strength. Last year we were great there with Gholston; this year, we have Lawrence Wilson coming back from a broken leg, and he was our best DE at the spring game last year. We also have some good young guys coming in. Thad Gibson is real fast and reminds me a lot of some of the SEC DE's; smaller than we're accustomed to, and very quick.

DT- Last year, our biggest weakness (IMO). This year, could be a strength; They were all young and should hopefully improve a lot. We also have 3 DT's coming in this year, and that should provide us with a lot of depth.

CB & S: Both big strengths. We have an enormous amount of depth at these positions at the moment, although there could be a few attitude issues with a few players. We have Malcolm Jenkins returning, who would have been a top-10 pick. We have some hard-hitting safeties, speed everywhere, and hopefully should improve upon our turnover/INT skills (we had a LOT of dropped INT's last year, and a big goal of this squad is to improve upon that).

LB- Big strength. Skill everywhere, depth everywhere, speed everywhere, hard-hitters everywhere... Very similar to USC's IMO, but I think our depth is unmatched by anyone.


edit- just noticed your last question.
I'm not 100% sure how to answer this.. Illinois and Michigan both now run chiefly the spread offense, and Tressel doesn't have any set "scheme" that he runs, he fits his scheme to his personnel. And as for Iowa... We'll, we're a lot better :-p

 

[methomps]

Just an update on some personnel stuff:

Starting LG Jeff Byers was awarded a 6th year of eligibility, meaning he could return next year. It is still up in the air whether he will stay or go to the NFL. He is in the 2nd year of a 3-year MBA program. If he does return, USC would return its entire starting OL from this season.

DB Josh Pinkard could also receive a 6th year from the NCAA. It is less likely that he would return though, as he has had two major knee injuries and could see this injury-free year as the chance to get in an NFL career. If he does return, he could play CB or S.

Possible early NFL entrants:
S Taylor Mays is considered the most likely to leave. His decision may play a factor in Josh Pinkard's decision, as Pinkard would be in position to start in place of Mays. Mays would be one of USC's few returning starters on defense, so his decision is critical to the early stability of the revamped USC defense.

RB Stafon Johnson is contemplating turning pro. He is arguably SC's best runner, but his loss would mean more carries for McKnight, Gable, and Marc Tyler.

QB Mark Sanchez is also weighing his options. He has said that the decisions of Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow, and Sam Bradford would be a factor, although not decisive.

Transfers:

WR Vidal Hazelton is transfering, possibly to Missouri or Rutgers. A starter coming into this year, injuries and the doghouse limited his action this year. The emergence of Damian Williams also played a role. With Patrick Turner a senior, WR is possibly the only place where SC's offense will lose starters (to the extent you consider Hazelton a starter).

RB Broderick Green is gone as well, possibly as a result of the emergence of RB Marc Tyler.

Injuries:

CB Shareece Wright will be back next year after missing most of this season. Before his neck injury, he had emerged as SC's best cornerback. His return will be a big boost to the depleted defense.

RB Allen Bradford will also be bouncing back from an injury-shortened season. He played a limited role in the running game, but contributed most as a special teams standout. His role going into next year will, for seemingly the 100th consecutive season, be a hot topic on the SC message boards. Many want to see him moved to LB or FB or to get more carries.

Recruiting:

TE Morrell Pressley switched from USC to ucla. Unlikely that he would've had a major impact early next season in light of Blake Ayles, though.

 

[muffler dragon]

QB Mark Sanchez is also weighing his options.

Why? I would think another CFB year would be a given.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

Why? I would think another CFB year would be a given.

Plays in a pro-friendly offense, has the physical tools, put up good stats in his first year, and it's a very weak year for QB's. Likely late 1st rounder, IMO.

 

[muffler dragon]

Plays in a pro-friendly offense, has the physical tools, put up good stats in his first year, and it's a very weak year for QB's. Likely late 1st rounder, IMO.

All points are sound. I just figured that getting more collegiate game experience would be a benefit instead of sitting for a while on the pro level. I realize that I could be more than wrong.