Friday, December 7, 2007
Introducing...Wayne Fontes?
This isn't piling on...right? ;) Seriously though, why would Michigan want a coach currently in charge of the Scarlet Knights? Just add a little gray and you've got a perfect wardrobe. TheWolverine.com did a real hatchet job on Schiano once he removed himself from consideration. There's still no confirmation of whether the job was even officially offered. I could go into detail about the insanity of all this, but that's for Michigan fans to gnash their teeth over. I just can't believe how badly AD Bill Martin has messed this up.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Buckeyes Recruiting Big Board
We're back with the post-season, pre-bowl look at OSU recruiting. With 15 verbal commitments, Ohio State is focused on a few key prospects. There will likely be at least 2 more players in the class, though it could grow by as many as 5. A great deal depends on which juniors will be leaving, so a big class could be an indication that some Buckeyes are ready to test themselves in the pros. Here's a quick position-by-position rundown:
QB: Stop if you've heard this one before...Terrelle Pryor or bust. As a Pennsylvanian, I've been watching Pryor rocket through the WPIAL playoffs and on to Hersey. He's the difference between an elite class and truly historic one that could legitimately compete for three national titles. There's little read that doesn't consider him an OSU lean. But Tennessee, Penn State and West Virginia still remain in the hunt, and until he actually announces, anything goes. Buckeye fans are hoping for a "surprise" early announcement, possibly at the All-American game.
Projected: Terrelle Pryor
RB: Devoe Torrence remains the only commit here, and there's not really any other names on the board. Columbus Eastmoor back Isiah Pead remains interested in the Buckeyes, but has not yet received an offer. Torrence has had an up-and-down season at Massillon, but has great upside as an athlete.
Projected: Devoe Torrence
WR: The Buckeyes have already locked up a stellar group of receivers, led by 5-star DeVier Posey. However, Posey is the only "true" receiver at this point, as Maryland prep Lamaar Thomas is listed as an athlete and Dublin's Jake Stoneburner is technically a TE. Thomas looks like a Ray Small clone, perhaps with less polish as a receiver but more versatility in the backfield and slot. Stoneburner could be a matchup nightmare with his speed and height, a type of threat OSU has not had recently. The Buckeyes remain in pursuit of Glenville WR Cordale Scott, who is predictably taking his time. They also may still be in contact with Kenny Tate, but longshot would be generous at this stage.
Projected: DeVier Posey, Lamaar Thomas, Jake Stoneburner and Cordale Scott
TE: With Stoneburner and DiLillo already on board, the Buckeyes are done at TE. DiLillo seems like a gem of a 3-star, with good size, soft hands and a nasty streak that will earn him playing time. He'll be a much better receiver than the player currently on the roster, though I don't know how much he'll get the ball.
Projected: Nick DiLillo
OL: Brewster. Adams. Shugarts. They may be taken for granted by some because of the early commits, but this is the most amazing part of the class. And Brewster's efforts at bringing the entire group together, along with his tireless recruiting of other stars, cannot ever be understated. The Buckeyes would like to add one more lineman, with soft-WVA verbal Josh Jenkins at the top of the list. I can't project Jenkins in the class at this point, but OSU is about as confident as you can be about a player currently committed elsewhere. Inside sources from both sides claim that he will choose them, which means there's definitely some drama left in this worn out story. Miami tackle Ben Jones is also on the radar, but I'm betting he stays in the south.
Projected: Mike Brewster, Mike Adams, J.B. Shugarts
DL: The Buckeyes have 3 lineman on board and would like to add one more. Nathan Williams, a LEO candidate as a rush linebacker, is unheralded but will be a very solid player. Garrett Goebel is the headliner inside, finally giving the Buckeyes a stud presence at tackle after some prominent misses. Recent commit Willie Mobley has great speed for his size and the frame to grow.
4 names are still circulating, starting with 4-star Shayne Hale. It appeared that Buckeyes had cooled on Hale, but they have been in recent contact with the Monroeville star. Hale's cousin Cameron Saddler opted to stay at home and play for Pitt, shocking UVA fans. Hale is also now considering Pitt, so we'll see how interested OSU actually is in the talented project. Greg Scruggs, a fast rising end from St. Xavier, has been getting offers faster than he can keep track. The Buckeyes have yet to extend one, but it could be coming soon. Finally, OSU is trying to sway a pair of Florida State commits. Georgia DE Keith Wells could be on his way to Columbus for an official visit. In my opinion, he's the best of the bunch - an SEC-style speed rusher with great strength. Rivals is reporting that 4-star DT Moses McCray will also make an official visit. It's difficult to project any of these players are leans for the class, but I'd be surprised if at least one didn't join the group.
Projected: Nathan Williams, Garrett Goebel, Willie Mobley, and...
LB: The Buckeyes are done here. Nabbing Etienne Sabino was some sort of miracle, grabbing the top ranked inside linebacker from south Florida. No wonder Randy Shannon was in such a bad mood. He's joined by fellow 4-star Andrew Sweat, who had a monster senior season for Washington Trinity. The Buckeyes place a lot of value on linebacker versatility, so it will interesting to see which one can play outside.
Projected: Etienne Sabino, Andrew Sweat
DB: The Buckeyes continue to cling to some slight hope that they can sway lockdown corner Brandon Harris, who seems like a Miami (FL) lock. With a plethora of young DB's already on the roster, the Buckeyes will be content with corner Travis Howard as the lone commit.
Projected: Travis Howard
K/P: Ben Buchanan. He, uhh, kicks really far. Apparently is accurate. He's a top 5 high school kicker. I'm out of interesting things to say here.
Projected: Ben Buchanan
QB: Stop if you've heard this one before...Terrelle Pryor or bust. As a Pennsylvanian, I've been watching Pryor rocket through the WPIAL playoffs and on to Hersey. He's the difference between an elite class and truly historic one that could legitimately compete for three national titles. There's little read that doesn't consider him an OSU lean. But Tennessee, Penn State and West Virginia still remain in the hunt, and until he actually announces, anything goes. Buckeye fans are hoping for a "surprise" early announcement, possibly at the All-American game.
Projected: Terrelle Pryor
RB: Devoe Torrence remains the only commit here, and there's not really any other names on the board. Columbus Eastmoor back Isiah Pead remains interested in the Buckeyes, but has not yet received an offer. Torrence has had an up-and-down season at Massillon, but has great upside as an athlete.
Projected: Devoe Torrence
WR: The Buckeyes have already locked up a stellar group of receivers, led by 5-star DeVier Posey. However, Posey is the only "true" receiver at this point, as Maryland prep Lamaar Thomas is listed as an athlete and Dublin's Jake Stoneburner is technically a TE. Thomas looks like a Ray Small clone, perhaps with less polish as a receiver but more versatility in the backfield and slot. Stoneburner could be a matchup nightmare with his speed and height, a type of threat OSU has not had recently. The Buckeyes remain in pursuit of Glenville WR Cordale Scott, who is predictably taking his time. They also may still be in contact with Kenny Tate, but longshot would be generous at this stage.
Projected: DeVier Posey, Lamaar Thomas, Jake Stoneburner and Cordale Scott
TE: With Stoneburner and DiLillo already on board, the Buckeyes are done at TE. DiLillo seems like a gem of a 3-star, with good size, soft hands and a nasty streak that will earn him playing time. He'll be a much better receiver than the player currently on the roster, though I don't know how much he'll get the ball.
Projected: Nick DiLillo
OL: Brewster. Adams. Shugarts. They may be taken for granted by some because of the early commits, but this is the most amazing part of the class. And Brewster's efforts at bringing the entire group together, along with his tireless recruiting of other stars, cannot ever be understated. The Buckeyes would like to add one more lineman, with soft-WVA verbal Josh Jenkins at the top of the list. I can't project Jenkins in the class at this point, but OSU is about as confident as you can be about a player currently committed elsewhere. Inside sources from both sides claim that he will choose them, which means there's definitely some drama left in this worn out story. Miami tackle Ben Jones is also on the radar, but I'm betting he stays in the south.
Projected: Mike Brewster, Mike Adams, J.B. Shugarts
DL: The Buckeyes have 3 lineman on board and would like to add one more. Nathan Williams, a LEO candidate as a rush linebacker, is unheralded but will be a very solid player. Garrett Goebel is the headliner inside, finally giving the Buckeyes a stud presence at tackle after some prominent misses. Recent commit Willie Mobley has great speed for his size and the frame to grow.
4 names are still circulating, starting with 4-star Shayne Hale. It appeared that Buckeyes had cooled on Hale, but they have been in recent contact with the Monroeville star. Hale's cousin Cameron Saddler opted to stay at home and play for Pitt, shocking UVA fans. Hale is also now considering Pitt, so we'll see how interested OSU actually is in the talented project. Greg Scruggs, a fast rising end from St. Xavier, has been getting offers faster than he can keep track. The Buckeyes have yet to extend one, but it could be coming soon. Finally, OSU is trying to sway a pair of Florida State commits. Georgia DE Keith Wells could be on his way to Columbus for an official visit. In my opinion, he's the best of the bunch - an SEC-style speed rusher with great strength. Rivals is reporting that 4-star DT Moses McCray will also make an official visit. It's difficult to project any of these players are leans for the class, but I'd be surprised if at least one didn't join the group.
Projected: Nathan Williams, Garrett Goebel, Willie Mobley, and...
LB: The Buckeyes are done here. Nabbing Etienne Sabino was some sort of miracle, grabbing the top ranked inside linebacker from south Florida. No wonder Randy Shannon was in such a bad mood. He's joined by fellow 4-star Andrew Sweat, who had a monster senior season for Washington Trinity. The Buckeyes place a lot of value on linebacker versatility, so it will interesting to see which one can play outside.
Projected: Etienne Sabino, Andrew Sweat
DB: The Buckeyes continue to cling to some slight hope that they can sway lockdown corner Brandon Harris, who seems like a Miami (FL) lock. With a plethora of young DB's already on the roster, the Buckeyes will be content with corner Travis Howard as the lone commit.
Projected: Travis Howard
K/P: Ben Buchanan. He, uhh, kicks really far. Apparently is accurate. He's a top 5 high school kicker. I'm out of interesting things to say here.
Projected: Ben Buchanan
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Buckeyes Returns to BCS Title Game
Just three weeks after a shocking home loss to then unranked Illinois doomed their title chance, Ohio State finds itself headed to New Orleans. In a season full of upsets, surprises and downright chokes, both Missouri and West Virginia lost Saturday to push Ohio State into the title game. They will face 2-loss LSU, the SEC champions who actually lost to Arkansas just one week ago. But pollsters were apparently unwilling to forgive USC for losing to Stanford, or Georgia for not winning it's conference. And with the current SEC media love-fest, LSU jumped all the way to #2 after beating Tennessee.
A few quick thoughts:
*Right now Ohio State is getting absolutely trashed in the media. To the extent that they didn't play a tough schedule...I'll concede. But like USC used to complain, it's not our fault that Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan all decided to suck this year. And it's really not our fault that when we scheduled the Washington series back in 2000 they were a quality team. Now they're a middle of the Pac 10 squad at best. Though they pushed USC pretty hard, which many people forget.
*It's also a bit frustrating that OSU is getting bashed given the craziness of the season. This was supposed to a rebuilding season, and OSU is only in this position because so many big name schools lost at least twice. Yes, good teams can have bad days and get upset. But if it happens twice, there's really not much excuse. OSU would not be in this position if USC or Oklahoma had just one loss. And it's not like Buckeyes coaches or fans are lobbying and crying and demanding we be given our due. OSU went about its business and happened to survive, perhaps benefiting from a softer Big Ten. But LSU lost to Kentucky and Arkansas, neither of whom were exactly great teams.
*Ohio State moved from one virtual road game to another. They looked headed to the Rose Bowl to face USC in their backyard. Instead they are rewarded by getting LSU in New Orleans, just 45 minutes from Baton Rouge. Oh well - can't complain until they start hosting bowl games in the midwest. Tourists would love a week-long trip in sub-zero temperatures to see a bow game...right?
*If stories about SEC speed and dominance aren't your cup of tea, you might want to just take a pass until the actual game. And then watch it on mute. Because of OSU's monumental failure as the favorite last year, this will be the prevailing opinion from now until January 8. Reasonable Buckeye fans are in somewhat of a dilemma - the team has achieved more than could be expected. But college football is a game of reputation and perception, and they need to win this game. A loss would be another big setback for the conference, who can ill afford it.
*Remember when I said Les Miles couldn't coach and we don't fear him? I still believe it. If Beanie can play healthy, the Buckeyes are aggressive on defense and Boeckman doesn't toss any A.J. Feeley-esque picks, OSU is going to win. Not for the coach. Not for the team. Not for the school. Not for the state of Ohio. Not for the Big Ten. But to rub it in Mark May's smug face.
A few quick thoughts:
*Right now Ohio State is getting absolutely trashed in the media. To the extent that they didn't play a tough schedule...I'll concede. But like USC used to complain, it's not our fault that Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan all decided to suck this year. And it's really not our fault that when we scheduled the Washington series back in 2000 they were a quality team. Now they're a middle of the Pac 10 squad at best. Though they pushed USC pretty hard, which many people forget.
*It's also a bit frustrating that OSU is getting bashed given the craziness of the season. This was supposed to a rebuilding season, and OSU is only in this position because so many big name schools lost at least twice. Yes, good teams can have bad days and get upset. But if it happens twice, there's really not much excuse. OSU would not be in this position if USC or Oklahoma had just one loss. And it's not like Buckeyes coaches or fans are lobbying and crying and demanding we be given our due. OSU went about its business and happened to survive, perhaps benefiting from a softer Big Ten. But LSU lost to Kentucky and Arkansas, neither of whom were exactly great teams.
*Ohio State moved from one virtual road game to another. They looked headed to the Rose Bowl to face USC in their backyard. Instead they are rewarded by getting LSU in New Orleans, just 45 minutes from Baton Rouge. Oh well - can't complain until they start hosting bowl games in the midwest. Tourists would love a week-long trip in sub-zero temperatures to see a bow game...right?
*If stories about SEC speed and dominance aren't your cup of tea, you might want to just take a pass until the actual game. And then watch it on mute. Because of OSU's monumental failure as the favorite last year, this will be the prevailing opinion from now until January 8. Reasonable Buckeye fans are in somewhat of a dilemma - the team has achieved more than could be expected. But college football is a game of reputation and perception, and they need to win this game. A loss would be another big setback for the conference, who can ill afford it.
*Remember when I said Les Miles couldn't coach and we don't fear him? I still believe it. If Beanie can play healthy, the Buckeyes are aggressive on defense and Boeckman doesn't toss any A.J. Feeley-esque picks, OSU is going to win. Not for the coach. Not for the team. Not for the school. Not for the state of Ohio. Not for the Big Ten. But to rub it in Mark May's smug face.
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