I took a peek in my crystal ball and saw how the football Buckeyes of The Ohio State University will fair this season. So if you'd like to know what I saw, I am sharing it with the masses. But don't worry, you can still watch how it all pans out. My crystal ball isn't 100%.
Week One
Vs. Youngstown St.
Jim Tressel's former school of employment comes to Columbus in a glorified practice for the Buckeyes. While the Buckeyes outmatch the Penguins in talent and they are playing at home in front of over 100,000 fans (mostly Columbus residents and alumni since the students don't arrive until the end of September), Tressel with follow his standard practice of allowing the opponent to hang around for at least a half before he drops the hammer. In the end the score will be a convincing 38-13 victory but it won't feel that easy. Terrelle Pryor will get a number of snaps and give us a nice taste of what he has in store but the reigns will remain tight. Tressel never likes to show his hand and you know his hand includes some plays for Pryor against Michigan and the Bowl game I will report on later.
Buckeyes 38
YSU 13
Record 1-0
Week Two
Vs. Ohio University
Another cupcake game for the mighty Buckeyes that will not feel like it. Ohio will hang around into the second half as fans like myself allow the panic to set in. But in the end, the rushing of Beanie Wells is just too much for the Bobcats and the defensive struggle breaks open, once again ending with a score that makes the game appear easier than it was. A special teams mistake or turnover that leads to Ohio's only touchdown creates unneeded tension that finally dissipates by the beginning of the fourth quarter.
Buckeyes 34
Ohio 10
Record 2-0
Week Three
At USC
Oh yes baby! The big dawg. The premier game of the season to this point and maybe overall. It has been hyped all summer. Fans throughout the country that are not part of Trojan or Buckeye Nation are sick and tired of hearing about it. But they will all be glued to the set as they watch an instant classic. These two powerhouses, both loaded with talent and tradition and coaching, will go toe to toe for four quarters, maybe more. They will provide a thrilling battle of the ages. USC's defense will make scoring a premium for Beanie Wells and Boeckman. Pete Carroll will have his offense ready to go against the Buckeyes' defense which returns numerous starters from two straight National Title games. Herein lies the key to the Buckeye's season. This is where the crystal ball becomes more foggy. What I could make out from what I saw was this: If the defense and more importantly, Jim Heacock's game planning, can show it has improved from the last two BCS Title games in terms of in-game planning, the Buckeyes will roll. It will be a low scoring classic that ends in the 17-13 range. But if the same old defense comes out and lays and egg despite the abundance of talent and cannot seem to make the in-game adjustments that former coordinator Mark Dantonio would flourish with when he was here, the game will get out of hand and USC will pull away in the second half winning by 10 or more. This will determine the season. I am going to buck my normal pessimism and stare Huey Karma right in the eyes. I am going to trust in Jim Heacock's plan. I am going to say Buckeyes pull out a close 17-13 game.
Buckeyes 17
USC 13
Record 3-0
Week Four
Vs. Troy
Troy has been able to make some noise in the past several seasons as they continue to play powerhouse programs like Ohio State, LSU et al. They have opened some eyes playing well but haven't really gotten over the hump. I see that they will also give OSU a run for their money. The Buckeyes are unable to run away from Troy at any point and for the second week in a row win a hard fought game for 60 minutes or more pulling out a character building victory in the end.
Buckeyes 23
Troy 17
Record 4-0
Week Five
Vs. Minnesota
This Big Ten opener helps the Buckeyes get well. They are able to cruise to a relatively easy win at home and are able to rest some starters late in the game. They will need it after two difficult games against the Trojans and Troy. Pryor gets some more action and Wells pads his stats for the Heisman push.
Buckeyes 41
Minnesota 10
Record 5-0
Week Six
At Wisconsin
This game is NEVER easy regardless of records. Playing in Madison only makes it worse. This game will have the Buckeyes behind in the second half forcing Boeckman to draw upon his experience to lead the Bucks in two critical drives in the fourth quarter. The first leading to a field goal after the drive stalls. This will send me to an open area to begin my steady pacing back and forth in whatever location I will be watching the game. My heart rate will reach the point of hypertension, but Wells takes over following a crucial interception by Malcolm Jenkins after the Badgers march into Buckeye territory. This leads Ohio State to a game winning touchdown with under a minute to go. Unfortunately for my heart, the game will still be nerve racking as in a last ditch effort, the Badger advance to the fifty before running too low on time forcing them to resort to longer, lower percentage passes that go incomplete.
Buckeyes 27
Wisconsin 24
Record 6-0
Week Seven
Vs. Purdue
Purdue doesn't provide the easy walk over that Minnesota did after the Troy-USC combo, but the Bucks are able to get a victory in convincing fashion. They are really beginning to feel their rhythm now. The offense is clicking. The defense is coming together and their talent is really showing. Not only is Wells still a legitimate Heisman candidate, but numerous other Buckeyes are improving their draft status much like Vernon Gohlstein last season.
Buckeyes: 34
Purdue: 10
Record: 7-0
Week Eight
At Michigan St.
Every year Michigan St. gets lots of preseason love and rarely lives up to the expectations. Head Coach Dantonio, who led the Buckeyes' shutdown defense in the '02 championship season, will get this program back to a respectable status soon enough and they will give the Buckeyes a scare on the road. But the Bucks' superior talent will win out and Ohio St. will move on to another victory. The team will really be focused trying to shed the image around the nation of a choker in a weak conference and end the game with a solid win against a MSU team that has shown some improvement as they find themselves near the top of the middle of the Big Ten.
Buckeyes 27
Michigan St. 17
Record: 8-0
Week Nine
Vs. Penn St.
Night game against Penn St. again. But this time it is at home. Phew! Penn St. gives OSU a run but once again, the home crowd, the talent, the coaching and the mission these Buckeye seniors will be on lifts OSU to another victory. Not as easy as some of the others, but a legitimate, solid win.
Buckeyes 24
Penn St. 14
Record 9-0
Week Ten
At. Northwestern
I plan to attend this game adding another Big Ten stadium to my count. I plan to watch the Buckeyes absolutely destroy the Wildcats. This game will be a tune up for the rematch against Illinois who upset the Buckeyes last year in a disappointing, painful loss. They won't overlook the Wildcats, they will take it out on them as they cruise to an early lead and crunch the 'Cats with one thing on their mind.... Carnage and death on the way to another BCS Title shot. Because guess who is moving up in the polls? The Pac-10's leader, USC.
Buckeyes 48
Northwestern 6
Week Eleven
At Illinois
Revenge will be the name of this game. Illinois will try but fail to repeat last year's questionable victory. Referee's won't be able to help them this time. The Buckeyes will start off fast, fade for two quarters then drop the hammer in the fourth. Boeckman will remember his picks and make sure Wells gets plenty of touches leading the Buckeyes offense to several late game touchdowns.
Buckeyes 30
Illinois 17
Record 11-0
Week Twelve
Vs. Michigan
Hot Rod Rich Rodriquez will get the Wolverines back to Big Ten dominance but not this year. The lack of experience at the quarterback position will hurt them this year. The new system he tries to implement will have its growing pains. While a competitive team and middle of the pack in the Big Ten, U of M will make it interesting. Rivalry games usually are. But the Buckeyes will out muscle the Wolverines and earn another berth in the Title game.
Buckeyes 20
Michigan 9
BCS Title Game
Vs. USC
Yes, I see a rematch. USC will not drop far due to OSU's high ranking in September. They will win out and the SEC will beat up on itself keeping Georgia, Florida, Auburn and LSU from getting a shot. Without the high volume of upsets that allowed a 2 loss LSU team in the Championship (although they obviously deserved to be there as proven by their destruction of OSU) last year, none of the SEC powerhouses will be able to slip in despite arguments that they should be there over an undefeated Buckeye team. After all, who did OSU play?
This rematch will be even better than the regular season match up as it rivals only the '02 Fiesta Bowl with its double overtimes as the greatest game ever. A heavyweight battle that has Carroll smiling across the field with his headset on and play sheet in hand as his arms are crossed over his chest. Tressel returns his smile with a look of pure intensity immediately followed by a look to Boeckman mouthing "FOCUS" just like in '02. Boeckman play fakes to Wells tossing up a beautiful fade to Robiskie for a TD! The defense holds and WE WIN!!!!!!!!
Yes YOUR Ohio State Buckeyes win the BCS title game. The pessimist predicts it!
It is time I take on the Karma man on man. Ding!
2 comments:
This is actually a very realistic take on the season. A classic USC match-up, a closer than expected Troy game, a tough-fought Wisconsin contest, and a relatively week schedule makes for a memorable season.
The key is the USC game. The more I learn about the Trojans, the more I think they're not ready. USC has had to replace many starters and they have a young, inexperienced QB. Sanchez was mediocre at best last season. I see this as the key to the game: Sanchez's play versus a very ready OSU defense.
The rest of the season will depend on Boeckmen's performance. He has to protect the ball better than he did last season.
I'm also not convinced that USC will go unbeaten in conference play. They have a lot of question marks and the PAC-10 is vastly improved. If anyone survives the SEC with only one loss, it will be Florida whose schedule is favorable and talent limitless. I like Oklahoma to have a shot. I'm not convinced the Big-12 is all that strong.
You would know more about the Big 12 than I living in that region so I'll trust your word. I can't argue too much with your take on USC. Despite an improved Pac 10, I think USC will be superior. And Sanchez is a question mark. I am eager to check out the game against Virginia which is just now starting. I still really think the Buckeye's defense is the key here. They have talent and experience but this same talent and experience wasn't enough to get it done against LSU and Florida. And yes, Boeckman needs to improve those turnovers.
Post a Comment