All I Want For Ohio State Football Schedules? Better Non-Conf Opponents

Belated Merry Christmas wishes to any and all Ohio State fans who may be reading this post.  Sincere hopes that all of you have the happiest of holiday seasons.

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Turning my attention to Ohio State football, I am naturally anxious to see how Ohio State will do versus Clemson in The Orange Bowl on January 3rd, 2014.  After losing to Michigan State in The B1G Championship Game, Ohio State fans will want to see if the Buckeyes will successfully rebound heading into the 2014 season.

The long view of the 2014 season, and the subsequent seasons after that, are of concern to me as an Ohio State fan.  The 2014 season will be the first season of the four team college football playoff, and strength of schedule will be a key criteria.  How will Ohio State fare under such scrutiny?

Ohio State fans heard all throughout the 2013 season how weak the Buckeyes' opponents were ~ Buffalo.  San Diego State.  California.  Florida A&M.  Yes, I know that Buffalo and San Diego State were bowl teams; ironically, the teams played each other in The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

Yes, Ohio State and the B1G members are moving to a nine game conference schedule in 2016.  But look at Ohio State's 2015 non-conference schedule opponents ~ at Virginia Tech, which is a solid opponent.  Then home versus Hawaii, Northern Illinois, and Western Michigan.  Does that sound like an impressive slate of opponents that will impress the college football playoff committee?

What I am proposing, in light of a nine-game conference schedule, is the following:

• Target an in-state MAC opponent for the season opener:  Akron, Bowling Green, Kent State, Miami University, Ohio University, and Toledo would be ideal openers on a rotating basis.  Every team would benefit greatly from the financial boost of having Ohio State contribute to their respective athletic departments.  For Ohio State, this would also allow the Buckeyes to work on their opening game challenges against somewhat decent opponents, yet not ruin their national championship hopes right out of the gate...hopefully.  For creativity, these teams could even be the "home" team by hosting Ohio State at stadiums like Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, or FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland.

• Target close geographic teams in other top conferences:  Teams such as Louisville, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virginia, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Duke, North Carolina, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Marshall, and Iowa State should be on Gene Smith's speed dial.  Again, several of these teams are on Ohio State's upcoming schedules, but locking them in can only help with that perceived strength of schedule component.  (Yes, I know Notre Dame is close geographically, but with Notre Dame's new ACC schedule, good luck getting them on the schedule.  Plus, why help them, when they repeatedly turned down The B1G's multiple membership invitations?)

• Get some SEC opponents on the schedule:  Kentucky, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and Missouri are all close geographically and would only help to boost the rivalry between The B1G and SEC.

Close your eyes, and think of a schedule that reads like this..."Ohio State opens up on the road in Paul Brown Stadium, kicking off the XXXX season as the guest of the Miami University RedskinsHawks.  Ohio State returns home to face ACC member Pittsburgh, then finishes up their non-conference slate against Tennessee, before B1G competition begins the following week..."

Think that wouldn't be impressive to members of the college football playoff committee, when evaluating Ohio State versus other teams' records for possible playoff inclusion?

Like many Ohio State fans this holiday season, I have much to be thankful for, heading into 2014.  If Santa wants to bring me some more presents, tougher non-conference opponents for the Buckeyes would not be a bad way to start off future college football seasons.

Merry Christmas!

Best wishes to you and your loved ones for a Merry Christmas.  Have a safe and happy holiday.

Back(s) To The Future

When Urban Meyer was hired as Ohio State's head coach in November of 2011, Ohio State fans were familiar with Meyer's formidable spread offense attack, having been brutally victimized by Meyer's Florida Gators in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game.  The possibility that Ohio State would render B1G opposition in similar fashion was a tantalizing vision for Buckeye fans.

While Ohio State fans were eager to see the spread offense in action, one of the aspects of the spread offense was somewhat disconcerting.  Buckeye fans, accustomed to powerful tailbacks such as Archie Griffin and Eddie George, were somewhat perplexed as to whether Coach Meyer's offensive philosophies would mesh with a school accustomed to legendary Coach Woody Hayes' "3 Yards And A Cloud Of Dust" style.

In both 2012 and 2013, Ohio State fans could exhale easily, as Carlos Hyde emerged in the mold of a dominant power back for the Buckeyes.  Heading into the 2014 Orange Bowl contest versus Clemson, Hyde has rushed 183 times for 1408 yards, averaging 7.7 yards per carry during the 2013 season.  Jordan Hall, who filled in for Hyde at the beginning of the 2013 season, rushed 81 times for 536 yards, averaging 6.6 yards per carry.

Hyde and Hall will have exhausted their eligibility after the 2014 Orange Bowl, which could lead Ohio State fans to wonder which back is next on the horizon, to carry on the storied legacy of Buckeye running backs.  The answer is Ohio State does not have one back to carry on the strong rushing attack.  Ohio State may have four.

Heading into 2014 winter conditioning and spring football, a front-runner for the starting tailback position may be Ezekiel Elliott.  Elliott has rushed 30 times for 262 yards, averaging 8.7 yards per carry.  Elliott was Coach Meyer's top tailback recruit from the 2013 recruiting class, and could emerge as the starter heading into the 2014 season.

Senior Rod Smith may contest Elliott for the starting position.  Smith has the physical characteristics to be the starting tailback at Ohio State, but has struggled with fumbles in the past, as well as off the field issues, that have prevented him from more playing time.  2014 will be Smith's last opportunity for significant playing time.

Redshirt sophomore Warren Ball has carried the ball sparingly in 2013, but may have an opportunity for more work in 2014.  Ball redshirted in 2012, and has carried the ball 13 times for 76 yards, averaging 5.8 yards per carry.  Ball has worked primarily on special teams, and may need to continue to do so to garner carries next season.

The enigma of this group is Bri'onte Dunn.  Dunn played as a true freshman in 2012, rushing 25 times for 133 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.  Reluctant to play special teams, and facing a logjam at the position in 2013, Dunn was redshirted for the 2013 season.  Rumors swirl that Dunn may transfer after the season, yet Ohio State fans remain hopeful that Dunn will stay in Columbus.

Another player to keep in mind that also impacts the tailback position for Ohio State is Dontre Wilson.  Wilson does not have the physical attributes of the other players listed above, but Wilson will also be used by the coaching staff in a variety of ways going forward.

Four powerful tailbacks, all eager and ready to take over the load.  Four backs to the future for 2014 and beyond in Ohio State football.

(Video Post) We Are a Family! We Are The Ohio State University!

Tell me how you would turn them down, after listening to this speech.  Big thanks to Stacy Elliott-Muhammad for posting this on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYSGFeoh_as

Minnich's 2013 Airing Of Grievances

Before I get too far into the primary theme of this post, congratulations to Florida State, Auburn, Michigan State, Stanford, Baylor, Rice, UCF, Fresno State, and Bowling Green on winning their respective conference championship games.  Congratulations to each of these teams for achieving conference champion status.

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Anyone who knows or is familiar with my passion for college football is also accustomed to my passionate belief that college football needs a playoff system.  Yes, I know – a four team playoff is starting for the 2014 season.  Yes, I believe it will be an improvement over the present BCS system.

I refer to this time of year as my “Airing Of Grievances”, as my all-time favorite Seinfeld episode is “The Strike”, which features the themes of Festivus.  Among the concepts of Festivus are The Airing Of Grievances, as well as The Feats Of Strength.

Yes, college football will have a four team playoff, and I will concede it will be an improvement.  But…college football needs, and deserves, more. 

A 16 team playoff is the answer.  Why 16 teams, you ask?

Every conference champion (see up above) should be represented.  From the mighty SEC champion, to the lowly Sun Belt champion (congratulations to Louisiana-Lafayette, by the way; Louisiana-Lafayette did not win the Sun Belt via a conference championship game, which is why I did not list them up above.). 

College football fans are told repeatedly how every game matters, yet a four team playoff will exclude teams that are not considered “power conferences”.  Why not give a MAC champion or Conference USA champion a shot at the title?

And how would I get to sixteen teams, when there are only ten conferences?  Six at-large berths, based upon computer rankings.  Below, all rankings based upon computer rankings from ESPN and Jeff Sagarin.

Here is how this could work ~ 

·         American Athletic Conference (UCF)                       Seeded 12^th
·         Atlantic Coast Conference (Florida State)                 Seeded 1^st
·         Big 12 (Baylor)                                                           Seeded 9^th
·         B1G (Michigan State)                                                 Seeded 5^th
·         Conference USA (Rice)                                              Seeded 15^th
·         MAC (Bowling Green)                                               Seeded 14^th
·         Mountain West (Fresno State)                                     Seeded 13^th
·         Pac 12 (Stanford)                                                         Seeded 4^th
·         SEC (Auburn)                                                              Seeded 2^nd
·         Sun Belt (Louisiana-Lafayette)                                    Seeded 16^th
·         At-Large # 1 (Alabama)                                                Seeded 3^rd
·         At-Large # 2 (Ohio State)                                             Seeded 6^th
·         At-Large # 3 (Missouri)                                                Seeded 7^th
·         At-Large # 4 (South Carolina)                                      Seeded 8^th
·         At-Large # 5 (Oregon)                                                  Seeded 10^th
·         At-Large # 6 (Oklahoma)                                             Seeded 12^th

All games played at home team stadiums, with the higher seeded team being the host.  (For those of you wondering why I would rank Alabama over Stanford, it is due to Alabama having only lost one game, while Stanford lost two.)

Can you imagine how insane your December weekends would be if there truly was a playoff system like below?  Every conference champion gets a shot at the title.  And every deserving at-large team is rewarded for playing well throughout the season too.

Somewhat surprisingly to me, Dan Wetzel, author of "Death To The BCS", has switched from his previous position of including all conference champions, whittling down to an eight team playoff proposal.  Below is a brief Twitter exchange on the ideas of an eight or sixteen playoff system...

Here's @TyDuffy on benefits (and inevitability) of 8-team playoff. Post-realignment, its the best plan: http://t.co/zc4SCbZmlJ
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) December 11, 2013

@ChipMinnich @tyduffy too many at large bids and too many conferences are really weak. Only 5/6 legit now. Used to be 8/9. 8 is right number
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) December 11, 2013

 Until the day arrives where every conference champion is given a chance to win the national championship, I will be skeptical of any college football playoff system, with this serving as my Airing Of Grievances.  And until we have a system like mine, you can count on me to be ready for The Feats Of Strength…

[ESPN]: Maurice Clarett's First Game At Ohio State, 08/24/2002

I can still recall where I was when this play took place - watching the Ohio State season opener with Colleen, at her cousin's home in Rocky River, OH.  Looking forward to watching more of "Youngstown Boys" on 12/14/2013 at 9pm EST.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:10119687

Maurice Clarett - No Regrets For This Youngstown Boy

On December 14, 2013, after the Heisman Trophy presentation, ESPN will televise its "30 For 30" series, focusing upon the story of former Ohio State stalwarts Maurice Clarett and Jim Tressel, in "Youngstown Boys".  Below is a trailer previewing the episode...



On December 9, 2013, a buddy of mine named Jay Kimball, an Ohio State alum living in New Jersey, had the opportunity to meet Maurice Clarett at an advanced screening of the program.  Jay e-mailed me during the day, asking me if I had one question for Maurice Clarett, and I had a very obvious, but important question ~

What Is Your Biggest Regret?

Below are Jay's comments from an e-mail reply he sent to me, and a picture of Jay with Maurice Clarett.  I hope you enjoy Jay's comments, and I am looking forward to watching "Youngstown Boys" at 9pm EST on ESPN on December 14th.  Go Bucks!

This was a screening of the ESPN 30 for 30 called "Youngstown Boys" which premieres on Saturday night after the Heisman show.  It was at my high school Paramus Catholic just for the kids.  I got a call this afternoon to stop by.  He did a Q&A after.  His answers were not scripted and seemed honest.  I think he has great potential as a public speaker but he needs a little work on his delivery.  I asked him about his greatest regret.  I prefaced it by stating that he was Mr. Football in Ohio 2001, Big Ten Freshman of the Year 2002 and National Champion 2002.  I graduated in '89 and but for my Freshman year we were in the woods until Tressel came in, then Clarett, etc.  So he was a great source of pride and then to hear about a robbery occurring in an alley right behind the bars on High Street and then prison was a great source of shame.  He had the opportunity to set himself and his entire family for life with an NFL contract.  What is your biggest regret?

His answer was something to the effect that he didn't have any regrets.  That when he was involved in drugs and robbery he thought he was doing what he should be doing.  Was he in the right frame of mind, absolutely not.  I thought that response was a little off but he went on to talk more about how he came around in prison and what he was doing with his life now.  So it wasn't a bad response but I think he needs to work on it.  Again, I thought he was being honest and the obvious message of trying to get kids to avoid people places and things that will get you in trouble resonates and he speaks from experience. “

The Ghosts Of Spartan Past And Present Haunt Ohio State's BCS Title Hopes

Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" ranks as one of my all-time favorite holiday traditions.  Not only was I partial to reading the book as a boy, but I have grown to enjoy watching the various versions of the story with my wife and children.  We enjoy all of the versions, from the cartoon of Mister Magoo, to the serious and somber George C. Scott version (that was my Dad's favorite).  Probably our favorite is the Albert Finney musical version, titled "Scrooge".

 Central to the Dickens story are the three ghosts who visit miserly Ebeneezer Scrooge - the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future visiting Scrooge, to get Scrooge to change his ways and embrace the true meaning of Christmas.  Scrooge is transformed upon the conclusion of the story after the visits.  (I truly hope I did not commit a literary spoiler there for anyone who may not be familiar with the story, in all sincerity.)

As I viewed the B1G conference championship game last evening, I felt somewhat like Ebeneezer Scrooge in the sense that I was visited by a ghost from the past.  This ghost was the Spartan Ghost Of 1998.

Congratulations to Michigan State for winning the B1G in deserving fashion last evening.  Below is a tweet I sent out, primarily directed to my co-worker friend Eric, who is a Michigan State fan ~

@EricReplied Congrats to Sparty for outcoaching & outplaying OSU.  Good luck vs Stanford in Rose Bowl.  Play well for B1G.
— Chip Minnich (@ChipMinnich) December 8, 2013

How did the Ghost Of Spartan Present haunt Ohio State and its fans, you may ask?  In the same manner that other teams have tried to hurt Ohio State throughout the entire 2013 season - attacking an inconsistent Buckeye defense. 

Ohio State's secondary was the victim early, contributing painful penalties at the onset (what were you thinking, Doran Grant and Ryan Shazier, on that opening Spartan drive?).  Ohio State fell behind 17-0 early, and it seemed like it was going to be a blowout.

Ohio State rallied in the second half, scoring twenty-four points to take the lead.  No matter, as The Ghost Of Spartan Present was aided by curious Buckeye offensive play-calling, as well as a return by the Buckeyes to lackluster defensive play, and The Ghost Of Spartan Present won the game, 34-24.

And yet...I feel this loss to Michigan State is not as deep, or painful, as the 1998 loss.

Am I disappointed that Ohio State did not win?  Absolutely.  Would I have liked to have seen Ohio State contend for The BCS National Championship?  Without a doubt.  (More than likely, Ohio State seems headed for The Orange Bowl, versus Clemson, on January 3rd, 2014, from projections I have read.)

Yet 1998, The Ghost Of Spartan Past, haunts me more in comparison.  Maybe it was because Ohio State lost at home, in the friendly confines of Ohio Stadium, versus Lucas Oil Stadium.  (Yes, I will concede most of those fans in Lucas Oil Stadium were Ohio State fans.)

Maybe it was because The Ghost Of Spartan Past was an unranked Michigan State team, while The Ghost Of Spartan Present is ranked #10 in the country.  Probably by the time you read this, the ranking of Michigan State will be higher, and deservedly so, after last evening's results are analyzed by the voters.

I believe this is the reason, and this is painful to admit ~ the 1998 Ohio State team should have won the national championship that season.  Ohio State fans know it, and so do other true college football fans who remember that season, and that Buckeye team.  

And while this year's team is good, and worthy of a quality bowl game, do you truly believe in your heart of hearts that Ohio State was capable of winning the national championship?

Because deep down, and maybe it is just me, I do not.  And I have not throughout the season.  And I also believe others feel the same way...

Another championship season becomes a might have been because of Ohio State's leaky defense.  http://t.co/Oz4L9NWLrl
— Bill Livingston (@Livy70) December 8, 2013

The Ghosts Of Spartan Past And Present, haunting Ohio State fans yet again.  What about The Ghost Of Spartan Future, you ask?  Ohio State's next visit is scheduled for November 8, 2014, at East Lansing.  The last time Ohio State visited, it was the Buckeyes' turn to haunt the Spartans.  Ohio State fans can only hope it will be like that 2012 visit, and unlike the unwanted visits of The Ghosts Of Spartan Past and Present.

B1G Championship Poster (courtesy of Samuel Silverman)

Ohio State Football: B1G Championship Trailer

[BTN: The Journey] ~ Ohio State @ That Team Up North

Yeah, I can see how that fight happened on the field.  It almost happened in the tunnel before THE GAME...

B1G Chance For Miller Time In Indy

Congratulations to Ohio State on winning their twenty-fourth straight game, squeaking out a victory 42-41 over That Team Up North. Standing squarely and confidently in Ohio State's quest for a twenty-fifth victory are the Michigan State Spartans, led by former Ohio State defensive coordinator (2001-2003) Mark Dantonio.  Dantonio was recently named the 2013 B1G football coach of the year.  Michigan State enters the B1G conference championship game with an 11-1 record, losing only at Notre Dame on September 21st, 17-13.

Coach Mark Dantonio is not the only familiar face that Ohio State will encounter in the 2013 B1G conference championship.  Most prominently, former Ohio State offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Jim Bollman (2001-2011) will be involved as the Spartans' co-offensive coordinator in Michigan State's efforts to claim the B1G championship.  Other Spartans assistants who formerly assisted Ohio State during the Jim Tressel era include Marhttp://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/k Staten, Mike Tressel, Rob Harley, and Ken Mannie. 

What do I expect Saturday night when I turn on my TV (Fox will televise the game) at 8:15pm EST?  Perhaps I may be mistaken, but I am expecting pangs of nostalgia, as I expect Michigan State to embrace the "Tresselball" style Ohio State fans became entirely familiar with from 2001-2011.

Here is my logic ~ Michigan State's strength lies in its dominating defense.  In addition, Michigan State has found a winning formula that relies upon steady passing by Ohio native Connor Cook, and dependable running by Jeremy Langford.  While Michigan State's offense is not as explosive as Ohio State's, the Spartans have established a balanced offensive philosophy that has helped to produce eleven victories this season.

Let us get back to that dominant Spartan defense.  A critical match-up that will bear watching will be Spartan DE Shilique Calhoun versus Ohio State's left offensive tackle Jack Mewhort.  Mewhort, entrusted with protecting Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller's blind side, will have his hands full with Calhoun, a lanky and disruptive pass rusher.

Continuing with the Spartan defense, Ohio State will find that running the ball with senior running back Carlos Hyde may not be as easy as it has been for the Ohio State offense in the last few games against teams such as Illinois, Indiana, and That Team Up North.  Michigan State traditionally plays a base 4-3 defense, and will bring up its safeties in run support to make it difficult to run.  Michigan State has confidence in their cornerbacks, led by standout Darqueze Dennard, to play press coverage on Ohio State's wideouts.

Faced with such options, here is where Braxton Miller's performance will be critical.  While I look for Michigan State to sell out against the run versus Ohio State, the press coverage Michigan State may employ could leave the Spartans vulnerable to quick screens and slants.  Perhaps Ohio State tight end Jeff Heuerman can be isolated on a Spartan linebacker or safety on intermediate routes that do not take too long to develop.  With Michigan State probably eager to shut down the Ohio State running game, play-action passes may be there at some point during the contest.

Back to Braxton Miller.  While I am loathe to run Miller too much, exposing him to possible injury, I am certainly hopeful that Miller will not hesitate to scramble for positive yardage on pass plays.  If a play is not there, or slow to develop, I would prefer Miller to scramble for a few yards, versus forcing a deep pass that may be incomplete or intercepted.

Twenty-four straight victories, with a possible BCS Championship Game berth on the line.  In order to get to twenty-five straight victories, it may truly require Miller time on Saturday evening in Indianapolis for the Buckeyes.

ESPN 30 For 30 Trailer: Youngstown Boys, coming 12/14/2013