Buckeyes Defeating The Tigers May Not Be Elementary, (Deshaun) Watson

The phrase, “Elementary, my dear Watson” has been attributed to the fictional character of Sherlock Holmes.  The meaning of the phrase, with Holmes stating it to his loyal assistant Dr. Watson, was to explain the deductions that Holmes had made in deducing the case.  The reality is that Sherlock Holmes never uttered that phrase in any of the novels written by Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes.  The phrase became part of Sherlock Holmes’ lore as a result of movies, where the phrase gained prominence.

Ohio State will be facing a Watson in The Fiesta Bowl, when Clemson’s Deshaun Watson will lead the 2nd-ranked Tigers against the 3rd-ranked Buckeyes in a designated College Football Playoff.  As Deshaun Watson is a dangerous dual-threat quarterback, capable of hurting the Buckeyes with both his legs and his arm, it would be foolish to say that defending against Watson will be “elementary”.

Ohio State is a 3 point favorite against Clemson.  To be fair, this game and match-up seems much more difficult to predict.  Which Ohio State team is going to show up?  The team that came out and bludgeoned ranked opponents such as Nebraska 62-3, or the team that seemed to completely go into a predictable and frustrating funk offensively, such as when the Buckeyes eeked out a one point win at East Lansing against Michigan State?

In order for the Buckeyes to take another step closer to the 2016 national championship, below are three critical areas I will be looking for when The Fiesta Bowl kicks off at 7pm EST on ESPN…

1. Ohio State must throw the ball deep ~ Even if Ohio State is incomplete, Urban Meyer has to stretch the field against a Clemson defense that will crowd the line of scrimmage.  By throwing deep, the Tigers will be unable to put eight or nine men in the box, thus giving the Ohio State running game a better chance of success.  Will K.J. Hill get a chance to be a deep threat?  Will Ohio State sometimes use Curtis Samuel as a deep threat?  As long as Ohio State makes this effort, that is all I care about.
2. Will Ohio State Bring Back “Tressel-ball”? ~ If you have not yet read this article by Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated about what Ohio State needs to do to win The College Football Playoff, please do so.  I know that this seems like a contradiction after my first point, but once Ohio State gets Clemson to quit stacking the line of scrimmage, using Mike Weber, J.T. Barrett, and Curtis Samuel as ballcarriers to control the clock and tire out the Clemson defense would be advantageous.

 

The case for Ohio State to win the College Football Playoff (by @SIPeteThamel) https://t.co/I9loUyIArC pic.twitter.com/O5L5j7RQUt

— Campus Rush (@CampusRush) December 21, 2016

3.  Will Ohio State Continue Its Opportunistic Ways On Defense ~ Think back to how many times Malik Hooker came up with acrobatic interceptions this season.  While Deshaun Watson has tremendous weapons at his disposal, in players such as WR Mike Williams, TE Jordan Leggett, WR Artavis Scott, and RB Wayne Gallman, the Buckeyes need to capitalize upon any mistakes that Watson may make.  Better yet, if the Buckeyes can force Watson into a mistake, with blitzes or pass rush pressure, the opportunity to score points defensively are there.

Prediction:  As written up above, this is a tough game to call.  Clemson has a tremendous defensive line, full of players Ohio State recruited, going up against an offensive line that has struggled with pass protection.  Even with all of Clemson’s talent, I think Ohio State has just enough to get by the Tigers in a shoot-out.  I am going to say Ohio State 35, Clemson 31.  #GoBucks!

The 2016 Airing Of Grievances

Happy Festivus!  For those of you who are unaware or unfamiliar with Festivus, please click on this link, and you will get a better understanding.

Festivus is only two days away! Tune in to watch the Festivus episode every night this week for the #5DaysofFestivus! pic.twitter.com/nIJYfaTiJn

— Seinfeld (@SeinfeldTV) December 21, 2016

For those of you who are familiar with Festivus, I am going to take some time away from my preparation from The Feats Of Strength (if you clicked on the link, you already know what that means) to give my annual Airing Of Grievances (again, please click on the link) as they relate to the 2016 Ohio State Buckeyes.

I do not have too many grievances – after all, Ohio State is 11-1, only a blocked field goal from being undefeated, and will be playing in The College Football Playoff for the second time in three years with a roster that is largely comprised of freshmen or redshirt freshmen.  Not too shabby.

1.  The Lack Of A Downfield Passing Game ~ Even Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer recognizes that Ohio State needs to improve its passing game, saying, “In the offseason we’re going to become a good throwing team and spend some time on it…”.  Perhaps it is a measure of a young offensive line not giving quarterback J.T. Barrett enough time to throw, perhaps it is the roster lacking a receiver who can get deep separation (I would dispute that one), but Ohio State’s passing game has become all too predictable and easy to defend, especially during the latter portion of the season.
2. Ohio State Needed To Play More Freshmen ~ This one will sound like a contradiction, as the following true freshmen played in 2016, based on my records – Jonathon Cooper, Demario McCall, Tuf Borland, Michael Jordan, Austin Mack, Nick Bosa, Antonio Williams (but he will be redshirted due to a shoulder injury), Binjimen Victor, Keandre Jones, Rodjay Burns, Jordan Fuller, and Malik Harrison.  Here is where I would gripe – in so many blowout games, why not give those players even more time?  A case in point is redshirt freshman quarterback Joe Burrow.  Burrow was able to get some playing time, but when Ohio State was blowing out Bowling Green, Tulsa, Rutgers, Nebraska, and Maryland…could he have received even more time?
3. Quit Relying Upon J.T. Barrett’s Legs ~ This is tied somewhat to the first grievance.  Coach Meyer has a tendency to put the ball in Barrett’s hands in crucial situations, and Barrett has been very dependable.  This has also led to the predictability of the Ohio State offense.  Who is not expecting a quarterback draw on short yardage?  Be honest.  More play-action passes, even if incomplete, will actually help to spread out the defense.

Well, I have to get ready for The Feats Of Strength.  I am usually adept at keeping the kids from pinning me, but they are getting older, and so am I – one of these years, the kids will be able to pin me without my wife’s help.

Happy Festivus, and sincere wishes to all of you for a safe and happy holiday season.  Go Bucks!

Far Too Frequent, Ohio State Fans Were Often Fickle About Fickell

Congratulations to new Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Luke Fickell.  After a lengthy and productive career as a player and assistant coach at Ohio State that spanned over twenty years, Fickell now has the opportunity to lead his own program, within the great state of Ohio.

While the accolades from former players and coaches were primarily positive about the hiring of Fickell by Cincinnati, there are a decent amount of Ohio State fans, and I would surmise college football fans, who have never truly given Fickell too much credit for the Ohio State defense.  In 2014, Chris Ash came on board as co-defensive coordinator, and when the Buckeye defense improved, Ash was given the credit.  This past season, Greg Schiano came on board to replace Chris Ash, after Ash had taken the head coaching job at Rutgers, and again, Schiano was given the credit.

And let's just put this out there ~ so many Ohio State fans have never forgiven Luke Fickell for the 2011 season, when the Buckeyes finished 6-7 during the dreadful "Tattoogate" era.  Fickell was thrown into a difficult situation, and was the convenient scapegoat for fans wanting to vent about the transgressions of the players and program that had lost its way.

For my line of thinking, I am grateful to Luke Fickell for all that he has done for Ohio State since 1992.  Yes, 1992 - the year Luke Fickell signed his letter of intent with Ohio State, despite scholarship offers from many of the top programs around the nation.

1992, a year when Ohio State football was not the prized commodity then as it is now.  Fickell started fifty consecutive games at nose guard, concluding his career against Arizona State in The 1997 Rose Bowl with a torn pectoral muscle.

Fickell began his ascension up the coaching ladder in 1999 under John Cooper, coached at Akron under former Ohio State assistant Lee Owens in 2000 and 2001, and has been a Buckeye assistant from 2002 until 2016 under Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer.  Ohio State fans seem to have forgotten that Fickell had opportunities to leave, most notably at Notre Dame, but Fickell declined the opportunity to stay in Columbus.  Loyalty counts.

I wish I knew how Luke Fickell's career at Cincinnati will go.  Many an Ohio State assistant coach has departed Columbus, and have seen their coaching careers progress positively, as well as others who have seen their careers decline.  I do believe that Fickell's strong reputation as a recruiter will serve him well, in a talent-laden area of the state.  The Ohio high school players are very familiar with Fickell's name and previous Ohio State ties, so Fickell will be able to get his foot in the door, and possibly persuade those players to become Bearcats.

Congratulations, Coach Fickell.  You have earned this opportunity, and I wish you nothing but the best going forward...except on September 7, 2019, when you bring your Bearcats up to Ohio Stadium to face the Buckeyes.

B1G Has Even Bigger Opportunity To Impress In Bowl Season

Congratulations to all ten teams within The B1G that qualified for a bowl.  Ten out of fourteen teams in the conference as bowl participants, even with three of the teams having 6-6 records, is something that The B1G can finish the 2016 season feeling on a positive note.

As the regular season now turns to the bowl season, The B1G needs to seize the moment and show the college football world that the lofty praise and compliments that have been bestowed upon the conference are well-deserved.  A quick case in point - think back to what I wrote last year, after the conclusion of the bowl season, when B1G teams such as Iowa and Michigan State were crushed on the national stage.

If you have not yet done so, please read this article associated with Michael Rosenberg (@Rosenberg_Mike).  It provides tremendous insight into how The B1G has focused upon making all of its teams competitive...

How the Big Ten returned to the top of college football (by @Rosenberg_Mike) https://t.co/imyzuWhkP3 pic.twitter.com/0FOCEMnXOU

— SI College Football (@si_ncaafb) December 7, 2016

For those not familiar, here is the bowl schedule for all B1G teams.  Being a college football junkie, I truly subscribe to the old Christmas holiday song, "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year".  At any moment, it seems I can turn on the television, and have a reasonable chance of seeing a college football bowl game on.  And during the wilderness that is known as the offseason from the end of bowl season until the Ohio State spring game in April, these are the type of memories that help to sustain me...

For Ohio State's 2016 Playoff Hopes, "The Waiting Is The Hardest Part"

Oh baby don't it feel like heaven right now
Don't it feel like something from a dream

As Curtis Samuel sprinted into the end zone for the winning touchdown against That Team Up North on November 26th, the natural euphoria and bedlam erupted at my brother-in-law Scott's home.  Hugs, celebratory high fives, and complete exhilaration were enjoyed by all at the tremendous comeback 30-27 double overtime victory over That Team Up North.  The revelation that Jim Harbaugh decided to blame the officials in his postgame press conference could not dampen the celebration that seemed to completely fill up the great state of Ohio.

November 29th gave Ohio State fans even more reason to celebrate.  The latest College Football Playoff rankings that were released kept Ohio State at number two, despite the fact that Ohio State would not be playing for The B1G Championship...

Ohio State remains second in the latest College Football Playoff rankings.

— (((Lori Schmidt))) (@LoriSchmidt) November 30, 2016

The waiting is the hardest part
Every day you see one more card

With all due respect to Tom Petty, Ohio State coaches, players, and fans will be counting down the minutes until the afternoon of December 4th, when the final College Football Playoff rankings will be released.

You take it on faith, you take it to the heart
The waiting is the hardest part

Could Ohio State find themselves on the outside looking in, despite being ranked second?  Could Penn State or Wisconsin vault past the Buckeyes, after The B1G Championship?

Hocutt to Rece Davis: Ohio State and Penn State "Not close in the eyes of the committee."

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 30, 2016

As Ohio State is not playing this weekend, there is little to nothing the Buckeyes can do.  There is no sense in being anxious or nervous, as the Buckeyes truly have no control over when or if they make The College Football Playoffs.  I plan on enjoying the various conference championship games, as these will have impact upon the entire college football bowl season.  Until then, I am going to rely upon the wisdom of Tom Petty, and...

Don't let it kill you baby, don't let it get to you