The 2009 Buckeyes punctuated their final out of conference schedule with a decisive win against Toledo in Cleveland Stadium. By posting a shutout at a neutral site (and another weak loss by USC to an unranked team) even t he least resilient of the Scarlet and Gray faithful have reason to be encouraged. The shut out was a little lucky, but you need that every now and again.
Terrelle had a huge day, the defense served noticed that they don’t suffer from the same mental malady of focus that some un-named PAC 10 team seems to be afflicted with, and that the 2009 Buckeyes are still a young team, but maturing very quickly. The offensive line played a little better and certainly seemed to look a little more nasty, to me, when Mike Adams was on the field. He needs to get with Ray Small, figure out what he did to get out of the Tressel doghouse and do the same. Hope to see him get it together.
I can’t help but think that my BLOG is being read within the inner circle of the Woody Hayes center. Maybe the fact that we ran a screen for the first time in 8 years was a coincidence. Baby Buck Jordan Hall bounced for more than 6 yards\carry at tailback and Dane Sanzenbacher does his second impression of Doug Donnely with a penchant for striking from a distance. Sanzenbacher had such a big week, I am officially giving him the nickname “White Ligthning 2″. My offensive player of the week is Sanzenbacher, with the defensive nod going to Chimdi Chekwa. No crying about Terelle, he’ll have plenty of chances.
Turning our attention to this week, Big 10 competition begins this week and little else matters in college football. Yes I said it and I’m not taking it back. I am calling out the SEC divas, PAC 10 posers and Big 12 wannabes to let them know that this is the best league in all of college football from top to bottom. Can you tell I’m a little excited?
Michelle and I will be in Ohio Stadium perched high a top section 22c to watch the quest for OSU’s 6th consequetive conference championship. Illinois (ILL) has always been a favorite (non-MICH) conference win from the time I spent in Columbus. The games were always highly entertaining and physical. Keith Byars had an amazing day with 5 touchdowns in 84 or 85; passing, catching, kick return and passing). Dave Wilson posted what I still believe is a D1 record for 1 game, with 620 yards! Finally, and unrelated, Illinois vs Ohio State is also our best basketball rival and that adds extra intrigue, for me.
This is a real rivalry, with ILL having won 7 of the last 10 dating back to 1988. No, Juice will not repeat his 2007 upset performance. In large part this will be because Rashard Mendenhall now plays for the Steelers and took a lot of the burden off of him as a sophomore. What would be concerning is if he were somehow able to have this same effect for another offensive teammate. They run the zone read to death and will have some success, but my expectation is that the Bucks’ defense will keep the Illini to less than 17 points.
OSU needs another offensive gem to begin the Big 10 season to get a little rhythm and identity. Illinois’ strength thus far on D has been stopping the run. But they are very thin at LB due to injury and just a lack of quality depth. They’ve not been very good against the pass, so we will get opportunities in the passing game to be dynamic. Maybe I’ll get my wish for a big return play this week. All in all it should be a romp, but you never know. That’s why the game is played.
