GO Bucks

[YoloinOhio]

Kyle McCord time 👀

[Willyville Guy]

He's going to be sweet, but it's going to be against Akron, and so this will be a tricky game to evaluate. Still, I'm excited to see him play.

[YoloinOhio]

What do we think about K’Vaughan Pope’s tribute to Vontae Davis 🤣

[Willyville Guy]

 

On 9/26/2021 at 8:14 AM, YoloinOhio said:

What do we think about K’Vaughan Pope’s tribute to Vontae Davis 🤣

 

Dave Biddle reminded me this morning that Robert Smith quit the team in 1991 and came back in 1992, so maybe Pope will come back strong lol! I do feel badly for the kid though -- it has to be frustrating to be a senior LB in a year where that unit is taking a lot of heat and playing time is really tight.  Some people work twice as hard in that situation.  I guess others say "fucc ohio state" and move on.  Best of luck, Pope!  

[YoloinOhio]

19 hours ago, Willyville Guy said:

 

 

Dave Biddle reminded me this morning that Robert Smith quit the team in 1991 and came back in 1992, so maybe Pope will come back strong lol! I do feel badly for the kid though -- it has to be frustrating to be a senior LB in a year where that unit is taking a lot of heat and playing time is really tight.  Some people work twice as hard in that situation.  I guess others say "fucc ohio state" and move on.  Best of luck, Pope!  

They are just going to be playing true freshmen and a RB at LB. hopefully Steele chambers is the next Zach Boren. It hurts the depth but my guess is that in the long run, losing Gant and Pope from that room will be addition by subtraction. Their attitudes likely weren’t  great.  There was a reason they still aren’t playing as seniors. They may feel like it’s “their turn” but the reality is at Ohio state, they got recruited “over” and this freshman class is crazy talented. 

Edited September 28, 2021 by YoloinOhio

[Willyville Guy]

2 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

They are just going to be playing true freshmen and a RB at LB. hopefully Steele chambers is the next Zach Boren. It hurts the depth but my guess is that in the long run, losing Gant and Pope from that room will be addition by subtraction. Their attitudes likely weren’t  great.  There was a reason they still aren’t playing as seniors. They may feel like it’s “their turn” but the reality is at Ohio state, they got recruited “over” and this freshman class is crazy talented. 

 

Tress and Urban stuck with their seniors to a fault at times.  I'm glad Day is walking the walk on playing the players who make plays regardless of their age.  That's a change I've been hoping to see for years -- at least since Tua came in and won the natty for Alabama.

 

[YoloinOhio]

Good post from Gerd today on this subject…

 

Today at 11:37 AM

Add bookmark

#1

I know that there is no such thing as "waiting your turn" at Ohio State. This isn't the BMV and players don't just take numbers and then they finally get to play. If K'Vaughan Pope and Dallas Gant were waiting their turn, they were doing it wrong. I've talked with coaches before who reference the balance between a player having patience and urgency. Some players can have too much patience and they grow comfortable being a backup. Cardale Jones had too much patience. He was just along for the ride until he was thrown into the fire. You want patience from your players, but you don't want complacency. Coaches want players fighting to play on the field, rather than "waiting until next year." But they also don't want them to leave after two years of not playing. No player has to wait if they're good enough. TreVeyon Henderson saw Miyan Williams take Master Teague's starting job and it didn't make him pause at all. Denzel Burke entered a room with two senior cornerbacks and he never blinked. I don't even know if he has eyelids. 

I think the idea of "next man up" is a dangerous crutch for some players. Pope tweeted this year something about how he thought it was next man up. It's never been next man up. It's best man up, and coaches are always evaluating. If a coach can't trust a player on a Tuesday practice, there's no way in hell they can trust them on a Saturday. "My turn" isn't something players should be relying on anyway. Players need to make their own turns. I always go back to the stories of Malcolm Jenkins when he was camping at Ohio State as a recruit trying to impress the coaches in one-on-ones. Players go and take a rep against another player and then go to the back of the line. Not Jenkins. He would rep and then cut in line to get more reps in front of the coaches. He didn't wait his turn, he made his turn. Steele Chambers sure as hell didn't wait his turn. He made it. The team is better when guys make turns, rather than wait for them.

[Willyville Guy]

Meanwhile, one of the many things that stood out on Saturday was the play of Evan Pryor. He seemed much quicker and more comfortable than I remembered, and he would probably be on the field a bunch at H-back if the last guy was still here.  Day had this to day at his presser today:

• Day says Evan Pryor has done a good job of not trying to compare himself to anybody else, and that doing so would not be a "recipe for success." Day says "I think you're gonna see a very good player here in the future."

Could be getting ready to break out.  Then again, could be another Demario.  

[YoloinOhio]

2 hours ago, Willyville Guy said:

Meanwhile, one of the many things that stood out on Saturday was the play of Evan Pryor. He seemed much quicker and more comfortable than I remembered, and he would probably be on the field a bunch at H-back if the last guy was still here.  Day had this to day at his presser today:

• Day says Evan Pryor has done a good job of not trying to compare himself to anybody else, and that doing so would not be a "recipe for success." Day says "I think you're gonna see a very good player here in the future."

Could be getting ready to break out.  Then again, could be another Demario.  

Demario didn’t look that bad at corner on Saturday ! Lol 

[Willyville Guy]

 

[ArdmoreRyno]

GO POKES!!!! Oklahoma State alum (3rd generation), fan and season ticket holder. 

 

I became a Bills fan because of Thurman Thomas being drafted from my alma mater. OSU has sent Buffalo a few players over the years... Thurman, Terry Miller, Matt Monger, Vincent Taylor (HUGE mistake letting him go, he's a FG blocking machine), Reuben Grant, Phil Dokes, etc... 

 

My Cowboys have been on the cusp of being one of the best programs in the NCAA the past 20 or so years (2nd most wins in the BIG XII and top 10 in total wins in the NCAA the past 13-15 years). 

[Willyville Guy]

Well, that was awesome.  

[Willyville Guy]

Is that good?

[Willyville Guy]

Checking in with a few bullet points (did I just make that up? no chance): 

 

• The Buckeyes are back.  I love this team and the rest of these highly ranked B1G teams better watch out.
   
• The offense is absolutely electric.  Stroud looks like a different person than who we saw in the first three games.  He credits his shoulder's God-given, supernatural ability to heal quickly.  He's spreading the ball around and keeping a lot of talent fed out there.  At one point I was watching him and "system QB" came to mind.  But some of those passes against Maryland -- the 4th down TD to Wilson, third and long to Njigba -- man they were dimes. Having Henderson right now is like catching lightning in a bottle -- who knew he could even catch passes like that out of the backfield?  He makes it a whole lot easier to watch some recruits who got away like Bijan Robinson run wild elsewhere.
   
• The defense appears to be "good enough" and maybe even better!  Everyone out there is playing with great energy and toughness, which is really all I ever really need to see out of the silver bullets.  Mixing up the personnel, the coaches, and the looks appear to be working.  Massive kudos to Day for jumping on that and not waiting around until after the season. With an offense like OSU's, the defense doesn't need to be No. 1 in the nation -- they just can't be the worst like they were in the beginning of the season. Even if they end with the number 15 or 20 defense, then I think the Bucks have a great shot.
   
• The comments from Kerry Coombs yesterday about sticking with and loving the brotherhood even during a public demotion that he didn't like or really think he deserved... that man is one of a kind.   

 

Edited October 13, 2021 by Willyville Guy

[YoloinOhio]

How the heck is it the bye week already?? That Coombs speech is freaking great. I’ve been as critical of him as a DC as anyone but he’s a A+++ coach and person and I’m so glad he’s a Buckeye! Mental toughness >>>> 

 

I was reading about osu’s use of four verts on offense and I’m not sure there is a FBS defense out there that can  defend it when they use treveyon as the 4th vert. They have a variety of options there at the 4th but he’s so damn explosive. 
 

shout out to Steele chambers for defensive player of the game! One of the best stories of the year. I’m optimistic this D can continue to grow and be good enough, the offense is just going to get better too which is terrifying in the best possible way. 

[Willyville Guy]

Also, Garrett Wilson’s moves at the line before running his routes are turning CBs into pretzels. 
 

[Willyville Guy]

Go Bucks, Chris Spielman. Legend. 
 

 

[YoloinOhio]

This offense is ridiculous 

[Willyville Guy]

1 hour ago, YoloinOhio said:

This offense is ridiculous 

Absurd— weapons everywhere 

[Willyville Guy]

 

[Willyville Guy]

Garrett Wilson will not play today. Apparently he has concussion-like symptoms following some tough hits by Penn St.   Hope he’s okay.  
 

It will be interesting to see how Day handles Fleming and the rest of the WR group with Wilson out. 

[YoloinOhio]

 

[Bill from NYC]

@YoloinOhio @Willyville Guy

 

How does this Buckeye team compare to last year's team? Obviously, Alabama was MUCH better last year. I think that the Tide defense is coming around but the offense lost too many stars to compensate. They are simply not as good as they were in 2020.

 

I happen to think that the quality of play overall in the NCAA is down this season in terms of the talent level. I for one have not seen a player who I would draft ahead of Will Anderson, and he is a sophmore OLB. People mention Bryce Young as a contender for the Heismann. Is he as good as Mac Jones? I am going to say no way, at least not yet.

 

I don't think that Buffalo716 (the scout) agrees with my assesment, but even the teams that improved (Mich., Mich St. to name 2) are not powerhouse teams imo. Now, look at Clemson. Even Oklahoma looks very beatable imo.

 

I would love to know what you guys (and of course others) think!

[YoloinOhio]

@BillfromNYC

Not currently playing to offensive potential. Defense has greatly improved from beginning of the year. Obviously not as good/experienced/dual threat  as last year at QB position. ST better. 
 

biggest difference between this year and last year is the flow of the season and not having guys in and out due to covid. They have 3 nfl WRs, it’s tough to match up with for most defenses. I think this team CAN win the national title. But it would still surprise me given the number of freshmen starting playing important roles on this team. 

Edited November 8, 2021 by YoloinOhio

[Willyville Guy]

30 minutes ago, Bill from NYC said:

@YoloinOhio @Willyville Guy

 

How does this Buckeye team compare to last year's team? Obviously, Alabama was MUCH better last year. I think that the Tide defense is coming around but the offense lost too many stars to compensate. They are simply not as good as they were in 2020.

 

I happen to think that the quality of play overall in the NCAA is down this season in terms of the talent level. I for one have not seen a player who I would draft ahead of Will Anderson, and he is a sophmore OLB. People mention Bryce Young as a contender for the Heismann. Is he as good as Mac Jones? I am going to say no way, at least not yet.

 

I don't think that Buffalo716 (the scout) agrees with my assesment, but even the teams that improved (Mich., Mich St. to name 2) are not powerhouse teams imo. Now, look at Clemson. Even Oklahoma looks very beatable imo.

 

I would love to know what you guys (and of course others) think!

My view is that this year's Buckeye team is not as good as last year's team.  I'm really surprised to see the interior OL struggle as much as they are in run blocking, and the defense has been a extreme work in progress all season.

 

As for the rest of the country, it's just chaos out there. Wake Forest leading the ACC tells me that conference is having a down year.  Oregon beat the Bucks, but I do believe that if OSU's current defense played that day the result would be different. The rest of that conference looks like a mess-- we'll see what happens when Oregon goes to Utah.  The Big 12 looks like it's having a down year with an undefeated Sooners team not getting the national respect I would expect to see in any other year.  As for the B1G and SEC, it's harder for me to tell how those conferences are really doing until the end of the year.  So, with all this uncertainty, I'm hoping the Bucks can "survive and move on" each week like Day says and see what happens.

[Bill from NYC]

2 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

@BillfromNYC

I think this team CAN win the national title. But it would still surprise me given the number of freshmen starting playing important roles on this team. 

Where are the freshmen? In the secondary?

[YoloinOhio]

1 hour ago, Willyville Guy said:

My view is that this year's Buckeye team is not as good as last year's team.  I'm really surprised to see the interior OL struggle as much as they are in run blocking, and the defense has been a extreme work in progress all season.

 

As for the rest of the country, it's just chaos out there. Wake Forest leading the ACC tells me that conference is having a down year.  Oregon beat the Bucks, but I do believe that if OSU's current defense played that day the result would be different. The rest of that conference looks like a mess-- we'll see what happens when Oregon goes to Utah.  The Big 12 looks like it's having a down year with an undefeated Sooners team not getting the national respect I would expect to see in any other year.  As for the B1G and SEC, it's harder for me to tell how those conferences are really doing until the end of the year.  So, with all this uncertainty, I'm hoping the Bucks can "survive and move on" each week like Day says and see what happens.

They play tackles at guard. It’s maddening 

[Bill from NYC]

1 hour ago, Willyville Guy said:

My view is that this year's Buckeye team is not as good as last year's team.  I'm really surprised to see the interior OL struggle as much as they are in run blocking, and the defense has been a extreme work in progress all season.

 

As for the rest of the country, it's just chaos out there. Wake Forest leading the ACC tells me that conference is having a down year.  Oregon beat the Bucks, but I do believe that if OSU's current defense played that day the result would be different. The rest of that conference looks like a mess-- we'll see what happens when Oregon goes to Utah.  The Big 12 looks like it's having a down year with an undefeated Sooners team not getting the national respect I would expect to see in any other year.  As for the B1G and SEC, it's harder for me to tell how those conferences are really doing until the end of the year.  So, with all this uncertainty, I'm hoping the Bucks can "survive and move on" each week like Day says and see what happens.

From what little I have seen, your loss was a complete fluke and OSU looks better than Alabama at this point. The Tide defense IS improving and imo Will Anderson is the best player in the country but it is (as we know) an offensive sport. 

I have not given up on the Tide but the way they look at this point their chances aren't great.

2022 will be quite a different story imo.  

 

[Willyville Guy]

1 hour ago, Bill from NYC said:

From what little I have seen, your loss was a complete fluke and OSU looks better than Alabama at this point. The Tide defense IS improving and imo Will Anderson is the best player in the country but it is (as we know) an offensive sport. 

I have not given up on the Tide but the way they look at this point their chances aren't great.

2022 will be quite a different story imo.  

 

Well, like you said elsewhere, can’t count the Tide out until they’re eliminated.

[Bill from NYC]

10 hours ago, Willyville Guy said:

Well, like you said elsewhere, can’t count the Tide out until they’re eliminated.

True. Like him or hate him, Saban is a sourceror. He has already won while ot having the best team.

[YoloinOhio]

19 hours ago, Willyville Guy said:

My view is that this year's Buckeye team is not as good as last year's team.  I'm really surprised to see the interior OL struggle as much as they are in run blocking, and the defense has been a extreme work in progress all season.

 

As for the rest of the country, it's just chaos out there. Wake Forest leading the ACC tells me that conference is having a down year.  Oregon beat the Bucks, but I do believe that if OSU's current defense played that day the result would be different. The rest of that conference looks like a mess-- we'll see what happens when Oregon goes to Utah.  The Big 12 looks like it's having a down year with an undefeated Sooners team not getting the national respect I would expect to see in any other year.  As for the B1G and SEC, it's harder for me to tell how those conferences are really doing until the end of the year.  So, with all this uncertainty, I'm hoping the Bucks can "survive and move on" each week like Day says and see what happens.

Every Saturday I sit there and opine (loudly) at least once, “this is not a playoff team!” But then I watch other teams and… it’s wide open. 

[Bill from NYC]

7 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

Every Saturday I sit there and opine (loudly) at least once, “this is not a playoff team!” But then I watch other teams and… it’s wide open. 

I could not agree more and call me crazy but this includes Georgia imo.

 

Hey, the way Alabama looks they really might not even play UGA for the conference title. That said, IF they make it that far they still have Nick Saban and an improving defense. A 5 star OLB named Dallas Turner kicked ass against LSU. Now, playing opposite Will Anderson takes blockers away from him, but; this kid might be great!!!  Still, our offense looks weak, especially up front. 

 

In summary, I am not quite ready at this point to hand everything to Georgia, as good as they do look.

[SirAndrew]

On 11/8/2021 at 6:46 PM, Bill from NYC said:

From what little I have seen, your loss was a complete fluke and OSU looks better than Alabama at this point. The Tide defense IS improving and imo Will Anderson is the best player in the country but it is (as we know) an offensive sport. 

I have not given up on the Tide but the way they look at this point their chances aren't great.

2022 will be quite a different story imo.  

 

OSU is a very solid team, and certainly a title contender. I wouldn’t be down on Bama  though. Those guys are road tested when the playoffs come around. OSU is head and shoulders better than the rest of the overrated Big Ten. OSU has the talent to win a title, but it’s hard to assess where they’re at this season, because I don’t believe in the Big Ten competition. If Bama wins the SEC title, it’d be tough for me to bet against them in the playoffs. 

[jkeerie]

9 minutes ago, SirAndrew said:

OSU is a very solid team, and certainly a title contender. I wouldn’t be down on Bama  though. Those guys are road tested when the playoffs come around. OSU is head and shoulders better than the rest of the overrated Big Ten. OSU has the talent to win a title, but it’s hard to assess where they’re at this season, because I don’t believe in the Big Ten competition. If Bama wins the SEC title, it’d be tough for me to bet against them in the playoffs. 

Bama and Georgia will be in the SEC championship game.  The winner of that game will be in the final two.  It's hard to gauge how good OSU is because as you said, the Big Ten is suspect this year.

[Willyville Guy]

Good win. Great to see Wilson back and peaking.  Love covering in November. Love Meatball hammering out yards when called upon. Defense may still be an issue but hopefully they’ll be “good enough” down the stretch. 
 

BRING ME THE WHOLE STATE OF XICHIGAN!! 

[YoloinOhio]

21 minutes ago, Willyville Guy said:

Good win. Great to see Wilson back and peaking.  Love covering in November. Love Meatball hammering out yards when called upon. Defense may still be an issue but hopefully they’ll be “good enough” down the stretch. 
 

BRING ME THE WHOLE STATE OF XICHIGAN!! 

I had to look it up - Purdue is the 8th best passing offense in the country. Probably higher than that after today. Woo boy. Otherwise,

 

HANG ON SLOOPY! Awesome game from the offense.

[Bill from NYC]

13 hours ago, jkeerie said:

Bama and Georgia will be in the SEC championship game.  The winner of that game will be in the final two.  It's hard to gauge how good OSU is because as you said, the Big Ten is suspect this year.

I would love to completely believe the above but neither Arkansas nor Auburn (on the road)) is a given imo. 

 

I think that the way for Bama to defeat these teams is on defense. Last season, the offensive losses through graduation were impossible even for Saban to replace. They lost a great quarterback, 2 great receivers, a smart, dominating center, the best running back in the NCAA, and a first round left tackle.  All of them are producing in the NFL. Remember, The Tide only had 1 close game in 2020, this with an all SEC schedule and 2 playoff games. This year is another story. 

 

Imo if Alabama wins the title this season (which btw I am not at all ready to predict), it will be the biggest coaching accomplishment of Saban's illustrious career. I'm not saying that they are not good, or even very good, but; I am saying that the offense doesn't even compare to 2020. 

 

As always, jmo.

[YoloinOhio]

6 days from now will be the last time Olave and Wilson will play in The Shoe. And I am NOT prepared. 😥

Edited November 14, 2021 by YoloinOhio

[Willyville Guy]

22 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

6 days from now will be the last time Olave and Wilson will play in The Shoe. And I am NOT prepared. 😥

 

Olave coming out of absolutely nowhere to torch TTUN as a freshman will stay with me forever. 

Wilson changed the course of the OSU and Texas programs before he even arrived on campus, and he's lived up to the hype. 

Tough to see them go, but looking forward to seeing the next group thrive with JSN, Egbuka, Fleming, and Harrison. 

First things first though: I am out of mind excited to see these legends write the end of their stories.  

[YoloinOhio]

1 hour ago, Willyville Guy said:

 

Olave coming out of absolutely nowhere to torch TTUN as a freshman will stay with me forever. 

Wilson changed the course of the OSU and Texas programs before he even arrived on campus, and he's lived up to the hype. 

Tough to see them go, but looking forward to seeing the next group thrive with JSN, Egbuka, Fleming, and Harrison. 

First things first though: I am out of mind excited to see these legends write the end of their stories.  

Olave when he wore #17! I’ll never forget that debut against Michigan. Wilson had a pretty sweet Michigan debut as a freshman as well - he caught that ridiculous TD from Fields after he got hurt and came back in, 2019. I’m excited about the young guys but sad to see these two go. Maybe, one will wear a Bills uni  🙏