Out of Left Field #2

With the help of my good friend Eminem "will the real Ohio State offense please stand up"! 

source

After watching a dominant display by the Badgers and a depressing outcome on Saturday night at Wisconsin, I began thinking to myself what is the bread and butter of the Ohio State offense?  I will even take that one step further what is Ohio State's true offensive identity through Tressel's era?  When I think back to the last 10 years that Tressel has been here, I think of QBs like Craig Krenzel, Justin Zwick, Troy Smith, Todd Boeckman and Terrelle Pryor. All of these guys had their own way of running the offense while under center.  Ohio State generally revamped their offense to better suit their play caller.  Your probably thinking to yourself that's the way it is suppose to be but are you sure about that?  I'm not, especially when I sit back and think of the other top teams in this decade and how their offensive system does not change QB to QB like OSU. 

Let's take a look at the other top teams over the past 10 years under their current coach then and now:

Texas:  Under Mack Brown the Longhorns have basically implemented a spread attack utilizing their QB to make plays with both his arm and feet.  Their QBs Applewhite, Simms, Young and McCoy.  Yes during that time table Cedric Benson was a Longhorn but for the most part Mack did not even try to use the running game.  The QB used his legs to run for big gains while using five receiver sets to make plays through the air.

source

USC:  Under Pete Carroll the Trojans used a pro style offensive attack relying on balance in both the running and passing game.  The QBs under Carroll were Palmer, Leinhart, Sanchez and Barkley.  The first common theme is all the QBs were drafted high in the NFL Draft.  They also were successful pocket passers while in college and continued in the NFL.  Carroll never changed his philosophy with his QBs.

source

Florida:  Urban Meyer brought his spread attack relying on the legs and arm of the Quarterback during the Chris Leake era and then continued under Tim Tebow.  Meyer also used the same offense at BG and Utah.  The use of speed and the QBs ability to run made his offense extremely hard to handle, just ask Ohio State.

source

Oklahoma:  The QBs under Bob Stoops have all been extremely accurate and  use the short passing game and high tempo to move the ball.  The QBs White, Thompson, Bradford and Jones.  In this offense the QB is asked to be accurate in finding the open receivers.

source

Now go back to the Ohio State QBs and schemes over the past 10 season's.  While the offense was directed by Krenzel, Zwick and Boeckman, Tressel relied heavily on his running attack to make up for any lack of offense that these QBs could perform.  During Troy Smith's Heisman season the Buckeyes spread teams out and threw the ball all over the field to take advantage of their receiver's Ginn and Gonzalez.  Now go to the present and the use of Pryor.  He has never been a truly gifted thrower and usually uses improv to make big plays with his feet.  Do we three years later have any identity what this offense is?  I think not, one game we are throwing the ball all over the field and then there is the end of last season where the OSU offense ran for over 200 yards in four straight games.  Obviously Tressel has done an amazing job over the past 10 seasons but I think the lack of an offensive identity is hindering the growth of the OSU offense.  When I look at the stability of the other big names in College Football over the past 10 season's they have all used similar QBs to run their teams. Only Ohio State changes their whole identity to every QB under center.  The day that Tressel sticks to one system will be the day that Ohio State truly finds its offensive identity.

source

CFB Week 7

So last week was a tough week the worst of the season for me so far, but I am back this week and I feel good about my picks!

#1 Ohio State @ #18 Wisconsin

Ohio State enters the game coming off of a career day by QB Terrelle Pryor last week versus Indiana throwing for 334 yards.  The Buckeyes also come into Camp Randall winners 19 of their last 20 road games in the Big Ten.  The Buckeyes will obviously rely heavily on the arm and legs of Pryor to carry them once again.  I think we all can establish that the Buckeyes run game is contingent on Pryor.  The Buckeyes defense who ranks 6th in the country in points allowed will have its biggest challenge to date.  As Wisconsin brings in a potent rushing attack that ranks 11th in the country at nearly 241 yards per game. John Clay is the brusing back that works downhill to gain his yards.  While James White is more of a shifty back that can elude tacklers .

Prediction:  Let's not forget that the game is in Wisconsin and most of us Buckeye fans have bad memories of undefeated teams heading into Camp Randall (i.e. 2003).  The Buckeyes must get up early to keep the crowd some what subdued.  The Buckeyes will need another strong performance by Pryor and hopefully they can get something out of Boom Herron.  Defensively I think this game plays right into the hands of OSU, an opponent that wants to run, run and run.  I like the Buckeyes to pull one out late 31-24.

source

#12 Arkansas @ #8 Auburn

This will be a game of vastly different offensive styles, as Arkansas prefers the pass with Ryan Mallett whilt Auburn prefers the rushing attack of Cameron Newton.  The Razorbacks ranked 3rd nationally in passing averaing 368 yards per game.  The Tigers rank 8th in the country averaging 276 yards a game.  The Auburn defense has struggled mightly against the pass throughout the season.  While Arkansas has not scored any points in the fourth quarter of game since mid September.

Prediction:  No one has been able to stop Cameron Newton so far this season can the Razorbacks do it?  I'm not buying it!  I love Ryan Mallett's arm and his ability to put up big yards but I think the Tigers will play ball control and keep Mallett off the field.  We saw in the Bama game that Mallett can be rattled and disrupted and even though I am not sold on the Tiger defense I am sold on Newton.  Cameron Newton can do it all he can run or throw and when there is such a dynamic player on the field and the game is at home, how do I resist? I like Auburn 38-28.

Texas @ #5 Nebraska

Wow! I do not care that Texas is struggling this will be a game that you can not miss as a fan.  The dislike between these schools goes all the way back to when the Big 12 was formed and this will be the last time they meet under the Big 12 logo.  Texas has now abandoned their attempt to run the ball and will go back to Spread Attack we have seen over the past 7 or 8 years.  There is one problem no Vince Young and no Colt McCoy these were real dual threat QBs that could cause the defense a problem.  In fact the dual threat QB will be on the home side in Taylor Martinez he rushed for over 300 yards last week versus Kansas State.  The Cornhuskers are relying on an old formula great defense and running the football.  Nebraska is averaging 338 yards per game ranking 2nd in the country. 

Prediction: I believe that the Cornhuskers are under ranked at this point in the season and may be one of the top 3 teams in the country.  The Huskers will not only prove a point to the Longhorns but to the rest of the country with a dominant performance 41-24.

Upset Special: I have no idea what I am thinking on this one.  I am putting my faith into Ron Zook and Ilinois what a scary thought.  Michigan State has been through a couple of emotional weeks with wins over Wisconsin and Michigan, not to mention the health scare of head coach Mark Dantonio.  These are 18-21 year kids and its tough to get up week after week after week in college football.  This could be an emotional letdown with an early start time.  Illinois comes into the game with a dominant defeat of Penn State in Happy Valley and that is off the heels of a very close game with the Buckeyes in Champaign.  I think a lot of people are under estimating how good the Illinois defense is against the run.  We know the Spartans use a two back system with Baker and Bell primarily.  I like the Illini to pull the upset on the road 21-17.

source

College Football Week 6

#17 Michigan State @ #18 Michigan

This is always a HUGE rivalry game inside the Big Ten every season no matter what the records.  But, Michigan State has already beaten Wisconsin and does not have to play Ohio State this season.  Meaning unless they get upset somewhere down the road they could have a great shot at the Big Ten Title.  This will be the first time since 1999 that both team enter the game with 5-0 record.  Michigan State is going for their third straight victory over their in state rival.  In my opinion this game comes down to Michigan State's ability to get stops.  We saw in last weeks game that time of possession does not matter to Michigan as Indiana nearly doubled the time with the ball.  Michigan is predicated by the big play ability of QB Denard Robinson.  I fully expect MSU to run the ball with their two young backs Bell and Baker and try to keep Robinson off the field as much as possible.  For Michigan obviously they have to out score opponents because their defense can not cover air.  But so far that as not been a problem.  The amazing part about Robinson is how accurate he has become as a passer this season completing nearly 70% of his passes.  Last year Robinson would come into the games and not even attempt a pass.

My Prediction:  I think that MSU came off an emotional win over Wisconsin without their head coach last week.  Can they get up again this week with an even better opponent? I think not, Robinson has proven to be a dynamic player and the game is in Ann Arbor, I like the Wolverines 42-34.

source

#12 LSU @ #14 Florida

This game will put to teams against each other that both have a negative feel around thier program.  LSU enters the game coming off a bizarre win over Tennessee last week and undefeated but most of the talk around Baton Rouge is the bad time management by Les Miles and the struggling play of QB Jordan Jefferson.  Florida comes in after their first loss of the season last week against Alabama.  I fully expect a low scoring game in the swamp with both teams ranking in the bottom third of the country in total offense.  Both teams could use two quarterbacks at some point in the game.  The Gators are 37-2 against SEC opponents in the Swamp.  The key for this game will be what team gives up more turnovers.  Any time there are two struggling offenses' field position because very important and short fields could be the key.

My Prediction:  I expect this to be a very low scoring game considering the talent these two teams possess.  Turnovers will be they key so neither offense has to go very far for points.  I like the home record for the Gators and feel like they have less questions than the overrated Bayou Bengals, Gators 21-17.

source

Other Big Games:

#23 Florida State @ #13 Miami:

 I am still concerned about the amount of turnovers by Miami QB Jacory Harris.  I heard last year it was because of the broken thumb but the same pattern has returned this season.  Harris will be facing an extremely aggressive defense in Florida State.  On the season the Noles have only allowed 15 points per game.  On offense the Seminoles will continue to pound the ball on the ground where they are averaging 208 yards per game.

My Prediction:  I like the Canes to find a way to keep the turnovers down and produce points on a very tough Seminole defense.  I like the Hurricanes 31-17.

#1 Alabama @ #19 South Carolina:

Every week that goes by Alabama continues to prove how much distance there is between them and the rest of the country.  In the first five weeks they have played Penn State, Arkansas and Florida without blemish.  They have to get up again for a crazy crowd at South Carolina.  The Gamecocks enter the game with the usual position under Spurrier which QB will get the more downs.  Spurrier is beginning to spin his QB carousel between Garcia and  Shaw. 

My Prediciton:  I believe that Bama is the best team in the country and there is no way the Gamecocks slow down the power running game of Ingram and Richardson.  I expect Bama to be slow out of the blocks but then turn it on in the second half just as they always do, Roll Tide Roll 35-17.

MLB Playoff Predictions

Reds vs. Phillies

As a Reds fan I would love to see my Redlegs make a deep run into October.  But I really think the Reds missed an opportunity to get a few more wins late in the season and now must play the hottest team in baseball the Phillies.  The Phillies will run out a three man rotation of Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels.  These guys have been straight dominant in the month of September at one point going 12-0.  Not to mention that Oswalt sports something like a 23-3 all time record against the Reds while with the Astros.  The season series favored the Phillies 5-2, including a four game sweep in Philly.  The Reds will throw Edison Volquez, Bronson Arroyo and Johnny Cueto.  Arroyo will be the only starting pitcher for the Reds that has post season experience.  I like the move by the Reds to seperate Volquez and Cueto, they both have similar stuff primarily a fastball mid-90s, curve ball and their get out pitch the change up.  Volquez gets the Game 1 start, he has been extremely difficult to left handed hitters and the Phillies could have four in their lineup.  Plus, Volquez has legitimate #1 stuff but is coming off Tommy John Surgery last year.
Offensively we know the kind of fireworks the Phillies can produce with the likes of Howard, Utley, Rollins, Ibanez, Polanco and my under rated guy Jason Werth.  The key for the Phillies is to get consistent hitting from all the big bats.  The Phillies often hits patches where the bats cooled off but their excellent pitching kept them in games.  The Phillies will get to face two right handed arms from the Reds which should play into their hands with so many lefties.  The Reds lead the Big Leagues in many offensive categories but they as well can go dry as a whole.  Both Hamels and Halladay have thrown shutouts vs the Reds.  The Reds need Brandon Phillips to come back strong in the post season and give them another threat with Votto, Rolen and Gomes.  Phillips has struggled since being hit on the wrist by a fastball in San Fran last month.  The Reds will also hope to get consistency from the top of the order from Drew Stubbs whose speed could be a key for the Reds to get the Phillies starters out of rythm.  The Reds HAVE to score more than 3 runs to win games, they have a losing record whenn scoring less than 3 runs during the season

My Prediction:  I love my Redlegs and hopefully with the core of this team being young they will get good experience and learn from this series.  I do not see a way the Reds beat Halladay, Oswalt and Hamels possibly twice in a five game series.  Also we just do not know what to expect from the inexperience of the Reds pitching staff.  I think the Reds could score some runs but will it be enough to overcome the offensive punch of the Phillies? I just do not see it Phillies win the series 3-1. I hope I am wrong!

                                                             source
source 

NFL Week 4 Picks

Last week was a bounce back, I went 10-6 which isnt to bad i guess.  Check out my picks for Week 4:

San Francisco @ Atlanta:  Falcons
Cincinnati @ Cleveland:  Bengals
NY Jets @ Buffalo:  Jets
Seattle @ St. Louis:  Rams
Denver @ Tennessee:  Titans
Detroit @ Green Bay:  Packers
Baltimore @ Pittsburgh:  Steelers
Carolina @ New Orleans:  Saints
Indianapolis @ Jacksonville:  Colts
Houston @ Oakland:  Texans
Washington @ Philadelphia:  Eagles
Arizona @ San Diego:  Chargers
Chicago @ NY Giants:  Bears
New England @ Miami:  Patriots

College Football Week 5

Wow! What a amazing weekend of College Football. What more could we ask for as fans? I am heading to Illinois to watch my Buckeyes take on the Illini in Champaign but I can assure you I will get home by 8 to watch some amazing match ups. Through the first couple of weeks I have predicted the winners in all the big games and I feel good about my picks this week.

Game of the Week:

#7 Florida @ #1 Alabama
The last time these two teams met was in the 2009 SEC Championship Game that Alabama won and sent them on to a National Championship. This time around there is a new QB John Brantley in charge of the Gators. This will by far be the biggest challenge of young Brantley’s collegiate career on the road in Tuscaloosa. The Gators have struggled offensively ranking in the bottom third in passing and in the middle of division 1 in rushing. The defense has not ranking 15^th in the country in points against. The Gators will need the running game to step up in order to help young Brantley, we saw the struggles that one of the top QBs Ryan Mallett who struggled in the second half against a strong Alabama defense. RB Jeffrey Demps is out of his walking boot and should be good to go for the game Saturday.

Alabama enters the game coming off an emotional come from behind victory over Arkansas last week. The Tide proved that even with a young defense they can cause chaos for even the best of quarterbacks. This week will be no different as the Tide bring the #1 points against defense in the country back home. The Alabama defense caused 3 INTs last week. As good as the defense the best thing going for Alabama has to be the running attack. I’ve talked about this for three weeks and I will again today. I still think that RB Trent Richardson could be a #1 back on just about any team in the country but there is no replacing Mark Ingram. Ingram has come back bigger and stronger than before and is proving that he could have a shot at back to back Heisman Trophies. Ingram will once again head up the running game that I feel will wear down the Florida defense.

My Prediction:
I think the Tide are hands down the best team in the country and Florida will just be another team in the way. The running game of Tide is what separates them from most of the country. The physical nature that the Tide play with will control both sides of the ball. The defense will cause young Brantley to struggle and the Tide roll fairly easy at home 34-17.

source

　
#9 Stanford @ #4 Oregon
The Cardinal enter the game doing something they are not use to that’s scoring a lot of points through the first four weeks. The Cardinal are 4^th in the country averaging 48 points a game and they are doing it on the ground more so than through the air. I think most of else felt with Toby Gerhart moving on to the NFL that the Cardinal would struggle a little running the ball. Not so fast as my friend Lee Corso would say the Cardinal are averaging 223 yards a game on the ground. The Cardinal still have the big play ability with first round pick QB Andrew Luck. Head Coach Jim Harbaugh continues to implement a hard nosed physical type of team out in Palo Alto. The Cardinal even went for two up two touchdowns last week against Notre Dame. This will be the best offense the Cardinal have faced this season. You have to wonder if they have the speed to keep up with the Oregon Ducks.

Oregon enters the game coming off a nice win in their Pac-10 opener over Arizona State on the road. The Ducks as always are based around the spread attack of Head Coach Chip Kelley. The Ducks lead the country in scoring points 57 per game and 4^th in rushing at 316 yards per game. The numbers could be a little skewed with two games against Portland State and New Mexico. The top running back for Oregon is LaMichael James who served a one game suspension but since then has racked nearly 500 yards through 3 games. This may be the first time where the Ducks need their QB Darron Thomas to make big plays to keep drives arrive. The Sophomore Thomas is completing 50% of his passes and has accounted for 10 TDs on the season.

My Prediction:  I know this game is @ Oregon, which means one of the loudest small stadiums in the country Autzen Stadium, but I like the upset. The Cardinal are the type of team that I think will give the Ducks trouble. A running hard nosed team that will not be affected by the atmosphere. The Cardinal carrying the same personality as their head coach and I fully expect them to control the ball and limit the possessions of the Oregon Ducks. Stanford wins 31-28.

source

Other Notable Games:

#21 Texas vs. #8 Oklahoma: The Annual Red River Shootout lost some luster with the loss by Texas last week. This is one of those rivalries that we can throw out the records. Oklahoma has not been a great road team which is good because this is a neutral site game in Dallas. The Sooner’s offense has definitely been the better side of the ball for Oklahoma over the first four weeks. I expect Landry Jones to exploit a very young Texas defense. Texas needs to figure out what type of team they want to be this season. They still have not been able to establish a running game nor has Gilbert been very good. The offense of Oklahoma will allow the Sooner’s to score to many points for the Longhorns to handle, Sooner’s win 35-24.

#11 Wisconsin @ #24 Michigan State: The Badgers have not been overly impressive so far this season but the Badgers can do one thing well and that is run the ball with RB John Clay. Clay has accounted for 6.5 yards per carry and six touchdowns. The Badger defense has held opponents to an average of 14 points per game. The Spartans will have an emotional return of Head Coach Mark Dantonio who will coach from the box for the first time since his heart attack. Like the Badgers, the Spartans have relied heavily on the running game with two back Edwin Baker and Le’Veon Bell. The backs have the Spartans ranked 17^TH in the nation in rushing. This is going to be a classic Big Ten battle with two teams that want to establish the run. I like the Badger’s QB Scott Tolzien to make a difference, Badgers win 24-17.

#22 Penn State @ #17 Iowa:

Both teams are looking for a big win after suffering early season defeats in non-league action. The home field advantage will be huge for the Hawkeyes. Once again this will be a tough road game for Penn States Freshman QB Robert Bolden. Bolden will face another tough defense in Iowa. For Iowa Rickey Stanzi needs to bounce back from a rough game @ Arizona. Iowa will look to run the ball more than they did against the Wildcats. I think Iowa uses the home field advantage and a stingy defense against a young QB to beat the Nittany Lions 28-17.

Week 3 NFL Picks

Tennessee @ NY Giants:  Giants

Pittsburgh @ Tampa Bay:  Steelers

Cincinnati @ Carolina:  Bengals

Cleveland @ Baltimore:  Ravens

Dallas @ Houston:  Texans

San Francisco @ Kansas City:  Chiefs

Detroit @ Minnesota:  Vikings

Buffalo @ New England:  Patriots

Atlanta @ New Orleans:  Falcons

Washington @ St. Louis:  Redskins

Philadelphia @ Jacksonville:  Eagles

Oakland @ Arizona:  Cardinals

San Diego @ Seattle:  Chargers

Indianapolis @ Denver:  Colts

NY Jets @ Miami:  Dolphins

Green Bay @ Chicago:  Packers