SPORTSbyBROOKS reports on how Rob Ianello confronted Luke Fickell after the game regarding “sportsmanship.” Apparently Ianello wasn’t too thrilled with how Fickell tried to get Carlos Hyde 100 yards by handing him the ball after the game. I think that’s a pretty lame charge. The Buckeyes stuck to running the ball at the end with mostly second-teamers when they could have easily punched it into the end zone for another 7 points.
Category: OSU Football (Page 5 of 42)
What a difference a year makes. Last season, following the embarrassing loss to Purdue, many of us wondered whether it was time to bench Terrelle Pryor. As time went by following that terrible performance, we learned that Pryor really wasn’t putting in the kind of work necessary to succeed at the highest level, and he took the Purdue game for granted. Fortunately, Tressel stuck with him. He simplified the offense, and in a sense let Pryor start over.
Then, Tressel turned Pryor loose in the Rose Bowl, and we saw a preview of what Pryor could become if he continued to work on his game. During the off-season, we continued to hear reports of how Pryor had dedicated himself to improving his game and being a leader on the team. Translation – Pryor was putting in time beyond what the coaches could require of him according to NCAA rules.
On Thursday night against Marshall, we saw just how good Pryor could be. He had command of the offense and he made beautiful throws. He’s learned to step up in the pocket, and he doesn’t take off and run when he senses trouble. Sure, he’ll have to repeat this performance against tougher defenses like Miami, but Terrelle Pryor made a statement on Thursday night. He’s here to live up to his promise. He may or may not lead the Buckeyes to a National Championship, but he’s reset the bar of expectations again.
Coming off their huge win over Oregon in the Rose Bowl, the Buckeyes start the season with the #2 ranking in the first USA Today coaches’ poll.
The Big Ten also gets some recognition to open the season.
With four teams in the top 15, the Big Ten had more than any other conference. Iowa is No. 10, Wisconsin No. 12 and Penn State No. 14. The Buckeyes play all those teams, as well as playing host to No. 13 Miami in the second week of the season.
I thought that the Buckeyes would have to go undefeated to earn a shot at the National Championship, but the schedule might give them a shot even if they suffer a close loss in one of the Big Ten games, though I still think that’s a long shot.
The key is beating Miami. The Buckeyes have no chance at a title shot without beating a respected non-conference opponent.
The Buckeyes have landed another stud quarterback who should be ready to take the reins after Terrelle Pryor graduates.
Braxton Miller, ranked by every major recruiting service as the No. 1 or No. 2 quarterback in the Class of 2011, gave an oral commitment to Ohio State just after noon today during a press conference at his high school.
Miller, a 6-3, 195-pounder, made his announcement at Huber Heights Wayne High School in the Dayton suburbs. He is the 12th high school junior to give a pledge to Ohio State.
Miller is a quarterback in the same mold as the Buckeyes’ Terrelle Pryor, and he is the leading candidate to take over when Pryor’s time in Columbus ends. CBS College Sports recruiting analyst Tom Lemming said Miller would be best served by redshirting in 2011 in his first year with the Buckeyes and learning for a year while Pryor is a senior, assuming that Pryor returns for his last season at Ohio State.
The word on Miller is that he’s not quite as great an athlete as Pryor, but he has a better arm and he’s a much more natural passer. That should make Buckeye fans happy.
It’s been a couple of days since the big win for the Buckeyes over the cocky Ducks, but it’s still fun to savor the victory, particularly since few people gave the Buckeyes a chance in this game. Watch the highlights in this video, with Oregon’s “I Love My Ducks” song in the background, courtesy of an Oregon State fan!
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