Good morning, travelers of both time and space. Sure as the dust that floats high in June, it's time for another Wednesday Skull Session.
I don't know about anyone else, but I'm tired of talking about playoffs. Not that I don't think college football should embrace them, it's just that at this point, can they decide on the changes already? Every time a commissioner, university president, or coach says anything on the matter, people jump all over it so that ultimately, they can argue the same position they've held for years because this debate has been going on for that long with nary an alteration...yet, anyway.
Whatever happens, no one will be completely happy with the system and then there will be more complaining. Still, hurry up. I'm impatient and if I liked repetitive story lines, I'd watch CBS.
On the other hand, I suppose it's a better topic of discussion than the urological arrest of Ohio State football players. It's just unfortunate that the incident occurred before Sunday night's episode of Girls, so the police officers1 could realize that there are worse things for guys to pee on.
LESS THAN JAKE. Speaking of the small bladdered Jake Stoneburner—or Bane, as he prefers to be known these days—Adam Jacobi put together a list of the most indispensable players in the Leaders and Legends divisions, and Stoneburner was his Ohio State representative. So why him and not a more obvious choice like Braxton Miller? As Jacobi explains:
he's got the versatility to line up all over the field and make life hell for opposing defenses. Stoneburner's not the only multi-faceted guy on the team, but he is the only such difference-maker at tight end.
While I agree that he's the most Urban Meyerish, playmaking tight end on the roster, Jeff Heuerman and Nick Vannett are more than competent backups. Neither is as big of a receiving threat as Stoneburner, but I'm also not frightened by the possibility of one of them starting in case #11 is suspended for any games.
So, what are the chances of that happening? Let's check in with Craig Krenzel:
And then 12 hours later:
Oh, well that clears things up. Thanks, Craig! Three games is more over-the-top than Sylvester Stallone arm wrestling, and though I'm somewhat more inclined to believe Stoneburner and Mewhort would have to sit out one game, even that seems a bit ridiculous. However, I don't think Urban's going to ask my opinion on the matter.
KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAN. In a way, K.C. Joyner addressed Krenzel's question, laying out reasons the Buckeyes could go undefeated and bringing some optimism to the postseason ban. But since I'm not an ESPN Insider, I'm going to write about Brian Bennett writing about Joyner writing about Ohio State's chances.
Koyner argues that statistically, the 2011 offense wasn't as awful as many believed it was2 and with the running game and Miller's development, it should be in better shape than assumed. The defense will be tough and the schedule, while not a cakewalk, isn't overwhelming.
Bennett's assessment is that the even though 12-0 isn't inconceivable, the passing game is still an issue and a road schedule that includes trips to East Lansing, State College, and Madison is no easy task. After last season, I'm more cautious about donning my scarlet-colored glasses, but when I'm feeling confident, I concur with Bennett that a 10-2 or 11-1 record is attainable3.
Gonna use his arms, gonna use his legsGOT PASS IN POCKET. Yesterday, BTN's Tom Dienhart and Brent Yarina debated about which Big Ten quarterback would lead the conference in passing yards.
Yarina chose Iowa's James Vandenberg, who finished third in the league last year after Kirk Cousins and Russell Wilson, both of whom have graduated. He didn't pick Vandenberg simply based on his experience; there's also the matter of the Hawkeyes' running game, decimated by the Angry Iowa Running Back Hating God4.
Dienhart opted for Wisconsin's latest transfer, Danny O'Brien. His dark horse selection, though, was Braxton Miller:
I think he’s an underrated passer who is a good fit for Urban Meyer’s new spread scheme. Yes, there are no proven wideouts, but I think some will emerge—like Michael Thomas, Devin Smith and Corey Brown. And the running of Jordan Hall—primed for a big season–and Carlos Hyde will open room for Miller and the passing game.
For the record, Yarina agreed that Braxton will be a super sophomore, but he went with Illinois' Nathan Scheelhaase instead.
YOU BETTER YOU BET. One person counting on Miller to have a breakout season is former Buckeye QB Troy Smith. The Heisman winner is wowed by the sophomore's abilities and told the News-Herald's John Kampf, "I solely believe he has a chance to be 10 times better than I was. He's a lot faster. He's a much better athlete."
Smith also likes what he sees of Braxton as an ambassador of the football team and the way he deals with the press and the pressure of being Ohio State's quarterback. Less prickly towards the school than he was last fall, Troy was also complimentary about Urban Meyer even as his respect for Tressel is still as strong as ever:
"Tress is great," Smith said. "Without him, there wouldn't be a me. There's nothing superficial about that. He was a father figure to me on and off the field. I would follow him into a dark alley. Wherever Tress goes, I have his back 110 percent."
BUT MAYBE EVERYTHING THAT DIES SOMEDAY COMES BACK. The Champaign News-Gazette's Bob Asmussen released his latest all-important preseason Top 10 list, and sitting at #1 is Michigan. I'm just going to let an internet meme respond for me.
In any case, it supports Dave Brandon George Constanzaing about Michigan being back. If by "back" he means "back to being overrated", that is. He claims that once Michigan was willing to change, whether it involved night games at the Big House or pimping out the marching band, then the athletic department began to notice improvement.
Apparently that doesn't include student attendance. As Brandon admitted to Angelique S. Chengelis of The Detroit News, "It's really frustrating being at a football game, and we sell out all those seats, and you look up and two-thirds are empty." I'm sure it makes the stadium so quiet, you could hear a key drop. To correct that, he plans on implementing an incentive program for students.
Also on the AD's agenda is raising ticket prices, in part to keep up with Ohio State's earnings. Michigan's average ticket currently cost $65 to OSU's $75, though U of M charges more for higher profile games5.
LINK MOON IS ON ITS WAY. Sportsmanship on display at Jesse Owens Stadium... Buckeye gymnasts trying to make the Olympics... Brian Rolle is ready to build on his rookie season with the Eagles... Jerry Sandusky somehow gets creepier... Cue the Bollman jokes... Words of wisdom from 27 commencement speeches... Facebook helps save a dog... The Wire: The Musical.
- 1 Who, I'm sure, watch Girls religiously.
- 2 Did he watch last season, though? Regardless of stats, the offense was known to cause optical hemorrhaging.
- 3 If the season started today, I'd probably predict 9-3. Granted, that's what I went with last year, so don't listen to me.
- 4 Originally coined by Black Heart Gold Pants.
- 5 If I remember correctly, the ticket price of last year's Ohio State-Michigan game was $85.
