Happy Thursday to you. How the heck are ya?
Let’s get to it.
THE CURIOUS CASE OF CHRIS FIELDS. Forgotten amidst the Bill Brasky Kenny Guiton (deserved) praise is the job of WR Chris Fields last Saturday.
Much like Guiton, he was tasked with replacing an injured starter in the waning minutes of what looked to be a very losable game.
But, much like Guiton, Fields was able to exude confidence when his number was called, particularly with three seconds left in the game when he hauled in a low TD pass for 6 to put the game within a two-point conversion.
If Fields doesn’t make that play, no one in Columbus is talking about Kenny G.
Fields is as much an unlikely hero as No. 13, but you’ve got to love the way these kids are talking to the media.
This from Fields:
"I'm still excited from Saturday. Then again, I can't let that go to my head. I can't brag about it. It's a win, and I understand I had a little bit to do with it. I can make that play, but if I don't keep improving my game, it's not going to be enough for me."
And this on moving from a starter role last year to not appearing in 5 games this season:
Fields said he worked harder in practice, showed extra effort on kick coverage practice and sharpened mental reps even when he wasn't on the field. Most importantly, he said, he stayed positive, focused and took advantage of every practice opportunity afforded to him by Meyer.
You’ve got to love a player like this. He’s now shown Meyer what he can do on gameday. Here’s hoping it translates to some more PT.
YOU GOOD? Things looked worse than terrible for Braxton Miller on Saturday but as of yesterday the official word from Urban Meyer couldn't have been any better:
Early Halloween in Columbus. #Scary''No. 5 is doing good. 'Full-speed practices really yesterday and today. Sore neck, but today's much better. He lifted (weights) and he's good to go.''
Has anything sounded sweeter? If I told you after Kenny Guiton threw his interception in the fourth quarter that Ohio State would not only be 8-0 heading to Happy Valley, but also would have Braxton Miller leading the way, you would have called me a damn dirty liar.
Well folks that is today’s reality, and life tastes good.
So what was this injury that caused most of Ohio to rip out their hair in mourning? Apparently, your guess is as good as Braxton’s:
''I didn't know what it was. I was just a little bit dizzy from the hit, whiplash. So they sent me to the hospital to see what it was.''
All tests came back negative, and beyond a sore neck, Braxton is A-OK.
So what was Braxton doing in the hospital while the game was still on the line? Badgering the nurses about the score of course:
''I just kept asking the nurse. (She'd say), `I don't know. We're working on you.' I just kept asking and they finally told me.''
'Atta boy Brax, more than glad to have you back.
RED SHIRT? Unfortunately it doesn’t sound like Jordan Hall will be as lucky as our man Braxton this season.
Hall’s senior year has been riddled with injuries, from his freak dog poop accident in the offseason to a partially torn ligament at Michigan State.
When Hall remained a no-show in the weeks following the MSU game, questions of a medical redshirt were continually asked of Meyer. Often Urban would dodge these questions or flat out state, “no, we won't be redshirting him”. Well yesterday that tune changed as Hall re-injured his knee in practice.
This from Meyer:
"He re-dinged [his knee], so I don’t know. He’s not even practicing."
"I think [a redshirt] is [an option], I think it is now. I had to find out even if it’s a possibility, and it is."
Thanks to the performance of Carlos Hyde, the absence of Hall hasn’t been as detrimental to the team as many fans thought. However, there’s no doubt having both of them on the field at the same time would cause major matchup problems for opposing defenses.
Fans may get the chance to see it, just a season later than expected. Hall would have to miss the remaining four games to be eligible for the redshirt, and from the sound of things that seems like a very real possibility.
PREVIEWIN'. CBS Sports likes the Buckeyes in their latest Rapid Reaction preview.
Their prediction: Ohio State 34, Penn State 28.
CBS’ rundown has a lot of the things you’ve already heard about this game (INELIGIBOWL, AMIRITE?).
But the outlet does make a few good points, particularly in their section titled “The game comes down to":
Can Penn State contain Miller? The sophomore is one of the most dynamic players in the country and averages 292 yards of offense per game. Mauti and fellow standout LB Gerald Hodges must contain Miller while also helping generate a pass rush. Penn State yielded 28 points against a similar offense in Northwestern and lost 24-14 to Ohio's spread attack in the season opener.
I’ve got to admit I marked this one in the win column at the beginning of the season. A team broken by transfers and scandal couldn’t possibly put anything together this year….right?
Thanks to a valiant effort by head coach Bill O’ Brien, my view has changed considerably. Surprisingly, Matt McGloin has been transformed into a quality QB. Even more surprising, Ohio State’s defense is having trouble stopping just about anyone (yes they did have a better game against Purdue…but repeat that sentence to yourself and see if it makes you feel any more confident).
So the game will come down to whether Penn State can contain Braxton. It’s a safe bet the Scarlet and Gray D will have a tough time stopping the Fighting McMoxies. So Miller and company will once again be tasked with out-scoring the opposition.
Penn State’s defense is tough, led by senior LB Michael Mauti. The Nittany Lions are 13th in the country in points against, only giving up 15.7 points per game.
CBS Sports likes the Buckeyes to double that. What’s your take?
PEOPLE BE LINKIN'. Ohio is out, Maryland is in at the Big-33... I thought there was only one way to do this. Shoelace swag... Springsteen cat in full effect... If I had to have him choose a role model, not sure if this would be my first choice.
