The real Skull Session looms... finally.One of our many new features this fall will be a weekly roundtable discussion in which the 11W staff opines on various questions delivered via your humble host. We'll mix in some national talk here and there but most often, we'll prognosticate and talk all things Buckeye.
For opening week, we'll try to mix in thoughts from everyone with the intention of installing a rotation going forward since 11W Industries has swelled to the size of Wal-Mart in recent weeks in an effort to bring you multiple wordgasms per day.
Naturally, the slow approaching dawn of a new season couldn't come without one more sack-flick in the form of three more suspended players - and we'll touch on that - but frankly, I'm already over extensive discussion on that topic and its not even been 24 hours since the news dropped.
With so many unknowns out there just two days before the Buckeyes take Akron behind the woodshed, questions truly do abound so let's get to it...
With kickoff just 2 day away, what superstitions/rituals must you complete to ensure victory?
Alex: I have a jersey superstition. At the beginning of the year I pick an OSU jersey out of my closet and wear it until we lose. This year I start with my #75 Orlando Pace that I wore starting last year after the Wisconsin game. Hopefully I'm wearing it the entire season.
Johnny: I spend a few days on my private island in the south pacific, hunting the mascot of OSU's upcoming opponent, armed only with a bowie knife and my wits. This week wasn't too bad. Next week may prove more difficult.
Jason: With a baby due on Saturday, I'll be a little out of my element when it comes to game day superstitions. If the baby arrives on time, I'm sure I'll wear an Ohio State shirt to the hospital so young Buck will see Scarlet and Gray right after exiting the womb.
Who in your life is most responsible for your Buckeye fandom? How so?
Me: My dad. He departed way too soon - back in 1990 - but from my birth in 1973 til that fateful day in April of '90, he taught me all I needed to know about life and the history of Ohio State football. We never got to drink a beer together but we shared many important wins. My favorites being the '84 win over Illy thanks to Shoeless Keith Byars, the Cotton Bowl following the '86 regular season and the '87 win over Michigan. Good times.
Luke: My ex-girlfriend <Anonymous> by taking our breakup like a champ, smearing my car end to end with chocolate glazed donuts, and fortifying my decision to leave Austin and make the move north.
In lieu of the suspensions handed down to Hall, Howard, and to a lesser extent Brown, who do you see making the most of the increased playing time opportunity?
Sarah: Hyde. He'll rush for 23 yards on his first carry and the NCAA will come in and determine that Akron gave him those yards, so they'll rule it an impermissible benefit and he'll be suspended for the rest of the game.
Ramzy: Carlos Hyde and Rod Smith will both benefit in that the running back competition is a lot simpler for at least the first game. I see Smith getting the better of it, because he'll likely come in after Hyde. By the time Akron's front seven gets Hyde, Boren and the Ohio State first-team OL for a half or so they're going to be screaming uncle and Smith isn't going to show any mercy. I see him piling up better but less impressive stats on account of situational substitutions to his benefit. It's science, and SCIENCE DOESN'T LIE.
Who scores the first TD for OSU on Saturday? How will it unfold?
Sarah: At the 3 yard line, Bauserman fakes a handoff to Hyde and throws to a wide open Stoneburner in the corner of the endzone. Perhaps I'm being optimistic. I don't even know if Bauserman can fake a handoff without fumbling.
Ramzy: The first touchdown will be scored by the defense on account of Akron's overt terribleness. Let's give it to John Simon, just to keep him on our friendly side.
Which QB has the best statline and who starts next week?
Johnny: I hate to break it to you guys, but neither QB is going to look very good. Both Braxton and Bauserman (who will start) will probably get equal reps, more or less, but I would expect statlines of something like 8/15 and 6/12 for about 120 yards each. What will be telling is turnovers. If Bauserman can be smart(er than Braxton) in protecting the ball, he'll continue to get the nod. If not, things might start to change a bit.
Ramzy: Braxton Miller will have the best statline on account of being released from the shackles of practice conditions that stifle and work against his superior skills.
Jeremy: I think Braxton has the better numbers, but not because he plays "better" than Bauserman, but because he will play more - and I think Bauserman starts against Toledo.
Which receiver leads the team in receptions Saturday?
Danny: Jake Stoneburner. With Bauserman in, I expect the offense to be more conservative and not really stretch the field for deep-ball opportunities. Stoneburner will be perfect for making the short to mid-range catches and compiling yards after the catch.
Corey: Verlon Reed. He has consistently been the one name we have heard coming from camp and has a breakout game, putting some Buckeye nerves to rest.
Sarah: Philly Brown. Unfortunately, he'll also lead the team in drops. But the QBs keep passing to him because none of the Akron players are fast enough to cover him.
Who are your top 2 tacklers Saturday?
Elika: Sweat and Klein. Why? How could they not be with those names?
Corey: Andrew Sweat and John Simon. Sweat is going to be all over the place and will lead with the most tackles, but Simon is going to make more memorable ones.
Johnny: Sweat and Moeller. Sweat because he will be all over the place, running every blitz in the book. Actually, that book could be Go Dog Go and he'd still have a billion tackles. And Moeller because I like him.
Who in the secondary will look the most impressive?
DJ: My man Orhian Johnson!!! If only because of his hand-shake leadership.
Jason: I've been a huge C.J. Barnett fan since he opened last year destroying dudes. Hopefully Moeller shows his old form, but I'm counting on Barnett to make the biggest impact with his hitting.
Danny: I’ll say Christian Bryant. I’ll bet, if it is a blowout, Fickell will rest his starters and give the back ups a chance to shine. I’m excited about Bryant, and if he’s given an opportunity, I think he’ll play well.
Me: I'll take Bradley Roby. I've viewed him as a potential playmaker since Johnny and I scoped him out during the jersey scrimmage his redshirt year. Frankly, I just want to be right about a relatively obscure player so I can brag to my friends.
What will be the main storyline following what should be a blowout win?
Jeremy: The Buckeyes offensive line not doing a "good enough" job.
Sam: How good Bauserman looked. Get ready for him to put up steady, not huge numbers that make him the foreseeable starting QB for the Buckeyes.
Elika: Same as before it. What's our quarterback situation? How much can you know after facing a team like Akron?
Corey: Though the Buckeyes will win, I don't expect a huge blowout. Last time the Zips came to town it was 20-2 snoozer and with so many unanswered questions, especially on offense, I expect a slow start. Therfore the story line will be how much this offense needs to improve if they want to win the B1G title.
Assuming Archie had one game of eligibility left, how many yards would the 57 year old rush for against the Zips?
Alex: 225 (45x5, one for every Buckeye player suspended).
Ramzy: Archie would climb into Jack Mewhort's knee brace and rush for 200 yards quite comfortably and without anyone realizing it.
Danny: I’m a realist, so I’ll say Archie gets 100+ yards and then stops off for quick bite at his restaurant after the game. Just like the old days, minus the restaurant.
Joe: Archie would only play the first half of a blowout, and so I'll say 75. After that, Jim Karsatos will rush for another 150 on naked bootlegs against Akron's reserves.
