Good morning Buckeye fans and welcome to your Thursday Skull Session.
The Big Ten Media Days kicked off yesterday and there were plenty of interesting happenings in between Urban getting assaulted with (sometimes irrelevant) non football questions.
Jason and Kyle have you covered again today with roundtable interviews with players and coaches (this was one of the best sources of football information last year, so stay tuned), as well as the B1G Kickoff Luncheon.
One of those non-football topics we actually care about is the ever-evolving Carlos Hyde situation. After being guilty/kicked off team, to being innocent according to a report based on surveillance tape, to mixed news coming out of the Big Ten Media Days.
Braxton was certainly optimistic, saying that they got some good news and don't expect El Guapo to miss much, if any, time this season. We heard from another source at the Big Ten Media Days that we should expect good news soon from the Hyde video tape.
Meyer, who says he doesn't know much about the surveillance tape, said that he has not yet received "the good news" because "not a big social media guy."
"I had my mind made up what I was going to do, which is separate him completely."
Thankfully Gene Smith suggested that he wait to gather more facts as the case plays itself out.
YOU WANTED SOME FOOTBALL UPDATES? It wasn't all legal issues at the Big Ten Media Days, as Urban, Braxton, Jack, and Christian Bryant gave us some encouraging updates.
How about some good news about the freshmen?
Christian Bryant said he called his dad the 1st time he went against the freshman skill guys because he couldn't believe how good they were.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) July 24, 2013
Braxton Miller raved about Dontre Wilson. Said he's already an expert at running routes. Will make impact this season.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) July 24, 2013
Or maybe you'd like to revel in the Post-Walrus Era at Ohio State:
Meyer: "Our offensive line is without question, the heart and soul of this team."
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) July 24, 2013
It's interesting that Braxton specifically mentioned Dontre Wilson as opposed to the other freshmen skill players. It's impressive that a high school running back is already making a name for himself based on his route running.
I only have two concerns from the Big Ten Media Days so far. First, Gary Andersen is too darn likeable for a Wisconsin head coach. About Urban, he said:
But very good friend. Somebody I reach out to when I have questions about things. I think there's very much a mutual respect there. And look forward to seeing him this morning and hopefully we'll be able to spend a little time as we go through...he's a good person, good family man, and somebody I have great respect for.
Second, Kenny G broke the ring finger on his throwing hand and will be out for two more weeks until he's able to throw.
MICHIGAN'S OFFENSE IS CHANGING. Hoke and Borges are practically beside themselves now that the "offensive weapon" is off to the Jaguars and Gardner has taken over. Borges' offense will not be more pro-style than the mismatched scheme of the last two seasons:
Braxton was polished and ready to represent OSU“We all have our own quirks and beliefs. But I think the physicalness that the game of football needs to be played with, I’m of the feeling that playing physical football, some pro style, and then there will be multiple enough personnel groups that I think that will be big.”
I love this quote because A. It's almost incoherent, and B. It seems to assume that only pro style offenses play "big" and "physical football."
Unfortunately, the BTN's Dienhart is excited for the Gardner era, saying that, "In the end, don’t be shocked if Gardner emerges as the top quarterback in the Big Ten."
BOSS DELANY UPDATES. Some of the more interesting (read: rambling) comments from the B1G Media Day came from the B1G Boss Delany.
How could you not love his quotes about technology? "Cloud computing" and the like are affecting everyone and changing everything, except that "technology isn't going to change."
One thing I actually did support was his remark about miscellaneous expenses. Delany voiced support for miscellaneous expense funding in scholarships that should be implemented to cover the "full cost of attendance." Is this a consolation to athletes because of the O'Bannon case or a genuine opinion?
B1G LINKS. It's Vine time at the B1G Media Days... Would be Notre Dame national champion shirts... FSU's Nick O'Leary survived a scary motorcycle wreck... The Pirate speaketh... Not enough programs are turning a profit... Targeting will be a big issue next season... Prisoner's dilemma research on actual prisoners, for all you game theory folks.
