Dontre Wilson will be missed, but I couldn't be more excited for a heavier dose of The Marshall Plan. (Is that the nickname we're going with? Because I'm cool with that.) Also excited to see the sticky fingers of Noah Brown in action. Wow, is the future bright at Ohio State.
Oh, and congrats to Daniel Giddens, Austin Grandstaff, AJ Harris and Mickey Mitchell; 2015's basketball commits can officially sign their National Letter of Intent today.
OHIO STATE A LOSER IN LATEST POLL? Ohio State moved to No. 8 in the College Football Playoff Committee's third rankings of the 2014 season. There are certainly worse positions (adieu, Notre Dame), but others weren't so high on the Buckeyes' chances of slipping into the top four:
From Laken Litman of USA Today, who ranks the Bucks as a chief loser:
Ohio State
The Buckeyes are up six spots from last week, moving from No. 14 to No. 8, but they’re not in a place where they can control their own destiny, for lack of a better phrase. Ohio State is going to need outside help if it has any hope of making the playoff. OSU had a crucial win last week over Michigan State that helped its case, but the remainder of its schedule is weak with games against Minnesota, Indiana and Michigan.
Minnesota is No. 25 in the newest poll and assuming the Buckeyes play No. 16 Nebraska in the Big Ten Championship, those could be factors. But they might not be enough. That Virginia Tech loss really hurt.
There's, like, a whole month of football left to be played. Have people even considered what would happen if the SEC East representative knocks off an undefeated Mississippi State or a one-loss Alabama? Because that'd be an hilarious fly in the ointment.
I also don't see how, if Ohio State wins the Big Ten title, it can be held out of the playoffs over somebody like TCU or Baylor; they of a non-championship game conference. IT DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT TO ME, PAWWWWL.
BENNETT GOES BERSERK. Before taking the field against Michigan State, senior defensive tackle Mike Bennett tweeted this:
Big time players make big time plays in big time games. Strap up. #OH
— Mike (@mike63bennett) November 8, 2014
He then went out and played his best game of the season. While Bennett has been facing copious double-teams this year, CBS draft analyst Dane Brugler speculated Bennett's mediocre play was him attempting to avoid injury.
Well, there were no questions about Bennett's consistency on Saturday night. The big fella was all over the Spartan backfield, and while it was nice to grab the spotlight, Bennett is all about helping the team first.
From Austin Ward of ESPN:
“Sometimes for those interior defensive linemen to get statistics, it's kind of hard because they're spending a lot of time getting double teamed,” Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Chris Ash said. “For him right now, he does provide double teams inside to make cleaner pictures in the run game for the linebackers. He does get after the quarterback and may not get the sacks, but he's in the face of the quarterback. He's a guy that the offensive line or offensive coordinator from an opponent always has to account for.
“He may not have the stats that Joey Bosa has, but he's done an outstanding job for us being disruptive in both the run game and pass game so far this year.”
Whether it was a product of more plays simply coming his way or a more intense mindset, Bennett made the most of his chances against Michigan State. Even if wins are the only thing he likes to count, Bennett is not going to complain when there are tackles to tally up in the process.
Bennett is a quality guy in this junky Internet Man's opinion. He's also got a long career in media after he's done playing, but I feel like he'll always be under-appreciated among fans.
THE SLOBS UP FRONT BARE ARMS. It might be cliché, but I believe in stuff like this having a psychological effect on a foe.
From Bill Landis of Cleveland.com:
"I like to think of myself as tough," right tackle Darryl Baldwin said, "so I try not to (wear sleeves) whenever I can."
It's also a fashion statement.
"As the five starters, we like to look the same," Baldwin said. "What one person wants to do, we just all do it."
Think about it: A guy challenges you to a fight outside a bar in the back alley. It's a snowstorm, but before the guy squares up, he takes off his shirt and pants. That dude is crazy, and chances are you do not want to fight a naked, crazy man in a snowstorm in a back alley behind a dive bar. The fight is essentially over before it began.
It works the same way on a football field.
PRE-MICHIGAN PARTY IN THE FRENCH FIELD HOUSE. The Game is officially a noon kick, but if you're looking for something to do before the game (in a climate controlled environment), Ohio State has you covered:
COLUMBUS — Ohio State Athletics has announced an inaugural pregame event for the morning of Nov. 29 beginning prior to the football game against Michigan. Beginning three and half hours prior to kickoff, fans can enjoy a climate controlled pregame event with HD projection TVs highlighting college football pregame shows. A buffet and soft drinks are included with your ticket to the event and will run up until 30 minutes before kickoff. Beer also will be available for purchase.
At the event, there will be special guest appearances by select members of the Ohio State Marching Band, Brutus, the spirit squads and more.
Tickets for the event are $30 for adults and $12 for youth (12 and under) in advance and $35/$15 at the door. Tickets went on sale starting today, Nov. 11. The first 300 fans to purchase tickets will be entered into a lottery for two tickets to the football game vs. Michigan. There also will be drawings during the event for pregame field passes, future Men’s Ice Hockey and Women’s Basketball games against Michigan and much more.
Tickets available over here.
LINSLEY GETS PRO BOWL NOD FROM ALL-STAR QB. Green Bay Packer Corey Linsley was thrust into the starting center role due to injury, and the fifth round pick has been a diamond-in-the-rough find for the Packers. In fact, his quarterback, Aaron Rodgers — you may have heard of him — said the rookie is playing at a Pro Bowl level.
From Sports Illustrated:
"Corey has played as solid as anybody,"Rodgers said. "I think at some point there needs to be a little bit of campaigning about him for Pro Bowl. He's played that good. He doesn't have the name recognition yet. A lot of times, you get voted in the year after you deserve to and maybe a year longer than you deserve to, as they say."
And this comes on the heels of coach Mike McCarthy's praise of the former Buckeye lineman:
In October, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said that if things kept going the way they were going, Linsley's start would be considered "one of the most impressive situations that a young player has stepped up and performed in my time here."
Well, Linsley certainly has my vote when the time comes.
THOSE WMDs. JTBIV is extremely good... America's oldest living vet is 108 and he LOVES cigars and whiskey... Blue Jackets Social Media Intern: 1; ESPN: 0... Toledo wore some cool helmets last night... Let's check-in on the Boozer-to-LA experiment... Iguodala: "You're just so used to just starting the game. Even when you're young, it's 'Starters vs. Scrubs.'
