Tuesday Skull Session

Another day, another penny. #Blessed

LET DALE COOK. I let media and things like J.T. Barrett's captaincy groupthink me out of my belief that Cardale Jones would be the first QB out of the gate in Blacksburg. I refuse to abandon him in this dark time now.

Ohio State's offense hasn't looked good, but that's been true with both quarterbacks. Urban Meyer seems content with seeing if one can put a rightful claim to the spot, but Ohio State would be wise to remember why they went with the Iron King in the first place.

From ESPN.com:

Based on the evidence already on hand, the best bet looks to be riding with Jones and giving Barrett a true backup role instead of viewing him as a ready-made reliever whenever something goes wrong in the first half.

Jones had his issues against the Huskies, there’s no disputing that. He made a poor throw in the rain that was intercepted, followed that up by misreading a coverage for another pick and left the game without leading the Buckeyes on a touchdown drive. But Barrett was hardly any better in his most extensive work of the young season, tossing an interception of his own, again showing some issues with his arm strength and ultimately producing just a single first down in the fourth quarter with the Buckeyes clinging to a lead their stout defense had provided.

That doesn’t mean Barrett couldn’t just as easily get Ohio State back on track if Meyer wants to go that route, and there is no shortage of proof that he can get the job done a season after winning Big Ten Quarterback of the Year honors. But the case is larger and stronger for Jones at this point, starting with the way the Buckeyes are trying to shape their offense into the future.

The only thing missing from that is the "100" emoji.

For Cardale to get cooking, the Slobs will need to get back to their road-paving ways and some sort of vertical threat needs to emerge. (To me, that's the next step in Braxton Miller's transition to WR.) 

Once the deep threat comes back, then Ezekiel Elliott can find more space, and everything starts clicking again. (If anybody at OSU is reading this: My consulting rates are favorable.)

BRING BACK THE BUCKEYE YELL. The 1890s would be Hell on Earth for anybody from 2015. But you know what wouldn't be so bad? (Other than concussions merely being a "case of the sun-staggers"?) That dang student yell we didn't know we loved.

Student Handbook from the 1890s informs the students of the college colors and yells! Rip Zip Bazoo! #gobucks #OSU pic.twitter.com/lNdBnvZ8dC

— OSU Archives (@BuckeyeHistory) September 21, 2015

Rip!

Zip!

Bazoo!

Catchy little tune there for all the 8-year-old chimney sweeps to sing as they walk three miles for their 12-hour Sunday shift day after a Buckeye game. We should definitely bring it back (the yell — not 8-year-old chimney sweeps).

And before you label it asinine gibberish, remember that the world enshrined Seven Nation Army as a sports chant. Remove the instruments and it sounds like a stab victim taking the last gasps of gargled blood.

BRACE YOURSELF... JUNK DEFENSES IN ROUTE. Chris Ash said some interesting things yesterday.

Chris Ash didnt go into too much detail about Damon Webbs suspension.Hell be missed. That doesnt sound too promising.

— Tim Shoemaker (@TimShoemaker) September 21, 2015

Ash added that Cam Burrows and Marshon Lattimore are working at the nickel spot now left vacated by Damon Webb.

— Eric Seger (@EricSeger33) September 21, 2015

Sounds like Webb could be out for awhile, which is certainly a loss. Just glad that it appears to be a suspension that Webb can work back from and not an outright dismissal. 

That said, it looks like "junk defenses" are the new bear front.

Chris Ash described past 2 defenses Ohio State has faced as "odd, junk defenses"

— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) September 21, 2015

Ash says it's not easy going against Bear Zero and Odd Junk defenses the way they have these three weeks. Calls them a "curveball"

— Ryan Donnelly (@RDonnellyBG) September 21, 2015

(Kyle Jones posted an excellent breakdown on Ohio State's struggles against the 3-4 and some of its adjustments.)

I'm surprised that the coaching staff seems surprised that Northern Illinois replicated some of the things that worked for Hawai'i. I expect the offensive brain trust will crack this code like they did to the bear front last year.

If they don't, well, all the blame will be dumped at the feet of Ed Warinner. (No pressure, coach!) I'm not saying that it will be right or be fair, just that's what will happen.

LET'S PARTY BLOOMINGTON. *adjusts monocle* I prefer Twitter over College GameDay to pass time until Saturday games, because Twitter is curated, features a mute button, and doesn't shove commercials down my throat.

But I would watch College GameDay if it does the right thing and heads to Bloomington, Ind., when the No. 1 Buckeyes roll into town. (That game, by the way, was announced Monday as a 3:30 p.m. kickoff on ABC [with an ESPN2 reverse mirror]).

From CrimsonQuarry.com:

Let's go stupid, college football.

No one wants to watch shouting pimple Brian Kelly and Notre Dame gain momentum toward a possible CFP bid by beating up on a not very good Clemson team in Death Valley. Clemson sucks. You've been there before. It's just as humid and terrible in early October as it is early September. While quite charming at times, Dabo Swinney is a emasciated swamp man that believes Twiiter will only undermine serious football things. He doesn't want you there -- the road to the Belk Bowl is paved with solitude and focus.

No one wants to see Alabama-Georgia, either. It won't be a ratings draw -- by this time Finebaum callers will have banded into militias and taken Tuscaloosa by force. You'd be mistaken if you think the Great Phyllis of Mulga would allow television in the new city-state. You'll listen to the radio and eat your mayo with a spoon, just like Bear would've wanted, son. The live crowd will likely be light, too. We're running out of opportunities to use that standing 8:45 on Saturdays, but you might still attract a few late stragglers to see guest-picker Brian Harman.

We are one week and two wins away from top-ranked and undefeated Ohio State coming into Bloomington to take on traditional football dumpster an undefeated, dormant powerhouse in Indiana.

They raise good points: Corso gets a homecoming, a surly-ass Bobby Knight could be the guest picker, and Brian Kelly being a shouting (purple) pimple.

MAYBE HE GOT BEAT UP FOR DRINKING KEYSTONE LIGHT? I'm not a beer snob, but don't you dare bring canned deer piss like Keystone Light in my immediate vicinity. I refuse to associate with people who have nothing to lose.

Perhaps this is what happened to TCU senior DE Mike Tuaua? I couldn't fault him for disabling a threat like a stranger approaching him with a can of Keystone in his hand.

#TCU football player Mike Tuaua is accused of kicking and punching another student in face and body while trying to steal Keystone Light.

— Ryan Osborne (@RyanOsborneFWST) September 21, 2015

Arrest warrant: The student complained to #TCU officers of pain in his shoulder and face, and "immediately said, 'And they took my beer.'"

— Ryan Osborne (@RyanOsborneFWST) September 21, 2015

Now if it's proven that Tuaua assaulted a man to steal and drink Keystone Light... then I thinks 60 years in the clink would be a tough but fair sentence.

THOSE WMDs. The bald Norwegians and other unknowns who actually create the songs that top the charts... Willie Mae Seaton of Willie Mae's Scotch House dies at 99... Don Pellman, 100, is still breaking records... The longest five seconds of football... Southern's band hits the #Dolphin.