So this is how an NCAA play-in game or NIT invite is earned... with a no-holds barred banger somewhere in Nebraska. I can't lie; it looked more glorious on the brochure.
I was also told the Huskers were a footballing tribe, but so far they've disappointed in both revenue sports. The least they could do is roll over and let a young Ohio State team take a must-win game.
Tipoff is at 7 p.m. on BTN.
BARRETT CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT. The lack of #QBgeddon is expected to be a main component in smoothing the offensive kinks that plagued Ohio State throughout its 2015 campaign.
It's only February, but Barrett looks well on his way to a return of 2014 form.
From espn.com:
“It’s definitely going in the right direction. I think last year with the quarterback controversy thing, trying to get healthy, then when I got healthy I just wasn’t where I was at as far as football and where I wanted to play, definitely in camp and at the beginning of the year.
“Now having that behind me, it’s just something you don’t have to worry about. It’s not really a weight lifted off me, but I just don’t have to worry about it and it’s not in the back of my head at all.”
Mickey Marotti, who is the de facto head coach this time of year, concurred with Barrett's assessment:
“I think it’s easier because you know he’s the quarterback. There’s no guessing or [questioning] who it’s going to be or whatever. He’s the guy. It’s just been great, since we really haven’t had that since, what, Braxton [Miller’s] sophomore year? When you get injured or get a bump or a bruise during the season and you have to have surgery, you’re kind of out of the deal a little bit.”
This won't, however, stop people from clucking about Tim Beck should Ohio State go three-and-out on its first possession against Bowling Green. (Objectively speaking, fandom should be considered a Schedule-1 narcotic.)
HALA HOOKER. It would be nice to retain all nine of Ohio State's early NFL draft entrants, but the silver lining is the exodus allows new names and faces to step up and seize their own Scarlet and Gray glory.
Safety Malik Hooker is one such name.
From buckeyesports.com:
What The Coaches Are Saying: “Malik Hooker is a guy who only played two years of football. I watched him play basketball and he certainly has the athleticism and size. It's just experience. So he might take a little bit longer, but that's an area obviously that we need to improve. That's the defensive backfield.” – Urban Meyer (Feb. 5, 2014)
Why Hooker Is Important: Hooker’s significance isn’t too tough to figure out. Ohio State lost both starting safeties to the NFL (as underclassmen, no less), so two players will be needed to step up and develop into starter-caliber players. Burrows and Smith will both be back in 2016, but both are coming off significant injuries. Hooker will be healthy in the spring, and his development could go a long way toward making Ohio State feel like it has a safety net at that position.
Consider me leading the Hooker swagwagon. I've been in his camp since he realized my lifelong dream of throwing down an alley-oop... in high school:
CHEKWA HITS DA DOLPHIN. You're damn right Chimdi Chekwa is still balling in the NFL in 2016.
We have signed CB Chimdi Chekwa and WR A.J. Cruz to free agent contracts.
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) February 19, 2016
The former Ohio State standout played with the Oakland Raiders in 2015. No disrespect to Oakland, which is a city I know and love, but as a professional athlete (lol) I'd much rather live in Miami. Sounds like an upgrade.
NOOOO. The NFL suspended Dallas Cowboys DE Randy Gregory four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy. The tornado in Brazil could end up being Joey Bosa wearing a Cowboys uniform.
Mentioned this last wk: if DE Joey Bosa is there at #4 (#Cowboys), I don't think he's there at #5. Today's Gregory news only helps my theory
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) February 19, 2016
Yes, Bosa can routinely disrupt the rhythm of the offense w/ his skill-set. He is worth a top-5 pick IMO. https://t.co/IWtlsrLomK
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) February 19, 2016
As I've said: One day I'm going to realize ignoring the NFL is the true power move.
RELEGATE RUTGERS. It's been over a decade since I've been in New York City. Are there literally no other colleges in a 50-mile radius of the Big Apple, The City That Never Sleeps?
The circle of the Big Ten is now complete. Every has beaten everybody.
— Thomas Beindit (@tbeindit) February 19, 2016
Except Rutgers. pic.twitter.com/Wu3hUGJTEx
THOSE WMDs. Video: Epic journey of a refugee cat to find its family... Hard Pass: My parents, my landlords... 1917 board game: Suffragetto... When a Yosemite waterfall looks like lava... Who's the best student in class? It depends on whom you ask.
