Tag Archives: Ohio State Buckeyes

KENNY’S KEYS TO BEATING OREGON

1) PROTECT THE PIGSKIN – Oregon has a bend but don’t break defense. They’ll

give up yards between the 20’s and maybe a couple of TD’s, but they also create

a lot of turnovers by stripping the ball or picking off a pass or two.  They are

a plus 20 in the giveaway/take away category, so  Cardale Jones and Ezekiel

Elliott who will handle the ball a lot on Monday night, need to take extra

special care of the football in this game, as both had turnovers in the win over

Alabama. Luckily the Buckeyes were able to overcome those mistakes in the Sugar

Bowl, but do that against the Ducks and you’re in trouble. Oregon’s offense

thrives on scoring, getting a turnover from their “D”, getting the ball back

quickly to get into a rhythm so they can score again and play from ahead.  For

Zeke it’s tuck it high and tight. For Cardale it’s protect it on runs and in the

pocket and throw it away if necessary. All of the other Buckeye weapons must be

aware of this as well. Don’t give the Ducks a short field.

Cardale Jones with Kenny Roda

Photo courtesy of Cameron Roda

2) PRESSURE MARIOTA – I know he’s only thrown three picks all year, but he threw

one last week against F.S.U. Why? The Seminoles kept him in the pocket and

pressured him forcing the Heisman Trophy winner to throw the ball before he

wanted to. That’s what the Buckeyes defense line needs to do as well. You’d love

to get sacks of course, but if not, then Joey Bosa, Adolphus Washington, Michael

Bennett and Steve Miller need to control the line of scrimmage, contain the edge

so Mariota can’t roll out and throw as much as he likes to. Continually get in his face and

then when you get a chance, like the 2002 Buckeyes did to Miami’s Ken Dorsey,

hit him hard and hit him often. Make him pay the price for some throws so he’s

keeping an eye out for a defensive lineman and maybe not completely focusing on

his receivers. In a heavyweight title fight like this, body blows will add up in

the later rounds.

Joey Bosa with Kenny Roda

Photo courtesy of Cameron Roda

3) WIN T.O.P. –  Against a fast paced, rhythm type offense, the best way to

disrupt their rhythm is by keeping the ball away from them. So Ohio State’s best

defense against Oregon may be their offense. In the Ducks four losses over the

last three years with Mariota at QB, they lost the “Time Of Possession” battle

in all four games. Arizona beat them twice and Stanford beat them twice. Both

teams did so by running the ball, controlling the clock and keeping the high

flying Ducks grounded on the sidelines. The Wildcats and Cardinal as a team

rushed for over 200 yards in all four of those games.  Enter Ezekiel Elliott, he

of the 450 yards rushing and four touchdowns over the last two games for Ohio

State. Zeke needs to again have a big game on the ground to chew up that clock

and also help set up the play action passing game for Cardale Jones. A third

straight 200+ yard game on the ground by EZ and there is a very good chance the

Buckeyes will be National Champs.

Ezekiel Elliott OSU CFP

Photo courtesy of Kenny Roda

4) SCORE 7 NOT 3 – Early in the win over Alabama the Buckeyes had two different

“First and Goal” opportunities and both times Urban Meyer’s offense had to settle for

field goals. O.S.U. was  able to overcome that then, but they can ill afford to do that

against a potent Oregon offense. The Ducks are averaging 47 points a game, so

when you get in the redone against them you have to score 7. If Oregon holds you

to 3, they look at that as like creating a turnover because they feel their

offense will come down and put up 7 on you.

Urban Meyer with Kenny Roda

Photo courtesy of Cameron Roda

5) DUCK WRAP – Oregon is going to score some points against the Buckeyes. You

have to accept that. They’re that good. But you have to make them earn it. Don’t

give up the big play. In order to do that you must be fundamentally sound in

your tackling technique. You must hold up, wrap up and tackle the ball carrier

at first contact. Don’t go for the highlight hit, instead just do your job, be

where you’re supposed to be and make the tackle.

 

Prediction:   OHIO STATE 45     OREGON 42

INTERVIEW WITH OSU QB CARDALE JONES ON FACING OREGON FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Here’s what Ohio State

quarterback Cardale Jones told me about facing a very opportunistic Oregon defense on Monday night in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

Listen here –

Cardale Jones Media Day Podium

 

INTERVIEW WITH OSU RB EZEKIEL ELLIOTT – CFP MEDIA DAY

I caught up with Ohio State’s outstanding sophomore running back Ezekiel Elliott at the College Football Playoff Media Day in Dallas, Texas and got his thoughts on the national Championship game against Oregon.

Listen here –

Ezekiel Elliott OSU CFP

 

IS THERE A FORMULA ON HOW TO BEAT OREGON?

The Oregon Ducks have lost only four games over the last three years with 2014 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Marcus Mariota running the offense.

Marcus Mariota In Game Heisman Pose

Photo Courtesy – ESPN.Go.Com

So I went back and looked at those four losses, two against Stanford and two against Arizona to see if there were common denominators in all four losses. Here’s what I came up with:

In all four losses Oregon was held to less than 10 points at halftime.

In all four losses Oregon lost the “Time of Possession” battle by an average of 37:10 to 23:50.

In all four losses Oregon turned the ball over at least once on offense and totaled 8 turnovers in those four games for an average of 2 turnovers per contest.

In all four losses Oregon’s opponent ran more offensive plays than the Ducks did. On average Oregon ran 11 fewer plays per game in the losses (83.5 to 72.2).

In all four losses Oregon’s opponent ran for 200 yards or more as a team and averaged 58 carries for 246.5 yards per game on the ground.

In all four losses Oregon only had a 32% conversion rate on 3rd down on offense.

And in three out of the four losses Oregon was outgained in total yards by an average of 24 yards per game.

 So what should Ohio State take from this?

Urban Meyer Sugar Bowl

If I’m the Buckeyes I’m going back and watching all four losses to try and learn the recipe for success against Oregon from Stanford and Arizona. Then I’m  going to formulate part of my game plan on trying to run a ball control offense, an eat the clock offense with Ezekiel Elliott leading the way, but also using Jalin Marshall, Curtis Samuel, Cardale Jones and maybe Dontre Wilson if he’s healthy on the ground. By establishing the running game and chewing up time on the clock, it should in turn open up the passing game for quarterback Cardale Jones and receivers Devin Smith, Michael Thomas, Evan Spencer and more.

Putting pressure on Mariota was also a major factor in the four losses which helped lead to those 8 turnovers. Not just by sacking him, but forcing him to throw the ball before he wanted to. So that means the Buckeyes defensive line led by All American Joey Bosa, as well as Michael Bennett, Adolphus Washington and Steve Miller have to penetrate Oregon’s tough offensive line and get in Mariota’s face to hopefully sack him, at least hit him, or if not, force him to make early errant throws that could end up as interceptions. Also when Bosa or maybe linebacker Darron Lee get a chance, within the rules of the game, they need to hit Mariota as often as they can, as hard as they can, to make life miserable for him in all four quarters of the National Championship game. Just like the Buckeyes defense did to Miami’s Ken Dorsey in the 2002 National Championship contest.

That looks to be the formula on how to beat Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks. Easier said than done of course, but the Buckeyes are a confident team and peaking at the right time, so let’s see if Urban Meyer’s troops can execute a game plan like that and if they do, they’ll have a good chance of winning the game and making history by being crowned National Champions in the first ever year of the College Football Playoff.

KENNY’S KEYS TO AN OHIO STATE WIN OVER ALABAMA

1) PROTECT THE PIGSKIN – In a game of this magnitude against a team the caliber of Alabama, turnovers become even more of a factor, especially for a quarterback in Cardale Jones who is only making his second career start. Jones has to realize it’s OK to throw the ball away, punt, let your defense get a stop and live to play another series. Jones can’t turn it over and give Bama a short field to work with.

Cardale Jones Backfield Photo

2) ZONE AMARI – 26% of Alabama’s offense comes from one player, wide receiver Amari Cooper. He eats up man-to-man defenses, so the Buckeyes need to either double team him or play some zone defense so Cooper doesn’t reach the end zone for the 15th time this season. He is a “Big Play Maker” and can’t be stopped one on one.

 

3) GO DEEP – Alabama’s secondary is very suspect against the deep ball. They’ve given up 17 touchdown passes and a number of them on the bomb. Michael Thomas, Devin Smith, Jalin Marshall and if he plays, Dontre Wilson will have a chance to get behind the Tide corners and safties if the Buckeyes O-Line can give Cardale Jones to go down field. If so, Ohio State should score on at least  the one deep pass, if not more.

 

4) PACE AND SPREAD – In a number of Bama’s losses or close games their defense has had trouble with teams that go no huddle and also spread the field. The Buckeyes should be able to do both. If so OSU’s offense will put points on the board.

 

5) DO THE BOSA-NOVA – Joey Bosa has to be the best defensive player on the field and reak havoc in the Tide backfield all game long. If Alabama decides to double team him, then Michael Bennett, Adolphus Washington and Steve Miller then have to win their one on one battles and put pressure on Blake Simms and get in the backfield.

Joey Bosa Big Hit vs Navy

6) BE SPECIAL ON SPECIAL TEAMS – Both teams kickers struggle with field goals, especially outside of 40 yards. Whichever team can get their kicker to split the uprights and also be solid in their return and coverage teams will have a HUGE advantage in the Sugar Bowl.

 

Prediction  –  OHIO STATE 34       ALABAMA 28

THE BUCKEYES ARE IN, WILL PLAY ALABAMA IN THE PLAYOFF SEMI-FINALS

Ohio State’s 59-0 demolition of Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship game was indeed enough to impress the College Football Playoff Committee as they moved the Buckeyes into the #4 spot in their final rankings and thus giving Urban Meyer’s squad a chance to play in the first ever College Football Playoff semi-finals against #1 Alabama.

Urban Meyer Big Ten Trophy

The Buckeyes and the Crimson Tide will play in the Sugar Bowl on January 1, 2015 at 8:30pm on ESPN. #2 Oregon will play #3 Florida State in the other semi-final game in the Rose Bowl on January 1st as well at 4:30pm.

The two winners will meet in the National Championship game on Monday, January 12, 2015 at “Jerry World” in Arlington, Texas at 8:30pm.

The early line on the games from the people in the desert, Alabama is listed as a 9 point favorite over Ohio State, while Oregon is an 8 point favorite over undefeated and defending National Champion Florida State.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE FROM OHIO STATE ON QUARTERBACK J.T. BARRETT

Update on Ohio State Quarterback J.T. Barrett

5:30 p.m. – Nov. 29, 2014

Ohio State freshman quarterback J.T. Barrett (Wichita Falls, Texas; Rider High School) suffered a right ankle fracture in the second half of the Buckeyes’ 42-28 victory over Michigan Saturday at Ohio Stadium. He is scheduled to have surgery Sunday at the Ohio State University Medical Center, and he will miss the remainder of the season.

JT Barrett Thumbs Up Injury photo

Barrett, 11-1 as Ohio State’s starting quarterback after taking over the starting position just 12 days before the opening game of the season, had rushed for 89 yards and two touchdowns and passed for 176 yards and another score against the Wolverines. Ohio State was leading 28-21 when Barrett was injured. OSU scored the next two touchdowns of the game for a game-clinching 42-21 lead.

Barrett finishes his campaign with school record totals of 3,772 total yards and 45 touchdowns responsible for. His touchdowns total is a Big Ten record. He passed for 2,834 yards and a school-record 34 touchdowns and he rushed for an additional 938 yards and 11 touchdowns.

 

KENNY’S KEYS TO AN OHIO STATE WIN OVER MICHIGAN

PROTECT THE PIGSKIN – If the Buckeyes don’t turn the ball over on offense or special teams the Wolverines can’t beat them. The only way Ohio State loses this game is if the Buckeyes beat themselves. Michigan can’t match Ohio State’s offense point for point this season like they did last year in OSU’s 42-41 win in Ann Arbor. Urban Meyer has too many weapons for even the 9th ranked defense in the country to stop in J.T. Barrett, Ezekiel Elliott, Jalin Marshall, Michael Thomas, Jeff Heuerman and Devin Smith just to name a few. If those guys hold onto the ball and don’t give Michigan a short field to work with or cough it up in the red zone and don’t come away with any points, then Michigan can’t beat Ohio State.

J.T. Barrett TD Pass vs Navy

A BALANCED OFFENSIVE ATTACK – Urban Meyer and Tom Herman need to use all the weapons I mentioned above on offense. The strength of this Michigan team is on defense so you’re going to need to keep them off balance. Start with the run, mix in some throws, a few option plays, hit them with the play action pass, follow that up with a few jet sweeps and then a deep ball or two. Keep the Wolverines guessing and get everyone involved in the offense. Ideally you’d like to throw for 250 yards and run for another 200 yards in this game.

DON’T GIVE UP THE BIG PLAY – In the last three games Ohio State’s defense has given up touchdown runs of 30, 33, 52 and 90 yards. The Buckeyes need to do a better job of tackling and taking better angles to the ball. Also they can’t go for the “Sports Center” hit of the game. Be fundamentally sound and just “Do Your Job” on defense. In other words, wrap up and tackle. Don’t let quarterback Devin Gardner or wide receiver Devin Funchess take what should be a minimal gain and turn it into a momentum changing “BIG Play”. Joey Bosa, Joshua Perry, Raekwon McMillian and Doran Grant need to lead the way.

Marcus Hall Flipping the Bird to Michigan Fans 2013

YOUNG STARTERS NEED TO HANDLE THE PRESSURE – The Buckeyes will have 13 starters on offense, defense and special teams that are either freshmen or sophomores playing in “The Game”. Those “‘Yutes” (see My Cousin Vinnie for clarification) need to have complete “Focusness” (Jim Thome term) and don’t let “The Game” get too big for them. Keep your composure and don’t go all Marcus Hall on the Wolverines (although that was classic last year) and again just “Do Your Job”, instead of trying to do too much. If they play like that, then these young talented kids should be fine.

Urban Meyer

BE SOUND ON SPECIAL TEAMS – Nothing gives an underdog more hope and confidence then returning a punt or a kickoff for a touchdown. OSU’s coverage units must stay in their lanes and again just “Do Your Job” and they should be fine. Also, Urban Meyer who is in charge of the special teams units, needs to have his troops on high alert  for fake punts, field goals and extra points. The Wolverines have nothing to lose and everything to gain in this game, so you can bet that Brady Hoke will be pulling out all of the stops in what should be his last game as head coach at Michigan.

URBAN MEYER ON FACING MINNESOTA AND AVOIDING A TRAP GAME

I had a chance to talk to Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer on Tuesday as part of the Big Ten Coaches Conference Call and asked him about facing Minnesota and if he was worried about it being a trap game after the big win over Michigan State this past Saturday.

Urban Meyer Big Ten Media Day 2014 - 2

RODA REPORT – WEEKEND RECAP OF CAVS, BUCKEYES AND BROWNS

Might thoughts on the Cavs win in Chicago, Ohio State blowing out Illinois and the Browns getting the job done against Tampa Bay.

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