-
LISTEN LIVE
Click Here to Listen Live!
Archived Rants
- May 2020
- April 2020
- August 2018
- November 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- April 2017
- January 2017
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- March 2013
- November 2012
- October 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- February 2012
- July 2007
- August 2000
Categories
Tags
- Anderson Varejao
- Andrew Wiggins
- Anthony Bennett
- Brian Hoyer
- Browns
- Buckeyes
- Cavs
- Chicago Bulls
- Cleveland Browns
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Cleveland Indians
- Dan Gilbert
- David Blatt
- David Griffin
- dion waiters
- Golden State Warriors
- J.R. Smith
- J.T. Barrett
- Jabari Parker
- Jimmy Haslam
- Joel Embiid
- Johnny Manziel
- Josh Gordon
- Justin Gilbert
- Kenny Roda
- Kevin Love
- Kyrie Irving
- Lebron James
- Miami Heat
- Mike Brown
- Mike Pettine
- NBA
- NBA Draft
- NBA Finals
- NBA Playoffs
- NFL Draft
- Ohio State
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- OSU
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Ray Farmer
- Sam Amico
- Tribe
- Tristan Thompson
- Urban Meyer
Tag Archives: Urban Meyer
OHIO STATE/SUGAR BOWL NOTES AND NUMBERS
With their 42-35 win over Alabama, Ohio State now has the longest winning streak in the country, having won 12 games in a row this season and are (13-1) overall.
The Buckeyes have now officially beaten an SEC team in a Bowl game with the 42-35 win over Alabama.
Urban Meyer is now (2-2) in head-to-head match ups with Nick Saban, (8-2) lifetime in bowl games and is (37-3) in his first three years at Ohio State.
The 230 yards rushing by Ezekeil Elliott is a new Sugar Bowl record and it was the first time this season that the Crimson Tide gave up 100 yards rushing to a player. Elliott was named the game’s Offensive MVP.
In his last 3 games Elliott has rushed for 571 yards on 57 carries, averaging 10 yards per carry and scored 6 touchdowns.
Third string QB Cardale Jones has started two games now in his career at Ohio State and has posted wins over Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship game and over #1 ranked Alabama in the College Football Playoff Semi-Final.
Devin Smith caught his 30th career touchdown pass, a 47 yarder from Jones in the 3rd quarter.
As a team Ohio State rushed for 281 total yards against the nation’s #1 ranked rushing defense, as Alabama was giving up just 88 yards per game rushing this season. The Buckeyes totaled 537 yards in the win.
OSU Linebacker Darron Lee took home Defensive MVP honors with 7 tackles, 2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss.
The Bucks picked off Bama quarterback Blake Simms 3 times, 1 each for Steve Miller, Vonn Bell and Tyvis Powell.
Ohio State has now defeated 4 ranked teams this year: #1 Alabama, #8 Michigan State, #13 Wisconsin and #25 Minnesota. They will now play #2 Oregon for the National Championship on January 12th in Arlington, Texas at “Jerry’s World”.
In their last 4 games, the most important games of the season, the Buckeyes have scored 42, 42, 59 and 42 points. The Oregon Ducks in their last 4 games have scored 44, 47, 51 and 59 points.
The guys in the desert have installed Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota and Oregon as an early 7 point favorite in the National Championship Game.
FYI- The Buckeyes are (5-0) under Urban Meyer when they enter a game as “The Underdog”.
KENNY’S KEYS TO BEATING WISCONSIN IN THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
1) GROUND GORDON– You aren’t going to be able to completely shut down or stop Heisman Trophy candidate Melvin Gordon, but you must be able to slow him down and then bring him to the ground so he doesn’t rip off any big runs against you. He’s rushed for 0ver 100 yards in 11 of 12 games this season and he’s run for over 200 or more yards in 5 games this year, including his 408 yard – 5 TD performance against Nebraska. He has racked up 2,260 yards – 26 touchdowns and has an 8 yards per carry average. He also has 3 TD receptions. He is the focal point of the Badgers offense. Contain him and force Joel Stave to beat you with his arm and your chances to win increase dramatically. This is by far the most important part of the Buckeyes game plan on Saturday in Indianapolis.
2) JONES DISTRIBUTING COMPANY – In his first collegiate start, sophomore third string quarterback Cardale Jones needs to realize he doesn’t have to try and do it all himself. He has plenty of playmakers around him and his main job will be to get them the ball in any way possible. Whether it’s a hand off, shovel pass, option pitch, a deep ball down field, get the likes of Ezekiel Elliott, Jalin Marshall, Devin Smith, Evan Spencer, Mike Thomas, Jeff Heuerman and other the pigskin and let them do what they’ve been doing all season. If Jones tries to do too much that’s when turnovers happen and that’s the most important thing he cannot do, “TURN THE BALL OVER”! He needs to “VALUE THE FOOTBALL”, “PROTECT THE PIGSKIN” at all costs. He needs to know it’s OK to punt the football and then try and score the next time they get the ball. If he doesn’t turn it over, like I mentioned earlier, the Buckeyes chances of winning this game against Wisconsin increase dramatically.
3) URBAN ADJUSTMENTS – Urban Meyer, with a quarterback making his first career start, plus at least 13 freshman or sophomores starting and a bunch of other “utes” playing key roles, mistakes are going to happen. Meyer needs to recognize them quickly and make the proper adjustments if the game plan isn’t working. This is do or die time for the Buckeyes. Last year Meyer was outcoached in both the Big Ten title game and in the Orange Bowl, he can’t let that happen again, especially with so many young players in prominent roles. Don’t wait until half time to make changes or adjustments. If in-game moves need to be made, make them immediately. (i.e. – don’t be afraid to put true freshman linebacker Raekwon McMillian in for Curtis Grant and let him play most of the game. McMillian is the better player. Don’t be loyal to fault just because the Grant is a senior.)
4) BE SPECIAL – There are three parts to a football team and the one that gets overlooked the most is special teams. This game could be won on special teams. So make sure you win the battle with this unit. Field the ball cleanly on kicks. Stay in your lanes on punt and kick coverages and make the fundamental tackles instead of going for the highlight hits. Know your blocking assignments and communicate on all punts, field goals and extra points. Flip field position on punts with good hang time, ball placement and coverage. The momentum of so many games can change because of a big special teams play.
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.
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.
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.
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.
KENNY’S KEYS FOR OHIO STATE TO BEAT MICHIGAN STATE
1) Protect The Pigskin – No Turnovers! OSU is not good enough where they can cough up the football and give the Spartans extra possessions or a short field. So “Protect The Pigskin”!
2) Unplug The Pressure Cooker – If the Buckeyes can score early, maintain the lead into the second half to take the crowd out of it, then they’ll have a chance late to win a close game.
3) Avoid Burnt Toast – OSU’s secondary can’t give up the deep ball and get burnt deep by Tony Lippett for long touchdowns. Lippett averages 21 yards per catch and has 9 touchdowns. QB- Connor Cook will look for him early and often and will test a secondary that he torched last season in the Big Ten Championship game.
4) Protect and Create – Urban Meyer’s offensive line must play it’s best game keeping J.T. Barrett clean and healthy while creating holes for Ezekiel Elliott, Jalin Marshall, Dontre Wilson and Curtis Samuel to run through.
5) Release and Create – When Tom Herman calls pass plays, OSU’s wide receivers must avoid getting jammed at the line of scrimmage, run precise routes and then create yards after the catch. It’s time for Michael Thomas, Dontre Wilson, Evan Spencer, Devin Smith and Jeff heuerman to make some big plays in the passing game against a quality opponent.
6) Watch For the Fake – Mark Dantonio likes to gamble on special teams, so Ohio State’s special teams coach, Urban Meyer must be ready anywhere on the field for Sparty reaching into their bag of tricks on punts, field goals or extra points.
FRIDAY FOOTBALL FORECAST
OHIO STATE at MARYLAND – 12pm – SATURDAY
Maryland has a chance to show all the doubters, like myself, why they belong in the Big Ten as they host Ohio State Saturday. The Buckeyes have chance to show that they’ve started to figure out how to play pass defense as they go up against a talented dual threat quarterback C.J. Brown (wrist injury) and his group of talented receivers – Stefon Diggs, Deon Long and Marcus Leak. If Brown can’t go at QB then it’ll be Caleb Rowe slinging the pigskin around against the Buckeyes. Either way, it’s another big test for the back end OSU’s defense.
The Buckeyes special teams better be up to the task as well as they’ll be tested in their coverage units going up against the 11th ranked kickoff return man in the country in Stefon Diggs (29.4avg) and William Likely, the 8th ranked punt return man in the country (22.0avg).
OSU quarterback J.T. Barrett has put up some decent numbers overall so far for Urban Meyer. The redshirt freshman signal caller has thrown for 1,080 yards and 13TD’s in his first 4 games while running for 205 yards and a a score. He will have to continue to play at a high level for the Buckeyes to win this game on the road in what could be another shootout.
I’ll take the Buckeyes in another high scoring affair 34-24.
CLEVELAND BROWNS at TENNESSEE TITANS – 1pm – SUNDAY
The Browns have an opportunity for a road win at Tennessee this Sunday. The Titans are ranked 22nd against the run in the NFL and the Browns strength is their rushing attack, ranked 9th in the NFL. Because of the solid play of the offensive line it shouldn’t matter if it’s Ben Tate, Isaiah Crowell or Terrance West carrying the rock, Kyle Shanahan’s offense should be able to move the ball on the ground.
If the Browns are successful with ground game, this will set up Brian Hoyer for plenty of play action opportunities against a defense that has given up 74 points over their last 2 games.
If Jake Locker plays for the Titans, the Browns pass defense will be tested more than if Charlie Whitehurst is under center. But Locker is coming off a wrist injury and while he practiced this week, he could be a bit rusty and not at 100 percent. That’s good news, because any help the Browns pass defense can get right now is needed as they rank 27th against the pass in the NFL.
I’m taking the Browns 24-17 in this one, as they start a stretch of 5 games where I expect them to go at least (3-2) if not (4-1).