What Les Miles' firing and the coaching carousel means for Ohio State

   We’re not even to October yet, and for most college football programs, this season is still in the early stages. But a few programs have already started to look to next year. The biggest, of course, was LSU, who made the somewhat surprising decision to move on from the Les Miles era. Florida International also fired Ron Turner Sunday, so there are officially two open FBS head coaching positions (besides Baylor). More will likely open up in the coming weeks. Ohio State isn’t scheduled to face either team in the near future, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t potential ramifications for the Buckeyes. As far as personnel is concerned, LSU’s search doesn’t look like it will directly impact Ohio State. Urban Meyer isn’t going to leave for the Tigers, and while the Buckeyes have plenty of assistants that could potentially be hired as head coaches this offseason (Luke Fickell, Ed Warinner, and of course, Greg Schiano), the odds that any of them would be considered LSU coaching candidates is exceptionally low. one of LSU’s top candidates will almost assuredly be former Ohio State assistant and current Houston head coach Tom Herman. Whether Herman will be interested remains to be seen, but coaching prowess coupled with LSU’s talent and recruiting advantages could be formidable. Ohio State doesn’t really recruit against Tom Herman now, but if he took the LSU job, Meyer and Herman might be butting heads more regularly on the recruiting trail.
   If there is one thing that teams that sustain success over the years fear at the end of every season is which assistant coaches will be leaving and what school will they be joining. Last college football season the lost of Tom Herman without question cost Ohio State vs Michigan State. Alabama lost its assistant this offseason to a division foe Georgia so this scare is definitely something that you take into consideration everytime a top tear school releases a coach and your team has excellent coordinators. Its bitter sweet because your losing a coach but your happy to see him advance in his career and wish him success. That is until his new team squares off against your team.

http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2016/9/25/13052182/ohio-state-football-lsu-fiu-head-coaching-search-impact

References

Brown, Matt. "What Les Miles' firing and the coaching carousel means for Ohio State." SB Nation (2016).

Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott shines on Sunday Night Football stage: Ohio State NFL Roundup

   The Chicago Bears defense was the cure for Ezekiel Elliott's early-season rookie struggles. Elliott had not been playing poorly, but he wasn't quite living up to the expectations that come with being the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL Draft. A night against a short-handed Chicago defense was what Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys needed. Elliott finished with 140 rushing yards on 30 carries, helping Dallas to a 31-17 win on Sunday night. Elliott's 140 rushing yards are the second most for an NFL running back this season. Perhaps Sunday night's game was the beginning of a turnaround for Elliott. Or maybe it was just a game against a bad team. Either way the Elliott running on Sunday night would have looked familiar to Ohio State fans.
   Those of us who have watched Ezekiel over the last few years knew it was only a matter of time until he would have that breakout game that we all know he is capable of. It surely was frustrating hearing the comparisons made to Trent Richardson especially since the season was so young. It was indeed refreshing to Zek signally to the cowboys to continue to feed him the rock and there's no doubt to me this is only the beginning to a great career for him. As a true fan of Ohio State I enjoy seeing our former players excel in the NFL as well.

http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2016/09/cowboys_rb_ezekiel_elliott_shi.html

References

Landis, Bill. "Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott shines on Sunday Night Football stage: Ohio State NFL Roundup." cleveland.com (2016).

College Football Playoff mock committee

   A week of big games led to some big shakeup in the mock College Football Playoff rankings. It made things fun, and difficult. Our mock selection committee -- made up of Doug Lesmerises, Ari Wasserman and Bill Landis of cleveland.com -- met again this week to come up with College Football Playoff pairings, plus the first two teams on the outside, after a loaded Week 3 schedule. The Buckeyes are making their first appearance in this committee mock top four after a convincing win over Oklahoma. The only question consist of where do they rank when compared to other teams like Alabama or Louisville.
   Finally some shakeup at the top after two week's of Alabama at No. 1. Louisville, after its 63-20 win over Florida State is now at the top of their mock playoff rankings. Florida State is a team they had in the top four in the first two weeks, so they put a ton of value on that convincing Cardinals win. Alabama is 2nd while Ohio State is above Houston holding the 3rd ranking. Other teams in consideration is Michigan State, Michigan, Texas A&M and Stanford.
   Things are definitely going to continue to change as we are very early in the season. I feel that Oklahoma would have to play perfect football from here on out and hope for a little luck if they have any chance at returning to the playoffs. The Big Ten to me is looking as good as advertised with so many tough teams and I wouldn't be surprised that if Houston stumbles and another conference produces a 2-3 lost division champion that perhaps the Big ten will have two representatives in the playoffs. The only question would be who will be the second team aside from Ohio State of course.

http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2016/09/college_football_playoff_mock_14.html

Reference

"College Football Playoff mock committee: Ohio State is in, but where should Buckeyes be ranked?" Cleveland.com (2016).

Ohio State vs. Oklahoma 2016 final score, with 3 things to know from OSU’s 45-24 win

   The Buckeyes didn’t start until an hour and a half later than its original start time, but that wouldn’t stop Urban Meyer’s squad. The Sooners would start things off on offense, coming out swinging by attacking the Buckeyes through the air early and often with play action. In the redzone, Ohio State’s defense would tighten up to hold Oklahoma to a field goal attempt, which would clang off the right goalpost. Buckeyes wouldn’t do much better on their first drive as the Sooners would force a punt after a false start penalty sent them back. On its next possession, facing a fourth and one, the Buckeyes would hand it to Curtis Samuel who would turn the corner past the defense for a touchdown. Ohio State would get on the board first, 7-0.
   Just as it looked like the Sooners were building some momentum for a comeback, the Buckeye defense stood strong and sacked Baker Mayfield on fourth down to take over on offense. Ohio State would take advantage of the turnover on downs, answering with a field goal by Tyler Durbin to put the Buckeyes up 45-24. With Oklahoma pressing for a score, the Buckeyes defense would again stand tall, forcing another turnover on downs to essentially put the game on ice.
   As I predicted on my postgame blog Ohio State was simply to talented and too determined on making a statement nationally to be denied. Oklahoma couldn't beat Houston so I expected that we would definitely come out victorious as even the rain delay couldn't slow our offense down. Noah Brown had touchdown after touchdown including an amazing catch in the end zone where he pinned the ball against the back of the defender for the score. One can only wonder just how good Ohio State truly is as we haven't played our best football this season yet. Ohio State enters this week ranked #2 in the nation.

http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2016/9/18/12952786/oklahoma-ohio-state-2016-final-score-recap

Reference

Cuevas, Ian. "Ohio State vs. Oklahoma 2016 final score, with 3 things to know from OSU’s 45-24 win." SB Nation (2016).

Ohio State community involvement waterproofing

   Ohio State Waterproofing understands the impact that being involved with the community can have on the quality of life of our people. Whether it be through charitable organizations or community oriented events, they are always looking for ways to improve. It is through children, health and heroic people that Ohio State Waterproofing has opened its heart to giving. Those children are paving the road to our future. Knowing that a child can never have too much in the way of safety, love and support has encouraged Ohio State Waterproofing to wholeheartedly participate and initiate events that nurture our youth.
   Effort is continually being made by medical professionals to find cures for illness and to preserve the health of our people. They proudly donate to organizations funding these efforts. That is part of their commitment to making every tomorrow even more promising than today. Ohio State Waterproofing openly gives to those people and organizations that protect and serve our nation. Ohio State Waterproofing takes time to give to the causes that touch our hearts every day. Whether it be through existing charities and organizations that are important to our people, or through programs they create in-house, they are constantly looking for new ways to contribute to communities.
   I feel that this is a great thing that Ohio State is doing to help people in the community. It goes back to building a family that extends further than the football field. Its inspiring how they reach out to assist those in need of assistance and strive to make tomorrow better than today. This is what every organization should strive for each and everyday. I expect nothing less from a first class organization that does things the right way.


http://ohiostatewaterproofing.com/community-involvement/




References

OSU. Ohio State waterproofing. 2016. september 2016.

Ohio State vs Oklahoma preview

   Ohio State football burst out of the gate this season at a pace that defies its youth.
With only six returning starters from last season, the Buckeyes have shown no signs of a drop-off from coach Urban Meyers previous teams with a 2-0 start against overmatched opponents. Ohio State climbed to No. 3 in this week's Associated Press poll after a 48-3 victory over Tulsa on Saturday at a rain-soaked Ohio Stadium after destroying Bowling Green 77-10 in its opener.
Now comes the first big test this week when the Buckeyes travel to Norman, Okla., to face No. 14 Oklahoma (1-1) in a matchup of storied college football programs on Saturday night.
   Ohio State's defense was the story in the win over Tulsa. The Buckeyes forced six turnovers and completely throttled a team that finished 13th in the country in total offense a year ago.
The defense returned only three starters from last season, but playmakers are emerging all over the field for the Buckeyes, who have given up 13 points in two games and seven of those came on an interception return for a touchdown. Safety Malik Hooker is leading FBS in interceptions with three through two games and cornerback Marshon Lattimore had two picks against Tulsa. They're looking forward to more of a challenge and for improvement this week.
   To me one of the biggest advantages Ohio State has going into this game comes from the assistance of former offensive coordinator Tom Herm who lead the Houston Cougars to an upset win against Oklahoma in week one. Urban Meyer and Tom Herm have already discussed the game and this is definitely an advantage to Ohio State. Meanwhile Oklahoma is fighting to salvage a season that is already on the brinks of potentially failing to reach there post season goals. Another lost is surely to prevent Oklahoma from receiving any love by the college football committee when teams are view very critically. My game prediction is Ohio State wins 38-20.


http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/College-Football/2016/09/15/Ohio-State-at-Oklahoma-College-football-game-preview/9901473943723/

References

Bean, Doug. "Ohio State at Oklahoma: College football game preview." UPI (2016).

Ohio State football | Scholarship for walk-on Joe Burger a family tradition

   

  One of Ohio State’s seven football captains is not like the others. Joe Burger is not a starter. Until this year, the senior linebacker wasn’t even on scholarship. Burger, along with fellow senior and roommate Craig Fada, was put on scholarship this year. He becomes the latest in a long line of Burgers who have earned scholarships the hard way. His dad and a brother were walk-ons who earned football scholarships at Notre Dame. Two other brothers followed the same route in golf at Xavier. 

   Burger earned the scholarship and the captaincy with an unrelenting work ethic and an unflagging spirit. Burger is expected to play on the punt and kickoff teams this year, so he does contribute on the field. He was talented enough at Cincinnati LaSalle High School to earn scholarship offers, including one from Bowling Green, Ohio State’s opponent Saturday. But his greatest impact is the effect he has on others.

   These are the kind of players that have heart which is something every coach loves having on his/her team. Skill is amazing but in the end of the day when you have heart and that's something special. His hard work is finally paying off and he is recognized by his peers as someone who is the ideal example of what a captain should be. He is the very definition of a blue collar athlete who makes everyone around him better and he has earned this scholarship. This is certainly an amazing thing Ohio State has done in rewarding him for his hard work.

http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2016/08/31/joe-burger-family-tradition.html

References

Rabinowitz, Bill. "Ohio State football | Scholarship for walk-on Joe Burger a family tradition." Buckeyextra (2016): 1.

This year's Ohio State football team will be the most talented overall team in years

Urban Meyer has produced top-ten F/+ finishes at Ohio State since the 4-year straight rolling talent average hit 89.32 -- which means that the average player on the Ohio State roster was a borderline four-star recruit. The overall talent level has only increased since then, where the average player is now at 90.24 -- a firm four-star recruit.

The total point averages confirm the depth of talent at Ohio State and is really shows a more dramatic uptick in talent. While the four-year average point totals have been constant at around 289 points, the weighted rolling average point totals show that the talent in the system is getting more experienced. Now those former blue chip recruits are veterans -- players like Raekwon McMillan, J.T. Barrett, and Sam Hubbard. Barrett played tremendous in the opening game against Bowling Green accounting for 7 touchdowns after a poor start throwing a pick six.

As the overall talent base improves, consistency becomes easier to predict -- which is why anything less than a top-ten F/+ finish would be a surprise, despite heavy personnel losses to the NFL.The conference has shown early signs that Big Ten victories will be challenging with Wisconsin upsetting LSU while Michigan continues to look like its going to be in it until the very end again. This team is extremely young but that only means the future is very bright for Ohio State as we continue to improve game by game. The first true test for Ohio State will come very soon against Oklahoma who made the playoffs last season and will be looking to prove something after that lost to Houston in week one. 


http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2016/7/10/12089224/ohio-state-football-recruiting-2016-season-projection-nice

References

Peltier, Chad. "This year's Ohio State football team will be the most talented overall team in years." SB Nation (2016): 1.