Yardbarker: Ohio State Buckeyes

Six Buckeyes Earn League Love, None for Tressel

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:00:33 -0500

What does the man have to do? Kurt Coleman and five other Buckeyes were announced first or second team All-Big Ten selections (PDF warning) by the league’s coaches and media Monday night. The senior captain recorded 5 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles and and several bone-crushing hits (one of which landed him a one-game suspension) on [...]

The Penitent Man

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:55:50 -0500

11/21/2009 – Michigan 10, Ohio State 21 – 5-7, 1-7 Big Ten Well… that could have gone worse. Unlike last year, it is possible to construct an alternate universe in which Michigan wins the game. This universe contains 80% fewer crippling Forcier errors; not much else is different. Like last week's admission of crippling ennui after game 11, this is progress of a sort. The sort is still "not very fun progress at all," but it's progress. Better than the slight com...

Ohio State's Kurt Coleman: 'I was just reading Tate the whole time'

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:58:32 -0500

Ohio State safety Kurt Coleman's career will culminate in classic Buckeye fashion. He picked off two passes in his last Big Ten game, a 21-10 victory over Michigan in The Big House. And his final college game will come New Year's Day in the Rose Bowl against the Pac-10 champion. Coleman spoke with reporters, including Sporting News' Dave Curtis: Q: What was it about the defense today, forcing turnovers in the red zone? Kurt Coleman: We had a motto of bend but don't break. ...

Buckeyes bury mistake-prone and bowl-less Wolverines

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:47:00 -0500

It has become routine for the Ohio State Buckeyes. The ninth-ranked and Rose Bowl-bound Buckeyes extended their dominance of Michigan with their sixth straight victory against the Wolverines.

What Does Michigan-Ohio State Mean?

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:06:58 -0500

As recently as 2006, the Big Ten's two most high-profile programs stood astride the college football world. Each had a dominant, balanced offense, with NFL-caliber talent on defense. That Michigan-Ohio State game was a shootout that never really verged on classic. The Buckeyes won, 42-39, and completed an unbeaten regular season, stockpiling hype that evaporated in that season's BCS title game beatdown at the hands of Florida.That game was the high point of the last few years for both...

Michigan-Ohio State Not All That Anymore

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:16:14 -0500

They’re putting a Michigan-Ohio State football game on this Saturday, right on schedule. The third Saturday in November, usually. You used to circle the date. Now you happen upon it, by accident... Read the full article on Bleacher Report...

Ohio State Buckeyes offensive linemen Jim Cordle and Mike Brewster block out adversity so they can block on Saturday

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:59:39 -0500

Offensive linemen always are hurting by the end of the regular season, but the Buckeyes' Jim Cordle and Mike Brewster battle through the ailments to help forge a solid unit.

Five Things: Iowa

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:00:23 -0500

Devin Barclay’s 39 yard FG in overtime sent Ohio State to the Rose Bowl. (AP: Mark Duncan) Running Game Punches Ticket to Pasadena After racking up 228 yards on the ground last week in State College, the oft-maligned offensive line backed that effort up with another 229 yards rushing against a legit Iowa defensive front seven led [...]

Play of the day: Three plays save Buckeyes' season

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:30:07 -0500

Before the weekend, Ohio State's seven most recent wins all had come by at least 17 points. But the Buckeyes stuffed a season's worth of drama into Saturday evening, when they withstood Iowa's fourth-quarter comeback to win 27-24 in overtime. Three plays in the extra session saved the Buckeyes' season and sent them to the Rose Bowl. Here's a look at the critical snaps. Splitlers' stand Iowa started overtime on offense, and quarterback James Vandenberg threw incom...

Rose Bowl welcomes Ohio State, Big 10's most patient zombie killer

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:36:58 -0500

Scroll down or click here to join the Doc's game day live blog, covering every game all day long. Ohio State 27, Iowa 24 (Overtime). It's considered very bad form in these parts to be anything but positive about a team that clinches a Rose Bowl bid by outlasting a conference rival that came in with a 9-1 record, so I'll skip Ohio State's somewhat confusing conservatism despite seemingly possessing every advantage on the field (6.7 yards per completion? Really?). Instead, I...

In the 'Survivor Bowl,' Ohio State has one more life than Iowa

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:36:58 -0500

Ohio State, Pryor Win In Spite of Tressel

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:33:00 -0500

by Jay MariottiFiled under: NCAA FootballCOLUMBUS, Ohio -- Welcome to the heartland, home of the Big Ten, a league that doesn't deserve its own TV network and should respectfully reject a Rose Bowl bid on the basis of stodginess and cowardice. Ever wonder why the best talent routinely heads southward and westward? You should have seen the final minutes of the conference's unofficial title game Saturday evening, when two prominent head coaches laid down, played for overtime and reminde...

Everything comes up Rosy for No. 10 Ohio St.

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:58:40 -0500

Backup kicker Devin Barclay kicked a 39-yard field goal in overtime to give No. 10 Ohio State a 27-24 victory over No. 15 Iowa and send the Buckeyes to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 13 years.

Ohio State needs to take the next step in Rose Bowl

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:58:04 -0500

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Congratulations, Ohio State. Way to hit the benchmark again. Now comes the part where things have to change. A Big Ten title and a BCS bowl berth have become birthright in these parts. Saturday's 27-24 overtime victory over Iowa brought a fifth straight double for the Buckeyes, who again spent a November evening dancing on a football field. The lone difference this time was the long-stemmed red flowers, a shout-out to OSU's first trip to the Rose Bowl since 19...

Ohio State edges Iowa, 27-24, in overtime for Big 10 title and Rose Bowl trip

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:49:00 -0500

Ohio State clinched its fifth straight Big 10 title and first trip to the Rose Bowl in 13 years, winning 27-24 on Devin Barclay's 39-yard field goal in overtime before an announced crowd of 105,455 Saturday at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State clinched its fifth straight Big 10 title and first trip to the Rose Bowl in 13 years, winning 27-24 on Devin Barclay's 39-yard field goal in overtime before an announced crowd of 105,455 Saturday at Ohio Stadium.

Spotlight game: No. 15 Iowa at No. 10 Ohio State

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:43:24 -0500

Place: Columbus, Ohio Time: 3:30 p.m. ET, Saturday TV: ABC Line: Penn State by 4 Three reasons Iowa will win 1. Playing Pryor: Ohio State coach Jim Tressel went the physiological route by raving about the Hawkeyes' defensive ends. "They're very long," he said. "They do a great job with their hands, and they're extremely strong in the hips." Thanks for the report, Dr. Tressel. There's no doubt Adrian Clayborn and Broderick Binns can dominate a game. T...

#11 Ohio State v #10 Iowa

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:49:59 -0500

#11 Ohio State v #10 Iowa

Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

Kickoff: 3:30

TV: ABC

I have rarely been so happy to be so wrong. The Buckeyes proved to everybody that they are still relevant and will not roll over to die. The coaches, the offensive line, the quarterback, running backs and defense came out to prove a point and reestablish their hold on the top spot in the Big Ten. With the win over Penn State there is but one more step to go, one more test to pass and the Buckeyes will win their fifth consecutive Big Ten title and first trip to the Rose Bowl since 1996. Iowa will arrive in Columbus this week tied for the lead in the Big Ten with Ohio State. The Hawkeye / Buckeye match-up will decide the season for both teams as the winner will be Big Ten champs and get an automatic bid to the Rose Bowl. OSU “O”

Two weeks in a row a sleepy Buckeye offense decided to show up in the second quarter. Good blocking by the offensive line and fullback Zach Boren helped spring Boom Heron and Brandon Saine for steady yardage while quarterback Terrell Pryor had time to set his feet and deliver solid balls. The vaunted Penn State defense was unable to stop a well scripted afternoon of Tressel-Ball and there should be no let down this week. The Iowa defense is a beast when it comes to turnovers and with total of 26 turnovers, 19 of them interceptions, the Buckeyes need to lock down the ball and make smart plays. Defensive back Tyler Sash leads the team with 6 interceptions and will be keying on Buckeye wide receiver Devir Posey. Linebacker Pat Angerer leads the Hawkeyes with 106 tackles on the season and will certainly be hunting for a shot at Pryor. OSU “D”

This unit continues to amaze Buckeye Nation as they held an effective Penn State to less than half of their offensive average. There is no reason to think that for their final home game of the year will be any different. Iowa has been hit with two devastating injuries and will be starting redshirt freshman James Vandenberg at quarterback and true freshman Brandon Wegher at running back. Wegher has done well this season splitting time with fellow Adam Robinson and recorded 118 yards rushing in his first start versus Indiana. On the flip side, after Iowa quarterback Ricki Stanzi went down with an injury last week, Vandenberg completed only 9 of 27 passing attempts for 82 yards and looked out of place. This week Vandenberg will have to rely on All-Big Ten tight end Tony Moeaki for support when the Buckeyes blitz. The Buckeyes might just sit back, defend the run and dare Vandenberg to throw. Summary

This one’s for all the marbles and the best thing about the game is that it’s at home. The stakes are so high for this game that it should rival the intensity of the USC game. Iowa has an outstanding defense that will test the Buckeye offense however with two first time starters at key positions on offense the Hawkeye’s won’t be able to put many points on the board. The win last week thrust the Buckeyes back into the spotlight and breathed new life back into the 2009 season. California here we come! Prediction: OSU 21 – Iowa 6

Why OSU will win:

-Stifling defense and controlled effective offensive production will win the game for the Bucks.

-Iowa is starting freshman at both quarterback and running back positions. The Silver Bullets are frothing at the mouth.

Why OSU will lose:

-If Pryor get’s too excited and tries to do everything, he’s likely to make costly mistakes. -Turnovers and getting behind early will be OSU’s downfall.

Bold prediction for the game:

-Ohio State will lock up their fifth consecutive Big Ten title and their first trip to the Rose Bowl in 13 years.

Crazy stat of the game:

-No Big Ten team has ever won five consecutive conference titles.

-Jim Tressel’s resume at Ohio State: Three trips to the National Championship game, One National Championship, 5-3 in BCS bowl games, four (going on five) Big Ten Conference Titles, One Heisman Trophy winner and ZERO trips to the Rose Bowl.

-The last time Iowa beat Ohio State in Columbus was 1991, 18 years ago.

Last time they met…

Sept. 30, 2006: 38-17 Ohio State over Iowa in Kinnick Stadium.

Iowa players to watch:

Freshman QB #16 James Vandenberg

Freshman RB #3 Brandon Wegher

Sophomore SS #9 Tyler Sash

Senior #43 MLB Pat Angerer

Senior #81 Tony Moeaki

Degrees of Loss Separation: Penn State > Ohio State

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:18:00 -0500

The Degrees of Loss Separation is a simple concept, I go out and find a highly rated team with some losses playing against a crappy team with lots of losses. Next I find a chain of losses which proves beyond a shadow of a doubt (not at all) that the underdog is going to pull the major upset and storm the field. The Final Outcome is calculated simply: Add up the scores of the losers, add up the scores of the winners in the degrees of loss separation and divide both by the # of degrees.The Game...

Penn State's "White Out" Brings Out The Terrelle Pryor Zingers In T-Shirt Form

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:00:00 -0500

This weekend's Ohio State-Penn State tussel in Happy Valley may not interest you, but it definitely has the interest of the students of each university. So much so that the Penn State Marketing Association took design submissions from students for their annual shirt sale. The result is the zingtastic design above. To prepare for the football game against Penn State's biggest opponent, the Penn State Marketing Association has designed a special Ohio State-the...