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Random thoughts from Junkie…….
Buckeye Football...............
Preparing for a BCS bowl was never this interesting. The past two weeks have brought negative attention to the Buckeye football program with the news of NCAA rules infractions by 6 Buckeye players and facing a five game suspension starting in the 2011 season. Buckeye fans seem divided on if these players should sit out the upcoming Sugar Bowl or play them in the Sugar Bowl. Some fans feel these players should leave the program while others feel they deserve our support and an opportunity to earn a second chance.
The NCAA effectively has tied Ohio State's hands by stating the 6 players are eligible for the Sugar Bowl but will sit out the first five games of the 2011 season, with the emphasis they were not properly educated on the NCAA rule by Ohio State's compliance office. Ohio State deems the punishment as severe and not justified and intends to appeal the NCAA ruling. Due to the fact Ohio State, in particular AD Gene Smith feels the ruling does not fit the crime, places Coach Tressel in a very difficult situation. If the five game suspension is excessive in Ohio State's opinion, how can Coach Tressel suspend these players for another game with no promise the appeal will be granted and the five game suspension will be reduced?
Rules were broken and these 6 players should face punishment. Many questions will be answered moving forward. The appeal process will take weeks or maybe months. Do these players enter the draft or return next year? Devier Posey went on the record and stated he would return next year. I feel all will return minus Boom Herron who is on track to graduate and is a 4th year Junior. I also feel the game suspensions will be reduced by the NCAA. Stay tuned.
Now on to the Sugar Bowl...............First, I feel Pryor, Boom, Adams and Posey will all play most of the Sugar Bowl. With that said, Ohio State is facing a very good team in Arkansas from the SEC. Please don't mention are inability to defeat the SEC in bowl games.
The Buckeye defense will be facing the most talented quarterback they have seen all year in Ryan Mallet (former Michigan Wolverine) and a very balanced offense who can throw or pass. This game will be decided at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. The key to the game for me is, can Ohio State get consistent pressure on Mallet with their front four defensive lineman? If they can, this will allow Ohio State to not blitz and leave our secondary exposed. Pryor will start and are offense will be in his hands. The ability or our offensive line to create holes for the running game and pass protection will be the key.
I think this game is difficult to predict, so much outside distractions for Ohio State. I have faith that Coach Tressel and staff will have the team focused on winning this game with a "us against the world" mentality.
Related football news.............
Keith Wells is on track to return to Ohio State in the spring, the same cannot be said of Duron Carter.
Running Back Roderick Smith is turning some heads with his play of late. A person I respect told me he is the next great running back at Ohio State and will play a ton next year.
Going forward to next year, quarterback Braxton Miller will be given every opportunity to win the starting job in Pryor's absence. Many have labeled Miller as the best quarterback prospect to come out of Ohio since Art. Look for Norwell to step in at tackle, Rod Smith at running back and Corey Brown at wide receiver.
Football Recruiting……………………
With National Signing Day near, Coach Tressel and staff are concentrating on completing the 2011 class focusing on defensive back Doran Grant (Ohio), linebacker Curtis Grant (Virginia), linebacker Ejuan Price (Pennsylvania), offensive lineman Aundrey Walker (Ohio), athlete Darius Jennings (Maryland), defensive back Jabari Gorman (Florida), wide receiver Ja'Juan Story (Florida) and long snapper Bryce Haynes (Georgia). The Ohio State class currently stands at 19 commitments and is ranked 8th nationally by Rivals.com and 3rd nationally by Scout.com.
My prediction is that Ohio State will finish off their class with Doran Grant, Aundrey Walker, Darius Jennings and Curtis Grant.
Be sure to tune into the 2011 Under Armour All-America Game (Jan. 5, ESPN., 7;00pm est). Three current Ohio State verbals will be playing in the game (QB Braxton Miller, LB Ryan Shazier and DE Steve Miller. Also several Buckeye targets will be participating including Darius Jennings, Jabari Gorman, Ja'Juan Story, Doran Grant. Doran Grant and Jabari Gorman indicate they will announce their decision at the game.
Also, tune into the 2011 US Army All-American game (Jan. 8, NBC., 12 noon), several Ohio State verbals will be playing, including DT Michael Bennet, OL Brian Bobek, OL Aundrey Walker, Also Buckeye target LB Curtis Grant will also be participating.
Lastly tune into the 2011 Offense-Defense All-American Bowl in South Carolina (check local listings), several Ohio State verbals will be playing including DB Jeremy Cash, OL Chase Farris, DB Derjuan Gambrell, DE Kenny Hayes, TE Nick Vannett, DB Ron Tanner and OL Tommy Brown.
Ohio State Men’s basketball…………..
The Buckeyes are currently sitting #2 in both major polls and are 13-0. At 13-0, this marks the best start under Matta. Jared Sullinger has shown he is not only the best freshman in the nation but quite possibly a contender for player of the year in college basketball. The Buckeyes open Big Ten play on 12/30 against Indiana on the road. The Big Ten is viewed by many as the best league in college basketball. Looking at Ohio State's schedule, I feel they will be 19-0 before facing a real challenge on the road at Illinois.
Thad Matta has won 31 of his last 34 games. Matta does not get the credit he deserves from the national media. Jon Diebler now has a connected on a three in 29 straight games. Jared Sullinger has 6 double-doubles in 13 career games at Ohio State. David Lighty has now played in 108 wins for OSU. He is three wins away from the school record. Deshuan Thomas has reached double figures in scoring in 7 times in 13 games despite coming off the bench.
Final Thoughts…………………………
Does anyone else feel sorry for the Cavs? Does anyone really care about the Miami Heat outside of Miami? LeBron apparently supports contracting teams from the NBA, he did is part effectively contracting the Cavs. Is Tom Brady the best quarterback of all time? If not the best, top three? Is Atantla for real? Can anyone name anyone on their defense without looking? Is Colt McCoy the real deal? How good was Colt in college, considering Texas didn't even make a bowl this year. Who had Michael Vick in their fantasy league at the beginning of the season? If you said yes, you are lying.
Buckeye Football...............
Preparing for a BCS bowl was never this interesting. The past two weeks have brought negative attention to the Buckeye football program with the news of NCAA rules infractions by 6 Buckeye players and facing a five game suspension starting in the 2011 season. Buckeye fans seem divided on if these players should sit out the upcoming Sugar Bowl or play them in the Sugar Bowl. Some fans feel these players should leave the program while others feel they deserve our support and an opportunity to earn a second chance.
The NCAA effectively has tied Ohio State's hands by stating the 6 players are eligible for the Sugar Bowl but will sit out the first five games of the 2011 season, with the emphasis they were not properly educated on the NCAA rule by Ohio State's compliance office. Ohio State deems the punishment as severe and not justified and intends to appeal the NCAA ruling. Due to the fact Ohio State, in particular AD Gene Smith feels the ruling does not fit the crime, places Coach Tressel in a very difficult situation. If the five game suspension is excessive in Ohio State's opinion, how can Coach Tressel suspend these players for another game with no promise the appeal will be granted and the five game suspension will be reduced?
Rules were broken and these 6 players should face punishment. Many questions will be answered moving forward. The appeal process will take weeks or maybe months. Do these players enter the draft or return next year? Devier Posey went on the record and stated he would return next year. I feel all will return minus Boom Herron who is on track to graduate and is a 4th year Junior. I also feel the game suspensions will be reduced by the NCAA. Stay tuned.
Now on to the Sugar Bowl...............First, I feel Pryor, Boom, Adams and Posey will all play most of the Sugar Bowl. With that said, Ohio State is facing a very good team in Arkansas from the SEC. Please don't mention are inability to defeat the SEC in bowl games.
The Buckeye defense will be facing the most talented quarterback they have seen all year in Ryan Mallet (former Michigan Wolverine) and a very balanced offense who can throw or pass. This game will be decided at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. The key to the game for me is, can Ohio State get consistent pressure on Mallet with their front four defensive lineman? If they can, this will allow Ohio State to not blitz and leave our secondary exposed. Pryor will start and are offense will be in his hands. The ability or our offensive line to create holes for the running game and pass protection will be the key.
I think this game is difficult to predict, so much outside distractions for Ohio State. I have faith that Coach Tressel and staff will have the team focused on winning this game with a "us against the world" mentality.
Related football news.............
Keith Wells is on track to return to Ohio State in the spring, the same cannot be said of Duron Carter.
Running Back Roderick Smith is turning some heads with his play of late. A person I respect told me he is the next great running back at Ohio State and will play a ton next year.
Going forward to next year, quarterback Braxton Miller will be given every opportunity to win the starting job in Pryor's absence. Many have labeled Miller as the best quarterback prospect to come out of Ohio since Art. Look for Norwell to step in at tackle, Rod Smith at running back and Corey Brown at wide receiver.
Football Recruiting……………………
With National Signing Day near, Coach Tressel and staff are concentrating on completing the 2011 class focusing on defensive back Doran Grant (Ohio), linebacker Curtis Grant (Virginia), linebacker Ejuan Price (Pennsylvania), offensive lineman Aundrey Walker (Ohio), athlete Darius Jennings (Maryland), defensive back Jabari Gorman (Florida), wide receiver Ja'Juan Story (Florida) and long snapper Bryce Haynes (Georgia). The Ohio State class currently stands at 19 commitments and is ranked 8th nationally by Rivals.com and 3rd nationally by Scout.com.
My prediction is that Ohio State will finish off their class with Doran Grant, Aundrey Walker, Darius Jennings and Curtis Grant.
Be sure to tune into the 2011 Under Armour All-America Game (Jan. 5, ESPN., 7;00pm est). Three current Ohio State verbals will be playing in the game (QB Braxton Miller, LB Ryan Shazier and DE Steve Miller. Also several Buckeye targets will be participating including Darius Jennings, Jabari Gorman, Ja'Juan Story, Doran Grant. Doran Grant and Jabari Gorman indicate they will announce their decision at the game.
Also, tune into the 2011 US Army All-American game (Jan. 8, NBC., 12 noon), several Ohio State verbals will be playing, including DT Michael Bennet, OL Brian Bobek, OL Aundrey Walker, Also Buckeye target LB Curtis Grant will also be participating.
Lastly tune into the 2011 Offense-Defense All-American Bowl in South Carolina (check local listings), several Ohio State verbals will be playing including DB Jeremy Cash, OL Chase Farris, DB Derjuan Gambrell, DE Kenny Hayes, TE Nick Vannett, DB Ron Tanner and OL Tommy Brown.
Ohio State Men’s basketball…………..
The Buckeyes are currently sitting #2 in both major polls and are 13-0. At 13-0, this marks the best start under Matta. Jared Sullinger has shown he is not only the best freshman in the nation but quite possibly a contender for player of the year in college basketball. The Buckeyes open Big Ten play on 12/30 against Indiana on the road. The Big Ten is viewed by many as the best league in college basketball. Looking at Ohio State's schedule, I feel they will be 19-0 before facing a real challenge on the road at Illinois.
Thad Matta has won 31 of his last 34 games. Matta does not get the credit he deserves from the national media. Jon Diebler now has a connected on a three in 29 straight games. Jared Sullinger has 6 double-doubles in 13 career games at Ohio State. David Lighty has now played in 108 wins for OSU. He is three wins away from the school record. Deshuan Thomas has reached double figures in scoring in 7 times in 13 games despite coming off the bench.
Final Thoughts…………………………
Does anyone else feel sorry for the Cavs? Does anyone really care about the Miami Heat outside of Miami? LeBron apparently supports contracting teams from the NBA, he did is part effectively contracting the Cavs. Is Tom Brady the best quarterback of all time? If not the best, top three? Is Atantla for real? Can anyone name anyone on their defense without looking? Is Colt McCoy the real deal? How good was Colt in college, considering Texas didn't even make a bowl this year. Who had Michael Vick in their fantasy league at the beginning of the season? If you said yes, you are lying.
