Pittman versus Clarett

[PRBuck1]

I think a very strong argument can be made that Pittman has been better than Clarett. Clarett gained a ton of yards against Texas Tech (175) and Washington State (230) that got him all the publicity. But compare performances in Big Ten games, where it counts:

Clarett: 2002
Indiana: 21/104 5.0 ypc
NU: 29/140 4.8 ypc
UW: 30/133 4.4 ypc
PSU: 4/39 9.8 ypc
Minn: DNP
PU: 14/52 3.7 ypc
Ill: DNP
UM: 20/119 5.9 ypc

Pittman: 2005
Iowa: 28/171 6.1 ypc
PSU: 15/58 3.9 ypc
MSU: 18/101 5.6 ypc
IU: 26/133 5.1 ypc
Minn: 23/186 8.1 ypc

Clarett's total in Big Ten play was 118 carries for 587 yards averaging to 4.97 per carry. Excluding the Penn State game, he averaged 109.6 yards in 5 games.

Pittman's total in Big Ten play is 110 carries for 649 yards averaging to 5.9 per carry. He has averaged 129.8 yards in 5 games.

I recognize that Clarett was bothered by the stinger in many of the B10 games. But the fact is, we have gotten better production in B10 play from Pittman than we did from Clarett.

[Saw31]

Pittman has been great. I love what he showed us today...I'm sold!...

[lvbuckeye]

good post, and a good argument, however, you MUST ABSOLUTELY count TDs in your equation... Clarett scored 18 TDs in '02... so far Pittman has two... yes, in terms of total yards and YPC, Pittman certainly compares favorably against Clarett in Big Ten play... but in terms of points on the board, MoC was better, hands down... yards are great, but TDs are far more important...

i must say that i am pretty damn happy that we can even be having this discussion...

[OSU_Buckguy]

all of this talk about whether pittman is great or just good... whether is better that clarett...

can't pittman just be pittman? he is what he is, and he's doing an excellent job.

[blufftonbuck]

all of this talk about whether pittman is great or just good... whether is better that clarett...

can't pittman just be pittman? he is what he is, and he's doing an excellent job.

I just stopped by Bucknuts (I know a sin) and reminded all of the people over there pulling back and leg muscles jumping on the quickly moving Pittman band wagon that 2 weeks ago they basically said he stunk and why o why can't Haw get a chance. This was at the point Pittman was averaging 5.1 ypc and 99 ypg with an inconsistent OC, QB, and OL. So any discussion about Pittman is great.

[DaytonBuck]

I like Pittman but he's gotten his yards against the weaker defenses on our schedule. He's an excellent back but he's a diffrent kind of tailback compared to mo, much less power. I think Moc made himself with the WSU game. The Cougs had a good defense with 4 players off of their D in the NFL and a #10 final ranking with a Rose Bowl appearance. That and the Michigan game were clutch performances for 100+ yards. I don't think he's someone has given the tough goal line yardage unlike mo. That being said I'd take Pittman any day of the week over Moc. I don't think Pittman's at an elite level yet, but he's well on his way to getting there.

[DaddyBigBucks]

Apples anyone? No? How about oranges? Apples and Oranges?

To say that this year's OL is better than 2002 OL's is the Buckeye understatement of the century.

Considering the century is 5 years old, that's not an overstatement.

[scooter1369]

One more factor. Pittman is Sophomore.

Clarett was a true Frosh dominating the Big Ten. Pittman is doing well. I'm happy for him. But Clarett was an 18 year old kid that lit the fire under a National title team. Whether by toting the rock or by being the head cheerleader on the sideline, Clarett provided the fire that helped to us to a title.

Pittman may yet get that chance. But right now, Clarett holds the trump card.

[jwinslow]

there isn't any comparison, MoC had much worse blocking up front, scored way more touchdowns, and was hurt much of the year.

Who would I take as a recruit? Pittman, b/c he will be here for 4 years and is a very good back.

[DiamondBuck]

Originally Posted by scooter1369

One more factor. Pittman is Sophomore.

Clarett was a true Frosh dominating the Big Ten. Pittman is doing well. I'm happy for him. But Clarett was an 18 year old kid that lit the fire under a National title team. Whether by toting the rock or by being the head cheerleader on the sideline, Clarett provided the fire that helped to us to a title.

Pittman may yet get that chance. But right now, Clarett holds the trump card.

Like when he pouted on the Sidelines against Northwestern?

[cincibuckeyenut]

I love Pittman. I think he has been running great all year and I have been hoping he would get 20-25 carries a game since Game 1. I wouldn't be surprised to see him break 1500 yards next year.

That said, he is not in Clarett's class and shouldn't be compared. MoC was the most game changing running back I HAVE SEEN at the college level since Eddie George.

I enjoy watching Pittman run, and hope he gets a lot more opportunities. But, please don't compare him to MoC.

[scooter1369]

Originally Posted by DiamondBuck

Like when he pouted on the Sidelines against Northwestern?

Or when he ws first to meet Jenkins with a chest bump after Holy Buckeye.

Or swinging a towel with his good arm trying to pump up the crowd against PSU.

[jwinslow]

Originally Posted by DiamondBuck

Like when he pouted on the Sidelines against Northwestern?

there's a difference between not handling being benched, and being a team player. He was slightly hurt, and felt he could play, and then was a baby. But the kid was a big cheerleader on the sidelines, including the year he was suspended (tho of course the magazines captured the pictures where he was frowning).

[DiamondBuck]

Originally Posted by jwinslow

there's a difference between not handling being benched, and being a team player. He was slightly hurt, and felt he could play, and then was a baby. But the kid was a big cheerleader on the sidelines, including the year he was suspended (tho of course the
magazines captured the pictures where he was frowning).

Good points/examples, JW and Scooter. My memory is selective, I guess. His behavior at the NU game bothered me as did his behavior at the Fiesta Bowl- criticizing the Athletic Department before the game and having to be tracked down for an interview after the game because he wasn't on the podium with his teammates.

[tedginn05]

I hate to say it, but Clarett was better than Pittman. You are failing to take one thing into consideration, Clarett's stats were as a freshman and Pittman's are as a sophmore. If it wasn't for all those injuries Clarett had, he could have had 1800-2000 yards rushing that year. He could have been one of the all time great backs at OSU if he wasn't stupid.