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Observations thru 8 weeks.
Not to steal from O8ch's threads, because those are just great, I just thouht it was a good template for me to throw some thoughts together of what I have seen and some observations thru 8 weeks of the college football season.
1. Todd Boeckman is turning himself in to a very good QB. He is very accurate, he is reading the blitzes very well, spreading the ball around to the playmakers, selling the playaction pass very well, and letting his playmakers make plays. Seems to be a leader in the huddle. He has led us on crucial drives, made crucial plays, but this week will really tell how much progress he has made, and I truly believe that he will put on his best effort that we have seen from him.
2. Beanie - He really had a warrior like performance against MSU, and he is a stud running back, and in a way I think he is coying the defense into thinking he is hurting, and then hitting them with the stiff arm and the big run. He will be a big key to the rest of the season, and I believe that he will not let the pain get to him when we need him most.
3. Wr's - They are making huge plays, getting behind the defense, going up and gettig the ball, getting first downs, making blocks for the RB's big runs. The best thing is they are only going to continue to get better, and they will all be back next year.
4. OL - The is the most athletic oline since Tress has been here...They had a bad first two games, but besides a few misses on blitz pickups over the past couple weeks, their blocking has been unreal.
5. Ballard/Nicol - They are becomming a big part of the passing game lately, and have been doing a great part in run blocking especially Ballard.
6. Defense - I will just hit this one as a whole...They are flat out good. They havent had the biggest of tests, but they have faced Purdue and MSU who both were putting up crazy numbers, and they held them to absolutely nothing. I belive I heard that the first team D has only given up two td's in meaningful time all season. They are stop running the run very well and defending the pass very well. They are also very very very young and are only going to get better...
7. ST's - Trapasso should be up for the Groza award he is that good...If we need a big boot he puts it deep, if we need it inside the 20 he puts it there. We have struggled with some PAT's and FG's getting them blocked, and some snaps, but I think that when push comes to shove they will get the job done...
8. Upsets - They have been crazy this year, no team is safe, and we have been lucky enought to stay away, hopefully we continue to do that, as we will be favored in the rest of our games. I think that parity is really making it way into college football more and more.
9. Heisman Frontrunner - Is there one? I would go with Woodson, but the voters and the media have trouble giving it to someone that isnt on one of the best teams in the country. I don't understand that, but there are a lot of things I don't understand...Could this be a year when some defenders get mentioned in the heisman race...Maybe Lil Animal...
10. Butkus - I think it is hands down Lil Animal, he is a beast, he makes play after play after play, and always seems in position...He is leading the best defense in the country, and week in and week out leads them in tackles...
11. Early departures - I know it is too early to talk about this but we coudl be even better next year if no one leaves early and if they do we will fill in just like we did this year, but Jenkins, Boone, Gholston, and LIL Animal are all playing themselves into first round consideration.
12. Notre Dame - Isnt it great to see them struggling...Can't stand Charlie Weiss, and I am glad to see his team struggling.
13. Our next four games - We have the meat of our schedule coming up...
PSU - They will pose a threat at Happy Valley at night, with the white out, but they are not anywhere near the team they were two years ago when they beat us. The key will be us protecting Boeckman and getting pressure on the Morelli.
Wisky - Love having this game at home. They are dealing with injuries, but they will come to play, but I think having this one at home is really going to help us out.
Illinois - At one point in time I thought this one might be the game that decided the big ten, but they coudl get by Iowa and then lost to Michigan. Juice Williams is a great competitor, but he has quite a long way to go in his development as a QB. Our D should shut the Illini down.
Michigan - Once again this is the game that should decide the big ten. 7 years ago I would be nervous as hell about this game, but not anymore. Of course I am nervous about it as it will probably be Carr's last against us, it will be there, and they will be fighting for a chance to go to the Rose bowl and we will have a lot riding on the game as well, but not as nervous as I used to be for the Game.
We should be favored in all the game, just hope that we don't sustain any big injuries and we can take the wear and tear of the hard hitting and get thru these games unscathed. Also I think that if we make it thru those games, I still don't have a feel after 8 weeks who we might see in the sugar bowl.
14. Big Ten Network - Man I really hate this, there is going to be one more game that will not be one tv. Then this is going to carry over into basketball season. It is ridiculous that everyother cable network can strike up a deal besides TWC.
15. Andy Geiger - Once again I would like to thank him for all the great things that he did for this university. Matta and Tress make a great team of football and basketball coaches, they work together in recruiting, and they are bringing in amazing players to continue to the tradition at tOSU. Hopefully they are both here for life.
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10-23-2007, 03:41 PM
Linear Mode
