2008 Bye Week Game Preview
written by: BB73, BuckeyeRyn, Buckeyeskickbuttocks, Bucklion, DaddyBigBucks, JCOSU86, jwinslow, and 3yardsandacloud
Preface
For the first time since October 1, 2005, Ohio State is scheduled to take on Bye Week, renewing the ever exciting rivalry. Bye Week has one of the more robust schedules in the nation, having already faced the likes of USC twice. In both contests, USC proved superior. Indeed, impressed by their performance against Bye Week in week two, several AP voters and Coaches poll pollsters moved the Trojans in to first on their respective ballots. Ohio State, which has never lost to Bye Week and is a heavy favorite once again this season, looks to do likewise.
As we approach the matchup against BYE this week, it's probably relevant to compare past coaching performances against the same opponent.
While at Ohio State, Jim Tressel faced BYE once in each of his first 5 years, and had an unblemished record in those weeks. Also, during his career at Youngstown State, JT had BYE on the schedule 17 times and suffered no defeats.
Let's compare that record to some other current well-known coaches of teams in the Midwest. Charlie Weis at Ntre Ame has faced BYE 5 times in his career at Suth Ben, and he has yet to win a game in those weeks.
Simirlarly, Rich Rodriguez faced BYE 14 times while the head man at West Virginia, and he is winless in those matchups. And that has carried over into his career at TSUN, as the Vulvarines went winless on September 20th this year.
So to summarize:
Jim Tressel: Undefeated in 5 BYE weeks at tOSU, and 22 BYE weeks overall
Charlie Weis: Winless in 5 BYE weeks at Ntre Ame. But they were very impressive Non-Wins.
Rich Rodriguez: Winless in 15 BYE weeks combined, at West Virginia and TSUN
All available information clearly indicates that the Buckeyes are in good shape this week.
Date and Time
Date: Saturday, November 1, 2008
Time: TBA EDT Kick-off
Location: Ohio Stadium - "The Horseshoe" (Columbus, OH)
Constructed: 1922 (Renovated in 2001)
Seating Capacity: 102,329 (Originally 66,210)
Playing Surface: FieldTurf
Events:
Broadcast Information:
TV Broacast: None
Radio Broadcast: Ohio State Radio Network (WBNS 1460TheFan in Columbus): Paul Keels (Play-by-play), Jim Lachey (Analysis), and Marty Bannister (Sideline)
2008 Bye Week Offensive Preview
Returning starters: 11
Quarterbacks
QB #10 Steven Threet (6-5, 228, FR)
Threet - a transfer from Georgia Tech by way of Michigan - is a dominating physical presence and 6'5" 228. While not the most fleet of foot and not particularly comfortable with the football, Threet has held off fellow transfer Nick Sheridan (6-1, 212 SO) for the starting nod. Threet is not a threat to throw the ball consistently, but manages to hang on to the pigskin when getting hit a tad better than Sheridan.
QB Rating: D-
Head-to-Head: Bye Week versus OSU QB
There really isn't much of a comparison. Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor wins this match-up easily. While there have been some "Freshman Jitters" from the super-recruit, Pryor has people to whom he can hand and throw the ball, while also enjoying the benefit of an O-Line, a luxury Threet simply does not. Though Threet and Sheridan have both been quoted as saying they feel more at ease in this offense than Rich Rod's Spread, they're really little more than sitting ducks once the ball is live.
Edge: Ohio State
Running Backs
RB #131 Schwinn Upright Bike (3', 79, SR, Dick's Sporting Goods)
Upon hearing that this is where Mike Hart did his best running against the Buckeyes, the desperate coach told the bike "Get in there and we're going to ride you to victory". Unfortunately, the bike has an obvious lack of big-game experience and extensive overuse carrying Hart during every game for 4 years.
RB Rating: D+
Head-to-Head: Schwinn versus OSU
Sadly, despite its sleek, aerodynamic design, very solid frame, and upright style, this bike just won't go anywhere against the Buckeyes.
Edge: Ohio State
Wide Receivers
WR #165SR14 Firestone Tire (2-0, 30, SR)
WR #38 Garrett Rivas (5-9, 225, SR [citizen])
It's hard to catch a football when you've got the likes of Threet or Sheridan pulling the trigger. Firestone tends to let the ball go right through him and has so limited range he's easily covered by anyone with a heartbeat. After 5 generations of Wolverine fans saw Rivas kick in a Michigan game, Bye successfully petitioned the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility, citing he was "only a kicker" and using algorithmic mathematics to argue he was therefore not on the field enough to actually use up 4 full seasons of eligibility. Thus, lining up on the opposite side of the Firestone, Rivas brings a wealth of experience, having been in the Wolverine system long enough to have watched it evolve from the legalization of the forward pass to the single wing, all the way to the spread option. However, after nearly 8 decades on the field, he has lost both steps of his speed, and his walker makes it very difficult for him to make solid cuts on his routes. Don't look for any explosive plays here, unless someone in the stands lights a match next to his oxygen tank.
WR Rating: F
Head-to-Head: Bye Week versus OSU WRs
This unit has been abused all season long. While Firestone has hung around, he can't ever seem to bring in the catch when the QB is on target, and Rivas needs one of those sit-down carts just to grocery shop. Awful.
Edge: Ohio State
Tight Ends
#2 Hayden Panettiere (5-1, 115, FR)
She can't really block and has a very tough time getting open but she does have a nice tight end.
TE Rating: A
Head-to-Head: Bye Week versus OSU TE
The "A" rating is really more based on the "look test" than it is on skill.
Edge: Ohio State
Offensive Line
LT&LG #50 Two Man Blocking Sled (4-8, 150, SR)
LG (See above)
C #0 Air (0-0, 0, SR)
RG & RT #60 Two Man Blocking Sled (4-8, 150, SR)
RT (See above)
If there is one thing Bye Week has... well... it's not an O-Line. Tackling dummies provide more resistance than the man at C. Don't let the fact that each starter is a senior fool you, these guys may as well not even be there. Each has yet to complete a 40 yard run, so times are not available. What we do know is they are pushed around at the snap and never seem to "force the issue." Far too passive to get it done on Saturdays.
OL Rating: F
Head-to-Head: Bye Week versus OSU OL
Dreadful. The best chance of an opponent failing to get to Threet is if each of them trip and fall on the snap. It is slightly better than Michigan's 2007 line, seen here.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Offensive Analysis
Steven Threet and Hayden Panettiere provide a heartbeat, but it's a long way from being able to compete against a team like Ohio State. The Buckeyes pad their Defensive Statistics all game long. While Panettiere is likely to survive the contest, Threet (and back-up Nick Sheridan) should check their health insurance... they're gonna need it.
Overall Offensive Rating: F
2008 Bye Week Defensive Preview
Returning Starters: 11
If you thought the offense was bad, this defense can't stop an old lady with a walker.
Defensive Line
LE #91 Left Side of 4 Man Sled (4-8, 300 SR)
LT #92 Left Middle of 4 Man Sled (4-8, 300 SR)
RT #93 Right Middle of 4 man Sled (4-8, 300 SR)
RE #94 Right Side of 4 Man Sled (4-8, 300 SR)
Like the O-Line, Bye Week has a veteran line. Not that that's going to do them any good. As their O-Line counterparts, these guys only ever seem to give ground. They have yet to record a sack or even a TFL. Never get their hands up, but will occassionally knock down a bad throw.
DL Rating: D-
Head-to-Head: Bye Week versus OSU DL
The OSU should have no trouble pushing this pathetic D-Line off the ball. Beanie Wells will see yards come in bunches as there will be virtually no pursuit from these stiffs. That said, Wells should be cautious about going "right at them"
Edge: Ohio State
Linebackers
OLB #33 Cold Rain (0-0, 0 SR)
MLB #43 Heavy Rain (0-0, 0 SR)
WLB #Eleventy Light Rain (0-0, 0 SR)
Only one team has ever fielded more meager a unit and that was Notre Dame 2007. These guys rely on bad luck, the occasional misstep, and fatigue to stop opponents. While they are outstanding in coverage, the ever-presence only results in the occasional incompletion. Still, this unit did cause several fumbles in the Michigan Notre Dame game, among others. They're sneaky like that.
LB Rating: F
Head-to-Head: Bye Week versus OSU LBs
As mentioned, the group has managed to cause some turnovers in games they weren't even playing in. That's impressive, no matter who you are. Still, the yards and scores will come in bunches as this group has poor tackling skills, though it does make for tough sledding on natural surfaces.
Edge: Ohio State
Secondary
RCB #3 The Sun (0-0 0 JR)
WS #10 Air (0-0 0 JR)
SS #22 Stiff Easterly Wind (0-0 0 JR)
LCB #23 Northern Breeze (0-0 0 JR)
When Morgan Trent committed to Michigan, fans of Bye Week breathed a sigh of relief. While literally everywhere on the field, like the LBs, this group only breaks up the occasional pass. "The Sun" has proven to be the most consistent performer with several pass break-ups this season, while both Easterly Wind and Northern Breeze can effect the ball when it's in the air. Depending on the openness of one's stadium, as well as the direction of orientation, the effectiveness of the unit goes up or down accordingly.
DB Rating: D-
Head-to-Head: Bye Week versus OSU DBs
The Sun can get it done from time to time, but the group needs much more consistency. Especially from the "wind" brothers who come and go in long stretches. When constant, they can prove problematic, though certainly not what you'd call "Lock down"
Edge: Ohio State.
Overall Defensive Analysis
With the exception of The Sun and the sporadic play of Air in causing turnovers or breaking up the occasional pass, this group couldn't stop John Navarre.
Overall Defensive Rating: F
2008 Bye Week Special Teams Preview
Returning Starters: 2
While the punter has never kicked the ball, and the place kicker has never managed to get an attempt off, there is some hope on the coverage teams with Wind and Distance playing the primary roles.
Special Teams
P #0 No One (0-0, 0 JR)
PK#0 Air (0-0 0 SR)
PR#0 (0-0 0 SR)
KR #0 (0-0 0 SO)
LS #10 Steven Threet (6-5, 228, FR)
There are times when a team will kick the ball out of bounds and Bye Week can start from the 35, but usually kicks result in touchbacks or recovered on-sides. Providing no threat to break it open, punters can kick for the corners ... or anywhere else if they want. In coverage, Wind sometimes is a factor, while Distance has been known to play a role on longer kicks.
ST Rating: D-
Head-to-Head: Bye Week versus OSU STs
Abysmal.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Special Teams Analysis
If Wind and Distance aren't playing, you can forget it.
Overall Special Teams Rating: D-
Behind the Numbers
(Any Finite Number) divided by (Infinity) equals (Bye Week)
In spite of numerous match-ups against both, Ohio State has exactly the same record against Bye Week as they have against Open Date.
Predictions:In spite of numerous match-ups against both, Ohio State has exactly the same record against Bye Week as they have against Open Date.
BB73's prediction: Eleventy Billion-0, Ohio State
BuckeyeRyn's prediction: 45-0, Ohio State
Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 2,140 - 0, Ohio State
Bucklion's prediction: 70-0, Ohio State
DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 0-0, Ohio State
jwinslow's prediction: 223-0, Ohio State
JCOSU's Prediction: 17-14, Ohio State
3yardsandacloud's prediction: 140-0, Ohio State
