Observations and predictions from Ohio State’s game vs. Cincinnati…
J.T. Barrett is the best Buckeye passer since Troy Smith.
This may seem like a bold prediction at first. But I am referring to his passing skills, not his overall quarterback ability. Let’s look at the QBs that followed the 2006 Heisman Trophy winner:
2007 Todd Boeckman: did a solid job as a solid pocket passer & was the quarterback in a national championship team. Lost his job next year to this freshman blue chipper…
2008-2010: Tyrelle Pryor: Coach Tressel’s popularity and demeanor earned him the nickname of ‘The Senator’. Pryor’s highest public office aspiration in the Buckeye state might be assistant dog catcher’, given his role in the ‘Tattoo-gate’ scandal that led to Tressel’s resignation (as well as his diva-like actions at times). That being said, I would say that this #2 is the #2 OSU quarterback of my viewing lifetime (post-Art Schichter).
My top 5: #1 Smith, #2 Pryor, #3 Joe Germaine, #4 Braxton Miller, #5 Bobby Hoying.
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“Pryor #2? Are you kidding me?” Remember, Pryor barely lost the Fiesta Bowl to Colt McCoy & Texas in the last minute as a freshman. He was the Rose Bowl & Sugar Bowl MVP the next two post seasons. He was a guy who made the big play time and time again when his team needed it. His 6’7″ frame allowed him to bounce off many tackles, and those long strides hid his speed he would use to get to the edge for key first downs many times over.
But looking at him strictly as a passer, his poor mechanics and minimal arm strength are not much for Barrett to overtake.
2011-13 Braxton Miller: First of all, don’t forget that as a freshman he had to beat out Joe Bauserman, a.k.a. ‘Joey Clipboard’. Braxton has some serious shake and bake moves. He could juke out a defender in one of these…
To explain to anyone 21 or under: if you put a quarter in, you could make a phone call… but only to anyone in the town you were calling from, and possibly neighboring towns. If you wanted to call further than about 15 miles, you had to put a bunch more quarters in to call ‘long distance’. If you didn’t have any money, you could call ‘collect’. What does that mean?
Ahh, just forget about it, young whippersnapper! Just keep living your George Jetson smart phone life…
Back to Braxton. He’s a phenomenal athlete. As a passer, he as a strong arm, but his accuracy, consistency, and ability to read defenses are pretty mediocre.
I have been very impressed with Barrett, considering that he is a red-shirt freshman coming off knee surgery. As a passer, I think he has an adequate to solid arm. What I have really liked is his accuracy and his poise in reading defenses. Even in their loss to Virginia Tech, I thought he did a nice job in spite of his coaching staff not being able to find an answer to the Hokies’ attacking, man-to-man no safety help defense. He has a bright future for the Scarlet and Gray.
Braxton Miller will not be quarterback next year
This is a much bolder prediction, especially since Urban Meyer this week declared Braxton the 2015 starter. With this stipulation: “if he’s healthy.” From what I have read, Miller having a second surgery for a torn labrum has an iffy prospect of being successful. Another thing to consider is Miller’s NFL prospects. I think his chances of making it as an NFL quarterback are pretty slim. Look how things have panned out for Pryor, who is a better passer. I do think, though, that he could have a long-term career using his athleticism as a receiver or maybe even a running back. Coach Meyer could use this as an out to make the QB switch next year. He could sell Braxton on the idea of using next year to prepare for a new position for the pros.
Luke Fickell will not be coaching defense for the Buckeyes next year
OSU’s defensive co-coordinator and former interim head coach became the father of twins this week. Ready for some even more impressive news? This is his second set of twins! I know this guy was a pretty good pass rusher in his day, but this has to go on the top of his resume!
Unfortunately, Coach Meyer patience with his struggling defense over the past two season has to be wearing thinner than the hair of these two legendary bowlers…
Urban only has so many years left to win a national championship. He likely measures himself with the SEC powers, and he knows that the Buckeye Silver Bullet defense looks like B-B pellets compared to Alabama and friends. Coach Fickell seems to be caught between the conservative defenses of the Tressel era and the aggressive mentality of Meyer. That makes the defense look like it is caught in no-man’s land.
The Buckeye offensive play-calling was at it’s most impressive vs. Cincinnati
I know that the Bearcats were Mildcats defensively. But I thought this was the most creative and innovative offensive display of the Urban Meyer era. They used motion and play action well, and had a good run/pass balance. They had some creatively deceptive plays to get backs to the edge and receivers open. One thing I would like to see more of is stretching defenses with more intermediate and long passes.
On to high school football…
ROY JONES JR. POUND FOR POUND TOP 10 TEAMS (how Tusc./Stark/Carroll County football teams measure up in relation to teams it’s own size as well as their play-off run potential)
10. Dover: Zanesville game this week could start a nice run for Tornadoes
9. Jackson: tough 1st loss to GlenOak
8. Aquinas: star QB Moeglin still out
7. Indian Valley: overcame a 14-0 deficit vs. Timken
6. Tuscarawas Central Catholic: dream season continues with close win over solid Sandy Valley squad
5. Louisville: big win at previously undefeated Carrollton. No big tests on 2nd half of their schedule.
4. GlenOak: took control of Federal League with win over Jackson. Close loss to Massillon in week two continues to look more impressive.
3. Garaway: showdown at T.C.C. looming on Oct. 11
2. Canton Central Catholic: keeps cruising with win over Youngstown East. Will Northwest hang with them?
1. Massillon: great win over Steubenville moves them to the top spot.
MAC SNACK SURVEY OF THE WEEK:
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