Tag: Ohio State Buckeyes (Page 19 of 22)

      USC crushes Ohio State 35-3

      September 13, 2008 /

      Ohio State-USCThe USC Trojans proved Saturday night why they’re the top ranked program in college football, embarrassing the Ohio State Buckeyes 35-3 at the Coliseum. USC quarterback Mark Sanchez passed for 172 yards and four touchdowns as the Trojan offense amassed 348 yards of total offense.

      Sanchez certainly quelled any doubts that he couldn’t win on a big stage. He looked incredibly comfortable picking apart a very good OSU defense and was effective spreading the ball around. It also helped that Joe McKnight (12 carries, 106 yards) shredded the Buckeyes for over eight yards a carry.

      Without Beanie Wells, the Buckeyes could do nothing offensively. Jim Tressel’s strategy to rotate quarterbacks Todd Boeckman and Terrelle Pryor backfired, as the Trojans’ defense remained unfazed by both signal callers. (Although the freshman Pryor did flash some of his outstanding potential.)

      USC was able to contain the run for the most part and was relentless crashing the pocket. Their overall speed on defense completely overwhelmed the Buckeyes and forced Boeckman into two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by standout linebacker Rey Maualuga.

      Ohio State-USCEven though the score suggests otherwise, OSU’s defense didn’t play that bad; they just wore down in the second half after being left on the field entirely too long. Of course, the missed tackles didn’t help. The Buckeyes also committed 10 penalties, which often cost them vital field position.

      You’d like to say that had Wells played, the outcome would have been much different. One would think he would have broken a run or two and kept USC’s defense honest instead of blanketing the pass as much as they did. So much for my prediction that Ohio State would keep this game close. USC made the Buckeyes look like a Pop Warner team.

      College Football

      College Football Preview: Ohio State at USC

      September 13, 2008 /

      Kickoff: Saturday @ 8:00 PM ET, ABC
      Records: Ohio State (2-0); USC (1-0)
      Spread: USC –12.5

      Mark Sanchez       Game Matchup:
      The biggest question surrounding this game is whether or not Ohio State running back Chris “Beanie” Wells will see the field. Wells injured his leg in the opener, missed last week’s win over Ohio and has been deemed “doubtful” by Buckeyes’ head coach Jim Tressel for Saturday night’s grudge match. If Wells can’t play, Daniel Herron, Mauirce Wells (who struggled against Ohio last week) and Brandon Saine will all see action Saturday night.
      The Trojans are coming off a bye after dismantling Virginia 52-7 in the opening week of the season. QB Mark Sanchez threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns, but he’ll face a much greater challenge against a talented, and highly experienced Buckeye defense. One thing to keep an eye on is how Sanchez and an inexperienced USC offensive line holds up against the pressure OSU will likely bring for the entire game.

      Prediction:
      Don’t make the mistake most will in assuming that just because Ohio State struggled with Ohio last week that they’ll get smoked by USC. The Trojans looked good against Virginia, but the Cavaliers’ talent level has dipped dramatically from last year and the Buckeyes match up very well against USC’s pro-style offense. The issue for OSU is whether or not their run game can be effective without Beanie Wells. The Trojans have the best linebacker corps in the nation and an outstanding front seven. If they shut down the Buckeye running game and force QB Todd Boeckman to beat them through the air, OSU is going to be in trouble. Pete Carroll’s Trojans are also incredibly tough to beat at home, but forget the blowout; this should be a tight game. USC 24, Ohio State 20.

      Also be sure to check out our official Ohio State-USC smack talk thread.

      College Football

      Beanie Wells now doubtful for USC game

      September 11, 2008 /

      Beanie WellsOhio State head coach Jim Tressel said Thursday that running back Chris “Beanie” Wells (foot injury) is now doubtful to play against USC this Saturday. Just two days ago, Tressel said Wells would play this weekend.

      Tressel said there was lingering soreness for Wells in his right foot after he worked out on Wednesday night. Wells did not practice with the team Thursday morning just before it departed for Los Angeles.

      “We were hoping he’d wake up this morning and feel even better than yesterday,” Tressel said shortly before boarding the team bus to the airport. “But it didn’t happen. We’ll see from here.”
      Tressel did not rule out the possibility of the junior seeing action, but did not sound optimistic.

      “Beanie practiced about 20 carries yesterday, and maybe 20 percent of the practice,” Tressel said. “We didn’t have him work today. He had more soreness this morning than we had hoped for. A late afternoon practice followed by a morning practice, we’re hoping that’s a little bit of the reason why. So we’ll just have to play it by ear.”

      Obviously this is a huge game, but Tressel has to keep Wells’ best interest in mind. If he plays hurt and further injures his leg, the Buckeyes could lose Wells for the entire season or worse, possibly screw up his career. But as a college football fan, it’s incredibly disappointing that Wells might not play Saturday night. It’ll be interesting to see whether or not Tressel sticks with Maurice Wells, who was incredibly ineffective last Saturday against Ohio.

      College Football

      Week 3 College Football Primer

      September 10, 2008 /

      Time to check out the big games, top matchups and potential upsets as college football heads into Week 3.

      Mark SanchezTop 25 Action:
      No. 5 Ohio State (2-0) at No. 1 USC (1-0), Saturday 8:00 PM ET ABC
      OSU head coach Jim Tressel said Tuesday that Heisman candidate Beanie Wells will play Saturday in Southern Cal. The Buckeyes are going to need all the offensive firepower they can get against one of the best front sevens in the nation. USC quarterback Mark Sanchez shredded Virginia for over 300 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1, but OSU’s defense is loaded with experienced talent. This is one of the most anticipated college football games of the year and should be a tight contest, although oddsmakers have made the Trojans 10.5-point favorites. (Check out our offical Ohio State-USC smack talk thread as well.)

      No. 13 Kansas (2-0) at No. 19 South Florida (2-0), Friday 8:00 PM ET ESPN2
      This is a tremendous matchup to kick off the Week 3 schedule as Kansas and its high-powered offense take on South Florida, which has the No. 1 ranked defense in college football. In their two wins, the Jayhawks averaged over 450 yards a game, but they go up against a Bulls’ defense Friday night that has only allowed an average of 161.5 yards per game. Oddsmakers have listed South Florida as a 3-point home favorite.

      No. 10 Wisconsin (2-0) at No. 21 Fresno State (1-0), 10:30 PM ET ESPN2
      Marshall rolled out to a 14-0 lead on the Badgers last week before Wisconsin eventually settled down and hammered the Thundering Heard 51-14 to improve to 2-0 on the year. Fresno State dismantled Rutgers 24-7 in New Jersey in Week 1 and should be well rested coming off a bye last week. One thing to keep an eye on is the health status of Wisconsin TE Travis Beckum, who missed the Badgers’ first two games this year with a bad hamstring. Beckum is highly regarded as one of the top tight end prospect in college football and is expected to play this weekend.

      Chris SmelleyNo. 2 Georgia (2-0) at South Carolina (1-1), Saturday 3:30 PM ET CBS
      Before being upset by Vanderbilt last week, the Game Cocks were supposed to be Georgia’s first real test of the 2008 season. One has to assume that South Carolina is going to come out fired up after being bounced from the top 25 following their loss to the Commodores. The Bulldogs absolutely hammered Central Michigan last week, but can’t take anything for granted this Saturday playing a pissed off Steve Spurrier squad. SC is a 7.5-point home underdog.

      Upset Watch:
      UCLA (1-0) at No. 18 BYU (2-0)
      Washington gave BYU all it could handle in Week 2 before the Cougars eventually eked out a 28-27 win. And the last time we saw the Bruins, they were upsetting Tennessee in the first week of the season. While this wouldn’t be a huge upset, it would be the second time in two chances that UCLA knocks off a ranked opponent. And with Fresno State, Oregon, California, ASU and USC on their schedule, the Bruins will have plenty of opportunities to make some noise and possibly become one of the best surprises of the season. BYU is currently an 8-point favorite.

      Other notable games:
      No. 14 East Carolina at Tulane – Saturday, 3:00 PM ET
      No. 3 Oklahoma at Washington – Saturday, 7:45 PM ET
      Arkansas at No. 8 Texas – Saturday, 3:30 PM ET

      College Football

      Jim Tressel says Beanie Wells will play against USC

      September 9, 2008 /

      Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel says that injured running back Chris “Beanie” Wells will play against USC this Saturday. Tressel will evaluate Wells’ progress throughout the week to determine how much the Heisman candidate will play.

      Beanie WellsOhio State’s co-captains said Wells did individual work Monday but did not participate in team drills at practice.

      Wells missed the fifth-ranked Buckeyes’ Week 2 matchup against Ohio. He sustained an injury to his right big toe in the season opener against Youngstown State.

      “I saw him on the side a little bit running,” linebacker James Laurinaitis said on a conference call with reporters Monday night. “He looked good, kind of doing drills, testing it out. From what I could tell he looked really great, but who really knows but him?”

      Wells wasn’t in a walking boot and seemed to be moving well as he watched the Ohio game from the sidelines.

      “He’s doing a lot on his own right now,” wide receiver Brian Robiskie said. “I’m hearing that he’s doing pretty good and everything with him is just day-to-day right now. If he gets the OK and they tell him he’s ready in go, there’s no doubt in my mind he’s going to play.”

      This is obviously outstanding news for the Buckeyes and for college football fans in general who are anticipating such a great matchup. But it’ll be interesting to see how much the injury will affect Wells’ mobility. Ohio State didn’t have the same offense last week with Maurice Morris in the backfield and will need Beanie to be close to 100% going against one of the best front seven’s in the nation.

      College Football

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