GrantNKY

31 minutes ago, El Diablo said:

Man, you just bolstered my confidence in this next season. It will be interesting, I think the same usual suspects are going to be around the top 4 spots. What concerns me about Clemson is the lines on both sides. I know they were somewhat younger this year but we got straight man handled by your Buckeyes. I think Bama will be king again next year and I’m also really high on the Sooners. I think it’s OSU, Clemson and the others after that. I know UC returns Ridder, I would love to see the Bearcats sniff around the playoffs again. No idea what Georgia, A&M, ND, and Northwestern return. Hopefully it’s a “normal” season of college football. 

I’m really high the Sooners heading in to next year as well. They should be firmly in that top 4 group which I think are all pretty close but all have questions that need to be answered heading in to next year. Georgia is definitely the second best team in SEC again but that matchup with Clemson week 1 is going to be really interesting. I don’t see UGA winning that game, but they could roll through the rest of their schedule (I don’t think they play Bama but I’m not 100% sure) and JT Daniels should be really good. A&M had their chance this year imo and will drop back a bit to a 10-2, 9-3 type team next year. Notre Dame is a wildcard because Book is gone but I think they will be right in the thick of the playoff discussion again at the end of the year. Northwestern is meh. They were a good mix of veteran and really young players on both sides of the ball, but I think Wisconsin will take back the West this year. Penn State will bounce back. They don’t deserve to be ranked in the top 10 pre season or even really top 25 if we’re being honest, but they just have too much talent to not get back to form next year. The ACC and B1G are still going to really only have 2 legit contenders though. Iowa State could be a real sleeper though. They return a ton. I truly think this may be the year we might be able to say Texas might actually be back. Casey Thompson will be an upgrade in the passing game over Ehlinger and Bijan Robinson may very well be the best returning running back in the country. I don’t really buy in the debates of which conference is best, but if I did the Big 12 has a solid case to be the best conference heading in to next season. Man the offseason sucks. 

1 hour ago, El Diablo said:

Just curious, why Clemson at one?  You know something I don’t? I feel like Clemson was too high on every one of those. 

Most proven young QB of the top 3 teams and most of the defense returns. There won’t be a QB competition at Clemson next year whereas Ohio State and Alabama will likely wait until the 1st game to name their starters. I think the 2 games experience DJ has starting gives him time to reflect more on the things he does well and things he needs to improve upon as well as having the entire offseason to know he’s the guy and having that expectation set with the team gives them a head start. 

3 hours ago, snakesnot_2000 said:

What does what you have been saying have anything to do with Alabama? You've been talking about OSU quarterbacks, I just brought up some names from the past. Most have been pretty good but not great like all OSU quarterbacks have been.

I don’t know man I’m still confused. I wasn’t talking about Alabama. 

12 minutes ago, Purple88 said:

 

Concerning Dunn, that is a great question.  I really feel his injury (quad, I think) really set him back this past season.  I say that because they missed out on Spring ball, all 7 on 7 work preseason/regular season work.  When he got back, it took him a while IMO to get going.  He did get going and was the star he always was, but with that said, I think he really needs to get up to Columbus ( I "believe" he is up there for the Spring semester) in hopes of getting into Spring Ball with a chance to compete for playing time.

To get playing time at a place like OSU as a Freshman is difficult, but he is really talented.  He has great anticipation, maybe his best attribute.  Plus, in high school anyway, I never say anyone ever get behind him or outrun him.  That includes Vito Tisdale.  I personally like him as a Safety based on what I saw in High School, but I think the Coaching Staff at OSU will put him in drilling/scenarios etc that allow him to get a shot at corner as well.  I could see him on a nickel or dime package next year is fair I think.  I will be watching OSU games to see if he gets in!

People that are really locked in to recruiting at OSU have been saying that he projects as a safety as well. Banks and Brown probably have the top 2 corner spots next year but almost every great OSU DB we’ve had recently got playing time as a freshman in that nickel spot and a ton of special teams. Looking forward to seeing compete for that spot! 

14 minutes ago, Tones said:

My personal rankings. 1-3 all very likable. 4-6 season 3 didn't live up to the 1st 2 seasons, kinda forgettable for me. 7-9 turds.

1) Sam Hartman

2) Jake Fromm

3) Justin Fields

 

4) Spencer Rattler

5) Nik Scalzo

6) Lance LeGendre

 

7) Tate Martell

5) Tayvon Bowers

6) Re-al Mitchell

Re-al Mitchell was by far my least favorite person ever on the show. I could not stand him. It may not have been entirely his fault because his dad was everything that is wrong with youth and high school sports but man it was tough to watch. 

51 minutes ago, Purple88 said:

 

I also wanted to add @John Anthony on this as well.

Concerning the 4-4 defense, I felt the reason OSU did that was because they felt their LBs were just better players than any dime or nickel guys they currently had.  It has been stated multiple times that the secondary just wasn't that good for OSU this year.  I know they didn't draw up to put a LB on Smith.  Nobody does that, it was just Sark's cunning ability to use motion in the pre-snap that caused a LOT of mis-matches which is what Sark is known for deliberately trying to cause.  It was just a back matchup for OSU IMO.

I'm not an OSU guy but I am really pulling for Jantzen Dunn (South Warren incoming OSU Freshman) getting his shot in the secondary at OSU.  I'll be pulling for him big time!

Those are fair points for sure. I think it’s a mix of 2 things. Like you mentioned, the secondary for OSU was really thin. It’s basically the top 4 guys Wade, Banks, Williamson, and Proctor. After that it’s all freshman who had no offseason and no real chance to get legitimate action in games this year. The other reason they did it was the absence of Togiai and Smith. The DL at OSU was so dominant this season against the run. You saw it in the Clemson game when they made Etienne a non-factor. The game plan going in to the Alabama game was very clear that stopping Najee was priority number one. Without Togiai and Smith they felt the inexperienced DL up front needed that extra linebacker in the game to aid in slowing down Najee. The OSU defense was content with Smith getting his and felt like they could get the stops they needed as long as they held Najee in check. They didn’t keep Najee in check and that was the difference in the game. I just felt they needed to adjust and trust the inexperience up front on the DL and bring that extra DB on the field just to give themselves a chance. Only being 50% healthy on the DL which is the strength of the defense really set OSU up to fail in game where they would have had to play every snap perfect to have a chance. It was just so frustrating to watch in real time and know that OSU not a full strength had no chance to get a stop. Moving on though, what are your thoughts on Dunn? Every spot is going to be open in the secondary heading in to fall camp. You think Dunn has it in him to crack the rotation? 

Isn’t the most obvious though Rocky Top? 

Drake has multiple songs where he mentions rocking Kentucky blue. 

Congrats to our 2021 College Football Contest winner @brown4. Brown correctly predicted all 3 games against the spread and received a total of 11 points out of 11. No tiebreaker was necessary. The results of the contest are not final until 24 hours after this is posted. Looking forward to a hopeful return to a “normal” college football season this fall and the return of our traditional pick 10 contest every week. 

2 hours ago, snakesnot_2000 said:

Obviously you don't know OSU Qb's, Rex Kern was a very good QB who played in the late 60's at OSU. Just a very different era of football.

Again it seems like we’re having two different conversations. What does Rex Kern have to do with Alabama? 

44 minutes ago, John Anthony said:

Fields, Sermon, Olave, gone.  Farrell and Ruckert probably gone.  All 3 starting linebackers gone, Wade - our best bad corner gone.  I thought he some good moments with a lot of bad moments.  I see a young team on both sides of the ball playing.  With youth there will be growing pains.

Stroud throwing to the best receiving core in the country. I mean if Alabama could make it work with Mac Jones and Florida made it work with Kyle Trask, Ryan Day certainly can make it work with Stroud. Henderson will likely play a JK Dobbins freshman year type role at RB being spelled by Miyan. Minimum of 3 of the 5 starting OL being 5 star guys and moving Miller back to his natural position of center. I could see Donovan Jackson being the Michael Jordan and coming in and starting immediately. Defense I feel like Togiai, Garrett, and Smith will come back. Harrison and Friday will be huge. Sawyer will get a lot of run as all of LJ’s stud freshman DL do. Plus the potential of JTT as well. The only true youth that is a question mark would be LB and in the back end just like this year, but all those guys in the back end besides Wade will be back with great youth coming in. Plus we’re entering in to true free agency in college football. Ohio State will have their pick of the litter for sure to sure up any places they feel they are weak at with returning players. I think this team will be very similar to 2019 in all honesty. I’m ecstatic about the team next year. 

42 minutes ago, snakesnot_2000 said:

Rex Kern played during the 3 yards and a cloud of dust era and went on to be a defensive back in the NFL. When I think of OSU, I think running backs and linebackers and linemen. If they played in the SEC, I look at them sorta like Texas A&M maybe slightly better but no Alabama.

Huh? What are we even talking about? I think we were talking about quarterbacks. 

9 minutes ago, John Anthony said:

Two, with Bama and Clemson in the Natty.

JA it’s still too soon after the loss last night to be writing off our guys for next year already. We’ll have our chance and I like our odds. Ryan Day will still be head coach. The window isn’t shutting any time soon. Haha 

10 minutes ago, TheDeuce said:

That's how I found him. Some of the other kids on it are absolute turds but I enjoyed watching him. 

I’m sure you loved Tathan Martell 😂

23 minutes ago, snakesnot_2000 said:

I think you're forgetting Rex Kern.

Rex Kern kind of proves my point though if you think about it. 

5 minutes ago, bugatti said:

To those new to betting, you can't pick 2 🙂

Just because I’m in the middle of a cold stretch of betting doesn’t mean you can call me a beginner. 😂 Plus no Sportsbook would ever set an over/under at 2. It would either be 1.5 or 2.5. Haha 

4 minutes ago, bugatti said:

I'll set the o/u at 2.

How many teams of these three make the playoffs next season?

Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson.

I think it’s foolish to take the over, but even more foolish to take the under. The smart play is 2. All 3 will be starting new QBs so you never truly know. 

I’ll give you mine: 

1) Clemson 

2) Alabama 

3) Ohio State 

4) Oklahoma 

5) Georgia 

6) Notre Dame 

7) North Carolina

8 USC 

9) Iowa State

10) Texas 

2 hours ago, John Anthony said:

We’re more than likely headed for a Bama Clemson world in 2021 again.

I think we could have more guys back that we originally anticipated so I think our guys will have something to say to that before all is said and done. Fields is a huge shoe to fill, but since the Terrelle Pryor got on campus we’ve said the same thing about every QB we’ve had. Braxton had big shoes to fill, JT had big shoes to fill, Cardale had big shoes to fill, Haskins had big shoes to fill, and Fields had big shoes to fill. I’m confident Stroud will fill in nicely. Plus having the best receiving group in the country will be a nice way to ease in to your first real playing time in college. 

Just now, bugatti said:

If we are talking the Mount Rushmore of OSU QBs of the 2000s, then ok. If you are going to make statistical cases, anyone in the last 20 years is going to be considered the greatest QBs of their school's history.

OSU has just never been a good QB school prior to Troy Smith. I mean prior to Troy it’s basically what? Art Schlister? Haha 

1 hour ago, snakesnot_2000 said:

Too never really given a honest chance.

Burrows time at Ohio State is summed up in poor timing of 2 injuries. Burrows own injury that placed Haskins in the backup role in 2017 and JT Barrett’s injury in the Michigan game that allowed Haskins to lead a come back win. After that comeback win against Michigan I think it was pretty locked in that Haskins was going to be the starter in 2018. Honestly it was just pure bad luck that Burrow never got his chance at Ohio State. 

5 minutes ago, John Anthony said:

@TheDeuce we do appreciate all the love you showed to JF.  CJ Stroud has impossible shoes to fill.

For the first time in a long time, OSU has a true QB battle in fall camp. I’m with you that Stroud is 100% the odds on favorite to win the job, but Miller and McCord aren’t slouches. I think it comes down to Stroud and McCord with Miller transferring back out west to a Pac 12 school. No matter who starts though, they’re going to be well protected, have bowling ball and Henderson to hand the ball off to, and the best receiving core in the country to throw to. Whoever starts will be just fine. Now that Devonta has broken the barrier for receivers winning the heisman, I’m going to start looking for some odds to throw on JSN or Garrett Wilson next year. 

17 minutes ago, bugatti said:

I am not going off stats as everyone now puts up video game numbers. I am just strictly comparing against the competition they played against and how they compared to their contemporaries. For that reason, I am partial to Troy Smith though he was horrendous in the title game. Fields was better than he was that night though his performance left a lot to be desired, too. That was also before OSU started recruiting at the upper echelon level to compete with the SEC.

I love Troy and loved that Ohio State team despite the loss to Florida, but Justin Fields is light years ahead of Troy. The Mt Rushmore of OSU QB’s is probably Fields, Troy, Barrett, and Braxton Miller. 

10 minutes ago, John Anthony said:

Justin Fields’ Ohio State career in all likelihood comes to a close.

So, he’ll end it by going 396-for-579 (68.5 percent) for 5,373 yards with 63 touchdowns and nine interceptions, along with 867 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. 

 

∙ 20-2 career record

∙ Two CFP Appearances

∙ 2019 Big Ten Championship MVP

∙ 2019 Heisman Finalist

∙ 2021 Sugar Bowl Offensive MVP 

Justin Fields completed .702 percent of his passes this season to break Dwayne Haskins' school record of .700. 

Pro-football-focus:  Ohio State has only two seasons in history with a 90+ graded QB: 

🔴 Justin Fields, 2020 - 93.3 

🔴 Justin Fields, 2019 - 91.5

@TheDeuce he’s certainly my #1 all time.

This isn’t even a debate. Without a doubt the best QB to ever play under center at Ohio State. 

20 minutes ago, John Anthony said:

Hancock and JK Johnson might have to start as freshman.

I mean let’s throw them to the wolves early and often. We’ll have 12 games to get this secondary straightened out and back to playing at the elite level we’re accustomed to seeing from OSU secondaries. What are your thoughts on Shaun Wade’s NFL future. I just don’t see him as a corner in the NFL. He’ll be out of the league sooner than Eli Apple. I think he can have a long stint in the league as a safety though. He has great instincts playing downhill and is a great athlete. Just isn’t an elite cover corner.