#Buckeyes Preview 12.31.15: Ohio State v. Notre Dame #FiestaBowl

By @jddisantis


The BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl hit the jackpot when it landed two of college footballs biggest powers for their New Years Day bowl game.  Few schools "move the needle" like #7 Ohio State (11-1) and #8 Notre Dame (10-2) as these two teams should provide an entertaining game along with more first rounders in next years NFL draft than any other game this bowl season.  Both teams are looking to finish their season on a high note with a New Years Six bowl win and momentum heading into recruiting and next season.

While Ohio State will be without both starting defensive tackles, Notre Dame will be getting healthier on the offensive side of the ball for this game.  The Buckeyes will be without Adolphus Washington due to suspension for soliciting a prostitute and will also be missing Tommy Schutt from a broken foot.  For Notre Dame, starting running back C. J. Prosise should finally be healthy since leaving with an ankle injury against Boston College.  Adding Prosise will give the Irish a 1000 yard rusher with dual threat skills out of the backfield.

The matchup most people will be watching (including NFL scouts) will be against Notre Dame left tackle Ronnie Stanley and Ohio State defensive end, Joey Bosa.  Bosa will look to create pressure from the blindside of Notre Dame quarterback Deshone Kizer.  That type of pressure is something Kizer hasn't had to deal with much of this season.  Unfortunately with the injuries on the Buckeye defensive line there has been talk about Bosa moving around and lining up at multiple positions so we may not get to see as much of the Stanley/Bosa battle as we originally hoped but we should still get a great matchup to watch.

This game will be the first head-to-head match-up between Notre Dame's Brian Kelly and Ohio State's Urban Meyer.  Kelly is 4-4 in bowl games while Meyer boasts an impressive 9-2 record in college postseason.  This game may provide some strong persuasion when it comes to recruiting between these two teams.  Notre Dame has always done well in Ohio and Brian Kelly's history at the University of Cincinnati has him very familiar with Catholic schools in southern Ohio.  Many recruits will have their eyes on this clash of mid-western powerhouses.

Both teams had national championship hopes in the beginning of the year but stumbled along the way.  Although losses, all three teams that collectively beat Buckeyes and Fighting Irish are also playing in the big New Years Six, two of which (Clemson and Michigan State) have an opportunity to play for a national championship.  Despite the hype surrounding this classic match-up. these two teams aren't playing for anything other than bragging rights, and possibly recruits.  With so many first round draft picks anticipated in this game, hopefully neither team has checked out mentally and is focused at the immediate task at hand.  


What:  BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl
When:  January 1st, 1 PM ET
Where:  University of Pheonix Stadium, Glendale Arizona
Watch:  ESPN

Leadoff with Lee 12.12.15

By @cleeverizon

Former Cleveland Cavaliers forward John "Hot Rod" Williams passed away from prostate cancer yesterday. He was 53.

He was selected by the Cavs in the 2nd round (45th overall) of the 1985 draft out of Tulane. His stint in the NBA lasted 13 years playing for the Cavs (1986-1995), Phoenix Suns (1995-1998) and the Dallas Mavericks in 1999. His best season in the NBA was in 1989 when he averaged 16.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.04 blocks. He was the Cavaliers' all time leader in blocked shots with 1,200 until he was surpassed by Zydrunas IIgauskas.

- Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert made his season debut following wrist surgery last night against the Orlando Magic. He played 25 minutes he scored 14 points while shooting 5-7 from the field and 2-3 from 3 point land. Head coach David Blatt said "Shump looked like he didn't miss a beat, he has worked so hard to get himself ready."

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Former Rutgers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano has accepted associate head coach and defensive coordinator at Ohio State and will replace Chris Ash who accepted the head coaching job at Rutgers. Schiano will run the defense with co-coordinator Luke Fickell, who has been on the Buckeyes staff since 1999.  Schiano hasn't been a defensive coordinator since 2000 with The U (Miami),but his defense ranked 5th in the country in points per game allowed that season.                

- Adolphus Washington's career at Ohio State has officially come to the end. A school spokesperson confirmed yesterday that Washington has been suspended for Fiesta Bowl after he was charged with soliciting prostitution.The Buckeyes will practice for their matchup with Notre Dame on today, but Washington will no longer be part of their plans. His career at Ohio State with 142 tackles, 13.5 sacks, in 36 games for the Buckeyes. Prior to his arrest he was projected as a late first round pick in the 2016 NFL draft.

- BROWNS ON THE BENCH: Joe Haden Justin Gilbert & Andrew Hawkins ruled out with concussions Sunday against the 49ers. Gary Barnidge, Travis Benjamin and Brian Hartline were limited in practice yesterday and all are listed as questionable for Sunday's game.

- The New York Supreme Court ordered DraftKings and FanDuel to shut down operations in New York state. Both companies immediately appealed and sought an emergency stay. New York appellate judge granted the stay Friday afternoon allowing both companies to continue with business as usual. New York appellate judges now must rule to continue to be in effect or lifted until their appeal is heard. In the meantime,daily fantasy sports is legal in New York for at least 3 more weeks, & if full appellate court agrees in January, at least several more months.

- The Heisman Trophy winner will be announced tonight on ESPN at 8pm. Thursday the College Football Awards were presented to the nations best players at their position.

The winners are as follows:                                                  

-Lou Groza Award (Outstanding Place Kicker): Ka'imi Fairborn, UCLA                    
-NCFAA Contributions Award Winner: Barry Switzer, Oklahoma                          
-Wuerffel Trophy Winner (Community Service): Ty Darlington, Oklahoma
-Jim Thorpe Award (Best Defensive Back): Desmond King, Iowa
-John H. Outland Award Winner (Nation's Best Lineman:) Joshua Garnett, Stanford  
-Doak Walker Award Winner (Nation's Best Running Back): Derrick Henry, Alabama
-Disney Spirit Award Winner: Hank Goff, California
-Home Depot Coach of the Year: Dabo Swinney, Clemson                                      
-Ray Guy Award (Nation's Top Punter): Tom Hackett, Utah                                      

- Lastly, UFC 194 is tonight with the main event being Jose Aldo vs Connor McGregor. Here is the Tale of the Tape for the Featherweight title match.                

Jose Aldo W-L: 25-1, Height: 5'7, Reach: 70", Stance Orthodox, Weight: 145lbs
Connor McGregor W-L: 18-2, Height: 5'9, Reach: 74", Stance Southpaw, Weight: 145lbs