Buckeyes Preview 12.30.16: Playstation Fiesta Bowl, Ohio State vs. Clemson

By Jason Disantis, @JasonInCLE

As 2016 comes to a close this New Years Eve the college football playoff will be kicking off as the no.3 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes will be traveling to the Fiesta Bowl to take on the no.2 ranked Clemson Tigers for a chance at a national championship.  

Statistically Ohio State and Clemson are very similar.  Both teams are loaded with NFL players, many of which will be early round selections. Clemson features a Heisman trophy candidate at quarterback and possibly the number one wide receiver in the upcoming draft.  Ohio State has one of the most dynamic players in the nation and the best secondary in the nation.  Lets take a closer look at a couple match-ups to keep eye on come Saturday night.


Conley, Lattimore and Hooker vs. Watson, Williams and Leggett
This match-up is chock-full of NFL talent.  Gareon Conley and Marshon Lattimore are two lock down corners for the Buckeyes and Malik Hooker has a knack for taking interceptions to the house.  They will have their hands full as they take on the Heisman trophy runner-up Deshaun Watson and the no.1 ranked WR in next years draft, Mike Williams, and a 6-5 freak athlete tight-end, Jordan Leggett.  

Although Lattimore may be the Buckeyes best NFL prospect, Ohio State's best corner is Conley.  Conley has only given up one touchdown this season and is physically equipped to handle the 6-3 220 pound Williams.  Ohio State has seen some very good WR in the past couple bowls in Amari Cooper and Sammy Watkins.  Mike Williams may be the best of them all.  Having Conley and Lattimore on the field allows the Buckeyes to focus more on total scheme rather than worrying about where Williams is lining up.  The Buckeyes can allow both Lattimore and Conley to lineup with Williams and if one is having more success, allow him to shadow Williams for the rest of the game.  

Watson has been one of the best quarterbacks in the nation.  He has focused more on his passing this year and has ran the ball 78 times less this year with half of the yardage of 2015.  Despite Watson rushing less he is always a threat to break a big play with his legs.  

It might be in the Buckeyes best interest to keep him in the pocket and force Watson to beat them with his arm.  Watson has been prone to turnovers as he has thrown 15 INT's this year.  Buckeye safety Malik Hooker will be roaming the field looking for an opportunity to chase on of those balls down and take it for a score.  Hooker has three touchdowns this year and would like nothing more than to add to that total.  Hooker may have his hands full if he gets the responsibility of covering Leggett.  Leggett is versatile and will line-up at the slot along with other positions on the field.  With Mike Williams getting so much attention if you forget Leggett is on the field, the match-up nightmare will make you pay.  


Isiah Prince vs. Christian Wilkins

Anyone who has watched Ohio State this year knows that Isiah Prince has struggled in certain moments.  This first year starter at right tackle has been the subject of some strong praise from coach Urban Meyer over the last three weeks.  Meyer has mentioned the work Prince has put in and how much he has progressed during these bowl practices.  Let's hope Meyer is right because Isiah Prince will have to block a 6-4 300 pound defensive end in Christian Wilkins.  Wilkins is an All-American and had 52 tackles, 12 being for a loss, and 3.5 sacks this year.  If Prince can't handle Wilkins alone Ohio State will be in trouble.  Clemson also has three other studs on the defensive line so Prince will most likely be on an island against Wilkins.  If Prince struggles, Ohio State will have to find a way to get him help without hurting his offenses ability to handle the rest of Clemson's D-line.  


Curtis Samuel vs. Cordrea Tankersley

The question mark is because Clemson hasn't tipped their cap to how they exactly plan on defending the play-making dynamo for Ohio State. Tankersley is an All-American and Clemson's best cornerback.  Clemson has had a hard time covering backs out of the backfield to go along with tight end's and slot wide receivers.  Samuel has spent most of his time this year out of the backfield or lined up in slot.  Although Tankersley typically lines up on the outside, he has spent some time in the slot.  Clemson might give him the responsibility of shadowing the Buckeyes best playmaker.  If Clemson decides to keep Tankersley on the outside they may live to regret it.  Tankersley is the only player on that side of the ball with a chance of keeping Samuel from turning an 8-yard catch into a 70-yard touchdown. 


Urban Meyer vs. Dabo Swinney

We would be re-missed if we didn't take a closer look at the leaders of these two teams; head coaches Urban Meyer and Dabo Swinney.  Coach Meyer is an incredible 9-2 in bowl games and has three national championships.  Meyer and his Ohio State Buckeyes won the first ever College Football Championship with their third string quarterback under center.  When coach Meyer gets multiple weeks to prepare for an opponent he has shown an ability to get his kids ready and focused but keep them loose and enjoying the experience as well.  

Dabo Swinney has turned Clemson into a powerhouse program.  Although Swinney doesn't boast the same success as Meyer in bowls, he is still has a winning percentage north of .500 at 5-4 in 9 bowls.  Swinney had his Tigers in this same position last year as they lost to Alabama in the National Championship game.  Clemson has been looking forward to this all year and through Swinney's leadership has handled the pressure of being an elite team with elite expectations well.  

With these two teams so evenly matched this game has all the makings of a nail-biter.  J.T. Barrett has struggled with down field accuracy all year.  If he continues to struggle then the Buckeyes are in trouble.  If Barrett can complete some of those throws for big plays then the Buckeyes will be in good position to return to the National Championship game.  

For many, this is the game they have been waiting to see this bowl season. New Years toasts can wait. Keep the champagne on ice.  Hold off on dropping the ball for a couple extra minutes.  2017 isn't going anywhere.  There are more important things at stake this Saturday night.  



What:  College Football Playoff Semi-final; Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Clemson Tigers
When:  Saturday December 31, 2016 at 7:00 PM ET
Where:  University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale Arizona
Watch:  ESPN
Line:  OSU -3, O/U 59

Buckeyes Preview 11.25.16: Michigan Wolverines @ Ohio State Buckeyes

By Jason Disantis, @JasonInCLE

It's called "The Game" for a reason.

"The ❌agnitude of The Ga❌e is what you co❌e to Ohio State for."

The current Buckeyes know the historical significance behind this rivalry. pic.twitter.com/o6bssIsO8y

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) November 24, 2016

It's a rivalry that spans the course of over a century.

They first played in 1897 and since then have battled 112 times.  In 2000, ESPN ranked "The Game" as the greatest North American sports rivalry.

In 2006 they played the "Game of the Century" as no. 1 ranked Ohio State beat no. 2 ranked Michigan 42-39.  And while Michigan leads the all-time series, Ohio State has won 11 of the last 12 meetings.

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer understands the magnitude of "The Game."  During this week the word "Michigan" is never mentioned.

"I'm very biased and I'm very respectful of all rivalries, but I grew up in the 70's and this was a time when Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes had two programs that were at the top of the food chain," said Meyer.  "What I remember and what I make perfectly clear to our players is the amount of respect that I learned in this rivalry from those two great coaches was real."

This Saturday the no. 2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten) will host the no. 3 ranked Michigan Wolverines with National and Big Ten championship hopes on the line.

Looking at the stats these teams are as close as you would expect out of a 2 and 3 matchup.  Ohio State is scoring 43.8 points per game while Michigan posts 42.3.  The Wolverines give up 10.9 ppg with the Buckeyes allowing 13.  Add to those numbers less than 50 yards difference in total yards posted and allowed and you have the making of a game for the ages.

Even the best player on each team are alike in that they are do-it-all playmakers for their teams.

Jabrill Peppers is in the Heisman discussion and with a big performance could be the first defensive player to win the award since another Wolverine defensive back, Charles Woodson.  Peppers will return kicks and have his share of snaps on offense along with lining up all over the field on defense.

Ohio State H-back Curtis Samuel will look to break a couple big plays as he has done all year for the Buckeyes.  Samuel has displayed a tremendous balance to his game gaining over 600 yards rushing and receiving for the Buckeyes along with 7 touchdowns on the ground and 7 through the air as well.  He will have his work cut out for him as Michigan will come to the Shoe with the best defense Ohio State has faced all season.

For Michigan a win would give them a divisional championship and send them to Indianapolis for a shot at their first Big Ten championship since 2004.  If they won the Big Ten championship they would lock up a place in the college football playoff and go on for a chance at a national championship.

Ohio State's path to a national title is actually more promising than their shot at a conference championship.  The Buckeyes would need to win this weekend and then hope for Michigan State to beat Penn State to get a shot at a Big Ten championship in Indianapolis.  But even if Penn State wins, the fact that the playoff committee has the Buckeyes ranked no.2 means a win against the no.3 team in the country would make it very difficult to leave Ohio State out of the four-team playoff.

"The Game" has more than just bragging rights on the line this year.  Michigan is finally back to relevancy after a long layoff filled with losing seasons and multiple coaches.  They've quickly put themselves back among the elite in college football after bringing in Jim Harbaugh.  And while Michigan looks to build on a season that has them back in the national picture, Ohio State will try to continue as one of college footballs most successful programs since Urban Meyer was named head coach.

Personally as an Ohio State fan the rivalry with Michigan has lost a lot of its luster.  Part of it was how bad the Michigan program had become, and part of it was a renewed rivalry between Meyer and Alabama coach Nick Saban.  But with coach Harbaugh leading the Michigan program there is no doubt that they are back, and so is the greatest rivalry in college football.


What:  Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines
When:  Saturday November 26, 2016 at 12:00 PM ET
Where:  Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Watch:  ABC

Buckeyes Preview 9.8.16: Tulsa @ Ohio State

By Jason Disantis, @JasonInCLE


The Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten) started off the 2016 season with a bang against the over-matched Falcons of Bowling Green State. Questions surrounded the Buckeyes of whether or not they could overcome the losses in personnel from last years draft.  How quickly would the Buckeyes be able to grow up under the leadership of J.T. Barrett?  Although many questions still remain, Ohio State played very well in their first game of the season.

On the offensive side of the ball J.T. Barrett firmly placed his name in the early Heisman discussion, accounting for 7 touchdowns and throwing for 349 yards.  Barrett's favorite receiver on the day was the Buckeyes most dynamic playmaker, H-back Curtis Samuel.  Samuel caught 9 balls for 177 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Add to his receiving production 84 yards and a touchdown on the ground and Curtis Samuel may find his name added to the Heisman hopefuls before long.

The defense of the Buckeyes gave us a couple new names to watch out for, while Raekwon McMillan continued to provide the hammer in the middle.  Malik Hooker showed tremendous range at the safety position making two interceptions, the first of which was as an athletic play as you'll see.  And while the Buckeyes might have lost Joey Bosa to the NFL, little brother Nick Bosa got his first action as a Buckeye and recorded a sack.

The Buckeyes will look to keep the momentum rolling this Saturday as they host the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (1-0).  Tulsa is coming off of a decisive victory in their first game of the year as well.  The Golden Hurricane beat San Jose State 45-10 and posted 512 yards of offense. Tulsa's big producer was junior running back D'Angelo Brewer, running for 164 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Although senior quarterback Dane Evans didn't play poorly against San Jose State he is going to have to be better if Tulsa is going to keep up with Ohio State.  Tulsa averaged 39.8 points per game last year and typically showcases a high powered offense.  They have a difficult task coming into Columbus this Saturday and are going to need to be running on all cylinders to stay within reach of the Buckeyes.

The biggest challenge the Buckeyes may face this Saturday will be staying focused on Tulsa.  With a showdown with Oklahoma looming the next weekend, coach Meyer will have to keep his players focused on the task at hand.  If the Buckeyes get caught looking ahead it could give the Golden Hurricane an opportunity to post some points and possibly put some pressure on Ohio State late in the game.  If Ohio State can stay focused on Tulsa then it could be another lopsided victory in favor of the Buckeyes.


What:  Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane
When:  Saturday September 10, 2016 @ 3:30 PM ET
Where:  Ohio Stadium, Columbus Ohio
Watch:  ABC
Line:  Ohio State -29 (as of 9/6), O/U 72

Buckeyes Preview: Ohio State vs. Bowling Green

By Jason Disantis, @JasonInCLE

After a bitter sweet end to the 2015 season the Ohio State Buckeyes are back with a lot of new faces on both sides of the ball to try and contend for a Big Ten and National Championship.  Last season ended with a historically talented team beating Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl.  The Buckeyes then went on to dominate the NFL draft by having two players picked in the top 5, three more picked in the top 20, another 5 in the next two rounds, and 12 players total for the whole draft.  With all of that success comes many questions as to whether or not the youth of this football team can grow up quick enough to keep the Buckeyes in the National Championship hunt.  Here are 5 players to keep your eyes on this season, beginning with Saturdays battle against the Falcons of Bowling Green State.

1.  J.T. Barrett
With Braxton Miller and Cardale Jones moving on to the NFL the quarterback position is all J.T. Barrett's.  Barrett had his ups and downs last season but eventually settled in as the starter for the Buckeyes, but never reached his 2014 form.  J.T. is one of the few veterans on this team and thankfully for the Buckeyes it comes at the most important position on the field.

If Barrett can play like he did in 2014 not only can he keep the Buckeyes in the playoff hunt, he will put himself in the Heisman discussion.  Despite everything J.T. brings to the table physically, the skill that might be the most important this year is his leadership.  With 12 players moving on to the NFL including offensive stars Zeke Elliot, Michael Thomas and Braxton Miller, J.T. Barrett will have to lead a group of talented young players through this season with minimal mistakes if the Buckeyes want to find themselves back in the playoff.

2.  Raekwon McMillan
The defense will be anchored this year by middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan.  The third year standout from Georgia is coming off of a 119 tackle season and looking to solidify his stock as the top middle linebacker in next years draft (if he decides to enter).  McMillan is everything you look for at his position and with Joey Bosa, Von Bell, Eli Apple and Darren Lee all leaving for the NFL, Raekwon will have to lead this young, but talented, Buckeyes defense.

3.  Mike Weber
Mike Weber has some of the biggest shoes to fill this season.  He will be taking over for the number 4 pick in the draft and Buckeye fan favorite Ezekiel Elliot.  Originally thought to be splitting time with Bri'onte Dunn, the running back from Michigan now has been named the starter after Dunn was dismissed from the team for domestic violence.  At 5'10 and 215 pounds he fits the build for what you are looking for in a running back.  The Buckeyes have a lot of young talented players on offense and although Weber was named the starter, don't expect the redshirt freshman to immediately have the workload, or success of Zeke.  

4.  Tyquan Lewis/Sam Hubbard
Although Joey Bosa got most of the attention at defensive end, Tyquan Lewis was able to make a name for himself as a pass rusher.  Lewis took advantage of Bosa being the center of attention last year with eight sacks and 14 tackles for loss.  Things will be tougher for Lewis this year with Bosa gone but that is something he is going to have to get used to if he wants the same accolades.

Sam Hubbard will be on the other side of Tyquan Lewis.  In a rotation roll last year he found the quarterback 6.5 times with eight tackles for loss.  Recruited to be a linebacker, the former lacrosse standout was also used and tight end in practice before the coaching staff decided to move him to the defensive line.  Now at 6'6 and 265 pounds he mixes athleticism with size and speed that you will not find in many others at his position.  Don't be surprised if sacks and TFL's double this year.

5.  Curtis Samuel
Curtis Samuel was the recipient of quite an honor from coach Urban Meyer last week.  "I think he's our No. 1 playmaker on offense right now," Meyer said.  The do-it-all H-back has the skills to give defenses headaches at running back, wide receiver, and anywhere else Meyer may want to line him up.  Despite the high praise from Meyer, Samuel will most likely split time with often injured but dynamite senior Dontre Wilson at the hybrid position.

These are just 5 player/positions I have highlighted but this team is filled with young dynamic athletes who, if they can learn on the fly, have the ability to put the Buckeyes back in the National Championship playoff.  With a tough road test against the Oklahoma Sooners early in the year, these Buckeyes will have to grow up quick.  If they can get past Oklahoma they have a great chance to run the table until a showdown against Michigan at the end of the year.


What:  Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Bowling Green State Falcons
When: Saturday September 3, 2016 at 12:00 PM ET
Where:  Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Watch:  Big Ten Network
Line:  OSU -28, O/U 64