Needless to Say....

Terrelle Pryor has the most pressure on his shoulders going into his sophomore year that any OSU quarterback has had in a very long time. A very long time constitutes as longer than 21 years I suppose, since that's as long as I've been alive. Yesterday the second year signal caller was pegged as the conference's 2009 preseason offensive player of the year, ahead of the likes of Darryl Clark of Penn State and Juice Williams of Illinois. That, along with being expected to reach the god-like status that was bestowed upon the young man coming out of high school, is almost way too much for a 19 year old to handle. Regardless, he has been this good for a very long time. My point? I think the dude knows how to handle his business and all the expectations being placed on his Vince Young-esq frame. I don't anticipate all the pressure forcing any adverse affects on his game, or the progress of the young talent laden 2009 Buckeye football team.

In conclusion, he was born to be in this position. He'll be fine.

Right on the Money

This article hits the nail right on the head. To summarize the article: USC will completely shape the entire season for Ohio State. SHOCKING!!!!

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/bigten/0-3-634/Win-or-lose--USC-game-will-shape-Buckeyes--image.html

Slim + Fast Beanie

Reports are stating that the rookie running back out of Ohio State Beanie Wells has lost 18 pounds after checking into Arizona Cardinals OTAs (organized team activities) at 247 pounds. So....mathematically Beanie is now checking in at 6"1 and just south of 230 pounds. He is the heir apparent at running back for the Cardinals with Tim Hightower proving to be awfully ineffective when given the opportunity to start last season. I am not only a huge Ohio State supporter but love fantasy football and have a new love for the NFL; or at least OSU players in the NFL. With this in mind, I think that Beanie is primed to have the best rookie season out of any running back this year in the pros. Why? Because unlike Knowshon Moreno who has a lot of pressure on him to perform well in a new offense with a new quarterback, a disgruntled star receiver and a rookie head coach in Denver, Beanie has ZERO pressure on him to be a super star. The Cardinals have and always will pass 1,024,439,002 times per game, meaning that the Beanster won't be under any heavy scrutiny in his rookie campaign. I look for Wells to have a modestly effective season running the ball out of the shotgun and will certainly get the rock in red zone situations. No offense to Moreno, but I love the potential that Beanie brings to the table.

Note: Many people forget about the strong comparisons Beanie has been given to the likes of Jim Brown and Adrian Peterson. Just saying...the sky is the limit if he can stay healthy.

Wanna Go Back....

This is more twitter worthy than anything because it is so short....

It is pathetic to walk past the Shoe during July. It is the most inactive, boring month of the year in my humble opinion. I'm still waiting to be able to walk by the Shoe right by my apartment and smell that football is in the air. It isn't too far away, thank God.

2009 Schedule Breakdown

The 2009 OSU football schedule presents some rather intriguing home affairs, with two particularly tough road games that should test this young team's ability to handle adverse situations. We will start from the beginning (apologies for not being more creative. I'm not M. Night Shyamalan).

9/5- Navy Midshipmen (Noon, ESPN)

I have few supporters on this topic, but I truly believe that this is a great way for the Buckeyes to begin the 2009 campaign. No, it is not because I think this will be an easy victory. It is simply based on facts: Navy runs the triple option to perfection, the OSU defense is generally young in key areas and the Midshipmen are clearly more stout than Youngstown State. I speak for everyone by saying that I hope we never have to play a "FCS" team ever again. Oh, and for the record, OSU was 2-0 vs YSU while Michigan lost to an FCS team....HA HA. Anyways, Navy will pose a substantial threat to move the chains and force OSU to make big stands on defense. The Buckeye offense shouldn't miss a beat, but Navy certainly won't take this lying in the fetal position. I expect an entertaining, yet sound victory for the Scarlet and Gray in week 1.

9/12- USC Trojans (8:00, ESPN)

It doesn't get too much bigger than this. I could go on all day about the magnitude of this game. The atmosphere will match, or even surpass that of the 2005 Texas game and may come close to approaching the tension in the air that was seen in the 2006 Michigan game. OSU has all the tools to pull this one off, but 35-3 lingers as a stern reminder that sometimes when reality sets in sheer talent wins games despite deafening crowds. I think the silver bullet defense will have their ears pinned back and will be looking for blood in this one.

9/19- Toledo Rockets (Noon, ESPN+)

I don't care that this game is being played in Cleveland. If anything, that bores me to a degree. This will be a traditional MAC beat down. I know Ohio played the Buckeyes close last season, but there were fundamental issues with the team early last season. This year's version will be much more fired up for every game they play. I guarantee that.

9/26- Illinois Fighting Illini (TBA)

Now THIS is an intriguing game. The last time Illinois strolled into Ohio Stadium it was November of 2007 and they left by defeating the undefeated, #1 Buckeyes on Senior Day en route to getting owned by USC in the Rose Bowl. The IlliBuck Trophy is back in good hands after Ohio State exacted revenge against the Illini, but this year should be more difficult. Illinois features senior QB Juice Williams and an array of offensive talent to match what should be a much more disciplined defense in Ron Zook's fifth season. I, for one, will be very excited for this game. It sure beats playing New Mexico State at home....wait....damnit (stay tuned for that extensive game breakdown).

10/3- @ Indiana Hoosiers (7:00, Big Ten Network)

Sigh. Awful night game. Awful network - in my extremely humble and meaningless opinion. If it wasn't for the opportunity to see what Terrelle Pryor will do next, then this would be a game that I would encourage people to miss and do something productive with your lives instead. What will I be doing, you ask? Watching the game of course.

10/10- Wisconsin Badgers (TBA)

There was a time when I hated Wisconsin nearly as much as I hate Michigan. This was during a period of time when Wisconsin beat OSU in Columbus three times in a row dating back to 1999. Fortunately in 2007, Ohio State clobbered the Badgers and put an end to that dark stretch of time. However, I still get hyped and somewhat antsy when the Wisconsin team buses roll up next to the stadium. Wisconsin doesn't have the team to beat Ohio State, but it is always a physical game that reminds everyone just how the Big Ten does it. Reminder- only people in the Big Ten care how the Big Ten does it for the time being.

10/17- @ Purdue Boilermakers (TBA)

Sorry if I tend to repeat myself but.........sigh. Another terrible road game. I am so happy that games such as Indiana and Purdue are on the road. This is too big of a season to have such minuscule games played in Columbus. Purdue will not be a good football team. With all due respect to their program, they will certainly struggle this season.

10/24- Minnesota Golden Gophers (Noon, TBA)

Who doesn't like the homecoming game? Homecoming week is great no matter how you slice it. Whether it is how football weather has officially sunk in, or all the added festivities leading up to the game, it is always a good time. And it always seems to be Minnesota who has to be the victim on homecoming. I will give the Gophers their credit, though, for they have a much more organized and energetic program under Coach Brewster. They could very well give Ohio State all they can ask for and more. Minnesota will have a solid football team in 2009; make no mistake about that. Also, keep in mind that Minnesota is one of the only teams to spoil OSU's homecoming in the last two decades (remember 2000?).

10/31- New Mexico State (TBA)

SON. OF. A. BITCH! I don't care that this will be manslaughter. To be honest, I'm glad. I love owning on pathetic teams. However, I don't think anyone pays the money that they do to have to sit through games like this. The beginning of the season? Sure, I'll sit through it. Because it is a precursor for greater and bigger things to come. But to play this game smacked right before Penn State, Iowa and Michigan??? BOOOOOO!!!!!! The pros of this game are that it gives our team an opportunity to go over the little things before the brutal home stretch, but I still hate that this game is being played when it is. I understand why it is placed on the schedule where it is, but I despise this game. I am as big of an OSU fan as anyone out there, but I am also a college student and won't hesitate to sell this ticket. Any takers?

11/7- @ Penn State Nittany Lions (TBA)

Huge game. In order of importance, this game ranks second on my scale for 2009. Illinois and Iowa both are important. Michigan is what it always is, and USC will certainly top the list. Penn State is a close second. Last season's game was a true classic and showed just how far this OSU team had to mature on offense before they could knock off the power teams. I think Penn State's victory in Columbus last October was the best thing to happen to Ohio State because they found their rhythm on defense and had the swagger to take Texas to the brink in the Fiesta Bowl. This game will ultimately decide the Big Ten for a second season in a row, and to be honest I think it will be just as close. I expect more points on the board due to a more well-rounded Terrelle Pryor and a more physical offensive line.

11/14- Iowa Hawkeyes (TBA)

This is what November football is all about. The final home game for the 2009 seniors should be a second straight week of pure physical, smash mouth football heading into Michigan week. Iowa will be a consistently tough team if anything this season, and won't be intimidated by playing in Ohio Stadium with a probable fifth straight Big Ten title on the line. As I stated before, this is near the top of the list in terms of games I am truly looking forward to this season. I expect a hell of a game.

11/21- @ Michigan Wolverines (1:00, ABC) unofficial

This game doesn't need too much of an introduction. I expect Michigan to put up much more of a fight than they did last season. Still, you could see the intensity and focus of Michigan in the game from last season early on in the game. They just weren't good enough to do anything with their momentum and stops on defense. An improved team should make more of a dent on the scoreboard, I feel. Hence, Michigan will be better suited to take on the Buckeyes this November. By this point though, if OSU has their swagger on offense, this won't be too much of a contest. I can't wait for this year's game though. Why? Because it is Rich Rod's second year, and he claims to have the pieces in place to start seeing big results from his players. We will wait and see. I'm not too worried about his spread option-type attack, but I will sure as hell be worried if Michigan wins or if they blister our defense with their so called "pure speed attack".

By the time camp rolls around (team checks in on August 9th) I will be posting position and unit break downs and will be getting more prepared for the 2009 football season.