The Weekend's Preview

Previewing Your Weekend, Ohio.
Before we get to THE big game this weekend, let's dabble in what else will be shaking out in The Great State of Ohio throughout the weekend.

The "playoff chances are on life support" Cincinnati Reds will play host to the Pittsburgh Pirates this weeked with three at the Great American Ballpark. If the Redlegs don't sweep or take at least 2 of 3 this weekend you can stick the proverbial fork in them. On Saturday first pitch is at 6:10 and it's "Kroger/Fuji Team Photo Night." I'm sure that'll compete with what could be the best college football game of the season, Wayne.
I also noticed that on the site you can vote for the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award that is given to players who contribute to their community off the field. The Cincinnati Reds nominee is Ryan Freel-and I'll be honest- I'm not getting this one. No doubt this is a guy who plays his can off and I love to see him as a Cub, but for a man of the year award nominee? It is well-known that he has an imaginary friend living in his head that he refers to as "Farney," and oh, not to mention the TWO DUI'S he's had in the past two years. Nice selection Marge Schott. Why not Scott Hatteberg for this one? If you're confused you can read the article here http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060905&content_id=1646613&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

The Cleveland Indians will take on the White Sox for a four game series on the south side of Chicago this weekend. The Tribe has been playing much better baseball recently by going 12-5 since August 19th, and has a chance to play spoiler against the 2005 World Series Champions. Go get 'em, Tribe!

Other college football games of interest this weekend will be:
Friday
Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati, 8:00 p.m.

Saturday
Miami, OH @ Purdue, 1:00 p.m.
(18) Clemson @ Boston College, 3:30 p.m.
(14) Iowa @ Syracuse, 3:30 p.m.
UPSET WATCH!!! Arizona @ (8) LSU, 6:30 p.m. Brent's Upset Special for the week because Arizona can bring it.

And before I really get the crystal ball rolling on the Buckeyes Texas game, I would like to state how excited I am to see Penn State take on Notre Dame (3:30 pm, Saturday). This will mark the first time ever that I'm happy that NBC covers Notre Dame because now my College Football Saturday eases me into my Texas/OSU game with both Penn St./ND and the Clemson/Boston College game (3:30, ABC) at the same time. HELLO, DUAL TV's. Before I forget, the marquee matchup of the afternoon is Penn State QB Anthony Morelli vs. the supposedly improved Irish defense. If Morelli and the O generates 24 I think there will be a lot of disappointed fans in South Bend after the game.

The Ohio State University @ the University of Texas, ABC, 8:00 P.M.
So here is what we've been waiting for. The matchup of number one Ohio State vs. number two Texas kicks off just after 8:00 EST.
I don't really know where to start except to say that I'm bitter at my younger brother for being part of a crew that is driving down and will be attendance on Saturday. I intently watched and re-watched the 1st half of the Nothern Illinois/OSU game from Saturday (didn't pay much attention to the 2nd half because there is no way James Patrick was going to show Texas anything he had in store for them) and I noticed a few little tidbits that you might want to pay attention to.
WHEN OSU IS ON DEFENSE
I really like our front seven as a unit. I think that the potential for something special is there and all they need is more experience. Ohio State needs Jay Richardson, Vernon Gholston, Lawrence Wilson, etc. to generate pressure from the edge for this team to be successful from a defensive perspective. If OSU has to bring their linebackers on blitzes to generate pressure on the young QB Colt McCoy, then the Bucks might have a problem keeping the home team's score under 28 or 31. While I was breaking down the Buckeye first half against NIU, I noticed how the swing pass killed the Buckeye D. This has been a recurring theme (not so much last year with all of our speed/experience at LB), but we can date back to 2002 and 2003 and how teams like San Deigo State, Bowling Green, and N.C. State (with T.A. McClendon) killed the Buckeye D with swing passes and bubble screens. I see the bubble screens and swing passes the achilles heel of the Buckeye D on Saturday night. If OSU has to bring LBs or corners toregularly apply pressure on McCoy, this game will be no game at all.

Thank you DVR On the screen to NIU RB Garret Wolfe that went for 60+ yards, OSU blitzed Marcus Freeman as the guard pulled. The pulling guard picked up Buckeye MLB Larry Grant, the WR on the play had a solid block on the DB, and there was nothing but green for Wolfe to work with. Here's to hoping that Colt McCoy isn't as experienced as Horvath was a recognizing blitzers and defense (and let's hope that Free can do a better job of not showing his blitz).

I was impressed on how Brandon Mitchell supported the run. He was quick to recognize the NIU running plays and made some very nice open field tackles. I was also impressed with the way the way the Defense tackled as a unit, but tackling has always been a forte of Jim Tressel coached teams (with the exception of EJ Underwood 2 years ago). We'll see how Malcolm Jenkins has progressed as a corner when he has to take on Sweed (#4) one-on-one.
Total prediction for OSU points given up by the defense: 23

WHEN OSU HAS THE BALL
What is very eerie to me is the similarities between Vince Young last year and Troy Smith this year. We can start with the obvious with both wearing number 10, both are/were the most athletic players for their teams, but the biggest similarity for me is that they both have the knack for making the big play. We've seen Smith's running ability against Michigan in both 04 and 05, and again this will be huge in OSU sustaining drives (remember Troy Smith scrambling on the last drive @ Michigan last year before finding Tony Gonzalez? That still gives me chills. Awesome.). The Texas defensive line is ridiculous in terms of size, but luckily for the Buckeyes their ) O-Line averages 6'5", 320. I think the Buckeye offensive line (with the help of Rory Nicol) can keep the Texas D-Line in check enough for Pittman and Chris Wells to be effective running the ball. I think that OSU rushes for 220 or so yards in this one and that Troy Smith ends up with 70 plus rushing yards.

What is this, The Last Boy Scout? From a college football fan standpoint, the arrest of Tarell Brown (CB who was to cover Ted Ginn, Jr. primarily on Saturday) is a very unfortunate one, and Brown's suspension for his weapons charge will definitely alter Tressel's game plan. As a Buckeye fan, I think it's a huge break for the offense and for number 7 and I now see him having a big day. I remember EDU PAES 620, Coaching Football which was taught by Coach Tressel himself and he stressed that you can't teach speed. We've really seen this the past 2 years with Santonio Holmes and Ted Ginn, Jr. It was extremely obvious against Notre Dame last year and again on Saturday against NIU as those two teams just couldn't keep up with Teddy. I see more of number 7 stretching the field and letting Tony Gonzalez do his work in the middle of the field along with Brian Hartline and Brian Robiskie opening some eyes on national tv. I'm predicting 298 yards passing and 2 passing touchdowns for Troy Smith. Look for red-shirt sophomore Rory Nicol to suprise some people as well.

Brent's Offensive Playbook Outlook:
Look for Tress to open the first couple of series with more traditional, Tressel-ball plays. I see the first few passes being safe, easy passes like 10 or 12 yard outs to Ginn or 10 yard ins to Gonzalez. The purpose behind these will be two-fold, as it will build Smith's confidence and calm down any jitters he may have as well as setting up their DBs for what will be a killer double move (out and up) that will go for a touchdown early in the second half. You heard it here first.

One of the more overlooked parts of this game is how I believe Tress will put Ginn and Gonzalez back in two-deep punt return formation. Once Tress started doing this at Northwestern in October of 2004 was when Touchdown Teddy began his reign as the best punt returner in America.

Total Points Scored by the Buckeye Offense: 30
Brent's Final Score Ohio State 30, Texas 23

HEY BRENT, WHAT'S ON TAP FOR THIS WEEKEND'S BLOGS?
I am thinking about possibly doing an In-Game Blog, but not sure if my level of commitment will be up to it or not. I am thinking that I will be so into the game that I won't want to do it, but at the same time it could be really fun to do and I could add some comments and updates on how much Dusty and I have been drinking throughout the course of the night. This may be something to watch for and if there is enough interest I may just pull it off.
I will definitely toss out an update on Sunday afternoon at some point and probably address the NFL and the Fantasy Football. Enjoy the games football fans.
BDS