I had my reservations about the game but not the day as me, my daughter Kristiana and those with me were going to try to get to the Driven tent on Lane Avenue and meet the man that provides me with daily inspiration. Roy Hall is doing some amazing things with the foundation that he has built with former Buckeye walk-on then starter Antonio Smith. … [Read More]

My first game at THE Shoe was versus Penn State in the infamous game where the Buckeyes won and the only touchdown was Ted Ginn’s punt return. Then five years ago, after being on a waiting list for 6 years, I was chosen to be an usher. I … [Read More]

Buckeye 411

• You (will be) looking live… at a brand new, super hugemongous, HD capable scoreboard in Ohio Stadium in the fall of 2012. In addition to this addition, the ‘Shoe is getting HDTVs throughout the concourses and a brand new sound system. Pluses: great view of hard hits and controversial plays, as well as being able to enjoy the schadenfreude on the other sideline with more definition. Minuses: they still won’t show the plays you want to see, they’ll probably use most of that space for advertising, and the sound system will encourage them to play stuff rather than letting TBDBITL bring the heat.
• Meyer’s Musings- Coach Meyer was in front of the media twice today; once with the B1G conference call and then again after practice. And, as
… [Read More]

• Injury Report- Terrelle “should be” fine, but healing. He did some light lifting on Sunday, and nothing on the off day (we’re assuming he rehabbed); today he returns to practice. Coach Tressel wondered if there’s anyone in the Big T1e1n who’s 1oo% at this point of the season.
• Injury Report 2- Moeller is done, as you know; he has begun the process of seeking an additional year as a medical hardship. The injury is suspected to be relapse of one Tyler had in 2008 that was unable to heal properly due, in part, to his injuries last year.
• Injury Report 3- Decision on Stoneburner on Thursday; Aaron Gant most likely back this week
• Tress Talk- The weather was a factor in the running game as well, since the wind allowed Illinois to load the box without fear of deep passes:

I thought the offensive line

… [Read More]

Mr. Hall also reminds us that other Big T1e1n stadia have “interesting” ways of creating atmosphere. A billion cocktails to you, Orson.

Here are actual quotes from actual Hurricane players-

Marcus Forston: “I’ve heard it’s a loud stadium, but once you go out there and do what you have to do, you can quiet the crowd.”

Damien Berry: “I really don’t think it’s going to have an effect on us because wherever Miami is…[Young] Jeezy said it best, ‘We’re going to bring the whole city out.’ Everybody wants to come see us. They ain’t coming just to see Ohio State.”

Can’t respond better … [Read More]

The Game 2001:

Ohio State @ #11 TSUN

The Game: 2002

#2 Ohio State vs. #9 TSUN

The Game: 2004

Ohio State vs. #7 TSUN

The Game: 2005

#9 Ohio State @ #17 TSUN

The Game: 2006

#1 Ohio State vs. #2 TSUN

The Game: 2007

#7 Ohio State @ #23 TSUN

The Game: 2008

#10 Ohio State vs. TSUN

I hope you enjoyed that, I know I did.… [Read More]

I don’t know if anyone has noticed this amidst the gnashing of teeth and pulling of hair in the aftermath of the Navy game, but USC only has three returning starters on defense this year.

This isn’t the same defense that throttled the Buckeyes last year.

I am not saying that USC can’t be good, or even great, on defense this year, but there will be a lot of new faces, and they will be playing in a high pressure environment on the road (some for the first time) in the second game of the year, and they will be trying to tackle Terrelle Pryor.

USC recruits better than anyone in the country, so you know that all of the new faces are going to be good, and they do have quite a few players who have started some games, but you can’t teach athletes to … [Read More]

Keep passing to the TE’s and RB’s -  We had great success in the passing game last week by going to the TE’s and RB’s – in fact the top two receivers were at TE/RB.  USC will be a lot better in pass defense than Navy was, and we will need to spread it around in order to be able to move the ball at all against them.

Better blocking from the RB’s -  Apparently, given what’s been said among the Buckeye blogosphere the last few days, I was too harsh on the offensive line and not nearly hard enough on the running backs.  The RB’s need to learn to pick up the blitzes better in pass blocking or LiC is going to be on his back every single day.

The Defensive Line must slow – if not stop – the run – Barkley is going to be … [Read More]