October 23 - The Good, The Bad,and The Ugly - Indiana Recap

Welcome to this week’s edition of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. It’s my weekly critique of The Ohio State University football performance.

Ohio State hosted Indiana last Saturday. When ESPN decided to only air the game on ESPNU and not regular cable, it provided a great opportunity to introduce my oldest child to the religion that is OHIO STATE FOOTBALL.

It would be the first time my 17 year-old son, Zachary (below), had attended an Ohio State University game.

The eventful day began with a 5:15 a.m. departure, an 8 a.m. buffet breakfast at the Holiday Inn on the Lane, and a two-hour walking tour of the campus.

Zack is weighing his college choices and I believe OSU has now moved up in the rankings.

In the game, Ohio State rolled to an easy 44-3 victory. Indiana score first, before Ohio State finally woke up and routed the Hoosiers. Our seats were in the corner of the end zone near the players tunnel. We saw all of scoring except for one touchdown. Zack captured some amateur video of two of the scores (see below).

The AMAZING thing is that after every OSU touchdown this season the player hands or flips the ball to the referee. No dancing, no spiking, no flags for unsportsmanlike conduct. That is CLASS and it starts at the top.

OSU improved their record to 8-0. They maintained their #1 ranking in all major polls including the BCS standings.


THE GOOD

Scoring Defense – OSU allowed 3 points. OSU moved into a first place tie with LSU at 8.3 points per game. This stat should continue to improve as OSU faces three overmatched teams leading up to the colossal showdown with &ichigan on November 18.

Turnovers – OSU recorded their 14th and 15th interceptions of the year and ranks 2nd nationally in interceptions and turnover margin.

Troy Smith – 15-23 and 4 TDs. He has XBOX-ian stats of 21 TDs and only 2 interceptions. The Heisman voting will resemble the Reagan-Mondale Electoral College landslide come December, unless Troy gets injured. Troy’s closest competition, Northern Illinois RB Garrett Wolfe, has his second consecutive sub par performance. He managed only 45 yards on 17 carries against Temple.

Flea Flickers– Ted Ginn completed a 38-yard TD pass to TE Nichol. I am still waiting for the “Shot-Ginn” formation.

Antonio Smith – Smith had 12 tackles, 4 for losses, with a forced fumble, and a sack. Wow!


THE BAD

Special Teams – Indiana broke a long punt return. Touchbacks on OSU kickoffs remain inconsistent.


THE UGLY

Nothing to see here, move along folks.


My WTF moment lasted almost the entire game. Seated in Section 28A, Row BB, Seat 33, DIRECTLY behind me was a woman that did not shut-up the entire game. For three hours, the word “football” never passed her lips. She felt it necessary to shout above the crowd noise to make sure her female friend could hear her. Apparently by the volume and duration of her talking filibuster, her friend was hard of hearing and mute. You can read more about her in the second half of my October 23 Pet Peeve Monday.

From our seats we saw OSU BB Coach Thad Matta come out of the player tunnel with 5 possible recruits. One prospect stood out, actually he stood tall. He had to be a 7 footer, but he was rail thin.

Minnesota is OSU’s homecoming fodder this week. They come in on the heels of a 10-9 win over Division 1-AA North Dakota State. Minnesota is ranked #102 in passing defense. Troy Smith is ranked #4 nationally is passing efficiency. Weather permitting, it might be “shock and awe” in the airs over Columbus.

Amazingly when OSU was looking for a new head coach after the firing of John Cooper, current Minnesota Head Coach and OSU alumnus, Glen Mason was #1 on everyone’s list. Not many people knew Jim Tressel. Now they do. Sweater vest sales are up for a record fifth year in a row.

This week’s early line has OSU favored by 27 points over Minnesota. My guess is that OSU will cover for the 14th time in 15 games.

GO BUCKS.