Countdown To Kickoff: Orlando Pace

There is only ONE day separating Buckeye Nation from Kickoff of the 2018 Buckeye football season. People rarely do long enough countdowns to include the greatest to ever wear the #75. And Mr. Pancake Block is also on my Mt. Rushmore for Ohio State football so Orlando Pace gets the nod today. I have only owned three jerseys in my life, No. 45 (the Big Kat), No. 15(duh) and No. 75 while Pace was flattening people.

USA Today High School All-American (1993), Outland Trophy (1996), UPI Lineman of the Year (1996), 2-time Lombardi Award (1995, 1996), 2-time Unanimous All-American (1995, 1996). A 2013 inductee to the College Football Hall of Fame. He played 13 seasons in the NFL with a Super Bowl championship (XXXIV), was a 7-time Pro Bowl selection (1999–2005), a 3-time first team All-Pro (1999, 2001, 2003), a second team All-Pro (2000), and a member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 2016

Pace is one of a handful of linemen from Ohio State that made some noise in the Heisman voting while playing and will always be remembered for his pancakes.

Was Ezekiel Elliott better than Archie and Eddie?

Who is the best running back in Ohio State history?

I ran a poll on Twitter the other day to see what Buckeye fans thought. While it is a small sample size, 2,326 is still a lot. The obvious answer for the majority was Archie Griffin. I can't sit here and say that those people are wrong. He did win two Heisman trophies. However, I think there is an argument to be made that Ezekiel Elliott is the best running back in Ohio State history.

If you are talking about the best running backs in Ohio State history, I believe its a three-headed monster at the top. Griffin, Elliott, and Eddie George. George and Griffin won Heismans, and Elliott won the national championship. That's why I think any of the three could be regarded as the best running back in Ohio State history.

OSU has a very rich history, and because of that we have a lot of traditionalists. My goal is not to sit here and say they are wrong. However, I think a lot of people say Griffin is the best simply because of his two Heismans, and what his name means to Ohio State. They don't discredit Elliott, but they also don't give him a fair evaluation.

That's why I want to take a moment to present the case for Elliott.

To start the argument it needs to be noted that all three of these guys played in completely different eras. There is a 20-year gap between all three. While Griffin was at Ohio State, the Buckeyes ran the ball 86.5 percent of the time, compared to only 63 percent of the time when Elliott was at Ohio State, and 66.25 percent of the time for George. Those numbers can be deceiving though, because all three running backs received similar workloads, with George being the exception in 1995 when Ohio State gave him the ball 41 percent of the time. Griffin got the ball 30 percent of the time during his final three years at Ohio State, and they handed off to Elliott 29 percent of the time during his final two years at Ohio State.

My one take away is that those numbers could explain why Griffin's career average is lower than Elliott's. It's hard to get almost seven yards per carry when opposing teams know you are running and stack the box. That being said, I still wanted to take a look at the average yards per carry for all three of these legends.

After looking at these stats, Elliott is clearly the best running back between the three when it comes to yards per carry. Yes, Griffin may have won two Heisman Trophy awards, but Elliott had two seasons better than Griffin's best. While I agree that it is hard to compare all three, you can still use these stats to begin to build an argument for Elliott.

Below are individual stats from the Michigan game. I don't need to explain why I'm using the Michigan game, but the stats do tell an interesting story. When you compare the averages for all three guys to their career averages, Elliott is the only guy that preformed better against Michigan. This is starting to paint the picture that Elliott was not only amazing, but his ability to step up in the biggest moments is what truly makes him impressive, and arguably the best.

Speaking of big moments, I also compiled all of the stats from bowl games/national championships. Again, Elliott is the only player that stepped up against the best competition, and preformed at an elite level.

To get the big picture of what I'm talking about you need to go back and look at the average yards per carry for all three guys. Then compare those stats to their stats against Michigan, and then in the bowl games. While you can sit here and say they all played in different eras, there is no hiding from the fact that Elliott was the only running back that played better in the bigger games that mattered. While I value the Heisman Trophy, football is a team sport. Elliot is the only running back of the three that helped lead his team to a national championship.

To close my argument, here are stats from the final three games in 2014 that led to Ohio State winning the national championship. So although Elliott never won a Heisman trophy award, he was a huge part in Ohio State winning a national championship.

So who really is the best running back in Ohio State history? Well, it depends who you ask. Whatever the answer is, its not wrong. All three of these guys played football at Ohio State, and all three of them had amazing careers. Just because someone says its George, and you think its Griffin doesn't mean they are wrong. In my case, however, I think its Elliott. I don't think people give him a fair chance when they are debating this topic because, "How could you ever say Griffin isn't the best, he won two Heismans." I know how good Griffin is, and this does not mean I think he sucks. I just think Zeke was a better pass blocker, and he had very good hands. His ability to pick up a blitz, and give Cardale Jones one more second was very unappreciated. Elliott had all the tools it took to become the best running back in Ohio State history, and in my opinion he accomplished that feat.

"Go Bucks"

-Mr. Ohio


Stats from:
admin.xosn.com
www.umich.edu/~bhlumrec/athdept/fbstats/
www.sports-reference.com

Countdown To Kickoff: Michael Thomas

Just THREE days until the Buckeyes take on The Oregon State Beavers at high noon in The Shoe. A former No. 3, Michael Thomas was one of the most sure-handed receivers in Ohio State history and was on the receiving end of one of the most iconic plays in Ohio State history.

Thomas came to Ohio State at the same time Cardale Jones did, from the same academy as well, and he did not disappoint during his time. Thomas played in 39 games catching 113 passes for 1,602 yards with 18 touchdowns and a long of 79 yards. No catch however was as good or as important as the one he caught from Evan Spencer in the 2014 playoff game against Alabama.
That gave the Buckeyes, who were trailing, some much-needed momentum heading into the second half.

Countdown to Kickoff:CJ Barnett

just FOUR days away from kicking some Beaver tail . . , er from Oregon State that is. The pretending OSU comes in trying to erase their last season's memories.

We are honoring one of the best #4's to ever don Scarlet and Gray but also for the reason that he recently decided to protect and serve the public after protecting the air ways as a Buckeye. The now Columbus police officer graduated recently.

Courtesy of YouTube and WSYX TV

He had a mild statistical career at Ohio State but was an integral part of a very good cover defense the 5 seasons he played and moved to S his senior year that gave him an opportunity to sign as an undrafted free agent with the Giants.

Who is Ryan Day?

This may be news for those that live under a rock, but Urban Meyer will not be coaching the first three games this year. Ryan Day will officially coach the Buckeyes for the season opener against Oregon State. He will also be our coach when we play Rutgers, and then when we travel down to Texas for a prime-time game against TCU.

So who exactly is Ryan Day?

Ryan grew up in Manchester, N.H., which is only about an hour north of Boston. He played QB in high school, and was recruited to play QB for New Hampshire University. Day was a three-year starter, and by the time he graduated, he had broken four school records. The offensive coordinator at New Hampshire for Day's four years was Chip Kelly. Yes, the same Chip Kelly you are thinking of. Kelly was then, and is still now his mentor. In fact, during Day's first press conference as acting head coach, he said Kelly still texts him several times a week.

Upon graduating college in 2001, Ryan went right into coaching. He worked under Kelly for a year as the tight ends coach before leaving to go be a grad assistant at Boston College. After spending two years at Boston College, and helping coach Matt Ryan, he went to work at Florida under Urban Meyer in 2005. He then bounced back and forth between Boston College and Temple for a few years as a wide receivers coach.

In 2012, Day was offered the offensive coordinator position at Temple. As the play-caller at Temple he ran the ball 80 percent of the time. This was largely in part to not having a quality QB, and Temple's QB ran the ball 111 times. Don't let those stats scare you because I don’t see Dwayne Haskins running the ball that many times.

Day left Temple after one year to be the offensive coordinator at Boston College from 2013 to 2014. As the play-caller in 2013 he ran the ball 66 percent of the time. Unlike at Temple, he never really used his QB to run the ball. You might remember the name Andre Williams though. He was the starting running back at Boston College in 2013, and Day recognized his talent. Williams finished the season with 2,177 rushing yards. In 2014, Day went back to a relying heavily on his QB's legs. Boston College ran the ball 72 percent of the time. Between the starting QB, and starting RB, the QB ran the ball 46 percent of the time, and the RB ran the ball 54 percent of the time.

Day then went to work for Kelly as the QB coach for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015. While there, his starting QB, Sam Bradford, had one of the best seasons of his career. Bradford threw for 3,725 yards and 19 TDs.

He followed Kelly to the 49ers in 2016, and worked as a QB coach for them. His starting QB was Colin Kaepernick, and while he didn’t have a great year, Kaepernick did improve a lot from the previous season. When Kelly was fired in 2016, Day was also relieved of his duties.

Meyer contacted him to come coach the Buckeye QBs in 2017, and the rest his history.

Day is now 39 years old, and he has three children with his wife, Christina.

Being the QB coach for two years at Ohio State has given Day the opportunity to work with Haskins more hand- on. Day knows exactly what Haskins can do, and I trust that he will be able to use the QB's strengths to get the most of out this football team. While Day does like to run the ball a lot, and he does like to use his QBs on the ground. I don't think Haskins will run as much as J.T. Barrett did. Haskins will still run the ball more than people want to imagine, but that will really open up holes for J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber, who will get the bulk of the carries.

Like noted before, Day will coach the Buckeyes for the first three games. I fully expect us to blow out Oregon State and Rutgers. However, TCU may pose a bigger threat, but I still think we win that game easily. Day knows this is an audition, and he knows he gets to work with one of the best teams in college football. He will be working and preparing this team to come out and play to its true abilities.

When Meyer comes back Sept. 22 against Tulane, Day will go back to being our offensive coordinator, and calling the plays. So in four weeks, if you feel like Day did a great job as a head coach, don’t be sad. Because he will still be calling the plays for us the rest of the year. Sadly, Day will almost definitely get a head coaching job after this year. So enjoy him while we have him.

Go Bucks!!

-Mr. Ohio

Countdown To Kickoff: Braxton Miller

We are just FIVE days away from Ryan Day's debut as an interim head coach and taking on a pretending OSU in the Oregon State Beavers. Braxton Miller didn't finish his career where he began it in Scarlet and Gray, but there's no arguing he is one of the greatest all-time athletes to ever play there.

As a quarterback he was deadly and in most high-profile games and situations he was Mr. Clutch, especially against the on-their-heels Wisconsin Badgers.

As a quarterback in the Scarlet and Gray he was 396 of 667 for a completion percentage of 58.6. He threw for 5,295 yards, 52 TDs and 17 INTs. He rushed 561 times for 3,074 yards and another 33 touchdowns.

As a wide receiver he tacked on another 42 carries for 260 yards and one TD as well as 26 receptions for 341 yards and 3 TDs. One of his best plays was at wideout, but talking a shotgun snap and the rest was a speed show.

Countdown to Kickoff:Cie Grant

Written By Diana Witherwax

We are SIX days away from BUCKEYE football! With that in mind, I’d like to showcase one of my favorite Buckeyes, Cie Grant.

Cie’s last game as a Buckeye was certainly one to remember. The 2003 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. The back and forth drama of that game had us all on our seats. I don’t think I have even gone through so many emotion during one football game. My favorite memory includes #6 and it plays out like this:

“Cie Grant was the man who pressured Dorsey and now the party begins for THE Ohio State Buckeyes!”

14 and OH!

We were introduced to his talent of singing shortly after that win.

Cie sang “Carmen, Ohio” in freezing Columbus at the celebration in The Shoe with the BEST DAMN FANS IN THE LAND. He did it again to wish the 2014 Buckeye team good luck in the first ever College Football Playoff Championship game. We all know how that ended. :)

Coountdown to Kickoff: Chris Gamble

7 days is all that separates Buckeye Nation from the start of the 2018 Ohio State football season start. We take a look at probably the most electric two-way starter in recent memory in Chris Gamble.

There were several plays during the national champioship season that defined the never say die attitude and spirit of that team. Doing things when their backs were against the ropes became common place and the last time we were talking it was "Holy Buckeye" and Krenzel to Jenkins.

There may actually be two plays more important and Chris Gamble was the center piece in both. The first came against State Penn in a much needed interception return for TD that sealed the deal at home.

The second play happened to keep the Buckeyes alive against Miami in the title game.

Per Wikipedia : In 38 games, he started 18 times on defense and 12 times on offense (started on both offense and defense in five contests in 2002). Recorded 65 tackles (51 solos) with three stops behind the line of scrimmage, seven interceptions and 21 pass deflections. Also caught 40 passes for 609 yards (15.2 avg.), rushed six times for 68 yards (11.3 avg.) with a touchdown, returned 60 punts for 467 yards (7.8 avg.) and had 18 kickoff returns for 384 yards (21.3 avg.).

He was a first round draft pick of the Carolina Panthers and played nine seasons for them setting multiple team records(Interceptions: career (27), Int Ret Yds: season (157 in 2005), game (101 on 2005-11-06 @TAM)) and retired from the NFL in 2013.

Countdown to Kickoff: Holy Buckeye Michael Jenkins

The Buckeyes return to the field in 12 days. We open the season facing an Oregon State team that only won one game last year. They lost to teams like Colorado State, Portland State, and Minnesota. It’s probably safe to say that we will return to the field in dominating fashion.

Our favorite No. 12 is Michael Jenkins. The three-year starter for the Ohio State Buckeyes and a first-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 2004 will always be known for his "Holy Buckeye" catch from Craig Krenzel in the national championship season of 2002.

He had 165 catches for 2,898 yards (breaking David Boston's career mark) and 16 touchdowns during his time in Columbus.

It should be noted that in spite of being the most successful WR in the B1G during his time, he was never more than a second-team conference honoree. He is eighth all-time in career receiving yards in the B1G.

Countdown to Kickoff: Ezekiel Elliott

The road to another national championship begins in 15 short days. The greatest player to ever wear #15 on the beautiful scarlet and gray jersey needs no introduction. One step into a room, or on the field, and everyone yells, “ZEEEKKKKEEEEE.”

In only three years at Ohio State, Ezekiel Elliott managed to gain more than 1,800 yards in a season, TWICE. By the time his career at Ohio State came to an end, he had totaled 3,961 yards and 43 touchdowns. 

En route to the 2014 national championship, Zeke had the best three game stretch in Ohio State history.  

Averaging 232 yards per game against Wisconsin, Alabama, and Oregon will be something no Buckeye fan will forget anytime soon. 

Go Bucks, and BEAT Oregon State!!!

 

Countdown to Kickoff: King Boo J.T. Barrett

The Buckeyes return to the field in 16 days. We open the season facing an Oregon State team that only won one game last year. They lost to teams like Colorado State, Portland State, and Minnesota. It’s probably safe to say that we will return to the field in dominating fashion.

The ultra prego Lindsay Kurpes answered some questions about her King Boo.

WVa - What one play stands out to you during his time in Columbus?

Lindsay - The major game that stands out to me in J.T. Barrett's prolific career at OSU is the comeback victory against Penn State last year in late October. There are many who constantly doubted him, but it took the grit, guts, and smarts of a senior to lead that team to victory. He didn't worry when we fell behind, he used his feet and his arm to get his team in position to win ... that is what great leaders do!

WVa - What do you believe was Barrett's impact on the Ohio State program?

Lindsay - The leadership that J.T. brought to the Buckeyes is something that I hope is passed down season to season. I hope the impact he made on his teammates allows them to carry on his legacy. The motivational speeches that he gave to his soldiers were so powerful, and this team fed off his energy and intensity. He was a humble, stoic leader who oozed with quiet confidence. He will forever be cemented in Buckeye history as one of the best QBs of all time, whether you hated him or loved him.

WVa - If you could sit down with him, what would you tell him about the haters?

Lindsay - To the haters, and boy were there so many haters, until you show me your career as a QB for a top football program, please take a seat. J.T. should not worry about the opinion of sheep, his storied career has spoken for itself. J.T. is on the path to try his efforts in the NFL, behind QB great Drew Brees, who I'm certain will provide a wealth of knowledge. Once the NFL journey has concluded, I see J.T. as a phenomenal football coach one day. He is meant to lead. 

WVa - About those who love him?

Lindsay - I will certainly miss seeing number 16 take the field in 16 days, but I'm certain he's passed down his leadership baton and we'll see another leader emerge. J.T., you are forever in our hearts...GO BUCKS!!!!!