Saturday night was a statement game for the young Ohio State Buckeyes as they successfully claimed revenge on the Michigan State Spartans in East Lansing. Just one year removed from a painful loss in the Big Ten Championship, the Buckeyes found themselves ending the playoff dreams of the Spartans behind a first-year starting quarterback, and playmakers also yet to turn 20 years old.
By: Ian Wharton
To pull off the upset in a dominant fashion, it took great play from a trio of Buckeyes. First and foremost was wide receiver Devin Smith. The senior has been a one-trick player until this season, being known for his deep touchdown receptions against inferior competition. He is a very linear player, lacking the hip fluidity to run more than a few select routes, but he is extremely fast and long, which are valuable traits.
On Saturday, he had 129 yards on six catches, all in the first half. He won deep, intermediate and short against a solid Spartans’ secondary. They simply had no answer for him. Smith may not be more than a late round flier because of his inconsistent nature, but he picked a good time to have a career game.
Some for his ups and downs has ridiculed senior defensive tackle Michael Bennett this season, but he put it all together and was unstoppable for a very good Spartans’ line. Bennett has great quickness off the line and has very active hands, which allow him to enter the backfield with ease. He logged two sacks and force a fumble on Michigan State’s Connor Cook, changing the game for Ohio State. He’s not a good run defender, but he flashes enough as a pass rusher to be no worse than a round two pick come spring time.
- Tony Lippett of Michigan State had his worst game of the season, dropping three passes and unable to take advantage of his matchup against Doran Grant. Grant has struggled with physical receivers at Ohio State, but Lippett looked more like the 2013 version that had concentration drops and inconsistencies in traffic. Lippett could be a Day 2 guy, but he cannot afford to continue playing like he did last week.
- Taiwan Jones was nearly invisible for the Spartans’ defense, as he logged significant snaps at MLB. That transition hasn’t gone well for him as a senior, as he lacks the instincts and size to stack and shed blocks effectively. He’s a pure weak side prospect that is a Day 3 project.
- Despite 137 yards for running back Jeremy Langford, I’m still bullish on his NFL future. He has a little shake in his hips and accelerates decently, but he doesn’t create much for himself. If there are huge running lanes, he can succeed, but so can 50 other college backs. Langford may do well as a short-yardage back, but he looks like the stereotypical Big Ten back moving to the next level.
- The battle of star underclassmen was between Joey Bosa and Jack Conklin. Bosa looks like a potential top-five pick every week, but the redshirt-sophomore continued to be dominant this season. Conklin isn’t on the radar of most draft folks, but he’s the best tackle prospect I’ve seen in the country, bar none. He’s got all of the tools to be a fantastic tackle in the NFL and is highly refined in his technique as well.
Other Big Ten Notes
- Michigan and Northwestern played a sloppy game, but Frank Clark and Jake Ryan continue to play well for the Wolverines. Clark had a key bat down and tip that led to an interception, which just continues his tremendous play as a senior. Ryan intercepted a pass and was a force in the running game. He is also having a good senior year, and will add to a deep inside linebacker crop.
- Northwestern linebacker Chi Chi Ariguzo has been quiet in 2014. He leads the team in tackles, but he hasn’t made the impact plays he needs to. He looks like a Day 3, developmental athlete with potential at weak side linebacker.
- Minnesota senior David Cobb helped his Gophers stomp Iowa on Saturday with another workman-type game. Cobb is similar to Bobby Rainey, with good vision and tough-minded. He’s not the best athlete and has a lot of wear on his tires but should be a good complimentary back in the NFL.
- Zac Epping had a very good showing against Iowa’s Louis Trinca-Pasat. Epping doesn’t get a lot of push as a run blocker, but is effective as a pass blocker. He should make a training camp roster. Trinca-Pasat has had a productive season for the Hawkeyes, but doesn’t have the athleticism to be a more than a potential camp body.
- Iowa defensive tackle Carl Davis has been very inconsistent with effort this season. He was a fringe first round talent entering the season, but he’s looking closer to Day 3 now. He stands straight up too often and doesn’t have the lateral agility to be more than an A-gap penetrator. He struggles against double teams and if he doesn’t win with strength, he’s taken out of the play.
- The emerging star in the conference is redshirt sophomore tight end Maxx Williams for Minnesota. I raised eyebrows when I mentioned him as my No. 1 eligible tight end for the 2015 draft, but his full talents were on display on Saturday. He made two amazing catches and notched two touchdowns. He has the athleticism, speed, size and blocking ability to be a late first-round value to a team.
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