The Buckeyes travel to Urbana-Champaign this weekend to take on the undefeated Fighting Zookers Illini. What do the guys here at the BBC want to see this weekend?
Mali:
Lower The Boom. I don’t know if it means special teams or in the backfield, but Daniel Herron has waited long enough. The challenge will be in finding out how to balance his touches with Jordan and Carlos, both of whom have demonstrated amazing persistence and talent over the past half season. Wishbone, anyone?
Solomon’s Wisdom. I know he’s recovering from leg injury, but the last time we saw him was making a game saving INT in the Sugar Bowl That Supposedly Didn’t Happen. With Williams out for the year, it’s time to get him involved.
No Injuries. Please… play hard, but stay healthy.
Smooth Jazz. Kenny G, come on down. This would either mean that Ohio State has the game in control or that Braxton is getting a breather (not injured, see above) and he’s getting valuable backup time. Joe B, we love you, but it’s time to move on. It’s not you, it’s us.
NFS. Maybe if I abbreviate it. Ed. – Yea, right. Keep dreaming.
Eric:
Continue to expand the offense. The OSU first quarter offensive play calling last weekend was a thing of beauty. That needs to continue – and preferably through an entire game this time. If we can operate a dynamic offense of that caliber consistently, this team will be much more difficult to beat.
Start looking to Carlos Hyde. Yes, we get Boom Herron back, but Carlos Hyde has been a stud for the last 6 games. It’s time to continue to look at him for the dirty work up the middle and stick Jordan Hall in the slot. Using Boom as a change-of-pace guy could be huge down the stretch, particularly after Hyde soften’s up the Illini defense.
No Joe Bauserman. This is nothing against Bauserman personally. I’ve defended him repeatedly this season, I love his character, but I hate his throwing. I simply do not want to see Joe Bauserman anywhere near the field in this game. In fact, it might be better to replace Bauserman with Graham on the travel squad – just for my own peace of mind. I don’t want the coaches suddenly having a brain fart and sticking him in during a tight situation.
Buckeye Football. We only get 12 guaranteed games each season, 13 if we’re lucky, and 14 now if we’re really lucky. I enjoy watching every minute of action, even during the bad times. I just want to watch the Buckeyes play.
Chris:
Jordan Hall in the Slot. All fall camp we heard how good Hall would be as a slot receiver. He is a mismatch for any linebacker because of his speed. Can we finally see that this week?
Defensive containment. Scheelhaase is a dangerous dual threat QB, and he is better than Taylor Martinez. The Buckeyes got beat in the second half because of lack of containment. Linebackers need to step it up to slow down Scheelhaase.
Carlos Hyde carry the ball 15+ times. He earned the starters job last week, and Hyde should be the number one tailback. With Herron back it will cut into his work load, but the coaching staff needs to continue rewarding Carlos for his tough play.
A win. I know this goes without saying, but it is crucial into a bye week. The Buckeyes need this win more than ever.
Jim:
I want to see the Buckeyes win a football game. That is all.
Joe L:
I just want to see a win. We haven’t lost 3 games in a row since 2004.
Improvement from the coaching staff. I would believe at this point that everyone believes that Fickell will not be the head coach next year and has been the whipping boy and deservedly so with some of his coaching decisions and losing a 21 pt lead but I want to see him improve as a head coach. He still has a big future in front of him coaching football and would like to see him learn from his mistakes.
Joe D:
Lower the Boom. It’s time to get our back involved quickly, because without a doubt it give the Buckeyes the best chance to win at this point. In his first game back, I think it’s important to get him 15+ carries.
The Third Element. To help give both the offense and defense some breathing room this season, the special teams units are going to need to continue to play well. The Buckeyes are seventh in the nation in kickoff return average, and they will need some short field situations against Illinois to gain momentum.
Two 100 Yard Rushers. Okay, maybe I’m bat shit insane, but sooner or later we’re going to see some big plays out of the backfield. The Illini have held opponents to under 500 yards on the ground total in their six wins, but maybe something sparks with Jordan Hall, Carlos Hyde and Boom Herron for big plays and big gains.
Stop the Pass. Sophomore Nathan Scheelhaase is a very talented duel threat, but when it comes to passing the football, if you can shut down A.J. Jenkins, then you can shut down the aerial attack. Jenkins accounts for more than 60% of the passing game, which is the highest in the nation by far. His last two weeks have been incredible, and stopping him this week will be a task. If the Buckeyes can though, they have a chance at victory.
OMG Please Play Kenny! If Braxton Miller for some reason doesn’t get the start or leaves for injury, the coaches have to play Kenny Guiton……right? The only boss I want to see play is on E Street. Give Guiton a chance if it comes down to it, if only because it won’t embarrass the coaching staff nearly as much as Joe “Fire ZEEE MISSILE!!” Bauserman. Ed. – Wow, we’ve sunk all the way to posting “OMGs”. If that isn’t a sign of how bad this season has been so far, nothing is.
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