Michigan Week

Stay classy Columbus…

The Block O flag is flying all week at Red Renee world headquarters; it’s Michigan week. Before we look forward, let’s take one more look back at the Rose Bowl clincher against Iowa.

**OSU Kicker Devin Barclay is no doubt breathing a mixture of euphoric oxygen with a couple sighs of relief this week. Kicking the game-winner in overtime to earn a share of the Big Ten title and a trip to the Rose Bowl is the dream for any Ohio State kicker. Who’s breathing a bigger sigh of relief is the New Mexico State player who knocked Pettrey out of the New Mexico State game. If Barclay would have missed that kick and Iowa gone on to win, that Aggie would have had a hard time letting go of his hit.

**After re-watching the Iowa game a couple of times, I was less discouraged with the OSU defensive play and more impressed with the Iowa offensive play. The gameplan team Ferentz put together on offense was outstanding mixing quick strike throws with their usual QB rollouts to keep the OSU D-line in chase mode instead of attack mode.

**For his part Iowa QB Vandenburg played at as high a level as anyone could have possibly expected, even his parents (special shout out to Mrs. Vandenburg whome we saw several times on the tv broadcast Saturday). Considering Iowa’s receivers dropped several passes that were very catchable, the redshirt freshman could have had a historic day in Ohio Stadium. In my opinion, his performance ranks only behind Zach Collaros’ performance in replacement of an injured Tony Pike in the Cincy-South Florida game.

**The play of both Boom Herron and Brandon Saine has to be very encouraging for Buckeye fans. We started the season without having a # 1 at running back and it now appears that we have two. And if something were to happen to either of them, Jordan Hall has more than proven that he can step in if need be. The prospects of the O-Line getting even healthier and getting the opportunity to practice more together in preparation for the bowl game make me feel all tingly inside. How about you?

**Tressel is a genius, I will never question his decisions*. JT took a lot of heat when Pryor was struggling earlier in the season. It turns out Tress really does know his QB best and the patience and faith Tress has shown in Pryor is really starting to pay off. It’s not all sunshine and lollipops with Pryor but he’s definitely maturing and developing into the QB Troy Smith was when he left Ohio State. Pryor might not do anything in the NFL but he can leave Ohio State as one of our most decorated Quarterbacks in our history if he continues to progress.

**Receivers blocking downfield. While the OSU receivers didn’t play a huge role against Iowa catching the ball, they did a fantastic job blocking downfield. It’s great to see guys doing whatever they can to get the win instead of complaining that pass plays aren’t being called.

On to Michigan…

Michigan QB Tate Forcier guaranteed a win over Ohio State, at least by proxy. Here was his exact quote to the Detroit News following another Big Ten loss last weeK:

I am going to get (my teammates) to a bowl game. If it means spending 10 hours in film this week, then I am going to do it. But we are going to get them to a bowl game.

Bad form too on the “spending 10 hours in film…” comment- not exactly the kind of rhetoric you want your starting QB to be spewing in the midst of an NCAA investigation on violating practice time rules.

More to come…