2019 Ohio State Season Thread

[MrNubbz]

So...

Trademark on the word "THE"??

Gotta be f'ing kidding me.

Great name for a Rock Band

[Mdot21]

Cont - Offensive skill positions

Let's start with what we know.  J.K. Dobbins is the clear starter at running back, and figures to get a million snaps.  While it's unclear what the running game will look like, he figures to be a big part of whatever it is.  Mike weber is gone and the running back depth is pretty scant.  Demario McCall moves from purgatory receiver to second string tailback, and while he has looked like a playmaker at times, he's rarely been on the field.  Master Teague and Marcus Crowley are youngsters who are available.

Similarly, at receiver, KJ Hill is a lock to see a lot of snaps.  He's the lone returnee of their top four options from last year, and he is excellent in the slot or H-Back situations that get him crossed up with a linebacker or safety.  After him gets a bit mysterious.  OSU would like a rotation of six receivers.  There are lots (and lots) of options here.
- Austin Mack would be a lock, but he was injured for half of last season and is banged up now
- Bin Victor is a senior and has been around for a while, but never really been the playmaker he was projected to be
- Chris Olave - came on late as a freshman for the injured Mack, and made an announcement with two touchdowns against Michigan
- Jaylen Harris - Big bodied type who has been stuck on the depth chart but now has an opening
- CJ Saunders - former walk-on who earned playing time last year in the crowded WR field
- Garrett Wilson - True frosh super recruit who is hgihly rated mostly on how polished a receiver he is right now
- Jaelen Gill - Redshirt frosh who observers call the best playmaker on the team

Also, Elijah Gardner and true frosh Jameson Williams are getting mentioned, too.  Kamryn Babb is currently injured.  It's tough to say what the receivers will look like.  KJ Hill and a healthy Austin Mack will get plenty of run, but all of the guys mentioned above could get substantial playing time.

And btw, OSU also has tight ends.  They weren't a huge part of the offense last year, though some conjecture that could change a bit this year.  In any event, Luke Farrell returns as the steadiest tight end, though Jeremy Rucket and Rashod Berry are the more athletic ones and may line up more as receivers.  Jake Hausmann also returns, though he has struggled with injuries.

Ohio State will be just fine at WR and TE.

I'm way more interested in QB, OL, and RB. JK Dobbins is a hell of a RB, but he's not an every downback imo. Mike Weber was so underrated by OSU fans and the media in general. Weber was a sledge hammer who was great at moving the chains. He ran people over like a little bowling ball. That kind of move the chains, between the tackle running will be missed. JK Dobbins is terrific, but that's not his game.

[MrNubbz]

Weber wasn't under rated by us we liked Mike

[FearlessF]

So...

Trademark on the word "THE"??

Gotta be f'ing kidding me.

the Canes down at "the U" won't allow it

[MrNubbz]

Neither will The Bug Eaters

[FearlessF]

the Bug Eaters/Huskers aren't infatuated with "the"

[Anonymous Coward]

So...

Trademark on the word "THE"??

Gotta be f'ing kidding me.

[MaximumSam]

[bayareabadger]

This “The” silliness brought up an old article about Ohio State’s aggressive trademark protection. Some of it stood out as an aggressive reminder of the flimsiness of “amateurism.” 

[MrNubbz]

Assinine move whoever thought it up.
Here is Ohio State's problem on this

Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.

[Temp430]

Ohio State is loaded with talent, more so than anyone in the Big Ten or country except for MAYBE Alabama and Clemson.   They could lose a game to Sparty given Sparty's defense, or maybe Michigan in Ann Arbor, but they are the B1G's best and are ranked accordingly.  And I doubt Chris Day, his staff, or any of the Buckeye players are loosing sleep in camp over "The" stupid distraction.

[Cincydawg]

I doubt the players know about the the distraction.  It's minor news.

Maybe they laughed about it and went back to work.  

OSU ranked second in recruiting at 247 in 2017 and 2018, slipped a bit in 2019 but had a lot of 5 stars anyway, and fewer numbers.

Maybe UGA has roughly comparable talent based on recruiting, though UGA has lost 3 five stars this year from their #1 class, one to OSU of course.

[MrNubbz]

Ohio State is loaded with talent, more so than anyone in the Big Ten or country except for MAYBE Alabama and Clemson.

We shall see a 3 loss season would not surprise me.New HC/QB and lots of question marks.I can see why M is favored in the East,the Offensive Line and Receiving Corp is looking Rip.If Shea is better than pedestrian it should be a fun squad to watch

[MaximumSam]

Cont preview:  The Offensive Line

Last year, the line was at times maligned, and could look good for stretches (Michigan) and for other stretches (see trying to run the football, trying to block Kenny Willekes) looked lost.  No reason to complain, because four of the five starters from last year are gone, so it will be a new look.  No more Isaiah Prince to kick around anymore.

There hasn't been too much drama on starters.  Four of the five positions are pretty well set
LT - Thayer Munford - the lone returning starter has been a little banged up, but no one thinks he will lose his job.  Josh Alabi returns as his backup.  
LG - Rutgers transfer Jonah Jackson is the guy here.
C - Sophomore Josh Myers is the starter.  
RG - Wyatt Davis filled in last year and returns
RT - Still up in the air.  Branden Bowen played last year until a bad leg injury put him down.  However, Nicholas Petit-Frere was a top recruit who put on weight his freshman season and now looks ready to contribute.

The biggest issue for the line is depth.  Breaking in four new starters is always dicey, and you want to have some experienced guys able back them up.  Right now, senior Josh Alabi is the backup tackle and junior Gavin Cupp would probably fill in at the guard spot.  After that you have a group of reshirt and true freshmen.  Worth noting true freshman Harry Miller is getting lots of chatter this fall.

There is no reason to expect a big drop off.  Myers might be the biggest question mark, but all of the other guys look like solid options.  Depth is an issue, and any kind of multiple injury problem will be tough to overcome.