Week 2 - Humuhumunukunukuapua'a

Standings
1) Schweinfurth     4-1    (1-0 upset)
1) Draper                 4-1    (0-1 upset)
1) Seeberg              4-1    (0-1 upset)
4) Hoying              3-2    (0-1 upset)

The good news: our beloved Bucks are still holding down the #1 spot. The bad news: the remaining 24 spots are occupied by SEC teams. At any rate, we've scraped together a few matchups that may have an impact on whom OSU might face if the GRIND continues to succeed.

Oregon Ducks @ Michigan State Spartans
Draper: A nice top ten matchup to get things really going.  Oregon was able to pull away last year in Eugene but this is a whole new animal.  Welcome to East Lansing where the Spartans return most of their skill players and the Ducks...not so much.  I'm not sold on the Ducks being the steamroller of the recent past.  There offense will be ok, but that defense was hot garbage last week.  I think Sparty gets some revenge and stakes their claim as one of the top teams in the country. Ore: 20--MSU: 34
Hoying: Last year, in Eugene, Sparty put quite the scare into the Autzen faithful for about 3 quarters, until Super Mariota proved to be too much. This year, Oregon has another very good QB, Vernon Adams, but he's not quite the world-beater that M&M was. The No-Fly zone seems to have been grounded since their landmark 2013, but State has managed to work Walrusball into a high-powered offense behind the arm of Heisman dark horse Connor Cook. Oregon struggles with big, physical offenses like Michigan State. Look for the Spartans to score early and often and the defense to get just enough stops with the home team roaring in Adams's ears. Ore: 31--MSU: 38
Schweinfurth: Michigan State plays defense, Oregon does not. Oregon plays offense, Michigan State has Jim Bollman running the offense. With as much disdain as I have for Bolman, I do respect what Mark Dantonio has built on the banks of the Red Cedar. The Spartan defense knows how to slow down these spread offenses (see the 2nd half of the Cotton Bowl).  Let's face it, Oregon couldn't slow down Eastern Washington last week. I think that trend continues and the Spartans get their revenge on the Ducks.  ORE: 36--MSU: 49
Seeberg:  Both of these teams looked surprisingly meh in their openers.  Oregon gave up a whopping 42 points to the 1-AA program whose QB they pilfered.  Meanwhile, MSU looked quite pedestrian (and oddly out of place in a MAC stadium) in a lackluster 13-point win over Western Michigan.  The Spartans will likely be in a shootout which is typically not their forte.  However, their massive comeback against Baylor might give them the confidence to win another high-scoring battle.  I honestly believe this game is an outright toss-up, so I'm going with the home team.  ORE: 38--MSU: 42

Oklahoma Sooners @ Tennessee Volunteers
Draper:  Speaking of hot garbage on defense, hello Vol fans.  The Volunteers look like they may have turned the corner offensively with some positives on the near horizon, but that defense got scorched by BG.  I'm very leery about pick Oklahoma in any road game, but Samaji Perine is a beast.  Expect a high scoring affair with the Sooners staying in the hunt in a rare big road win.  OU: 48--UT: 41
Hoying: Here comes another sucker non-conference foe ready for a beating at the hands of the Soon...wait, this game isn't in Norman? The shroud of invincibility tends to get torn away when Oklahoma leaves the friendly confines. But after a few years of top-notch, is Tennessee finally ready to perform? The Vol defense wasn't anything special against Bowling Green and they'll need to reach another level to stop the Baker Mayfield passing attack. I think their time has finally come. Neyland will be rocking, and Tennessee takes their first big step back toward national relevance. OU: 27--UT: 31
Schweinfurth: I feel like Tennesse is getting a pass this year and is way overrated.  Yes, Butch Jones is doing a good job turning that program around, but it is still a work in progress. Oklahoma isn't what they used to be, but they will never be out of games with Samaje Perine.  I'll take Oklahoma. OU: 35--UT: 28
Seeberg:  Well, there's good news and bad news on Rocky Top, my graduate school alma mater.  The good news?  The Vols hung half a hundred on Bowling Green, and then nine more points for good measure.  The bad news?  They gave up 30, and much like the OSU-VT game, it was competitive into the 3rd quarter before their superior talent finally won over.  Oklahoma, however, has similar- if not better- talent.  Samaje Perine and Co. will run all over the Vols, wearing them down late.  OU: 41--UT: 31 

Louisiana State Tigers @ Mississippi State Bulldogs
Draper:  LSU gets ready for game 1 after the rainout last week so there will be some jitters, but I'm not buying Mississippi State this year.  Dak Prescott runs well, but LSU is looking to return to real National contention.  Leonard Fournette is really really good (drawing comparisons to AD) and I think he silences the glorious din of the cowbell.  Les drinks a victory bourbon chasing a fescue salad.  LSU: 31--MSU: 27 
Hoying: Last year, Mississippi State splashed their way into the playoff chase with a big win in Death Valley in which they hung 34 on the vaunted LSU defense. The Tigers are a sexy pick to represent the league at the end of this year's slate, but MSU still has Dak Prescott and LSU still has...Leonard Fournette, who is a terrific RB, but not enough by himself to deliver a win in Starkville. LSU: 27--MSU: 30
Schweinfurth: LSU has big questions marks at QB, and I mean big questions. LSU was okay last year, but not a great team. The Bulldogs came out of nowhere and Dak Prescott along with them. I will go with the team that knows who is behind center. CLANGA!!! LSU: 24--MSU: 38
Seeberg:  This is almost a week-one style game to predict as LSU didn't play last week and it's tough to figure out what to make of the Bulldogs.  MSU's all-purpose QB Dak Prescott is back but they only return less than half of the starters from their overacheiving squad of a year ago.  LSU is almost the exact opposite, with a big question mark at QB but a largely veteran team otherwise.  The Hat starts off 1-0.  LSU: 31--MSU: 17

Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors @ THE Ohio State University Buckeyes
Draper: Wooooooo....this...is gonna be gross.  Welcome back Joey, Dontre, Jalin, and Korey.  While Joey will certainly be on the field, are we convinced that the others will make an impact? The crowd of WRs (led by Braxton) looked just fine.  Suspensions might relegate these guys to the pine for more than a game.  Jalin will be there to return (fumble?) punts but other than that, I'm good with what we have.  I need a shored up D-line and O-line, but this is the opponent that is good for what ails you.  Will JT start just to screw with us? Don't count it out.  Either way, we should get some Steven Collier in the blowout.  Zeke will be limited in that he'll be taken out early.  Bucks roll.  Haw: 10--OSU: 66
Hoying: A home game against an awful Group of Five opponent. It's finally September in Columbus. After defying Let's Go Bucks! and starting Cardale Jones at QB, Urban faces the task of psyching 12 Gauge up for a craptastic opponent in his home starting debut. Don't expect any rust. After being frustrated on the ground and through the air by a sound Hokies defense (yet still racking up almost 600 yards), Cardale and Co. must be itching to turn the offense loose and showcase its full potential, especially with Wilson, Marshall, and Smith returning. Not that the Bucks need them with Braxton making defenses look silly by himself once again. The best part: we should get to see PLENTY of JT this week, as garbage time should be at least 40 minutes long. How about a nice Hawaiian punch? Haw: 10--OSU: 70
Schweinfurth: The only concern I have with this game is the quick turn around. Hawai'i gets two extra days to rest and the Buckeyes had a physical game Monday night. Outside of that, this game shouldn't be close. The Buckeyes could put up 60 without batting an eye. I can't wait to see some Bosa shrugs this week. Urban will use this week to pad Zeke's stats.  This is over after the first quarter and we get to see plenty of Cardale and JT.  HAW: 14--OSU: 63
Seeberg:  The best part about being 1-0?  The chance near-certainty to go 2-0.  Hawaii grabbed a respectable win over Pac-12 bottom-feeder Colorado last week but in case you haven't noticed, the Buckeyes dropped 42 on the road against a top 15 defense with three primary offensive weapons sidelined.  Oh, and Joey Bosa has had an extra week to gather his Thor-like hair and muscles to unleash them on a suspecting-but-unable-to-do-anything-about-it Hawaii team.  The offense gets better, the defense gets better, the special teams can scarcely get worse.  The only trepidation I have about this game is finding some place in North Carolina with BTN to watch it.  HAW: 20--OSU: 52

Upset Special
Draper: BYU over Boise
Hoying: Toledo over Arkansas
Schweinfurth: Oregon St. over TTUN
Seeberg:  Nevada over Arizona

Grading the Bucks-- Week 1: Virginia Tech

Decent performance in week 1, but I'm going to be honest, I will be a very tough grader this year.  This team isn't vying for a conference championship...they're trying to be an all-time great.  If you want to be the best, criticism is needed.

Let me be clear, I think Urban made the incorrect decision concerning the starting QB, but that is NOT the purpose of this weekly post.  I will grade based on the on-field performance (sans coaching).

Offense: B+
Coming out like gangbusters with the tough grading.  Cardale was...good, but I expected more from an accuracy standpoint.  The interception wasn't an issue (fantastic play by VT), but some of the decisions baffled me (the decision to throw late over the middle on the pick was bad).  12 Gauge continues to show the absolute jaw-dropping strength to casually flip the ball 40 yards while jumping backwards.  Forgetting about accuracy, that arm strength is astounding.  The passing game was fine but Cardale let a few passes go that he never should have attempted (and one was a TD).  When you have a backup H-back making a diving catch while being interfered with, there just aren't words...  Jones running was OK, but the option is not his game.  The QB power is his strength so use it! Cardale will be fine, but his decision making still needs work.  

Zeke was in midseason form from the first run, but Urban clearly didn't see the need to wear him out.  More carries for the bell-cow would be nice, but the Oline needs some work.  VT has a really good Dline and it showed here.  Hard to knock the Oline that gave up 0 sacks and produced 300+ rushing yards, but Cardale's raw physicality kept the sack number round and the ball carriers were simply the top of the game.  Price and Boren need to pick up their play to be an all-timer team.

JT comes in and immediately runs for 40 and throws a gorgeous touch pass for 26 for a TD to the next big star Mike Thomas.  I loved the way the offense flowed effortlessly under JT.  It was the style and panache to Cardale's muscle.

Finally, the biggest story was the forgotten Braxton Miller.  What a fantastic resurgence!  There aren't words for how amazing he must feel for reminding Buckeye Nation what he brings to the table.  I think he's found a home position that will earn him a nice chunk at the next level and push the Bucks to another title.  I thought he'd be ok as a WR, but I never expected the hands to supplement the raw athleticism.

Defense: C+
Secondary looked pretty darn good (other than Apple getting juked by a fullback...C'mon Man!).  The concern is in the front seven.  Bosa will certainly shore up the pass rush, but the interior line wasn't as dominant as I'd like.  More concerning was the inconsistent play of the LBs.  Lee, Perry, and McMillan made some nice plays, but were out of position on just as many plays.  Hopefully, it was first game jitters, but that unit has a history to live up to.  The biggest positive was the young guns.  Hubbard, while not Bosa, filled in quite well and Conley was fantastic (other than a baaaad DPI).  The downgrade is because I have no belief that VT is good on offense.  Brewer was moving the ball comfortably when VT got the momentum.  That shouldn't happen.  It wasn't easy, but it wasn't hard. Final Note: The throwback TD was defended pretty well (options 1-4 were covered).  When it comes to goalline defense, you need to sell out on a few options and hope for the best.  The only realistic way to stop the throwback is to get to the QB (which we didn't).

Special Teams: Butt
Oh boy, here we go again.  Let's see: kickoff out of bounds (check), hold on a punt that wasn't fielded (check), muffed punt (check), missed FG (check).  Come on guys. There is simply no excuse here.  I know Zeke isn't normally a punt returner...so don't make him return punts.  Honestly, while Jalin Marshall provides home run potential, I'm not more confident that he won't fumble.  Get. Better.

Coaching: C
The playcalling was very questionable. While Cardale was the starter, it sure seemed like the playcalling was optimized for JT's game.  JT runs the option (read and/or speed) better than pretty much anyone in the game, but speed option isn't in Cardale's repertoire.  The lack of the slant game still baffles me, and honestly, VT was giving Cardale single coverages all day.  Why didn't we take more shots downfield?  I don't understand the gameplan.  Props to the coaches for preparing Braxton and making us completely forget about the suspensions.

Overall: B-
Good start, but I want more.  If Brewer didn't go down, would the game have been different? I don't think so, but the question bears consideration.  The defense needs to turn up to the level at which they finished the title run.  The offense is going to be next level and we just scatched the surface.  Let's not forget: the best player in college football (arguably), the number 1 punt returner, and 2 key receivers/Hbacks have yet to play...and we dominated a decent team in a tough environment.  Check that, the score says dominated, but I don't give them that description...yet.  We saw the flashes of all-time greatness.  This entire season is about the chase for history.  It has begun.