Dotting The 'Eyes

Shocking the football world: Part 2

For the risktakers out there, here's an interesting note from Notre Dame's stunning 30-13 victory at 13-point favorite Oklahoma: It was the first time an undefeated double-digit underdog won this late in the season since the Buckeyes upset Miami in the 2002 BCS championship game. In between, according to Pregame.com, the last 16 unbeaten double-digit dogs this deep into the year had lost.

A few other morsels from Pregame.com's weekly media release:

-- "If Notre Dame played Alabama on a neutral field, Irish would be 13-point dogs."

-- "Alabama travels to LSU this week: LSU is a 10-point home underdog! First time in over a decade that LSU is a double digit home underdog. Biggest home underdog LSU has been against Alabama since 1992. In odds offered before the season, LSU was favored in this game!"

-- "Oregon travels to USC this week: USC is a 7-point home underdog! First time since 1997 that USC has been a home underdog of a touchdown or more. In odds offered before the season, USC was a 3-point favorite in this game!"

-- "If Oregon played Alabama on a neutral field, Oregon would be 3-point underdogs."

Where did all the linebackers go?

Wondering what that one stud linebacker recruit from Ohio State's 2009 -- or 2010 -- recruiting class is up to these days? There's a good chance he's plying his trade elsewhere -- or nowhere at all. To go along with our story today exploring the reasons for the Buckeyes' tissue-thin depth at linebacker, here is the biggest one: No one is left from the 2009 and 2010 recruiting classes. At least it feels that way. Of the eight linebacker recruits from those years, only reserve Storm Klein and fullback-turned-back-to-linebacker Zach Boren remain on the team.

Where is everyone? Here's a look:

2009 linebacker recruits

Jordan Whiting, Louisville (3-star) -- Transferred to Louisville.

Storm Klein, Newark, Ohio (4-star) -- Started last season; now a backup.

Dorian Bell, Monroeville, Pa. (5-star) -- Suspended and left program; transferred to Duquesne in Pittsburgh.

Zach Boren, Pickerington, Ohio (3-star) -- Started at fullback first three-plus seasons; moved back to linebacker last week.

2010 linebacker recruits

Chad Hagan, Canonsburg, Pa. (3-star) -- Career-ending injury.

David Durham, Charlotte (3-star) -- Moved to fullback, then transferred to Pittsburgh.

Scott McVey, Cleveland (4-star) -- Career-ending injury.

Jamel Turner, Fork Union, Va. (4-star) -- Never arrived on campus.

* Star ratings from Scout.com

Defense wins the crystal ball

To go along with today's End Zone, I bring you proof of why Ohio State needs its Silver Bullets back for the program to truly regain its place among the nation's elite. Here’s a look at where the defenses of the last 12 champions ranked nationally:

2000: Oklahoma 278.9 yards allowed per game (8)

2001: Miami 270.9 (6)

2002: Ohio State 320.9 (23)

2003: LSU 252.0 (1)

2004: Southern California 279.3 (6)

2005: Texas 302.9 (10)

2006: Florida 255.4 (6)

2007: LSU 288.8 (3)

2008: Florida 285.3 (9)

2009: Alabama 244.1 (2)

2010: Auburn 368.4 (60)

2011: Alabama 183.6 (1)

This season, Ohio State is allowing 400 and ranked 69th. Short term, I suppose that means its offense better be than Auburn's in 2010. Long term, not going to cut it.

Score one for the band

Judging by the 5.1 million (and counting) hits on YouTube, you've probably already seen the Ohio State Marching Band's viral halftime performance from Saturday night. But I would be remiss not to share The Best Damn Band in the Land's ode to video games anyway. Elmore native Jon Waters' charges delivered a performance for the ages -- a show Entertainment Weekly called "transfixing in its awesomeness" that "must simply be seen to be believed."

Check it out:

 

 

Sabino sidelined with broken leg

Starting linebacker Etienne Sabino will miss at least three games with a broken fibula, dealing a major blow to a unit already short on depth. S

Sabino, a senior captain, suffered the injury in the first half of OSU’s win over Nebraska and had a plate put in his leg Sunday.

“He's an incredible human being. I love that guy,” Meyer said. “He’s hurting. He talked to the team after the game, and it was an emotional moment. This team's getting pretty close because of guys like him. We're going to miss him.”

Sabino will be replaced by freshman Josh Perry — one of six underclassmen among the seven linebackers listed on the Buckeyes’ depth chart.

A clash of philosphies

Urban Meyer and Nick Saban coach in different leagues now, but the former SEC rivals are still going at it. Their latest battle is on nothing less than the future of football. Saban, you see, is not amused by what he sees as a fancy dancy trend sweeping across college football: the no-huddle offense. He prefers the classic pro-style look, Meyer -- and a roster of others -- the bullet-paced spread.

"I think that the way people are going no-huddle right now, that at some point in time, we should look at how fast we allow the game to go in terms of player safety," Saban said on the SEC teleconference this week, according to AL.com. "The team gets in the same formation group, you can’t substitute defensive players, you go on a 14-, 16-, 18-play drive and they’re snapping the ball as fast as you  can go and you look out there and all your players are walking around  and can’t even get lined up. That’s when guys have a much greater chance of getting hurt when they’re not ready to play.

"I think that’s something that can be looked at. It’s obviously created a tremendous  advantage for the offense when teams are scoring 70 points and we’re averaging 49.5 points a game."

"Is this what we want football to be?" Saban then asked.

To which Meyer replied with a resounding, "Yes!"

"I think it’s great for the game," he said of the no-huddle element. "There are so many different personalities in college football, and I’ve had guys on my staff who either played in the pros or coached in the pros, and the one thing about NFL football -- I’m obviously not an expect because I don’t  get to see it that much -- is you don’t see the multitude of different offenses that you see in college. You can go from wishbone,  spread-option to throwing it 50 times a game to pro style. I love it because I love watching it. I love getting that film and using other people’s ideas, so I think it’s great for college football."

Fragel's ceiling high ... if he gets nastier

Ex-Browns GM Phil Savage continues to pore through his notes from a visit to Ohio State's practice facility last week. His latest reports are on senior cornerback Travis Howard and senior offensive lineman Reid Fragel -- the grandson of former Rossford basketball coach Joe Stalma. Interesting -- and blunt -- thoughts on the 6-foot-8, 310-pound Fragel, who looks to have an NFL future after moving from tight end to right tackle for his final season. Savage said if Fragel gets nastier "and embraces the opportunity in front of him, the ceiling for him could be as a potential starter in the league." If his performance Saturday against Michigan State is any indication, Fragel took the message to heart.

Here are Savage's write-ups, courtesy of seniorbowl.com.

Reid Fragel

Summary: A tall-framed prospect with long arms and a developed lower body and bubble. He has added over 20 lbs. since the spring and can certainly carry even more weight in the future (maybe, in the 325-330 lb. range).

As stated, he aligns as the RT and plays from both 2- and 3-point stances in this version of OSU’s spread option offense. He has natural knee bend to his play and consistently stays on his feet. As a run blocker, he will latch on and run his feet, but is not an explosive road grater off the line. He will body position and wall off opponents with his overall size and ability to keep his balance.

On “down” blocks, he can cover people up with his frame, but again, would not consider him to be a mauler. In pass protection, he can get out of his stance and slide laterally while extending his arms. When he keeps his weight back and head up, he can be difficult to get around due to his body and arm length. When he leans at the waist or drops his head, like every offensive lineman, he can get exposed and is vulnerable to counter moves.

For the most part, he keeps his hands inside, but there are times when he has them outside and gives too much ground. Still, this is a prospect that flashes athletic ability with the skill to adjust and confront an alternate pass rush move.

For the NFL, Reid is an intriguing player because of his limited experience as an OT, his further body development and the fact that he stays off the ground. He gives a consistent effort, but does not have a nasty demeanor. If he will understand and embrace the opportunity in front of him, the ceiling for him could be as a potential starter in the league. Otherwise, his floor will be as a journeyman developmental candidate that has the physical traits and a questionable football temperament.

What the NFL scouts want to see in 2012: For Reid to turn up the intensity on and off the field and demonstrate that he is very serious about playing professional football. Through four games (visit on 9/26), he has shown steady improvement, but will need to continue in that regard as the Buckeyes will take on eight straight Big Ten opponents to close out the 2012 season.

Travis Howard

Summary: As a senior, interestingly enough, he is playing as the “field” corner even though he has the build of a “boundary” corner at 6000/195. He has an angular body with long arms and legs with thin wrists and ankles. He is “leggy” in his transition, yet shows quality athletic ability and more quickness than expected for a tall corner.

In the Buckeyes’ first five games, he has registered 3 interceptions and is playing the best football of his career. In run support, he takes up space on the perimeter with his length and, overall, is a drag-down style tackler. He will get involved, but is not a physical striker in space.

As a pass defender, he will pedal-and-react to routes in front of him and does a solid job in his backward-and-forward transitions. Travis does have some tightness when changing directions laterally out in the open field, but his best attribute may be when he is at the line-of-scrimmage. In press, he has the arm length to jam the receiver and then the needed speed to carry his opponent downfield.

On Tuesday, September 25, he had an excellent day in the 1-on-1 WR/DB drills when he demonstrated more short area quickness and reactionary movement than his long build would indicate. He has not been challenged vertically very often in games, so it is difficult to assess his ball awareness and judgment in the deep part of the field. He catches the football easily and has 7 interceptions in 16 career starts.

For the NFL, by virtue of his height-weight and speed, he will be thoroughly evaluated this fall. With the dearth of 6000 corners available in college football, every team in the league will have to make their determination on him as a future backup or potential starter. He probably fits best for a Cover Two team (with rolled up corners) that will ask for some MM skills in their scheme.

What the NFL scouts want to see in 2012: If he can stay healthy for the remainder of the season and continue making plays on the football, with his past contributions on special teams, his stock can elevate for the 2013 draft.