JIMMY THE GREEK SAYS

[jimmythegreek]

(2)Ohio St -22 over Michigan St:
It's just something I cannot explain. How could a season of such promise starting out at 8-2 go to such a huge disappointment losing 9 of 10? Of course I'm not talking about second ranked Ohio St (9-1 6-1) who has rolled up back to back 62-3 wins over the likes of conference foes Nebraska and Maryland. Truth be told, the Buckeyes are back in the National Championship equation since suffering their first loss of the season at Penn St. JT Barrett (18/27 253 3 TD) scored 4 total TD in all (11-47 4.3 2 TD) and is peaking at the right time for Urban Meyer and company. Barrett ran for both of his TD in the first half and found Curtis Samuel (5-74 1 TD) and Dontre Wilson (3-47 1 TD) on scoring passes of 36 and 5 yards respectively. Samuel (4-38 9.5 2 TD) also opened the scoring with a 2 yard TD run and later added a 5 yard scamper to paydirt as Ohio St built a 45-3 halftime lead in front of a sellout crowd at Maryland Stadium. The High powered Buckeyes offense dominated in all offensive categories producing 32 first downs and outgaining the Terrpains 581-176 while punting just 3 times and not committing a turnover. Tyler Durbin added 2 field goals and all the offense Maryland was able to muster was a 23 yarder by Adam Greene. The Terps turned the ball over 3 times and were limited to just 43 yards on the ground. Caleb Rowe (7/13 93 1 INT) nor Tyrell Pigrome (7/11 44) could not generate much ball movement or production throughout. The Terps dropped their 3rd straight and will need to win one of their final 2 games to become bowl eligible.

Barrett (189/292 2218 23 TD 4 INT) is one of the highly touted NFL prospects for the upcoming draft as well mentioned throughout the FBS as a Heisman candidate. Equally as dangerous with his feet (140-617 4.4 8 TD) as his arm accuracy and ability to throw the deep ball, the Buckeyes are one of the most successful offenses in the country mixing up their efficiency on the ground and through the air. Mike Weber (152-935 6.2 7 TD) and Samuel (80-637 8.0 7 TD) are a formidable one two punch behind a stout front line eating up yards and combining tremendous balance and speed in the open field. Samuel (57-750 6 TD) is the most versatile back in the country representing Barrett's top target. Barrett also has other options in Noah Brown (27-345 7 TD) and Wilson (26-343 5 TD) when Samuel is accounting for a large chunk of yardage on quick successful drives. This offense has so many weapons to pound it down opponents throats as evident by their 512 yards and 47 points per contest. They also have tremendous speed and agility on defense, led by Damon Webb and Malik Hooker, who each returned INT's for pick 6's in the rout of Nebraska. Gareon Conley is one of the better up and coming corners in the nation, along with Marshon Lattimore and Denzel Ward posing an intimidating presence man to man and on the outside. The Buckeyes rank 4th nationally in total defense (275 yards) and yield just 12.4 points per game.

It has been a dreadful campaign to say the least for Sparty (3-7 1-6) always a fixture in the national rankings before this season. They broke a 7 game losing streak last week by blanking Rutgers 49-0 behind Tyler O' Connor (10/15 141 3 TD) who found Josiah Price (3-13 2 TD) on 2 of his scoring passes in the first quarter. LJ Scott (20-122 6.1 1 TD) added a 3 yard TD run, and O Connor also hooked up with Trishton Jackson (2-67 1 TD) on a 50 yard bomb against a porous Rutgers defense lit up for 440 yards including 270 on the ground. The Spartans forced 3 Scarlet Knights' turnovers and allowed just 149 total yards including just 40 on 6/16 passing by Giovanni Rescigno with 2 picks. Rutgers had more punts (9) than first downs (8) losing their 7th straight and giving Sparty something to cheer about for a change.

O Connor (131/213 1747 15 TD 7 INT) may be a bit on the conservative side, but really didn't establish himself until the third game of the season behind 2 others that were inefficient and lost to injury. MSU averages about 26 points per game, but has not shown much dominance nor consistency against the Big 10's elite due to a more subtle tempo. Other than Scott (149-775 5.2 5 TD) and at times Gerald Holmes (83-416 5.0 5 TD), the ground attack or lack thereof has not established themselves as planned at the beginning of the season. Shelton (47-710 5 TD) is O Connor's top target, and Donnie Corley (27-397 3 TD) along with Price (30-309 5 TD) have been flashy at times albeit mostly underneath. Beating Michigan State should provide some gratification after the Spartans ended Ohio State’s CFP hopes with last year’s 17-14 victory in Columbus on a field goal as time expired. Defensive wise, Michigan State allows about 27 points per contest, but have been equally consistent against the run and passing game surrendering about 361 total yards per contest. The Spartans cannot expect to win this one in a toe to toe shootout, thus needing to win the turnover battle forcing Barrett into making ill-advised decisions that could lead to points off of miscues. Michigan State may be down its best defender in Malik McDowell when the Buckeyes come calling suffering an ankle injury against Illinois a few weeks back. That means more pressure could be put on Riley Bullough, the Spartans' outside linebacker. 

The weather could play a factor for some time, but that could play to the advantage of either. Barrett and company have just too much stronger personnel on both sides of the ball despite the ongoing rivalry. MSU hung around against Michigan who has been on the decline ever since falling to Iowa. The Buckeyes will make too much of an impact and roll to victory pulling away in the second half since they have a number of weapons in Barrett, Samuel and Wilson in multiple dimensions and sets.

I'll have another play for Saturday later.

[Guest boatboatboat]

Always a great read jimmy

 

Good luck

[spankie]

Good write up, do not agree. 

 

GL

[Mofome]

Bol Jimmy!!! The season is ending too soon!

[jimmythegreek]

Also going with Washington -27 over Arizona St 

Best of luck to all in week 12

YTD 9-11 .450