A year ago, Ohio State was the favored team going into Happy Valley 6-0, and the number two ranked team in the country. Penn State came into that game 4-2 overall and 2-1 in Big 10 play. A blocked field goal with 4:27 seconds left gave the Nittany Lions the victory. Since that game, Penn State won the Big Ten championship, was left out of the playoffs, and lost one game in a thriller in The Rose Bowl at the hands of USC. Ohio State made the Playoffs losing to future champion Clemson 31-0. This season the Buckeyes lost at home to Oklahoma, but since the loss have looked dominant. This is a game for football fans of all ages. A Heisman Trophy Candidate, one team looking for revenge and won looking at the playoffs. Trust me you are not going to want to miss this one!
The Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State comes into this week fresh off a bye week and is currently 6-1, perfect in the Big 10. The Buckeyes leads the Big 10 with 577.3 yards per game and with 47.3 points per game. The Buckeyes have scored at least 54 points in their last 4 games and I am sure J.T. Barrett and the offense want to do that to the visiting Nittany Lions Saturday. Barrett has had himself a season thus far, leading the Big 10 in passing touchdowns with 21, points per game 22.6 and total yards per game 313.9. He is second currently in passing yards per game and completion percentage. The Buckeyes defense is only giving up 15.4 points per game.
The other huge factor that you have to talk about is 3-time National Champion coach Urban Meyer who is 43-2 in 6 seasons at Ohio State. There is no question Meyer knows how to win and has the 2017 Buckeyes looking a lot like the 2014 National Championship team. Scoring and dominating teams on offense and strangling team on defense. Rested looking for revenge and looking to make a statement could be the recipe for a win for the Buckeyes!
Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State come into Saturday’s game winning its last 15 regular season games. They have also won their last 13 Big 10 games, largely in part to Heisman Trophy candidate Saquon Barkley. Barkley, to this point in the season, has 1478 all-purpose yards: 757 running the ball and 448 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns. A lot of experts are saying that Ohio State have the tools to shut Barkley down due to an extra week to prepare for him and the talent that the Buckeyes have on the defensive side of the ball.
Barkley is not the only player the Nittany Lions have, Quarterback Trace McSorley who is not the 8-20 Quarterback he was a year ago. This young quarterback has improved every game and to this point in the season leads the Big 10 in passing yards per game (268.4) and completion percentage (68.8). McSorley is a true field general who can create plays with his feet as well as his are. McSorley likes to target his big tight end Mike Gesicki, who has caught at least one pass in 21 straight games. This is a team that is taking things one week at a time and playing a very high level especially coming off a huge 42-13 demolition of Michigan. If you are a Penn State fan, you must be happy with the way the Nittany Lions moves the ball on the number one defense in the Big 10 just a week ago.
Outcome
Ohio State is going to come out at home flying around, coming off the bye week and looking to ruin Penn State’s hope of making a run at the playoffs. The Buckeyes I am sure have had this game circled since day one of camp. If Penn State is not careful, J.T. Barrett could be poised to have a big game both with his feet and his arm. Penn State is a very disciplined team, they have only being penalized 3.57 times a game. That discipline and getting either Barkley or McSorley or both going on offense, Penn State is poised to go in to Ohio State and come out with a victory.
Both teams are looking to make statements for Ohio State. It is expressed that they deserve to be a one loss team in the playoffs and that they are the best team in the big 10. For Penn State, it is that last year’s win was no fluke and that they should have been in the playoffs last year and will be in the playoffs this year. I think Penn State and company win a nail biter and move to 8-0. Regardless of who you are rooting for these 18, 19, 20-year-old young men on both teams are going to put on a show for pure football fans! I am telling you, at 3:30 on Saturday, you are going to want to tune in, and enjoy!
Written by
Carlo Guadagnino
Edited by
Daniel Bishop M.A.
Reference
https://www.google.com/amp/collegefootballnews.com/2017/10/penn-state-ohio-state-prediction-game-preview/amp
http://www.gopsusports.com/saquonbarkley/
https://www.google.com/amp/amp.usatoday.com/story/92626674
http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/21129720/revenge-factor-ohio-state-matchup-penn-state-urban-meyer-says
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Time For Change at QB for Buffalo Bills
Is A QB Change Needed In Buffalo?
The question has been posed in Buffalo, “is it time to move on from Tyrod Taylor for Nathan Peterman?” With fair reason coming off one of Taylor’s worst professional performances this past Sunday in a 20-16 loss to Cincinnati. Taylor threw the ball 37 times against the Bengals, but only managed 166 yards total. He was sacked 6 times losing 27 yards. With all that, is it Tyrod’s fault or is the offense just making due with what it has? Could this be the beginning of the end of Taylor’s career in Buffalo? What does the quarterback need to change to keep his prime spot on the team?
The lack of passing game has made nearly impossible to run for LeSean McCoy, who is only averaging 3.1 yards per carry. The Bills two biggest receiving threats, tight end Charles Clay and Jordan Matthews, are both out with injuries. That means the Bills and Tyrod are relying on Nick O’Leary who led the team last week with 5 catches for 54 yards, Andre Holmes, Brandon Tate, and Zay Jones a rookie. Plus, an offensive line who can not keep Taylor protected or off the ground. Does Tyrod need to play better yes, but is he doing the best with what is around him absolutely!
Coach Sean McDermott was asked of a possible move. Without hesitation, he proclaimed his confidence in his current starting Quarterback Tyrod Taylor. “Tyrod’s working hard to continue to improve. I’ve got all the confidence in the world in Tyrod Taylor.” McDermott went to say, “When you look at what we’ve done in the Jets game, in the Denver game, and then also in Atlanta those are what we want the standard to be.” The coach even took a moment to reflect on himself saying “obviously Sunday against the Bengals wasn’t the standard we want and that starts with me, we have to continue to grow and get better.” With coaching confidence behind him I just do not see a move for Peterman coming anytime soon. I also do not believe Peterman is a better Quarterback than Taylor.
This Week
This week, the Bills returned to action following a bye week, to their home field where they have yet to lose, to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. First year head coach Sean McDermott has come up with a simple phrase for his players, “Defend Our Dirt”, and with the offense needing a pick me up this week looks to be just that. If the Bills defense plays as well as it has thus far and the offense finds its rhythm, this week will set up nicely for the Bills and its Bills Mafia. The running game being successful will open up Tyrod Taylor’s passing opportunities. If the running game gets going, the Bills offense could be at its most explosive that we have seen this season. Either way, look for the Bills by 7 at home!
The facts
At the end of the day, with the talent that is on that offensive unit, Tyrod Taylor plain and simple gives the Bills the best chance at making the playoffs. His play has not been lights out but it also has not kept them from winning; his ability to create plays with his feet are what make him dangerous. Truth be told, the offensive line must play better and protect him, the running game needs to improve to open the passing game and the Bills need to get healthy. With all the components working together, this team could be a force to be dealt with.
The defense for the Bills is going to put them in position to compete and win football games. Tyrod just needs to manage the offense better. He not a go out and win you every game. He needs to be a game manager, and when the opportunity does present it self go out and win your team a game or two. The rest of the time Taylor should put the ball in players hands and learn from game situations. The running game improving goes hand and hand with the offensive line improving. Make blocks, open gaps for running lanes, if you do that the passing game will open up.
At this point in the season, you cannot make a quarterback change because the guy who gives you the best chance is already on the field. Come on Bills fans, your Bills are still at the top of the AFC East; get excited and stay with Tyrod and your Bills will be playoff bound in 2017.
Written by
Carlo Guadagnino
Edited
Daniel Bishop M.A.
Reference
NFL.com/2017standings
Buffalorumblings.con
The question has been posed in Buffalo, “is it time to move on from Tyrod Taylor for Nathan Peterman?” With fair reason coming off one of Taylor’s worst professional performances this past Sunday in a 20-16 loss to Cincinnati. Taylor threw the ball 37 times against the Bengals, but only managed 166 yards total. He was sacked 6 times losing 27 yards. With all that, is it Tyrod’s fault or is the offense just making due with what it has? Could this be the beginning of the end of Taylor’s career in Buffalo? What does the quarterback need to change to keep his prime spot on the team?
The lack of passing game has made nearly impossible to run for LeSean McCoy, who is only averaging 3.1 yards per carry. The Bills two biggest receiving threats, tight end Charles Clay and Jordan Matthews, are both out with injuries. That means the Bills and Tyrod are relying on Nick O’Leary who led the team last week with 5 catches for 54 yards, Andre Holmes, Brandon Tate, and Zay Jones a rookie. Plus, an offensive line who can not keep Taylor protected or off the ground. Does Tyrod need to play better yes, but is he doing the best with what is around him absolutely!
Coach Sean McDermott was asked of a possible move. Without hesitation, he proclaimed his confidence in his current starting Quarterback Tyrod Taylor. “Tyrod’s working hard to continue to improve. I’ve got all the confidence in the world in Tyrod Taylor.” McDermott went to say, “When you look at what we’ve done in the Jets game, in the Denver game, and then also in Atlanta those are what we want the standard to be.” The coach even took a moment to reflect on himself saying “obviously Sunday against the Bengals wasn’t the standard we want and that starts with me, we have to continue to grow and get better.” With coaching confidence behind him I just do not see a move for Peterman coming anytime soon. I also do not believe Peterman is a better Quarterback than Taylor.
This Week
This week, the Bills returned to action following a bye week, to their home field where they have yet to lose, to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. First year head coach Sean McDermott has come up with a simple phrase for his players, “Defend Our Dirt”, and with the offense needing a pick me up this week looks to be just that. If the Bills defense plays as well as it has thus far and the offense finds its rhythm, this week will set up nicely for the Bills and its Bills Mafia. The running game being successful will open up Tyrod Taylor’s passing opportunities. If the running game gets going, the Bills offense could be at its most explosive that we have seen this season. Either way, look for the Bills by 7 at home!
The facts
At the end of the day, with the talent that is on that offensive unit, Tyrod Taylor plain and simple gives the Bills the best chance at making the playoffs. His play has not been lights out but it also has not kept them from winning; his ability to create plays with his feet are what make him dangerous. Truth be told, the offensive line must play better and protect him, the running game needs to improve to open the passing game and the Bills need to get healthy. With all the components working together, this team could be a force to be dealt with.
The defense for the Bills is going to put them in position to compete and win football games. Tyrod just needs to manage the offense better. He not a go out and win you every game. He needs to be a game manager, and when the opportunity does present it self go out and win your team a game or two. The rest of the time Taylor should put the ball in players hands and learn from game situations. The running game improving goes hand and hand with the offensive line improving. Make blocks, open gaps for running lanes, if you do that the passing game will open up.
At this point in the season, you cannot make a quarterback change because the guy who gives you the best chance is already on the field. Come on Bills fans, your Bills are still at the top of the AFC East; get excited and stay with Tyrod and your Bills will be playoff bound in 2017.
Written by
Carlo Guadagnino
Edited
Daniel Bishop M.A.
Reference
NFL.com/2017standings
Buffalorumblings.con
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Looking For Answers: Pittsburgh Steelers 3-2
The Steelers started the season with drama and it has surely followed them through the first five games of the season. From an unhappy star running back, a tantrum from the star receiver, and a sub par five games from the aging franchise QB, things have not been easy for the Black N Gold. All of this, despite having all stars healthy for the first time in 3 years, having one of the best projected offensive lines, and a revamped young defense that has been doing their part in the passing defense. Uncharacteristic, the defense has struggled against the run, and the offense with all the weapons has just not clicked. Many in the media have placed blame throughout the team, but little have questioned the coaching. Mike Tomlin has shown that he does not have much control over the star players and Todd Haley has proven that his play calling is what we all thought it was questionable at best.
The Killer Bs
The season started with Le’Veon Bell holding out through all of training camp, after reportedly turning down a five year, $12 million per year contract that would have given him $30 million in the first two years of the deal. After a slow start to the season, the young running back Bell seemed to have a breakout game against rival Baltimore with 35 carries, 144 yards, and 2 touchdowns, while catching 4 passes for 42 yards in the AFC North win. Then this week, after only 15 carries he gets into a Twitter scuffle with former Steeler Ryan Clark. The distractions did not stop there; leading wide receiver Antonio Brown threw a temper tantrum on the sideline shortly before halftime in the Baltimore game when he did not get the ball while he wide open in the middle of the field. He later apologized after being called out by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. This action by Brown showed that there is tension behind the scenes in the Steel City. Lastly, all-season Ben Roethlisberger has been saying he must play better, but that was not the outcome this Sunday against Jacksonville. 5 interceptions, 2 returned for touchdowns, he threw the ball 55 times only completing 33 of them in a lackluster offensive performance. The 35-year-old quarterback stated after the game jokingly “maybe I just don’t have it anymore.” The truth of the matter is Roethlisberger is getting older and there were questions last year on wether or not he would return for 2017, but the coaching staff must call a better game and put the ball in the offensive weapons hands. Let Big Ben facilitate but not force or should create because the truth of the matter is the talent is there around him, USE IT!
Coaches Must be Better
Mike Tomlin seems to be having some issues controlling his younger star players and it is making the team look bad as a result. Tomlin has had issues with Antonio Brown; he had the Facebook live issue last year immediately after a victory that sent the Steelers to the AFC Championship. This year he had the Chicago National Anthem distraction and now against Le’Veon Bell and Ryan Clark Twitter scuffle is just another distraction facing Tomlin. It appears at times that Tomlin might be the Head Coach but does not always have control of his team. Then there is Todd Haley, who Sunday against the 32-ranked rush defense in the league runs the ball just 15 times but chooses against a young talented secondary to throw the ball 55 times. Where is the logic in that? How as an offensive coordinator with what looks to be a two-headed monster of finesse in Le’Veon Bell and power in James Conner do you not run the ball? Not saying that the interceptions are completely Haley’s fault because he is not the one on the field playing, but to quote Herm Edwards “Come On Man”, there is no reason that Bell should not have had 30 touches and Conner could not have gotten more involved. Just a poor performance all the way around.
Ultimately the Steelers lost an opportunity to separate themselves from a struggling AFC conference minus the 5-0 Kansas City Chiefs. But they are still in control of the AFC North division and are now aware hopefully of what needs to be fixed. The Steelers will travel to Kansas City for a 4:25PM showdown with the Chiefs. A year ago, Pittsburgh went into Kansas City and ended the Chiefs season in the playoffs. For that to be the case again Sunday, the Steelers will need to get back to the run game, which will allow the passing game to open up down field for players like Martvis Bryant and Antonio Brown. Stop forcing the ball and simplify the offense and get back to Steeler football or it could be another long Sunday afternoon for Steelers fans.
Written by
Carlo Guadagnino
Edited:
Daniel Bishop M.A.
The Killer Bs
The season started with Le’Veon Bell holding out through all of training camp, after reportedly turning down a five year, $12 million per year contract that would have given him $30 million in the first two years of the deal. After a slow start to the season, the young running back Bell seemed to have a breakout game against rival Baltimore with 35 carries, 144 yards, and 2 touchdowns, while catching 4 passes for 42 yards in the AFC North win. Then this week, after only 15 carries he gets into a Twitter scuffle with former Steeler Ryan Clark. The distractions did not stop there; leading wide receiver Antonio Brown threw a temper tantrum on the sideline shortly before halftime in the Baltimore game when he did not get the ball while he wide open in the middle of the field. He later apologized after being called out by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. This action by Brown showed that there is tension behind the scenes in the Steel City. Lastly, all-season Ben Roethlisberger has been saying he must play better, but that was not the outcome this Sunday against Jacksonville. 5 interceptions, 2 returned for touchdowns, he threw the ball 55 times only completing 33 of them in a lackluster offensive performance. The 35-year-old quarterback stated after the game jokingly “maybe I just don’t have it anymore.” The truth of the matter is Roethlisberger is getting older and there were questions last year on wether or not he would return for 2017, but the coaching staff must call a better game and put the ball in the offensive weapons hands. Let Big Ben facilitate but not force or should create because the truth of the matter is the talent is there around him, USE IT!
Coaches Must be Better
Mike Tomlin seems to be having some issues controlling his younger star players and it is making the team look bad as a result. Tomlin has had issues with Antonio Brown; he had the Facebook live issue last year immediately after a victory that sent the Steelers to the AFC Championship. This year he had the Chicago National Anthem distraction and now against Le’Veon Bell and Ryan Clark Twitter scuffle is just another distraction facing Tomlin. It appears at times that Tomlin might be the Head Coach but does not always have control of his team. Then there is Todd Haley, who Sunday against the 32-ranked rush defense in the league runs the ball just 15 times but chooses against a young talented secondary to throw the ball 55 times. Where is the logic in that? How as an offensive coordinator with what looks to be a two-headed monster of finesse in Le’Veon Bell and power in James Conner do you not run the ball? Not saying that the interceptions are completely Haley’s fault because he is not the one on the field playing, but to quote Herm Edwards “Come On Man”, there is no reason that Bell should not have had 30 touches and Conner could not have gotten more involved. Just a poor performance all the way around.
Ultimately the Steelers lost an opportunity to separate themselves from a struggling AFC conference minus the 5-0 Kansas City Chiefs. But they are still in control of the AFC North division and are now aware hopefully of what needs to be fixed. The Steelers will travel to Kansas City for a 4:25PM showdown with the Chiefs. A year ago, Pittsburgh went into Kansas City and ended the Chiefs season in the playoffs. For that to be the case again Sunday, the Steelers will need to get back to the run game, which will allow the passing game to open up down field for players like Martvis Bryant and Antonio Brown. Stop forcing the ball and simplify the offense and get back to Steeler football or it could be another long Sunday afternoon for Steelers fans.
Written by
Carlo Guadagnino
Edited:
Daniel Bishop M.A.
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