Following Troy Smith

[MWM]

Who will replace Troy Smith next year? They have a few options between Boekman and Schoensoft, but I'm intrigued by Antonio Henton simply because I like the idea of a double threat QB and he's supposedly a great athlete. And supposedly he can throw better than Smith when he got to Columbus. The only problem will be I'm not sure he'll be reay by next year, and it will difficult to unseat an incumbent unless they bomb.

Thoughts? Boekman, Schoensoft, or Henton?

Add to that they're returning two stud RBs in Pittman and Wells, along with plenty of talent at WR and Alex Boone should be one of the best O-lineman in the country. Virtually the entire defense will be returning with a full year of experience. I think they'll miss Smith and they probably won't repeat what we saw this year, but they could wind up being a damn good team next year as well. Although, Michigan wil probably come into the season ranked #1. They'll be legit national titel contenders next year.

[LoganBuck]

The scoop on the QB position is that Boeckman gets first crack. He will be a fifth year junior, and knows the offense inside and out. He can make all the throws, the problem is he hasn't really played that much since his junior year of high school. His senior year he was banged up on a average St Henry team, and missed some time.

Schoenhoft is cut from the same cloth as Boeckman just less experience, and he came from Cin St X, where they ran an option attack, with a 6' 6" QB.

Henton is basically a more athletic Troy Smith. He was the Atlanta Journal Constitution Georgia Player of the Year, last year. He is said to be a pure physical talent, who is a "lightbulb player" it is just a matter of how long it is until he can make the reads, and grasp the offense. Think a similar development curve to Troy Smith, so he is probably another year away from getting any real PT.

Pittman is rumored to be leaving for the NFL. OSU is rumored to be getting back in on some of the top HS running backs, and they will have early PT to give. Ginn is most likely gone, and Gonzalez is weighing his options. Early departures could eviscerate the offense. The cupboard won't be bare, but you can look forward to a more conservative Buckeye offense circa 2002-2003.

[MWM]

It would be a big mistake for Ginn to go, although I can understand where he's coming from. He needs more seasoning as a receiver as opposed to being just a great athlete. It would be a bigger mistake for Pittman. I wonder if the presence of Wells is influencing that decision. He's a great college RB, but I don't see him as anything higher than a 3rd or 4th round pick.

I'd be shocked if Gonzales left. He also wouldn't be a very high pick and he's really into the academic part of college (imagine that).

Even so, Chris Wells will be enough and Gonzales (I'm assuming he stays) will be a nice #1 and the Buckeyes are a receiver factory, so I doubt they lose too much if Ginn is gone.

[bucksfan]

I'd lean towards Boeckman also, just based on his experience in the system and the fact that he seemed to be well thought of even back when the QB competion was open. But anything can happen. It's part of what makes coolege sports fun for me is to see how the new kids step in.

I have nothing to back this up except a recollection, but I thought Gonzo had fairly clearly stated somewhere in an interview earlier this year that he'd certainly be back.

I agree that it seems Ginn could use another year also to shine even more than he has so far, but its always hard to argue with a guy coming out if he's well thought of enough to get some decent money from the get go.

[LoganBuck]

I don't agree with Pittman going pro, but the whispers are there. I do agree if Ginn and Gonzo go though. Wide recievers can get really hurt in draft position if they don't have the same success they had once their star QB graduates. Ginn is probably the third rated WR in the draft after Calvin Johnson, and Dwayne Jarrett.

[redsfan30]

My vote is for Antonio Henton, but the first shot will go to Todd Boeckman. Henton is going to be a stud....mark it down.

[dieselman44]

LoganBuck you dont know much. Pittman is not gone he is coming back because he has said he wants to win the heisman. Ted Ginn is definitly gone, Gonzo has already stated in the papers that he is coming back.

As for the QB situation, If I had to put money on it I would say Boeckman just because Tressel likes the eperience. But if Henton shows improvement and can learn the playbook he might leapfrog everyone.

[Danny Serafini]

I'll be shocked if Boeckman doesn't open the year as the starter. I honestly don't know much about Henton, but it sounds like he'll be a bit too raw next year to put him in.

Personally I think Pittman has to go pro after this year, and I'd guess he does. As good as he's been, and he's been a bit undervalued since Smith and Ginn get all the headlines, he's got to see the writing on the wall with Chris Wells. He may as well go now while his stock is higher than wait another year and have Wells take even more of his carries. He'll be a hotter prospect now than he will a year from now.

[kbrake]

Danny - very well said. What is the point in Pittman coming back? Heisman? He will be lucky if he is still the starter halfway through the season. Not a rip on Pittman, I think he is good, but Wells is a freak. Wells should also make things a quite a bit easier on whoever wins the QB job.

[Cedric]

Danny - very well said. What is the point in Pittman coming back? Heisman? He will be lucky if he is still the starter halfway through the season. Not a rip on Pittman, I think he is good, but Wells is a freak. Wells should also make things a quite a bit easier on whoever wins the QB job.

Wells has a lot to learn. He doesn't have the best patience or vision at this point. You are being a little naive if you really think Jim Tressel would take Pittman out of the lineup for Chris Wells.

[MWM]

Another thing I just thought of for Pittman is that this year's RB class is not very good at all. Next year's will be strong with Slaton, Hart, and McFadden all probably going into the draft.

[Cedric]

Another thing I just thought of for Pittman is that this year's RB class is not very good at all. Next year's will be strong with Slaton, Hart, and McFadden all probably going into the draft.

There are small rumblings about Antonio leaving this year. He isn't the type of athlete that will get a huge bump in his stock next year. His body type and the style of his running isn't conducive to a long NFL career either. I think he should head for the NFL with his stock at an all time high and for the reasons you just wrote about.

[kbrake]

Wells has a lot to learn. He doesn't have the best patience or vision at this point. You are being a little naive if you really think Jim Tressel would take Pittman out of the lineup for Chris Wells.

I really think Chris Wells will force Tressels hand next year. I understand he still has alot he needs to improve. I just think people are going to be amazed at how good he ends up being and I think he will make some huge improvements by next season.

[Caseyfan21]

There are small rumblings about Antonio leaving this year. He isn't the type of athlete that will get a huge bump in his stock next year. His body type and the style of his running isn't conducive to a long NFL career either. I think he should head for the NFL with his stock at an all time high and for the reasons you just wrote about.

He's gone...mark it down. I have talked with people in the program and they have all told me he's gone at separate times since the Michigan game.

One interesting thing one of my friends with the program has said is he expects Maurice Wells to have a breakout year next year. It seems to me like quite a few people think he could possibly have a huge next year along with Chris Wells who we all are expecting to have a big year.

Should be interesting to see how that pans out as well. The defensive line scares me more than RB or QB though.

[LoganBuck]

LoganBuck you dont know much. Pittman is not gone he is coming back because he has said he wants to win the heisman. Ted Ginn is definitly gone, Gonzo has already stated in the papers that he is coming back.

As for the QB situation, If I had to put money on it I would say Boeckman just because Tressel likes the eperience. But if Henton shows improvement and can learn the playbook he might leapfrog everyone.

Situations change. Do you really think Pittman can get enough carries to win the Heisman while sharing carries with Chris Wells? Pittman isn't in McFadden or Slaton's league. Hart is a good comparison but Hart will have an experience QB, and won't have to share the carries with a wunderkind.

Gonzo is said to be 50-50 to come back. Like I said, right now he has a probable Heisman Trophy winner as his QB next year he has a first year starter, Tressel's conservative play calling, and no Ted Ginn. How much can he improve his draft stock? Also, remember he redshirted his freshman year, he should be on pace to graduate this winter/spring.

[dieselman44]

I go to the university and am friends with a couple players, Gonzo is coming back, Ginn cya, Pittman is coming back.

[Heath]

Here's the Buckeye 2007 Schedule -



2007
Date Opponent
September 1 Youngstown St.
September 8 Akron
September 15 @ Washington
September 22 Northwestern
September 29 @ Minnesota
October 6 @ Purdue
October 13 Kent State
October 20 Michigan State
October 27 @ Penn State
November 3 Wisconsin
November 10 Illinois
November 17 @ Michigan

One could argue that there is not a "big game" until Happy Valley. Also, almost the entire defense is back and the skill O players are back. The O-Line needs "re-loaded". That leaves QB.

I'm in favor of Henton, because he is Troy Smith-lite. There won't be much change from the system. Boeckman's not a runner - but he can sure throw it. Schoenhoft will get some time against Y-State & Akron.

Wouldn't it be ironic is Y-State wins the Div 1-AA title and OSU wins the BCS title game. Bet ABC would be all over THAT!

:D

[JaxRed]

Wow. I'm an OSU guy, but that's pretty lightweight. Youngstown, Akron and Kent?

[MWM]

Wow. I'm an OSU guy, but that's pretty lightweight. Youngstown, Akron and Kent?

Yeah, it's disappointing. And normally scheduling Washington would be a tough game, but they're going to be pretty bad. I'm all in favor of them playing a non-conference powerhouse every year in the first couple of weeks.

[Heath]

Wow. I'm an OSU guy, but that's pretty lightweight. Youngstown, Akron and Kent?

2008-2017 gets interesting - you get USC home & home, Miami (FL) Home and Home, Oklahoma (home & home) Virginia Tech (Home & home) Cal (Home & Home) Army (Home & Home). Plus, every year, they play an in-state school.

2007 is the "down year" schedule - actually - I think Tressel was planning on NEXT year being the Big year with the weak schedule. But, the addition of the 12th game, minus suitable opponents gave OSU a break next year. Y-State's still a pretty good program for Div 1-AA. There's also the matter of State funds going to state schools. It's no different when Cooper would schedule Rice, Houston (when they sucked) and Wyoming.

[paintmered]

OSU gets to travel to PBS in 2012 again. :)

[Heath]

Yeah, it's disappointing. And normally scheduling Washington would be a tough game, but they're going to be pretty bad. I'm all in favor of them playing a non-conference powerhouse every year in the first couple of weeks.
Let's look at Michigan. There is understandably (in Michigan, anyway) the importance of playing a directional Michigan school like Ohio State plays in-state schools. Ohio State doesn't have the "natural" non-conference rival like Michigan does with ND. This year UM had Ball State, last year it was Miami(OH), and in previous years, Rice, SDSU, and Houston.

I'm interested to see what Michigan (and other Big Ten Schools for that matter) do with that 12th game. Ohio State brought in the pansy in 2007, but 2008-2016 look pretty awesome for non-conference games.

[Heath]

OSU gets to travel to PBS in 2012 again. :)

Is that the UC game again? I haven't seen it anywhere recently, but OSU thought about playing Kentucky in Cincinnati at one point.

OSU does have a game in Cleveland, I believe, in 2009 against Toledo. There is a game scheduled for Army that year at West Point, but I would not be surprised if that got moved to the Meadowlands, or the new Giants Stadium.

I'd love to se Ohio State get a natural rival that's non-conference. I thought West Virginia would have been on the schedule more after 1998 and Syracuse disappeared. Notre Dame's too busy with Michigan, MSU, & Purdue.

[LoganBuck]

I go to the university and am friends with a couple players, Gonzo is coming back, Ginn cya, Pittman is coming back.

I am not doubting you, but I know a few people as well. Gonzo may come back but the hay is not in the barn. I think you need to go visit an OSU recruiting site. Suddenly they are trying to get back in on a few top high school running backs. The supposed top target is that Clay kid. Mutaman will probably be happy on this one, Clay chose to go to the Wisky-Buffalo game instead of the OSU-Michigan game. My guess is he ends up in Madison. Why else would they be after running backs when they are already so tight on schollies.

[Roy Tucker]

Back when I went to school there, OSU caught a lot of grief about not playing in-state schools. So starting in 1992, they reversed that policy and put a premium on scheduling in-state schools (they had gone 57 years without playing an in-state school). I think they've played all the Ohio Div 1 schools now, some more than once.

The last Ohio team to beat OSU was the Oberlin Yeomen in 1921 who won 7-6.

Little known fact, the Oberlin women's teams are called the Yeowomen.

[paintmered]

Is that the UC game again?

Yes.

[Heath]

Back when I went to school there, OSU caught a lot of grief about not playing in-state schools. So starting in 1992, they reversed that policy and put a premium on scheduling in-state schools (they had gone 57 years without playing an in-state school). I think they've played all the Ohio Div 1 schools now, some more than once.

The last Ohio team to beat OSU was the Oberlin Yeomen in 1921 who won 7-6.

Little known fact, the Oberlin women's teams are called the Yeowomen.

I've been to Oberlin. The women there aren't "Yow-women". There are a few that were "Wow-Women"

:D

[Heath]

I am not doubting you, but I know a few people as well. Gonzo may come back but the hay is not in the barn. I think you need to go visit an OSU recruiting site. Suddenly they are trying to get back in on a few top high school running backs. The supposed top target is that Clay kid. Mutaman will probably be happy on this one, Clay chose to go to the Wisky-Buffalo game instead of the OSU-Michigan game. My guess is he ends up in Madison. Why else would they be after running backs when they are already so tight on schollies.

You can never have enough RB's in college.

They have the Wells & Wells boys now, plus they are adding Brandon Saine from Piqua. I think they'll be just fine.

[traderumor]

Back when I went to school there, OSU caught a lot of grief about not playing in-state schools. So starting in 1992, they reversed that policy and put a premium on scheduling in-state schools (they had gone 57 years without playing an in-state school). I think they've played all the Ohio Div 1 schools now, some more than once.

The last Ohio team to beat OSU was the Oberlin Yeomen in 1921 who won 7-6.

Little known fact, the Oberlin women's teams are called the Yeowomen.Are you saying that when you were there was the last time an Ohio team beat OSU? :evil: :laugh:

[Red Leader]

Let's look at Michigan. There is understandably (in Michigan, anyway) the importance of playing a directional Michigan school like Ohio State plays in-state schools. Ohio State doesn't have the "natural" non-conference rival like Michigan does with ND. This year UM had Ball State, last year it was Miami(OH), and in previous years, Rice, SDSU, and Houston.

I'm interested to see what Michigan (and other Big Ten Schools for that matter) do with that 12th game. Ohio State brought in the pansy in 2007, but 2008-2016 look pretty awesome for non-conference games.

Michigan's schedule in 2007:


Eastern Michigan
Oregon
Notre Dame
Penn St
@Northwestern
bye
Purdue
@Illinois
Minnesota
@Michigan St
@Wisconsin
Ohio State

Not an easy schedule, but a lot of the key games are at home, with Wisconsin being an exception (and just before the OSU game - yikes!)

2008 they have Miami (OH) scheduled and 2 open dates still to announce. I'm guessing one of those is a PAC-10 team.

[LoganBuck]

You can never have enough RB's in college.

They have the Wells & Wells boys now, plus they are adding Brandon Saine from Piqua. I think they'll be just fine.

Saine is ok, I just wonder how he will translate to the next level. His speed is straight line speed. He won't break your ankles. I have seen him play, and at times he is very ordinary. Then he breaks off a 35 yard run weaving through traffic. I keep seeing him listed at 220lbs, I don't think he is that big. At least he doesn't play that big. He is definately not an inside runner.

[Cedric]

Saine is ok, I just wonder how he will translate to the next level. His speed is straight line speed. He won't break your ankles. I have seen him play, and at times he is very ordinary. Then he breaks off a 35 yard run weaving through traffic. I keep seeing him listed at 220lbs, I don't think he is that big. At least he doesn't play that big. He is definately not an inside runner.

He's not going to be a RB.

[dieselman44]

word ont he street is saine is going to be used as a slash rb/wr type player in the offense. I guess much like percy harvin for fla. Because he isnt going to get too many carries behind Chris.

[LoganBuck]

Percy Harvin > Brandon Saine

Its not even close.

[dieselman44]

I wasnt comparing the individual player, i was comparing the way the offense would use him. read it again.

[LoganBuck]

You can not compare the two. They are so different it isn't funny. That is like comparing Ted Ginn to Antonio Pittman.

[kbrake]

I have seen Saine play too and I dont think there is anyway that he will make it as a RB at the next level. Not worried though, I'm sure Tressel will find the best role for him.

[MWM]

A guy like Saine would have been better served at a Purdue or a Cincinnati. He should have wen that route, but when you're Mr. Football in the state of Ohio, I can see why his ego wouldn't allow him to see that he's not Ohio State material.

[Caseyfan21]

I go to the university and am friends with a couple players, Gonzo is coming back, Ginn cya, Pittman is coming back.

I am in a similar situation in terms of where I get most of my OSU football information but Pittman coming back goes completely against what I have heard from 2 different people (both since the Michigan win). They both agreed with what you said on Ginn and Gonzo but both strongly said they believed Antonio was gone.

I hope you're right. It should be interesting to see how soon after Jan 8 we start hearing about decisions from these guys. Though if we win the National Championship and they all decide to go pro, I won't care at all.

[OesterPoster]

You can never have enough RB's in college.

They have the Wells & Wells boys now, plus they are adding Brandon Saine from Piqua. I think they'll be just fine.

You forgot Boom Herron.

[BuckeyeRedleg]

Ginn = obviously gone
Pittman = gone
Gonzo = 50/50 (big game in bowl may be a factor)
Barton = possibly gone (less than 50/50)
Gholston = thinking about it, but that's it.

Henton, from what I've heard will be the man, but probably not ready for 2007. He's very similar to Troy, but very thin. Needs to bulk up a bit.

Boeckman will probably get the first shot in 2007. Lot's of weapons. Beanie at TB. Solid experienced line (especially if Barton returns), solid TE, Boeckman's 4th year with program (greyshirt).

If the D is as good as I think it will be, Tressel will grind the clock a bit more on offense (see 2002) and lean on Beanie and hopefully Boeckman won't make too many mistakes.

[LoganBuck]

Searching old posts today and this one popped up I thought it was kind of funny.

[bucksfan]

Searching old posts today and this one popped up I thought it was kind of funny.

Quite!!