Man, my Twitter feed has one article about how JT is not the problem and the next has an article about how it's time for JT to go. Can't we all just get along? This debate just goes round and round. I'm done with it. I guess the immortal words of that great philosopher Sabrina Carpenter hold true: "That's just the way of the world. It never ends until it ends then it starts again." (or something like that).
Last week I had a bad feeling. Not so this week. The last time Ohio State lost 2 consecutive home games? 1990. We lost to USC 26-35 and the following week to Illinois 20-31. But both the Trojans and Illini were ranked. The last time Ohio State lost consecutive home games where one team was unranked? Anyone? My freshman year of 1982 when we lost to John Elway & Stanford 20-23, then Florida State 17-34, and then to Wisconsin 0-6. Yikes.
This is not the Army you use to know. Head Coach Jeff Monken has turned the program around, going 8-5 last season. They are 2-0 this year and riding a 5 game win streak. How did he do it? Training. What kind of training?
What is the saying about the irresistible force meeting the immovable object? Well, something's got to give in this one because Army is dead last (130th) in Passing Offense, with a mind-blowing 8.5 yards per game. Meanwhile, Ohio State is dead last (130th) in Passing Defense, giving up 403 yards per game. Somebody's ranking is going to change and I'm guessing it's the Buckeyes.
Army runs the triple option so effectively they are 2nd in the nation in Rushing Offense. Of course, when you throw only 5 times per game you should be good running the ball. Ohio State is 13th in Rushing Defense, in part because the pass defense is so poor. But I believe our rushing defense will be up to the challenge this weekend and shut down the Cadets.
Vegas has the Buckeyes a 30 point favorite with an over/under of 53. In 2014, after our loss to VT, we came back the next week and destroyed Kent State 66-0 easily covering the 31.5 spread. In 2015, after our loss to Michigan State, we came back the next week and destroyed Michigan 42-13, easily covering the pick 'em spread. Sensing any trends here?
I think Ohio State is pissed off. I think the Coaching staff is pissed off. I think the fans are pissed off. And I think all 3 will be even more pissed off that they have to wait for a funky 4:30 p.m. kickoff. Army will be jacked up to take us on in the Shoe, but they haven't played many highly ranked teams on the road, and for good reason. The last two times the Cadets have played a ranked team away they are 0-2 S/U and 0-2 ATS. And one of those losses was to Rutgers. (Go ahead, you can read that sentence again).
JT will leave in the 3rd with good stats and Ohio State comfortably ahead, and Haskins will likely look pretty good in a blowout win. Obviously, nothing that transpires Saturday (short of an injury) will end the debate. So gird your loins and prepare for another week of speculation, opinion, and conjecture. In the meantime, try and enjoy this week's game. I'd give the points and leave the O/U alone.
Schaef says: Ohio State 49, Army 3.
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