Oregon State

Okay, just one more comment:

Now that THAT is out of the way, let me quote the renowned philosopher and poet, William James Adams, Jr., better known as Will.i.am. 

And to get "it" started, Dipper Pines. 

Most of you were around the last time Oregon State came to Columbus in 1984.  Apparently, there is no video of that game available, so here's a clip of Mike Tomczak's game winning pass in the Fiesta Bowl.   No connection to this Saturday's game.  Just because.

Oregon State is picked to finish 6th in the Pac 12 . . . North Division (*Note - there are only 6 teams in the division).  They were 1-11 last year with their only victory a 3 point win over FCS level Portland State.  Their defense was 120th in yards allowed and 127th in points allowed (43.0/game).  Whew!  On the "bright" side, Phil Steele says the Beavers have one of the weakest Pac 12 offenses.  So, then again, maybe not so bright.

They have a new coach in Jonathan Smith, who was Oregon State's QB during 1998-2001.  And longtime former Oregon State coach, and former short time Nebraska coach, Mike Riley, is around as a special assistant.  I have no doubt they will turn the program around, but it won't be this year, and it certainly won't be Saturday.  The Beavers last beat a ranked team in November 2014, a streak that almost certainly continue through the weekend.

As for Ohio State, I think the players are not that affected by the circus that has taken place over the month of August.  They've been in a bubble and 9 of the 11 coaches they are familiar with have been working with them just as they normally would be.  I would bet the players are ready to play, especially when we have former head coaches Greg Schiano and Kevin Wilson as Assistants.  Urban's been able to visit and will be back running practice Monday.  His absence on the sideline this weekend (and next) will not make any appreciable difference. 

All our receivers are back.  Zone 6 got rid of a sub-standard coach (and sub-standard human being) and replaced him with a former Buckeye with NFL experience. Plus we have more of a gunslinger at QB.  Did I mention we also have 2 RBs likely to get 1,000 yards?   Oregon State's swiss cheese D is in for a long day. A. Long.  Day.  

But, you know, predicting the first game of the season is always difficult.  Last year I predicted that Ohio State would beat Indiana 49-21 and remember how that turned out?   Oh, yeah, Ohio State won 49-21. Huh, go figure.  Well, usually it is difficult to predict.  

 

Vegas has the Buckeyes as a 38 point favorite and the line barely moved all during the Urban fiasco.  That is a huge number and without Meyer, a new starting QB, and the first game of the year, many will be tempted to take the Beavers and the points.  Don't be one of them.  I have the feeling that Vegas is trying too hard to lure you into taking the points.  Remember the first game of the year against Mike Bonfiglio's alma mater BGSU two years ago?  Noon kickoff at home, Ohio State favored by a similar big number (27.5), and it was a 77-10 win.  I see a similar smackdown approaching.  The players and the assistants make a statement to the world Saturday that what happened off the field is not what is happening on the field.  Give the points and bet the over (64):

Schaef Says:  Ohio State 63, Oregon State 10.

Bonus links:  Here is the Oregon State fight song in case you are curious.  You won't hear it unless you actually go to the game and hear TBDBITL play it in pre-game.

Speaking of the Best Damn Band In The Land, here's a video from my YouTube channel of when I recorded the ramp entrance v. UNLV last fall.  Hope this gets you partially in the mood for Saturday.  Go Bucks!