#16 Ohio State at #11 Penn State Live Chat

Random Thoughts After New Mexico State

You can't take too much away after a 45-0 win over a bad WAC team, but here are some thoughts that came to my mind:

*First off I know New Mexico State is not a game that a lot of people were really excited about, but the two student sections should have still been full. It took almost tell the end of the first quarter before they each reached their peak at 90%. This is Ohio State every game should be sold out and every student who has a ticket should be in The Shoe. There are people out there who would love to go to just one Buckeye football game, don't get spoiled because you know that you can go to another game in two weeks.

*If you come to Ohio State for the football, you stay for the band! (Just ask Joey D'Amico.) They had one of the best halftime shows that I have seen on Saturday. It had a Halloween theme and took a few shots at that team to the north along the way. Here are some pictures if you could not be there (or are an apathetic student)...

... And that is why they are The Best Damn Band In The Land.

*Finally, it was good to see Jim Tressel come to his senses and put in Joe Bauserman even if it was only for the second half.

I still hope to see you starting in Happy Valley, Joe!

-30-

The Columbus Cavaliers?

If you've heard me on C-Town Throwdown, you know I hail from the great city of Cleveland. The decision to live in Columbus is sometimes bittersweet, as I am equally as loyal to the Buckeyes as I am the Cavs. Today is a moment where my homesickness vanishes and all is right in the world. The Cavs are coming to ME. I really think this is a genius move to have pre-season games in cities with no professional team.

Over the past two years the Cavs have traveled to that city in Pennsylvania that Ben Worthlessburger plays for, and Columbus to give fans in other cities a taste of Cleveland.

So tonight's matchup is against Boston. I pretty much despise all things New England, and the Celtics are no exception. Sure they knocked us out of the playoffs two years ago, and Orlando knocked them out last year... but I'm really feeling it! I have faith in my Cavs that not only will secure a victory tomorrow night against Boston, but they'll take it all this year!

Most people in Columbus that aren't Cavs fans haggle me and tell me that Shaq is gonna get injured and LeBron is headed to New York next season. To them I say - haters to the left! I smell a Cavaliers championship! Who's with me?

Pryor Committed

Let's be honest, not one Ohio State fan is pleased with the way Terrelle Pryor is playing.

It is hard to determine exactly was is going on in the head of a quarterback, especially a 19-year-old college quarterback.  But it is easier to see what the coaching staff is thinking.

Pryor started nine games for the Buckeyes in 2008.  In those games he only threw the ball more than 20 times once.  He was 16 of 25 in a 13-6 home loss to Penn State.

In 2009, through seven games, he has thrown the ball more than 20 times in all but two games.  His latest effort a "17 for 31" in a 26-18 road loss to then hapless (1-5) Purdue Boilermakers.

It is a natural progression for a quarterback to receive more responsibility each year he is on campus.  But Pryor has shown that he is not yet ready to shoulder the load.

His completion percentage is down from 60% in 2008 to 56% in 2009 and his eight interceptions already double his output from last season.

Although his stats are down and he is leading an offense that had has looked inept, zero passing yards in the first half against Illinois and just 184 total offensive yards against a Wisconsin Badger team that gives up an average of 363 yards per game, don't expect #14 Joe Bauserman to be under center this season.

At this point the Buckeyes are pot committed.  Ohio State went all-in blind expecting Pryor to be a full house unfortunately they are looking at a seven-two off-suit.

"Since the beginning of the season we have built our offense around Terrelle being our guy, we have all signed on," Junior wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher said.  "As a team you have to all buy into a certain concept, you all have to buy into the program to make it work."

They can't bench him now... So quiet down!

Sorry Buckeye fans but there is no magic remedy to this situation.  No secret weapon on the bench.  This season the offensive success and failures will fall directly on the shoulders of an over confident, under preforming 19-year old kid.

Maybe the coaching staff has asked to much of him.  Maybe the fans were too consumed by his recruiting rank.  Maybe he will never live up to the expectations that we all have for him.

I hope he does because there is still time left in the season for the Buckeyes to buy back in.  They control their own destiny in the Big Ten.

Let's all hope this time Pryor comes up aces.