2007 Buckeye Football: A Return to Smash mouth football

Column waiver: If July is to early in your life for Buckeye football talk, please consider this Little Big League quote: “It’s April and people are already talking about Gopher football.” To my knowledge, scarlet and gray enthusiasts tend to out duel fictional Minnesota football fans.

Now that I have successfully quoted a Rosen favorite, I am proud to refocus on the grandest show the Buckeye state offers each fall. While the dog days of another baseball summer consume my mind, I cannot wait any longer to weigh in on OSU football (beginning September 1st versus Youngstown State on www.ohiostatesports.com). Last year’s national championship runner-up unit is ancient history, and a new group roams Lord Tressel’s court. This team will have fewer national expectations, due to an inexperienced QB and key losses on offense. Enthusiastic Buckeye fans will think National Title, realists will think otherwise. For this sports traditionalist, I’m just thrilled to watch true Buckeye offensive football each Saturday.

The Troy Smith/Teddy Ginn/Anthony Gonzalez regime thrilled us all. Each week featured a bevy of dazzling plays: Troy scampering away from defenders in the open field, Teddy hauling in the deep ball, and Gonzo running a precise route to snare a key pass. This brand of football entertained us all and produced countless victories (look no further then Troy’s 25-3 career record). The 3-0 record against Michigan wasn’t too shabby either.

Memories aside, it’s time to return to the roots of Ohio State pigskin. It’s time for the two staples that have stood the test of time: Smashmouth and persistent running with a side of ball control. It’s been awhile hasn’t it? This concept suits Tressel’s conservative viewpoint and won him a national title in 02. It is also the only way an OSU team with an inexperienced QB can defeat a powerhouse Michigan team (the point to every season). Todd Boeckman isn’t superman, nor is he Troy Smith, nor is he Craig Krenzel. No use even analyzing OSU’s passing game, running will need to rule again in Columbus. Here’s where the next great power back is born.

“Beanie the Big Meanie,” as fellow Ohio.FM broadcaster Bryan DeArdo calls Chris Wells, will be a superstar. (Digression here): In Rocky III, Sly’s character asks Mickey how much Thunderlips (Hulk Hogans, fictional character in the movie) eats. His response, “About 202 pounds.” Any rocky buff would no that this was Rocky’s weight. Fine humor with an impeccable delivery by the late Burgess Meredith (digression over). I don’t have any inside info on Beanie’s diet, but expect him to munch on defenders every Saturday.

While his speed isn’t remarkable (clocked 4.5 out of high school), he has a fine burst and all the size and toughness of a typical OSU back. At 6-1, 230 pounds, Wells should have the ability to withstand the punishment of a significant workload all year. With two incoming freshman and Mo Wells as backups, Beanie will be crucial early on in the season. Beanie left, Beanie right and most especially, Beanie up the middle will be on the docket. It won’t be three yards and a cloud of dust and it won’t be Troy Smith’s highflying aerial show. More then likely it won’t be a return to the national title game either. It’s too early to tell on the latter, but rest assured that offensive familiarity will not breed contempt in 07. Start the countdown to September 1 with an eye on the past.