June 19, 2013

Ohio State’s Marotti: Braxton Miller is starting to be a leader for Buckyes

June 11, 2013 by 4 Comments

He’s probably come the furthest. He was the furthest away from (in terms of the) day-to-day, treating yourself like a professional player in what you have to do. He didn’t do it, but he has to learn that. The one thing he’s always had though is competitiveness. If you said, ‘We’re going to do a pull-up test.’ He wants to know who got the most and then he’s going to get the most. If we’re racing, he wants to know who had the fastest time and then he’ll beat it. But the day-to-day grind, he’s had a hard time learning it but I’ve seen him grow up just in the last five months, in the last two months.

We have the off-season program and then we have spring break and then you see a little difference in him. Then you have the spring football part and then you have a break, and when he came back from this May-mester, he’s completely different this month of May than he was in January. I just think he’s maturing and getting older. He starting to buy into everything. Coach talks about him knowing the offense now. If they call a play, he just doesn’t know what the wide receiver he’s supposed to throw to does, he knows the protections, he knows the backside. He knows what the running back is doing. Now he understands the why.

He was just so laid-back. I had to learn patience with him. I have ants in my pants. I’m used to quarterbacks—Jarious Jackson, Brady Quinn, Chris Leak, Tim Tebow—they’re all workout guys. With him, he was just so laid-back, it was like ‘whoa, whoa, whoa,’ I wasn’t used to that. That’s his personality. You gotta get over that, but he’s different right now. Back 20 years ago, I would’ve thrown stuff at him. He’s a great kid. I love him. He’s starting to be a leader now. He’s developing some of those leadership skills.

— Ohio State men’s football assistant coach Mickey Marotti, in a lengthy, recommended piece by CBS’ Bruce Feldman, on the improvement of Buckeyes quarterback Braxton Miller. In 2012, the Buckeyes quarterback threw for 2,039 yards to go with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. A dual-threat, he 1,271 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. Miller and the Buckeyes will enter Year 2 of the Urban Meyer era, their first season together where the team is eligible for a BCS bowl. On Monday, the Buckeyes were ranked second by long-time NCAA football analyst Phil Steele. Miller’s improvement from the team’s 12-0 2012 season will be integral in their success in 2013.

[Related: Scott Raab on LeBron James, “The Block,” Josh Gordon, Chris Perez and more]

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Ohio State Buckeyes No. 2 in Phil Steele’s preseason ranking

June 10, 2013 by 7 Comments

The Ohio State Buckeyes, in their second year under the watch of Urban Meyer, are ranked second by Phil Steele in his annual preseason list of college football powerhouses.

In his preview magazine (which has been published annually for 18 years), Steele digs deep to analyze where he feels teams will finish the 2013 season. While he has the Crimson Tide of Alabama slotted in the top spot, Steele has plenty of glowing things to say about the Scarlet and Grey.

Last year the Buckeyes were coming off a 6-7 season but had a huge turnaround under new head coach Urban Meyer, going a perfect 12-0 despite not having a bowl to go to at the end of the season. This year they have my Heisman Trophy favorite in quarterback Braxton Miller, four starters back on the offensive line and solid skill players. The defense does lose all four starting linemen, but not only do I like their replacements, I also think highly of their back seven, which features two of my preseason first-team All-Americans in linebacker Ryan Shazier and cornerback Bradley Roby. This is one of the most talented teams in the country, as all eight of Ohio State’s units rank in the top 25 of my individual position rankings.

The schedule is light, as the Buckeyes will be favored in their first 11 games, with the toughest road games coming at Northwestern and then Michigan in the finale. In Meyer’s previous coaching stops at Bowling Green, Utah and Florida, the team improved in his second season. The only thing better than a 12-0 season is another 12-0 season followed by a Big Ten title and an appearance in the BCS National Championship.

Following the Buckeyes are the Florida State Seminoles (last season’s No. 1 pick), Texas Longhorns and Oregon Ducks. Steele has selected the national champion correctly three times in the last six seasons.

[Related: Scott Raab on LeBron James, “The Block,” Josh Gordon, Chris Perez and more]

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Former Buckeye Orlando Pace named to College Football Hall of Fame

May 7, 2013 by 1 Comment

Former Ohio State All-American offensive tackle Orlando Pace will join former Cleveland Browns quarterback Vinnie Testaverde as members in the newest class for the College Football Hall of Fame.

Pace, the 24th Buckeye player to make the Hall, is considered one of the most dominant offensive linemen in college football history, finishing fourth in the Heisman voting in 1996. Winner of the Rotary Lombardi Award in 1995 and 1996, Pace became the first ever player to win the award twice. He was the offensive lineman since 1972 to finish in the top-four in the Heisman vote, the winner ultimately being Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel.

Pace started every game–38 in all–between 1994-96 before bypassing his senior year to enter the NFL Draft where he was selected first-overall by the St. Louis Rams. Pace went on to a 13-year career in the NFL where he was a member of the Rams’ 1999 Super Bowl championship team. He protected the blind side and cleared running lanes for the NFL’s MVP for three consecutive seasons (Kurt Warner in 1999 and 2000 and Marshall Faulk in 2001). Pace was named All-Pro five times and he was voted into seven Pro Bowl games.

“I don’t know how you could play the position any better than [Orlando] did,” said former Ohio State head coach John Cooper. “He was just a fantastic football player. “He was the best.”

Pace did not allow a sack in his final two years at Ohio State.

[Related: Ohio State five-star recruit says God wanted him to play for the Buckeyes]

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Ohio State five-star recruit says God wanted him to play for the Buckeyes

May 7, 2013 by 13 Comments

This past winter, leading up to National Signing Day, Georgia recruit Vonn Bell was said to be deciding between playing for Alabama, Tennessee or The Ohio State University. The five-star recruit surprised many when he opted for Columbus over the warmer confines of the SEC. As it turns out, Bell may have had a little bit of guidance in making his decision.

From the AJC:

I didn’t really have any secrets. I kept everything all open with everybody. But about the biggest secret was probably keeping it secret (about Ohio State) until signing day. The first two days (before signing day), I just woke up out of my dreams. Me and God just had a conversation. He said ‘I want you go to Ohio State.’ Then I just knew ever since then. That was probably the longest time I ever kept a secret, those two days.

He just woke me up in the middle of my sleep, and I just heard ‘Ohio State’ in my head. I just listened to it, and stuck with it. Ohio State was in my heart. I didn’t know (which college I was going to sign with) until then. I asked God to give me a sign, and He gave me a sign. I woke up the middle of the night.

Bell went into Signing Day as the fourth-best safety in the country, a top-35 recruit overall. In addition to Alabama and Tennessee, the speedy play-maker turned down Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, and Notre Dame.

[Related: While We’re Waiting… What a night in Cleveland]

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NCAA Rumor: Big Ten to divide into East, West divisions

April 19, 2013 by 8 Comments

After months of speculation, the Big Ten reportedly has agreed on a new realignment strategy for its new-look 14-team conference: an East and West division split.

According to league sources via ESPN.com’s Brett McMurphy and Adam Rittenberg, the conference will move in that direction in 2014 when Maryland and Rutgers officially join the fold. The conference also will be pursuing a nine-game football schedule starting that year, pending a commissioner vote next week.

Thus, according to this latest sourced report, here is how the 2014-15 Big Ten would look:

East Division: Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers
West Division: Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue, Wisconsin

Back in January, the conference announced that it would look to move away from the Legends and Leaders division monikers that they somewhat arbitrarily used beginning in 2010. Per conference commissioner Jim Delany of the previous decision-making and naming process, they “didn’t have great options.”

Now, the conference appears to be pursuing the more traditional route of a geographical split. Yet, it won’t be without controversy.

With arguably the two best football programs — OSU and UM — in one division, there could be a remarkably easier route to the championship game each year for the Nebraskas and Wisconsins of the world. The conference also has decided to make Indiana-Purdue the only cross-division protected rivalry for optimal long-term flexibility, according to this report.

[Related: Leaders, Legends, and Balance: A Look Into Big Ten Division Realignment]

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While We’re Waiting… Already starting to doubt the Browns?

March 3, 2013 by 2 Comments

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com.

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Skepticism Sunday: “It’s happening already. There hasn’t been a practice or even an organized team activity, let alone a game that counts. The team can’t even officially meet as a whole, but already, it’s happening. It seems with each passing regime, many in the Cleveland Browns fan base and media become increasingly more skeptical and mistrusting of the next group that comes in. Their reasons are not unfounded.” [Ryan Alton/Draft Browns]

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Is drafting a guard the undoubted best move? “The best way for the Cleveland Browns to improve is for them to use the sixth pick in the draft to take Chance Warmack, offensive guard from Alabama and begin to complete the best offensive line in the NFL. When that happens, with a healthy Trent Richardson running behind that line, Brandon Weeden can be great. Or Colt McCoy. Or your grandmother, if she has a decent arm and half a brain.” [Brian Tarcy/The OBR]

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Looking for stars on defense: “As you know, the 2013 Ohio State Buckeyes have a lot of defensive starters to replace. With only four returning starters — including none on the defensive line — the defense this fall will have more question marks than Frank Gorshin’s Riddler suit. Among those queries will be the usual ruminations on which young players will step up, which freshmen are likely to see playing time, who among last year’s backups can make the leap, and whether or not the D can continue the evolution it began over the last quarter of 2012. But perhaps the biggest question of all is: where will the defensive leadership come from in 2013? The Buckeyes will be as green as the Ohio Stadium turf on the defensive side of the ball.” [Michael Citro/Eleven Warriors]

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This sounds familiar, eh? “Impossible as it may be, there is currently one small-market NBA team that may have the opportunity to replicate the Oklahoma City model. In the two and a half seasons since the end of the LeBron James era, the Cleveland Cavaliers have limped to a total record of 60-146 and have amassed four first round draft picks and currently have two more selections in the upcoming 2013 NBA draft (a likely lottery pick of their own and another from either the Heat or the Lakers). Stockpiling draft picks, sound familiar?” [Eric Palutsis/Pro Basketball Draft]

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Loved this back-and-forth roundtable over at CTB: “There have been some notable exceptions (there’s at least one nice drive and kick play a game, for example), but overall the on-court chemistry between Dion Waiters and Kyrie Irving has been severely lacking. Dion hasn’t really figured out any off-ball moved or cuts yet, and combined with the fact that Kyrie is occasionally a reluctant passer, what often results is a stunted isolation for Kyrie at the end of the shot clock, while Dion sulks thirty feet from the hoop. I would love for Byron Scott to initiate a lot more movement for the Cavaliers in general, and a lot of that should involve the backcourt.” [Dani/Cavs: The Blog]

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Looking at another LOOGY? “With the departures of relief pitchers Rafael Perez and Tony Sipp during the offseason, the Indians now have a huge opening in their bullpen for a lefty – preferably one who throws strikes and is not afraid of the later innings. Nick Hagadone would seem to fit the bill, for the most part. In parts of the last two seasons with the Tribe, the left-hander has shown the ability to strike people out and hold opposing bats at bay. The problem for Hagadone is that he has also shown the penchant for melting down.” [Craig Gifford/Did The Tribe Win Last Night?]

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Baseball stats in the spring, what could be bad? “If a team has a really great spring training, it’s not like they can carry some of those wins over to the regular season. Ultimately, spring records don’t matter – players are rusty and getting in shape and pitchers may be trying some new pitches. Teams will occasionally come from behind to win at the end of games, when minor leaguers not expected to be on the 25-man roster are on the field. Is there ever any correlation between your record during spring training, and how you perform during the regular season? I figured I’d take a look at the Indians during the past 10 seasons when it comes to spring vs. the regular season, as well as teams that made the playoffs over the past 10 seasons.” [Stephanie Liscio/It's Pronounced "Lajaway"]

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And finally, not Cleveland-related per se, but still related to stats. And maybe the opposite will occur to the Tribe in 2013? “There is a term used often in the sports analytic community called regression, or reversion to the mean, that contends that if a statistical phenomenon occurs, it is likely not to occur again and revert closer or back to the norm or average. In layman’s terms, it is a sophisticated way of saying things will even out. With this in mind, I took a look at MLB playoff teams since 2008 that improved their win totals by at least ten wins from one season to the next and then saw if they had a significant drop-off the next year, i.e. reverting back to the mean. What I found was of the 11 teams in this study, each one lost at least 5 more games the next season and 8 of the 11 failed to get back into the playoffs.” [Alex Burwasser/Bloomberg Sports' Stats Insights]

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2013 NFL Draft: Jarvis Jones’ value falling, so what?

January 21, 2013 by 17 Comments

Jarvis JonesThe Super Bowl matchup is set. But for the Browns, despite the meaningless Pro Bowl next week, the next truly meaningful event on the schedule is April’s NFL Draft.

Of course, there will be the combine and several other related activities until the three-day draft begins on Thursday, April 25, but let’s just go for the imagery of this magical, franchise-defining moment in the middle of spring for the Browns and their new front office/coaching staff.

Each of the last two months around this time, I started out WFNY’s draft coverage by looking at the Big Board for the NFL Draft. First, I professed my love for a certain underclassman turnover-machine from Georgia, and then, I squared off against my friend Jordan in the debate over picking a guard or a defensive playmaker.

So let’s take another updated look today at the aggregate Big Board. [Read more...]

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While We’re Waiting… Francona brings swagger to Cleveland

January 6, 2013 by 1 Comment

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com.

“There is a new feeling around the Cleveland Indians. It isn’t a feeling of cockiness, but confidence. It’s a feeling of pride in what has been accomplished since the end of a 94-loss season in 2012, and also a focus on the work that is left to be done. It’s a feeling of comfort and trust, while starting so many things different and new. However you try to describe the feeling, it is one created by new Manager Terry Francona.” [Mike Brandyberry/Did The Tribe Win Last Night?] [Read more...]

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WFNY’s 12 Days of Christmas continues…

December 13, 2012 by 62 Comments

Thanks to all for participating in the giveaways this year. We’ve had a record year at WFNY, and we’re saying the thanks the best way we know how. Yesterday’s winner of a Cavs prize pack was brownstown! Congratulations. The contest rolls on…

Just a reminder how the giveaway works. Each weekday we will give away a Cleveland themed prize. To enter, you need only to respond in the comment section in the appropriate manner. The winner each day will be randomly selected and notified by email. (Which means you better make sure that the email address you use to comment here is a legit one.) I cannot guarantee delivery by Christmas. We’ll do our best with the things we have in hand. Only one member of a household can enter each day, and only one winner per household during the length of this contest. Just spreading the love around.

Let’s get to today’s contest- [Read more...]

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BCS Update: Kent State smelling Orange Bowl, ineligible Ohio State falls

November 27, 2012 by 7 Comments

No one could have seen this year coming for both Kent State and Ohio State football. The Flashes, ye’ of 40 years without a conference championship, appear to be one win away from a historic BCS game. The Buckeyes, who went 6-7 a year ago, managed to go 12-0 with largely the same roster in year one under Urban Meyer.

Just this last weekend, I wrote first about ineligible Ohio State’s rank in an adjusted BCS and then prophetically about Kent State’s possible BCS hopes. Both topics are more timely now than ever.

Kent State benefitted extremely from an incredible nine losses suffered by teams ranked No. 15-25 in last week’s BCS. Thus, after I guessed they’d jump between 2-6 spaces in the standings, they moved up six spots all the way to No. 17, one place away from magic number No. 16. Meanwhile, folks in Buckeye land continue to fantasize about what could have been the BCS result of the sixth undefeated season in school history.

Let’s dig deeper inside both stories for a little Tuesday fun with numbers. [Read more...]

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While We’re Waiting… Browns-Steelers renew rivalry

November 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com.

Lots of advantages for the Browns in this detailed scouting report, with this being a solid final point: “Given the Steelers’ solid defense, there’s no way I can project some sort of a blowout. Yards will be tough to come by for Cleveland, but Pittsburgh’s struggles should set the offense up with some situations where they can manage a couple of field goals and a touchdown or two down the stretch. Many quarterbacks can rally a team from behind, but Batch isn’t one of them.” [Chris Pokorny/Dawgs By Nature] [Read more...]

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Box Score: Buckeyes 26, Wolverines 21

November 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment

In a tale of two halves, the Ohio State defense held down the fort against the explosive Michigan Wolverines in the final 30 minutes. The Buckeyes held on in yet another close rivalry duel, winning 26-21 to finish a perfect 12-0 for the regular season.

Carlos Hyde was the star offensive player for the Bucks, as he gained 146 yards, many of them in the final two drives, to secure the victory. Michigan gained -14 rushing yards outside of Denard Robinson as they couldn’t get anything going in the final two quarters.

Although Ohio State is ineligible for the BCS standings and a bowl game this year, this victory now means the controversy and theorizing won’t end until next season begins in August. Stay tuned for lots more analysis and debates in the coming days. But for now, savor this special victory, this special season and the sixth undefeated season in OSU history.

(19) MICHIGAN WOLVERINES
8-4 (Lost last 1)

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
12-0 (Won last 12)

Team 1 2 3 4 Total
Michigan Wolverines 7 14 0 0 21
Ohio State Buckeyes 10 10 3 3 26

Scoring Summary

1st QuarterMICH – OHST
13:15 Ohio State BuckeyesOHST TD Carlos Hyde rushed to the left for 3 yard gain (Drew Basil made PAT) 0 – 7
8:04 Michigan WolverinesMICH TD Devin Gardner passed to Roy Roundtree to the right for 75 yard gain (Brendan Gibbons made PAT) 7 – 7
1:00 Ohio State BuckeyesOHST FG Drew Basil kicked a 41-yard field goal 7 – 10
2nd QuarterMICH – OHST
11:20 Michigan WolverinesMICH TD Devin Gardner rushed up the middle for 1 yard gain (Brendan Gibbons made PAT) 14 – 10
1:52 Ohio State BuckeyesOHST TD Braxton Miller passed to Corey (Philly) Brown to the right for 14 yard gain (Drew Basil made PAT) 14 – 17
1:30 Michigan WolverinesMICH TD Denard Robinson rushed to the right for 67 yard gain (Brendan Gibbons made PAT) 21 – 17
0:05 Ohio State BuckeyesOHST FG Drew Basil kicked a 52-yard field goal 21 – 20
3rd QuarterMICH – OHST
9:25 Ohio State BuckeyesOHST FG Drew Basil kicked a 28-yard field goal 21 – 23
4th QuarterMICH – OHST
7:35 Ohio State BuckeyesOHST FG Drew Basil kicked a 25-yard field goal 21 – 26

Passing

Michigan Wolverines Comp Att Yds Pct Y/A Sack YdsL TD Int Rating
Devin Gardner 11 20 171 55.0 8.6 4 40 1 1 133.3
Ohio State Buckeyes Comp Att Yds Pct Y/A Sack YdsL TD Int Rating
Braxton Miller 14 18 189 77.8 10.5 5 47 1 0 184.3

Rushing

Michigan Wolverines Rush Yds Avg Lng TD FumL
Denard Robinson 10 122 12.2 67 1 1
Vincent Smith 5 12 2.4 8 0 0
Thomas Rawls 5 3 0.6 2 0 0
Devin Gardner 7 -29 -4.1 6 1 2
Ohio State Buckeyes Rush Yds Avg Lng TD FumL
Carlos Hyde 26 146 5.6 17 1 0
Braxton Miller 20 57 2.9 42 0 1
Corey (Philly) Brown 1 21 21.0 21 0 1
Rod Smith 1 4 4.0 4 0 0

Receiving

Michigan Wolverines Rec Yds Avg Lng TD FumL
Roy Roundtree 3 92 30.7 75 1 0
Jeremy Gallon 6 67 11.2 30 0 0
Mike Kwiatkowski 1 6 6.0 6 0 0
Drew Dileo 1 6 6.0 6 0 0
Ohio State Buckeyes Rec Yds Avg Lng TD FumL
Corey (Philly) Brown 8 95 11.9 19 1 1
Devin Smith 2 63 31.5 52 0 0
Evan Spencer 1 9 9.0 9 0 0
Jake Stoneburner 1 9 9.0 9 0 0
Carlos Hyde 1 8 8.0 8 0 0
Michael Thomas 1 5 5.0 5 0 0

Kicking

Michigan Wolverines XPM XPA FGM FGA Lng Pct Pts
Brendan Gibbons 3 3 0 0 0 0.0 3
Ohio State Buckeyes XPM XPA FGM FGA Lng Pct Pts
Drew Basil 2 2 4 5 52 80.0 14

Punting

Michigan Wolverines Punt Avg Blk In20 TB
Will Hagerup 4 55.3 0 2 0
Ohio State Buckeyes Punt Avg Blk In20 TB
Ben Buchanan 3 44.7 0 2 0

Kick/Punt Returns

Michigan Wolverines KR Yds Avg Lng TD PR Yds Avg Lng TD
Dennis Norfleet 1 27 27.0 27 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
Drew Dileo 2 34 17.0 19 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
Jeremy Gallon 0 0 0.0 0 0 2 0 0.0 0 0
Ohio State Buckeyes KR Yds Avg Lng TD PR Yds Avg Lng TD
Bradley Roby 2 47 23.5 26 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
Corey (Philly) Brown 0 0 0.0 0 0 4 30 7.5 18 0

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Ohio State’s defense clamps down to secure 26-21 victory over Michigan and 12-0 season

November 24, 2012 by 4 Comments

On a day the Ohio State Buckeyes honored the perfect national champions of 2002 and former players carried Jim Tressel on their shoulders in the end zone, the Buckeyes did it again.

For the sixth time in school history, AP No. 4 Ohio State (12-0, 8-0 Big Ten) has finished a season undefeated, but the final game certainly wasn’t pretty. It took three second-half turnovers by the defense, and a heaping dose of junior Carlos Hyde on the last drive, but the Buckeyes held on for a gritty 26-21 victory over their archrivals AP No. 20 Michigan (8-4, 6-2 Big Ten).

The first half was sloppy, high-scoring and filled with big plays. The second half was again sloppy, yet dominated by defenses and missed opportunities by the Buckeyes. In the end, all that matters is a victory and a spotless 2012 for OSU.

Yet, somehow, the day started off with somber news: senior leader John Simon would not play because of an bursa injury in his right knee he suffered against Wisconsin. [Read more...]

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Report: Ohio State’s John Simon out against Michigan

November 24, 2012 by 1 Comment

ESPN Gameday just reported that star senior defensive end John Simon will not play today against Michigan. Various reports had him doubtful leading up to game time with an undisclosed injury and then not on the field while the team was practicing just moments ago.

This heartbreaking news not only for Simon, who would have played his final game today, but also for the Buckeyes. Simon is the undoubted heart and soul of the OSU defense, so his loss could be devastating against the versatile Michigan offense.

Update at 11:59 a.m.: Reports from Columbus indicate that Simon is indeed in sweats on the sidelines. He was the last senior to walk out on the field before the game. Again, this is a huge blow for OSU’s defense.

Update at 12:05 p.m.: The previously undisclosed injury is a right knee injury that Simon suffered against the Wisconsin Badgers last week, per various Twitter reports coming from OSU’s sports information department. About 15 minutes ago, Buckeyes blog Land-Grant Holy Land tweeted via an ESPN report that Simon has a synovial bursa sac injury.

[Related: If eligible, would Ohio State be on the verge of a BCS Championship appearance?]

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If eligible, would Ohio State be on the verge of a BCS Championship appearance?

November 24, 2012 by 19 Comments

This year has been a strange one for Ohio State fans. Unlike the thrill of the recent undefeated 2002 or 2006 regular seasons, the 11-0 start to 2012 has had a peculiar aura because of the NCAA-sanctioned bowl ban.

As a result of the bowl ban, the Buckeyes are ineligible for the BCS standings, thus, they’re not included in the weekly updates, the USA Today Coaches Poll or the Harris Interactive Poll. But in a relatively weak college football field this year, because of only one other undefeated team, where would Ohio State rank in the current landscape?

So in a WFNY study and analysis, I looked at where the Buckeyes rank under the same BCS computer polls plus the Associated Press poll and another national ranking. I break down OSU’s perceived “weak” strength of schedule, the storylines that this formula might be missing, what would be up for grabs in today’s Michigan game and what other oddities I see in this new BCS. Hope you enjoy.

[Read more...]

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While We’re Waiting… The 109th edition of The Game

November 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com.

“When Brady Hoke was hired at Michigan a year ago and defeated Ohio State in his first opportunity, there was talk about how the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry was back. When OSU hired Urban Meyer, the talk intensified. While this season hasn’t developed the way Michigan had hoped, there is plenty of reason to believe another golden era of The Game is on the way. Both coaches are from Ohio and understand the rivalry, and Hoke has an appreciation for what Ohio State brings the table as they prepare to meet Saturday.” [Jeff Svoboda/Buckeye Sports Bulletin] [Read more...]

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Black Friday Fun With Numbers

November 23, 2012 by 1 Comment

For your Black Friday enjoyment, I bring to you a special edition of Rick’s usual numbers post. Some of these might be scarier than normal, so hopefully this is not read with a heaping pile of leftover turkey in your mouth.

Cleveland Browns

12.7-24.6 – Average score of the 27 Steelers-Browns games since the 1999 season. Cleveland is just 4-23 in those games, after starting 2-2 in their first two years back.

20-63 (.241) – Overall record by the Browns in all division games, including playoffs, since returning in 1999. The team is 50-85 (.370) in all other games.

25.61 and 0.504– The Browns rank 30th in the NFL with just 25.61 yards per drive and 31st with 0.504 punts per drive this season. The league averages, respectively, are about 31 yards and 0.4 punts per drive, according to Football Outsiders. [Read more...]

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While We’re Waiting… More Love for Pargo

November 23, 2012 by 2 Comments

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com.

Long-term takeaways from the Cavs’ surprising win over the 76ers: “Jeremy Pargo could be the backup point guard the Cavs have been looking for. Obviously we can’t expect him to score like this on a nightly basis, but anything near this type of offensive punch might be just what the Cavs need off the bench when Kyrie comes back. His jumper was clearly falling tonight (4-8 on 3-pointers) at an unsustainable rate, but that’s not really what matters. He was getting to the hole with remarkable consistency against a solid defensive team, and an athletic backcourt.” [Dani Socher/Cavs: The Blog] [Read more...]

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While We’re Waiting… Thankful for Jeremy Pargo

November 22, 2012 by 2 Comments

Today, as a special version of While We’re Waiting, I wanted to go team-by-team as I share what I’m thankful for here in November 2012. For more WFNY thanks, stay tuned at 10 a.m.

Cleveland Cavaliers

I’m thankful for a very pleasant Thanksgiving Eve surprise in new Cavs point guard Jeremy Pargo: “Pargo’s 28 points was surprising enough, but it was doubly impressive considering that he was matched up against Jrue Holiday, who is one of the better point guard defenders in the NBA. Pargo had no trouble getting his shot, though, as he shot 11-19 from the field and 4-8 from three. He also added four assists and five rebounds.” [Jordan Sargent/SB Nation Cleveland] [Read more...]

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Ohio State jumps to No. 4 in latest AP Poll

November 18, 2012 by 5 Comments

With the chaotic back-to-back losses of the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the nation on Saturday night, the Ohio State football team was set to benefit in the Associate Press poll. Despite being ineligible for postseason play (the Harris Poll, the BCS Standings, etc), the Buckeyes have slowly climbed the ranks in the AP poll all year.

The current order goes as follows: Notre Dame as the unanimous No. 1, Alabama at No. 2, Georgia at No. 3, OSU at No. 4 and then Oregon at No. 5. The next three teams: Florida, LSU and Kansas State.

Since Alabama and Georgia will play each other in the SEC Championship game in two weeks, some possible — although highly unlikely — scenarios exist that could lead Ohio State to the No. 1 spot in the final AP poll this season. That’d certainly be highly unprecedented in the BCS era, but puts an extra twist to next week’s edition of “The Game” against Michigan on Saturday.

[Related: Box Score: No. 6 Ohio State 21, Wisconsin 14]

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