OSU: Helwagon chat

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Should OSU football threads go in OT or RealBrownsFans? How bout making a RealBuckeyesFans section? Anway:

Helwagen Chat: Aug. 19 Archive


By Bucknuts.com Staff
Date: Aug 19, 2005

Here are excerpts of Friday's Chat with Bucknuts.com managing editor Steve Helwagen. He conducts these Chats each week for Bucknuts.com subscribers. Remember on Monday, we will have a Chat at 3 p.m. with Scout.com recruiting expert Bob Lichtenfels.

Riptide (Aug 19, 2005 1:11:30 PM)
AD Smith made a comment about OSU doing some things offensively this year that we have not seen historically. Could you get into that a bit?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:12:47 PM)
Well, Gene Smith is a football guy. He was recruited to play for Woody Hayes but went to ND instead. I think he knows what OSU is known for in football -- running between the tackles, etc. ...

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:14:01 PM)
I took his comment to mean that Ohio State will be utilizing its immense athletic weapons like Holmes, Smith, Ginn, Gonzalez, Hall and the rest to their fullest capability. They won't be bound, per se, by what OSU has been "known for." They will continue to accentuate what they do well -- spreading the field and making some big plays vertically.

Riptide (Aug 19, 2005 1:14:08 PM)
are we goingto be seeing some Air Tressel this year, then?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:14:56 PM)
That would definitely be weird, wouldn't it? But, yes, I think the secrecy OSU showed in the spring and now in the fall with no open events at all is an indication that they're brewing something big up behind those fences.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:15:45 PM)
I think fans will need to be patient, though. It may take a few games for the QB situation to settle itself and for one of the backs to jump up and claim that job, too. So it could be a work in progress for the first 3-4 weeks.

hamiltuckbuck (Aug 19, 2005 1:15:49 PM)
Hey Steve, do you have any updates on Ted Ginn?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:17:14 PM)
I think he is stabilized. He is in University Hospital in Cleveland. As I understand it, he went in to have a procedure and there were some complications. Every indication I have is he should be able to rejoin his team in a few weeks. We just had interviews with Ted Jr. ...

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:17:16 PM)
Man ...

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:18:24 PM)
I want to tell you. That kid is strong. Ted Sr. raised his son to press on in the face of adversity and that's what he and the rest of the Glenville guys are doing. This is what all of that preparation has been about. Say a prayer for that whole family and for Ted Sr. in particular.

missionviejobuckeye (Aug 19, 2005 1:18:41 PM)
Hello Kirk/Steve, 1st time in chat, out here in SoCal, 5 miles from Mission Viejo HS, realistic chances for K. Rueland/Chane Moline???? Moline is an unbelieveable back, watched him break 80 yard run against LB Poly outrunning safety at 236 lbs. last year

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:20:33 PM)
Not sure about Moline. Have not heard OSU mentioned as much with him. Was definitely a good sign for Rueland to visit OSU Aug. 5. He will now devote the next 3-plus months to his high school team, then make visits likely in Jan. We'll see if OSU makes his self-imposed 5- or 6-school cut when calls can be made on 9/1. My feeling is OSU will be in that mix. Butch Reynolds impressed him (as he has everybody else), the stadium impressed him, Tressel impressed him. These were the things he told me.

Antosu (Aug 19, 2005 1:20:42 PM)
I think the season will begin with the rb rotation in this order Pittman, Haw, Wells. How do you think it will end?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:21:38 PM)
Good question. I think they will all play. I understand Schnittker is back there too as the big back component they had with Branden Joe last year. Pittman is still the guy, for me, though. He can do so much. I hear he is coming on.

INBuckeye (Aug 19, 2005 1:21:54 PM)
I have a question on TV scheduling. Living in Indiana, I don't get to see every game unless its picked up by some larger network. How and when is that determined?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:23:20 PM)
ABC has first choice each week. A lot of weeks this year they will televise games at noon and 3:30. They're looking for the best teams, the best games and the biggest draws. OSU -- particularly when ranked in the top 10 -- has been one of their favorite teams. Of course, Disney owns ABC and ESPN, so they work together on game selection. ESPN got to chose 2-3 night games before the season, so that involved the OSU-Penn State game this year.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:25:28 PM)
No matter where you live in Indiana, you should be able to see every Ohio State game this year. ABC will cover Miami and SDSU regionally and I imagine Indiana will get those. Texas is a national 8 p.m. game on ABC. ESPN has Penn State. ABC or ESPN will carry almost every OSU game, though the times have not been set for the rest yet. There may be 1-2 games that get bumped to ESPN2 or the ESPN-Plus syndicated package, but even then there are over-the-air local stations in Indiana that will show those games to you. You just need to check Bucknuts each week. We'll have the full TV data for each game in the Game Data we publish each Monday or Tuesday before the game.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:26:01 PM)
If you don't have cable or ESPN, I can't help you there (ha ha).

redondo (Aug 19, 2005 1:26:10 PM)
Hi Steve - I have a question about picture day. When, for example, ABC televises a game and they show the head shots of the starting lineups at the beginning of each half, are those pictures taken on the recently past team picture day by the university and made available to the network(s), or does this happen some other day some other way? Thank you.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:27:15 PM)
Since ABC, ESPN and ESPN-Plus are all under one umbrella, they have those head shots taken at photo day, just as you expect, and they're used on all of those broadcasts all year. They do not make the players available each week for that.

BuckeyeDave (Aug 19, 2005 1:27:32 PM)
In the Gonzalez article, Gonzales referenced "game Goals". can you shed any light on Coach Tressel's game goals and whether or not you think the Buckeyes will achieve them on a consistent basis?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:28:41 PM)
Just in general, OSU has a list of stated goals for its offense and its defense. Could involve turnovers, converting in the red zone. I know as a general rule, they want to rush for 200 and pass for 250. That's pretty lofty, but that's their goal. They have crunched the numbers and found when they're able to do one or the other, I guess, they rarely lose.

missionviejobuckeye (Aug 19, 2005 1:29:11 PM)
For the Buckeye in Indiana, gey Direct TV, haven't missed a game for 4 years although several are pay for view....but worth every cent, and time away from the wife!!!!!

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:30:23 PM)
I agree, but ABC if they're showing OSU that game should go to Indiana, too. The college pay per view packages really come into play for people who live outside the Midwest and get an ACC or Big East or Big 12 or Pac-10 game instead of OSU on their local ABC station. Like I said, stick with Bucknuts each Mon. and Tues. and we'll tell you where you need to be.

grimes (Aug 19, 2005 1:30:39 PM)
Was last year the last "down year" OSU wil face for the forseeable future? The talent is now just soooo deep. Sometimes it seems that JT has such a long term vision that the early season or previous year is just a practice session to develop players for what is coming .

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:33:19 PM)
I would not say that, although the early returns on the incoming freshmen are extremely strong so maybe they're ready for a 3-4 year run. Next year, honestly, could be a transition year. Yes, they'd have Smith/Zwick, Ginn, Gonzalez and Pittman back. But the defense will be decimated, even worse if Youboty would leave. They'll need some young guys to really come through big there, especially at DE and LB. But, I'd say they should not fall below 9-3 or, at worst, 8-4 any time soon. Moreover, they should be in the hunt, like this year, for some 11-1 and 12-0 seasons. There is too much talent there. You just hate to lose so much off one side of the ball at one time.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:33:50 PM)
One quick note ...

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:34:19 PM)
Gary called earlier to say that Chris Wells ripped off a 70-yard TD run on his first carry today in Akron Garfield's scrimmage against Canal Fulton NW.

Antosu (Aug 19, 2005 1:34:27 PM)
Will M. Wells surpass Pittman or Haw during the season...Even if they stay healthy?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:35:12 PM)
No, I don't see that. Can he get hot and have some 100-yard games like some freshmen in the past? Yes, he could. But do I see him sustaining that over a whole year? I'm not sure. He has been impressive so far, everybody says.

 

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more of the chat:

missionviejobuckeye (Aug 19, 2005 1:35:29 PM)
Steve, even with the immense Ohio talent available, how can the Buckeyes become more of a national draw for the elite players who seem to always list lesser schools such as DIrish/Michigan/Miami?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:36:51 PM)
That's because those are not lesser schools. Put yourself in the position of a 17-year-old high school kid. Braylon Edwards just got taken No. 3 overall by the Browns. Michigan must be a big deal. Rueland sees Miami producing tight ends left and right. To you, OSU would be the "obvious" college choice. You

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:37:24 PM)
are an OSU fan. But to kids, honestly, it is just another place they could play. Most of these kids could play anywhere they want. You have to keep that in mind.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:38:06 PM)
Now, there are kids like Todd Boeckman and others who dreamed about playing at OSU. But your question dealt with national recruits. Those are doggone hard to get. You have to work your butt off ...

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:39:23 PM)
Bill Conley tells the story about how he had to go down to New Orleans every week to get Nader Abdallah. Think about that, a 50-year-old man hops on a plane every Sunday to go down to Louisiana for 5-6 weeks over the span of 2 months. And if you don't go, you lose ground to LSU or Florida or Texas or whoever else, who is making the effort.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:39:54 PM)
It's hard. That's why recruiting is so competitive for those real difference maker kids.

buckdiesel (Aug 19, 2005 1:40:00 PM)
Who's the next in-state offer go to?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:40:32 PM)
Maybe Bryant Browning at Glenville. He could get a strong look. I imagine they now want to see 2 game tapes before extending more offers.

Antosu (Aug 19, 2005 1:40:43 PM)
Talent and hype wise, this imay be a better team than the 02' NC Buckeyes(in my opinion) But what are 2 or 3 things that this team will have to improve on the most or just do period, in order to prove that they are one of the greatest Buckeye teams ever?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:40:48 PM)
Great question ...

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:42:49 PM)
It sounds like they want to play an attacking pressure defense and that means Everett (or somebody) must come through at that boundary corner. They need to get back to establishing the run and being able to run the ball and move the chains when they want to. It's great that you can throw it all over the lot. If you can't run the ball, you won't win the Big Ten (Iowa's team last year excluded, though they had a great great defense and a spot on QB in Tate to overcome it). And Huston must come through. I hear he is making them every day in practice. Now he needs to be able to win a game if need be.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:43:22 PM)
Those are probly my 3 biggest keys to watch.

BuckeyeDave (Aug 19, 2005 1:43:32 PM)
Any more "Where are they now?" articles about former Buckeye players in the works?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:44:06 PM)
Nothing on my radar now. I may actually be working on a book that encompasses that kind of thing. We'll see what we can find out and share stories as they become available.

Head (Aug 19, 2005 1:44:20 PM)
Hey Steve. I know everyone is fired up about FB, but what have you heard about Raymar Morgan and weather he will be the PF for the Thad Five. Number 30 in your programs.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:44:35 PM)
Hello Head ...

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:46:22 PM)
Morgan came out and told Dave Telep after a recent unofficial visit to MSU that the Spartans were No. 1 and Michigan may actually be No. 2. May take a prayer Matt Sylvester 3 to deliver this blue chipper. But one guy isn't going to make or break them. They still have Brayden Bell and Matt Terwilliger to play the 4 and Ivan Harris as well. And they're in great shape on 7-0 Kosta Koufos and 6-9 Dallas Lauderdale for the following year. Matta has made it this far. I assume he'll either close on Morgan or bring those 2 in the following year.

ZORRO (Aug 19, 2005 1:46:29 PM)
Hello Steve......Dont know if its been asked yet.(but always is)......Who do you think will be our next commit?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:47:07 PM)
Maybe Tyler Moeller. He told Gary last week he wanted to get that done this week to either Iowa or OSU. So look there. Aaron Brown could also decide sometime after his visit in Sept.

missionviejobuckeye (Aug 19, 2005 1:47:55 PM)
Everything I have read has Texas' offensive line near the top as a unit. Will this be a litnus test for the d-line and do you expect a 3-4 to come into play in this HUGE game?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:49:13 PM)
Possibly. I agree that the front will be up to a stern test that night. We'll see which guys have come to play this year. My feeling is Richardson should have a big game that night. The 3-4 may be a factor, though it looks like D'Andrea probly will not be ready for that game. Maybe Freeman will fill that role as the athletic antidote to Vince Young. That could be the difference if they get after him.

yooperbuck (Aug 19, 2005 1:49:33 PM)
Hi Steve. How often does the two-deep get updated?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:51:01 PM)
Not very often. The coaches changes lineups every day internally. Like, one day Richardson will be with the ones and maybe Patterson goes with them the next. They mix and match lineups every day to give everybody a shot. They did a two-deep before spring for the public, one after spring, one before fall in the media guide (and it was obsolete by photo day because of the Rehring-for-Datish trade) and will publish the next one on the Tuesday before the Miami game.

Antosu (Aug 19, 2005 1:51:18 PM)
Are there any secret ways to get a 15 minute peek at the scrimmage this saturday....lol

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:51:27 PM)
Have a kid who is on the team. That's about it.

Poz79 (Aug 19, 2005 1:52:40 PM)
Steve which side of the ball do you see Nagy playing in college?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:54:07 PM)
Duane says he could be a really good DL. Some like him as an OL. I imagine he will go to the best school that offers him and will play wherever they need somebody the most. He has the versatility to do that. I was impressed with his film. It's too bad there aren't unlimited scholarships. Schools like OSU have to be careful and not overextend themselves early in the process, which, to me, it still is for this senior class.

buckdiesel (Aug 19, 2005 1:54:16 PM)
Do you really see o states offense being top notch? Or will the running game struggle again and make it sub-par? I know we have great recievers,but we can't pass on every down.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:56:04 PM)
That is the $64,000 question. After struggling most of last year, they put on a run game clinic against Michigan and Oklahoma State. Think back, the 2 drives off the goal line began because Branden Joe found creases and powered ahead for first downs. Heck, Lydell Ross almost had 100 yards in the bowl game. That tells you everything you need to know right there. They are capable of run blocking. The backs are capable of breaking some nice gainers. Will they put it all together? It's been missing since Reecie left, that is for sure.

 

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Man, this is a long one. (Hmm, I'm used to hearing those words, not saying them. )

redondo (Aug 19, 2005 1:56:21 PM)
Hi Steve - time for the obligatory Skeete question. Is he off the team or in limbo pending court activities? Thank you.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:57:34 PM)
Off the team now pending the court case, I understand. If he can avoid a felony conviction, maybe they bring him back. Pettrey is walking on this fall with the idea of getting a scholarship (Skeete's) in the winter. That buys them some time to see where he is. But Skeete is not around now. I have no idea where he is, actually.

buckgrad (Aug 19, 2005 1:57:41 PM)
Hey Steve, got in late, if the injury questions have been asked ignore this. Any news on the severity of some of these injuries, Dukes, Zwick, Cotton, Frost, Nicol etc...Seems like a long list?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:58:24 PM)
All of the injuries were considered minor. I believe I saw Dukes at lunch and he was not wearing the sling. I could be mistaken. Cotton and Frost are not injuries. Tressel may address this tomorrow, but they seem to be disciplinary issues.

buckgrad (Aug 19, 2005 1:58:35 PM)
Injuries are starting to worry me, how much do you think proven players like Hawk, Holmes, Carpenter, Salley etc..practice full go right now? Seems to me that a guy like Hawk doesnt need to play a whole bunch in the Sat. scrimmage. Thanks

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 1:59:56 PM)
Good point, they will play and turn it loose, though. It's my experience that the starters answer the bell for each series their unit is on the field. The scrimmage is usually 150 plays, like 60-70 for the ones, 60 for the twos and 30 or more for the 3's. It's not the spring game. They expect the front line players to play in this game and get their game timing down.

itsshowtime (Aug 19, 2005 2:00:29 PM)
Is there any WWW sights that you can look up bowl records between conferences and for instance the Big Ten over the last 10 years or the Big ten v SEC

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:01:06 PM)
I honestly don't know. If anybody has an idea on that, let me know and I'll post it. I can research the Big Ten over the last 10 years and Big Ten vs. SEC.

jsbuckeye (Aug 19, 2005 2:01:13 PM)
How long will it take for alex boone to be a starter????

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:01:45 PM)
Good question. They kind of cleared the decks for that move by putting Sims at guard. Now, if something happens with Rehring or Barton, I assume Boone will be in there.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:01:56 PM)
Could be midyear ... or not at all this year.

grimes (Aug 19, 2005 2:02:56 PM)
It seems very un-Tressel like to "allow" all this national champ talk. I would think you keep this internal and not give opponents locker room material. Isn't this out of his modest conservative character or since everthing is done for a reason is this to possibly influence pollsters(BsCS)

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:04:30 PM)
Well, grimes, I think they work so hard at this from January through August. They know what they have. I think they're entitled if they're confident about it to say what they think. I haven't seen anybody guarantee anything. They say we should be mentioned, but we have to prove it. That's been a consistent theme. Hey, Texas is No. 2 in the coaches poll (AP is out Sat.). If they beat Texas, they will move to No. 2 and may even take some No. 1 votes away from USC. That's just the fact of the matter. Win that one game and they are in the running.

yooperbuck (Aug 19, 2005 2:05:15 PM)
If Mike D'andrea were to get a medical for last year, how would he handle this year if he can't get to 100 percent like he wants?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:06:18 PM)
Great question, Mike just said he' d take a wait-and-see approach. If he is healthy by week 6, he'd play the rest of this year and all of next year. He wants to get that ruling in his hip pocket and wants to get his knee healthy. Until those 2 things happen, everything is uncertain with him.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:06:33 PM)
He just said that an hour ago, in fact. Still has not practiced/

shortnorfbuck (Aug 19, 2005 2:06:39 PM)
Hey Steve, many of us have noted Tressel's new straight-forward attitude to answering questions this season. Is this Gene Smith's influence, or just Tress being worn down and honest?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:07:18 PM)
I just think he's confident in what they have and what they can be. I think he is more and more comfortable in his role. Beating Michigan last year helps his outlook on everything, I'm sure.

tlzimmerman (Aug 19, 2005 2:07:31 PM)
Sorry if this already asked.

tlzimmerman (Aug 19, 2005 2:07:34 PM)
Can you offer any insight into Smith in shorts and no pads. Just part of the discipline? Seems he would still need the reps.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:07:48 PM)
No problem. I will tell you what I know ...

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:08:51 PM)
We know Troy is not eligible for the first game. We know he then skipped class to go to the camp in Tenn. He is not being disciplined by the NCAA, which is good. But Tressel is sending the message here very loud and very clear that privileges will be taken away if players misstep off the field. ...

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:09:59 PM)
He has not addressed the fact that Smith is not practicing. I am sure it will come up after the scrimmage. I have no idea whether Smith will even play tomorrow. We attend the first 20 minutes on Monday, Wed. and Fri of the afternoon practice. In each of those sessions, Smith has been on the sideline. I have no idea if he practices full-go in the morning or what ...

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:11:32 PM)
But I know the players view practice as their chance to prove themselves and get better. That has been taken away from Troy Smith. He's stuck in neutral right now. Maybe that was just for this week, I don't know. Again, the Coach has not discussed this situation publicly. From his comments before camp, everybody just assumed that he'd be out there practicing, then would go to scout team to prep for Miami, then would be in the rotation for Texas. This is clearly not that.

tlzimmerman (Aug 19, 2005 2:11:36 PM)
Just seems that his punishment is taking away from team preparation. Still needs the reps in pads to me.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:12:43 PM)
Yep, a lot of people may view it that way. Within the framework of the Ohio State football family, Tressel is addressing a very glaring issue. If Tressel lets the players run amok (and I'm not necessarily saying Smith or anybody else has done that), they aren't going to win games that way, either. You follow what I'm saying?

Antosu (Aug 19, 2005 2:12:53 PM)
I like the punishment that Troy is getting.

buckgrad (Aug 19, 2005 2:13:02 PM)
Great job on the player interviews, the site has really taken off the past year. Any big plans for the site before kickoff? Thanks

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:16:06 PM)
We have really ramped up the Chat schedule. Duane Long will be doing at least one a month. Dave Biddle will be doing them and the Scout guys (hold your boos ... ha ha) will be doing them as well. When you think about what the Scout guys try and do -- rate 2,500 high school football players -- there are no right or wrong answers (other than dropping Mo Wells 15 spots 2 months after his last game ... ha ha) ...

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:16:35 PM)
I appreciate the comments. We plan to continue being full bore all season long, through signing day, through spring ball and on from there (ha ha again).

BuckeyeDave (Aug 19, 2005 2:16:40 PM)
Any word on how Jonathon Thoma is doing?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:17:02 PM)
No, have not heard anything about the punting battle. Maybe after the special teams scrimmage something will come out.

tlzimmerman (Aug 19, 2005 2:17:15 PM)
Yeah, I think so. Tress feels the impact of the punishment outweighs any loss in the prep. Thanks

jsbuckeye (Aug 19, 2005 2:17:24 PM)
How good can Jamario Oneill be and how fast is he, will he be a factor this year??

Antosu (Aug 19, 2005 2:17:30 PM)
I like the move to safety for Jamario. Is there a faster saftey in the nation? Plus he is strong for his age...From what I hear of Malcom Jenkins, we are being left in good hands.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:19:41 PM)
Jamario is now at safety shadowing Donte Whitner. I think he'll do a fine job there. There is a logjam there with Brandon Mitchell and Nick Patterson also waiting in the wings. O'Neal placed in the 100-meter dash as a junior at the state meet. He's plenty fast enough. Probably a 4.4 guy give or take a few hundredths. Agreed on Jenkins. Was told he is making plays. It's only one week and you hope he's not just a flash in the pan.

Antosu (Aug 19, 2005 2:19:53 PM)
With Freeman, possibly Deandrea, Possibly Youboty, Possibly Whitner, Hoobler, Malcom Jenkins, Jamario O'neal, Nick Patterson, Gholston and a few others coming back next year, I don't see a huge drop off on the defensive side of the ball. MD was ahead of Schlegal last year, and some say that Freeman is better tha carp. I'm thinking that we can be 90% of 05 when 06 rolls around, do you disagree?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:21:24 PM)
Experience. That's what you'd be missing. Will D'Andrea be back? The next full season he plays will be his first. Freeman better than Carpenter? If he was, he'd be playing, right? You have the potential to have some nice players there. Put that group you named out there against Iowa and Tate and they get carved up.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:21:58 PM)
They need seasoning, that's all I'm saying. You rarely get seasoning on your way to a national championship.

 

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FAN (Aug 19, 2005 2:22:10 PM)
Hi Steve , getting in a little late. Assuming that Zwick plays well against Miami(OH) he would most likely get the start vs TX. If he is playing well and Boeckman is already a secure backup , do you think there is a chance we could see Zwick, Smith and Ginn in the backfield together? Just a thought.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:23:44 PM)
That would be a cool formation. I have clamored for just such a look where Zwick can take a snap and throw a lateral or pitch to Smith, who could run or throw to Holmes and/or Ginn. It's a little wicky wacky and I wouldn't suggest putting the ball in peril like that against a great defense in a tight game. But you put it on tape and they have to spend time trying to figure out a way to defend it.

grimes (Aug 19, 2005 2:24:04 PM)
I feel JT has some tricks up his sleeve for TX to make it difficult for them to prepare for the game . Heard anything if Mack Brown is going to get inventive?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:24:48 PM)
He closed practice, which leads me to believe they will be adding some wrinkles. They open against La.-Lafayette, I believe, and they should beat them with their threes. So you will glean nothing from that game. Go re-watch the Rose Bowl.

yooperbuck (Aug 19, 2005 2:24:58 PM)
With Zwick hobbling, the qb position could suddenly be thinner than rb was thought to be .Suddenly a qb controversy between Boeckman and Shoenhoft? Maybe much more shotGinn?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:25:55 PM)
Yep, they have Ginn to come to the rescue. I want to know when he gets to throw a pass ... to Santonio for a TD. That's what I want to see. I don't think you see Schoenhoft this year. Zwick will be fine in a few days. He will be off limits, certainly, from now on. Too much at stake.

BuckeyeDave (Aug 19, 2005 2:26:03 PM)
When is Coach Conley scheduled for his next chat?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:26:44 PM)
Coach will usually do Chats every other Monday. he was just here on Mon. the 15th, so his next one will be game week Mon., Aug. 29.

BuckeyeDave (Aug 19, 2005 2:26:50 PM)
This past spring we talked about the possibility of doing a combined chat with Bucknuts and one of the reporters from InsideTexas and their premium subscribers. Any movement on that/ It would generate A TON of interest and would be A TON of fun!

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:27:34 PM)
Clendon Ross is the Texas publisher and he's a good friend. He's been on our radio show. The week of that game we have several Chats set up. We'll see if we can add a dual chat with Clendon and see what we can do.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:29:35 PM)
Remember Bob Lichtenfels Monday at 3, Kyle Lamb at some point on Tuesday. I will probably do Thursday and high school action starts next weekend.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:30:05 PM)
Jerry Rudzinski, JJ Huddle and myself will appear on ONN's high school one-hour preview show. We're taping it Tuesday and it will repeat several times the rest of the week.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:30:43 PM)
I will research the Big Ten bowl question real quick ...

yooperbuck (Aug 19, 2005 2:30:46 PM)
Wouldn't it be interesting if both governors and maybe even the big guy himslf show up foer Tex-osu?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:31:39 PM)
That would be great. Keep in mind, if President Bush is coming that could be a logistical security nightmare. Not to be too political, but I know one governor that ... well, I won't say it ... and I voted for the guy.

grimes (Aug 19, 2005 2:32:58 PM)
great chat good info and insights Thanks

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:33:01 PM)
Thanks

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:33:17 PM)
Illinois is 0-3 vs. SEC in bowls

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:33:29 PM)
Indiana is 1-2, so that's 1-5

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:33:49 PM)
Iowa is 3-1, so that's 4-6

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:34:48 PM)
Michigan is 6-3 (including that Orange Bowl where Bama missed the PAT kick in OT ... that's like winning on a balk), so that's 10-9

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:35:09 PM)
MSU is 1-3, so that's 11-12

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:35:35 PM)
Minnesota (and you can't spell Music City without UM) is 2-1, so that's 13-13

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:35:43 PM)
NW is 0-1, 13-14

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:36:16 PM)
OSU is 0-7 egads, 13-21

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:37:05 PM)
PSU is 7-5, 20-26

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:37:34 PM)
Purdue is 1-2 and the 2 losses are OT to Ga. since 99, that's 21-28 overall

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:38:05 PM)
Wisconsin is 0-5, so the Big Ten is 21-33 all-time in bowls against the SEC.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:38:14 PM)
He also asked about the last 10 years. ...

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:39:28 PM)
Big Ten's record by year has been: 2004, 3-3; 2003, 3-5; 2002, 5-2; 2001, 2-4; 2000, 2-4; 1999, 5-2; 1998, 5-0; 1997, 2-5; 1996, 4-3; 1995, 2-4.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:40:02 PM)
That's a 10-year mark of 33-32.

Mike68 (Aug 19, 2005 2:40:07 PM)
Take away OSU and Wisky and the Big 10 is .500 against the SEC

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:40:11 PM)
Yep.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 19, 2005 2:41:25 PM)
Bye now.

BuckeyeDave (Aug 19, 2005 2:43:25 PM)
Thanks Steve!

http://ohiostate.scout.com/2/426538.html

Wow, that was painful to post. In the future I may just provide a link. 4 posts for one article is too much. Anyway, enjoy. I always like Helwagon's chats, but then, I love recruiting...