Why Throw When you Can Run 50 Times?

While I'm all about sticking with what works, did Terrelle Pryor really attempt 10 passes in an entire game? The Buckeyes threw the ball a grand total of two times in the second half, preferring to pound the ball mercilessly down the throats of the not so much Fight Illini. Pryor and Wells each went over 100 yards and the Buckeyes put up over 300 yards on the ground. At some point the Buckeyes are going to have to entrust the offense to Pryor and give him free reign to throw the ball with a little more frequency, but don't count on that happening this weekend against a Michigan team that surrendered over 200 yards to Beanie last year.

While the offense was effective for most of the game, the defense looked awful. I don't know what it is about Illinois, but they give the OSU defense fits. The Buckeyes often struggle against mobile quarterbacks, but are able to keep the passing game in check. But they were repeatedly gashed by Illinois' spread option. They surrendered 13 plays of 10+ yards in the first half. That's beyond bad and it makes a defense that has looked excellent in recent weeks a sudden vulnerability against their biggest rival who, in case you didn't know, now runs the spread.

The game as a whole wasn't one of the most compelling contests of the season, but the Buckeyes got the job done, jumping Georgia to the 10th spot in the BCS. Depending on who you ask and what you read, the Bucks may or may not get an at large BCS bid if they win Saturday. The way this team has continued to get better over the course of the season, I think they deserve a chance to play in a BCS game. Based on what I've seen, they are one of the top 10 teams in the nation and would put up a good fight against an opponent like Alabama, Georgia, or LSU. Then again, maybe they get smoked by another SEC team. I think they deserve to find out.

Observations from Michigan Week in Columbus

I just got back from media day here in Columbus and here are a few tidbits I picked up from Coach Tressel and some players...

-As usual, Tressel and every player were very complementary of their opponent, despite their 3-8 record. This happens most weeks, but I was particularly surprised to see how shocked the guys were at the 19-point spread. A.J. Trapasso said there shouldn't be a line in a game like this because the rivalry is just too big and both teams will bring their A-games.

-Several players repeated the sentiment that the success of the season is based on the outcome of this game.

-James Laurinaitis is a funny guy. Among other quotes, he called his dad a "big softie". His dad, of course, wrestled in the WWF back in the day.

-Nader Abdallah was adamant about his growth not only as a player, but as a person at Ohio State. He said he came to OSU without direction and doing some things he shouldn't have done, but that he's straightened himself out thanks to the support of the coaching staff.

-Ryan Pretorious says he wants to jump in mirror lake as a fan next year.

-There's nothing quite like hearing a good Earle Bruce story.

-Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman both said that they've never been hit harder than in the Michigan game, and Laurinaitis added that while it's the hardest hitting game of the year, it's also the cleanest.

Cavs Off to a Hot Start

While I'm not yet in basketball mode, I have seen a few Cavs games in the early going, and I've been impressed. LeBron looks like he's not alone out there for the first time ever. Mo Williams is already a better complementary piece than Larry Hughes ever was. Bill Simmons, basketball afficianado, picked the Cavs to win it all before the season. Simmons has vast knowledge of the NBA, past and present, so I'm hoping it's a good omen that he believes the Cavs can go all the way. While I'm skeptical due to the aging big men, lack of scoring depth, and Wally Szczerbiak, I'm actually pumped about the Cavs in November. This can only be a good thing. Here's to hoping LeBron is satisfied with the guys around him so that he doesn't bolt for a real media market in two years.

CC Sabathia is Awesome, But I Don't Want Him Back

The Yankees made their insane pitch to CC Sabathia this week, an offer that likely can't and won't be matched by any other team. So the age old question of what means more, the money or the situation, will again be answered. CC Sabathia is a good guy and says he wants to play close to home in California, but no matter how good a guy he is, money almost always wins out in this situation. I really don't want him to be a Yankee, but not because I think he puts the Evil Empire over the top.

CC has been just plain bad in the playoffs the last few years, and under the scrutiny of the New York media, that is unforgivable. Add on the $130 million price tag, and you're entering A-Rod territory in terms of your openness to criticism. What do you think would have happened to CC had he been on the Yankees this season? His horrendous start coupled with the scrutiny of the New York media could have led to disaster. But in Cleveland, where the media and people are more forgiving, he was able to work through his problems en route to another stellar season (although half of it was in Milwaukee).

I'm a huge Sabathia fan, and I'd love to have CC back in Cleveland if he wasn't commanding a $20+ million salary. But at the same time, he has gone from superhero to subpar starter the instant the postseason started the last two years. The New York media will kill him if that continues. Just ask Alex Rodriguez what it's like to be a great regular season player in New York. CC is still young and has a lot of good years in his arm. He's been exceptionally durable and an overpowering presence at the front of the rotation for Cleveland and Milwaukee the last two years. He has the ability to be a great postseason pitcher, but for whatever reason things haven't clicked on the biggest of stages. He's the reason the Brewers made the playoffs, but when he got the call to lead them to the promised land his performance took a dive. His impeccable command failed him, and he began giving up extra base hits with alarming frequency just like he did for the Indians in '07. I want to see CC succeed, but I don't think that New York is the best place to do that.

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