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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
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THE STUDENT VOICE OF THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
YEAR 135, ISSUE NO. 45 @THELANTERN
Collision course Ohio State and Michigan State headed toward season-defining matchup
No. 2 MSU
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No. 1 OSU
No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Michigan State are two trains charging toward each other for a head-on Nov. 21 collision. Amid years of criticism about the overall strength of the Big Ten, the Buckeyes and Spartans are trying to buck that trend with strong play on both sides of the ball. “Just seeing our conference build and improve upon what we did last year, it’s great to see for the conference,” OSU sophomore linebacker Raekwon McMillan said. While the engines of the two teams are what got them to the top of the rankings, as much as anything it’s the obstacles standing in their ways that have a No.1 vs. No. 2 matchup seem like fate. The only other currently ranked school on each team’s schedule is No. 22 Michigan. Northwestern (No. 16) and Wisconsin (No. 19) are the other two Big Ten teams in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, but the only way OSU or MSU would meet one of them would be in the Big Ten Championship Game — likely to be represented by the winner of the OSUMSU game. The Buckeyes entered the season seeming like they might very well coast their way back to the College
Football Playoff. In the preseason AP poll, OSU received all 61 first-place votes — the first team ever to achieve the feat. Fast-forward to the poll heading into Week 5, and the Scarlet and Gray have lost 16 of those votes — with five shifting to the team directly under them, MSU. The Spartans have trended up since opening the season at No. 5. After an unconvincing 37-24 victory at Western Michigan — which OSU beat 38-12 in Week 4 — MSU turned heads nationally by topping then-No. 7 Oregon 31-28. Double-digit victories over Air Force and Central Michigan followed, led by redshirt senior Connor Cook, who is considered by many to be the top quarterback entering the 2016 NFL draft. OSU, on the other hand, has faced a downward spiral in perception, especially on offense. After scoring 42 points at Virginia Tech in the opener, it put up a misleading 38 against Hawaii — which included no passing touchdowns — and just 20 against Northern Illinois. The 38-point performance against Western Michigan alleviated many of the players’ concerns for the time being, players such as senior linebacker Joshua Perry said he knows the current trend won’t cut it in Big Ten play. “The way that we’re playing right now, I don’t know if we can (win the Big Ten). All phases — offense, defense, special teams — we have to know that we’re going to have some big challenges in the Big
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RYAN COOPER Sports Editor cooper.487@osu.edu
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Opinion: Big Ten held back by its lesser teams ANDREW SCHULMAN Lantern reporter schulman.45@osu.edu With the advent of the College Football Playoff, the question as to the best conference has become much more prevalent. Over the past decade, the Southeastern Conference has undoubtedly reigned superior, winning seven national championships in a row
from 2006 to 2012. However, many would argue that college football is beginning to establish a sense of parity, as Florida State claimed the national title in 2013, followed by Ohio State’s eighth national title in 2014 in the first SEC-free championship game since 2005. Moreover, the Sept. 27 Associated Press poll pits two Big Ten teams — No. 1 OSU and No. 2 Michigan State — at the pinnacle,
followed by TCU of the Big 12, before finally finding an SEC team in Mississippi at No. 4. All this considered, the difference between the Big Ten and other Power 5 conferences is definitely diminishing — and might already be gone. First, the Big Ten’s record in bowl games last year should be examined. While the 5-5 mark might not blow minds away, it should be
noted that Las Vegas oddsmakers labeled all 10 bowl-eligible teams as underdogs in their respective games. Additionally, the upper-echelon Big Ten teams (OSU, Wisconsin and Michigan State) all won their bowl games, with two of those being against SEC West opponents (Alabama and Auburn) and the other being against a formidable Big 12 opponent in Baylor. While some of the mediocre
teams in the conference struggled during last year’s bowl season, the top teams more than made up for it in what might have been the best New Year’s Day for the conference in several years. Next, let us look at the Big Ten nonconference schedule against Power 5 conferences. To date, Michigan State might own the most impressive nonconference BIG10 CONTINUES ON 2
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Opinion: 2015 looks bright for Big Ten teams AARON TOMICH Lantern reporter tomich.17@osu.edu Big Ten football conference play has arrived, and the season is looking bright for the top teams. As last season concluded, the Big Ten teams pulled in six bowl victories (including Ohio State with two), and out of these victories, four were against top-10 teams. The 2014 season left with OSU, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Penn State and Minnesota as the best of the conference. High praise followed, as did high hopes for this current season. Now a few weeks in, we are seeing the potential for great success. Last weekend, MSU joined the Buckeyes atop the AP Top 25 poll, with OSU ranking No. 1 and the Spartans No. 2. To no one’s surprise, these two powerhouse programs are yet again pulling the weight of the Big Ten’s still slightly and unreasonably poor reputation — of course, we know last year’s OSU team already did the majority of the pulling. Here is a look into a few teams that are all playing well right now and could put the Big Ten in the spotlight once again come bowl season. Northwestern (4-0), whom many toss in a corner before every season, had a thrilling first-week upset versus Pac-12 frontrunner Stanford following strong play from freshman quarterback Clayton Thorson. Last COLLISION FROM 1
Ten,” Perry said after the Northern Illinois game on Sept. 19. “But with the guys that we have, the way that we train and coaches prepare us, I think we can get there.” While disappointed in its early showings, that mindset has been the rallying cry for the Buckeyes this season. The team is setting its sights on following the same path it did last season: starting slowly before finding its rhythm as Big Ten play heats up — just in time for the matchup with the Spartans. “We definitely take more emphasis into the Big Ten schedule, because now we’re playing for a championship,” McMillan said. “I think we have the top two teams in the nation in the Big Ten now, so we’re going to see what happens.” Perry agreed that the team is fortunate to still be in its No. 1 position — perhaps aided by not having a nonconference opponent like Oregon on its schedule — and will have
Saturday, the Wildcats claimed their next victory over Duke in a well-played game and are now ranked the 16th-best team in America. I see Northwestern competing for a spot in the Big Ten title game and potentially reaching a “New Year’s Six” bowl. Wisconsin (3-1), despite suffering a tough road loss against Alabama, is now ranked 19th in the country and has captured two consecutive wins with ease, riding the backs of a traditionally strong offensive line and running back core. The Badgers could very well dominate the West Division once
again and return to another large bowl in the postseason. Iowa (4-0) is off to a surprising start, as it defeated Pittsburgh and in-state rival Iowa State because of outstanding play from junior quarterback C.J. Beathard. I am not too sure what to think of the Hawkeyes, as inconsistency has plagued the program recently, but if this season reflects the strong start, bowl season is calling out in Iowa. Of course, Michigan State (4-0), led by Heisman-hopeful quarterback Connor BOWLS CONTINUES ON 4
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Members of the OSU football team sing “Carmen Ohio” after the Big Ten Championship Game against Wisconsin on Dec. 6 in Indianapolis. to be better if it wants to avoid being passed by the Spartans. “We take everything we do around here seriously, but we’re just trying to get in all the guys’ heads that this is Big Ten season, this is where we have to achieve all of our goals for this year,” Perry said. “We have to play really well, we know we’re going to face some really good matchups.” In 2014, the game against MSU was a pivotal matchup for the Buckeyes, as OSU traveled to East Lansing, Michigan, as the No. 14 team to take on the eighth-ranked Spartans. Then-redshirt freshman quarterback J.T. Barrett was responsible for 386 yards and five touchdowns, and then-sophomore running back Ezekiel Elliott added two more scores for the Buckeyes as they left East Lansing with a 49-37 shootout victory. That win vaulted the Buckeyes to the No.
8 spot previously held by the Spartans, and they won their final three regular-season games to earn a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game and then the playoff. The upcoming OSU vs. MSU game has drawn comparisons to the 2006 “Game of the Century,” in which No. 1 OSU topped No. 2 Michigan 42-39 to secure a spot in the championship game. The game this year could have similar ramifications, as it could single-handedly decide which school earns a spot in the playoff — if both don’t — as only one of them can represent the East division in the Big Ten Championship Game. That kind of intense pressure isn’t something OSU is worried about, redshirt junior safety Tyvis Powell said — it is what the team lives for. “Absolutely I’m excited,” Powell said. “Isn’t that why we came to Ohio State?”
na, and knocked off a decent Duke team behind the Wildcats’ stymying defense. While the Big Ten has had some hiccups from its traditional bottom-feeders (such as Illinois, Purdue and Maryland), impressive performances at the top, coupled by a handful of respectable losses (for instance, Minnesota falling to TCU by only six points in Week 1), have reinforced its position as one of the best conferences in football. Finally, a good measure of each conference’s depth and strength comes when respective conferences’ average and lower-caliber teams are further analyzed. With respect to the Big Ten, this comes from the likes of Purdue, Penn State, Maryland, Rut-
gers and Illinois. All of these teams have accumulated bad losses to date, and they all have struggled in nonconference and postseason play lately. Because of the fact that these schools constitute nearly half of the conference, it would be naive to proclaim the Big Ten as the best conference in the country. Quite simply, the worst SEC teams (such as Kentucky and Vanderbilt) aren’t nearly as noncompetitive as those in the Big Ten and in other conferences. However, strength at the top cannot be ignored, which firmly places the Big Ten as the second-strongest conference in the country.
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win of any with its triumph over Oregon on Sept. 12. Additionally, OSU has a win over Virginia Tech on its résumé, and Iowa has a win against its in-state nemesis Iowa State on the road. But the most impressive Big Ten team of this young season has to be Northwestern. Completely off the radar, Northwestern pulled off a stunner against then-No. 21 Stanford, holding the Kevin Hogan-led offense to just six points. For reference purposes, Stanford went to Pasadena, California, and defeated Southern California by 10 just two weeks later. On top of that victory, Northwestern traveled down south to Durham, North Caroli-
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Illinois Fighting Illini Location: Champaign, Illinois 2014 record: 6-7 Head coach: Bill Cubit (interim coach, 3-1) 2015 record so far: 3-1 Record vs. OSU since 2005: 1-9 What’s happened so far in 2015? Illinois, coming off a losing season, started out strong with a 52-3 win against Kent State and a 44-0 shutout against Western Illinois. Its big numbers on offense dropped off with a 48-14 loss to North Carolina, and a last-second field goal saved it from losing two consecutive games with a 27-25 win against Middle Tennessee. Key offensive player Redshirt sophomore quarterback Wes Lunt is the lynchpin of the Illini offense. Lunt threw four touchdowns to four different receivers against Kent State and threw for more than 300 yards against Western Illinois. When Lunt is solid in the pocket, the team delivers wins, and when he doesn’t, they don’t. In its only loss thus far, Lunt threw for no touchdowns and an interception against North Carolina, proving the team needs Lunt to play like he did the first two weeks of the season to even begin thinking about contending in the Big Ten. Key defensive player Dawuane Smoot, a junior defen-
sive end, has been a playmaker for Illinois this season. Up until the Illini played Middle Tennessee, Smoot was the only defensive player to earn a sack, showing both his importance to this defense as well as the need for more playmakers on the line. Smoot had a career-high three tackles for loss — two being sacks — in Illinois’ 27-25 win against Middle Tennessee, and only continues to cement his place as the best player on this otherwise lackluster defense. He will be a major key as the Fighting Illini enters a string of Big Ten games against more high-powered offenses. Weaknesses This team has struggles both on and off the field. The team is trying to find a way to be a presence in the Big Ten while having an interim coach and losing one of its key players, Mike Dudek, a true sophomore wide receiver who broke several Big Ten records last year. However, its biggest weakness is the offensive line. This team has significant depth at running back, but the O-line seems unable to assist the run game and falls flat against mediocre defenses, proven most prominently in the loss to North Carolina. This leaves the offense limited options, often relying too heavily on Lunt and receivers CREDIT: COURTESY OF TNS to score. North Carolina’s Jeremiah Clarke (49) and Donnie Miles (15) stop Illinois’ Josh Ferguson (6) -Ashley Nelson for a loss on Sept. 19 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Iowa Hawkeyes Location: Iowa City, Iowa 2014 record: 7-6 Head coach: Kirk Ferentz (15th year, 119-85) 2015 record so far: 4-0 Record vs. OSU since 2005: 0-4
CREDIT: COURTEST OF TNS
Iowa players carry Floyd of Rosedale, the game trophy, off the field following a 23-7 victory over Minnesota at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013.
Which Big Ten teams will be the biggest surprise and disappointment?
What’s happened so far in 2015 The Hawkeyes are off to a strong start after kicking off the year with four straight wins. They are coming fresh off a 62-16 win against Northern Texas and beating Pittsburgh 27-24 with a time-expiring field goal, as well as beating instate rival Iowa State on the road 31-17. The Hawkeyes are 4-0 for the first time since 2009 when they went on to win nine in a row and finish 11-2 while beating Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl. Key offensive player Hawkeye fans were close to having a quarterback battle between Jake Rudock and C.J. Beathard, but that was decided when Rudock transferred to Michigan. Beathard, a junior, took over and has looked steady this season, leading Iowa to 151 points on offense so far. He has been very efficient with his passing, completing 75 of 115 passes for 962 yards and six touchdowns with only one interception. Going
into Big Ten play, Beathard seems ready to lead the Hawkeyes to their first West Division championship, as well as their first trip to the Big Ten Championship Game. Key defensive player Iowa has been known for its hardnosed defense, which is marked this season by senior linebacker Cole Fisher. The Omaha, Nebraska, native leads the team in tackles, while being tied for second in sacks. He has been a bright spot on the defense this year, excelling both on and off the field, with his grades earning him an Academic All-Big Ten spot for three straight years. Fisher and his unit have done their job this season by allowing only 17.8 points a game and not allowing a single rushing touchdown. Weaknesses While the Hawkeyes should be pleased with their undefeated start, the offense struggled at times, as they have lost four fumbles in as many games. They also are only converting third downs 52 percent of the time. Iowa is poised to compete in the weaker West division of the Big Ten, but in order to do so, the team will need to clean up the turnovers and improve its efficiency on third downs. -Jessey Alley
Ryan Cooper - Surprise: Minnesota, Disappointment: Wisconsin
Colin Hass-Hill - Surprise: Nebraska, Disappointment: Northwestern
Kevin Stankiewicz - Surprise: Iowa, Disappointment: Penn State
Dan Herbener - Surprise: Minnesota, Disappointment: Penn State
Evan Szymkowicz - Surprise: N’western, Disappointment: Wisconsin
Sam Hollingshead - Suprise: Michigan, Disappointment: Wisconsin
Kaley Rentz - Surprise: Minnesota, Disappointment: Penn State
Khalid Moalim - Surprise: Minnesota, Disappointment: Wisconsin
4 | THE LANTERN | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
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What’s happened so far in 2015 The Golden Gophers started off the season with a tough opening loss to then-No. 3 TCU, 23-17. They followed that up with a 23-20 victory on the road against Colorado State. Minnesota then took on Kent State at home and won in a low-scoring game, 10-7. The Golden Gophers squeaked out another threepoint victory in Week 4, this time over Ohio University, 27-24. Key offensive player Quarterback play is what will ultimately decide how Minnesota will fare against a tough Big Ten slate that includes Northwestern, Michigan and Ohio State. Redshirt junior Mitch Leidner is its leader on offense and will have to continue to improve, as he sports an overall record of 13-7 as a
starter. Through three games, Leidner has passed for 878 yards, four scores and two interceptions. Minnesota, however, is looking for increased efficiency overall, as the unit ranks last in the Big Ten in points per game, amassing a mere eight touchdowns in four games this season. Minnesota’s run game showed flashes in the win over Ohio on Saturday, as redshirt freshman running back Rodney Smith and true freshman running back Shannon Brooks combined on 26 carries for 176 yards and two touchdowns. Key defensive player Redshirt senior cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun is Minnesota’s biggest playmaker on the outside and will be looked at for big plays again this season. Last year, Boddy-Calhoun intercepted five passes, which was tied for third-most in single-season school history. He was named to first-team all-Big Ten by the media for his efforts last
season. Paired with senior Eric Murray, the tandem fortify the pass defense for the Gophers, which should prove to be one of the strongest units on the team. The defense, however, is a little banged up and will have to begin Big Ten with a few nagging injuries. Weaknesses Overall, Minnesota likely lacks the offensive production needed to compete for the Big Ten championship. The ground-and-pound style of play might be too conservative to keep up with teams like Ohio State, which it faces on Nov. 7 in Columbus. The Golden Gophers rank 119th out of 127 teams in scoring, and that offensive output will have to improve if they want to have any shot to play in the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis in December.
CREDIT : COUR TE
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota 2014 record: 8-5 (5-3 in the Big Ten) Head coach: Jerry Kill (fourth year, 25-26) 2015 record so far: 3-1 Record vs. OSU since 2005: 0-7
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Minnesota Golden Gophers
-Giustino Bovenzi
Nebraska Cornhuskers Location: Lincoln, Nebraska 2014 record: 9-4 Head coach: Mike Riley (first year, 2-2) 2015 record so far: 2-2 Record vs. OSU since 2005: 1-1
CREDIT: COURTESY OF TNS
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Cook and a very strong defense hailed an impressive home victory over the then-seventhranked Oregon Ducks. The Spartans should pose a real threat to Ohio State’s repeat chances in the Big Ten and national championship. I see MSU making a convincing argument to be included in the College Football Playoff. Next, I have to include Michigan (3-1), who, at the moment, can only boast about new coach Jim Harbaugh’s “glorious arrival.” With a solid performance and shutout versus then-No. 22 BYU, I am beginning to see potential for the Wolverines to have a winning season and a bowl bid. The Wolverines are now ranked 22nd in the nation. Last, but not least, OSU (4-0) is the defending undisputed national champions. Though there are certainly issues at the quarterback position and a struggling offensive line, the “Silver Bullets” defense has held strong in the first four games. Once again, I believe the offense will hit its stride as conference
What’s happened so far in 2015 The Cornhuskers were one of those football teams that fell victim to BYU’s last-minute heroics to start the season. They bounced back the following week, as they defeated South Alabama 48-9. Redemption for the loss to BYU almost came two weeks later when Nebraska roared back in the fourth quarter to force overtime, before falling to Miami 36-33. However, this past week the Cornhuskers were almost upended themselves in a close 36-28 win over an average Southern Mississippi squad. Key offensive player Despite a coaching turnover, Nebraska had a lot to look forward to on the offenplay arrives. With crucial matchups at home against Michigan State and Penn State, the Buckeyes can prove again why they are the top team. I see OSU in the playoff for a second straight year. The Big Ten might not be the toughest conference in the nation, but its top teams are beginning to make a statement that says otherwise. Come late November and the beginning of January, be prepared to watch these Big Ten teams compete and show the nation that the conference isn’t so poor after all.
sive side of the ball in 2015. With a pair of juniors in Tommy Armstrong Jr. under center and Terrell Newby in the backfield, coach Mike Riley inherited a potent offense. Right now, Armstrong’s dual-threat capability makes him the MVP for Nebraska entering Big Ten play. The junior quarterback currently leads the conference in passing yards (1,266) and passing touchdowns (11), and also has sported extreme athleticism that has allowed him to run outside and hurdle opposing defenders. Armstrong is on fire entering Big Ten play, and that’s scary for opposing secondaries. Key defensive player The most surprising aspect of Nebraska’s season so far is the play of tight-endturned-defensive-end Freedom Akinmoladun. The redshirt freshman was initially called to the field to replace senior Jack Gangwish after he suffered an injury against BYU. Freedom’s impact was felt immediately. The elusive defensive end has already piled up four sacks and six tackles for losses this season, including the sack that ended Southern Mississip-
pi’s chances of a comeback. Unfortunately, Akinmoladun is a lone bright spot on a defense plagued by injuries to key players, and he will not be able to continue to carry the load throughout Big Ten play. Weaknesses This one is pretty simple, given that Nebraska fields one of the worst secondaries in college football. The aforementioned unit has allowed 379.5 passing yards per game in 2015, ranking them dead last in the nation. First-year defensive coordinator Mark Banker has had to make adaptations because of the injuries, but the problem with the pass coverage stems from the lack of any pressure up front. Banker’s system calls for the safeties to play closer to the line of scrimmage, which is part of the reason why Nebraska is giving up so many deep pass plays. In order to make up for its lack of veteran depth, Nebraska needs to turn it up in the turnover department, as it is tied for last in the Big Ten with just three interceptions. -Zak Kolesar
Who will be the Big Ten Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year? Ryan - Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State and Darron Lee, Ohio State Kevin - Connor Cook, Michigan State and Joey Bosa, Ohio State Evan - Connor Cook, Michigan State and Darron Lee, Ohio State Kaley - Braxton Miller, Ohio State and Darron Lee, Ohio State Colin - Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State and Darron Lee, Ohio State Dan - Connor Cook, Michigan State and Darron Lee, Ohio State
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Sam - Christian Hackenberg, Penn State and Darron Lee, Ohio State Khalid - Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State and Darron Lee, Ohio State
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Northwestern Wildcats Location: Evanston, Illinois 2014 record: 5-7 Head coach: Pat Fitzgerald (10th year, 60-53) 2015 record so far: 4-0 Record vs. OSU since 2005: 0-5 What’s happened so far in 2015 The Wildcats upset Stanford in Week 1, 16-6, to give the team momentum. They followed that up by blowing out Eastern Illinois 41-0. In Week 3, Northwestern went on the road and topped Duke 19-10. The Wildcats survived a little scare from Ball State in Week 4 to head into Big Ten play undefeated. Key offensive player The Wildcats’ offense is led by redshirt freshman quarterback Clayton Thorson. Thorson, a four-star recruit from Wheaton, Illinois, has been a vital component to Northwestern’s early success this season. He has completed 50 of 94 passes for a total of 583 yards and four touchdowns. His breakout game was last weekend in the Wildcats’ close 24-19 victory over Ball State. Thorson threw for a career high of 256 yards and three touchdowns. The young quarterback has been steadily improving each week, and now all eyes are on him as the Wildcats host Minnesota, their first conference opponent, on Saturday.
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Key defensive player Northwestern’s defense is arguably the strongest in the West Division this season. It is off to an impressive start, as it held Stanford to only two field goals and shut out Eastern Illinois. Leading the pack is sophomore linebacker Anthony Walker. Walker has already been named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week twice, with his best game coming against Duke when he had a career high of 19 tackles. He has a total of 41 tackles this season, seven of which were for a loss. Walker becomes more of a threat to opposing offenses every week and is definitely one of the top defensive players to watch in the Big Ten. Weaknesses Northwestern’s biggest weakness is and always has been consistency. Last year, the Wildcats were all over the place, losing to Northern Illinois one week and defeating ranked Wisconsin the next. If Northwestern wants to compete for the West division crown, it will need to continue the pattern it is on now. The Wildcats are a young team, led by a young, inexperienced quarterback, which can lead to simple mistakes on the field. Northwestern has talent on every side of the ball. It just needs to be developed in order for the Wildcats to be a threat this season. -Magee Sprague
Purdue Boilermakers
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana 2014 record: 3-9 Head coach: Darrell Hazell (third year, 5-22) 2015 record so far: 1-3 Record vs. OSU since 2005: 2-5 What’s happened so far in 2015 Purdue hung tough with a stout Marshall team, but the Boilermakers’ defense surrendered 41 points and junior quarterback Austin Appleby threw four interceptions in the 41-31 loss. Out for redemption the next week against Indiana State, the Boilermaker offense pumped out 540 yards in a balanced attack on the ground and in the air, winning 38-14. However, the next week against Virginia Tech, Purdue’s offense and defense sputtered, dropping their second game to the Hokies, 51-24. In Week 4, Purdue was bested by Bowling Green 35-28 after giving up more than 400 yards passing to Falcons quarterback Matt Johnson. Key offensive player Purdue is looking for an explosive playmaker on offense this season, and freshman running back Markell Jones might be the man for the job. A native of Columbus, Indiana, Jones posted eye-popping numbers. In his senior year in high school, Jones rushed for a state-record 3,565 yards. A workhorse in high school, the intangibles Jones possesses have gotten him off to a
Who will win the Big Ten Championship Game?
strong start, as he has 229 rushing yards and four total touchdowns. Key defensive player Last year, then-freshman linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley was second on the team in total tackles with 76. With his immense playmaking ability, Bentley made it on the USA Today Freshman All-American team. Now a sophomore, Bentley is looking to once again make plays all over the field. The Glenarden, Maryland, product made an immediate impact last year, posting big games against the powerhouse teams of Wisconsin and Michigan State. Purdue struggled last year on defense, ranking 80th in the nation overall, but Bentley is on pace to improve on his numbers from last year with 26 total tackles already. If he continues his pace and builds off last year, he could be a big help to the Boilermaker defense. Weaknesses Defense will be the first place the coaching staff at Purdue will need to address. Opposing offensive units took advantage of the Boilermaker defense, putting increased pressure on the rest of the team. This year, three seniors and five juniors will be starting. Although the age and experience will be there, execution will be key for improvement and success. - Nicholas McWilliams
CREDIT: COURTESY OF TNS
Purdue redshirt junior quarterback Austin Appleby (12) dives toward the goal line during a game against Minnesota on Oct. 18 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Ryan - Ohio State over Northwestern
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Indiana Hoosiers Location: Bloomington, Indiana 2014 record: 4-8 Head coach: Kevin Wilson (fifth year, 18-34) 2015 record so far: 4-0 Record vs. OSU since 2005: 0-8
What’s happened so far in 2015 The Hoosiers opened their season with a 48-47 shootout victory against Southern Illinois. That was followed by a more comprehensive 36-22 win against Florida International before coming from behind for a 38-35 victory over Western Kentucky. Their latest success was a 31-24 win against Wake Forest, which matched their final win total from last season. Key offensive player The Hoosiers have been riding the hot start of their quarterback Nate Sudfeld. Despite playing only six games last season, the senior completed 101 of his 167 pass attempts, resulting in 1,151 yards and six touchdowns. The Modesto, California, native has continued to demonstrate his talent in 2015. In four games, he has two 300-plus yard games, racking up more than 930 passing yards and seven touchdowns. Sudfeld’s
best performance came in the 38-35 thriller against Western Kentucky, in which he completed 20 of his 27 pass attempts for 355 yards and three scores. Key defensive player Linebacker T.J. Simmons has established himself as a solid component in a rather leaky Hoosier defense so far this season. The junior has showed potential from his very first year with Indiana, as he was an honorable mention for the Big Ten All-Freshman team. As a sophomore, Simmons was second on the team with 72 tackles. So far in 2015, the Lakeland, Florida, native is leading the defense with 27 tackles, 16 of those being solo. Weaknesses Sudfeld and the offense has had to bail out the defense constantly this season. The secondary has been particularly poor for the Hoosiers. Through four games, it has allowed a whopping 1,442 passing yards, which places them second-to-last in the country. Coach Kevin Wilson has to get that side of the ball sorted out if he hopes to continue this hot start and lead Indiana to its first bowl game since 2007. -Martin I. Colman
CREDIT: COURTESY OF TNS
Wisconsin redshirt senior quarterback Joel Stave (2) throws one of two first-half touchdown passes to wide receiver Robert Wheelwright at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, on Sept. 12.
No. 19 Wisconsin Badgers
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What’s happened so far in 2015 Ranked No. 20 to begin the season, the Wisconsin Badgers started on a low note with a 35-17 loss to the then-No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide. Junior running back Corey Clement, who was the heir to the position following the departure of Melvin Gordon, was injured during the game. The Badgers put up a mere 40 rushing yards against the Crimson Tide, a drastic drop from their 320.1 average in 2014. However, the following three weeks were much better for the Badgers, as Wisconsin dismantled its opponents — the Miami Redhawks, Troy Trojans and Hawaii Rainbow Warriors — by a combined score of 114-3. The three wins marked the first time the Badgers held an opponent to three or fewer points in three consecutive games in the modern era. As conference play begins, it remains to be seen if the Badgers can continue their dominance against stronger teams. Key offensive player In 2014, the Badgers relied heavily on Gordon to lead their offense, as redshirt senior quarterback Joel Stave averaged only 135 yards per game. With Wisconsin’s run-
ning game a question mark as redshirt freshman Taiwan Deal and redshirt junior Dare Ogunbowale continue to compete for the No. 1 spot in the absence of Clement, Stave is thrust into a bigger role in the Badgers’ offensive game. Through the first four games, CREDIT: COURTESY OF HALEY WARD | INDIANA DAILY STUDENT Stave has averaged 207.5 yards per game Indiana junior running back Jordan Howard (8) runs with the ball. and is only two touchdowns shy of matching his 10-game total from last season. Stave has also seen his efficiency improve this season, as he is throwing for a career-high 66.1 percent completion rating. Key defensive player Senior linebacker Joe Schobert has been a standout on defense for the Badgers. Schobert and his 28 tackles has been a driving factor in a Wisconsin defense that has held its last three opponents to a combined three points. The senior has already doubled his sack total from last season, and his six sacks place him at fourth in the nation. He has also equaled his forced-fumble total of two and is tied for first in the country in tackles for loss. Weaknesses The biggest weakness for Wisconsin is the inexperience it has on the offensive line and in the backfield. The Badgers currently only have two returning starters on the offensive line, leading to fluidity at right guard and right tackle. While the running game has improved from Week 1, it remains to be seen if Deal and Ogunbowale can produce enough while Clement recovers from sports hernia surgery. -Alexa Mavrogianis
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Location: Madison, Wisconsin 2014 record: 11-3 Head coach: Paul Chryst (first year, 3-1) 2015 record so far: 3-1, No. 19 in AP poll Record vs. OSU since 2005: 1-7
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There IS a superior intelligence “out there” -- and a loving one too. Your Creator wants you to acknowledge Him, and come to know Him and His ways. Don’t be deceived by evolutionism. All creation screams of intelligent design! The odds alone of DNA evolving are virtually nil. Evolutionism is the only “science” that denies the law of degeneration (entropy). God alone is the origin of life, and the true God wants/needs no one to take away life for Him – beware the “god” that does! God exists, and the Bible is His Word. What is unique about the Bible? For one thing, it is the only book with fulfilled prophecy (Isaiah 46:9-10). Test it yourself! For starters, try (current situation) Psalm 83 and Zechariah 12; (reformation of Israel after nearly 1900 years) Isaiah 11:11-12, Isaiah 43:5-6, Isaiah 66:8, Jeremiah 16:14-15, Jeremiah 31:7-10, Amos 9:9-15, Ezekiel 34:12-31, Ezekiel 36, and Ezekiel 37:21-22; (suffering/crucifixion of Christ) Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53; (future situation) Zechariah 13:7 14:21; (timing of the 2nd Coming of Christ) Joel 3:1-2, 2Peter 3:8/ Hosea 5:14 - 6:2. “Too hard to read and understand” you say? Try the KJV/Amplified parallel bible (book) or KJV/Amplified/Complete Jewish parallel bible (biblegateway.com), and for a strict literal translation try Young’s Literal. “It’s all in how you interpret it” you say? The Bible, despite numerous transcribers over hundreds of years, is remarkably consistent/coherent and interprets itself. Our Creator is the actual author (2Peter 1:16-21). Beware of modern, liberal translations from “the higher critics” which seriously distort the Word! Finally, if there is a God, why is there so much evil? We have rejected God, and now see what it is like to live in a world where God has permitted us (temporarily) to rule ourselves. Give up your lusts, and come to your Creator and follow His ways (Jude 1:18-25). All that this world has to offer is as nothing compared to what He has in store for those who love Him (1Corinthians 2:9 , John 14:15)!
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Maryland Terrapins Location: College Park, Maryland 2014 record: 7-6 Head coach: Randy Edsall (fifth year, 22-32) 2015 record so far: 2-2 Record vs. OSU since 2005: 0-1 What’s happened so far in 2015 Maryland scored 37 straight points in its home opener against Richmond, winning 50-21. Returning to the field the following Saturday, the Terrapins were upset by Bowling Green, 48-27. They got back on the winning track the following week, beating South Florida 35-17, but the Terrapins dropped back to .500 in Week 4 when they fell to West Virginia. Key offensive player Redshirt junior Caleb Rowe earned the starting quarterback position in Week 3 after returning from a season-ending injury sustained in 2014. Against USF, he was able to throw four touchdown passes, and even with his mis-
takes against WVU, he is showing true promise for the games ahead. Alongside Rowe are two key running backs: redshirt senior Brandon Ross and redshirt junior Wes Brown. Ross ran a career high of 150 yards and one touchdown in Maryland’s season opener, while Brown scored his first touchdown of the season in the fourth quarter, ensuring the Terrapins’ victory over Richmond. Key defensive player Junior defensive back William Likely has set the standard high for the Terrapins’ defense. Returning from last season as the first-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and media, Likely came into the season opener more prepared than ever. Within their first game alone, he set a Big Ten record of 233 yards in punt returns and one touchdown. In their second game, he was able to continue in his footsteps and return a punt for a touchdown against Bowling Green. Through the first
CREDIT: COURTESY OF TNS
Maryland senior defensive back Sean Davis (21) reacts after missing a chance at an interception during the second quarter on Nov. 15, at in College Park, Maryland. two games, Likely has established himself as a leader and a weapon for the Terrapins. Weaknesses For a young team, the Terrapins have shown many positives in the
start of the season. One weakness a sound running game behind its is that Rowe has only started in two young offensive line, hurting both games. Therefore the team lacks of its experienced running backs. true experience and seniority with -Megan Weiss in the offense. The team has also been struggling with establishing
Michigan Wolverines
Who will be the four College Football Playoff teams?
What’s happened so far in 2015 For a team projected to finish around .500, Harbaugh’s Wolverines are exceeding expectations. After dropping the season opener to the Utah Utes 24-17, the Wolverines have won three straight. In the home opener against Oregon State, Michigan, led by a stout, suffocating defense, dominated 35-7. The following two weeks, the Wolverines took care of UNLV, 28-7, then blanked the then-No. 22 Brigham Young Cougars 31-0 — the third-largest shutout victory by an unranked team over a ranked team in 30 years. Now ranked No. 22, the Wolverines have looked strong out of the gate, led by the nation’s sixth-best defense. Key offensive player Michigan has weapons, including a pair of savvy wide receivers: seniors Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson, and a premier junior tight end, Jake Butt. Its offense, however, is predicated on the running game, which is why junior running back De’Veon Smith — the player that makes the offense go — is the player to watch. Through four games, the Warren, Ohio, native has rushed for 331 yards, including two 100-yard games and four touchdowns. At 5-foot-11 and 228 pounds, the power back is a bulldozer who ex-
cels at getting yards after contact. In a crowded backfield with three other backs, Smith is undoubtedly No. 1 and carries the load. Key defensive player Michigan’s defense has been stifling thus far, holding teams to an average of 204 total yards and 9.5 points per game. Senior defensive end Chris Wormley is leading the tough unit. Contributing to the run defense, which ranks 10th in the country, Wormley has tallied 14 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and a sack. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound defensive lineman has blossomed so far in 2015 and will continue to fluster opposing offensive lines. Weaknesses The passing game, led by redshirt senior quarterback Jake Rudock, is a glaring weakness. Averaging 194 yards through the air, the passing attack ranks No. 96 and is often unreliable. Rudock, who was Iowa’s starting quarterback the past two seasons before transferring to Michigan, has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns and can’t be relied on to consistently move the ball downfield. The Wolverines will rely heavily on their defense to keep games low scoring so they can avoid shootouts in which the game would fall in Rudock’s hands -Alycea Smith
Ryan - OSU, Baylor, Utah, Mississippi Kevin - OSU, Clemson, Michigan State, Georgia Evan - Mississippi, OSU, Baylor, Stanford Kaley - Mississippi, OSU, Notre Dame, Baylor
No. 22 UM
CREDIT: COURTESY OF TNS
CREDIT: COURTESY OF TNS
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan 2014 record: 5-7 Head coach: Jim Harbaugh (first year, 3-1) 2015 record so far: 3-1, No. 22 in AP poll Record vs. OSU since 2005: 1-9
Colin - OSU, Georgia, Mississippi, Baylor Dan - OSU, Baylor, LSU, UCLA Sam - OSU, Michigan State, Mississippi, Notre Dame Khalid - OSU, Baylor, Michigan State, Mississippi
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Penn State Nittany Lions Location: State College, Pennsylvania 2014 record: 7-6 Head coach: James Franklin (second year, 10-7) 2015 record so far: 3-1 Record vs. OSU since 2005: 3-7 What’s happened so far in 2015 Coming off its first bowl appearance since January 2012, Penn State’s season began with an upset. Stunned on the road by losing to Temple for the first time in 74 years, the Nittany Lions dropped their season opener 27-10. They were able to bounce back in their home opener by taking care of the Buffalo Bulls, 27-14. The following two weeks, the Nittany Lions beat Rutgers 28-3 and San Diego State 37-21, and they now sit at 3-1 on the season. Key offensive player Before the season, junior quarterback Christian Hackenberg was projected to be one of the top picks in next year’s draft. After recent struggles, however, specifically the loss at Temple, his stock has fallen significantly. Still, he remains one of the best quarterbacks in the conference, and the key to PSU’s overall success. At 6-foot4 and 228 pounds, Hackenberg is a prototypical pro-style quarterback — a rarity in college football — and can complete any pass. Through four games, Hackenberg has thrown for 668 yards, four touchdowns and
two interceptions, and is second on Penn State’s all-time career passing list with 6,486 career passing yards. Key defensive player After moving from defensive end to defensive tackle last season, senior Anthony Zettel made PSU’s top position group even better. His combination of speed and power can overwhelm interior linemen, placing him among the elite defensive tackles in the conference. Last season, he registered 17 tackles for loss, which was second in the Big Ten behind Ohio State junior defensive end Joey Bosa. Through four games, the West Branch, Michigan, native has racked up 19 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and half a sack. Weaknesses Nothing can overshadow the holes in PSU’s roster. Losing its best linebacker, last season’s second-leading tackler Nyeem Wartman-White, for the season was a huge blow for the front seven. As the quarterback of the defense, he was extremely effective in defensive coordinator Ben Shoop’s scheme and can’t be adequately replaced. For a team lacking quality depth, the Nittany Lions can’t afford to take these hits, but they have. And the injuries are piling up. Both of their top running backs and safeties are sidelined, and redshirt sophomore tackle Andrew Nelson is dealing with a leg injury, creating a “next man up” mentality. -Alycea Smith
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Michigan State Spartans Location: East Lansing, Michigan 2014 record: 11-2 Head coach: Mark Dantonio (ninth year, 79-31) 2015 record so far: 4-0, No. 2 in AP Poll Record vs. OSU since 2005: 2-6 What’s happened so far in 2015 The Spartans open their season with a victory over Western Michigan 37-24. They followed that up with an impressive 31-28 win over then-No. 7 Oregon at home. MSU continued its winning ways over Air Force, 35-21, and Central Michigan, 30-10. The Spartans have outscored their opponents 133-83 with an offense that has averaged 33.25 points per game this season. Key offensive player On the quest of becoming the winningest quarterback in school history, redshirt senior quarterback Connor Cook has been stellar for the Spartans this season. Cook has thrown nine touchdowns compared to just one interception and averages 209.5 passing yards per game this season. Although the young Spartan rushing attack between redshirt freshman Madre London and freshman L.J. Scott is import-
ant to the success of this offense, averaging 133 yards rushing between the two of them per game, Cook is the veteran playmaker that glues the Spartan offense together. Key defensive player The Spartans’ run defense is very good, with opposing offenses averaging only 3.32 yards per rush. A key part of the defensive presence is junior linebacker Riley Bullough. Brother of MSU alumnus Max Bullough, who now plays for the Houston Texans, Riley is now the focal point of the MSU defense. He averages 11.5 tackles a game and has a total of 3.5 tackles for loss, which includes three sacks against Western Michigan. Bullough also recovered a fumble for 13 yards in the game against Central Michigan. Weaknesses The Spartan defense ranks 77th in the NCAA in total defense, which is worse than seven of their Big Ten counterparts. The Spartan secondary is giving up 277 passing yards per game and has given up five passing touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks, which ranks 107th in the nation. For MSU to continue making its case as one of the nation’s top teams, the defense will need to tighten up. -Colin Gay
CREDIT: LANTERN FILE PHOTO
Penn State then-sophomore quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) during a game against OSU on Oct. 25 in State College, Pennsylvania.
Ryan - Leonard Fournette, LSU Kevin - Nick Chubb, Georgia Evan - Trevone Boykin, TCU Kaley - Nick Chubb, Georgia Colin - Leonard Fournette, LSU Dan - Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State Sam - Leonard Fournette, LSU Khalid - Leonard Fournette, LSU
CREDIT: COURTESY OF TNS
Who will win the Heisman Trophy?
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Rutgers Scarlet Knights Location: Piscataway, New Jersey 2014 record: 8-5 (3-5 Big Ten) Head coach: Kyle Flood (fourth season, 25-18), Norries Wilson (interim coach) 2015 record so far: 2-2 Record vs. OSU since 2005: 0-1
the way on the ground for the Scarlet Knights. Key defensive player Redshirt junior linebacker Steve Longa is the closest thing Rutgers has to a star defensive player. Amidst a defense that gave up 442.8 yards per game and ranked 100th in total defense in 2014, Longa, as a sophomore, led the Scarlet Knights with 102 tackles. At 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds, Longa has moved to weakside linebacker this season after playing middle linebacker in his first two seasons. He has 37 tackles already in 2015, which is good for eighth in the Big Ten.
Weaknesses Having lost six starters on both offense and defense from a season ago — including its starting quarterback and three offensive linemen — Rutgers had relatively low expectations for 2015. The Scarlet Knights head into their bye week looking to solve their biggest problem: passing defense. With two freshmen starting at the cornerback position — and their backups being freshmen as well — it’s not surprising to see Rutgers ranking 103rd in the country in passing defense, giving up 274 yards per game to opposing quarterbacks. -Jacob Myers
What’s happened so far in 2015 On Sept. 3, just two days before Rutgers would go on to defeat Norfolk State 63-13, five players were suspended indefinitely. One was charged with robbery, while four others were charged with assault. Rutgers lost to Washington State 37-34 in Week 2, and then lost its best offensive weapon, senior wide receiver Leonte Carroo, to an indefinite suspension due to an alleged assault outside the stadium that followed the loss to WSU. On Sept. 16, coach Kyle Flood was suspended for three games and fined $50,000 for rules violations. Flood has served two games of his suspension thus far during Rutgers’ 28-3 loss to Big Ten foe Penn State and its 27-14 win over Kansas. Key offensive player With Carroo out for the foreseeable future, sophomore running back Josh Hicks will have to pick up the slack for the Scarlet Knight offense. The former three-star prospect from Palmetto, Florida, is averaging six yards per carry with four touchdowns through the first four games. The Scarlet Knights CREDIT: COURTESY OF TNS have three running backs who con- Rutgers interim head coach Norries Wilson talks to his tribute to their 35th-ranked running players amid a 28-3 loss against Penn State on Sept. 19 at offense, but Hicks certainly leads Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania.
SAMANTHA HOLLINGSHEAD | PHOTO EDITOR
OSU redshirt freshman defensive end Sam Hubbard (6) defends during a game against Western Michigan on Sept. 26 at Ohio Stadium. OSU won 38-12. HUBBARD FROM 12
Despite the additional blockers Bosa commands, Hubbard committed to the switch and worked hard to get this far down the road so swiftly. “He’s a hard worker,” sophomore linebacker and fellow class of 2014 recruit Raekwon McMillan said. “During the offseason he was working hard, showing the older guys that he can go out there and do it out on the field.” The season is young, with the Buckeyes having eight more reg-
ular season games still on the docket. But despite Hubbard’s immediate impact, his growth and development — which safeties and co-defensive coordinator Chris Ash called “off the charts” — still has a long way to go. But he knows that. “I haven’t even been at this position for a full year. I’m just gonna keep taking all the coaching in, knowledge and more experience I get the better,” Hubbard said. “It’s only up from here.”
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Sam Hubbard’s journey KEVIN STANKIEWICZ Assistant Sports Editor stankiewicz.16@osu.edu The Ohio State defense has nearly been an impenetrable blockade for opposing offenses so far in 2015. Through four weeks, the Silver Bullet unit ranks sixth in the nation for total defense, having allowed opponents to cross the goal line just six times while holding them to an average of 253 yards per game. A considerable chunk of the defense’s early success can be traced to the transformation and emergence of redshirt freshman Sam Hubbard — whose road to becoming a key rotation piece at defensive end for the defending national champions has been long, winding and far from conventional. Before Columbus Prior to arriving at OSU, Hubbard was a two-sport standout for Cincinnati’s Archbishop Moeller High School, playing safety on the gridiron and midfield on its lacrosse team. He was already planning on going to college for athletics, but neither at OSU nor for football. Rather, he had already given his verbal commitment to play lacrosse for Notre Dame. He might have stayed on that road had OSU coach Urban Meyer not waltzed through Hubbard’s gym class during his junior year in high school and seen him playing dodgeball.
The Silver Bullet unit ranks sixth in the nation for total defense, having allowed opponents to cross the goal line just six times. “We were all just playing like a normal day in class and he walked in with his leather jacket and everyone was like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s Urban Meyer,’” Hubbard said. Meyer was there to see Moeller’s
CREDIT: SAMANTHA HOLLINGSHEAD | PHOTO EDITOR
OSU redshirt freshman defensive end Sam Hubbard (6) defends during a game against Western Michigan on Sept. 26 at Ohio Stadium. OSU won 38-12. football coach, John Rodenberg, who is also the gym teacher. Hubbard admitted to giving extra effort, but said he didn’t think much of it until his coach introduced him to Meyer after class. From there, their relationship began, and by early April 2013, Hubbard decommitted from Notre Dame and pledged to play football in Ohio’s capital. After the football season, Hubbard decided to forgo his final year of lacrosse to spend the winter gaining an extra 15-20 pounds to prepare for enrolling in Columbus, as he would no longer be a safety. Redshirt season Hubbard was recruited to be an outside linebacker, and he went through camp at the position. Shortly after, however, the coaches decided to try him at tight end to utilize the former lacrosse player’s athleticism. That experiment would only last a few weeks before he was back to
The redshirt freshman’s road from being a lacrosse commit to an Ohio State defensive end working as a linebacker. Soon thereafter, his road took another turn when coaches told him he would be heading to defensive line coach Larry Johnson’s position room. “I just sat down in the back of the room and just had no idea what he was talking about for the first four or five weeks,” Hubbard said. Despite the lack of familiarity, Hubbard’s ability shined through during his first few weeks, impressing the coaching staff, including Meyer — who considered pulling Hubbard’s redshirt after a few weeks but deemed it “unfair” due to how late into the season it was. The strong finish to his redshirt campaign, combined with a spring
practice effort that earned effusive praise from Meyer, resulted in high hopes for Hubbard’s regular season debut wearing scarlet and gray. Game reps at last Hubbard, who now tips the scale at 265 pounds, was just supposed to be in the rotation at defensive line for OSU, but junior Joey Bosa’s suspension for the season opener meant an increased role in his first live action. On just the game’s ninth play against Virginia Tech, he registered his first career sack before corralling three more tackles and one quarterback hurry. Since the win, Hubbard has continued to excel, which is a key reason for the Silver Bullets’ dom-
inance. The redshirt freshman has amassed multiple tackles in each game — including 1.5 sacks against Northern Illinois — to bring his season tackle total to eight. After the three position switches, Hubbard said he finally feels like he belongs. “I didn’t feel like a defensive end until I got into the game and actually played against Virginia Tech,” he said. “After I saw those game reps I realized that I did belong where I was.” It must be noted that a certain portion of his early success stems from the fact that a consensus top10 pick in the NFL draft plays on the opposite side of the defensive line in Bosa. Hubbard doesn’t refute that claim though, admitting that Bosa was seeing double and triple teams throughout the game. However, he won’t be complaining. “I’m thankful for it,” Hubbard said. HUBBARD CONTINUES ON 11
The Ohio State University Buckeyes What’s happened so far in 2015 The Buckeyes got revenge in their season opener when they defeated Virginia Tech — the only team to beat them in 2014 — 4224. The following weekend at home, OSU took down the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors 38-0 for the program’s nation-leading 15th consecutive win. Northern Illinois came to Columbus the following week and thrust a scare into OSU and its struggling offense, but the Buck-
eyes narrowly avoided an upset, winning 20-13. OSU won its next contest over Western Michigan, 3812, in a game that saw the offense make strides while the defensive dominance remained. Key offensive player OSU has a lot of talent on offense, but out of all of it, junior running back Ezekiel Elliott is its key piece. He sprinted into national spotlight near the end of OSU’s 2014 campaign when he rushed for over 200 yards in the Buckeyes’ three postseason games. The Heisman-hopeful has continued his strong finish from last season as he is off to a fast start in 2015. Through four games, the St. Louis native has ran for 455
yards and five touchdowns, including a dazzling 80-yarder against Virginia Tech. Heading into the Saturday game against Indiana, Elliott has ran for 100 yards in nine consecutive contests. He has been the most consistent part of OSU’s offense this season. Key defensive player Junior defensive end Joey Bosa anchors one of the country’s most feared defensive units. In 2014, the Fort Lauderdale, Flor-
ida, native had 21 tackles for a loss, including 13.5 sacks. He was also a unanimous All-American selection. His 2015 season got off to a delayed start because he was suspended for the opening game against VT. But now Bosa is back on the field and causing opposing offenses havoc with his elite ability to rush the passer off the edge and clog running lanes. If he decides to forgo his final year of eligibility, Bosa projects to be one of the top selections in the 2016 NFL draft.
CREDIT: SAMANTHA HOLLINGSHEAD | PHOTO EDITOR
Location: Columbus, Ohio 2014 record: 14-1 Head coach: Urban Meyer (fourth year, 40-3) 2015 record so far: 4-0
Weaknesses For a team loaded with talent, a true weakness is hard to find. However, the receiving corps is an area of concern. Outside of redshirt junior Michael Thomas, there is no real threat. The H-backs, such as redshirt sophomore Jalin Marshall and sophomore Curtis Samuel, have been solid weapons, but they are not true receivers. Players such as redshirt senior Corey Smith or redshirt freshman Parris Campbell will need to step up and develop as second options behind Thomas. -Kevin Stankiewicz