Buckeye breakdown with the BBC

Every game is big when fighting for a bid in the BCS, but they get even bigger when Ohio State comes to town. That's exactly what we've got this week, as Jeff from The Buckeye Battle Cry stops by to talk a little football. Does Ohio State have what it takes to pull off the upset in Happy Valley? Is Terrelle Pryor overrated? And what the hell is a buckeye? Ok, we already know that last one. But the other two, and more are answered as we breakdown the buckeyes with the BBC.

ZN:Two losses already on the books for Ohio State. One was to a USC team that isn't nearly as good as billed. The other was to a Purdue team that still stinks, any way you look at it. Then again, Ohio State has shut out three other opponents this season. Let me ask you, what's with this team? Does it really have what it takes to win these next three weeks (PSU, Iowa, Michigan)?

BBC: Offense, man. That killed us in both of our losses this year. Against USC, we HAD those maggots! Tressel failed to have any confidence in the team to pick up a 4th-and-1 in the red zone and we settled for a FG. Pryor's 6-foot-5....he can fall down and get a yard on a QB sneak, but no. That has been an issue with this team all season....getting inside the 20 and having to kick a FG.

As for the Purdue game, we got beat by a team that figured out our snap count. The center would raise his head to see the DL, and snap the ball one second later. We didn't change that one little bit. So the backfield had Boilers all over it all day long. A lack of adjustments killed us on that one. Plus, I'm not usually one to complain....but watch this and tell me what you think?

Purdue drove down the field and scored a FG, instead of us having the ball inside the 15. Oh, well. Excuses don't get us anything.

Do I think we have what it takes to win out? Yes, I do. Penn State is a tough tough team to beat on the road, but I think we're evenly matched and this game could hinge upon who is hungrier...and I guarantee you that you already know who is the hungriest player for a win on that field Saturday afternoon.

As for Iowa, I've seen them play a handful of times, and I have only seen them play one game that I was impressed with....so did you. That one win at Happy Valley was their only decent game all year. I'm not impressed with a 1-point win over NIU, or a 3-point win over Michigan, or a last-second win over MSU. They just don't impress me.

And Michigan? They've gone back into suck-mode. I don't think they ever were truly out of their slump, but squeakers at home had their fans believing. Teams have figured out how to beat Forcier and Shoelaces, and they've been getting clownstomped regularly now. Plus, Rodriquez has no clue how important "The Game" is and he's going to end up being the John Cooper of the North.

If we beat Penn State, we win out. Our toughest game of the year is this week.

ZN:What's been the biggest surprise this season?

BBC: The young players! Freshman Jordan Hall, your other traitor, has been superb with the ball. Sophomore DeVier Posey has been getting regular throws his way, always leading the team. Freshman Duron Carter (Cris Carter's son) has got his daddy's hands.

I'd be very worried if I had to play this team in 2010. They could be beasts if they continue to improve. Also, it should be mentioned that 18 of the 22 starters are returning next season.

ZN:And the biggest disappointment?

BBC: The offensive line. Expect to see at least one false start, and one stupid penalty when it hurts the most.

Pryor has also been a disappointment, but only because there's so much hype around him. I can't complain about a kid getting 250 yards combined for a game....but some of my fellow Buckeye fans expect him to cure polio or something.

ZN: Speaking of having what it takes, where do you see Ohio State being able to exploit Penn State, either in an individual player matchup, or unit-vs-unit matchup?

BBC: I don't think that Ohio State will be able to exploit Penn State per se, but instead I see our defense shutting down the key components of your offense, much like Iowa did in the second half and Northwestern did for three quarters. The Buckeyes have the DL push to slow down Penn State much like Wooton did for the Wildcats, and our secondary is experienced enough to prevent your WRs from getting much open territory. Last year, your Big Three WRs could have broken the coverage, but I don't think that we'll get beat in the passing game enough to be in big trouble.

Obviously, it's going to be a defensive struggle like last year, and it's going to come down to one or two big plays, like last year. And in the ned, it's probably going to come down to who has the most hunger for a win...and I know who is the hungriest player on the field already.

ZN: How about the other side of that? What is a glaring weakness for the Buckeyes, specific to facing this Penn State team?

BBC: Anderson Russell in the secondary. Whoever he is covering, throw that way again and again and again. Despite three years of solid minutes, he hasn't yet learned how to play Buckeye defense. He is always late to the ball, and he's going to miss two or three tackles a game.

ZN: Since I'm legally obligated to ask you a question about Terrelle Pryor, here it goes. Be honest. Can't blame it on youth anymore, shouldn't have trouble with protection since he's a great runner, and has a great set of backs and receivers. Is Pryor, in fact... (gasp!)... overrated?

BBC: How could he be anything BUT overrated? He could have rushed for five TDs against Minnesota, thrown for two more and delivered a baby in A-Deck at halftime and Glen Mason would still be on the Big Ten Network saying how he just doesn't look as smooth as Adam Weber.

The hype has been huge, and to be honest, he's looking good for a sophomore QB. Is he what I expected? No, not yet...but I'm not angry or bitter about his performance thus far. I'll be honest though...this game means a LOT to his Buckeye career, and he knows it.

200 through the air would be huge. One turnover or less would be even bigger. Throw in another 75 on the ground and you've got what we paid him for (did I say that?)

BBC: As for the game on Saturday....Good luck, Lions. May the best team win. And if the best team doesn't win, I hope you guys do.

Many thanks again to Jeff, and good luck to the Bucks... though, not too much luck.

More below the fold...

Wildcat breakdown with Lake the Posts

For the best Northwestern Wildcats coverage, where else would we go, but Lake The Posts? LTP was kind enough to run the gauntlet of Penn State blogger interviews this week, stopping by our place for a few. This late in the season, every game is a big game. Here's what LTP had to say about this week's Halloween hubbub with the Nittany Lions.

ZN: Northwestern is one win away from bowl eligibility. Is this about where you saw this team at this point in the season?

LTP: Not even close. The "realistic worst case scenario" we saw entering this game was 6-2. The Syracuse loss is a noose around our neck on this season. Many of us believed 7-1 was not only potential, but likely. Like you, our non-conference schedule couldn't have been softer, yet we failed to run the table.

ZN: What's been the biggest positive surprise on this year's Northwestern team?

LTP: Mike Kafka's passing and the depth and talent of the WR corps. If you did the Coke-Pepsi challenge approach to Kafka' stat lines and had to pick "win or loss" you'd likely lose the game. Case in point - Michigan State - Kafka goes 34-47, 292 yds, 2 TDs 0 INTs - and we only muster 14 points in a 10-point loss.Zeke Markshausen, a 5th year senior who just received a scholarship has become our clutch receiver.

ZN: What's been the biggest disappointment?

LTP: The defense and injuries. Expectations were high for 2009 especially considering how well our D played in '08 and the fact most of them were returning. Talk in the preseason was the secondary would possibly be best in school history and with pre-season All-American DE Corey Wootton back, things would be great. Well, our secondary has reached as far down on the depth chart as I've ever seen a team reach (Ricky Weina spelled our injured stud CB Sherrick McManis the entire second half in the comeback in his first real minutes on D) and Wootton is a shadow of his former self. Equally disappointing has been the underperformance of our OL which some "experts" pegged as one of the best in the Big Ten heading in to this season.

ZN: What are some of the key matchups NU has a shot at winning this weekend?

LTP: I really don't think we have a legitimate shot unless we Purdue you and cripple you with oodles of takeaways on special teams. Fourth string RB Scott Concannon is getting the starting nod and gave a rare glimpse of hope for NU fans last week with the first examples of eluding tacklers all season.

ZN: What areas concern you most, going against PSU?

LTP: As mentioned, the key factor will be the long ball. Fitz has gone on record guaranteeing Penn State will go deep at least 10 times to try and exploit our green secondary. Also, your DL against our OL is cause for concern as our dink and dunk passing is the key to our success.

ZN: NU should be favored in only one more game (Illinois) this season. How much pressure does that put onto the team, for this week and coming weeks, knowing a 6-6 Northwestern has been left out of the post-season before?

LTP: If we go 6-6 we don't deserve to go to a bowl. Most NU fans don't feel as if there is a ton of pressure in this one since we're expected to lose. We seemingly play PSU tight, but you've stolen our MO against us with last second wins in '05 and '01 in Evanston, plus fending off a near epic comeback in another game. We tend to do to Iowa what they do to you - beat them quite often. I think many of us like the prospect of being spoiler against them. However, the Wisconsin one is one we believe we could win. If we're 6-5 entering the Wisconsin finale, now THAT is pressure.

Many thanks again to LTP, and good luck to the Wildcats... though, not too much luck.

More below the fold...

Michigan breakdown with Maize and Blue Nation

The Wolverines have already surpassed their 2008 win total, and could throw a big wrench into the Big Ten title race with a win over the Nittany Lions.

Today we're happy to have Brad, Maize and Blue Nation blogger, here to talk about the upcoming game from a Wolverine view.

ZN: Following a disastrous 3-9 campaign last season, gauge for us the overall mood around the program, from the players to the fans to the media.

MBN: It all depends on who you ask. From the fans perspective, I've talked to people who think we're still very vulnerable to the upper-tier teams of the Big Ten. But I've also talked to those who think we'll end the season with 9-10 wins. I think some fans, myself included sometimes, can forget that we're just one season removed from being a very bad football team. The big win against Western Michigan to start the season and then the huge win against Notre Dame the week after really raised the level of expectations for this year's team.

I can't speak much for the media right now, but from the Michigan blogger perspective, we're taking this season one game at a time. Most of us realize that this is still a very young team with new players on both sides of the ball. There will be some mistakes here and there. Our defense has looked both very bad, and very good at times. Same can be said of our offensive line and running backs. Although lately our ground game, running between the tackles, has drastically improved.

The players seem to be inspired about having some early success in the season. I think their confidence took a bit of a hit when we lost to Sparty a few weeks ago...but they bounced back to play a pretty good game at Iowa (even though we still lost)...and then of course blowing away Delaware State last week. One of the nice things about having so many young players, is that they seem to mentally bounce back quickly from tough losses. They realize that this season is just their first or second...and that they'll have another shot at making a run at a Big Ten or even a national championship.

ZN: What has been the biggest surprise for Michigan this season?

MBN: No question, the improved QB play. So much rests on the ability of the QB to run this style of offense. It's not just handing off the ball or doing a simple 3-step drop back pass. The responsibility of the QB to not only make good decisions, but to make checks and read coverages...on every play, is very difficult to even a senior QB to do. What Forcier has been able to do, as young as he is, is nothing short of remarkable.

I've been a Michigan fan a long time and have watched many talented QBs grow into NFL caliber players. But what I've witnessed this kid do are things that no other QB here as ever done. He just has that certain quality that you can not coach, you just have it or you don't. The trick now for Forcier is to limit the little mistakes and bring his overall game up the level of the competition.

ZN: Biggest disappointment?

MBN: Hmm. After going 3-9...hard to find disappointment in being 5-2. But I guess I would have to say the secondary. We have a few guys in there right now that were not on the depth chart for their position, to begin the season. CB Donovan Warren has been the one solid piece of the secondary and the defense overall. He's a future NFL star for sure. My only hope is that he returns for his senior year.

The #2 CB position has been a revolving door. First it was Boubacar Cissoko. He was exposed big time against Notre Dame and then again and again the following two weeks. JT Floyd came in to help out in that position but was quickly replaced for the Iowa game by safety Troy Woolfolk. It seems like we may have that position secured for now, but if either one of our CBs goes down, we're in trouble.

Safety has been a area of concern as well. We do have some good players back there, but they are relatively new at their position. SS Jordan Kovacs is a walk-on who DC Greg Robinson didn't even know about when he took the job earlier this year, and FS Mike Williams has been battling an injured ankle for the past few weeks.

Long story short, if we can stay healthy with the personnel we have right now. we might show some improvement over the next 5 games. But we're very light on the depth chart. Experience is the biggest problem. Part of that could be attributed to having 3 DC's in 3 seasons. Adapting to Greg Robinson's style of defense has taken its toll on our coverages, at least early in the season.

ZN: Michigan is eight points from a 7-0 record, or seven points from 3-4, depending on how you look at it. So, which is it? Is this Michigan team closer to that 7-0 "what if," or the 3-4 "what if?"

MBN: I'd like to think we're closer to 7-0 than 3-4. But you really could make the argument either way. This actually the first time I've heard someone make this comparison.

But I personally think we're closer to the 7-0 "what if". Against MSU, we came back from a terrible first 3 quarters to force the game into overtime where we lost the game, basically on a INT thrown by Forcier. Same for Iowa. 5 turnovers in that game plagued our offense. And on our final drive to try and win the game, Robinson tossed an INT.

So, we're really just a couple turnovers away from possibly being undefeated.

ZN: Talk about one unit-vs-unit matchup Michigan can win this week. And one that UM will probably lose.

MBN: I think our strength in this game is going to be our offensive line. They have really come around as this season has progressed. Just as last year in the first half when Michigan ran all over PSU defense, I think the emphasis will be to do that again. Both teams can score big, but I think the goal will be to control the line of scrimmage and force the Penn State defense to load up 7 or 8 into the box. Also, it would be nice to keep the PSU offense off the field as much as possible.

The biggest unit-v-unit problem-area I see is the Michigan passing offense versus the PSU pass defense. We're young at QB. And for as much as I like Forcier's ability and accuracy, I still think he can be vulnerable to a good secondary. This is why I think the emphasis on establishing a good ground attack will pay dividends in our ability to open up the downfield passing game. Michigan's offense is predicated on our ability to keep the defense guessing. The minute we become one dimensional, it's a real struggle for us to move the ball.

ZN: What should one expect to see in the Sunday papers, should Michigan lose this game? What if Michigan wins?

MBN: If Michigan loses this game, it will be because we made a lot of mistakes that Penn State was able to capitalize on. We probably wouldn't have been able to move the ball very well. Time of possession will likely have been very lopsided. The defense will have been put into some pretty bad situations and wouldn't have been able to do much to keep points off the board. A Michigan loss will likely be a close game...maybe only a difference of 3-4 points.

If Michigan wins, it will be because we were able to run the ball well, control the line of scrimmage and keep the Penn State offense off the field. Pretty simple. If we can run the ball well, then we'll be able to pass the ball well. If Michigan wins, it will likely be my 10+ points.

Of course, all this is all a mute point if both defenses forget to show up (unlikely in PSU's case), and it turns out to be an offensive shootout. It'll be a toss up at that point...probably who ever has the ball last will win. In which case it will also air on Sunday as an instant classic on ESPN.

Many thanks again to Brad, and good luck to the Wolverines... but not too much luck.

In other news...

Don't forget ZN LIVE! makes its triumphant return this week! Set your reminders and join us this Saturday.

More below the fold...

Minnesota breakdown with The Daily Gopher

Penn State hosts Minnesota this homecoming weekend. It will not be the first time the two teams have met on homecoming, the last being the epic Minnesota upset of No. 2 Penn State in 1999. Both teams come in with winning records, so it should make a big impact on the Big Ten title race.

Today we're happy to have Tom, The Daily Gopher blogger, here to talk about the upcoming game from a Minnesotan view.

ZN: What's been the biggest surprise for the Gophers the first half of this season?

TDG: Nate Triplett along with the overall linebacking corp has been my biggest surprise. I was comfortable with Lee Campbell at MLB and the athletic Simoni Lawrence on the weakside, but I kind of assumed Triplett would be replaced by the younger Keanon Cooper sooner rather than later. But Triplett has been really, really good so far this year. He is making big plays and showing more athleticism than what I was expecting to see.

ZN: Biggest disappointment?

TDG: The passing game has really disappointed. At best, Adam Weber is playing at he exact same level he was playing a year ago. Realistically he has regressed a little bit. All anyone can say about our offense is that we have Eric Decker. He is a great wide receiver and should get the ball thrown his a way a LOT, but we have a few other receivers who are rather good. Whether it is due to playcalling, penalties or lack of execution from the QB and/or OL; those other receivers are just not getting the ball enough.

ZN: Talk a little bit about the Gophers' run defense. Is is really all that bad? And what do you see happening going up against a peaking PSU run game?

TDG: Before the Wisconsin game I didn't think the run defense really was that bad. Air Force racked up a ton of yards but they also ran the ball 66 times. Cal's Jahvid Best racked up a lot of yards but he is really good and in quarters 2 through 4 we bottled him up rather well. But then John Clay destroyed us in the second half of the Badger game and I'm beginning to rethink how I feel about our run defense. This week will be a great test.

ZN: How important has Adam Weber been to the program? Does it bother Gopher fans that he's never really given any attention by the media?

TDG: Depends on who you ask. There are a lot of Gopher fans, and this group is growing, who are fed up with Adam Weber. He has struggled this year with his accuracy and unfortunately for him there is a highly touted recruit sitting behind him. My problem with this group is that they have unrealistic expectations. Weber completes a 47 yard pass to Decker but Decker had to slow up to catch it so therefor Weber is terrible. Armchair QBs can easily conclude that any QB worth his salt should be able to hit a wide up receiver in stride for 6 points instead of being tackled on the 2. What they don't realize is that QB's underthrow and miss open receivers all the time. Tom Brady missed a wide open Randy Moss early in their Denver game last week, it happens. Especially at the collegiate level.

In their defense, he has not had a very good year this year. He hasn't made great decisions and he has been rather inaccurate. He still gives us the best chance to win and his two year resume supports that. He'll finish his junior year as the school's all time leader in completions, yards, touchdowns and should still be #1 in completion %. Eventually Gopher fans will appreciate what he meant to the program but not when he struggles with a freshman behind him that everyone is anxious to see on the field.

ZN: Talk about one unit-vs-unit matchup Minnesota can win this week. And one that UM will probably lose.

TDG: Alright here goes.

MN OL vs. PSU Front Seven - this one might be the key to the game. The Gopher OL has been pretty bad this year but has improved in the Big Ten portion of the schedule. They absolutely have to open some holes up for the running game and they have to give Weber some time. This is a lot to ask but if they can do these things Minnesota can stay in the game.

PSU OL vs. MN Front Seven - Another big one because the Gopher DL needs to be able to slow down the ground game. We are strong up the middle and we get DE-Cedric McKinley back after a two game suspension so that should help. I'm not delusional enough to believe that we are going to make Penn State one dimensional but we have to force third downs and keep Royster contained. I really like our linebackers so I think there is a chance we can slow down Royster but I also have realistic expectations. Our three starting linebackers all rank in the top 10 in tackles. That shows that they are where they are supposed to be and the DL is keeping linemen off them. They have to take good angles and not miss tackles if they want to win this battle.

MN Passing vs. PSU Secondary - As long as Decker is fully healthy and if Weber plays OK, I'll give this advantage to Minnesota. I have a healthy respect for the Nittany Lion secondary but everybody gameplans for Decker and everybody falls short. And if Weber is able to find Troy Stoudermire, Brandon Green or Hayo Carpenter for a couple big plays then we might even be able to score some points. But much of this falls back on what kind of time the OL will give Weber.

PSU Passing vs. MN Secondary - I used to think this was a strength of the Gophers but I'm not as confident as I once was. Traye Simmons is supposedly our best corner but you aren't going to make a CB coverage training video with his play this year. He has been OK and he has made some big plays but sometimes being lucky is better than being good. Marcus Sherels on the other corner is solid, Kyle Theret has been a very good SS and FS-Kim Royston likes to bite on play-action then get beat deep. There is talent here but through six games they have yet to play their best game. Penn State's receivers are not the best we are going to see all year but Daryl Clark might be the best QB we are set to see.

Special Teams vs. Special Teams - If Minnesota is going to win this game I think something will have to happen on Special Teams (see Iowa game!). The Gopher Special Forces have been very good in all phases this year. Troy Stoudermire gives the Gopher offense great field position on a regular basis. The coverage units have been outstanding. And the kicking/punting has surpassed expectations. Every single week I'm waiting for Stoudermire to house a kickoff and every week there is a return or two where he just can't make that last guy miss to house it. He is very dangerous and could be a major X-factor on Saturday.

Many thanks again to Tom, and good luck to the Gophers... but not too much luck.

More below the fold...

Illini breakdown with Hail to the Orange

Penn State goes on the road for the first time this season, to test its meddle against the Illinois Fighting Illini. Both teams are coming off brutal losses, of differing degrees though, to open the Big Ten season.

Today we're happy to have Joe, Hail to the Orange blogger, here to talk about the upcoming game from an Illini view.

ZN: Not to be too frank about it, but Illinois was embarrassed last week in Columbus. I imagine this season isn't shaping up to be what many in Champaign expected. Going into this game against Penn State, how important is it to come out with a win, or would a very strong showing, but a loss, be good enough right now?

HTTO: No, I wouldn't at all say that this is what I or anyone else I knew expected out of the Illini this season. In the two games against FBS opponents so far, the Illini have mustered all of one TD, and have looked really really bad. This week's game, like last week is a chance, I hope not necessarily to steal a win against Penn State, but to just look half way coherent on offense, which is something they have not been able to do so far. Of course we would love a win, but at this point we just want a ray of hope.

ZN: What's been the problem with Juice Williams this season? Has he regressed as a quarterback, or is it something else, out of his personal control?

HTTO: There is a history at Illinois where bringing in a new OC for a senior QB has resulted in disaster, and so far this year could be no different with Juice. I don't know if Juice has regressed really, but it seems like he is being asked to play a game that does not play to his talents. He runs the option and he throws down field, but it seems like this season he is being asked to make short touch passes with perfect timing. Juice was never an NFL QB prospect so I have no idea why Schultz is having him do this. That sad, Juice has characterized this season as "a nightmare from which I cant wake up" and thus far I would have to agree with him.

ZN: Penn State had serious problems with Iowa's defense, and hasn't exactly lit up the scoreboard overall this season. Does Illinois' defense have a chance to really clamp down on Daryll Clark & Co.? And TO follow up on that, how badly has the loss of Martez Wilson hurt this defense?

HTTO: Martez has been out for two games and honestly we do not yet know what impact him not playing will have on the defense, we do know that he was easily the best athlete back there, so it will have some effect eventually. If there was a bright spot from the Ohio State game it would be the defense, which played admirably without any offensive support whatsoever. The caveat being that the rain prevented Pryor from throwing the ball very much, the aspect of the game where the defense has suffered most. Take a look at the Mizzou and Illinois State game and tell me that we can expect more games with low passing yards against this defense. On the bright side the forecast for Saturday in Champaign calls for rain.

ZN: What are three keys to the game this week for Illinois? Talk a little bit about each one.

HTTO: a)Play the game that got them here. Play the option, end read, QB draw and then try and stretch the field. Its not rocket science, even though the offense has made it look about as hard as that of late. Please score, for the sake of the fan base and the stress level of the coaching staff, SCORE!

b) I would say good physical play from the young LBs. Evan Frierson, Ian Thomas and Russell Ellington. They have played surprisingly well early on and I would hope to see more and maybe get some good pressure on Clark on Saturday.

c) I think it would be safe to say that cutting down on the rediculous amounts of stupid penalties would go a long way in helping this team, on both offense and defense. Against Ohio State, it killed an offensive drive and basically handed a TD to OSU. So yeah, I would love to see that fixed.

Many thanks again to Joe, and good luck to the Illini... they'll need it.

More below the fold...