Is Bob Stoops the Tom Izzo of College Football? Baver Answers the Question and More

Colin: Before getting into the Buckeyes, why does Les Miles have so much trouble putting an offense together at LSU? He has the best running back in the nation, loads of talent, but no offensive philosophy year after year. Can't he just hire some guy to figure it out?

Baver: Amazing. This should be LSU’s best team in years and I was thinking it would be one of Wisconsin’s worst teams in years. Miles has an offensive coordinator in Cam Cameron that was an OC in the NFL for 10 years, but Cameron appears to be part of the problem. And we know Brandon Harris is a BIG problem at QB. You mention the talent… the 2017 NFL draft for LSU prospects may play out similarly to the way the 2016 draft played out for Ohio State prospects.

Colin: As long as we are talking about coaches on the hot seat, could Bob Stoops be in trouble after taking a beating from the upstart Houston Cougers?

Baver: I would seriously doubt it. Stoops seems to be CFB fans’ whipping boy. The perception is so different in CFB than it is in CBB. Stoops’ accomplishments in football, to me, look like Tom Izzo’s accomplishments in basketball. And Izzo is considered a coaching genius, right? I usually find myself defending Stoops who seems to take a bunch of abuse when he loses, yet gets little to no credit when he wins.

Colin: Is there any chance Alabama doesn't make the football playoff this year?

Baver: They are sick. OSU may do some catching up to Bama talent wise with the 2017 recruiting class, but as for the 2016 season, Bama’s talent is in a league of it’s own. And their road trips to Baton Rouge and Knoxville, no longer look so daunting, do they? A lock for the playoff? Alabama looks like the closest thing to it, but they’ll have to guard against complacency.

Colin: Onto the Buckeyes, Wow. I've seen many ass a whoopins' in the shoe but that was the most yards EVER. Could this offense be that special or was it just a good day?

Baver: I don’t care if it was Bowling Green; this Buckeye offense is much farther along than I think even the coaches could have imagined five months ago. But being so young, I think you will still see some ups and downs out of this offense, and we’ll of course learn a lot more the Bucks when they head west to Norman.

Colin: Losing Sprinkle depletes a thin D-line  further. After watching the Badgers run it down LSU throats, could that be the Achilles heel of the 2016 Buckeyes? 

Baver: Maybe. They’ll soon find out. By the end of October, they will have faced the Perine/Mixon combo, Corey Clements, Saquon Barley, and Justin Jackson. According to Phil Steele, that’s the best tailback in the Big 12 (Perine) and the 3 best backs in the Big Ten.

Colin: After watching film, which Buckeyes jumped out at you and what was your take away both good and bad? And what area do we need to improve before heading down to Norman?

Baver: Samuel’s huge day overshadowed Mike Weber’s very nice start to his career at Ohio State. It wasn’t just his running; the kid more than held is own as a blocker. And it was amazing to see JT and the receiving corps clicking that well together in game 1. They did get help too from the O-line that kept JT upright (I believe) the entire time he was in there.

As for the D, the tackling was very good, and I was surprised at how well Joe Burger played while subbing for an injured Dante Booker. And Malik Hooker? You can take away his 2 picks and he was still amazing to watch; the kid covers so much ground and does so at light speed.

Where does Ohio State need to improve prior to the OU game? The Bucks did not do a great job pressuring Bowling Green QB James Knapke. I would think the pass rush and DT depth is the biggest concern for the OSU coaches right now.

Colin: Tulsa has no chance right? 

Baver: Little chance, but remember the Northern Illinois game last year? The Bucks were a 34 ½ pt favorite and won 20-13. And this seems like a spot for a letdown sandwiched between the opener and Oklahoma. Tulsa has a good one at QB in Dane Evans, but likes to run their tailbacks out of the spread. They averaged 37 ppg last year, putting up 38 on Oklahoma and 52 on Va Tech. Problem is, their defense can’t stop anybody.

Colin: OK, rough week picking last week after going 24-14 last season. Let's chalk it up to an unpredictable first week and scratch them from your record. What games and lines will you be watching this week?

Baver: Ugly slate of games this week… Gotta take Arkansas getting 7 1/2 at TCU, one of the few half-decent games of the week. The TCU defense stunk up the joint last week and they are built to stop Big 12 passing attacks; not a good matchup against a power-run Arkansas team. I like Kentucky catching 16 ½ at Florida. Can Florida’s offense even top 16 ½ points? If I’m a bettor, I stay away from the Ohio State game again this week, but hold a gun to my head, and I’ll take the Bucks laying the 29, with a score somewhere in the ballpark of 56-24. (Editor's note: with severe storms now expected around kick-off, Baver is switching this pick but the weather has made the game too tough to call)

Do Buckeye Fans and/or Players Even Care About this Game? Baver Answers Colin's Questions

Colin: It is my sense that most Buckeye fans are viewing this game as a glorified scrimmage. Sure, a win over Notre Dame would be nice, but considering nothing is really at stake, it's basically just a fun game to watch on New Year's Day. I suspect the Domer fan base views it differently. What are your thoughts on the overall vibe of this match up?

Baver: Most Buckeye fans I talk to think the Bucks roll in this one, but I’m not seeing it. It’s definitely a bigger game for Notre Dame than Ohio State….and I think this game is VERY big for the Irish.

Colin: Basically the same question, but focusing on the players. Many of these Buckeyes are turning pro and already have a National Championship under their belt. Should they really care if they win the Fiesta Bowl or is it just an excuse to party in the desert sunshine?

Baver: Not getting maximum output out of the OSU guys is a major concern. The following underclassmen are playing (or likely playing) their last games as Buckeyes: Zeke, Bosa, Cardale, M Thomas, J Marshall, D Lee, V Bell, and Apple….with Tyvis also considering the jump. Will some of these guys want to protect their NFL stock and scale it back a notch? It wouldn’t shock me.

Colin: Can the Buckeyes win this game even if they aren't as fired up as they were for the Michigan game?

Baver: Yes. They won’t be as fired up as they were for Michigan, but they will still field considerably more talent Friday than Notre Dame will….and that isn’t taking anything away from the Irish. I think the bettors expect Notre Dame to be up for this game more than Ohio State, yet Vegas still has OSU as a 6½ pt. favorite.

Colin: Can the Buckeye O carry the momentum from that destruction of the Maize & Blue a month ago?

Baver: They may need to get more done through the air. Michigan’s defense folded late in the year and I expect the Irish defense to challenge the Ohio State offense a bit more. But if JTB and the Buckeye passing game have made strides in December practices, Notre Dame could be in trouble.

Colin: Will depth on the D Line be a problem for the Buckeyes?

Baver: This is another huge concern for Ohio State. There is a monumental downgrade from Aldolphus Washington to the #2 DT….and that #2 DT Tommy Schutt is also out. They’ll play Bosa inside a lot, but the loss of Washington is a big one.

Colin: Give us an update on your picks to date and what other Bowl games will you be keeping an eye on?

Baver: 22-13-1 against the spread, including 10-2 ATS picking the OSU games, which includes 7 correct OSU picks in a row.  I think the ND game could go either way. The “situational” angle screams: Notre Dame…to cover at a minimum. I will take the Bucks to win the game and call it 31-30 OSU. I think Clemson is being disrespected a bit and see them beating Oklahoma. And I hope I am wrong with this one, but I think Alabama takes care of Sparty by 2 TD’s-plus…despite Dino’s record as a dog. Unlike the Bama-OSU matchup last year, this is a talent mismatch, and Bama now has a big chip on their shoulder.

Michigan Week: Baver Answers Colin's Questions b/w Dead Schembechlers "Harbaugh to Hell"

Colin: Ok, the MSU game was a major disappointment and a bit of a mystery for many reasons. Before asking a question about that, I must say that once again Buckeye Nation has disappointed me with their reaction to a 3 point loss to an excellent team. All the whining and finger pointing just make us look like the losers we might be. I realize it wasn't very wise for Zeke to throw the play calling under the bus in his post game rant, BUT, if you listen to it all you realize two things 1) He was hurting because he wasn't given the chance to help his team win. A completely natural reaction considering his track record in the 2nd half of our biggest games and 2) When he spoke to the team about leaving to go pro in the locker room, he was trying to rally the troops that their time together was limited. We need to play hard now. He wasn't trying to downplay the Michigan game, quite the opposite. It was a call to arms for all the guys who may be leaving. Zeke is a heck of a nice kid and an even better football player. He is ALL heart. If Buckeye fans can't handle a little dust up and get his back after all he has done for this football program, they don't deserve players the quality of E. E.  Your take?

Baver: I can’t ever remember a Buckeye player calling out his coaching staff after a loss. And I can’t remember a player announcing prior to the Michigan game that he won’t be back for his senior year. I think Zeke made his own bed and had to lie in it. But it’s time to move on; and you’re right, Zeke’s a good kid. He apologized and he’s certainly handled himself better than I did at his age. 

Colin: Let's start with the question the media were too big of pussies to ask Urban in the post game presser: How does your bellcow running back only get 2 touches in the 2nd half? Urban did answer some questions though including that Zeke was healthy and it was tough conditions to throw.... It doesn't add up. What the hell? 

Baver: If he was healthy, running Zeke only twice in the 2nd half was despicable. And “why?” is the million-dollar question. Even without taking many risks, Beck and company could have mixed it up much better than they did. God, was that painful to watch.

Colin: Joshua Perry said that if this team can't respond to one loss after all the winning they have enjoyed then we are a "phony team". This team has been coasting all year. Can they take it up a notch and win this war in Ann Arbor? Do you think playing on the road may actually help us?

Baver: Playing on the road helping Ohio St actually makes some sense. The booing of the play calling in the ‘Shoe couldn’t be more demoralizing. Josh Perry gets it, but do the other OSU players? Another million-dollar question, and I don’t know the answer. I do think you have some players that are still devastated from the MSU loss. This Ohio St team needs a fast start for once to pick these guys up.

Colin: Last year at this time, we were lighting up scoreboards and our defense was only asked to hold teams under 30 points. It suddenly seems quite the opposite. Can these Silver Bullets win this game all by themselves?

Baver: Could happen. The play of the Buckeye defense will dictate how much the OSU offense will open up the playbook. It may drive Buckeye fans crazy, but I don’t think I would take too many chances with the offense if the Buckeye D is holding Michigan’s offense in check.

Colin: We will ever see another winning run like this by the Ohio State Buckeyes in our lifetime? It's one of the great runs in the history of college football. Do you feel like Ohio State fans appreciate what they have had the pleasure of watching? 

Baver: As long as Urban’s here, the Bucks are going to be winning 10+ gms almost every year. And with four 20+ game winning streaks under his belt, there is little reason to doubt Urban can do it again. But, no….I don’t think most Buckeye fans appreciate the last decade and a half like they should. I have a friend who often says, ”We could have been born Purdue fans.” That line always puts things into perspective for me.

Colin: Can Penn State finally suck it up and knock off Sparty?

Baver: Most Buckeye fans think not, but it’s certainly possible. While Sparty has played their best ball against ranked teams, they’ve struggled against the unranked ones. And Connor Cook is another game time decision. Yeah, they did beat Ohio St without Cook, but the Buckeye defense was out of gas when the Sparty offense finally got in gear. This one might be more interesting than most think.

Colin: Give us an update on your picks to date and other games and lines you will be keeping an eye on this weekend?

Baver: 21-11-1 against the spread, including 9-2 ATS picking Buckeye games. Very tough call on the OSU-UM game and one to stay away from I think, if you are a bettor. I leaned Michigan at one point in the week, but Urban always makes me look silly when I predict a Buckeye loss. I think OSU wins a tight one...gonna go with 24-21 Ohio St. I think you have to like the Nits getting 11 in East Lansing. Big letdown spot for Sparty & they are 2-7 ATS as a favorite this year. And I think the Bedlam spread has climbed too high with the Sooners laying 7. I like Okie State and the points.

The legendary DEAD SCHEMBECHLERS, who this year celebrate their 25th anniversary of skewering MICHIGAN WOLVERINE football in favor of their beloved OHIO STATE BUCKEYES, will release their latest opus, "HARBAUGH TO HELL" on Halloween 2015. The cut can be purchased via iTUNES from the their own FLAMING WOLVERINE DEATH RECORDS.

Can Sparty and the Disrespected Dino Pull Off the Upset? Baver Answers Colin's Questions.

Colin: It's Senior Day at the Shoe. What are the chances Braxton Miller starts this game under center at least for one snap considering all he has meant to this football program?

Baver: It very well may happen, but I think this game is too important. I’m guessing OSU goes with their normal personnel to start the game. But, a tip of the hat to Braxton. He’s one of the best QB’s to ever play here and has handled himself with class.

Colin: That takes us to this week's celebrity question from Big $ of the @NorthCoastPosse: "Why doesn't OSU take a couple of deep shots throwing to Braxton every week? Even just as a threat. Nobody else seems able to get open downfield."

Baver: Against a good defense, I don’t think the OSU coaches have confidence in Braxton (or any other WR) as a deep threat; and I don’t think the coaches have confidence in the ability of the O-line to pass-protect. I think Urban would rather go with the safer stuff; i.e. pound EZE. But it is indeed maddening that the OSU coaches can’t utilize Braxton’s skills effectively.

Colin: Which players that are most likely to play their final home game are you going to miss most next year?

Baver: Joey will be sorely missed; he’s an absolute, unblockable freak. Next, EZE….even with all the great tailbacks that have played here, you can make the argument that EZE tops the list. Almost no chance either Joey or EZE returns in ’16, but they will be making the right move.

Colin: For all that Mark Dantonio has accomplished, he still seems a bit disrespected by the general public. Where do you think he ranks among current top head coaches and is there ever a chance he moves to a true power program like USC or Georgia?

Baver: Dino is as underrated as they come. Off the top of my head, I came up with 7 elite coaches (that have yet to peak, like Bill Snyder): 1) Urbs, 2) Saban, 3) Hairball, 4) Briles, 5) Patterson (TCU), 6) Dino and 7) Dabo. So Cal doesn’t appear to be Dantonio’s kind of place, but you never know; he may be ready for the next challenge. Georgia could be in play as well. But I’m wondering if some past health issues keep Dino from wanting to relocate.

Colin: 13 points seems like too many, are the wise guys worried about Cook's injured shoulder?

Baver: I’m guessing Cook’s shoulder concerns have driven the line up a point or so. But, I think the line was going to be too high regardless. I think Cook will be good-to-go; if he isn’t, that’s a huge boost for Ohio St.

Colin: How do you see this game playing out? What do the Bucks have to do or not do to win this game?

Baver: The Bucks have to keep WR Aaron Burbridge in check; he has the best #’s of any WR in the B1G. I think Burbridge does his damage, even against a talented OSU secondary. Sparty will have little success on the ground. On the other side, the Slobs have to find some way to handle DE Shilique Calhoun & NT Malik McDowell. I think the Buckeye O-line will have trouble doing so, and I see a lower scoring game than Vegas expects. I anticipate MSU’s defense rising up and giving Sparty a chance to pull the upset. Ohio St has gotten away with TO’s in big games in the past, but multiple TO’s Saturday may finally do them in. But, I like the Bucks 24-17.

Colin: Give us an update on your picks and other games and lines you will be keeping an eye on the weekend.

Baver: 19-10-1 against the spread and now 8-2 picking the OSU games ATS. Hope I am wrong, but with Dantonio being so tough on the road, I think you have to take Sparty +13 1/2. I love State Penn catching 3 1/2 at home against Michigan; bad spot for scUM, who isn’t playing well anyway. Finally, I like Purdue getting 23 at Iowa. Purdue has played well against its toughest opponents all year.

Can the Illini Spring the Trap on the Bucks? Baver Answers Colin's Questions

Colin: Illinois has a long history of being a flaming orange pain in the ass and this is the trap game of all trap games. Is there an upset scenario?

Baver: Definitely the biggest trap game of the year. The wind in Memorial Stadium can make life hell on a QB. It’s hard to gauge what you’re going to get from the Illini. They played Iowa, Wisconsin and Nebraska tough, but got rolled by North Carolina and Penn State. Illinois is much tougher at home than they are on the road. I tend to think the Barrett-led Buckeyes get their offense back in gear. If OSU does start slow, Urban may choose to button things up, trusting his defense to get it done. I think we’ll know early in this one whether it will be a blowout or an ugly game where Ohio State simply wants to escape with a win.   

Colin: It is assumed that JTB's return will cure all that ails the offense. Is it really that simple or are we expecting too much?

Baver: It’s not that simple, but his return is going to help this offense leaps and bounds. But the Bucks are still hurting (literally) at WR and the O-line is still not performing up to expectations. We’ll obviously learn a lot more about this offense a week from Saturday when Sparty comes to town.  

Colin: How does this year's defense compare with the great Buckeye defenses of the past 25 years? Top, bottom or middle of the pack?

Baver: I think it’s definitely in the top tier, but it’s still hard to tell how good they really are with the competition they’ve played so far. 6 of OSU’s first 9 opponents rank outside the top-80 in total offense. Talent wise, I think it’s in the top 3 at a minimum. And Bosa is one of the top 2 or 3 defenders I have seen play here.

Colin: Zeke's Heisman door is opening a little wider each week. Is it his to lose now?

Baver: The oddsmakers still have Leonard Fournette and Derrick Henry as the favorites, but it’s tightening up with Zeke continuing to rack up 100+ yds every game. And the Bucks had a tailback win the Heisman in 1955, 1975 and 1995, so Zeke’s gotta keep the 20-year rule alive, right? Of note, teams have stacked the box all year to stop Zeke, yet Bama didn’t sell out at all to stop the run and still held Fournette to 31 yards.

Colin: Speaking of rising stars, Tom Herman is burning bright right now. Forget about open jobs, what are the chances a big school like LSU, Georgia or Texas, decides to make a move and nab him before it's too late?

Baver: I don’t think Miles is going anywhere at LSU but Richt is probably out at year’s end and Charlie Strong is on thin ice. I wasn’t ready to go this far a month ago, but the big time programs are now ready to hire Herman. If Richt is indeed out at year-end, Herman has to be near the top of their candidate list.

Colin: Give us an update on your picks to date and what game and lines will you be watching this weekend?

Baver: I had the #’s wrong last week, but these should be right: 18-8-1 against the spread, including 7-2 ATS on the Ohio State games. I like the Bucks laying the 16 1/2 this week. It’s a trap game but it’s the second lowest Buckeye spread of the year next to Va Tech. I like the Bucks 38-17. I think Minnesota will be out of gas after playing Michigan and Ohio State the last two weeks, so I like Iowa at home laying the 11 1/2 against the Gophers. And I like Stanford -10 at home against Oregon. I usually like the dogs, but I see no underdog that jumps out at me this week.

Can Cardale Keep the Offense Humming Against the Gophers? Baver Has Your Answers.

Colin: Will Urban go back to running the "Cardale" offense which struggled or maybe incorporate some of JTB's package which seems much better suited for this collection?

Baver: I think you’ll see a mix of an offense tailored toward Cardale and maybe some of what we’ve seen with JTB, save the read option. I hate to dis Cardale….I am rooting for the guy, and the so-called fans that boo him in The ‘Shoe are pathetic. You asked earlier in the year… something along the lines of: is Cardale’s confidence going to hold up to criticism, with fans clamoring for JTB? I said at the time that I thought Cardale’s confidence would be fine, but I don’t think it is right now. I see a guy that has lost a lot of confidence. I hope I am wrong.

Colin: Is Cardale capable of running the read option?

Baver: Not really; it’s not his game, although they still may run it on occasion with Cardale.

Colin: Does Braxton finally throw a forward pass this week?

Baver: My guess is yes. Beck and Urban were probably saving Braxton’s first pass for the Sparty game, but I think they are going to have to utilize Braxton more this week with Barrett being held out.

Colin: Minnesota lit up the vaunted Michigan defense last week. Are the Gophers improving or was it a fluke?

Baver: A little of both. The Jerry Kill retirement added some extra emotion last week. QB Mitch Leidner is going to cause the Buckeye D some problems with his legs. But without David Cobb at TB, the Gopher offense just isn’t the same this year and will have problems moving the ball on Ohio St. On the other side of the ball, Minny’s CB’s (Murray & Lynn) are big time; Cardale needs to be sharp or those guys will make him pay.

Colin: The month of November is shaping up with some epic battles. What three or four games are going to determine who makes the CFP?

Baver: LSU at Bama on Saturday, Sparty at Oh St in 2 wks, Baylor at TCU on Nov 27th, and Notre Dame at Stanford Nov 28th. Those are the 4 biggest gms, but the top four Big 12 teams (Bay, TCU, Okl, Ok St) all play each other in Nov, so it’s gonna be quite the ride in that conference.  

Colin: Give us an update on your picks to date and what games and lines will you be keeping an eye on this weekend?

Baver: 14-6-1 overall against the spread, which includes 6-2 ATS on the Buckeye picks. I think Minniehaha +24 is the play this week; as mentioned above, I think the Buckeye O takes a step back without JT. Hope I am wrong and Cardale lights it up, but I am going to say 31 -13 Ohio State, which means a Minn cover. I like Bama laying the 6 1/2 is against LSU. Fournette, I think, will be (somewhat) held in check and LSU will have problems putting points on the board. Finally, I think you have to take the ‘Noles getting 11 at Clemson. The ‘Noles have had their number and I think they hang tight in this one, no matter who FSU starts at QB. I still think the Tigers win the game, though.