It started at the top.
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At least, that’s what OSU coach Urban Meyer sounded like when he talked about the Spartans during his weekly news conference today.
Ezekiel Elliott’s 181 rushing yards and two touchdowns helped propel the Buckeyes to their 30th consecutive Big Ten win, breaking a national record for consecutive regular-season conference victories.
Ohio State held the Illini to 20 yards rushing. “We’re definitely appreciative of Ezekiel Elliott”.
The Broncos defense has allowed 100 points in three games.
Leading 14-3 at the half, Ohio State marched 75 yards in the third quarter. IL managed to get only 20 yards rushing. “The Cowboys were a 29-point dog at Baylor a year ago, but this game should be closer to a pick”.
Ohio State – despite its puzzlingly underperforming offensive line and season-long controversy at the quarterback position – is in a attractive spot entering the stretch of November everyone has been waiting for.
Meyer admitted that Barrett “is a very good tempo quarterback” and “we need to do more of that”. Beat Bucky, and this is the West’s No. 2 team with a great shot at an elite bowl. “My friend looked at me and said, ‘Get on a roll here?’ So it just tells you, I guess we’ve got to get on a roll”.
What a day of Big Ten football! “We’re going to take a more aggressive approach to how we go about our business”.
At the top of the playoff rankings, Clemson, Alabama and Ohio State all won, but the results could give the selection committee reason to reconsider its No. 1. “Our defense is playing lights out, and that’s obvious”. Fortunately the defense has done a really fine job stifling opposing offenses until the offense finally clicks into gear-usually in the second half. We’re going to have to throw a few passes and drop back. That’s the only negative.
“We know what is coming down the road next week”, Meyer said. Whether he does or doesn’t still will add to the angst for Meyer and his staff as they prepare, because Meyer said MSU is the best team the Buckeyes have faced so far. The only negative of the whole night, even the interception, is that he was hit, our pass protection.
With six days until the game takes place, Ohio State has opened as a pretty large favorite.
He lofted a flawless pass just over cornerback Eaton Spence for a 24-yard touchdown pass to Michael Thomas in the first quarter.
Taylor Zalewski’s 46-yard field goal early in the second quarter cut the lead to 7-3 and Ohio State’s next four series ended with three punts and a fumble. But after serving a one-game suspension against Minnesota, Barrett looked ordinary against the Illini, throwing for only 150 yards and a touchdown with an interception. Barrett torched MI State for five total touchdowns and 386 yards from scrimmage in last season’s 49-37 victory in Lansing.
“That was one of those moments where I just challenged the offensive line”, Meyer said. “We needed that for the momentum”.
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Head coach Bill Cubit just does not have the players to make great decisions with. “Lot of respect for the way they play and their personnel, because they are outstanding”. That’s why there up there where they are. No, it didn’t turn out to be one of the most eye-popping seasons in college football history, but it still has a very good chance of ending in a national championship, which would be a second straight for those scoring at home.
