Bleacher Report - Articles by Jakob Thais

Trojan Aftershock: Buckeye Fans Don't Worry, Ohio State Will Be Back

Jakob Thais — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:25:19 -0400

Well, here I am, back on Bleacher Report in disappointment after claims that my beloved Buckeyes would come away in victory over the Trojans on September 12, 2009.

I was wrong about the final score.

I was wrong about the outcome, and I will admit it.

Terrelle Pryor once again showed flashes of brilliance, but made just enough mistakes that to outweigh his potential greatness.

But I wasn't wrong about the Buckeyes being an elite team.

We kept up, and were leading one of the best, and most talented teams in the nation, for most of the game.

Our defense proved the whole nation wrong.

Just about every one outside of the Buckeye nation thought our defense was overrated, especially our defensive line.

I think it's safe to say that the Buckeyes have a top five, top ten kind of defense this year.

The way we controlled the Trojans was brilliant.

Although we may have controlled the Trojans most of the game, they kicked the Buckeyes where it hurts, right when they needed to.

The way Barkley and Co. moved down the field on that final drive made it seem like the Trojans were teasing us the whole game.

Making it seem like we were actually going to win, and snatching it away from us at the last moment.

Barkley is going to be a great one, I will now admit it.

The way he marched down the field against the toughest crowd to play in front of just boggled my mind.

As Buckeyes, we shed tears in defeat, but we should be more proud of our guys than ever.

They were playing a team that was supposed to blow them out of the building in the first quarter.

Our guys believed they could win, and they were as close as ever to pulling it off.

While Ohio State drops in the rankings to No. 11 this week, behind Penn State, I think this game shows who is the superior team in the Big Ten.

As of now, I don't think any Big Ten team could compete with USC like Ohio State did.

And barring any big time upsets, it looks like it will be a showdown in Happy Valley on the 7th of November.

Ohio State's schedule is perfect for this kind of situation—losing to USC.

The Buckeyes return next week against Toledo, who hopefully, will be a confidence builder for us.

Going into the season, it looked like Illinois vs. Ohio State was going to be a good game in week four, but with sloppy performances from Illinois, it is looking like it may be an easy one for the Buckeyes in the Horseshoe on the 26th.

After that, Ohio State has to travel to Indiana for a 4 o'clock match up against the Hoosiers.

I don't think I have to give any insight on this one, barring the biggest upset for the Buckeyes in a long while, it should be a 'W' for the Bucks.

They then return to Columbus to face the Badgers, who could possibly be a tricky one for the Buckeyes.

John Clay and Co. will be looking to run on the Buckeyes, but I think they may struggle against a solid Buckeye defensive front, and an overall solid defense.

The next two games after the Badgers are against Purdue and Minnesota. These two are the ones I'm worried about.

The Bucks cannot overlook these two.

If they do overlook these guys, it could be drastic for the Bucks.

Now, if all goes as scheduled (no pun intended), the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions should be hyped up as the Big Ten game of the year going into the game.

Darryl Clark and Evan Royster are looking like the Big Ten's best players along with another great linebacker core and defense.

The Buckeyes linebackers and defensive line and defense all together doesn't look to shabby as well, along with what should be a much improved offense by November.

If the Buckeyes can overcome the Nittany Lions, it will most likely mean another Big Ten Championship for the Buckeyes, and another BCS bowl game.

But I tell you, after the game on November 7th, the Buckeyes aren't finished.

They still have to face two teams.

The first game they play after Penn State is Iowa, who right now isn't impressing, but should be improved by week twelve.

I don't think the Buckeyes will overlook the Hawkeyes though, and could defeat them rather easily in the Horseshoe.

Now to the game that will be more of a showdown than people think.

Ohio State vs. Michigan on the third Saturday of November, as always, might be back to prominence this year.

Michigan looked like an actually solid Wolverine team against the Irish of Notre Dame in week two. Rodriguez looks like he has his boys together and playing well.

Looking ahead at Michigan's schedule, if all this new Wolverine hype is for real, they could very well be only a one or two loss team going in to the Buckeye game.

Although they have a tough road schedule, going on the road against Michigan State, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin, they have Penn State at home and that could set up a great one between Michigan and Penn State.

If the Wolverines live up to this new 2009 hype, and only have one or two losses, or possibly no losses going into the Ohio State game, expect this Michigan and Ohio State game to be one of the best and most hyped in a while.

Ohio State should not be overlooking anyone on there upcoming schedule, but it could set up for a great year and some great games for the Buckeyes in '09.

We may be disappointed in defeat against USC, but don't worry Buckeye nation, we will be back and buckle up for a great 2009 season.

Welcome To Pandemonium: College Football; The Best Football

Jakob Thais — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:57:48 -0400

My family calender says it best, every Saturday from September through early December clearly marks: "Jake: CFB, unavailable."

This is because every Saturday from September through November, college football is played throughout the country.

Still in high school, and living under my parents' household, my parents respect and know that at this time of the year, Jake isn't moving until he needs another Dr. Pepper.

And every one of those Saturdays, I wake up not worrying about the next big test I have, or the girl I like. The only thing my mind is focused on is college football.

It's because to me, college football is heaven on Earth. It's better than any pro football, high school, pee-wee, or any type of football in the world. It's the best sport. Period.

But of course, that is only one person's opinion, but here is why I feel this way in five reasons:

5. Atmosphere

College Football has a special atmosphere that no other sport has, and that includes the NFL.

It's a type of atmosphere of "no worries," except if you're team is going to win or not. The type of atmosphere where you can just yell "O-H", and get a sturdy "I-O" right back at you.

Who doesn't love watching the ESPN College Game Day guys bicker at each other and make their picks. How about trying to find the best sign in the background? Or predicting which mascot Lee Corso is going to be this time?

When I get the rare chance to go to a college football game live, I take advantage. I soak in every bit, I walk around the campus, eat as much as I can, and bicker with my brother about whether or not Terrelle Pryor really did turn water into wine.

All of this is in the atmosphere of college football, the atmosphere of the best sport in the world.

4. Hype

Usually, summertime is the best time for a high school student, and while I have my fun, it is also the most agonizing time of the year.

It comes right before football season.

I find myself wanting to go back to school, just so football season can start back up. Just so I can see if my Buckeyes live up to their expectation, or if they take another blow out to USC.

Another type of hype is player hype.

Being a Buckeye fan, and living in a household with a USC fan for a brother, I experience player hype every single morning, day and night.

All I hear about from him is how great Matt Barkley is and how much hype there is around him. And I'm sure all he hears about is how amazing Terrelle Pryor is, or as I always refer to him as, "TP."

We already have a $5 bet in place to see who wins a Heisman Trophy first, Barkley or Pryor.

There is so much hype around college football, and it creates an interest to see if whatever is hyped about it, can live up to the hype.

3. Rivalry

The rivalry in college football is something you may see nowhere else.

Tell me where you can find something as big and special as Ohio State vs. Michigan. How about USC vs. Notre Dame? Oklahoma vs. Texas? Or even Army vs. Navy?

There are all types of rivalries in college football.

How about SEC rivalry like Alabama and Auburn showing southern hatred for each other. And Georgia and Florida having Mark Richt send his whole team out there to celebrate just one touchdown.

There are Heisman-winning games like Charles Woodson's and Desmond Howard's Ohio State game. I know you remember Howard's Heisman pose.

And who needs a Big Ten championship when almost every year the Michigan vs. Ohio State game is deciding the Big Ten champion.

There are unbelievable rivalry games out there like the 2005 Notre Dame vs. USC game. When we all thought Brady Quinn had finally led the Irish to a victory over USC, but Matt Leinart, Dwayne Jarrett, and Reggie Bush proved otherwise.

There is bowl rivalry like the Rose Bowl's Big Ten vs. Pac Ten, and the bowl rivalry of Oklahoma and whoever they are going to lose to this year. (OK, that last one was a joke, I feel your pain Oklahoma, the Buckeyes couldn't beat Texas either.)

You get the point, there are no other rivalries in sports that compare to the ones in college football.

2. Upset

This one could truly go number one on this list.

All I'd have to write down on this one is Appalachian State vs. Michigan and I could be done, but I won't do that to you.

The upset level in college football is unbelievably high. Any team, and I mean any team has a chance to win any game.

What other sport witnessed a year like 2007 for college football. I remember almost getting annoyed by the amount of top 10 schools getting beaten by lower ranked schools.

There are way to many upsets to list all of them, but I could name a few.

Appy State vs. Michigan, Stanford beating USC, Carnegie Tech over Notre Dame, Navy over Notre Dame in '07, Rutgers upsetting a lot going undefeated for a while.

You don't see upsets like these in the NFL, the excitement level isn't there when it comes to the NFL for me.

The list could go on and on and on if I wanted it to, but we'll have to move on for now.

1. Tradition

This one is pretty much an obvious one, and you probably figured this one would be number one, but it's true.

College football has more tradition than any other sport. Hands down.

From Script Ohio all the way down to Harvard's "little red flag."

You simply just don't see things like that in the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, any soccer league, or any professional sport you can think of off the top of your head.

Rivalry and tradition could go together, but there is so much variety of tradition in college football.

Personal favorites of mine are; Iowa's pink visitor locker room, jump around at Wisconsin, Traveler at USC, Howard's rock at Clemson, and truly so much more.

Tradition is the main reason that college football is the best sport in my opinion.

It's one of the main reasons why I wake up early every Saturday morning in the Fall.

There is so much, and every college football team, from the No. 1 team to the No. 120th team has tradition.

It truly makes college football a special sport.

I wrote this article from the heart, as college football has done wonders for me. Even being a 14-year-old freshman, it has been the biggest part of my life over the years.

This list that I made doesn't even fit every reason I think it is the best part. There is truly so much more.

I could only wish everyone got the chance to watch and see what college football is all about.

Ohio State-USC 2009: Secondary Matchup

Jakob Thais — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:53:16 -0400

On Saturday, I highlighted the matchup of the receiving corps for the USC/Ohio State game. Today, I'd like to highlight another matchup.

The second position matchup break down is the defensive secondary.

I will break down the secondary for both Ohio State and USC, end in a wrap up, and declare who has the advantage in this matchup in my opinion.

USC

There is one player in USC's secondary that stands out. Senior Taylor Mays is a 6'3", 235-pound, All-American safety.

While not posting outstanding numbers in 2008, with only 53 tackles and no interceptions, any player with his size and speed at safety will make an impact in a game. Expect Mays' numbers and draft stock to sky-rocket this season.

To complement Mays' in the secondary, USC relies on seniors Josh Pinkard and Will Harris. Pinkard recorded 39 tackles along with an interception in 2008, while Harris recorded 38 tackles with two interceptions.

Expect Pinkard to play more of a safety role, while Harris will most likely play all around the defense.

Sophomore duo Drew McAllister and T.J. Bryant will also make a big impact in 2009 for the Trojans.

McAllister played in 12 games in 2008, recording 16 tackles and a team high three interceptions, while Bryant registered seven tackles and one interception in seven games last season.

Last but not least for the Trojans are their two projected senior starters at cornerback, Shareece Wright and Kevin Thomas.

While Wright was only able to play in two games in 2008, he played in 11 games in 2007 and recorded 29 tackles. Kevin Thomas, unlike Wright, was able to make an impact in 2008, recording 15 tackles and three interceptions, taking one of those INTs for a touchdown against Arizona State.

Expect big things from the Trojans secondary throughout 2009 and the Ohio State game.

Ohio State

Like USC, Ohio State has one player that stands out in the secondary in 2009. That player for the Buckeyes is senior safety Kurt Coleman.

While he may not be as intimidating, Coleman's numbers were better than Mays' in 2008, even though Coleman played one less game.

Coleman recorded a total of 78 tackles and four interceptions in only 12 games in 2008. Look for him to take a captain-like approach and have even better numbers as a senior in '09.

Anderson Russell is a senior safety playing alongside Coleman. The man with two first names, Russell had 67 total tackles with two interceptions in 13 games in 2008. He and Coleman should take up almost all of the time at the two safety spots.

Junior Chimdi Chekwa and senior Andre Amos will likely take most of the playing time at cornerback for the Buckeyes in 2009.

Chekwa totaled 30 tackles in 2009 along with an interception against USC in 2008, and while Amos didn't get much playing time last season, he is high on Ohio State's current depth chart.

Incoming freshmen Corey Brown and C.J. Barnett may also have to make an immediate impact for the Buckeyes' secondary. Expect their playing time to increase with each game they play.

The last player I'd like to highlight for the Buckeyes is one of my personal favorite Buckeyes going into 2009.

Jermale Hines played all over the field in 2008 at safety, cornerback, and, sometimes, linebacker, recording 31 tackles and a 48-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Michigan State in only 10 games in 2008.

Expect Hines to be playing all over again in 2009, and making an impact in the USC game.

Wrap Up

Along with the receivers matchup, this matchup was pretty dead even.

Both of these groups should have great seasons making plays for their teams, but I have to decide who has the advantage.

Advantage: Ohio State

I understand I'm gambling on this one, as I may get some major flack for this. But before you criticize my decision, just look at the numbers.

USC's secondary, as of now, looks like all hype to me.

Jermale Hines, Kurt Coleman, Anderson Russell, and Chimdi Chekwa all had big seasons last year for the Buckeyes, and should have big ones again in '09.

Check back in on Wednesday for the next position breakdown!

Ohio State vs. USC 2009: Full Position Breakdown, WR/TE Matchup

Jakob Thais — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 02:19:38 -0400

USC vs. Ohio State, possibly the most hyped regular season game of the year. I would like to analyze this tradition-filled matchup, position by position.

Starting today, I will highlight one position each day for both USC and Ohio State. At the end of each article I will declare who I think has the advantage at what ever position that day has.

Expect each article to be relatively short, as I am going to be writing one each day or so.

The first position I would like to highlight is the WR/TE matchup.

First to the WR's of USC

The loss of big Patrick Turner may hurt minimally, but he should be replaced nicely by Arkansas transfer Damian Williams. Last year, Williams was just shy of 1,000 receiving yards with 869 yards on 58 receptions.

Look for Williams to have a break out year at the No. 1 WR spot.

Also returning is tall and big receiver David Ausberry, he will be a senior along with Travon Patterson, who both had quiet years last year each receiving under 100 yards with Ausberry having one touchdown reception.

Speedy junior WR Ronald Johnson also returns. He was USC's third receiver last year with 570 yards on 33 receptions, look for him to move up to the two spot this year at receiver with boosted numbers.

I've also heard that sophomore receiver Brice Butler has impressed in the summer and spring. Look for him to step in the rotation and become some what of an impact for the Trojans.

USC also returns a solid set of tight ends. Highlighting the bunch is returning the 6'5", senior Anthony McCoy. McCoy will be the No. 1 Tight End going into 2009 expecting a big year. Last year he recorded 256 yards on 22 receptions with a touchdown.

Also returning at Tight End for USC is sophomore Blake Ayles. Ayles had 41 receiving yards on six receptions, and coincidentally one touchdown, which came in the 2008 Ohio State game. Expect Rhett Ellison to get some playing time as well as USC's third or fourth tight end.

That's about it for the receiving group for the 2009 Trojans.

Now to the WR's of Ohio State

Ohio State takes a hit at receivers going into the 2009 season losing their top two guys, Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline. While this may hurt, it will not kill the bunch, with young guns ready to play.

The guy expected to be the first receiver is sophomore DeVier Posey. Posey did not have huge numbers in 2008, but he showed his stuff in the spring. Last year, with a solid year for a freshman, he recorded 117 yards on 11 receptions and a touchdown in his first game.

Junior possession wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher will also have to step up at the No. 2 or 3 spot for the Buckeyes. He was the Buckeyes No. 3 receiver last year with 272 yards on 21 receptions and a touchdown.

Along with Sanzenbacher, returning receivers Ray Small and speedy Lamaar Thomas will have to step up. While Small is in Tressel's doghouse for academic problems, expect to see Ray playing, and expect Thomas to take on more of a role in receiving this year along with kickoff returns.

Small had 149 yards on 18 receptions in 2008, along with Thomas having 29 on 4 receptions, and if my NCAA Football 2010 franchise means anything, Thomas will have a big year. (Joke)

Players that haven't seen playing time before will step into the rotation looking to impress. Among these players are junior Taurian Washington and freshman Duron Carter.

Washington has had two great spring games in a row and will finally get to see playing time along with Duron Carter, son of OSU legend Chris Carter.

While the receiving corps for the Buckeyes is looking solid once again, the tight end group is also looking like a good one. While mostly a young group, expect big things for these guys.

Senior Jake Ballard is looking for the ball much more this season with only five receptions last year with 73 yards. Expect QB Terrelle Pryor to look for him and redshirt freshman Jake Stoneburner much more this season.

Wrap Up

As of now, it looks like both USC and Ohio State are turning in solid receiving corps going into the 2009 season. They are both very balanced and both of them have their share of returning guys at WR, and a young but experienced tight end group.

This one has been extremely hard to decide which team has come up with the advantage at this position going into the season, but I had to pick one of the teams.

Advantage at WR/TE: USC

It ended up that I had to go with the more experienced group, and that was USC. While Ohio State could prove me wrong with their talented but young and inexperienced group, for now going into the season, I had to go with the Trojans group.

Check back in Sunday or Monday for the next position breakdown!

2009 Ohio State Football: The Super Sophomores

Jakob Thais — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 22:40:47 -0400

Remember back in 1968?

Well I certainly don't—that was way before my time. But being a young Buckeye fan means lots of research and reading to learn the rich tradition of Buckeye football.

While tampering about what to write about for my next article, I was thinking about that rich tradition the buckeyes have. I remember hearing and reading about the 1968 season, with 13 (10 starters) sophomore members of that team being known as "The Super Sophomores."

While it may be hard to duplicate this, the 2009 Buckeyes certainly have a chance of coming close.

The upcoming season for the Buckeyes shows a plethora of young players jockeying for playing time.

And while they have returning veterans such as Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell, the young ones may make the biggest impact.

Here is my list of the five biggest impact sophomores for the 2009 Buckeyes:

Super Sophomore No. 1: QB Terrelle Pryor

The first player I'd like to highlight is the obvious one, Terrelle Pryor or "TP" as Buckeye fans know him as.

He touted with greatness last year, but also showed his youth—such as against Penn State. He could've went right up the middle for a first down on a key play, but instead he cut right and on an attempt to stiff arm, he fumbled the ball. Pryor was the 2008 Big Ten freshman of the year, and received the 2009 Preseason Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year accolade.

Pryor finished up the year leading the Buckeyes to the Fiesta Bowl. He recorded 1,311 yards passing, 631 yards rushing with 18 total touchdowns on 10 starts. And, he also recorded a 5-yard reception touchdown.

Look for TP's stats to sky rocket with a year under his belt.

Super Sophomore No. 2: WR DeVier Posey

The next sophomore I'd like to highlight is receiver DeVier Posey. While not getting a huge amount of playing time in 2008, when he did, Posey impressed. He recorded 117 yards on 11 receptions in 2008, with a 10.6 yards per catch average and one touchdown. Posey also ran track in high school so the speed is there with a 4.4/4.5 40 time.

He also returned one punt in 2008, and while Ray Small is the obvious punt returner for 2009, look for Posey to be returning punts in future years.

As of the Spring Depth Chart, Posey is the No. 1 receiver coming into the season.

Super Sophomore No. 3: LB Etienne Sabino

Next up is sophomore linebacker Etienne Sabino. Like Posey, Sabino did not see a ton of playing time in 2008. In 2008, Sabino's role came more in the special teams game recording a touchdown off of a Malcolm Jenkins blocked punt.

Expect Sabino's role to extend to more defense this year at the linebacker position.

As of the Spring Depth Chart, Sabino is the No. 2 middle linebacker behind Austin Spitler. My personal prediction is that he will be starting by mid-season.

Super Sophomore No. 4: RB Daniel Herron

Known as "Boom" Herron, he posses some boom (pun intended) in him, along with speed. He was the primary running back in 2008 whenever Beanie Wells was injured. Herron made the 2009 pre-season Doak Walker award watch list. He totaled for 439 yards rushing on 89 attempts in 2008 along with six touchdowns.

He also ran for the almost game-winning touchdown in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl (cough). I hate Colt McCoy (cough).

Herron and junior Brandon Saine will split most of the playing time at running back, but look for Herron to have a big year.

Super Sophomore No. 5: C Mike Brewster

The fifth and final choice is pretty much an obvious one. Sophomore center Mike Brewster.

After injuries struck in 2008, OSU was forced to move Jim Cordle from center and put Brewster at center. Terrelle Pryor and Mike Brewster teamed up for a very rare freshman quarterback/center tandem.

Brewster finished the 2008 season getting a couple Freshman All-American team honors. Expect him to become one of the top centers in the nation this season, and one of the best centers in Buckeye history by the end of his time at Ohio State.

Wrap up:

Going into the season Ohio State will most likely start five sophomores. Expect this number to increase to six or seven once Etienne Sabino and J.B. Shugarts possibly get in there. I only highlighted five of the top sophomores in the nation in this article and look for them to make an immediate impact for the Buckeyes.

Honorable Mentions:

Mike Adams (Offensive Tackle starter), J.B. Shugarts (Offensive Line, injured in spring), Lamaar Thomas (Receiver/Returner), Nathan Williams (DE), Joe Bauserman (QB, hey guys he will be beast at holding kicks).

Riots In Sports: L.A. Lakers' Riots Show Growth In U.S. Riots

Jakob Thais — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:37:19 -0400

It is a sad, but definite part of sports. Riots, they happen in most major sports, ranging from soccer to basketball.

While certainly soccer riots are the most violent, some of these other sports seem to have a growing rate of riots, including the most recent riots caused by the Los Angeles Lakers championship win.

The fans of the Lakers, and all of the other rioters, seem to have this very careless, "We just won the championship, let's go and tear up our city".

This attitude seems very pointless to me, and takes away part of the pride of the championship.

My favorite team's fans are also guilty of this, I have seen many videos of Ohio State and other colleges celebrating football wins.

These videos include burning, destruction, violence, and etc, etc..

In a video that just recently graced the internet, the video displays about 20 or 30 Laker fans storming a local gas station store and looting and destructing everything in the store.

In another video near the same location, it shows numerous fans throwing food and smashing a bus. What is extreme about this scene is that it shows two kids being involved, which in my opinion, is taking it too far.

The recent Laker riots certainly aren't the first riots.

The very horrible riots that go on at European--and other areas-- soccer games just turn my stomach, and while these are in Europe, I still worry these could travel over to America.

I feel this more in a way because of these most recent Laker riots, and the fact that it was closer to my area than ever.

I have been told that riots growing is not likely because they depend on the area, but I question this because of one thing.

The only sport I seem to never hear of a riot occurring is baseball. This makes me wonder, is this sport doing something right? Or maybe it is because of the essence of the sport.

I don't think anyone will deny baseball being a bit boring at times. So maybe the amount of excitement during the game affects the aftermath.

Or maybe it's the fans. Football fans seem to be much more rowdy than baseball fans, and depending on the city, basketball fans can be too.

I personally do not think either of these are true, but I do not understand why baseball fans do not riot, while most other sports have riots.

I think that the riots depend on the sport, not the area. I fear that riots will grow to areas that haven't experienced them. I also hope that baseball fans keep up the classiness, and become almost a role model for other fans.

Maybe it's just the areas, or maybe it's just the sports. Whatever it is, these riots need to come to a stop.

10 Ways to Calm a College Football Fan's Impatience for the Upcoming Season

Jakob Thais — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:44:00 -0400

The NCAA Basketball Championships can get college football fans through the spring, and the NBA playoffs can help us get through the last part of spring and the first part of summer, but now it is time. It is the time were anxious and impatient die-hards cannot wait any longer. Basketball Season is over, and the NHL having already crowned a champion. Sure baseball is good, but it's no football. Some fans anxious for revenge, and some waiting to repeat their excellence from the previous season, but either way we all cannot wait, so what can we do while we wait for that opening kickoff. None of these substitutes can create the full essence of the college football season, but they sure can help. So here is my list of the top ten ways to keep your impatience from blowing your head up, while we wait for our teams long awaited first game, with warnings along the way for each of them.

Begin Slideshow

Terrelle Pryor, Can He Throw The Ball?

Jakob Thais — Thu, 28 May 2009 03:50:15 -0400

Terrelle Pryor: "The Super Athlete", "The Guy Who Can't Throw"

Those are two of the various answers of opinions you would get on Terrelle Pryor, or "TP" as he is known in C-BUS. The one thing that no one can deny, no matter how hard they try, the kid has got raw talent.

Outside of Ohio, most people probably think TP cannot throw, and maybe respectfully so, from his at times lack-luster throwing performances.

This may be true, but what we forget is that he is a freshman—yes a freshman—coming into a school with the highest of expectations.

And while I'm sure his spring game performance shut some people up, I cannot leave without stats.

So let's see how TP would fair if he had the same amount of throws as Sam Bradford (projected): He would have approximately 4,000 yards, 36 TD's, and adding his 600 yards running this year, that's about 4,600 total yards.

Not too shabby ehh?

Now let's compare TP and Peyton Manning's FROSH years: TP threw for about 200 more yards passing, and while throwing in TP's rushing and the fact that TP started two more times than Manning, they probably would have the same exact total yards if at the end of the season if they both were to start all 13 games.

That's impressive!

Of course those stats are impossible to prove, but you should take into consideration before you bash him that: 1. He's a Freshman; 2. OSU did not let TP fly last year as a FROSH, and 3. Well, No. 3 is just to wait until he messes up to bash him.