Questions or comments? E-mail me Barrett Sallee
While the rest of the people in the country obsess over the injured big toe of Ohio State RB Chris Wells, people seem to be forgetting one very important point…he’s still got to run against the Trojans, which is no easy task. Buckeye Head Coach Jim Tressel said that he will determine how much Wells would play after practices on Tuesday and Wednesday. From all accounts, he did just fine. At least, good enough to play.
Buckeye co-offensive coordinator Jim Bollman estimated that Wells was “75%” on Wednesday. Granted, estimates on players’ health are always flimsy estimates, with no objective information to back them up, so there’s no need to put too much faith in that number. However, it’s obvious that Wells won’t be full-speed. Not a good sign for those who follow “The Sweater Vest.” With Wells not at full-speed, this game could get real ugly, real quick.
In USC’s first and only game this season, they allowed just 32 rushing yards on 21 attempts in a 52-7 win against the Virginia Cavaliers. That’s 1.5 yards per carry for you mathematically-challenged folks out there (Bama fans). Even though LB Brian Cushing is nursing a hip-pointer suffered in practice, it shouldn’t matter. A defense that allows 1.5 yards per game to a 1-A team – any 1-A team – won’t be too affected if one player is limited. After all, Rey Maualuga is still there (broken finger and all).
One game isn’t enough evidence for you? Well, me neither. Go back-in-time and you will notice that the Trojans ranked 4th in the nation last year in rush defense, allowing 1,094 yards on 431 carries. That’s a grand total of 84.2 ypg.
Buckeye fans and sunshine-pumpers will tell you that the Trojans did get bit by some good backs despite that stellar ranking. And, they’d be right. Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall racked up 155 yards in the Rose Bowl, and Oregon Ducks' Jonathan Stewart and Dennis Dixon combined for 179 yards on the ground when they beat USC last October. Big difference though…all those guys were healthy.
Last week, the Buckeyes – minus Chris Wells - received a tough test from a very game Ohio Bobcats team. They didn’t get much help from Wells’ backups either. The triumvirate of Daniel Herron, Maurice Wells and Brandon Saine combined for just 113 yards on the ground. Against Ohio, looking ahead or not, you’ve got to do better than that. All three of those guys are capable, and might turn out to be great RB's. But capable won’t cut it this week. You’ve got to be special.
In a column I wrote back in July, I irked Buckeye Nation with this blog, Enough With The Buckeyes, drawing hundreds of e-mails from angry fans. The rest of the country is fed up with Ohio State’s existence in the top 5, and has been for quite some time. Luckily, after this week, they won’t be around anymore. USC 45 – Ohio State 10.
Story Archive:
Wells or Not, USC’s Defense Will Dominate – September 10, 2008
No Need To Panic, Auburn Fans – September 2, 2008
SEC and ESPN Reach Mega Deal – August 25, 2008
What Will Happen In The SEC – August 18, 2008
Bama Is Not Back – August 5, 2008
SEC Under-The-Radar Games – July 26, 2008
Enough With The Buckeyes – July 16, 2008
SEC Coaches: How Many Is Too Many? - July 8, 2008
New Coordinators No Problem For Auburn - July 1, 2008
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