Bruising Ohio State comes to UW
SEATTLE – To any Washington fans paying attention to last weekend’s college football scoreboard, Ohio State vs. Akron was an odd-looking, baseball-like score that had to make Husky fans smile.
The Buckeyes were clinging to a measly 3-2 halftime lead over Akron. How in the world was a team called the Zips sticking around, on the road no less, against THE Ohio State University?
Of course, talent eventually got the better of Akron, and Ohio State went on to win by a comfortable 20-2 margin. But still, that had to be a good sign for 10th-ranked Ohio State’s next opponent, right? If Akron could keep Ohio State’s offense in check, then surely the Huskies could do the same in Husky Stadium, right?
No so fast, say Tyrone Willingham.
Sure, the Buckeyes have struggled to put up big offensive numbers their first two games, but don’t expect an easy game for Washington’s defense today.
“The No. 1 thing that I’m concerned about is not just their talent level, but that they had a couple of ballgames that they did not show all that they have, and that they’ve just been bringing their guys along very patiently, just waiting for the right situation to get going,” said Willingham. “And this to me sounds like the perfect game. It’s the game right before they start the Big Ten season, so I think they will be looking to get everything in order this week.”
A week ago, Washington’s defense was prepping for a Boise State offense that promised to bring multiple formations, lots of shifting and motion, and the constant threat of trick plays. This week look for a little more smash-mouth football.
This is hardly the same Ohio State that was the top-ranked team in college football until its championship-game loss. Gone are 18 seniors and three juniors who left early for the NFL. Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Troy Smith is now in the NFL, are his top two receivers from last season, Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez. Last year’s leading rusher, Antonio Pittman is in the NFL too.
What they still have, however, is a big line, a big running back, and a rich history of punishing opponents with a physical running game.
A huge offensive line is led by Kirk Barton, a four-year starter and All-Big Ten tackle last year. From left to right, Ohio State’s line looks like this: 6-foot-8, 313 pounds, 6-8, 345, 6-4, 302, 6-4, 321, and 6-6, 300.
“Obviously, our defensive line has not faced an offensive line like the one that we’re going to face this weekend,” said Willingham. “That is an intimidating group, so we will be hard-pressed to duplicate anything we’ve seen our first couple of weeks of the season.”
The person doing most of the running behind that line will be Chris “Beanie” Wells, a sophomore who last week recorded a career-high with 143 rushing yards. At 6-1, 235, Wells provides a challenge with his speed and strength.
The Huskies are ready to get down and dirty with Wells and his big line.
“You’ve got to worry about being low on him,” said linebacker Dan Howell. “He’s got the size to knock you over if you’re not ready, and he’s got the speed to maybe run around you. They’re a tough, hard-nosed, beat-you-up, physical offense. They’re going to run it right at you. They’re not going to try to hide it, and they have the tools to do it, so we’ve got to hold our ground and defend it.
“This is my kind of football right here. I don’t like all that dancing around, formation shifting, I don’t like all that stuff. You run it downhill, and I’m going to hit you. That’s what football is all about. I’m a physical player, I want to be physical.”
The bigger concern for the Buckeyes than a lack of offensive fireworks is the seven turnovers in their first two games.