Beanie Wells now Doubtful for Saturdays game.

[buckeyevol23]

In my opinion Boeckman is going to need to throw for them to win. SC is going to load up against the run.

I agree. I don't see OSU winning this game without Beanie though because Boeckman hasn't done anything to show that he can even be an effective passer against good defenses. He waits in the pocket forever, can't scramble, tries to go deep too often, and has a slow release.

Beanie's the only big game performer on this team. Being an OSU student, I hate saying this, but unless the defense steps up big time and Boeckman can manage the game, USC wins by 2 tds. Plus, has USC ever not played very well in a big game since Carroll's been there?

 

[getyopopcornready]

A loss to USC won't be the end of their hope to win a championship. An injured Wells could very well mean at least another loss or two. I think he sits out and they try to work him back in slowly.

from the outside looking in that looks like a good idea, but i dont think OSU wants to take that approach with this game, a blowout loss to USC pretty much will put them out of the NC picture if this season doesnt turn out to be as crazy as last season so i think Beanie has to play.. atleast thats how every OSU fan feels

 

[KB5252]

from the outside looking in that looks like a good idea, but i dont think OSU wants to take that approach with this game, a blowout loss to USC pretty much will put them out of the NC picture if this season doesnt turn out to be as crazy as last season so i think Beanie has to play.. atleast thats how every OSU fan feels

I disagree, I don't think any SEC team will go unbeaten, and from what we have already seen from the top teams there looks to be a good deal of parody in this years class of contenders.

Bottom line is if Wells is injured further it would probably mean at least another loss or two. If they allow him to heal some he has a better chance at making it through the rest of the season.

 

[getyopopcornready]

so you think that Carroll would prepare differently if he knew Beanie were going to be out.

What would he do? Assume OSU would play without a tailback? Maybe go to the Run & Shoot with Boeckman slinging it? Maybe play a freshman QB all day from the shotgun?

I was going to ignore this but i couldnt resist.. Do you know how great Beanie Wells is? Every team that he has played against at OSU has put 8 players in the box, now USC has the talent to play 7 but im sure Carroll will gameplan 8 in the box for the majority of the game.. Without Beanie USC could probably play 6

 

[getyopopcornready]

I disagree, I don't think any SEC team will go unbeaten, and from what we have already seen from the top teams there looks to be a good deal of parody in this years class of contenders.

Bottom line is if Wells is injured further it would probably mean at least another loss or two. If they allow him to heal some he has a better chance at making it through the rest of the season.

So you think a 1 loss OSU team gets in over a 1 loss SEC team? Or even a 2 loss SEC team? Oklahoma will be up there, USC will be there, East Carolina will be there and that is probably the only team that OSU would get in over, and thats not a given

 

[TrueOrange]

well, i'd put my money on usc, unless they just find someway to screw it up in the end

 

[KB5252]

So you think a 1 loss OSU team gets in over a 1 loss SEC team? Or even a 2 loss SEC team? Oklahoma will be up there, USC will be there, East Carolina will be there and that is probably the only team that OSU would get in over, and thats not a given

Like I said they are going to play the chances. They look to have a better chance with one loss than two or three!

I could be wrong but this is what I would do as a head coach if I had kid who was questionable and who's back our team would have to ride.

 

[getyopopcornready]

Like I said they are going to play the chances. They look to have a better chance with one loss than two or three!

I could be wrong but this is what I would do as a head coach if I had kid who was questionable and who's back our team would have to ride.

Im sure OSU didnt schedule this game to take that approach to it. Beanie may be seriously hurt but i believe Tressell is just trying to limit USC's preparation for Beanie.. It's also not a given that OSU will win out because they have to go to Illinois and Wisconsin and they have tough home games against PSU and Purdue, and i believe they will lose atleast one of those games

 

[buckeyevol23]

Im sure OSU didnt schedule this game to take that approach to it. Beanie may be seriously hurt but i believe Tressell is just trying to limit USC's preparation for Beanie.. It's also not a given that OSU will win out because they have to go to Illinois and Wisconsin and they have tough home games against PSU and Purdue, and i believe they will lose atleast one of those games

I agree. Many people up here are treating this like it's OSU's championship on the line, which I think it is. Lose this and OSU's most likely out of the race unless it's very close and every other team stumbles. You have play to win, not keep it close. The only way to do that is if Beanie plays. Just a day ago it was said that he was about 75%. I'm hoping this is just strategy by Tressel.

 

[getyopopcornready]

I agree. Many people up here are treating this like it's OSU's championship on the line, which I think it is. Lose this and OSU's most likely out of the race unless it's very close and every other team stumbles. You have play to win, not keep it close. The only way to do that is if Beanie plays. Just a day ago it was said that he was about 75%. I'm hoping this is just strategy by Tressel.

It is strategy.. A few days ago he was a sure go for Saturday and now he's doubtful? Im not buying it at all. Unless he reaggravated something horribly a player's health doesnt just decline over the week its supposed to get better especially if their practice time has been limited and he's going through rehab

 

[vader]

OSU would be stupid to play Wells.

USC is going to beat them like rented mules with or without Wells. Without him, they'll have the "but, but, but we didn't have Beanie" argument to help them get to the national title game, since they'll have no other losses.

I can almost guarantee he won't be seeing the field.

I absolutely agree

 

[hohenfelsvol]

OSU will have a reason for losing. Whether its Beanie or cleat studs.

 

[sickemsmokey10]

call me crazy but I think OSU is sandbagging. Here's a photo from this past Saturday's game of Ohio/Ohio State

 

[sickemsmokey10]

here's the gif for that picture

 

[tvolsfan]

Should I take USC -13.5?

 

[sickemsmokey10]

Should I take USC -13.5?

I wouldn't, but that's just me. I think USC wins but by no more than 10

 

[buckeyevol23]

call me crazy but I think OSU is sandbagging. Here's a photo from this past Saturday's game of Ohio/Ohio State

He was walking around the entire game without any problems it seemed, nor was he wearing a boot. I also gotta think that in a game of this magnitude, he's gonna suck it up and play.

 

[Vercingetorix]

I was going to ignore this but i couldnt resist.. Do you know how great Beanie Wells is? Every team that he has played against at OSU has put 8 players in the box, now USC has the talent to play 7 but im sure Carroll will gameplan 8 in the box for the majority of the game.. Without Beanie USC could probably play 6

If there's that significant a dropoff from your #1 tailback to everybody else, then you really have no business talking about a championship run anyway. There's no excuse for a team like OSU not to have a ton of talent at that position.

 

[buckeyevol23]

If there's that significant a dropoff from your #1 tailback to everybody else, then you really have no business talking about a championship run anyway. There's no excuse for a team like OSU not to have a ton of talent at that position.

It's hard not to have a significant dropoff when your starting RB is one of the best backs in the country and the best player on the offense. Not to mention it's only the first month of the season. You could say the same about Georgia and Moreno. No way they'd be favored over a top 5 team on the road without him.

There's talent behind Wells but they're young and unproven. Saine and Herron were both good recruits but Saine's a soph who's been injured the last few months and Herron's a redshirt freshman. OSU's biggest mistake has been playing crappy Sr Maurice Wells last year and this year instead of mostly Saine or Herron, either of whom could actually be special.

 

[Vercingetorix]

It's hard not to have a significant dropoff when your starting RB is one of the best backs in the country and the best player on the offense. Not to mention it's only the first month of the season. You could say the same about Georgia and Moreno. No way they'd be favored over a top 5 team on the road without him.

There's talent behind Wells but they're young and unproven. Saine and Herron were both good recruits but Saine's a soph who's been injured the last few months and Herron's a redshirt freshman. OSU's biggest mistake has been playing crappy Sr Maurice Wells last year and this year instead of mostly Saine or Herron, either of whom could actually be special.

Look, running backs are pretty much fungible. You've got the rare, once-in-a-blue-moon guys like Herschel Walker, Barry Sanders, Arian Petersen, etc., but the plain truth is that most of these guys are interchangeable. Is there any evidence that Wells is one of these preternaturally skilled running backs? No? Well then, what's the big deal? UTK lost JAMAL FREAKING MOST RUSHING YARDS IN AN NFL GAME LEWIS to injury, and we had guys who could step up without missing a beat. Why can't OSU do the same?

 

[BigPapaVol]

Look, running backs are pretty much fungible. You've got the rare, once-in-a-blue-moon guys like Herschel Walker, Barry Sanders, Arian Petersen, etc., but the plain truth is that most of these guys are interchangeable. Is there any evidence that Wells is one of these preternaturally skilled running backs? No? Well then, what's the big deal? UTK lost JAMAL FREAKING MOST RUSHING YARDS IN AN NFL GAME LEWIS to injury, and we had guys who could step up without missing a beat. Why can't OSU do the same?

bottom line is that running backs aren't as dominant as they once were and are only as capable as their OLine and QB ability to keep D's honest. It's why free agent running backs don't get the mega bucks that they used to, unless they're a multifunction type like LT.

 

[buckeyevol23]

Look, running backs are pretty much fungible. You've got the rare, once-in-a-blue-moon guys like Herschel Walker, Barry Sanders, Arian Petersen, etc., but the plain truth is that most of these guys are interchangeable. Is there any evidence that Wells is one of these preternaturally skilled running backs? No? Well then, what's the big deal? UTK lost JAMAL FREAKING MOST RUSHING YARDS IN AN NFL GAME LEWIS to injury, and we had guys who could step up without missing a beat. Why can't OSU do the same?

Gee, maybe because UT had Travis Henry, a future 2nd round pick behind him. Not all teams are that fortunate. If you watched Ohio St at all you would see that Wells carries the offense. He rushed for over 200 yds twice last season and tore up LSU's defense. Like I said, OSU has good, young guys but they have little game experience. You've gotta be kidding if you think a team can lose a guy who was considered a serious Heisman candidate before the season started and be fine on the road at USC.

 

[buckeyevol23]

bottom line is that running backs aren't as dominant as they once were and are only as capable as their OLine and QB ability to keep D's honest. It's why free agent running backs don't get the mega bucks that they used to, unless they're a multifunction type like LT.

I think this is more true of the NFL than the college game. Most NFL teams can get away and even thrive on multiple backs because of the skill of Olines and QBs. In college you still see instances where one player can have a bigger impact on a game because there's a greater disparity in talent.