Michigan Week: Baver Answers Colin's Questions b/w Dead Schembechlers "Harbaugh to Hell"

Colin: Ok, the MSU game was a major disappointment and a bit of a mystery for many reasons. Before asking a question about that, I must say that once again Buckeye Nation has disappointed me with their reaction to a 3 point loss to an excellent team. All the whining and finger pointing just make us look like the losers we might be. I realize it wasn't very wise for Zeke to throw the play calling under the bus in his post game rant, BUT, if you listen to it all you realize two things 1) He was hurting because he wasn't given the chance to help his team win. A completely natural reaction considering his track record in the 2nd half of our biggest games and 2) When he spoke to the team about leaving to go pro in the locker room, he was trying to rally the troops that their time together was limited. We need to play hard now. He wasn't trying to downplay the Michigan game, quite the opposite. It was a call to arms for all the guys who may be leaving. Zeke is a heck of a nice kid and an even better football player. He is ALL heart. If Buckeye fans can't handle a little dust up and get his back after all he has done for this football program, they don't deserve players the quality of E. E.  Your take?

Baver: I can’t ever remember a Buckeye player calling out his coaching staff after a loss. And I can’t remember a player announcing prior to the Michigan game that he won’t be back for his senior year. I think Zeke made his own bed and had to lie in it. But it’s time to move on; and you’re right, Zeke’s a good kid. He apologized and he’s certainly handled himself better than I did at his age. 

Colin: Let's start with the question the media were too big of pussies to ask Urban in the post game presser: How does your bellcow running back only get 2 touches in the 2nd half? Urban did answer some questions though including that Zeke was healthy and it was tough conditions to throw.... It doesn't add up. What the hell? 

Baver: If he was healthy, running Zeke only twice in the 2nd half was despicable. And “why?” is the million-dollar question. Even without taking many risks, Beck and company could have mixed it up much better than they did. God, was that painful to watch.

Colin: Joshua Perry said that if this team can't respond to one loss after all the winning they have enjoyed then we are a "phony team". This team has been coasting all year. Can they take it up a notch and win this war in Ann Arbor? Do you think playing on the road may actually help us?

Baver: Playing on the road helping Ohio St actually makes some sense. The booing of the play calling in the ‘Shoe couldn’t be more demoralizing. Josh Perry gets it, but do the other OSU players? Another million-dollar question, and I don’t know the answer. I do think you have some players that are still devastated from the MSU loss. This Ohio St team needs a fast start for once to pick these guys up.

Colin: Last year at this time, we were lighting up scoreboards and our defense was only asked to hold teams under 30 points. It suddenly seems quite the opposite. Can these Silver Bullets win this game all by themselves?

Baver: Could happen. The play of the Buckeye defense will dictate how much the OSU offense will open up the playbook. It may drive Buckeye fans crazy, but I don’t think I would take too many chances with the offense if the Buckeye D is holding Michigan’s offense in check.

Colin: We will ever see another winning run like this by the Ohio State Buckeyes in our lifetime? It's one of the great runs in the history of college football. Do you feel like Ohio State fans appreciate what they have had the pleasure of watching? 

Baver: As long as Urban’s here, the Bucks are going to be winning 10+ gms almost every year. And with four 20+ game winning streaks under his belt, there is little reason to doubt Urban can do it again. But, no….I don’t think most Buckeye fans appreciate the last decade and a half like they should. I have a friend who often says, ”We could have been born Purdue fans.” That line always puts things into perspective for me.

Colin: Can Penn State finally suck it up and knock off Sparty?

Baver: Most Buckeye fans think not, but it’s certainly possible. While Sparty has played their best ball against ranked teams, they’ve struggled against the unranked ones. And Connor Cook is another game time decision. Yeah, they did beat Ohio St without Cook, but the Buckeye defense was out of gas when the Sparty offense finally got in gear. This one might be more interesting than most think.

Colin: Give us an update on your picks to date and other games and lines you will be keeping an eye on this weekend?

Baver: 21-11-1 against the spread, including 9-2 ATS picking Buckeye games. Very tough call on the OSU-UM game and one to stay away from I think, if you are a bettor. I leaned Michigan at one point in the week, but Urban always makes me look silly when I predict a Buckeye loss. I think OSU wins a tight one...gonna go with 24-21 Ohio St. I think you have to like the Nits getting 11 in East Lansing. Big letdown spot for Sparty & they are 2-7 ATS as a favorite this year. And I think the Bedlam spread has climbed too high with the Sooners laying 7. I like Okie State and the points.

The legendary DEAD SCHEMBECHLERS, who this year celebrate their 25th anniversary of skewering MICHIGAN WOLVERINE football in favor of their beloved OHIO STATE BUCKEYES, will release their latest opus, "HARBAUGH TO HELL" on Halloween 2015. The cut can be purchased via iTUNES from the their own FLAMING WOLVERINE DEATH RECORDS.

The Dead Schembechlers Are Back with "Harbaugh to Hell." Check it Out. Happy Hate Week!

It's time to forget about foolish things like National Titles and get back to what the season is all about. 

The legendary DEAD SCHEMBECHLERS, who this year celebrate their 25th anniversary of skewering MICHIGAN WOLVERINE football in favor of their beloved OHIO STATE BUCKEYES, will release their latest opus, "HARBAUGH TO HELL" on Halloween 2015. The cut can be purchased via iTUNES from the their own FLAMING WOLVERINE DEATH RECORDS.

Baver Talks OSU vs. Maryland & Dead Schembechlers Announce New Single: "Harbuagh to Hell"

Before diving into this week's Baver Bag, we just received a press release from the Dead Schembechlers announcing a new single - "Harbaugh to Hell" - to be available Halloween on I-Tunes. Click here for details.

Colin: Cardale taking that long coverage sack right before the half was again shades of Kent Graham. He is obviously talented, but how to do you feel he is progressing as a QB and a team leader?

Baver: I like Cardale, and as long as he is under center, I am pulling for him. But he’s not progressing well, and leadership probably isn’t his strongest trait. That said, you can’t dump all of OSU’s offensive woes on him. The game-day coaching isn’t doing Cardale any favors and the wrong routes that the WR’s continue to run have made Cardale look worse. The coaches shrunk the playbook for Cardale during last year’s so-called trilogy, and the results were, of course, better than fine. The opponents weren’t prepared for Cardale nine months ago, but they are now, while the playbook remains scaled back. The limited playbook is designed to protect Cardale and to reduce mistakes. If OSU minimizes mistakes, there is no one on the schedule that can beat them until late November. Unfortunately though, the Buckeye offense is still making mistakes at an alarming rate (117th in the nation out of 127 teams in turnovers committed), with 13 TO’s in 5 games.

Colin: With the loss of Corey Smith, the WR receiving core takes another hit. Overall, what grade would you give the WR's, and are they the weakest position group on the team?

Baver: Grading by Ohio State’s standards, I’d probably say a “D.” I mentioned the wrong routes above; it’s frustrating beyond belief, with Curtis Samuel being the biggest offender. I guess what saves them from an “F” is the mounting injuries, as you mentioned. Smith and Noah Brown are gone for the year, and injuries seem to have derailed the careers of James Clark and Johnny Dixon. Weakest position group? I think the WR group is neck and neck with (can’t believe I am saying this) the QB position right now.

Colin: Who exactly is calling the plays at this point?

Baver: It’s my understanding that co-OC Tim Beck took over the primary play-calling duties from Ed Warriner after the Northern Illinois game. Warriner is on the sidelines during games, while Beck is calling the plays from upstairs.

Colin: If the playoff were today and you could choose the four teams, who do you think are the best four right now regardless of current ranking?

Baver: Alabama, Baylor, TCU and I really don’t know. I had Ole Miss in there a week ago, and was surprised Florida ransacked them last Saturday. I think Alabama is clearly the best team in the country right now, despite having a loss, and after that Baylor and TCU are neck and neck. After those three, there are probably 8 or so teams bunched up, with Ohio State being one of those teams.

Colin: Give us an update on your picks to date and games and lines you will be watching this week.

Baver: 9-5-1 against the spread on the year, a good start. As bad as Maryland is, I think you take the 33 pts against the Bucks. I see a 42-13 type of score. I’ll say take the Illini catching 11 at Iowa. Iowa is definitely an improved team and may win the B10 West, but I see a letdown after their big win in Madison. Tempted to say take Sparty with their spread down to 14 right now at Rutgers, but with Michigan State having Michigan on deck, I’d say stay away from that game. Instead, take Georgia in a bounce-back game, giving 3 at Tennessee. Must win game for Georgia and they are better than they played against Bama.