Ohio State's embarrassing performance last Saturday vs Miami (FL) had more to do with what happened in the spring and more importantly during their preseason camp than with what happened in South Florida. Coach Luke Fickell's decision to go with 25-year-old Senior Joe Bauserman as the starter out of preseason camp was the ultimate head scratcher, since Bauserman had the four prior seasons to show the Ohio State Staff that he lacked the physical skills to make a big play and win a game as their quarterback.
WIth an offense devoid of playmakers after the departure of QB Terrelle Pryor and the suspensions of RB Boom Herron and WR Devier Posey, the Bucks needed the potential of Miller's arm and feet from day one. The decision at the end of the spring to not elevate Miller over Bauserman led to the Staff splitting reps between the two in preseason camp, when Miller should have have received the vast majority of first team reps. The real competition should have been between Bauserman, Kenny Guiton and Taylor Graham for the backup position behind Miller. This egregious error cost Miller numerous invaluable reps in preseason camp -- reps that would have made a difference in Miami. Moreover, many close to the program felt that, had Jim Tressel remained Head Coach, he had already decided to go with Miller over Bauserman in the opener.
The season ending injury to Stanford Junior LB Shayne Skov is a devastating blow for the Cardinal. The 6-foot-3, 251-pound Junior led their defense last season with 84 tackles and 7 1/2 sacks. More importantly, he called their signals and was their emotional and physical leader, often swarming to the ball and delivering big hits like he did in last year's Orange Bowl Game vs Virginia Tech. He also provided a pass rush boost to a defense that was replacing two of their three defensive linemen. With an offense led by QB Andrew Luck and several other outstanding playmakers, the real question coming into 2011 was whether their defense could slow down teams like Oregon, USC and Notre Dame. Now, that question becomes even more compelling.
Boise State Senior RB Doug Martin is one of top three running backs in College Football, if not the best. The 5-foot-9, 215-pound Martin, has great hands, acceleration and toughness, consistently showing the ability to move the chains, while also being a key cog in QB Kellen Moore's passing attack.
He is one of CFB's top players and would be a serious Heisman candidate if he did not play at Boise State and in the shadow of Moore. Martin rushed for 1,260 yards (6.3 avg.) and 12 scores in 2010, while also catching 28 balls for 338 yards and two touchdowns. Last week vs a tough, blue collar Toledo defense, Martin picked up a physical 70 yards on the ground, while chipping in with 5 catches for 122 yards, including a key 71-yard grab in the first half. Martin will have a long NFL career as a versatile true 3-down player in the mold of Chiefs RB Thomas Jones, and gives Boise one of CFB's most dynamic, yet underrated, weapons.
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