And down the stretch they come..

With signing day less than a week away I thought I'd take a look at the handful of prospects Ohio State is still in the running for.

Terrelle Pryor - Jeanette PA (QB) - Not many people have heard of this 6'6" quarterback from Western Pennsylvania but some experts say he's pretty good, even drawing comparisons to Vince Young. While he's still considering Ohio State, Michigan, Oregon and Penn State it likely comes down to the Buckeyes and Wolverines. While Michigan offers immediately playing time in the end I believe he winds up in Columbus because of his relationship with several Buckeye recruits, his comfort level with the Ohio State coaching staff and the chance to run a more pass oriented offense.

Keith Wells - Gainesville GA (DE) - The Buckeyes have done well in Georgia the last few years landing safety Anderson Russell, quarterback Antonio Henton and defensive lineman Cameron Heyward. Tennessee and Ohio State are in Wells' top 2 and he's scheduled to make an official visit to Notre Dame this weekend. Wells speaks glowingly of Jim Tressel and he's aware of Ohio State's need for defensive ends. His speed would be a great asset to a Buckeye defense looking to replace future 1st round draft pick Vernon Gholston. In the end I believe Wells chooses the Buckeyes.

Josh Jenkins - Parkersburg WV (OG) - A one time West Virginia verbal commitment for some time now Jenkins has been thought to be the final piece of "Block O" along with fellow offensive linemen Mike Brewster, Mike Adams and JB Shugarts. Jenkins gave high marks to Florida State after a recent official visit and has a great relationship with former Mountaineer and current FSU O-line coach Rick Trickett. West Virginia is still a contender and the Mountaineers and Noles have more favorable depth charts. It's anyone's guess where Jenkins ends up however I don't think it will be Columbus.

Brandon Harris - Miami FL (CB) - Harris is one of the better corners in the country. While he had a very nice official visit to Columbus earlier in the year and says he's still considering the Buckeyes most people feel like he stays home and plays for the hometown Hurricanes. I don't disagree.

Orhian Johnson - Gulfport (FL) (ATH) - Johnson has visited Ohio State, Indiana and South Florida. While he could end up on either side of the ball the Buckeye staff has stated they would like him to play DB in Columbus. There was a question about whether Johnson had an official offer but a recent in-home visit from Jim Tressel erased any doubt. In the end I believe he stays in state and plays for the USF Bulls.

Most recruiting services list Ohio State's class somewhere among the top 10 in the nation. If the Buckeyes don't land any of these remaining prospects they will still have a great 2008 class. Sprinkle in talents like Terrelle Pryor and Keith Wells they will make a run for the top spot in the nation.

Go Bucks!

-KB, Ohio State correspondent

JHS's Fearless Predictions for the 2008 Big Ten Season

Seeing as how there is (most likely) going to be no big college football news until next Wednesday (National Signing Day, as fans of UM and OSU hold their breath and hope they T. Pryor comes to their University), I'm going to act like ESPN and just create my own news in the form of some bold predictions for the 2008 Season.

*Note for the sake of argument - I'm going to create these predictions with the thought in mind that Pryor is not going to neither OSU nor Michigan*

2008 Big Ten Champs: OSU Buckeyes. Not hard to picture this happening - I see them going 10-2 (one loss in Big ten play and a loss to USC). No title game shot this year for the Bucks, but they will continue their (almost yearly) tradition of being in the BCS.

2008 Big Ten Cellar Dweller: Minnesota Golden Gophers. Sorry Gopher fans, but this is just not a good team, they will win more than they did last year (one win). 4-5 wins could be within reach for the Gophers this year.

2008 Big Ten MVP: Chris Wells, OSU. This is a beast, big, strong, fast and will be touching the ball a lot. Expect him to be a top Heisman candidate as well.

2008 Big Ten Coach of the year: Rich Rodriguez, UM. With the loss of basically the starting offense, expectations are going to lower than usual in Ann Arbor this season, some media members have predicted 6 wins and even 4 wins for UM. If Rodriguez can get UM to 9-3 I think he has a great shot at being coach of the year. If he could beat OSU in Columbus, he might be a shoo-in for the award.

Now onto some UM predictions -

2008 UM captains: Morgan Trent, CB; Tim Jamison, DE; and Greg Matthews, WR.

2008 UM Defensive MVP: Morgan Trent, CB. Trent was light years better in '07 than he was in '06. In fact going into '07, many UM fans though he would be a liability on defense, however, he turned out to a major strength. If his progression can continue he could be one of the best CBs in the nation.

2008 UM Breakthrough Player: Steven Threet, QB. Threet is the most likely candidate to start game one: he has been practicing and training at the college football level for a year more than any potential frosh QB, and he will have gotten the playbook months before any frosh QB. Even though Coach Rod favors a mobile QB, I think he will be forced to give Threet a lot of playing time and Threet will deliver.

Well that's all for now, but after spring ball I will release my official predictions for the 2008 college football season.

Also expect some serious analysis next week on UM's recruiting class.

It's about time!

Who knew we'd have a Penn State and Illinois correspondent before we'd have a Buckeye? The team that just went 11-1 in the regular season? The ones that went to the National Championship? That team who's fans are always right behind you telling you how they beat your team, even when it's at a game that Ohio State isn't even playing in*?

Yeah, anyways. They have passionate fans. And luckily for all of us, we picked up one of them to write for us here at Blog 10 Football. He's known as KabukiBuckeye, but he's been nice enough to allow us to call him KB from here on out. Here's what he had to say:

Looking through a family photo album recently my favorite picture was one of myself as a child proudly wearing my #7 Cornelius Greene jersey, proof I've been a huge Ohio State Buckeye fan my entire life. My first Buckeye memories came from the Earle Bruce days when I got to watch Buckeye greats like Chris Spielman. I somehow was able to survive the John Cooper era and his 2-10-1 record against Michigan.

Then in 2000 Jim Tressel came to town and two seasons later Ohio State had their first National Championship in 34 years. Did I mention he's won 6 or his first 7 against Michigan? As much success as he's had on the field what he's done off it may even be more impressive. I have lived in Ohio most of my life and I can't recall a time where I've ever seen more support and pride for The Ohio State University. It's a beautiful thing to see.

Looking forward to making a run at Miami in '08.

Go Big Ten and Go Bucks!

Welcome to the team, KB. Glad to have you.

*Yeah, this actually did happen.

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Has anyone heard of a guy named "Terrelle Pryor"? No?

I hate to do it. I really do. Terrelle Pryor has been beat to death* in the media and on blogs all over the internet for the past few days.

One article, however, intrigued me enough to cover it here. It's a short article about why Pryor is such a big deal, and to save you from reading through the five paragraphs to find the two that I'm talking about, here is is:

Let me ask a few questions. Is Michigan football a big story? Is the Rich Rodriguez coaching transition a well-watched, well-analyzed affair? Does Rodriguez need a quarterback for his offense to run? Does Rodriguez currently have a quarterback that you trust to run the offense? Is Pryor the highest rated player in high school football? Has he been compared to Vince Young? And finally, has Michigan’s entire season ever been riding on whether or not one senior was committing to the program?

The answer to every one of those questions (except for maybe the last one) is an emphatic yes. So how could too much be made of Pryor’s choice?

Each one of those questions can be answered with "an emphatic yes"?

Let's tackle these one at a time, shall we?

Is Michigan football a big story?

Depends. If this was Northeastern New Mexico State and they were trying to land a big player that would really help them out, it wouldn't be such a huge deal, so I'll humor you. I wouldn't call it an 'emphatic yes', however.

Is the Rich Rodriguez coaching transition a well-watched, well-analyzed affair?

It's certainly a closely monitored affair, and many people talk and write about it, but it's absolutely not "well analyzed". The media has blown everything between Rich and WVU way out of proportion. Well analyzed would be "West Virginia says Rodriguez shredded documents, but who cares? They have like ten different copies of all the important stuff he shredded, and if they don't the AD looks worse than Rodriguez."

Does Rodriguez need a quarterback for his offense to run?

Well, yeah. Doesn't every football team?

Does Rodriguez currently have a quarterback that you trust to run the offense?

...? No? Not in the slightest? Is that what you meant by 'emphatic yes'?

Is Pryor the highest rated player in high school football?

Depends on who you talk to. Some say he's 2nd or 3rd, others say he's 5th or 6th. But in a few people's opinions he is. Sure.

Has he been compared to Vince Young?

Yes. Have I been compared to Johnny Depp? Why yes! Yes I have!**

And finally, has Michigan’s entire season ever been riding on whether or not one senior was committing to the program?

As you point out yourself, probably. But I don't think it is now. Pryor, at most, will mean the difference between a BCS Bowl and a regular bowl. Michigan does in fact (contrary to how some people are making it seem) have other quarterbacks on the roster, and even other dual threat quarterbacks that they're recruiting right now.

Like I said, I didn't want to do it, but he's the hot topic right now.

Who else wishes NLOID was tomorrow?


* I really hope this doesn't turn out like that Tiger Woods thing..
** "That Austin guy is no where near as cute as Johnny Depp."

Big Ten Buzz- 1/21/08

Big Ten Buzz is going to be a feature on Blog Ten Football that'll show up every once in a while. Could be a few times a week, could be every few weeks. Whenever I feel like it, I guess. It'll basically just go over the goings-on within the Big Ten. Here's the first installment:

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Joe-Pa's contract is due to expire after the 2008 season, however:

"The 42-year coaching veteran has said recently he could coach at least a couple more years, and perhaps has many as five...

... When asked if the topic of Paterno coaching beyond next year had come up yet, [Penn State President Graham] Spanier only said that he hadn't had a chance to speak to the coach yet."

JoePa's quote provoked a collective sigh from Penn State fans, as they already have to endure another season of his prehistoric play calling. Another five years just might land Penn State in the cellar of a conference that is slowly but surely moving into the 21st century. Illinois is there already, Ohio State was there with Troy Smith (and could easily return if they land Terrelle Pryor), and Michigan is certainly headed there with Rich Rodriguez, the inventor of the spread.

If JoePa is concerned with what is good for the future of Penn State Football, he would get out of Happy Valley, ASAP. I'm not opposed to him finishing up his contract, but anything in terms of an extension would be borderline selfish.

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According to FoxSports, the 2009 NFL Draft will have nine of it's 32 first round picks come from the Big Ten (five from Ohio State).

3. Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB Ohio State (Jr.)
5. James Laurinaitis, LB Ohio State
7. Malcolm Jenkins, CB Ohio State
16. Greg Middleton, DE Indiana (Jr.)
19. Marcus Freeman, LB Ohio State
20. Alex Boone, OT Ohio State
21. Sean Lee, LB Penn State
26. Travis Beckum, TE Wisconsin
27. Vontae Davis, CB Illinois (Jr.)

There would be even more on this list had the likes of Adrian Arrington and Mario Manningham (WRs, Michigan), Vernon Gholston (DE, Ohio State), James Hardy (WR, Indiana), Jack Ikegwuonu (CB, Wisconsin), Justin King (CB, Penn State), Rashard Mendenhall (RB, Illinois), and Devin Thomas (WR, Michigan State) not declared early this season.

The five out of Ohio State might seem like a bit of a stretch, but if you look at them on their own, they could all easily be first round picks if they have monster seasons next year. I mean monster seasons.

The only surprise on that list isn't the surplus of Buckeyes, but the lack of (see: zero) Wolverines. Not because there should be three or four of them on the list, but because Michigan is as used to churning out NFL candidates as obtaining West Virginia's coaches. It'll certainly be a rebuilding year for the Wolverines next season.

(See article for brief reasoning on the picks.)

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That'll be it for tonight. Look for further updates constantly, and feel free to leave me some love.