Remembered at both Put-In-Bay and the Academy
As a Buckeye ex-pat living in Annapolis, I was excited to see the Ohio State add Navy to the schedule. And although I’ll have to wait until 2014 to see the Bucks play in MD, this will be a fun series.
It is important to point out that Navy is not the Div II school opening season push over so many BCS teams will face this weekend. They’ve never shied away from a tough schedule and know what it’s like to play in the big game. Like Ohio State, they play one of the biggest, most storied rivalries in college football in sold out stadiums in front of a crowd that regularly includes present and former presidents, congressmen and other national dignitaries.
They’ve one at least eight games in the last six seasons giving them the countries 12th best active streak. And although it doesn’t say much, Navy beat Notre Dame in 2007 (an event that resulted in a holiday from classes) and only lost by a touch down in 2008.
Expect a solid running game from Navy. Actually, expect almost nothing but a running game from Navy. They’ve lead the NCAA in rushing for the past four years and also in 2003. In 2002 and 2004, they’ve finished third. If that’s not enough, Navy even beat SMU last year without even attempting a forward pass. Strap on the leather helmets boys, these guys like it old school.
Problem is, they don’t often face a defense like Ohio State. They’ve got some running speed but they can’t compete with the size they’ll see in the Buckeye defensive line. Reports from a recent Navy scrimmage is that they are working on the passing game and it is coming along. No question, a newly developed passing game will be in for a tough test.
Navy got a surprise on defense in the past week or so as they lost nose guard Nate Frazier to a violation of the Academy’s “honor code” (which could mean anything). And while it is not clear what happened, they tend to keep those things quiet as they can around Annapolis, Frazier is no longer a midshipmen at the academy.
I don’t know if the Navy D will be able to give the Buckeye offensive line the test it needs but if they get through to Pryor, I’m more then a little worried about USC.
We’ve heard all summer how Pryor’s passing game has seriously improved and how he is going to be a serious threat on the field. To read the news outside of Buckeye nation, you’d never know it. The national media talks about Pryor with a big question mark next to his name. A strong, confident showing is needed as the Bucks prepare for USC next week. The problem is, nobody really wants to see the Buckeyes run the score against the Naval Academy. At the same time, you don’t want to hold the Buckeyes back. The offensive line needs to build as much confidence as possible and the more game time experience the better.
Navy is a tough enough opponent to give the Buckeyes a good opener. Unfortunately, we really won’t get a good read on this year’s Ohio State team until next week. But then again, how many SEC schools take on an out of conference team like SC second game of the season.
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I like the matchup. Navy has a long and storied tradition and they are class. A powerful ground game makes things interesting. The Buckeyes will need to play a disciplined game on defense and hone their offense, which sputtered at times last season. Let’s put it all together tomorrow. Go Bucks!! OH-IO!