Sneak Peek at Ohio State 2010 Recruiting

In 2008, Ohio State reeled in a top three, and arguably the No. 1 recruiting class, headlined of course by QB Terrelle Pryor.

In 2009, the Buckeyes did it again with the No. 1 overall class in the nation, headlined by a trio of 5-star recruits in RB Jamaal Berry, LB Dorian Bell, and DE Melvin Fellows.

It's never to early to look ahead in terms of recruiting, and while the 2010 class may be smaller in the total number of recruits, it could certainly come in just as highly touted.

So far, Ohio State has received verbal commitments from 5-star OT Andrew Norwell, and 4-star prospects DE Jamel Turner and OLB J.T. Moore.

Obviously, all schools initially recruit more players than they can actually bring into their programs. Not every kid the Bucks are recruiting right now will end up at Ohio State, but many of them will, so I'm going to highlight several players who are high on the Buckeye wish-list!

1. QB Nick Montana - Top target unofficial visit scheduled this month

2. 4-star QB Devin Gardner - Plan B should Montana commit elsewhere

3. S Luke Muncie - 6'3'', 210 lbs., 4.5 40-yard dash

4. LB Jordan Hicks - 6'2'', 210 lbs., 4.55 40-yard dash

5. 4-star RB Corey Brown - 6'0'', 170 lbs., 4.45 40-yard dash

6. LB Khairi Fortt - 6'2'', 215 lbs., 4.55 40-yard dash

7. 4-star WR Tai-ler Jones - 6'0'', 175 lbs., 4.45 40-yard dash

8. CB Lamarcus Joyner - 5'8'', 165 lbs., 4.55 40-yard dash

9. LB Scott McVey - 5'11'', 215 lbs., 4.5 40-yard dash

10. 5-star OT Seantrel Henderson - 6'8'', 300 lbs., top OT in 2010 class

11. OT Matt James - 6'8'', 280 lbs., 5.2 40-yard dash

12. ATH Spencer Ware - 5'11'', 200 lbs., 4.5 40-yard dash

13. S Marvin Robinson - 6'1'', 200 lbs., 4.6 40-yard dash

14. DE Darryl Baldwin - 6'6'', 240 lbs., considered top DE from Ohio

15. DT Jay Guy - 6'2'', 300 lbs. considered top DT prospect from Texas

16. DE/TE William Gholston - 6'7'', 235 lbs. cousin of former Buckeye Vernon

(Note: Not all recruits in the 2010 class have been star rated as of 2/17/2009)

As you can see, the Buckeyes are doing their due diligence in their efforts to continue to build on their top recruiting classes of recent years.

As the 2010 recruiting cloud begins to come into greater focus (over the next six to 12 months), my series will continue and attempt to keep you updated, so watch for future articles!

Thanks for reading and as always, please comment!

CFBC-CEO

2009 Way Too Early Preseason Top 10 - 2/09/2009

Here are the College Football Crackhouse "WAY TOO EARLY" Top 10 teams heading into the 2009 College Football season in reverse order.

#10 OREGON

 #9 VIRGINIA TECH

 #8 GEORGIA

 #7 PENN STATE

 #6 ALABAMA

 #5 OHIO STATE

 #4 OKLAHOMA

 #3 USC

 #2 TEXAS

 #1 FLORIDA

The floor is now open for debate...

You can post your own top 10, or even your top 25 or just agree or disagree with mine and tell me why!

I definitely want to know what you think so please post your thoughts!

You can always get your fix here at the:

COLLEGE FOOTBALL CRACKHOUSE

Did Ohio State Regain Any Respect With Their Fiesta Bowl Performance?

Written by HD Handshoe
Founder—College Football Crack House
Featured Columnist for BleacherReport.com


Ohio State has a rich, storied football history and tradition, but recently, you almost wouldn't know it.

While the Buckeyes have won no less than 10 games in each of the last four seasons (43-8 overall) and just played in their fourth straight BCS Bowl game, they've come up short against several of the nation's best teams in the last two BCS Championship games, as well as the so-called "Game of the Year" this season—losing convincingly 35-3 to USC.

Many have speculated as to why the Buckeyes appear to not be able to win big games on the national stage.

Is it poor game-planning?

Perhaps just a case of bad play calling?

Does Ohio State—and the Big Ten as a whole, for that matter—truly lack the team speed of the SEC or Big 12?

The exact reason why the Buckeyes are not winning these games is debatable, but what seems to be the overwhelming sentiment is that they aren't winning them—and that means they're overrated and undeserving.

Even many spoiled Buckeye fans share this stance.

I've got news for those folks...

No team can play and win every game they ever play in, especially when it's against the caliber of the opponents Ohio State has faced.

The Buckeyes' last eight losses have been to eight teams all ranked in the Top 15, and in all but two of those losses, Ohio State was the underdog, while their opponent was then ranked No. 1, No. 2, or No. 3.

Here we are again.

In this year's Fiesta Bowl meeting, No. 10 Ohio State faced the No. 3 Texas Longhorns for the third time in four seasons. They split the first two meetings as Vince Young led the Longhorns to a 25-22 victory in Columbus in 2005. The following season, the Buckeyes beat Colt McCoy and No. 2 Texas 24-7 in Austin with unrelenting defense and in-your-face defensive pressure all game long.

As this year's BCS rematch neared, the default projection seems to be that No. 3 Texas, like every previous top three team Ohio State has faced, would win and win convincingly.

The Bucks have been seeking redemption since the 41-14 "massacre" in the BCS Title Game versus Florida.

They still have not completely found it yet, but with their gritty, hard-nosed performance on Jan. 5, they undeniably acquired some respect and restored at least of bit of their previously missing program luster.

Texas beat the Oklahoma Sooners by 10 points in the Red River Shootout, and yet Oklahoma, not Texas, is playing in the 2008 BCS Championship Game. Nobody called this game a blowout either, but when Ohio State lost as an underdog to LSU in the 2007 title game by 14, everyone called that a blowout. But why?

I'll stray from that topic, however, before I go off on a long and winding rant that may cause a serious carpal tunnel flare-up for myself and eye strain for my readers.

There is certainly a legitimate argument to be made that Texas could have been the No. 1 or No. 2 team and playing in the title game.

All things considered, in my opinion, Ohio State has earned back some respect by playing great defense and containing that explosive Texas offense.

Ohio State outplayed Texas the majority of the game, and took a 21-17 lead with 2:05 remaining in the 4th quarter.

On the ensuing drive, the Buckeye "D" dropped a game-clinching interception and then appeared to hold on 4th down and 3 but Texas converted by the skin of their teeth with under 40 seconds left.

Two plays later, Quan Cosby caught a quick slant pass over the middle and got behind the Buckeye defense and ran in the game winner with 16 seconds on the clock.

What a heart-breaker for the Buckeyes and their fans. Of course, they would prefer to see the team they were born to love win this game, but being objective and realistic, they weren't expected to do much, and no one gave them a snowball's chance in Hell.

Ohio State should and better receive their due credit for far exceeding expectations and for nearly winning this game.

In any college football game played, both teams obviously can't win.

Heck, in college they can't even get half of a win. (Even Donovan McNabb knows that!)

But they can put on a show and be competitive. They may have lost, but it was extremely close, that's all anyone can ask for.

Show up, play hard, and leave it all on the field, and no matter what, this guy right here typing on your behalf and the millions of other true Buckeye fans worldwide will always love you and cheer you on; win or lose!

So, did Ohio State regain any respect without beating Texas with their Fiesta Bowl performance?

ABSOLUTELY!

Thanks for reading and please add your own comment(s)!
CFBC-CEO

The College Football Season That Was...

The 2008-2009 College Football Season has come and gone far too quickly.

The Florida Gators won their second BCS title in three seasons, beating the Oklahoma Sooners 24-14, in what is now the Sooners 5th straight BCS bowl game loss.

While Florida lived up to the expectations placed upon them, many teams, such as Georgia, Auburn, Clemson, Wisconsin and Ohio State among others had disappointing seasons.

Others, such as Boise State, TCU and Utah surprised the nation.

Utah especially, having went 13-0 and having beat former #1 ranked Alabama in the Sugar Bowl more convincingly than Florida did in the SEC Championship game, garnered a #2 ranking in the final AP poll, their highest final poll ranking ever!

One thing is for certain. The season went too fast as it always does. Hopefully, we can form an online support group here at the College Football Crackhouse and help each other through until the 2009 season begins.

Sadly, that's about eight months away -

There's always Spring football to help bridge the gap and at least temporarily ease the pain...

Thanks for reading and please post your own comments.

Also, please spread the word about this blog to other college football fans like you and I so that we may all help one another until our next fix!

CFBC-CEO