It's just Ohio U...........

Well, I would wager that I am not the only one to say something along those lines,but after getting the scare of their lives for three quarters, the faster and stronger Ohio State Buckeyes wore down the scrappy Ohio Bobcats 26-14.
You cannot take anyone lightly, no matter how good you are,
I think OSU did that today and congrats to the visitors from Athens on an excellent effort.

Ohio U led 7-6 at the half and after Todd Boeckman muffed a high snap and then failed to fall on it, the Bobcats led 14-6 in the third quarter.
Ohio State would take the lead on the backs of two rushing touchdowns by Brandon Saine and "Boom" Herron thereafter and would clinch the game on a 69-yard punt return touchdown by Ray Small, who outran an exhausted bunch of Bobcats.

A few thoughts.

One) Is Todd Boeckman ever going to get out of this funk?
He just continues to be inaccurate throwing and less than mobile running.
I would be calling for Terrelle Pryor, but...

Two) Does Pryor ever throw the ball?
5 rushing attempts today and just two (incomplete) passes.
I know that he is raw and all, but geez..........

Three) The running game
I know Jim Tressel is extremely loyal to his seniors, after all, there really cannot be any other reason Todd Boeckman will still be playing at mid-season.
However, Maurice Wells is a journeyman back at best and he was the guy getting the ball in the third quarter when the Bucks trailed.
The ground game didn't get rolling until Saine and Herron began to get carries.
Wells is the kind of back MAC teams see all the time, they don't see guys with Saine's speed or Herron's power.
More of them could have broken Ohio U's defensive spirit earlier.

Four) Maybe Aaron Pettrey can get another run at the kicking job against Ryan Pretorius.
Two missed extra points and a missed mid-range field goal didn't kill you against Ohio U, it could against USC.

Five) The defense picked off four passes and allowed just one touchdown, but I still have concerns against their strategies against mobile quarterbacks.
When I saw the early success of Bobcat passer Boo Jackson with the tucking the ball down strategy, I saw Juice Williams all over again.

The Buckeyes travel to Los Angeles for their touted game against the Trojans next Saturday night.

The Pirates bullpen blew another sizable lead for Paul Maholm by allowing 5 seventh-inning runs and another in the eighth in a 7-6 loss to the Giants.
Denny Bautista was the main culprit in dropping to 4-2.
Freddy Sanchez had 4 hits and Nate McLouth added three as both finished with 2 RBI on the game.

Pitching Matchup
Pittsburgh: Jeff Karstens (2-4 3.62 ERA) at San Francisco: Jonathan Sanchez (8-10 4.50 ERA) 4:05

The Cleveland Browns open their most hyped season since the NFL returned to Cleveland and it is a big one against the powerhouse Dallas Cowboys.
The Browns can win this two ways.
One-Control the clock with the run, but that is doubtful with Jamal Lewis at less than 100 percent.
Or two-Derek Anderson has a huge day and matches the Cowboys score for score.
It will be close for a while, but...............

The beat-up Seattle Seahawks travel to Buffalo to battle the Bills.
Two keys for Seattle in this one.
One-Contain the Bills Marshawn Lynch on the ground.
The Bills other weapon, Lee Evans should be reasonably contained by Marcus Trufant.
Two-Hope that at least one of the second year wideouts, Courtney Taylor, Jordan Kent, or Logan Payne can step up.
With both Deion Branch and Bobby Engram out, you can excuse me if I am not all that comfortable with the inconsistent Nate Burleson as the top option.

Our Prediction
Cowboys over Browns 35-20-Just cannot see the Browns secondary shutting the Dallas airstrikes down.

Seahawks over Bills 21-13-Going to be a tough one on the road, but talent wins out.

Not many bullpen notes on a predominantly football day,so we will save them for next time!

Photo Credits
Small: Kyle Robertson-Columbus Dispatch
McLouth: Marcio Sanchez-AP Photo
Helmets: Helmet Project