OSU at Navy - Cheat Sheet #1 08.30.14

Welcome back to another season of Buckeye Football!  You know what that means... Cheat Sheets!

As a proud member of Buckeye Nation, I'm sure you already know what strengths and weaknesses OSU brings to the game.... but do you know what to watch for from our opponent? No? Well, that's where I come in.... Each week I'll give you the Names You Need To Know and what to watch for during the game.

Week 1 - 08.30.14 - #5 OSU vs Navy  (Noon)

Uniforms: yeah, I'm starting off by mentioning their "outfits." Summer White with the midshipmens class and rank on the sleeves, designed by Under Armor. I don't think that will give them any kind of an edge in the actual game, but in case you were wondering what the insignias on the sleeves meant, now you know.

Offense:

QB Keenan Reynolds #19 - with a real shot at being Navy's first Heisman Trophy Winner since 1963 (Roger Staubach), he'll make the most of the Triple Option and his legs... He had 1,300+ yards rushing with 31 TDs last season and only 8 through the air. At 5'11" and 195 he doesn't look like trouble, but if the defensive line isn't careful, he'll run all over them.

Rushing - while Reynolds is clearly the leading rusher on this roster, there are a trio of guys worth watching. junior FB Chris Swain #37, senior FB Quinton Singleton #36 and senior WR Geoffrey Whiteside #29 (lined up more like a slot back) will all hit at least 400 yards on the ground.

Receiving - last season, the air attack wasn't much of a threat. It is Navy after all and not Air Force. However, junior WR DeBrandon Sanders #21 and Whiteside are returning and hope to provide more balance in the Triple Option for Reynolds.

Triple Option - for Navy, this mean they are running the ball and it's up to QB Reynolds to decide if he's keeping it or handing it off to a full back. Clearly, he kept the ball a lot last year but that's really based on his read of the defensive end. With the improved speed and agility we are seeing in today's DEs, I expect Reynolds will be handing off a bit more this season. We'll see if the Buckeyes have their DE pinch down to cover the FBs or send him straight at Reynolds and challenge him early.


Defense:

Buddy Green, defensive coordinator, uses a "bend but don't break" version of the 3-4. They seem to be concerned with giving up the big play but will let you dink and dunk your way down the field. Last season they only had 22 take aways so if the Buckeyes can keep a hold on the ball, that shouldn't be an issue.

DEs Paul Quessenberry #45 and  Will Anthony #90 are the two guys I'll be watching on the line. They should lead the team in tackles this year and will try to go after freshman QB J.T. Barrett all day long.


Alright, that's all I've got for this week.  Enjoy the game, party responsibly, and Go Buckeyes!

Respectfully Submitted,

Cleveland Kate