Baver's Buckeye Bag 10/29/2014 Post-Happy Valley Thoughts

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Post-Happy Valley Thoughts

The number one complaint I have heard from Ohio State fans after the Penn State game is that the play-calling was way too conservative.  Well, with 13:24 to go in the game, Ohio State led 17-7 and had just gotten the ball.  The OSU defense had given up only 94 yards and Penn State’s offense had not scored.  The Nits were averaging 8.5 yards per drive at that point…..not 8.5 yards per play….8.5 yards “per drive.”  I turned to my buddy in Beaver Stadium and said, “Ohio State will button it up the rest of the way; they can’t lose this game without turning the ball over and giving Penn State momentum.”  So, on first down, with JT Barrett struggling, the OSU coaches elected to throw the ball over the middle, and the ball was picked off.  Eight plays later, Penn State was in the end zone cutting the lead to 17-14, and Penn State had major momentum. The play call on Barrett’s pick was anything but conservative and it damn near cost the Buckeyes the game.

I usually don’t single out individual plays and play the hindsight game, but I will in this case.  You absolutely cannot throw the ball over the middle on first down…at that point in the game…with the Buckeye defense dominating like it was…and with JT Barrett struggling like he was. In my mind, the overall play-calling wasn’t conservative enough.  There is no way Penn State should have battled back to tie that game at 17-17. The stadium, with the night game white-out, was chaos….as it always is in Beaver Stadium.  It wasn’t all that surprising to see the momentum completely shift after Barrett’s second INT.  I also shook my head when Ohio State ran out of the wildcat four times on a third quarter drive, while not running out of that formation at any other point in the evening (that I can recall).  What gives?  Not a conservative philosophy in my mind.

The Ohio State coaching staff is, at worst, one of the top five staffs in the country.  I guess that is why I was surprised at some of their calls.  I wasn’t surprised to see: (A) a close game, (B) JT Barrett struggle in that venue, and (C) PSU get the OSU offense out of sync after the Lions had the extra week to prepare for Ohio State.  I mentioned these concerns in last week’s blog and the concerns ended up being valid.

As for the two huge gaffes by the officials that helped Ohio State score 10 points that they maybe should not have scored….I don’t think the correct calls would have changed the outcome of the game.  As critical as I am about the coaches play-calling that led to Barrett’s second INT, Urban Meyer almost always gets it done in crunch time.  There is a reason why he is 7-0 in overtime games in his head coaching career. Nonetheless, I’d be pretty ticked off with the blown calls if I were a Penn State fan. 

Does the Penn State game change the outlook of the season?

So, the consensus opinion I am now hearing is: Ohio State is in big trouble in East Lansing on November 8th.  While this might be the case, the reality check in Happy Valley and the experience of playing in that environment helps this Buckeye team immensely.  After pounding Kent State, Cincy, Maryland, and Rutgers, the Ohio State players needed a dose of reality.  JT Barrett is still a freshman and he showed that for much of the night, Saturday.  The OSU coaches pulled this team together after the Va Tech debacle and will have this team ready to go against Sparty. And they will have to, or this team will indeed be in big trouble.

The college football playoff committee initial rankings?  About what I expected.  I still believe the Buckeyes are in the playoff if they win out. Sportsbook.com’s updated odds to win the national championship have Michigan State as the 4th favorite (7 ½ to 1 odds against winning the national championship) and Ohio State as the 8th favorite (9 to 1).  So, the oddsmakers seem to be thinking the same.  And I’ll take the opinions of the oddsmakers over those of the talking heads any day of the week.

Next up: Illinois.

The Buckeyes can name their score against Illinois, but will they?  I honestly see the OSU coaches taking a good amount of time this week to gear up for Michigan State, despite the coach-speak you will hear publicly.  They also have to protect JT Barrett’s sprained knee, and really shouldn’t call Barrett’s number on a designed run at any point against Illinois.  With Sparty on deck and Barrett ailing, my first thought was that OSU would have trouble covering the 28 point spread.  But the more I look at it, I see a very bad Illinois team despite their upset of Minnesota this past weekend.  And Urban will probably continue to keep his foot on the gas well into the 4th quarter, after seeing OSU come in at #16 in the initial playoff committee poll.   The call: Ohio State 45 Illinois 10.

This Date in Rock History: KISS, Queen, The Kinks, The Beatles and more KISS by Scott Carr

October 28, 1997 - KISS: Carnival of Souls - The Final Sessions is released.

Carnival of Souls is the 17th studio album from KISS and it was originally slated to be released in 1996. The release was derailed by an announcement in early 1996 that the original KISS line up would be reuniting for a massive world tour. The album remained in limbo for almost 2 years before finally being released on October 28th, 1997. The album came out with little fanfare and went mostly unnoticed by the general public. Most fans call Carnival of Souls the KISS grunge record. While it is heavy and dark....it doesn't sound grunge to me. It has the heavy elements of their previous record Revenge but has an overall more serious tone lyric wise. The song "Jungle" was released to radio as the only single from the record but there was no promotion at all. Carnival of Souls would be the swan song for the Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Bruce Kulick, Eric Singer line-up of KISS. Once they put the make up back on....there was no turning back. Originally Carnival of Souls was released on CD and cassette......2014 saw the first vinyl pressing of the record.

Side One
1.    "Hate"      
2.    "Rain"      
3.    "Master & Slave"      
4.    "Childhood's End"      
5.    "I Will Be There"      
6.    "Jungle"  

Side Two    
1.    "In My Head"      
2.    "It Never Goes Away"      
3.    "Seduction of the Innocent"      
4.    "I Confess"      
5.    "In the Mirror"      
6.    "I Walk Alone"      

October 28, 1977 - Queen: News of the World is released.

News of the World is the 6th studio album released by Queen. News of the World is probably best known for it's opening anthems "We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions" ....which have been used at countless sporting events over the past 3 plus decades....but the album is loaded with other great tracks. The sound on this record was more straightforward than previous Queen records.....they streamlined their sound and went for a more direct approach......which for the most part worked. New of the World was a huge success for the band....selling more than 4 million copies in the US alone. 

Side One    
1.    "We Will Rock You"      
2.    "We Are the Champions"      
3.    "Sheer Heart Attack"      
4.    "All Dead, All Dead"      
5.    "Spread Your Wings"      
6.    "Fight from the Inside"      

Side Two    
1.    "Get Down, Make Love"      
2.    "Sleeping on the Sidewalk"      
3.    "Who Needs You"      
4.    "It's Late"      
5.    "My Melancholy Blues"  

October 28, 1966 - The Kinks: Face To Face is released.

Face To Face is the fourth studio album released by The Kinks. Face To Face is the first Kinks album to contain all songs written by Ray Davies, although Dave Davies disputes this fact by saying he wrote "Party Line." Two songs from the album were covered and released as singles prior to the album coming out....The Pretty Things did a version of "A House In The Country" and Herman's Hermits had a hit with the song "Dandy." Face To Face is a fan favorite and it began a string of great albums lasting through 1971's Muswell Hillbillies. There really isn't a bad Kinks record but the period from 1966 to 1971 is pretty magical.

Side One    
1.    "Party Line"      
2.    "Rosie Won't You Please Come Home"  
3.    "Dandy"      
4.    "Too Much on My Mind"      
5.    "Session Man"      
6.    "Rainy Day in June"      
7.    "A House in the Country"      

Side Two    
1.    "Holiday in Waikiki"      
2.    "Most Exclusive Residence for Sale"      
3.    "Fancy"      
4.    "Little Miss Queen of Darkness"      
5.    "You're Lookin' Fine"      
6.    "Sunny Afternoon"      
7.    "I'll Remember"  

October 28, 1996 – The Beatles: Anthology 3 is released.

Anthology 3 is a compilation album released by the three surviving members of The Beatles in 1996. It is comprised of rarities and outtakes that focus on the last 2 years of the band......from The White Album....through Let It Be and Abbey Road. The Anthology series was a huge success and Anthology 3 was the bands third No. 1 double album in a row.....the previous 2 Anthologies had also hit the number one spot. Unlike the previous 2 Anthologies....Anthology 3 did not contain any newly recorded material from the three surviving Beatles.....a new track was planned for this album but was not completed. Instead they opened the album with the track "A Beginning" .....which had originally been planned as an intro track to "Don't Pass Me By" on The White Album. "A Beginning" was composed by Beatle producer George Martin.

October 28, 1978: The NBC Movie Of The Week "KISS Meets Phantom of the Park" premieres. 

"KISS Meets The Phantom of the Park" was the 2nd highest-rated TV movie of the year. 

Seeing and Hearing Them (a)Live by Jim Brazytis

Seeing and Hearing Them (a)Live

Earlier this week, I had the pleasurable audio experience of taking in an acoustic performance featuring Paul Barrère and Fred Tackett at one of Cleveland’s newest concert venues, The Music Box Supper Club. For those not familiar with the duo of Paul and Fred, they are guitarists from the legendary group Little Feat. Even though Little Feat, which was led by its deceased founder and lead singer Lowell George, never achieved mass commercial success, they influenced many artists: from Dave Matthews to Jimmy Buffett to Bob Seger with songs, including “Dixie Chicken,” “Oh Atlanta,” and "Willin.”

The Paul and Fred show was exceptional! As I stated on my Facebook page, “It was like being at the greatest camp fire ever.” But, I couldn’t stop from wondering how great it would have been to see the entire group live fronted by Lowell. Of all the artists who have passed away before their time, Lowell George is one I wish could have seen and heard in concert.

So on my way home, traveling the rock and roll streets of Cleveland, I started to think about what other artists would fall into my category of “I Wish I Could Have Seen and Heard Them (a)Live.” Names and voices streamed through my head … Jim Morrison … David Ruffin … Kurt Cobain. All good - and I’m sure very entertaining – but not at the top of my list. 

So after some thought and scanning my iPod I arrived at the list below. Drum roll please! Presenting the Jim Brazytis list of “I Wish I Could Have Seen and Heard Them (a) Live” artists (in no particular order):

Bob Marley (Bob Marley & The Wailers) – I have seen Bob’s son Ziggy Marley live a few times, and it’s a fantastic reggae experience. That said, the chance to see one of music’s most captivating, transcending artists manning the stage with his dreadlocks flowing would have been better than a Jamaican meat pocket and a Red Stripe.  

Steve Ray Vaughan (Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble) – I still kick myself! November 1989, I had tickets to see Stevie Ray and Jeff Beck in concert at Cleveland’s Public Hall but due to having to pack for a trip the next day I didn’t go. Then in August 1990, Stevie Ray dies in a helicopter crash. What is so sad is that he was just starting to make some of his best music after getting sober. 

Michael Jackson – All I have to say is, “King of Pop!” He might have been strange - to say the least - but he was one hell of an entertainer. Wish I could have been witnessed to his moonwalk. Wooohhooo! 

John Lennon and George Harrison (The Beatles) – Of the four Beatles, the only one I have seen in concert is Ringo Starr. Ringo’s show gave me chills! A “Yellow Submarine” sing-a-long with a real Beatle! What would have been like to see the entire group onstage? And better yet, post-1966 when the music became transformational.

Eazy-E – Okay, this one is generational and has to do with drinking 40s of malt liquor in Cleveland’s Flats. If you weren’t in your late teens in the late 1980s you will probably be shocked that those of us now in our early 40s can still rap along with songs like “We Want Eazy” and “Boyz-n-the-Hood.” One clarification, we have graduated from beers like Olde Engish to craft beers.

Lowell George (Little Feat) – Summed up earlier.

So, as the Rolling Stones said, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” and since these artists are now jamming alongside the angels, or in some cases demons, I will never get to see them live onstage. But in a nod to Mr. Lennon, I can “Imagine” what it would have been like.

Hate to say I told you so...The NCP tackles the Jacksonville debacle and beyond.

So, what happened in Jacksonville?

Big$:  OK everybody take a deep breath, close your eyes and imagine Jay Locker never suffers a 1st-half concussion against the Browns.  What ensues is a horror-show that would rival anything basic cable is going to trot out over the next week.  Folks, that’s a much closer representation of who the Browns really are as opposed to the spunky upstarts Disney Sports (aka ESPN) painted them to be after one Steelers victory.  I agree that they seem to be headed in a better direction than during the Shurmur/Chud era, but heck, fans of the Washington Generals had more reason for optimism during that span.  The scum of losing isn’t going to be scrubbed away with one victory.  I envision a three-prong process towards that end: perseverance - consistency - excellence.  They can begin that process by bouncing back from last week’s loss against the Jaguars.  The key to sparking this turnaround is going to be the veteran leadership.  Joe T., Hoyer, Whitner, Dansby, etc., are going to have to prove their worth both on and off the field. Whether this will occur remains to be seen but what happens this Sunday will tell us a lot about the real direction of the 2014-2015 Browns.

K-Dubs, the Soldier:  What is it like to be a Browns fan?  I am like a guy that can’t stop loving a woman that continues to cheat on him and do him wrong.  Every time I think she has changed her ways and things are going to be good from now on, she goes and breaks my heart again.  My hope is that last week’s ass-whoopin’ at the hands of Jacksonville was akin to my allegorical girlfriend having a harmless happy-hour flirtation, and not her telling me, “I’m pregnant with your brother’s baby.”  Based on last week’s game, however, it is hard to tell.  Missing Alex Mack at center really seemed to eviscerate the Browns offense.  Although the movement of John Greco to center from guard and pulling Paul McQuistan off the bench to fill Greco’s spot worked well in the 2nd half against the Steelers, the interior of the line struggled against a statistically poor Jaguars defense.  It seemed that the Browns could not cut off the linebackers when run-blocking, particularly on the backside.  As a result, the Browns, who entered the game with the second best rushing attack in the league was held to just 69 yards on 30 carriers, for a miniscule 2.3-yards-per-carry average.  The team was often left facing 3rd down-and-long situations and could not convert because Brian Hoyer threw the ball like total shit, missing some wide-open targets, and when he was on the mark, the receivers had some uncharacteristic drops.  (I’m looking at you Andrew Hawkins.)  Hoyer’s numbers were bad, 16 for 41 and 215 yards, and he looked even worse compiling them, as the team managed just 284 yards.  For its part, the Browns D also struggled against the run, allowing 127 yards to Denard Robinson - yes, the former Michigan quarterback.  Those numbers aren’t eye-popping, but it was the timing of those yards that killed, as he kept drives going by moving the chains on 3rd down.  The pass defense was not terrible, picking off rookie quarterback Blake Bortles three times and limiting him to 159 yards, but he left the stadium with a “W” and the Browns left with a black eye. 

Who would I start LeBron over this week?

Big$:  Keep in mind, this is Lebron 2.0 were talking about. He returns with a blend of championship experience, humility, talent and strategic know-how rarely seen in any field. With that said, I’d like to put LBJ in charge of the locker room this week.  Let Pettine get a clipboard and take notes from a true champion and hope some of the King’s excellence rubs off on him.

K-Dubs, the Soldier:  I would like to see Bron-Bron line up at guard instead of Paul McQuistan this week.  Even with his off-season weight loss, I think Lebron is still big enough to play guard, and he is definitely quick enough to play in the zone-blocking scheme.  We need him to help open running lanes for the Browns trio of backs.  Plus defenders couldn’t see over him, so they wouldn’t know when to put up their hands to bat down Hoyer’s passes.

What is your prediction for this week?

Big$:  Raiders interim coach Tony Sparano and Pettine have a history, which means they know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.  With this knowledge comes the ability to plan for and exploit said strengths and weaknesses.  I think both teams are going to load the box and, just like the Jaguars, I expect the Raiders to bum-rush the middle of the Browns O-line with Alex Mack sidelined.  It is my hope that Browns are twice shy and plan accordingly through formations that utilize a fullback or H-back, etc.  I trust that Kyle Shanahan can achieve this and for the 2nd time in 3 weeks I will defy my better judgment and predict a Browns 21 to 7 victory.

 K-Dubs, the Soldier:  For the second week in a row, the Browns are taking on a winless team with a rookie quarterback.  The Raiders have handed the team over to Derek Carr, who has gotten good reviews for his work so far (60.5 completion percentage, 8 TDs, 5 Ints), but they still rank last in the league in scoring at 15.3 points per game and total yards per game at 282.7.  They also rank last in the league in rushing at 69.3 yards per game.  This is good news for the Browns, who made Robinson, a former college quarterback that doesn’t even tie his shoes, look like an all-star last week.  The key when the Raiders have the ball is keeping them in 3rd-and-long and confusing Carr in terms of coverage.  Keep an eye on a potential match-up between Browns cornerback Joe Haden and James Jones, the Raiders’ top receiver.  If Haden can lock James down, the Browns can further limit the Raiders’ passing game.  On the other side of the ball, the Raiders aren’t much better.  They give up the 8th-most points in the league (26.3), and their 3rd-down conversion rate will blow your mind.  Teams are converting on 53 percent of their 3rd downs!  (Not a typo!)  If the Browns can keep the sticks moving and keep the ball away from Carr and the awful Raiders offense, I think they can chalk up a win this week.  The key again will be the play of the interior of the offensive line.  For the new line-up, I expect having another week of work under their belts will better prepare them to take on the Raiders’ base 4-3.  Look for the Browns to control the clock on the way to a 24-10 win.

Baver's Picks, A Visit to Happy Valley and Colin's CFG Questions

Follow Baver on his trip to Happy Valley. Twitter: @baverbuckeyebag

I  noticed in this week's Buckeye Bag that you don't like the Buckeyes to cover at Penn State. You haven't missed a Buckeye pick this year. What is your level of confidence in this one?

Not highly confident, but I think Penn State is the play here (against the spread).  When you are rolling, at some point you usually get a reality check….and I just see this week being that reality check.  The extra week of prep (after a bye week) for a James Franklin coached team is the big factor for me.  Hope I’m wrong, as I obviously want the Bucks to keep rolling.  I do think the Bucks come away with the win and ultimately head to East Lansing with a 7-1 record two weeks from now.  And if the Bucks get the Nits down a few scores early, they may steam-roll them, like the last four opponents.  After I said Raekwon McMillan was (basically) “playing like a freshman,” his play in the Rutgers game may be the turning point that really gets him going.  Something tells me he plays a big roll Saturday night, but I am still worried about this game, and still say take Penn State and the points.  The noise will be tough for first-year starter JT Barrett to deal with.

Give us an update on your picks to date and what games & lines jump out at you this week?

I’m 13-8 ATS, hitting 11 of the last 15, and 5-0-1 ATS in Buckeye games.  There is little I like this week, and the spreads I have been looking at haven’t moved much.  Vegas does a better job establishing the initial game week lines as the season goes on.  But, to stick with how I’ve been doing this, I will pick three games.  I am going to go against both Ole Miss and Mississippi State, both of whom have huge targets on their chests now, and both of whom have tough road games.  I like Kentucky getting the 13 1/2 at home against Messy State and I like LSU, at home, at night, getting 3 ½ against the Rebels.  With Kentucky and 2nd year head coach Mark Stoops (5-2 ATS this year), the future is bright; the Wildcats keep this one close.  LSU has covered back to back games and is showing signs of life.  Lastly, I think UCLA will start to pull things together here in the 2nd half of the year; Jim Mora will get UCLA back in the top 10.  I like the Bruins laying 13 ½ at Colorado.

Notre Dame sure looked like the real deal last week. Is this good news for the perception of Midwest football or a threat to future OSU dominance of the region?

Notre Dame is indeed a good football team and I think they still have a shot at the playoff.  But, their remaining schedule is brutal: with road trips to Navy, Arizona State and USC, and home stints against Northwestern and Louisville.  It was the right (pass interference) call at the end of the Fla State – Notre Dame game, but give the Irish credit for coming that close to upsetting the ‘Noles in Tallahassee.  Are the Irish a threat to Ohio State’s dominance in the Midwest?  I’d say, “somewhat.”

It sure looks like MSU is going to kick the unholy hell out of Michigan this weekend. Is it just that simple?

Yes.

Speaking of getting the unholy hell kicked out of you, what happened to Texas A & M last week and what team (s) are the best in the SEC?

Texas A&M is reeling big time.  And that was a Bama team that had not been playing well that spanked them.  I just think A&M is out of gas, mentally.  I still think Bama is the class of the SEC, followed closely by Auburn, who is followed closely by Georgia, who is followed closely by Messy State and Ole Miss.  The conference is very much up for grabs.  Big Ten fans are probably going to disagree wholeheartedly, but I think you have to put the SEC West champ in the playoff, regardless of how many losses they have and regardless of whether or not they beat Georgia in the SEC title game.

Back to the Penn State game….did I hear you were headed to Happy Valley?

Yes indeed….will try to even my record out at 1-1 in trips there.  The last time I was there?  Uhh….the last time Ohio State lost there, in 2005.  The students were a little hostile to us on that trip.  That was the first “white out” that I remember…it’s quite imposing.  The lion growl over the speakers (in person) is about as unbearable as it gets….probably how OSU haters view our OH-IO back and forth.  Have a friend, who is a professor at PSU, hosting a tailgate with his normal crew as well as our obnoxious bunch from C-bus.  Drinks will be flowing early Saturday.  Looking like ideal weather….knock on wood.  Will do my best to bring home a “W.”

Tim Skipper Returns to Columbus with Copperlily

The last and only time I saw Tim Skipper perform was years ago when his band was opening  for Watershed at the Newport Music Hall in Columbus. For some reason Mike "Biggie" McDermott had a big hard-on for his band and if you have read Hitless Wonder, you know full well that when Biggie gives marching orders, we take them. 

"Biggie, who are these guys? They look like kids. Why are they opening for us at the Newport? We have a list of bands who we owe this gig."

"You'll see, they are going places."

As usual, Biggie was right. The band turned out to be House of Heroes and yes, they were excellent even as teenagers before they went on to do all sorts of cool things.

Anyway, fast forward a zillion years to now and HOH founding member Tim Skipper is rolling through town with his new project, or side project, Copperlily. I don't know much about the band other than Tim and his wife Stephanie met while they were both signed to Gotee records in Nashville. One thing led to another, they got married and started Copperlily. It's a decidedly more low-key affair than House of Heroes, but once again, it seems to me this music is going places. I can only assume they are fans of Richard & Linda Thompson. 

Anyway, keep your eye on Copperlily and if you can make it out to the Rumba Cafe Friday, October 24th, you might see something special. Colin G.

Hi. We are Copperlilly. Tim Skipper (House of Heroes) and Stephanie Skipper (formally Stephanie Smith). We met several years ago while we were both signed to Gotee Records. This is a sneak peak of our brand new musical project! Follow us here, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

Live in our living room! This song is called "Map to Your Heart" and will be on our first EP, coming soon.