Fall is approaching and the cracking of pads and banging of helmets can be heard all over the Buckeye state. This is a big weekend for football in Ohio, as the #1 ranked Buckeyes take on #2 Texas, and the NFL season opens with the Browns taking on the New Orleans Saints at Cleveland Browns Stadium. I’m saying we will be smiling on Monday night, basking in the glow of two victories.
The difference in Austin tomorrow night will be the same as last year’s game in Columbus, that is the play of the quarterbacks. Last year, OSU’s Troy Smith was coming off a one game suspension and Justin Zwick shared time with him. Zwick displayed once again that he was not very good, and Texas’ Vince Young made the big plays in the fourth quarter to make the difference in the game.
Young is now with the Tennessee Titans, and the Longhorns’ QB is now Colt McCoy. Troy Smith is firmly entrenched as the Buckeye starter, and OSU has the Heisman Trophy candidate signal caller. That will make the difference is this year’s game between the #1 and #2 ranked teams in the country. The Buckeyes will do what Texas did last season and will score the road win in a high scoring game and maintain it’s place on the top of the polls.
On Sunday, it will be the opposite type of game, a low scoring affair with the Browns emerging with a home victory. The Saints have a new QB in Drew Brees, and some inexperienced offensive linemen, which should allow the brown and orange to apply some pressure. This will help a banged up secondary.
Offensively, Cleveland will run the ball and ask Charlie Frye not to make mistakes. When they throw, it will be short ball control tosses to Kellen Winslow and Joe Jurevicius. Reuben Droughns will grind out the tough yards, and rookie third down back Jerome Harrison will make a impact as well.
If the Browns don’t get this one, it could be a loooong season.
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 