Three Shots: Western Michigan

With the new season here, it is time to roll out a new feature and I am calling this one “Three Shots” and as you read on, you will quickly understand the premise of the piece.

Sadly, I am not part of Tom & Tony’s “Bold Predictions” piece, but that is fine, the two have their chemistry there and I would not want to interrupt that by being bolder (and better looking).

So, I am introducing three shots, where I will attempt a free throw, a three-pointer and then a full court shot.

That means that each pick will have to get increasingly more difficult. I better hit about 90-percent of my free throws, at least.

When it comes to the three-pointer, I should be disappointed if I am not better than 33-percent.

And when it comes to the full court shot? Well, just like hitting one on the court, those are not going to go down all that often, but when one does, it is cause for celebration.

Each free throw that I hit will give me one-point in my running score, a three-pointer will be worth three points (obviously) and while in basketball a full court shot is worth three points, we are going to make it worth five.

We missed out on week one because I only thought of this piece just now, but there will be more than enough games to get a good running score.

Sit back and enjoy my three shots and hope that I am better at this than actual basketball.

Previous Score: 0

free throw

Jeremiah Smith will lead the team in targets

Just because this is a free throw, it is not a lay-up. We have to make them a little more difficult. Smith led the Buckeyes with nine targets last week, two more than anyone else (Emeka Egbuka had seven).

It just seems as if there is a connection between Will Howard and Smith and that Smith’s ability to do just about anything is front and center on Howard’s mind.

With players like Egbuka, Carnell Tate and others, this is far from a sure thing, but I just don’t see teams looking to bracket Smith after just one collegiate game.

Three-pointer

Ohio State will record at least two defensive scores, again

Last season the Buckeyes had FOUR defensive touchdowns, three interception returns and one fumble recovery.

Needless to say, that number was not good enough for anyone involved, including defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.

The Buckeyes bucked that trend in week one with a pair of scores, Lathan Ransom on a fumble recovery and Gabe Powers intercepting a deflected pass.

So, in one game, the Buckeyes already are halfway home to last year’s number.

If my shot lands, the Buckeyes will equal that total by the end of game two.

In week one, Western Michigan wasn’t overly sloppy with the ball, quarterback Hayden Wolff threw one interception, and the Broncos were clean in terms of fumbles.

But Ohio State is out there playing fast and with its hair on fire on defense. If the Buckeyes get up big early, it will force WMU to throw the ball more and Ohio State’s BIA defenders will all be there, looking to get a touchdown of their own.

full court

Julian Sayin will throw and rush for a touchdown

Okay, we are getting bold right out of the gate.

Freshman quarterback Julian Sayin did not record a play in the opener, it was Will Howard for most of the game with Devin Brown getting in late. We did not see Sayin, Lincoln Kienholz or Air Noland in the game.

Many Ohio State fans believe that Sayin will be the starter in the 2025 season and are already clamoring for him to see more time when games get out of hand.

And that is a fair request by fans, Ohio State always seems to be in a position where it has a bunch of QBs at the start of the season with no experience.

So, for this to happen, Ohio State would need to cycle through its quarterbacks, however that may be. Plus, this would also insinuate that Ohio State would continue to run its offense and for Sayin to be responsible for a pair of touchdowns.

Far-fetched? Maybe. Impossible? Not really.

Full court attempts don’t generally land, but we still love to talk about them, even if they miss.

How will I do? Be sure to check this piece out every Thursday after a game and help me keep score on my Three Shots.

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