Three Shots: Michigan State

Well, I finally cracked the scoreboard, so that’s something. I came pretty close to hitting my three pointer, and as for my full court shot?

I don’t want to talk about it. The full court shot should be difficult, but am I making it impossible? I guess I will need to re-think my strategy there.

It’s time for the weekly Three Shots piece, where I make three predictions, one being a gimme like a free throw (for a skilled professional, not for me or you), one being akin to a three-pointer, something that I should hit one in three times. And then, the full court shot, which I may or may not hit over the course of the season.

The page turns to Michigan State and I will get to those in a minute, but first, let’s look at how I did last week.

last week

Free Throw – Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson will each rush for 70 yards

Status: Hit

I had this at 75 yards apiece and changed it to 70 just before publishing. The good news is that I would have hit it either way.

There was no question with Judkins when he hit his 86-yard touchdown and there were no penalties against Ohio State to negate another long run by the Ole Miss transfer.

It was not as simple with Henderson, who came in at just 76 net rushing yards. I would be lying if once he broke 75 (or 70) if I didn’t say in my mind that it was time to pull him from the game.

Something not to be lost with Henderson is that he had six carries in the game. Just six.

One way or the other, I made it to my first point of the season, so I am happy.

Three Pointer – Brandon Inniss will return a punt for a touchdown

Status: Miss

I am going to take this shot more than once this season, at least until I make it.

Which means that Brandon Inniss has to make it.

Inniss has the vision to make this happen, can the other 10 Buckeyes on the field not commit a penalty during a big run. Will the turf monster not trip him up (this game is at Michigan State and natural grass).

We have gone in depth that you are looking a decade back for a punt return for a score. That has been too long and Inniss appears to be the person fit for the job.

Just don’t lose the ball in the sun, we have already seen that one.

Full Court – Ohio State will hold Marshall to less than 90 yards of total offense

Status: MIss

This was a big airball on my part.

If you are not warmed up and just chucking it the length of the court, it may take a couple shots to finally draw iron.

Marshall had 264 yards, well beyond the 90 I had predicted.

This was another one where I had one number in mind and wrote down another. But it wouldn’t have mattered, as my first number of 125 yards was well surpassed.

Current Score: 1

free throw

Will Howard will score a rushing touchdown

I really need to remind myself that a free throw is intended to be free, but is still worth a point.

I didn’t call this a lay-up, so I can’t designate it a 100-percent make ratio, but these should be pretty simple.

Ohio State has played in three games and Will Howard has two rushing touchdowns, one each in a pair of games.

I think going against a Big Ten team, there is going to be a moment where Ohio State is in the red zone and will need Howard to call his own number. I am not sold on Michigan State having the type of defense that it did 10 years ago, but it is going to be better than Ohio State’s past three opponents.

This is where we will see Will’s toughness as he gets into the end zone for my one-pointer.

three pointer

Ohio State will have a running back go for at least 175 yards and a score

Call this the hot hand principle. Yes, Ohio State has only had one player hit these marks in the same game and that was Quinshon Judkins against Marshall.

Are you here to doubt that he couldn’t do it again? Or TreVeyon Henderson?

We still don’t know what the weather is really going to be like in East Lansing (Mich.) but we do know that Ohio State has made an effort to run the ball in each of its first three games.

175 yards and a touchdown is not exactly impossible, but if Ohio State really wants to split the carries, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility if each back has 150 (yards) and a touchdown.

Full court

Ohio State will hold Aidan Chiles to less than 70 net yards passing

And for my full court heave, let’s bet against the Michigan State quarterback.

His low mark for the year was 114 yards against FAU and while Tom Herman was happy with that, the Owls still did not win the game, dropping a 16-10 decision.

Since then, Chiles has been over 200 yards in two games and 170 in the other contest.

Ohio State’s defense is going to need to be much more present in this game than the last, but Ohio State seems to get healthy against Michigan State.

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