I’ll be honest. I am completely lost as a predictor.
I used to be around 92-94% in my predictions, but this year I am well under 75%.
I have asked myself how this could happen to me and the answer I keep coming back to is “because of jerks.”
Last week’s predictions are the worst I have ever done, but I’m not going to make some proclamation like how I’ll never let it happen again. I don’t know if that’s true, and judging by the sheer amount of jerks around me, it’s probably going to happen three or four more times this season.
Anyway, let’s see how bad I did last week before we start getting things wrong for the Purdue game.
1. Ohio State will hold Minnesota under 106 yards rushing.
Outcome: Failed it. Minnesota rushed for 178 yards and I don’t want to talk about it anymore.
2. The Buckeye Z receivers will have at least 103 yards receiving.
Outcome: Failed it. Johnnie Dixon and Terry McLaurin combined for 63 yards on five catches. This is what happens when Ohio State doesn’t have a quality quarterback throwing the ball.
3. An Ohio State running back will rush for at least 100 yards.
Outcome: Failed it. This was just sheer stupidity. Not on my part but on Ryan Day’s part.
4. At least five different Buckeyes will score.
Outcome: WHAT DO YOU THINK? I failed it. Only four Buckeyes scored. Let’s move on.
5. Ohio State will outgain Minnesota by at least 300 yards.
Outcome: Failed it. I really wish you would leave me alone right now. Ohio State outgained Minnesota by 108 yards.
Weekly Record: 0-of-5
Season Record: 15-of-35
I’m not sure I’m even watching the proper team when I’m making my predictions.
But onward and downward, let’s continue to get everything wrong and look like an idiot in front of everyone. It’s a good thing my wife never reads any of this.
1. Parris Campbell and K.J. Hill will combine for at least 13 catches.
Parris Campbell and K.J. Hill combined for 17 receptions last week, so I feel pretty good about this one. The week before, they had 13, which is why I set the number where I did. On the season they are averaging 11.9 receptions per game, so look at me going way out on a limb here. Hill and Campbell are Dwayne Haskins’ security blankets and right now they’re both on pace for about 80 catches for 1,100 yards. Those numbers might drop with the weather, but they’ve actually been going up some since B1G play started.
2. Rondale Moore and Isaac Zico will combine for at least two 40-yard plays.
You know about freshman receiver Rondale Moore, but you may not know about senior receiver Isaac Zico. Zico is eighth in the Big Ten in receiving yardage (399) and third in average yards per reception (19.95). Zico has 20 receptions and one-quarter of them have gone for at least 40 yards. He leads the Big Ten in receptions of at least 40 yards, while Moore is merely second with four. Together they are averaging 1.5 such catches per game, but I’m thinking they’re going to be a bit above average in this one. Moore also has two rushes over 40 yards as well, so…yeah. The Buckeyes have given up 10 plays of at least 40 yards this season. If I’m wrong about this one, then the Buckeyes should cover.
3. Blake Haubeil will score at least nine points.
Last week, Blake Haubeil was a surprise starter for the Buckeyes and kicked three field goals and three extra points. If he has to kick three field goals again this week, the Buckeyes might be in trouble. If he’s got six extra points alongside ’em, however, I think they’ll be okay. I predicted that Ohio State would score 45 points this weekend, so I guess I’m doubling down on that prediction here with a field goal and six extra points. Assuming I’ve done the math correctly, of course.
4. Ohio State will have a receiver over 100 yards receiving.
Parris Campbell has had two 100-yard games this season, with both happening in the last four games. K.J. Hill has just one, but it was a big one last week with 187 yards receiving. Terry McLaurin opened the season with 121 yards against Oregon State. That’s just four 100-yard games this season, and Purdue’s defense has only given up two such games this season. I’m starting to see why my accuracy score is under 75% right now. Hill could have back-to-back 100-yard games due to the sheer number of passes he may catch. Campbell could get there with a big bust or two. Seems like it will have to be one of those two to get it done.
5. The Buckeyes will have a defensive score.
Just because you think I’m sandbagging, I’m going with a defensive score here because I will not be ridiculed for taking it easy. I am swinging for the fences. Dre’Mont Jones won’t let me down this weekend. He’ll get the pressure and the scoop and score or the interception on a drop back. Or maybe it will be somebody else. It doesn’t matter — the Buckeye defense is due. After scoring three defensive touchdowns in the first three games, the Buckeye defense has been held scoreless since.
Bonus: The game will be played on a Saturday.
Look, I just need to start feeling better about myself, okay.