Buckeyes Impress, Unanimous #1

The first regular-season Associated Press college football poll came out on Tuesday. The unanimous preseason No. 1 pick, Ohio State, is still the unanimous top choice.

Little wonder. The Buckeyes’ Monday night dismantling of Virginia Tech at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va., was impressive for fans of the sport and disheartening for those who are fans of other teams in the Big Ten. Or maybe anywhere.

The sheer versatility and athleticism of the players creates instant highlights. Perhaps you saw Braxton Miller’s 53-yard touchdown run, augmented by a full-speed spin move. Or his touchdown catch. Then you remind yourself that he was a quarterback, not a receiver, until this past summer.

 
In pulling away from the Hokies for a 42-24 win, the Buckeyes averaged 10.2 yards per offensive play. That’s a first down on every snap (by average). They rushed for 360 yards. They knocked out the opposing quarterback. All of this against the only team to defeat them last year on their way to the national title. And that was with four players suspended for the opener.

With Cardale Jones – the nominal starter – and J.T. Barrett, the Buckeyes can switch quarterbacks or put both on the field at the same time. Miller even took a few snaps at his old position. The power of this offense has barely been tapped.

The Buckeyes had a few things they could point to that weren’t great – two turnovers, and a meager 21-17 lead while Hokies starting quarterback Michael Brewer (now out with a broken collarbone) was in the game.

For a first outing on the road, however, that wasn’t too shabby.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .