Open Thread: USC
Well, at long last, the Buckeyes’ 4th regular season game of the century this century is upon us. Some final points to consider:
- The Beanie rollercoaster this week seems to be just about finished. The ride started at a high after the Ohio game as we all thought Beanie would be about 100 percent for the game. He even said he was ready for 45 carries. Yet, he didn’t practice Thursday because of some soreness. Prognosis then put him at 75 percent, with anxieties that being 100 percent would be a miracle. Of course, he’s now doubtful and will be a game-time decision. I suspect he’ll suit up, but I’m not optimistic he will get his 45 carries. Some report on OTL on ESPN said the pain comes when Beanie tries to move laterally.
- No, I don’t think Tressel is pulling a Belichick-type maneuver and trying to dupe USC into gameplanning for Herron or Mo Wells in lieu of Beanie. I’m not sure what that would accomplish anyways.
- Did USC really use Mitch Mustain as the scout team clone of Terrelle Pryor or is Mark May dumber than I give him credit for? Wow. If Mustain is an accomplished runner, he doesn’t leave Arkansas, Mark.
- Count me in the category that’s not that impressed that USC beat the hell out of Virginia. Yes, it looked comfortable, but Virginia just… well… blows. If USC wins comfortably against the Buckeyes, I still don’t think there’s a lot to read out of the Virginia game. Accordingly, that’s not the reason why I’m nervous about the game tomorrow night.
- MotSaG links to lots of nice articles about the specific matchups. Worth reading: AtO’s matchup of the Buckeye defense against the Trojan offense. I agree with all AtO’s points, but there’s definitely a lot to read into the matchup between the Buckeye front four and the USC front five.
- It’s easier to pick on Boeckman than Sanchez, but I still think Boeckman is a better QB.
- If the Ohio State offensive line repeats its Ohio U performance against USC, the Buckeyes absolutely do not win this game. Why is this such a controversial claim for Buckeye fans to stomach? Further, if the Buckeyes’ offensive line is inexplicably able to manhandle USC’s defensive line, Dan Herron will do just fine in lieu of Beanie… if that’s what it comes to…
- After rewatching the Ohio State-Ohio game again, I’m beginning to think the “receivers not getting open” problem is a bigger one for Robiskie than it is for Hartline. I think what makes this problem worse is what might be a case of tunnel vision for Boeckman. That said, the dropsies problem was equally shared across the Brynamic duo.
- Everyone is rightfully saying that Todd Boeckman is going to have to be an impact player if Beanie is not going to be a factor. This is true, but all eyes should also be on Ben Person and Bryant Browning. Abdallah, Denlinger, Worthington and Larimore are worth watching as well.
- Just a hunch: I think Marcus Freeman has a big game on defense and might be the best linebacker on either side of the ball at the end of the game… regardless of who wins.
- Nothing I’ve read about the Trojans’ gameplans anywhere on the internets says that USC is doing anything other than crashing the box if/when Pryor is in the game. Gameplan accordingly.
- Ray Small gave USC bulletin board material at the beginning of the week, but I think he exonerates himself this game with a good performance, even if it’s in a losing effort.
- I felt beyond confident against Florida in January 2007. I felt assured against LSU. I’m bracing for the worst case scenario against USC. As always, because I am the fretting type (I fret about every game), I would love to be wrong.
Lead us to freedom, Coach.
Let’s do this.
The Gods of Troy have been placed upon an amazing pedestal! I’ve never before seen these heights of hyperbole after 1 meaningless game. The media is simply doing what they do best: looking after their own interests. They win no matter the outcome of this game.
We’re Buckeyes, dammit! We don’t have to take that crap!
I say we demolish their temple, desecrate their alter, and gang-date their vestal virgins (if California has any)
Afterwards … Disneyland! Burn-down the Tiki Room, hijack the monorail, sink the submarines, and awaken Sleeping Beauty with some real Buckeye Love!
Don’t believe the hype! Don’t take the crap! GO BUCKS!!!!!
Ron
I’m here in L.A. for the game. Walking around, I’ve seen so many more OSU fans than USC fans. The whole town is full of Buckeyes. We have an amazing fan presence. Saw the team (sans-Beanie) on their way in for their walk-through. Tressel looked intense, but Boeckman and the o-line all looked happy, confident and ready to play. Go Buckeyes! See you all on Gameday!
I don’t care how this one gets done, only that it gets done. O-H!
Big game today….
I am pretty uneasy about this game, but optimistic. Please do not make this a terrible weekend of Ohio sports (Browns and Bucks)…
GO BUCKS!
Oh come let’s sing Ohio’s praise…
This Cal-Maryland game looks pretty interesting. The MSU-FAU game is not, however.
If John McCain says ‘Country First’, I say ‘Conference First.’ With that being said, Michigan looks awful very early in the ND game. Hold onto the kickoff!
This Michigan-ND game has been pretty enjoyable, surprisingly enough. Lots of points, lots of Michigan blunders, and Charlie Weis on crutches. All three things being in our country’s national interest.
Oh, and:
I-O! Never leave a brother hanging.
fsking Purdue. I knew that one was going to be no good with that last play setting up that angle.
Sadly, I think we all saw that coming. I’m pulling for Purdue hard, though. What was the line on this game and why is this shaping up to be the worst weekend for the Pac-10… hopefully…
bummer. Good effort from the Boilermakers, though.
FIRST DOWN!!! WOOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOO!!
hoo-ray! points! I could’ve done without the self-destructing after the 1st and goal, though.
Hmm, that looked familiar.
ah yes… defense…
fucking penalties…
sigh… thanks Pretorius. Needed that.
alrightie, a stop. We need six, dammit.
Now that looked VERY familiar…
Ugh. Penalties and dumb mistakes….
Missed opportunities… missed opportunities… missed opportunities… more Terrelle Pryor, please…
I really wish we’d stop shooting ourselves in the foot in the redzone. Sweet imaginary jesus, this game could easily be 21-14, or at the very least 21-10 if not for all of those penalties.
Ah yes, the matador blocking scheme from Person and Browning.
Sigh…
Jesus tapdancing Christ Bryant Browning. Block someone or get off the fucking field.
God dammit.
Now we need to win the B10, get a BCS game against an SEC team, and further reinforce for us what the rest of the country already knew.
can I at least get a touchdown? I don’t want this to be the first time since Michigan in 1996 that we haven’t scored a touchdown.
I think the only thing I have to bitch about in terms of “unfairness” is that the refs didn’t call ANY of the holding calls against USC. Sadly, though, they didn’t need to hold jerseys to dominate our defensive line.
Nope. Can’t even get that.
Fuck.
The most excited I was this entire game was watching Nathan Williams getting some snaps late.
Sigh…
Seeing Terrelle Pryor motivating the defense was exciting. I got the feeling watching the game that he might have been the only one that cared.