Midweek Optimism
So, yes, the initial reaction from just about everyone, myself included, to Saturday’s game against Navy was one of general angst. A lot of that sentiment was directed against the offensive line for their perceived inability to create running lanes against a very thin and undersized 3-4 front for Navy. However, those that had the benefit of having the game recorded looked over the proceedings again. Their conclusion? Overall, it wasn’t a bad effort. The offensive line was basically up to the task. The O-zone mentioned as such when it gave the unit a B grade for the game, but also cautioned that an A grade on Saturday is mandatory. Ken Gordon says that a lot of the inability to establish the running game was actually the fault of the fullbacks. In pass protection (which I always thought the Buckeyes did okay in for that game), the tailbacks did not do a very good job picking up their assignments. It should therefore be a little concerting that it was just the backs who missed their blocks. That’s a formation thing; you don’t have to use fullbacks to run the ball. In fact, the discussion of 3 WR sets this summer seemed to indicate the Buckeye offense would not rely on them too much this year. It’s understandable that they would be featured so prominently against Navy because it’d be a good test for a very, very green unit against an inviting defense. It didn’t work out that way, but the Buckeyes are not “stuck” in the I.
If the offensive line didn’t bear the brunt of Buckeye angst following Saturday’s game, Anderson Russell did. Word is now: Anderson Russell isn’t starting; Jermale Hines is. I feel for Anderson Russell because he’s still essentially a college football rags to riches story. He’s also overcome a couple injuries in his career. However, his two errors in that game were so obvious and so egregious that the ever-brutally honest Buckeye partisan Chris Spielman called him out on it both times. If the change wasn’t made, you can imagine Pete Carroll breaking in his freshman QB on his first road test by running a slot receiver at him every, single, time. Now, the coaching staff has made the switch and, in the process of bringing Hines in as a starter, have also moved Kurt Coleman from strong safety to free safety. Good. Happy thoughts.
Elsewhere, the LA Times reminds us that dual-threat QBs have been the type of quarterbacks to give USC defenses fits. Vince Young, Dennis Dixon of Oregon, Ell Roberson of Kansas State and Virginia Tech’s Bryan Randall (albeit in a losing effort) have posed serious problems to the Trojans in the past. Terrelle Pryor just happens to be the latest line in that mold of quarterback. Further, if we allow ourselves to think that the coaching staff brought forward the offensive mentality it did against Navy because they thought it would work every time and because they also wanted Pryor to continue to establish himself as a pocket QB, I can hope that the playcalling will feature means to exploit the run/pass dynamics to Pryor. Maybe Pryor was held back because the coaching staff thought they could get away with it.
Lastly, Tressel’s record in “payback” games, if you will, has been exceptional. Only one team that beat Tressel in a given year was able to win again in the following matchup (Wisconsin 2003, 2004). Wisconsin, Illinois and Penn State got their comeuppance in 2002. The Buckeyes unloaded on a Rose Bowl-bound Michigan team in 2004. Iowa was a few red zone turnovers away from losing by 50 to the Buckeyes in 2005. Purdue was nearly shutout in 2007. The Nerds got a 48-7 swirlie in 2005. Texas got messed with in 2006, as did Penn State. Most recently, Illinois got bested 30-20 on their Senior Day. I like to think that Jim Tressel really has an evil side to him. If we use that as a metric, maybe he really does have that wicked element.
I hope he does, since every Buckeye man, woman and child grows weary of the ridicule of an integral part of our identity to a point where, I’m sure, antisocial behavior as a response is seriously entertained. Fortunately, the Buckeye football team is not in school yet, nor do they really lose a day traveling as they did last year. Doug Worthington said that everyone will be putting in the extra hours this week to be a good host to the Trojans. I hope it pays off, because that’s a happy thought. I like happy thoughts… and happy trees.
How about you? Judging from the poll, nearly half of Buckeye fans in my totally 100 percent scientific survey think the Buckeyes lose, though about 100 percent of those would love to be wrong. What’s your reason for optimism about Saturday?
I am more comfortable now with us having a shot. We will know early on…if we are getting penetration and rushing Barkley and if we are gouging them on offense…long sustained drives…. we have a great opportunity.
Who knows, SC could tank it.
One of the key additions to this game are Simon and Solomon Thomas. I have heard that Simon is almost unblockable without a double team. A one of a kind player. Nathan Williams is integral as well. These are players that can make HUGE plays based on sheer will and effort. SC will account for Gibson and Wilson. If the seed of doubt is planted in their O-Line that this Buckeye D-line is the best they have faced in a long time. It could force them to switch protections. Reminiscent of the 2002 title game. As Darrion Scott said in an SI article: “Their offensive line was overrated. We knew they couldn’t move the ball on the ground against us and they knew we knew it.” Or something like that.
We have to score at least 24 points IMO and keep their offense on the sideline. We have to play no mistake football….whoa be the kid who screws up a huge drive by facemasking or holding or jumping the fuck offsides.
We have to as Nick Saban says “create 6 seconds of chaos each time the ball is snapped.”
Two other things:
1.Hey, you know the painter guy picture is hilarious….. but he died of terminal cancer. Just a factoid.
2. This blog and site kicks ass and is now by far my favorite stop. Kudos for the update column that steers you in the direction of interesting Buckeye news you wouldn’t normally find. I believe the victory over USC should be dedicated to you Vico.
I too, am having happy thoughts, after an initial bout of malaise. I live in LA. I despise the Trojans and all their fair-weather supporters. Yes, they’re good. Very good, but not perfect. With pressure from the defense, mistake-free play, and dynamic play calling, we’re in it for all 4 quarters. They can be beaten.
I want this. I want it bad. gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme…..
My reasons for optimism:
We held Navy to less than 50% of their rushing production the past 4 years (they average around 400 ypc). I see us doing that to all our opponents.
We have nothing else to lose. That can hopefully transfer to all out nastiness. Kill ‘em all. Let the paramedics sort them out.
We have Tight End passing now.
TURNOVERS TURNOVERS TURNOVERS. We can create them a lot more now.
We’re playing in Columbus, OH……at the ‘Shoe……at night. We better be registering on the Richter scale.
IMO it comes down to our defensive line. If we get pressure, then we get turnovers and win. Even if our O line only shows up for half of the game TP is enough of playmaker to keep us in the game with a couple of scores. If we don’t get D pressure early, then we lose big. I hope we win, but I’m not too optimistic. Hopefully the Bucks have Ron’s attitude…and want it bad enough.
Can’t wait for the Kick off! Go Bucks!
There are times when the conventional wisdom, however justified, is just wrong. I hope this is one of them.
Without the DEF scoring, I don’t think we can keep up. It’s not like their QB has to sit back there for 5 seconds. He can dump it off all day long to any one of 5 RBs that would probably be starting for us. As slow as some of the LBs looked against Navy, that may be a winning strategy.
Bob Ross is in a celebratin’ mood
And just in case that’s not working:
http://i30.tinypic.com/s28xz6.jpg
My reason for optimism is that I’ve basically been treating this week- from a sports media perspective- as if I live in the old Soviet Union or Germany in the 30′s. I’m completely censoring everything I read or listen to and only allowing things I deem appropriate for the promotion and positive mental well being of the state (ohio state)……..It’s actually been quite pleasant……………..thanks for all your great work Vico…………
Citing a little article recently from Scout.com pointed out that with Tressel at Ohio State, we are 8-0 vs. teams with a freshman quarterback. Food for thought.
Love the photoshop BK. I thought about photoshopping Jim Tressel’s head over Bob Ross’, but I just don’t have time anymore.