Game Thread #1 Texas at #2 tOSU, Sat. Aug. 30th, 12pm ET, FOX

[calibuck]

Not a fan of such momentous games right out of the box. Players are still finding their ways, OL needs to gel, etc. But might be the best time to catch Texas, no? Both teams appear to be 'younger', as both teams had a bunch of players move on to NFL. Both are talented, clearly, and both teams have excellent coaching staffs. Could go on, but wiser souls have, or certainly will, go over the position by position comparison. Yeah, agree with the above, losing Chip may be harder to overcome than otherwise thought. Would bet vcash that Day will be kibitzing Hartline (or outright calling the plays), regardless of how much Day says it's Hartline's call. Also, we'll see how Patricia's tinkering will impact the retooled D. Would expect that game could turn on big chunk plays, from blown coverages etc. Anyone know when Dinardo and crew will be visiting/reporting on what they see at Buckeye practices? Go Bucks!

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

Wanna piss off a Texas fan? Give them the "horns down".

No shit

 

[sparcboxbuck]

This is basically where I'm at with this. A retooled offensive personnel against a defense that made OSU work for everything last year. Not generally a winning formula. Also no Chip Kelly to call the game worries me, I'm nervous about Hartline in an expanded role.

Good news is, Texas should have similar or more serious concerns about their offense.

Bet the under

If I read correctly, sounds like they have already lost their RT. I’m fine with that.

 

[BB73]

Not a fan of such momentous games right out of the box. Players are still finding their ways, OL needs to gel, etc. But might be the best time to catch Texas, no? Both teams appear to be 'younger', as both teams had a bunch of players move on to NFL. Both are talented, clearly, and both teams have excellent coaching staffs. Could go on, but wiser souls have, or certainly will, go over the position by position comparison. Yeah, agree with the above, losing Chip may be harder to overcome than otherwise thought. Would bet vcash that Day will be kibitzing Hartline (or outright calling the plays), regardless of how much Day says it's Hartline's call. Also, we'll see how Patricia's tinkering will impact the retooled D. Would expect that game could turn on big chunk plays, from blown coverages etc. Anyone know when Dinardo and crew will be visiting/reporting on what they see at Buckeye practices? Go Bucks!

Looks like 8 ET tonight is when BTN has their visit to the Bucks. It is also listed to show at 9 and midnight ET tonight, and at 12:30 pm ET tomorrow.

 

[Buckeneye]

not expecting to have 8 for 150 every game. I get every game is different, there's other good players, etc. But for him to have 1 catch for 3 yards in any game is ridiculous. I don't

Coverage dictates where the ball goes and Jeremiah is a receiver that helps to dictate where coverage goes. No coincidence that some of the chain movers Will hit were away from where Jeremiah was lined up and coverage rotated to. It's impressive seeing the Texas single high DB's not favor formation strength for their alignments because JS is the solo backside X. Like I said, Jeremiah is that type of receiver who will dictate either what a defense will do or what they're willing to sacrifice, that was a great respect paid to his abilities.

I doubt most people here watched the skycam or all-22 of the game, but I would encourage it when you start to formulate these types of opinions and ask "why?". By my count, Will could have hit JS for another 3 catches for 47 yards had he started his progressions with him. But it was evident early the Horns were hellbent on not letting that happen. I count 1 catch, which would have been for 16 yards, had Will seen the field side nickel pressure and ripped it to JS on the switch. WH got gun shy early when he saw all the double teams.

The one INT he threw was absolutely a force to Smith on a pressured and frustratred throw because you could not get your best weapon the ball. That INT was a warning. Attempting to force things where a defense has simply designed their gameplan (and/or holds a significant talent advantage) saying "you will not do *insert X here*" is exactly how you end up losing to scUM at home running repeatedly into the best IDL tandem in college football. It's arrogance, it's idiocy.

This is something we've given praise to Buckeye defenses previously, so give credit to the Texas defensive coaching staff because they're professionals too. They did a fantastic job disguising in/out, high/low, brackets, timing and where they came from. You can tip your cap to the chess players across the field while also adding something new to the bag for August 30th.

(My money is the slide route on the back of GT pull from the Rose Bowl)

 

[Captain Buckeye]

Coverage dictates where the ball goes and Jeremiah is a receiver that helps to dictate where coverage goes. No coincidence that some of the chain movers Will hit were away from where Jeremiah was lined up and coverage rotated to. It's impressive seeing the Texas single high DB's not favor formation strength for their alignments because JS is the solo backside X. Like I said, Jeremiah is that type of receiver who will dictate either what a defense will do or what they're willing to sacrifice, that was a great respect paid to his abilities.

I doubt most people here watched the skycam or all-22 of the game, but I would encourage it when you start to formulate these types of opinions and ask "why?". By my count, Will could have hit JS for another 3 catches for 47 yards had he started his progressions with him. But it was evident early the Horns were hellbent on not letting that happen. I count 1 catch, which would have been for 16 yards, had Will seen the field side nickel pressure and ripped it to JS on the switch. WH got gun shy early when he saw all the double teams.

The one INT he threw was absolutely a force to Smith on a pressured and frustratred throw because you could not get your best weapon the ball. That INT was a warning. Attempting to force things where a defense has simply designed their gameplan (and/or holds a significant talent advantage) saying "you will not do *insert X here*" is exactly how you end up losing to scUM at home running repeatedly into the best IDL tandem in college football. It's arrogance, it's idiocy.

This is something we've given praise to Buckeye defenses previously, so give credit to the Texas defensive coaching staff because they're professionals too. They did a fantastic job disguising in/out, high/low, brackets, timing and where they came from. You can tip your cap to the chess players across the field while also adding something new to the bag for August 30th.

(My money is the slide route on the back of GT pull from the Rose Bowl)

They had to do all that with the Thorpe winner only then to let Tate have a nice day.

I don’t think their secondary is as good as last year and that’s an issue going against the best WR since probably Calvin Johnson?

 

[Gunlife]

They had to do all that with the Thorpe winner only then to let Tate have a nice day.

I don’t think their secondary is as good as last year and that’s an issue going against the best WR since probably Calvin Johnson?

If Sayin plays well an nfl defense couldn't defend these recievers. Thats what it comes down too. Can Sayin calm his nerves and make quick decisions, and simple, clean throws.

I really wish this wasn't the first game, but it is what it is. I think the fist few series will be rough. A 19yr old kid in front of 110k, with millions watching, and the hype that it's the biggest regular season game of the year in all of college football.... If Sayin comes out throwing darts, were going undefeated.

 

[calibuck]

If the OL holds, the QB makes the throws, and WRs make the catches, hang onto the ball, and get to the endzone more often than the opposition does, tOSU will win the game. Pretty standard. We'll see how the pieces play out during the game. Texas lost some talent as well, so they're in the same predicament as the Buckeyes there. Both teams need a 'mini-peak' for the first game. Will be an interesting and fun to watch, am thinking. Go Bucks!

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

If the OL holds, they'll get flagged for it and we won't score any points.

 

[Buckeneye]

I don’t think their secondary is as good as last year and that’s an issue going against the best WR since probably Calvin Johnson?

Megatrons NFL success sort of skews that. But from a freshman to freshman comparison? JS is up there with CJ, Julio, and another two lost in time - Mike Williams at SC and then Crabtree at TTU.

If Sayin plays well an nfl defense couldn't defend these recievers.

At ease.

 

[Jaxbuck]

They had to do all that with the Thorpe winner only then to let Tate have a nice day.

I don’t think their secondary is as good as last year and that’s an issue going against the best WR since probably Calvin Johnson?

But with a completely inexperienced QB.

Day has built an offense that has a devastating counter punch to whatever the defense does to slow down Smith BUT the QB has to be able to see it, read it, call the right counter punch and then execute it.

Texas has OSU level athletes back there, experienced or not. The coach and the scheme together almost put a lid on the Playoff version of OSU last year. I wouldn’t be expecting offensive fireworks from Sayin and company this game.

As they get experience together they’ll be fine but this is a big ask week 1.

 

[Jagdaddy]

But with a completely inexperienced QB.

Day has built an offense that has a devastating counter punch to whatever the defense does to slow down Smith BUT the QB has to be able to see it, read it, call the right counter punch and then execute it.

Texas has OSU level athletes back there, experienced or not. The coach and the scheme together almost put a lid on the Playoff version of OSU last year. I wouldn’t be expecting offensive fireworks from Sayin and company this game.

As they get experience together they’ll be fine but this is a big ask week 1.

This is why I think Max Klare needs to be, and I think will be, a big part of the game plan. I also like Peoples to have a pretty big game if the OL is reasonably on point. It's not clear to me yet if the OL will be as good as lots of folks seems to be assuming they will be.

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

For the record, I agree with those who are expecting a tight game at best vs Texas. The Buckeyes are notoriously slow-starting under Day, and anyone who remembers Stroud's first half at Minnesota can tell you that even a future NFL ROY is likely to struggle out of the gate (and that was against the Gophers).

But as a Buckeye fan it is difficult to know when optimism goes too far. There have been times in the not-too-distant past when I was bearish on the Buckeyes' chances and I was wrong.

In 2014, when Barrett went down, I thought it was ridiculous to believe that any team could win a National Championship with their 3rd string quarterback. Even when Urban said that they could, I simply did not believe him. I was wrong.

Last year, I thought the OL coach had not been given enough of a chance to prove himself by many. I thought we should wait until the end of 2024 to judge. And if I was not his biggest supporter on this board, I was close. The vast majority who expressed an opinion at all expressed a negative one. So when our top 2 OL went down mid-season at the 2 most important positions (and on a line that no one called "deep" at this point last year), I remember posting something to the effect of "OK fine, OSU was able to win a NC with a 3rd string QB, but it's delusional to think that anyone could win a NC with a M*A*S*H unit for an OL and an OL coach that none of the fans believe in." I was wrong.

That's twice in the last 11 years that Ohio State has done something that, in my opinion, we as fans had absolutely no right and no reason to expect.

So now when someone expresses a belief in something that I think we have no reason to expect, I have to remember... This is Ohio State. Maybe they can.

So I acknowledge the possibility, but I'm a guy and an engineer besides. I have to live my life based on that which is probable, not what is possible. I don't think Sayin will carve up a very talented and well-coached defense right out of the gate. I don't think it's likely. But I've been wrong before.

 

[Captain Buckeye]

For the record, I agree with those who are expecting a tight game at best vs Texas. The Buckeyes are notoriously slow-starting under Day, and anyone who remembers Stroud's first half at Minnesota can tell you that even a future NFL ROY is likely to struggle out of the gate (and that was against the Gophers).

But as a Buckeye fan it is difficult to know when optimism goes too far. There have been times in the not-too-distant past when I was bearish on the Buckeyes' chances and I was wrong.

In 2014, when Barrett went down, I thought it was ridiculous to believe that any team could win a National Championship with their 3rd string quarterback. Even when Urban said that they could, I simply did not believe him. I was wrong.

Last year, I thought the OL coach had not been given enough of a chance to prove himself by many. I thought we should wait until the end of 2024 to judge. And if I was not his biggest supporter on this board, I was close. The vast majority who expressed an opinion at all expressed a negative one. So when our top 2 OL went down mid-season at the 2 most important positions (and on a line that no one called "deep" at this point last year), I remember posting something to the effect of "OK fine, OSU was able to win a NC with a 3rd string QB, but it's delusional to think that anyone could win a NC with a M*A*S*H unit for an OL and an OL coach that none of the fans believe in." I was wrong.

That's twice in the last 11 years that Ohio State has done something that, in my opinion, we as fans had actually no right and no reason to expect.

So now when someone expresses a belief in something that I think we have no reason to expect, I have to remember... This is Ohio State. Maybe they can.

So I acknowledge the possibility, but I'm a guy and an engineer besides. I have to live my life based on that which is probable, not what is possible. I don't think Sayin will carve up a very talented and well-coached defense right out of the gate. I don't think it's likely. But I've been wrong before.

This is why I think Max Klare needs to be, and I think will be, a big part of the game plan. I also like Peoples to have a pretty big game if the OL is reasonably on point. It's not clear to me yet if the OL will be as good as lots of folks seems to be assuming they will be.

But with a completely inexperienced QB.

Day has built an offense that has a devastating counter punch to whatever the defense does to slow down Smith BUT the QB has to be able to see it, read it, call the right counter punch and then execute it.

Texas has OSU level athletes back there, experienced or not. The coach and the scheme together almost put a lid on the Playoff version of OSU last year. I wouldn’t be expecting offensive fireworks from Sayin and company this game.

As they get experience together they’ll be fine but this is a big ask week 1.

Agree. It all goes how Sayin goes really.

I’m not saying we’ll carve them up but there’s no reason with the weapons we have we can’t do enough to win the game. Add that with IMO not being as strong in the secondary against a better than last year skill by OSU? Potential is for sure there that we’ll make the splash plays necessary to win.

Game of matchups and I think the biggest mismatch by far in this game is our skill vs their secondary.

I think it’s a nice matchup everywhere else. We have a good OL but they have a good DL so maybe a push here. We have a lot to replace on the DL but they’re pretty thin on the OL so maybe slight edge OSU. Then our secondary is well positioned to face a longhorn skill that’s replacing their best 2 from last year.

If Sayin can just be routine and avoid the turnovers it’ll be too much for Texas IMO.

 

[Jaxbuck]

This is why I think Max Klare needs to be, and I think will be, a big part of the game plan. I also like Peoples to have a pretty big game if the OL is reasonably on point. It's not clear to me yet if the OL will be as good as lots of folks seems to be assuming they will be.

I'll leave it to the real X and O gurus but to my simple mind, Klare is the weapon that makes the defense easier to read, let alone what a good TE can do running through the middle of a 2 high safety defense.

Smith is such a difference maker he' forces the defense to be very predictable, now you add the specific weapon of a pass catching TE (or two) and theoretically the reads get very simple: 1) Smith is he bracketed? If so 2) look over the middle to where a LB is trying to run up the seam with a TE.

The safety shouldn't be able to help out both the corner and the LB. That's overly simplistic, I know. The defense is going to do somethings to fight back and disguise it but Smith is such a weapon, it's going to be very hard to do do.

If they develop a hitch in their step, it might very well be the red zone. That TE abusing the LB's down the middle gets mitigated as the field shrinks.