2008 Ohio State Offense

[MililaniBuckeye]

It's disappointing as hell, but it is what it is and unless there are two or three O - line studs I don't know about in the recruiting well, it's going to be an even longer year in 09.

I'd like to think once a certain couple of our senior OL graduate, and Adams and Shugarts are 100% along with Brewster, our OL should be markedly better...

 

[osugrad21]

Dispatch

Buckeyes unsure what ails offense
No discoveries come to light in bye week
Saturday, November 8, 2008 3:18 AM
By Ken Gordon


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH


EVANSTON, Ill. -- If the Ohio State offense were a school-menu item, it would be listed as mystery meat. From one week to the next, nobody knows what OSU will serve up: Will it be the unit capable of scoring four touchdowns against Minnesota and Michigan State, or the one that didn't score a TD three times, including against Purdue?
That makes it impossible to predict how 12th-ranked Ohio State (7-2, 4-1) will look today when it takes on Northwestern (7-2, 3-2) in Ryan Field.
By now, the numbers are as familiar as they are sordid:
? The Buckeyes rank 10th in the Big Ten in total offense and 97th nationally.
? Four times in nine games, they have failed to surpass 300 yards.
? They have nearly as many field goals (18) as offensive touchdowns (20).
But what's more maddening for the coaches and players is that in the midst of a season of struggles, there have been flashes of firepower -- like the 414 yards and 34 points against Minnesota and the 31 points the offense scored at Michigan State.
Why can't it be duplicated more often? The Buckeyes are as puzzled as anyone.
"That's the hardest thing about it -- we might have a great practice, like (Tuesday) I think we had a pretty solid practice," tight end Rory Nicol said. "Tomorrow, we could be lights out, we could torch our defense all Wednesday afternoon, and then on Saturday, if we're not clicking on all cylinders, it doesn't matter."
Nicol scratches his head in frustration, because he sees all the potential -- the slippery, strong-armed quarterback in Terrelle Pryor, the bullish tailback in Chris "Beanie" Wells, the veteran offensive line and receiving corps.
Cont...

 

[buckeyesin07]

Against NW, I was surprised at the beginning of the game how often we went run, run, pass on first, second, and third downs. It often left us early with 3rd and long. I really think we'd be better served to mix things up a little, as I don't think we can count on opposing defenses consistently letting us convert 3rd and longs like NW did.

 

[osugrad21]

Scout$--Receivers, Pryor Getting More In Sync

Robo and Rory discuss TP's progression as a complete QB.

 

[osugrad21]

BG$--Passing accumulates to points, wins

Ari Wassermanargues for more passing attempts from TP.

 

[osugrad21]

Link

OSU football: Ohio State passed the torch, but not the ball

Aerial attack has been bumpy ride since Buckeyes switched quarterbacks

By JON SPENCER ? For The Advocate ? December 25, 2008

COLUMBUS -- "What About Brian?" is more than the name of a forgettable and short-lived ABC drama. It sums up the struggles of Ohio State's passing attack this season after incumbent quarterback Todd Boeckman was benched in favor of freshman Terrelle Pryor.
With Pryor more of a running threat at this stage of his career, receivers Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline played a reduced role in an offense that failed to score a touchdown in three games.
After combining for 107 catches, good for 1,629 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2007, their collective numbers have fallen off to 58, 896 and 12, respectively, heading into the Jan. 5 Fiesta Bowl against Texas.
Complaining about his plight isn't Robiskie's nature. Doing so would mean answering to his father, Terry, receivers coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
"Obviously, I'm a receiver and I'm going to want to catch 150 balls if I could," Robiskie said. "But the coaches know what's best for us and you have to listen. My dad being a coach, he always told me they're the ones that come up with the game plan and the players are the ones doing it. They know what's best.
"Obviously, it's frustrating because you don't feel like you're doing what you should be doing. But at the same time, blocking and getting open for other guys is important."
That's what coach Jim Tressel expected to hear from his senior co-captain.
"Fortunately, (Robiskie and Hartline) understand the times they're out there blocking is not a reduced role and if they do a good job of downfield blocking, we're going to move the football," Tressel said. "Have they had as many catches? No. How have they handled that? From where I (sit), it hasn't changed the way they prepare, the way they compete.
"Do they wish they had more catches? I bet if you gave them a lie detector (test), the answer's yes. Do they wish that the team will succeed even more than that? Yes. They're veterans and they're quality guys."
Hartline and Pryor clicked immediately, connecting on two touchdown passes in Pryor's first start, a 28-10 victory against Troy. Hartline never found the end zone again until the 42-7 win against Michigan in the regular-season finale.
Cont...