2010 tOSU Offense Discussion

[cbrian815]

I would love to hear mods and other posters who have more knowledge of football than I about our offensive identity or style. I seemed to be confused every year except in 2002, 2006 and 2007. In 2006 we had a diverse passing attack and solid running game(single back spread) that pretty much looked the same every game. In 2002 and 2007 we ran a play action pro set with a big back(MoC and Beanie). That is the only 3 years I can remember this team doing the same things over and over for the entire year.

It seems that JT know wants to recruit athletic qb`s that obviously can throw the ball...but it also seems to me that he truly wants to run ball control pro style football. I can`t for the life of me understand why we just dont continue to grow what we were doing in 06 with Troy Smith. It seems we try to do so much that we are never really great at doing any of it until the end of the season when we finally settle on something to concentrate on.

I had to accept that JT was never going to give up play calling but its very frustrating to see us try to run the ball into the only strength Illinois had which was the middle of their defensive line. Everyone knew they were the kind of team to throw on and yet we had no short or intermediate passing game....for the windy conditions. I would love to see the statistics if we took away TP`s long runs this year.

I am trying to concentrate on the real teams we have played this year and that is Miami and Ill. I just thought we would be further along offensively after finishing the year stronger last year. I for one wish we would decide to do something, spread option or prostyle and do it really well.

Honestly will only 2 really quality receivers, a great fullback..... I believe our best chance to find offensive consistency (against quality teams) is to run the 2007 offense with Boom getting 20 plus carries a game.

Again time after time it can be so painful to watch our offense(took my scarlet and gray glasses off). We seem to either be a 3 and out or TP goes off on a huge run or deep pass. Rarely do we truly sustain drives and get 1st downs....much of what I see when I watch Bama. Are we really not that good at any one thing that we can concentrate on it and use that to build upon?

If JT had Sabans oline and rb`s he would be in heaven.....or we he try to experiment with something that seems to only work about 10% of the time.

I know I am being critical but truthfully I wouldn`t trade JT for anyone but sometimes I just dont understand our offense. Why did we run so many runs up the gut against Ill.....even I knew Liguet was their best player and we didnt control him the whole game. Does an offensive coach set up in the booth and say "You know what I am gonna keep calling this play until Brewster can handle Liguet." Honestly without the generous calls from the officiating and an incredible generous spot we were looking at a very very very close game.

I realize we can`t bring our A game every week but not being able to generate yards against Ill is not a sign that we have turned the corner with this offense. I am sure we all are saying we will just take a pass on the game plan, play calling because of the wind but this is the big 10 wind and weather are always issues....and just excuses. Go Bucks

 

[BuckNut65]

I am amazed that everyone has gotten bunged up over the conservative play-calling on Saturday, especially after Pryor got hurt. I agree with everyone here that has stated the wind was the primary factor. Tressel and bad weather and a lead = TresselBall....play and simple. I think the injury to Pryor just compounded the situation.
I thought what was was interesting was that Pryor seemed visibly frustrated with the play-calling in the fourth quarter. At that time I thought he must have felt decent and could throw the ball. It was interesting to hear his comments after the game....that he was having problems dropping back and using his left leg. Obviously when you take all of these things into consideration the game plan was sound.
Needless to say, the most important thing is that we won on the road and I think after having things so easy the first four weeks it was good to have a little adversity to deal with so they aren't feeling so great about themselves. With Wisky at night in 2 weeks, I think all in all the Illinois game will be a good thing for this team and will make this team stronger and better prepared as the year progresses. (I just hated to see Moeller and Pryor get injured.)

 

[RugbyBuck]

This was a good solid win in less than perfect conditions on the road in conference against a team that always gives us its best shot. If anything, it was good that our guys had to gut one out early in the season. We have a tendency to show up less than motivated at times and then have to scramble to get the win that we think we just deserve for being tOSU. Our guys fought for this win and got it and that will serve us well the rest of the way. As far as I'm concerned this was a far better close win than Alabama's near shytting of the bed against Arkansas.

 

[brodybuck21]

This was a good solid win in less than perfect conditions on the road in conference against a team that always gives us its best shot. If anything, it was good that our guys had to gut one out early in the season. We have a tendency to show up less than motivated at times and then have to scramble to get the win that we think we just deserve for being tOSU. Our guys fought for this win and got it and that will serve us well the rest of the way. As far as I'm concerned this was a far better close win than Alabama's near shytting of the bed against Arkansas.

+1

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

JT has, what, 5 NC's in 8 tries and is 5-3 in BCS games. Not sure what you're talking about...

Slight correction; five national titles in nine tries:

4-2 in title games at YSU (won 1991, 1993, 1994, 1997 - lost 1992, 1999)
1-2 in title games at OSU (won 2002 - lost 2006, 2007)

Still, in 19 seasons Tressel has taken his team to the national title game nine times.

 

[Saw31]

Slight correction; five national titles in nine tries:

4-2 in title games at YSU (won 1991, 1993, 1994, 1997 - lost 1992, 1999)
1-2 in title games at OSU (won 2002 - lost 2006, 2007)

Still, in 19 seasons Tressel has taken his team to the national title game nine times.

Resume speaks for itself.

 

[cbrian815]

This was a good solid win in less than perfect conditions on the road in conference against a team that always gives us its best shot. If anything, it was good that our guys had to gut one out early in the season. We have a tendency to show up less than motivated at times and then have to scramble to get the win that we think we just deserve for being tOSU. Our guys fought for this win and got it and that will serve us well the rest of the way. As far as I'm concerned this was a far better close win than Alabama's near shytting of the bed against Arkansas.

So beating a ranked opponent on the road in a stronger conference with a top 5 nfl caliber qb is the same as beating an unranked team with a freshman qb. All the while getting the benefit of the officiating and timely penalties. I disagree. Go Bucks

 

[Diego-Bucks]

So beating a ranked opponent on the road in a stronger conference with a top 5 nfl caliber qb is the same as beating an unranked team with a freshman qb. All the while getting the benefit of the officiating and timely penalties. I disagree. Go Bucks

I disagree that the SEC is the stronger conference, and I think most would objectively state that currently the Pac-10 or Big Ten are the strongest top-bottom. That being said I agree, I'd put Alabama's road win against Arkansas as greater than the Buckeyes win at Illinois. Good thing that it really doesn't matter.

 

[cbrian815]

I

I disagree that the SEC is the stronger conference, and I think most would objectively state that currently the Pac-10 or Big Ten are the strongest top-bottom. That being said I agree, I'd put Alabama's road win against Arkansas as greater than the Buckeyes win at Illinois. Good thing that it really doesn't matter.

Imho right now its the sec....pac10 and then the big 10. Arizona over Iowa...Alabama over pePenn St.....let alone the fact that the sec has dominated the championship game the last 5 or so years. I believe it is relevant because Oregon is scoring style points. We have to be better offensively. I don't believe a team could do what we did in 2002 and not get jumped with the way voters vote today. Go Bucks

 

[OregonBuckeye]

I
Imho right now its the sec....pac10 and then the big 10. Arizona over Iowa...Alabama over pePenn St.....let alone the fact that the sec has dominated the championship game the last 5 or so years. I believe it is relevant because Oregon is scoring style points. We have to be better offensively. I don't believe a team could do what we did in 2002 and not get jumped with the way voters vote today. Go Bucks

Alabama, SEC #1, over Penn State, Big-10 #6 at best right now, gives the SEC a leg up?

Arizona's 1 win at home isn't enough to put the Pac-10 ahead of the Big-10 either.

I'd say it's the Pac-10 and Big-10 followed by the SEC.

 

[cjmik_75]

So beating a ranked opponent on the road in a stronger conference with a top 5 nfl caliber qb is the same as beating an unranked team with a freshman qb. All the while getting the benefit of the officiating and timely penalties.(WAAAAAHH!!!) I disagree. Go Bucks

I wasn't gonna go there because it sounds like whining but your comments leave me no choice but to stoop to your level.


1) Alabama didn't lose their best offensive weapon in the 2nd half.

2) Bama also didn't lose arguably one of their most impactful defensive players on the first series of the game either!!!

So there!

As far as the officiating and some questionable calls...I agree the Buckeyes benefitted by a phantom face mask and a questionable spot.

However, the Illini benefitted quite a bit for a majority of the first half with said officiating...

1) 13:36 1st quarter 3rd&4 - TP takes a late hit (forearm to the facemask) #2 M. Wilson

2) 11:39 2nd quarter 3rd&11 - obvious PI on #5 shoving Posey in the back while he's adjusting to the ball.

3) 7:09 2nd quarter 3rd&10 - TP takes another late hit #38

4) 4:40 2nd quater 1st&10 - first play after the INT - running play off tackle TE #89 blatantly holding Nathan Williams not only is his jersey being pulled he's at the point of attack (meaning somebody should have been watching the edge playside) and he also ends up getting his helmet ripped off by the end of the play.

5) 1:03 2nd quarter 1st&Goal - TP takes yet another late hit after a sack #94


These are just a few examples of how the Illini were helped by "officiating and timely penalties" albeit uncalled. Poor officiating goes both ways, wtf was that the first football game you've ever watched?!?!? GMAFB

The Bucks won the game why would you try and belittle it? Because saying they benefitted from officiating and timely penalties is doing just that.

 

[Gatorubet]

Alabama, SEC #1, over Penn State, Big-10 #6 at best right now, gives the SEC a leg up?

Arizona's 1 win at home isn't enough to put the Pac-10 ahead of the Big-10 either.

I'd say it's the Pac-10 and Big-10 followed by the SEC.

The SEC all got together and decided to suck to get more favorable bowl season betting lines....

It was Houston Nutt and Les Miles's idea.

 

[Jaxbuck]

Tressel and bad weather and a lead = TresselBall....play and simple.

Sounds good after the fact but it doesn't hold water when you look at it without the benefit of hindsight.

The offense struggled in the first half. Why it struggled can be open for debate but one possibility that can't be defended is the notion that Tressel decided to button up the offense from jump street due to wind, desire to test the troops, ability to see the future, or anything else. It is simply a false premise. He was trying to move the ball and score points like any other coach would do in the first half of a game. They just didn't do a very good job for whatever reason.

In the 1st quarter (going into the wind) he called a 50/50 run/pass mix on two drives and 3 straight runs only when they were pinned deep in their own territory (as any coach would). In the 2nd quarter (with the wind) he called 6 runs and 12 passes. Now the last drive was against the clock so it's expected to be pass heavy just like being pinned deep is going to be run heavy. All taken together the 1st half mix was 13 runs/ 15 passes. Clearly not the ratio of runs to passes that would support the notion Tressel intentionally bottled up the offense as soon as he noticed it was windy out.

"Tresselball" is using the constant pressure of field position and excellent defense against an opponent to induce them into making mistakes/beating themselves as the game wears on. It works beautifully and is an excellent strategy. "Tresselball" should not become a phrase lazily thrown about to try and give a summary rationalization every time the offense struggles.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

So beating a ranked opponent on the road in a stronger conference with a top 5 nfl caliber qb is the same as beating an unranked team with a freshman qb. All the while getting the benefit of the officiating and timely penalties. I disagree. Go Bucks

Overcoming a strong wind on the road against a team that usually plays us very tough is a solid win. The wind all but took the downfield pass out of our playbook for two quarters, not to mention Pryor being gimped for the last quarter and a half or so...

 

[NFBuck]

One game and people start panicking. Typical.