Game Thread 2015 Sugar Bowl: (1) Alabama vs. (4) Ohio State, Jan 1st @ 8:30p ET, ESPN (civilized thread)

[CookyPuss]

The defense is an enigma to everyone =/
DLine has a lot of talent, but a tendency to get a little too aggressive and go away from their assignment at times, which has carry-on effects for the LBs and Safeties in the run game.
Hopefully the Wisconsin game was the return of silver bullets after a couple years, but no telling until game time.

If Frazier plays like he did against UW, I like the play of the line. He looked like a beast. I saw something about him being banged up for most of the year, can anyone confirm that? I know Miller got the bulk of PT.

 

[jwinslow]

Man, I don't know. Depriest would be the one to track Elliott, but depriest's speed is a liability. He's really slow. They might try to use landon Collins if jones has a rough day. Cyrus jones and Brad sylve or eddie jackson will be on your two best receivers. I'm not entirely sure what scheme bama will run.

That would be another major mismatch then (frankly I think he's a tough assignment for anyone). I don't see many others (Marshall is a tough assignment more than a mismatch, because you have to account for him on every play on sweeps, handoffs, direct snaps, him passing and of course a wide variety of receiver routes that he runs.

 

[MD Buckeye]

 

[SloopyHangOn]

That would be another major mismatch then (frankly I think he's a tough assignment for anyone). I don't see many others (Marshall is a tough assignment more than a mismatch, because you have to account for him on every play on sweeps, handoffs, direct snaps, him passing and of course a wide variety of receiver routes that he runs.

The one thing I noticed with Depriest vs Auburn and Mizzou was that he flies to the edge when he keys on the run side but had trouble when he has to identify the play direction post snap.

I've been harping on it for days, but the sweep/counter/read game will do a lot to soften up the run D.

 

[jwinslow]

I think 24-28 seems reasonable too. It's what most of the computer sims say. I think they have bama winning 30-25 on average about 60% of the time.

The OSU defense is an enigma to me. I know you have 2 great d linemen, but many people aren't pleased with the d line as a whole. Does the rest of the line suck? What gives? You would think two great players on the line would be able to wreak havoc with sims. But I get the feeling you guys aren't expecting that. Or, am I incorrect?

Bosa is a monster but is occasionally undisciplined. Against Michigan he made a ton of big plays but also surrendered first downs with penalties. In other games he did not maintain his assignments well (this is not a regular thing, more of a concern than a pattern).
Bennett is an all around force.
Washington is a very athletic SSDE that has slid down to DT the last two years. The result is they are phenomenal at getting past their man but lack the space-eating nose tackle that OSU would prefer here. DL recruiting was a major weakness down the stretch under Tressel (as in the next wave behind the departing vets). Some recruiting miracles by Urban transformed that (Noah Spence, Adolphus Washington landed in a month, Tommy schutt too, and then the coup with Bosa).
The fourth DL is the void left behind by Noah Spence's lifetime ban for using ecstasy (labeled as a PED by the B1G, he failed a second test this offseason).
In his place: a former walkon (he was on scholarship at Purdue), Rashad Frazier. He had a huge CCG but has been nicked up this year. During that time journeyman Steve Miller filled in here. Both are steady but unspectacular.

On 3rd down situations, they take out Washington and replace him with our nickel back, hard hitting tiny cornerback Armani Reeves. Speed hybrid LB Darron Lee is often deployed as the fourth pass rusher and they move him (and everyone) around a lot before and after the snap.

The DL's weaknesses are also multipled by a very average set of LBs. Curtis Grant has had a rough career. He has the physical gifts but lacks the instincts for the position. Raekwon oozes football smarts and physicality but is still a youngster. Josh Perry has improved this year but is nowhere close to OSU (or Bama) standards at the position. He has raised his game to 'solid' in my opinion. Darron Lee is a heat seeking missile but a redshirt freshman who was a HS QB when he arrived 18 months ago. Great weapon but immature physically and still learning the nuances of the position. Not unlike Ryan Shazier in style, size, skillset or experience as a freshman.

Then toss in two safeties who are also inconsistent against the run and the problems are compounded even further.

 

[Gcashwell]

The one thing I noticed with Depriest vs Auburn and Mizzou was that he flies to the edge when he keys on the run side but had trouble when he has to identify the play direction post snap.

I've been harping on it for days, but the sweep/counter/read game will do a lot to soften up the run D.

It would, but I think you really need a fast qb to do it right against bama.

I think going deep is your best bet at helping the run.

 

[jwinslow]

If Frazier plays like he did against UW, I like the play of the line. He looked like a beast. I saw something about him being banged up for most of the year, can anyone confirm that? I know Miller got the bulk of PT.

Yes, he has definitely been dinged up. He got some hype in the offseason but it did not translate. Some figured he was buried behind the veteran Steve Miller (who has been a 5th or 6th DL for years). Let's hope this is his coming out party (I think the truth is somewhere in the middle).

 

[CookyPuss]

Yes, he has definitely been dinged up. He got some hype in the offseason but it did not translate. Some figured he was buried behind the veteran Steve Miller (who has been a 5th or 6th DL for years). Let's hope this is his coming out party (I think the truth is somewhere in the middle).

Yeah, Miller has been solid but certainly not what we would have gotten out of Spence. Seemed like Frazier brought it to another level against Wiskey. I remember one play where he was hand fighting/shoving the O-lineman all over. I can't recall if he made a play on the ball on that one, but it was spectacular.

 

[scarletngray]

I think 24-28 seems reasonable too. It's what most of the computer sims say. I think they have bama winning 30-25 on average about 60% of the time.

The OSU defense is an enigma to me. I know you have 2 great d linemen, but many people aren't pleased with the d line as a whole. Does the rest of the line suck? What gives? You would think two great players on the line would be able to wreak havoc with sims. But I get the feeling you guys aren't expecting that. Or, am I incorrect?

Early in the year our DL (entire D really) was very inconsistent. The talent has always been there but the D lacked chemistry for some reason. The latter part of the season things began to come together and we began to see some signs that the DLine could be something special. The two games that really stood out were against MSU and UW, both games which we were underdogs and both games were away from home. Bottom line is it seems like the D plays to it's level of competition, which, if true, they will rise to the occasion on Jan.1st.
BTW - Our other three DL are Washington (a four or five star out of HS) and Frazier (Walk On)/Miller (I believe a five star out of HS). Both Washington and Frazier have been coming on in recent weeks with Frazier being the surprise of the group. When healthy, and in his zone, Washington at DT, along with Bennett are a force to be reckoned with on the inside. Washington had really good games against UW and *ichigan. The best way to describe the DL is that it is a very talented group that is starting to peak at the right time.

 

[SloopyHangOn]

It would, but I think you really need a fast qb to do it right against bama.

I think going deep is your best bet at helping the run.

Have you heard anything about TD losing weight? I forget where I read it but he's apparently down 5 and looking to shave a total of 15 by gameday.

 

[jwinslow]

The one thing I noticed with Depriest vs Auburn and Mizzou was that he flies to the edge when he keys on the run side but had trouble when he has to identify the play direction post snap.

I've been harping on it for days, but the sweep/counter/read game will do a lot to soften up the run D.

Which is where Jalin Marshall becomes a monster weapon. A lot of good defenses looked very stupid because of tracking him (on the option or simply playaction fakes by using him in motion).

That opened up gigantic lanes for EzE and occasionally the QB to find open spaces vacated by the many bodies tracking and running with Jalin. That applies to rushing and playaction passes.

That's what makes OSU difficult to defend and why they've had so much success despite switching QBs many times. Yes Cardale played out of his mind but the varied and similar looks that Herman gives the defense puts them in great situations.

It would, but I think you really need a fast qb to do it right against bama.

I think going deep is your best bet at helping the run.

I'm not sure if I agree with that. I think Cardale needs to be more decisive and competent at operating the option to beat Bama. I do not think he needs to be a dynamic runner.

Frankly JT was just a solid runner for a good chunk of this season but he was so efficient, smart and physical that it didn't matter.

 

[jwinslow]

The shenanigans have been moved... well you know where.

 

[jwinslow]

I don't see tOSU having a problem scoring 24-28 points on Bama...but I do see tOSU having a problem stopping Bama. I'm hoping the defense that showed up against Wisky shows up vs. Bama. If not, the Tide will gut the Buckeyes in the second half.

Agreed. The silver lining is that this defense has bailed itself out many times by turning the opposition over. The two biggest weaknesses for Bama seem to align perfectly with strengths for this Buckeye team. There is a good reason that the spread is where it is, though.

 

[CookyPuss]

I'm not sure if I agree with that. I think Cardale needs to be more decisive and competent at operating the option to beat Bama. I do not think he needs to be a dynamic runner.

Frankly JT was just a solid runner for a good chunk of this season but he was so efficient, smart and physical that it didn't matter.

Cardale spoke well to this in the video in his thread. He said he needs to be better at his reads and than anyone can be a good runner with the proper read in this offense.

 

[SloopyHangOn]

Which is where Jalin Marshall becomes a monster weapon. A lot of good defenses looked very stupid because of tracking him (on the option or simply playaction fakes by using him in motion).

Definitely this.

Cardale needs to be more decisive and competent at operating the option to beat Bama. I do not think he needs to be a dynamic runner.

Frankly JT was just a solid runner for a good chunk of this season but he was so efficient, smart and physical that it didn't matter.

IF and that's a big if Cardale can make the right reads on early downs he has the size to fall forward off tackle for 3-5 yards. That'll be enough to get things moving, imo.