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Jake
Once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye
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'18 The Deuce Champ
As much as I want to, I can't entirely buy this yet. The last few games haven't presented much of a defensive challenge. We'll start finding out this weekend, and beyond.
Ohio State getting right at just the right time
Ohio State getting right at just the right time
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I think visibly improving and figuring out who the best 11 are (or 22), and what they can do, still counts, even if it is against air.
The blueprint is 2014. Looked like ass against VT, got a chance to get right against Kent, Cincinnati, Maryland, and Rutgers. Ground out some tough road wins at PSU, MSU, and Minnesota, evolved into a well-oiled machine by late-November. There was absolutely nothing between Sept 6 & Oct 25 that year that indicated they were going to win it all, other than the team started to actually look better, and the coaches got some reps to figure out how to better utilize all their chess pieces.
Five of the last six national champs had a loss.
The blueprint is 2014. Looked like ass against VT, got a chance to get right against Kent, Cincinnati, Maryland, and Rutgers. Ground out some tough road wins at PSU, MSU, and Minnesota, evolved into a well-oiled machine by late-November. There was absolutely nothing between Sept 6 & Oct 25 that year that indicated they were going to win it all, other than the team started to actually look better, and the coaches got some reps to figure out how to better utilize all their chess pieces.
Five of the last six national champs had a loss.
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I hear all of the talk of the comparison between 2014 and this current year. But do we really believe that JK Dobbins is of the same talent as Zeke? Zeke was the common denominator along with the Oline and reason for the NC, IMO(along with the dominant defense, of course). I wonder how this offense will perform later in the season, especially with Bowen out, and Burell doing a whole lot of nothing since becoming a Buckeye. I personally don't see the comparison at all between the 2 years, but I'll gladly take another NC
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HorseshoeFetish
Silver Bullet Supporter
Much like the defense our offense is just so much better when they are attacking. I'm all for not making crucial mistakes and all but getting too cautious is what seems to cost our guys more than anything else.
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Zeke was solid during the 2014 regular season, but he really went off in the post season because Cardale Jones made the defenses respect the deep throw. Look at Zeke in the NFL...outstanding rookie season because his OL blocked out of their minds and defense also had to contend with a unknown but very talented quarterback. This year is a different story because defenses have adjusted. Not taking anything away from Zeke, but I think that if we suddenly had the OL play and the deep threat we had in the 2014 post season, the combo of Dobbins and Weber would flat out light up everybody, along the lines of how Zeke did...
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Dobbins (and Weber) don't need to be Zeke, they just need to be the best versions of themselves by late November. Ohio State can absolutely win a natty with either or both in the backfield. The common denominator in Meyers losses at Ohio State hasn't been lack of skill at RB, its lack of utilization. Just give Hyde, Zeke, Samuel, Weber, Dobbins or a sousaphone player the damn ball and attack downhill.
I'll concede the point this is not a national title caliber OLine right now. Losing Bowen seriously puts a damper on the expectation they can get there. But its not like this roster is void of talent and we should punt all hope for this season.
Special teams is the biggest concern right now. Given how Penn State came back to win last season, they've got to be licking their chops at what Ohio State put on the field last week against Maryland.
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Fungo Squiggly
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Not trying to get off topic, but couldn't a decrease in Zeke's stats in the NFL this year also be attributed to his mind also being on a DV case?
Zeke had a breakout 2014 year after the VA Tech, and then took over the CFB landscape in 2015. And he was our primary AND secondary offensive weapon in 2015, and every DC in CFB knew that. He didn't even have consistent QB play and yet OSU still only lost 1 game in 2015, and if Beck wasn't so stubborn and fed Zeke more(illness or not) we would've beaten MSU.
So yes, his 2nd year in the NFL DCs account for him more, but it's not like his rookie year he wasn't being targeted then as well.
Having the OL play from 2014 is one thing, but we don't have a QB with the arm to make the deep throw, so having a deep threat is basically irrelevant this year. Cardale allowed the deep threat of Smith to flourish, this isn't the same offense. We don't rely on deep throws, but more of crossing routes, bubble screens RPOs. The combo of Dobbins and Weber should be able to light people if Burrell(or whomever replaces Bowen) is able to secure that RG spot with no dropoff. I've said before, this OSU team isn't very different than the Hurts led Bama teams, and in fact I'd take Barrett as a much better overall QB than Hurts as well.
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I'm beginning to think maybe the de-Becking process just took longer than we had all assumed it would.
I mean how much better can JT play?
I mean how much better can JT play?
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