Game Thread BCS Championship Game, tOSU vs. Florida - Jan 8th

[Big Papa]

If we're looking for a reason why we looked so bad last night, these numbers tell the tale.

Rushing ATT YDS AVG LG TD
Antonio Pittman 10 62 6.2 18 1
Chris Wells 2 9 4.5 7 0
Brian Hartline 1 5 5.0 5 0
Troy Smith 10 -29 -2.9 13 0

Pitt was averaging 6 a carry. Beanie's 2 carries got 9 yards. Why were we not running the ball?

I can understand a gameplan going foul early. But there were no adjustments. Florida's pass rush was coming a break neck speed.

No draws
No screens
No slants

Defensively, we never switched to cover1 to take away the short routes. Leak ate us alive just throwing under the canopy.

Absolutely frustrating night.

It almost seemed like a trip to pick up a trophy and a football game broke out.

We looked unprepared and uninterested

Excellent Post, I think you hit the nail on the head here. I am totally baffled that we went away from the running game like we did. The touchdown that Pittman scored, showed we could be successful running the ball. But the very next series they start out throwing it again. Obviously you can't stick to a running game when you get down by 21 in the 4th Quarter, but this is something we should have stuck with earlier on. Screens, delays. I feel these would have been successful for us and would have help free up the passing game if they started to try to load the box to stop our ground game.

 

[cincibuck]

Never been more disappointed in the Bucks.

If you mean, never more disappointed in the outcome, then I'm on board. I can't remember a Buckeye team that filled me with such confidence. I would not consider suggesting that they laid down. They played hard, but they got beat soundly along the line at first and eventually everywhere.

 

[nwbuckeye]

The game was great for about 16 seconds, then it went all to hell. It happens I guess and this time all the bad things happened to us. I do know that I hate the 51 day layoff; I hate the stupid rockem robot Dodge commercials, and I hate the assinine 10 minute long commercial breaks. What a friggin pain in the ass touchdown, commercial, kickoff, commercial; I felt like I was watching a game that was a nightmare with my vcr showing just bits and pieces every few minutes or so. Looking outside the sun did come up, my 5 y.o. is still a ray of sunshine, and YES the Buckeyes will be on the winning side of a NC game again in my lifetime. We didnt lose in 2006, we won the Big Ten title and beat scUM. Life is not all bad.

 

[Big Papa]

It almost seemed like a trip to pick up a trophy and a football game broke out.

Single best analogy I have read about last night.

 

[BigWhite]

We didnt lose in 2006, we won the Big Ten title and beat scUM. Life is not all bad.

That's the part that makes this a little easier to tolerate. We won our conference and beat our rival.

We play a different brand of football in the B10 and it is not always going to translate into victories against well-coached aggressive teams from tough conferences.

 

[RugbyBuck]

I felt a lot worse after MSU '98. Florida showed up and put it on us. Not a result you'd want, but it's one that can be respected. We played a better team last night. It's time to enjoy the off season a little and then get back to work. And

Michigan Still Sucks.

 

[Alex Boone fan]

Excuses for the loss,none, reasons, quite a few. But to me what happened was Florida's coaches used a game plan that put there atheletes in position all night to make key plays. We didn't adjust to what they took away and because of that our offense was left with nothing. Early in the game it was apparent that our passing game as planned wasn't going to work. I didn't see an attemp to incorprate some kind of ball control into our in offensive game plan. Who controls that? I don't know. But Florida without the ball sure seems to me to equate into less opportunities for them to score. It also allows our defense some time to rest. Our defense played their hearts out, but because they spent so much time doing that they were just worn out.
When it comes right down to it for me, during the game we were simply out coach. Poor in game adjustments/decisions. The only adjustment I saw was on defense. After giving up 34 pts in the first half we only allowed them 7 in the second.
Now let me say I love coach Tressel, don't want anybody else. I bet he learns what ever lessons there are to be learned from this and bounces back. Win or lose, I'll always be a BUCKEYE!!

Very well said. I couldn't agree with you anymore. As angry as I am today for the complete humilitation of Ohio State and Tressel did nothing to stop, I am very sad because we will no longer see some of these players anymore and that really equates to a sad day. It would of been far easier to see them leave with a big win.

 

[sullie]

I felt a lot worse after MSU '98. Florida showed up and put it on us. Not a result you'd want, but it's one that can be respected. We played a better team last night. It's time to enjoy the off season a little and then get back to work. And

Michigan Still Sucks.

I agree with both points:

1998 was soul crushing. We practically had an NFL team of talent and we lost to an "M" team. That team was the best college football team these eyes have ever witnessed. Period. And that loss was inexcusable but not getting a shot at the title that year was criminal . . . but I digress.

 

[calibuck]

Damn. We Tuesday morning quarterbacks seem to have it scoped out. Utterly dumbfounded by the game I saw. I feel very badly for the seniors and the juniors that aren't coming back. It was not a Buckeye ending for them. Hopefully this will give the returning players grist to chew on for the upcoming year, when we lose a ton of offensive talent, and key players on a defense. It looked like our D 2's couldn't contain, so the 1's played longer than usual. This doesn't look good for next year, given losing two key D-linemen. I'm going to ding myself for looking at a glass half empty for next year already.

Great season, but ended on an embarassing note. Don't recall who said it, but this great season will be noted more for the lopsided loss than the great games played. Guess the Buckeyes play better as the underdog, rather than the frontrunner. Herbie seemed pretty intense on the wrap-up show, could tell he was as upset as I was. Only I didn't have a live mike in front of me and a national audience.

Great year seniors, 3 wins over Meatchicken. I'll take it!

:gobucks3: :gobucks4:

 

[MyMamaTastesFunny]

If we're looking for a reason why we looked so bad last night, these numbers tell the tale.

Rushing ATT YDS AVG LG TD
Antonio Pittman 10 62 6.2 18 1
Chris Wells 2 9 4.5 7 0
Brian Hartline 1 5 5.0 5 0
Troy Smith 10 -29 -2.9 13 0

Pitt was averaging 6 a carry. Beanie's 2 carries got 9 yards. Why were we not running the ball?

I can understand a gameplan going foul early. But there were no adjustments. Florida's pass rush was coming a break neck speed.

No draws
No screens
No slants

Defensively, we never switched to cover1 to take away the short routes. Leak ate us alive just throwing under the canopy.

Absolutely frustrating night.

It almost seemed like a trip to pick up a trophy and a football game broke out.

We looked unprepared and uninterested

I have to smile. Hearing you complain about going away from the running game is the exact same posts made by UT fans after you beat us this year. "We were averaging nine yards a pop, etc, etc." Our fans were so mad at the coaching staff, and wanted answers.

Sometimes coaches find something that looks like an opportunity, and they stick with their plan, regardless of the results. Sometimes their thinking is borne out, and often, it is not. Who knows what goes on in the coaches offices before big games. Do they fight, and argue, and try to convince each other that they have the answer? Maybe Florida was showing holes in their pass defense. Maybe not. Tressel is a great coach, and it's senseless (and pointless) to question his motives. Florida wanted it more, period.

On another note, I hope this game lays to rest the "Troy is better than Vince" argument that was posted so often here. There is only one man who is Invinceable.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

You know, I was a mess after the heartbreaking Penn St. and Texas games last year but after that game I was in shock. No emotion at all. I just couldn't believe what was happening. Our coaching staff, the best in the country, looked like they didn't know what they were doing. They're known for their preperation and adjustments yet I saw none of it. We looked like chickens with our heads cut off. I never want to feel this way again. This was my worst nightmare coming to life.

I hurt. :(

 

[martinss01]

Congrats to OSU on a great year and especially for having classy people represent you. Your coach and players handled the adversity like class acts. I am an Auburn fan and would have loved to have even been playing in the game.

regardless of the meltdown your seeing here now (or atleast as close as we come to melting down), we're happy with the year and very proud of the guys donning the scarlet and gray.

thanks for stopping by and feel free to stick around. its always a plus to have fans of other teams/conferences around.

 

[LordJeffBuck]

This was my worst nightmare coming to life.

I hurt. :(

You're too young - you'll have worse nightmares than this in your life.

 

[Bucklion]

1998 Michgan State is now and forever will be my worst football nightmare. This wasn't even close. We layed an egg against a good team...it happens. We played for a championship...that only happens to 2 teams. This loss sucks, but we'll get over it. 1998 MSU sent us into a downward spiral, really, that took years and a coaching change to get out of...though we won the rest of our games that season. This loss will not send us into such a spiral.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

1998 Michgan State is now and forever will be my worst football nightmare. This wasn't even close. We layed an egg against a good team...it happens. We played for a championship...that only happens to 2 teams. This loss sucks, but we'll get over it. 1998 MSU sent us into a downward spiral, really, that took years and a coaching change to get out of...though we won the rest of our games that season. This loss will not send us into such a spiral.

1998 MSU used to be it but shouldn't we have expected it? Cooper was exposed by then. For Tressel and his staff to pull a Cooper in the National Title game was something I never thought I'd see. Tressel abused my trust. :tongue2: