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Game Thread CFP Playoff Cotton Bowl, tOSU vs Texas, Fri. Jan. 10th, 7:30 ET on ESPN

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Heard that the average 3rd down distance was 10+ yards. Went back and think I found them all.

3rd-3, 3rd-6, 3rd-26
3rd-8, 3rd-18, 3rd-10
3rd-1, 3rd-15, 3rd-8
3rd-9

Comes out to an average 10.4 yards to go on 3rd. There are some outliers with penalties, but after the first quarter they only had one 3rd down with less than 8 to go. Tough to win a game like that, but they found a way.

Have to stay ahead of the chains against ND.
 
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RB07OSU said:
I'll have to rewatch the game, but our mental mistakes at crucial times leading up to the 4th quarter almost cost us the game. I'll preface this by saying I am ecstatic with ending up winning the way that we did and in epic fashion with Jack's big play, I could barely go to sleep last night with the excitement. Just noting we have to clean it up by January 20th.

However, talent and drive are often insurmountable, and we just kept fighting. Just off the cuff:

1. Texas was triple or double covering Smith every play. If he has to be the decoy of sorts for one game, he is a team player and will do it. But I am pretty sure Freeman knows that type of coverage is not sustainable when there are so many other threats. I expect a Smith special against ND, but he helped our offense a ton just drawing the coverage that he did. We got picked forcing the ball on one play, but otherwise it just left everyone else open.
2. The OL was more vulnerable in pass pro, but Howard was not fantastic at moving away from the pressure either. Overall Howard played a great game, but the OL overall seemed more the like the injury riddled OL we thought we would see...but they got the job done on crucial plays, so I would imagine they have a passing grade and maybe then a little past that. But we need to clean up the false starts and penalties in general to beat ND...it was like one step forward and two steps back most of the night.
3. The defense was exceptional. Yes, we got burned on the RB wheel passes for bring pressure that didn't get home in time. But I completely understand that strategy, that is what defuses Ewers over the course of a game even if he hits a few plays like that. We kept them to mediocrity in the run game and got caught on a couple blitzes. It feels shitty when it happens, but overall a good strategy and we held them to 14 points.
4. The special teams just needs to stay at the level they were last night and hear me out. Kick the ball out of the end zone on kickoffs. Punt the ball to pin them back and win field position. Get to 3rd/4th and short so we can make a real decision on going for it or trusting a kicker that has been very sporadic. Fair catch every punt unless a defender is not within 10 yards of Downs and let the offense work. Point is that special teams could beat us, but being conservative in that area helps us most of the time. Let the offense and defense do their thing, that should be the modus operandi.
5. Great win and great turnout from our fans. Proud of the resilience and finding a way to win when the momentum had shifted away. I think a challenge like this was just what we needed after two blowout wins.
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Pretty much agree down the line altho I thought Howard was pretty good handling pressure. He made a great play escaping and finding Tate on that 3rd and 8 on the winning drive for example.

100% agree on the special teams. Just don't do anything to LOSE the game. I don't care if they make any positive plays, just avoid disaster.
 
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Jaxbuck said:
I’m voting for the Pickerington Six

And I was thinking on this after the game, it’s up in the pantheon with the Holy Buckeye.

Both were incredible plays that made you feel like “holy shit I can’t believe that just happened” BUT both also had that added element of I can’t believe that just happened and it was good.

Holy Buckeye told us Cooper was gone and good things could happen to us again. Maybe the Pick Six is the big turning point for Day’s tenure? Time will tell but even if it’s not, holy shit was that fun.
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How about MoC stealing the ball from Cryami’s DB? For those of us of a certain age, stopping Michigan four times from first and goal at the two, followed by Hoppy breaking free for 45 yards to set up a touchdown drive? How about Keith Byars 70 yad run for a td against Illinois With one shoe, brought the Bucks back from a 28 point deficit ?How about Smith to Ginn for 60 some yards and Buckeye center (Dyson?) trying like hell to get a block on the last ND db? How about Eddie George breaking a50 + yarder to seal the deal on ND, OR Terry Glens 70 yarder to take the lead in the same game? Paul Warfield breaking a Wolverine’s ankles causing the guy to fall on his ass as Paul glided right by him? How about stopping Michigans Tim Franklin for a three yard loss on a fourth and goal from the 1.5? Franklin was mouthier than most Michigan fother muckers.
 
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