I agree with some of what the poster says. I won't say anything about penalties because it's silly to worry about that unless it's blatant, but there are things that happened which totally cahnged the game. THis team is maddening because it is so close to keeping these games close and winning them, but they continue to make stupid mistakes.
I also thought it was closer at the half than the score indicated. OSU was able to drive on USC's D, but yet again in big games, they broke down in the red zone. You cannot do this and beat elite teams. Cannot. It should have been a 17-10 or so game at the half.
Also, as much as many like to complain about the D, OSU's offense and punt team simply continue to but OSu's D in horrible positions time after time. You can't expect the D to keep a machine of an offense from getting points when tehy start on OSU's freaking 40 yd line. This has been a problem since the Florida game in 2006.
I get upset with some fans because OSU stays with teams in the first half, but lets situations snow ball and refguses to step up. THere are not that many huge problems and some are trying to find things to worry about that actually are not issues.
I will agree that line play is a problem, specifically on the DL, but the OL gave Todd decent protection sometimes and even very good protection but tehn falls apart for some reason later in teh game.
Here are the key things that need to be fixed if OSU wants to get over the humps and beat elite teams and win NCs. They're actually quite simple:
1. Get pressure from the DL. Something is wrong with the DL. I was sure they would get pressure on a green QB and OL, but they did not and OSU was forced to bring pressue, freeing up areas that Sanchez could throw to. You can also add the OL here, ut IMO, it's more of a consistentcy issue with them Good protection one play, breakdown or holding call on another.
2. Win the turnover margin. In the last 3 big game blowouts, OSU is -2 in each game. The turnovers are also crucial in creating points for the other team. USC got a pick 6, LSU got a shot field, and Florida got multiple short fields against OSU in the title game because of it.
3. At least have equal field position with the opposing team. You cannot lose the battle by 22 yards or more like the past 3 big games. OSU cannot continue to lose this part of the game. Laugh at Tressel all you want, but the punt is crucial in forcing teams to go an extra 20 yards or more to score. I wasn't laughing when Trappaso made several bad punts to give USC great field position. You can't expect OSU to beat elite opponents when teh opposing team has to go only 60 yards for a score, but OSU has to go 82 yards for a score. That is a huge difference.
4. Execute and convert in the Red Zone. Absolutely crucial to any game against elite competition. You will not win games against teams that have great offenses like USC or Oklahoma if you do not score TDs in the red zone. Bitch all you want about the 02 offense, but they converted in the red zone. Against Miami Krenzel had 2 1 yd runs for TDs and Clarret had 2 runs of no more than 5 yds I think. This along with the Mind game part is probably the most important.
5. The Mind game. As much as people want to comment about the speed of teams and the star ratings of their players, they forget to mention teh mental aspect of the game, which, IMO, is more important than any of the later points. OSU has great talent, but mentally they are still playing with many mistakes that force them to kick FGs instead of TDs and kill drives instead of converting 3rd downs. This is crucial. And when OSU gets down, I see no fighting spirit. The last 3 big game beat downs had taken their toll on this team mentally and I don't know ho wit will affect the way they play the rest of the year. Elite teams are mentally elite and tough.
It is also frustrating because it almost feels like this team is afraid to take that extra step and be as good as they could be. This team had enormous potential coming back with 20 returning starters, but it just seems like they refuse to take that step to become elite and cement themselves in OSU history. It's not about speed or strength or talent, those guys have it, but they seem to not have that confidence to become elite. It's not the tough stuff that they lack in, but the easy stuff, simple stuff, like seniors false starting, holding on crucial plays, not executing, playing scared, lacking poise and direction. It's the mental step they need to take to become elite and right now they don't have it yet.
There will always be a faster and better team physically. Right now USC has marvelous talent. Guys like Williams, Sanchez, McKnight, Malaluga are unbelieveable in the physical department and McKnight made me stare at how fast and fluid he is. But none of that seems to matter if you are mentally prepared. When you can finally let go of the impossible part and understand that you can beat the other team no matter what, it doesn't matter how fast or how strong the opponent is, because you will always be faster and stronger. The 2002 team seemed to understand that, but unfortunately the 2008 team does not. Hopefully they eventually will.
#6 is wildcard Pryor. Right now, believe it or not, Pryor is already better at this point in his career than guys like Vince Young, Reggie Bush, Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow, etc in their respective first couple games in their freshman years (in some cases because he is actually playing rather than redshirting). He's a true freshman that was able to gash USC in some plays even when they knew what was coming. He is developing faster than I thought he would and made much more of a difference than I thought he would against USC. If he can keep his mental abilities such as competiveness, composure (incredible against USC as a frosh) spirit, leadership that he has now, there is no question in my mind that he could leave OSU as one of the best players in OSU and in college football history.
