Our D is ridiculous. That's the best word I can use for it.
Our coaching staff takes a ton of lumps when the team isn't effective offensively, people regularly argue that our terrific record of success under JT shouldn't be used in defense of them, and very few give them credit for their amazing ability to coach during the week. Such is life as a coach at a top tier program. Troy's turnaround? 100% JT in my opinion. And I felt that way before Troy's great little interview talking about how he would look at Tress and be reminded not to play backyard grabass football while at QB. Next time you see someone ripping JT, think about what Troy said there, and juxtapose that with his performance this week. That's coaching.
I think people tend to miss that this week and last week are the same offense, and the same coaches. A lot of the people completely losing their minds last week (on other sites, largely) and bashing Tress are probably really happy right now. Hey -- same offense, same coaches. The difference? Execution. Last week, Troy pulled the ball down despite wide open WRs and would run. This week he didn't, he stood in the pocket and checked down, and it made a huge difference. The bonus is that helped make his running more effective to boot. This week Pittman kept his legs pumping, and was fluid through a number of holes. The OL finally looked the way it should, and demonstrated (albeit against a *very* young and inexperienced DL, but outstanding LBs) that it can dominate. Ryan Hamby came in as a *receiving* TE. A lot of people forget that, but he was a hands guy who picked up solid blocking ability playing with and behind Hartsock. I think he did a great job today. Ginn looks frustrated, but it's a long season, and I actually sort of like how hungry he must be to blow up a game. Santonio is going to make a great pro, he's the whole package. Disciplined routes, freakish escapability, great vision, deadly speed, soft hands. Our secondary is well respected, and still under-rated IMO. Nate Salley had a terrible game last week, and really stepped it up this week. Jenkins is going to be a stud, hell, some could argue he already is -- not bad for a true frosh. Whitner is going to make a hell of a pro. Huston, I mean, what can I say? I'm now convinced that my mother could walk on the team and JT and crew could turn her into a Groza finalist. Our LBs? I don't want to sound like an excitable little girl or nothing, but they're DREAMY! Or, uh, yeah, best ever at OSU top to bottom? Maybe. Best in the country? Bias aside -- yes. All future pros? Lol, that's funny.
But back to Troy, if he keeps on listening to the coaches (I think that's absolutely critical, for obvious reasons -- last week was 'Troy's game for Troy', this week was 'JT's game for Troy'), continues to play QB and not RB, and learns to protect the ball, we could be in great shape no matter who we face in a bowl. I don't think he'll ever see the field and make reads like Justin, but that's not a knock. Justin is a pure pocket passer, it's what he does. It's like trying to draw a line between Tommy Frazier and Peyton Manning (just clearly on a different scale, lol). But when Troy saves his running ability for designed plays, or necessary escape scenarios -- he obviously gives us a dimension that Justin can't in terms of another element D's have to consider. Here's the thing, it doesn't make him BETTER than Justin, that's something that's always grated on me a bit -- it just makes him different. We've got two talents at QB, and thank Dog we're finally sticking with one, even through a miserable performance like last week.
What a great game. Iowa deserved this, WE deserved this, and I *loved* how well we got inside Drew's head.
Nice way to head into a bye week.
:osu:
