Game Thread Game Two: #1 Ohio State 24, #2 Texas 7 (9/9/06)

[3yardsandacloud]

The next time tOSU plans on fielding arguably the greatest offense in college football history, let me know.

True, true HL. I think the point trying to be made is that some Texas fans seem to be saying that your Defense is arguably the greatest as well. Yet that same Defense (8 returners) didn't fare too well against USC. So which is it? The great D Texas fans are touting or the one that was mostly handled by USCs offense?

 

[jwinslow]

you're arguing semantics, just like the dropped pass/pass break up. yes the talk stopped after the texas game.....but as the season went on it's clear that he should never have been a Heisman candidate. it's not that Texas just bottled him up for 1 game and that knocked him out of the race completely.

just like the great play against hamby, UT also caused Teddy to drop those two bubble screens. Teddy had no part in lack of concentration on those plays, after which Troy rarely looked his way.

 

[UTMNC]

If Ginn plays like he did his frsh year, and or like he is capable, then yes, he is a legit heisman candidate. If he tears Texas a new one I can promise you I will be the first from UT to commend him on this board. Until then, Im sorry, he hasn't earned heisman status.

 

[3yardsandacloud]

What I do detect is whenever a Texas fan makes a argument about the breakdown of position by position, if we, In our opinion feel a UT player is better, has a edge, whatever you want to call it, and list at least some facts, we are called morons and the like.

With only two WR , actually only one because Ginn will be shut down again, you better make TE a little higher priority.

Troy Smith's tenure as a Heisman favorite may be short lived as well, IMO.

Anaylsis? Breakdown? Facts? Come on UT, half your posts are good, the other half are trolling and baiting.

EDIT: FWIW I don't think Ginn earned Heisman Contender status either. I don't really think he earned it coming into last year either. Sometimes the hype machine gets started way too early. Of course he had some ridiculous stat of a TD every 7 touches, but his great freshman season was mainly due to special teams heroics. IMO, that isn't enough to vault a player into heisman contender. Alas, I'm not in the media, so what do I know? Being the most exciting player isn't necessarily being the best player.

 

[EngineerHorn]

You probably said the same thing in 2002 about the vonted Miami Offense (24 points including 2 overtimes) and there 34 game win streak. Tressel's specialty in his tenure at OSU has been defense. His defenses have always been a step ahead of the other team.

Yet that same Defense (8 returners) didn't fare too well against USC. So which is it? The great D Texas fans are touting or the one that was mostly handled by USCs offense?

Okay. Say tOSU went undefeated last year and ended up playing USC in the Rose.
1. How many points do they give up?
2. Do they win?

We had a good first half on D. They really only had one good drive. It was the second half, after adjustments were made, that they had 4 straight drives that ended up in TD's. Good job by the USC offense, Pete Carroll, Steve Sarkisian, and Lane Kiffin. However, even as our D was in the middle of getting thrashed by USC, they were good enough to get us a chance to win the game. That's pretty important.

One more thing........Is it possible that maybe UT just had a bad half on D? Sort of like the OSU D having a bad game against Minnesota?

 

[UTMNC]

Having Ginn and Smith on the pre-season heisman candidate list looks good for tOSU. If however, I were a Buckeye fan I would be a little leary of having so much hype with such a huge game looming so early in the season. If tOSU wins the Texas game then by all means start the printing press.

 

[jwinslow]

actually, i think the UT players couldn't handle the heat :p the cramping up had a big impact on their pass rush. Once Leinart had time (and confidence) again, he was lighting up the secondary.

I agree it could have been one bad game, and OSU definitely struggled at times last year. I think the LBs were amazing, the DL was pretty good (Carp was the pass rush) and the secondary was solid (Youboty was vulnerable partially due to injury, and Salley whiffed or simply was not fast enough to make certain plays). The more time I have to reflect on last year's defense, I realize it pales in comparison to the 02 D, especially up front.

The 04 defense was harder to rebuild than the 06 defense will be, due to the strength in the trenches.

As for your question I think OSU gives up 31 points to USC...
...assuming Ginn isn't repping on defense and spying bush all game [/bucknuts.com]

Having Ginn and Smith on the pre-season heisman candidate list looks good for tOSU. If however, I were a Buckeye fan I would be a little leary of having so much hype with such a huge game looming so early in the season. If tOSU wins the Texas game then by all means start the printing press.

I know better than to ask if football is not very big in texas... I'm sure that any time UT is looking strong the hype and expectations are unbelievable. The same is true here. The national presses can write whatever they want, we live in an era conveniently filled 'best evers' and writers constantly trying to make a splash.

We have buckeye fans that post similar things: man, i wish OSU weren't ranked #1, or had the #1 recruit, or had top heisman candidates... they don't need that kind of pressure. Please. The pressure will be enormous regardless of what some media types say/write.

 

[EngineerHorn]

31 is what I was thinking as well.

 

[High Lonesome]

True, true HL. I think the point trying to be made is that some Texas fans seem to be saying that your Defense is arguably the greatest as well. Yet that same Defense (8 returners) didn't fare too well against USC. So which is it? The great D Texas fans are touting or the one that was mostly handled by USCs offense?

What I think we are trying to say is that we will be the best defense that you face next year. It is entirely possible to have a great defense and get burned by the 05 SC offense at the same time. As good as I think our defense will be this year, I think that they would have a hard time keeping the '05 SC offense under 35. What any of that has to do with the '06 game between texas and tosu i have no idea since neither of our teams will field anything close to what SC did in '05....unless you are trying to say that you think tosu will be that good on offense

 

[inVINCEable]

...assuming Ginn isn't repping on defense and spying bush all game

I've wondered this question for so long, but why doesn't Ginn also play defense? Was it Gamble a few years back who played both ways?

 

[Saw31]

Having Ginn and Smith on the pre-season heisman candidate list looks good for tOSU. If however, I were a Buckeye fan I would be a little leary of having so much hype with such a huge game looming so early in the season. If tOSU wins the Texas game then by all means start the printing press.

And you expect the Texas QB to be in a better situation than Troy Smith is? This is what I don't get about this discussion...How can any Texas fan not be worried when it's new QB time? My personal expectations for tOSU are always lower when breaking in a new QB. More often than not, that year becomes the proverbial "rebuilding" year...I'll take an ineperienced defense over an inexperienced QB every day of the week...Even on the road. This game analysis should begin and end with Texas' new QB, because that's where the biggest question mark is, IMO...

 

[jwinslow]

I've wondered this question for so long, but why doesn't Ginn also play defense? Was it Gamble a few years back who played both ways?

yes, gamble played both ways, tho I do not believe he had played corner before the 02 season (which was more remarkable).

Many have dreamed of having Teddy lined up at corner, others have winced at the idea of jeopardizing that kind of offensive/ST talent on defense. He probably has the best hips in football, and has great hands, and would seemingly score in bunches if he caught a handful of INTs (imagine offensive players trying to tackle teddy in the open field).

I think he could handle the fatigue, like Gamble did (Mr. 120+ plays per game). Hoewver, Gamble was closer to 200 lbs (vs Teddy's 170ish), and was no more than a good WR imo. OSU was extremely thin at DB in 02 so they opted for Gamble. OSU has had plenty of talent at corner the past two years.

I believe they still have talent, but it is very green. There has been some talk that there are draft scouts who are interested in seeing Teddy rep at CB. I find that surprising, tho they did just take a huge gamble on Cromartie... and unlike the stupid excuse for Antonio C, Teddy actually can be drafted as a legit WR.

 

[BB73]

3. He has been a slow starter each of the last 2 years. You can't be a slow starter and win the Hesiman. Once your name falls off that list, it is hard to get back on.

In 2002, Carson Palmer was hardly being mentioned as a Heisman candidate by anybody after 6 games of the season. He went nuts in the second half, lit up Notre Ame on national TV, and won the award.

This was an exception to the norm, but shows that it's possible.

Here's a link to a midseason Heisman discussion in 2002 which doesn't even mention Palmer's name:

www.centralohio.com/20021018

 

[keeponrisin]

100 days from now we'll have all the answers we're looking for.
:topic:

 

[UTMNC]

Who said Texas fans aren't concerned, or Worried about the young QB's. What Texas fans know is that whichever QB starts, will so behind one of the best offensive lines in the nation. Throwing to as good as any receiver group in the nation, Handing the ball off to a very talented and very deep group of running backs. Texas probably will not average 50 points per game this year, but they wont have too. If none or any of the above were not true, then we would be really worried. The Texas offense may actually be more diverse without VY, which could be bad news for alot of teams.