Is this the week....

[iambrutus]

Will this be the week that Justin finally breaks out? I think that he will have a great week, i'm seeing 300+ 3+ TD's, 0 picks? I think he needs a game like this to help him out, i think he will be strong if he stays error free this weekend.

Bucks 35
NW 10

LETS GO BUCKS!!

 

[DCBuckFan]

Well, I think that JZ has a great game, but I think Marshall was a decent 'coming out party' even given the int's

324 3TD 2 INTS... granted that didn't get played up too much, since he had the 2 picks... He already is a better passer than we have seen in some time... once he gets better at the decisions watch out.

 

[brutus2002]

I say watch out for Tony Pittman. IMO this will be his coming out party!!!!!

 

[DA-Bucks]

I don't think Justin will have a coming out party until he plays very well against a good defensive team. I expect him to put up very good numbers vs NU.

However, I do want to see a breakout game from a running perspective. I'd love to see us mix up the running game with something other than the delayed power run (sweeps, ISOs, hell a simple off tackle play would be nice).

I hope Pittman gets at least 10-15 carries when the game still matters.

 

[Folanator]

I am praying that the reason for the closed scrimmage friday and practices is we are adding Pittman and a 2 back set. I looked at the '02 games and we ran Reecie out of the 2 back more than 50% of the time. Not sure why we have gotten away from that but it seems to have hurt us. The NW and PSU games are perfect to bring our Frosh and seeing what they can do over the course of a full B10 game.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

i hope im wrong but i dont think pittman is going to get much PT unless a) ross sets a school record for fumbles in a minute b) ross hurts himself c) we have a huge lead

 

[Folanator]

What about Ross and Pittman in the backfield?? Ross has to block as well as our FB (not Joe)

 

[MegaWoody]

I agree, Nation. I think JT gives Ross this game as a kind of last chance opportunity to perform against a weaker team. If he can't get it done against Northwestern, JT has to look elsewhere for a running threat against the stronger Big Ten teams that make up the rest of the schedule ...like Wisky the following week.

DA-Buck: is that Mili's backyard?

 

[RugbyBuck]

I agree, Nation. I think JT gives Ross this game as a kind of last chance opportunity to perform against a weaker team. If he can't get it done against Northwestern, JT has to look elsewhere for a running threat against the stronger Big Ten teams that make up the rest of the schedule ...like Wisky the following week.

DA-Buck: is that Mili's backyard?

I'm inclined to agree with you, but I think Pittman will see some minutes this week so that he's not completely thrown to the wolves against Wisconsin. JT has to have already made the decision, but is probably willing to give Ross a last shot to save his job.

 

[Buck Nasty]

I am thinking that if we get even the slightest bit of a comfortable lead JT goes to work on trying to straighten out the running game. I think if we get up early all of the backs will be given a chance to see who can do what. If it is a tight game JZ may have a big game as NW pass defense is less than stellar.

 

[Naplesbuckeye]

I think we have to and we are going to see the running game this week. Against Spread teams we have to churn the clock and keep the defense as fresh as we can. I can see us trying a number of things in the running game to do both of these things. We do have to try and get a deep a couple of times though!

 

[JXC]

I think we have to and we are going to see the running game this week. Against Spread teams we have to churn the clock and keep the defense as fresh as we can. I can see us trying a number of things in the running game to do both of these things. We do have to try and get a deep a couple of times though!

if Lydell is back there...I hate to say this...but I can't see the running game really going anywhere. I can see the passing game being very sucessful. I can even see Pittman coming in a being a spark...but Ohio State has done nothing to show me that they can run against Northwestern...I think it should be easier to run the ball against Marshall than Northwestern.

 

[FKAGobucks877]

It'll all come down to the O line. If they open up some gaping holes for once, Ross will be featured all game, or at least until tOSU has a "comfortable" lead. If not, and Ross is his prototypical ineffective self, I think we will see more of Pittman, as he so far seems to be able to do more regardless of whether the O line is opening holes.

 

[IBleedS&G]

I thought that passing for the 10th most yards in ohio state history in just his second game was the coming out game.

 

[souL]

i hope im wrong but i dont think pittman is going to get much PT unless a) ross sets a school record for fumbles in a minute b) ross hurts himself c) we have a huge lead

Bing! I'm looking for Ross to... look. It looks like every time he touches the ball he's looking at the grass. I wish he'd just run with his head up... not slam into busted holes.
Pittman has shown his flashes of brilliance on drives where Lydell had 3 carries for 7 yards.
All of this being said--Pittman will stay right where he is. I'm hoping that JT tries to work the offense to help Ross. Let's see the passes get horizontal. Hopefully we can spread the defense and then let Ross do his work. As it stands, Lydell's banging his head against the wall against 7-8 in the Box.

As for breakouts? I'm hoping the D-Line breaks out this week. Wow could we use someone like Green or Richardson to just explode. If we can establish our front four, I think we could feel a lot better about our chances in the B10.