Well I just watched the game on DVR so here's my take....
OL- A bigger deal is being made on the pass rush that they allowed. They kept showing either Bauserman getting sacked or the play were pryor got away from pressure and found a wide open Ballard. The pass pro was good I thought but the running attack left much to be desired. I still think we're far too predictable on our formation in what we like to do. Under center and in the I formation? Either a dive or a playaction. Run out of spread, out of two tights, run out of something different to keep the looks different.
QB- Pryor looked fantastic. Made few mistakes and made some very good throws. He would like to have the pass that sailed high to Carter/Sanzo back but over all he looked his normal self. Infact I'd like to see him carry the ball a little more. Nothing crazy but we need more than 30+ yards outta him. As Tressel says If the QB can get 50+ yards its more than likely gonna be a win. Well he had only 30 yards and we barely edged them out. Pryor has got to be a tad more involved running the football.
RB- Looked good as well. Saine ran harder than I can ever remember, and boom was his steady self. I would've liked to seen one of the freshman steal a screen pass or so.
WR- I will say it now. Duron Carter will be the next Larry Fitzgerald. He didn't make any freak catches but to me he has that look that if you throw him the ball up high he will come down with it. Obviously Posey was missed the rest of the game, and having Small back will help. Washington though continue's to be the same story. Great in the spring and pretty shakey in the fall. Sanzo was great though. Overall very excited bout Sanzo, Carter, Posey, and Small as a foursome.
TE- I thought this was another bright spot. Both Ballard and Stoney were great out there.
Defense- This is obviously were It was frustrating (as I knew it would be). The rushing attack from Navy doesn't concern me because I thought we tackled well and Navy was going to get theres. My over all biggest concern by far is Anderson Russel. He got beat for a total of like 100 of their 150 some yards passing. They were two standard routes that he'll see through the season and he got absolutely killed on both routes. a Corner route and a post that both led to scores. WOW, this is a senior who's seen it all getting beat. Very disappointing and considering how his season ended last year I would've liked to see him start strong. Now next week we won't be playing as much man and won't be so concened about the option attack which should help him, but count me in the group that is very concerned about Anderson Russel in pass pro. The other thing that really made me shake my head was the 99 yard drive. I don't care what offense you run. When an offense makes a 99 yard drive you should do better than that. You gata give props to Navy for that, but that shouldn't have ever happened.
Overall- Watching the game it looked and seemed like it was in control the entire way. To me the thing was it looked like OSU was just on the verge of exploding on any given play. An ankle grab there, a great tackle here. On the flip Navy made those big plays. TD runs from 15+ out, TD catches from 88 and another from 15+ yards out. They made big plays and OSU was more methodical. I thought the playcalling particularly was responsible for that as well. I thought we played it pretty close to the vest (no pun) and didn't really try for the juggular (as we always never seem to do anyways).
Next week- I think we'll see a much better performance outta out defense.
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