1. ANOTHER PERFECT GAME
Tressel is a genius.
First of all, folks have been talking about the advantage USC has with an off week. Well, we are now even on that score.
Second, USC is playing in a classic cross country rivalry next week. They have been anticipating it as long as we have. Yet Pete Carroll still has the challenge of getting his players up for that game. How is he going to do that when the game film they will be studying is narrated by Tom Bergeron?
On the other hand, what are the odds the Buckeyes are sitting around reading their press clippings and sipping lattes this week? JT should absolutely have their attention in practice.
Brilliance. Genius.
What I don't understand is how he got EVERYONE to contribute so effectively to his plan.
2. QUARTERBACK CONTROVERSY
To blame Boeckman for Saturday's performance would be unfair - it was a total team effort. But it would be equally unfair for any of those who (like myself) have been suggesting we would see a new and improved Boeckman this season to suggest this is happening.
Aside from the fumble (OK he was trying to avoid a safety), his passes were neither crisp nor on target - even simple screens. He repeatedly threw into coverage. And our longest pass of the day was 25 yards to Jake Ballard - a pass that was under thrown. How do you UNDER THROW Jake Ballard? And while his running was effective I have yet to see him slide this season. Maualuga will be having wet dreams all week. And please - don-t bring up the "jump balls" against USC.
All that said, the question about Boeckman has consistently been his ability to show up for the big games. Next week he has his chance. I am betting he does.
As for Pryor, without looking at the official stats I am pretty certain he fell short of the 50-75 snaps Skip Holtz' father was saying he needed.
Also, I have noticed that in both games he has had a brief emotional reaction to players on the other team. Rookie needs to come to terms with that quickly. Feel it - but never show it.
But give him credit. Take away his 23 yard scamper on our final drive and we end up with fewer rushing yards and fewer total yards than OU. (We did pound them in the air - 110 to 109.)
As for the "special package" - we will see if JT has been saving it for LA. But nothing I saw on Saturday suggests that any extensive role was being carved out for Pryor.
3. LAST WEEKS OBSCURE REFERENCE OF THE WEEK
The piece of badminton equipment with which American astronauts are familiar is - the shuttlecock.
4. OFFENSIVE
Maybe the line did fine. Maybe it was Solich's genius that there was an unblocked defender on almost every play. Maybe they were stealing our signals and calling the perfect defensive play. But it certainly looked like we were missing assignments, not initiating contact, and failing to get to the next level. Hell, Boone even gave up a sack - to the MAC.
Our receivers struggled to get open and Boeckman struggled to find them when they were. And when they did connect it was a toss up to see if we would hang on.
Wells still takes too long to do his reads. He has his moments - but they are in space. I just can't picture him finding much of that against USC.
[RANT]And for nuts sake Tressel - do you ever scout your own team? If there is any one player who should NOT carry the ball on 4th and a half yard it is Mo Wells. Love the kid, but he is slow getting to the point of attack and does not move the pile. When I saw him in the backfield I was certain it was a QB sneak. Geesh.[/RANT]
(Sorry - not bashing the player - just the coaching call.)
The lone bright spot IMO was Herron. When he had any chance he made yards.
5. STAT OF THE WEEK
6.9 yards per completion is one of the most anemic stats I have seen in some time. It tells a big part of the story.
6. LAST WEEKS STAT OF THE WEEK
Last week I presented a stat that the average person eats 8 spiders in their lifetime while they were asleep. I was promptly challenged that the actual number is 14. To be honest, if you do some research you will find many claiming this is all a myth. Critics ask how anyone could conceivably measure such an assertion. Well, not to nit-pick, but I feel the need to defend my original figure. So here is a description of the original research:
7. KUDOS TO THE CROWD
No, they didn't get the memo this time. They were late and all the colors of the rainbow were in attendance. And the noise level generally matched the level of performance on the field. But I give them credit for one important thing. I never heard the anticipated "We Want Pryor" chant. After three possession that netted 27 yards and one first down on 13 plays - they remained quiet. Very quiet. (Of course, once Pryor saw the field he did his best to discourage any such chanting.)
And I must mention the OU crowd as well. Started off just fine. Polite and reserved - expecting a butt kicking and eagerly pointing out that they were OSU fans too, except for this one day. But then it got ugly. In their newly established visitors section (visitors are now all grouped vertically in the Northeast corner) they figured out it was cool to follow any loud "O" (as in O-H-I-O) with their very best "U". Annoying as hell. Totally forgot their place.
Read and heed Bobcats, Zips, Flashes, Rockets, and Falcons. You are welcome to cheer for your team in our stadium - but NOBODY likes an uppity MAC fan.
8. NEW TRADITIONS
OK, we have given it two weeks. They tweaked it from "That's another Ohio State (pause) First Down" to "That's an Ohio State (let the crowd fill in the blank)".
But it doesn't work. We don't participate. Like the D we watch and react. And when things are not going well it sounds just plain silly to hear "That's an Ohio State - murmur, murmur". Give it a rest - at least till the students return.
The new Block O entrance on the other hand kicks ass.
9. NACHO REPORT
Last week I met the Nacho Babe (figure 1 - the one in the front).
Figure 1.
Research tells us that sex creates genetic variation among siblings. Sex creates novel genotypes and increases resistance to parasites. Sex allows reconstruction of mutation-free individuals and encourage removal of deleterious genes. Without sex humans would never have evolved. Sex, my friends, is important.
Knowing this I felt little guilt forgoing my marriage vows and hooking up with Figure 1 above. And what a hook up it was.
Afterward, when the livestock had been secured and the produce rinsed, she presented a slip of paper with a phone number and asked if I was interested in meeting another "nacho babe". I did not immediately accept her offer - but once she had loosened my ball gag I eagerly answered in the affirmative (I believe my exact words were "Yes, Mistress Velveeta").
She then produced a short wooden stick and - removing a switchblade from her stiletto heeled red Naugahyde hip waders - cut a small notch near the top. "You?ll need this" she said.
I'll keep you posted.
10. DEFENSELESS
Eleven Silver Helmets flying to the ball! Remember that one? I hope you have it on film.
To be fair, our defensive players should be put in two groups. Those who moved in slow motion, and those who stood and watched while others moved in slow motion.
I am being much too harsh of course. But I did not see the pursuit I am used to. I did not see seven players participating in a tackle. OU has one player on their OL who goes over 290. Where was the push? Where were the TFLs?
I understand that defending the spread requires you to be more reactive than attacking. But I saw bad angles, poor tackling and most disturbing to me - players standing around near a tackle that was being made when I am used to seeing them jump on the pile.
It simply was not the OSU D I am used to watching. But it generated 4 picks - so what do I know?
11. ITS OFFICIAL
NBC is marketing next week's UM-ND classic as the "Clusterf*** Bowl".
12. PLAYS OF THE GAME
Lane's fumble recovery.
Small's punt return. Clip or not, there were a couple of sweet moves and a nice burst.
And my personal favorite, Wilson's post sack hand stand.
13. INJURY REPORT
Just before the game I told the OU fan in front of me that all I wanted was an injury free game and a one point win.
I was just humoring him for nuts sake. But to the best of my knowledge there were no significant injuries.
14. LOOKING AHEAD
I shudder to think of all that is at stake next week - much more for us than for the Trojans. Lose and it will be this time next year before we have another chance to redeem ourselves in the national perception.
It took us four interceptions, the brilliant recovery of a fumbled punt, and a clip-aided punt return to beat an OU team that finished tied for 4th in the MAC East last season, played three quarters of the game without their starting QB, and saw their star receiver drop multiple first down passes..
The Ukrainian judge would have given this game to the Bobcats.
And now we play USC.
What is most disturbing is not the performance itself, but it's timing. Next week is huge. And I wanted to be reminded of our prominence - not Florida and LSU. I want to be thumping my chest and talking about our strengths, not asking what went wrong, if it is correctable, and if it can be corrected in time.
I absolutely understand that in CFB each week stands alone. Looking ahead is often fatal. To paraphrase Small after the game "You gotta give these guys all the accolades. But this was Ohio State against Ohio U". We were clearly looking ahead. We were not focused on Ohio U. That's CFB. It is what generates upsets.
And we brought back all these seniors, returned virtually our entire team. How can we have a game like this? How many of us see Beanie on the sideline and are reminded of another returning RB pedaling away on a stationary bike? Another group of seniors who came back to win an NC only to be part of the most disappointing season in their school's history.
Well, we aren't Michigan and Tressel is not Carr.
The talent and experience on this team is real. And it will show up in LA.
Next week won't be about Beanie or Boeckman. It will be about who is ready to smack somebody in the mouth in the trenches. We didn't smack OU. But this team knows how to hit.
For #s 1, 2, 33 and 75 this is what it is all about. Focus will be no problem. Delivering the blow will be no problem.
So strap 'em on. Michigan week comes early this year.
15. IN CLOSING
I sometimes ask myself why I spend the time I do to churn out this drivel with its ever declining ratio of football to nonsense. The answer I come up with is to amuse myself - and hopefully to amuse the many folks I think of as friends on this site.
I thought of SanAntonioBuck as I wrote this week. I like to think he would have approved.
You are missed.
Tressel is a genius.
First of all, folks have been talking about the advantage USC has with an off week. Well, we are now even on that score.
Second, USC is playing in a classic cross country rivalry next week. They have been anticipating it as long as we have. Yet Pete Carroll still has the challenge of getting his players up for that game. How is he going to do that when the game film they will be studying is narrated by Tom Bergeron?
On the other hand, what are the odds the Buckeyes are sitting around reading their press clippings and sipping lattes this week? JT should absolutely have their attention in practice.
Brilliance. Genius.
What I don't understand is how he got EVERYONE to contribute so effectively to his plan.
2. QUARTERBACK CONTROVERSY
To blame Boeckman for Saturday's performance would be unfair - it was a total team effort. But it would be equally unfair for any of those who (like myself) have been suggesting we would see a new and improved Boeckman this season to suggest this is happening.
Aside from the fumble (OK he was trying to avoid a safety), his passes were neither crisp nor on target - even simple screens. He repeatedly threw into coverage. And our longest pass of the day was 25 yards to Jake Ballard - a pass that was under thrown. How do you UNDER THROW Jake Ballard? And while his running was effective I have yet to see him slide this season. Maualuga will be having wet dreams all week. And please - don-t bring up the "jump balls" against USC.
All that said, the question about Boeckman has consistently been his ability to show up for the big games. Next week he has his chance. I am betting he does.
As for Pryor, without looking at the official stats I am pretty certain he fell short of the 50-75 snaps Skip Holtz' father was saying he needed.
Also, I have noticed that in both games he has had a brief emotional reaction to players on the other team. Rookie needs to come to terms with that quickly. Feel it - but never show it.
But give him credit. Take away his 23 yard scamper on our final drive and we end up with fewer rushing yards and fewer total yards than OU. (We did pound them in the air - 110 to 109.)
As for the "special package" - we will see if JT has been saving it for LA. But nothing I saw on Saturday suggests that any extensive role was being carved out for Pryor.
3. LAST WEEKS OBSCURE REFERENCE OF THE WEEK
The piece of badminton equipment with which American astronauts are familiar is - the shuttlecock.
4. OFFENSIVE
Maybe the line did fine. Maybe it was Solich's genius that there was an unblocked defender on almost every play. Maybe they were stealing our signals and calling the perfect defensive play. But it certainly looked like we were missing assignments, not initiating contact, and failing to get to the next level. Hell, Boone even gave up a sack - to the MAC.
Our receivers struggled to get open and Boeckman struggled to find them when they were. And when they did connect it was a toss up to see if we would hang on.
Wells still takes too long to do his reads. He has his moments - but they are in space. I just can't picture him finding much of that against USC.
[RANT]And for nuts sake Tressel - do you ever scout your own team? If there is any one player who should NOT carry the ball on 4th and a half yard it is Mo Wells. Love the kid, but he is slow getting to the point of attack and does not move the pile. When I saw him in the backfield I was certain it was a QB sneak. Geesh.[/RANT]
(Sorry - not bashing the player - just the coaching call.)
The lone bright spot IMO was Herron. When he had any chance he made yards.
5. STAT OF THE WEEK
6.9 yards per completion is one of the most anemic stats I have seen in some time. It tells a big part of the story.
6. LAST WEEKS STAT OF THE WEEK
Last week I presented a stat that the average person eats 8 spiders in their lifetime while they were asleep. I was promptly challenged that the actual number is 14. To be honest, if you do some research you will find many claiming this is all a myth. Critics ask how anyone could conceivably measure such an assertion. Well, not to nit-pick, but I feel the need to defend my original figure. So here is a description of the original research:
7. KUDOS TO THE CROWD
No, they didn't get the memo this time. They were late and all the colors of the rainbow were in attendance. And the noise level generally matched the level of performance on the field. But I give them credit for one important thing. I never heard the anticipated "We Want Pryor" chant. After three possession that netted 27 yards and one first down on 13 plays - they remained quiet. Very quiet. (Of course, once Pryor saw the field he did his best to discourage any such chanting.)
And I must mention the OU crowd as well. Started off just fine. Polite and reserved - expecting a butt kicking and eagerly pointing out that they were OSU fans too, except for this one day. But then it got ugly. In their newly established visitors section (visitors are now all grouped vertically in the Northeast corner) they figured out it was cool to follow any loud "O" (as in O-H-I-O) with their very best "U". Annoying as hell. Totally forgot their place.
Read and heed Bobcats, Zips, Flashes, Rockets, and Falcons. You are welcome to cheer for your team in our stadium - but NOBODY likes an uppity MAC fan.
8. NEW TRADITIONS
OK, we have given it two weeks. They tweaked it from "That's another Ohio State (pause) First Down" to "That's an Ohio State (let the crowd fill in the blank)".
But it doesn't work. We don't participate. Like the D we watch and react. And when things are not going well it sounds just plain silly to hear "That's an Ohio State - murmur, murmur". Give it a rest - at least till the students return.
The new Block O entrance on the other hand kicks ass.
9. NACHO REPORT
Last week I met the Nacho Babe (figure 1 - the one in the front).
Figure 1.
Research tells us that sex creates genetic variation among siblings. Sex creates novel genotypes and increases resistance to parasites. Sex allows reconstruction of mutation-free individuals and encourage removal of deleterious genes. Without sex humans would never have evolved. Sex, my friends, is important.
Knowing this I felt little guilt forgoing my marriage vows and hooking up with Figure 1 above. And what a hook up it was.
Afterward, when the livestock had been secured and the produce rinsed, she presented a slip of paper with a phone number and asked if I was interested in meeting another "nacho babe". I did not immediately accept her offer - but once she had loosened my ball gag I eagerly answered in the affirmative (I believe my exact words were "Yes, Mistress Velveeta").
She then produced a short wooden stick and - removing a switchblade from her stiletto heeled red Naugahyde hip waders - cut a small notch near the top. "You?ll need this" she said.
I'll keep you posted.
10. DEFENSELESS
Eleven Silver Helmets flying to the ball! Remember that one? I hope you have it on film.
To be fair, our defensive players should be put in two groups. Those who moved in slow motion, and those who stood and watched while others moved in slow motion.
I am being much too harsh of course. But I did not see the pursuit I am used to. I did not see seven players participating in a tackle. OU has one player on their OL who goes over 290. Where was the push? Where were the TFLs?
I understand that defending the spread requires you to be more reactive than attacking. But I saw bad angles, poor tackling and most disturbing to me - players standing around near a tackle that was being made when I am used to seeing them jump on the pile.
It simply was not the OSU D I am used to watching. But it generated 4 picks - so what do I know?
11. ITS OFFICIAL
NBC is marketing next week's UM-ND classic as the "Clusterf*** Bowl".
12. PLAYS OF THE GAME
Lane's fumble recovery.
Small's punt return. Clip or not, there were a couple of sweet moves and a nice burst.
And my personal favorite, Wilson's post sack hand stand.
13. INJURY REPORT
Just before the game I told the OU fan in front of me that all I wanted was an injury free game and a one point win.
I was just humoring him for nuts sake. But to the best of my knowledge there were no significant injuries.
14. LOOKING AHEAD
I shudder to think of all that is at stake next week - much more for us than for the Trojans. Lose and it will be this time next year before we have another chance to redeem ourselves in the national perception.
It took us four interceptions, the brilliant recovery of a fumbled punt, and a clip-aided punt return to beat an OU team that finished tied for 4th in the MAC East last season, played three quarters of the game without their starting QB, and saw their star receiver drop multiple first down passes..
The Ukrainian judge would have given this game to the Bobcats.
And now we play USC.
What is most disturbing is not the performance itself, but it's timing. Next week is huge. And I wanted to be reminded of our prominence - not Florida and LSU. I want to be thumping my chest and talking about our strengths, not asking what went wrong, if it is correctable, and if it can be corrected in time.
I absolutely understand that in CFB each week stands alone. Looking ahead is often fatal. To paraphrase Small after the game "You gotta give these guys all the accolades. But this was Ohio State against Ohio U". We were clearly looking ahead. We were not focused on Ohio U. That's CFB. It is what generates upsets.
And we brought back all these seniors, returned virtually our entire team. How can we have a game like this? How many of us see Beanie on the sideline and are reminded of another returning RB pedaling away on a stationary bike? Another group of seniors who came back to win an NC only to be part of the most disappointing season in their school's history.
Well, we aren't Michigan and Tressel is not Carr.
The talent and experience on this team is real. And it will show up in LA.
Next week won't be about Beanie or Boeckman. It will be about who is ready to smack somebody in the mouth in the trenches. We didn't smack OU. But this team knows how to hit.
For #s 1, 2, 33 and 75 this is what it is all about. Focus will be no problem. Delivering the blow will be no problem.
So strap 'em on. Michigan week comes early this year.
15. IN CLOSING
I sometimes ask myself why I spend the time I do to churn out this drivel with its ever declining ratio of football to nonsense. The answer I come up with is to amuse myself - and hopefully to amuse the many folks I think of as friends on this site.
I thought of SanAntonioBuck as I wrote this week. I like to think he would have approved.
You are missed.
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