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Observations from the Barcalounger - Michigan State 2004

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Oh8ch

Oh8ch

Cognoscente of Omphaloskepsis
Staff member
1. This is being chewed on in other threads, but I for one thought Troy Smith was a clear key to this win today. You have a young QB in a higly restriced Offense in his third game. That last drive he was making tough throws into tough coverage and did what he had to do (fess up - how many gave up when we went behind?). Whatever you want to say aobut Ginn on the TD pass it started with being hit in stride.

(BTW - for the 'stats' freaks: Smith now has almost exactly half as many attempts as Zwick (42 to 81). He has just under half as many yards as Zwick but has as many TD passes (5 each) and zero interceptions to 5 for Justin. He is making his case.)

2. Worst announcers I can recall in some time. From the Ross insults to the 'Garnet and Gray' reference they sucked. But I was interested in hearing the sideline reporter (you only had to take on look at her to know we had the 'C' team) talk about the lack of enthusiasm on the sidelines. Have these kids played so much college football that they are burnt out and can't get fired up? Or should I not take her comments at face value?

3. Earlly in the season many folks were asking to see some younger players and new faces. That is cool. But now I am seeing way too many names shuffling on and off the field. The OL is a revolving door. The D is becoming the same way. Maybe its injuries (small and large) but maybe it a warning sign that the coaches are struggling to get this dog to hunt (see above).

4. Ted Ginn is amazing. I can't do him justice with words. But did he hide the ineffectiveness of the O today? Twenty-one points on pure speed and a late TD when MSU quit. How many sustained drives? But it did look better. Pass protection was solid and there was an occasional line surge on running plays. Maybe by Michigan week......

5. Mo Hall had a great game (83 yardsd on 11 carries). He had three or four runs when it looked like an old fashioned competent running game - there was a surge and a back carried some tacklers. God I miss that.

6. On the other hand - Lydell Ross: 21 yards on 7 carries with a fumble. Kid has had a rough couple of weeks and I have always been a big fan, but the chance that he will make a statement before he leaves are dwindling quickly.

7. I haven't seen the TOP numbers yet, but MSU ran 80 plays to our 56. That tune is getting old.

8. Youboty is becoming a beast.

9. Turano's tackle on the punt return made me a big time believer.
 
I'm still not sold on Smith. He has overthrown every deep ball this season. He had Holmes wide open early on in this game, if he hits that pass we go up 21-0. My other concern with him is his inability to make pass plays happen. He has the legs to buy time, but he always takes off instead of finding a secondary receiver. Flip a coin on the QB position.

As for Ginn, he is turning into a top 20 player nationally, and top 5 in the Big Ten. I try to find a player to compare him to with his unbelievable abilty to make big plays, but I can't. I guess you could call him a cross breed of Joey Galloway and Charles Woodson with a touch of Robert Smith (his smooth running style). He is the best player to play at Ohio State since Eddie, write that down in permanent marker.

What can I say about these Buckeyes. I said it before the game, and I'll say it again. This is a team that is finding their identity, and one that is improving every week. I honestly feel that we can go 2-0 over the last two weeks, it's not just wishful thinking anymore.

The winning streak extends to 3 games. Lets make it 4 against the very vulnerable Purdue.
 
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And the addendum I wanted to add (in my own short-windedness): I always new on paper that our team was young, but I think in this game they showed it the most. I wish I could name specific examples, but this was just about overall experience/mistakes and such. So while this year is a down year I think it will serve as a springboard to the future.
 
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You couldn't be more wrong about Smith. He marched his team to victory on the last drive. Yes Ginn made a great play but it was a strike.

I think Smith tucks the ball too much but he doesn't get sacked much. Remember he has only started 3 games and has been restricted by playcalling. I like the dimension of his scrambling ability.

Is he all-world no but hes a hell of alot more efficient than Zwick. The biggest stat of the day for Smith was 0 turnovers.

I don't know what people have against Smith but in the last 2 games there has been 6-8 dropped passes. I think his accuracy is good and I like the zip he has on the ball. He will grow and get better. Have patience.
 
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I agree that Smith's 0 INTs is a big deal for the team. On the other hand, and there's no way to say this without sounding like I'm down on the kid, and I'm absolutely not, but, ah, he's not 0 INTs (he does have at least 1 TO) entirely by his own doing. He's now had 3 that absolutely should have been picks, if not for complete and total ineptitude (thankfully) on the part of the defensive players. Another today, he hit Herron better than he hit most of our own receivers, right on the numbers, and the guy (thankfully) didn't know what to do with it. Again, I'm not knocking Smith, just the assertion that we can look at 0 INTs as a major indicator that he's doing something so much more right than Justin was. I think he's (Smith) doing a fine job under less-than-ideal circumstances, and has not done anything to lose himself the job. I cannot say the same for Justin, he did enough to open up a chance for Troy, injury or not. But the assertion that Smith looks head and shoulders better than Justin because he's thrown 0 picks to Zwick's 5 leaves me scratching my head. It would be one thing if his 0 picks were due to great reads, quick eyes, and accurate throws away from defensive opportunities, but that's not the case at all.

Don't know how many different ways to say that I think he's playing well, and still manage to question how meaningful his 0 INTs stat is, without sounding like I'm just sour because I want Zwick to play, but it is what it is.

I honestly don't think the gap is all that wide between the two QBs, but I think at present we have the right guy in there.

For all the suggestions that people have something against Smith, I would submit that there's an even greater presence of those who are so bitterly down on Zwick, that he can do no right, and Troy can do no wrong. Not all, but there are definitely a few out there. I've got nothing against Troy at all, but I am going to keep my eyes open to the realities of his play. Our 3 losses in a row had a lot more to do with team breakdowns at every single position, not just who the QB was at the time.



brutus2002 said:
You couldn't be more wrong about Smith. He marched his team to victory on the last drive. Yes Ginn made a great play but it was a strike.

I think Smith tucks the ball too much but he doesn't get sacked much. Remember he has only started 3 games and has been restricted by playcalling. I like the dimension of his scrambling ability.

Is he all-world no but hes a hell of alot more efficient than Zwick. The biggest stat of the day for Smith was 0 turnovers.

I don't know what people have against Smith but in the last 2 games there has been 6-8 dropped passes. I think his accuracy is good and I like the zip he has on the ball. He will grow and get better. Have patience.
Click to expand...

Oh8ch said:
1. This is being chewed on in other threads, but I for one thought Troy Smith was a clear key to this win today. You have a young QB in a higly restriced Offense in his third game. That last drive he was making tough throws into tough coverage and did what he had to do (fess up - how many gave up when we went behind?). Whatever you want to say aobut Ginn on the TD pass it started with being hit in stride.

(BTW - for the 'stats' freaks: Smith now has almost exactly half as many attempts as Zwick (42 to 81). He has just under half as many yards as Zwick but has as many TD passes (5 each) and zero interceptions to 5 for Justin. He is making his case.)
Click to expand...
 
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Teddy opened up a massive opportunity for JT/Bollman today...

That reverse will be drilled into opponents' heads from here on out so there has to be some type of variation from it. Double reverse, use it as playaction, whatever...there has to be some evolution of the play now. Beyond that single play, Teddy will also get more attention from DCs which will open up more opportunities for guys like Bam, Roy, Devon, etc.

This all lies in JT's lap now. Pittman was sorely missed today and Joe showed glimpses of his skills, but he is not the same player we saw in the Fiesta Bowl last year. We did see at least one bootleg and I finally got my rollout flood even though it was on the 2 pt conversion with limited space. Imagine that play with various depths of receivers stretching the DBs beyond their limits and TS holding the option to tuck it.

the opportunities for this offense are showing signs of life...philosophy-wise. Its all about putting it together now.
 
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no offense 21.....but now watching oklahoma play tonite.....tosu offense has light years to go before they are an even average offense.....

i just saw ou run a play action pass on first and goal from the two for a touchdown to the tight end.....
 
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DiHard said:
no offense 21.....but now watching oklahoma play tonite.....tosu offense has light years to go before they are an even average offense.....

i just saw ou run a play action pass on first and goal from the two for a touchdown to the tight end.....
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I agree 100% but the philosophy is there is my point. OU has a quality back to think about, an experienced QB, and a dominating line. That type of balance opens many more options for playcalling. You wouldn't suggest that a tOSU playfake would be as potent as an OU playfake would you? The threat of the run is a serious threat for OU...not so for tOSU.
 
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i agree it is not a fair comparison.....but the buckeyes ran how many play-action passes today.....

one and it could/should have been a td.....they never did it again.....
 
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DiHard said:
i agree it is not a fair comparison.....but the buckeyes ran how many play-action passes today.....

one and it could/should have been a td.....they never did it again.....
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Very true, but if you were playing safety against tOSU, would you worry too much about coming up hard in run support? I would definitely tell my guys to take their read steps then come up only after the run has been verified.
 
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where was the safety in the one play action pass the buckeyes tried today......it is the same as the mohall td run.....nobody on the defense for a second thought there was a chance that the runner could end up outside the tackles....

to biatch....i watched the 02 scum-osu game again last night....and i almost posted about it....

man clarett could flat out play....i mean play.....like nobody in cfb can this year....
 
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osugrad21 said:
Very true, but if you were playing safety against tOSU, would you worry too much about coming up hard in run support? I would definitely tell my guys to take their read steps then come up only after the run has been verified.
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Exactly. Play action is a waste of time if you're not successfully running the football. We've recruited some quality o-lineman this year and last, now we need some quality running backs.
 
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