Game Thread Ohio State 16, Purdue 3 (Oct. 11th)

[ysubuck]

I just don't think they are willing to run the risk of mistakes because the faith in the defense to bail them out just isn't there.

The d played well yesterday, but they haven't this year. The D line especially is just weak. Again, great job yesterday, but we all know that they have been gashed again and again this year. Look at Wisconsin last week. They ran at will on this defense. The O has struggled all year. Purdue had been giving up over 400 yards of offense this year. OSU managed 220 something.

MSU and PSU are both looking very good right now. MSU can run the ball. PSU is running a diverse O and has looked dominant.

The OSU O and D are very average right now and that doesn't look to change anytime soon.

Look at this quote from Purdue D tackle Ryan Baker:
"We had a goal of being a little more aggressive...We were flying into the gap instead of being passive. Penn State had a trickier scheme and a really good offensive line."

Talk about a slap in the face. But you have to place a lot of value on this kid's opinion as he has faced both. I just don't see OSU having the horses to keep up with Penn State.

 

[jimotis4heisman]

I'm agreeing...the OL play was inexcusable yesterday and I saw things that I never thought Id see from tOSU lineman. 100% lack of effort at times.

I disagree about throwing the ball deep but only in semantics not concept...it doesn't have to be deep to stretch the field. Florida stretched the field all night and killed LSU underneath. They had Tebow on the move and forced a defensive player to make a choice...the QB had a single read. If the defender does A you throw it here, if he does B, you throw it here...if he stands still and you see open field, tuck it and run like hell.

we had guys open, short, mid and deep all day...

 

[LitlBuck]

"Right now, we're not performing," Ballard said. "We're not performing like we can. Our whole line is back, and there's no reason why our line and our tight ends can't open up holes for the best running back in the country.

I guess I just don't understand why Ballard even has to make his quote. I would like to know why the whole line is not performing when we do have all of our offensive linemen back from last year with the exception of one. Is it the fault of the offensive line coach where the players are not afraid of him or losing their jobs? I guess I just don't understand why they would not put forth their best effort in order to win the game or are the schemes so bad they cannot execute them. They played "well" at Wisconsin and the week prior to that the head coach had to scream at them during practice. I really don't understand why these guys would not put forth their entire effort.

 

[Taosman]

I expected a let down after the emotional game last week. And that's exactly what we got. Particularly on the offensive side. The kids can't be up every week and we should have a better focused performance next week. And the offensive line is still a work in progress.

 

[akronbuck]

my opinion,with 5 linemen trying to play and one of them making mis-stakes, it makes them all look bad but, OSU'S main problem is that 2-4 are making those mis-stakes, so it turns into pathetic. Pryor getting sacked is ,,,,,,:( and thats the reason Boeckmen got benched for a faster QB and still,,,,,

 

[Taosman]

The Return of Tressel-ball? Could be. Just win, baby!

And did anyone notice that Minny beat Illinois? And Toledo(Holy Toledo!) beat scUM?

 

[OSUsushichic]

my opinion,with 5 linemen trying to play and one of them making mis-stakes, it makes them all look bad but, OSU'S main problem is that 2-4 are making those mis-stakes, so it turns into pathetic. Pryor getting sacked is ,,,,,,:( and thats the reason Boeckmen got benched for a faster QB and still,,,,,

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

I hate that argument. "If we play like this next week, we will get killed."

If you've watched college football for the past 25 years, u realize how silly that statement is.

Man oh man...when we were 3-3 in 2004, how did Cbus not self destruct.

Because we weren't that spoiled yet, and we didn't let our expectations get out of control coming into that season.

Those expectations are exactly what I was talking about (though it wasn't me that said, "If we play like...").

In 2002, I stayed optimistic all season long, because the team threw out reasons to have hope every now and then.

Comparing 2008 to 2002 is utterly delusional though. The 2002 team had a lot of fight and no quit in them. I wouldn't go that far with the 2008 team.

Yes, teams play up-and-down, you get a different team every week, pick your freakin' cliche. But in 45 years I've never seen a team play this poorly all season and all of a sudden play all the way up to their potential. It takes time to turn things around that far: always has, always will.

Of course there is a good chance the team can play significantly better next week. But to expect them to live up to what they should have been this season is not realistic... not at this point anyway.

Some see this as doom-and-gloom... blah
They obviously don't know me very well.

There is a reason why 3-straight-outright-titles has never been done in the Big 10. It is damn hard to get a team to play at that level for that long.

This team is not playing at that level. They did not play at that level in Madison... not consistently anyway. If you think they have it in them to play at that level soon; give me a solid reason to believe it. I want to believe it.

But don't give me a bunch of "playing to the level of the competition" nonsense. Playing Wisconsin toe-to-toe and getting smoked by USC aren't dramatically different performances. Yes, the Buckeyes showed more fight in Madison than in L.A.; but the difference was not dramatic and certainly not consistent. Then they showed less fight this week than I've seen since 1988.

I'm not comparing this year to 1988. But neither would I compare it to 2002. This year feel a lot more like 1987, and there's a lesson to be learned there.

I suffered through 1988. I went to every home game, and stayed until the bitter end every time. I also went to every home game in 1987, and stayed until the bitter end. Even though we won 2 more games in 1987, it hurt much worse.

The reason that '87 hurt worse than '88 is because I refused to admit to myself what I was seeing. I was still expecting a national title when I went to the 'Shoe to see the game against Indiana. I had no such expectations in 1988.

Some people, conversely, suffered through 2002. They completely failed to enjoy that season because of the defeat they always knew was coming. Clearly I'm not suggesting that people go down that road.

There is a fine line between setting yourself up for a fall and dreading the fall that never comes.

It all comes down to living in the moment... not worrying about the future, but about the here and now. It's what Tressel teaches the players, and it's what keeps fans sane.

 

[LitlBuck]

I expected a let down after the emotional game last week. And that's exactly what we got. Particularly on the offensive side. The kids can't be up every week and we should have a better focused performance next week. And the offensive line is still a work in progress.

I really don't understand why it is a work in progress when we have 4 returning starters from last year. I will admit that they are playing different positions but I don't think that should make that big of a difference. They should all be used to the physical play of the Big 10 or, as far as that goes, college football.

 

[Gothmog8]

I really don't understand why it is a work in progress...

I have wished a few times this year that I could say it was a rebuilding year...when clearly it should not be.

 

[jimotis4heisman]

"We have to pass the ball," Wells said. "Me being a running back you don't expect me to say that, but that's the truth, we have to pass the ball."
To give him more room to run?
"Not even just to give me more room," Wells said. "Just to, you know, have a better game plan. You can't just go in there just running the ball because eventually they're going to stop you."
Interesting stuff, eh? The junior is frustrated because the Buckeyes are reluctant to air it out the way they have in the past. Wells didn't say it's because quarterback Terrelle Pryor is a freshman, but the implication would seem to be there.
When Wells was asked why the Buckeyes seemed unwilling to throw the ball, a little more frustration seeped out.
"I'm not sure, but I'm expecting a change soon meaning (we're going to) start getting the ball downfield," Wells said. "We have great wide receivers with Brian Robiskie and (Brian) Hartline and all the young guys, and we've got to start using those guys."

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : Bob Hunter commentary: Buckeyes know what ails offense: need for passing game

 

[BrutusMaximus]

I disagree about throwing the ball deep but only in semantics not concept...it doesn't have to be deep to stretch the field.

I didnt necessarily mean throw it deep. I just mean get it down field. We run out routes, and that seems to be about it. No imagination. Also cant believe we havent tried more option style stuff with Pryor and Beanie out of the spread, in the I, etc. I see no reason why it wouldnt work. If your line cant get out and block, use misdirection. I guess it puzzles me why I can see all this from the sideline, but the coaches cant? There has to be another explanation.

 

[LitlBuck]

I guess the one thing that the one thing we are all forgetting is that Ohio State did win:) the game yesterday and by the same margin that Penn State beat Purdue last week and Penn State is supposed to be so much better. I think we all know that there are problems on this team that show up in individual games but did you ever think it might be the opponent. Why don't we all relax and resign our HC positions until we lose a game and I do know that we lost to USC.

 

[ysubuck]

I am happy that Ohio State won the game.

I am concerned that there is another ass kicking or two or three in the future however.

I am concerned that the team does not seem to be getting any better in the areas that they need to get better in.

 

[Steve19]

uh no. pace in college would have gotten up and escorted his tailback down the sidelines burying a db. pace and stringer were the two best olineman ive seen in the last 25 years..

Which game was it where Pace dropped a guy with a block 70 yards downfield? Geez, he was a thing of beauty to watch. Parker. Stringer. Pace. That's the standard in my book.