Game Thread Ohio State 3, Southern Cal 35 (Sept. 13)

[cincibuck]

Well, generally, experience makes personel much better.

That would make Northwestern and Indiana, homes of the 4th and 5th year seniors, the scourge of the Big 10.

I'm going with talent. The lone exception to that might be freshman QBs, where talent needs experience too.

 

[tonystarx]

We simply haven't had the horses to play that style since, and may never again. That D-line was sick, Sick, SICK. Those teams didn't even have to actually blitz that much, the front four could get great penetration by themselves. In fact, if you look at the film from that year, some of the best pressure we got was when we had 8 drop in coverage and only rushed 3 lineman. When there was a blitz with that D, the extra man usually had a clear lane because of the double teaming by the O-line.
I think this year we have the ability to bring more pressure, if the coaches put more trust in the DBs to go straight up man to man. If we bring aggressive pass rushing, the DBs don't need to be perfect. They just need to contain the receivers and hope the rush can either get to the QB or force him to hurry his throw. LSU did a good job of this in the NC, although I question the legality of jamming receivers 10-15 yards downfield.

I agree with the D-line play you speak of. It's no secret that if your corners can jam the WR's enough to disrupt the timing of the offense, they can give the front 3-6 enough time to get to the QB. With that said, Heacock would be a fool if he didn't jam SC's WR's under a cover 2 scheme and rely on our front 7 to stop the run, because our defense is capable of this. Like OSU, SC runs one of the most balanced offenses in college football. If we can make them one-dimensional, like they'll certainly try to do to us, our defense has the talent to completely shut them down. IMO, Mark Sanchez doesn't have the experience to handle the schemes and audibles that an on-point OSU defense can throw at him. All this is much easier said than done, but this game reminds me a lot of the 2002 title game due to the facts that OSU is the underdog, SC is expected to win it all, and they have an arrogant coach susceptible to an unexpected loss (see Stanford).

 

[PlanetFrnd]

I just read the CFN USC preview in my other office, and Im very pumped up. On the line - our DL is a solid year older and should (knock on wood) still be close to 100% in week 3... USC is elevating 3 new starters on their OL... if there is any personnel advantage to be had for either team in this game, it might just be on the lines for tOSU with our experience.

For our DL in general - with increased depth and another year of strength and experience on the line, I'm looking forward to improved production.

 

[generaladm]

I agree with the D-line play you speak of. It's no secret that if your corners can jam the WR's enough to disrupt the timing of the offense, they can give the front 3-6 enough time to get to the QB. With that said, Heacock would be a fool if he didn't jam SC's WR's under a cover 2 scheme and rely on our front 7 to stop the run, because our defense is capable of this. Like OSU, SC runs one of the most balanced offenses in college football. If we can make them one-dimensional, like they'll certainly try to do to us, our defense has the talent to completely shut them down. IMO, Mark Sanchez doesn't have the experience to handle the schemes and audibles that an on-point OSU defense can throw at him. All this is much easier said than done, but this game reminds me a lot of the 2002 title game due to the facts that OSU is the underdog, SC is expected to win it all, and they have an arrogant coach susceptible to an unexpected loss (see Stanford).

I think the fact that USC runs a traditional balanced pro style offense gives us an advantage. Over the past few years, this is the type of team our D has done well against. We should be able to contain the running game. The only RBs that have had success against us recently were on spread teams, or were "special" backs, like Garrett Wolfe. If we can put up points early, that would force Sanchez to throw in to the teeth of our secondary.

 

[powerlifter]

I think the fact that USC runs a traditional balanced pro style offense gives us an advantage. Over the past few years, this is the type of team our D has done well against. We should be able to contain the running game. The only RBs that have had success against us recently were on spread teams, or were "special" backs, like Garrett Wolfe. If we can put up points early, that would force Sanchez to throw in to the teeth of our secondary.

Joe Mcknight is special

 

[generaladm]

I think the fact that USC runs a traditional balanced pro style offense gives us an advantage. Over the past few years, this is the type of team our D has done well against. We should be able to contain the running game. The only RBs that have had success against us recently were on spread teams, or were "special" backs, like Garrett Wolfe. If we can put up points early, that would force Sanchez to throw in to the teeth of our secondary.

Joe Mcknight is special

I should have been more clear. By "special" I meant quick and undersized, like Wolfe and Whatsisface from Kent St., who were the only backs to run on us who weren't in a spread option. Kinlaw came out hot, but disappeared after the first couple of drives.

If you're implying that McKnight is retarded, then yes, he is taking remedial classes to regain his eligibility.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

I'm going with talent. The lone exception to that might be freshman QBs, where talent needs experience too.

Talent needs experience at every single position. Freshman can contribute but I'm not sure how anyone can argue experience doesn't matter or isn't an important factor.

 

[cincibuck]

Talent needs experience at every single position. Freshman can contribute but I'm not sure how anyone can argue experience doesn't matter or isn't an important factor.

We're probably saying or thinking the same thing. I believe talent gets better with experience, Teddy Ginn being a prime example, also any number of corners and certainly sophmore Troy Smith was nowhere near the player he was as a senior. But, there are always "experienced" juniors and seniors riding pine while talent plays and gains experience.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

We're probably saying or thinking the same thing. I believe talent gets better with experience, Teddy Ginn being a prime example, also any number of corners and certainly sophmore Troy Smith was nowhere near the player he was as a senior. But, there are always "experienced" juniors and seniors riding pine while talent plays and gains experience.

Right, now I hear you. I think there was some confusion over what sportsbuck28 said. When he said "generally, experience makes personnel better" he didn't mean better than talent, just better than inexperienced personnel.

 

[generaladm]

The talent/experience mixture varies from player to player. Herschel Walker was a stud as a freshman. Eddie George didn't hit his stride until he was an upperclassman. In general, repetition is what makes players more competent. That's why Tressel always stresses getting players the most "reps" they can. This also factors in to "football speed", when players are comfortable with reads, they don't hesitate.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

The talent/experience mixture varies from player to player. Herschel Walker was a stud as a freshman. Eddie George didn't hit his stride until he was an upperclassman. In general, repetition is what makes players more competent. That's why Tressel always stresses getting players the most "reps" they can. This also factors in to "football speed", when players are comfortable with reads, they don't hesitate.

And it's not just about the individual. Playing with the same core group of guys makes everyone better. You can trust someone you've been playing with for a couple years. Chemistry is developed and that's a key ingredient to winning.

 

[buckeyemania11]

I think the fact that USC runs a traditional balanced pro style offense gives us an advantage. Over the past few years, this is the type of team our D has done well against. We should be able to contain the running game.

agree here, USC doesnt have the threat of an option or zone read attack that Ohio State has had problems with over the past few years.

the defense has thrived against pro-style offenses with pure drop back passers (Sanchez)

 

[Sportsbuck28]

Right, now I hear you. I think there was some confusion over what sportsbuck28 said. When he said "generally, experience makes personnel better" he didn't mean better than talent, just better than inexperienced personnel.

I was actually just trying to be a smartass.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

I was actually just trying to be a smartass.

Well that's what I was trying to say, anyway.

 

[cincibuck]

I was actually just trying to be a smartass.

NOTE: The smartass (assus smartuss) is not on the endangered species list.
-Departement of Interior Bulletin.