Game Thread Ohio State 33, Washington 14 (Final)

[Wells4Heisman]

We should be able to win as long as we can eliminate those turnovers.

 

[Bestbuck36]

I don't like our offensive scheme the first two games. With that being said I know Tressel keeps it close to the vest early on. Pun intended.

I would like to see Boeckman in some shotgun-shotginn formations. Brandon Saine might be unbelievable at that slot position and spreading the defense out instead of packing the Oline in might give us some wider splits for more holes to run through. I also think Boeckman is a traditional "gunslinger" type QB and would benefit from seeing the field better out of shotgun. There are times the power I are needed and times when I think we'd be better off spreading it out and running the other team off the field with our team speed. I'd say Tressel will open it up a little more this week but how much is a little?

Defensively we spy on Locker and blitz, blitz, blitz. Pressure the young guy into mistakes and win it with special teams/field position.

 

[rocketman]

That Washington board cracks me up. They have the nerve to discredit our defense based on our NC game performance when they didn't even make a bowl last year.

 

[zincfinger]

What do you guys see as the keys to winning this game??

We should be able to win as long as we can eliminate those turnovers.

I agree with Wells4Heisman, in that I see turnovers (specifically, avoiding them on offense) as the #1 key for the Buckeyes right now. Sure, the offense is still finding its way in several areas right now, but that was expected by virtually everyone (even if between-the-tackles rushing wasn't expected to be one of those ways), but the team looks solid enough to me that it should have a good chance of winning in a tough road environment against a decent-to-good opponent, if the offense can just keep from coughing the ball up. Zero turnovers, and I like the chances for a good road win. Anything remotely resembling last weekend's abysmal ball security could prove fatal.

 

[NightmaresDad]

That Washington board cracks me up. They have the nerve to discredit our defense based on our NC game performance when they didn't even make a bowl last year.

That's OK, just let them talk.
Just more crow for them to eat next week.
Their O-line is not very good, and Locker will get pressured all day.
It would be nice to have a set of officials who can actually see offensive holding, maybe.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

UW has a surprisingly cocky fanbase despite their recent history. It's like the last 3 or 4 years never happened in their eyes.

 

[Jaxbuck]

UW has a surprisingly cocky fanbase despite their recent history. It's like the last 3 or 4 years never happened in their eyes.

The last summer over at BN before BP really got going they were unfuckingbearable the summer of '03.

They earned a special spot in my personal all time list of a fanbase to whom I wouldn't cross the street to piss on if I saw one lying in the gutter with their guts on fire.

They are a mix of tsun and domer fans. Very wine and cheese, very arrogant, very delusional.

I don't think we'll be able to blow them out but they fucking deserve it.

 

[Telekinesis]

That Washington board cracks me up. They have the nerve to discredit our defense based on our NC game performance when they didn't even make a bowl last year.

Yeah, because Washington is comparable to Florida. That's funny. We should definitely prepare for this game and keep our heads on straight, but if Washington fans think they have a shot because of the NC game, they've lost their minds. Washington is more like Akron than Florida, point blank.

 

[EidoloN]

i havent had the liberty of watching the first 2 games, so that said, has ray small been returning kicks? why does it seem like the offense is struggling. and why is beanie struggling. although we've had these 2 games victorious, washington is better than both in my opinion. our defense is great, but worried about offense. are we deserving of a top 10 ranking with teams like cal and penn state looking pretty good?

 

[sandgk]

i havent had the liberty of watching the first 2 games, so that said, has ray small been returning kicks? why does it seem like the offense is struggling. and why is beanie struggling. although we've had these 2 games victorious, washington is better than both in my opinion. our defense is great, but worried about offense. are we deserving of a top 10 ranking with teams like cal and penn state looking pretty good?

Ray was sidelined last week, against Akron he was suited up on the sidelines, but did not participate.
Lots of opinions earlier this thread about rushing game issues. Against Akron the bigger issue was lack of ball security.
Defensively we look very, very good at this point.
The Offense must going early in Seattle.

 

[Telekinesis]

i havent had the liberty of watching the first 2 games, so that said, has ray small been returning kicks? why does it seem like the offense is struggling. and why is beanie struggling. although we've had these 2 games victorious, washington is better than both in my opinion. our defense is great, but worried about offense. are we deserving of a top 10 ranking with teams like cal and penn state looking pretty good?

Ray Small hasn't done anything thus far. I'm guessing we're taking no chances and keeping him fresh and ready to go. Beanie seems to be struggling due to the O-Line not getting the job done, in my opinion. Hopefully we'll see them start to gel so we can get the ground game going. I couldn't say whether or not we'll be a top ranking team in the near future, but as of now I know we aren't. The team still needs time for everything to fall into place and get comfortable with their positions.

However, our defense has been lights-out and I'm very impressed as of right now. I believe if the O steps it up, we'll have one big threat of a football squad. I just hope it comes sooner rather than later.

 

[Woody84]

Our Offense and play calling will keep this a close game. The D will play great like always and keep Locker in check. I just hope we can get the running game going in time for the Big Ten season. The O-line doesn't seem to be playing mad. Get pissed guys and push the other guys around.

 

[brutus2002]

They are gonna get a reality check when this defense punches their one dimensional offense in the mouth...really hard.

 

[TooTall]

UW has a surprisingly cocky fanbase despite their recent history. It's like the last 3 or 4 years never happened in their eyes.

It's hilarious reading the Rivals.com Washington board! They are saying they are going to beat Ohio State worse than what they did to Boise..

 

[bukIpower]

Couple points here.... I think with Ray Small being out it just lets other defenses key in on the run and double up Robo/Hartline. If Small can play (and I think he will) Washington won't know any better at first and then Small will take a quick pass to the outside 50 or so yards and then Washington will realize that SMALL is our deep threat. Hartline is quick yes, Robo is fast yes, but SMALL is our deep threat with out question. If we can get him back and he can stretch the defense vertically it can only help open up holes for beanie.

Also another thought, what the past two teams have lacked against UW is the capabiliy to make them one demensional. Both games UW got long touchdown passes on either busted coverages or poor coverage. We have not one but two corners with shut down capabilities (maybe three if Chimi can keep progressing), and our safties are play makers. We have the best Corner, D-end, middle linebacker, and the best pair of safties in the big ten. I think its much easier for a defense to adjust to the speed of the game than it is for an offense to do so.

Does anyone know much about Washington's Front 7 on defense??