A few thoughts....
1) This is the kind of game that [censored]es off the fans ... but the coaches love. We're thinking that the final outcome should have been about 55-6 ... but they're happy that they got to play all three QB's, all three TB's, and 66 players altogether ... got to experiment with a number of different plays and "looks" on both sides of the ball ... and came away relatively injury-free in a "tune-up" game.
2) I've seen lots of comments about lack of "pressure" and "attacking" from the defense, but spread offenses force the defense to play more a more "reactive" style of football. And the Buckeye defense played the spread perfectly through three quarters, allowing just 6 points and 150 yards.
In the final quarter, with the game well in hand, the 2nd- and 3rd-teamers gave up 15 points and 149 yards on two long drives ... neither of which would have resulted in points if Minny hadn't converted on three 4th-downs (all of which saw Ohio State applying pressure ... but blowing containment) ... and one very questionable "reception" in the back of the end zone.
So, if you were the coach, what would you rather see - the first string holding the Gophers to single digits ... or the reserves getting playing time and almost shutting down a pretty potent offense? Seems to me that youngsters gaining playing time against a quality opponent - and the chance to learn from their mistakes - was more valuable than a lop-sided scoreboard.
BTW, Nathan Williams proved that flying around with reckless abandon looks great to us fans on game day ... but not so great in the film room the following week. On two of the fourth-down conversions, Williams charged inside and nearly got to the QB ... right before the QB reversed his field and found nobody home. He'll learn....
3) The offensive line looked much better overall. Brewster whiffed on a block or two, but he's still learning - a future All American if he continues to progress like he has so far. Cordle seems much more comfortable at guard ... and Ben Person played his best game in a long time ... much more mobile than he has been so far this season. Boone was average. Browning is a reserve next season.
Two false starts with Boeckman in the game - are the OL a little bit more nervous when TB is behind center? Are they trying to set up too quickly, knowing that TB needs more time to throw and doesn't have TP's escapability?
4) Beanie is the man - enjoy it while it lasts.
Herron is a solid, dependable back-up ... and he should be for the remainder of his tOSU career.
Saine is completely lost. Here's an example - it's the fourth quarter, and Pryor is back in the game. First down: Pryor runs for 21 yards. First down: Pryor rolls left for 11 yards (the play where he shoved the defender into the bench) - Saine holds, negating the big gain and making it first and 20. First down: Saine runs very tenatively and gains just two yards. Second down: Saine whiffs in pass protection, Pryor is forced to throw the ball away. Third down: Pryor completes a short pass to Lamaar Thomas. Punt. Not a good way to earn playing time.
Jaamal Berry could very well be the starter from day one....
5) Pryor was a little bit less sharp this week, but his receivers were far better. Robo had his "A" game going - that will be needed from here on out. I love how Pryor always looks "pass first" even at his young age, unlike some other big-name "dual-threat" QB's (Troy Smith, Michael Vick, Vince Young) who too often looked to make plays with their feet early in their careers (and Vick never really learned how to stay in the pocket). Even on the move, TP is looking down the field to see if someone comes open.
Boeckman was solid - good to see. He can still win games for this team, if he has to.
6) On offense, I wish that Ohio State would pick a "scheme" and just go with it. It frustrates me to see I-formation on first down, and shotgun-four wides on second down ... with the "Pony" and various other sets thrown in seemingly at random. I guess the notion is to confuse the defense ... but more often than not, the formation telegraphs the play. Maybe I'm just getting old, but I seem to recall many of the dynasties of the past using one formation (with slight variations, of course) almost exclusively - Oklahoma of the 70's (wishbone), Miami of the 80's-90's (single back, three wides), Nebraska of the 90's (I-formation), Southern Cal of the 00's (pro style)....
I've got to believe that this staff is still experiementing a bit in order to find an offensive "identity" ... and that eventually we'll see some version of the "spread/zone option" as the base offense.
7) The place kicking needs to improve. Period.
8) Overall, another step in the right direction ... but the staff will continue to take a load of crap because the Buckeyes didn't go "Oklahoma" on team that they could've beaten by forty....
