Game Thread Orange Bowl: tOSU vs Clemson, Jan 3, 8:30 ET, ESPN

[LostLassie]

 

[strohs]

Bad (putting it nicely) defense and multiple turnovers equal losses 100% of the time. But the fact that for as bad as they played they were still in the game speaks to their will to win.
Personally, I'm still in shock that the coaches allowed the game to end with 2 TO's on the board. Clemson would have had to punt with around 25 seconds left. We've all seen plenty of crazy endings to games over the years. Who knows what might have happened, a blocked punt, a return for td, hail mary, etc. Chances a slim to none, but there is still a chance. To just quit at the end was unbelievable.

*edit* per twitter, there may have actually only been 1 TO left? I don't remember them calling two previously. But I really hope that was the case...

 

[gmen6981]

So, now that I've had time to calm down this morning and think about things:

Thank You!! This board DEFINITELY needs a little levity this morning!

 

[Telekinesis]

My apologies for not editing 'pumpkin' into the GIF, but I don't think we're ready for that yet.

 

[Systems_id]

I don't buy that. They had the best player on the field, Watkins, but their depth at WR, TE, RB's, etc. was not more talented than OSU.

What they did do was game plan defensively perfectly - Venables was the game MVP imo. That DL and their 2 LB's (Shuey & Anthony) knew all of Braxton's impulses, his reads, his instincts....was super impressed with their front 7 but not based from a talent perspective so much as scheme. Not gonna lie, I wish we had him.

Re-watch the game for yourself. Their WRs looked like they were playing at Warp 9 compared to our DBs and Boyd was a far better QB than Braxton last night. Meanwhile, our WRs were pretty much a non-factor and might as well not of showed up save for Dontre and Philly Brown (when he isn't busy muffing punts that is). RB is the only skill position that we had them beat in imo. Now that I've had time to calm down a bit and have had time to properly reflect, it's a goddamn miracle Meyer somehow went 24-2 with this team.

 

[buckeyebri]

My frustration really lies in how we finished the season. It was very Cooperesque. MSU finished strong. For those saying this was an exhibition and doesn't matter, I wholeheartedly disagree. These last two games in the national spotlight will continue to perpetuate the sEcSPiN mantra of the Buckeyes.

 

[Hstead]

It has nothing to do with talent and more on coaching. Our defense has made every wide receiving corps we have played look good. We made North Western look good and then what did they do? We made ichigan's Offense look good, and what happened against K St? It is all about the scheme and technique being taught along with game prep. We clearly looked under prepared against ichigan and Clemson.

You tell me how many times in a goal line situation we gave up a TD to a receiver that was completely uncovered like last night, ichigan, and MSU? How can that possibly happen on the GL? You are in man coverage, period. Every receiver must be accounted for and all of the DBs should be communicating before the snap. Everyone should have a man. That is lack of coaching and preparation, period. I guarantee you Urban is totally embarrassed by those plays. How can a man go in motion and then end up catching a throw back with no DB within 20 yards of him? Nothing to do with talent.

Roby played in every game this year but the last. He will play on Sundays. Our secondary sucked just as bad against SD St, Buffalo, and California as it did against Clemson. I guess they all had way better talent too?

 

[MaxBuck]

I wouldn't mind at all if Brent Venables were to be on the Buckeyes' staff in 2014.

 

[SloopyHangOn]

...will continue to perpetuate the sEcSPiN mantra of the Buckeyes.

This only matters if we're actually BETTER than the perception. Right now, anything they say is justified.

 

[matcar]

I think I asked a few times this season why Philly was still back there fielding punts for return situations after some mistakes. I've been waiting for someone else to be put there, but it never happened.

I agree with this. I actually put this more on the coaches--OSU so had the momentum on its side that you'd think the ST coach would've pulled Philly aside and said, "We're up 9 late in the 3rd, we're imposing our will on Clemson with our offense, and we're about to get the ball in phenomenal field position. All I want you to do is make sure we get the ball here, so take a fair catch."

I agree with that too but it almost seemed inevitable that something like that would happen with Philly since he's been so uncomfortable looking back there at times. I can only assume that Meyer is a higher risk - reward guy because he has to have seen the same things we fans see.

 

[matcar]

This only matters if we're actually BETTER than the perception. Right now, anything they say is justified.

Yes, at the moment we are not better than the perception.

 

[Bucknut24]

My reaction this morning still...

 

[Buckeye513]

Seizures aren't a coping mechanism.

 

[matt_thatsme]

Some key mistakes last night that, when considered together, along with a good game from a solid Clemson team, resulted in a loss. Proud of the team and coaches. Wish I could say the same thing about some of the fanbase. I can't believe the ignorant bullshit I am reading. Being disappointed in the result of last night's game is one thing, personally attacking the players and coaches is another. If that is you, please find another team to root for, because you are an embarassment to the rest of the OSU fanbase. I hear 'Bama is always looking for lunatic fringe fans. Become a Bammer. That way, even if 'Bama loses, you can make yourself feel better by chanting ESSS-EEEE-SEEEEE! while watching LSU, UGA, etc.

 

[shetuck]

Say what we will about the Vest's boring style and how it infuriated us - however we never had to deal with those type of turnovers with any sort of frequency. Save for one near disasterous game against Sparty in 05'. Even if he didn't have a dynamic return man, Tressel would have someone who could cleanly field a fair catch.

The fact is, that's a situation where you don't necessarily look for game breaking plays. You just look to get the ball back to your offense without question. Having anyone back there that you don't have complete confidence in to hang onto that ball is simply a poor, poor personnel decision.

Ray Small... and there were others, so let's not be so quick to whitewash JT's tenure in retrospect.

The fact that the drop instantly killed our momentum bugs me as much as everybody else, but Philly was trying to make a play out there to keep the momentum going. He made the mistake of being over-eager and took a risk that didn't pay off. If he would have made that catch and flanked the coverage, we would be calling him a hero right now for making the *exact* same decision.