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

[youra6]

Sp-sp-sp-sp-sp-speak for y-y-yourself.

That's either a stroke, or a speech impediment.

 

[Jake]

 

[Systems_id]

Great post RB07OSU.

 

[shetuck]

How would Urban's spread function without an athlete QB? Even Alex Smith would pull it down and run.

There are QBs out there who have speed / quickness but aren't freakishly athletic. Of course having a guy like Miller or Pryor who can score every time they touch the ball can throw an undisciplined defense into disarray, but if that QB isn't able to dump the ball off to other playmakers when the need arises, they're just playing sandlot football.

 

[maximumblitz]

We get beat because we don't chuck the receiver at the line. How many times do you have to let them run that little screen before you do something different. Hell they ran it minimally 10 time for huge yardage every time sans once or twice.

MSU talent, Dennard was a 2* coming out of high school and their MLB in the Rose, a walk on. Our guys all were recruited by other major programs.

With Marshon and Lattimore and Damon this year, plus all the DBs last year, plus the tremendous pass rush we will get next year from the d-line it should definitely be possible to chuck their receives and play tight man next year.

 

[UpNorth_Buckeye]

With Marshon and Lattimore and Damon this year, plus all the DBs last year, plus the tremendous pass rush we will get next year from the d-line it should definitely be possible to chuck their receives and play tight man next year.

Whoa. He's that good?

 

[bigdog3300]

@RB07OSU - great post. I'm actually feeling pretty confident going into next year about our OL as Decker, Elflein, and Boren got plenty of PT this year and all finished the year very well. I agree with the set up as well and am looking forward to seeing Lisle get PT.

I'm putting a lot of hopes into major progression from Mitchell and Johnson. It's our best bet - maybe McMillan or Booker can surprise and get out there often as true fresh, but I think our best bets are on the two that have been here.

For the DB's - Powell and Bell I feel give us a solid base at safety with Tanner getting in the mix. Grant and Burrows/Apple/Webb/Lattimore give me plenty of hope oppo. I did leave Reeves out, I just saw him struggle too much this year and it wasn't technique wise it seemed more to do with a lack of confidence.

I'm also in the same boat as far as hoping to see a major change in Fickell, Coombs, and Herman. I think Herman has gotten somewhat of a pass but I've said it before; I think he prepares and game plans very well, he executes his game plan aggressively but in crunch time he far too often gets too smart for himself. That's the curse of being as smart as he is, sometimes you don't think you can do the most basic and simple plays. The last two runs against MSU stick in my head when the OL was rolling with Hyde running and he didn't touch it either time. He's a young guy though so I'm hopeful he can change and I'm sure he'll get a head coaching gig in the next few years. Coombs has great energy and wouldn't mind seeing him focus on just ST's and recruiting. I think there will be some shakeup in the staff this offseason, now I'll just sit back and hope our guys can stay out of trouble....

 

[Tanner]

Honest question: what was our offensive gameplan if we got flooded with pressure? Happened over and over and it looked like we didn't have a good idea for it, let alone good execution of a good idea for it.

I'm sure Braxton being somewhat hesitant to run after the injury had something to do it with the offense looking so bad when they got pressured, but still, there had to be another plan. It couldn't have been "have Braxton manipulate the pocket, avoid the pressure and throw somewhat slowly developing intermediate routes down the field." That's what happened, and it was predictably a disaster, but that couldn't have been the plan.

 

[Taosman]

Brax's ego got in the way of maybe winning this game. He was so beat up he needed to sit the 4th quarter. Why didn't he? Because he told the coaches he was good to go. He just wasn't and his bad pass on the last posession proved it.
That being said, the offensive line got schooled by Clemson. Probably one of their worse games in memory. Given more help from the offensive line we might have had a healthier Braxton for the 4th quarter.
Given more help from the defense, we probably could have walked away with a win.
Remarkable that we won as many games that we did with such bad defense. Urban sees this and that will be a huge focus in the Spring. I gotta think that the linebackers coming in will provide an athletic upgrade to the defense. As will the defensive backs coming in.

 

[Taosman]

There were multiple screens where Barnett geared down and Watkins exploded through the gap...if he is screaming downhill inside-out, he tattoos Sammy...free tats from Ohio State...too soon?

I tend to give Barnett a "pass" because he had always depended on Bryant for leadership. He was just playing his position. But, he did redirect Powell to catch Watkins and prevent a touchdown when Watkins was heading towards a possible TD.

 

[LordJeffBuck]

A little perspective:

Ohio State went 12-0 and then lost their last two games (#4 MSU, #12 Clemson) by a combined 15 points.

Alabama went 11-0 and then lost their last two games (#2 Auburn, #11 Oklahoma) by a combined 20 points.

Does anyone here think that Alabama is in trouble going forward?

 

[CookyPuss]

A little perspective:

Ohio State went 12-0 and then lost their last two games (#4 MSU, #12 Clemson) by a combined 15 points.

Alabama went 11-0 and then lost their last two games (#2 Auburn, #11 Oklahoma) by a combined 20 points.

Does anyone here think that Alabama is in trouble going forward?

Alabama should fire their entire staff... no doubt.

 

[Mike80]

A little perspective:

Ohio State went 12-0 and then lost their last two games (#4 MSU, #12 Clemson) by a combined 15 points.

Alabama went 11-0 and then lost their last two games (#2 Auburn, #11 Oklahoma) by a combined 20 points.

Does anyone here think that Alabama is in trouble going forward?

Actually, I think at some point in the near future - maybe next year - Alabama's recent run will come to an end. Kirby Smart will be a HC somewhere soon, they are graduating a very good core of players including their 4 year starter at QB and a lot of their immediate backups haven't played a ton yet. Granted the entire SEC West is basically being decapitated as well, so the drop off may not be as noticeable, but I think Alabama is in for a hiccup.

But they were also a far more talented (developed?) team on defense this past season than Ohio State was. So I guess we'll see what happens.

 

[ScriptOhio]

A little perspective:

Ohio State went 12-0 and then lost their last two games (#4 MSU, #12 Clemson) by a combined 15 points.

Alabama went 11-0 and then lost their last two games (#2 Auburn, #11 Oklahoma) by a combined 20 points.

Does anyone here think that Alabama is in trouble going forward?

FWIW, I think both Ohio State and Alabama were the better team in their respective bowl game. They both lost because "they really didn't want to be there"; all season both teams were focusing on the BCS National Championship game and the runner-up consolation prize bowl game was a disappointment.

Coaches and college kids have short memories, besides each year is basically a new team. Both teams loose a lot of starters and the new starters will be excited about (finally) getting a chance to play. The both teams will do well going forward as long as they continue to recruit at their usual consistent high level. Schools like Ohio State and Alabama don't "rebuild" they just "reload".

 

[Mike80]

FWIW, I think both Ohio State and Alabama were the better team in their respective bowl game. They both lost because "they really didn't want to be there"; all season both teams were focusing on the BCS National Championship game and the runner-up consolation prize bowl game was a disappointment.

I think Bama let down. I also think Ohio State was very damn lucky to not be down 35-2 at halftime.