OSU's Record in 2008?

[OregonBuckeye]

The same defense

Wrong. A defense with 9 returning starters is a hell of a lot better than last year's.

 

[OWUBuckeye51]

Wrong. A defense with 9 returning starters is a hell of a lot better than last year's.

Agreed...the defense should be much better in 2008 than in 2007 just based on experience alone.

Quite a bit of those 38 points were the result of offensive turnovers. Yes, the D still gave up the scores. Yes, our D couldn't stop anyone on 3rd down in both the Illinois game and the NC game.

But something tells me another offseason of motivation will do this bunch good.

Three must win games in 2008 for respectability's sake: @ USC, @ Illinois and Michigan.

 

[Oneshot]

What I saw was a defense that had to adjust to a higher level of competition than they'd seen all year. It took them a while to adjust, but once they did they were OK. Unfortunately, by that point it was too late.

Exactly. This defense can hang with anything in the world, but for some reason, they seemed surprised by the level of competition.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

What I saw was a defense that had to adjust to a higher level of competition than they'd seen all year. It took them a while to adjust, but once they did they were OK. Unfortunately, by that point it was too late.

The DL (except for Gholston) still got pushed around pretty well, and we still remained vulnerable over the middle. They definitely looked confused and out of place a lot.

Wrong. A defense with 9 returning starters is a hell of a lot better than last year's.

Uh, I don't know how the Engligh language works up there in Oregon, Sparky, but I'd say "9 returning starters" pretty much equates to "same" like I said.

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

The DL (except for Gholston) still got pushed around pretty well, and we still remained vulnerable over the middle. They definitely looked confused and out of place a lot.
...

This has been a topic of discussion lately, and is precisely the reason why I and others have said that the S&C program, especially for the DTs, is a big key to next season. We need to get bigger and stronger up front, not necessarily to compete in the Big Ten, but to finish the job.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

Uh, I don't know how the Engligh language works up there in Oregon, Sparky, but I'd say "9 returning starters" pretty much equates to "same" like I said.

A) Don't be a dick.
B) You insinuated that there will be no improvement on defense because it features the same personnel, as if experience doesn't matter.

We haven't had an experienced D since '05 and we all know how good that one was(as does Vince Young).

Oh, and if you had a problem with our D giving up 38 to LSU then tell me whose defense did impress you. LSU? They gave up 50 to Arkansas and nearly 400 rushing yards! USC? They gave up over 400 yards to Illinois. Oklahoma? Did you see the Fiesta Bowl?

So if you're not ready to believe in them for showing signs of vulnerability even though every single defense across the country did too, fine. I on the other hand think our defense will be top notch yet again.

 

[Oneshot]

The DL (except for Gholston) still got pushed around pretty well, and we still remained vulnerable over the middle. They definitely looked confused and out of place a lot.


Uh, I don't know how the Engligh language works up there in Oregon, Sparky, but I'd say "9 returning starters" pretty much equates to "same" like I said.

Wrong - 9 returning starters means 9 players with another year of experience. More experience = better.

 

[jwinslow]

I'll take Wilson + older Heyward over Gholston + rookie Heyward.

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

I'll take Wilson + older Heyward over Gholston + rookie Heyward.

And don't forget that:

older Freeman + older Laurinaitis + Curtis Terry + older depth > Freeman+Laurinaitis+Grant
​

 

[GrizzlyBuck]

This has been a topic of discussion lately, and is precisely the reason why I and others have said that the S&C program, especially for the DTs, is a big key to next season. We need to get bigger and stronger up front, not necessarily to compete in the Big Ten, but to finish the job.

Absolutely DBB, our front four was unable to keep opposing linemen off of our LBs in both of the losses. If we want to take that next step the DT's must get to the point that they can stay on their feet and absorb the O-linemen.

I saw more of our DTs get pancaked in the NC game than I care to remember, I know that in some cases youth and in other being a little undersized hurt us but I think that this the key to next year.

If our D-Line improves to the point of being an asset (or maybe even a push) against the best opponents instead of a liability then I think tOSU beats USC, runs the table in the B10 and completes the journey with another undefeated NC. If not I fear I'll be disappointed again at a missed opportunity. Staying healthy and growth through practice and the S&C program is vital.

I also think that playing more 1s versus the 1s would help, I know this can lead to more injuries, but with the B10 still a little down it may be the only way to simulate the quality of the BCS NC opponent.

 

[cincibuck]

Why would they play USC twice in the Rose Bowl if they go 13-0? If they do that they'll be in Miami in the MNC game.....

you want me to list the many possible scenarios that could result in OSU playing USC twice in one year in the Rose Bowl?

Let's start with the Big 12 and SEC champions being ranked 1 - 2... Lets do a for instance... Georgia and Okie are undefeated as is OSU. Very strong possibility that OSU get's sent to Pasedena. I mean, what were the odds that OSU and LSU would in up in the BCS following week 11 of the past season?

Here we go again, I agree with you on the YSU thing, but Troy is actually a decent mid-major program.

Can we say MAC South?

Baylor, Vandy, NC, Wake Forest, Wazzoo, Utah, BYU, Wyoming, Ga. Tech, Rutgers, Syracuse, Pitt, Kentucky, NC State, Ole Miss, Oregon or Oregon State... but no, we get Troy. I look at the $60 on the ticket and I go "Why am I paying $60 for a scrimmage?" It's the same thing so many on here bitch about when Tennessee loads up with Swannee and SWNELouisianna Tech and Murfeesboro.

 

[bukIpower]

Only way we play SC twice in the same year is if we beat them the first time around. If we lose the first game, forget about it we're not getting invited back the the oragne bowl.

Also next years defense should be better than this past years. The numbers I think will be a lot better especially the PPG average (I'm banking on the offense/special teams not FUCKING UP). Up the middle still concerns me though as has been stated. We got play makers all over the place at every position but the DT position. Two years ago when we missed out on Barksdale etc I was nervous about the DT position because I know we were thin. Hopefully this year we'll be deeper and stronger at the DT position. If we get great play out of those guys up front we're going to be somethign to watch thats for sure. I'll also be interested to see how our sack numbers end up as well. Hopefully Wilson can get 12 sacks like Gholson did! The pass defense should be TREMENDOUS next year. nearly our intire back 7 coming back it is IMO the best in the nation. All comes down to those DT's though. Can we keep the lineman off our backers and help them make plays?

As far as our defense in the NCG. I think what happened with them is we're younger, less mature, and weren't as mentally prepared as the LSU players were. There was no speed difference, they did push our DT's around but thats about it. The Secondary was left out to dry because we decided to blitz, and you add that with zero penetration up the middle and you'll have people running free for most of the game. Lets not forget we still held them under their averages for the year, and we did OUTGAIN THEM. LSU was thoguh more consistent on offense.

 

[sandgk]

Only way we play SC twice in the same year is if we beat them the first time around. If we lose the first game, forget about it we're not getting invited back the the oragne bowl.

PAc 10 : Big 10 = Rose Bowl

Regardless of which team were to lose - say Ohio State did, but still win the Big 10 outright then they could easily face a USC team, should that team then lose a game in the Pac 10, yet win their conference.

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

Only way we play SC twice in the same year is if we beat them the first time around. If we lose the first game, forget about it we're not getting invited back the the NC game in Miami hosted by the orange bowl committee...

IMO we are MORE likely to play SC if we lose to them because I agree with you that we won't go to the NC game if we lose to SC. We will then, as the Big Ten Champion (chickens counted), go to the Rose Bowl and play the Pac-10 Champion. I would bet that USC will be the Pac-10 champ again, but that they will screw up enough to not be undefeated, again.

 

[ytownbuckeye]

lose gholston. lose barton. rest of team more experienced. offense back. defense back. special teams back. nfl linebacker and nfl corner. beanie wells. an experienced quarterback. gonna be great year. and michigan has a quitter coach and no quarterback and comes to da shoe. can't wait