QB Justin Fields (2019-20 B1G Off POY, 2020 Silver Football, 2019 B1G CCG MVP, Pittsburgh Steelers)

[Merih]

This also really limits what Clemson can do with Venables defensive schemes. I didn’t see that many crazy blitz packages in the two ND games.

Patterson, Allen, Swint were composite 4's (read: low 4 stars) but 3* on rivals. They were like a Tuf Borland, not quite in the top-300, rated as 3 stars elsewhere. Can beat the odds but you don't want to fill your roster with near 3* + actual 3*.

Simpson (5), Bentley (4), Jones (4) are the only prospects that would be surprising to find on a Northwestern roster.

And Clemson obviously signs more talent than Northwestern, but they have an oddly high amount of NW level players at that position, given how powerful their recruiting is at other positions.

 

[Abenaki]

When you have the receivers and backs who can catch that the Bucks have had, you probably don’t call the TEs number very often

I get it that there's only one football to spread around, and I'm not a coach. But I feel like if you make the TE a threat that you're willing to go to, it makes the offense that much harder to defend. Especially against the blitz when you can get a guy like Ruckert in a mismatch and get the ball out quickly.

 

[cincibuck]

I get it that there's only one football to spread around, and I'm not a coach. But I feel like if you make the TE a threat that you're willing to go to, it makes the offense that much harder to defend. Especially against the blitz when you can get a guy like Ruckert in a mismatch and get the ball out quickly.

And that outlet has been someone named Mo, Pitts, Beanie, Boom, Carlos, Zeke, Dobbins, and now Sermon. I wonder why you'd throw to one of those guys instead of a tight end?

 

[1926Buckeyes]

Shocked at the number of 'fans' saying they're ready to move on to CJ Stroud after this year.

I get that this might just be a dumbfan take, but it's absurdly bad even at that. Fields was far from a finished product last year and he hasn't regressed this year, just hasn't had the running game to lean on throughout the season and the 2 best teams have dared OSU to run or Justin to check down to short throws as they blitz or drop back to make sure nothing is completed beyond 10 yards. This on top of a fucked covid season has magnified his flaws.

I'm really excited for Stroud, but if by some miracle of miracles Fields comes back, it instantly puts OSU in NC contention. He's one of the most talented QBs to play in CFB since 2000 but not without flaws.

Just infuriating how quickly fans turn on players and want to move on when they struggle.

 

[bukIpower]

Shocked at the number of 'fans' saying they're ready to move on to CJ Stroud after this year.

I get that this might just be a dumbfan take, but it's absurdly bad even at that. Fields was far from a finished product last year and he hasn't regressed this year, just hasn't had the running game to lean on throughout the season and the 2 best teams have dared OSU to run or Justin to check down to short throws as they blitz or drop back to make sure nothing is completed beyond 10 yards. This on top of a fucked covid season has magnified his flaws.

I'm really excited for Stroud, but if by some miracle of miracles Fields comes back, it instantly puts OSU in NC contention. He's one of the most talented QBs to play in CFB since 2000 but not without flaws.

Just infuriating how quickly fans turn on players and want to move on when they struggle.

While agree with you that anyone wishing JF out the door is a moron I don't agree with what you said otherwise.

The running game hasn't produced less than 200 in any of our games and JFs struggles are on him IMO. Last year he didn't force things and threw a ton to underneath guys for modest gains. This year he's gotten away from what made him so great which was his ability to protect the ball.

I would love to have him back but let's not sugar coat his two poor performance this year either.

 

[1926Buckeyes]

While agree with you that anyone wishing JF out the door is a moron I don't agree with what you said otherwise.

The running game hasn't produced less than 200 in any of our games and JFs struggles are on him IMO. Last year he didn't force things and threw a ton to underneath guys for modest gains. This year he's gotten away from what made him so great which was his ability to protect the ball.

I would love to have him back but let's not sugar coat his two poor performance this year either.

No that wasn't my intent at all. His performances are on him. He's gotten into the bad habit of trying to hit homers every at bat.

The running game was never bad, but without a lead back early, it definitely shifted more onto Fields, as we all expected. Now with Sermon stepping up, and Teague also being able to have the hot hand, it's different.

 

[bukIpower]

No that wasn't my intent at all. His performances are on him. He's gotten into the bad habit of trying to hit homers every at bat.

The running game was never bad, but without a lead back early, it definitely shifted more onto Fields, as we all expected. Now with Sermon stepping up, and Teague also being able to have the hot hand, it's different.

My point is the running game has done well all year from game 1 even. You're right though IMO in that JF is going for the home run every play.

I hope and pray we physically take it to Clemson and sprinkle in play action with Justin. Call plays for first downs and not touchdowns.

Take some shots sure but only when it makes sense like 2nd and short. We take way way way too many shots on first and 10 or even 2nd and long.

Stay ahead of the sticks or this Clemson defense will dial up the blitz and that's not good vs a QB who holds onto the ball.

 

[Taosman]

Use the new found running game to set up play action passing for Fields success.

 

[RB07OSU]

My point is the running game has done well all year from game 1 even. You're right though IMO in that JF is going for the home run every play.

I hope and pray we physically take it to Clemson and sprinkle in play action with Justin. Call plays for first downs and not touchdowns.

Take some shots sure but only when it makes sense like 2nd and short. We take way way way too many shots on first and 10 or even 2nd and long.

Stay ahead of the sticks or this Clemson defense will dial up the blitz and that's not good vs a QB who holds onto the ball.

The first downs instead of touchdowns resonates big time to me. We have the best OL in the nation and should be able to consistently move the ball in chunks. Fields is an unbelievable talent but there's no reason to make him do it all with this team. Last week might have been more of not having Olave, but that's still my take.

And for the love of God, let Justin know his TEs are indeed eligible receivers.

 

[buckeyesin07]

The first downs instead of touchdowns resonates big time to me. We have the best OL in the nation and should be able to consistently move the ball in chunks. Fields is an unbelievable talent but there's no reason to make him do it all with this team. Last week might have been more of not having Olave, but that's still my take.

And for the love of God, let Justin know his TEs are indeed eligible receivers.

The first downs instead of touchdowns resonates big time to me. We have the best OL in the nation and should be able to consistently move the ball in chunks. Fields is an unbelievable talent but there's no reason to make him do it all with this team. Last week might have been more of not having Olave, but that's still my take.

And for the love of God, let Justin know his TEs are indeed eligible receivers.

Stop unnecessarily calling pass plays inside the 10.

 

[dragurd]

The first downs instead of touchdowns resonates big time to me. We have the best OL in the nation and should be able to consistently move the ball in chunks. Fields is an unbelievable talent but there's no reason to make him do it all with this team. Last week might have been more of not having Olave, but that's still my take.

And for the love of God, let Justin know his TEs are indeed eligible receivers.

Honestly it feels like this year he's doing what Tua got dinged a bit in the last game. Turning down the easy correct play for hopes of the big play and with the receivers each has had I get it. But he needs to make the correct play and not just the big ply if he wants to win a National Championship

 

[RB07OSU]

Honestly it feels like this year he's doing what Tua got dinged a bit in the last game. Turning down the easy correct play for hopes of the big play and with the receivers each has had I get it. But he needs to make the correct play and not just the big ply if he wants to win a National Championship

I especially get it with Fields this year because the kid is a damn hero for leading the charge to even have a season. He goes down in history for our program no matter what. I can't blame the coaches for wanting to pad the stats and get him a Heisman to put the cherry on top. Seriously, I wanted to see that and we all did. But more than anything, we all wanted the chance to win a title and the Heisman thing was ruined by factors outside of everyone's control. So at this point, I trust that the players and staff are all on board to do whatever it takes to win, personal stats be damned. Honestly, we might play way better now that the focus is just doing what it takes to win a game.

 

[bukIpower]

The first downs instead of touchdowns resonates big time to me. We have the best OL in the nation and should be able to consistently move the ball in chunks. Fields is an unbelievable talent but there's no reason to make him do it all with this team. Last week might have been more of not having Olave, but that's still my take.

And for the love of God, let Justin know his TEs are indeed eligible receivers.

A good running game is like going to the body as a boxer. I swear to you if we lean hard enough on our running game by the time the 4th rolls around they'll throw in the towel.

Not to mention the plays that get all the attention will be so much easier to come by if we've pounded their front 7. As you say RB this is the best OL in the country with a very good RB duo and two of the best WRs as well. There's no reason for JF holding onto the ball looking 20 yards down field every play.

Set ourselves up for 2nd and 3 all night because I'm telling you this Clemson defense completely thrives on getting teams in 2nd and 13.

 

[1926Buckeyes]

I especially get it with Fields this year because the kid is a damn hero for leading the charge to even have a season. He goes down in history for our program no matter what. I can't blame the coaches for wanting to pad the stats and get him a Heisman to put the cherry on top. Seriously, I wanted to see that and we all did. But more than anything, we all wanted the chance to win a title and the Heisman thing was ruined by factors outside of everyone's control. So at this point, I trust that the players and staff are all on board to do whatever it takes to win, personal stats be damned. Honestly, we might play way better now that the focus is just doing what it takes to win a game.

Listening to Ross Fulton talk about Day focusing quite a bit on breaking formation trends also piqued my interest. Definitely seems like he (Day) was not as focused on just winning right off the bat as much as getting certain things ready for the CFP to make it harder to defend core plays or set something up. Although I doubt that affected Fields, it just kept Sermon from getting close to 400.

 

[ScriptOhio]