Game Thread Southern Cal 18, at tOSU 15 (Sept 12th, 8 pm, ESPN)

[mooktarr]

Very disappointed for the 4th qtr flop.
I wish we had won.
Go Bucks.

 

[cincibuck]

Finally maybe my memory's a little hazy on this, but I think the Buckeyes' possession right before USC's game-winning drive ended with the Buckeyes at the distance for a 53-yard FG attempt. Pettrey has a big leg and had done well on long FGs in the past - why not give him a crack at extending the lead?

Or maybe JT remembered doing precisely that against Texas and turned the ball over to VY near mid field. It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't call and this time it went the wrong way.

 

[Canadian Buck_I]

I was impressed with the D, could have done better containing McKnight on the last drive

When Pryor runs it looks like he wants to get rid of the ball and doesn't run at full speed, there was no way he was going to pitch it b/c USC brought 6 players around him all the time. The one good run run he had was the 3rd and long conversion, the run when Mays stopped him was good too.
planting his feet when he throws, missed a couple easy 1st down throws.
better clock management, had a minute to go 30-40 yards to get into FG range but nothing happened.

so many close 4th downs, possible blocked punts

I feel like the Bucks played better then USC this game except for the first/last 5 minutes, that's why this loss was painful

oh yeah lets get some creative offense going, try some new plays out on Toledo this weekend

 

[TJnTN]

Anybody know when/channel the game is going to be re-aired? I forgot to set my DVR to record.

 

[BuckeyeRob]

I too was impressed with the play of our Defense. The team, on both sides of the ball, played well enough to win and they should have won.

I am however growing concerned with game management decisions. This is 2 games in a row that game management decisions have been an issue. You take points whenever the put you up a score. The FG against Navy puts the buckeyes up 3 scores.... the staff went another direction and the results almost forced OT with navy. Thankfully, a blunder with Navy's coaching decisions prevented that from happening.

2 decisions ended up costing us the game. At the 1:49 mark OSU gets the ball and USC has no time outs. In that situation up 10-7 your first priority is don't let USC have another possession in this half. Bad mistake.

The other decision was equally egregious. With 7:15 left in the game you have to, as a coach, consider what-if.... what if USC gets the ball scores and converts? That makes the score 18-15.... You MUST go for the FG there. Its within Pettry's range.

If you do both decisions properly and you make the FG you force USC to score, convert, recover an onside, drive to FG range and make a FG JUST TO TIE the game.

If you make the right decision in the first half and miss the FG you STILL are playing for OT.

Decisions by the staff cost us this game. And I'm growing concerned because it is 2 weeks in a row decisions have bit us in the butt.

 

[BigJim]

Alright, I'll be honest. I didn't even watch it. After SC converted the 3rd and 9, I knew what was coming. Once they crossed midfield, I turned off the TV. I didn't see the final TD or tOSU's last drive so I can't really answer that. I knew what was going to happen because the team missed the opportunities earlier in the game. But I'm not a booster, or a coach, a student, a player, or a fan, so I'm pretty much over it. Sorry I can't help.

IFYP

 

[Tlangs]

Or maybe JT remembered doing precisely that against Texas and turned the ball over to VY near mid field. It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't call and this time it went the wrong way.

I'm sure it's been discussed, but just run the ball on 3rd and 6 to set up a 42 yard field goal. Instead.....we get the old deer in headlights sack.

 

[BuckeyeRob]

I'm sure it's been discussed, but just run the ball on 3rd and 6 to set up a 42 yard field goal. Instead.....we get the old deer in headlights sack.

Yep. It keeps going back to game management.

Lets not kid ourselves. Terrelle is a PHENOM. He is going to be a super star before its all said and done but, he clearly needs to grow and he will because he works so hard at it.

But man oh man, the staff has got to do a better job at critical junctures in decision making. The thing that is so disheartening is Tressel preaches to his QB's about decision making and its 2 weeks in a row that decision making by the staff has bitten us in the butt

 

[jlb1705]

Scout.com: 5 Thoughts ... The New Guns

Yep, our DL and OL sure looked overmatched on Saturday night. You can go [censored] yourself too, Michael.

Good night, BP. The only sane place on the internet.

People get up in arms about coaches voting in polls when they can't possibly watch the games. What about writers who obviously don't watch the games? At least coaches have an excuse - they have a real job that takes up their time. This clown apparently gets paid to watch college football games and can't even be bothered to show up for the most important ones apparently.

He should go ask Jeff Byers how OSU fared in the trenches Saturday night. He got all he could handle and then some from Cam Heyward.

 

[Bleed S & G]

The other decision was equally egregious. With 7:15 left in the game you have to, as a coach, consider what-if.... what if USC gets the ball scores and converts? That makes the score 18-15.... You MUST go for the FG there. Its within Pettry's range.

Ok, so as a coach you must ask "what if?"

What if Pettry misses?

It is a 52+ yarder.. then USC has the ball at midfield.

What if we punt the ball, pin them deep, and let our defense - who has been on all night - do the work?

Pretty sure JT asked "what if."

 

[Derek2k3]

Ok, so as a coach you must ask "what if?"

What if Pettry misses?

It is a 52+ yarder.. then USC has the ball at midfield.

What if we punt the ball, pin them deep, and let our defense - who has been on all night - do the work?

Pretty sure JT asked "what if."

Exactly. JT has been crucified for poor decision making, but seriously, we had them pinned down inside the 10 with a 2nd and 19. I like our odds on that, EVERY time. This time the "D" wasn't able to get it done, but for 54 minutes previous they HAD. Gotta go with the closest to a sure thing, which is letting our inspired defense attempt to hold an arrogant prick true frosh QB from getting 90 yards on us. Our odds got better when we got the sack. Then he completed a pass to McKnight...yada yada yada, we were in the BETTER position to win this game, just weren't able to pull it out at the end. I'm sure if they had the choice, USC would have switched positions with us in a heartbeat.

O FUCKING H! WE WILL RUN THE GODDAMN TABLE AND OFFICIALLY KICK OFF PRYOR FOR HEISMAN, 2010!!!!

 

[oh1123io]

So disappointing :( Really thought we had this one. Our defense played MUCH better than the game against Navy. Even after the interception in the 1st quarter, we came back and took care of the problem. They shut us up but not for long. The crowd was outstanding, record high.

But we were 1st and goal TWICE and did nothing. That is unacceptable. This one hurts... BIG TIME!

 

[morbitzerker]

IFYP

Right, Jim. Like I give a fuck what you think.

You obviously missed my point, and I'm not going to waste time explaining it to you, so spare me on "fandom," . Check the banners if you question it.

 

[daveeb]

A few "brief" comments...

I have a confession to make. After the game, I was ready to declare that Terrelle Pryor was simply an overgrown 6'6, 235 lb. Kordell Stewart. I mean, after all, Pryor has obviously shown a great deal of potential at WR.

Well, I do believe that this is an unfair assessment. However, it does speak to the incredible athleticism of #2. After all, athleticism is the main subject of discussion for Mr. Pryor. But, he isn't an athlete. He's a bloody QB. We need to play to his strengths as a QB, not as an athlete.

What has yet to be discussed is the fact that he is a better I-Form QB at this point than a Shotgun QB. This may simply be caused by the fact that his personnel are better suited for the I-Form...

- Daniel Herron is a great scat back that can do things in space after he gets past the defensive line. It is clearly obvious that our offensive line is better at run blocking in the I-Form.

- Brandon Saine at FB creates an incredible mismatch. He's a better pass catching FB than Stanley Havili.

- DeVier Posey will be great in any system. Dane Sanzenbacher will be great in any system. 1st round draft pick for Posey. 3rd round draft pick for Sanzenbacher.

- The tight ends are better in the I-Form.

For years, SEC players and coaches have been stating that Ohio State's offense has been rather simple to read. If we go into I-Form, we shall run. If we go into Shotgun, we shall pass. That's a problem. But, it should be noted that we were throwing out of the I-Form against Navy. The playaction pass helps. The threat of uncertainty creates a mixup. It's simple football. Tressel's brilliance usually comes through simplicity. Why are we trying to run the spread? We're not a funky Texas Tech or a finesse West Coast squad. We're Ohio State.

Also, one should take note of the fact that the I-Form is a simple offense to pass out of. QB takes five steps back. QB goes to primary read. QB goes to secondary read. QB goes to checkdowns. Pryor can use his athleticism in the backfield to avoid sacks. A few good screen passes will also keep the defense at bay.

I'm saying that we should play with a 2002-esque offense. Why fix what isn't broken? Pryor is a sophomore. Keep it simple guys. Petey kept the offense simple for Matt Barkley (Although Joe McKnight deserves the credit here. Petey deserves credit too for keeping him off punt and kick returns all night. He saved McKnight for the end of the game).

By the way, our defense is sickening, Jonathan Thoma will always put the ball on the 13 yard line, Aaron Pettrey has an incredible leg, and, most of all, we will win out.



PS: Did anyone else notice Brent Musberger's unusual calls?
"You all remember the name: Matthew Cushing!"
"Cornelious Greene only complete 7 of 12 passes for 12 yards, but Archie Griffin ran for an astounding 14 yards in that game as Ohio State beat USC."

Breaks my heart to see a great slipping away.

 

[Dryden]

PS: Did anyone else notice Brent Musberger's unusual calls?
"You all remember the name: Matthew Cushing!"
"Cornelious Greene only complete 7 of 12 passes for 12 yards, but Archie Griffin ran for an astounding 14 yards in that game as Ohio State beat USC."

Breaks my heart to see a great slipping away.

Vlade needs to stop giving Brent 6-packs with his carryout sammiches.