justingolba
Guest
Stock Market Report: Special teams and defense shine in the Buckeyes’ win over Indiana
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Caleb Downs had the first punt return touchdown in ten years for Ohio State as the Buckeyes rolled to 10-1
The No.2 Ohio State Buckeyes moved to 10-1 after rolling over the No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers 38-15 to hand the Curt Cignetti-led Hoosiers their first loss, as they move to 10-1.
Here is who and what we are high and low on heading into the week everyone has been waiting for.
Special teams touchdowns
There is something euphoric about watching a punt return touchdown. Buckeye fans have not seen one since 2014 when Jalin Marshall returned one, also against Indiana, almost to the day of this one.
Caleb Downs showed some of the best patience I have seen. He followed his blockers for the 79-yard punt return, really putting the Buckeyes out in front for good after they took the 21-7 lead.
Cody Simon
At the half of this game, Cody Simon had seven tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. He finished with 10 tackles, four solos, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. Sonny Styles looks better and better each week, but so has Simon, and he has taken over as one of the top linebackers in the Big Ten.
Pass rush
After the first quarter of this game, it looked very similar to the Oregon game. There was no pass rush, letting the opposing quarterback seemingly do what he wanted. However, Jim Knowles took note and dialed up the pressure to the tune of five sacks, forcing Kurtis Rourke into 8-for-18 passing for just 68 yards. Cody Simon had 2.5 sacks leading the way, but it seemed like everyone got in on the action in this one.
Slow starts
The Buckeyes are one of the best second-half teams in the country. However, the first quarters have left some to be desired, and although it hasn’t come back to bite them yet, a slow start against Oregon, Texas, or Georgia could make the second half a lot tougher than they have experienced to this point.
Buy: The coaching staff
Throughout the year, there have been many conversations about the coaching staff, and no one has been immune to them except for Brian Hartline.
However, Chip Kelly has the offense humming, Jim Knowles is dialing up the pressure each week, and Justin Fyre has handled all the offensive line issues with flying colors. Right now, this is a coaching staff that can win a championship, and that is something we have not been able to say in past years.
Buy: Carson Hinzman
Hinzman started all 12 regular-season games at center last year. Then, the Buckeyes added Seth McLaughlin, and Hinzman became the backup center.
He spent the bulk of the season as the backup center to McLaughlin until about a month ago, when he moved to left guard to start in place of Donovan Jackson and now is the starting center with the injury to McLaughlin. He has done what he has been asked and has contributed to the team in positive ways.
Sell: Penalties
Davison Igbinosun has 11 penalties in 11 games, and the Buckeyes are 134th out of 134 FBS teams in penalty yards. This is similar to the slow starts; even though it has not affected them to this point, that could be detrimental when the games get bigger and the margins get smaller.
Sell: Leaving points on the field
You could argue that the Buckeyes' offense has left some points on the field against Penn State, Oregon, and this one against Indiana. It hurt them against Oregon and not in the other two games, but that is the one concern I have about the offense moving forward into the postseason.
Continue reading...
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Caleb Downs had the first punt return touchdown in ten years for Ohio State as the Buckeyes rolled to 10-1
The No.2 Ohio State Buckeyes moved to 10-1 after rolling over the No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers 38-15 to hand the Curt Cignetti-led Hoosiers their first loss, as they move to 10-1.
Here is who and what we are high and low on heading into the week everyone has been waiting for.
Blue Chip
Special teams touchdowns
There is something euphoric about watching a punt return touchdown. Buckeye fans have not seen one since 2014 when Jalin Marshall returned one, also against Indiana, almost to the day of this one.
Caleb Downs showed some of the best patience I have seen. He followed his blockers for the 79-yard punt return, really putting the Buckeyes out in front for good after they took the 21-7 lead.
Solid Investments
Cody Simon
At the half of this game, Cody Simon had seven tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. He finished with 10 tackles, four solos, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. Sonny Styles looks better and better each week, but so has Simon, and he has taken over as one of the top linebackers in the Big Ten.
Pass rush
After the first quarter of this game, it looked very similar to the Oregon game. There was no pass rush, letting the opposing quarterback seemingly do what he wanted. However, Jim Knowles took note and dialed up the pressure to the tune of five sacks, forcing Kurtis Rourke into 8-for-18 passing for just 68 yards. Cody Simon had 2.5 sacks leading the way, but it seemed like everyone got in on the action in this one.
Junk Bond
Slow starts
The Buckeyes are one of the best second-half teams in the country. However, the first quarters have left some to be desired, and although it hasn’t come back to bite them yet, a slow start against Oregon, Texas, or Georgia could make the second half a lot tougher than they have experienced to this point.
Buy/Sell
Buy: The coaching staff
Throughout the year, there have been many conversations about the coaching staff, and no one has been immune to them except for Brian Hartline.
However, Chip Kelly has the offense humming, Jim Knowles is dialing up the pressure each week, and Justin Fyre has handled all the offensive line issues with flying colors. Right now, this is a coaching staff that can win a championship, and that is something we have not been able to say in past years.
Buy: Carson Hinzman
Hinzman started all 12 regular-season games at center last year. Then, the Buckeyes added Seth McLaughlin, and Hinzman became the backup center.
He spent the bulk of the season as the backup center to McLaughlin until about a month ago, when he moved to left guard to start in place of Donovan Jackson and now is the starting center with the injury to McLaughlin. He has done what he has been asked and has contributed to the team in positive ways.
Sell: Penalties
Davison Igbinosun has 11 penalties in 11 games, and the Buckeyes are 134th out of 134 FBS teams in penalty yards. This is similar to the slow starts; even though it has not affected them to this point, that could be detrimental when the games get bigger and the margins get smaller.
Sell: Leaving points on the field
You could argue that the Buckeyes' offense has left some points on the field against Penn State, Oregon, and this one against Indiana. It hurt them against Oregon and not in the other two games, but that is the one concern I have about the offense moving forward into the postseason.
Continue reading...