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Stock Market Report: The defense bends, but doesn't break against Michigan State
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
JJ Smith makes another incredible play, the defense holds the Spartans to seven points, and the Peacock broadcast wasn’t great
In its first “test” of the season, the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes went to East Lansing and came away with a comfortable 38-7 win to move to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in Big Ten play.
Here is who and what we are high on and low on after Week 5 heading into the Iowa game.
I think saying Jeremiah Smith is too easy, but I have to say Jeremiah Smith
I mean, I genuinely don’t know what else there is to say. I wouldn’t argue with anyone if they said JJ Smith was the most talented receiver in Ohio State history already. He could play in the NFL tomorrow, and he has two and a half more seasons left in Columbus.
This feels like it is too simple, but it is impossible not to acknowledge.
Bend don’t break
No one will argue that the defense was perfect in East Lansing. However, the end result has to matter. The Buckeyes went on the road and only gave up seven points, 246 yards, and 47 yards rushing. Michigan State was also only 2-for-9 on third-down conversions.
They forced some turnovers late in drives and got a huge fourth-down stop early in the game. Iowa and Oregon coming up are different challenges, but a bend but don’t break defense can still win a lot of games. You just have to make sure it doesn’t break.
Fourth Down Efficiency
In a perfect world, you never have to convert on fourth down because you convert at a high level on third down. And to be fair, the Buckeyes were 8-for-17 on third down this week, which isn’t bad.
The Buckeyes were 3-for-4 on fourth down with two touchdowns. Ryan Day and Chip Kelly were aggressive, and it paid off in a major way. That needs to continue until the later part of the season.
Quarterback pressure
Sometimes, a team’s sack numbers can be deceiving, and Ohio State was able to get to Aidan Chiles four times on Saturday, but they have to put more pressure on the quarterback moving forward. It won’t matter against Iowa, but Dillon Gabriel and Oregon can pick any defense apart if given the time and opportunity.
The good part is that the second unit looks great, so there is depth. They just need more from the starting unit. Hopefully getting Tyleik Williams will help that as well.
Buy: The playmaker’s blocking ability
On the one-handed catch by J.J. Smith from Devin Brown for the touchdown, a lot of people pointed out that TreVeyon Henderson was the man to thank. He picked up a blitzing linebacker on a block that gave Brown the time to get the ball out.
However, all the running backs and receivers are good blockers. Egbuka, Tate, Henderson, and everyone else buy into their roles as not only playmakers but also blockers. And it makes everyone better.
Buy: Carnell Tate
I just mentioned Carnell Tate in the above buy, but I wanted to mention him again because I think it is important what he is doing gets recognized. I know JJ Smith (also see above) and Emeka Egbuka are great, but Tate has settled into his role as the third option so well and is fully bought into this offense and what he brings to it. His breakout game is coming, but until then, he will continue to be mister consistent for the offense and Will Howard.
Sell: Colt McCoy broadcasting
This is more of a tongue-in-cheek one because I really don’t care about broadcasters all that much. Ohio State won’t play on Peacock again this year, but the early returns on Colt McCoy as a broadcaster aren’t great.
I loved McCoy as a player, and I hope he improves. It’s only week five, anyway.
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
Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
JJ Smith makes another incredible play, the defense holds the Spartans to seven points, and the Peacock broadcast wasn’t great
In its first “test” of the season, the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes went to East Lansing and came away with a comfortable 38-7 win to move to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in Big Ten play.
Here is who and what we are high on and low on after Week 5 heading into the Iowa game.
Blue Chip
I think saying Jeremiah Smith is too easy, but I have to say Jeremiah Smith
I mean, I genuinely don’t know what else there is to say. I wouldn’t argue with anyone if they said JJ Smith was the most talented receiver in Ohio State history already. He could play in the NFL tomorrow, and he has two and a half more seasons left in Columbus.
This feels like it is too simple, but it is impossible not to acknowledge.
Solid Investments
Bend don’t break
No one will argue that the defense was perfect in East Lansing. However, the end result has to matter. The Buckeyes went on the road and only gave up seven points, 246 yards, and 47 yards rushing. Michigan State was also only 2-for-9 on third-down conversions.
They forced some turnovers late in drives and got a huge fourth-down stop early in the game. Iowa and Oregon coming up are different challenges, but a bend but don’t break defense can still win a lot of games. You just have to make sure it doesn’t break.
Fourth Down Efficiency
In a perfect world, you never have to convert on fourth down because you convert at a high level on third down. And to be fair, the Buckeyes were 8-for-17 on third down this week, which isn’t bad.
The Buckeyes were 3-for-4 on fourth down with two touchdowns. Ryan Day and Chip Kelly were aggressive, and it paid off in a major way. That needs to continue until the later part of the season.
Junk Bond
Quarterback pressure
Sometimes, a team’s sack numbers can be deceiving, and Ohio State was able to get to Aidan Chiles four times on Saturday, but they have to put more pressure on the quarterback moving forward. It won’t matter against Iowa, but Dillon Gabriel and Oregon can pick any defense apart if given the time and opportunity.
The good part is that the second unit looks great, so there is depth. They just need more from the starting unit. Hopefully getting Tyleik Williams will help that as well.
Buy/Sell
Buy: The playmaker’s blocking ability
On the one-handed catch by J.J. Smith from Devin Brown for the touchdown, a lot of people pointed out that TreVeyon Henderson was the man to thank. He picked up a blitzing linebacker on a block that gave Brown the time to get the ball out.
However, all the running backs and receivers are good blockers. Egbuka, Tate, Henderson, and everyone else buy into their roles as not only playmakers but also blockers. And it makes everyone better.
Buy: Carnell Tate
I just mentioned Carnell Tate in the above buy, but I wanted to mention him again because I think it is important what he is doing gets recognized. I know JJ Smith (also see above) and Emeka Egbuka are great, but Tate has settled into his role as the third option so well and is fully bought into this offense and what he brings to it. His breakout game is coming, but until then, he will continue to be mister consistent for the offense and Will Howard.
Sell: Colt McCoy broadcasting
This is more of a tongue-in-cheek one because I really don’t care about broadcasters all that much. Ohio State won’t play on Peacock again this year, but the early returns on Colt McCoy as a broadcaster aren’t great.
I loved McCoy as a player, and I hope he improves. It’s only week five, anyway.
Continue reading...