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TBBC PREVIEW: WESTERN *ICHIGAN
WVaBuckeye via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The #1 Buckeyes (2-0) host the MAC’s Western Xichigan Broncos (1-2) this Saturday at 3:30 PM in The Shoe. The game becomes the watermark leading up to the contest with now #2 Sparty (won 37-24 on 9/4) on November 21st. If the Buckeyes haven’t righted the ship by this weekend, they could lose more ground to #2 Sparty, as they are quickly becoming the darlings of college football. You will have to excuse me because I find it difficult to use that letter even for someone not that team up north.
WXU In a Nuts-Shell
I doubt very seriously the Broncos are looking past the Buckeyes to the Chippewa’s opponent next week as they open MAC play, but stranger things have happened for them this season. They hung tough with the Spartans in the first game of the season but then got walloped by FCS Georgia Southern on the road.
The Broncos are led by QB Zach Terrell who has been blistering with TD’s and Interceptions (8-5), but has been efficient at a 70% clip with 82 completions for 116 attempts for 947 yards already this season. He will definitely have a tall task against the best pass defense in America right now.
Terrell has some help with who catches the ball and both receivers average more than 100 yards receiving per game right now. A great effort will have to be turned in by the Buckeyes secondary because Daniel Braverman already has 40 receptions for 398 yards and 3 TD’s. Yep you read that right. Corey Davis has 18 to date for 309 and 3 TD’s, as well.
The Bronco offense is not well balanced but has good production from back Jarvion Franklin, except for the lack of scoring. He has 52 carries for a total of 245 yards for an average of 4.7 YPC. They will need a heavy dose of him to be able to pass the ball. A tall order against one of the better run defenses around.
The Broncos defense has given up 100 points in their first three games and desperately needs a good outing against the Buckeyes. Asantay Brown, Rontavious Atkins and Caleb Bailey are leading the team in tackles and will have to step up in run coverage and make the Buckeyes throw the ball against their good secondary.
Ohio State on Offense
What more can be said about the Buckeye offense that already has been said? Only one thing really comes to mind here. Get it going up front and give other teams something to be concerned with. The lack of production on the front line and lack of trap play calling has taken it’s toll on the QB’s (both) confidence to get things done.
I have to believe that they will begin to play the way they did at the end of last season, but it is taking them longer to get there. I wonder how much of it is Warinner not being as focused on the line? See my opinion piece on that very topic soon.
NAME
I understand the Buckeyes desire to not show too much of their hand to the rest of America, but right now they simply aren’t executing even their base stuff. That could be an issue against a MAC team coming in who has a decent identity on defense, and I am pretty sure Sparty can attest to that!
NAME
Ezekiel Elliott needs to have a big game. Without running the stats, it would be my guess that he has already equaled his “no gain” and “carries for loss” from last year in just three games. A lot of what he has accomplished has been in spite of a front line not making very big holes for him.
NAME
The Buckeyes need to take advantage of some of the obvious quick strike capabilities shown in the stats above.
Ohio State on Defense
The Buckeyes defense is tops in the nation in a lot of passing categories and will continue to shine through this weekend. The Silver Bullets have been dominating in the secondary and with good reason. Two of the best safeties in America combined with two very good corners has offenses scratching their heads.
Couple that with one of the best front seven in the country and you have some meanies that will impose their will more times than not. The key to this game will be as it has been so far. The front seven getting pressure on the QB against a decent o-line from the Broncos so that the secondary can have fun.
The name of the game has been turnovers both ways and the Buckeyes probably won’t be able to go a game without getting a pick-six or fumble return for a TD. They need to dictate the pace early and get Terrell out of his rhythm. So far, they have shut down two very capable QB’s. Here’s hoping it continues!
Final Bullets
The bottom line with this game is whether the Buckeyes gain confidence on the offensive side or lose focus on the defensive side. I am going to go with the first option. It isn’t necessarily coaching that is creating the desire to be the best on the defensive side. There are roughly 20 players playing on a consistent basis for the Fickell/Ash led defense and they all want to be the best.
The offensive side has lost it’s zing primarily due to coaching staff changes and the need to mesh quickly. That hasn’t happened and the staff is looking for different ways to make it happen. One way may be to open up the play calling a bit to someone else as well.
I am not suggesting Zack Smith because then it will all just be about #Zone6! Either way, the offense has to gel now and get things right before hitting what will be a physical B1G schedule. One thing is for sure, everybody is going to give them their best game, shouldn’t the offense do the same now?
Kick-off is at 3:30 ET. Radio coverage will be by 97.1. Television coverage is provided by ABC with reverse mirror on ESPN2, check local listings. LiveChat will be here. We hope to see you then!
The post TBBC PREVIEW: WESTERN *ICHIGAN appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...
WVaBuckeye via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The #1 Buckeyes (2-0) host the MAC’s Western Xichigan Broncos (1-2) this Saturday at 3:30 PM in The Shoe. The game becomes the watermark leading up to the contest with now #2 Sparty (won 37-24 on 9/4) on November 21st. If the Buckeyes haven’t righted the ship by this weekend, they could lose more ground to #2 Sparty, as they are quickly becoming the darlings of college football. You will have to excuse me because I find it difficult to use that letter even for someone not that team up north.
WXU In a Nuts-Shell
I doubt very seriously the Broncos are looking past the Buckeyes to the Chippewa’s opponent next week as they open MAC play, but stranger things have happened for them this season. They hung tough with the Spartans in the first game of the season but then got walloped by FCS Georgia Southern on the road.
The Broncos are led by QB Zach Terrell who has been blistering with TD’s and Interceptions (8-5), but has been efficient at a 70% clip with 82 completions for 116 attempts for 947 yards already this season. He will definitely have a tall task against the best pass defense in America right now.
PASSING
GP
Effic
Cmp-Att-Int
Pct
Yards
TD
Long
Avg/G
TERRELL, Zach
3
153.4
82-116-5
70.7
947
8
56
315.7
Terrell has some help with who catches the ball and both receivers average more than 100 yards receiving per game right now. A great effort will have to be turned in by the Buckeyes secondary because Daniel Braverman already has 40 receptions for 398 yards and 3 TD’s. Yep you read that right. Corey Davis has 18 to date for 309 and 3 TD’s, as well.
RECEIVING
GP
No.
Yards
Avg
TD
Long
Avg/G
BRAVERMAN, Daniel
3
40
398
9.9
3
43
132.7
DAVIS, Corey
3
18
309
17.2
3
56
103.0
The Bronco offense is not well balanced but has good production from back Jarvion Franklin, except for the lack of scoring. He has 52 carries for a total of 245 yards for an average of 4.7 YPC. They will need a heavy dose of him to be able to pass the ball. A tall order against one of the better run defenses around.
RUSHING
GP
Att
Gain
Loss
Net
Avg
TD
Long
Avg/G
FRANKLIN, Jarvion
3
52
245
3
242
4.7
1
54
80.7
The Broncos defense has given up 100 points in their first three games and desperately needs a good outing against the Buckeyes. Asantay Brown, Rontavious Atkins and Caleb Bailey are leading the team in tackles and will have to step up in run coverage and make the Buckeyes throw the ball against their good secondary.
Ohio State on Offense
What more can be said about the Buckeye offense that already has been said? Only one thing really comes to mind here. Get it going up front and give other teams something to be concerned with. The lack of production on the front line and lack of trap play calling has taken it’s toll on the QB’s (both) confidence to get things done.
I have to believe that they will begin to play the way they did at the end of last season, but it is taking them longer to get there. I wonder how much of it is Warinner not being as focused on the line? See my opinion piece on that very topic soon.
NAME
CMP
ATT
YDS
CMP%
YDS/A
TD
INT
RAT
Cardale Jones 26
46
334
56.5
7.26
2
3
118.8
J.T. Barrett 20
35
193
57.1
5.51
2
1
116.6
I understand the Buckeyes desire to not show too much of their hand to the rest of America, but right now they simply aren’t executing even their base stuff. That could be an issue against a MAC team coming in who has a decent identity on defense, and I am pretty sure Sparty can attest to that!
NAME
CAR
YDS
AVG
LONG
TD
Ezekiel Elliott 61
331
5.4
80 (TD)
4
Braxton Miller 17
125
7.4
53 (TD)
1
Cardale Jones 21
115
5.5
24
1
Ezekiel Elliott needs to have a big game. Without running the stats, it would be my guess that he has already equaled his “no gain” and “carries for loss” from last year in just three games. A lot of what he has accomplished has been in spite of a front line not making very big holes for him.
NAME
REC
YDS
AVG
LONG
TD
Michael Thomas 10
158
15.8
26 (TD)
2
Curtis Samuel 11
109
9.9
24 (TD)
1
Braxton Miller 5
95
19.0
54 (TD)
1
The Buckeyes need to take advantage of some of the obvious quick strike capabilities shown in the stats above.
Ohio State on Defense
The Buckeyes defense is tops in the nation in a lot of passing categories and will continue to shine through this weekend. The Silver Bullets have been dominating in the secondary and with good reason. Two of the best safeties in America combined with two very good corners has offenses scratching their heads.
Couple that with one of the best front seven in the country and you have some meanies that will impose their will more times than not. The key to this game will be as it has been so far. The front seven getting pressure on the QB against a decent o-line from the Broncos so that the secondary can have fun.
The name of the game has been turnovers both ways and the Buckeyes probably won’t be able to go a game without getting a pick-six or fumble return for a TD. They need to dictate the pace early and get Terrell out of his rhythm. So far, they have shut down two very capable QB’s. Here’s hoping it continues!
Final Bullets
The bottom line with this game is whether the Buckeyes gain confidence on the offensive side or lose focus on the defensive side. I am going to go with the first option. It isn’t necessarily coaching that is creating the desire to be the best on the defensive side. There are roughly 20 players playing on a consistent basis for the Fickell/Ash led defense and they all want to be the best.
The offensive side has lost it’s zing primarily due to coaching staff changes and the need to mesh quickly. That hasn’t happened and the staff is looking for different ways to make it happen. One way may be to open up the play calling a bit to someone else as well.
I am not suggesting Zack Smith because then it will all just be about #Zone6! Either way, the offense has to gel now and get things right before hitting what will be a physical B1G schedule. One thing is for sure, everybody is going to give them their best game, shouldn’t the offense do the same now?
Kick-off is at 3:30 ET. Radio coverage will be by 97.1. Television coverage is provided by ABC with reverse mirror on ESPN2, check local listings. LiveChat will be here. We hope to see you then!
The post TBBC PREVIEW: WESTERN *ICHIGAN appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...