The Best OSU Offense Ever?

[Carmen Ohio]

With the emergence of Troy Smith have we ever had an offense with this much potential at OSU? I've been an ardent Buckeye fan since 1967 and I've seen our teams with great running backs, receivers and offensive lines but with either an athletic or drop-back QB. The former's inability to pass and the latter's inability to run always seemed to bite us in the ass in the games that if won could have led us to more national championships (usually Wisconsin, Michigan State, Illinois or Michigan). With the line being dubbed as Tressel's best ever, Pittman and the two Wells at tailback, Troy's dual threat ability and Ginn and company at receiver - as an opposing defensive coordinator how do you stop us? We've had great offenses in the past but didn't we really know what our vulnerability was and hope it wouldn't be exploited only to see in games with one of the aforementioned teams that it was? - Okay Germaine you'll have to run to beat us - Okay Jackson you'll have to throw to beat us - Okay Hoying you'll have to run... etc. The notable exceptions are Krenzel and Kern who to me have a lot of similarities in that they knew they didn't have to win the game themselves yet did unexpected things like run or go deep on a fourth down play to earn their places in Buckeye lore. Lets hope the untimely turnover doesn't kill us in 2006.

As a caveat, I predicted our unsung hero leading to a killer defense in 2005 would be Mike Kudla... I think I was right. He was key to letting Hawk and company roam free in one of the most prolific defenses in OSU history. My unsung hero prediction for 2006 is Roy Hall. This guy will break out and bolster the Ohio State offense to unstoppable proportions... if once again, we don't stop ourselves.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

It depends on what you mean by "best" offense ever. If you mean highest per-game scoring and/or yardage production, probably not. The reason is that Tressel calls off the dogs and--smartly--gives his backups valuable playing time (this is one reason why our "new" defense will be so good this year). I looked back at the years from 1950 through last season and logged the years where we averaged 35+ points a game:

1969: 42.6
1973: 37.5
1974: 36.4
1983: 34.2
1995: 36.5
1996: 37.9
1998: 35.8

2005: 32.7

Now, we averaged just short of 39 ppg the second half of last season, when Troy and the offense got in high gear. That 39 ppg would make us the second most prolific scoring offense in school history. Obviously the question is can we, or will Tressel let us, maintain that throughout the season?

I think we are solid across the board offensively for the first time in a long time...we have no real weaknesses. We have one of the best OL groups as a unit in 8-9 years. We have a very good TE coming back from injury. We have an exceptionally talented receiver corps. We have a 1300+ yard RB returning, along with a fast and shifty backup and the #1 high school RB in the country coming aboard. Lastly, we have the most dynamic QB in school history returning for his fifth overall season.

While I doubt very seriously we'll break the 1969 scoring record of 42.6 ppg, we clearly have the potential of being one of the very best offensive units in school history.

 

[Steve19]

This offense will be potent but, as Mili says, Tressel doesn't run up the score like Cooper did. He keeps his ultimate goals in mind and plays a more intelligent game. That said, you don't keep a race horse fit by excessively holding it back in training. Look for some 35 point first halves this year.

 

[Saw31]

Best ever? I couldn't say...However, I would say this offense may be the most dangerous ever. We can hit big plays from so many different positions it's going to be very difficult to defend.

 

[daddyphatsacs]

This offense has the potential to be highly explosive. I think it depends on how well we run the ball. If Pitt, Wells, Wells, Smith....ect. can really eat up some yards on the ground, it will open up every other aspect of the offense.

I think this *could* be one of the best offenses to step on the field at OSU.

 

[AKAK]

This offense has the potential to be highly explosive. I think it depends on how well we run the ball. If Pitt, Wells, Wells, Smith....ect. can really eat up some yards on the ground, it will open up every other aspect of the offense.

I think this *could* be one of the best offenses to step on the field at OSU.

Well... in this respect too... I mean... at what point do the dogs really get called off?

I mean... there are some freaks playin OL that have been around a year or two now...

And.. I mean... if you tell them you're running off tackle left and they still can't stop it in garbage time...

 

[jwinslow]

I'm not sure that this will be the best OSU offense ever... however, the production has the ability to come close.

Defense needing help
- They will be good on D, but even last year's team needed some help from the O occasionally (ie Minny). If there are a few games where the defense is a little porous, the O might have to put up bigger numbers.

Stud backups
- Wells' & Zwick/Hartline/Robo are very capable of putting up points inside of a conservative attack... moreso than their respective backups in the last few years.

 

[Jagdaddy]

Efficiency and the ability of Datish to make the right calls as the leader of the OL are the questions for me. Other than at PSU, nobody really kept OSU's offense from gaining yards last year, but a lot of red zone fumbles and the lack of power running reduced scoring considerably. Also, IMO, Coach Tressel hurt the offense by not having enough confidence in Pittman as a workhorse early in the year, especially in the PSU game. This year, I think that the staff's greater confidence in the now-proven running game, Smith's experience and leadership, and the ability of the physically maturing Pittman and new hammer Chris Wells to be tough near the goal line and in short yardage situations will greatly improve the offense's efficiency. I expect the D to force more turnovers as well, giving the "O" more short fields to work with. Overall, I think the "O" will average 38+ per game because it will be able to shove the ball down defenses' throats on the ground even when running out the clock.

 

[cablebuck]

This offense may be the most talented offense since the 98' team, but will probably not come close to scoring as many points as that team did.

The plan of a Jim Tressel coached team is to get up on the scoreboard early and then hurry up and get the game overwith. Score two touchdown or a touchdown and a field goal and get it overwith so we can go sing Carmen Ohio.

This year's team has the potential to put up 14 points in the first quarter of every game. After that you might as well sit back and be ready to watch them squeeze the life out of the clock and hope that the defense will hold their groud (bend but don't break) .

I think a lot of people are living on the pipe dream that the offense will look similar to the one displayed vs. Notre Dame. I wouldn't get my hopes up too much. They'll play traditional Jim Tressel football - maintain good field position, not take too many risks on offense, depend on a lot of field goals, and keep the defense from having their backs against the wall.

Offensively, yes the potential for an explosive group is there, but it will most likely resemble a sparkler this season.

 

[cincibuck]

This offense will be potent but, as Mili says, Tressel doesn't run up the score like Cooper did. He keeps his ultimate goals in mind and plays a more intelligent game. That said, you don't keep a race horse fit by excessively holding it back in training. Look for some 35 point first halves this year.

Hayes was the man running up the scores with the 1969 squad. I'm biased having seen that team play more often than any other Buckeye squad since... they were a combination of this year's offense with last year's defense... I'm assuming that this year's offense will match the preseason hype.

QBs with Troy Smith's talent? Corny Green comes to mind, as does Rex Kern. And then comes probably the best Buckeye QB of all time... if only he could have kept himself straight, Art Schlichter.

 

[wsmith93]

Probably the most underrated part of the Buckeyes offense this year will be on special teams. Teams are gonna always try to kick the ball away from Ginn or Ginn's just gonna get great gains on punt and kick returns. It's a lot easier to score points when you're consistently starting your drives near midfield.

 

[ekeen]

Best ever? I couldn't say...However, I would say this offense may be the most dangerous ever. We can hit big plays from so many different positions it's going to be very difficult to defend.

I would argue that we were just as balanced on offense in 1998.

I would still like to see the defense shine. Look at all the great offensive teams UCLA had with no defense.

 

[Buckin Crazy]

It is the most talented. I also think Tressel will let us run a little more free this year. I just have a feeling he is going to give Troy Smith his best shot at getting the heismen.

 

[RLC65]

As has generally been the case for several years, it will come down to the effectiveness of the OLine. The skilled positions have often been strong, maybe not quite the potential of Troy & Teddy, et.al., but strong. Looking at the pictures of the moose brigade they pass the look test for roadgraders, but the ultimate test is whether they mesh and whether they are effectively quick. Average DLines may quake a little at the sight of them, but not all we will face will be average.

I think the biggest challenge will be how well Mangold is replaced...my perception is that he was the key last year and that this year's success will be dependent on mirroring his skills. We'll find out in a hurry...we'll probably know as we go to bed late on Sept.9. (Happy as clams, hopefully.)

Go Bucks!

 

[sandgk]

It is the most talented. I also think Tressel will let us run a little more free this year. I just have a feeling he is going to give Troy Smith his best shot at getting the heismen.

Tressel himself says otherwise - no surprise really in that - he is emphasizing ball control over flash and pizazz.

I agree with RLC65 - Nick was a cornerstone for last years line. Got to get good play from center, and if you do that helps the line gel.