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- Thread starter BB73
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calibuck
Too soon old, too late smart
Yuk! Yuk! tOSU has got to get on scoreboard early and often. Turn TSUN into a one-dimensional team, and make Underwood beat us in the air. Would like to see a game like tOSU hung on Tennessee last year. Historically, one can throw out the records here, Xichigan has won more times when tOSU is the more highly rated than vice versa. And yeah, Day has got a lump in his throat over this one. Firmly expect the Buckeyes to prevail, but hey, would rather not bet at all than 'take the points' and put money on TSUN. Sorry, cannot do that. Will have my cognac sitting by my side, hopefully not needed until the waning minutes in celebration. Go Bucks!
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We've had perfect weather for the last three years.
This is just cloudy and cold. Wind is light, snow not forecasted to start until after 3-4
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Had a really lovely Thanksgiving with my family and made sure I was grateful for family and all the love in my heart. Needed to get that out of the way for the pure, unadulterated hatred reserved for ttun and I needed more room for that over the 48 hours to follow.
Let's snack these smug SOBs sideways on their own field from the first whistle. Don't get cute, don't out think ourselves, don't commit stupid penalties, just unleash hell and be the better, more talented team that we are. I don't give a shit about being #1, about winning the Natty last year, none of that matters. Only 4 quarters of precise focus, execution of our game plan, and the testicular fortitude needed when things don't go according to plan. To quote Day "winning is fun". Get the W and cap off an amazing regular season.
Let's snack these smug SOBs sideways on their own field from the first whistle. Don't get cute, don't out think ourselves, don't commit stupid penalties, just unleash hell and be the better, more talented team that we are. I don't give a shit about being #1, about winning the Natty last year, none of that matters. Only 4 quarters of precise focus, execution of our game plan, and the testicular fortitude needed when things don't go according to plan. To quote Day "winning is fun". Get the W and cap off an amazing regular season.
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TL;DR - just be what they are and things will go swimmingly.
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Been thinking about it all week. How does Ohio State approach this game, how do they game plan for TCUN and how do they go about staying on track.
A lot of this depends on Smith playing. Not so worried about Tate playing or not, because truly I think Innis compliments Smith's style better - Tate is more of a Smith type receiver and while epically fun to have both on the field, it's not necessarily a requirement.
So, assuming Smith plays, that gives TCUN a problem in their secondary. Between Innis, Klare, Smith, Portal/Graham/another TE, plus the back out of the backfield, they are going to likely be playing zone most of the day. Man to man is a death sentence and they know it. It'll be very much a requirement for Sayin to progress through his reads in a methodical manner to find the gaps. And there will be gaps. TCUN's only hope is to limit big plays and make Ohio State drive the ball. That plays into...
Ohio State needs to be the methodical, efficient monster it's been all year long. They don't need to do anything but be what they are. No "explosions" or faster pace because we can or whatever. Explosive plays are welcome of course. The idea though is to just be what they've been all year long. It's not about being perfect, it's about being good enough to get the job done (i.e. don't let perfect be the enemy of good). That is NOT what happened last year. Last year they tried to be something they weren't and it killed them. This is where the next key is....
The offensive line. Has it been great all year? Yes and no - pass pro has been mostly excellent all year long. There've been some mistakes, but they've been minor. Running game is coming along, and there is some hope that maybe it's turned a corner. TCUN's ONLY hope is Ohio State gets predictable and runs into the pile. Conversely, Ohio State's run game needs to attack the edges a bit and get their backs out in space. If any of the backs get into the open field to the 2nd level of the defense, they have a distinct advantage. TCUN's defense is built for 1985 era offenses. So short of running the veer offense or something dumb, TCUN's defense has to play zone and hope Ohio State does something dumb to play offense in a phone booth....and finally....
The defense - it's been a monster all year long and this is going to be no different. I'd expect to see a defensive scheme very similar to what they used against Manning in week 1. Underwhelming literally is a sub-replacement level (to borrow the term from baseball) college QB right now throwing the ball. A lot of what they do get is broken plays, defensive mistakes or dudes like Marsh just being better than the future accountant or whatever Northwestern was guarding him with. The ONLY way TCUN will move the ball is if Ohio State allows them to do so by playing soft zones or allowing Underwear to get loose running the ball. He cannot throw into tight windows yet and their running game is no where near what it was during the cheating era. The pass rush needs to maintain its rush lanes and edge rushers need to force him to step up into the pocket rather than escaping to the edge. Reese and Styles must absolutely respond to any attempted scrambles and they must tackle well (similar to what Tennecheat and IamaLeaver experienced last year). Secondary just needs to not have any busts and if it's a zone scheme called, the safeties need to play no one gets deep.
Special teams are average yes, but so long as no massive mistakes happen here (like 2 missed FGs) then it won't matter much either way. TCUN's kicker has been inconsistent all year though so keep that in mind.
At the end of the day, the talent advantage is again seriously on Ohio State's side. The biggest difference is at the most important position on the field: QB. If Sayin does what Sayin does, and if Ohio State doesn't let Undercarriage have the game of his life, I personally think Ohio State wins this one in what the final score will seem like an easy victory but in reality had us all biting our finger and toe nails until the 4th quarter.
Ohio State 34
TCUN 13
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Been thinking about it all week. How does Ohio State approach this game, how do they game plan for TCUN and how do they go about staying on track.
A lot of this depends on Smith playing. Not so worried about Tate playing or not, because truly I think Innis compliments Smith's style better - Tate is more of a Smith type receiver and while epically fun to have both on the field, it's not necessarily a requirement.
So, assuming Smith plays, that gives TCUN a problem in their secondary. Between Innis, Klare, Smith, Portal/Graham/another TE, plus the back out of the backfield, they are going to likely be playing zone most of the day. Man to man is a death sentence and they know it. It'll be very much a requirement for Sayin to progress through his reads in a methodical manner to find the gaps. And there will be gaps. TCUN's only hope is to limit big plays and make Ohio State drive the ball. That plays into...
Ohio State needs to be the methodical, efficient monster it's been all year long. They don't need to do anything but be what they are. No "explosions" or faster pace because we can or whatever. Explosive plays are welcome of course. The idea though is to just be what they've been all year long. It's not about being perfect, it's about being good enough to get the job done (i.e. don't let perfect be the enemy of good). That is NOT what happened last year. Last year they tried to be something they weren't and it killed them. This is where the next key is....
The offensive line. Has it been great all year? Yes and no - pass pro has been mostly excellent all year long. There've been some mistakes, but they've been minor. Running game is coming along, and there is some hope that maybe it's turned a corner. TCUN's ONLY hope is Ohio State gets predictable and runs into the pile. Conversely, Ohio State's run game needs to attack the edges a bit and get their backs out in space. If any of the backs get into the open field to the 2nd level of the defense, they have a distinct advantage. TCUN's defense is built for 1985 era offenses. So short of running the veer offense or something dumb, TCUN's defense has to play zone and hope Ohio State does something dumb to play offense in a phone booth....and finally....
The defense - it's been a monster all year long and this is going to be no different. I'd expect to see a defensive scheme very similar to what they used against Manning in week 1. Underwhelming literally is a sub-replacement level (to borrow the term from baseball) college QB right now throwing the ball. A lot of what they do get is broken plays, defensive mistakes or dudes like Marsh just being better than the future accountant or whatever Northwestern was guarding him with. The ONLY way TCUN will move the ball is if Ohio State allows them to do so by playing soft zones or allowing Underwear to get loose running the ball. He cannot throw into tight windows yet and their running game is no where near what it was during the cheating era. The pass rush needs to maintain its rush lanes and edge rushers need to force him to step up into the pocket rather than escaping to the edge. Reese and Styles must absolutely respond to any attempted scrambles and they must tackle well (similar to what Tennecheat and IamaLeaver experienced last year). Secondary just needs to not have any busts and if it's a zone scheme called, the safeties need to play no one gets deep.
Special teams are average yes, but so long as no massive mistakes happen here (like 2 missed FGs) then it won't matter much either way. TCUN's kicker has been inconsistent all year though so keep that in mind.
At the end of the day, the talent advantage is again seriously on Ohio State's side. The biggest difference is at the most important position on the field: QB. If Sayin does what Sayin does, and if Ohio State doesn't let Undercarriage have the game of his life, I personally think Ohio State wins this one in what the final score will seem like an easy victory but in reality had us all biting our finger and toe nails until the 4th quarter.
Ohio State 34
TCUN 13
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Buckeneye
I lead, you follow.
Per the usual in my annual traditions... going back and watching The Game from years past. Typically at a sort of 'milestone' mark.
I'm obviously bias, and 2006 is the pinnacle, but 20 years ago... that 2005 game is still my favorite so far. Every emotion you could have during a football game. Hype, more hype, shit-talking early, struggle, frustration, despair, hope, then pure elation with a touch of shock and relief.
Arguably the two best drives back to back, sandwiching a defensive stand, in Buckeye history.
I'm obviously bias, and 2006 is the pinnacle, but 20 years ago... that 2005 game is still my favorite so far. Every emotion you could have during a football game. Hype, more hype, shit-talking early, struggle, frustration, despair, hope, then pure elation with a touch of shock and relief.
Arguably the two best drives back to back, sandwiching a defensive stand, in Buckeye history.
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My first one in person. Watched it from 17A with my dad. What a great memory. No expectations. Pure elation. The start of domination that hadn't been seen before, and lead to them being broken enough to start cheating at an unheard of level.
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Onebuckfan
classof76
My favorite 72 , 3 goal line stands. When asked why he didn’t kick a FG Bo said, “If you can’t make a yard you don’t deserve to win.” Thank God no replays.
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