Carmen Ohio
All-American
For the most part I think many of the posters here saw the same game I did but the post-game observations have one glaring omission... we are a very YOUNG team. If you're going to criticize the 0-line do it remembering that before this season... Datish, Coleman, Downing, Schafer and Barton had NO big game experience. Lydell Ross couldn't do it with a senior line so even with all his determination why would we expect him or any of our backs to immediately be lights out with a less-experienced line. The game with an EXPERIENCED Northwestern team, albeit a loss, may have been the best lesson they've ever learned. I expect a much better effort against Wisconsin... even though we'll be facing a much better defense.
As for Justin Zwick... I think when given even a little bit of time he was tremendous. Every time I conceded a loss he delivered a pass or made a decision that kept us in the game. By the same token because of his youth he kept Northwestern in the game with untimely turnovers. Northwestern was experienced enough to keep the heat on him through the entire game... something we're going to see throughout the Big Ten season. In my opinion the best thing that happened was JT showed a vote in confidence in Justin by keeping him in the game despite his mistakes... guaranteed this will pay off Saturday. Craig threw quite a few bad passes in his career, but the "D" rarely "failed" him. Hopefully Justin understands that we have to sustain drives to keep the defense fresh... maybe in defeat he became a man last week.
My last point of veiled optimism surrounds the collective defense. Northwestern seemingly "dinked and dunked" it's way down the field at will. Was it just me or did it seem like every time Basenez went back to pass, one of our LB's was bearing down on him for the sack only to have Basenez throw the ball where he had just left on a bubble screen. Same situation with Kudla or Fraser getting his mitts on the QB as he delivers to the ball to a wide receiver getting a block from the left tackle! I actually saw Purdue do that against Notre Dame. I wasn't worried about us facing it because our ends are coached to drop into coverage on certain reads... but not last week. The point of all this is I didn't see a bad defense that was outplayed... I saw a YOUNG one that was outcoached. JT as much as admitted that in his post game comments. When the LB's started to lay back a little and DE's started to read a little... We got picks and stops. They say if you're going to lose... lose early. We had a chance last year with one loss going into Michigan.
The optimistic part of all this is the team had to have learned what it takes to win in the Big Ten. They have to know you can't take anyone lightly. They have to know the importance of avoiding untimely turnovers. But the biggest thing I hope they learned is that despite appearances, Ohio State doesn't win because of destiny or luck.
As for Justin Zwick... I think when given even a little bit of time he was tremendous. Every time I conceded a loss he delivered a pass or made a decision that kept us in the game. By the same token because of his youth he kept Northwestern in the game with untimely turnovers. Northwestern was experienced enough to keep the heat on him through the entire game... something we're going to see throughout the Big Ten season. In my opinion the best thing that happened was JT showed a vote in confidence in Justin by keeping him in the game despite his mistakes... guaranteed this will pay off Saturday. Craig threw quite a few bad passes in his career, but the "D" rarely "failed" him. Hopefully Justin understands that we have to sustain drives to keep the defense fresh... maybe in defeat he became a man last week.
My last point of veiled optimism surrounds the collective defense. Northwestern seemingly "dinked and dunked" it's way down the field at will. Was it just me or did it seem like every time Basenez went back to pass, one of our LB's was bearing down on him for the sack only to have Basenez throw the ball where he had just left on a bubble screen. Same situation with Kudla or Fraser getting his mitts on the QB as he delivers to the ball to a wide receiver getting a block from the left tackle! I actually saw Purdue do that against Notre Dame. I wasn't worried about us facing it because our ends are coached to drop into coverage on certain reads... but not last week. The point of all this is I didn't see a bad defense that was outplayed... I saw a YOUNG one that was outcoached. JT as much as admitted that in his post game comments. When the LB's started to lay back a little and DE's started to read a little... We got picks and stops. They say if you're going to lose... lose early. We had a chance last year with one loss going into Michigan.
The optimistic part of all this is the team had to have learned what it takes to win in the Big Ten. They have to know you can't take anyone lightly. They have to know the importance of avoiding untimely turnovers. But the biggest thing I hope they learned is that despite appearances, Ohio State doesn't win because of destiny or luck.