Game Thread tOSU at Cal Bears, Sep 14, 7 ET, Fox

[HorseshoeFetish]

I'm thinking a trip to Cal might just be what the doctor ordered. IMO we have guys on our defense that will take this game a little personally after last years tackling fiasco in Columbus. Unlike last year however I don't think Cal has had near as much time to come up with something "all new" just for the Buckeyes thanks to a new coaching staff/scheme and playing Northwestern right out of the gate. While Cal might put up some yards, a pass happy offense with a freshman QB might just spell p-i-c-k-6 for our secondary. I also feel like MV will have the d line foaming at the mouth on this one. I expect Shazier, Roby, Bryant, Bennett, Bosa, and Spence to have a big day on D.

On offense I'm hoping to see another page of the playbook, like many of you are. It's time to see some of these "play makers" make some plays. I want to see that 5 yard out or option pitch turn into a 60+ yard score. Maybe leaving the super groovy warm and fuzzy confines of The Shoe will keep this unit from getting complacent when they get a lead. As far as our QB goes, I think Kenny G has earned the right to start a game this year. I'm not saying this game or any game in particular, just that he should at least get one start on his resume at some point this season. I also think that he deserves some playing time other than just mop up duty or coming in because Braxton has gotten hurt. I'm not saying we need to run a dual QB thing with some kind of specified ratio or anything. I just think that he runs the offense in such a way that we could seriously avoid multiple drives of 3 and outs. Not to mention saving a few hits on Brax throughout the course of the season. I'm thinking QB, Vannett, Rod, Dontre, Devin, and Evan have a big day on O.

Good guys win by at least 31.

 

[BUCKDUBBS007]

No line on this game yet, are they waiting to see if Braxton is playing to make the spread?

 

[Coqui]

I really meant OOC games - and Texas wasn't a 4 TD game just sayin....

I'll be absolutely shocked if they win by more than 20. For one, Cal plays the type of offense that usually moves the ball in spits and spurts against defenses that play off the receivers like Ohio State and for another, I get the feeling the offense won't nearly be as crisp this week as it was against SDSU. Call it a hunch....

38-20 or so is my prediction.

Well now you're adding stipulations. And I just wanted to add the Texas thing in there.

1982 BYU (Bowl game) 47-17
1892 Akron 62-0
1912 Otterbein 55-0
1934 Western Reserve 76-0
1943 Pittsburgh 46-6
1967 Oregon 30-0
1969 Washington 41-14
1977 SMU 35-7
1993 Pittsburgh 63-28
1995 Pittsburgh 54-14
2009 Toledo 38-0

 

[Mike80]

Well now you're adding stipulations. And I just wanted to add the Texas thing in there.

1982 BYU (Bowl game) 47-17
1892 Akron 62-0
1912 Otterbein 55-0
1934 Western Reserve 76-0
1943 Pittsburgh 46-6
1967 Oregon 30-0
1969 Washington 41-14
1977 SMU 35-7
1993 Pittsburgh 63-28
1995 Pittsburgh 54-14
2009 Toledo 38-0

So either Shitzburgh in 1993/5 or the BYU win in 1982. As JLB said, it's just not in the team's character usually when they play these types of games on the road against major conference opponents to really blow them out.

As I said, I think the margin of victory will be under 20.

 

[Coqui]

So either [Mark May]zburgh in 1993/5 or the BYU win in 1982. As JLB said, it's just not in the team's character usually when they play these types of games on the road against major conference opponents to really blow them out.

As I said, I think the margin of victory will be under 20.

This is Meyer's first OOC away game at Ohio State. Team character hasn't been established yet.

 

[Buckeneye]

So either [Mark May]zburgh in 1993/5 or the BYU win in 1982. As JLB said, it's just not in the team's character usually

Well, I don't think there has been a coach in the last 40 years at tOSU as aggressive as Meyer will (most certainly) be.

He'll go for the throat early and not take his foot off the gas until you see the look of defeat in the other teams eyes. It's a new staff
with new "character" that they are trying to instill in our players.

Bucks by 28.

 

[Mike80]

This is Meyer's first OOC away game at Ohio State. Team character hasn't been established yet

No, there's a definite character here - it's a team that tends to lose focus at times and at other times can look like the early 2000s Miami teams that destroyed everyone until 1 January 2003.

Being that it's first OOC game away from the shoe - and subjectively - Ohio State's first away game from the Shoe this season, on paper it looks like a blow out in the making, but I think there will be an adjustment phase in-game that will shave off a TD or two from the final margin - call it a hunch like I said.

Well, I don't think there has been a coach in the last 40 years at tOSU as aggressive as Meyer will (most certainly) be.

He'll go for the throat early and not take his foot off the gas until you see the look of defeat in the other teams eyes. It's a new staff
with new "character" that they are trying to instill in our players.

Bucks by 28.

He can be as aggressive as the situation warrants, but it's about the players executing on the road in an big conference opponent environment that concerns me. This will be the first time any of them have made the trip to the West Coast for a regular season game. I think Cal has the type of offense that gives the defense fits (due to philosophy), and I think there will be several wrinkle's in Cal's game this weekend that will cause some problems at the beginning of the game.

I still think Ohio State wins comfortably, but I have a feeling it won't even be 3 TDs.

 

[C-busBuck]

Bucks by 40 at halftime and win by 17 at the end of the game. That's my 2 cents. They just seem to go into hibernation after halftime.

 

[Taosman]

TEs should have a big day. Bet we run a lot of "pistol" against Cal. Some speed option, too.
If the D line can get a push it will help because Cal gets the ball out fast. Our LBers will get tested in space.
Cal's running game has been absent. Maybe it's not their new style?
Cal's defense was thin before the injuries hit. It's worse, now!
Cal is gonna score. They have terrific WRs and plenty of them.

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

Road-OOC blowouts are rare because an OOC program has to be at a fairly high level for the Buckeyes to agree to play at their place.

I criticized this match-up when it was made, and was called an idiot by several people on this board because I couldn't see the "obvious fact" that Cal had permanently joined elite status. Cal's flash in the pan did not warrant a return trip IMHO.

Cal is simply one of the worst OOC teams that the Buckeyes will have faced on the road in a long time. The only such teams that give the Buckeyes a game are the in-state schools (think Faygo) for whom the Buckeyes are the Super Bowl. Cal plays Oregon next week in a conference game.

Cal's defense has been soft against the run and has been missing assignments left and right against the pass. Buckeyes by 3TDs minimum

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

Road-OOC blowouts are rare because an OOC program has to be at a fairly high level for the Buckeyes to agree to play at their place.

I criticized this match-up when it was made, and was called an idiot by several people on this board because I couldn't see the "obvious fact" that Cal had permanently joined elite status. Cal's flash in the pan did not warrant a return trip IMHO.

Cal is simply one of the worst OOC teams that the Buckeyes will have faced on the road in a long time. The only such teams that give the Buckeyes a game are the in-state schools (think Faygo) for whom the Buckeyes are the Super Bowl. Cal plays Oregon next week in a conference game.

Cal's defense has been soft against the run and has been missing assignments left and right against the pass. Buckeyes by 3TDs minimum

Still better than playing YSU or another Fredo. Besides, Ohio State hasn't played in NoCal since the early 80s, and there's a huge alumni base there. Nobody could have foreseen back then that Stanford would have been the better option.

 

[ShowMeBuck]

this unit from getting complacent when they get a lead.

I really don't think this has been the issue so much as it has been the offense has slowed when key personel like our center are replaced with back ups. I also think the coaches are working on things. Is it possible they do this as early as mid 2nd quarter......yes IMO. We have a real need to develop depth with our talented but young squad and we need continued improvement on our weaknesses if we want a shot at a NC. Keep in mind, that is the goal - to play for all the marbles. I know we have to win every game to get there but 2 games in a row we curb stomp in the first quarter and the last game we even did it with with a back up QB, albeit a great one. You don't do that 2 games in a row and then just start slacking. There has been a reason for a drop off after the early leads in each game. I just think the staff is using these early games as opportunities to work out some kinks and develop depth.

 

[pianobuck46]

I'll say Good Guys by 40. They're too angry, too hungry, and have more weapons at their disposal than the Bears could possibly answer. Could be wrong, but "that's my story and I'm stickin' to it."

GO BUCKS!!!!!!!!

 

[southcampus]

This should be a good test for our young defense. I'm looking forward to seeing our young D-Line in passing situations. I know Dykes has said that Cal is going to have a run a lot more than usual, but I still expect them to sling the ball around. I expect to see Noah Spence in there often. I also think we'll be blitzing our backers when they're in there.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

Road-OOC blowouts are rare because an OOC program has to be at a fairly high level for the Buckeyes to agree to play at their place.

I criticized this match-up when it was made, and was called an idiot by several people on this board because I couldn't see the "obvious fact" that Cal had permanently joined elite status. Cal's flash in the pan did not warrant a return trip IMHO.

Cal is simply one of the worst OOC teams that the Buckeyes will have faced on the road in a long time. The only such teams that give the Buckeyes a game are the in-state schools (think Faygo) for whom the Buckeyes are the Super Bowl. Cal plays Oregon next week in a conference game.

Cal's defense has been soft against the run and has been missing assignments left and right against the pass. Buckeyes by 3TDs minimum

We get a night game in California against a BCS team. Recruiting-wise, you can't really go wrong there.