Game Thread tOSU at Illinois, Nov 16, 12 ET, ESPN

[iBucki]

I've been critical of the defense as much as the next guy, but goddamn were those f**king refs blind to holding today. Couple quick thoughts on D: The RB/slot checkdown curl was left wide open multiple times, and the coaches didn't adjust very well on a couple of key drives for the Illini. #55 had a terrible day.

 

[MD Buckeye]

Pick your Players of the game.

 

[BUCKYLE]

I've been critical of the defense as much as the next guy, but goddamn were those f**king refs blind to holding today. Couple quick thoughts on D: The RB/slot checkdown curl was left wide open multiple times, and the coaches didn't adjust very well on a couple of key drives for the Illini. #55 had a terrible day.

I know it seems petty to complain about officials in a 60-35 win, but shit. If they call half the holds this game, Scheely wouldn't have been upright in the second half.

It's something that I believe will serve this D well come bowl time. There's no way any non-B1G crew will have the balls to not call most of those. No matter which bowl tOSU ends up in, it's going to be a coming out party for a young DL.

 

[Jaxbuck]

I haven't seen every Illinois game this year, I'm sure most of their fans say the same, but I think this offense will be a great test to see how far the OSU defense has really progressed.

It's a spread attack with a mobile, accurate QB and the primary weapon is the tail back. The OSU back 7 are going to have to cover and tackle in space while the front 4 are going to be negated somewhat by not having a statue of a QB to pin their ears back and go after.

Its also worth noting that its the style of offense FSU plays with about 1/10th of the talent. Just sayin.

No way they play enough defense to win but I will be very interested in what their offense can do, just as I will be watching what next weeks opponent can do. Completely different animals than Iowa/PSU/Purdue offenses.

Unfortunately I think we have our answer.

Still some major issues that just aren't going to be fixed this year.

 

[RB07OSU]

They didn't do that against BC. For facts sake.

Ok but we also have had our fair share of struggles against non-ranked opponents outside of one game. It is a really stupid and arbitrary distinction and I will never argue that. But before playoffs start, it is the unfortunate reality. Hopefully Bama drops at least one game, same for Baylor.

 

[BUCKYLE]

Ok but we also have had our fair share of struggles against non-ranked opponents outside of one game. It is a really stupid and arbitrary distinction and I will never argue that. But before playoffs start, it is the unfortunate reality. Hopefully Bama drops at least one game, same for Baylor.

Reality is that the main source of information to voters is highly motivated to keep tOSU out of the title game. It's pathetic.

 

[RB07OSU]

I know it seems petty to complain about officials in a 60-35 win, but [Mark May]. If they call half the holds this game, Scheely wouldn't have been upright in the second half.

It's something that I believe will serve this D well come bowl time. There's no way any non-B1G crew will have the balls to not call most of those. No matter which bowl tOSU ends up in, it's going to be a coming out party for a young DL.

And you do make a good point on the calls...Spence was literally getting tack

I know it seems petty to complain about officials in a 60-35 win, but [Mark May]. If they call half the holds this game, Scheely wouldn't have been upright in the second half.

It's something that I believe will serve this D well come bowl time. There's no way any non-B1G crew will have the balls to not call most of those. No matter which bowl tOSU ends up in, it's going to be a coming out party for a young DL.

On the calls...you have a point. Spence was literally getting tackled and it never got called...fucking ridiculous.

 

[Telekinesis]

Drizzunk. GO MISSSTATEWOOOOFAWKYEAH.

This could get ugly. I apologize in advance.

 

[Clarity]

Color me shocked at this ESPiN headline, even though it echoes the one bri pointed out a page back:

Ohio State blows past Illinois behind Hyde

Lost in the ennui that this game provoked in much of us is the fact that Carlos, already one whose ass is bad, really has found a burst and an extra level of face and body smashing drive that makes him a pure joy to watch. I don't know how the backfield is going to sort out next year, if we'll lose one or more like Bri'onte and/or Warren -- but man I hope all those guys are watching closely and taking notes.

 

[RB07OSU]

Reality is that the main source of information to voters is highly motivated to keep tOSU out of the title game. It's pathetic.

And I hope you know your my boy Buckyle. It's not fair at all, I'm just saying by the rules put forth by the system, this is what we are left with.

 

[BUCKYLE]

Color me shocked at this ESPiN headline, even though it echoes the one bri pointed out a page back:

Ohio State blows past Illinois behind Hyde
.

At this point, the BTN is on the same page as ESPN. They've repeated the Stanford jumping tOSU line so many times that the rest of major sports media has picked it up as well. It seems as though now that their message has sunk in, they have to flip the script a bit in case FSU or Bama lose. It would be too difficult to hype tOSU for a title game if they had shit on them too much.

 

[buckeyes_rock]

The defense is the weak link. The back 7 couldn't cover my grandmother and luckily they don't have to. Roby should have gone last year because he's headed to undrafted free agent territory. That said... Ohio State has EL GUAPO. LOS: The best damn BACK in the land!!!!!!!!!

I think not having grant or Perry hurt today. I saw lots of missed tackles at the linebacker level.

 

[BUCKYLE]

And I hope you know your my boy Buckyle. It's not fair at all, I'm just saying by the rules put forth by the system, this is what we are left with.

Fo sho.

I'm one of the ones that said there was no way an undefeated tOSU would be left out. I greatly underestimated ESPN's influence. Not that tOSU has destroyed any argument against being left out.

I do find it fascinating that even College GameDay has started to reverse it's "ACC IS OMGZ AMAZING" position. I wonder how much influence the actual Bowls have on what ESPN pimps. I mean, if the bowl committees see a Bama fan base less likely to travel to a fourth title game in five years...and an FSU fan base not known for filling up stadiums across the country compared to a tOSU fan base that took over Cal's stadium already this year for a game against an unranked opponent....

It will be interesting if they (ESPN) start to wonder out loud if maybe tOSU does deserve a shot after all. They had a perfect opportunity to pile on today. The headline could've just as easily read "tOSU needs late td's to fend off B1G bottom feeder". Ya gotta wonder why it didn't.

 

[buckeyes_rock]

Which goes back to the previous point of adjusting to what is working, which was running the ball. A lot of those passes were to the outside as well, where you could bring some possession passes inside with the TE stopping and turning back to face the QB.

I'm not sure what the deal with Brax was today but he was really off. I'm hoping it was all the wind, but even some of the 5 yard quick routes were not even close. The ball was just sailing like crazy. I grew tired of listening to all the IL fans laughing at how bad our QB is and how dumb our coach is for ever calling a pass play.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

At this point, the BTN is on the same page as ESPN. They've repeated the Stanford jumping tOSU line so many times that the rest of major sports media has picked it up as well.

Stanford will not jump us even if they pound USC...no fucking way the media can justify that when Stanford has lost to a Utah team that is now 1-6 in conference.