Game Thread tOSU at Miami FL, Sept 17, 7:30 pm ET, ESPN

[muffler dragon]

Did you miss the fumble and the INT? Just because you didn't like the playcalling, doesn't mean they looked any better with him in the game with the passing game. And we didn't score any points all game, so it's not like anyone was exactly lighting it up in there.

Both played poorly. For me, Braxton has promise and I can live with mistakes when growth potential is available. Joe's not going to change, improve, or be a remote threat especially in the B1G slate we have this year. All things being equal, go with the burnt red shirt option and develop him. At least when the pressure's on, he can run it instead of taking at 10 yard deep sack.

 

[lvbuckeye]

That was brutal.

It's Miller time. All I'm gonna say.

 

[coryhulbert]

I haven't seen his name mentioned, but I believe losing Hazell was also a major blow to this team offensively.

 

[woofermazing]

According to post game comments, This is true- Bollman made the decisions about when to play which QB.

I'm simultaneously relieved that Luke didn't pull that bullshit, but then even more enraged that he let it happen. I'd hate to see him blow this opportunity because the incumbent OC is inept.

 

[Bucklion]

Both played poorly. For me, Braxton has promise and I can live with mistakes when growth potential is available. Joe's not going to change, improve, or be a remote threat especially in the B1G slate we have this year. All things being equal, go with the burnt red shirt option and develop him. At least when the pressure's on, he can run it instead of taking at 10 yard deep sack.

Oh I agree whole-heartedly. It's Miller time, for better or worse, because this team is going nowhere this year in ters of NCs and Big Ten titles. Let the kid play and make a run next year.

 

[ScarletnGray 33]

Better figure some things out offensively before Sparty in a couple weeks, when the REAL season starts. I want to hear that Braxton Miller is the starting QB of this team. He needs a full week of #1 reps in practice and in the game. He needs to not be worried about coming out of the game if he makes a mistake, or he'll play tight. Let's just see what we have with him at the helm, and for God's sake run some plays that are appropriate to his skill set.

With how Sparty played today, our defense can contain them. Some decent offense and it's a potential win. Nebraska is another story, although their defense has struggled.

 

[shiznit7]

Well I'm only kinda drunk. Fuck this. Fuck our O. Fuck everything. I'm upset about everything.

 

[Bucklion]

If he values this job and the future of this program, it's time for him to take control of that situation himself.

I was surprised he'd even admit that or throw the AC under the bus, quite frankly. He should take responsibility for it regardless, and he had better damn well do it himself from now in, definitely. Honestly I could have also done without the snide "Well that's what the people on the outside think" when queried about whether the QB was the most important decision he had to make for next week. If he can't see that was the biggest problem, he has no future as a HC.

 

[MaxBuck]

Better figure some things out offensively before Sparty in a couple weeks, when the REAL season starts. I want to hear that Braxton Miller is the starting QB of this team. He needs a full week of #1 reps in practice and in the game. He needs to not be worried about coming out of the game if he makes a mistake, or he'll play tight. Let's just see what we have with him at the helm, and for God's sake run some plays that are appropriate to his skill set.

With how Sparty played today, our defense can contain them. Some decent offense and it's a potential win. Nebraska is another story, although their defense has struggled.

At this point, I'd put the over-under for conference wins at 4. I'm assuming nothing changes relative to offensive game planning and personnel selections.

 

[jlb1705]

Better figure some things out offensively before Sparty in a couple weeks, when the REAL season starts. I want to hear that Braxton Miller is the starting QB of this team. He needs a full week of #1 reps in practice and in the game. He needs to not be worried about coming out of the game if he makes a mistake, or he'll play tight. Let's just see what we have with him at the helm, and for God's sake run some plays that are appropriate to his skill set.

With how Sparty played today, our defense can contain them. Some decent offense and it's a potential win. Nebraska is another story, although their defense has struggled.

The last "really bad" loss like this the Buckeyes had was the debacle against Purdue. Afterwards, as a fan it was time for me to reassess my expectations for the outcome of the season. For as bad as that game looked, the Big Ten title was still in play. I thought they could still win it, and they ended up doing just that.

After this game, this team can still technically play for a Big Ten title. I don't think it's a realistic expectation though. At this point, I will be happy if they develop an identity, get better on special teams, find a way to take some of the pressure off the defense, and earn their way into the Outback or Gator Bowl.

 

[scarletmike]

I was hoping that our experience in the assistant coaches could keep things going in the right direction even with a new head coach. But based on what I've seen and heard the past few weeks, it seems the head coach needs to be knocking around the assistants and keeping them in place. Our offensive play calling has been atrocious, and there is no excuse for that. The only consolation I had tonight with the play calling was that there was only one wide sweep called...or at least one that didn't blow up badly enough for me to see it. If Bollman had called as many end-arounds and wide plays as last week, I would have been banned by the end of the first half.

 

[daddyphatsacs]

The last "really bad" loss like this the Buckeyes had was the debacle against Purdue. Afterwards, as a fan it was time for me to reassess my expectations for the outcome of the season. For as bad as that game looked, the Big Ten title was still in play. I thought they could still win it, and they ended up doing just that.

After this game, this team can still technically play for a Big Ten title. I don't think it's a realistic expectation though. At this point, I will be happy if they develop an identity, get better on special teams, find a way to take some of the pressure off the defense, and earn their way into the Outback or Gator Bowl.

Yep. I'd be happy to see this team play on New Years day. I'm not being pessimistic.......just realistic. Say what you want, but that's a mid-tier Big Ten team as it stands.

 

[jlb1705]

I was surprised he'd even admit that or throw the AC under the bus, quite frankly. He should take responsibility for it regardless, and he had better damn well do it himself from now in, definitely. Honestly I could have also done without the snide "Well that's what the people on the outside think" when queried about whether the QB was the most important decision he had to make for next week. If he can't see that was the biggest problem, he has no future as a HC.

I mentioned this earlier in the thread, but with the rate the posts are coming at, it's probably buried. I think there is an authority issue on this staff. Fickell is now at least nominally in charge of a staff full of coaches who used to be his superiors. Regardless of whether he is being undermined or being deferential, it is not a healthy situation. He either needs to take control or it needs to be dismantled.

 

[scarletngray]

Tress

This game must have been really painful for JT to watch tonight...


:osu:

 

[DiehardBuck]

Bollman isn't the one who is throwing the ball 5 rows into the stand every other down... Our starter is afraid to make plays, and our back up tries to do too much... You go full speed ahead with Braxton but why do I know Bauserman will still start next week?