Game Thread tOSU at Sparty - Sep 29, 3:30 ET, ABC

[brutus2002]

I hope you're right and I hope the only reason we did it was because the AP ranking meant nothing this year, so only do what was needed.

However, at the same time, why would Urban be so upset during pressers about the performance while holding things back?

Because Urban is a perfectionist. We could beat teams 77-0 and he would still find things to nitpick...which is one of the reasons I like him.

My question to you is this...If I am OC and I am calling vanilla plays and backs like Boren and Dunn are out of place...If WR's are dropping 3rd downs and TD passes...If Braxton is struggle during portions of the game why would I not stay with the vanilla stuff and run it time and time again?

Rewatch the game Saturday when we scored the 21 points in under 6 minutes and tell me the difference in playcalling versus most the rest of the game.

I think your answer is there. Herman knows our strengths and calls them when we need points and will call the stuff we aren't good at yet to work on it.

Just my take

 

[BlufftonBuckeye]

I just don't see Sparty being able to score enough to blow this out. 31 points? Eh, again, just don't see it.

Go ahead and try to run Bell 44 times.

Central Michigan: 3.9 YPC
Notre Lame: 4.1 YPC
Boise: 4.8 YPC
EMU: 7.1 YPC

Jordan Hall

Cal: 5.1 YPC
UAB: 6.1 YPC

Not saying Bell isn't good, or even great, just that he may be a bit over hyped. The guy was great in the second half against EMU () a team that gave up the following:

Ball State: 329 rushing
Illinois State: 216 rushing
Purdue: 392 rushing

Otherwise, he's just been a very good back getting an incredible workload. 30 carries per game, and he's literally the only player that offense has to rely on.

All that said, if, and only if, the tackling improves greatly, this could be a solid win for the Buckeyes. Notre Lame dropped 20 on them without Woods. Braxton is likely the best player in the country, and will certainly be the best player on the field Saturday. Fix the drops, fix the tackling, let Jordan continue doing his thing, win the game.

24-10, Bucks.

 

[End of Line]

I'm not all that worried as I once was. Sparty's passing game is atrocious and they can run Bell 50 times a game but he get's minimal gain most of the time. As long as this defense WRAPS AND DRIVES when tackling, we should be alright.

OSU 21
MSU 7

 

[1926Buckeyes]

I agree, and I was saying something to this effect during the first quarter of the UAB game.

I will say this every week until it happens, but this team deserves to lose a game, needs to lose a game, but I don't want it to be this week.

I think being undefeated is getting in the way of real improvement. I think we'll start to see this group take off once it's made real to them that the things they've gotten by with in the first four games are not going to be enough to get to where they want to be.

At the very least I think there are some things that this team is being coached to do that aren't being carried over to the field. Whether that's down to coaching, the players, or both, I'm not sure. If there comes a time where they don't get away with it though and it results in a loss, maybe that will serve as a catalyst to lasting improvement.

Coach Meyer said at one point that he wants this team to play like they've had something taken from them. I think everybody thought that he was referring to the sanctions and the lack of a bowl game, but if the players are [censored]ed off about losing that I don't think it has carried over into their attitude on the field. The team has higher expectations now than they did last year and I think that if they lose, they may truly start to feel like they've had something taken from them. If that happens, and if this team has the right talent and leadership, a loss would be like rocket fuel.

Nobody here is rooting for a loss, likes the feeling of a loss or thinks they should try to lose. I think we've all seen teams though where a loss got a team's attention, made them take greater notice of their flaws, got them motivated fix things and helped them carry themselves to greater heights. As somebody who doesn't think this team is going to go undefeated, I'm curious to see how this team reacts to a loss. I know Coach Meyer doesn't want to lose, but I'd bet he's also curious as to how this team would react in that situation. Since he's still new to us, I'm interested in seeing how he reacts and how the team's reaction informs his coaching and recruiting.

Great post.

Several times when I've been watching the last 3 games, the offense in particular, I've thought to myself, "Are the coaches trying to make a point?". Now that I type it, it sounds a little silly, but in the 3rd Q of the Cal game when OSU's offense was playing like a beached whale, it just seemed like the coaches were making a point to Miller and the offense that you won't always be able to run out of trouble and get 150 yards against opponents (read: MSU, Wisky, Alabama, LSU, USC, etc.) and that you have to have a complete offense. Same with much of the UAB game. I'm sure part of it was saving Miller's rushing attempts for MSU, but it also seemed like they held back the O for parts of the game, and then let Miler play his game so they could score before reapplying the brakes.

Problem is, the guys just aren't getting it. I'm sure they want to get it, but like you said, until they have a loss, it might not click in their head. I don't want to see a loss any weekend, but I'm pretty certain this team will lose 2-3 times because they are playing uninspired ball, as if they are doing what they're told because they have to.

We'll get to see what happens when they lose. I think they might escape MSU in a squeaker, and honestly I really hope they do, because I think Nebraska is the game where they will really get a wake up call. I could see Nebraska scoring 35-45 points and really showing this team up at home. Then we might get to see changes.

 

[Woody1968]

28-13 Bucks.

Michigan State's offense, outside of Bell, is atrocious. Their offensive strength plays to our defensive strength.

Nothing about this game suggests "ass kicking" or "punch in the mouth" to me. I just don't see us being as bad or sparty being as tough as everyone here is suggesting. Yes, I have watched the games.

 

[BlufftonBuckeye]

On a side note, the Bucks really missed Barnett/Roby. Roby, for obvious reasons (Tackler, emotional leader type, shutdown corner) but Barnett being out really exposed Christian. Obviously, that idiotic penalty was bad, but CB really struggled making decisions out there. He just plays so out of rhythm at times, really something to watch as we get into league play.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

Well the offense is averaging about 38 points and over 400 yards a game. It probably should have been 36-15, Devin Smith had the drop TD at the end.

Don't forget the very first play of the game where Miller overshot Smith on a fly route where Smith had five yards on two defenders.

 

[southcampus]

Don't forget the very first play of the game where Miller overshot Smith on a fly route where Smith had five yards on two defenders.

I've noticed that Miller rarely makes an accurate throw on a fly route, or even deep balls in general. I think that's what he needs to improve on most.

 

[jlb1705]

I think your answer is there. Herman knows our strengths and calls them when we need points and will call the stuff we aren't good at yet to work on it.

Just my take

I'm inclined to agree with this, though I wouldn't characterize it a Coqui did, as "holding back". I think this team is desperately searching for go-to guys on offense besides Braxton Miller and they are calling some plays during the game to give guys a chance to step up. Unfortunately, a lot of those opportunities are going unanswered so they are continuing to search.

• I think Hyde answered the bell, but he's injured now.
• Devin Smith has made a couple great TD grabs, but they can't seem to count on him to simply move the chains.
• Jordan Hall seems to be shaking off some of the rust, but also seems to be miscast as the lead TB. When Hyde returns or if somebody else step up, I think Hall and the team will be well-served by having him in the hybrid position.

That's about all I can come up with as far as glimmers of hope for helping Miller carry some of the burden on offense. The problem now is, they've reached the part of the schedule where they can't afford to use game reps for auditions.


I hope one or both of Rod Smith and Brionte Dunn really step up this week. Smith looked good in limited action last week, and I think it was huge that he was trusted with red zone carries. If they find somebody who can truly step in for Hyde while he's out, that means Hall can spend more time in the hybrid position and Philly can spend more time as a true WR. I think all of those changes could provide a boost.

 

[Buckeye doc]

I'm inclined to agree with this, though I wouldn't characterize it a Coqui did, as "holding back". I think this team is desperately searching for go-to guys on offense besides Braxton Miller and they are calling some plays during the game to give guys a chance to step up. Unfortunately, a lot of those opportunities are going unanswered so they are continuing to search.

• I think Hyde answered the bell, but he's injured now.
• Devin Smith has made a couple great TD grabs, but they can't seem to count on him to simply move the chains.
• Jordan Hall seems to be shaking off some of the rust, but also seems to be miscast as the lead TB. When Hyde returns or if somebody else step up, I think Hall and the team will be well-served by having him in the hybrid position.

That's about all I can come up with as far as glimmers of hope for helping Miller carry some of the burden on offense. The problem now is, they've reached the part of the schedule where they can't afford to use game reps for auditions.


I hope one or both of Rod Smith and Brionte Dunn really step up this week. Smith looked good in limited action last week, and I think it was huge that he was trusted with red zone carries. If they find somebody who can truly step in for Hyde while he's out, that means Hall can spend more time in the hybrid position and Philly can spend more time as a true WR. I think all of those changes could provide a boost.

I think you overlooked Corey Brown. 4 catches for 67 yds against UAB. Let's hope that continues. I think he is our best weapon on screens and other short passes right now.

 

[jlb1705]

I think you overlooked Corey Brown. 4 catches for 67 yds against UAB. Let's hope that continues. I think he is our best weapon on screens and other short passes right now.

Perhaps I have. This season I've mostly noticed him on handoffs out of the hybrid position, where he never seems to pick a lane and start moving north-south. If they've decided to use him more strictly as a WR then I think he can be helpful.

 

[Bill Lucas]

Don't forget the very first play of the game where Miller overshot Smith on a fly route where Smith had five yards on two defenders.

To be fair to Miller he had a defender in his face on that play and had to throw it early.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

To be fair to Miller he had a defender in his face on that play and had to throw it early.

The DE was still two steps from him when the ball was out of his hands...while the throw was indeed rushed a bit he still should've been a lot closer with the throw. It sure seems that the opposing QBs seem to make a lot of completions even when getting hit.

 

[BUCKDUBBS007]

Were we not just as excited about the players currently playing some of the most mediocre football in recent Buckeye history?

debbie downer here.....

 

[scarletngray]

Don't forget the very first play of the game where Miller overshot Smith on a fly route where Smith had five yards on two defenders.

The deep route continues to be his weak point in passing the ball. Sometimes he's on other times he's way off. The game against scUM last year was horrific when he missed 3 sure TD passes with errant throws.

But he is getting better and better. The future is bright.

:osu: