Game Thread tOSU at Texas, Sat. Sept 12, 7:30 pm ET, ABC

[Buckeneye]

OL needs to get their shit together - fast.
Good news, Texas OL was probably worse last year and they won't be THAT much improved barring a miracle.

Arch was terrible last year processing 3rd level rotations. It's why all those post snap shifts & safety rotations had his head spinning. Early evidence shows he still struggles.

Julian needs work at this as well, but he isn't nearly as bad.

Running game has to be efficient. Can't be behind schedule early. But that concerns me because to counter, the Bucks ran some RPOs that Miami's corners sat on early when we last played. So I'm hoping we're aggressive downfield early and often (pass pro has to hold up)

Ultimately I'm going off the strength of the Buckeye defense vs Arch's turnover penchant and Julian being an efficient distributor using the + turnover margin.

Buckeyes +1.5

 

[Best Buckeye]

1. So, if Smith and coleman are equal talents how does McQuin match up against their #2
and Innis, Bey against their #3?
2. how much prep do you think Texass for Sayin running the ball?

 

[RB07OSU]

I'm geared up at work today with my Brutus polo and Buckeye socks ready for this one. Dog treats are primed on the counter for Woody so he gets the hook up on every score. Work has been insane all week but I went in at 6 this morning so I can leave early and actually get ready for this one. Can't wait.

End of the day, I think we pull off another tight one. Arch is not the QB we thought he'd be, but Coleman is a big weapon and I don't know that we have a lock down guy that will totally shut him down, but we just need to limit him and Wingo. Sanchez needs to make that big step and be the big lock down 5* CB we brought in to star in our secondary, no way around it. Same for Mathews, but less concerned on him.

Offensively, just protect Julian and get him quick rhythm throws to start. Get Jeremiah and McCuin eating early, with some TEs underneath to open it up. Don't force the big play, we can beat them over 4 quarters.

Let's freaking go Bucks!

 

[Jagdaddy]

Think this article is unusually informative for SECSPN: https://www.espn.com/college-footba...-realtity-texas-longhorns-ohio-state-buckeyes

 

[Tanner]

ESPN has had a couple of articles I liked recently. I thought they basically didn't have people who wrote there anymore. I learned Michigan football has thrown 24 TD and 24 INT in their last 27 games, which I enjoyed

 

[Jaxbuck]

ESPN has had a couple of articles I liked recently. I thought they basically didn't have people who wrote there anymore. I learned Michigan football has thrown 24 TD and 24 INT in their last 27 games, which I enjoyed

 

[1926Buckeyes]

1. So, if Smith and coleman are equal talents how does McQuin match up against their #2
and Innis, Bey against their #3?
2. how much prep do you think Texass for Sayin running the ball?

I think JJ is unequaled, but for now, Wingo is the better WR2. Not sure about the rest of them. I doubt they’ll have any prep for Sayin running. If he does, it’ll be scrambles and I imagine Texas will be fine living with that.

Random, but one play from last weekend that stands out to me is the short throw to a motioning Inniss for 11 yards. Was maybe on the 2nd drive. That kind of easy, tailored play was missing from last season, and gives Sayin easy throws and the offense momentum. Especially if you want to run hurry up.

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

What was the last season that the OL wasn't our primary concern. It seems like a lifetime.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

What was the last season that the OL wasn't our primary concern. It seems like a lifetime.

2019 for me

 

[Tanner]

It really is crazy that every year at a program like this OL is the primary concern

 

[RhodeIslandBuck]

What was the last season that the OL wasn't our primary concern. It seems like a lifetime.

2013, 2017 (less so but still), 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022.

Watching those defenses (the entire unit in most cases listed) made me wanna tear my eyes out.

 

[1926Buckeyes]

What was the last season that the OL wasn't our primary concern. It seems like a lifetime.

Yeah I’m not sure. I think everyone panics about their OL at some point in the season due to how difficult it is to develop and how important chemistry and communication are. It’s its own mini team.

I’d say 2020, 2019, 2013. Some of Urban’s other OLs were great run blockers but struggled in pass pro. Tressel’s OL looked like a mess but some (‘10, ‘09, ‘05) developed into strong units by the end of the year.

The issue is that OSU has yet to have an OL coach who can both recruit and develop at an elite level in the 21st century. Frye is a great developer, but his recruiting strategy was unsustainable. Having Bowen to restock the OL room and assistants to coach them up seemed like the best of both worlds, but unless they get their shit together, it’ll be time to move on from this experiment.

 

[ScriptOhio]