I know all games are won and lost in the trenches, and the OL played their asses off and deserve all the credit in the world. The biggest difference though between the two teams tonight and between last year's game and this year's was the Buckeyes' receivers and tight ends versus their back seven and vice versa.
The Buckeyes opened up the run though the pass. Wide receivers won individual battles that made MSU back off their aggressive press coverage and kept the safeties from being so nosy. Wideouts and tight ends to a man all blocked the hell out of the edge. The early runs that set the tone went to the outside, and Elliot and Barrett were able to repeatedly turn the corner for big chunks of yardage. The Buckeyes ran the same play that got stopped on 4th and 2 last year and it was successful every time. The difference this time around was the tight end blocking on that play.
On the other side of the ball, the Buckeyes won the battle of the secondary versus their receiver. It started off poorly with Conley getting picked on, but Eli Apple came in, fought through an injury, and really stabilized that unit. Doran Grant (like so many others) played his best game as a Buckeye tonight. He was my player of the game. He was matched up against their best player and made him a non-factor.
Still buzzing. So many great things to talk about. Gonna be hitting up threads all night and for the rest of the week.
The Buckeyes opened up the run though the pass. Wide receivers won individual battles that made MSU back off their aggressive press coverage and kept the safeties from being so nosy. Wideouts and tight ends to a man all blocked the hell out of the edge. The early runs that set the tone went to the outside, and Elliot and Barrett were able to repeatedly turn the corner for big chunks of yardage. The Buckeyes ran the same play that got stopped on 4th and 2 last year and it was successful every time. The difference this time around was the tight end blocking on that play.
On the other side of the ball, the Buckeyes won the battle of the secondary versus their receiver. It started off poorly with Conley getting picked on, but Eli Apple came in, fought through an injury, and really stabilized that unit. Doran Grant (like so many others) played his best game as a Buckeye tonight. He was my player of the game. He was matched up against their best player and made him a non-factor.
Still buzzing. So many great things to talk about. Gonna be hitting up threads all night and for the rest of the week.
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