Game Thread tOSU @ Sparty, Nov 8th @ 8pm ET, ABC

[pianobuck46]

It's not even that really. We need to be able to run the ball. I don't think we win if JT has to throw 30+ times. Too much talent at RB for us not to use it it. Need to keep the LB's and safeties honest

O yeah, agreed! Just making the point that this is no time to be conservative. l like our chances.

GO BUCKS!!!

 

[Buckeneye]

This game scares me. To be more specific, Herman scares me.

I hope he knows now that he'll be seeing a lot of zero and one looks as Sparty will essentially try to duplicate Va Techs and to a lesser extent, Penn States success

 

[buckeyebri]

This game scares me. To be more specific, Herman scares me.

I hope he knows now that'll be seeing a lot of zero and one looks as Sparty will essentially try to duplicate Va Techs and to a lesser extent, Penn States success

I am right there with you on this. IMHO we didn't look sharp on O Saturday even though we scored big. We are going to have to be focused and laser sharp in this one.

 

[Fremont Buckeye]

This game scares me. To be more specific, Herman scares me.

Even more specific his red zone play calls.

 

[buxfan4life]

I don't see the Buckeyes winning this one. The OL and the D secondary will have their biggest tests this weekend. I just feel that Sparty has the edge coming in experience wise, it is in E. Lansing, and the Buckeyes just came off a hard fought double OT win.

I hope I am wrong, but I just feel a 10 pt or more loss the Saturday.

 

[Taosman]

Barrett is "X" factor with his running ability. First he's got to minimize mistakes. No interceptions. No fumbles. Get the ball out to the playmakers.
We were able to run the ball against Ped State so we should be able to run the ball against Sparty.
It's going to be similar to last years Big Championship game.
But we win this time because of being a better team and pure desire. The will to win.

 

[Bill Lucas]

and the Buckeyes just came off a hard fought double OT win

1) I see this as a positive.
2) Did I miss something this weekend because I think the Buckeyes are coming off of a 55-14 blowout where a lot of starters were rested in the second half.

 

[Steve19]

It all depends on the health of Barrett, the protection that he receives, and the defense's ability to get penetration to disrupt the MSU passing and offensive rhythm. The teams are pretty evenly matched and they have the home field advantage. Buckeyes can't be conservative on first down, as MSU is among the best at stopping third down conversions. I hope that Herman has something up his sleeve but in the end I think this could come down to the defense playing its game of the year.

 

[bukIpower]

This game scares me. To be more specific, Herman scares me.

I hope he knows now that he'll be seeing a lot of zero and one looks as Sparty will essentially try to duplicate Va Techs and to a lesser extent, Penn States success

Sadly I agree with you... This game scares me for ONE reason alone and that is the play calling. In every loss or close victory our play calling has been such a sinker for our team on those nights. Honestly, going into this I expect nothing more than to continue running the ball and to take limited shots in the passing game. It will be much of the same IMO because while I can talk until I'm blue in the face about taking shots and getting our speed involved (where we have a edge) if it hasn't happened yet in big games more than likely it won't happen this Saturday.

Mark my words whether we win or lose you will see the next sentence in a post game interview from either TH or Urban "They were getting after us a bit and we struggled to pick it up" and of course "The offensive line has to get better going forward"

 

[jackson77]

I've got a gut feeling that this game will come down to turnovers. My gut tells me our D steps up and puts points on the board. Result....Buckeyes win!

 

[gregorylee]

wow, there's a whole bunch of negative nancy's up in here

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

I've got a gut feeling that this game will come down to turnovers. My gut tells me our D steps up and puts points on the board. Result....Buckeyes win!

That's not your gut, it's your heart.

 

[colobuck79]

They will come after JT hard. We need to have some nice 1st down play action passes, and pick up the blitzes. Throw down field a few times to loosen things up. No sacks and no turnovers. No mistakes on special teams. Go Bucks!

 

[OSUK]

It's weird. The thing I thought I'd be most concerned about going into this game - pass defense - I feel pretty good about.

The glaring weakness I see is on the offensive side with short yardage play-calling and execution. To be kind, Ohio State has sucked in this narrow area. But it could be the key to the game. MSU has the kind of defense that tries to get you into 3rd and something, and if it's 3rd and short, they take it as an offence that you don't punt. If we can't get 2 yards against Illinois on 3rd/4th and goal, I have serious concerns about doing it against Sparty. Herman really needs to break tendencies in this situation, do something unexpected, and they need to be practicing it this week. Otherwise, if it comes down to a short yardage 3rd/4th down with the game on the line, the anal-pucker factor will be very high at my house.

Outside of that, I feel good. I don't think Langford will have much room to run, and Cook has had accuracy problems. I expect Lippet to get his, but not that his play will the difference in the game. Ohio State has the better athletes. MSU has home field. So it comes down to who plays better, and I like my guys and their coach vs. some really good football players and their fine coach. It'll be a war.

In the end, Sparty has to be slain in order for Ohio State's and my dreams to go forward. So kill them.

 

[buxfan4life]

1) I see this as a positive.
2) Did I miss something this weekend because I think the Buckeyes are coming off of a 55-14 blowout where a lot of starters were rested in the second half.

Damn, lost a week there didn't I?

Good catch.