Game Thread tOSU vs. Sparty, Sat 11/21, 3:30pm ET, ABC

[Jaxbuck]

I think the Buckeyes will hold a bit back for The Game. Good guys in the range of 31 to 41, other guys 13 to 20.

What do you think guys? Ohio State 35-17 sound reasonable?

That's about how I see it

High 30's to low 20's if Cook is good to go. He isn't 100% or gets knocked out of game then fugedaboutit.

To use past opponents as a proxy, I see Sparty as a Western M*ch*gan offense with a Pen State defense. Not to be taken lightly but also not going to win without a lot of OSU help.

 

[Steve19]

BROTHERS DON'T SHAKE HANDS

The most intimidating football program from the Midwest resides in East Lansing...

(SNIP)

A permanent, enormous chip on its shoulder. Michigan State is the only football powerhouse in America that is fueled by a grudge.

Entire article: http://www.elevenwarriors.com/colle...rs-dont-shake-hands-michigan-state-ohio-state

http://colleges.startclass.com/comp...iversity-vs-Ohio-State-University-Main-Campus

 

[d3rision]

I'm nervous about these next two games.

We are play good, but why are we making these mistakes, and having this difficult time?

 

[Mike80]

I'm nervous about these next two games.

We are play good, but why are we making these mistakes, and having this difficult time?

mistakes happen - Ohio State is still winning by 2+ touchdowns despite them.

The difficult time is more imaginary than real - they are still going over 400+ yards of total offense even with the turnovers and "struggles" people are perceiving. No, they aren't as efficient as they were last year, but last year was an offense like few of us have ever seen.

 

[UpNorth_Buckeye]

If the weather is how it sounds like it may be (rain and high winds), then I may change my initial 31-17 pick to 24-14. I think it would give us a higher probability of winning, but decrease the margin of victory.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

Keep in mind that if the replay official in the Illinois game didn't have his head up his ass we'd have won by a score of 35-3 against a surprisingly decent and resurgent Illinois team...

 

[bukIpower]

That's about how I see it

High 30's to low 20's if Cook is good to go. He isn't 100% or gets knocked out of game then fugedaboutit.

To use past opponents as a proxy, I see Sparty as a Western M*ch*gan offense with a Pen State defense. Not to be taken lightly but also not going to win without a lot of OSU help.

I'd rather face a MSU offense than western Mic*igan again... MSU doesn't have a back like WMU and they don't have a pair of WRS like them either. I would also say PSU is better on defense as well and because of that I truly think we can throw down 40+ again on the spartans.

TE's haven't been as big of a killer to us this year as in past years so while Price is good he doesn't concern me. What concerns me is Tyvis' tendency to jump a route and get burnt deep. They don't have a running game to speak of which is shocking but can we stop Burbridge is the question. Last year we locked Lippett down with Grant and did our best to make Cook find others. The issue for MSU this year is they don't have a RB like they did last year. Watching that game from last year today we had a whale of a time bringing down their back which kept things in manageable down to go situations. Shut the run down, take away Burbridge and watch their world burn

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

Mobile QBs have been our Achilles heel. Conversely, we seriously fuck up offenses with QBs who aren't mobile (Hawaii, 0 points; Pedsters, 10 points; Illinois, 3 points). You'd have to think that any real mobility that Cook has will be limited somewhat by his injury (not that his injured shoulder itself will prevent him from running, but rather the Sparty staff will limit his running/rollouts to protect his shoulder).

 

[Buckeye86]

Saturday's Game Against Buckeyes is Personal for Spartans

Everything is personal for the Spartans because Dantonio is a salty old dick who is a professional grudge holder.

 

[scarletngray]

Make Cook beat us, plain and simple. Pressure and pound him on passing downs. Our boys know how to bring the lumber. Between the hits and his already injured shoulder he won't be very effective come the 2nd half and that's if he's even playing.

 

[Jaxbuck]

Everything is personal for the Spartans because Dantonio is a salty old dick who is a professional grudge holder.

/thread

 

[Steve19]

Hi. Penn State fan here. First time poster.

You guys face a tough team this week. The Spartans. They're one of my favorite opponents. Gladiator tough.

 

[Bucknut24]

Make Cook beat us, plain and simple. Pressure and pound him on passing downs. Our boys know how to bring the lumber. Between the hits and his already injured shoulder he won't be very effective come the 2nd half and that's if he's even playing.

Tried that in 2013 and he did (albeit against a worst defense)

Don't believe their RB is that great..would rather protect the pass and make their RB win

 

[Buckeye86]

Don't believe their RB is that great..would rather protect the pass and make their RB win

That's the opposite of basically the entire history of common football knowledge.

 

[Jaxbuck]

Tried that in 2013 and he did (albeit against a worst defense)

Don't believe their RB is that great..would rather protect the pass and make their RB win

as a point of reference, using SP+ rankings the 2013 Buckeye defense was (somehow) ranked #42 overall and 61st against the pass.

The 2015 defense is currently ranked #7 overall and 3rd against the pass

It's apples to lug nuts