Game Thread UAB Blazers at tOSU - Sep 22, Noon ET, BTN

[ORD_Buckeye]

Not the most in depth analysis, but wtf. Going into the B10 season, I'd give the defense a D (B for the DL; straight out F for the LB and DB) and High C/Low B on offense--too one dimensional and too inconsistent for anything better.

There's potential there, but God help us if BM goes down.

 

[scott91575]

This was a common rationalization under Tressel but Meyer pretty much dismisses any of that if you watch his post game pressers.

If Meyer can win 100-0 he is going to. This team, as he calls out, just isn't very aggressive as a whole.

IMHO that is left over from the last regime and will be the last area to get fixed and then only through recruiting and possibly further staff changes. I don't think it's a coincidence that the "softest" phase of this team is defense and that happens to be coached by the lone hold over from the last staff.

The defense has no excuse. On the other hand, I do think it was pretty clear they didn't want Braxton to run for much of the game (until it got close late and you can see an increase in his running). Now, is that because it was UAB or they wanted to reduce his running. I think it was a little of both, and therefore the offense was not using all it's tools.

 

[Jaxbuck]

The defense has no excuse. On the other hand, I do think it was pretty clear they didn't want Braxton to run for much of the game (until it got close late and you can see an increase in his running). Now, is that because it was UAB or they wanted to reduce his running. I think it was a little of both, and therefore the offense was not using all it's tools.

If Urban was faking his reaction to that question in his presser I wouldn't want to play poker with him. He was pretty adamant they were not consciously avoiding Miller carries throughout the game.

I think what we saw yesterday is just where this team is at right now. Tons of potential, especially on offense, but actual results are not where anyone wants them to be.

Pretty young team, new staff, new scheme and all so struggles are to be expected but still frustrating as hell to watch. My biggest overall concern is the attitude/character of the team. They still play like the 2006 Buckeyes more than the 2006 Gators. It's going to take a little while to change that.

 

[SEREbuckeye]

Not the most in depth analysis, but wtf. Going into the B10 season, I'd give the defense a D (B for the DL; straight out F for the LB and DB) and High C/Low B on offense--too one dimensional and too inconsistent for anything better.

There's potential there, but God help us if BM goes down.

Wow, an F for the D-Backs? I dont know if I would go THAT low. Maybe a C. How quickly we forget about all of the turnovers they have produced for the Bucks, to include one that sealed the game against Cal.

Howard - 3 INTs. He ranks tied for 11th nationally, behind the top spot by only 1.
Bryant, Johnson, Grant, and Bino - all with one.

Also, Bryant forced a fumble, Roby has a fumble return for TD.
Both Bino and Shazier both have forced fumbles.

Our DB's/LB's have a total of 7 INTs, 3 FF, 1 FR for TD, 4 Sacks, 7 TFL, and 21 B/U. This all with only 4 games in.

I wouldn't say it warrants an F. Maybe the soft coverage, close games, and real time action speak otherwise but they have been pretty damn decent.

 

[Mike80]

Not the most in depth analysis, but wtf. Going into the B10 season, I'd give the defense a D (B for the DL; straight out F for the LB and DB) and High C/Low B on offense--too one dimensional and too inconsistent for anything better.

There's potential there, but God help us if BM goes down.

I don't know if I'd give the defense a D....maybe a D-

There is still a huge issue with the Dline getting off of their blocks and getting to the ball carrier. Spot on for the LBs/DBs though. Either it's mental and they need to get over it and just play or it's talent and hopefully the recruiting picks up.

The offense minus Miller gets an F. Since he's an A or so, that equals out to about a C so that's what I'll go with.

Lots of room for improvement, that's for sure.

 

[SEREbuckeye]

I don't know if I'd give the defense a D....maybe a D-

There is still a huge issue with the Dline getting off of their blocks and getting to the ball carrier. Spot on for the LBs/DBs though. Either it's mental and they need to get over it and just play or it's talent and hopefully the recruiting picks up.

Man, I would hate to see what kind of stats you want for an A/B grading defense. Or is this jsut because of tackling?

 

[Mike80]

Man, I would hate to see what kind of stats you want for an A/B grading defense. Or is this jsut because of tackling?

Tackling.

Angles.

Coverages seem to be off, they are either 10 yards in front of the guy catching the ball or 3-5 yards trailing it. Thankfully UAB's QB couldn't hit him consistently, they were open all day long.

As for the LBs, they are either getting caught up in traffic when scraping or they aren't meeting the back in the hole and wrapping up very much.

You name it, the defense probably isn't doing it yet. I say yet, because it's a long season and this coaching staff isn't going to stop teaching them the right way of doing things.

It's not about stats. At all. It's about the function and results of the defense. So far they have been very very lucky. That won't last.

 

[SEREbuckeye]

Tackling.

Angles.

Coverages seem to be off, they are either 10 yards in front of the guy catching the ball or 3-5 yards trailing it. Thankfully UAB's QB couldn't hit him consistently, they were open all day long.

As for the LBs, they are either getting caught up in traffic when scraping or they aren't meeting the back in the hole and wrapping up very much.

You name it, the defense probably isn't doing it yet. I say yet, because it's a long season and this coaching staff isn't going to stop teaching them the right way of doing things.

No, I get what they are doing wrong. I just sad stats.

I will agree with you that the there have been numerous teams that have bailed us out with shitty wide receivers that can't catch.

I would rate the DBs at a C because we have won a lot of the categories teams aim to win in a game. The team will get better, at least i believe so.

 

[Mike80]

No, I get what they are doing wrong. I just sad stats.

I will agree with you that the there have been numerous teams that have bailed us out with shitty wide receivers that can't catch.

I would rate the DBs at a C because we have won a lot of the categories teams aim to win in a game. The team will get better, at least i believe so.

Tackle stats are meaningless if the tackles are being made 8 and 12 and 20 yards downfield.

The only stat that matters is on the scoreboard.

My analysis (as with ORD's and several others) isn't about stats at all. The functionality of this defense isn't up to par with other Buckeye defenses. Even this very same defense last year was much better in a single category and that category was tackling. It broke down as the year went on last year and hasn't come back yet.

It's not just on the DB's, but they have the same issue.

 

[SEREbuckeye]

Tackle stats are meaningless if the tackles are being made 8 and 12 and 20 yards downfield.

The only stat that matters is on the scoreboard.

My analysis (as with ORD's and several others) isn't about stats at all. The functionality of this defense isn't up to par with other Buckeye defenses. Even this very same defense last year was much better in a single category and that category was tackling. It broke down as the year went on last year and hasn't come back yet.

It's not just on the DB's, but they have the same issue.

Its certainly peculiar. Given Meyers extensive defensive mind set, along with Whithers experience and both what Vrabel and Fickell bring to the table. Seems we have decent players and a good coaching staff, not sure where the breakdown is happening.

Again, Im not a coach on any level, just merely a fan thats curious. I don't get the coaching staff videos, only see what the rest see on TV to make my opinions on.

 

[Taosman]

Does a Big Ten away game bring a focus to this team that has looked....
disinterested....for four games? I think that may be too much to ask right now. MSU is going to be brutal. It's going to be an ugly, low scoring throw-back kind of game so it will be a nice test for this team and coaching staff.

 

[MaxBuck]

... straight out F for the ... DB ...

I don't see how anyone can seriously grade Brad Roby, Travis Howard and Doran Grant as "F" performers. The safeties, maybe, but our corners have played very well this season in my opinion.

 

[jwinslow]

I don't see how anyone can seriously grade Brad Roby, Travis Howard and Doran Grant as "F" performers. The safeties, maybe, but our corners have played very well this season in my opinion.

Yup. A few times Roby & Howard have had breakdowns, but it's been in contrast to their overall performances.

The safeties have been beyond shaky, at least the starters. OJ has been a pleasant surprise.

 

[exhawg]

I feel the bigger the game the more Miller will carry the ball. He was overused the first couple games, but the past two they've been trying to work on the RB's and passing game. In a game like MSU I would look for Miller to be more of a threat for all 4 quarters.

I just hope the defense can step it up this week and learn how to take good angles and tackle.

 

[Mike80]

Its certainly peculiar. Given Meyers extensive defensive mind set, along with Whithers experience and both what Vrabel and Fickell bring to the table. Seems we have decent players and a good coaching staff, not sure where the breakdown is happening.

Again, Im not a coach on any level, just merely a fan thats curious. I don't get the coaching staff videos, only see what the rest see on TV to make my opinions on.

Honestly, I think the breakdown is occurring upstairs with the players. They are thinking too much instead of being aggressive and then trying to be overly aggressive to make up for it.

If things settle down a bit and they find a good rhythm they are good players, no one should be saying otherwise. But they have to play like it to be graded that way.