Where does the team go from here?

[scarletngray]

First, let me say how thankful I am for the admins and moderators over here at BP. The hate, drivel, abuse, attacks, trolls, etc., that are so common on other sites, is not tolerated here. Truly refreshing.

So, where does the team go from here?

1) First it has to recover from last nights devasting loss. More easily said than done. But somehow, the coaches and players are going to have to regroup and re-focus. If not, it could turn out to be a very dismal year.

2) What's up with Beanie? Though much talk has centered around Beanie's
injury, if it continues to linger, Beanie, and the coaches are going to have to make a decision as to if they are going to use him and risk further injury, or redshirting him for the year. Beanies health and future must take precedence in this decision, no matter how bad all of us want to see him play.

3) Quarterback. There are suggestions that we bench TB and start TP. That is certainly an option but I think we must remember that there is still a conference to win and hopefully a BCS bowl to play in. I like last nights strategy and personally think we should continue with it throughout the next five games. If TP excels in the passing game over that duration, then start him in the meat of the Big Ten schedule. But not before.

4) Offensive and Defensive Line problems - It is apparent that something is very wrong along both side of the trenches. I'm not sure what needs to be done, but it is a glaring weakness. Whether it's change in coaching philosophy, blocking schemes, new personel, or a combination of things, these two areas needs much attention.

5) Playmakers - Perhaps it's time we start using guys like Flash and Posey on Offense to include a couple difference makers when we have the ball. Granted, if we cannot get the ball to them because our OL is collasping, it's a mute point. But we really need a spark on Offense.

6) Fanbase - As fans we are very fortunate to root for a team like Ohio State (800 victories). However, with some of the best fans on the planet, we also have some of the worse fans on the planet. We must remember that we are all Buckeyes and that even though we may have our differing opinions, the team needs our support. Let's rally around the team and root them on to another Big Ten conference title and victory in a BCS bowl game.

:osu:GO BUCKS!!

 

[buckeyes_rock]

First, let me say how thankful I am for the admins and moderators over here at BP. The hate, drivel, abuse, attacks, trolls, etc., that are so common on other sites, is not tolerated here. Truly refreshing.

So, where does the team go from here?

1) First it has to recover from last nights devasting loss. More easily said than done. But somehow, the coaches and players are going to have to regroup and re-focus. If not, it could turn out to be a very dismal year.

2) What's up with Beanie? Though much talk has centered around Beanie's
injury, if it continues to linger, Beanie, and the coaches are going to have to make a decision as to if they are going to use him and risk further injury, or redshirting him for the year. Beanies health and future must take precedence in this decision, no matter how bad all of us want to see him play.

3) Quarterback. There are suggestions that we bench TB and start TP. That is certainly an option but I think we must remember that there is still a conference to win and hopefully a BCS bowl to play in. I like last nights strategy and personally think we should continue with it throughout the next five games. If TP excels in the passing game over that duration, then start him in the meat of the Big Ten schedule. But not before.

4) Offensive and Defensive Line problems - It is apparent that something is very wrong along both side of the trenches. I'm not sure what needs to be done, but it is a glaring weakness. Whether it's change in coaching philosophy, blocking schemes, new personel, or a combination of things, these two areas needs much attention.

5) Playmakers - Perhaps it's time we start using guys like Flash and Posey on Offense to include a couple difference makers when we have the ball. Granted, if we cannot get the ball to them because our OL is collasping, it's a mute point. But we really need a spark on Offense.

6) Fanbase - As fans we are very fortunate to root for a team like Ohio State (800 victories). However, with some of the best fans on the planet, we also have some of the worse fans on the planet. We must remember that we are all Buckeyes and that even though we may have our differing opinions, the team needs our support. Let's rally around the team and root them on to another Big Ten conference title and victory in a BCS bowl game.

:osu:GO BUCKS!!

 

[JBaney45]

1) Yes this team has a chance to show an extreme amount of character in bouncing back and taking care of the rest of the season


2) Beanie should sit it out in practice this week and see where it is after this weeks game in my mind. I think we can realistically say that a redshirt would be out of the question, he could possibly come back next year but hes not going to use a 5th year of eligibility

3) I don't think the some of the conceptual stuff introduced with USC was all that bad, it was just a matter of executing it. Terrelle Pryor should be more heavily used but to flat out bench Boeckman takes way too much out of our playbook at this point in the season

4) Yea, clearly our pass protection leaves a lot to be desired, we really need to show the ability to make the plays down the field though or we're not going to have a chance at slowing down pass rushes. In the mean time we need to leave a running back/fullback/h-back back with the quarterback to pick up the blitzes

5) Agreed

6) ^^^

 

[OState29]

UP

 

[WyoBuckeye]

1) First it has to recover from last nights devasting loss. More easily said than done. But somehow, the coaches and players are going to have to regroup and re-focus. If not, it could turn out to be a very dismal year.

This falls on the coaches and team leadership. But having Troy at home next week is a blessing. They are a team that can provide a little challenge, but otherwise should be beaten soundly. Hopefully the team can take some new found confidence from this game.

2) What's up with Beanie? Though much talk has centered around Beanie's
injury, if it continues to linger, Beanie, and the coaches are going to have to make a decision as to if they are going to use him and risk further injury, or redshirting him for the year. Beanies health and future must take precedence in this decision, no matter how bad all of us want to see him play.

No way he redshirts. Just no way. Unless this injury is so bad that his season is done. But I agree that he should not come back until he is healthy. No reason to push him and indeed the staff hasn't been.

3) Quarterback. There are suggestions that we bench TB and start TP. That is certainly an option but I think we must remember that there is still a conference to win and hopefully a BCS bowl to play in. I like last nights strategy and personally think we should continue with it throughout the next five games. If TP excels in the passing game over that duration, then start him in the meat of the Big Ten schedule. But not before.

I think Todd still starts next week, but I see him being on a short leash. If he starts struggling against Troy, Pryor should come in and stay in (unless he starts stinking up the joint too). Otherwise, maybe a good showing against Troy can help Todd regain some confidence.

4) Offensive and Defensive Line problems - It is apparent that something is very wrong along both side of the trenches. I'm not sure what needs to be done, but it is a glaring weakness. Whether it's change in coaching philosophy, blocking schemes, new personnel, or a combination of things, these two areas needs much attention.

The underachievement on the o-line seems to becoming a near annual topic of conversation. Not every year, but most. I am no expert, but it seems to me that we have the horses, but there is something missing here. I have nothing to say for the d-line as they have been more consistent over the years, but once again, if the horses are there, why aren't they running?

5) Playmakers - Perhaps it's time we start using guys like Flash and Posey on Offense to include a couple difference makers when we have the ball. Granted, if we cannot get the ball to them because our OL is collasping, it's a mute point. But we really need a spark on Offense.

If the guys getting most of the PT now are simply not getting the job done than I agree. But I think a new spark in the backfield (ala Beanie coming back and added multidimensionality at the QB position) and all of sudden our guys now will start looking a lot better.

6) Fanbase - As fans we are very fortunate to root for a team like Ohio State (800 victories). However, with some of the best fans on the planet, we also have some of the worse fans on the planet. We must remember that we are all Buckeyes and that even though we may have our differing opinions, the team needs our support. Let's rally around the team and root them on to another Big Ten conference title and victory in a BCS bowl game.

Always!

:osu:GO BUCKS!!

 

[Sportsbuck28]

Guys, I know the odds are stacked against us after the way we played and how the media will perceive us, but keep in mind that the past two NC's have been won by teams with at least 1 loss.

 

[MaxBuck]

... having Troy at home next week is a blessing. They are a team that can provide a little challenge, but otherwise should be beaten soundly.

I think the Buckeyes had better take Troy very seriously. Given the fact that our coaching staff seems utterly unable to get our linemen (both sides) to play up to their talent level, Troy is very capable of beating us. They absolutely slobberknocked Alcorn State (65-0) and soundly defeated Middle Tennessee, a team that gave Kentucky and its vaunted SEC speed all it could handle, in Lexington.

Troy is not by any means a cupcake.

 

[MaxBuck]

Guys, I know the odds are stacked against us after the way we played and how the media will perceive us, but keep in mind that the past two NC's have been won by teams with at least 1 loss.

If the Buckeyes end up in the BCS title game this season, then shame on the BCS.

 

[Taosman]

Some perspective on last night. This same USC team lost to a 41 point underdog last year. What makes the difference in games is some times one key guy. Beanie was very hurt in the Illinois game last year and we lost. Not saying Beanie would have made winning last night possible, but he is the heart of the offense. The offense is designed around Beanie.

 

[Jake]

Guys, I know the odds are stacked against us after the way we played and how the media will perceive us, but keep in mind that the past two NC's have been won by teams with at least 1 loss.

You have to get voted into the NC game. Do you really believe there is any way in hell that will happen this year, after the last 2 NC games and last night?

Let it go. "NC or bust" is an unrealistic expectation for ANY program, and right now it sounds pretty silly around here. We haven't just lost to 3 big teams, we were destroyed by them. What concerns me the most is I've heard/read similar comments after all three games:

"We knew exactly what they were going to do. Nothing changed."

I hope Coach Tressel does some self-evaluation to see why teams are prepared for everything we're going to do against them. We get away with it against inferior teams, but we've seen what happens against equal (or better) talent.

Yes, we won it all in 2002, and I'll never forget it. But the book has been written on JT over the years and it's apparent other coaches have read it. Time to write a few new chapters, or at least rearrange the table of contents. I'm confident he's capable of doing it. My concern is whether or not he thinks it is necessary. Time will tell, I suppose.

 

[Sportsbuck28]

I don't have a NC or bust attitude, but a lot of people are throwing in the towel and expecting this season to suck when we could still win the conference.

Beating Michigan is all I care about regardless.

 

[LitlBuck]

If the Buckeyes end up in the BCS title game this season, then shame on the BCS.

If we win the Big 10 title don't we get an automatic bid to a BCS bowl? I don't think winning the Big 10 is totally out of the picture for this year. I would like to see some of the other Big 10 teams play against USC this year and see what happens. I am still trying to understand how USC loss to Stanford last season was all that talent.

I just don't think we are as bad as we looked yesterday. Our lines did not play very well but give some credit to USC for that.

 

[matcar]

Some perspective on last night. This same USC team lost to a 41 point underdog last year. What makes the difference in games is some times one key guy. Beanie was very hurt in the Illinois game last year and we lost. Not saying Beanie would have made winning last night possible, but he is the heart of the offense. The offense is designed around Beanie.

True, but USC shredded us on D, and were clearly better in every facit of the game. Punting...inside the 15. Kickoffs - IN THE BACK OF THE ENDZONE, how the ph*ck did he do that? Line play - ouch. LBs, ours did fair, theirs fared much better. CBs...same.

We'll recover, but from what I saw, USC was simply a considerably better team than we are. Beanie or no Beanie, they are better at just about every position. Put Beanie in there, and we have an advantage at starting tailback, but not an advantage in depth.

 

[scarletngray]

Some perspective on last night. This same USC team lost to a 41 point underdog last year. What makes the difference in games is some times one key guy. Beanie was very hurt in the Illinois game last year and we lost. Not saying Beanie would have made winning last night possible, but he is the heart of the offense. The offense is designed around Beanie.

Dennis Dixon proved last year how one man can make a difference in the way a team plays. WE ARE A DIFFERENT AND MUCH BETTER TEAM WITH BEANIE WELLS IN THE BACKFIELD. He is a heisman type player, a playmaker, a difference maker, and keeps oppossing D's honest.

I'm not saying we would have won the game. Sometimes teams are just better and that is the case with USC. But the complexion of the game would have been different with Beanie in the backfield.

And though USC is much the same team as last year, Carroll himself say's this is the best defense that he has had at USC. We just played against a better team yesterday.

 

[Taosman]

If the media wants a Popularity Bowl for the National Championship let them have it and see what that gets them. I have this feeling they will still be disappointed. Maybe that's what the media needs to get the USC vs SEC champ thing out of their system. If you look at the history of the BCS how many games have lived up to the hype? Not many. It's a crap shoot.