With Jason offering up five predictions Monday, I thought we could examine five questions as we head into the season opener.
For the most part, I wanted to avoid topics we've discussed at length - such as Pryor's projected snaps - to hopefully foster some discussion on alternate topics.
Without further adieu:Which freshmen not named Pryor will have the biggest impact on offense? Even before the recent depth chart was revealed, we thought Boom Herron (redshirt frosh) might have a chance to see the field and it looks like he'll get the chance.
Herron flashed ability to find and hit the hole in the spring, avoiding the freshman mistake of lurking too long in hopes of breaking a long one versus hitting the initial seam then surveying the second line of the defense to see what else he could accomplish.
The fact Saine is constantly banged up gives Herron a chance to do his thing and potentially convert Saine to a multi-purpose back instead of Beanie's true backup at tailback. Plus, I'm not sure how realistic it is that many other freshmen will see the field in this veteran offense.
What do you guys think? Could one of the O-liner's work themselves into the mix as an impact freshman or maybe Posey?
Will Heacock adjust his gameplan to a more agressive approach? This could be the most important question of all. Past history says Heacock won't change but it's hard to fathom employing the exact same defensive philosophy that's been good enough to stifle mediocre teams but not good enough to stop elite competition with all the chips on the table.
Forcing the majority of the Big Ten offenses to execute for 60 minutes makes sense when you see what OSU has on offense but it's time for Heacock to start dictating what opposing offenses have to do instead of the other way around.
I continue to wonder why OSU brings in elite talent only to seemingly be afraid to match up on the outside with the opposition's top talent. I'm not advocating blitzing and playing bump and run every play, but dammit, let the athletes play. More often than not, OSU's talent will win out because the majority of opponents eventually make mistakes in the face of pressure defense.
Instead of lamenting the lack of turnovers this defense creates, maybe it's time to evaluate if the conservative system isn't largely to blame. Could this be the year the kids are turned loose?
Will the offensive/defensive lines hold up when it counts? For all the hype bestowed upon the offensive line this preseason, I'm personally a skeptic. Sure this group can manhandle poor to decent teams, but again, it's what they can do against the elite that matters.
Take away Beanie's 65 yard jaunt to paydirt and OSU managed just 80 yards on 29 carries in addition to giving up 5 sacks last January. I know it's just one game but folks like Rehring and Person, specifically, still have a lot to prove in my eyes. At least they have plenty of experience under their belts and the knowledge of how good they need to be if OSU is to win it all. What's your confidence level in this group? Are they overrated?
I think they can be good enough, combined with the skill players around them, to do their part in an undefeated season but I'm less confident in this group than any other on either side of the ball.
Defensively, things appear to be locked down on the outside with Wilson, L'il Ironhead and Thaddeus Maximus forming what should be a potent trio and now it looks like Curtis Terry will provide depth. I can certainly see him on the field in obvious running situations.
In the middle, I'm a little less confident but not overly concerned. Worthington showed some flashes last season and Larimore looks the part but Abdallah and Denlinger need to step up if the line is going to do it's part to stuff the run and take on blockers so the linebackers can roam freely and make plays.
Will Tressel sacrifice goodwill in an effort to get Beanie enough carries in blowouts to make a run at the Heisman? I'm conflicted here. On one hand, Tress did what he could to showcase Troy during his Heisman run but on the other hand, Tress isn't referenced as "The Senator" for nothing. In the end, I think he's willing to give a few extra carries to his top player if he feels that player has a true shot at an honor such as the Heisman. Plus, he knows Beanie sincerely views it as a team award and the offensive line would truly bond in a combined effort to pave the way. Come December, I think Tressel gets Beanie the carries, and with it, the Heisman. You?
Who will emerge as the third receiver behind the two Brian's? (speaking of which, can we come up with a less hooptie name for those two?) Jason has mentioned both Posey and Washington as two possible candidates to emerge but I think this is the year Ray Small finally shows up. After getting smacked down by Tressel, he's quietly gone about his business and drawn some decent, if not tempered, praise during camp.
It could be more wishful thinking than reality, but I'm ready to give him one more chance. He's got the ability - might he finally have the head to match?
Comments
couldnt agree more about the offensive line. and with the ghost. and with the d-line. the familiar tone seems to be "yeah they have the potential, but what will they do with it"?
by the way, just found out that im going to the YSU and the OU games, and i just peed a little. so, yeah, i have that going for me, which is nice.
Pulling your RB in blowouts seems to have a lot more to do with fear of injury than 'goodwill'. I think it would be a very foolish move, in a year when OSU is trying to win the BCS, to give him carries he doesn't need.
1. Posey or Flash - it is the only position on the field where depth is needed and talent is available.
2. The only question is, Will they pressure top offenses? They can play whatever defense they want against the majority of their schedule and the result will be the same. Personally, I will be surprised if they get overly aggressive against USC.
3. The offensive line is fine. The majority of the sacks come from Boeckman's inability to make a decision. The d-tackles make me nervous.
4. Three Touchdowns and Three Quarters - that should be the rule. If they are leading by 21 points after 3 quarters, Beanie should be on the bench drinking Gatorade and studying.
5. Other than the DTs, this is the group that causes me the most amount of heartburn. I don't want Sanzanbacher. I want a player with a totally different set of skills. If that is Small or Flash Thomas, so be it.
For a similar discussion, check out our Two-Man Roundtable:
http://buckeyecommentary.com/f...
I agree with your comment about the corners. Let them play man until they get toasted.
Massey - I hope you are right about the o-line. I still remain unimpressed. I agree Boeckman had a tendency to hold the ball too long but he also faced a number of jailbreak pass rushes as the linemen stared at each other trying to figure out who screwed up. Is it Saturday yet?
All OSU has to do is watch Pitt vs. WVU from last year. Pitt was definitely over matched but because of Dave Wannstedt's NFL experience he made sure that there was a relentless rush on defense. He constantly sent 6,7,8 defenders at Pat White and Steve Slayton and made White beat them with his arm. WVU didn't have an answer and Pitt won. The Bucks have too much talent on defense to play conservative.
The only way to stop a spread offense is with relentless and unpredictable pressure from a variety of directions. As Bruce Blingstein said, the dimmest coach in D1 (Bowl Division) was able to figure that out. Hopefully, Heacock will too.
I agree that relentless pressure helps stop a spread offense, but if there's a good thrower sitting back there, even that may not help much. Pitt had success because, like the Bruce Blingstein said, White couldn't beat them with his arm.
You need great pressure and tight coverage, not one or the other, but both to beat great spread offenses with superior talent (Florida, etc.).
no doubt you need both pressure and tight coverage to be successful - I think this team has that talent when it comes to our corners/nickel matching up with 3 WRs but our LB's covering tight ends scares me a little just based on last year.
As far as freshman go I think Stoneburner, Posey, and Flash at Wr due to the fact we will go five wide and all of those guys bring something different to the table. Flash also will see some return action this year.
On the Oline it will be hard to keep Mike Adams off the field. The guy is a monster and is already pushing the starters.
Dline Keith Wells is going to get in late in games.
Im praying Heacock lets them fly around and not wait to react to every play. However, I have a feeling we will be playing with a lead most of the year so we might just be taking chances early in the game.
Forget the Heisman keep Beanie healthy this season is goal number one. We need him 100% for at USC, Michigan St, Illini, Wisconsin. The rest of the games should be blowouts.
Ray Small should have a good year but I think with all the young talent Flash or Washington will bring the added threat of deep speed to the table.
The two Brian's haven't really earn the right to have a nickname IMO.
I think Tressel is sensitive to records and awards and will try to put Beanie in a position to be successful and to adequately showcase his talent.
I remember MoC's Wazzou game where the single game Freshman rushing record was in reach. He left him in and provided an ample amount of carries for Mo to seal the deal, but Mo came out when it just didn't make any sense to try it anymore.
He'll give Beanie his opportunity to shine, but not at the detriment of the team.
I know I am in the minority here, but I don't see many freshmen getting significant playing time. This team is loaded and if a freshman is willing to redshirt, Tressel is going to take that opportunity. As of right now, there is no need for these kids to play and I don't see the coaches burning a year of eligibility for mop up duty.
Of course various injuries could change all of this, but OSU may not have a need to get any of them on the field.
I agree with Brother Buck, Tressel is very aware of personal trophies and if Beanie is going to come out of a game, don't be surprised to see him get at least 6 consecutive carries before being pulled. Wells needs to see at least 20 carries a game.
Offensive line needs to be offensive, in a good way. My last memory was Person (I believe) getting knocked over like a bowling pin against LSU and the kick getting blocked.
Time for everyone to step it up.