Presser Notes: USC Week
Would Tressel enjoy coaching in LA, like Surfer Pete does?The sound you heard yesterday at 12:17 pm was the collective breath of the Buckeye faithful as Tressel proclaimed Beanie was a go this week for USC.
Surprisingly it wasn’t the first question asked, but the Vest was surprised as to how well #28 was running in practice. It was good to hear JT’s enthusiasm towards Beanie’s progress, but he still managed to give one of his classic Senator quotes.
In fact, I thought he ran better than I thought he might. Coaches, in some ways, we’re optimists, and in other ways, we’re pessimists, but hopefully we’re realists. I thought he ran really well yesterday.
Perhaps the most questioned coaching decision from Saturday was not going for two after the Buckeyes pulled closer at 14-12 with 2:56 in the third. I convinced myself Tressel doesn’t go for two unless he has to, but he must have forgot Woody’s advice on going for three.
Our general rule of thumb is take every point you can get until you’re into the fourth quarter significantly because you never know what they’re going to do… So you get down into that eight, nine-minute mark of the fourth quarter, then I think those decisions really get a little sticky, but I think when you’ve got two something to go — now, had I known we were going to miss the extra point –
Another question was the lack of carries Boom Herron saw after he scored the above mentioned touchdown. After listening to Tressel’s answer, I was even more confused. My guess is OSU simply needs all four backs this year and while Beanie was out, the other three were going to split the reps.
Oh, yeah. I thought Boom Herron came in and showed a little electricity, a little burst, a little enthusiasm, was excited to play, maybe not in the first carry or two, but once he got his feet under him and it was good for him to get, I don’t know, a dozen carries or whatever he had, he likes to run with his pads down and he’s certainly got to help us.
I believe one of the advantages going for Ohio State this Saturday is getting Donald Washington and Jamario O’Neal back from suspension. I feel more confident about OSU’s nickel package going out to Pete’s territory and facing his offense. This was also a point Tressel brought up in response to a question, but he wouldn’t specify specific looks.
I think anytime you get people back, whether it’s from injury or suspension or from whatever, it adds to your depth. It adds to your skill sets. Those are two veteran guys and I’d like — and they’ve been working hard and had good preseason training camps and played on the scout team for two full weeks and worked hard at it and did everything you could ask them to do and so you’d like to think that they would add to the overall.
For whatever reason the OLine decided not to show up until the third quarter last week and most of our readers thought they had the most blame for the offensive woes. Only Alex Boone and Steve Rehring had winning performances up front, so you might have an idea which way the Trojans may bring the heat. There is no question the right side of the line has to have their best career game if the Bucks are going to win.
That defensive front for Southern Cal is outstanding and they come in waves and they do a great job. So great test for everyone.
The entire transcript can be found here and you won’t be disappointed if you like bizarre questions, like the one below or Tressel’s roundabout answers.
I’m just trying to picture you in Hollywood, how that would work.
Other Notes: Tyler Moeller may not play this weekend, but Brian Rolle will be back and Todd Denlinger should be O.K… Brandon Saine is simply working his way back after missing 20+ preseason practices… The Buckeyes will practice Thursday morning and then fly out.
The only thing that worries me about the coaching aspect of the game Saturday is if Tress will adjust the game plan accordingly. During the National Chip against FL and LSU, I thought he should’ve went with plan B or C when things weren’t going well for us. Instead he made minor changes if any. He tends to play it too close to the vest more than I like at times.
Man… I’m excited, optimistic and nervous all rolled into one about the game.
Having a Surfer Pete and a Sun Tzu Moment:
USC will have ~25% of their offensive play calling coming from the spread formation. Not just because they have the athletes to do it, but because of the psychological impact it will have on the Buck Defense. This game is equally matched, having two weeks to prepare, and the frail mental image the OSU team has of its self. I would come out with the spread to shock us. Whether it is successful or not on the field depends on our preparation; however, the shock to our psyche could be un-repairable if we are not prepared to see a little of it. According to Sun Tzu, 80% of all battles are won before the combatants take the field.
College Football News likes us to win. These guys are usually spot on when picking winners and losers, but run about 50/50 against the spread.
http://www.collegefootballnews.com
CFN was one of the few who picked us to win against Miami in the ‘03 Fiesta Bowl.
Fuitak is a Wisconsin guy, though, and I’ve been sensing he’s rooting for us (and the Big Ten) this time around. His objectivity may be questionable.
Don’t get me wrong, I hope he’s oh so right again.
By the way…Fuitak’s Tuesday “Calvalcade of Whimsy” article is probably the most entertaining read throughout the season. It blows away that garbage Pat Forde puts out on ES(EC)PN.
Fiutak is a good guy. He’s not a Buckeye, but he defends Ohio State when he doesn’t have to, which says more to me than if he were a fan.
I like how Tress didn’t actually answer the question about why he didn’t stick with the hot hand in Boom. Oh wait, I don’t like that.
Fiutak has defended us over the last few years, but I get the feeling that its a “well they have to show up one of these times with all that talent” kinda pick, which is CFN’s favorite types of picks … they like to buck the trend and often do. I think to be different.
they picked us to beat LSU as well, I believe …anyone remember???
Did anyone see this?
http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/10969107
AWESOME.
I see it over there in Good Shizzy.
Prediction
Giving a team a bye, the second week of the season, is like giving a piece of steal two weeks to soak! The word that comes to mind is rust!! Sure they’ll be fresh, and I’m sure they’ll all have new thongs, but the momentum from the beating they handed Division II Virginia, will have snuck out the backdoor!! Meanwhile, at the front the senator awaits!
The chip on the shoulder of the O-line and the Brian’s will kickstart the riot!!! Opening the game In shotgun formation with Beanie to his right and Pryor to his left, Boeckman will torch the rusty, confused Trojans!! The world will be wondering ” what will they do next?” With holes aplenty, Beanie will run wild!! Surfer Pete’s halftime speech won’t give them enough to adjust their panties!!
Come the second half, The Vest will have his way!!! Running the ball, eating the clock, and terrorizing Dirty Sanchez, on the way to a convincing 34-16 rout!!
Remember kids…Always support your Senator!! And remember to vote!! Lou Holtz 4 Prethident!!!
Funny how one SteelCity character manages to spell “steel” wrong…
With what steelcitybucknut said above, and I do get your sarcasim with that post, but All this talk of exotic plays or having tricks up their sleeves sounds great but when have you ever asctually seen it come to light in a game. I remember all the talk before the MNC last year about how henton was going to get in and shake things up, and I doubt he ever put his helmet on. I know Henton is no Pryor, but still this much diseption, although we would love for it to happen is not what tressel does. Look for lots of I formation, and zone defense and like the previous big games look for an osu loss…good god i hope im wrong
Kyle II…. I have come to expect the I form, play action pass, zone D we have become accustomed to!! And I was definitely in fantasy mode with that comment/ prediction!! But why not, ya know!!! With all the talent, speed and athleticism we possess, why not mix it up!!!! If there’s anything we have learned from our recent big game woes, it’s that when playing that equally talented team, traditional buckeye football won’t cut it!!! If maualuga was quoted in saying ” when pryor is in, it’s gonna be a run” why not pass…. The first 3 times he touches it… And split him in the backfield with beanie…. Wr screens, reverses,… Option pass…. Keep them on their toes for Christ sake…. Long ball, short ball…. Beat them at their own game!!! And once they’re on their toes and confused, pound it down their Fuckin throats!!! I know this is crazyspeak!!! But c’mon Senator Tress!! We’re always faithful…. But pull a little Somethin, Somethin out of that vest!!! For all our sake!!!
I picked up on the fantasy dream landess of your post, and I totally agree I wish that we would see all of that from the Buckeyes because they have the talent to do it. But my only point is I can only think of one time that tress really got risky and creative and that was 4th down, Purdue, 2001 and look at where that got us, a national championship. I was hoping to see the trickery you speak of against LSU but outside of the first few drives in which the Buckeye offense shocked LSU and kept them on your toes it wasn’t there and at the end of the day tressel went back to his stomping grounds of I-formation, and safe passes. I hope Tressel shocks me by changing it up, but so far I have no proof that he will actually do it, just the hopes of a fan base to see something different, and that could be his major, and most likely only flaw as a coach.
Chuck, you’re right, they did pick us vs. LSU. Also, maybe the wrinkle for the game will be lots of pistol option with Terrelle Pryor and B. Saine. That would put a smile on my face, I know that!
Interesting points about mixing it up. Going along with it, anyone pick up on the quote from Tressel Yesterday when they were talking about putting pryor in when the game was on the line still versus ohio but the ghost took the punt to the house. The thing I got from it is when he said he how bout we put pryor in, and Bollman said you sure he’s ready for the pressure or something along those lines. Maybe it isn’t Tressel that doesn’t want to change it up but his assistants who convince him otherwise. Yes he makes the ultimate decision but if he trusts them and listens to there advice it is hard to say do it when everyone around is saying no
Turtle, yea I kinda picked up on that!!! But from my standpoint, the headcoach should be the man running the show!!! I think it is smart to trust your coordinators in the playcalling/ schematic aspect of the game!!! But I think the personnel/ flow of the game should ultimately be determined by the vest!! We all know pryor ,albeit young, is one of our top playmakers! I think it should be Tress who ensures the best players are on the field at all times!!! Therefore allowing our “playmakers” the oppurtunity to make the plays!!! If tress says he wants to mix up the gameplan with various formations, players etc. Then it’s up to the coordinators ( bollman) to call the best possible plays according to the situation ( defensively, personnell, whatever)!! So if the vest says let’s put pryor in with boeck and benie, and open it up a bit, then god dammit, bollman should have a gaggle of lethal plays up his sleeves!!!
I just pray that on Saturday evening, that’s the case!!
Perhaps he wanted to see how Pryor was able to handle a high-pressure situation against a lesser oponent at home, to gauge how he may handle a high-pressure situation against a NC caliber team on the road…
Pryor should only play in short yardage situations where there is the real possibility that he might throw it as well. Since he hasn’t thrown a pass over 5 yards so far, I do not see him airing it out and USC will know that. Therefore, he should not see the field as the only QB unless it is short yardage situation where SC has to respect the possiblity og him running or throwing.
now, if you want to put both him and Boeckman on the field at the same time that is a different situation because the downfield play remains a possibility that the D has to respect