The Herculean task facing the offensive line this coming weekend.The Ohio State University: 8-0 against freshmen quarterbacks since 2003.
This is a call for you stop mashing your keyboard into your forehead repeatedly, take a deep breathe, and realize that maybe, just maybe, this team has an opportunity far greater than a snow ball's chance in hell of actually defeating the USC Trojans this Saturday.
Look, I'm not saying I know what's going to happen or that a rational person wouldn't be inclined to think that the Buckeyes more than have their work cut out for them, what I'm saying is win-lose, the sun is still rising on Sunday, and what's the worst thing that can happen? Haters be damned, it's not like this team's reputation can do anything but go up at this point, and the vast majority of those individuals will never be sated by anything this team accomplishes or doesn't, so what's the point in dwelling on perpetual cynicism anyways?
What I am saying is this: let's enjoy the ride. Ohio State is hosting a top 5 ranked perennial national power in the best stadium in the country on Saturday. Would you really rather be going toe-to-toe with a 7-5 FCS club? GameDay's in the house and a quarter of the literate country will stop what they do Saturday night to take in what has all the feel of an old school Saturday Night title fight. And you just so happen to back the corner that produced this guy. So without further mencing words, let's eye ball the depth chart that's going to take down Pete Carroll's college football juggernaut.
Pending an absolute catastrophy, LiC will be your pilot for the remainder of the 3.5 hour flight, with scheduled touchdowns in the end zone approximately twice every 15 minutes, or as necessary. Boom Herron is again the starter at tailback, though Brandon Saine's impressive showing last week could help motivate Tressel to explore more two back formations to get both possible weapons on the field at the same time. The first shakeup we see comes at the fullback position where one legacy fullback's been usurped by another: Zach Boren, whom The Vest heralded as one of last week's scout team champions, takes over for the swinging gate that was Adam Homan in week 1. Homan's blocking was far and away the most disastrous of anyone charged with protecting TP or aiding and abetting the advancement of the football, and while it's obviously putting a lot on a freshman to have to pick up the likes of the SC linebackers, Boren appears to be the safer bet of the two.DeVier Posey's ankle appears to not have any lingering issues as #8 is listed in his familiar place as the #1 wide receiver. Dane Sanzenbacher looks to continue to provide stability for LiC, while Duron Carter and Taurian Washington should see plenty of action as well. Here's to hoping Ray Small is feeling better as well. The two Jake's will also be back in business as they look to shatter last season's entire number of tight end receptions by just Week 2. The offensive line reports no real changes and it's expected we should see the same 5 primarily, hopefully with positive results.
On the other side of the ball, we see no marked changes reported on the defense as a whole. Perhaps as some manner of smoke screen or perhaps in an aim at continuity, all 11 starters are purported to be the same going into the USC contest. Before you take to Buckeye Grove (uh, the actual one) with pitchforks and torches, consider some of the chatter currently floating some boards: ostensibly Anderson Russell is out of the mix, with Kurt Coleman sliding to free safety and Jermale Hines manning the strong safety spot. This information comes all but completely unqualified but at the very least is intellectually curiosity provoking enough to merrit mention. Whether some guy saying some thing he heard from "some reliable source" means anything or not, we'll have to obivously wait until Saturday. I expect to see Russell get the start but perhaps Hines have a more noticable, increased role in the secondary. For those clammering about *insert linebacker not living up to your unrequited expectations*, I'd say let's let it play its way out. 7 different linebackers saw minutes last weekend, so I think Brian Rolle aside, we could see a number of diffrent mixes of personnel out there.
Finally, the only other major shakeup besides fullback comes at punt return, where Dane Sanzenbacher is officially listed as the top guy after Ray Small's illness related absence. Sanzenbacher looked incredibly promising in the early goings, but if anything, this post hoc change shows that additional unreported shakeups and switches could be in the mix and that we won't necessarily be privvy to them until they transpire.
So look alive Buckeye faithful: Saturday night, we dine not in hell, but in a post-victory celebratory joint that offers up a mean Sriracha Slaw Dog.
Comments
Stop the run - McNight - keep the freshman QB in the pocket and make him beat you with the long pass.
#86 for them is a beast - is he a wide out or TE?
I think USC is a slow starting team - need to jump on them early.
stay focused, and play fast. simple.
OK, I'll say it. Tressel needs to worry less about building leadership (summer reading of John MacArthur) and concern himself more with making his team want to win. Just looking at Miami and FSU last night made me queasy for Saturday's game. Both teams played at 100% (and then some), were fired up on both sides of the ball and truly wanted to win. It was apparent on every play - mistakes and all. Watching the Buckeyes Saturday, they seemed to be sleep walking at times - and afraid of embarassing Navy. You don't win championships by being afraid to embarass your opponent.
Stop the run, indeed. That will be the key. If we can keep them in passing situations, hopefully our heralded d-line can put some pressure on him.
Offensively, TP needs the ball in his hands and on the move in a majority of the plays. Roll outs, boot legs - plays that give him the run/pass option. No more Boom off tackle for 1/2 yard on 3rd and 2 and then again on 4th and 1 1/2.
The keys ( my opinion ) to saturday nite are the following:
1. Rush the passer early and often and hit him on EVERY play!
2. Slow down the running game (you won't stop it entirely, but beating the hell out of the passer will allow you to devote more men to stop the run)
3. See #1 and repeat.
4. Be creative on offense... see Miami Univ. last nite. That was a creative game plan and they kept FSU off balance with play action on 1st downs... CANNOT BE PREDICTABLE--esp. on 1st down.
5. See #1 and #3 and repeat again.
6. Allow Terrelle to be Terrelle... USC has problems with Mobile Quarterbacks.... See Vince Young.
7. Don't allow yourself to be outcoached (again). Think creatively.
8. No QB substitutions for the sake of experience... you can do that next week against Toledo.
How much you want to bet that the same pundits riding us for a tough game against Navy would rise us if we ran up the score?
Palm Beach:
All I have to say is AMEN. The best way to get to a young quarterback is to rattle him early and often. Do that and he is your defense's bitch.
Play calling: Creative blocking schemes and passing out of run formations necessary. Draws and Screens do need to be called to help our line and slow the rush and blitz. OSU has to run at USC with quick hitters. Do not use slow developing plays or toss sweeps, they have close to NFL speed at a majority of their positions. The best way to neutralize it is to attack it. Punch them in the mouth often, to set up the play action pass on first down.
Line Play (both sides of the ball): Get Low, get mean, and play for 60-minutes. In replaying the Navy game I noticed three things: 1) Inconsistent play - Needs a full 60 minutes of intensity, there was one or two plays where the line let navy get to them on the OSU line of the ball 2) Confusion: at times the line looked confused and sloppy, some of the reason for the inconsistency. 3) Continuity, the lack of comes out in the inability to pick up the blitz.
You know, I said it the other day after the game and I'm sticking to my guns on this one. I didn't feel like the Navy game was as bad as the Ohio U game last year. Ohio U actually looked like they had our number, and the team looked awful the whole game. Now, I wasn't happy with the O-line, and the defense wasn't great, but I felt like most of the game this team could have put the game away at any time. I hated the idea of Bauserman in there when things were clicking really well and that seemed to mess up the offense, but I was really feel like Pryor looks like a star. Carter is very exciting too. I know it's easy to panic, but I just feel like this team is way better than anyone is giving it credit for.
I liked seeing the tight end in on the action and we know how well Saine can catch the ball out of the backfield. Incorporating these kinds of plays will help with the problems on the O-line, and I think that kind of stuff was missing last season. It was Beanie/Boom up the middle, or Pryor would take off, and they took some shots down field. I also watched that FSU/Miami game and I wasn't that impressed with either team. True they may have been going all out on every play but you have to figure it was a conference game, and it's a rivalry similar to OSU/Michigan. It wasn't FSU playing Florida International or something like that. I just really think everyone needs to chil. By the end of tis season I feel this team will be nasty. May not be in the BCS championship, but very good.
agreed.... the draw plays were money for FSU last nite... I like the option pitches and the throws to RB's that Tressel used Sat... those will help keep the USC defense guessing... cant be predictable.
I think you are right that we COULD have put the game away earlier, but we didnt. I agree that the team looked better to me Sat than I anticipated--- and I liked the offensive playcalling. I was disappointed that the line could not clear Navy out more regularly, although there were times when good holes were opened and Saine and Boom made the most out of them. I am willing to chalk this up to an unconventional team and unconventional blocking methods if we win next week. My concern is USC's ground game... we must stone it early and get to Barkley.... make him and Mitch Mustain afraid to drop back .. make them hesitate.... and then bad things happen to them.
Key to winning the game on Saturday: Bring back Dantonio as Defensive Coordinator for a game. Also have Spiels feeding the team a steady diet of raw eggs and small children all week to get the team mean. Maybe even have him prowling the sidelines Saturday night all suited up and threatening to get out there and play if the guys don't get their act together.
Also, if you're going to the game Saturday for the love of God make some noise. We have one of the loudest stadiums in the country (if not the loudest) but you wouldn't have known that at the Navy game.
Please oh please preach to the line that if they don't push someone off the line of scrimmage that they will be puking from the amount of steps they will run!!! I always loved the line "I could put my 80 year old arthritic grandma into
I agree with the game plan on USC. If they can contain the run well and put hits on the QB, they will win the game. I really feel like the offense is going to put up some points. I am concerned about USC because well they are USC and will have a ton of talent. The thing people seem to forget is, this is tOSU and they have a TON of talent also.
I noticed on the replies Saturday, Sunday, and last night that a ton of people are saying make Spielman a coach. Make him the D coordinator or the head coach even. Where has that all come from? just because he announced the game Saturday? I've never heard anyone mention him or think he would be a good coach before this weekend? Or are we just grasping at straws here? I agree, the defense needs to be more like it was in the Texas game, but how could they have been that aggressive against the Navy offense. This Navy team is going to cause problems for a lot of teams. I have a feeling they'll give Notre Dame a tough game as well.
I think we need someone Dantonio-like to get are defense fired up late in the game. Did anyone else think the had a deer-in-the-headlights look about them after that turnover on downs in the 4th? The one thing you can usually count on From a JT-coached team is poise under pressure late in games, but our defense looked a little lost on the field until that pick-2.
Ray Small is back with the team and feeling fine FYI.
And of course our D looked confused and out of place, they were trying to figure out what the hell was happening in front of them. You can't simulate Navy's offense, therefore you can't prepare for it, its much different than anything our defense will see all year... there is a reason they have beat Pitt and Notre Dame, they are much better than anyone thinks..
I couldn't even follow the ball on the TV half the game.. almost everyone reviewing the game had to watch it 2 or 3 times to break it down.. Navy's offense is just that deceptive.
Keys to the GAME.....
1.) Open the freaking playbook be creative....
2.) Keep the freaking playbook open stay creative... That means less than 2 runs between tackles. Shoot myself in the freaking face if i see another boom herron 4 th and 2 dive play!
3.) Invite troy smith to come in, and throw 1,000 balls at our secondary...!
Guarantee Barkley throws the ball, you didn't see sanchez relying on RB's all night and i promise you we will see this kid throw the football over the safties.
4.) Practice the 5 wide, 4 wide, 3 wide, double tightend's. I PLEASE THROW THE DEEP BALL... Posey, Thomas, someone who has a deep threat ability.
5.) Smack ray small in the mouth, let him get on the field and make some plays in our special teams.
6.) The obivous defense scheme. FICKELL don't sleep, eat, just focus on the best defensive scheme pete carrol has every seen. keep heyward inside, rotate ends, please if spitler gets beat give sabino, bell, klein a shot...!
7.) along with number 4. TEACH THE WIDEOUTS TO BLOCK.... Then let pryor roam the field juke left, then right spin off of mays for a 48yd rushing touchdown.... PLEASE PLEASE use this boys legs...!
8.) Don't forget the average sucess we had with the tight end's. Go back to number 1. (Pistol, No huddle, PA pass, Naked boot, HB Pass, CREATIVE)!
9.) THE 12th Man... IF YOU ARE THERE GET FREAKING CRAZY, COSTUMES, SIGNS, HORNS, STUDENT SECTION GET NUTS!!!! I want to hear O H I O all night.
Not only is Navy's offense tough to simulate, they actually have a QB now. That team has some good players and don't be surprised to see Navy ranked this year. Also, do you think the team and coaching staff spent all spring and summer preparing for Navy and their crazy offense or the huge game next week? I'm thinking that the tried to prepare some for Navy but most of their energy was focused on USC. I know there were some negatives, but this close call to me was not the same as last year's close call with Ohio U. It seemed like Ohio out played us last year and a lucky kick return saved the team. I know the game was close, but I'm just not so worried this year as I was last year.
I was at the game... There never seem to be a whole lot of urgency from OSU.
I don't know if it was a late night for some of them or an earlier noon game.
Even the crowd took a while to get into it.
But we did what we wanted a lot of times, we shot ourself in the foot. We opened the playbook, and then closed it weird... almost like tressel didn't want to show to much or maybe just him resorting to the normal play calling.
I also had that thought about prepartation. Maybe 70% Navy 30% USC.
Don't think we overlooked Navy, we know they were a good football team.
"9.) THE 12th Man… IF YOU ARE THERE GET FREAKING CRAZY, COSTUMES, SIGNS, HORNS, STUDENT SECTION GET NUTS!!!! I want to hear O H I O all night" Duran I like all of your points,especially #9. I'm flying up there for the game and will be in the student section with friends, and I Guarantee I will be as loud as 20 people,and will insure the fans around me do the same.GO BUCKS!
Thank you for a positive article.
Also props for the Buster Douglas reference. As a Columbus native he is one of my sports heroes.
and don't show up wearing white or gray. scarlet or nothing.
the noon crowd took a while to show up... All, but as you walk that beautiful campus
and see shirts that say F US C, or signs that say "you can't spell suck without usc".
That place was ready for USC on the 5th...!
I imagine 8:00pm the sound will actual move the shoe a few inches.
Should be a RED OUT!!!
Those new led's should look sweet, along with the back lit National Champions.
Campus will be nuts... It always is... There is honenstly no place like Columbus on
a college night game... Not Gainesville, LA, Lincoln.... the C-bus is nasty.
Can Matt Barkley count to 21? Besides handing the ball off, that might be the only thing he needs to do to win the game.
I can't wait to be on campus, I'll be there by noon.
I fly out in 2 days!!!!!!!
lucky you.... lucky you....
i'm bringing some florida speed up with me
You don't just walk into Ohio Stadium At night and think your coming away with an easy win. Not with a Fr. QB. We will see Corp in this game.
I have a question. Since I live in California do I bring speed to? Or since I was born in Ohio am I just big and slow?
Stack the box early, because you know Carroll isn't going to have the Golden Boy throwing the ball around everywhere early on. I see alot of running by SC, followed by alot of play action dump offs to TE's and RB's.
I also haven't been impressed with open field tackiling in big games. We cant let SC backs break the first tackle.
excellent overview of what REALLY happened. Mark May can suck it.
http://blog.dispatch.com/bucke...
but he took a flop in the first round for Hollyfield... LOL. And looked fat doing it.
yeah, he pretty much fell off the face of the earth after beating tyson. oh well...
I know, May is a douche, USC athletes are much different than NAVY. Well, I can't remember all the details from the game last year, but didn't Pryor actually run the ball against USC fairly well last year? And that was the NFL defense they had last year. May is an idiot and has stupid glasses lol.
Trojan Fan chiming in here to say that the Buckeye's are a very worthy opponent, that USC is taking nothing for granted and will respect Ohio as such, this game could go either way, and that we have our work cut out for us. Looking forward to some good football come Saturday!
Someone mentioned Speils roaming the sideline - GREAT IDEA....totally agree! Tress should let him run every practice this week....the kids can play, they're smart, talented and athletic...just need to show some berries....
That is the first time I have ever heard an objective opinion from a USC fan. I am feeling lost for words.
Need more like you down in Hermosa on Saturdays!
Truth's the truth and I know Pete Carroll isn't telling his players, or preparing them, according to any other standard because, no matter how you slice it, the Buckeye's are one of the premier programs in the US. USC will be ready because we KNOW Ohio is going to be ready!
sorry pet peeve of mine but.... we're Ohio STATE, not the other school down on the hocking known as "Ohio U."
Agreed, I think he could be a helluva motivator, don't know about coach. He only has one season as coach, and that didn't turn out too well. Not all players make good coaches. That being said, would love for him to be a part of the staff in some capacity (linebackers coach, etc), but heard he didn't want/have the time warranted due to family matters.
Look, I'll admit I've been the biggest hater on the Buckeyes since Saturday...rivaling our #1 enemy Mark May. One of the things I saw the Buckeyes do well was mix up 1st down play calls...12 pass, 12 runs (plus 3 extra runs on the very last series to run out the clock). They did do play actions on first downs, and the TD scamper by Pryor that made it 17-7 was what I expected from this team this season.
Then, Tressel took Pryor out. Pryor never tried to complete a pass beyond 25 yards against what we could probably all agree was an outmatched Navy secondary. Pryor only threw to guys who were wide open. That concerns me because it is just like last season.
Then, Tressel didn't call Pryor's number when he was at his most competitive state (4th and 2). I'm still shocked, and I hate to be a little overanalytical, but I think that the coaching decisions speak volumes as to where this team really is.
Speilman is taking care of his 'team' at home and loves what he doe's.
But like most - you can just sense it when he talks football. He would be an excellent coach. Buckeye Nation would fully extend open arms to have him on staff.
Agreed, i would love to have him on the coaching staff.
side note: loved his radio show when i was in Columbus. he's an unapologetic OSU homer, and I love him for it.
Seems like there should be another one on ESPN that is a homer too, but he's become an Alabama and South Carolina fan as of late.
but espn is the SEC network right? pretty sure the SEC signs Herbie's paycheck
This thing is over, no interception on the 2 point conversion is going to save you this week.
now there's the typical trojan fan i've gown accustomed to.
If petros doesn't believe in Barkley, neither do i.
grown*
Hey im going to the game where is the best place to tailgate
stay in California. I can't promise that bad things won't happen to you regardless of the outcome of the game.
Its just a game man
hopefully a good one this year
i know it's just a game, i'm just trying to help you out. if you insist on tailgating or going to bars i would recommend staying west of high street. period.
also, do you know how to click "reply"?
whatever thanks
Or don't take my advice, it's up to you. Anywhere you are away from where mostly students will be is logically more safe for you, i.e. WEST OF HIGH STREET.
You asked for a suggestion, I gave it to you. Anyone else wanna back me up on my point here?
also, thanks for hitting "reply" this time.
Female Robbed at Gunpoint
Location: E. Northwood Ave. and Indiana Ave.
Man Robbed at Gunpoint
Location: 105 Chittenden Ave.
Man Offered Weed, Then Robbed
Location: 1896 N. High St.
Man Knocked Unconscious and Robbed
Location: E. 15th Ave. and Pearl St.
Man Walks Into Restaurant, Eats Someone Elses Food, Hits Them
Location: Woodruff Ave. and N. High St.
any of these areas will do...
Well, none of these areas are worse than where the trojenz play. south (central) LA is where that crumbling pile of crap they call a stadium sits.
maybe he'll(assuming male) like your suggestion better than mine
how old are you
26
if he is dumb enough to walk around campus....
I think he deserved to get a little heckled...
I.E. Beer bottles thrown at his head!
Maybe i am mistaken but the team up north when they come to
town things get down right nasty. Flipping cars, riot team....
For this guy's sake i hope he is staying up on 161... LOL
morse road, Clev ave, are great roads to travel on...
I don't wish physical harm to anyone that's not wearing a usc uniform and not playing in the game (and only minor physical harm like concussions caused by huge hits in that case).
I gave an honest answer, it's up to him to take it or leave it.
Don't they sign Spiehlman's too. Lou Holtz always picks Notre Dame. Mark May seems to be on the nuts of USC every time I turn around. I think maybe Herbie has just lost the love for the Bucks. I started noticing it a few years back though. I just don't think he has to be objective a lot of people give him a pass because he's just being objective, but that netowrk is full of people who aren't objective.
Dr Lou actually gave a nice pep-talk to the buckeyes last night during the miami/fsu game
very surprising
he is telling you to stay away for your own protection, you will not enjoy your time spent in Columbus, get it? if you do come, come at least 6 deep, but then again I can't promise you anything.......
how old are you? what's next?
What's your sign?
Do you like long walks on the beach?
Best to do some leg work before you go. Find a Columbus or Ohio Chapter of USC alum, and hang with them. At OSU, some people will be great, some will be pricks. Given that it’s a night game, if you are going in USC colors, it’s probably best to stay with a group of people. No need to walk hard, that will just provoke people, but if you want the warm and fuzzy college rah rah rah atmosphere, do some research first. I mean if you just show up, you might find some cool people to hang with, but you might find the wrong people looking for a target.
Columbus is not a “hard” city, but the college nightlife can bring out all sorts of jerks.
beating us with the pass might be just easy for usc considering the way our D-line got no push last week and how easy it was to burn anderson russell. Can we get a dang new O-line coach btw...absolutely aweful against a much smaller navy D-line
anderson "toast" russell isn't starting, hines is.
This is gonna be an awesome game at and awesome stadium
FIGHT ON!