Student (left) meets professor (AP: Terry Gilliam)I started to type a disclaimer similar to Jason's in case I went off but unfortunately I find myself more apathetic than angry after another big game failing. I doubt I even cover five separate topics today. Let's just get to the big stuff.
The fact many of us didn't honestly expect OSU to win (I predicted a 4 pt loss) doesn't take away the sting because the game was given to USC via horrific game/clock management, slow development of players at key positions (ahem, QB, ahem) and an overall lack of discipline showing itself in penalties and poor fundamentals. I'm well aware this year's ceiling was to lose a game and go to the Rose but I'm tired of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory (3 in a row now: PSU, Tex, USC). Plus, how much you want to bet this USC team improves during the year at a rate Tressel cannot match? A rematch with them in the Rose might not be pretty. Barkley could be much better by then. Based on the current maturation curve, I'm not sure we can say the same for Pryor.
More Head Scratching Moves from Tressel Where do I start? As much as I hate that its come to this, it sounds as if many who were overdosing on the Tressel kool-aid are singing a different tune today. I'm not calling for his head because that makes absolutely no sense. There's no clear cut replacement that would be on his level and his accomplishments at OSU can't be ignored, but I think even the most staunch Tressel supporter should be closer to realizing that just because there may not be such a replacement available doesn't mean Tressel's not in the second tier when you list the best game strategists in the business. Funny how he seems to be more like Cooper every year - great recruiter, mediocre in-game coach. Considering the most logical fans see next year as the real chance for this program to make a legit run (Miami FL, PSU and Mich at home), what happens if they don't? Could Tressel's wins over Michigan and the 2002 championship collateral finally be spent from the majority of fans perspective?
I've only been able to rewatch the game in chunks out of respect for my health so I'll probably leave out some things but how can Tressel expect to win a big game, even at home, when this stuff happens:
- Tressel's playcalling at the end of the FG drive that gave OSU a 10-7 was astonishing. With 1st and Goal at the 2 he failed to run a QB sneak on the series with his 6'6", 235lb quarterback even though the USC linebackers were lined up three yards deep in the endzone on both 2nd and 3rd down. I'm sure you noticed Petey was wise enough to run the QB sneak, with a much smaller QB, when only a yard was needed for a 1st down early in the 2nd quarter. That's because it works 99% of the time. The 3rd down call hand off to Boom was especially painful as OSU was inside the one yard line. You HAVE to sneak it there. No way he doesn't score if you watch the replay.
- That scenario was child's play however, in comparison to Tressel's play selection on OSU's final drive of the half. Leading 10-7 with 1:49 left he ordered up two pass plays on the 3 and out chewing up just :54 knowing full well USC had no timeouts. I didn't mind the 1st down pass attempt but to attempt a 25 yard pass on 3rd and 3 to a well covered Posey made no sense. OSU even hiked the ball with :06 left on the play clock. With two TO remaining, at least let the play clock run to :01. Naturally, the decision gave USC all the time they needed to march 77 yards and kick a FG to make it 10-10 at intermission.
- For an offense that is considered by even the most loyal followers to be a bit vanilla, can anyone explain why it seems like forever to get plays signaled to Pryor? How many times does the play get called in just enough time for the team to get to the line and hike the ball with less than :03 left - and not on purpose. It puts increased pressure on Pryor because he has virtually no chance to try and read the defense, kills any chance for an audible and leads to continuous delay of game penalties.
- To me, the most disappointing of all JT's decisions was when he passed up a chance for Pettrey to hit a 53 yard FG in what turned out to be the key possession of the game for OSU. After the D forced a 3 and out, OSU failed to get points following an 8 yard punt return by Small that put OSU in business with 1st and 10 at the USC 45 with 10:17 left in the game nursing a 15-10 lead. OSU had a chance to kick a 49 yarder with even an incompletion on 3rd and 7 from the USC 32 but Ballard got beat badly by Everson Griffin off the edge allowing Griffin to sack Pryor for a four yard loss pushing OSU back to the 36 yard line. How you don't attempt a FG to go up 8 points with a guy who has proven he can hit from 53+ is beyond me. I know Tress was worried about field position but you have to try and get points when you get the ball at the USC 45 to start the drive midway through the 4th quarter, don't you? Especially when to that point the defense had only given up one 2-yd TD 'drive' and one FG in the game and had forced four straight punts in the second half. Unreal.
Pryor Still Not Ready for Prime Time After his medicore 5/13, 120 yard, 2 TD, 1 INT effort against Michigan last year all the talk was about Pryor and how the time off for bowl prep would do wonders for his passing mechanics and understanding of the playbook. Then, he put up another 5/13 - with only 66 yards - against Texas in the Fiesta and the fanbase blamed a shoulder injury. Now, it's an entire off season later and we're still waiting for Pryor to emerge. His 11/25, 1 INT performance did little to comfort the OSU faithful as they wait for him to live up the hype.
The first possession interception was an obvious mistake as he stared down Posey, then forced the ball to him when he was so covered he hadn't even bothered to look at the QB yet. To Pryor's credit, he did rebound nicely from the INT, hitting Dane for a 56 yard reception on his very next pass, as OSU showed some moxie in immediately responding to USC's cheap TD with a score of their own to tie it at seven.
Some big problems with TP's 11/25 showing was he had time to throw but still couldn't deliver accurately and struggled to go through progressions in addition to the same mental mistakes we've seen before. Physically, besides the INT, the 3rd and 5 groundball to Posey on an out route with around nine minutes left in the half was a killer. Mentally, what was he doing when he tried to pitch the ball on the option - from his knees - nearly costing OSU he ball as the refs failed to recognize he was already down when he carelessly flipped the ball to Herron? The play cost the Buckeyes 8 yards on what was 1st and goal from the USC 10 yard line. Of course, the offense had no chance to get a TD facing 2nd and 18 and ended up settling for a FG to make it 15-10 late in the third. Pryor did make two outstanding throws to Saine (20, 18 yds) on the drive but the negative play killed a chance for a TD that would've given OSU a 19-10 lead.
The issue is that even though Pryor is young, has yet to step up when the lights are brightest by avoiding crucial mistakes that detract from the great plays he contributes. This brings up a few questions. First, is he getting the proper guidance from the coaches considering he's had two QB coaches so far, plus Tressel's counsel? When will we see consistent ability to avoid locking in on receivers? When will he mature and eliminate those killer plays that result from trying to do too much?
I have not lost hope on Pryor by any means but I did expect faster development. What about you? Can he become a legit elite quarterback or will he always be an athlete trying to play quarterback? I know one thing, he isn't going anywhere for two more years so we're going to find out. With the flashes he shows, I feel like he's got in him to improve consistency in his all around game making last night all the more frustrating. I just hope he doesn't put more pressure on himself because while I appreciate that he seems to singlehandedly want to quiet the program's doubters, it causes him to try and do too much with negative results.
Hats off to the Defense It's hard to type that headline considering the final drives of both halves but man did those guys step up last night. I was so excited to watch the defensive line as they competed for 60 minutes against college football's best offensive line. They held USC to 3.0 yards per carry, picked up two sacks and generally got pressure giving the defensive backs some help by eliminating the amount of time they had to cover USC's physically gifted receiving corp. Cam Heyward had a great night with seven stops and a sack and Gibson also had some moments where he terrorized the USC offensive line. At LB, Homan added nine tackles and a pick while Rolle showed his speed on his way to eight stops. Spitler appeared faster than he was a week ago as I watched live.
And how about the secondary? I thought Torrence showed he deserves the starting spot opposite Chekwa. He finished with eight tackles including a sack and a pass breakup as he went toe to toe with some big WR's. He lost some battles but overall he continues to impress me more than Amos who also had a nice pass breakup just before Homan's pick. I felt even some of USC's completions required perfect passes because guys were covered. Chekwa did a great job of Williams much of the night. Good stuff. Should've been enough to win.
Special Teams With all the hype about USC's return game, it was completely neutralized. Jon Thoma was in punter beast mode pinning USC inside the 20 four times. In fact, on six punts, USC never had a return. He has been very impressive so far this season. On kickoffs, the coverage team allowed only 21 yards per return. It seems to be a collective effort as I haven't seen a gunner emerge similar to guys like Rolle in recent years. Pettrey was a perfect 2/2 on field goals though the aforementioned non-attempt from 53 will haunt me forever. Excellent job out of the special units.
Shuffle
- Only one carry for Saine though he had two nice grabs out of the backfield. What do you make of that? I thought Boom ran hard. Yards were tough to come by as he finished with 44 yards on 18 totes.
- Under Tressel, OSU is now 2-3 in night games at the Shoe.
- Posey set career highs with six grabs for 81 yards.
- Boom has at least one TD in six straight games.
Comments
As far as snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, let's not forget that Texas game in '05.
wow... i think i might get evicted from my apartment i was yelling so much.
Where do i began.... The only thing i can say is Offense, Offense, Offense.
Pryor played so scared, granted that could be because the defense is the best we will see all year. But, he didn't look confident on throwing, or running the ball (i.e) lack there of. Locking in on Posey ??? how about fake to posey hit flash deep?
Saine 1 carry??? I thought to myself on one or two of those runs if saine would have got to the outside it's a 50 yd TD. Did anyone else notice boom can't get to the edge in a hurry???
Carter, was wide open pryor didn't even look at him, didn't matter there was a penalty. I believe this was on the last drive. He was wide open corner blitz! STOP LOCKING IN ON TARGETS!!!
Last thing... How many times did we have the ball starting on the 50 yd line or USC territory??? Offense lost this game for us. You can't expect your Defense to make every single stop get you the ball in great field postion then punt.
O... Field Goal instead of the punt... I think the entire Buckey Nation was screaming kick it... CMON, this kid hit won last week you know he has got the leg. 18-10 they score maybe... 18-18 we at least go into overtime!
A few questions:
How many times did Pryor get sacked? I can only remember 1
How many times did they get a hand on Pryor? 0
How many times did he play scared? Too many
It Tressell doesn't wake up I don't know what can be done.
The Penn State game will define our season. Maybe Terrell wil not have such a big head and believe in the word team.
First, I think that, given the offense never gave the defense enough time to even catch their breathe, defensive play was above and beyond the highlight of the game. You cannot blame the last two drives of both halves on the defense. If the offense had been out their for more than a 3 and out every time then the defense could have been spelled and caught their breathe.
Second, I'm officially off of the LIC bandwagon. As someone who attended OSU during the Bellisari years, I cringe with flashbacks every time he has the ball in his hands. All I heard about was how smart he was, but I've yet to see him prove it in a game. His in game decision making is horrible just like Bellisari's, and he was shown up in the poise and composure department by a true freshman making his second start (with a bum shoulder in the second half I might add!) by staying in the pocket, not rushing throws or throwing off his back foot sandlot style.
The two nice passes he did throw, a millisecond either way and they would have been INTs. Constantly throwing into double coverage, not reading down his progressions. Even Herbie commented that he was clearly missing Duron Carter running straight down the field wide open. For someone who has now played in 11 games as the starting quarterback I honestly don't think he has improved much.
Having watched the Michigan game earlier in the day I'm now officially worried that we won't even make it to the Rose Bowl. I honestly think that this will be a 4 loss season if the offense doesn't improve greatly. I'm not going to call for Tressel's head, but I would like to see some things changed.
I get that the defense is tough... I get that... But, man pryor is got to get set plant his feet, and fire.
He is a sophmore, i give him that it was a big time stage to perform on...
I guess i was just hoping vince young in his sophomore season or maybe something a little better.
I am i hoping too much...? I love pryor i think he makes a defense think alot. I just don't know if handles that kind of pressure right now all that well.
ANY thoughts??
This was my post from yesterday... and it bears repeating... we had many of the same observations and I was yelling QB sneak so loud I am surprised that I did not wake the kiddies up.. . woke the wife up though... LOL. Anybody think Tress is losing his cool under pressure?? Anyone think he is out Tresselizing himeself??
ok…
First I want to say thanx to DickRod (the only time I will ever do it) for wiping that stupid smirk off the faces of Cheeseburger Charlie and Jimmy Clausen…. you have yours coming later. Also props to Urban Meyer for continuing to score when he had Troy beaten down… thats how you do it!!
Which brings me to Tressel: everyone here knows I have sang his praises since 2002… not any more. The game last nite went OSU’s way after the Pryor pick 6….. Taylor Mays, McNight, and Barkley all get banged up. USC misses a filed goal, Barkley throws a pick, we get 4 or 5 possesion inside the USC 50 to start a drive, we get the ball twice inside the 5, USC’s offense is held without a TD for the entire game (can’t count the interception), etc… and we could not capitalize. Tressel was outcoached (again). Petey out Tresseled JT and this has become a recurrent theme. Les Miles, Urban Meyer, Mack Brown (x2), Ron Zook all outcoached Tress. The last minute drive to win or tie against OSU is also a recurring theme
NC State–2002 Drove to tie in the final minute when OSU had 2 TD lead into the 4th (won in OT)
Miami drives for the tying field goal in regulation when OSU had the lead going to the last 2 minutes (JT tried a fake field goal earlier) (win in OT)
Texas drives at the Shoe to take the lead late in the 4th when OSU had the lead in the 4th (OSU kicks 6 field goals that day and cannot convert TD’s)
Illinois uses the entire clock left in the 4th and eats up the field in 2007 to take the upset
Texas (again) drives the length of the Field to take the lead after OSU gives them the ball with under 2 mins left in the Fiesta bowl
Illinois (2002) drives the field for the tie in regulation (win in OT)
OSU needs a last second Miracle to beat Purdue in 2002
Cincinnati drives the field (2002 ) to win the game and drops the TD in the end zone (escape with the win)
Navy drives the field twice and falls a 2-pt conversion short of tying the game
anyone see a pattern here??? If Tressel has all this talent and cannot score a
TD on any possesion of the 2nd half, then there is a problem. USC was on the verge of collapse and Tressel could not crush the Jugular…. that is the fact. Pryor was not utilized to his talents at all.. I formation.. run at the center?? Where was more option??? Pony formatio?? Reverse?? anything??? Tress curled up in his vanilla ball and sat on a 5 pt lead! A 5 f’in point lead!!!! That is bullshit. You can do that in 1-AA, but not in the big leagues.. Tress is out thinking himself… not running the clock to end the 1st ?? (results in 3 the otherway) and then he runs up the middle 4th quarter to eat the clock….
The game has passed this man by… I love Jim Tressel and he should NOT be fired, but it is time for him to go… he should retire in the next couple of years and lets get a coach who knows how to cut the heart out of his opponents and feed it to them.
I think were all a little tough on Tress still. I just think its a players game and players didn't make plays. Its amazing what one drive will do, if they win no one talks about Tressel or his playcalling. We have to realize that it's Pryor and his shortcomings. His development has been nothing but hype, he is no better today than he was against Penn State, and don't say thats Tressel's fault, he did groom a Heisman Winning QB just a few short years ago.
This is a players game, and OSU's players didn't step up. Period!
TP had a bad game. It was a combination of poor decision making and not putting Pryor in a position where he excels. How many QB's can convert a 3rd and 15 against USC with their legs??? We have to let him be him until the passing game comes around. Tressel made two bad calls with the goal line situation and not kicking the field goal, but how many times did they have a chance to score and didn't execute. The offense just couldn't get it going, Tressel coached a great game.
I agree a little...
I mean think about the play calling wasn't as bad as last year's.
He opened the playbook alot... RIGHT?
Other than Field Goal instead punt... QB Sneak 2 yards out... Not throwing the ball to saine... everything was not to bad.
But, hey maybe this is to many things!
Either way pryor didn't have a good game, i know the defense is tough. But, lets call it what it was............
Defense - PLAYED GREAT
Offense - (PRYOR PLAYED HORRIBLE) Everyone else not bad O-line, rec, backs.
Play Calling - (Average)
Pryor had a terrible game, I mean PUTRID! that will leave a lot of people scratching their heads to whether or not he is as advertised.. but more so than his bad plays or tressels terrible game management is the question of what Tressel is doing to help Pryor and the offense be the best they can be.. we have no identity, no scheme, etc. what kind of offense are we? NOBODY can answer that question.. where were the plays to help Pryor take advantage of his skill level at this point? Why does it take so long to call the plays?? the amount of confusion on the offense before every play is sickening and we've seen it plenty times before in big games like this.. leading to false starts and delay of games as well as blown plays..
I understand they are trying to mold Pryor but you need to work these things in slowly.. Pete Carroll is smart in the fact that him and his staff last week did nothing but set Barkley up to suceed. they designed a game plan for him that would work and didn't ask too much.. and they did it again in this game.. they build his confidence and as many others have said, look out for them towards the end of the season and next year because if this kids confidence level and skill set grows, they will be unstoppable..
Agreed except for the fact that USC was running a scheme to keep Pryor from getting outside of the pocket.. they were curling in the edges, however this is where you through some quick slants and outs to keep the ball moving and run some draws up through the middle, then we the defense backs off the edges you can open up the field for him..
instead they expected Pryor to stand in the pocket and throw down the field.. he isn't there yet..
I was surprised how well the defense played. They gave them a great chance to win the ball game, but the offense simply is not very good. Tressel is a terrific administrator and face of the program, but he is a poor offensive coach. If he were an offensive coordinator at any major program he would be let go. His performance on saturday was embarrasing. If Pryor truly has 4.3 speed, which makes him essentially the fastest man on the field, then you should be exploiting his talents instead of forcing him into something that he is not. The passing and the vision will come with time, but why not use what his gifts are right now. I agree that he should have called a qb sneak. Would have been an easy 6. This one hurts. I've said this before, but other than Troy's Heisman year, the OSU offense has been a stinker every year. There is definitely a pattern. Hopefully, Gene Smith will persuade Tress to hire an o-cord. at the end of the season.
Nice article Chris. All comments reflect our frustration (Palm Beach Buckeye), basically playcalling, Pryor, & Tressel. Only thing missing was first down play calling (Boom into line for no gain) 2nd & 10 ...3rd & long..nothing manageable !
really??? 1st and goal from inside the 5... gets to 4th and goal from 6 inches and you don't QB sneak with a 6ft 6" QB???? how is that calling a great game????
yes sir...... you run that a few times to keep the defense guessing run up the middle, then do something else... Uggggh!
no one has commented on the pattern of teams making last possesion drives to beat us, or tie us.... it is becoming a pattern! See above. And those were the ones I could could come up with off the top of my head, I am sure there are more.
BTW...(PBB) I heard you yelling QB sneak all the way in NYC. Our plays are too slow in developing...the hole was closed by the time Boom hit it. You have a 235lb QB who could pick his spot & get the TD. Everything else was deja vu all over again.
agreed... I have always hated handoffs deep behind the line of scrimage in short yardage... too slow to develop.... why have a 6'6" 240lb QB if you are not gonna use him?? Michigan used the QB sneak and QB draw to perfection with less of a physical specimen behind center... .not comparing that putrid program to ours, just saying that even Dickrod can figure out what works against a fast defense.
It blows my mind that a bunch of dedicated fans like ourselves could have the foresight into the potential problems of the game (see previous entries) - We all said play calling is a must, we cannot put ourselves in terrible situations (e.g. 1st down, run into line or the lack of creativity). What were the coaches thinking if we can even see this?
The decision to punt and not kick the very long field goal was a good decision. Our D was playing lights fckng out all night and why not use that? If we would have missed a field goal from that far out, SC scores 7. I'm also okay with the passing it and not running out the clock call. JT was being agressive and if one of those passes connects and we score, then what? JT is a genius. Either you scream at him for being to conservative or you scream at him for being too agressive! Which is it? I'm a little baffled at not using the QB sneak when we had the opportunity.
I think it was half time when someone was interviewing Tress on the way into the locker room I don't remember the question but I do remember Tress saying we needed those passes to be completed. He's right. TP needs to execute. TP needs to step up. I didn't like TP shouldering the loss and falling on the sword and giving credit to his O line and D in the post game.
I'm looking forward to Cleveland next week. Toledo put up 54 on Colorado. I hope the same Buckeye defense we saw against SC shows up.
For the record - Boom is plenty quick to the outside, he is not our problem. Saine is much improved this year but Boom is still the more proven back as a runner and in pass protection.
I had a feeling that Pryor may put up a bad game this weekend, simply for the fact that all I heard last week was that he wanted to put up a great game and win this one for the team. I think Pryor psyched himself out before the game even started. By wanting win and play well so much he actually created more pressure for himself. I'm not one who will be jumping off of his bandwagon at all. He will be very good, and I think you'll see that in the next couple of weeks. This game was a tough one to take to be sure. I think typical Tressel ball would have won this game for sure. His halftime interview was key to me. She asked what happened on the last drive, and he said we didn't complete the passes, and 10 points aren't going to work against this team. Well, you know what, if you sit on the ball, maybe get to field goal range, you win this game. The criticism of his coaching style has gotten to him, and in turn it has him making poor decisions. Those pass plays on the last drive of the half were totally uncharacteristic of his style. He has kind of lost his cool. I will not compare him to Cooper at all, and I think people forget about the last couple of years with cooper where there was no bowl then the outback bowl. This is frustrating, but I wonder how much criticism he'd be getting if the score was 18-15 the other way, or if we lost 35-7. I agree we need some creative playcalling on offense. The defense looks to be the best it's been since 2002. This team has a lot to look forward to and the season is not over.
good post!
really what game were you watching???
Saine has much faster first step, and the kid didn't get but one look in the backfield.
Boom is plenty quick to the outside, that is why he broke one off for more then 10 yards... O what he didn't.
I love boom, but don't try in make out to be quicker than saine.
All i am saying is use them both!
I meant I did like TP shouldering the loss and falling on the sword.
The Boom & Mays hit was fun. I like Boom. I like Saine. That catch Saine made that didn't count where he was out of bounds was pretty sweet.
The season is diff not over... We will roll teams in the next few weeks.
I think navy is a good football team they put up 32 points on sat.
We played prob the number 2 football team in the nation. (behind Florida)
We played them well, we will crush Toledo, Ill, IU, Wisc Pur, Minn, New Mex,
I mean the next 7 weeks we are going to kill teams. LOL i am just laughing thinking about this schedule we should put up 50 on everyone.
Think about it there is not a team we face in the next 7 weeks who has an offense, or defense close to what we faced in our first two weeks.
Penn State, Iowa, Michigan we will have crushed teams, and put it together to win the big ten title and hopefully we don't face usc in the rose.
Hopefully, then win out and win the national title that would make me fill better.
Meant to say hopefully USC wins out, and wins the national title.
That would make me feel a little better
I think Tressel hears the grumbling from fans who want a more aggressive and diverse offense and is trying to please them, but he doesn't know how to do it and it ends up coming off as reckless. He chooses not to kick a FG against Navy or run out the 1st half against USC and thinks he's being aggressive. But then he gets the ball on USC's side of the field twice in the third quarter and this is what he comes up with for first down calls:
-Herron, Dan rush over right guard for no gain to the USC49
-Herron, Dan rush up middle for 1 yard to the USC42
He continually puts his team in 2nd and 3rd and longs. That's not doing too many favors for a QB who has yet to prove he can do it.
They're fossils. That's the problem. Every F-ing year.....
I was extremely impressed and grateful for the defensive effort. No, I don't believe in moral victories, but I am happy that the defense refused to be pushed around like Ohio State defenses in games past.
However, I think a more nuanced look at teh defense gives credit where credit is due. The defensive line played out of its mind the entire night and enjoys the majority of the credit for the defensive effort. I think the USC O-line was shocked by the violence that got thrown their way, and how many sets of fresh legs faced them from the three point stance. I loved how the D-line kept shuffling around and I must have counted at least 6 or 7 different arrangements of linemen for different situations.
I thought the secondary played beyond their years, but they weren't absolutely shut-down. The Hines to SS and Coleman to FS move was a vast improvement and Russell brought great experience to the STAR spot. The secondary did give up some plays though and struggled to tackle in the open field.
I came away somewhat underwhelmed by the linebackers. Barkley did next to nothing in this game but hand-off and USC beat us with its rushing attack. Too many times I saw defenders meet the USC RBs, only to weakly arm tackle them and let them gain a few more yards before being brought down.
In any event, the defense played USC tougher in a big game than any team I can remember. Extremely proud of those guys and hopeful for the future.
Michigan looks like they have taken some giant steps in their progress. Tate looked very poised. This may be a larger game come November than people had originally thought.
A typical Jim Tressel conservative game calling performacnce. Lord help us if we take any chances to score. No field goal try, pin them deep, Not! When he should have been conservative right before the half he passes. instad of running out the clock, Dumb! In every big game Tress gets conservative, drive me crazy.
There is no running game, as hard as Boom tried he's just not big enough to get yards on his own.
Time to rework the game plan guy's
You Bucknuts are pathetic squirmin "can't wait till Saturday" we're gonna take your goofy Pop Warner coach and flush him down some Cleveland sewer drain where he belongs. Were going to spank your silly asses like we muzzeled the Wolverines last year.
Very poised...
Not sure how good notre lame is though?
I do think rich rod has them going in the right direction...
Either way there defense is horrible...
Notre Dame receiving corp is good though... But, they gave up
a lot of points. They were fighting till the end.
That is what scares me... If we get them down in the big house
better not let up...
Who knows what the rest of the year holds for them personally
i hope they do well... @ michigan state, Iowa, penn state at home though
Locking on Posey was huge- I haven't rewatched and counted, but it seemed like every throw was heading for Posey in the 2nd & 3rd quarters.
Great points, you cannot pin this loss on Tressel. If TP executes the game goes the other way.
who is this turd...
Really, Toledo...
Really, the only reason we even play you is to give your school some money.
Set back, and enjoy getting beat like you did to who... who... who...
LOL... PURDUE 52-31...lol...lol...lol...
Your opponet scores 52 the first week
Your opponet scores 38 the last week
Your opponet scores 63 this week
your defense is a joke!!! Wait toledo is a joke... I am embarssed you are on our schedule!
Wow, I don't even know where to start on that one. Your Rockets aren't playing Colorado. They better play their A game.
After reading some of the commentary and witnessing Ohio State's (BigTen too) difficulty against top tier teams, I believe we all need to accept something. The talent is better in the South and West.
Follow the demographics, the country's population is moving from the Midwest to the South and West. The Wall Street Journal had an article last week mentioning this. http://online.wsj.com/article/...
This is not to say we aren't good, we (Tressel) just need to change our mindset. Ohio State can still dominate the Big Ten with traditional tactics overpowering its opponents, with simple schemes and fundamental football tactics. But it just doesn't work outside the conference anymore. Things have changed.
Remember when Urban Meyer coached at BGSU? He knew he had a talent disadvantage, so he searched for an coaching philosophy that would help him level the playing field. He adopted a spread offense. The rest is history.
I'm not advocating a spread offense specifically. I am advocating a dramatic shift in coaching philosophy that accepts that our teams for the foreseeable and consistent future will have a talent disadvantage against Southern and Western teams. (Not to mention no home field advantage in bowl games.)
That said, I believe it isn't in Tressel's nature to change that dramatically. He needs to get out of the play calling role and hire an offensive coordinator from outside the program. Sadly I think Tressel is too prideful to let that happen, before he is fired or retired in a cloud of mediocrity ala Lloyd Carr.
HAHAHAHA! lol...oh geez
Toledo = Armpit of America
I really think by the time of the Penn State game we will see the real Pryor. Not every star puts up 300 yards passing on the 2nd game of their sophomore season. I know Cluassen has taken till now to show that he was a legitamate number 1 QB. Pryor and this team will be nasty by November, and I want USC again. Or Bama or Florida. I totally disagree with the observation earlier that this team will not improve by then.
I'm not convinced Michigan is that far along yet. They beat Notre Dame, but Notre Dame may lose 4 games this year. Michigan State will still be a tough win for them, and no way the beat USC. Also, Navy will give their D a hard time. I'm very confident we won't see this OSU team give any teams slack. They have to put up style points from here on out. I also want to say no way does another team hold USC to 18 points this year. That team is loaded and Ohio State is too. Have faith, it'll be a good year still!
a Toledo heckler?? you have got to be kidding me...
Toledo Rockets
Head Coach: Tim Beckman
Offense: Spread
Defense: Multiple
2008 Overall Record/Conference Record: 3-9 (2-6 MAC)
Rule # 1... you can talk shit when you actually win something.
Rule # 2 .... you cant talk shit when you have a winning record.
Rule #3 ... shut up and take your ass kicking saturday like men
I don't think it has anything to do with talent of players. It's coaching talent. Player for player Ohio State matches up with anyone in the country. Sure the best recruiting states are California, Texas, and Florida so a lot of talent comes from there, but Ohio and Western PA are right there too. Ok, BGSU has inferior talent, but Troy is a similar program from the south and they got throttled by BGSU. Speed and talent are not the problem, game plan and execution are.
Pryor not seeing the Wide open receiver from the corner on the last drive did matter because the penalty was intentional grounding, if Pryor hits him there is no penalty and he makes it almost into field goal range.
I just don't know what we expect from the coaching staff on the offensive side of the ball. Tress gets aggressive at the end of the half and gets burned and then kicks the FG and gets burned. No matter what he does he gets crapped on and I don't think it's fair. We expect too much from coaches, again it's still a players game and our guys didn't make plays when needed.
Also quit comparing Tress to Cooper, thats an absolute joke and should be banned from this site. He makes BCS games and wins Big Ten titles, cooper was losing to Air Force. Just stop it.
Simply, I think congratulations go out to the D-line & the much maligned O-line!!! There was times during the game in which they dominated a very talented USC lines. Their chances in winning were unfortunately limited due to inferior “do-not-lose” play calling. USC D-fense did provide opportunities for the bucks to exploit. The people in box, on the side line, and on the field just did not take advantage of them.
To some of the Bucks fans that said we were going to get our ass kicked, you amaze me. I had to stay away from 11-W because you were pissing me off.
To the Toledo fan, the Buckeyes are going to stomp all over that dildo shaped mascot and team. Do not trash Tressel, until Toledo sniffs a National Championship, take you mascot and shove it where the sun does not shine.
To the Buckeye team (and that Includes Pryor),
Take solace in the fact that you have numerous things you can take away from that game that you should be proud of. Build on that, USC will lose one and we will get another shot at them in the Rose Bowl. Furthermore, I know that if the whole team can continue to play at a level that I saw Saturday night. There is NO one on your schedule that can stop you!!!
Pryor, unfairly a lot of things are thrown on your shoulders as being the savior, disregard those thoughts. A great player gets others around him to play better in a team concept. There are ten other people on that field that have to share that burden and that you have to believe in to get their jobs done. They will and when you believe in that you will be able to improve to greater heights. But remember, it is only through the team that you will accomplish your dreams.
Buck I Fan
hey dimwit the real reason your pouting is because OSU will always be known as the biggest talent wasters in CFB history. The school just happens to pick jacka$$es for coaches..always has always will. The Bucks if they win, only win cause the highschool talent that transfers on to them in a monopoly no other state school has, simple as that. That talent can push around most Big Ten teams but when they play equal talent they lose every time.
Well, written...
That should shut some people up...but, i don't it!
Anyways, any one know or have any opinions on recruiting?
We got corey brown, any others out there?
If they stay ranked it gives OSU another ranked team on their schedule.
Okay chaoscrusader get ready for the biggest shocker in your warped little "should be proud" world. As long as JT is your coach with history at in state rivals we are sitting pretty. We're gonna send you and Terrell into orbit in a pimped out rocketship to fullfill your man-crush fantasy.
Turd you are still on here!
lose every time...
Have you visited our trophy case in awhile...
pretty sure we have a national championship in the past decade!
Wins against talent lets see: This is the last thing then i am done with you turd.
We beat all these teams in the past decade not to mention Penn State, Michigan.
UCLA
Arizona
Texas Tech
Miami
Kansas St
North Carolina State
Oklahoma State
Notre Dame
Texas
Duren,
Work & Typing threads leads to typo's.
Also, It tried to keep it clean, especially after my Saturday night tirade.
I know a lot people are down, but if Tress and the Bucks can look at the positives and build upon them. Hey, anything can happen. What I saw Saturday night was something I have not seen in a while. They played with passion & fury.
One thing, Tress either needs to disgiuse his runs better with formations and motion, or he needs to pass out of running formations more, or both. If anything, a OC that can take his offense to the next level.
Rocket Fan,
Pull your head out of Carty's ass and check out the real world aound. You won two games big damn deal. You got better chance of getting mugged walking around your campus than the Rockets winning.
"I think typical Tressel ball would have won this game for sure"
The game was typical Tressel ball. Take the 3 points from inside the 5 yard line. Field position (almost the entire third quarter was played on SC's side of the field). Punt rather than attempt the 53 yard FG at the end of the game.
Typical Tressel ball had the team in the game, but lack of execution by Pryor is what did us in, combined with the mindset of sitting on any lead, no matter how small.
Toledo will put points up. The team better be careful this weekend.
I would like to know why we went away from passing to Saine out of the back field. It looked like Tressel and the other coaches figured out that we were getting too many yards from those plays and threw them out of the play book.
I want an Offensive Coordinator pronto. This team keeps finding new ways to rip out our hearts, be it through a loss to Texas, U$C, or PSU, this has got to stop. I have my doubts about the rest of the season especially with Michigan putting up the numbers. I bet it's a closer game this year.
One thing I would add to the defensive commentary - How about Robert Rose? I thought he played one hell of a game, which was great to see after a largely disappointing career for the Bucks up to this point.
Saturday,
I respect your opinion but completely disagree that it was a good decision not to attempt a 53 yard FG. When you get the ball at the opponents 45 yard line in a game like that, that late in the game, you HAVE to at least attempt to get points. Plus, like you said, the defense was playing lights out. A miss gives USC the ball at the 36 yard line. I agree that's not as good as pinning USC at the 14 but it could have just easily been a touchback giving them the ball at the 20. My personal feeling is it was a huge mistake not to kick the FG based on this plus my confidence in Pettrey.
No question that he needs to pass out of running situations more. We are trying to do too much on offense. (Jack of all trades master of none).
I formation, I formation, I formation. I couldn't disagree more with those who say we cannot beat teams from the south or west with traditional offensive tactics. That's exactly how you beat these teams. The problem is we didn't do it enough. Run the I as our primary set. Dives, sweeps, reverses, play action QB draws etc. Spread it out once in awhile to keep the D honest and then when they think we are running another dive, play action and toss it over the top. It really isn't that difficult. Right now we have no identity on offense. What is it that we do well consistently? Nothing. Running right at speed will allow you to control the football and then when they think they have all of your tendencies figured out...Boom do something different. How did we beat Miami?? Krenzel on QB draws. Are you kidding me? Krenzel on QB draws? Tressel is thinking way too much and not putting Pryor in situations to use his talent the right way. Cut all the fancy crap and get back to playing Ohio State Football. Proud of the defense Saturday night.
Did anyone watch the Toledo game? Columbus would be devastated if Tressel loses one to a Mac team after the USC mess.
The screen play?? Hello. Everybody keying on Pryor...screen. Not difficult.
Rose played well!
I'll make you a deal... come back here on Monday and then let's trade smack talk. You won't be here to talk about the butt whuppin'.
so did Torrence. Nice Surprise.
QB sneak on 4th and 6 inches.. dude is 6 ft 6".
Hello.
agreed
glad to see the zero votes leading
Defense A+
Special Teams A+
Offense D-
Anyone not blaming Tressel needs to have their head examined. Clock management, SLOW play calling, Bad play calling.
I keep hearing "but Tressel was taking shots with 1:30 to go in the first half!", yes, but those we're alley oop plays that succeed at a low percentage. What happened to spreadng the field and letting Pryor eat up chunks of yards with his legs?
Quit trying to force Pryor to be Craig Krenzel, he did not gain the fame he did in HS with his arm. He is a runner, let him run.
I have to say, when i first heard Tress was heavily recruiting Pryor, I scratched my head. That type of QB does not fit JT's ideal system. Pryor is a great player, and deserves SOME blame, but it is up to the coaches to put you in a position to win.
Just to be sure, your rockets got smoked by Purdon't, right? But you beat a winless Colorado, you've got that going for you. The only chance the rockets have is if OSU doesn't get off the bus. Which...could happen.
Chaoscrusader,
Good job! The one thing we as fans CANNOT do is lose faith in our players. I think JT and the staff are struggling with that right now. When you publicly say "we are not totally opening the playbook" and "we are young and have alot of work to do" that creeps into players heads and destroys confidence. Hopefully, Tress realizes the type of players we have need to be told that they ARE special and they ARE elite.
I think JT deserves MOST of the blame, and he neeeds to recognize that.
Good article by Mandel about TP:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c...
Don't miss reading to page 3 - "Ohio State: Reinventing History". Nice claiming a National Championship you didn't win...
*He (gets violated at) BCS games and wins Big Ten titles (whoop de damn do)
/fixed
Tress might not be Cooper yet, but he is sure stinkin' of some Lloyd Carr.
You know how much do we miss #27 Tyler Moeller?
Everything we do from here on out is get ready for Penn State.
Good lord. You fools beat a mediocre Irish team at home and you think you're back. We'll be seeing you in a few months to take out some frustration.
Moeller wears #26, but I do agree that he would have been a welcome addition to a defense that was making too many weak arm tackles as the game winded down.
Ladies and Gents.... tOSU! - Where we've resorted to comforting moral victories!
0-6 against the last top5 teams we've played? Nah, it's okay, Tressel's still SUCH a greattt coach and the effin' FACE OF THE PROGRAM, man! How could we ever dream of replacing him?????
Sure we lost against the only team worth a s*it in our schedule this year, but don't let that get you down - now there's NO one on our schedule that can stop us! woo hoo!! Better look out Iowa! We're no NIU!
It doesn't matter that Pryor is obviously a round peg trying to fit into QB-guru JT's square hole (seriously, - how many QBs has this guy groomed? Krenzel? Zwick? Boeckman? Troy "41-14" Smith? - not one successful pro in the lot), all he has to do is "believe!", because that'll make him feel warm inside again, and everything will be so much better, and let's all link hands and sing Kum-bai-yah while the USCs and UFs and LSUs of the world laugh at us.
Because hey, at least Tressel's such a class act who runs a clean ship! Because, you know, its obviously IMPOSSIBLE for a program of our caliber to get a HC who can run a clean ship AND consistently beat quality opponents. Gotta be one or the other.
For anyone that was at the game on Saturday:
I heard a rumor that the USC band played the Michigan fight song at the end of the game. Is this true?!
Pryor chooses who to throw the ball to, not Tressel. There were DBs setting fifteen yards of the receiver. It was TP's job to see that. Why did he refuse to check down?
As far as the alley oops, TP made the decsion to throw that pass. Why on earth did he keep throwing to his first option? Terrelle made up his mind who he was going to throw to before the ball was even snapped. He didn't care if they were open or not.
There were numerous plays that were called that were a run/Qb run/pass option. Terrelle chose to step back and throw the ball. That is on him. TP's lack of execution lost them that game.
I think they are going to have to go more vanilla on offense until Terrelle shows that he is not going to have his mind made up before the snap.
In my opinion Heyward was the best player on our team Saturday.
I also think it should be pretty clear that Torrence should be starting at the other corner spot.
wasn't being sarcastic...
You made vaild points, that i agree with.
Just saying some people are retarded, and won't agree with people who
see it the right way...!
Great job!
Well said, while Tress gets a tag for some of the decisions he has made in these last few "big stage" games; bottom line. Players have to show and execute and our guys have NOT done this. All of these come in with the HYPE but don't back it up. Until that happens we will be the laughing stock we have become when it comes to the elite in college football. God, it pains me to say this!
Considering Pryor was playing patty cake with every defender that tried to tackle him, I'm not too sure Pryor had the stones to run a sneak.
For a 6'6" 240 pound QB that runs a 4.4 and like to mouth off, he acts as if this gameeshould be touch football.
Suck it up PRYOR. Run with Autority, Stand in the pocket, deliver the ball and take a hit!!!
Don't be that pansy that I saw you become on the field. Boom tried (and almost suceeded) to run over Taylor Mays at at least a 40lb disadvantage.
At what point in time did Tress lose confidence in Pryors abilty to make a play, giving way to some marginal play calling?
Sorry to rant, but LiC just didn't live up to his own billing!!!!!!!
Well said!
Can't run LiC if he is scared!! Period!! The dude cowers at contact. Falls backward at the sight of a blitz. WTF?! Someone needs to hit him in practice, toughen him up a lot! Looks like a bully, All talk, no action!!!
I agree on hiring an offensive coordinator!!
So... that crowd was freaking crazy...
You know those recruits loved it... Honsetly could you get a bigger game, scene, atmosphere in all of college sports last night... Plus, lose it in a nail biter of a game.
We got one recruit, corey brown... HOPEFULLY WE GET 3 or 5 more...
What you all think?
LMAO @ pattycake!!
Yea, that one hurt.
It worked a couple of times, but it would have been a better if run from the pistol once in a while. Hard to miss the two back up the gut!
How about the play action roll out on the goal line? Great call, that got blown up.
LiC didn't keep running, allowing his man to work the field, instead chucked it as soon as he saw a defender coming his way.
Love the Bucks, just frustrated. You can see LiC is too, and he should be. A horrible game from him. Not sure what needs to be done to get him comfortable. Not sure anybody does! :(
yep, your right....
When has OSU ever had a quarterback go be succsessful as a pro?
Heyward almost made me spill my beer! I NEVER spill beer! Heyward was amazing!
I have bright house networks...
I live in Carmel Indiana...
I want to watch the toledo game it says it's showing it on ESPN 360.
But, i don't get it with brighthouse.
Someon told me you can log into another account, and it would work any thoughts?
Well put.
I am worried about chasing off recruits if we lost this game. I imagine the atmophere was insane.
Dude, your head coach, Tim Beckman, was one of the "jacka$$es of coaches" at Ohio State. You are an idiot. If you're going to trash talk, at least be coherent.
Or maybe being coherent is asking too much of a Rocket Fan.
You "fools" lost to a banged up USC team at home and think you're still relevant nationally. Good to see the national media hop off the Tressel bandwagon and be working towards abandoning their blind praise of TP. Great athlete, just not enough upstairs to run an offense.
Forcier was 23/33 for 240 yards against ND. Against Navy, Pryor was 14/21 for 174. Sorry, a "mediocre" Navy team. Didn't Pryor choose thee OSU to develop his passing game? Nice choice...
Duran,
Sorry. I guess I am just a bit sensitivite about te weak leading up to USC.
Anyway, I saw some good things in the Navy game and I saw a lot more in the USC game. If coaching staff picks their heads up from the loss and gets a LITTLE INNOVATIVE, this team can destroy others. If Tress let's them... Eventually he will, but playing to hold a lead is playing to lose.
Hey Steve go to Michigan site and shut the f*ck up until you actually beat us on the field you bum. Taint and his crew can score against Notre Ame congrats, shut the hell up until you beat us on the field
didn't you just barely beat a Charlie Weiss coached team in your own house?
This year we make it 6 in a row.
Just read something on ESPN - Barkley has a bruised shoulder.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
42-7 nuff said
Was at the game, I have never heard the 'Shoe like that in my entire life. It was the most electric atmosphere I can ever imagine. Best college football setting is the 'Shoe at night, and there is no argument.
Ah, you're just pissy because we have more than one NC since the days of black and white television.
Speaking of which, how do you physically share that trophy from 1997 with Nebraska?
Is it every other month you get to hold it? Or is it a bi-weekly thing?
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/f...
ouch.
That shows some cojones and Pryor establishes credibility in stepping up and taking the blame for the loss.
I'm actually a bit disappointed in Coach Tressel for leaving his boy hanging out there to dry... He too should be a leader and step up and take the blame for the loss.
(For the record, I am with the majority here and feel like it's time for Gene Smith to have a sit down with Coach Tressel and tell him it's time to revamp the execution of offensive strategy. In my mind that means hiring an offensive coordinator who calls the plays, and preferably is also the QB coach. This playcalling by committee with Tressel having the final say method is no longer working... It takes too long, resulting in delay of game penalties again and again, and I think results in too many bad decisions.)
^^^^^^ dont listen to this crap
But, it was a close game that should have went the buckeyes way...
The pride of a competior will want to make a team great, not hang around.
These recruits we had were top of line, best in the country they will make a
difference wherever they go.
We got Brown, i bet we get alot more too...
I agree. Good post.
any particular reason why dude is off?
that is BS
That post is more accurate than inaccurate. We can keep our head in the sand for only so long.
hmmm... made some vaild points though.
I still think pryor didn't play to his full potential!
he is blaming Tress for Pryor not recognizing coverages "USC literally lined no one up over the slot receivers, and yet not once did Tressel instruct Pryor to immediately take the snap and throw the bubble screen." is an assumption on the writers part. I'm sure Tress, and the QB coach had beaten what they can into TP's head on how to read coverages. Do I need to find more garbage from this write up?
It is what it is...
Are offense is either outdated, or we just don't know how to run it very well.
Maybe, i am expecting to much.
But, we have got to get the ball out to these slot receivers when no one is on them. that just pisses me off! We have a lot of talent that is not getting used.
Hate to say it, but tressel might want to hire someone to run the offense that we have the players for. And run it over, and over, and over again...
how is it accurate? that article assumes that by watching TPs behaviors we assume he isn't being coached? I'm sure he was coached on how to handle post game interviews and we saw how well he handled that......
dude, you just made a mirror image assumption.
maybe you should start with the garbage in your own writing before you go to town on someone else.
PS - calm down. you just made three posts within 6 inches of screen space saying the same thing.
If you think about it - we are all Buckeyes - we want them to win all of the time - I have bashed them way tooo much because we forget that they are 18,19, 20 - We get to sit on our couch or in the stands where we can see everything - They only have what 3 or 4 seconds to react. 99% of us are going to hang in there with them - I know I will.
By the way did anyone notice the Dispatch column today - I swear some of it was taken from all of the blogging we have done.
Please Coach Tressell change and don't become a Woody!
Amen...
These are still my boys!
They played hard, they played great football at times...
Just do one thing for me tressell put 60-70 points on Toledo.
Don't take anyone out, let terrelle pryor get all the experince he can get.
Leave him in run everything you want in offense. Open up the playbook.
I REPEAT PLAY HIM THE WHOLE GAME!
That article is dead-on ... schematically, JT leaves a lot to be desired ... no doubt, he is in the bottom 10-20% of college coaches in gameplanning an offense. People just don't want to admit it, which is somewhat understandable. it is always easier to say "it will get better" than to say "we is f-ed without some dramatic changes". Much more comforting for fans.
Ok Ultra, what changes....fire him? Is this what we all want to say? You really want to FIRE him? If so, why? If there is someone here that thinks OSU should fire Tress speak up and say why....don't just say we need changes.
Exactly. I felt that article made a TON of sense. We were screaming at the TV all night when the safety was never within a country mile of our slot receiver. I guess Tress and his braintrust missed that?!? I'm honestly amazed that people can back Tressel's performance in this game. Even if they love him no matter what, you'd think they would at least admit he had a bad game plan and cost the team by making no adjustments and getting plays in too late.
I don't think we should fire him yet....
We need a beast of an OC.
Listen, we are tOSU we should be able to pull in someone that is talented been around, or new and get them in here to run this offense.
Who is out there? Pete found him someone after Steve left to washington...
Any suggestions???
LiC will be just fine. Tressel comparable to Cooper is a bit much. But here is my jewel for the day and I submit to the 11W nation. We came up with Lebron in Cleats (LiC). However, after watching Brian Rolle for 2 games, how do you not have a mancrush on this dude. He is like watching a coked up hedgehawg play defense. And #36 to top it off...
Please now refer to Brian Rolle as "BCS" (Black Chris Spielman). This is what I was doing all all night on Saturday, the dude is a beast. Best thing about it is that I can look at him eye to eye.
The what is Tressel at that point? A moderator who just oversees the O and D to make sure they are ok and the guys who answers the questions? You might as well fire him and get a "beast" of a OC to be your head coach.
scUM think beating OSU will save their rep this year? wait til they get a load of us
This is why I feel play calls need to come down from the booth.
Can't say I agree with A+ for the defense. They sure played well for 3 1/2 quarters but didn't exactly get it done on the most important drive of the game (again). I know they're being asked to do an awful lot when their head coach seems so disinterested in scoring points, but one of these games they're going to have to step up when it counts.
The only reason I can think that some people aren't on Tress's behind about this is bc they still believe the hype about USC. That USC team was not very good on Saturday. They are without question a team with top 3 talent, but on Saturday they did not have the execution and spirit to match their raw talent. We caught them on one of their off-nights that we always see against the low to mid range Pac 10 teams that clip them...and still did not get it done.
How the F can Tress be thought of so highly when he recruited Pryor and tries to use him a pocket passer?
I've always wondered, what would be thought of JT without the MNC?
I tell you want, the next Cooper. Does it really matter if you lose to scUm or the big game you get for beating scUM?
No, it doesn't, and 6 straight L's to top fivers, what happens if we lose to PSU and scUM this year?
The 1996 Rose Bowl bought Coop 4 more years, how long does JT get? If we let him believe he is untouchable, he will be totally against making ANY changes.
Tressel needs to be fired. There, I said it. FIRED.
/waits to be flamed
But in all honesty guys, ... Jon Gruden is available ... Urban would leave the swamp after Tebow does for his home state in a heartbeat ... brian kelly is kickin' some ass in the big east ... we've got options. We're able to offer unprecedented recruiting and financial advantages, top-notch facilities, and more tradition than some entire BCS conferences.
We don't need to 'stick it out' with the Vest. Just b/c he was better than Cooper doesn't mean jack. It's like when a guy is in a bad relationship with a girl, and he gets so tortured by it that by the time they break up, the first decent girl he dates afterwards he thinks is perfect. When in reality, she's just not completely evil, and he could still do much, much better. That is us .
Tressel can go back to Baldwin-wallace or YSU and coach in 1-AA, where he belongs, where he can execute his simple, repetitive game plans every time to his heart's content.
I know I'm gonna get crucified for this post. But I'm just too fed up and disgusted now to care.
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. - Albert Einstein
Man, I got a man-crush on so many different Bucks I can't count. But, I fell out of love with JT saturday. I only like him now.
Enough is enough, thw writing is on the wall. Does anyone really expect things to be different in big games to come? 6 in a row!
Brian Rolle is absolutely out of this world. I didn't expect him to be this good this fast.
I agree with a lot of what you said but I think there is one major thing that we need to talk about as fans when it comes to Tress. He is an absolute EGO MANIAC! I mean most major programs that are winning titles at the very least have an offensive coordinator to call plays. Jim thinks he knows best and his ego won't let him bring in big time coaching talent instead he surrounds himself with "yes" men that tell him how great he is.
Jim Tressel should not be fired and he should not leave the program. The truth is someone needs to force him to hire a coordinator for the offensive side of the ball. The pressure will have to come from the AD because noone inside that program is going to say a word Jim Tressel will make sure of that!
So you want to hire Jon Gruden? A guy who has only ever been a WR's coach at the college level so you want him to recruit talent? He has never done it.
Urban Meyer isnt coming to Ohio State that is just as dumb as a post I have ever seen and Brian Kelly has had one good year, relax on drinking that Kool-Aid just yet.
C'mon we need more than that Damien, don't just throw names out there, give a reason why so and so would want to come to Ohio State.
And also how they could possibly be an improvement upon Tress as well.
Nope, the AP trophy resides in Ann Arbor only. Just like one-half of the "National Football Foundation" National Championship trophy for 1970 resides in Columbus. You tell us, how do you split that trophy with Texas? Sorry, claiming one-half of the NFF championship is weak, weak, weak. Surprised it took someone this long to call y'all out...
Hey guys...some perspective from a USC fan:
* OSU's defense was outstanding in the trenches. The DL really stood tall against the USC OL. The Buckeyes loaded the box to force Barkley to beat them - everyone saw that coming...except the USC coaches. I think USC has tremendous speed advantages to the outside against most teams, and we didn't use that nearly enough. I was stunned by how much running between the tackles the Trojans did against a defense that made running between the tackles its focal point. Bouncing McKnight outside more may have stretched the defense a bit, but instead USC got baited into playing Big 10 football. Credit OSU for that. This game was played on their terms.
* I don't think you can overstate the impact of special teams in this game. The Buckeyes were flawless on special teams, and it basically helped to keep the game close. Their punter pinned us inside our 20 several times. Meanwhile, USC bounced a FG off the crossbar and muffed a punt snap for a safety. And the USC punter didn't establish any field position. This phase of the game was a complete mismatch, and has been a minor frustration for USC fans for years (I know, it's nitpicking...but bad special teams can be very costly).
* Tressel should have gone for the FG late in the game, for sure. You have one of the best PK in college football. Why not use him? Also, I would be frustrated by Tressel's conservative approach if I was a Buckeye fan. But give him credit here - his game plan basically worked.
* Perhaps the biggest surprise for Trojan fans is OSU's goal to make Pryor a pocket passer. We all feel that's a complete misuse of his talent - especially against our defense. The kid is 6'6", 235 lbs. and runs a 4.3 40. Run him all day. And then run him some more. THAT will open up the pass. For a USC team that continually struggles against running QBs, the Buckeyes played right into our hands by failing to run Pryor more. We see 9 good pass offenses a year in the Pac 10 - we know how to stop the pass. That's why when we play non-conference teams we're able to leave our CBs on an island and focus on the run. But when there's a mobile QB, that changes everything. Our secondary cheats up for run support and that leaves us vulnerable. Vince Young killed us with that. He baited us into thinking he was running, then he would hit the pass. We didn't get beat by Texas WR's - we got beat by the threat of the QB keeper.
* I don't know why Buckeye nation expects more from Pryor at this stage of his career. He's in the beginning of his 2nd year, and he's not a pure passer. How can anyone expect him to properly read a defense, make good decisions, etc.? The problem isn't that Pryor is making bad reads. It's that he's in a position where his primary goal is to make the reads. In Tebow's first couple of years, he ran first. Only then did he develop into a passer, because teams had to respect his running. Same with Vince Young. And by the way, Young didn't become a stud until late in his junior year. Why do you expect Pryor to be that good now?
someone from UM's program might have done it sooner...but they don't really have any free time up there.
Hey, wait a minute. You can get after some Rocket fan that posts here, but don't criticize the City of Toledo. We are the last defensive line in Ohio that keeps the State of Michigan from flushing Ann Arbor into Ohio.
See Tom Amstutz. Allowed a huge gambling scandal under his watch. The fact is that most big time atheletes in the Toleod want to play at a big time program. Fred Rogers went to $C from Toledo, Kevin Koger went to scUM. Dane went to us. When Toledo can keep their home grown talent in Toledo, like Tress keeps Ohio kids at OSU, then you can talk smack.
I can agree about Pryor, in fact I made a reference to that earlier. He has done a lot of work to become a good QB, but has a way to go yet. We can't expect him to be Troy Smith or Vince Young early in his sophomore year.
sorry! lol
I must have missed the memo about ND being relevant competition. They barely beat UM last year with 6 fumbles. ND sucks, beating them is is not impressive. See you 11/21.
didn't we go through this last year with tressel. He said his ego wouldn't let him have someone run the offense. So that means he needs to go. The only one that could stop michael jordan was dean smith. Now the same goes for TP the only person that can stop him is Jim Tressel.
Today we should be talking about a great buckeye victory and what a great drive finished off by a tp qb sneak for a foot, but tressel is a fucking douche bag.
Tyrell Pryor = Reggie Ball
As a Yellowjacket fan reading your blog I got this strange deja-vu feeling. A young freshman QB comes in and astounds with his athleticism, rallies the troops, and wins the starting gig early in his frosh year. As the years go by, the freshman errors never seem to go away, but he continues to put up decent numbers and win games. A couple different QB coaches and OCs come and go, with little change. By his senior year, he is actually a worse QB than he was as a freshman and fans are relieved when he is booted off the team before the bowl game.
I get the feeling that it's not so much the coaches forcing Pryor to become a pocket passer as it is Pryor forcing the coaches to make him a pocket passer. He's looking on to the big show and knows the NFL isn't looking for the next Pat White (also see Vince Young).
LOL...come on man. It's WAY too soon to call Pryor another Reggie Ball.
It's the first game of his sophomore year??
My 2 cents from Saturday night:
- Not enough can be said about the crowd Saturday night. I've been to several big games in the 'Shoe (Texas, M*ch*g*n 2006, Penn State last year) and Saturday night blew them out of the water. I've never heard it so consistently loud in the stadium. And that was the key: consistency. Sure the stadium can get wild on 3rd downs when we're playing D but the rest of the time its pretty tame. Saturday night's noise level went something like this:
First down - Insane
Second down - B@tsh!t insane
Third down - So loud I almost had to cover my ears
- It's been hashed and rehashed but I'll say it again: Quarterback keeper
- I think Tressel needs to remember Craig Krenzel graduated a couple of years ago. With a smart, consistent QB quarterback that can move in a pinch we obviously get the W on Saturday. Unfortunately, we don't have one of those at the moment.
- Defense looks scary good, like 2002 good, and they're just going to keep getting better.
- Call me old-fashioned, but when the home team is singing their alma-mater at the end of the game your band probably shouldn't be trying to play over them, your fans shouldn't be yelling up a storm, and your players shouldn't be posing for pictures in the middle of the field like they own the place.
Jon Gruden won a Super Bowl and somehow managed to make the Raiders good (which seems more and more like a miracle as each year passes). But i doubt we'll even look his way.
But more importantly, you're not disputing that Urban/other coaches wouldn't be an upgrade, but that merely there's no "reason" these other coaches would WANT to come here? That just sounds so... sad. It's like looking at yourself and thinking, "aw, why would that hot girl want to be with me?". Get some self-confidence! We're effin' OHIO STATE. Ohio still produces as much top level HS talent as any other state, and we have a virtual fence on in-state recruiting, we have all the other resources of the biggest BCS schools, amazing fans, really, its one of the plum positions in all of college sports. Why wouldn't they want to come here?!
Also, Urban has a clause in his contract that gives him an out if he leaves for Ohio State. He's an Ohio boy who's still clearly still eyeing his dream job.
OK...Everybody take a deep breath. We played a heckuva game Saturday night and should have won it. Offensive execution was not there when we needed it and I think everyone agrees that Tressel made some mistakes and has to work on play calling etc. Pryor didn't execute. OK. we lost by 3 points to a team that was supposed to run us out of The Shoe. Quite a bit of football left, the defense looked great and the offense will improve. We won a national championship with a great defense and an average offense. It will get better. Young, young team with a Soph QB. If it doesn't improve by the end of the year well then we can talk about changes. Despite not closing it down, what a game and what an atmosphere. Wouldn't college football suck if you were a Purdue, IU, NW or Iowa fan? Jesus just shoot me. Ohio State is a Top 10 team every year and Tressel caused LLLLLoyd Carr to lose his job. We are pretty fortunate.
anyone that does better than going on an 0-6 streak against top ranked opponents will be an improvement.
we don't have to win every game.
i'd be ecstatic if we go 4-2 against top5 teams. even 3-3. hell, i'd settle for 2-4 even! but 0-6 in the past 4 years...
how is this acceptable to you folks?!
It's acceptable because it um, happened. If you don't accept that, then I can't help you.
The simple fact is that there is no one out their right not who is readily available that will combined Tressel's consistency with a winning record against top ten teams. There just aren't any great candidates. Maybe - MAYBE Brian Kelly. Of course, Kelly has yet to beat a team ranked higher than 20th as a head coach, let alone a top-5 team. Oh, and he just lost a BCS bowl game.
The only job Urban will eye is Notre Dame, not Ohio State, and he isn't coming here which is why I said take his name out of it. You have to be realistic about this and you aren't. Urban and John Gruden are not coming here so when you say fire Tressel give me somebody who MIGHT come here. Those guys aren't coming here.
Also yea he has been 0-6 but what about the wins against Notre Dame, Texas, Kansas State and Miami did you forget about those? And a Heisman winner? I am not saying this past game was perfect, but my god you can't even present a good argument for firing the guy, you just threw out two names, both who aren't coming here and the one has never coached at a high level of college. Prove points, dont just say things.
I'd like to see this clause in Urban Meyer's contract, and I'd also like to see where he calls OSU his "dream job". I've always heard that phrase used exclusively in reference to Notre Dame, an opening that's twice as likely to happen as Ohio State in the next five years.
As far as your hot girl/Ohio State comparison, it's simply lazy. Ohio State is no ugly duckling, but we're talking business here. Urban Meyer to Ohio State is just a lateral move.
*there and *now
of course
The clause is for Ohio State, Michigan, or Notre Dame. At one point he was quoted as being talked out of Notre Dame by his family when Ty Willingham was fired.
He is an Ohio boy who carries a lucky Buckeye every game and wore #45 in High School for Archie.
Jimmy T needs to have one of these math professors or law professors work through the rules of the game and develop a play that will allow him to run out an entire half of football.
Only at that point will he be happy.
'coked up hedgehog' That is classic, and probably accurate.
BuckeyeChief pretty much makes the point about why Urban would come here.
As for presenting a good argument for firing the guy, are you serious? Not one real win in 4 years seems a pretty damn good argument don't you think? Winning in the Big Ten doesn't count anymore, plain and simple. I'm sorry, but if you want to be an elite national program you have to think beyond our sorry conference. Step outside ohio sometime, see how people view the Big ten, the conference that loses to App. state, Central Michigan, and gets beat down time after time again on the national stage. Winning 10 games in conference and the Big Ten title doesn't mean anything anymore.
Sorry if that hurts but it's the truth, and the reality in college football today is that JT is 0/6 in the last 6 games that matter, against teams that can equal his physical talent on the field. If that's not enough reason for firing him for you, then I'm at a loss for words. Does it have to keep going? Do we have to go 0/10 against top 5 teams? 0/12?
Eventually recruits will stop coming here because, simply put, they want to look good on the tv for the nfl, and OSU is a place where you go to get beat down on the biggest stage EVERY time.
Continue clinging onto 2002 if you must of wins against overrated ND or mack brown (and Kansas state?! for real? this is JT's signature win?) don't count anymore and lets face it, the NC was delivered by a mix of blind luck, individual guys stepping up and making heroic plays at the right times, and Cooper's players.
I'm just sick of a once proud program being embarrassed again and again on the national stage because the coach refuses to put his players in a position to win and look good. .
Stop living in the past!!!
I'm optimistic all will end well this year - because the Bucks played with fire in their bellies, dominated the Trojans for most of the game and SHOULD have won. I remember reading on this website over the summer, that one of the Buckeyes opined that 2009 felt like a transition year. Compared to this juncture last year, this 2009 vintage is better.
Excerpt from (http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/f...):
"The Buckeyes (1-1) allowed just 118 yards on the ground (3 yards a pop) against a deep array of quality running backs and held freshman quarterback sensation Matt Barkley to 195 yards on 15 of 32 passing. They sacked him twice and intercepted him once."
Pryor's a good kid and he will live up to his potential. He showed tremendous character, in accepting the blame for his team's loss.
We need to run better.
Our coaches must get over 41-14.
totally agreed that to just fire him seems wrong ... I am NOT in that camp. Other alternatives? Maybe require him to bring in an OC. I dunno whether it is feasible, but certainly needed. There is absolutely no explanation for why this team is consistently in the bottom half of the nation in offense. We send so many freakin' WRs and RBs to the NFL for us to have a bad offense. Granted, 2006 was a great offensive year, but only until we met a team with as much talent as we had ... when we face a team with as much or more talent as us, schemes matter a hell of a lot more.
I am just sick of not being able to score on the Ohio's of the world when I know that we are more talented at every position on the field. JT is paid at a level where he is expected to produce, when he doesn't there are ramifications - like anyone else.
We don't need to pay a coach 3-4 Million to beat the other big ten teams. We could win the big ten with a coach making a quarter of that amount. Rather, he is paid at the level he is to ensure we can compete with the best in the nation. That is not happening now. Surely, he can be expected to make the necessary changes when they are needed for improvement; again, like any other manager, CEO, etc would be.
Again I am not saying that changes don't need to happen, but firing Coach isnt the option. This team wasn't expected to win this game, actually wasn't expected to be competitive and yet here we are 2 days later and they lost by 3 and SHOULD have won. I think the coaching staff deserves some credit for having a gameplan for keeping U$C coralled. Yes the offense needs work, and Tress will do it, I have seen him do it for years.
Don't tell me to stop living in the past when that is what makes people who they are. YSU is in the past, but that is what got Tress this job, is his success in the past. I am sick of people coming on here (Damien) and just saying fire him with no better alternative, Urban Meyer isnt coming here neither is Gruden, there is no better option. He is the man for this job and he will win big games with TP at QB believe me.
Or he could find a player fast enough to run around in circles in the backfield for at least five minutes at a time without being tackled. And then at the end of the 5 minutes, find a way to get 3 yards every time.
Look at us, taking solace in "keeping USC corralled" and "wasn't expected to be competitive... but yet we almost won!"
Woody Hayes once said he went for 2 because you couldn't go for 3.
JT punts instead of kicking FGs, and kicks FGs instead of going for 4th and goals.
What would Woody say if he were still around?
I cringe.
Don't compare our talent with the bees of yesteryear. That is a slap in the face.
I'm sorry for those whom this is not intended but many of the comments on here are exactly why I hate being around cbus after losses. Everyone has their shit-stick to slap on the team and the coaches. I realize the obvious nature of this statement but Barkley makes one mistake on the last drive and we wrap it up 15-10. How many of you would be on here railing on all aspects of the program if we had "only" beaten USC by 5? Would TP be a failure? JT a wash out? Listen, mistakes were made and blame can be placed but many of you act as if losing this game was sealing our fate for 3-9. This is not appy state. Besides, if we did win this game, our table would be set to finish undefeated and run into a buzzsaw of a UF team which even optimistically, would not be good news and potentially ass-rape embarassing. Again, if we can get a favorable match-up in a BCS game or even, gasp, a Citrus Bowl, we can set the stage for a MNG run in 2010. Now having said that, I want Walt Harris back on the payroll as OFFICIAL OC, right the ef now.../end nestalgic hope.
fck you DAmien go cheer for Cincinnati
People said that to the Florida fans who started up Fireronzook.com back in the day. But they canned him and got Urban, and two MNCs later its safe to say they made the right choice.
I just want what's best for the program, the school, the team and fans. If i have to take heat for questioning the current staff and get my fanhood insulted by people, then so be it. I only care about the bigger picture, and as long as more and more folks take notice that change must take place, we're getting somewhere.
Damien: don't ever, EVER make yourself out to be some sort of martyr. What you want is wins, so you can wear your block-O cap and be PROUD on sunday. You want us to beat every OOC patsy 70-0, and you nothing short a championship every three years. You are a bandwagon fan through and through; you're here for the wins and the wins alone. You don't give a shit about the fans, the school, and the program at large. If you did, you wouldn't be advocating the firing of a coach who has lost 11 games in his OSU career outside of 2004 and 2001.
Seriously, go root for Florida if you just want wins. The rest of us are going to cheer for our Buckeyes and our head coach regardless of whether or not they can win the "big one". Get over yourself.
Columbus already is devasted after leaving it all on the field Saturday night. Hike your skirt up and pick yourself up by the bootstraps Man!!!!!!!!
Good post. I think back to Troy Smith. Early on, his first reaction was to run first, think later. He took a lot of flack for that. So he became a passer first and often didn't run when he could have. Eventually he learned WHEN to run and became a very good quarterback (excellent for a guy who was "too short"). I think TP will also eventually "be all that he can be". Soon, I hope.
Am I the only one that thinks USC finally figured out where OSU was vulnerable? Homan was playing well early, but later... I don't know if he was tired or just slow. Not picking on him; maybe the whole defense was out of gas. (I was on the road, so couldn't record the game for playback.) I'd be interested in feedback about that last drive....
Lastly, I'm not on the "fire Tressel" wagon (yet). But it does seem like last year (against USC) OSU had Boeckman trying to play an offense suited to Pryor, and this year Pryor playing an offense better suited for Boeckman.
I know it's probably been said 100X in here but I'm going to say it too: The Ohio State defense held arguably the best offense in the nation to 18 points! If the offense can't score 19 points to win a game, well, I don't know WHAT else to say!
Great job Ohio State defense!
Amen brotha! Let's get a petition started to bring back Walt Harris!
Why has no one mentioned Butch Davis?
gotta agree, ya know , after the navy game I wasnt the least bit worried. In fact I became even more confident that we would have a breakout game with pryor. I thought that Tressel had limited what he had shown USC, I mean keep them guessing as to what to expect. I just thought for sure they were goin to come at USC with everything. Bauserman under center wins that game, I mean I could have hit Duron Carter 10 times for 600yds. Why , in todays college football was there no wildcat package , or something resembling. Do you think any of the USC defenders could have outjumped pryor on the fade.(nope) Hey Tressel ball works for high school ball and div. 2. He has no aggression and ya gotta kinda feel bad for pryor, I mean here is s guy with all this ability and a coach that will never allow him to do what he is capable of. ya know last week before the game i heard him tell one reporter that usc was a great team and we were trying to become one. hey jim, this is THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY not cincinnatti bearcats