Joe McKnight may start, but it doesn't matter.After holding their own against the triple option rushing attack of Navy, giving up just 116 yards after the first drive, things are going to get a little rougher when Pete Carroll brings his stable of all-world running backs to Columbus.
The Trojans have their entire two-deep back on the offensive line as well as their top four rushers, off a team that averaged 190 YPG and 5.9 YPC on the ground last year. After torching SJSU for 342 yards and a 7.6 per carry average on the ground Saturday, there is little doubt Petey and staff will lean heavily on the run in Columbus, limiting the pressure on freshman Matt Barkley.
Joe McKnight (#4) cruised to 105 yards on 12 carries last year against the Bucks and ended up averaging 7.4 YPC on 89 attempts for the season. Saturday he bettered that, tallying 145 yards and 2 TD's on 14 carries, while also catching a pass for 21 yards. The 6'0", 200lbs. junior started the game and fumbled on his 3rd carry, but regained his composure and took the 3rd play of the second half 54 yards to paydirt. McKnight can take it to the house anytime he touches it and remains a threat catching out of the backfield. I'll not soon forget the dicing he did against the Bucks last year.
Stafon Johnson (#13) lead USC last year with 138 carries for 735 yards and 9 touchdowns, but only had 6 totes for 27 yards on Saturday. He did find the endzone twice (and he's extremely good at that), but didn't have a carry in the second half. The senior only ran it 4 times for 23 yards against the Bucks last year and does most of his damage up the middle. Johnson is also the Trojans main punt returner.
CJ Gable (#2) is another senior who ran for 617 yards and 8 TD's on 107 carries last year and has the most career starts (18) in this talented bunch. He too didn't do much against OSU with 7 touches for 31 yards last year, but averaged 5.7 yards on his 7 carries Saturday. He didn't have a carry until late in the 3rd quarter and looks to be the 4th back in the rotation, a sign of how good this group is, considering he started 11 games last year.
Marc Tyler (#26) and Allen Bradford (#21) will also come off the bench to split carries. Each averaged over 13 yards a carry this past week, combining for 9 carries, 125 yards and 2 TD's. Bradford's 43 yards scamper came with the Trojans up only 14-3 with 2:30 left in the half.
Redshirt freshman Curtis McNeal (#6) opened up eyes last year on the scout team and then again in spring ball, but he didn't have any carries last week, returning just 1 kick for 16 yards. He is listed as possible this weekend due to a shoulder injury, so he may not see the field.
Then there is fullback Stanley Havili (#31), who caught a back breaking touchdown against Marcus Freeman and the Bucks last year. Havili is always a threat to catch it out of the backfield, racking up 58 balls over the last 2 years and adding 3 to his total on Saturday.
It doesn't matter who gets the start amongst this group. In fact in this week's depth chart, there are four players listed as the possible starter. What it will come down to will be whether the Buckeyes are up to the task of stopping several good backs.
Comments
They, OSU, have a chance at stopping the run if they don't let Spitler play. I've never seen a LB so out classed by NAVY's QB. That little guy ran flat out away from Spitler 3 times Saturday, and Spitler had the angle. I know he adds size to the LB's but he can play his games against Wisconsin type teams, not USC. Hines needs to play the majority of the game so his speed and playmaking ability can come out, not the Jonathan Kerr type plays that Spitler brings to the table.
Ive gotta agree. Get Sabino in the game w/ Hines for speed.
Dittoe. Plus Nathan Williams.
OSU ranks 62nd (tied with Idaho) in total defense after first week. Southern Cal is 4th in total offense. Although they faced very different opponents, this looks like another ugly, ugly matchup...
.
"it's a mat with different conclusions on it..... that you can JUMP to"
little early to pull out defensive and offensive rankings after week one i think.
Exactly. Too many FCS opponents on the scheds. Not that USC's offense isn't going to be great, but...
i threw for three TDs against SJSU two weeks ago, big deal....
i watched the first half of that game, and it's the 2nd quarter when USC's depth showed and SJSU's lack of depth REALLY showed.
sure they put up 53 points, but I think we woulda done to the same to equal or similar competition on saturday.
Don't want to get off target, but any chance we get a comments section for the Poll and Good Shizzy? I've said it before and I'll say it again, not 1 ounce of my being wants to see Urban Meyer in Columbus EVER! Dude just seems like such a slimey greaseball, I don't care how many wins he gets or speeches he etches in stone. Give me Petey or Bobby Stoops any day of the week!
They [Oklahoma fans] are calling for Stoops to either be fired or he needs to quit showing loyalty to his assistants. Sound familar?
my question to all of the people that call for coaches to be fired at places like Oklahoma, Georgia, Ohio State, etc is who do you want to replace them? And, who would be crazy enough to take a job knowing a 10 win season or anything short of a title 2 times in a decade will get you canned?
We'd love to add comments to those sections, but at this time, it's a little out of reach. In the interim, feel free to drop your comments for the poll or Good Shizzy into the comments of a nearby post.
my grandma put up 2 TD's against SJSU also.
to be fair though, she has a cannon for a throwing arm.....
I agree. I think Nathan Williams is going to be a star. I hope he gets a ton of PT
I couldn't agree more. I'd rather have a classy coach like Tressel who puts up 10 wins a year, than Urban Meyer. He may be hot right now but remember the first 4 years or so when Tressel was that hot. Anyone would be lucky to have Tressel or Bob Stoops. Remember the days before Tressel when we couldn't beat Michigan or win bowl games. Sure Cooper could recruit and beat the hell out of just about anyone, except when it counted. I'd rather have the boring coach who can win the conference championship and beat Michigan and mostly win bowls.
Additionally, I think the class that Tressel showd honoring Navy before the game was second to none. Also, I think the respect and hype leading up to the game could be a reason the team and coaching staff when it came to not embarassing Navy. It is foolish I know, but they could have burried Navy and instead let them hang in. It almost killed them.
LOL.... all those years of throwing things at my Grandpa.
had to keep him in line. i'm sure that's what she'll tell you.
thank you for telling it like it is... all comes down to killer instinct... or lack thereof... class, dignity and respect vs killer instinct at all times.... its a fine line. Can you imagine Urban coming out with Navy and paying tribute to them?? No freakin' way! Tress sees his job as preparing boys to become men and not just a football coach--- that gets in the way sometimes, but is probably better for the players.
i would still like to see "evil jim" rear his head more often.
sadly he only peaks his head out against northwestern
Its funny this would come up. Just the other day I was thinking about the fight before the BCS game between Florida and OSU. There is no doubt in my mind it was Myers guys who started it. Its not just the Florida history of crap like that, but Tressel just does not go down that road!
While we're all here bowing down to USC's NFL-quality backfield, it begs the question:
Do we have even ONE NFL-quality running back?
The writer of this article is obviously high. The optimism is disgusting. The Ohio State University is terribly overrated (again) and does not stand a chance against this USC team. They have our number, fellas. Let's at least be partially objective, Corey.
probably not, but I liked how Saine looked -- I say give him the 1a this week
but can't we be hopeful?? Can we not at least have HOPE?
we shall see....
start both
shot gun, two back set... drool
that's what I'm talkin' bout!
what the hell are you talking about? did you read the article? where was the disgusting optimism? i am so lost.
the internet hath introduced your mind to me, but not the tools to comprehend the babble it produces.
You know, that's one big difference I've noticed between OSU brand of football and SEC football in general. The SEC teams come out amped up and looking for a fight. They don't seem to teach and coach sportsmanship as much, in my opinion. I mean their games are full of personal fouls, late hits, and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. I'm not saying that teh Ohio State is immune to committing such penalites as the Wisconsin game back in 2003? showed. I mean strangling a QB is not acceptible. However, I think it's nice to watch a game where there's not a penalty ever 30 seconds.
shoulda done it last year too....
I like to spend most of my day being negative too
what is the difference between playing to win and playing not to lose?
"playing not to lose" is a generic term coined by Armchair Coaches to describe Tressel's game management style. Basically, placing an emphasis on field position and special teams rather than style points. It's a completely pointless criticism. Winning is winning against a team like USC, and it's just as pretty to any Buckeye fan whether you do it 6-3 or 49-42
BS I SAY!!! Boom and Zoom are BOTH going to the NFL! Boom is a freakin' sophmore for crying out loud! Cheese and rice!
Would you guys just CALM DOWN! We played a tricky offense, with a young defense, the first game of the year, the week before SC! This is why the NFL has a preseason, could you imagine the AFC championship game being played in week 2? Thats basically whwt we are facing Saturday night.
Win or lose, it WILL be a good football game.
I have been objective, and I believe that Ohio State has a good shot. Sure I want my team to do well, but I'll be the first to say that I was not looking forward to this game last year. I just don't see this one being the ass kicking everyone else is predicting. I felt confident for the Miami game and all 3 Texas games and they were all good games. I have felt bad about LSU and last year's USC. I just don't see it. Maybe I'm wrong but I don't think so.
No I think that term was given to John L. Smiths coaching style the year before he got canned. Especially blowing a 20 something point lead to BQ and company.
I just think that IF we lose, its not the end of the world. Nobody expected to win the MNC this year anyway. I'll take 11-1, with a Rose bowl win, all day long.
Next year is a different story.
And thats okay, cuz darnit, people like me.
you're good enough, you're smart enough....
Its the young D that has me worried.
does anyone think Tressel was just playing it all close to the vest(no pun intended) in order to not reveal too much? Obviously it almost blew up in his face, but how great would it be if he opened up the playbook this week and threw all kinds of previously unseen plays and formations at SC? Granted, this is pretty unlikely, but a guy can dream...
I have had the same dream, unfortunately it was last year after Ohio U and even previous to that. However, the dream never comes true. It is what it is. Sure there are little things here and there that he installed for USC specifically, I'm sure.
But, unless pigs start flying, I don't think we'll see any systematic changes to the O under JT, which is exactly what is needed if we are going to continue running out the type of O-line we seem every year.
OBVIOUSLY he's been playing it close to the vest for the last 3 years building up to this game. OBVIOUSLY.
They dont give out crystal footballs for being classy. I appreciate what he does in terms of teaching boys to be men, but I want a coach who is not afraid to rip some lesser team a new one. In this day and age, perception is key and if people think we are weak, we need to do everything in our power to prove otherwise.
What do guys think about us running the no-huddle, and not just at the end of the half. Personally, I'd like to see more of it thrown in for variety's sake. It worked for the Bills, sort of.
The no-huddle every other series would be great!
Not only to throw off the D, but to effect the pace of the game is to control the game.
I think Tressel will throw some wrinkles in there. He tried last year (Boeckman running options) but without Beanie the USC defense was not afraid to pin their ear's back and go. That won't be the case this year because TP can run. I just hope the o-line doesn't lose their composure whenever they get hit in the chops on the first offensive snap. Same goes for the d-line, we need a 4 quarter effort like against UT last year...
well, there's a balance between putting an opponent away and disrespecting them in the process. From what I gather Ole Miss did this over the weekend, for example, by putting a lot of points on the board late so that it would look good later. What everyone should appreciate about Tressel is that this never happens.
I want more "evil jim" this season.
Anyone see this Barkley quote on playing at Ohio Stadium?
"I don't think that will make a difference," Barkley said of playing at Ohio State. "The atmosphere will be nuts. I probably don't even know how it will be. But that won't faze me."
Won't faze me ... sounds like a challenge Buckeye fans.
My understanding of 'playing not to lose' is that a team goes out to play fully capable of winning but so afraid of losing the game that they play almost exclusively in defense rather than going on the attack in search of victory. I don't think this was the case at all in the Navy game though, we just fell asleep at the wheel and made a few boneheaded play-calls and execution of...
Playing not to lose is what could happen this Saturday, but we all hope not...but hell, if it works, a win is a win, as it was in Tempe against Miami.
Hey Buckeyes -
Let me be the voice of reason. All of this negative talk from Buckeyes is nonsense. You guys have a great shot at beating us, and its not just the homefield advantage this year. SC's track record against mobile QBs is not the best; however, we are improving. Its a fine line between our speed putting pressure on Pryor, vs. our speed taking ourselves out of the play and letting Pryor run for miles.
We learned little to nothing on Saturday, other than that SJ State and most of the WAC conference do not belong on the same field as us. Our RBs were getting 5 yards just from the OL knocking the undersized SJSU DL off the ball. That will not be the same this week. Matt Barkley played great, but he was never under pressure. After the first quarter, our OL never let the defense within arms reach of him. He played a great game, but was never asked to make dangerous throws.
Keep in mind, we can be very undisciplined. Its the way USC plays. Play fast and hard, which leads to a lot of dumb penalties. USC is notorious for getting lazy - false starts, offsides from hard counts will work against us. USC's LBs are extremely aggressive, which will result in them over pursuing or shooting the wrong gaps. Joe McKnight is a lightening and can rush for 200 yards and 3 TDs, or he can rush for 25 and fumble 3 times. We have a stable of running backs (McKnight, S. Johnson, Gable, Bradford, Tyler, McNeal), but it doesn't matter, since no more than 2 can really be on the field at the same time. Yes, the stable is valuable in the second half when defenses are tired and we can rotate in fresh RBs.
Reasons for Buckeyes to be concerned. Allen Bradford is a beast, and is finally showing signs of being a great RB. He is huge and fast and can make life hell for defenses. Also, Kris O'Dowd, our center, is back, and our OL is two deep. No lack of fresh body's. Jeremy Bates - the new offensive coordinator - will be running the offense, and based on Saturday's game he showed about a dozen plays in the playbook. Not a lot to gameplan off for your defense.
Still, I can't believe I'm on a Buckeye football blog saying this, but if we walk out of Columbus with a win, I'll be ecstatic. A close loss won't surprise me.
Fight On!
Haha no way Boom and Zoom are NFL quality running backs. We are going to see some NFL quality running backs next week.
sure, a lot of people said that about matt forte and darren sproles too.
they look like they're doing alright for themselves in the league at this point.
only time will tell for boom and zoom
The thing is we can't sit here and hope USC makes mistakes. Am I the only Buckeye fan that sees that we were lucky to get out of the Navy game alive! They had two huge fumbles with one being on their own 30 yard line that we take in for a score, and the other resulted in a touchdown as well. If we don't get those fumbles, or Navy holds us to a field goal that ball game would've been over. However, if that happened Tress would've kicked that field goal instead going for it on 4th down. We didn't dominate anybody last Saturday. Our O-line is slow and lazy, and I'm starting to believe that Boren's bullshit transfer was due to the lack of work the kid didn't want to put in. Call it practicegate over there in Michigan, but did you see how in shape and how their d and o-lines fired off the ball. Hell Boren couldn't even make it to his blocking assignment when he pulled a couple times.
I highly doubt USC is going to come into the Shoe lazy. I don't see this one turning out well for us at all. Their big lineman (and I mean big) just has to get a push on our d-line and that's an automatic 5 yards. Hell they can just throw the pitch on us over and over again like last year, because our linebackers are not fast enough for their RB's. Matt Barkley won't even play a major role in this game, because all he will have to do is hand the ball off. If it's a passing situation just check your first receiver, hit their gargantuan of a tight-end, or dump it off to one of their speedy backs. I don't see Barkley going down field to much.
Let us not forget the last time USC was supposed to be in a down year where they were reloading after Carson Palmer. Guess who had his first start at QB? Matt Leihnart. Anybody want to guess who had their first start at RB? Reggie Bush.
the "sky is falling" party ended sunday.
if this is what you truly believe, don't show up for the game, don't watch it, etc...
this is what i truly believe and I'm going to watch it, record it, watch it again, re-record for my neighbors then I'm going to put it on a constant loop in my living room.
Does anyone have the goods on Spitler? Is his 8.67 40 time Saturday due to his
calf injury or is he really that freakin' slow? If he is that slow, how in gods green earth is he on the field. I'm puzzzled to say the least