Terrelle Pryor took advantage of a decidedly sketchy Gopher defense (AP: A. Sancetta)
Tempered Enthusiasm
I know you don't want to hear it but I personally can't get too excited - yet - about what we saw from the Buckeyes on Saturday because Minnesota really is that bad. Now, the Buckeyes did exactly what they should do against a bad team by blowing them out but that doesn't mean I'm buying the obligatory, "Well, Purdue was bad and look what happened" blabber.The fact is this was only a 7-0 game at half and up to that point Minnesota had committed five penalties, dropped five passes including one off the receiver's facemask, played two bad quarterbacks, lost their best player to injury, watched another player damn near fight a coach and blew a coverage giving Ohio State their lone score.
I don't mean to insinuate this wasn't a building block game because I think it could be however it would be a stretch to say major leaps were made by Pryor and the offense in general or that all the recent concerns about this group have been erased after a strong showing versus the Gophers. The line was improved but still has injuries and issues to deal with such as Cordle's sieve impersonations, the running backs are continuing the recent years trend of no durability, the red zone offense is still shaky and TP is still trying to put together a consistent, error-free performance. Saying all that, I'm hopeful the New Mexico State contest will allow for continued improvement, and that injuries on the line have progressed before the trip to Happy Valley.
Terrelle Takes A Step Forward
Though he still had a few of his customary frustrating plays, Pryor did show improved throwing mechanics and dropped in a couple very nice throws. I hesitate just a bit on my excitement over some of the lasers he unleashed because it appeared most often the primary read was open and we already know Pryor can make a strong throw if the primary is open and the play keeps its rhythm. Still, what a great throw he put in Posey's hands up the sideline, on 1st and 10 no less. Even though Posey couldn't hang on, the pass was money. Pryor also looked more comfortable with his mechanics on most rollouts as he paused to set his feet leading to a little less float.Obviously, Pryor's accuracy is still a work in progress as his 13/25 clearly suggests. He was victimized with a few Posey drops but he didn't help himself with some bad passes behind and late to Dane and the interception of a pass intended for Sanzenbacher was a classic TP stare-down. Still, you gotta like the connection Pryor and Posey seem to be building.
When rushing the football, it was impressive to see Pryor actually initiate some contact or at least not avoid it allowing for extra yards in numerous instances. I'm all for minimizing the hits he takes but I think the whole offense benefited from seeing Pryor show some grit after the collective thud last weekend. Pryor went over the 100 yard mark (15/104) for the second time this year. With the health of Boom and Zoom in question, we could see TP log more than his usual 12 carries per game down the stretch.
ISO: One Durable Running Back
Before you get upset, this is not about questioning toughness, I've been there and done that last year. At this point, I'm wondering if it's just bad luck? Already without Boom Herron, who's building a reputation as an oft-injured running back, the Buckeyes are now once again wondering if they can count on Brandon Saine to stay healthy. After starting slow with 7 carries for 14 yards, Zoom's next 4 carries went for 31 yards but just as he was hitting his stride, he took a strange hit on a run up the gut and last we heard he probably suffered a concussion and will miss a week.It sounds as if Boom will be partially available this week and I think we're all excited about what Jordan Hall has shown but if you aren't concerned about the potential lack of a 100% healthy Saine and Herron for Penn State then you are either way too high on Jordan Hall or else you are just way too high on the hippie lettuce. Don't get me wrong, I've been sweating Hall ever since the jersey scrimmage but winning on the road in Happy Valley will require some experience and depth at RB.
Back to the Minny game, how 'bout Jermil Martin? The big boy from Glenville did his best "poor-man's-Byars" impersonation sporting #41 while rumbling to daylight in a 7 carry, 75 yard, 1 TD performance. He's not going to see significant carries in a game this year but it looks like he could be a valuable short yardage guy if needed down the stretch.
Defense Bounces Back Behind D-Line
Minnesota's offense is a straight up fiasco especially without Decker but it was nice to see the Silver Bullets up front reestablish themselves as the badasses they are. Thaddeus Maximus was in beast mode all day recording 6 stops and 3 sacks plus a fumble recovery while fellow bookend Nathan Williams added 4 tackles and a sack. On the inside, Worthington stuffed the middle with 5 stops and John Simon added a TFL and forced a fumble with a nifty spin move in pass rush.Behind the line, Homan led the way with 8 tackles with fellow LB Brian Rolle adding five. The secondary was also active as Hines, Chekwa, Coleman and Russell contributed 4 stops each. Keeping with the script, Coleman also had his weekly turnover - an interception complete with 40 yard return. I've read some notes questioning the effectiveness of the corner opposite Chekwa but I'm not sure if I agree. Torrence and Amos are definitely a stop down from Chekwa but they held their own and the Gophers completed barely over 50% (15/29). Again, it's Minnesota but I'll take that. If the line gets consistent pressure, I think Torrence can do the job.
When the dust settled the Silver Bullets held the Gophers to 1/10 on 3rd down and not counting the last possession of the 1st half in which they ran out the clock, Minnesota had the ball 11 times producing 7 punts, 3 turnovers and 1 TD. Me likes.
Corso and Griese Going Senile Together
Wow. What a day for ESPN talent. Most of you caught Bob Griese's priceless "he's out getting a taco" comment when explaining why Juan Pablo Montoya wasn't in the top five of the chase followed up by his apology right after the completion of the game. In between his comment and apology, Bob struggled at times to put together coherence sentences as Spielman, as usual, controlled the broadcast. I almost, and I stress almost, feel bad for Griese at this point. Dude needs to pass the mic.While not as controversial, Lee Corso also gave us another fine example of his decline as a competent GameDay face when he used the phrase "shot their wad" referring to Arkansas' game effort against Florida last week prompting Herbie to exclaim, "Can you say that on TV?!" as Fowler looked on in horrified delight. Hilarious moment. Even better, Herbie channeled his inner 13 year old the rest of the show as he couldn't stop laughing at Corso's gaffe.
Comments
huh-huh...huh-huh...he said 'wad'
A few things i noticed...
Took the offense a few series to get going, but i did enjoy that long drive before petry tries his hardest to hit a field goal post!
TP looked good i give him a B+. Still starring down recievers the (int) he threw had "I will look at you for 10 min then throw to you" I believe Posey was wide open in the middle of the field, maybe he got tired of throwing to him?
TP looked okay running the ball, but i guess he is just a strider. (Something in me wants him to juke some people, and see if he can get more yardage) instead he just does his best to make contact and fall over!
Offically LiC dunk on the 4 yard line! "priceless"
Last thing on TP did anyone see the roll out when he hit Dane for a 1st down.
Where in the $&#@ has that play been all year? QUESTION??? Can we do that with the tight end? Can TP be consistent on that? GOSH IF THAT IS THE FUTURE HITTING DANE SHORT, and HITTING POSEY LONG!!! AHHH!!!!! CAN"T WAIT!
Did anyone see Dane when he was running his routes? His head was like bobing back and forth looked like midget football reciever.
@Chris - reminds me of the "Five Things: Toledo" post, except the end where you talk about Corso and Griese... Epic WIN for you, epic fail for the TV guys.
Paging Carlos Hyde & Corey Brown, please hurry! Boom & Zoom are KaBoomed & MonteZooma's Revenged.
p.s. - It's good to watch the Bucks play when they care...
Griese has been bad for a few years... now is the time to Yank him..... Corso is still great... dude had a stroke.... give him a break.
I didn't realize Corso had a stroke. I have noticed he's had a hard time getting complete sentences out.
Penn State was only up 13-0 on Minnesota (with a TD coming in the last minute before halftime), and only won 20-0. That game was at PSU too.
So I wouldn't get all that upset that we were only up 7-0 at the half (could have had a TD just before halftime). We won 38-7.
I'm not upset. Just being realistic about the fact all isn't fixed thanks to a 38-7 win over a bad team. At this point, I think I'm most worried about the injuries up front. Any good line needs cohesion and that's hard to achieve when all of them are nicked up.
How ticked off is the 1st string D at the others for giving up points? Those long passes, how long did that ball travel in the air? I saw a little hesitation in Posey's stride but that ball was in the air for what 50+ yards? It was seriously windy yesterday too, I'm impressed with TP's play this week.
Did anyone else see GameDay when talking about Ohio State and Herbie just destroyed the buckeyes? I had to turn the TV up to hear it but he was ripping Pryor, ripping the coaching staff and really taking the entire team to task. He has been doing this lately, has anyone else heard this stuff from him?
It is almost like he goes out of his way to bash the Buckeyes.
He didn't go out of his way. He said what we are all thinking.
Minnesota's not as bad as it seems. As buckeye stated above, they were in the game with Penn State. Also, they looked pretty good early in the season. I'd say that Brewster had a pretty good game plan and a this team certainly has some talent. Minnesota's two biggest problems are depth and discipline.
It's funny; I used to think Spielman was a terrible analyst until they paired him with old man Griese. Either he's getting better or he just sounds intelligent next to a senile old geezer.
Corso needs to be put out to pasture or limited to one mascot head-wearing segment.
Spielman was doing that as well throughout the broadcast. They both sounded like sports talk radio in Columbus. In Herbie's case, he's always done that in order to sound impartial. I've always thought Spielman resented not being considered more seriously as a head coach when they hired Tressel.
One of my high school football coaches who had been an athlete at OSU (baseball walk-on) once told me a story about Cooper and Spielman first meeting. Spielman was working out and was introduced to Cooper. Cooper expressed his admiration for #36's great OSU career. Since Spielman was on his way out, he told Cooper that he didn't like him and someday he'd have his job. I don't know how true that story is, but I always thought that Spielman wished he were the OSU head coach.
Right. I'm the first one to get on Herbie for being an SEC loving prima-donna but I thought his comments about OSU were spot on. He called the line the most underachieving o-line in the last 10 years of college football and criticized the staff for the multiple offenses they've tried to install for Pryor.
I hope you are right about Minny. From my vantage point, that offense is incredibly bad without Decker.
Forgot to mention this and wondered if anyone else has noticed. For weeks now, ESPN calls Posey a freshman whenever he makes a highlight. I first noticed it in the highlights for the Indiana game, then again yesterday. They have it right on his player profile on the ESPN website, but they keep calling him freshman on the highlight show. It's sort of strange that they keep getting that wrong.
bucknut you're the anderson russell/lydell ross/steve bellisari/todd boeckman/offensive line of the 11w and www...you suck. i'm sorry to break the news to you if you didn't already know it, herbie gives an objective opinion, the entire program needed taken to task, he's not bashing the bucks. in closing, in life you are lacking.
If I am Anderson Russel, Lydell Ross, Steve Bellisari of 11w you are the Jim Cordle of the board; you try really hard, but in the end you just end up missing.
Well then I guess I was the only one, in hindsight maybe Herbie was correct in his assesment, I have just thought he has done this before to look as though he isn't rooting for the Bucks.
I hear what you are saying. I feel his has wrongly criticized OSU in the past in hopes of showing the world he's objective but in this case I think he spoke for a large chunk of the fanbase. Oh well, best way to avoid Herbie's spiel is for OSU to improve!
Duran:
Tress & the OC of the day need to get TP thinking (as Spielman put it) long to short and outside to middle in order to keep defenses honest. Furthermore, they have to start throwing to the middle of the field, to exploit the huge gaps in the defense. If not, corners are going to roll up and safetys are going to dare TP to throw long on a lower percentage shot. I hope in the New Mexico game they work on the intermediate routs, middle of the field routes, the long lost TE, and middle screens.
Agreed. Good write-up, by the way.
When will someone admit that Pryor will not take us to the promised land. Terelle is great, when things are going great. Make him think and things continue to break down. It was interesting hearing the comments made by the announcers during the Purdue game, where they said exactly this. Keep pressure on him and make him think!
Eight games in and we are 6 and 2. Our last 3 games are at Penn State, home with Iowa, and at Michigan. We WILL lose at least 2 if not all 3 of those. 8 and 4 or 7 and 5 will make you all puke.
I look at a school like Cincinnati, that arguably has the most potent offense in the country, and they have gone through how many quarterbacks the past 2 year? 4 or 5. This year's starter, who's pushing for a Heisman, was 4th string a little over a year ago. He get's hurt, they bring in number 2 this weekend and this guy goes 15-17, for over 250 yards and 3 touchdowns in less than 3 quarters.
We arguably have better athletes and supposedly better coaches. So, is it the system (then coaches are over rated) or is it athletes (then talent is over rated). You decide.
Just a few years ago, Tressel and staff turned an athletic quarterback, with a lot of potential, into a Heisman trophy winner. Why are they having so much trouble doing that this year?
We can all answer this question if we are honest. It's between the ears. I live in PA and my home high school is in the same league with Jeanette. This evaluation wouldn't come as a surprise to a lot of folks around here.
Could it be that UC plays in a terrible conference and their SOS is weak? Brian Kelly is a great offensive mind and they move the ball really well. They will be exposed when they face a great offense. Just so happens that they haven't played one yet.
It's a little of both. The system has been lacking in general, save end of 2005 and 2006. The talent has been overrated slightly, mostly in the offensive line department. Wide receivers and running backs we have been more than fine (ask the nfl draft).
Coaches like Brian Kelly and Mike Leach have proven that it doesn't matter who the quarterback is, the offense is going to roll on. However, where they typically fall short is with the defense. Like it or hate it, Tressel isn't going to sacrifice defense at the expense of a stats heavy offense.
also, Nic Siciliano is no Joe Daniels.
I still think we need new life in the coaching staff on the offensive side of the ball.
Well, it was 114th in the country with Decker. I don't think your concerns are unfounded.
this summer..... unfortunately. He is the best --class act.
He has gone ALL SEC... but in this particular case I cannot find much fault with what he said---better to come from within??? and is Herbie within anymore???
Looks like somebody sent Tress a "miserable" email
For the record, I think Herbie was being brutally honest this past Saturday. That being said, I think that since 2006, he has gone out of his way (slightly) to give the Buckeyes tough love when he can, because he lost a lot of credibility nationally by advocating the Michigan-OSU rematch.
While I did not disagree with him, I question how he said it, I other words, when USC or Florida loses, he couches his criticisms. Here he just frothed. Did you catch Corso after Herbie's rant? Asked him if he (Herbie) wanted to move to Orlando.
Oh and as an aside, I am getting really tired of those ESPN ads with Herbie in Carroll's office. Does he also get to wash Pete's car?
Im sorry, was Troy Smith as good as Pryor 17 games into his career?
Was Troy Smith's o-line as bad as the collage of fat asses that TP has been behind?
Didn't Troy Smith get his ass kicked up between his shoulder's at Iowa?
The kid is 14-3 as a starter, with two of his losses to USC and Texas.
No one can say whether or not TP will take the Bucks to the promised land. But I'll take my chances with the kid based on his body of work so far.
Also, why can't a kid who carried 7 times for 75 yards and a TD, behind a shitty o-line, get more carries this year? Especially in the RB situation the Bucks are currently in?
Good write-up Chris. I had the same mixed feelings about this game that you did and in basically the same areas.
TP is going to struggle in the last 3 games of the year. That should just be accepted. PSU and Iowa have very good defenses and out line has not had continuity all year. Losing Adams hurts us for the remainder of this year and probably the start of next. Reps as a player and as a fixed unit matter. In spite of what players have said about practice I do not consider moving around a good thing.
BTW, what happened to Duron Carter? I don't remember seeing him or hearing his name all day and I didn't see anything stating he would be out.
"TP is going to struggle"
should include "to some extent".
Early Troy Smith and Pryor cannot be compared, because Smith had Lydell Ross in the backfield, and it was guaranteed playmaking, all Smith had to do was take that ball out from under center and hand off to Ross for a guaranteed loss of 3 on every play. End of story. With a negative yardage workhorse like that in the backfield, you must throw out all comparative looks.
I like Lee Corso, actually I like Gameday a lot and always have. Even with SEC love it's still entertaining to watch. I don't like college game day scoreboard but Gameday has always been entertaining and it's great for the school/fans.
I dont' think anyone who has any sense would believe that all is fixed, but I thougt Pryor looked a lot different. He still made bad passes, but he did seem to play better. Posey dropped a really nice pass down the sideline and even the shorter pass to the endzone wasn't a perfectly thrown ball but it still hit him in the hands. Add those 2 plays and Pryor hasl close to or just over 300 yards passing with 2 more TD's. It is a pretty bad team they played, but They have looked alot worse against bad teams this year.
I just don't care to listen to him anymore. To me, he's almost as bad as Dick Vitale in basketball. When he covers a game he'll get on one team or player on the team and keep carrying on about them. I've noticed this especially when he does an SEC game. The one night all I got to hear him say was how fast the South Carolina SEC defense was. He may be a Buckeye fan at home or in real life, but I don't understand going out of your way to be objective. I just think it's stupid.
and yet somehow, some way, i'm still better than you. wow to be worse then jim cordle...that is a shameful position in life to hold. salud
That's a very good point, but our running game hasn't been the epitome of consistency this year. It's been far better than the 2004 debacle, but it also doesn't compare to any running game we've had since.
Yeah and this team is loaded with awesome backs.
Ooh, +1 for pointing out Cincy's 76th-ranked SOS, which is more than 20 spots below any other team in the top ten (and worse than anyone else's in the top 20, save Penn State)
When he talks on EsecPN is the backdrop COLUMBUS ???
No idea. I don't watch ESPN outside of Saturdays and Thursday nights.
Yeah it's columbus
Yeah I was more being ironical, I like to mention Lydell Ross because it allows me to follow up by saying this one time i threw snowballs at cars on Lane Avenue with Lydell Ross, during the Blizzard of 2002-2003, and he had a good arm, except when he'd wind up to throw he'd inevitably slip backwards and fall down for a loss of 3. And, for what it's worth, don't throw snowballs at cars on Lane Avenue, because apparently some pretty scary looking guys drive down Lane Avenue at night.
I still don't see what Boom brings to the offense. Too slow for the home run, too small to run through people, not shifty enough to juke people, and the last time I saw him with a huge hole he ran directly into the back of his lineman. In a year and a half all he's shown is that he's a mediocre, 4 ypc guy. On this team, especially playing some of the lesser teams we do to pad stats, there's no reason we shouldn't have one over 5. He only scored all those TDs because he was the back in the game at the time. I'm confident he's our 3rd best healthy back, and after watching Martin possibly 4th.
It shouldn't be expected though. He needs to bring his "A" game. Legends are made in November...
I don't know, I thought going into this year the team had a lot of talent and COULD be really really good. BUT because the team had some many Sophomores and first time starters in key positions I knew it could also be a year where they lost 3 or 4 games. Is it really a nightmare if they do? Is the sky really falling? I understand people being upset because the offense hasn't come along, but the QB is only a sophomore, most of the line and the up and coming stars are Sophomores and a really talented fresman who is learning the college game. C'mon guys, let's be real about this. Troy wasn't a Heisman caliber QB after 17 games. This team could lose 2 more games, they could also win out. It's not the end of the world when there is a year where the team loses 4 games and goes to a not so great bowl. Last time they had a rough year and went to the Alamo bowl it really sprung them forward. I'd venture to say this team will be very very good come bowl time. As bad as the offense has looked, it's not that far away from breaking out.
Some of us are saying it.
No McNutt your job cleaning toilets at Wal-Mart is the position that is shameful
I like gameday. I despise Mark May and can barely understand Lou Holtz.
Lou, your good and have great comments. Just wipe the drool every now and then.
Mark, eat dirt. Stop drinking the USC or SEC punch and talk about real college football!
Is it me or every time Mark May talks, he talks down every team that is not USC or in the SEC.
Just goes to show you what Pryor can do with time. The line can and should play like this with tougher defenses.
Pryor did still float that ball to Posey for that first touchdown. He had to slow down for it. Even still, it was the right read (that was awesome!) and he had plenty of time to see it.
P.S. I still feel Posey caught that amazing pass down the sideline and it was knocked out. Should have gotten a replay on that one. It was tucked and he made a football move. Again, best pass I've seen from Pryor in the past few weeks.
KEEP IT UP TP!
Well, instead of "accepted/expected" I'll just say don't be surprised or upset.
Solid analysis, Chris. Not too rosy, not too dark. One week at a time with a young team.
BTW, I know everyone knows why Corso got the Beavis and Butthead chuckle, but the expression he used actually comes from an old firearms term, dating back to when wadding of paper or leather kept the powder in with the ball in an old muzzleloader. I guess it shows how long Lee has been around. ;)
So true, Brian, so true.
I personally wasn't upset that the team dropped some games as I expected that to probably be the case with this bunch (pre-season best bet was the Rose, really).
What angered me were: the USC game felt like defeat being snatched from the jaws of victory and one that we should have won and with Purdue, it was what looked like Pryor's lack of development/regression and the fact that we have a former video coordinator mentoring him.
W Bum is right! Something in wrong - either talent or coaching. And stop whining about Cincy! They are having a good season, have a good coach, and have a potent offense. I root for Ohio State when they are doing well (even every Rose Bowl), how about having a little class and root for the underdog once in awhile??
Yeah, but as someone pointed out earlier, Iowa thrashed this team a few years back. I was actually in the stands of that game and expected we would win because well Iowa just wasn't that solid that season. It was a later October game and the team really looked like it regressed then too. The next few seasons after that one were pretty darn good overal. I think this team is going to be very very good, it just takes a while to get all these young pieces in place and get them playing consistently.
Just sit out Boom and Zoom this week and let them get healthy. Time to see what the kids can really do from the start.
I dont' feel that a concusion from a bad hit constitues as the same old injury problems for Zoom. I mean yeah it's an injury, but it's not Beanie type stuff where a wrist here, a toe there kind of injury. That's just my opinion though, I'd be much more inclined to say here we go again if it was an ankle injury or toe etc.
I don't deny that something is wrong (a combination of a lack of line talent and depth, along with some poor coaching), but I just don't subscribe to the belief that Cincy is this awesome powerhouse. They're playing patsies and putting up good stats. Good for them, I guess, but let's not start pretending they're an elite team because they beat South Florida and Oregon State.
They'll be exposed by any team with a competent, athletic defense. If it ain't Pitt, or West Virginia, it'll be in the bowl game.
Before you jump on me, I readily acknowledge that Ohio State's offense has been "exposed" by just about everyone over the past three seasons. In terms of offensive capability and firepower, there is no comparison. But I think we're putting a little too much stock into Cincy's numbers when we don't consider the disparity in SOS
I hate to be a stickler but the kid is 14-4 as a starter unless you, like me, like to forget the losses to Purdue and Penn State
IheartBRolle,
Lou's problem appears to be ill-fitting dentures. Every time I hear the man talk, I hope some dentist in the viewing audience will hook him up with a good set of choppers. On the subject of May, you forgot his love for Pittsburgh.
Nah, 14-3 as a starter: he didn't start the bowl game, Boeckman did.
BRolle, it's not you. Mark May is a tool.
On a brighter note, there seems to be much infighting between SEC fans about the quality of SEC officiating and the fact that Fla & Bama might be getting a significant handicap in their games.
Seems that LSU, Tenn, & Miss St aren't feeling the SEC love.