On the surface, USC won two games over Ohio State in the last two years, one of them handily. Beyond that, however, it's hard to imagine the schedule makers had any idea how much each of the games would alter the seasons of the participants.
After walloping the 5th-ranked Buckeyes 35-3 last year in the Coliseum, the top-ranked Trojans promptly lost to unranked Oregon State the following week. This season, after squeaking by Ohio State in Columbus, USC lost their follow-up game again, this time going down in Seattle to Washington. You can blame a patented Petey letdown and Jacquizz Rodgers for the loss in 2008 and an injured Matt Barkley and Taylor Mays certainly contributed to the upset at the hands of the Huskies, but the end result was an 11-1 team looking in at the BCS Championship from the outside last year and a high probability of a similar scenario playing out later this season.
Pivotal. Twice.For the Buckeyes, the consequences have been even more dramatic. Not only did each loss end championship hopes early in the season, but Jim Tressel and staff retooled the offense each time.
Last year we saw the benching of the 6th-year senior quarterback that had taken the team to the national championship game the prior season. This year, we witnessed the pro-style offense with heavy I tendencies that had been a staple under Tressel tossed into the garbage bin shortly after the heartbreaker at home. Given the performance of the offensive line last year, inserting Pryor for Boeckman made sense. While it's still too early to make a call, I also believe the move to the zone-read in an effort to simplify things for Pryor will be the right play this season as well.
For starters, though the offensive linemen have good size, the Buckeyes lacked a true I running back. Most of us thought Herron might be the guy based on his performance down the stretch last season, especially against Michigan and Texas, but he seemed to have problems getting his feet up on his runs and was shoe-stringed several times at the line of scrimmage to start the year. He was enjoying his best game of the season against the Illini before going down with an ankle injury and has but two carries since. Brandon Saine has been a pleasant surprise this year, potentially supplanting Boom as the top back, but again, not a prototypical I formation back especially when you consider some of his shortcomings in pass pro.
The staff, primarily driven by Hazell we're assuming, also wanted to simplify the offense for Pryor. He struggled mightily against a solid Trojan defense, completing just 44% of his passes with the costly first drive interception that provided the margin of victory for USC. Mack Brown did something similar for Vince Young. We're hearing a lot about how Young was given one or two reads on a play and told to take off running if nothing was there. It's pretty easy to move the chains when the quarterback can rip of 17 yard chunks at any time.
Unfortunately, two things have happened to stagnate this approach. First, defenses finally have plenty of film on Pryor and are going to do what Carroll did to him: spy him, contain the edges and bring heat to force him to beat you with his arm. Second, right about when the new offense was coming online, Pryor began to run tentatively, making bad reads or cuts. Whether it's because he's not a fan of contact (an idea that seems more and more plausible with each passing week) or he has too much going on inside of his head to let his natural rushing talents take over, he's clearly not what I would consider a dangerous rushing threat this season. He might break off a 30-yarder here and there, but clearly I couldn't have been the only one to see the Bearcats' Zach Collaros bust a 75-yarder on South Florida and wonder where some of that was for the Buckeyes. Pryor's career long run if you're wondering is 43 yards.
This isn't to say Pryor can't turn things around. Ken Gordon of the Dispatch openly wondered where the team goes from here and the correct answer to that is not back to the pro style set the team spent all spring and summer working on with Pryor. There are some shortcomings to the new offensive strategy employed since the Illinois game, but if you look closely, you can see signs of improvement. Tressel mentioned that Pryor's footwork was in fact improving and it probably is. Based on the running jump of a pick he threw deep to Duron Carter in the Purdue game, it could probably stand to improve some more.
Although he's struggled with the read at the mesh point, I thought the first quarter touchdown he scored against Purdue was brilliant and hopefully a sign of things to come. He held the ball inside Saine's gut long enough to draw to inside defenders to the running back before pulling it out at the last minute and racing to the pylon.
The line, though young, must continue to gel. I know the staff likes to tote the fact that guys like Cordle can play anywhere on the line and they enjoy plugging different guys in on different series, but I really would like to see a group of five start to take all of the snaps and grow. The five being Adams, Boren, Brewster, Browning and Shugarts. While we're on the topic of blocking, Jake Ballard must step up his game. It's probably frustrating to be overthrown by 10 feet when your'e wide open in the end zone, but that's no excuse for how badly he's been handled at times this season when pass protecting.
The receivers, I believe, are a quality group and will only get better over time. They typically bring down the balls that are thrown their way (and then some). Pryor must do a better job of leading them on their routes and he must also improve his short passing game to the backs. The staff should also look to throw more over the middle of the field. Stoneburner is getting more reps and he's a solid target and we know Ballard has the size and hands to make something happen. When defenses are positioning themselves to shut down Pryor on the outside, that leaves huge pockets open in the middle. Tressel, of course, is reluctant to throw over the middle, but that has to change. And quick.
So how will this team respond to the most adversity they've faced in quite some time? We know Terrelle can make the throws -- all you have to do is pop on a tape of the spring game to see that. Will the staff continue to try to put him in a position to be successful and if so, will he start to learn to take care of the ball, especially when going down under pressure? We better hope so. If there's anything you can bank on, it's that a steadfast Tressel likely won't change his offensive philosophy twice in the same year.
Comments
An Ode to Tresselball
You beat Miami in the year 2002,
How long will that satisfy you?
It started in ’05 with Texas beating us in the ‘Shoe,
2006 started with a bang, thought you had a clue.
Coach Tressel how come you cannot beat great teams?
Overrated Notre Dame; the last time we saw great coaching schemes
You beat Texas in Austin they weren’t that good.
Florida? How did it feel when Meyer laid you the wood?
Game of the Century you beat Michigan by three.
Michigan was great? What happened when they met USC?
The next year redemption was ours until Louisiana State,
Even Beanie couldn’t save us from being Tiger Bait.
How could a Tressel coached team look so bad??
Lovely show vs USC, Boone still looked fat and sad.
Rubber match with Texas this time we’ll be fine…
No wait, Bollman’s still coaching the O-line.
USC this year, with Pryor surely nothing to fear,
Siciliano, Pryor’s coach, THAT’s why his play brings forth many a tear.
4th and goal from the one, you kicked it, everyone knew we were done.
Every innovative opposing coach makes you look like their son.
You’re a nice guy, you’re favorite play is the punt.
You’re no longer a good coach, I’m sorry was that too blunt?
Pryor does not look like he will ever succeed,
Youngstown’s quarterback or another coach is perhaps what we need.
Want to hear a joke? In Tressel We Trust.
Doesn’t it hurt when other coaches upon you thrust?
Hey at least we have good specials teams,
More than any monster you ruin our dreams.
Heacock’s soft zone never succeeds when given the chance,
You leave us ever wanting like a girl stood up for a dance,
In closing Sweater Vest go back to Y State,
I’m just one of many sick of you deciding our beloved Buckeyes’ fate.
Thankfully, M4H will never reproduce.
Of all of the millions of words I have read about the Buckeyes this week, this article is the best. What a treat to see something that is critical of what is (or isn't) happening on the field without being another 'fire all of the adults' piece. Real suggestions about what could/should be, based on insight and not a knee jerk. Thanks, Jason.
It seems that it all adds up to an offense where someone(s) needs to step up and make some plays, since that isn't coming from the QB spot with any regularity. Who has the best opportunity to do that, do you think?
It seems Pryor is still the best option, but you're right that someone else has to step up. I like the idea of Saine in space (see last week's big reception in the second drive). Also, Jason's right about the receiving corps. They impress me more each week. Just get them the damn ball; over the middle, bubble screen, pass/punt deep, whatever.
job. school. girlfriend. wife. dog. cat. fish. book. tv. exercise.
these are just a few of the obvious things that would have been a more productive use of your time.
Why not go back to the pro style offense? The issue wasn't with the offense itself, but with the play calling (and scheme). Sure, teams can stack the line and protect the edges fron TP, as you say, USC did just that. But USC also left receivers uncovered to do that. OSU didn't take advantage - read the indictment by Chis Brown for the evidence. OSU had no chance when outnumbered in the box and no threat of TP even trying to quick-hit receivers.
It's not like this new shotgun-spread-option-zone read or whatever it is works - teams are still stacking the box and taking away edges. The play calls and the lack of comfort from the line and TP do not make them pay. It seems like OSU is still trying to run a verticle offense from whatever the new formation is, rarely running quick hit plays to keep defenses honest.
In sum, unless OSU, either through playcalls, schemes, and ultimately execution, keeps defenses honest, it doesn't matter what "style" of offense they run. Oh, and run a coherent offense that builds on itself, but that probably another post.
Good stuff...
But, the biggest point in here that i personally have not been able to put my finger on is this!
Throwing over the middle?
Where is it? Why don't we?
Only passes i can remember are the long 30 yard post routes to posey, that have seemed to dissappear and reapear.
Because when teams stack the box, there are 4 guys Pryor has to throw over and potentially 4 guys to intercept slants. There is a much smaller margin for error in a short-and-intermediate passing game, especially with a passer who lives on his back foot like Pryor.
for me it went job.girlfriend and daughter.dogs.weights.food.shower.girlfriend and daughter.reading. then that little diddy up top before i went to sleep. not surprisingly i slept much better after having a release for the filth that is tressel's inability to adapt.
i already did, she's 16 months, she's baller, and you can bet your single ass she's going to grow up to be a realist buckeye fan. she'll criticize when it is warranted and she'll praise when it is deserved. she can already say "michigan sucks" so she's accomplished more in her time on earth then you have sammy boy.
Sam, did you know he is 6'6" ?
Throwing over lineman is not a prob for Dree Bree's, and he is 5'4" (lol)
Don't quite know what you are talking about in the last part of your
Paragraph. I would love to see short-and-intermediate passes!
But, i think jason is right on...
"When defenses are positioning themselves to shut down Pryor on the outside, that leaves huge pockets open in the middle. Tressel, of course, is reluctant to throw over the middle, but that has to change. And quick".
I would rather develope my quarterback over the middle, than throw a lob
interception down the field.
Height is not necessarily an issue, but that doesn't mean defensive linemen - especially considering they're working against our offensive line - can't reach a hand up and tip a Pryorball at the LOS, leading to an easy pick. It's clear that Pryor can't make reads quickly and easily, and that's what such a focus on shorter routes in the passing game would require. Yes, I suppose we could try it, but I wouldn't be shocked if it ended up being just as lackluster as whatever the hell our current passing game is.
So many things are positive about developing a short passing game. TP's best mechanics (like stepping into the pass) seem to come on the quick-developing, quick release plays. Short passes over the middle might keep LBs more honest. That's got to sound good to Saine and the RB gang. And then, there is the whole 'establish a possession offense and get a few first downs' thing. The defense might really cheer for that.
All true points.
I'm personally hoping for a bubble screen here or there.
I'd love for us to incorporate a designated dump off bubble screen slot receiver on almost every play, regardless of what the designed play is on any given down. I think that Brandon Saine and Flash could split the time there (Dane's isn't as good on the screen) and be very effective. If Pryor gets overwhelmed by the pass rush, he can quickly turn and dump it off to Flash or Saine. The more touches those guys get, the better. That setup would also get Jordan Hall on the field, set up alongside Pryor. Hall and Saine have been our most effective assets on offense, along with Dane, and we should find a way to get those players on the field more often. Flash is ready to break out, as well.
Look if i watched film of this team what would i see?
Teams no what he is doing, and what he is not doing!
Why do people run to set up the pass, why do people throw if deep to keep the defense honest. Even if he is not great, we have to teach him and do it.
So, freaking lame to say just not let him throw over the middle!
I also remember an all american who prob watched plenty of film on us get baited on a screen... What did they run then? A beautiful slant to sans for a 50 yard pick up!
Cmon, guys this isn't rocket science! If nothing else is working what is going to hurt. He is learning you better start teaching him how to throw everywhere.
Hopefully she'll be able to do it in a more clever manner than her daddy.
All I keep hearing and reading is Pryor,Pryor,Pryor. The media and opposing teams are so tee'd up on him that there is no identity to this offense.
1) Have we had a 100 yard rusher all season?
2) Why does the offensive line play like they are facing backwards? It's as if opposing DT's have more rushing yards than our running backs! (based on TFL)
3)Can a running back pick up a block?
In basketball, if you have a dominating center with no one around him, the opposition will double and triple team him every play.
Same goes for this offense, if they know Pryor is the only thing that can hurt them, they will only worry about him.
I keep hearing about how great Pike,Tebow,McCoy and Barkley are. Has anyone seen how much time they have to make a decision?
I will agree that Pryor has not made the best of the situation and has looked horrible. But even the most skilled passers need help around them. Pryor looked great when he had a running back (Beanie) that made defenses nervous. If there is no one to take the ball beyond 20 yards, why would a defense worry about it. Stack eight in the box knowing that four can get through and four can spy Pryor. Was I mistaken when I saw four Purdue linemen flush out Pryor and 3-4 defenders waiting for him?
Yeah,yeah,yeah throwing it deep will keep the safeties back.
Yeah,yeah,yeah play action pass will give him enough time.
YOU NEED AT LEAST 3 SECONDS AND A RUNNING THREAT TO DO THAT!
Great job McNutt. I think it took you since the '05 Texas game to write that. It's amazing what 4 years can do for someone; some of us go to college, others write that...
i lol'd. ignore the haters
How about learning how to write a sentence you know the thing that starts with a capital letter after a period, does that factor into the things you choose to do?
If all of this is merely growing pains for Pryor and the other young players, then it's worth it. If the Buckeyes are signficantly better next season, and contend for a national title in 2010 or 2011, then as hard as it is to write off 2009, it's a means to an end.
Look at Florida's 2007 season. The Gators won a title in 2006, then went 9-4, then won another title last year. I'm sure 2007 wasn't very fun, but it served a purpose, as Tim Tebow took over the reins full time.
I would like to see the team run about 10,000 screen passes on Saturday. Nothing takes the edge off a pass rush like well-executed screen plays. And it takes a lot of practice to get it right. Michigan under Carr used to do that over and over again and it always got yardage because they had practiced it so much that they had the execution down to a science. We have a running back who is not great at pass-pro but is a great receiver and very dangerous in the open field. We also have opposing teams that are selling out to put pressure on Pryor. Hello!
I also don't want to see any freshmen or rust-covered seniors (i.e. Cordle) getting playing time on the offensive line unless a starter is injured or OSU is up by at least 3 TD's. Play the starters exclusively so that they can achieve some cohesiveness as a unit.
"I’m sure 2007 wasn’t very fun, but it served a purpose, as Tim Tebow took over the reins full time."
truer words, were never spoken. i mean do we all remember those awful growing pains tebow had in 2007?!
this video should be a great reminder...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
You took the words right out of my mouth, Joe. Bubble screens, RB screens, whatever. Seems like a simple play, that can be really effective It sure did burn our defense Saturday. The only problem I see is that open field blocking seems to give our guys a little trouble.
Also, was it just me or was the LB blitz almost non-existent saturday? I know our d-line is great, but when they seemed to not be getting pressure on Elliot, I would have liked to see Spitler coming off the end a little more.
Agreed on the o-line also. lets get five guys playing together from now on. if you want to throw in Hall as the 6th, then so be it.
I'd kill for a simple scrren pass at this point
Whenever we play soft zone with no LB blitzes we lose, I dont think we need to point out examples.....
I was trying to scan through that to find some footage of him but at the first part I started it it immediately said " on campus he is seen as a mythical figure" and then "some see him as more special because he has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ' and I had to run to the toilet to vomit. Now that I have 2 or 3 minutes beteween my spasming dry heaves, I thought I would warn everyone how nauseating this vide....sorry got to run to the can again
Between the soft zone and the increasingly conservative play call, are we sure that Earle Bruce is not still running this team?
Thank you for this thoughtful and insightful article. It's the best one I've read over the last 5 days.
The ol Tebow shovel pass to Saine would be money everytime. But Tressel is not that creative.
That play involves the line blocking and the ball moving forward...so EPIC FAIL
Well the ol zone read doesn't work for shit. You have run some play that has not been run 750,000 times aleady this year. So why not try it. If the line isn't blocking saine will already be past half the defense.
This part mystifies me:
"..and the correct answer to that is not back to the pro style set the team spent all spring and summer working on with Pryor."
If The Team spent all this time working on a pro-style set; what did the coaches see during this time to make them think it will work, then we get to the regular season and it not?
Who knows. I know he looked pretty solid in the spring game running that style offense.
What happens in practice? USC has "Competition Tuesdays" with the ones going against the ones. There's no way the Buckeyes are doing something like that or the defense would absolutely own the offense.
Really the offense didn't do anything in the spring game till the last 4:00 mins of the 1st half.
The problem is Pryor is trying to make big plays on every down. He is pressing too much and needs to take what the defense gives him. Which vs Purdue happened to be the middle of the field. Teams will continue to play 8 in the box and force Pryor to make a good throw everytime.
For the life of me I don't understand why we don't throw deep to stop defenses from stacking the box. Posey, Small, Sanz, Carter can all beat one on one coverage down field.
This team needs to stick with what has worked in the past. Saine out of the backfield is one play I would love to see a lot more of along with more deep balls down the middle of the field. Middle screen could kill with pryor rolling out. Go Bucks!
I (partly) disagree tampa, I think Tressel turns to the deep ball far too often and by doing so is thinking that he's 'opening it up'... opposing defenses are stacking the box often leaving our wideouts in single coverage. Yes, one option is to toss it over the top, but that's clearly not Pryor's strength at this point, what would be great would be some quick slants and some crossing patterns... and certainly not 5 yard outs, like the one that resulted in a Purdue int.
then there's people like you who think tressel does a great job regardless of the scoreboard and to criticize him is blasphemy. answer me this bucknuts-what part of the above is not true? i anxiously await your insightful response...
yes because internet decorum is so high up on my list, you don't have very many friends in real life do you?
Any thoughts on this defense...
They have been lights out lately! But, i thought against purdon't they looked a little flat. (as a whole) I didn't see the normal gibson, or (dline).
I think we are super talented, but whats up with are passing defense?
Not a big fan of the bend don't break crap!
Few ideas... How about rotating in some speed and blitz off the edges.
There were minimal blitz packages all game, as we watched this defense give up big passing yards two games in a row!
(NOT BASHING THE DEFENSE) Just curious if this is a worry to anyone?
I'm sure, because Earle would call screen passes occasionally.
I watched the game again last night, and I'm more convinced now that Pryor was confused by what Purdue was doing on defense. And he wasn't the only one. The offensive line seemed confused as well, with even Boren missing blocks. There was one play where they split their DE out wide and Mike Adams didn't even bother to block him when he rushed. Adams just stood there looking for someone to block, apparently not seeing the guy who had just streamed in from his left.
How about because they were dog tired? Two weeks of being on the field 4 times as much as you offense takes a hit on your body and your mind. Having played ball before in this situation, I can tell you first hand that you feel as if you've been hit by a train and dragged for 1000 feet over large boulders.
Even with perfectly conditioned athletes you cannot expect them to be perfect for as long as they were on the field.
Well, that is the obivous answer...!
Beside that fact that any defense stays on the field alot. We should be
used to it by now.
More concerned with them picking apart are secondary, and no blitz
packages.
ANYONE CARE TO COMMENT ABOUT THAT?
Shoot, i think the whole world knows are offense is 3 out half the game.
It's difficult to throw deep when you don't have time to throw it. That's why we keep seeing TP throw off his back foot!
Not bad, M4H. Your rhymes are okay, but your rhythm and meter need some work. Give your pen a try at Ode to a Buckeye QB.
Agreed on the confusion. Watching the offense, particularly the offensive line and Pryor, I wonder about their overall football "smarts". How can you not block the far defender if you're the left tackle? "He wasn't in my blocking zone coach"
Seemed to me that they did not blitz much, only bringing 4 guys to rush. Plus, Purdue's line had an outstanding day. Plus their QB got rid of the ball on many 3 step drops. Equals a rough day for the pass D. They must bring the heat. That's what makes this team successful.