The game was stressful and at times frustrating for many fans (based on games threads & Twitter takes). To be honest, I wasn't comfortable until the clock hit zero. I've heard the pundits with hot takes about our inability to rush the passer and get sacks, the bad rotation at RB, LBs losing leverage, DBs not turning and looking for the ball. As I've had a chance to reflect on the game and it's contextual dynamic, I feel a lot more confident.
Some key contextual points:
+ Run defense. Minnesota's game plan felt like we were playing a service Academy. Minnesota ran the ball 50 times for 4.1 YPC. Take away the one long 4th down run and that's 3 YPC. This is with one of the largest, most experienced O-line's in the country. Our rush defense is very good.
+ Pass Rush. Simply put, Minnesota didn't pass a lot until the game was out of reach and we played bend don't break/keep it in front of you defense. In the first 3 quarters when Tanner threw, it was mostly quick hit RPO slants, short outs to the flats, or safety valve passes to the TE mostly in 3 seconds or less, making it near impossible for the D-line to get to him. 2x when he held on to the ball longer than that, he got sacked. Translation: even without sacks, the D-line pressure affected Minnesota.
+ Defensive Back "Issues." OSU played a ton of guys and two first time starters at corner. They're trying to see who they have and get dudes experience before facing the likes of Penix...and then later... Clemson/Georgia/Bama, etc. They also seemed to stick with larger DBs for the most part because guys like Williamson & RunDMC would be liabilities against Minny's big line/Mo Ibrahim. We also didn't show a lot of exotic coverage.
+ RB rotation. OSU is playing to be fresh in January, for sure. However...we only had 4 possessions in the first half. They stuck with their plan to play Miyan-Master-Trey. When the game was tight & they wanted to enforce their will, they fed Miyan and played Trey. Was that a mistake? I don't think the coaches were worried. It's not like any of them played bad, but it revealed the true pecking order going forward.
+ CJ Stroud's Early Struggles. New QB, young QB, first ever start on the road against a quality Big 10 opponent, with a new Center, in the rain. He had the yips on some passes, trying to zing it too fast a few times early. For the most part, he made wise decisions and never looked "lost" or "defeated."
NOW, here's my main concern after this game. We regularly got Minnesota "off schedule" and then proceeded to hand it back to them easily on second and long or third and long.
Penalties helped Minny keep some drives alive in these key moments. But our defense continues to struggle with the backside slant RPO & the TE safety valve seam. It's like they don't know its coming or just don't have an adjustment for it. We need to clean that up.
