Looks like Terrelle has been taking classes at the school of Beanie
The Buckeyes finally found their stride on both sides of the ball turning an expected close game against Michigan State in to a complete blowout. With questions looming on offense, Ohio State came into this game as a mere three-point favorite. By halftime, they were up 28-0 and managed to tack on another 17 points before the game was over.
The Buckeye defense all but shut out Michigan State’s Javon Ringer who came into the game with a nation leading 1,100+ yards rushing. Laurinaitis, Jenkins and company held him to a mere 67 yards Saturday. More important, they forced five turnovers including a 44yrd run by Donald Washington for a touchdown. I’m not sure where that fits in but I can’t remember that many yards on a fumble recovery for touchdown in a long time.
Like Ohio State going in, however, MSU was pretty on dimensional focusing on the run. Penn State adds a strong passing game to the mix.
On Offense, the Pryor/Wells show continues to develop. Pryor put up 188 yards including two touchdowns and just as important, he didn’t give up any turnovers. It was also good to see Pryor air it out a little including a 56 yard pass to Brian Hartline. Big passes like that are going to build Pryor’s confidence and when his passing game hits full stride, look out.
Pryor also seems to be taking a page from the Beanie Wells school of running. He threw down one of the best stiff arms I’ve seen in a long time. I am still amazed at the way he runs — it’s almost as though he’s in slow motion yet it usually takes a couple of tries to bring him to the ground.
Wells also seems to be playing with an air of confidence. The injured foot must not be causing too much trouble as on one touchdown, he took the last two yards or so sideways through the air. He put up 141 yards and carried the ball more than 30 times.
As for Penn State:
Penn State struggled for a half against Mac Conference slumpbust Michigan. Sure, the final score showed the expected blowout but at one point in the first half, Michigan was up 17-7. It looked like Michigan found a soft spot early on as they put up a total of 202 yards rushing. Granted, Penn State adjusted after the first quarter but please, Michigan hasn’t been too impressive with the run this year.
In the “Will You Be Our Rival Please” department, the Penn State fans were out in full force for this game. I don’t know if it’s impressive or pathetic that the Penn State fans got so excited about a win over Michigan. Sure, Michigan has been beating up on them for how many years now? But honestly, if Penn State couldn’t end their loosing streak this year, they may as well pack it in. It would be like Buckeye fans going crazy over a big game against Youngstown.
I like the set up coming into this weekend. Penn State is legendary for getting overconfident and the Buckeyes are getting pretty good a dashing those hopes. They also won’t have the advantage of their beloved white out, Paternoville or whatever else they need to win a home game.
Meanwhile, they struggled against a Michigan run, even for a quarter. If they don’t improve against the rush, Pryor and Wells will walk all over them. And again, while beating the snot out of Michigan may give you warm fuzzies inside, honestly, what does it mean?
Penn State has a history of coming from nowhere and by halfway through the season, thinking they’re on a BCS Championship run. And now that they’re ranked number 3, no question, they think they’re good. However, if our defense continues to play with confidence and the offense plays as energized as they did against MSU, it will be fun once again to dash some Penn State BCS fantasy.
Just remember the last time Penn State came to the Shoe. Other than Coach Paterno running through it on the way to the bathroom, the Buckeyes kept them out of the end zone altogether.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
“Penn State has a history of coming from nowhere and by halfway through the season, thinking their on a BCS Championship run. And now that they’re ranked number 3, no question, they think their good.”
Come on man, you attempted to use the contraction “they’re” three times in one sentence and only got it right once.
What were the USC fans chanting?
Oh yeah: “Over rated?”
Wow, the grammar police are out today. I’m afraid you get first draft stuff here, raw and unedited. If I get a chance, I go back and clean it up.
“Penn State is legendary for getting overconfident”
Just curious, what are you basing that off of?
Never criticize a blogger’s grammar–it detracts karma points from your luck bank and your penis will shed millimeters in your sleep.
Misspellings and wrong words always add to that “comfy” feeling that only a good blog post can deliver.
I’ve been thinking about the overconfident comment trying to find some justification for it. I think that maybe I should have said “becoming legendary.”
I’m sure this is more a matter of perception than anything based in actual fact. Penn State caught us off guard in 2005. That was the first “white out” that I can remember along with the first Paternoville. There was an energy there that they have been trying to recreate ever since.
I also believe strongly that you only get to do that to a team once, the next time they are ready for it.
There is no question that last year, they were looking forward to a repeat of 2005. I also think they got a big shock at OSU in 2006.
So yeah, considering Penn State’s record against the Buckeyes, especially in the Shoe, I’ll admit to a little hyperbole there.
So, which defense are we going to see this weekend. The soft zone D with limited blitzing, or the attack they let the linebackers and Jenkins put on the MSU backfield? I pray for the latter, as the former will lead to a loss.
Just how beautiful was the misdirection throw back pass to the TE this past weekend? Oh my, I haven’t seen such a nice play since the play action pass vs. Michigan in ’06.
O-H
Do you think that your defense looked good last week because you played a one dimensional team, without their starting QB, who gave you the ball 5 times. Just asking.
Two of the give-aways didn’t even play a role in the game so those did not influence the outcome. Also, did MSU give them away, or did OSU take them away? A question that can always be asked, but at least one meaningful TO was a great D play. Also, their starting QB actually saw 2 quarters, the score 28-0 when he left. So your last two points…well aren’t really valid in discussion of the D. Now, the one dimensional thing I will accept. But if you step back and actually look at the D play from a scheme perspective, the D came out much differently than past games. I won’t sit here and explain it to you. Instead, I’ll assume you have the ability to look at schemes yourself; although that is questionable given your QB and “gave you the ball” comments.
“it will be fun once again to dash some Penn State BCS fantasy.”
Now that this fantasy has turned into reality, I have another one for you: Michigan’s gonna beat ya too…..! Enjoy the Alamo Bowl.