Penn State Here We Come; Have We Improved Enough?

So the Buckeyes put up 500 some yards against a hapless New Mexico State. The question is, are we ready for Penn State, Iowa and finally Michigan?

Going into the game, Coach Tressel said that it was all about improving. New Mexico State would give the Buckeyes a much needed chance to get better. But did they really improve? To be honest, I haven’t a clue.

There is no question the offense got off to a slow start in the first quarter and Pryor threw a couple of passes that would have been interceptions against most Big Ten teams. By the end of the half however, the game was turning into the blow out we all expected it to be.

What I liked:
What’s with the trick plays?! I loved both the onside kick and the Pryor to Herron to a left-handed Posy to Sanzenbacher for the touchdown.

I don’t know how you would defend against an onside kick like that. It looked at first like Pettrey had muffed it. Even in the replay, it wasn’t until I saw him wait for the ball to bounce 10 yards that I believed it was intentional. I’m not much for Xs and Ox but it seems like if the line can move in front of the kick to block as the kicker recovers his own kick, it would be very hard to prevent. If the receiving team looks like their on to it, then the kicker just boots it as hard as he can sending it deep to a kick returner with very little blocking help.

Maybe Tressel wanted to mix things up a little against an outmatched opponent. Maybe he wanted to give Penn State something to think about. Whatever the case, I hope he has the guts to push the play calling a little next week. And I hope the offense has the ability to let him.

I also liked the way Posey read the play. Apparently, the play was designed to go to back to Pryor but Posey made the read and found his second option in Sanzenbacher. Maybe Posey can show Pryor a thing or two.

What I didn’t like
Pryor is still telegraphing his passes and throwing off his back foot. He needs to quit pumping the ball and throw it. He’s never going to be able to thread the passes he’s trying to thread if he hesitates. Same thing on the run. He needs to make the decision to go and go. When he does, he’s hard to stop.

Also not so sure about the offensive line. Early on, New Mexico State was pressuring Pryor more then I’d ever want to see them pressure. Against Penn State or Iowa, that could add up to big losses. A number of Pryor’s big runs came off broken plays. Don’t they always though.

We lost Pettrey. At least it doesn’t look good. While he’s missed more then his share lately, those long field goals may come in handy. Likewise, if this game does come down to a last minute field goal, Devin Barclay just kicked in his first game Saturday. If ever there was a kicker to ice, it would seem like he’s the one. Who knows, maybe he learned how to handle the pressure from a few penalty kicks with the Columbus Crew. (And did I mention he’s from Annapolis, my adopted home town).

Update The Columbus Dispatch’s Ken Gorden is reporting on Twitter (@kgordonosu http://twitter.com/kgordonosu) that Pettrey is out for the rest of the season with a torn MCL and is scheduled for surgery Tues. Not good. Full story here.

Against Penn State
No question this is going to be a defensive struggle. The Ohio State defense needs to be ruthless and not let up. Iowa showed how well Penn State responds to a relentless attack. It is crucial that the Buckeyes keep Daryll Clark off balance.

Offensively, Tressel and the offense need to attack and not let up. Conservative play calling won’t win this game. Last year’s game came down to one play and a matter of inches. The Buckeyes need to push the score into double digits early and drastically improve red zone efficiency. Missed field goals and three points when we should be getting seven won’t cut it.

Tagged as: Lions, New Mexico State, Penn State, PSU