If there’s anyone out there who still holds a shred of confidence in the Ohio State offense, feel free to make your case. Until then, I’m turning to the defense to save us against the Corn Huskers. After getting out to an early start last week against Wisconsin, the Nebraska offense completely blew up throwing three turnovers and only notching a field goal as the Badgers rolled over them during the second half. If the Buckeyes want to win this one, they are going to have to pound the Nebraska offense. The biggest difference is that we can’t afford to let Nebraska get out to the early lead and we can’t count on our offense to capitalize on turnovers the same way that Wisconsin did.
While it’s possible that Nebraska’s confidence is still shaken after last weekend, they will have the home crowd behind them. The Buckeyes need to give quarterback Taylor Martinez flashbacks of Camp Randall early in the first quarter and keep on him through all four quarters. The defense showed potential against Michigan State. They need to continue against Michigan State.
O.K. Offense
While the problems with the Ohio State offense have been hashed and rehashed over and over in the past few days, it’s important to note that Nebraska does not have the defense that we saw last week against Michigan State. So far this season, they have given up an average 27 points and 377 yards per game. That breaks down to an 152 yards on the ground and 224 passing per game. According to a story in The Columbus Dispatch, none of the Nebraska defensive players have earned the right to wear the honorary “Blackshirt” given to starting defensive Corn Huskers.
The return of Mike Adams should be a boost to an offensive line that looked more like a sieve against a never-ending Michigan State blitz. Problem is, unless the Ohio State offensive line can come up with something other than the run, draw, go deep, repeat pattern that we saw over and over last week, then it won’t take much for Nebraska to hold the Buckeyes. The Buckeyes have to give Nebraska something of a look to keep them honest. Question is, do they have it in them.
So here’s the one hope I can go with until proven different: stifling defense giving Buckeyes field position. Offense at least manages to get ball across 50. Drew Basil finds his leg and has the game of his life. Buckeyes win 22-14 with Basil putting up 15 points and the offense pulling another 7 out of their ass.
“We are the poster child for compliance” – Ohio State President Gordon Gee
Earlier this week, I expressed my frustration for what appears to me at least to be minor violations against Marcus “not Jordan” Hall and Dan Herron. What I failed to recognize in my earlier post is that it’s not the NCAA that is doling out these penalties but The Ohio State University. Yes, we are under a close microscope and the university needs to be vigilant but would any of this had happened at another school? Criticize Gordon Gee and Gene Smith all you want, they are reporting every, and I mean every, possible violation they come across. I can’t believe there aren’t other schools out there that would have very successfully shuffled everything under the table — tattoos, emails, the entire lot.
I’m still a big supporter of President Gee. To fire him over this would be an even bigger loss than the loss of Coach Tressel. There are somewhere around 50,000 students on the Ohio State campus that don’t play football. Yes, Ohio State is bigger than the football program. So is President Gee.
Don’t Forget: It’s not to late for College Football Pickem
It’s not too late to get in on tBuckeyeblog’s College Football Pickem. At this point, there’s some serious bragging rights on the table. Still not sure about prizes. Have to be honest folks, the success of tBuckeyes on the field have an impact on this blog. Haven’t heard much from the sponsors this year. I’ll drop a couple of emails and see what I can dig up.
Last week saw a big consolidation in points as a couple of newcomers “I Wipe with TP” and “HighStreetRoller” took the top two spots. TP’s Car, tEggman, Brutus and myself ended in a four-way tie for the third spot. tEggman, Mikie and myself have taken a particular interest in the overall and are all within a point in the 4-6 spots. And I’ll warn you all, if somebody doesn’t pull down TP’s car, I have a sense that it could get pretty rough around here.
To get in on the action, go to:
http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/college
Group ID#2427
Password: buckeyes
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I’m agreeing with the defense theme here. With as horrible as a job our offensive coaching staff does at putting our players into a position to succeed, our only chance would look to be Martinez and his propensity to make huge mistakes. The defense will need to pressure and pressure some more and force Nebraska to do something other than run the ball. Oh.. and tackle.. that would be nice. Good old fashion tackling…like the first person to get to the ball, not the third.
I can’t remember being a 10 point underdog to another Big10 team. This is embarrassing.
For the love of god, someone on that field play like you’ve got a pair Saturday night.
“And I’ll warn you all, if somebody doesn’t pull down TP’s car, I have a sense that it could get pretty rough around here.”
Like button.
There’s a difference between what I think will happen and what I’m hoping to see. What I’m hoping to see this Saturday is a more opportunistic defense. I’m glad for them that they get off the field easily, but I want to see them do that and leave the offense with a shorter field. Last week, it almost seemed like a death note for the game when Travis Howard dropped the sure interception for a touchdown late in the game. Had had that happened, entirely different ball game because that would have been points in our favor and stopped Michigan State from driving the field for their deciding field goal.
I hate to say it because they’ve done an outstanding job, but we should expect more from our defense if the offense is struggling. It’s totally plausible to do so too considering all the years we’ve enjoyed of having a defense that can move the ball just as well as the offense.
Also, Jim, it’s not Jordan Hall that’s suspended. It’s Marcus Hall, offensive lineman.
It does get confusing doesn’t it. Sorry about that and thanks for pointing it out.
We should be able to run much better against Nebraska than against Michigan St. Nebraska doesn’t have the defensive line that Michigan St has, so I see our offensive line playing much better (especially with Adams back). I see our offense have a game similar to the Miami game. I know that was no great game, but still better than the MSU game. I see us running fairly well, but struggling mightily in the passing game. Defense and Special Teams must have huge games for Ohio St to have a shot at this one.