While those of us in Buckeye nation find ourselves deeply entrenched in a debate over the development of our offense, leave it to an SEC blog to really capture the essence of the Ohio State offense in a way that only an outsider can do:
Grimly fingerbanging its way through its schedule without having to resort to actually using the designed implement for scoring, Ohio State is saving putting it in the endzone properly for marriage but using all kinds of football outercourse to protect its chastity. Jim Tressel’s defensive chastity belt has them allowing just 12 points a game. As bad as you may think they are offensively, they’re worse offensively: 86th in the nation, and 108th in the nation in passing offense. Date-rapin’ Iowa looks like Texas Tech comparatively, and Terrelle Pryor runs the passing attack with the verve and accuracy of a young point-shaving Art Schlicter. Kurt Coleman taking direct snaps and dare people to touch him might be more impressive, because he scares the bark off trees and leads the usual Ohio State defense. Boner time: 21st in punting!
I mean really, where do you go from there? Stunningly accurate if not discomforting metaphors aside, the idea of playing Coleman on both sides of the ball is one I hadn’t heard. At this point it isn’t sounding all that bad.
Tressel ended Tuesday’s press conference saying that the goal for the second half of the season was for Pryor to notch up 110 yards rushing per game, throw for another 250/game and run out the season 6-0.
With Pryor’s talent, it is a fairly realistic goal. As I expressed in an earlier discussion on this blog, the question is, can the coaching staff get him there.
At this point, what this offense needs is a good old fashioned slumpbust. Something to bring back the old confidence. An easy mark to prove to that they’ve still got game. A game that gives Tressel the opportunity to mix up the play calling, to take a few risks. But where? Who? We’re halfway through the season. The out of conference pushovers are well behind us. If only there were a team that could give our offense the opportunity to take a few risks, to grow, develop and gel as a cohesive unit. If only there were such a team…
Buckeyes take on Purdue
The Bucks head to Purdue this weekend to take on the Boilermakers. Although they opened the week as only a 13 point favorite, you’d better get your picks in quick as the spread is now up to 15. It actually moved up a point as I was writing this post.
I may actually buy one of these myself -- sort of a 'lost causes' type of thing
It’s no wonder the spread is going up as the Buckeye defense scored more then that against Wisconsin — a team with a good offensive line. Put the Buckeye D up against a turnover prone Purdue and this game could get ugly real fast.
As for the offense, if they’ve ever had something to prove, this is the time to do it. Don’t think for a minute Tressel hasn’t heard the critics. He’s been bombarded all week with questions and doubts. Aggressive play calling combined with a top performance from Pryor is exactly what this offense needs to get back on track again. Purdue’s been giving up 30 points per game this season. Now’s the time to build confidence against Purdue, develop technique against Minnesota and solidify it all against New Mexico State. By then the Buckeyes will be ready when they head into Happy Valley.
Before we get carried away though, Purdue almost got past Notre Dame. Then again, who hasn’t? If the defense plays even half what they did against Wisconsin, they could double the 15 point spread and then some.
Update: The Columbus Dispatch is reporting this morning (Thurs) that Pryor feels that this is going to be the breakout game. He says there’s a sense that the offense is ready to explode, he sees what he needs to do different and from here out, it’s a new game. As I mentioned above, Tressel outlined the goal for the next six.
Naturally, being the Tressel bred coach that he is, Siciliano was quick to back peddle. While I believe that a big part of our offensive breakout may be the fact the Purdue is not very good, Sicilano wanted to be sure to clarify. From the Columbus Dispatch:
“I don’t want it misinterpreted that he says, ‘Purdue is not very good, and we can go out and score 40′ — nuh-uh,” Siciliano said. “That’s not what he was getting at. He was just saying he believes, ‘Hey, it could come together this week.’ “
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Gee I did not know someone in the SEC could write so eliquently. To me all SEC fans are rednecks. I know the person who wrote the blog could not have been a Gator fan because they
have trouble counting to ten. I hope your right and the offense gets on track this week
With the real meat of our schedule being the last three games and with a possible BCS bowl
at stake Tress better get it rolling.
I have been the biggest critic of the Buckeyes offense, and it’s time they shut me up.
EDBS is truly an anomaly in the SEC.
Annapolis,
I think we now know the answer to many of our questions. Our offense sucks! Better yet, we have no offense. Should we now hit the panic button? Definitely! This is not getting any better. It won’t get any better until we make some dramatic changes. I think our offensive scheme is totally wrong. Everyone is accountable. Coaches and players are responsible for what we saw at Purdue. To call our performance lackluster is most kind. I’ve let out so many expletives that I am ashamed. Only can my Buckeyes get me this upset. When will we see some pressure from alums and the athletic administration? 4th and 2 for a touchdown and we’re down 23 to 7. Tressel and the Bucks elect to kick another field goal. I’m sorry but Gene Smith, don’t you think it’s time to call Tress into the office and have a discussion about playing to win? Or are we satisfied with what we have here? This is ugly! It’s very difficult to watch this. Lose to a 1 and 5 team! Something is terribly wrong with this.
This game against Purdue just signifies what I’ve known since last year, Terrelle Pryor IS NOT a very good quarterback. The entire coaching staff should be called to AD’s office and be told ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!! There should be repercussions to such stupid, misuse of talent. I am speaking of the talent on the defensive and the ten players (minus Terrelle Pryor) on offense. T.P. should be benched and let Bauserman have his shot. It could not be any worse for the offense, it may even be the spark the team needs. Obviously, the current “starting” QB is a joke.
I really cant believe the arrogance of the typical buckeye fan. The offense took a break against the Badgers just look at the stats and the only way this team wins so much is they play 8 homes games ayear, five againist the Little Sisters of Poor, and they expect, respect. A 1-5 team beats them handily on the road and all the air is out of this season. When all is said and done the should drop out of the top 25 and hope they dont have to play the Bearcats as long as Kelly is the Head Coach. Congrats to the 1-5 Boilermakers !!!
Do the following as soon as the season ends, but not before you salvage what is left of this season:
1. Jim Bollman, Gone / Hire Orlando Pace (who should be retiring) as O-Line Coach
2. Jim Heacock, Gone / Fickell can handle it on his own and he understands “todays” offenses
3. Tressel no more play calling/Hire Charlie Weiss as O-Coordinator (he’ll be out of ND)
4. Move Pryor to wide receiver he’s not a QB and you can’t turn bread into milk
5. Get reputable QB and RB coaches I don’t care from where but they should have at least
played the position at this level of competition
6. Start grooming Bauserman he’s the QB that you’re trying to make Pryor into