While the rest of the top college football teams were laying 30+ points on second rate patsies bent on funding their athletic program, the Buckeyes pulled out a close one against Navy. The world of college football was quick to take note dropping Ohio State two spots in the AP poll and nearly doubling the point spread to 6.5-7 points. But the question is, what did the Navy game teach us about this weekend’s Ohio State/USC matchup.
In a word…not too much.
Sure, it’s easy to say that the fact that Ohio State did not crush Navy should spell pending disaster for the Bucks but upon closer look, it’s just not the case. Here’s why:
1. Navy triple option vs. USC offense
The reason you don’t see more triple option attacks is because it is very difficult to run. It takes an experienced quarterback who can read the play and make the right decision at the last moment. Navy’s gained quite a few rushing yards from a last minute pitch sending mis-directed Buckeye defenders past the play. While I’m sure USC was watching the tapes, expect a much different attack from USC.
2. This was Navy’s biggest game of the season
You don’t think they’ve spent the better part of their summer preparing for the Ohio State game? A good showing against the Bucks sets the tone for the entire season. Meanwhile, while the Buckeyes did what they could to prepare for the Navy attack, they had bigger fish to fry. When you’ve got a game like USC waiting in the wings, there’s only so much time you can invest against an offensive line up you’ll most likely never see again.
3. Navy vs. USC Play Calling
Does anyone think Tressel would have gone for the first down against USC? While I can’t get inside the his head, I can’t believe the fourth and two play wasn’t something of a practice run. Give the Buckeyes the chance to go up by three touchdowns against USC late in the fourth quarter and it’s a field goal every time (I would hope).
Likewise with the quarterback rotation. I still have enough faith in the OSU coaching staff to believe that pulling Pryor just as he’s finding his rhythm was nothing more then a live action fire drill.
4. First Game vs. Second Game
An earlier comment on this blog pointed out that it was Woody who said you improve the most from the first game to the second. I have to believe there’s something to that. And unlike USC, the Buckeyes were tested. They played an opponent tough enough to give them some quality film and something to work with. What did USC learn from San Jose? Who knows. Pete Carroll didn’t test the interception prone Matt Barkley. Maybe there’s something to learn from. However, I doubt it was enough of a test to make a difference.
Welcome to The Shoe
Did anyone notice how nice the Ohio State fans were to Navy. Along with the planned fan tribute to Navy, the players ran out on the field together as one. Don’t expect the same for USC. The stadium will be packed and Buckeye fans want revenge.
Meanwhile, poor little freshman quartback Matt Barkley (USC) said he had the jitters going into Saturday’s game. It took him a quarter to settle down and even then, the play calling was pretty safe. Guess what kid, that was a home game and they were your own fans. Don’t think for a minute they’ll let up on you in the Shoe.
No Excuses
For those of you getting ready to leave those oh so insightful comments, I’m not making Buckeye excuses here. The Bucks let up in the last minutes of the fourth quarter and the Mids jumped on it. Is it an indicator of what will happen against USC. Nope. Not in the least.
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No offense, but Army and Air Force are bigger games for Navy. Always have been, always will be. Also, while I hear the talking heads saying “don’t worry, it’s the triple option,” you don’t hear many saying anything about OSU’s offense. Terrible 3rd down conversion rate, lots of backfield penetration by a team not known for it, etc. Without the exceptional field position given to OSU, this could have been a very different game.
bosshawk September 9, 2009 at 6:52 pm
How dare U.S.C. be so arrogant. Such disrespect for the Buckeye nation bringing a frosh quarterback into the “Shoe” and expecting a “W”. Shame on Pete Carroll. A little impish “toehead” quarterback going to talk “smack”. Does he and the Trojans know who we are? OK, our team has lost some big games and the conference is down on a whole; but we are not going to let the Men of Troy come into our house and embarrass us. We won’t tolerate it. No way will they come in and desecrate the “Block O”. They are going to find the Buckeye nation to be a powerful, united front. Our young men will perform admirably. Do not worry. THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY will prevail. Go Bucks!
Bosshawk:
Keep drinking the Kool-aid (and cheap beer). My best memory of last year’s 35-3 score was the clued-out look of your fans trying to find the quickest cab out of LA last year. What a laughing joke OSU has been for the Big Ten. Sounds like you’re in for another big nightmare. Only difference is that you can walk home instead of take a cab this year.
As I last recall, your quarterback was a “frosh” last year when he came into LA. And boy did you guys show them….
Reality
Reality:
Please continue to take us lightly. Underestimate our worth; our ability; our skill. We readily admit that we are at a low point right now. But always remember. It’s cyclical. We’ll rise again. Things can change quickly. A great deal is hinging on the final outcome of this one game. Opening a can of “beatdown” on U.S.C. will go a long. Are you scared yet?
what year did you graduate from OSU?
Another big key in this game is support from the fans during the game, I think alot of the time people underestimate what that crowd noise can do for those players, it boosts their confidence, it gets their adrenilin pumping, it makes them believe in themselves, and it can help them win. Never lose faith fans, yell, scream, stomp your feet, and cheer, and until that last second ticks off the clock, CHEER ON THAT TEAM, and BELIEVE!!!
I cannot believe how many disloyal Buckeye fans there are. Go through a little adversity outside the conference and people no longer believe in the players, the coach, the university, and the conference. We at OSU have a lot to be proud of. We have a rich tradition and never should we forget that. Over the last 50 years we are the winningest program in college football. We don’t run or hide from anyone. We play the best the opposition has to offer. When have we gone into a contest and Buckeye fans don’t believe we have a chance? Fans are saying: “I hope we’ll keep it close and not get embarrassed. We don’t have a chance.” Buckeye fans should be ashamed. How dare we utter such blasphemy. The historical record shows that very few have come into the “Shoe” and embarrassed us. I certainly don’t believe the UNIVERSITY OF SPOILED CHILDREN (as Lou Holtz expressed) will either. We are an upper echelon program. We pull some of the best talent in football. Pro scouts salivate at what we have. It’s time for the coaching staff to step up their game and place our young men where they need to be. They should be winners in big games. Change is coming. We shall rise again. Keep the faith Buckeye Fans. GO BUCKS!!!!!