While it wasn’t the statement game I was looking for, the Buckeyes did make a statement Saturday night against Wisconsin. Actually, it was Terrelle Pryor who made the statement. Not only did Pryor handle the pressure and the crazyness that is Camp Randall, he did so with grace. Even better, after struggling a little mid game, Pryor executed a game winning drive that ended with one of the most beautifully simple option plays I’ve seen in a long time.
Let’s start with the game winning touchdown. First off, I’m assuming that Pryor realized that the Wisconsin defensive linebackers were basically milling around looking confused and got the snap off. From the replay above, you can see that the entire secondary looks like they’re still in the huddle at mid-field. An excellent read on Pryor’s part.
The option though was a thing of beauty. Look at how the Wisconsin defensive player picks the wrong guy and lays a beautiful tackle on Wells (that is Wells isn’t it) who doesn’t have the ball. As I watched that play develop, I could see the tackle coming in thinking that he would stop Pryor at about the 10 yard line. What an excellent read to let him fly by, turn and head for the end zone.
One area of concern is seeing how many times Pryor was forced to scramble. He shows good patience but too many plays were broken plays that found the Buckeyes relying on the freshman’s ability to run. Hopefully, as this offense and Pryor continues to develop, we’ll see less and less of these broken plays.
Now for the defense. Yes, they made a great play forcing the game ending turnover. Before the game, I said that the key to winning was to tire the Wisconsin defense by keeping the offense off the field. However, once again, the Buckeyes struggled against the long slow drive. And let’s face it, it’s not like the Wisconsin passing game was anything to write home about. Right now, it looks like the easiest way to beat the Buckeyes is to put the ball on the ground for short yardage and convert the first down. Illinois did it to us last year and at one point, it looked like the Wisconsin was going to do it again.
We have the talent and the power to pressure almost any quarterback out there. The problem is, when the Buckeyes need to pressure the most, they revert to a prevent defense and find themselves struggling to get the offense off the field.
I still hold that if the Buckeyes had pressured more on at defense keeping the Wisconsin D on the field, the Wisconsin defense would tire quickly providing an opportunity for Pryor/Wells to blow the game wide open. If the second half of Wisconsin’s loss to Michigan was any sort of indicator, Wisconsin quarterback Allen Evridge would have become more and more panicked making it easier and easier to get the jump on him.
The Buckeye offense is coming along nicely. Its time for the defense to show the aggressive play I know they have in them.
Final note: Wow, this was a rough game. Apparently, Wells foot is still acting up and Herron may not be out for at least a week. (How is a hit like that legal when you’re not even near the ball?)
UpdateThe Dispatch is reporting that Tressel has asked the Big Ten to look into the hit that knocked Herron out of the game. It looked to me like Herron was pulling up and Jay Vaili dropped his helmet and hit him right in the jaw. In the NFL, those hits carry some big penalties.
Herron and Dane Sanzenbacher who also got knocked out of the Wisconsin game with a concussion are both out for this weekend’s game against Purdue.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
That Herron hit was brutal. You could tell he was out like Apollo Creed fighting Drago man. I was happy to see him get up.
I could not disagree more. Yes Pryor had a great closing drive, but he struggle a lot in this game. Had he been able to get rid of the ball more and see open receivers, this game would not have been close at all. The defense did its job on the road against a very physical team. So yes Pryor made a great closing drive, but he held back the passing attack at times in this game. Let’s call a spade a spade!
I agree that he had trouble getting rid of the ball and was too quick to scramble. His passing game has yet to develop.
I think he is showing great potential to see the field and the patience to let the play develop. But again, as the game went on, he was quicker and quicker to scramble. Was this due to the offensive line not giving him time or was it due to the success he was finding with the scramble.
No question he has yet to develop the passing game. However, I think he will and when he does…look out.
I still think we are missing the defensive style that lead us to the BCS Championship in 2003. When we got them deep in their zone, we let them out and the long slow drive is an area of concern.
Apparently I’m not alone. The Columbus Dispatch has a poll on their site asking what part of the Buckeyes frustrates you the most.
45 percent of the respondents said it is the defense.
It doesn’t matter how good your offense is if the defense gives up long and slow drives. No matter what weapons you have, they will never get in a rhythm or see enough of the field.
Pryor gave what he needed to. Yes, he missed some open receivers and had a few losses that should have been avoided. If you didn’t expect that, well then you need to rethink the situation he was thrown into. But to say the defense looked good is a little much, IMHO.
#1: Gave up over 50% on 3rd down.
#2: Didn’t get pressure on a weak QB for most of the game.
#3: In the 2nd quarter, gave up an 8+ minute drive and then a <1 min drive. The poor second quarter for the D is becoming a huge habit. This is a huge problem, as the second quarter is so crucial.
Now, I will say the D looked OK. But lets not forget they were playing a 1-D team that runs a boring offense, one in which you know where the ball is going just about every play (either a run between tackles or a pass to Beckum). Now, add to that offense about 3 or 4 other threats and you have PSU, Illinois, and Michigan (2 years down the road). The D-scheme OSU has won’t consistently get it done against teams like that because you let the opposing offenses stay comfortable. Honestly, Evridge had all day at some points in that game. Give that space and comfort to a team that has 3-5 guys who can make big plays and you won’t hold them under 21 on average.
The most telling part of the D was the point in which they were running a 15 yard-30 yard cover 2. That is about as soft as you get. I may be incorrect calling it a cover 2, but that’s what it looked like to me (the LBs and the CBs running zone schemes at 12-15 yards and the FS/SS running zone schemes at 30 yards). This was the same scheme ran during the Florida game I believe, and we saw what happens when you let the other team be comfortable and get it to their play makers in the open field.
I will note that OSU did switch to some man coverage in the 4th quarter. I was quite excited to see this. You gotta trust the players you have on the field to make plays.
Defense and missed offensive red zone opportunities will be the downfall of this years team from winning an outright Big 10 championship. Non-aggressive D schemes and the d-line continues to get blown off the line.
But, I do like this perspective…
http://www.sportsline.com/print/collegefootball/story/11009667
This is nice to read. Watching the game, not a darn thing was said about that hit. I could NOT believe it! That was one cheap shot. We did that stuff in high school but we did not generate the power that these guys do. It causes damage and for what. He was outside of the play. I thought I was alone in my contempt for that player and his behavior. I like watching good hits. Jacked Up on ESPN Monday night was awsome, so you can see I am not gun shy. But shots delivered for no other reason…I hope the investigation bears fruit and something is said to the player and coach.