By about halfway through the fourth quarter, I pretty much had this post written in my head. It was full of the post victory stuff — “Not in Our House,” commentary on how the Buckeye defense shocked what everyone seems to consider the best offensive line in the country, the hard walk up the tunnel for Barkley. But as we all know, it was not to be and by now, the post game analysis has been hashed and rehashed.
My biggest problem with this game, as I’m sure it is with ever other Buckeye fan, our young men on the field did a great job. And while I’m sure the world outside of Buckeye Nation will refuse to accept it, Ohio State demonstrated that talent wise, they can play with anyone.
Other then the last drive, the Bucks stopped the USC run. They pressured Barkley and contained the offense. On the other side of the ball, our offensive line held up well against the USC defense. Pryor was forced to scramble a couple of times but I don’t believe he was sacked. When pressured, Pryor was able to outrun the USC defense and he often didn’t go down until the 3rd or 4th hit.
We had a number of opportunities to put the last nail in the coffin and end it. Going into the half, we should have been running the two-minute drill and put points on the board. From the play calling though, I have to wonder, do we even have a two-minute drill?
Likewise late in the second half. The last two fourth quarter possessions should have been long, steady drives ending in points. Short plays and first downs eating the clock. A field goal on either drive would have made it a two possession game. Passing on fourth and one when you’ve got a qb who can run like Pryor?
And that is what is so painful about this game. Our boys played great and it’s hard to see them struggling to make reason out of the loss(see above video). Unfortunately, the coaches didn’t put them in a position to win. In an earlier post, I said that aggressive coaching was the most important key to the game. Looking back at the keys I outlined, I think it’s the only one where the Buckeyes failed.
Instead of going for the kill when they had the opportunity,we saw the Tresselball that worked in the early days of his tenure with Ohio State. I was sitting directly behind the USC bench during the game and there is no question, by late in the second half, the USC players were looking shocked. The enthusiasm that was there in the beginning had definitely changed. Barkley was doing little more then handing the ball to his backs who we were shutting down. It could be seen on the field also when they blew the snap in their own end zone giving the Bucks two points.
It didn’t end at the half though. USC was struggling late in the game. A panicked Barkley threw one at his linemens’ feet and for some reason, Tressel called a time out as Barkley spiked another into the ground as the offensive line couldn’t get the play.
Problem was, instead of pouncing when they were down, we let them get back in the game. The fans smelled blood, the players smelled blood, why didn’t the coaches?
And while the calls to fire Tressel have already started (see comments on this blog), that is not the answer. So we fire Tressel, where do we go from there? For the most part, the only losses Ohio State has seen in the past five years have been to top 5 teams. The last three were all very close.
No, getting rid of Tressel isn’t the answer. He does need to realize though that the Tresselball that lead him to the BCS Title in 02-03 isn’t the be all and end all. He needs to trust his talent and go for the kill. These kids have the ability take on and beat any team in the country. Now it’s time for the coaching staff to let them do it.
(Just an FYI: Sorry it took me so long to get this post up but I was traveling back from Columbus. There are a number of post-game comments on the posts below. Be sure to check them out.)
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Overall, I agree with much you’ve said. But in the end you revealed yourself to wear the same blinders that Tressel wears. Keep him if you are happy with a top 20 program. He will never achieve the success he seeks, nor will OSU ever be a top tier program. Tressel seemingly can not coach ” on the fly”. He often does not recognize who is happening now or think ahead 2-3 plays about consequences of his calls– think the last offensive series of first half. I’ve always been a Tressel fan but I want OSU to get to the next level. I am convinced that Tressel’s time has come and gone. Time to move on. Don’t wait till Michigan returns to its former greatness. We have been deluded the last 4 years into thinking we are invincible but Rick Rod is coming!!
So if we get rid of Tressel, what’s the answer. We’ll find ourselves in the Earl Bruce situation where we fire a coach with a strong winning record. Who’s going to take his place? I think Tressel is great as a college coach. He seems to be a good mentor and really looks out for the best interests of his players.
Instead of firing Tressel, it’s time he turns the play calling over to a strong offensive coach. This means of course that Bollman may have to go. I think Tressel is a good man for the top position but he needs to find an offensive wizard and let him run the offensive game.
Balance strong offensive coaching with our traditional strength at defense, of which Tressel does deserve credit, and I think we’ve got an unstoppable team — now and in the years to come.
9 and 3 or 10 and 3 may work for a while but his days are numbered. I LIKE him too, but this is not about mentoring and being liked. Its about winning football games. “OK” is not OK.
Talk about a half empty kind of guy.
First of all he’s a college football coach, not pro. So mentoring and turning out decent folks certainly is a HUGE part of his job.
Secondly, top 20 team?
Since 2002, this is how the Buckeyes have compared to the “elite” programs:
USC average final ranking – 2.5
Buckeyes average final ranking – 6
Texas average final ranking – 7
Florida average final ranking – 14
Hardly a “top 20 program”.
Tressel ball needs to evolve, and it will.
A Pryor(Like Troy Smith) type of quarterback lends itself to more agressive play calling, and I think it will eventually.
I hope it evolves sooner rather then later..but be careful what you ask for..
We do not need another John Cooper at the helm.
I’m with you Dave. One of the things that makes Ohio State such a great program these days is that it is a class act turning players of class. We can thank Tressel for that. He is a great mentor.
I like the term “evolve.” That’s exactly what needs to happen. I do think though that it’s time for Tressel to consider turning the offensive play calling over to a top quality offensive coach. It may or may not be Bollman.
Tressel has proven his ability to put together a top notched defense. Now he needs to let the offense do their thing.
OSU offense HAS to be turned over to someone that can CREATE smart play calls and use our talent and skills to the fullest. The offense against usc was like watching paint dry, and easy for usc to defend and confuse Pryor. We need a smarter defensive coach as well. Our D played great all game and then the last drive, we leave the middle open to be exploited by usc with smart play calls. There was 3 minutes, plenty of time, and usc runs a draw and a short pass to RB over the middle. We needed to stay with pressure, or at least have someone with speed that can hit to cover the middle. usc took control from there, mixing run and pass against a tired defense and scored. We had them 2nd & 19 and the coach should have gone for the kill.