Buckeye Mon....Tuesday!

OSU – Wisconsin Game Review

Columbus……we have a quarterback!!!!

So, I guess any lingering doubt about Terrelle Pryor’s ability to run, throw, remain calm under extreme duress and to win big road games has been answered. I think it’s obvious (based on the UM and OSU games) that the Badgers were overrated coming into the season. However there are few places tougher to play than Camp Randall Stadium….at night. The 1-2 punch of Beanie and Pryor plus another solid performance by the “bend-but-don’t-break” defense was enough to allow the Buckeyes to escape with a hard fought 20-17 win. As I watched Pryor direct the offense down the field for the winning score, I was reminded of the winning drive Joe Germaine led in the 1997 Rose Bowl against Arizona State. That was a fun game to watch a decade ago. This game was just as rewarding.

What worked?

Terrell Pryor – This one is pretty obvious. For the second consecutive conference game he did just enough to win the game. More importantly, he didn’t do anything to lose the game. His immense physical talents are obvious. He still has a ways to go to smooth out his throwing motion. He needs to learn how to “throw the ball away” instead of running around when a play breaks down. He also needs to work on his timing with his receivers. Having said that (and in a nutshell) he’s going to develop into the Big-10 version of Vince Young. It’s going to be fun to watch him for the next two years.

Beanie Wells (again) and his devastating “stiff arm” – Non Buckeye fans may not appreciate (or even know about) how famous Beanie’s running style is becoming in Columbus. Each week there are numerous pictures and videos highlighting Beanie planting some poor safety running up to make a tackle. This week will be no different. I can’t remember the last time he was actually tackled after getting outside on a defense. I don’t know what the status of his foot injury is (does anyone) but if he’s healthy enough to go for 165+ yards at Camp Randall, he’ll be good enough to keep opposing defenses honest for the rest of the year.

AJ Trapasso – Man that kid can really punt. He needs work on his angle kicking but when you need a clutch kick to flip field position is there anyone any better? The game was very reminiscent of games played in the magical 2002 season….decent offense, tough defense and great special teams. It’s not the most comforting type of football but it’s worked in the past. I’m preparing myself for more of the same in the remaining games

What didn’t work?

Defensive line – I guess Buckeye fans should stop hoping for dramatic improvement from this group. I know the rushing numbers were pretty good overall but it drives me crazy that opposing offenses can run the same zone-blocking schemes play after play for big yards and we can’t figure out a way to stop them. Many Buckeye fans are really excited about the progress that Thad Gibson and Lawrence Wilson are showing from the end position. I think they both have lots of room for improvement. I was quietly hoping that Gibson could take the field this year and make plays like the SEC DEs we’ve faced in the past two BCS games. He’s small for the position but has great speed and plays with an attitude. Unfortunately, he only has a “speed move” when trying to get to the ball. The interior of the line (Larrimore and Hayward) need more seasoning.

Wide Receivers – Good God!!!! Catch the f*&#*@g ball. I almost broke my TV when Ray Small dropped the pass in the end zone. Their numerous drops and fumbles throughout the rest of the game almost cost me a remote control and my living room windows. Hartline and Sanszenbacher both made several nice catches but both fumbled during key drives. The entire group needs to spend more time with the JUGS gun. I thought Brian2 would be more than competent enough this year and that the addition of Washington, Posey and the rest would make for an exciting passing game. It’s been exciting alright…..just not in the way I had expected.

Return game – I’ve seen enough of Brandon Saine to believe he will never be effective returning kicks. He might be faster than Ted Ginn but he has terrible “vision” and I can’t recall him ever getting past the first wave of the kick coverage. Herron is a more than capable as a backup at running back. I think the coaching staff should let him focus on that for the rest of the year. “Rasta” Wells gets tackled by the wind so he can’t do it either. I don’t know what’s going on in Small’s head during a game but he’s the only player that’s demonstrated speed AND vision when returning kicks. He seems fairly steady fielding punts (in traffic) so he should be more than adequate fielding kick-offs.

What’s Next?

It’s pretty weird when you look back on a big road win and feel like there are more negatives than positives. I can’t explain why I feel that way given Pryor’s performance in the clutch. I give him all the credit in the world for putting that last drive together. I guess it’s because my expectations for this year were so high based on all the experience returning. I was expecting a dominant defense and this group is far from that. Any thoughts of playing (or deserving to be) in Miami at the end of the year were dashed 3 weeks ago. Now I’m thinking Big-10 title and Rose Bowl. At times, the play on both sides of the field, indicate that achieving these less lofty goals may be equally unrealistic. Additionally, watching Juice Williams slice and dice the Wolverine defense on Saturday gave me chills.

This week Purdue comes to town for a 3:30 game at the Shoe. It obvious the Boilermakers aren’t going to send Coach Tiller out on a winning note. I think we’ll see improved play on offense and more of the “same old” on defense. Love it, or hate it, it’s probably going to be like that the rest of the year.

I have it 27 – 14 Ohio State.

Go Bucks!!!!

Buckeye John