Game Two: #1 Ohio State 24, #2 Texas 7 (9/9/06)

[inVINCEable]

Too many of you texas fans think the Troy Smith you saw in September of 2005 is the same QB you will see in 2006. This is a very big mistake but you are certainly entitled to reside in ignornace after all they say ignorance is bliss so, feel free.

That is actually not my intent whatsoever BuckeyeRob. As a matter of fact I'm also completely ignoring the offensive ineptitude the Buckeyes faced against Texas and for most of the first half of the season. My main point was that in last years game most of those points you had against us were caused by our special teams coverage being horrible. This resulted you to start with average field position near midfield.

Would I be wrong if I stated that last year's Notre Dame game was an impressive offensive output by the Buckeyes? In that game, you had an average starting field position at the OSU 22 (vs. nearly midfield against us). You guys had 275 net yards rushing, 342 net yards passing, and 617 yards of total offense accounting for 34 points. I won't say anything about Notre Dame's defense because I've stated that in my previous post.

In this year's game, I'm hoping that we are able to limit your starting field position to something what Notre Dame gave you. If we are able to limit, do you think that the Buckeyes will still be able to produce 30+ points? I know that if we aren't able to limit your starting field position, the game will over sooner than it started.

[jwinslow]

my question is why will the kick coverage be better this year?

Last summer there were many claims that the UT coaching staff was focusing on that glaring weakness after Breaston tore your team apart in Pasadena. Yet come september, it looked like the same old routine.

While UT's defense will be better than Michigan's, last year in Ann Arbor OSU's final two drives started at an average of the 23. Both resulted in TDs.

As the season progressed, OSU became more efficient at sustaining drives, thanks to more polished passing by Troy and stronger redzone running by Pittman.

[Mr. Clutch]

Originally Posted by inVINCEable

That is actually not my intent whatsoever BuckeyeRob. As a matter of fact I'm also completely ignoring the offensive ineptitude the Buckeyes faced against Texas and for most of the first half of the season. My main point was that in last years game most of those points you had against us were caused by our special teams coverage being horrible. This resulted you to start with average field position near midfield.

Would I be wrong if I stated that last year's Notre Dame game was an impressive offensive output by the Buckeyes? In that game, you had an average starting field position at the OSU 22 (vs. nearly midfield against us). You guys had 275 net yards rushing, 342 net yards passing, and 617 yards of total offense accounting for 34 points. I won't say anything about Notre Dame's defense because I've stated that in my previous post.

In this year's game, I'm hoping that we are able to limit your starting field position to something what Notre Dame gave you. If we are able to limit, do you think that the Buckeyes will still be able to produce 30+ points? I know that if we aren't able to limit your starting field position, the game will over sooner than it started.

True, and last year your players had much more leadership on the team, leading me to believe that with more experienced veterans on the team, then there would be fewer mistakes last year, than this one. With a lack of leadership this year, there is more of a likelihood that there will be more mistakes on the Longhorns part, and although you're playing at home, mistakes will occur with inexperienced players.

Last year, we had two very capable, yet inexperienced QB's in Zwick and Smith. However, they faced a tough defense and a solid team (at home), and lost the game. Call me biased if you'd like, but I'd take Smith or Zwick from Sep. 2005 over Snead or McCoy this year, due to the fact that Smith and Zwick alternated reps the previous season, and neither McCoy or Snead have ever played a snap or a game (let alone a game this big, and so much riding on it).

So honestly, you all need to take into context if you think that our offense can't run over yours, or our defense is inexperienced, then realize that you all may very well be in our situation from last year, with us coming into your home stadium, with more experience (on the offensive side, at the least), and there's no way you're going to put up a ton of points on any Buckeye defense, especially with young, inexperienced QB's.

Truth be told, Snead or McCoy, whoever plays against North Texas, the week before the "Big Game" may look like hot stuff, but when we roll into Austin, and lay that first hit on whoever it may be, then everyone across the whole great state of Texas will know that the defense hasn't been depleted as much as they thought (or hoped), and in the end the fact that our offense is so much more experienced and talented than yours, leads me to believe that we'll come out of Austin with a seven point victory.

[UTMNC]

I don't see either team scoring more than 30 points. I could see where tOSU could win 10-7, or 13-7, but I just don't see alot of long yardage quick scoring plays in this game. I can also see tOSU moving the chains with three-four yards a play, which is OK providing it's 70-80 yard drives. Turnovers changes everything, but I think if it's a fairly mistake free game this will be a low scoring game, with mabey tOSU scoring late on a tired Texas defense. The Texas defense will be faster and more athletic than last years "D", but when your arse is dragging in the 4th quarter in the September Texas heat, the stronger ofense has the advantage. One things for sure, for the second year in a row, two of college football's greatest programs will steal the National spotlight. Hats off to both schools for having the "ba--s" to schedule such a historic OOC game.

[RhodeIslandBuck]

I agree with UTMNC, this will be a ver low-scoring game and the defense's will be very tired at the end of he game. That's why I think Ohio State will win, because if it comes down to the defense's getting tired the better offense will win the game for that team, and i'd much rather have TS in a situation liek this rather than Snead or McCoy.

[Steve19]

Originally Posted by inVINCEable

In this year's game, I'm hoping that we are able to limit your starting field position to something what Notre Dame gave you. If we are able to limit, do you think that the Buckeyes will still be able to produce 30+ points? I know that if we aren't able to limit your starting field position, the game will over sooner than it started.

Uh, Ted Ginn...

[BDtheBuckeye]

The only stat that stands out to me is the fact that UT scored 50+ points in every single game of the season last year, except....against tOSU. Of course that was the only great defense they played and OSU of course played Mich St. (turned into a flop, but they scored a lot of points), ND, and UT.

Id like to see a shoot out. I like defensive games, but i wanna see the teams come out and score 30+ points on each other in the first half and then we'll see who has the better defense in the 2nd half. Or play solid defensive play in the 1st half and score a ton in the 2nd half.

[Oneshot]

Originally Posted by jwinslow

hamby definitely had a chance to catch the quick hitter (which was a bullet), once, twice... and then during the third attempt (when he was bringing in the easy popup) he was nailed.

oneshot, what similarities do you see to benson? I see 'stud' written all over both, but benson seems stronger/slower, whereas charles is faaast.

UT fans, what frosh do you expect to have a big impact? I've seen many drooling over Kindle, but will he push for starting at LB? Special Teams?

It seems crazy, but I'm not just blowing smoke out of my ass.

I watched the Benson 2003 and 2004 highlights from jcdenton and then the Charles highlight from 2005 from the same website.

Its the ability to break the weak tackle that puts them in a group, in my book.

Even though Charles is faster, he is NOT a pure slasher (I would call Pittman a pure slasher with a little bit of boom). Charles plays with a big back mentality, but has the cutback available to him.

What they both have in common is to see the DB that's coming, give him the quick juke, and then when the arm tackle comes, to run right through it (or in several cases, just strip the hand away).

Charles is a stud.

Benson didnt have the breakaway speed that Charles has, but still had a little more power in his runs.

Charles' footwork is better than Bensons, as is evidenced in Benson's sometimes tripping himself in a juke that was too fast for him.

Both have outstanding balance.

Good backs, very similar.

[OregonBuckeye]

Originally Posted by inVINCEable

My main point was that in last years game most of those points you had against us were caused by our special teams coverage being horrible. This resulted you to start with average field position near midfield.

No, I'd say it was mostly our defense.

[inVINCEable]

No, I'd say it was mostly our defense.

I stand corrected. You are right.

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

For the love of God... it's not September yet? I don't know if I can wait much longer.

[calibuck]

UTNMC has some valid points. Both coaching staffs are intelligent to pour over last year's UT vs tOSU tapes, and then pull out the UT/SC and OSU/ND tapes and see where the changes are. UT got a rude surprise at how well our kick return game was, so OSU can definitely expect them to plug that hole. Both coaching staffs are some of the best in the nation so a 'game scheme' won't be a problem for either.

UTNMC is terribly correct on that hot Texas sun. It's bloody hot. And as I recollect, as high as the UT stadium is, the sun should be crested (the field is in shade) by kick-off. However, it won't be as humid as Columbus at the same period, so that will be to our advantage. And, all the kids will have 'fresh legs' being so early in the season. So it'll be a great match-up. Our high-flying offense, versus the UT defense, which returns many starters. It looks like we've got a plethora of wide-outs, so maybe we just run two up the sides on fly patterns, and then substitute, and do it again, until we wear out those Texas DB's. I believe we have too many offensive weapons, both runners and wide-outs for Texas to handle.

I think we score more on Texas's defense then the young QB's of Texas do on our patchwork defense. Key is how well the Mighty Quinn and Patterson push back the OL of Texas, (if they can), or at least tie up two blockers each, allowing our LB's to blitz. If the QB's have time to throw, it's a different ballgame. DL vs. OL.

We repay the Texas visit to Columbus, OSU 34 - Texas 14.



Hey UTNMC, where in East Texas are you? I lived in Longview and worked in Lone Star for 5 years. You in Commerce? Or around Lake-O-the Pines?

[greyscarlet]

I think one thing that works to tOSUs advantage is the fact that defenses are normally ahead of the offenses early in the season. Assuming that the texas D is better than tOSU D, the difference in overall ability is mitigated somewhat.
That being said the same, thing goes for the offenses, which should help texas. The problem for texas is that this tOSU offense has been playing together for nearly five years or more (a la Smith to Ginn at Glenville), especially the skilled positions. That type of experience on O can blow right through the slow start to the season.

[BDtheBuckeye]

Does anyone have a vid or a clip of "the drop" by Ryan Hamby? Im not sure if thats something that would be found here or the UT forums, which it could be rightly called "the play that kept us undefeated".

[jwinslow]

Originally Posted by BDtheBuckeye

Does anyone have a vid or a clip of "the drop" by Ryan Hamby? Im not sure if thats something that would be found here or the UT forums, which it could be rightly called "the play that kept us undefeated".

yeah because the missed tackle (near safety), FG miss, late hit on the pre-halftime kickoff, and troys transgressions had no impact. There were plenty of mistakes, not just by OSU either.