2004: a tale of 2 seasons

[Jaxbuck]

2004 before and after

1st 6 games/last 6 games

Offense
record: 3-3/5-1
Opp sacks: 15/8
TO margin: -7/+4
30+ point games: 0/4
avg ypg rushing: 98/193


Defense
Sacks: 8/14
forced TO's:8/12
avg rushing yds allowed: 142/119

It goes much deeper than just a QB change. We were able to run and stop the run, create TO's and turn around the sack situation.

That shows me OL and DL gelled about the same time as we found our offensive identity and Teddy Ginn emerged.

Some find this stuff boring but I think its incredible how they turned it around in such key fundamental areas. When you consider the only loss in the second half of the season was the TO marred Purdue game it really cements the importance of that key stat in my book.

Great, great job of turning around what appeared to be a complete disaster of a season. I can live with 8-4 for a reloading year especially with a win over scUM and the Bowl opponent to end it.

[BB73]

Good stuff, Jax.

I guess "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times".

I know folks come here for literary references.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Well, as we all know, football is a team sport and its won in the trenches.

[MililaniBuckeye]

I still think the QB play of Smith was the genesis of the turnaround. Once the offense got better and reduced the three-and-outs, it allowed the defense to be better rested and thus become more aggressive. Once the defense got stronger and reduced opposing offense's drives, we got better field position and could score more or put the opposition in worse field position when we didn't score. This in turn let the defense be even more aggressive...the offense and defense fed off each other. This synergism was the result of Smith coming in.

[BB73]

Originally Posted by MililaniBuckeye

I still think the QB play of Smith was the genesis of the turnaround. Once the offense got better and reduced the three-and-outs, it allowed the defense to be better rested and thus become more aggressive. Once the defense got stronger and reduced opposing offense's drives, we got better field position and could score more or put the opposition in worse field position when we didn't score. This in turn let the defense be even more aggressive...the offense and defense fed off each other. This synergism was the result of Smith coming in.

Mili, I don't buy the defense needing the offense to be better as an explanation for the NW game, which I was at. The offense moved the ball fairly well, but the defense wasn't nearly aggressive enough, and never really adjusted to the slot receiver, which killed us.

[Jaxbuck]

I don't think it was one single piece causing the rest to fall into line either. It looks to me like a bunch of young guys all started stepping it up at about the same time and it all just fed off each other. I do think TS provided the spark that fed the flames however. Not neccessarily with his stats but his intangibles and leadership.

I think the coaches got their collective act together about this same point as well. Snyders defensive plans and calls were light years better in the 2nd half of the year. If they had been a little quicker getting with it we should have won the NU and PU games. Maybe even Wisky. Iowa was the only team that just flat [censored]-hammered us this year.

You also can't underestimate the value of the IU/PSU/MSU stretch as a sorely needed confidence booster versus pretty beatable tems.

[AnnArborBuck]

Originally Posted by MililaniBuckeye

I still think the QB play of Smith was the genesis of the turnaround. Once the offense got better and reduced the three-and-outs, it allowed the defense to be better rested and thus become more aggressive. Once the defense got stronger and reduced opposing offense's drives, we got better field position and could score more or put the opposition in worse field position when we didn't score. This in turn let the defense be even more aggressive...the offense and defense fed off each other. This synergism was the result of Smith coming in.

Funny thing is I could say the same thing about TG. The Indiana game is the first game her really played well. Do you remember the deflected pass that TG caught where he made the entire Indiana team look silly. I believe TG also had a punt return for a TD.

I think one stat that JaxBuck missed was special teams scoring. TG was a huge weapon as a punt returner. Even though OSU wouldn't punt to TG last night we got great field position because they were afraid of him. I believe the difference in offense was TG, not TS. I also believe that our O-line really started to come around towards the end (didn't Peterson take over the O-line?).

[Jaxbuck]

Originally Posted by AnnArborBuck

I think one stat that JaxBuck missed was special teams scoring. TG was a huge weapon as a punt returner. Even though OSU wouldn't punt to TG last night we got great field position because they were afraid of him. I believe the difference in offense was TG, not TS. I also believe that our O-line really started to come around towards the end (didn't Peterson take over the O-line?).

I didn't miss it, I think its just self explanatory. When I said the coaches got their act together at the mid season point, I sure as hell was alluding to the fact they decided to take the best punt returner in CFB history(arguably) off the bench and let him loose. Not recognizing and ustilizing the Glenville crew early enough was THE fundamental problem this year imo and thats directly on JT and staff. They make mistakes too and all in all I would say Tress has had better years. Love the finish however .

[MililaniBuckeye]

Originally Posted by Jaxbuck

I don't think it was one single piece causing the rest to fall into line either. It looks to me like a bunch of young guys all started stepping it up at about the same time and it all just fed off each other. I do think TS provided the spark that fed the flames however...

This is what my post was meant to imply...whether we use "genesis" or "spark" to describe the ignition, there's no doubt that Smith got the ball rolling.

Originally Posted by AnnArborBuck

Do you remember the deflected pass that TG caught where he made the entire Indiana team look silly. I believe TG also had a punt return for a TD...

Ginn did not have a punt TD against Indiana. The teams against whom he had punt TDs were: Wisconsin, Penn State, Michigan State, and Michigan.

[stowfan]

IMHO the last 2 games of the season (Michigan, Alamo Bowl) the Buckeyes were an entirely different team. The defensive front 7 were just fierce. There
isn't a big need to rest a defense when it's only on the field 3 to 6 plays at a time.

The coming together of the receiving combination of Ginn, Holmes, and Gonzales has made a huge difference. The offensive line also came together
of late. Those two factors made the offense go big time last night. Zwick had time to throw, and open receivers who hung on to the ball.

If we can find a running back next year I believe we can contend for the whole enchilada.