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12-30-2004, 03:45 PM
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2004: a tale of 2 seasons
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.
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OSU under Jim Tressel73-16 (.820%)1 National Championship3 NC appearances4 B10 Championships(3 consecutive)6-1 vs scUM5 BCS Bowl Appearances1 Heisman TrophyB10 record 20 game conference win streak
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12-30-2004, 03:50 PM
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Loves Buckeye History
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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. 
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"When you go to Ohio State, you are part of a rich history. The Ohio State University will provide the leadership and vision and will challenge you. It's all about the people, administrators, coaches, alumni, and players who care about you. It's not all about winning. It's about the values you stand for." - Randy Gradishar
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12-30-2004, 03:51 PM
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The Lizard King
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Well, as we all know, football is a team sport and its won in the trenches.
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12-30-2004, 03:56 PM
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Rental car smells like pork rinds
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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.
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12-30-2004, 04:03 PM
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Loves Buckeye History
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Quote:
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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.
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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.
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"When you go to Ohio State, you are part of a rich history. The Ohio State University will provide the leadership and vision and will challenge you. It's all about the people, administrators, coaches, alumni, and players who care about you. It's not all about winning. It's about the values you stand for." - Randy Gradishar
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12-30-2004, 04:19 PM
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96 days until The Game 2008
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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.
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OSU under Jim Tressel73-16 (.820%)1 National Championship3 NC appearances4 B10 Championships(3 consecutive)6-1 vs scUM5 BCS Bowl Appearances1 Heisman TrophyB10 record 20 game conference win streak
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12-30-2004, 04:28 PM
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