2005 - Can You See It?

[Carmen Ohio]

You give a guy like Zwick time to sit in the pocket and he's going to look like Leinart. If Smith has time we don't even need a running back because he can get outside, shake an LB and pick up 7 easy. Zwick could probably plow for 4 or 5 but his health is better served by the utilization of a running game.

The speed and skill along our edges has been great everywhere except in our own backfield and this year's struggles will turn out to be a blessing down the road as Tressel really evolved the offense to work no matter what was happening up front.

I've watched the Michigan game almost a dozen times and I love hearing my man Gary belt out, "Tressel is on fire calling plays right now!!"

His hand stayed hot and the execution was still there against The Cowboys. Some of those third down conversions to Ginn to keep drives going were as exciting to me as TDs because we haven't really done too much of that in Tressel's tenure.

I say forget rankings in recruiting, just keep filling the O-Line and D-Line and defensive backfield with top notch recruits and we win ballgames easier and easier.


The reasons to be excited going into next year are extremely tangible versus last year. We've already gotten a glimpse of how good we can be. Plus. I always think Tressel plays possum with his teams.

Amen!

 

[jwinslow]

The amazing thing about next year's team is that we really do not have a weakness going into 2005. The closest thing to a weak area on next year's squad will be the running game. With Wells set to pull the trigger, and Collins looking to jump on board possibly, and the exciting Pittman and all-around back with speed in Haw, there are plenty of reasons to think we have a lot of good options for who will be carrying the rock.

Our defense has been dominating on the DL, with only Fraser leaving (and a couple current players or blue chip Worthington seem poised to fill that role). The LBs have been highly touted all of 2004 and they only got better when put on that pedestal (and that was without D'Andrea mostly). If Ginn/Everett/ONeal can fill the void, our DBs could almost keep up the same good rating they held this year. Youboty is quickly developing into a shutdown corner.

What would be impressive is that Smith could sit out the first game (and probably stay on the bench in the first half), and Zwick could take care of business against Texas. Then once the game is under control in the 3rd quarter, Smith could come in and show that he might even be better. While I wouldn't want to make the call, both QBs have shown signs that they are ready to lead tOSU to a Big10 title and maybe more.

Not to mention the fact that no teams will punt to Ginn, so JT's field position game will be on track.

Only big difference is the loss of Nugent. But 6th year Huston is better than resorting to an underclassman.

 

[Dryden]

Only big difference is the loss of Nugent. But 6th year Huston is better than resorting to an underclassman.

Well, we lose Nugent, Turano, and Andrews, which amounts to the entire battery. We've all been spoiled to have such great kicking games for the last three years, and while I was very impressed with the one kickoff Huston had in the Alamo Bowl which went through the back of the end zone, I think our kicking game will be a problem next year, which has the potential to cost us two games given the way Tressel plays close to the vest. Hell, without Nugent this year we would've lost to both Marshall and NC State ... imagine a 1-5 start? :(

Going back to 2001, a 7-5 season, there were losses to UCLA, Wisconsin, and Penn State where our kickers missed both PATs and FGs. I hope the "Shot-Ginn" offense that we saw the last two games is the feature offense for next year, because if the Bucks are unable to score TDs and take pressure off of whoever the kicker is, we're in big trouble.

It doesn't really matter how good or reliable a kicker is until they're placed in those high-pressure situations. Nugent had to miss some potential game winners his freshman year to become a great kicker, and I think the same happened to Oregon State's Serna.