BuckeyeRob
Yeah, whatever...
When the season has turned like it has.... you start (at least I do) looking for some positives to build on. I did find a few. One thing I took away when I studied some stats was that the OSU offense has faced several very good defenses. In fact, 4 of the OSU opponents are in the top 25 in total defense. All but Northwestern and Indiana are in the upper half of the NCAA in total D(UC #49)
Should that give us some glimer of hope for the rest of the season? In my estimation, yes it should. Particularly, if the OSU staff continues to use the personnel and play calling we saw on Saturday. Smith should improve with more reps. Pittman is clearly the best running back when it comes to running the ball. Tony has roughly 60 fewer yards on half the carries. He does need to show marked improvement in picking up his blitz assignments. Elbow blocks just dont cut it at any level and particularly at the collegiate level.
I think being at home, should give the bucks the razor thin edge they need to get a hard fought win against a very, very good PSU defense (currently ranked #14.) All of this preassumes that Smith continues to get the nod at starter until he plays himself out of said role. At some point, you have to look at the production and the bottom line, is as they say the bottom line.
Justin Zwick is 81/160 for 1020 yds 5 ints and 5 td's
Troy Smith is 27/36 for 216 yds 0 ints and 4 td's
The biggest thing that jumps out is the 5 ints. That also doesnt include the multiple fumbles Justin Zwick has had thus far. The most important thing a quarterback has to do is not have untimely turn overs. That falls under the catagory of you dont have to WIN the game for us, just dont LOSE it for us. I think that Smith should continue to get the nod until he plays himself out of the starting line up.
Should that give us some glimer of hope for the rest of the season? In my estimation, yes it should. Particularly, if the OSU staff continues to use the personnel and play calling we saw on Saturday. Smith should improve with more reps. Pittman is clearly the best running back when it comes to running the ball. Tony has roughly 60 fewer yards on half the carries. He does need to show marked improvement in picking up his blitz assignments. Elbow blocks just dont cut it at any level and particularly at the collegiate level.
I think being at home, should give the bucks the razor thin edge they need to get a hard fought win against a very, very good PSU defense (currently ranked #14.) All of this preassumes that Smith continues to get the nod at starter until he plays himself out of said role. At some point, you have to look at the production and the bottom line, is as they say the bottom line.
Justin Zwick is 81/160 for 1020 yds 5 ints and 5 td's
Troy Smith is 27/36 for 216 yds 0 ints and 4 td's
The biggest thing that jumps out is the 5 ints. That also doesnt include the multiple fumbles Justin Zwick has had thus far. The most important thing a quarterback has to do is not have untimely turn overs. That falls under the catagory of you dont have to WIN the game for us, just dont LOSE it for us. I think that Smith should continue to get the nod until he plays himself out of the starting line up.
