Game Thread Ohio State 33, Washington 14 (Final)

[sandgk]

I'm hoping that this game is like a lesser version of the trip the Buckeyes made to Norman Oklahoma in the early eighties. Solid Offensive line play keeps the offense out on the field. The ground game becomes key and Todd gets the chance to air out the ball with solid protection. Passes to the TE and receivers underneath and YAC keep the ball moving when either Wells is not moving the rock.

Buckeyes come out a winner by a double-digit margin.

Defensively, pass coverage and pass rush are our biggest pluses, run defense being solid.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

First game of the season... long ass trip...

Maybe my being way out here in Hawaii and the Pacific for the last 21+ years has taineted my sense of distance, but the travel from C-Bus to Seattle won't be much longer than some of the long-ass bus rides to some conference foes...if anything, the time difference will be more of a factor, and unless they make it a night game the kickoff time won't be--biological clock-wise--anything out of the norm.

EDIT: Just noticed the kickoff is 12:30 local (3:30 Ohio time), so the time difference is a non-factor.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

My point was that, from the viewpoint of the opposing team, they should focus first on Ohio State's running game, and second on Ohio State's passing game.

Hopefully that'll set up some nice deep play-action passes.

 

[gomerfrowpyle]

Couple of observations...

I think there is a very real chance of us losing this game, not because Washington is better, or because we lack experience at QB, but quite possibly because of refs. All you need to do is take a look back at other school's trips to the Left Coast... namely last year's Oklahoma/Oregon Debacle. Granted the officials for that game were punished, but who's to say something like that won't happen again?

That is truly my biggest fear about this game. Nevermind the wonderful defense of ours that was torn to shreds in the final 2 games of last year...

 

[Zurp]

Couple of observations...

I think there is a very real chance of us losing this game, not because Washington is better, or because we lack experience at QB, but quite possibly because of refs. All you need to do is take a look back at other school's trips to the Left Coast... namely last year's Oklahoma/Oregon Debacle. Granted the officials for that game were punished, but who's to say something like that won't happen again?

Who's to say that the refs won't start a brawl with some of the cheerleaders? You can't go into a game like this (or any other game, for that matter) and worry about how the referees are going to work. If something like Oregon - Oklahoma happens again, the refs will again be blasted, and they're probably the ones who least want that to happen.

 

[NFBuck]

Who's to say that the refs won't start a brawl with some of the cheerleaders? You can't go into a game like this (or any other game, for that matter) and worry about how the referees are going to work. If something like Oregon - Oklahoma happens again, the refs will again be blasted, and they're probably the ones who least want that to happen.

Personally, I'm concerned about tainted gatorade.

 

[Taosman]

Huskies have been decent against the run, so they will try to take away the ground game and make Todd beat them with the pass.
Offensively, they will try to Florida us, use a short passing game with some QB runs mixed in.
We could win this game with solid defense and a take away or two. Plus the kicking game.
We could lose it with a low scoring defensive game and an inopportune turn over or special teams play.
I fully expect a nail biter. My antacids are already being stocked!

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

...My antacids are already being stocked!

Next to your supply of crack?

 

[Taosman]

Next to your supply of crack?

No!
I just think that the travel and youth on our side will keep things close!
(not to even mention JT's style for playing things close to the vest)

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

No!
I just think that the travel and youth on our side will keep things close!
(not to even mention JT's style for playing things close to the vest)

Check my post earlier about travel. The flight-travel factor within CONUS is over-rated, especially with chartered flights. The total travel time to Seattle won't be much more than that for going to Illinois. And, the time difference is also a non-factor (game time will be at 3:30 Ohio time).

As for Tressel's "style for playing things close to the vest", too bad you slept through the last two seasons...

 

[OmahaBeef]

As for Tressel's "style for playing things close to the vest", too bad you slept through the last two seasons...

To play the devil's advocate here, couldn't you argue that the past two seasons had more to do with having an explosive play maker at QB?

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

To play the devil's advocate here, couldn't you argue that the past two seasons had more to do with having an explosive play maker at QB?

Not at all. I've been saying since my Bucknuts days back when Tressel was first hired that he goes with his strengths. If he has a dynamic QB with great WRs, he'll use them...and he showed that these past two season despite having solid NFL-level workhorse RB (Pittman). If he was truly as conservative as many insist on pegging him to be, would we have rolled up 617 yards against Notre Dame or 42 points against Michigan? Now, if JT could have his choice of having 300 yards a game on the ground or 300 yards in the air every game, he'll take the ground every time, and not necessarily because he's "conservative" but rather for ball control and dominance of possession.

 

[Taosman]

No Heisman QB and All American WRs means a much less explosive offense.
At least at the start of the season = lower scores = tighter games.
And if by chance Beanie is limping things could look pretty ugly!
I'm just being a realist, here.

I think Washington will try to play it conservative and hope for a turn over or 2.

 

[sandgk]

 

[Zurp]

Not at all. I've been saying since my Bucknuts days back when Tressel was first hired that he goes with his strengths. If he has a dynamic QB with great WRs, he'll use them...and he showed that these past two season despite having solid NFL-level workhorse RB (Pittman). If he was truly as conservative as many insist on pegging him to be, would we have rolled up 617 yards against Notre Dame or 42 points against Michigan? Now, if JT could have his choice of having 300 yards a game on the ground or 300 yards in the air every game, he'll take the ground every time, and not necessarily because he's "conservative" but rather for ball control and dominance of possession.

I agree with about 98% of your words. First, I guess it depends on your definition of "solid NFL-level workhorse." Personally, I would wait for someone to prove he can play in the NFL before I stuck that label on him. Second, as for Tressel putting up 42 points against Michigan, I think we'd all agree that he put up 42 points against Michigan because that's what it took to win the game, not necessarily because of his coaching. But there are many other examples you could use: 2006 Michigan State was a blow-out, 2002 Minnesota was a blow-out, etc.

I think that Tressel is typically more conservative than most coaches are. But he's not as conservative as most people think he is. He's going to call the plays that he thinks best puts his teams in the position to win the games. Amen.