Game Thread Ohio State @ Purdue - 10/20/18, 7:30PM (ABC)

[GovTressel]

Even if we won every game left by 20 pts, we wouldnt make the playoff, and wouldnt deserve it. You can't ever lose a game like this.

Urban now has 3 of them. Think about that. 3 games by at least 28 points.

6-0 vs tsun....I’ll take 3 soul crushers if I get that with it....and a Natty

I’m with you that it is strange how when we do rarely lose it’s by a bunch.

 

[1926Buckeyes]

6-0 vs tsun....I’ll take 3 soul crushers if I get that with it....and a Natty

I’m with you that it is strange how when we do rarely lose it’s by a bunch.

I think it's just the nature of Meyer's teams. Reliant on lots of big plays and a defense that does more play making than defending. I think the defense is moreso this year and last year just breaking at certain points than others in which they kept playing.

 

[buckeyesin07]

We have some real fucking idiots in our fanbase unfortunately.

Every fan base does. Not trying to condone what this loser said (and he/she is a complete loser, for sure, in my book at least), but just wanting to point out that every major college team has idiots like this--mouth breathers from opposing fan bases may try to convince themselves that this is an OSU thing otherwise.

 

[buckeyesin07]

Post-Game Thoughts

Not much to say, but here it goes....

1. Before the season began, a lot of Buckeye commentators said that this team is the most talented of the Urban Meyer era. Really?

Quite frankly, there are a number of players who have no business being on this team, much less playing, much less starting. The talent level, overall, is simply not there.

Here's the 2014 team that started in the National Championship Game, with no names, just draft position (UD = undrafted):

LT: 1st (#16).... DE: 1st (#3)
LG: 1st (#21).... DE: UD
OC: UD........... DT: 3rd
RG: 3rd.......... DT: 6th
RT: UD........... LB: 1st (#20)
TE: 3rd.......... LB: 2nd
TE: 3rd.......... LB: 4th
WR: 2nd.......... LB: UD
WR: 2nd.......... CB: 1st (#10)
WR: 6th.......... CB: 1st (#24)
RB: 1st (#4)..... CB: 4th
HB: UD............ S: 2nd
QB: 4th........... S: UD

Does anybody really see that kind of talent on this team? Especially on the offensive line and the defensive back seven?

2. With that being said, sometimes a great college football team needs some great college football players. Guys who might be a couple inches short, a few pounds light, a step slow to fit the NFL prototype, but who are just really tough, hard-nosed, high-motor, disciplined kids. Guys who leave it all on the field on every play. Guys who just love playing the game and don't care about the millions available in the pros. Wouldn't a couple of Borens look great on this team?

3. Ohio State's last four losses (Clemson 2016; Oklahoma 2017; Iowa 2017; Purdue 2018) have been by an average of 26.5 points. In those four games, Ohio State has been outscored 166 to 60. Nick Saban doesn't lose games like that. Dabo Swinney doesn't lose games like that. And as much as I hate to say it, Jim Harbaugh doesn't lose games like that.

4. This team is both mentally and physically soft and it shows in undisciplined play. The Buckeyes had another 10 penalties for 86 yards. And they quit. Not once, but twice.

Down 7-3 with just under two minutes left in the first half, Dwayne Haskins threw a pass to Binjimen Victor in the end zone. Victor got both hands on the ball, but he didn't fight hard enough and the ball was knocked away. Then Blake Haubeil missed a 37-yard field goal attempt. Then D.J. Knox ran for 19 yards when Purdue was probably contemplating going into halftime with a 4-point lead. Two plays later Purdue hits a 37-yard pass and Purdue's in the red zone. A few plays later they score a touchdown and take a 14-3 lead into the locker room.

Then midway through the 3rd quarter, with Purdue leading 14-6, the Buckeye defense forces a punt. And then they rough the punter. As a fan, I knew it was game over. And so did the Buckeyes, as they were outscored 35 to 14 from that point forward. That's quitting, folks.

5. On November 7, 1998, John Cooper lost at home to a 28-point underdog Michigan State, essentially blowing all hopes at a national championship with a loaded team. Even though Cooper lasted for another 2+ seasons after that dreadful loss, everyone knew that his pink slip had been signed that night. Did Urban Meyer have his John Cooper moment last night?

Good post. Not sure I'm buying the Harbaugh point in #3. Completely agreed on #4--those two drives turned the game. OSU could've been up 10-7 at the half (getting the 2nd half kickoff, as well) or at least should've been down 7-6. Instead, we can't get a TD and Haubeil misses a gimme, and then the D folds, and suddenly a "should've been" 3 point lead turns into an 11-point deficit. Then, on the punt, OSU has a great drive to begin the 2nd half, only to not get a TD (again), but still is within striking distance, only to have Hamilton inexplicably rough the punter (spoiler alert: that dude will NEVER block a punt anyway, so why is he even within roughing distance? JFC), and a few plays later, Purdue goes up 21-6 pretty much changing the game. Wow--what could've been.

 

[buckeyesin07]

As for the Cooper vs. Urban discussion (and I get that you weren't comparing the two overall, LJB), Cooper can't hold Urban's jock. Cooper, on his best day, was a good recruiter, a mediocre (at best) in-game coach, and an awful guy to have leading your team in a rivalry game, bowl game, or other big game. 2-10-1, which is seared into every OSU fan's mind, is an embarrassment and a joke. Urban's got multiple national titles behind his name, and Cooper never even got a whiff of one, despite having the necessary talent. Let's not act like those two coaches are even in the same zip code when it comes to coaching acumen.

 

[bukIpower]

Good post. Not sure I'm buying the Harbaugh point in #3. Completely agreed on #4--those two drives turned the game. OSU could've been up 10-7 at the half (getting the 2nd half kickoff, as well) or at least should've been down 7-6. Instead, we can't get a TD and Haubeil misses a gimme, and then the D folds, and suddenly a "should've been" 3 point lead turns into an 11-point deficit. Then, on the punt, OSU has a great drive to begin the 2nd half, only to not get a TD (again), but still is within striking distance, only to have Hamilton inexplicably rough the punter (spoiler alert: that dude will NEVER block a punt anyway, so why is he even within roughing distance? JFC), and a few plays later, Purdue goes up 21-6 pretty much changing the game. Wow--what could've been.

I laughed heartily when Davon Hamilton goes in to the punter with a front flip... couple reasons why.

1. Why is it that most thought (including myself) that just staying away was the best option?

2. We rushed 4 so its not like we were getting home anyways

3. Landers almost had one earlier for roughing

4. I knew the game was over then

5. Did I mention our DT front flipped into a kicker?

 

[LovelandBuckeye]

You're a small asian girl?

Surprise

 

[bukIpower]

As for the Cooper vs. Urban discussion (and I get that you weren't comparing the two overall, LJB), Cooper can't hold Urban's jock. Cooper, on his best day, was a good recruiter, a mediocre (at best) in-game coach, and an awful guy to have leading your team in a rivalry game, bowl game, or other big game. 2-10-1, which is seared into every OSU fan's mind, is an embarrassment and a joke. Urban's got multiple national titles behind his name, and Cooper never even got a whiff of one, despite having the necessary talent. Let's not act like those two coaches are even in the same zip code when it comes to coaching acumen.

Well 4 big losses in 3 years isn't ideal. Something is wrong the past few seasons though you have to admit that.

Urban can recruit so thats always saved him but 2019 isnt shaping up great and you have to wonder if the suspension stuff will hurt him?

If UFM loses luster on the recruiting look out because I don't particularly think he's a great X and Os coach. Urban's trump card is recruiting and if he doesnt have that this could slide hard on UFM if the talent doesn't keep pouring in.

 

[LovelandBuckeye]

This game can

 

[buckeyesin07]

Well 4 big losses in 3 years isn't ideal. Something is wrong the past few seasons though you have to admit that.

Urban can recruit so thats always saved him but 2019 isnt shaping up great and you have to wonder if the suspension stuff will hurt him?

If UFM loses luster on the recruiting look out because I don't particularly think he's a great X and Os coach. Urban's trump card is recruiting and if he doesnt have that this could slide hard on UFM if the talent doesn't keep pouring in.

I get that people are emotional after a loss, but are you really arguing against the proposition that Urban is light years ahead of Cooper in coaching? Because Cooper was good at recruiting...and that's about it. When it came to a big, rivalry, or bowl game, John Cooper was a complete deer in the headlights. 2-10-1. I hate those numbers, and you should too. They're brought to you courtesy of John Cooper.

 

[ScriptOhio]

STATAGRAM: OHIO STATE 20, PURDUE 49

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/data-viz/2018/10/97974/statagram-ohio-state-20-purdue-49

 

[RB07OSU]

Well, I came in to give my thoughts but the old saying of "if you have nothing nice to say, then don't say it at all" kept ringing through my head. I have nothing nice to say at all after that dog shit performance, so I am going to wait a little bit before I even try to comment. Just suffice it to say that we need to turn into a new team over the bye week, or the rest of the year will be very ugly.

 

[Tanner]

I had a dream that we played Purdue PURDUE and we couldn't run the ball at all against them and they jammed the ball down our throat and we couldn't stop them from running

 

[pianobuck46]

Well, I came in to give my thoughts but the old saying of "if you have nothing nice to say, then don't say it at all" kept ringing through my head. I have nothing nice to say at all after that dog shit performance, so I am going to wait a little bit before I even try to comment. Just suffice it to say that we need to turn into a new team over the bye week, or the rest of the year will be very ugly.

Well, I for one am really glad you didn't say anything. I feel a lot better now.

 

[Wells4Heisman]

6-0 vs tsun....I’ll take 3 soul crushers if I get that with it....and a Natty

I’m with you that it is strange how when we do rarely lose it’s by a bunch.

The thing is the Championship was only because JT got injured, Cardale converted numerous 3rd and longs against Bama, we would've gotten blown out if JT was starting. Still can't argue against the record vs Michigan but they've been down. IDK, obviously Urban is one of the best coaches tOSU has ever had. I guess I'm just spoiled but I feel with the talent we're bringing in it's been sort of underwhelming. I started to have my doubts after we got shit canned 31-0 against Clemson, it feels like we never make coaching changes despite the shortcomings. The fire that Urban brought during the first 3/4 years isn't there, he looks like a tired man to me. Disclaimer: I'm a huge Urban guy but something just feels off this season.