Game Thread tOSU vs. Minnesota, Sat 11/7 @ 8pm ET, ABC

[Buckeneye]

Why do people keep insinuating this? The only game where Devin went off is in the B1G Championship. In the Sugar Bowl, Devin caught two (admittedly big passes) and only one in the NC game. Michael Thomas and Jalin Marshall were arguably more integral to Cardale's success than Devin was.

I remember a couple big plays against Sparty, then sporadically throughout the season. Navy, Rutgers and Maryland.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

The media talks about Ohio State not being impressive in their win. Neither was Clemson. Yeah, they played a 16th-ranked FSU, but it was only ties 13-13 going into the fourth quarter, and they were only up 16-13 until 2:34 left in the game. Baylor wasn't impressive either, winning by seven against a shit Kansas State team. How about Florida and their 9-7 home win over mighty Vanderbilt?

 

[Coqui]

Cardale finally relaxed and realized he didn't need to throw the ball at 500 mph right before halftime. It showed. Now he needs pocket awareness to tell when the blitz is coming.

 

[Telekinesis]

UN-DE-FEATED!!!!

Let's see how the offense performs next week. My bet is on completely obliterating the opponent and striking fear into future competition. The threat that JT brings to this team cannot and will not be overlooked.

Prepare for domination.

 

[Buckeye86]

Cardale finally relaxed and realized he didn't need to throw the ball at 500 mph right before halftime. It showed. Now he needs pocket awareness to tell when the blitz is coming.

I think it was more an issue of confidence. He knew perfectly well the blitz was coming- he just didn't have the confidence to throw- especially early on.

I think the main problem was confidence and rhythm for Cardale and the coaches- without read option the play calling can really be a mess more often than not.

Bouncing back and forth between the two QBs has done no one any favors.

All of that is compounded by WRs that have lost a lot of depth to injury and graduation.

I did like seeing them roll Cardale out of the pocket later in the game- I think that helped get him some easy throws and a tiny bit of confidence.

At the end of the day, with a depleted WR corps, the coaches and the team need JT running read option to give everyone a simple and effective go to play to build the rest of the offense around.

 

[Telekinesis]

At the end of the day, with a depleted WR corps, the coaches and the team need JT running read option to give everyone a simple and effective go to play to build the rest of the offense around.

That's the problem, it isn't a go-to play, it's an entire offensive gameplan that Cardale simply does not excel in. JT in the game opens up a myriad of possibilities that can move the ball and result in points on the board.

I love Dale, but the offensive weapons that we have now suit JT and the gameplan under his leadership much better. His ability to read the defense and react accordingly is astounding. The kid just has a knack for it, which causes the passing game to open up as defenses begin to respect the multiple threat rushing attack.

 

[bukIpower]

I have to say it's less about CJ than it is our system and players fit JT better. CJ is a talent no doubt but we just don't have the history or the horses to be a drop back attack

 

[cincibuck]

I just checked to see that I'm not getting the game on AFN, instead it's UFC, Alabama/LSU, and Memphis/Navy on the sport networks. So now I got to [Mark May]ty stream it and be like 15 minutes behind.

Well, I wouldn't be living up to my role of crusty old grouch on BP if I didn't say, "Damn young pups cryin' bout AFN. In my day we had to wait a week for the tape to fly from Ft. Benjamin Harrison to AFVN in Saigon. We didn't have streaming and e-mail, plus we had to shine those black leather toes on our boots, not like these kids in their suede chuka boots."

Now then, where was I? Oh yeah, thank you for your service. It ain't easy being down range and out of reach of real TV.

 

[cincibuck]

It's not a direct snap he's the quarterback. He has the option to run or throw but I get your point. If they have no plans to throw him then don't put him there...

They've only done this extensively with CJ at QB though and it's because they need the explosiveness from the QB running the ball. We need to supplement CJ'S shortcomings with things like this to get some kind of system we want to run. Issue is its obvious what we are doing with Braxton when he's at qB.

Until he pulls up and wings it - even a short pass - the defense is going to be 11 in the box when he lines up at QB. Adding to it is the nature of Brax to never take a minimum loss, but to swing for the fences even if it means running north instead of south.

 

[buckeyesin07]

It wasn't the prettiest, but a win is a win. And it's always great to be in The Shoe.

As @jlb1705 pointed out, some fans are miserable no matter what the outcome is. I don't know how many times I wanted to turn around and tell the idiots behind me to shut up, when they would find something to bitch about after every play. Sky high expectations (when really, who the fuck are they?) and seemed miserable even with the win. Last I checked, these are still college kids and despite having @BUCKYLE 's Ohio super powers, they are human.

A win is a win. 9-0 with the chance to go 10-0. LET'S GO BUCKS!!!!

Bingo. There's a way-too-large segment of the "fan base" that thinks every offensive play should go for a TD, and when it doesn't, the sky is falling. Add into the mix the QB controversy this year, and the ridiculousness is at an all-time high.

 

[Buckeye86]

Bingo. There's a way-too-large segment of the "fan base" that thinks every offensive play should go for a TD, and when it doesn't, the sky is falling. Add into the mix the QB controversy this year, and the ridiculousness is at an all-time high.

I find myself falling into this trap. We're in an unprecedented era of success and it's hard to appreciate.

I think it's based on two things; the epic three game run to end last season warping expectations and the idea that the current under performance won't be good enough in the playoffs.

Looking at the common opponent comparison between last year and this year is illuminating.

You just gotta hope the team hits its stride at the right time again and try to enjoy the ride along the way.

 

[Buckeye86]

I find myself falling into this trap. We're in an unprecedented era of success and it's hard to appreciate.

I think it's based on two things; the epic three game run to end last season warping expectations and the idea that the current under performance won't be good enough in the playoffs.

Looking at the common opponent comparison between last year and this year is illuminating.

You just gotta hope the team hits its stride at the right time again and try to enjoy the ride along the way.

Let me clarify slightly, I'd like to consider myself not to be a jackass- I meant the trap of not thoroughly enjoying games due to a lack of utter domination.

 

[Jaxbuck]

I consider myself a jackass quite often

That said, I don't really "enjoy the ride" like I probably should more so out of an almost instant fear of losing the next one than the scoring margin of one that is already in the books.

Just my nature I guess.

One thing I don't do anymore is carry the negative stuff from the raw emotion of the game, through the entire next week with me. I get as worked up as anyone during a game and yes, every punt means someone disgraced my family and every opponent point demands someone be fired but that is of course why I don't post during games. I realize it's just stupid in game emotion so I just keep it to myself (well the family and neighbors can't really escape it) and it's over shortly thereafter.

 

[Onebuckfan]

I fall in to the trap of reading and listening to so much 'expert commentary'..that I lose perspective. Though this year we change QB's like they are newborn diapers but we can't give Elflein a series at center to see if the snaps and cohesion between QB and the line work better? I love Boren but its become ridiculous every week.

 

[TDunk]

Why do people keep insinuating this? The only game where Devin went off is in the B1G Championship. In the Sugar Bowl, Devin caught two (admittedly big passes) and only one in the NC game. Michael Thomas and Jalin Marshall were arguably more integral to Cardale's success than Devin was.

While true on the stats, Devin stretched the field deep and pulled along a safety that allowed the other routes to be open. So it did influence the other receivers ability to avoid safety help and be open in the playoffs. Also, this year when Jones finds himself not sure of where to go, he doesn't have that security blanket to rip it deep and have Devin make a play. Honestly, those passes were not pinpoint accurate, but Devin was sneaky good at getting them.