| #6 Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0, 7-1) at Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-5, 3-6) |
| NOON - Lincoln, NE - FOX |
| Nebraska is the definition of playing up or down to your opponent. Their two toughest opponents, Michigan and Michigan State, should have been wins. Their next two, Oklahoma and Minnesota, were both one score losses. But then they lost at Illinois and home against Purdue. I suppose this is the ultimate test of that. If Nebraska can play close to Ohio State, Husker fans may just throw their hands up in the air. The Husker defensive line hasn't been great at getting pressure on the quarterback, but they have been pretty solid against the run, giving up just 3.8 ypc, and have been outstanding in short yardage situations, ranking 12th in the nation in defensive success rate in 3rd/4th and 2 or less. That has to give them some hope, after the Buckeye offensive line struggled in run blocking against a Penn State defensive front that had gotten absolutely blown off the ball by Illinois' offensive line a week earlier. TreVeyon Henderson still got 152 rushing yards, but he needed 28 carries to do it, and got 68 of those on one carry. Against the two best defenses Ohio State has played, Oregon and Penn State, that line struggled with run blocking. The problem, is neither time did C.J. Stroud let it effect him. Throwing for 789 yards, 4 touchdowns and just 1 interception. So, fine Nebraska, take away the run, Stroud will just beat you. The Huskers will let him complete whatever he wants, and then try to keep the receivers in front of them. In terms of yards per attempt, Nebraska's pass defense looks pretty good statistically, top 20 nationally, but that's because they rank 3rd in the country in yards allowed per completion, but while allowing opponents to complete over 66% of their attempts, in the bottom 25 of the FBS. Stroud is leading the Power 5 in yards per attempt, thanks to a dynamic receiving group, where Alabama's best receiver couldn't even get playing time. You want to let this group catch the ball, and think you can tackle them? Good luck with that. |
| OHIO STATE 41, NEBRASKA 23 |
They already tried that in the 2019 game.Kinda worked! At least compared to the rest of the offense
this is what gives Scott Frost and the Huskers hope, one of thee games they will get the breaks and win a game by one scoreI wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if it happens this weekend.
well, you'd be a little surprisedWell they damn near beat Michigan, MSU and Oklahoma.
much less surprised than I
I assume the trend continues and the Husker keep it to within one score and lose, AGAIN
Ohio State redshirt freshman quarterback Jack Miller suspendedYeah, probably not long for Buckeye world now
where was Jack on the depth chart?
never-mind, apparently 3rd string
Yeah, probably not long for Buckeye world nowProlly hit the Portal and will be playing next fall.I think he played at the same H.S. as CJ Stroud
They brought Quinn Ewers to Nebraska, Day said he could play if needed.Hopefully no this season
Ohio State redshirt freshman quarterback Jack Miller suspendedNo "Miller Time" for you - 1 year
If the second W/L figures are overall, OSU one L of course.talk to ELA
I like Stroud a lot, but he has a problem that Dwayne Haskins had, he is averse to running at all, in any situation (taking something too far). At some point, when this type of QB rolls out to throw, and has a back to pitch to, or backfield pass as an option (when everyone is covered downfield), the defense will swarm the back, as the QB is ZERO threat to run. I don’t expect him to become Justin Fields, but part of being an excellent QB, is taking what the defense is giving you (because they can’t defend everything) - nobody is covering the QB run, when Stroud has the ball. In order to improve, he needs to change that about his game, going forward. If not, he will be continually missing out, on what any defense is just giving him.I tend to agree. It would open some things
I like Stroud a lot, but he has a problem that Dwayne Haskins had, he is averse to running at all, in any situation (taking something too far). At some point, when this type of QB rolls out to throw, and has a back to pitch to, or backfield pass as an option (when everyone is covered downfield), the defense will swarm the back, as the QB is ZERO threat to run. I don’t expect him to become Justin Fields, but part of being an excellent QB, is taking what the defense is giving you (because they can’t defend everything) - nobody is covering the QB run, when Stroud has the ball. In order to improve, he needs to change that about his game, going forward. If not, he will be continually missing out, on what any defense is just giving him.I was thinking exactly this during the game. While Stroud has a great arm and seems to make pretty good decisions most of the time, if he were able to affect the defense with a viable ability to run, this offense would be unstoppable. While I DON'T want to see a return of someone like JT Barrett where the QB run seemed to be the preferred option, having that ability in much the way Fields brought it to the table, would definitely help this offense.
I like Stroud a lot, but he has a problem that Dwayne Haskins had, he is averse to running at all, in any situation (taking something too far). At some point, when this type of QB rolls out to throw, and has a back to pitch to, or backfield pass as an option (when everyone is covered downfield), the defense will swarm the back, as the QB is ZERO threat to run. I don’t expect him to become Justin Fields, but part of being an excellent QB, is taking what the defense is giving you (because they can’t defend everything) - nobody is covering the QB run, when Stroud has the ball. In order to improve, he needs to change that about his game, going forward. If not, he will be continually missing out, on what any defense is just giving him.perhaps he's been hit pretty hard and had some nagging injuries and been told by his coaches to protect himself and not run at all?
2021 Nebraska is the best 7 loss team I've seen in my lifetime.nothing to be proud of, Son
I like Stroud a lot, but he has a problem that Dwayne Haskins had, he is averse to running at all, in any situation (taking something too far). At some point, when this type of QB rolls out to throw, and has a back to pitch to, or backfield pass as an option (when everyone is covered downfield), the defense will swarm the back, as the QB is ZERO threat to run.
Yup I was screaming this in the game thread,not sure what it is,maybe the 1st season under center
I was thinking exactly this during the game. While Stroud has a great arm and seems to make pretty good decisions most of the time, if he were able to affect the defense with a viable ability to run, this offense would be unstoppable.