Do Bucks fans actually wish this was at night, for the atmosphere purposes? Buckeyes are (and pretty much always will be) the White Out game every other year @ PSU, kinda think they'd like to return the favor.In the past, yes, but now that night games are so frequent it feels pretty nice to have a huge game in the daytime. They've already had four night games this year.
Bucks being -7I just don't get that. The Buckeyes have looked great lately but in our current power rankings the teams they have defeated are ranked #8, #9, #10, and #13 in the league. Basically, on the year, the Buckeyes have played Oklahoma and not much else. Until I see this offense look competent against a decent defense I'm not going to believe the hype.
I just don't get that. The Buckeyes have looked great lately but in our current power rankings the teams they have defeated are ranked #8, #9, #10, and #13 in the league. Basically, on the year, the Buckeyes have played Oklahoma and not much else. Until I see this offense look competent against a decent defense I'm not going to believe the hype.Vegas lines are always gonna be set more on predictive indicators than raw wins. OSU's dominance has been pretty silly and is probably weighting things. I've seen a couple predictions with larger spreads, so it will be interesting.
Points given up by Oklahoma:It would be one thing if Oklahoma had an elite defense that was holding everybody to <20 but they obviously don't.
- 41 to Baylor
- 35 to Kansas State
- 31 to Iowa State
- 24 to Texas
- 16 to Ohio State
- 14 to Tulane
- 7 to UTEP
Vegas lines are always gonna be set more on predictive indicators than raw wins. OSU's dominance has been pretty silly and is probably weighting things. I've seen a couple predictions with larger spreads, so it will be interesting.OSU's S+P point margin at 29.2 while PSU's is at 22.1 for a 7.1 difference.
It may well be wrong, but whenever I think of the power of predictors, I think back of 2014 MSU (well, and JT hitting passes MSU's coaches didn't believe he could)
OSU's S+P point margin at 29.2 while PSU's is at 22.1 for a 7.1 difference.I think S&P officially has OSU by 9.6. Seems highly high.
Anyways, should be a fun game. The narrative all week here in Columbus is "can JT Barrett complete a pass against a good team?" I think he will be fine. My bigger worry is how the defense holds up. OSU likes to play man, and they will play Cover 4 which often turns into man. But PSU feasts on man defense so I wonder how they will try to play. Iowa is the team that looked best defensively against PSU, and they love their keeping everything in front of them.
Anyways, I have a feeling PSU will score a lot of points, but I also think OSU will score a lot of points. PSU has been strong defensively, but they've played a lot of garbage offenses. *I don't think* OSU is a garbage offense any longer.
Do Bucks fans actually wish this was at night, for the atmosphere purposes? Buckeyes are (and pretty much always will be) the White Out game every other year @ PSU, kinda think they'd like to return the favor.I don't think it matters much anymore. Night games are such commonplace, I don't think they phase visiting teams anymore. MSU played a night game at Minnesota, and Minnesota has one coming back next week at Michigan. Georgia State at Penn State was a night game. It's fun for the fans in the stands for big night games (I know a lot of ticket holding fans who hate them for non event games), but for opposing teams, I think it's old hat.
This is the defining game for this years Buckeye team, I hope they are ready!I think this cannot be overstated. If the Buckeyes lose then it would be highly unlikely for them to get to Indianapolis and thus probable that they will not play another high-end team this year except perhaps in a bowl. Even if they beat all of the others, they'll be remembered as a team that couldn't compete with the big dogs. If they win, the sky is the limit.
I think this cannot be overstated. If the Buckeyes lose then it would be highly unlikely for them to get to Indianapolis and thus probable that they will not play another high-end team this year except perhaps in a bowl. Even if they beat all of the others, they'll be remembered as a team that couldn't compete with the big dogs. If they win, the sky is the limit.WIN THE EAST! That should be the only thing these kids are thinking.
My gut says this game will play out like Clemson/OU and OSU is going to get embarrassed (again.)Me too,Urbans refusal to work in Burrow/Haskins to supplement JT's short comings is a head scratcher.Hope Barrett shakes the bogies on the Big Stage
Me too,Urbans refusal to work in Burrow/Haskins to supplement JT's short comings is a head scratcher.Hope Barrett shakes the bogies on the Big StageI still crack up when you post this opinion. Haskins and Burrow are good players- with potential, but JT gives them their best chance to win and the margin is wide.
| Big Ten Passing Leaders |
| Rank | Player | Team | G | QBRat | Att (http://bigtennetwork.stats.com/cfb/leaders.asp?cat=4&lg=4) | Comp (http://bigtennetwork.stats.com/cfb/leaders.asp?cat=5&lg=4) | Comp % (http://bigtennetwork.stats.com/cfb/leaders.asp?cat=17&lg=4) | Pass Yds (http://bigtennetwork.stats.com/cfb/leaders.asp?cat=6&lg=4) | Yds/Att (http://bigtennetwork.stats.com/cfb/leaders.asp?cat=18&lg=4) | TD (http://bigtennetwork.stats.com/cfb/leaders.asp?cat=7&lg=4) | Int (http://bigtennetwork.stats.com/cfb/leaders.asp?cat=8&lg=4) | Long (http://bigtennetwork.stats.com/cfb/leaders.asp?cat=26&lg=4) |
| 1 | J. Barrett (http://bigtennetwork.stats.com/cfb/players.asp?id=225823) | OhioSt | 7 | 173.8 | 207 | 138 | 66.7 | 1838 | 8.9 | 21 | 1 | 74 |
| 2 | A. Hornibrook (http://bigtennetwork.stats.com/cfb/players.asp?id=251340) | Wisc | 7 | 166.1 | 149 | 98 | 65.8 | 1435 | 9.6 | 13 | 7 | 61 |
| 3 | T. McSorley (http://bigtennetwork.stats.com/cfb/players.asp?id=243269) | PSU | 7 | 155.0 | 220 | 147 | 66.8 | 1879 | 8.5 | 14 | 5 | 85 |
| 4 | N. Stanley (http://bigtennetwork.stats.com/cfb/players.asp?id=268048) | Iowa | 7 | 144.2 | 201 | 116 | 57.7 | 1513 | 7.5 | 16 | 3 | 70 |
| 5 | D. Blough (http://bigtennetwork.stats.com/cfb/players.asp?id=238696) | Purdue | 7 | 143.8 | 105 | 70 | 66.7 | 745 | 7.1 | 8 | 4 | 62 |
| 6 | B. Lewerke (http://bigtennetwork.stats.com/cfb/players.asp?id=257176) | MSU | 7 | 129.4 | 202 | 120 | 59.4 | 1362 | 6.7 | 10 | 3 | 40 |
| 7 | C. Rhoda (http://bigtennetwork.stats.com/cfb/players.asp?id=225774) | Minn | 6 | 126.6 | 109 | 59 | 54.1 | 839 | 7.7 | 5 | 4 | 67 |
| 8 | T. Lee (http://bigtennetwork.stats.com/cfb/players.asp?id=226183) | Neb | 7 | 124.4 | 240 | 132 | 55.0 | 1709 | 7.1 | 13 | 10 | 80 |
| 9 | P. Ramsey (http://bigtennetwork.stats.com/cfb/players.asp?id=269827) | Ind | 7 | 121.9 | 164 | 103 | 62.8 | 973 | 5.9 | 7 | 4 | 45 |
| 10 | C. Thorson (http://bigtennetwork.stats.com/cfb/players.asp?id=240723) | NW | 7 | 117.2 | 263 | 158 | 60.1 | 1688 | 6.4 | 8 | 9 | 58 |
the game vs the defenseless blackshirts in Lincoln inflated Barrett's statsHe got all 21 of his TD passes versus one Interception, in that one game?
JT threw the ball very well in Lincoln, and from what I can tell, that was a fairly windy/cold night.Great post. JT has won many huge games. Lost a few, but how do you blame him when the offense
what Ohio St can't do, which is what we've seemed to do lately in big games is try to throw the ball sideline to sideline, sure you might catch it, but it's a 1-3 yard gain, and when you got JK and Weber in the backfield it makes a helluva lot more sense to me to give it to one of those studs.
JT gets hate for the BIG games he's lost, well, I gotta tell you, I don't know too many QB that go undefeated against BIG time competition. JT had a phenomenal game against MSU in 2014, was playing well against UM b/f he got his ankle snapped off. he played well at Oklahoma, at Penn St and at Wisconsin last year. they might not have been the greatest performances ever but all were good enough to win. so he looked bad against Clemson and against Oklahoma, both of those teams are "playoff" type teams, it happens.
Mcsorely threw some bad picks in the Rose Bowl, Mayfield threw a couple picks against Ohio St last year, Deshaun Watson threw like 17 picks in 2017. QB is a tough position, and sometimes the people around you can make you look better or worse. Do I think JT is the best QB in the nation? No. Do I think he's good enough to win a BIG title with? Yes. He's talented enough, I just hope all the hate he's received hasn't killed his confidence, which I do think was a problem for him at times earlier this season, we'll see if he's over it on Sat.
But it'd also help if Urban doesn't abandon the run in the 2nd half like he has so many times in big games for some reason.
*Football Nerd Alert*
what Ohio St can't do, which is what we've seemed to do lately in big games is try to throw the ball sideline to sideline, sure you might catch it, but it's a 1-3 yard gain, and when you got JK and Weber in the backfield it makes a helluva lot more sense to me to give it to one of those studs.
*Football Nerd Alert*The QB has to be able to make that throw, and when he does, he can not throw the ball 5 yrds behind the open guy, or throw it in a manner as to disrupt his stride, which Barrett does A LOT. Even in these last three games, where he has loaded his stat margin, he has missed some very easy throws. I have been to two games, which allows you to see a lot more than what the TV camera does, and it is not the WR's. The issue of does tOSU have an offensive identity is a huge question. Urban seems to be his own worst enemy on that front. I hope he can get away from the death grip control he seems to have on the offense and let Wilson do his job.
OSU started getting more into screens after the Oklahoma game, and a parade of Buckeye fans went on and on about how that stuff works against little teams but will never work against good teams. But the screen game in this offense is not the goal of the offense. The entire point of the screen passes to wide receivers is to get the defense to commit to defend them. When the safeties and linebacker are thinking screen, they have to run hard towards the receiver. If they are running toward the receiver, that (1) allows OSU fake and throw the ball down field and more importantly (2) run the ball up the middle, where now fewer defenders are.
This is in stark contrast to last year, where we didn't do much of anything in the pass game to move defenders out of the box or punish them for committing to stopping the run. The spread works by literally spreading out the defense, and the screen is an important part of spreading out the defense.
The QB has to be able to make that throw, and when he does, he can not throw the ball 5 yrds behind the open guy, or throw it in a manner as to disrupt his stride, which Barrett does A LOT.Stop it RD or you'll have to answer to HB.Barrett has lost his mojo and I really hope I eat crow but it's maddening.We've seen him mop the floor vs competition he should but shrinks on the big stage.Joe Burrow went 22-28 in 2016 vs same players and lead receivers and in tight windows.Burrow threw for 11,400 yds in HS.I really,really hope the 2014 JTB shows up.The Coordinator/lineman/Receivers have turned over just Urbs & JT left to answer - hope they show up big
The only excuse I give Barrett is the turn stile on right tackle. The last three games have been a good showing only because he has been able to physically out man the guy across from him. I expect to see PSU do the samething OU did, load the line against the run and the short screen throws in the backfield, and force Barrett to throw in 3rd and long while bringing the pressure-which he can not do, and thus will try and run his way out of the play. I would love to see Urban come out throwing the ball all over the field, but........won't happen.Where teams have given him trouble is by dropping 7-8 into a zone. All that leaves is the short stuff, and mostly to the side as it clogs the middle. It is common, although you can't blame them. Teams that have gone mostly Man against Ohio State have paid dearly for it.
Where teams have given him trouble is by dropping 7-8 into a zone. All that leaves is the short stuff, and mostly to the side as it clogs the middle. It is common, although you can't blame them. Teams that have gone mostly Man against Ohio State have paid dearly for it.Exactly and from a 5th year guy, who has played in several huge games against several different defenses, he should be able to see that and does not seem to be able to adjust. Would you not agree that a guy with is experience and stats, should be able to make those adjustments?
It's what Iowa did, and Michigan didn't do, to Penn State.
Stop it RD or you'll have to answer to HB.Barrett has lost his mojo and I really hope I eat crow but it's maddening.We've seen him mop the floor vs competition he should but shrinks on the big stage.Joe Burrow went 22-28 in 2016 vs same players and lead receivers and in tight windows.Burrow threw for 11,400 yds in HS.I really,really hope the 2014 JTB shows up.The Coordinator/lineman/Receivers have turned over just Urbs & JT left to answer - hope they show up bigShrinks on a big stage? Let's look at that.
Exactly and from a 5th year guy, who has played in several huge games against several different defenses, he should be able to see that and does not seem to be able to adjust. Would you not agree that a guy with is experience and stats, should be able to make those adjustments?No. His Offensive coaches never had to deal with that issue consistently, and did virtually nothing effective to adjust, until they hired Wilson.
No. His Offensive coaches never had to deal with that issue consistently, and did virtually nothing effective to adjust, until they hired Wilson.No, I think everyone is well aware that defensive units have rapidly caught up to the zone read, I think that is why a lot of folks have been on Urban the last few years to mix things up-which he does at times, but seems to fall back to his zone read stubbornness. Last season, I will give you the coaching, this season-the ONLY coach I blame is the head coach.
You all forget, defenses have caught up with the zone read. It's not like his freshman year where that was unstoppable and he only needed to pass 10-12 times a game.
It wasn't until Late last season that teams started this tactic.
No, I think everyone is well aware that defensive units have rapidly caught up to the zone read, I think that is why a lot of folks have been on Urban the last few years to mix things up-which he does at times, but seems to fall back to his zone read stubbornness. Last season, I will give you the coaching, this season-the ONLY coach I blame is the head coach.I am confused at what your blaming him for? For having the leading offense in the Big?
Yeah, let's turn over to a guy that was great in HS.We don't know he's Wilson's pick he's playing who he's told.Last year was not High School Burrow went 22-28 vs the same cup cakes Barrett fattened his stats against.Actually leading receivers and throwing into tight windows and stretching the field.That opens things up keeping a defense honest.Cardale Jones never sniffed a snap until Urban ran out of options.How did that work out ?
Barrett is far from perfect, but he has won way more big games then he has lost, leads the conference in QBR, TDs, least interceptions, yards per pass, and is 2nd in total yards.
But I will take your word for it, as opposed to Meyer's and Wilsons. LOL.
We don't know he's Wilson's pick he's playing who he's told.Last year was not High School Burrow went 22-28 vs the same cup cakes Barrett fattened his stats against.Actually leading receivers and throwing into tight windows and stretching the field.That opens things up keeping a defense honest.Cardale Jones never sniffed a snap until Urban ran out of options.How did that work out ?In 2015, with no deep threat, the cardale experiment didn't work out well at all. It was great when Urban was forced to go to a Pro- style offense, and Use Zeke to bring the safeties up, and Smith to get deep. But once everybody knew that plan, Barrett was clearly the better choice.
In 2015, with no deep threat, the cardale experiment didn't work out well at all. It was great when Urban was forced to go to a Pro- style offense, and Use Zeke to bring the safeties up, and Smith to get deep. But once everybody knew that plan, Barrett was clearly the better choice.2015 they had plenty of deep threats.Corey Smith/Noah Brown/Jalen Marshall last but not least Michael Thomas(who led all NFL rookie receivers in receptions and ydg last year)Problem was Cardale's play had regressed - just like JT's has since 2014.Dinking & dunking vs over matched opponents doesn't work vs the Big Boys
2015 they had plenty of deep threats.Corey Smith/Noah Brown/Jalen Marshall last but not least Michael Thomas(who led all NFL rookie receivers in receptions and ydg last year)Problem was Cardale's play had regressed - just like JT's has since 2014.Dinking & dunking vs over matched opponents doesn't work vs the Big BoysAgree about the dinking and dunking and dunking. That has nothing to do with Barrett.
It most certainly does he's not going deep.Not with any degree of authority when he does.Like when Noah Brown has to pick a ball off the DB's back.And JT did not beat Michigan last year the defense and Wilton Speight did.The point stands whether it's arm strength or confidence he hasn't been good in tight games vs top opponents.However I'm looking forward to a face full of humble pie if he can serve it upThe facts say otherwise, for a guy with an amazingly good record against ranked opponents- who is the highest rated QB in the conference, one of the top in the nation, and the greatest TD maker in the history of Big Ten football. But you go ahead with your beliefs- as funny as they are.
No, I think everyone is well aware that defensive units have rapidly caught up to the zone read, I think that is why a lot of folks have been on Urban the last few years to mix things up-which he does at times, but seems to fall back to his zone read stubbornness. Last season, I will give you the coaching, this season-the ONLY coach I blame is the head coach.If everyone is aware of this, they don't understand football, or offense, or what the zone read actually is (an elegant solution to a longtime problem). If everyone caught up, it wouldn't be part of 70-plus percent of college offenses. It's status as magical, wonder-play was mostly overstated, and its "demise" has been the same.
If everyone is aware of this, they don't understand football, or offense, or what the zone read actually is (an elegant solution to a longtime problem). If everyone caught up, it wouldn't be part of 70-plus percent of college offenses. It's status as magical, wonder-play was mostly overstated, and its "demise" has been the same.And until refs call illegal men downfield with any level of consistency, the RPO as a part of it will continue to exist.
Stop it RD or you'll have to answer to HB.Barrett has lost his mojo and I really hope I eat crow but it's maddening.We've seen him mop the floor vs competition he should but shrinks on the big stage.Joe Burrow went 22-28 in 2016 vs same players and lead receivers and in tight windows.Burrow threw for 11,400 yds in HS.I really,really hope the 2014 JTB shows up.The Coordinator/lineman/Receivers have turned over just Urbs & JT left to answer - hope they show up bigSo that this point, we can agree the point is academic. If there was to be a change, it would have had to happen several games ago. Throwing out a first-time starter against PSU's defense is not a smart idea in 99 percent of spots (Cardale is the other percent).
And until refs call illegal men downfield with any level of consistency, the RPO as a part of it will continue to exist.RPOs and zone read have just about nothing to do with one another. Their adoptions came in separate waves and are for the most part schematically distinct. One could argue they are similar in that they can be construed as tags on the back side of plays, but that's a wide category that encompasses a ton of football tactics.
RPOs and zone read have just about nothing to do with one another. Their adoptions came in separate waves and are for the most part schematically distinct. One could argue they are similar in that they can be construed as tags on the back side of plays, but that's a wide category that encompasses a ton of football tactics.They have plenty to do with the type of quarterbacks teams build their systems around
Also the NFL with their 1 yard rule is quickly adopting RPO's too. Many (most?) RPO's are pretty quick slants on the pass option so it doesn't matter a ton what the rule is.I definitely agree as far as the NFL goes. Defense are too fast for the longer developing option routes. College seems to still miss the call plenty.
So here's the thing, that list is a compilation of big name teams with recent success. But that's not a list of competent defenses.
It would be easy to look at the offense other than against Oklahoma and just assume that the OU disaster was a fluke but I'm not ready to do that because I haven't seen Ohio State's offense look good against a competent defense in a long time.
Against OU:Against Clemson:
- 19/35 passing for 183 yards (9.6 per completion, 5.2 per attempt), 0TD, 1INT
- 34 rushes for 167 yards (4.9 per), 1 TD. Dobbins (13 for 72) and Weber (3 for 29) averaged 5.5 and 9.7 per carry which is great but the problem was that they combined for only 16 carries while Barrett got 18. Barrett's carries were much less effective gaining only 66 yards on his 18 carries (3.7 per)
Against Michigan:
- 19 of 33 passing for 127 yards (6.7 per completion, 3.8 per attempt), 0TD, 2INT
- 23 rushes for 88 yards (3.8 per), 0TD. Like the Oklahoma game, the RB's actually did ok. Samuel had 6 carries for 67 yards and Weber had 5 for 24. Samuel's 64 yard scamper accounts for about 3/4 of the yardage but the bigger issue is that Barrett got as many carries (11) as the two RB's combined and had negative yardage.
Against Michigan State:
- 15/32 passing for 124 yards (8.3 per completion, 3.9 per attempt), 0TD, 1INT
- 50 rushes for 206 yards (4.1 per), 3TD. Once again, Barrett got the bulk of the carries (30 of 50).
- 10 of 22 passing for 86 yards (8.6 per completion, 3.9 per attempt), 1TD, 0INT
- 45 rushes for 224 yards (5.0 per), 1TD. Once again, Barrett got the bulk of the carries (24 of 45) despite the presence of a RB who was doing better (Weber had 14 carries for 111 yards
Ordinarily an offense that is one of the best against bad defenses will also be one of the best against good defenses. However, that is not always the case. Some offenses are REALLY good at beating the tar out of bad defenses without being correspondingly good against good defenses. That is what I am worried about. Maybe Ohio State is simply REALLY good at embarrassing bad defenses. It has been a long time since we have seen Ohio State's offense look good against a good defense and I'm not going to assume it will happen. I'll believe it when I see it.
So here's the thing, that list is a compilation of big name teams with recent success. But that's not a list of competent defenses.IIRC the MSU game was played in terrible weather so that might explain a lot of that one. OTOH, MSU's offense had to play in the same weather and they won.
Here's where those defenses rank
Oklahoma: 85
Clemson: 6
Michigan: 2
MSU: 41
That MSU one is worse than the Nebraska defense OSU savaged (33rd) two games earlier. Right now the IU defense OSU was OK against for a half and then destroyed in the final two quarters is No. 20.
This is all to say, the collection of performances above is less about "competent defenses," and more about days where OSU's offense didn't look good. And yes, four days they didn't look good don't look good. Four such games in the past 10 is not ideal, though there were some circumstances in two. Just thought it worth clarifying. Things are quite THAT bad, while not being as good as many hope.
early forecast is for some pretty crappy weather in Columbus. that will most likely put a damper on gameday festivities.McSorley isn't a bad runner, either. I think rain ends up being a push, hard cuts are tougher in wet conditions, but harder on defenses that have to react to those cuts.
I'm not totally sure who that favors. Might make it easier for OSU to focus on stopping Barkley run if the wind/rain eliminates some of the passing game.
Meanwhile OSU runs JK, Weber, Barrett all equally, maybe that's a slight edge vs Barkley the best overall runner on the field? maybe a push, not sure.
So that this point, we can agree the point is academic. If there was to be a change, it would have had to happen several games ago. Throwing out a first-time starter against PSU's defense is not a smart idea in 99 percent of spots (Cardale is the other percent).In JT's last 3 marquee matchups his QBR vs Michigan 38.2,vs Clemson 15.2,vs Ok 21.1.He waterboards the bottom feeders and stumbles against the studs.After the Clemson curb stomping Urban said things would change and there would be open competition.Yet after 3 pedestrian series in the spring game JT was awarded the starting position.Buckeye Boards were on fire - really.Working Haskins or Burrow in for specific situations was the popular preference.Didn't happen Urban stood by his pet project..Burrow did break his hand at the end of fall camp.It's healed now but only him & Haskins will stretch the field
When push comes to shove, chances are Burrow or Haskins will not be as good a college football player as JT was, just because JT was really, really good. If those guys are that good and ace passers, they'll win titles, as OSU's surrounding talent shows no sign of falling. And we probably won't be looking back after the titles and lamenting that one title that didn't happen. It's also interesting the pattern. Braxton was up and coming, but people tired of his passing (same as Pryor). JT set the world on fire, then Cardale. But then we got used to Jones, and he was persona non grata. They clamored for JT, got him, and now tire of him as well. Perhaps it's a weird pattern. Perhaps QBs start promising and regress. Or perhaps it's part of the human condition, we see the good early when there's promise early, then harp on the bad when it doesn't change and gets more damming in our eyes.
The best argument against is that Urban lost the most talented player he ever coached in part because he stuck with one of the best players the sport has ever seen. It's a weird one to thing about.
I'm holding you to it ELA and take my beating from HB laterHAHA. No beatings Mr. Nubbz.
They have plenty to do with the type of quarterbacks teams build their systems aroundAm I reading this correctly that the implication is the rash of mobile, lower-ceilinged passing QBs is a problem for the sport?
In JT's last 3 marquee matchups his QBR vs Michigan 38.2,vs Clemson 15.2,vs Ok 21.1.He waterboards the bottom feeders and stumbles against the studs.After the Clemson curb stomping Urban said things would change and there would be open competition.Yet after 3 pedestrian series in the spring game JT was awarded the starting position.Buckeye Boards were on fire - really.Working Haskins or Burrow in for specific situations was the popular preference.Didn't happen Urban stood by his pet project..Burrow did break his hand at the end of fall camp.It's healed now but only him & Haskins will stretch the fieldI'll try to hit all the points, so this will be disjointed.
Take a look2016 2017tOSU beat Rutgers 58-0 56-0" " " " " " "Indy 38-17 49-21" " " " " " " Nebraska 62-3 56-14" " " " " " "Maryland 62-3 62-14For a total of 220-23 223-48Factoring in we lost to OU this season and won last where is this drastic difference ?.So why should one be confident - asking for a friend
HAHA. No beatings Mr. Nubbz.I firmly believe PSU will try and rely solely on its front 4 to get pressure and maintain/contain Barrett (which may or may not work given OSU's talented OL). I think they will force him to win the game with his arm. They may run blitz, but I don't see Pry making a gameplan that sends 5-6 guys and lets JT just step up and make plays with his legs.
If I had to guess- it will be a super game and PSU pulls it out. Barrett will not be a star, but against this, how many QBs would be: (from Eleven Warriors)
- Penn State sent extra rushers on 62% of first down plays (https://pennstate.247sports.com/Article/Penn-State-football-Tale-of-the-Tape-Defense-vs-Michigan-109332052) versus Michigan.
- Michigan quarterback John O'Korn was sacked at least once on every second half possession.
- Eight of 11 Michigan possessions featured at least one Penn State TFL.
- Penn State sits No. 1 nationally at 3.54 sacks per game.
- The Nittany Lions rank No. 8 nationally with 8.15 TFL per game.
Sometimes the better thing to do against that is actually to run the QB. Sometimes. But If the play calling does its job, which is to keep the defense honest, JT will be as OK as any QB would be against that.
I firmly believe PSU will try and rely solely on its front 4 to get pressure and maintain/contain Barrett (which may or may not work given OSU's talented OL). I think they will force him to win the game with his arm. They may run blitz, but I don't see Pry making a gameplan that sends 5-6 guys and lets JT just step up and make plays with his legs.Probably true, and if true, a departure from their tendency. PSU defense has been predicated on winning first down by bringing pressure. They work to get theopponent behind schedule on early downs.
Probably true, and if true, a departure from their tendency. PSU defense has been predicated on winning first down by bringing pressure. They work to get theopponent behind schedule on early downs.I would still expect some blitzes, but probably fewer than typical.
For the first time in maybe 20 years (1996 or so), I am actually confident in my Nits going into the Shoe.I was at that game and I hope this one turns out like that one! My dad and I got tickets and took my brother for his 16th birthday. It was supposed to be a great game. The Buckeyes were #3 and the Nittany Lions #4. Ohio State was 3-0 and coming off of beating the previously undefeated Irish in South Bend. Penn State was 5-0. The game was a complete dud. LA Times article on it (http://articles.latimes.com/1996-10-06/sports/sp-51247_1_ohio-state).
Probably true, and if true, a departure from their tendency. PSU defense has been predicated on winning first down by bringing pressure. They work to get theopponent behind schedule on early downs.Correct, PSU's defensive success is predicated on forcing long 2nd and 3rd downs, but I think they'll have to achieve that in a different way than rushing 6 automatically.
Correct, PSU's defensive success is predicated on forcing long 2nd and 3rd downs, but I think they'll have to achieve that in a different way than rushing 6 automatically.Every team shows new wrinkles against OSU. That's just the deal.
PSU will definitely show wrinkles on defense that OSU doesn't have on film, I'm positive of that.
The 3 predictions I found on ESPN all had the Lions winning. :16:WTF?!?! I didn't add a shopping link to my post. "Lions winning." was underlined like a link, and lead to a Nordstroms site to purchase a Lion Baby book????
Oh don't give me that far away crap.You were smashedWell you know it was law school I was frequently smashed
I keep thinking the point spread is a misprint. I like Urbaned zachery
Man, just imagine what those backups who've only seen garbage time could've done. :)All facts.
In some ways, this feels like the MSU game in 2014. Crushing garbage "doesn't impress" but it's an indicator of something. I'm not going to lie, in most spots I would have been rooting for PSU because I like the change up. But seeing Barrett, he of the "big game failures" who "can't beat good defenses," lead a comeback from down 18 (15 at the start of the fourth) brings a warmth to my heart.
I guess I would've been OK in both cases, since it was an over-criticized QB vs. a coach who once faced the same thing.
(I'm sorry I'm hammering on something like this, but JT is really one of the most accomplished players in the history of a great program, and it always seems weird to see folks want to toss him off like last month's magazine)
They were getting killed on them BUT:
4) Max/Sam. Did I not say before the game the sideways WR screen passes would be killed in this game? If I never see a sideways pass again from OSU I won't be upset. I felt like there were roughly 7 for a total of -11 yards.
They were getting killed on them BUT:Well close. They actually gained 6-12 yards on 4 or 5 of them.
Go back and look at the game winning play. The running back and a wide receiver set up like they might get a screen pass. The linebacker hesitates - should he be running to them? And as he hesitates Baugh runs past him and JT pitches a touchdown pass. OSU screens are run with one purpose - to get the other team's back seven thinking about running themselves out of the middle of the field.
(I'm sorry I'm hammering on something like this, but JT is really one of the most accomplished players in the history of a great program, and it always seems weird to see folks want to toss him off like last month's magazine)Never wanted to bench him wanted to get some relief for specific situations.There were plenty of times he appeared opposite of last nite.Against UM/Clem/OU he had 0 TD's & 4 int's.Since OU Day & Wilson seemed to have eliminated the hesitation & yips.He got his groove back and it's paid off,he looks like 2014.Hope it continues
OSU fans did nothing but crap on JT Barrett this whole year. Now he's good again, after one game. C'mon guys.JT is great, and I never got the OSU fan base ragging on him, but stats don't tell the entire story.
What I said a month ago still holds true, looking at the stats, the case for Barrett being the best QB in B10 history is a very easy one. True today, true 2 days ago.
anyone else starting to question Urban's game management? Don't freak out ,I'm not saying the dude's not a good coach, he's probably tied for 2nd with Dabo behind Saban.Lmao. What!? You OSU fans are silly. On no planet is Dabo Swiney remotely on the same level as Urban Meyer. Meyer is tied with Saban for 1. I happen to think he's better than Saban. Saban is great. But 99% of his roster is blue chip recruits. Literally. There's only 85 scholarships. Something like 78 of them are 5* or 4* recruits. And he's signed by far more 5*'s than anyone. I understand that's a big part of being a college coach, and Urban is a great recruiter as well- but damn man. Saban stacks the roster deck unlike any coach in this modern era of CFB.
best qb's in conference history?Best I ever saw - cannon arm with touch and accuracy, great deep ball, elite size and strength and athletic ability for the position. Just had it all.
in no particular order Brees, R Wilson (albeit 1 season), K Collins, Griese, I think JT is getting very close to Troy though, with or without the Heisman trophy. Troy was good his Soph and Jr seasons, but not great. Then he had the monster senior year.
If we get to talk small samples, Russell Wilson would like a word.
And call me a homer all you want but the Drew Henson I saw start those 8-9 games as a Jr was the best I've ever seen a B1G QB. His best was better than anyone in the conference I've ever seen play QB. That guy literally had it all. You want to talk about the next Elway? Forget Andrew Luck. It was Drew Henson. He would've been the #1 pick in the NFL draft had his headcase of a father hadn't pressured him to quit football and sign a huge contract with the Yankees. He was a great baseball prospect obviously. He was an otherworldly NFL QB prospect though. 6'4, 230 ran a legit 4.6- that boy could really run and he just had ridiculous arm strength but he knew how to use it. Threw that ball with great natural touch and accuracy but also just had that cannon and could use it when appropriate. He wasn't one of those big armed QBs who threw everything 100mph.
anyone else starting to question Urban's game management? Don't freak out ,I'm not saying the dude's not a good coach, he's probably tied for 2nd with Dabo behind Saban.While I'm not particularly doing it, people have been for years. There are about 3 coaches who don't get questioned, and even they sometimes do, because people wonder if Paul Johnson going fullback dive on 4th and 1 from his 35 is fine.
but, a lot of weird decisions. Kicking off to Barkley, then 8 more kickoffs where we don't know if we should pooch it, squib it etc. The last kickoff was possibly the worst, allowing Penn St to have the ball on the 41 yard line.
Going for it on 4th-and-8 vs trying a FG.
Declining a hold which allowed PSU to get a first down on 2-and-10.
only running Dobbins 4 times in the first half. (Ala Zeke and Hyde games where he abandons the run)
I also thought it was strange to call timeout when hubbard had the amazing tackle on mcsorely/barkley. there were still 4 mins left at that point, with PSU facing 2nd and 17 or whatever. I would have thought holding those made more sense. you would have gotten the ball back with at least 2 1/2 mins and if you had a quick 3 and out it would have given you one more chance.
not sure what to think of his demeanor where he looks like he's going to vomit the entire first half. it plays well on TV, but I wonder if that's a good look for the team? guys might negatively feed off that.
I did think it was smart to move Arnette to cover the slot when Hamilton was there, even though he caught a TD. Although that's probably more of Schiano's decision.
and I did like both 2 point conversion tries, even though they didn't work.
Barkley had nothing to work with in the second half. The PSU o-line couldn't even slow down the D-line long enough for Barkley to receive the handoff and decide where to run.I give Schianno a ton of credit for the adjustments he made after the half. His D flat out wore PSU's line down and out and by the 4Q, they were dominating. Kudos to the Bucks for a strong second half in the whole, specifically that 4Q.
You say that like Penn State knew Pitt would suck this year.
Penn St's OOC scheduling is going to kill them this year. No quality wins.
anyone else starting to question Urban's game management? Don't freak out ,I'm not saying the dude's not a good coach, he's probably tied for 2nd with Dabo behind Saban.I'm a Sunday morning arm chair coach, so of course I question everything...
but, a lot of weird decisions. Kicking off to Barkley, then 8 more kickoffs where we don't know if we should pooch it, squib it etc. The last kickoff was possibly the worst, allowing Penn St to have the ball on the 41 yard line.
Going for it on 4th-and-8 vs trying a FG.
Declining a hold which allowed PSU to get a first down on 2-and-10.
only running Dobbins 4 times in the first half. (Ala Zeke and Hyde games where he abandons the run)
I also thought it was strange to call timeout when Hubbard had the amazing tackle on Mcsorely/Barkley. there were still 4 mins left at that point, with PSU facing 2nd and 17 or whatever. I would have thought holding those made more sense. you would have gotten the ball back with at least 2 1/2 mins and if you had a quick 3 and out it would have given you one more chance.
not sure what to think of his demeanor where he looks like he's going to vomit the entire first half. it plays well on TV, but I wonder if that's a good look for the team? guys might negatively feed off that.
I did think it was smart to move Arnette to cover the slot when Hamilton was there, even though he caught a TD. Although that's probably more of Schiano's decision.
and I did like both 2 point conversion tries, even though they didn't work.
not to flame, but if any penn st fan is dumping their downtown Indy hotel room I'd be willing to pick it up.LOL.
I was gonna be all snarky, but after a reread realized there was more pumping of Dabo and maybe overblown complaints about Urby than purely pushing one over the other. That said, this is a good reminder of a useful adage: your problems are a big deal to you because they're YOUR'S. Other people's are not for the same reason.
well, Dabo is 2-0 vs Urban including a woodshed beatdown last year.
I personally think Dabo is as good as anyone in the country other than Saban.
I would take Urban the recruiter vs anyone in the country, but I think it's safe to say you can question a team's coaching when it has 10 penalties, 2 turnovers, no clue on special teams. I think that's fair.
You say that like Penn State knew Pitt would suck this year.I don't think he meant that at all and even if he did, I would say it and not mean that Penn State knew Pitt would suck.
3. Bingo Sam. The game winning TD happened because the LB and DB over there had to respect it..they both took their first step over that way which allowed Baugh to slip behind them.Huh? What game were you watching? They were down because they gave up a kick return for 7, another that gave PennState the ball at the OSU 35, and another because the very play your talking about, Paris Cambell picked up a quick 15-20 yards but fumbled, and they returned that fumble to the OSU 22. And even with that, they scored from far out when McSorley threw a perfect pass to Hamilton, as he was covered like a blanket by Arnette.
It cracks me up that the offense is popping 500 yards a game, and that is a part of why.
It clearly creates space around the box for the backs, and eventually leads to vertical opportunities- yet we stil, question it. It created the wide open Dixon play that almost went for a TD- one one of the few passes JT under threw.
I question it, because it almost cost us the game, and it clearly contributed to us being down 21-3 and 28-10. I don't argue that it sets up other plays, but it ruined at least 2 series in the first half because it put us at 2-and-15 or so which we couldn't overcome. you can run that against the Maryland's of the world, but against top 10 competition it's dumb, to run that much.
meanwhile you got JK Dobbins averaging 12.5 yards a carry in the first half and he gets 4 touches.
the first 3-4 series it was OU all over again, ultra conservative, no imagination and it put us in an 18 point hole that we almost didn't overcome.
Let's not forget when schedules are made - 5-10 years in advance. Anyone remember what PSU's situation was when the Pitt series was put under contract? PSU had a chance to just barely be crawling out from under the rock right now, and this non-con schedule directly reflects that.I'm not really judging them for it, but at the end of the day OOC schedules have to be compared for what they are. BTW, I think everyone is giving the SEC a pass. They only play 8 conference games and often include a layup - Alabama plays Mercer and Georgia played Samford.
Let's not forget when schedules are made - 5-10 years in advance. Anyone remember what PSU's situation was when the Pitt series was put under contract? PSU had a chance to just barely be crawling out from under the rock right now, and this non-con schedule directly reflects that.I get that and other teams, including Ohio State have had similar problems in the past. Example, in 2007 Ohio State's schedule started out with:
Even as the defense began to recognize the tactic, blowing up a few quick screens,The screens in those videos were not blown up at all. Big gains.
from your story, except it should say blowing up all 7 quick screen passes. and I don't know how a defense wouldn't recognize it, we do it every game.
I get how you say we need these to spread the ball out, but I don't understand why we have to sacrifice 5-10 plays per game. there has to be a better way to spread the field than by using a pass play that averages a net loss against good competition. a screen to a RB maybe?
Well designed screen pass to the wide side of the field?Nope. That's the "Game over McSorely, your 4th and 15 prayer will fall hopelessly incomplete" play.
(https://www.elevenwarriors.com/sites/default/files/c/2017/11/yuaFAnJ.jpg)" Meyer wants a picture of the Penn State's final play framed to hang in his office (via BTBuckeye (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2017/11/87417/urban-meyer-coachs-show-iowa#comment-3155131)):"