Post Game Analysis: Ohio State's Doctor "D" Performs Surgery Again

"A win is a win, is a win" seems to be the general consensus in Buckeye nation after this Saturday's showdown with a 5-2, Michigan State team.  

I'd be hard-pressed to make a case that Saturday's performance converted the growing number of Buckeye skeptics -- who seem to prefer to point out the final score of the game as a final determinate of an overrated Buckeye team.  Honestly, I can't blame them, at least without some additional in-depth analysis of what really happened in the "Shoe" on Saturday afternoon. 

At first glance, Saturday brought only narrow seven point win and most notably a season high 17 points against OSU.  Wow, finally a quality opponent with a respectable 9th rank running game shows Laurinaitis and company have some holes in their armor after all.  That is, if you didn't catch that OSU's defense actually only gave up three points.   

You couldn't have asked for a better day in Buckeye land on gameday.  I may be crazy but it seemed like the mercury may have a risen a couple notches each time OSU's stifling "D" stepped onto the field.  I suppose we could call the offense that one annoying cloud in an otherwise clear sky.  And the result -- most Buckeyes fans didn't get the tan they thought they might.

Michigan State came into this game boasting their 9th rank rushing game. Led by MSU standout Javon Ringer, they full well expected to showcase their main offensive prowess in Columbus.  

Ranked first in the Big Ten averaging 467 yards of offense and close to 37 points per game it was clear this would be the first chance for the Buckeye "D" to show they are really that good.  The Shoe might be sporting a new "Mission Accomplished" banner soon.  Coincidentally this declaration seems to have the same meaning behind it as was in George W's message.  The war has just begun.

The Defense

I've always been a fan of the good news before the bad, so I figure I'll start with the defensive analysis first. 

"Lights out" was the distinction offensive tackle, Kirk Barton, gave the Buckeye "D" after Saturday's game.  As unbiased as I try to stay when analyzing this reloaded 2007 Buckeye team, I have to agree with the Big Guy (Barton).   

Here's the good...

- The "D" held an offense averaging almost 37 points per game to just 3

- Michigan State's offense was able to generate just 185 yards of total offense -- 282 yards short of their normal offensive production of 467. 

- OSU stifled the ninth ranked rushing offense of Michigan State allowing just 59 yards, impressively holding Javon Ringer to just 49 yards of that total.  Ringer came in averaging 176 yards per game in conference play.  The rushing offense as a whole was average 243 yards per game before Saturday.

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