- The Buckeyes gave up 14 points on two offensive turnovers in a span of 56 seconds. If the "D" doesn't do it's job and hold MSU to zero points before the turnovers, and just three after the minute scoring spree, the Buckeyes probably lose this game.
- The Buckeye offense either punted or turned the ball over 5 out of 6 possessions in the second half.
- When MSU started coming with pressure, the Buckeye offensive efficiency suffered greatly. The verdict on Boeckman is still out as far as I'm concerned. Will he be able to handle this kind of pressure, on the road in Happy Valley? If he can't, the Bucks are in trouble.Key players...
- MVP - Chris "Beanie" Wells. He is really a force to be reckoned with in the backfield. He carried the Buckeye offense against Michigan State, and without him I shutter to think what the outcome might have been. His peformance in that final drive is where Beanie clinched my offensive MVP honors.
- Honorable Mention - Todd Boeckman. Yes, there were mistakes but I can't honestly justify those wiping out an otherwise excellent saturday afternoon performance. This Boeckman performance, minus the blunders, and we basically have a blown-out Michigan State team, and a lot more people with a couple more positive words regarding this Ohio State offense.
- Jake Ballard - A huge catch set the tone for this game early. Converting their first drive into seven points was huge, and the catch by this tight end was impressive to say the least. Nicely done, big guy.
Final Thoughts
I hate saying things like "If we didn't do this...", "If this turnover doesn't convert to six points..", etc.. I don't really want to attempt to make a case for the Buckeye's performance on Saturday, but if I was I'd mention something like this:
Without committing those turnovers, this game isn't even close. Credit Michigan State for not giving up even down 24 late the third quarter, but Michigan State didn't almost win this game by any means. The Buckeyes handed MSU 14 points on a silver platter.
However, we are lucky it was Michigan State we were playing, and not a Penn State, Michigan, or worse a team like an LSU. Turnovers like that in one of these types of games spells doom, for sure.
As much doubt as I have in the Buck's offense, I have ten times as much confidence in this defensive unit. They showed they can shut down one of the top running games in college football in Javon Ringer. It's also notable to mention, OSU has been without one of it's starting D-lineman, tackle Todd Denlinger, for three straight weeks.
The secondary is growing ever stronger, led by lockdown defensive back Malcolm Jenkins -- which is finally bringing together the final lethal components of this defense.
It wasn't pretty, that's for sure -- but a win, is a win, is a win. Come on, sing it with me, football nation.
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