A few days ago, I turned into the Incredible Hulk via print and blasted Ohio State's offensive performance against the Nittany Lions this past Saturday. Today we'll continue our multi-series look at problems facing Ohio State, turning our attention to what has been so warmly coined "Tresselball."
I apologize if some of the thoughts correlate with that previous article, but I'm going to try to dive a little deeper into solutions today rather than angry criticism.
I don't know about you, Buckeye fan, but I'm almost tired of turning on Ohio State football now. Maybe I'm alone in this—maybe I'm not "a true fan" for saying this out loud—but watching Buckeye football these days is almost a chore.
Of course I watch, because this is the team I grew up watching as a little kid, and deep...DEEP down, I love this team. But by god, if I don't hate the way this team plays football.
And save it, everyone who wants to hate on this article, because I've already heard it a million times..."This is the golden age of Ohio State football"; "Ohio State's record is blah blah blah and five in the past blah blah years"; "Stop complaining! We're winning"...and so on, and so on...
I'm not going to stop complaining, because the recruiting prior to 2008 was mediocre, the defensive schemes have been softer than your favorite ice cream, and this "offense" has been, other than 2006, absolutely, positively unwatchable.
This is THE Ohio State University, home of six Heisman Trophy winners, rich tradition, second to none facilities, and some of the best, most passionate, and knowledgeable fans around—and we deserve better than the product that is being put on the field.
The offense we've seen ever since Jim Tressel has taken hold of this program is an offense that isn't built to win football games—it's built NOT TO LOSE THEM. "Tresselball" is built on running the football, managing, and dominating the clock...minimizing risk.
Well, I've got a newsflash for the Ohio State coaching staff. Risk leads to reward, and sometimes you have to risk things to make things happen, because right now, it isn't happening for this offense. The Buckeyes have been shut out of the end zone offensively in three games this year!
Someone needs to alert this staff that they are coaching at Ohio State and not Omaha State. Ohio State routinely recruits better athletes even in an AVERAGE recruiting class than probably 90 percent of the rest of the country. The athletes are there to make some plays for you as an offense...but to look at these numbers, you'd never know it.
Total Offense and Scoring Offense from 2003 to this year...
Total Offense Scoring Offense
2003 93rd (332 ypg) 74th (25 ppg)
2004 98th (320 ypg) 71st (24 ppg)
2005 32nd (422 ypg) 26th (33 ppg)
2006 26th (384 ypg) 8th (35 ppg)
2007 62nd (393 ypg) 31st (31 ppg)
This season 85th (372 ypg) 67th (25 ppg)
18 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
A to the H 8 months ago
Great insight. I think Tressel will make changes, but we probably won't see them until next year. At the beginning of the season, it was focusing on "executing plays well", etc. I think the local media are starting to ask him the "tough" questions lately...
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onezuke18 8 months ago
And I think the media has the right to ask those "tough" questions. And so do you as a dedicated fan to Ohio State football.
Agreed that any change will not happen until next season during the self evaluation of the program and the staff probably sometime in Febuary and March.
Thanks for your comments and participation sir! Always appriciated.
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Kent Moore 8 months ago
onezuke18,
Don't you remember the 2002 National Championship team? They won by playing Tresselball and won against some pretty stiff competition....especially against Miami, who was on a 34-game win streak and was being considered as one of the greatest college football teams of all time.
Tresselball CAN work...you just have to have the talent on both sides of the ball...and right now this team doesn't have that. They have some skilled players but not the overall talent.
I can't stand Tresselball either. I hate almost having a heartattack every single game. I would rather have the offense open up and put some blowouts on the scoreboard. But Tresselball can and does work...with the proper tools at your disposal.
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onezuke18 8 months ago
So you think the 2002 team was more talented than say the 06 team??? Better yet you think that the 02 team is the most talented team that Tressel has had under his regime as head coach at Ohio State?
I'd respectfully disagree with you on basically all fronts...
Why did the 02 win the National Championship? Because they played as a team better than I've seen a team play with the marginal talent they had. And that defense CARRIED them the entire way.
Yeah they had an impact player or two, with Will Smith and Chris Gamble and Maurice Clarett...but as far as "team" talent goes overall, I would say other than maybe 1998 Tennessee NC team, or Oklahoma in 2000 that was collectively the least talented of all the National Championship teams since the BCS era.
And I'll get destroyed he by Buckeye fan for speaking such blasphemy but Ohio State beat Miami that year because
1) Miami didn't respect Ohio State that night, thought they could walk out on the field and win by at least 2 touches.
2) Because Ohio State collectively together played better team football, more physical and took more chances than Miami that night.
But if you think it was because Ohio State was more talented...I would say you are mistaken.
And if you think that the 2002 Buckeyes were a better football team than say the 2006 team, then you are telling me that Jim Tressel really is overrated as a coach because many of the 2002 team was Cooper's players.
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Rob Nowell 8 months ago
Kent, you nailed it in your last sentence...Tresselball worked that season ONLY because the talent we put on the field was BY FAR better than the talent anyone else had, including the mighty Miami...
Doss was the pinnacle of that D, and we all remember how much of a beast he was...the rest of the defense followed suit...
Mo Clarette was the most dynamic, powerful, and agile runningback I had ever seen in college aside from Barry Sanders, and if the kid had any brains whatsoever, we ALL know he could've and most likely would've been better...
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Kent Moore 8 months ago
I agree.
It was a defense that didn't showboat and it didn't have anyone trying to standout by themselves. They played as one cohesive unit.
I can only imagine what Clarrett is thinking about right now sitting in his cell. He was on Heisman watch as a Freshman until he got injured mid-season and his numbers dropped. If he would've stayed clean he could've been the greatest running back in OSU history, possibly college football history. Even after he got busted, if he just would've sat out a year and not gotten greedy for NFL millions, he still would've had two more years to impress everyone and still could've made millions. What a waste of God-given talent.
If you had the opportunity, who would you pick? Clarrett or Beanie?
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onezuke18 8 months ago
Kent...
Who would I pick between Maurice Clarett and Beanie Wells??? Beanie everyday of the week and twice on Sunday.
I'm sick of the woulda, coulda, shoulda when it comes to Maurice Clarett...none of it matters because Maurice messed up his entire career, and jacked with Ohio State's recruiting after what shoulda, if we are going to talk about what SHOULDA beens, shoulda been some of their most fruitful ones coming off a national championship victory. Granted 2003 had some great players come from under the radar, but they shoulda had their pick of top prospects that season and 2004...and 2004 was a weaken by Clarett.
Beanie Wells is now in the top 10 in OSU history in rushing...has been a model citizen, has played through injuries when he's been able to...and hasn't disgraced Ohio State in any way.
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Jeff Allen 8 months ago
If Wells can stay healthy....and that is a GINORMOUS IF...
He will be an NFL Hall of Fame running back.
That's how devastating a running back I think Chris Wells is.
There will never be another Jim Brown....but he's about as close as we're gonna see.
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onezuke18 8 months ago
I agree with you Jeff 100%...*IF* Beanie Wells is healthy, and can remain healthy at the NFL level, he is a Hall of Fame/Franchise type running back.
Don't get me wrong guys, I thought Maurice Clarett was a helluva talent. What a terrific running back...and he would have been solid at the next level as well. But Beanie Wells is a little bigger than Maurice and he's a step or two faster as well. Beanie can run you over, and he can run by you for the home run. Maurice was a bit more of a chain mover.
Either way, its a damn tragedy what happened to him. And the worst part of it was that he did it to himself, and hurt the university in the process.
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Jeff Allen 8 months ago
Zuke, I hate trying to forecast what's going to happen when a bunch of new players become starters...players we haven't seen play much..but I'm curious what you think of next year's prospects for the Buckeyes? If ever there was a rebuilding year for OSU, it is next year. Despite Wells' proclamations that he intends to stay 4 years, I'm writing him off for next year. So basically, we're losing 20 or so starters.
Are we looking at an 8-win season? Or are we just going to keep cranking out 10 and 11-win seasons regardless of our experience level? Surely we can't be expected to hang with USC next year..so there's one loss.
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Chris Schmidbauer 8 months ago
Wow, not sure where to begin here. But let's start from the top.
I find it interesting you wrote a critical article of Tresselball and yet you respond with this to any detractors from your article: "And save it, everyone who wants to hate on this article, because I've already heard it a million times..." This is the golden age of Ohio State football"; "Ohio State's record is blah blah blah and five in the past blah blah years"; "Stop complaining! We're winning"...and so on, and so on..."
I'm pretty sure that you ask any college coach out there what is more important, winning games or offensive stats, and you will hear winning games. Do you remember the 90's? I do and I will take today over then anyday.
"I know for a fact that it cost us Fred Davis and Dwayne Jarrett right off the top of my head. Cordale Scott was the most recent that I could think of that chose Illinois over the home state Buckeyes because the Illini offense was viewed as more "dynamic."
I can't speak to Cordale Scott, but Davis and Jarrett did not choose USC over OSU based on offensive performance. It was due to location. Ohio State has always had some difficulties recruiting based upon climate and location. I know. I was there helping to recruit those guys.
""Tresselball" hasn't done any of those things, and it's gotten hammered every time it counts since the 2002 National Championship."
Here some wins against big time teams since 2002 that "count."
2003: NC State, Iowa, Purdue, Kansas State (all were ranked at the time of the games outside of NC St. but that was Phillip Rivers team.)
2004: Michigan (ranked #7)
2005: Iowa, Michigan St., Northwestern, Michigan, ND (all ranked when we played them)
2006: Texas, PSU, Iowa, Michigan
2007: Purdue, Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan (again all ranked)
I know about the NC games, but those weren't the only big games during those years.
"No offense to Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline, but can you think of a weaker WR tandem than this combination at Ohio State in recent memory? Ohio State or not, wide receivers are cocky playmakers, and they want to go where they know they are gonna touch the football and get into the end zone."
Ken-yon Rambo and Reggie Germany, for one. But I will take Robiskie and Hartline anyday of the week. We don't need more Clarretts or Keyshawn Johnsons on the field. That is not what makes a good WR. To say that this is a reason that makes the Brians a weak duo is superficial.
"I hope that a new coordinator with a new scheme will open up aspects that have been lost on "Tresselball" for seemingly years now. Maybe use the tight end in the passing game, instead of strictly as a glorified offensive tackle? How about a quick slant to the wide receivers? Or even pass routes that cross the middle of the field?"
To an extent I agree with you. I agree we need to use the tight end more, but have you watched the spread package being put in since Pryor took over? The pistol, zone option reads, etc. being put in. These are simplistic because you have a freshman QB playing. Not because they do not want to run them. They have run the quick slant to Robiskie and Hartline on numerous occassions, but you also need someone who can make that throw. Pryor is not there with the timing on the route, even as simplistic as it may seem.
I know you may feel that the team is going nowhere, but Tressel is not going to change his offensive philosophY simply to put up numbers. The guy has a record to stand on. 80-17. That may not speak much to you, but it does to me. It says the guy wins more than he loses, and Tresselball wins football games. Maybe not recently, but high powered offenses like Oklahoma, haven't neccesarily come up with wins in big games as of late either. Offense alone does not win championships and Tresselball is not the sole reason we lost to LSU, Florida, LSU, and PSU. in fact had it not been for a fumble, I think we win the PSU game. But I have read the majority of your articles and I have resisted commenting before, but I do not see the point of slamming a successful strategy that has produced results. I agree that this seasons issues are perplexing, but the past two NC games and two games this year do not mean you scrap Coach Tressel's overall philosophy. I'm not sure how you expect a team to win every game and put up flashy offensive numbers while doing so. Sometimes you win ugly, and Ohio State's coaching staff wins many games in an ugly fashion. But I will take a 17-13 win over a 45-42 loss anyday of the week.
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onezuke18 8 months ago
Good return comment Chris.
First of all, I think you misunderstood the comment tell all detractors to "save it." By that statement, I meant the hollow arguements I followed that up with to try and squash my article...like "we are winning" "stop complaining" "this is the golden era of Ohio State football". I didn't want THOSE in response. I don't care if you want to discuss an opposing point, I ask you make it an intelligent one.
So that said, I appriciate your time in coming up with a response and would be thrilled to discuss things with you, cause you seem smart enough, and you do have some compelling arguements.
I'd agree that Ken-yon Rambo and Reggie Germany would be right up there with the Brian's as far as weakest duos at wide receiver. But the Brian's to me, as absolutely in this discussion. Where has their production been in big games? They disappear. Disappeared against Wisconsin last year, disappeared against Illinois, nothing against LSU...and then again this year against USC and Penn State. Since you are familiar with the game of football and I'm close to it as well, tell me I'm incorrect...
As to references to Fred Davis and Dwayne Jarrett both of them told me (first person), that they thought USC's offense gave them a better opportunity to showcase their talents. In Davis' case he also stated that Ohio State wanted him at TE, and he wanted to pay WR which Pete promised him (lol). And in Jarrett's case, he did say weather was also a factor as well. So I can't really argue anything when they both say it to me.
And yes, you can look at Jim Tressel's record and be impressed...Jim Tressel's a good coach, and a good man, I've said, and will continue to always say that. He won a national championship here and has been a great blessing Ohio State University, but that doesn't eliminate him from criticism. And right now, against the best of the best Florida, LSU, and USC a combined 0-3, and a combined score of 114-41. Thats a problem.
And Tresselball, focused on limiting mistakes, playing tremendous special teams, and capitalizing offensively when you get the opportunity...and the Buckeye have done none of those things the last few years.
Lastly Chris, tell me when it is acceptable to not score an offensive touchdown in three games during a season. And when you don't score an offensive touchdown in three games during the season...when does that qualify as a problem? Because Tresselball or not...that to me, is a huge problem.
Thanks for the comments Chris please keep posting and reading!
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Chris Schmidbauer 8 months ago
Thanks for responding to my original comment.
I want to quickly address the Brians production in big games. Regarding the drop off in production as of late has everything to do with Pryor and the offensive line. But even last year we have seen the offensive line does have an issue. Whether it them being overrated or just slow, their poor protection in the games you highlight are my theory as to why the passing game has suffered. But I will say this both had TD catches in the NC game last season. Hartline had 6 catches for 75 yards and Robo had 5 catches for 50 yards. Wisconsin last season Hartline 7 catches for 95 yards and Robo had two TD catches. Maybe we just have a difference in opinion in dropping off production
"And Tresselball, focused on limiting mistakes, playing tremendous special teams, and capitalizing offensively when you get the opportunity...and the Buckeye have done none of those things the last few years.
Lastly Chris, tell me when it is acceptable to not score an offensive touchdown in three games during a season. And when you don't score an offensive touchdown in three games during the season...when does that qualify as a problem? Because Tresselball or not...that to me, is a huge problem."
With the top paragraph, again I don't think you can cherry pick which big games you feel that Tresselball didn't work. Not every strategy is going to work all the time. It is human nature. Teams adjust. Florida was bad, I agree. But lets be realistic here, Ohio State had no business being where they were last year. I think the Buckeyes took advantage of a softer schedule and tough conference battles in the SEC and Big 12. LSU was a better team, and while I think a 14 point loss isn't getting dominated, the Buckeyes were victims of circumstance.
As far as the touchdown drought, I think it is an anomally. There are sometimes were even I, a staunch Tressel supporter, scratch my head. One comes to mind during the PSU game, when on the 3rd and 4 in PSU territory, we ran an option read to the outside. But Jim Tressel has made it no secret, that he relies on his defense. That is a fundamental of Tresselball. But he has won several games where the Buckeyes haven't scored a touchdown. You are going to have that. Remember this team scrapped its game plan, that it worked all off season towards, in favor of a freshman QB and the spread offense. You are going to experience growing pains, and what you or I think the problem is, he is a freshman QB. Again outside of USC, you have a kid trying to learn on the fly. PSU was probably the toughest defense he saw since his few snaps against USC. If we are talking about this same thing next year, then maybe there is an issue. But this same team put up 31 offensive points against MSU. While the Spartans and PSU are not on the same level, it is called inconsistency. That's my take anyways.
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G C 8 months ago
OSU has a great tradition of football. The only problem is that we are starting to see teams that are located in warmer climates recruit much better than cold climate teams. If you look over the last ten years or so, the shift of the population has gone south, literally. States like California, Texas, and Florida are the key recruiting grounds for any major football program. Guess what? Warm climate areas. Tressel does not recruit very good in those States. California has a population of 30 million plus. Don't you think that Tressel would hit that area hard???? The problem is that those five star recruits grow up watching USC, can play in 70 degree weather, and don't forget the beaches. And, it doesn't help that USC kicked the sh*t out of OSU this past year. I heard that USC had invited top recruits to watch that game. Not good for OSU. As far as OSU recruiting big time recruits away from Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and the rest of the Big 12, ain't happening. Don't even mention the kids from Florida. Do you think they want to leave warm climates and the SEC to play in a cold climate and a weak Big Ten? I don't think so. Bottom line, OSU needs to get rid of Tressel and hire an OSU alum with NFL coaching experience. Tressel is a glorified high school coach. He has never coached at the next level, like Pete Carroll did.
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onezuke18 8 months ago
G....that was an excellent point on the climate situation. EXCELLENT.
I think you're a little hard on Jim Tressel and wouldn't necessarily agree, but the climate point was first rate.
Thanks G! Keep reading and commenting.
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G C 8 months ago
I don't mean to bash OSU and Tressel, but enough is enough. I'm not saying that he not a good guy. He is a class act, but if winning is what is wanted, then a fresh start may be the right thing for the OSU program. Recruiting will always be an issue being a northern climate team. OSU needs to recruit hard in CA, TX and FL. I now live in CA and my wife is a USC Alum. Lets face it for every good player from OH or PA, there are ten good players in CA. One college beat writer wrote that Terrell Pryor would only be considered good player in CA. Instead, he is regarded as a great player in the OH and PA area. Don't get me wrong, he is good, but it is true. In CA Pryor would only be considered a good player. It took me a long time to accept that CA has much more talent then OH, but it is true. Every year I see kids from northern tier States commit to USC. Sure USC is a stud program, but don't you think that the weather plays a little into it? Also, OSU need to schedule their out of conference games against other BSC conference teams. Playing Youngstown State, Akron, and Ohio U does nothing for the program. Look at USC, they play at least D-1 programs, if not other BCS conference teams. Remember, Michigan will not stay a bad team under Rich Rod. Watch out for the Wolverines in two years. The bucks need to get ahead of the ball game and start opening up their offense, start with a new head coach and staff, and recruit, recruit, recruit in CA, TX and FL.
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G C 8 months ago
I don't mean to bash OSU and Tressel, but enough is enough. I'm not saying that he not a good guy. He is a class act, but if winning is what is wanted, then a fresh start may be the right thing for the OSU program. Recruiting will always be an issue being a northern climate team. OSU needs to recruit hard in CA, TX and FL. I now live in CA and my wife is a USC Alum. Lets face it for every good player from OH or PA, there are ten good players in CA. One college beat writer wrote that Terrell Pryor would only be considered good player in CA. Instead, he is regarded as a great player in the OH and PA area. Don't get me wrong, he is good, but it is true. In CA Pryor would only be considered a good player. It took me a long time to accept that CA has much more talent then OH, but it is true. Every year I see kids from northern tier States commit to USC. Sure USC is a stud program, but don't you think that the weather plays a little into it?
Also, OSU need to schedule their out of conference games against other BSC conference teams. Playing Youngstown State, Akron, and Ohio U does nothing for the program. Look at USC, they play at least D-1 programs, if not other BCS conference teams.
Remember, Michigan will not stay a bad team under Rich Rod. Watch out for the Wolverines in two years. The bucks need to get ahead of the ball game and start opening up their offense, start with a new head coach and staff, and recruit, recruit, recruit in CA, TX and FL.
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Dan Morgan 7 months ago
G I have to respectfully state that while you sound like an intelligent person, you have a fairly uninformed opinion of the situation.
On the climate topic, here is how I see it. While cold weather means something, it doesn't mean as much as people are making out of it. These top level players all are thinking of the NFL and what will get them there. Factors like the weather come in to decide between programs when the choice is a close one.
To say that for every good player in Ohio there are ten in CA is simply not true. Via scout there are 3 5 star players in Ohio and 8 in CA for 09. Considering the size and number of high schools in CA, that isn't that surprising, and it certainly isn't a 10/1 ratio. While Ohio is not the top football state for high school, it is up there. As far as Tressel's recruiting in a cold weather state, the last class was a top class as well as this year's group. That includes tons of out of state recruiting. So far in the current class there are 11 out of the 24 commits from out of state including 3 from Florida, a warm weather state. Last class had 11 of 20 players from OOS. To say that in CA Pryor would only be a good player is absurd. Why don't you ask what USC's defense thinks of him as a player?
As far as scheduling goes, I personally agree that more games should be against BCS teams, but I understand why scheduling is what it is. First with USC, they are in a conference that plays every team, which gives them an extra conference game which makes one less OOC game to fill in. Then with the Notre Dame rivalry game every year they only have 2 games to fill.
Now on the OSU side, the YSU series came about because when the extra game was added a few years back, it was a mad dash to get an opponent for that week. Then the reason we don't schedule more BCS teams is they want to do a home and home and our AD wants enough home games to financially support the largest athletic program in the country. It may not be right for the football program, but it is good for the university as a whole. With that said I personally still support the football program doing what it needs to do.
You talk about Rich Rod as a good coach that will build a successful program, and that Jim Tressel needs to go despite the fact that JT has been out recruiting Rich Rod all over the place.
Our programs has some issues to deal with right now, I am not someone that thinks everything is fine. I am also not someone that thinks the only way to improve something is to start from scratch.
By the Way zuke, it's CaptainMorgan from SB. I finally made it over.
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