Buckeye Monday: The Postgame Review

42-7……I didn’t see that one coming!!! Vegas, Corso, Herbstreit, Big House Bob and many others correctly predicted the Buckeye blowout. They were all able to see and analyze the true discrepancies between the two teams. I on the other hand, let my heart tell me what I thought was going to happen. As Corso would say…”Not so fast my friend.”

So…what did happen? The first half was played as I had thought it would. High intensity and emotion from both teams, lots of big hits, conservative play-calling and solid defense. As the teams headed to the locker rooms at halftime I was pretty comfortable with how OSU was playing on defense. It was obvious that Sheridan was not going to be able to win the game throwing the ball. However, Michigan’s one sustained scoring drive in the second quarter showed me that Michigan could maybe effectively run the ball. That made me nervous about the second half.

Michigan fans would probably say that the game was really over before it started. Having lived through the Cooper years I was keenly aware of the “X” factors that had cost the Buckeyes games they “should” have won. Because of those games I was unwilling to let my guard down for even a second. To me, the game turned around on the two-play, 92-yard scoring drive in the 3rd quarter. The long runs by Beanie and Boom effectively made it clear (to me) that Michigan was not going to win the game. Several other short-scoring drives made the last 10 minutes of the game meaningless. I was five months old the last time OSU dominated a Michigan team like this. We all know what happened the next year. I agree that Michigan should be a better team next year and through graduations and early entry to the NFL both teams should be more evenly matched. Here’s hoping Michigan doesn’t improve that much.

What worked?

Beanie…was Beanie. For the third consecutive year he was able to rip off a long run that ended in a touchdown. He is definitely that man. I was a little nervous that Michigan was getting penetration early and was effective in limiting the running game. Then, bam...Beanie was off to the races. In the three games he played against Michigan, he rushed for over 400 yards and four touchdowns. I have little hope he will be back for his senior year. A tip of my hat to you, Mr. Wells. You are the man!!!

The Silver Bullets were on a roll yesterday. It’s been a long time since I had seen the OSU defense that keyed up. Granted, they didn’t have to worry as much about the Michigan passing game and could concentrate on the run but Coach Heacock certainly drew up a good scheme for this game. Little Animal was all over the field (as usual) and both the line and the backfield played great.

What didn’t work?

This will seem petty given the final score but I am still not sold on Pryor throwing the ball. Of course, he hasn’t been asked to win games with his arm but he still appears tentative on most throws. He is showing more patience in the pocket but yesterday that patience resulted in a sack just as often as a completed pass. The experts say that quarterbacks gain the most experience between years one and two in their careers. I like Pryor and don’t have any problems with the decision to make him the starter in week four of the season. We had to accept the good with the bad and, as his 8-1 record proves, there was more good than bad. Beanie will be gone next year but Herron has proven himself to be a capable heir. I still say we need to develop an intermediate passing attack to compliment the running game. I guess we’ll have to see how that all turns out.

What’s next?

Penn State’s decimation of Michigan State gives them the Big 10’s slot in the Rose Bowl. I have no problem giving two BCS slots to the SEC (Florida and Alabama) and Big XII (Texas and Oklahoma). I became a huge fan of Oregon (after Oregon State rallied to beat Arizona last night). If Oregon State beats Oregon (in the Civil War) next week then both OSU and USC would get bids from the Pac 10. It looks like Cincinnati is going to get the Big East slot. The ACC is still up in the air but they’re sending someone and Utah should get an at large spot ahead of the Buckeyes. So, in order for Ohio State to get to another BCS Bowl this year, Oregon State needs to lose against Oregon. I think the bowl committees would rather take a two-loss Ohio State team over a two-loss Oregon State. Either way, someone is getting an OSU team. Worse case (I think) is that we’ll get Georgia in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando. I really don’t want to face another SEC team in bowl game and have to deal with the 0-9 streak we’re currently on against their super fast, super strong teams. We’ll see how it plays out over the next two weeks.

In conclusion, my expectations entering the year were for better result. With 20 returning starters playing with massive ‘chips’ on their shoulders I thought we had as good a chance as anyone to get back to the BCS National Championship game. Who knew that the Big XII was going to field so many great teams? I want no part of Oklahoma, Texas, Florida or USC (again). I think Ohio State will end the year ranked pretty much where they are now. We are definitely at or near the top of the second tier of teams in the country. Next year will be interesting…as always. The sky is the limit on Pryor’s talents. Boom Herron will have to step up to replace Beanie. There will be big holes on the offensive line (not that there weren’t this year). I think we lose four starters on defense so the Silver Bullets should be a force….as always.

It’s been fun writing this column for Bighouseblog.com. I look forward to doing it again next year. Until then…….

GO BUCKS!!!!

Buckeye John