Amber Alert, Buckeyes Missing

     Our Buckeyes need more than a "battle cry" to survive the early season. You have to hand it to the Middies for not quitting at any time, even with several turnovers that likely cost them this historic game in the horseshoe.  Not taking their QB play or coaching staff input or individual efforts and 'smarts' away, the Naval D seeped through the 304 pound-per-man Buckeye offensive line far too often, making Terrell Pryor do his evasive dances like he was at a hip-hop festival.

     Ohio State's defense is not last year's nor the season before that nor before that.  Lateral movement to the ball on pitch-outs and sweeps looked late from first snap to end of game "taking a knee."  Navy's passing attack showed some serious coverage weaknesses that USC may exploit without mercy.  Where are the traditional hard hitting "being everywhere" linebackers who typically close the middle holes with thuds or strike through pulling guards like thunder on pitch-outs?   This year's Scarlet and Gray needs some revving up of engines...the need for speed has come to the Big 10+ Conference in order to contend with the likes of USC and teams of the SEC, as well as with a good Navy team.

     It's obvious Buckeye fans and adversaries that the team is not hitting on all cylinders yet, and with only days to go before the "national title" challenge with USC, it is doubtful that enough course corrections can be made as well as shifting to several higher gears to come out winners on Saturday. 

    There is always "hope" and sometimes a little bit of "luck" enters some frays on some days, but a team must make consistent plays, get those third downs converted most times, and not get beat deep.  We all know that!  Got to believe our team is the one that plays that, and root for those turnover ratios to lop-side in favor of the Buckeyes, especially against really good teams where a bit of lucky rolls, tumbles and fumbles work for the home boys.

    Coach Tressel's choices for backup looked good but they also need to convert those yards into points and points-after, not just long treks towards endzones.   Buckeyes have always played as a disciplined "TEAM" with some stars coming out, earning those helmet "stick'em" leaves.  This coming game, every Buckeye on the field, needs to shine, and play the game one snap of the pigskin at a time.  No looking ahead, nor behind.   With enthusiastic fan support roaring and echoing in the horseshoe, we have to have a high hope of it all coming together before the opening kickoff.

"Go Buckeyes, beat the Trojans!"