Each week I attempt to bring you my take-aways from the previous game in something I call the Buckeye 12-pack. With the bye week upon us, I decided to go over the first half of the season instead of focus on just one game. Enjoy…
No. 1– The Buckeyes stand at 4-3 with 5 games to play. A win against a previously unbeaten, ranked Illinois team on the road is nothing to sneeze at, no matter how ugly the win was.
If you think about it though, that was precisely the kind of game everyone thought the Buckeyes would have to play to win this year. The defense stepped up with huge plays, particularly the turnovers, and the offense ran the ball effectively. Yes, the offense completed only pass. The truth of the matter is that on Saturday that was all that was necessary.
No. 2– Here’s a scary question- what would be the attitude towards the Buckeyes going into next week’s game against Wisconsin if Miller had never gotten injured against Nebraska? No way the Buckeyes would have lost a 21 point lead without the offense completely collapsing following Miller’s exit. Ohio State would have a 2 game road winning streak and a 5-2 record. Food for thought.
No. 3– Let’s start with the offense, and some good news. The three headed tailback monster is a thing of beauty. Jordan Hall and Carlos Hyde did a very good job in Herron’s absence. But Dan Herron is just more experienced and a better runner right now. Here’s the big difference between them right now- on half of Herron’s carries he made the first defender miss. Not only that, but his vision on where there was room to run was superior as well. The announcing crew seemed to chalk Herron’s success up to ‘fresh legs’, but it goes beyond that in my opinion. His instinct to bounce runs outside, and the ability to get to the edge kept the Buckeyes moving the ball.
It seemed to upset Carlos Hyde of course, who took his frustrations to twitter following the game. I can certainly appreciate Hyde’s frustration. He went from averaging 9 or 10 carries (with a career high 20 against Akron) to a mere 3 carries in mop up duty. He averages 5 yards a carry on the season. He’s also needs to honestly assess the situation. Personally, I would give more carries to Hyde than to Hall, but that’s me. Herron gives the Buckeyes a legit playmaker with the potential to turn runs into homeruns. (Pardon the mixed sports expressions.) That is something Braxton Miller needs.
No. 4– Let’s go ahead and talk about Miller. That was a great play to Stoneburner huh?
Honestly, I think that Miller has a chance to be a decent QB. Watch the Akron game again. When he is calm and just playing the game he was very accurate with his throws and had good arm strength. He showed more of that on the road against Nebraska as well. Miller completed only one pass against Illinois, but he only attempted 4. He was sacked 4 times on the other passing plays. How’s that for a ration? Fifty percent of Ohio State’s passing plays ended in a sack.
He needs to make better decisions as well. That should be understood of a true freshman however. The game will eventually slow down for Braxton. Unfortunately, that will not be against Wisconsin.
No. 5– The chicken/egg debate that Browns fans have had with the QB/WR position for the past couple of years certainly applies to Miller and the Buckeye receivers as well. It seems pointless to bring up how badly the Bucks miss DeVier Posey. Essentially, Posey has been suspended for the year. Sure, he may be eligible to return with 2 games remaining, but it seems Ohio State shouldn’t even assume that in this bizarre season.
I think had Philly Brown been around all season he might have helped more. As it is, Brown and Miller are just now trying to get in synch. Losing Verlon Reed also hurt. What is unbelievable is that the Buckeyes haven’t been able to utilize Jake Stoneburner more. He should be a safety valve for Miller on nearly every passing play.
Perhaps the Buckeyes will need to get the running backs involved in the passing game, particularly with Herron back, in order to get Miller some confidence, and keep some pressure of of him.
No. 6– Speaking of pressure, let’s move to the offensive line. It is true that Illinois was crowding the line of scrimmage expected the run, and trying to blitz Miller into oblivion. However, it wasn’t always an extra defender that got to Miller. It certainly has not been the case all season. In order for the Buckeyes to have a chance in some of these games down the road, there will have to be better play from the offensive line. End of story.
Side note- how many false starts can a team have in a season? I think the Buckeyes are shooting for a record. I really do.
No. 7– Let’s talk defense. In my opinion the Buckeyes have two stand out defensive linemen in Simon and Hankins. Williams could have been in that group, but his injury cost him and the team greatly. With Williams the Buckeyes could have put on more pressure without blitzing. John Simon finished the Illinois game with 8 tackles (career high) 2 sacks (career high) and 4 tackles for loss (career high). That’s all he did.
Hankins (a sophomore) is going to be a force for the Buckeyes until he chooses to leave for the NFL. Nine tackles for Hankins last Saturday. Let’s just hope that he doesn’t decide to leave anytime soon.
No. 8– The play of the linebackers has disappointed me most of the season. I’ve gone on about Storm Klein for weeks. He played better against Illinois. He still didn’t play up the expectations of a Buckeye MLB, but he was better Saturday than he’s been. I know the guy hasn’t had many starts, but he is a Junior. He’s seen the field in significant game action before this year.
Andrew Sweat is the workhorse of the group. You don’t see him take any plays off. As with all of the group, you’d like to see him get off of blockers a little more, but he does have the instincts to be around the ball carrier on seemingly every play. He certainly isn’t the weak link of the defense.
Sabino is a bit of a mystery. He’s made a couple of big plays, and shows great athleticism at times. He also disappears completely for stretches. A red-shirt junior, Sabino should also be able to make the most of his time and is underachieving according to his hype coming to OSU.
This unit as a whole is going to be either step up against Wisconsin, or get drilled. (Wanna guess which I think will happen?)
No. 9– The secondary has not been a real issue in my opinion. Bradley Roby backed up his talk last week with a good game against Illinois, including the big interception and return. Additionally, the unit did a good job against Illinois’ Jenkins, who was probably the second best WR they’ve faced this season. C.J. Barnett and Tyler Moeller had nice games. And as much as people on twitter like to dog Travis Howard, he has shown flashes this season of being a steady player.
No. 10– Bowl eligible? The Buckeyes need two wins to have the chance at a bowl game. You would have to think that Indiana at home is a win. Though I will point out that the Buckeyes have a pretty terrible record in games the week after playing Wisconsin. I’m too lazy to look it up right now, so you’ll have to trust me. That means they have to get a win on the road against Purdue or Michigan, or at home against Wisconsin or Penn State. Circle the Purdue game.
There are many who would say forget about a bowl game this season, they don’t deserve it. I hear you. But think about it this way, a bowl game would mean more practice reps. It would be a good experience for Braxton Miller and the young WR corps. Of course, there is the chance that the NCAA finishes up it’s investigation and says the Buckeyes aren’t eligible for a bowl anyway. Truth is, Buckeye fans should just prepare for that anyway.
No. 11– The Michigan game. Everything is pointing towards a Michigan win for the first time since 2003. (Remember Michigan fans, a vacated Ohio State win is not a Michigan win.) It is in Ann Arbor. Denard Robinson. Improved defensive play. I’d love to see the Buckeyes pull out a Tressel/Troy Smith level stunner like in 2001.
No. 12– Luke Fickell. It would be hard to imagine Luke keeping the job if the Buckeyes finish under .500. Not just because of the record, but because along the way it appears that Fickell is in over his head. I wish it weren’t so, and I don’t think this season is a fair one to throw a guy into for his first head coaching job, but Fickell could have turned it down. No way he would have, but it was always a possibility.
