Did you see this one coming? As soon as I woke up and saw the weather I could have wrote the script for this game. Late fall afternoon, cool gloomy and rainy. It was a day tailor made for Tresselball. We saw it at its most brutal and effective yesterday.

You have to start with the domination of the oline of scrimmage by the defensive line. It took a USC line with four potential NFL players on it to have any degree of success against it, and that was limited. Early in the second half I knew this one was over. You could see it in Illinois body language as they left the field after Thaddeus Gibson single-handedly forced a three and out. It was like they went in at halftime and came out with a plan to try and contain Worthington, Larimore, Denlinger and Heyward only to discover that that allowed Gibson to run free. Their body language screamed, there is too many of them for us to block. I think we are going to see alot of that this year. I would give the defensive line player of the game. I don't want to single out one of them. Simon on the field again with the game on the line bodes well for the future. I notice that he does something smart once again. He was dropping into his area in a zone blitz. He stayed low so the quarterback didn't see him. As soon as he saw the arm go forward he jumped. Robert Rose might get a shot at the NFL as a tackle. Notice he is always running free. Great to see Lawrence Wilson out there having an impact. The depth and experience of this line is the best in the country.

Sweat was the best linebacker on the field today. Spitler had a really good football game.

I was impressed with Chekwa. He had the interference penalty but he had a fine game against another level talent in Benn. He reminds me a great deal of another #9, David Boston. So athletic and so long but big. With a better quarterback he would be putting up huge numbers. Juice Williams is a huge disappointment. The Buckeyes wanted him badly and I agreed with that decision. Pryor needs alot of work on his reading and decision making. Williams is a senior and Pryor is better. His arm is very strong but could not be more erratic. I don't know if he is fast enough to be a receiver in the pros but he is strong enough to be a running back. No way is he an NFL quarterback.

Donnie Evege will make a run at the depth chart. His special teams play shows he is finally healthy. He was a demon out there.

Don't like Hines at safety. He was an impact player at the Star. He has disappeared. I don't know if he is just not a safety or he is still adjusting. What I do know is he is not the same player. I have never been comfortable with him in coverage in the last third of the field. We need one of the young safeties to step up. I would have liked to notice Johnson on the field. I didn't see him.

Coleman will be the best safety to come out of this program in the Tressel era. He is physical and he can cover better than most strong safeties.

I saw more evidence that Pryor is trying to create a touchdown every time he touches the ball. We have these sayings, get north and south, run to daylight, take what the defense gives you, etc. All of them are about getting what you can out of the play. It is an important part of the game. Boom Herron is an Ohio State Buckeye because he has taken those lessons to heart. It is getting very frustrating watching Pryor turn solid runs into losses because he is trying to make a big play out of one that all he was going to get out of it was a few solid yards. I think overall he is pressing. I think we need to step him back. I would even consider sitting him for a game.

I never thought I would be praising Bryant Browning on this blog. We gutted Illinois. Ran right up the gut on them. Browning was a part of that. Shugarts is finding his way. We are running right more. Not asking our left tackle to be the lead blocker in the run game is a good thing. Adams has never been a dominating run blocker. Neither is Miller. Shugarts can be.

Is there any doubt who should be the starting back? Love Herron. Smart, tough, gives us his all. He is just not as gifted as Saine.

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Comments (22)

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written by Bukirob, September 27, 2009

Love Boom he is all heart but you're spot on about Saine. He is finally healthy and he looks every bit the back that was pushing Beanie. That will just make Boom practice and play harder.

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I think we need to step him back. I would even consider sitting him for a game.
written by Miko, September 27, 2009

Thankfully you are only a blogger !! Sitting Pryor is absurd. You can't coach an inactive player.

You laughed at the awards OSU gives its players after Bryant was voted best offensive linemen last week ( Bucknuts ) ....... probably without watching film of the game. Finally you see something that others have been seeing. You give yourself way to much credit.

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written by dvo45, September 27, 2009

Duane...

Hines has played the "Star" A LOT the last 2 weeks...

Russell plays the Free Safety in the nickel package...

Hines did get a interception yesterday...

Personally I'm fine not noticing the 3rd level players that much because that means the level 1 and 2 players are eating everything up...

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written by Zonabuck, September 27, 2009

Duane - I would love to know what is going on with Pryor's development. He is performing adequately, but leaving a lot of his potential on the bench. I have to believe the staff is treating him with kid gloves, and it's hurting his development. The Dr. Saturday article mentioned the zone read specifically. When he hands off, he doesn't sell the fake - he stands and watches, which lets the D know the ball is out of his hands and they collapse on the line. If he sells it, he pulls half the D with him and the back is gone if he can get to the second level. yesterday, we saw him take a couple of steps but he still doesn't sell it. It is baffling, and likely indicative of how they run it in practice. I don't understand why coaches aren't grabbing him by the facemask and emphatically telling him that without deception, it's no better play than running an inside run out of the I with three tights.

If the staff is either not teaching him, or he's not understanding, then sitting him won't help him learn any better. But if he's being taught and refusing to execute, then he would be letting the other 10 guys down and they deserve better. It is truly baffling.

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written by OSUProf, September 27, 2009

Look guys, shouldn't we think that if Duane (and others, hell I can see it too) can see Pryor standing around, at least one coach can? That being the case, Pryor is either being stupid or willful. Either way, give him a game on the bench to think about it. That way he might remember it the next game he plays.

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written by Duane Long, September 27, 2009

I think we need to step him back. I would even consider sitting him for a game.
written by Miko, September 27, 2009
Thankfully you are only a blogger !! Sitting Pryor is absurd. You can't coach an inactive player.

You laughed at the awards OSU gives its players after Bryant was voted best offensive linemen last week ( Bucknuts ) ....... probably without watching film of the game. Finally you see something that others have been seeing. You give yourself way to much credit.

Apparently you give me credit too since you are here.

You can't coach an inactive player? There is this thing they do every day. It is called practice. You think they are coaching during the game?

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written by Duane Long, September 27, 2009

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written by dvo45, September 27, 2009
Duane...

Hines has played the "Star" A LOT the last 2 weeks...

Russell plays the Free Safety in the nickel package...

Hines did get a interception yesterday...

Personally I'm fine not noticing the 3rd level players that much because that means the level 1 and 2 players are eating everything up...

Hines got an interception thrown right to him. I have not seen him at the Star. He had been a player showing double digit tackle numbers. He was always around the ball. Since the shuffling around he has not been the presence he was.

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written by Chalkie, September 27, 2009

Did anybody else notice the second play of the second drive? The camera was looking right at Boom's face and it looked to me like he tipped the play with his eyes. If that is really happening it needs fixed pronto. Add that to Pryor not providing the needed deception and it makes you wonder what could be. We were still very effective but there is room to improve. There always is,

The D is just awesome. Only thing I see there is we need to tackle better in the secondary. I'm seeing guys running up and delivering a hit without wrapping up once in a while.

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written by Duane Long, September 27, 2009

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written by Zonabuck, September 27, 2009
Duane - I would love to know what is going on with Pryor's development. He is performing adequately, but leaving a lot of his potential on the bench. I have to believe the staff is treating him with kid gloves, and it's hurting his development. The Dr. Saturday article mentioned the zone read specifically. When he hands off, he doesn't sell the fake - he stands and watches, which lets the D know the ball is out of his hands and they collapse on the line. If he sells it, he pulls half the D with him and the back is gone if he can get to the second level. yesterday, we saw him take a couple of steps but he still doesn't sell it. It is baffling, and likely indicative of how they run it in practice. I don't understand why coaches aren't grabbing him by the facemask and emphatically telling him that without deception, it's no better play than running an inside run out of the I with three tights.

If the staff is either not teaching him, or he's not understanding, then sitting him won't help him learn any better. But if he's being taught and refusing to execute, then he would be letting the other 10 guys down and they deserve better. It is truly baffling.

I don't know what is going on with him. I know he is immensely gifted. I know he throws the ball much better than he is given credit for. What I see on the field is a player who seems frustrated. I see a kid pressing. I think he has put to much on himself and is expecting too much. He was unstoppable on the football field and the basketball court in high school. Sitting just for one game. Let him see for himself someone else play in this system and how much more effective he can be if he lets the game come to him. If they can find a way to get it across to him without sitting him I am all for it. I think the shock therapy could be just what he needs. Whatever we need to do we need to get across to him that a five yard run is a good play. How many times have you seen this kid turn down good positive runs because he is trying to get more out of a play that is for intents and purposes over? I go back to the Penn State game last year. He had the first down. He wanted more. If he just takes the first down we likely win that game. We become a better team when Terrelle Pryor becomes the quarterback he can be and not just an athlete at quarterback. Quarterbacks move their team. Athletes make a play. That is what he is doing right now.

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written by BOBBY HAINES, September 27, 2009

I do NOT want TP off the field ever.
Perhaps you can slot him out as a RB or a WR, and make him watch.
That way he could also be a possible decoy and really screw the D up at the same time

Or just try some trick plays.
So so many possibilities with him on the field, but to take him off the field is insanity.

He is the best QB.
He is the best RB.
He maybe the best WR.
He definitely IS the best ATHLETE on the field no doubt.

We need to use him in any and every way we can.

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written by NorthCoaster, September 27, 2009

Very interesting to watch the development of another young QB in the Big 10 compared with Pyror ... Tate Forcier. There is absolutely no comparison in terms of raw athletic talent, but Forcier at this point is so much better in terms of running the offense, selling fakes, running the option. He still makes dumb plays passing and got lucky a few times against Indiana, but he too is a new QB. I could not agree more that Pryor could use to pick up the the finer points of his position. The option for him is a long handoff, it's pathetic, he is no threat on it. That can make a difference between grinding a drive out for a TD and not always depending on big plays to get in the endzone.

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written by dvo45, September 27, 2009

Duane...

The fact that Hines is not putting up the numbers he did last season is a good thing...

That means that the front is getting work done...and Hines is not having the chance to make tackles...

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Winner winner - chicken dinner
written by Miko, September 27, 2009

You can't coach an inactive player? There is this thing they do every day. It is called practice. You think they are coaching during the game?

You do not gain experience by sitting. Experience = live game situations and evaluations period afterwards. Pryor watching Bauserman play on Saturday and viewing him play on Sunday at the WHAC does nothing for him but give him rest. Perhaps your suggestion is dumbest blog from Today !!

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written by pula, September 27, 2009

Go back and watch how many defenders Terrelle got away from. That is why you want him on the field. For as frustrating as he can be throwing the ball, he takes your breath away when he runs.

Great to finally see life in the OL. If the new guys can gel then we may actually have some depth when Cordle comes back. I actually don't think they have played that terrible in pass protection, but it was great to see them blowing guys off the line. The OL physically went after USC. I really think that game was a turning point for them in terms of confidence.

This DL is scary. We need for Hayward and Gibson to stay next year. The LBers are really growing up before our eyes. Homan showed what he could do last year. Rolle, Spitler, Sabino, and Sweat are beginning to make a difference back there. I love the speed we are seeing from our LBers. Imagine what Little Animal would be doing if the DL was playing like this for him.

The secondary isn't great, but has played solid. Chekwa has proved he is ready to continue the great tradition of OSU DBs. Amos has been solid and Torrence is getting better every week IMO. Kurt Coleman is the glue that holds together this secondary. Mr. Reliable for sure. However, no one wants to see him giving out hits like he did. I think Hines is doing fine transitioning. The importance of getting Joyner, Anderson, and Bryant cannot be understated. After a horrid start at Navy I think Russell has played solid. He will never be the play maker he was early in his career, but I love the effort.

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written by Ron Haggis, September 27, 2009

Duane I disagree on a couple things.

Go back to every disruptive play in the game. Brian Rolle is in the middle of pretty much every one. Sweat's best play was cleaning up a play that Rolle pretty much made.

Hines is overrated. He didn't make that many disruptive plays last year to warrant the hype he gets. The way he's talked about makes it seem like he was a tackling and TFL machine last year. He really wasn't. Plus he played a ton of STAR yesterday. Russel was on the field most the game at safety.

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written by csmittybuck, September 28, 2009

I believe Hines is a playmaker and brings a hard nosed identity to the defense. I wouldn't say he is "overrated." If you think about it he is in when we are playing a spread offense or when the offense is in second or third and long. That means it is mostly passing situations. Therefore, he really shouldn't have a ton of tackles or that would mean teams were picking on him. What he does do at Star is bring an intimidator presence and also is a good blitzer.

As far as Duane saying Hines isn't as good at safety. He is still mainly playing star b/c against both Toledo and Illinois we ran a ton of nickel and he always is at Star in nickel. As other posters above stated, I think the reason you are seeing less tackles from him, is that the d-line and Rolle are doing such a great job. Rolle is everywhere.

I think that Rolle has been our best LB by far. Sweat looked okay, but he does not have the extremely fast read and react time of Rolle (may come with time). If you look on plays where the d-line is stuffing the play in the backfield, Rolle is right behind ready to make the tackle. Rolle was in on sacks, TFLs and a pick on Sat.

As far as Rose goes. I think he is playing SSDE. He looks great. He is strong and is moving well for the first time in a couple years. He actually looks like he leaned out a little (was way too bulky). I think he has a great opportunity with a productive season, to make it at 3-4 DE or SSDE in the pros. He has the size/speed combo for sure.

I think that when Lawrence made his great play on the pick he was at DT. I didn't notice enough to see if he is always at DT when he is in. Anyway, unbelievable play.

I didn't think Spitler had a great game. He looked okay. He did miss a tackle on a crossing route and then come back and jump on the pile. He had a couple other JOPs that I saw and made a couple assists.

Coleman is a good safety, but not, IMO the best in the Tressel era. You are talking about Doss, Donnie and Whitner. I understand that Donnie and Mike were not Tressel guys, but they finished under Tressel. Whitner, was IMO, a great great college safety. I agree that Coleman can cover well for a SS, but he did come in as a corner. Now while he does fly up in run support, he doesn't have the huge hits like Doss or Whitner and he isn't a great blitzer. IMO in run support he makes good tackles but does not get TFLs and is not at the LOS a lot.

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written by BOBBY HAINES, September 28, 2009

Duane
Johnson did play, as well as Oliver.
In the Fourth quarter.
I dont know why they put Coleman back in there and let him be able to put that cheap shot on the QB like he did.
lets hope he doesn't get suspended for a game.

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written by RipsManifesto, September 28, 2009

Coleman getting suspended for the next game would make sense, and is probably warranted. That was a bad play on his part.

I haven't rewatched the game or anything, but the LB that stood out for me is Rolle for sure. And not just for the interception, although that does help.

I agree that Pryor is pressing. But part of eliminating that is discipline, and he doesn't have a great amount of that yet. The attempts to get a TD instead of taking 5-6 yards, not having patience in the pocket, forgetting to plant feet before throwing the ball. A disciplined, smart QB doesn't do these things. He's still an athlete playing QB so far, but hey, we've still got 2.75 seasons to go. He'll get better.

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written by John Colosimo, September 28, 2009

What about all the time Simon is getting? That's DAMN impressive given the talent and depth we have this season at DT, with Worthington, Rose AND Denlinger all have the best seasons of thier careers as seniors.

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written by Francis, September 28, 2009

I think the running game is starting to take shape and Herron should stay #1. Saine IS more gifted but I like the game plan of pounding the defense with Boom, then allowing a fresh Brandon Saine to unleash his very different package of skills on a somewhat softened defense. And Herron has played a bit better than he's gotten credit for. If you re-watch the USC game, other than missing a couple cutbacks, Boom made the most of what he was given and really ran tough as hell. The mistakes he's making right now are little, technical things and he'll get them corrected. He's already started to. The line looks like it might be rounding into form and I think Herron will end up averaging right on 5 per carry this year. Saine, however, should and will be getting a lot more carries and I think the ratio we saw Saturday is closer to what it will look like the rest of the year. If we get him involved with the passing game a little more I think we'll really have a good change-up RB combo by the end of the year.

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written by Duane Long, September 28, 2009

Winner winner - chicken dinner
written by Miko, September 27, 2009
You can't coach an inactive player? There is this thing they do every day. It is called practice. You think they are coaching during the game?

You do not gain experience by sitting. Experience = live game situations and evaluations period afterwards. Pryor watching Bauserman play on Saturday and viewing him play on Sunday at the WHAC does nothing for him but give him rest. Perhaps your suggestion is dumbest blog from Today !!

You don't get better on game day. You get better in practice every day. That is where you work out the kinks. If practice was not the most important factor in a young players career we would see all freshmen play. Mostly we have people here who know something about the game. You are hurting our percentages.

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written by Duane Long, September 28, 2009

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written by dvo45, September 27, 2009
Duane...

The fact that Hines is not putting up the numbers he did last season is a good thing...

That means that the front is getting work done...and Hines is not having the chance to make tackles...

Now that is a sound argument.

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