| 12 September 2010
A very odd game, Buckeye fans. In speaking to a number of people after the game it seems many have the same feelings I do. That while so many are focusing on the four interceptions the defense racked up, there are so many things that we should have done that could have made this a thorough beat down. It was a solid clear victory over an opponent that was just short of being a top ten team. It could have been even more impressive.
I see three plays that resulted in an eighteen point difference in the score. The horrible holding call against Posey that nobody but the one ref saw that took a touchdown off the board, and our continued abysmal special teams coverage that resulted in two kick return touchdowns.
I see six field goal attempts. Getting down in the redzone and only coming out with field goals is unacceptable. We have the best pass/run quarterback in the country but settle for six field goal attempts. Those are tough yards down there. We need to come up with a way to take advantage of those opportunities. I would like to see us get touchdowns at least 50% of the time. I think that is a rock bottom number and should be doable for a program like Ohio State.
I don't know what to say about special teams coverage. I like how we are kicking the ball and we are getting better on returns but kick coverage is simply awful. We have been solid on special teams since JT came here. He says the punt is the most important play in football. That our coverage has deteriorated to this point is just shocking. I cannot shake the fear that if we do not win the national championship with this team that it will be because of special teams.
On to the good stuff. This was the number twelve ranked team in the country. Many saw them beating the Buckeyes. I look at the rushing stats and I smile. 120 yards for Miami but 42 of that came on one run. I understand the concerns about the lack of sacks but that does not mean we are not getting pressure. Hurries are the next best thing to a sack and we are doing a good job of making quarterbacks throw before they want to throw it. I think the sacks will come. Nate Williams cannot be fully game ready yet after that much time away. He will find his rhythm and timing.
The defensive game plan was as good as I have seen. Harris was so confused he didn't know which way was up let alone where to throw the ball. Two defensive lineman make interceptions. When is the last time you saw that in one game? Did you notice how much we were moving linemen around? I noticed Heyward play at least three positions. Harris didn't know where it was coming from. He didn't know who was coming from where.
How about C.J. Barnett stepping up. You have to think he was no more impressed with his debut last week than many of us were. He had several big plays in this game. A very pivotal performance. I thought Devon Torrence had a great game. I don't recall him allowing a catch.
Heyward probably goes in the first round. Miami has at least one defensive lineman who will go in the first round. John Simon was the best and most consistent defensive lineman on the field yesterday.
Ross Homan is the most underrated linebacker to play here in awhile.
I was surprised we did not run the ball more against Miami. I thought we could run the ball on them. We did have 11 rushing first downs. That is some serious efficiency.
Pryor was a little off early but found his game as the day wore on. The pass to Sanzenbacher on the sideline may have been the best pass I have seen from him. I don't know if he even sees Sanzenbacher last year, let alone makes that throw. This offense does not throw to the tight end and the backs. Apparently Pryor did not get the memo. Love that he is doing that. Think about how much more effective it will make him as a runner. If he is dumping off to tight ends and backs defenders must hesitate before attacking him when he breaks the pocket.
I thought Mike Adams had his best game as a Buckeye last week. Yesterday he looked even better. Considering what I saw from the Marshall DE against West Virginia I would say that is back to back strong games against higher level competition. My concerns going into the year were safety and left tackle. With Barnett and Adams stepping up their games it makes a national title run all the more something I believe will happen.
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