by Matt Johnson – Nov. 5th, 2009
Tressels,
I remember playing football at recess in Northam Park when I was a kid. Some kids wore jerseys to school and fancy sweatbands – they looked the part. Some kids wore new corduroy pants and they would be ruined before the bell. One kid wore green jeans, so try to guess what we called him. We were a pretty random bunch. But, there were always three constants: every boy in our grade was playing, we used a nerf football…and acted as if we were playing on the biggest stage possible — the Rose Bowl.
Now we have the BCS Championship game, it’s great and all…but I still love the Rose Bowl. There’s something about it that is larger than life. It’s the way things should be. The pinnacle of college football. Midwest grit vs. West coast glitz. Violent and regal all at the same time.
Does Ohio State deserve to go this year? It’s up to them. If the Bucks beat Penn State this weekend, I think they win out. If they win out, they go. It’s as simple as recess and a nerf ball.
Happy Valley is not the easiest place to remain civil. Penn State fanaticism is as obnoxious and over-the-top as Ohio State fanaticism. If the Bucks thought the Purdue train-whistle-nerd-dom created a hostile environment, just wait until the 109,000 Penn State faithful extend their homecoming wishes to Terrelle. He’s mostly played in either Ohio Stadium or sister stadiums (i.e. Indiana, Northwestern..). This is going to be a heavyweight fight with lucifer providing the backdrop.
I don’t think the Bucks can play error-free and win a low-scoring game. If this is a game of execution only, you have to believe Penn State will hold the advantage. There is nothing that would lead us to believe Terrelle will not commit a couple turnovers. Also, Ohio State needs to stay away from “the most important play in football.” Jon Thoma’s punting has been mediocre the last few games. Also, Ohio State can’t rely on FGs with Aaron “True Story” Pettrey out for the year. (Or, maybe they can rely on FGs shorter than 40 yards now…)
Can Penn State commit less errors than Ohio State? Probably. Last year, they had ZERO turnover and ZERO penalties. OSU had one turnover and that was the game. It is comforting to know that is unlikely the Nittany Lions will have zero turnovers and zero penalties. How unlikely? It only happens every 25 years. More frequently than Haley’s comet, but less frequently than Dimitrious Stanley wearing kahkis. And, what the Mewhort is a “Nittany” anyway?
I do think that the OSU defense can give Penn State major fits. The PSU offensive line has had its share of troubles and OSU’s defensive line knows how to find trouble. If he’s comfortable, Daryll Clark is probably the best QB in the Big Ten right now. When he’s in control, Clark makes very sound decisions and throws an accurate ball. If Penn State plays its base offense, I think the Silver Bullets can make Clark uncomfortable. But, if I’m Penn State, I negate OSU’s best defensive assests — speed, depth and rush defense. Purdue showed other teams how to move the ball and score on Ohio State. I would have to think the PSU coaching staffing was paying attention. Ohio State likes to rotate guys through on defense and have time to bring many confusing looks/blitzes. But, the Bucks are unable to do either when teams go into the hurry-up offense. Also, if an opposing QB tries to sit in the pocket, OSU’s speed rush will eat him up. But, if Penn State concentrates on the quick-release, underneath passing game (esp. with crossing routes) in hurry-up mode, then they are going to score some points.
So, the Buckeyes need to find a way to put points on the board. Offensive execution is not their strong point, OSU can’t rely heavily on special teams and the defense probably won’t score over 20 points.
This is against every fiber of Coach Tressels’ moral being…but, I think the offensive game plan needs to be less about controlling the clock / field position and more about putting points on the board in order to allow room for the inevitable errors.
These are two of the top defenses in the country; that would suggest a low-scoring, defensive slugfest. But, I think the Bucks lose that type of game, just like they did last year. So, in my opinion, the Bucks need to come out with an aggressive offensive mindset and make this a (relative) “shootout.”
It appears to me that Terrelle is most comfortable in hurry-up mode. He seems to just play. There’s no time to beat himself up for a missed opportunity that affects the next play and the next play. It’s just pitch and catch. So, I would go no huddle frequently. I don’t know if Ohio State is capable of doing this, but I think they should.
Also, I would play Jordan Hall and Jermil Martin over Boom and Zoom. The OSU offensive line has trouble sustaining blocks. Fractions of a second are the difference between Boom getting tripped up in the hole vs. Jordan Hall already having gone through the hole. Without the threat of a running game, Terrelle is going to be in trouble. OSU needs to have the intent of scoring on every drive…and a back who gets through the collapsing running lane quickly (Hall) or blasts anyone standing in it (Martin).This is the season right here. If the Bucks score some points this weekend, I think they will win out and go to Pasadena. It’s a simple as recess and a nerf ball.
PREDICTION:
Touchdowns: Posey, Terrelle, Hall
OSU 27 PSU 24
Go Bucks! Beat Penn State! Thaddeus Gibson for Heisman!
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