Defense Strikes-Again

OSU 31- Wisconsin 13

What do you get when you mix one of the best defenses in the country, a very abysmal offense, and a coach like Jim Tressel: 60 minutes of teeth grinding, nerve shaking, and totally exciting football. On one side of the spectrum, the offense, you cringe and shiver at the very thought of Pryor throwing a pick six. But on the other hand, you get downright riled up every time our star defense takes to the field. What’s it going to be: a sack, a pick, or a fumble recovery? Every down brings more excitement.

It is really starting to seem like the only reason we are still in contention and holding strong in the big ten is our amazing defense. Take that away and Saturday’s win against Wisconsin could have easily been a big L on the schedule. They played pretty good ball, running and passing for more yards than we had, however our D was not going to be denied another glorious victory. It seems to me like the defense wants to win more than the offense does lately. Hey Tressel, here is a thought for you: let’s take defense players like Coleman and Hines and play them on offense, their athletic ability and desire to win might help us move down the field.

Here is another thought why don’t we ever see small run a wide receiver run, option, or reverse in the backfield. We all saw his explodability on that massive kick return for a touchdown. Let’s change it up here. Passing we are one of the worst in the league and in the country. Why is that when Pryor does a fake option and throws it to the end zone, IT WORKS? Play action, fakes, and tricky plays make the defense think twice before they jump the blitz. If we could just run a few more of these it might open up the run a lot more for our running backs and Pryor.

The defensive line was a juggernaut out there. I have never seen a more unstoppable group of men. Let’s get the defensive line coach to teach the offensive line a thing or two. Or better yet let’s get the special team’s coordinator to teach them how to block. Obviously special teams and defense are learning how, the real question is why is the offense not?

I think we looked really good this week on special teams and defense, but offense has to step up. We have a pretty light three weeks coming up with Purdue, Minnesota, and New Mexico State(really who scheduled this) but soon after that we have to go into happy valley, take on Iowa, and beat Michigan. I’m just hoping Penn State doesn’t lose before then and Iowa stays unbeaten. If so we could really boost our ranking by beating both of them back to back.

Defense may get the win every once in awhile but offense wins big games. Come on guys let’s get some points, let’s step it up, and let’s show the voters why we at least deserve a BCS bowl this year.

Top 25 - Week 4

This week was one of those week is college football when you take a look at the rankings and just say wow. There were so many upsets, Mississipi, Miami, Cal, and Penn State. So many of these teams think that since they are picked to win that they are automatically going to do it. Its college football, you have to play each and every week.

Game of the Week

-Cal at Oregon

Everybody had Cal ranked so high, cause they were sitting at the no 6. spot. After this weekend I don't think they should even be ranked. Its great to see a struggling Oregon team absolutely man handle a Cal team, scoring 42 unanswered points.

Other Upsets

-Miami at Virgina Tech

Miami is back, The U is coming, its 2002 all over again.... Miami who, after getting beat by Virgin Tech they are the same Miami they have been for the past seven years. Nothing has changed, they got flat out destroyed. I look forward to seeing them flop and having a loosing record in conference.

-Iowa at Penn State

There something about a hawkeye vs a nittany lion. Thats two years in row now that Iowa has taken the glimpse of a Penn State National title game and crushed it. After last nights embarrassment I can see Penn State loosing to a much better Ohio State Team and a tricky Michigan Spread.

-Mississippi at South Carolina

I was tempted to remove the Rebels from the top 25 because of how bad a lose this was this week. The Rebels really needed a strong SEC start if they expected to make it through unscared but with a crushing lose like that, they now get to look forward to two more beat downs this season by LSU and Alabama.

Reasoning

-USC Dropping

They are USC, they should have beat Washington and they should have killed Washington St. They are just not looking good. The win against the Buckeye's was luck, they should be sitting at 2-2 right now. I don't think they will make it through the PAC-10 without another lose.

-Iowa Jumping

They looked really good and have started off at 4-0, Knocking off a strong Penn State deserves some respect. Did you see the conditions they did it in? Rain, strong wind, and to top it off going into Happy Valley for a white out night game.

-Oklahoma Dropping

They are still dropping in my mind because of a BYU lose that was just down right pathetic and until they show me something good they will continue to drop to teams that are winning big.

-Oregon Jumping

They outplayed a Cal team after the first field goal. Everything went their way scoring 42 unanswered points, they deserve to be in the top 15.

-Georgia Dropping

A win this week against Arizona State, but barely. If they want to move up lets see a quality win.

-Ohio State Jumping

Two weeks in a row for shut outs, their defense is looking to be one the best in the country. The USC game was very close and they should have pulled out the win so that lose doesn't hurt them as bad as it could have.

-TCU Dropping

Nearly escaped a win against a not so great Clemson team. They better step up or they will start to get passed by better bigger conference teams.

-Cincinnati Jumping

They are on the move, They escaped this weekend by only 8 points however they are now 4-0 and the team is looking really in sync. Their schedule isn't too rough, I can see them maybe loosing one this season or making it all the way undefeated. A lot of it rides on the health of their star quarterback Pike.

Buckeye Nation - Illinois - Week 4 recap

30-0 + 60 min + awesome defense = Tressel Ball

Thats two shut outs in back to back games. Sitting on the 50 yard line 37 rows up just barely under the cover of C deck, I sat there and watch yet another buckeye win. I am a die hard fan, I love the game, I love the team but what really gets me is the fact that we won today and I was still disappointed.

Yes we beat Illinois, yes we dominated on defense, yes we got the win, but when it comes to offensive production and points we didn't look that dominating. Tressel Ball has pulled through again for the hopeful fans of Columbus, Ohio. Defense won this game, congratulations Tressel you have shown the nation that we have one of the best defenses in the nation.

Defense is great and it can always win games in the big ten because when the weather gets cold and nasty like it does late in the season, defense wins games. What Tressel needs to start working on if he ever intends to start winning the big games is scoring points.  Look at the Big 12, SEC, PAC-10, what do they do, they put up big numbers against us almost every time we play them. You have to score big points if you want to win the big games. Defense alone will not win you those games.

Two interceptions during the Illinois game should equal to two touchdowns worth 14 points instead both times  we couldn't get anything moving off of the turnovers and what do you know, two field goals leading to 6 points.

Jim Tressel, please change it up a little. Run a dual back shotgun with Saine and Herron left and right of Pryor. This would open up the option left, option right, run middle, pass deep, and just about everything else. Defenses going against it would have no idea where to defend. Start opening up the field and make some big plays. We should be breaking records on offense with a player like Pryor. Lets see a little aggressiveness in the play calling.

Overall I think we played great, I'm glad to see a big win, lets see if we can go for a the hat trick on shutouts when we face Indiana next weekend.

Coming soon 
The Complete Buckeye Break Down Top 25 Week 4

Post your comments, I'll be more than happy to talk about anybody else's thoughts.

A New Season - A New Rally (Week 4 Preview)

Buckeye Fans Its Time!

Time to step and say we have had enough, I'm sick of dropping in the rankings, I'm sick of the media saying we are over rated and I'm sick of people in the country thinking that Ohio State is always second best.

Illinois is this weekend. We all remember what happened two years ago in our house that awfully disappointing night in 2007 when an unranked Illinois team manged to quickly and deceivingly step right over the number 1. ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. That wont happen again this year, it cant happen again this year! We loose now and we are no better than USC who just happened to get knocked off last week to a completely overmatched Washington team.

This is Terrel's team, he is the leader, our go to guy, and man does he need to step up and show the country what a huge recruiting score he was for us. I know last week went great, we went and demolished a pathetic Toledo team. But you really cant brag about that to anybody. Its TOLEDO, come on, give me a break. I have friends running around posting comments online about how great we looked and how Pryor had a record breaking game for his career. Yeah, he did have an outstanding game, but once again its just Toledo...

If we want to show the country we deserve to be in the top 10 then lets do it this weekend. Let take a page out of the University of Cincinnati's playbook, they pulled off a jaw dropping 70-3 win against Southeast Missouri State. Know don't get me wrong here Southeast Missouri State is no great team in its own respect but the fact that they scored that much just makes everybody in the country drop what they are doing and say "Cincinnati...".

In the last few years we have sat back and watched as our neighbors to the south of us are building a powerhouse program. Their recruiting is improving, their coaches are getting better, and so is their ranking each year.

So on a final note this week, get out there for the game. Step up and be a buckeye fan, let show Illinois this is our house and nobody elses. Hopefully we will get lucky this week and see Mr. Tressel break out of his conservative shell. With an athelete like Pryor we should be running the flex, wishbone and pistol. We should be cramming it down their throats with the option and chucking it deep when they sneak up.

This is Buckeye Football, lets get excited.