ping: Buckeye fans

[dawgfan]

Any thoughts on the game this week at Washington?

From a Husky perspective, we're looking at this game as a real measuring test. Given how tough times have been at the UW the last 3+ seasons, the 2-0 start has us excited. However, that is tempered by the fact that Syracuse is awful and the possibility Boise State is merely mediocre, so the Ohio State game is being viewed as a litmus test on whether the Huskies are a legit bowl contender this year or just an improved team.

The Washington offense is now using the spread option offense liberally, lining up in the shotgun ~50% of the time. Jake Locker is a great fit in this offense - he's big (6'3", 225 lbs), fast (4.5 forty) and a great runner (ran a wing-T offense in H.S. with tremendous success). He has the speed to get around the corner and the toughness to run through tackles. His passing is more of a work in progress - he has a very strong arm, but his accuracy is still somewhat spotty and as a RS-FR he's still prone to some really bad decisions.

At RB, Louis Rankin has breakaway speed, but he's not so great at moving the pile in short-yardage and he is still fighting a tendency to do too much dancing at the line of scrimmage. Get him in open space though and he's very dangerous, so the spread option makes him a bigger threat.

The offensive line is big, but not quite there yet IMO. Our C is a vet and is decent, and the RT is pretty good. Both our G's are new starters, and while they both have promise, they are still learning. Our LT position is being rotated between a RS-FR and a SO, and while they've done OK so far it's an area of concern against a good pass-rushing DE.

The WR group is a mixed-bag. Marcel Reece is a huge guy at 6'3", 240 lbs, but he's got real good speed and is a load to tackle. He's also a very good blocker. He needs to improve his concentration though, as he had some big drops against Boise. Anthony Russo is your prototypical possession guy, with good hands and the ability to run crisp routes - he's just not a burner. Corey Williams has good speed but needs to find more consistency. Our TE rotation has done very little so far and really needs to step up.

The defense is playing well right now, keyed by the front 7. At DE, Greyson Gunheim (a H.S. RB) brings great speed and good athleticism, both as a pass-rusher as well as dropping into coverage on zone blitzes. Caesar Rayford comes off the bench in passing situation as a designated pass rusher, and with his speed and long arms (he's a lanky 6'7", 245 lbs) he's tough to stop. The middle is solid between Jordan Reffett and Wilson Afoa, though neither is a dominator. Reffett is more of the space-clogger and Afoa more the slashing upfield guy.

The LB's are playing very well right now, with as much speed at the position as the UW has had in a long, long time. Watch out for SO MLB Donald Butler, who mixes good size (6'1", 240 lbs) with great pursuit speed. Both OLB's have good speed in Dan Howell and E.J. Savannah and are improving in pass defense.

The big worry is the defensive backfield. SR CB Roy Lewis is the lone CB with experience. Opposite him is true FR Vonzell McDowell, a small guy (5'8", 165 lbs) with good speed and good potential, but still a raw rookie. The backup CB's also lack experience unless transfer Byron Davenport (started at UCLA as a FR) can return from a hamstring injury. FS Jason Wells is a hard hitter who is improving his reads, but is still prone to over-running plays. SS is the steady Mesphin Forrester, not an overwhelming athlete but an experienced guy who won't make a lot of mistakes.

The special teams are another worry, as kick coverage has been OK at best and really bad at worst. Our P is showing a strong leg, but he's still a little inconsistent. He also kicks off and gets pretty good distance. Our PK is accurate, but needs to get more arc to his kicks (had a low line drive blocked last week). Our return game is lacking - Russo returns punts, but fair catches most of the time and is not much of a threat to break one. True FR Brandon Johnson returns kickoffs.

Anyway, should be fun - I'm expecting a sellout and a rocking stadium. Right now the forecast calls for a chance of showers Saturday, but it wouldn't surprise me if that blew off and we had a nice sunny day. Weather in Seattle normally doesn't start turning until mid-October - September games are almost always sunny and warm.

[RendeR]

Honestly I have no idea how this game will turn out. its a long trip and the huskies aren't the weak team they've been for a few years.

I'm also rather impressed that the polls have tOSU ranked so high anyway. With the meltdown in Mishitgan I think we have to believe its us or penn State taking the conference, I just don't know how good the Buckeyes really are at this point.

[rowech]

I live in Ohio but am not a Bucks fan...

This game is very interesting to me. I really do think Washington will win. The only reason I think they might not is because of Tressel. A lot of folks bad mouth has strategy but the man knows how to win football games.

[kingnebwsu]

I think it's become a litmus test for tOSU too. This is the only legit game that could stop them from being undefeated going into the 10/27 matchup @ Penn State. Very nervous about this game from a Buckeye perspective. Hopefully they're able to pull out a win. It will have to be done on defense and the running game. We'll find out on Saturday I guess.

[RendeR]

Yeah, its really weird for me as I'm used to hearing SOMETHING about the team before the season starts, but this year its like they don't exist.

[Hammer755]

This team feels very similar to the early 00's era. Solid D, but no hint of a consistent offence and an absolute black hole at QB. I figure to see a lot of squeakers this season, and wouldn't be surprised if Washington pulls it out.

[st.cronin]

Honestly I have no idea how this game will turn out. its a long trip and the huskies aren't the weak team they've been for a few years.

I'm also rather impressed that the polls have tOSU ranked so high anyway. With the meltdown in Mishitgan I think we have to believe its us or penn State taking the conference, I just don't know how good the Buckeyes really are at this point.

I can't believe this post. I think the Big 10 is wide open. I like Penn State as the slight favorite, but I think Buckeye, Bucky, Hawkeye, and even Sparty have the talent to finish first.

[Balldog]

I think we are looking at a 13-10 type game, Ohio State's defense has looked incredible...they only allowed 76 yards last week total. I know it was against Akron but still. The offense has looked like complete crap, the OL has been horrible and that was supposed to be the lone strength on the offense.

I think Washington has a great opportunity to win this game.

[dawgfan]

I haven't seen Ohio State play yet, so I'm reserving judgment. If they are mainly a power running team, that probably helps Washington - our D is better equipped to stop the run that a prolific passing offense, and if the QB isn't mobile, all the better. However, if the Ohio State O-Line can protect their QB, our secondary can be exploited. Could be a case where the speed at LB for the Huskies has to become a weapon in blitz schemes.

I'm really concerned about whether the Husky offense can get anything going against the Buckeye defense. We had some success early against Boise State, but by the end of the first half they'd adjusted and were able to shut us down. I have serious doubts we'll be able to mount a conventional running attack against Ohio State - we'll probably have to rely on trickery from the spread option attack. And I'm not confident enough yet in our passing game to think that can open things up for the run - our WR's will have to stop dropping passes, and our TE's will have to step it up big-time.

[kingnebwsu]

Ohio State's defense seems to be reloaded already...but it's still early. Their offense is still quite suspect as of right now. If they can hold U of W under 2 TD's then tOSU will win.

[Butter]

I really didn't give Washington much credit before this weekend's win over Boise. OSU is overrated right now, but they have 2 good RB's in Chris Wells and Brandon Saine who can break a game open. Almost a Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside type situation. Tressel is still feeling that situation out. If OSU can grind it out on UW, it will be tough for UW to win.

Tressel has struggled in big games on the road, but then not many coaches have great records in this area. UW can have this game if they run their offense well. OSU has struggled with the spread in the past, and I honestly think this is one of the weakest linebacking corps that the Bucks have seen in a decade.

This game could go either way, and most fans were chalking it up as a sure W before the season started. But now that we've seen 2 games of the new offense with a stiff pocket passer at QB, we're not exactly overwhelmed.

Either way, good luck to your guys, dawgfan. I'm excited to see a good game this weekend.

[Balldog]

Tressel has struggled in big games on the road, but then not many coaches have great records in this area. UW can have this game if they run their offense well. OSU has struggled with the spread in the past, and I honestly think this is one of the weakest linebacking corps that the Bucks have seen in a decade.


Really? I don't know that I agree with any of your three points.

I can only think of a couple big road games in which Tressel has struggled, at Penn State a couple years ago and Wisconsin before that. He's won at Texas, at Michigan, and at Iowa in recent years. Some of the games have been closer than they should be but they've won, with exception of that Northwestern game a while back.

OSU has done ok against the spread, they seem to go for the bend don't break philosophy against it. So yeah, they let up a lot of yards but not many points.

I think the LB corps is talented, yet inexperienced but there is depth. Homan would probably start for any other team in the Big 10, and Gibson is solid. I'm more concerned about the DBs than the LBs.

Just my two cents.

QB play is bad, worse than Zwick...close to even Bellisari days. I don't know that I've seen a WR this bad (but getting Small back this week should help) and the OL is a bunch of underachievers, topped by Alex Boone.

[Butter]

Really? I don't know that I agree with any of your three points.

I can only think of a couple big road games in which Tressel has struggled, at Penn State a couple years ago and Wisconsin before that. He's won at Texas, at Michigan, and at Iowa in recent years. Some of the games have been closer than they should be but they've won, with exception of that Northwestern game a while back.

OSU has done ok against the spread, they seem to go for the bend don't break philosophy against it. So yeah, they let up a lot of yards but not many points.

I think the LB corps is talented, yet inexperienced but there is depth. Homan would probably start for any other team in the Big 10, and Gibson is solid. I'm more concerned about the DBs than the LBs.

Just my two cents.

QB play is bad, worse than Zwick...close to even Bellisari days. I don't know that I've seen a WR this bad (but getting Small back this week should help) and the OL is a bunch of underachievers, topped by Alex Boone.

Hard to pick out any area where Tressel is weak... but 6 of his 9 losses the last 4+ years have been on the road, while another was on a neutral site. Maybe "struggling" is overstating it a bit, but the years when they haven't been national championship contenders (2003-05), they did not beat any quality opponents on the road, except Michigan and NC State (who turned out to be subpar that season anyway).

Bend but don't break may work against Northwestern, but it won't work against upper tier opponents. The Florida game was a shining example of when this type of defense was horribly exposed.

The LBs may be deep, but Marcus Freeman has been given opportunities the last 2 years and has never shown much. Larry Grant is a senior who is only starting because Tressel likes seniors. Austin Spitler looked decent against Akron... but Akron is a team that could only put up 22 points on one of the weakest I-A (excuse me, FBS) teams in the country, Army. The entire defense is inexperienced, and I'm afraid may be very exposed against UW.

QB play actually hasn't been anywhere near Bellisari levels of badness. I think Zwick-ish is about right. Again, we'll have some questions answered on Saturday. If you had told me that Craig Krenzel would lead Ohio State to a national title after his start against Michigan in Tressel's 1st year, I would've told you that you're crazy. Let's hope that one of these QBs can step up and show some leadership and play the Tressel-ball we Buckeye fans know and depend on (i.e. no turnovers, put the offense in makeable scoring opportunities with defense and special teams).

[dawgfan]

Either way, good luck to your guys, dawgfan. I'm excited to see a good game this weekend.
Likewise. Should be a rockin' time at Husky Stadium - I just hope our chronically late fans actually show up before kickoff this week. Maybe we can wake the echoes from '86 and '94...

[kingnebwsu]

QB play is bad, worse than Zwick...close to even Bellisari days.

I said the same thing to my dad when we were watching the last game...that some of the passes vs Akron were just like Bellisari. Bellisari was the definition of an anti-Tressel QB.

[BishopMVP]

I can't believe this post. I think the Big 10 is wide open. I like Penn State as the slight favorite, but I think Buckeye, Bucky, Hawkeye, and even Sparty have the talent to finish first.I think even ruling out Michigan is a mistake. My friend who's a diehard Mich fan was telling me before the season started that all you had to do was spread the defense out and you could score all day... they just foolishly decided to schedule 2 teams who are very good at exactly that. This Michigan team is constructed for the Big Ten style of play, and Mike Hart is still one of the top RB's in the country. Even if they get a Lloyd Carr special, preseason national title contenders to 8-4/7-5 and he still doesn't get fired seasons, that means they'll go 7-3 at worst the rest of the way.

On the game and these teams, I'm impressed with Jake Locker but not sold on Washington yet. Years past Ohio St teams would have had the WR's to rip apart a questionable secondary, but it sounds like the teams strengths & weaknesses are leaning in Washington's favor. My money would be on one of those special teams led low scoring 3 point victories by OSU, but I'll be rooting for and pleasantly surprised if the crowd can propel Washington to the upset.

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

I'm a bit concerned because Chris Wells hasnt looked or played 100% and I don't trust Boeckman in this situation. If Chris Wells can run like the player we all thought he could coming into this year and the defense can learn how to create a few turnovers I like our chances.

[rowech]

I'm a bit concerned because Chris Wells hasnt looked or played 100% and I don't trust Boeckman in this situation. If Chris Wells can run like the player we all thought he could coming into this year and the defense can learn how to create a few turnovers I like our chances.

Your best RB is Saine....watched him in high school.....dude can can fly and he is super quick.

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

Actually I'm not quite sold on him yet, he seems fast in a straight ahead speed sense but he looks kind of stiff and I haven't seen much cutting ability.

[st.cronin]

I think even ruling out Michigan is a mistake.

I didn't actually mean to rule them out. I agree, they could still win it (although I'm not sure with a freshman qb).

[st.cronin]

dola, I'll be pulling for the Huskies in the biggest way. I'll also be pulling for Notre Dame. I'm a big 10 fan, but I usually enjoy seeing the bullies of the conference get humbled.

[Butter]

dola, I'll be pulling for the Huskies in the biggest way. I'll also be pulling for Notre Dame. I'm a big 10 fan, but I usually enjoy seeing the bullies of the conference get humbled.

Yeah, too bad UNLV couldn't take down Wisconsin the other night, eh?

[larrymcg421]

This seems like a game where an athletic QB could take advantage of an overpursuing defense. OSU will be fired up for this game, perhaps too much. I think Locker is going to make some plays and it will be close. Soemthing like 23-20 or 17-14.

[st.cronin]

Yeah, too bad UNLV couldn't take down Wisconsin the other night, eh?

:p

[dawgfan]

UW over Ohio State seems to be the current trendy upset pick by all the "experts", so you can pretty much book a Buckeyes win...;)

[BishopMVP]

UW over Ohio State seems to be the current trendy upset pick by all the "experts", so you can pretty much book a Buckeyes win...;)Yeah, I'd feel a lot better about it if the media wasn't ensuring Ohio St. was ready. They were even picking it as the most likely upset this week on ESPN - even though it was matched up against Kentucky/Louisville, which seems like a pick'em game to me.

[Karlifornia]

what better Jake Locker or Enumclaw 4-H Club?

[dawgfan]

Well, that one stung quite a bit.

Great atmosphere at the stadium yesterday, probably the best since Miami came to town in 2000. The joint was rocking, the fans were into it. Great presence by the Ohio State fans too - there was a ton of red in the stadium and they were active and loud. I'm still disappointed that so many Husky fans can't find their way to their seats before kickoff though - we seem to have turned into Dodger fans in that way.

Before I dive into the game, let me first say that Ohio State has a damn good football team and that I really admire how Tressell coaches his team - he's very reminiscent of Don James in his focus on tough defense, strong running game and outstanding special teams play. The defense that Ohio State has this year is championship caliber, and if they can continue to run the ball well, they should be Big-10 front-runners with a chance of climbing into the BCS mix.

With that said, Washington was in this game and has to be kicking themselves for blown opportunities. They were toe to toe with the Buckeyes but shot themselves in the foot a number of times, and in critical ways. The refs didn't help either with some questionable calls and non-calls. And the coaching was head-scratching at times too.

The first head-scratcher came on the Huskies first drive - with a 3rd and 1 at the OSU 32, OC Tim Lappano called for a lateral swing pass to the WR that was stuffed for a 5-yard loss. Why not continue running the spread option out of the shotgun, or roll Locker out? Weird call, and it pushed the Huskies out of FG range and snuffed what had been some nice momentum out of the gate.

The special teams gaffed next, with a running into the kicker penalty that gave Ohio State new life. Looked from the stands like our guy might've been blocked into the kicker, but that's a tough call. Then Roy Lewis drops an interception that was right in his hands, and Ohio State goes on to kick the FG.

After the Huskies punted, the officials got into the act. With Ohio State at their own 16, Todd Boeckman turned sideways to pass laterally, only the ball soap-dished out of his hand just as his arm was starting to go forward. E.J. Savannah of the Huskies picked up the lateral and raced into the end zone, only the refs had already blown the play dead as an incomplete pass, meaning it couldn't be reviewed either. It was a horrible call all around - even if you rule it was a pass and not a fumble, it was not a forward pass, so it should've been a fumble and 6 points for Washington.

The Huskies forced OSU to punt and then drove to inside the Ohio State 10 yard line and then Jake Locker makes a freshman mistake, trying to shovel pass forward while swarmed by Ohio State defenders and getting the ball picked-off. Great play by the Ohio State defense (particularly James Laurinaitis), but Locker should've just eaten the ball on that play and let the Huskies go for the FG to tie.

Then the Huskies again drop an interception that was right in their hands. They forced OSU to punt and traded possessions and then blocked a short OSU FG attempt. Locker did a great job driving the Huskies downfield with not much time left. Bizarre clock management then by the Huskies - they complete a 16 yarder to the OSU 23 yard line with 24 seconds left and 2 timeouts remaining, but with the clock running after the chains were moved the Huskies refuse to call timeout, and after an incomplete pass stops the clock anyway at 9 seconds left, then they call timeout. By not calling timeout earlier, they needlessly burned at least 11 seconds. So with 9 seconds left, they basically had one shot at the end zone before they'd have to try the FG instead of having at least 2 shots or more. It didn't end up haunting them as Locker made a strong pass and Anthony Russo a hell of a catch for the TD, and Husky Stadium was jumping as the UW went into the half up 7-3.

And while it was great going into halftime with the lead, there was the sense that we'd blown a lot of great opportunities and had been jobbed out of another one - things you just can't do against a good team and win.

The 2nd half opened with a nice drive to the Ohio State 19, but 3 straight great defensive plays by the Buckeyes pushed the Huskies back to the 29, and the subsequent FG attempt was predictably blocked (our kicker is accurate but kicks them very low).

And then the wheels came off. While Boeckman looks like maybe the weak link of the Ohio State offense, give him credit - he saw the Huskies line up in tight man coverage and he correctly picked on true frosh CB Vonzell McDowell as Brian Robiskie burned him on a go route and Boeckman hit him in stride for the long TD.

Then our true frosh RB Curtis Shaw fumbled the subsequent kickoff return and Beanie Wells cruised through our defense in 2 plays to make it 17-7.

All the momentum was now in Ohio State's favor, and given how good their defense had been playing it was looking like a huge uphill battle. Still, after trading possessions Locker led the team down to the Ohio State 23, and if the Huskies could capitalize it could've been a 17-14 game with 1.5 quarters to play. Instead, he got fooled on a fake blitz by Laurinaitis and threw it right to him for another interception (had he looked elsewhere he'd have seen Anthony Russo open for a TD).

Still, the Husky defense kept things close. They stiffened up when Ohio State drove to the Husky 7 and forced them to settle for a FG, but now it was a 2 TD game. Not out of reach, but the offense was going to have to start making some plays. They couldn't, and a defense that had to be getting winded as well as demoralized gave up an easy TD drive to make it 27-7, and the game was pretty much a done deal at that point. Locker got picked off a 3rd time, and from there Willingham conceded and gave backup QB Carl Bonnell, a 5th year SR the next series. Bonnell looked good in his drive and the Huskies scored a late TD to make it look respectable at 27-14, but the following onside kick attempt failed and that was the ballgame.

I left after that, watching the Buckeyes run for a short gain on 1st down with 51 seconds left and the Huskies out of timeouts. I figured Tressell would just have them run another up the middle run and then kneel to run out the clock, but I guess he ran again on 3rd down and the deflated Husky defense gave up another TD. Willingham didn't seem bothered with it after the game, but I'm still a little bothered that Tressell didn't call for taking a knee there.

Anyway, it was a frustrating day as a Husky fan - they were right in that game, but they shot themselves in the foot too many times. Give huge credit to Ohio State in taking advantage, and their defense certainly played a big part in Locker's interceptions.

In all, it felt like a reminder that, while the UW is improving, they are green in some critical areas, and are a team that isn't good enough to blow opportunities against great teams like Ohio State. Jake Locker is a hell of a talent and it will be exciting watching him grow as a player, but he is still a RS-FR in his first season playing and should be expected to make some big mistakes. Our secondary is also critically thin, and with a true frosh as one of the starting CB's, it should be expected that opposing QB's are going to be licking their chops trying to take advantage.

Not sure what to think about the UCLA game next week. It was shocking to see them not only lose to Utah, but get blown out. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing for the Huskies.

[Balldog]

I figured Tressell would just have them run another up the middle run and then kneel to run out the clock, but I guess he ran again on 3rd down and the deflated Husky defense gave up another TD. Willingham didn't seem bothered with it after the game, but I'm still a little bothered that Tressell didn't call for taking a knee there.


I'm assuming he chose to run the ball up the gut again on 3rd down since he almost all freshman out there. Tressel isn't a run up the score type guy, he'll start playing 2nd string once he has a 14 point lead. Earlier he pretty much took a knee, with a QB sneak on 3rd and 15 then Washington threw the ball down the field against the 2nd string defense to score their last TD.

Then again why did UW call that timeout with 51 seconds left?

[dawgfan]

Hey, it's on the Husky defense that they allowed that TD. Why did Ty call TO? Well, theoretically they weren't yet out of the game - had there been a fumble, there was a minuscule chance of scoring a TD and getting an onside kick to try for a last Hail Mary.

It's not like they threw the ball or something, so I don't think it was some awful run up the score kind of play - I'm just a little surprised Tressell didn't sit on the ball after that 2nd running play and kill the clock with kneel downs.

Like I said, Ty didn't have a problem with it so I'm not going to dwell on it.

[kingnebwsu]

U of W has a solid team this year. They could have won the game and as a Buckeye fan I'm just glad OSU got out of there with a "W"...

Washington fans should be optimistic, that QB can play. He shows lots of promise and he's only a freshman. Maybe OSU can trade QB's with Washington... ;) Ty has done a good job in bringing back the program from the depths of hell and hopefully they can contend for the Pac-10 in a year or two. A decent bowl game seems about right for U of W this year. Good luck the rest of the way.