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Home > Blogs > Buckeyes Beat > Archives > 2008 > October > 19 > Entry
Lack of passing game puzzling
Ohio State flexed its muscle in dismantling Michigan State on Saturday, rolling to a 45-7 win. But there was still a somewhat troubling aspect to the Buckeyes’ victory.
Yes, Terrelle was terrific, and Beanie was a beast. But that duo is still too susceptible to negative-yardage plays, and that could easily cost the Buckeyes in some bigger games.
Opponents feel like they can tee off on the Buckeyes’ ground game because there’s very little consequences for guessing wrong. It’s amazing, really, that Pryor (72 yards on 12 rushes) and Wells (141 on 31) were as successful as they were since foes pretty much knew that one or the other was going to get the ball.
But there’s a solution to this increasingly predictable offense: Turn Terrelle loose.
I know he’s only a freshman, and there’s still a lot of the offense left to absorb. But even though coaches tend to make football as complicated as splitting atoms, I believe Pryor could bite off a little more of the passing game without messing up his progress.
He finished 7-of-11 passing for 116 yards against the Spartans. Eleven attempts! Most QBs uncork that many throws just trying to avoid taking a sack.
Coach Jim Tressel seems to trust Pryor with low-risk swing passes and deep bombs where interceptions are tolerable because they’re virtually the same as a punt. But he’s ready for more than that.
Tressel needs to allow him to loosen up defenses with some intermediate throws. If not, the Buckeyes aren’t going to survive against the likes of Penn State.
This can be a Big Ten championship season. The offense has some weapons. It’s time for Tressel to use all of them.
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Comments
By Terry
October 19, 2008 7:29 AM | Link to this
Pryor is not good enough (yet) at reading the defenses for OSU’s total passing game. Did you notice that at least twice the receiver went one way and the ball went the other way.By WAYNEALUM
October 19, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
TERRY, i agree with you, but if u noticed on the last bomp TP threw to ROBO and ROBO cut it off TP had signald to him what to do and ROBO didnt do so i think its a little of both the WRs and the QB. For the first time i can trully say i was impressed with James Lauranitis i actually seen him bring the wood and he wasnt playing soft. I finally see why him and Malcolm are ALL Americans them guys was balling yesterday!!By G. Brunner
October 19, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
Remember, there are three things that can happen when a team passes, two of them are bad.By Florida Buckeye
October 19, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
Brunner I can only assume you’re saying you can catch the ball, give up an interception, or have quick three and outs…that would be the two bads out of three; However, what about the fact that by throwing the ball downfield, it opens up the running game? That with a D- that has to play both the run and the pass, it opens up the entire field? True, I dont think OSU is ever gonna be a gunslinging offense under Tressel, or with Pryor. But I do think you MUST have balance in order to beat better teams…and especially better teams out of conferrence.By Jim
October 19, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this
Jim Bollman has been there 7 years and only once have they finished higher then 6th in total offense.I can only dream about the sucess JT could have with a real offensive coordinator!By Stop Playin
October 20, 2008 1:32 AM | Link to this
I be glad when people realize Coach Tressel is working with what he got far as our beloved buckeyes. Tp must develop like Troy and have the playmakers like him as well. The Brian’s are not Ginn Jr or Gonzo far as speed and athletic ability. The coach is playing his cards with defense, special teams, Beanie, and TP managing the offense minus turnover’s in scoring position unlike last year. If your a true buckeye fan support what this year’s team is all about and Stop Playin..