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FacebookHome > Blogs > Buckeyes Beat > Archives > 2008 > September > 06 > Entry
Southern Cal must be licking its chops
We’ve seen Ohio State play uninspired football before, so the Buckeyes’ 26-14 victory over Ohio U isn’t a reason to panic. Or is it?
Jim Tressel wasn’t real happy with his team’s performance. Among the insight he shared with reporters afterward:
“Obviously you were there as well as we were, and I guess the way that I would take a nutshell look at it would be, it kind of looked like everyone predicted you might look like in between your opener and your big “national stage game,” which is disappointing.”
Pretty much sums it up. My wife was so fired-up she fell asleep on the couch in the second half, when the Buckeyes actually resembled a ranked team.
Five thoughts about the Bucks, who officially can look ahead to next Saturday night’s nationally televised mega-showdown against USC:
1) Maybe OSU should change its scheduling strategy and go with more than one BCS conference opponent before the Big Ten kicks in. The Buckeyes just look like zombies when they play against the MAC, or teams from similar conferences.
These types of games won’t end anytime soon, though. The next year that OSU plays two real BCS league foes in nonconference play will be 2012, when Cincinnati and California are on the schedule.
Give OSU points for playing the big boys (USC, Texas, Notre Dame, Miami coming up in 2010), but too much MAC, Conference USA or Division I-AA is a tough sell — to the fans and players.
2) It’s encouraging to see the defense get after it. Four interceptions is a positive sign. OSU’s defense appears stout enough to keep the Bucks in any game. But it needs help from the offense, which brings us to …
3) Todd Boeckman needs to step up against USC, although I’m not sure he’ll ever deliver more than he already has. If Boeckman — who threw for only 110 yards against Ohio — falters in the L.A. Coliseum, the Start Terrelle Pryor Club will grow like weeds in my garden.
Boeckman has not been impressive for several games, but if he can perform well against a USC defense loaded with future NFL players, the murmurs will subside.
4) Pryor didn’t get enough snaps Saturday, the most unfortunate byproduct of surprisingly close game. I gotta believe Jim Tressel wanted to get him more action. He did say that Pryor was going in with OSU clinging to a 19-14 lead in the fourth quarter, but Ray Small’s punt return for a TD ruined the dramatic moment.
5) Ohio U’s gotta be kicking itself. Its starting QB got knocked out early and the Bobcats turned it over five times. What would’ve happened had the boys from Athens played a perfect game? Scary thought.
The Buckeyes will need more than a healthy Beanie Wells next week.
Permalink | Comments (12) | Post your comment |
Comments
By o.j. simpson
September 6, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this
I wish I could run against those buckeyes..I bet I would get 300 yards..By matt leinart
September 6, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this
i’m telling the boys to be careful. the buckeyes were obviously trying to lull us trojans into a false sense of security. reverse psychology or something like that. ha. we’re onto them. ha. i spelled everything write.By manny
September 6, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this
It was a joke, right? That Tressel sure hasa sense of humor……By pete Carroll
September 7, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this
you never know about jimmy tressel,he probably has a healthy beanie back next week,and then throw mr run on water pryor in the mix and he kills us. i am scaredBy Phil McCrack
September 7, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
Boeckman better learn how to release a pass at the right time. He has been letting go of his passes a half second to a second late ever since he became the QB. That can get by with slower DBs, but USC will eat him alive.By Jeff
September 7, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
I have a serious problem with Boeckman as the QB. he constantly puts his head down when rushed, he locks on to receivers and he throws the deep ball way to much. I counted at least 10 plays where he was looking deep only to leave a short 5-7 yard pass wide open. To Todd: Watch the bengals game today. The team that has the shortest 3rd downs will win the game. Sometimes a short pass on 2nd down to get you to 3rd and 3 is better than throwing it 50 yards. Also, When the LB’s drop 10 yards tuck and run and get your 5 yards. For god’s sake a guy names Boo Jackson did more of this than our “all” big ten QB. Pryor isnt ready to start but I think we can see why everyone is so excited on him. Boeckman’s time has come he better enjoy this last yearBy OSU or are they the Bengals
September 8, 2008 1:46 AM | Link to this
So as i said long ago..for you joker’s..you cant get ready for USC, playing DIV II and A MAC team (No Offense, MAC) but OSU Just found out this!! They are going to get the worst beat down in their history….Yes Tradition does repeat itself..1974 and going and going!! GO USC, Pull out the stops and treat them to a nice a*s kicking they are due!By buck out west
September 8, 2008 2:42 AM | Link to this
Yeah, Virginia barely beat Richmond this week, hardly a really tough nut for USC to crack. Carrol left his starters in nearly the whole game and ran up the score. I wouldn’t look too closely at their performance, Youngstown State or Ohio would have beaten Virginia. I have to wonder if Beanie is really that hurt. Tressel is coming to hollywood and perhaps this is just a little showmanship on the part of the bucks. I guess if BW runs all over the trojans we’ll know it was his bid for best actor. Sanchez is vulnerable and prone to toss interceptions against good DB’s. This is the same team (nearly) that lost to Stanford last year. Lets not forget, USC was tepid last season after a strong start.By trojan country
September 8, 2008 2:48 AM | Link to this
USC is ready for OSU, so if OSU comes with their best game we’re in for a really good night of football. USC is a great team, so is Ohio St. despite your Saturday play. As the other guy mentioned we lost to a weak Stanford last season with Sanchez at the helm. Any team can win this game. ‘SC has the crowd but we did in the Rose bowl when TX beat us and OSU had the crowd when Vince Young came in and beat you. You beat them in TX the year before, see where this is going… We might win by 20, 1 or loose by 20. Good luck and lets have a hell of a game!By Drpb
September 8, 2008 7:41 AM | Link to this
I think I agree with Trojan Country on this 1. U can’t count out The Ohio State University just because they were looking ahead 1 week. And I think the thing that sets OSU apart from USC is that the Buckeye’s have been throught the tough games and i think that their tired of loosing them,and last i checked the only time they had serious problems is when they play a QB who is mobile. I don’t hink Sanchez was an all -state track athlete so im prepared for a defensive struggle type game as long as the buckeyes don’t get messed up against any Trickery it’ll be a great gameBy SEC1
September 8, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
USC will exploit the same weakness the suckeye’s had last year. The same slew-footed receivers you trotted out against LSU are still running pass routes in Columbus. USC will single cover you’re all little 10 WR’s and stuff weenie wells at the line…44-17 U S C…By Oh No Jeff!!
September 9, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
Jeff: Why would you even suggest that Todd Boeckman watch the Bengals? Who exactly are you trying to help anyway?