Funny what a win over Penn State will do for a team. In case you haven't heard, Iowa and Ohio State meet up this week in Columbus. So far, it's become, well, interesting in blogland. BHGP and BBC go at it in a long-overdue hissy fit. (HT:BSD)
(I'm working on the Indiana preview now, so stay tuned)
Every game is big when fighting for a bid in the BCS, but they get even bigger when Ohio State comes to town. That's exactly what we've got this week, as Jeff from The Buckeye Battle Cry stops by to talk a little football. Does Ohio State have what it takes to pull off the upset in Happy Valley? Is Terrelle Pryor overrated? And what the hell is a buckeye? Ok, we already know that last one. But the other two, and more are answered as we breakdown the buckeyes with the BBC.
ZN:Two losses already on the books for Ohio State. One was to a USC team that isn't nearly as good as billed. The other was to a Purdue team that still stinks, any way you look at it. Then again, Ohio State has shut out three other opponents this season. Let me ask you, what's with this team? Does it really have what it takes to win these next three weeks (PSU, Iowa, Michigan)?
BBC: Offense, man. That killed us in both of our losses this year. Against USC, we HAD those maggots! Tressel failed to have any confidence in the team to pick up a 4th-and-1 in the red zone and we settled for a FG. Pryor's 6-foot-5....he can fall down and get a yard on a QB sneak, but no. That has been an issue with this team all season....getting inside the 20 and having to kick a FG.
As for the Purdue game, we got beat by a team that figured out our snap count. The center would raise his head to see the DL, and snap the ball one second later. We didn't change that one little bit. So the backfield had Boilers all over it all day long. A lack of adjustments killed us on that one. Plus, I'm not usually one to complain....but watch this and tell me what you think?
Purdue drove down the field and scored a FG, instead of us having the ball inside the 15. Oh, well. Excuses don't get us anything.
Do I think we have what it takes to win out? Yes, I do. Penn State is a tough tough team to beat on the road, but I think we're evenly matched and this game could hinge upon who is hungrier...and I guarantee you that you already know who is the hungriest player for a win on that field Saturday afternoon.
As for Iowa, I've seen them play a handful of times, and I have only seen them play one game that I was impressed with....so did you. That one win at Happy Valley was their only decent game all year. I'm not impressed with a 1-point win over NIU, or a 3-point win over Michigan, or a last-second win over MSU. They just don't impress me.
And Michigan? They've gone back into suck-mode. I don't think they ever were truly out of their slump, but squeakers at home had their fans believing. Teams have figured out how to beat Forcier and Shoelaces, and they've been getting clownstomped regularly now. Plus, Rodriquez has no clue how important "The Game" is and he's going to end up being the John Cooper of the North.
If we beat Penn State, we win out. Our toughest game of the year is this week.
ZN:What's been the biggest surprise this season?
BBC: The young players! Freshman Jordan Hall, your other traitor, has been superb with the ball. Sophomore DeVier Posey has been getting regular throws his way, always leading the team. Freshman Duron Carter (Cris Carter's son) has got his daddy's hands.
I'd be very worried if I had to play this team in 2010. They could be beasts if they continue to improve. Also, it should be mentioned that 18 of the 22 starters are returning next season.
ZN:And the biggest disappointment?
BBC: The offensive line. Expect to see at least one false start, and one stupid penalty when it hurts the most.
Pryor has also been a disappointment, but only because there's so much hype around him. I can't complain about a kid getting 250 yards combined for a game....but some of my fellow Buckeye fans expect him to cure polio or something.
ZN: Speaking of having what it takes, where do you see Ohio State being able to exploit Penn State, either in an individual player matchup, or unit-vs-unit matchup?
BBC: I don't think that Ohio State will be able to exploit Penn State per se, but instead I see our defense shutting down the key components of your offense, much like Iowa did in the second half and Northwestern did for three quarters. The Buckeyes have the DL push to slow down Penn State much like Wooton did for the Wildcats, and our secondary is experienced enough to prevent your WRs from getting much open territory. Last year, your Big Three WRs could have broken the coverage, but I don't think that we'll get beat in the passing game enough to be in big trouble.
Obviously, it's going to be a defensive struggle like last year, and it's going to come down to one or two big plays, like last year. And in the ned, it's probably going to come down to who has the most hunger for a win...and I know who is the hungriest player on the field already.
ZN: How about the other side of that? What is a glaring weakness for the Buckeyes, specific to facing this Penn State team?
BBC: Anderson Russell in the secondary. Whoever he is covering, throw that way again and again and again. Despite three years of solid minutes, he hasn't yet learned how to play Buckeye defense. He is always late to the ball, and he's going to miss two or three tackles a game.
ZN: Since I'm legally obligated to ask you a question about Terrelle Pryor, here it goes. Be honest. Can't blame it on youth anymore, shouldn't have trouble with protection since he's a great runner, and has a great set of backs and receivers. Is Pryor, in fact... (gasp!)... overrated?
BBC: How could he be anything BUT overrated? He could have rushed for five TDs against Minnesota, thrown for two more and delivered a baby in A-Deck at halftime and Glen Mason would still be on the Big Ten Network saying how he just doesn't look as smooth as Adam Weber.
The hype has been huge, and to be honest, he's looking good for a sophomore QB. Is he what I expected? No, not yet...but I'm not angry or bitter about his performance thus far. I'll be honest though...this game means a LOT to his Buckeye career, and he knows it.
200 through the air would be huge. One turnover or less would be even bigger. Throw in another 75 on the ground and you've got what we paid him for (did I say that?)
BBC: As for the game on Saturday....Good luck, Lions. May the best team win. And if the best team doesn't win, I hope you guys do.
Many thanks again to Jeff, and good luck to the Bucks... though, not too much luck.
Jeff over at the BBC has been a gracious opposing fan. He's smart. You see, Jeff understands that if Penn State is the Big Ten's only chance to redeem itself in the BCS national championship game, then the entire conference must rally behind the Lions.
From Jeff, yes, an Ohio State Buckeyes fan:
Dear Zombie Nation fans (and all fans of Penn State);
Last weekend's game was amazing. Going into the game, I knew it would be a battle. Hell, I knew that going into the SEASON, but I didn't expect the Lions to be this formidable of an opponent.
One play separated the Buckeyes from victory, and that one play went your way because you made it happen. Terrelle Pryor was stripped of the ball by an outstanding play, and the Nittany Lions sprinted to the loose ball and drove the field for the game-winning score.
We were not "robbed", we were not cheated, and neither team should ever hang their head after a game like that. Both teams played incredibly. But those types of games come down to one play, and when that play occurred, Penn State outhustled the Buckeyes and came away with the victory.
Our most sincere congratulations go out to you.
The Buckeye Battle Cry, like most Ohio State fans who are wise in the ways of football, holds no ill will to our brothers from the east. We wish you the best as the eventual new champions of the Big Ten.
To you, we say "GO GET 'EM".
Go take care of business in Iowa, then come home and beat the daylights out of Indiana and Michigan State. Get that 12-0, and get your asses into the BCS National Championship game!
And when you take that field in the title game, Buckeye fans will stand proudly by your side as you bring that trophy back to our conference where it belongs.
Last Saturday, we may have been enemies. But as you venture forward to represent the Big Ten, I proudly say "WE ARE....PENN STATE"!
Bring it home, guys. We're with you.
Jeff
The BBC
This was completely my fault. I forgot to get the questions to Jeff at the BBC. I just sent them to him now, so I might not be able to get the post up as early as I wanted to. Sorry folks.
More below the fold...Just wanted to remind everyone not to miss this week's guest blogger, Jeff from the Buckeye Battle Cry. This game will hopefully live up to its already enormous hype. Jeff and I will break down some of the things to expect going into Saturday.
I'll probably get the Q&A up on Wednesday morning, so you can all wake up to some nice PSU/OSU banter.
Oh yeah, remember to vote in this week's "winner" poll, below these posts. It's a tight race so far.
*Ed–The full Michigan game review will be up sometime today, promise.
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