Ohio State @ Wisconsin

[Nate]

VS

 When: September 27th
Time: 8:00pm EST
Media: ABC & ESPN 360

Forum Game Thread <--

Big Game!  A win in Madison could really set this team in stride for another Big 10 Title. 

 

[sgtschulze]

 

Another drunken night game in Wisconsin. 

[AutoModGod]

 

Everyone seems to think that Wisconsin's style plays to our advantage.  We'll see.  Our front 7 better control the line of scrimmage.  Wisconsin's line is huge (like always) and they have talent behind PJ Hill too so they can keep him fresh.

It will be interesting to see how our new young QB does at Camp Randall.  He has been amazing and I expect that to continue.

Beanie's performance surprised me a little last week.  He did not look like he lost any speed or power during the layoff.  That bodes well for us Saturday night.

[Nate]

Wisconsin has been JT's nemesis.  Plus, it's at Camp Randall at night.  Very tough situation, especially for a freshman QB.

I think Pryor will play OK.  He's getting better with each game.   We're going to need a running game so it's a good thing Beanie looks to be strong. 

It's going to be a hard fought game.  Our defense has got to play aggressive and tackle or they won't be able to get off the field, ala Illinois last year.

[AutoModGod]

Back in the Cooper years (early to mid-90s) I was a member of a small group of Buckeyes that "met" via the UseNet Newsgroup rec.sports.football.college.  We stayed in contact via a mail "distribution list" that ran on one of the guy's mail servers and bounced received mail to everyone on the list.  No one had "aliases" all knew each other's name.  Eventually, I attended a games in Columbus, Champagne-Urbana and Evanston with folks in the group. 

Anyway, we used to have some interesting discussions regarding offense, defense and coaching then too.  One of our "debates" was similar to what I see here from time to time.  That is, "we don't blitz enough" or in anther form, "we play too much zone."  To measure the validity of this claim, I started charting defensive plays (eventually I started charting offensive plays too).  It was quite interesting to compare quantitative data to the "perception" that "we don't do this" or "we do too much of that."  I came to the conclusion that most "perceptions" are formed based on very little quantitative information and are formed more on expectations and hearsay.  The play-by-play announcers have the most influence on "perception."  It is remarkable how many things they say, true or not-so-true, that gets regurgitated in fan forums.  Want to try something interesting?  Watch the game with the sound OFF and form your own opinions about what is happening in the game.

My favorite argument/criticism is that "we don't play with enough emotion."  Try measuring that one.  Having coached and played a number of sports, emotion doesn't go very far after the first couple of minutes ... after that it is execution and winning individual battles at the point of attack that win the day.  Getting lucky doesn't hurt either. 

[Nate]

You make an interesting point Automod.

On the emotion thing, when I played sports I was a pretty emotional and intense player.  I was very competitive and didn't know how to play without getting emotional.  I personally don't mind emotional players.   I sometimes get the impression this team, mostly the defense, doesn't play with enough emotion or attitude, but like you said that's my perception.

Not every season is going to be perfect.  Not every coach is going to lead his team to a win every game.  Right now as Buckeye fans, we have it 10 times better than we did during the Cooper years.  We win Big 10 Titles over and over and dominate our rival.  JT is just losing in the Title game.  He's getting there and he has won it once.  Cooper didn't win outright Big 10 Titles, he didn't beat Michigan and he didn't win bowl games.   

I still think we need a change on defense but that's my opinion. 

This weeks game is going to be tough.  Wisconsin seems to be the Big 10 team that gives JT the most trouble and it's a tough environment to play in, especially at night.  Add to that a freshman QB and it's a really tough game.  If we get out of Camp Randall with a win I really like our chances to win the Big 10. 

[buckeye2]

Another drunken night game in Wisconsin. 

Whole heartedly agree with you on that one.   We're bypassing that away game. 

[California Buckeye]

I still think Penn State is the best team in the Big 10 so far.  Too bad for them their road to the Big 10 and BCS goes through Columbus where we have pwned them.  I would like to say we are the best team, but so far we have not played like it or shown it.

Wisconsin will be a tough game.  I am not sure what the line on the game is, but I would put it at Wisconsin -6.

It is going to depend on Wisconsin's reaction after losing to "M".  If they come in ready for a dog fight then we will have our hands full.  If we can get a couple of quick scores on them, I think we can bury them.

I tend to agree with everyone else that this game will be won in the trenches.  If we can get Beanie free and open our offense as well as shut down their running game on D we should be able to take care of business.


My prediction...
Beanie 100+ yds = Win
Beanie <100yds = Loss

[AutoModGod]

I still think we need a change on defense but that's my opinion. 

I agree.  I am not sure what it is though.  We sure didn't tackle well against USC and that is very disappointing for this team.  It seems that Laurinaitis (hope I spelled that right,  ) is getting blocked a lot more this year than last.  I think we miss Gholston (hope I spelled that right,  ) a lot.  Teams had to make sure they blocked him, freeing of JL to make plays.  So far, none of our defensive linemen have filled those shoes. 

I think EVENTUALLY Wilson and Gibson will get there, and I hope it is this season.  They both seem hellbent on the pass rush and forget that the other team runs the ball from time to time too ... but that is just my perception of things.  I love to watch defensive line and linebacker play.  I think that is where the game is won or lost.

[AutoModGod]

I still think Penn State is the best team in the Big 10 so far.  Too bad for them their road to the Big 10 and BCS goes through Columbus where we have pwned them.  I would like to say we are the best team, but so far we have not played like it or shown it.

I agree with both points.
PSU's QB, Clark?, could give us and anyone else fits.  As we all know, that kind of mobility has been an achilles heel for us.

It seems that our "solution" to the achilles heel problem has been to move speed to the defensive tackle position.  So far, I am not sure what to make of the solution.  We probably won't know until we play PSU.

I'm pretty disappointed in our performance this year on both sides of the ball.  This was supposed to be the year when the offense lit it up and our D shut everyone down.  Perhaps, JT's success has spoiled me.