The Buckeyes clearly overlooked Ohio. The Bobcats did their walkthrough wearing shirts that read "O-S-Who?", which should have been enough to rile up a team that is better at every position than Ohio. The Buckeyes play said otherwise. The team was sluggish, passive, and lacked their normal killer instinct, especially on offense. Todd Boeckman and the receivers just didn't click, with errant passes, drops, and a lack of concentration being themes of the day. Beanie Wells is the key to this offense, and never was it more evident than Saturday. Ohio State was being beaten in the trenches and were reacting rather than dictating the play.

When Theo Scott went out with an injury, Boo Jackson energized Ohio with several key scrambles, the same thing that has plagued this ultra-talented defense the last few years. Vast chunks of green were available to Jackson as pass rusher after pass rusher whiffed on him in the pocket. Had it not been for a few bad throws on the run and one critical drop by Taylor Price, the Bobcats may have won this game. In spite of the scrambles, the defense looked terrific for the most part. Most brought their game with them, especially James Laurinaitis and Malcolm Jenkins. Lawrence Wilson had a few excellent plays as well, though the D-line wasn't nearly as dominant as it should have been.

Watching tape of this game, USC players must be salivating. This was not the kind of tuneup OSU was hoping for. They were saved by their special teams. Todd Boeckman reverted back to his late 2007 form as he looked confused and flustered by an underwhelming defensive line. He missed several wide open receivers, instead checking down for short gains or incompletions. The run game came around late, but Maurice Wells continues to thieve carries despite not having proven anything in his four years with the Bucks. Running him between the tackles had to be a joke. Boom Herron looked good, and Brandon Saine had his moments, especially around the goal line. OSU would be well served to give Herron and Saine the carries Mo Wells would normally get.

Particularly disturbing was the conservative play calling that has been an earmark of the last two national title losses. The Bucks seem content to rush four and play zone with their back seven, but if your front four isn't getting consistent pressure, which they weren't, then why not increase the number oif blitzes? I know Ohio's passing numbers were minimal, but their quarterbacks are no Matt Sanchez, and their receivers certainly aren't Patrick Turner or Vidal Hazelton. Calling zone every play does not make one a great defensive coordinator. Dictating the play with controlled aggression, well-timed blitzes, and smart adjustments does.

It was beyond me how Ohio converted so many third downs, with several coming on unmolested scrambles by Boo Jackson. How many 15 yard first down scampers by a guy who is not a very good passer does it take to assign a linebacker to spy on third and long? He couldn't find an open man with seven men in coverage, so why not drop eight and have Laurinaitis spy? There's no way Jackson is going to outrun him. Similarly, the Bucks have superior athleticism on the outside, so let your corners man up a little bit more rather than allowing receivers to find the holes in the all-too-frequent zone. If the Bucks continue this disturbing trend, I have a bad feeling they're going to get crunched in the USC game.

Prediction: Everybody is on USC's nuts for crushing a TERRIBLE Virginia team in Week 1, and everybody hates OSU for having such a close game against an inferior opponent. I don't think the gap between the teams is as large as many of the pundits say it is. The keys to this game will be line play and Beanie Wells. If the line plays like they did against Ohio, Todd Boeckman will get eaten alive and likely make some more poor decisions. If the D-line can't get pressure and the zone continues to dominate the defensive play calling, Mark Sanchez will pick the line apart. Beanie Wells is easily the most important player in this game. He is one of those rare transcendent players who, if he performs to his abilities, can change the outcome of this game. If Wells is healthy enough and sees some success early on, then the Bucks can dicatate the pace of the game and keep the passing game to a merciful minimum. If he is ineffective and the Bucks find themselves in an early hole, then Todd Boeckman and his receivers better get on the same page before it's too late.

The Buckeyes' reputation is on the line. If they win, then they are reinstated as one of the top teams in the nation. If they lose, and especially if they lose by double digits, then their reputation as an inferior team from an inferior conference will be cemented for some time to come. Personally, I don't think there is a disparity in talent or speed between OSU and USC or any SEC team. I think it has more to do with an unwillingness to shake it up and be more aggressive on both sides of the ball. If you have some of the best athletes in the country, you must utilize their elite abilities rather than sitting back, waiting for the opposition to make mistakes. I don't have a good feeling about this one, though I think it will be closer than most people do.

FINAL: USC 34, OSU 27

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onearmedbandit said:

With the news tha Beanie is now doubtful for this game, the Buckeyes are going to need a transcendent performance from Todd Boeckman or a game changing play by Terrelle Pryor in addition to a stellar defensive performance to win this game. Boeckman has proven to be less than great when faced with the pressure of the spotlight or the task of beating a top defense. The three backs behind Wells are not great between the tackles guys, and that is what the pass game is predicated on. Beanie means so much to this offense that his absence may cripple them agains the likes of Griffen, Moala, Maualuga, Cushing, and Mays. If the ground game doesn't get going early, expect a long day for Boeckman and the bucks. But who knows, maybe we'll get something that nobody expects. That's why they play the games.

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September 11, 2008
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