(09-02-2017 06:06 PM)megadrone Wrote:  

(09-01-2017 10:06 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(09-01-2017 10:08 AM)ohio1317 Wrote:  We are finally back to real football. Any thoughts as you guys watch the games?

My early ones:
That Indiana game set-up was one I was saying for a long time I did not like from an Ohio State fan perspective. First game are always tricky as you have not worked out the bugs with limited practice so I prefer the first game of the year to be the easiest. Add in making it a night game, on the road, and a conference game and it was a recipe for trouble. Then add in that was a senior laden team going against their old coach with Ohio State breaking in far more freshman.

All of that said, I will certainly concede the game was the most exciting first game we have had in some time and there was far more build-up to it than there would have been in October/November.

On the game itself, Indiana was tremendously good at very quick passes in the first half (and into the 3rd quarter). There biggest problem was not taking full advantage of that early momentum. They played better than OSU in the first half, but only led by a point at half time.

I am still not liking the fact we did not see the long ball from OSU. I am not in a camp that is blaming JT, but that was our big issue last year and OSU at least has to be in a position to credibly threaten it as time goes on. That said, the running game was great even without Weber and 2nd half was much better.

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Other games: Never saw the line, but would have guessed Minnesota would have won more. Not a big deal though.

I think Michigan is very underrated for the season, but think with all the youth needs to be very happy Florida has so many players out now for the first game.

Would like to see Rutgers at least stay close for awhile and would like to see Maryland push Texas even though do not expect wins.

I pretty much agree with your whole post. I will say though as an independent observer that Indiana is much improved both offensively and defensively. What kept them from keeping it tight was depth.

Your Buckeyes run the ball well enough. I agree on the deep passing game for the offense. But what you didn't mention were your corners. They were vulnerable all night and the quick tempo gave them problems (like with Clemson). They need to quit playing the receiver and play the ball. In a quick passing game reading the eyes of the QB and reacting to the ball will yield greater defensive success than playing the receiver who knows when to break off the route and turn for the catch. You may need twin safeties so that they can cover a route that fakes short to go long.

So far tonight I'd say Rutgers is improved, but also lacks depth. Wisconsin wasn't ready to play, but they don't really look complete either. Their O line was pushed around by Utah State a smaller defensive front. But they are establishing their dominance in the 2nd half, but still not very impressive against a much smaller and less deep opponent.

That's going to take a few years -- Flood really left nothing behind outside of Janarion Grant. Happy with how the game went last night, perhaps next year we can dream about 6 wins.

Even the Newark Star-Ledger was happy with RU's performance. And they hate us.