Archives for November 2010

I’ve read a lot of content over the last few days criticizing Penn State’s choice to go for it on 4th down late in the first half on Saturday. Everyone makes (mainly the same two) excellent points: they were well within field goal range and had they kicked a field goal would have led by 14 points going into halftime, and the 4th down stop by the Buckeyes seemed to turn momentum into their favor and the game was never the same after that.

However, I’m going to be a little contrarian, and not just because I haven’t written a post here since Calvin Coolidge was President. I think had Penn State gotten the first down and followed it up with a TD to put the Nittany Lions up by 18 points, no one would have considered going for it audacious at all. And while watching the game live I remember thinking as the officials spotted the ball after the third down play, They’re going to go for it, and they’ll make it. There was no doubt in my mind of this, and I’d wager (were it legal) that the majority of people watching the game live were thinking the same thing, so it wouldn’t surprise me if the Penn State coaching staff did too.

Let’s agree on this: they were owning our asses on both sides of the field up to that point. Owning them. It’s my thinking that there were two directions in which the momentum could have gone after that particular moment. Had they succeeded, Penn State would have kept their momentum alive. But of course they didn’t,  which shifted the momentum back to the Buckeyes. I would contend that three additional points probably wouldn’t have affected their momentum much more than failing on 4th down did.  Let’s not forget, the Buckeyes ended up winning by three touchdowns, so the three points by themselves would have been mostly irrelevant had everything else progressed as it did. So I suppose the question is, would everything else have progressed as they did had Penn State kicked a field goal there? I say yes, others might say no. Had Penn State gotten a TD on that drive, would things have progressed as they did, with the defense coming out fired up and taking initials in the second half? I don’t think so. My guess is it would have been a big nail in the 2010 season’s coffin for many of us.

In other words, did the fourth down decision make a difference in the game, or did Tressel’s going scorched earth in the locker room at halftime do it? I would argue that Tressel’s halftime performance did more, mainly because Pryor and company didn’t exactly light things up immediately following the turnover on downs. This is open to debate, of course, and no disrespect intended to those of you who feel otherwise.

Go!

Amir Williams a 6’10” 220 lb. basketball recruit chose OSU today over the Florida Gators. He is listed as the no. 2 Center in the country for the 2011 recruiting class. He will be joining an already impressive recruiting class and it doesnt hurt that he is from Michigan and that he also chose OSU over scUM and Purdue. He is a top notch recruit with great offensive skills and good feet. He should fit in well with this program. My only suggestion is that he should put on some weight but he is young and it is easy to do. Another great job done by Thad Matta and his recruiters.

I was sitting here thinking about this post and was looking back on my emotions during watching the game live last weekend as I watched the playback of the game for my second look. It was one of those games where I went through a full gamut of emotions. I was nervous as the game started and then upset early on how we were playing and then very angry about the way McGROIN was acting about how he was playing. Then halftime came and I regrouped my own emotions and settled down. After halftime it seemed like my emotions were out of control happy with each play that happened. This is going to lead me into my second thoughts post. Everyone who reads this will have watched the game or highlights by so I want to just focus on 2 things emotions and halftime regrouping.

I tend to think that football is built on emotions and that they can change either way on a dime. Anyone who has ever watched an OSU game knows that the first drive of both the 1st qtr and 3rd qtr by the opposing teams set our teams emotions at least for that time and place. OSU is known for giving up early points and then making adjustments to the other team to stop them and contain their game plan. What they aren’t well known for is taking half a game to do that in. It was frustrating watching the first half of the PSU game and it felt just like I was watching the Wisky game all over again. Then came a pivotal point in the game……… PSU going for it on 4th down on OSU 20 yard line with one of the best FG kicker in the country on their bench that would have put up PSU 17-3 if he made it. Instead OSU stopped their FR RB Silas Redd (why Royster wasnt in the game is mind boggling but not as much as why they went for it) short of the 1st down and you could just sense it was what we needed to change the emotions of the game.

That was an important play for sure but what happened in the locker room at halftime made sure the emotions changed for good in the rest of the game. Rumor has it that Jim Tressel went all Woody Hayes on the team and layed into them like a Hawaiian Escort in Maui. I like to imagine what it was like in there since no one is saying too much other than they never seen Tressel like that ever before. I imagine he said things like “golly gee wiz guys we could really play a lot better than that” or “fudgsicals that stunk”. I also imagine he went all Hulk Hogan and ripped off his sweater vest in half down his chest while yelling Buckeyemania is running wild all over you. In reality though he probably just raised his voice by one octave and gave them all the “I am disappointed in all of you look” that every father has in their aresenal. Whatever happened in the locker room worked and and it changed the emotions of a team that seemed to be way to emotionless in the first half.

So the goal for this week at Iowa is to start the game off with tons of positive emotions and avoid getting down early to a less talented team whose season has been a complete failure and they need a signature win to try and save their senior teammates season.

The name on everybody’s lips
Is gonna be Moxie
The QB raking in the chips
Is gonna be Moxie

I’m gonna be a celebrity
That means
Somebody everyone sees
They(‘re) gonna recognize my TDs
My arm my legs my pout my INTs…
Mooxxxieee Haaart!!

After shaking some rust from the bye week off in the first half, the Bucks got down to business and dominated P(ick) S(ix) U(niversity) on the ground to remain at 9-1 and tied atop the Big 10 standings.

Boom Herron’s career-best 190 rushing yards led the Buckeyes to a convincing 24-pt victory over the Nits. OSU finished with over 300 yards rushing.

PSU started strong behind McGloin, who was well prepared to exploit a weakness the PSU defensive coaches had obviously seen on tape. McGloin targeted the soft zone beside Devon Torrence again and again, to the aroused excitement of Brent Musberger. With each successful third down conversion, Musberger grew more and more excited, seemingly unable to stop himself from gushing repeatedly on McGloin’s “moxie.”

Of course, the problem with any gameplan that relies on one singluar weakness is “what do you do when the defense adjusts?” Moxie Hart McGloin discovered this in the second half, when OSU defensive coordinator Jim Heacock decided to rely heavily on the nickel package, which forced McGloin to throw two more TD passes…. to the wrong team. The rout was on, much to the consternation of Musberger, who by this time was doing his best to just keep his empties from loudly rolling around on the floor.

Between the defensive adjustment and the gradually tiring PSU offensive and defensive linemen, Tressel stuck to the ground and pounded the Nits into submission behind Boom Herron’s 9.0 ypc.

High points:

• BOOOOM
• Defense scoring 2 TDs
• Pryor’s getting healthier
• Halftime adjustments – coaches couldn’t have adjusted more perfectly
• Torrence’s “shake and bake” of Moxie McGloin on the first pick-six
• Sanzenbacher’s highlight-reel tip-drill TD catch

Low points:

• Musberger
• Rust following the bye week
• Musberger
• Officials – worst officiating seen in the Horseshoe in years (against both teams)
• Musberger

In summary, although the first half was a bit of a nailbiter, the game ended on a very positive note for the Bucks. A little adversity, some success with making adjustments, and coming from behind to win will serve the team well as they head into Iowa next week to play a very hostile Hawkeye team with nothing to lose and a chip on its shoulder.

Finally, in case you’re keeping score, here’s a handy chart to help everyone keep track of where we stand with Musberger:

Another full slate of games today, including two important Big Ten games at noon today. We’ll have to be Northwestern and Indiana fans today. Can you smell an upset coming?

Also, as an FYI, I’ve updated the Twittering Buckeyes page with a handful of new Buckeyes on Twitter.

The Live Chat for the Penn State game can be found after the jump.

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The YNBA has been pretty quiet this season and most of the offseason.  I know that the readers of MotSaG are totally curious of the whereabouts of the man that produces such fine literary desserts (Sarcasm level = High).  Well, I wont lie to you.  I have been trying to enjoy this season.  You know…really savor it.  It has been a good season thus far with mostly ups and some obvious downs, but the bottom line is this is the reason we love college football and our bucks.  It brings us joy on Saturday afternoons and can ruin our weekends just as easily.

So, after all of that sappy silliness, let’s talk some football.  Actually, let’s just talk about Penn State, in general.  My dislike of this school is pretty near the likes of UM from the makings of “The Rail”, the Penn State student section “Urine Bombs” from 2005 (TBDBITL will never set foot into Happy Valley again…evah), and finally the accosting of the OSU students posted on Youtube after the 2007 encounter in Happy Valley.  Needless to say, my vitriol becomes more apparent on this weekend of the season.  However, there is more to it than just football and disgraceful student behavior (Hell..I know OSU fans can be complete jackasses…it is on our DNA).

I moved out to Seattle in 2006 after about a fifteen year stint in Columbus (including my time at OSU).  When I moved out here, I obviously wanted to enjoy game days with some fellow buckeyes, so I found the official Game Watch location in downtown Seattle.  This happened to be the Sport Restaurant right below the Space Needle.  I first went down to the Sport Restaurant to watch an OSU late afternoon game.  When I entered the facility for the first time, I noticed there were some other fans in another section of the restaurant.  Yeah, these were Penn State fans (about 30-40 of them in a little section in the restaurant).  It was my first encounter watching an OSU game with Penn State fans in the vicinity.  They were playing Pennsylvania Technical School for Widget Repair and Snipe Tracking or some equivalent.  Penn State , obviously, scored a touchdown upon my arrival and the customary “WE ARE…PENN STATE” screams began.  These are fine until a 30 year old guy in all of Penn State gear decides to stand on top of one of the tables or chairs to lead this cheer.  Now folks, this isnt your typical Rush Creek or BW3 type establishment.  It truly is a nice place, so standing on the tables or other furniture may be frowned upon, but I’m just sayin’.  Anywho, this is every touchdown…every first down, every JoePa ice cream reference.  It’s kind of like listening to “Hail to the Victors” or the “Trojan Fight Song” on repeat for days.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I know that every fanbase has it “special” ones, but Penn State’s are a cut above, if you know what I mean.

Rant fin…

Oh yeah…we were supposed to talk about football.

Well, as much as my naysayer attitude comes out in these types of games.  I just dont see Penn State having the quality across the field to handle OSU for the entire game.

OSU Offense vs PSU Defense

This is a considerable mis-match.  In particular, the secondary of Penn State is susceptible to just about everything (deep , short, mid-range) and the linebacking corps doesnt have the typical Paul Posluszny-like player in the middle or on the outside (When was the last time PSU had that problem?).  While it is understandable for Penn State to have some success up front with Ogbu and Still (PSU always seems to have somebody serviceable up front on the D-Line to cause some havoc.), there is too much youth in the back seven to keep the OSU in-check..  Realistically, the only way I see PSU hanging with this OSU offense is if Tress decides he really really really wants to run the ball and takes the game out of TP’s hands.  PSU’s secondary is just begging for Terrelle to have a big game with his arm, which will probably open up the running game.  Hopefully, the OSU faithful will see about 250 & 100 from TP on Saturday evening, because I just dont see this PSU defense being able to put eight in the box and daring TP to throw it wihtout paying a large price.

PSU Offense vs OSU Defense

Evan Royster is the key to the Penn State offense.  I know that every frickin’ preview I’ve read cannot stop talking about the “Ginger Express,” but if Royster isnt gaining some yards and keeping the OSU defense on its heels the turnovers will start flowing.  With that being said, the OSU defensive backfield is pretty thin right now with a number of injuries, so McGloin will get some yards in this game.  Besides, McGloin has a grudge against TP for costing him scholly, as PSU waited to see if they had a chance at getting him to spend his college years in Happy Valley.  This is one of the most laughable things I have read in years.  Sorry Matt, if you were that good, it wouldnt have mattered.  Blame yourself for waiting to be a Plan B for the Penn State Coaching staff…not TP.

OSU is leading the country in turnover margin, so it will be likely that trend will continue in this game.  Let’s be honest here..it took a combination of one of Penn State’s best performances in Columbus and OSU’s worst to give them a victory that was basically due to a fumble that was going to be a touchdown run in TP’s freshman year.  The cards are stacked against the Nittany Lions…no doubt about it.  For Penn State to win this game, they will need to score at least 24 points.  What does everyone think is the likelihood of that happening on Saturday night?

Obligatory PSU Coaching Category…or just because this picture is never used enough..

Brains…(HT: OurHonorDefend)

Things you need to know about JoePa.

1. He is still alive.
2. He just won his 400th game, which means he may have helped invent the sport.
3. He loves ice cream.
4. Contrary to popular belief, he is still a good coach and next year’s team will be worlds better..so I think he’ll be around for another year or so.
5. He was featured in “The Walking Dead” Comic and has a recurring cameo in each episode of the highly popular AMC series.

How this will play out

I would imagine that OSU will start off slow, due to the bye week.  Penn State will probably start with a few nice plays  and a small lead compliments of the “Ginger Wizard”.  OSU will wake up to drill them the rest of the way.

OSU 41 Penn State 17

What say you MotSaG-ers?