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Offense -
Before the season opened, a few Ohio State players called the 2005 offense "explosive". Until Iowa, it had been anything but. All that was wiped away on Saturday as the O rolled to 530 total yards, over 300 coming on the ground. The best part of all was the opponent. Not just because of payback but because it was a quality team, one who prides themselves on solid defensive play.
Ohio State took advantage of a talented but young Hawkeye DL. The beauty in this was we showed I-Formation 10 times or more by the middle of the 2nd quarter. We hadn't shown that much I-Formation since the beginning of last year. The staff finally committed to establishing something first rather than the grab bag approach. It was apparent we were going to run the ball or at least try our best to do so. Fortunately, our OL was able to get a good push on the Iowa DL and get to the second level. This opened some running lanes for Pittman who carried 28 times for 171--a career high. Even when Iowa started to stop the iso plays, we continued with them and pounded the ball. This makes playaction so much more effective, although we didn't really hit a big gainer.
The QB play of Troy Smith was his best impersonation of the QB who shocked and awed Michigan in 2004. Troy was very solid throwing the ball and was, again, effective running the shotgun option. He also corrected his overstride that shackled him during SDSU and caused shorthop after shorthop. Unlike others, I cannot tell what reads or progressions he is going through. I think it's damn near impossible to do so from a television set. However, his play wasn't without missed opportunities. There have been many wondering where Ted Ginn has gone. I pointed out last week that he is open but doesn't see the ball. On Saturday, he caught 3 short passes but was free by 10 yards on a long fly pattern but Troy threw to Santonio on the opposite side of the field. If Troy continues to progress, he will eventually hook up with Ginn, and often. One other bright spot was the staff, seemingly, addressing our tipping of run/pass based on RB position (even with QB = pass, 1 yard deeper than QB = run). I have included two screenshots of the SDSU game for illustration. This was less noticeable v. Iowa.
I'd also be remiss if I didn't mentioned Anthony Gonzalez. He has simply turned into one of the most potent 3rd WRs in the Big Ten (no slight to Roy Hall, either). Gonzalez worked himself free all day, hauling in 6 balls for 90 yards with bookend TDs. One of the headiest players on the team.
While the numbers and production point to a 4 Buckeye Leave rating, it gets reduced to 3 leaves based on lack of ball security and clock management. The numerous fumbles, two of which came inside the 10, cannot continue to happen. Our clock management was also very poor. At the conclusion of the 1st half, we wasted not only a timeout but several plays by the curious decisions of Coach Tressel. I know JT has said it was planned, but that plan needs to be adjusted. I also think we are very loose with playclock management. I simply do not understand why JT has to call Troy over to deliver the play verbally. This caused one of Troy's delay of games. This also caused a called TO because we were still in the huddle with 8 seconds on the playclock!
Once we shore up these loose ends, our O will be even more efficient. We are on the right track.
Defense -
What else can be said about these guys that hasn't already been said? Although Iowa isn't an offensive juggernaut, our D still stiffled them all game. At one point in the 3rd Q, Iowa completed a 13 yard pass that doubled their total yards for the game to that point. That is simply unheard of and has paved the way for our run D being ranked #1 in the country. Surprisingly to me, there has been little talk of Anthony Schlegel. He is the one who set the tone early on with a crucial (at the time) stop on 3rd and 1 foot. He simply stoned the FB to force the punt.
AJ Hawk did nothing to hurt his Butkus chances. He was in on several tackles and had a half of sack. He was mistakenly credited with Bobby Carpenter's sack in the 2nd half (the Drew Tate Spike). Mike Kudla easily could have been registered for 3 sacks on his own, but as it was he had 1.5. He is quickly becoming a force and showing material evidence that his freakish strength is beneficial. Lastly, what a year the #2 makes? Last year, EJ Underwood bit on several playaction passes, one of which was a long TD pass to Clinton Soloman. This year, EJ Underwood is out and in is new #2, Malcolm Jenkins who, in about 3 years, will be a millionaire and playing in "The League".
To make the defense as successful as it is, you have to give it up to Coach Heacock and Coach Beckman. Beckman was brought in namely because he was a guru at defending the spread and other pass oriented offenses. It has shown. We now play our DBs tighter to the LOS (mostly gone are the days of the 10-15 yard cushion). We are more aggresive but not so much so that we are jumping short routes and squatting in the flats. We are technically sound and if we do have a problem or blow coverage, Nate Salley, Donte Whitner are back to clean it up.
Special Teams -
Josh Huston was perfect on FGs and...that as about all that was right. AJ Trapasso dropped an attempted punt in one of the most bizarre plays I've ever seen. Our return teams simply do not block well for Santonio or Ted and they had no room to run. The one punt we did break out was rightfully called back for a block in the back. Poor TG, can't get a break. Our snipers are continually getting beat by the opposing team's gunners. IMO, they wait far too long to engage and sometimes get beat by foot speed when it's too late. We should seriously consider double team the gunners and forget any chance of blocked punt.
::Other Thoughts and Observations::
*Great to see Lawrence Wilson get PT early and he made the most of it. On one of his first plays from scrimmage he made an assisted tackle when Iowa tried to run right at him. The very next play he destroyed his man on an inside move and was subsequently held on the play (flag was thrown but declined).
*Although JT's record off bye weeks isn't good, I like the position of this one. We are a banged up team that needs the recuperation time. AJ Hawk is dinged up with a calf issue, Bobby Carpenter's arm is in a sling, Santonio Holmes has a gimpy left ankle that's bothered him all year, Pittman left knee problem, etc...
*At one point in the 2nd half, Malcolm Jenkins was flagged for two penalties on the same play. Iowa, at that point, had 2 penalties the WHOLE game. One of the penalties was a delay of game...in other words, a penalty that had to be called. If it was a basketball game, Iowa would have been in the Bonus and Ohio State still trying to get a called foul.