While We’re Waiting – Browns talent, Shaq’s impact, and the Buckeyes’ D-line
September 27, 2009Report: Browns Players to File Grievances Against Eric Mangini
September 27, 2009In what’s likely going to become a theme for the season, the Buckeyes’ defense looked filthy good again on Saturday. Faced with a potentially scary Illinois offense, the Buckeyes dominated the point of attack all day, keeping Aurrelius Benn and Juice Williams scoreless. On a day where Mama Nature brought buckets of rain, the Buckeyes’ ground game was featured on offense.
It’s a well-known fact that Terrelle Pryor has loads of potential as an athlete, if he can improve his accuracy on throws. Be scared, Buckeye fans, because we have a glimpse into the future. If Pryor can’t improve his arm, he’s going to end up being Juice Williams. Though he had little protection (and some of his receivers were doing their best Braylon Edwards impressions), Williams struggled mightily to deliver the ball to his receivers.
When Pryor did throw it’s becoming increasingly obvious that he’s trusting his receivers not named Posey more and more as the season goes on. Though he didn’t have the best game statistically (and got lucky not having a forced throw get picked off), he looked comfortable throwing when he had the chance. A few scrambling plays reminded us all why we all got excited when he chose Ohio State.
On the defensive side, the Buckeyes D line looked as nasty as ever. What excites me more is the improved linebacker play. With the D line becoming more and more dominant, the rest of the defense has become more and more aggressive. Safety Kurt Coleman has been all over the field (though may be punished for a late hit with :35 left in the game), and the rest of the secondary has played well. It’s hard to put into words what I think about this defense aside from this: they are really, really good.
So next week the Buckeyes will travel to play a seemingly improved Indiana squad. Should be a game that we expect the Bucks to win big, but we’ll see if Coleman is suspended. If he is, the Bucks will still be favored and still should win, though the defense may not be as dominant.
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Observations from yesterday:
– Bill Lynch had one of the funniest gum-tossing reactions I’ve ever seen. Also, the UM interception call was a crock. Indiana may prove to be a little more difficult than expected with their triple option (or, UM is just not as good as people want to make them out to be).
– Iowa has a tight D as well – I’m very glad the game is in Cbus this year.
– Penn State better suffer for this loss in the polls at least as much as OSU did after the SC loss. We still don’t really know how good SC is but PSU looked underwhelming at best.
– Oregon’s yellow helmets scared Cal to the point that Cal lost by a lot. Oregon may win the Pac 10.
– I’m kind of glad we’ll get to stop with the “Miami is baaaack” meme, at least for this week.
– Tim Tebow threw up. That’s all.
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(Photo credit: Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
7 Comments
If Pryor can’t figure out what he is doing worng with his passing we are in for a long season. Even though there was a monsoon during the game he still needs to improve his game. He can only get away with running on every play for so long.
Tremendous defensive effort. Way to stifle “Juice” Williams. After the classless demonstration of dancing/celebrating on the “O” in 2007, it was rightfully and well-done by Tressel to pass on 4th down for a TD with under a minute remaining. I’ve seen enough of the over-rated Ron Zook for a lifetime.
I too enjoyed that beatdown. If the offense starts rolling look out.
Random observation: Anyone notice that TP was barely under center all game? I’d have to go back to my DVR, but I’m pretty sure he was in shotgun for the first 3 quarters.
I think this is a very telling sign that Tressel has relinquished some of his play calling duties – and that despite what the “miserable” fans think of his offensive stubbornness, he is willing to adjust his offense to the personnel on the field.
Iowa is not a good team. The main reason they beat U of A was the refs keeping multiple drives alive for them. Either the reffing crew was just straight up horrible, or (puts on tin foil hat) it was a Big 10 reffing crew that wanted the Big 10 team to win. (U of A also chose to use a crappy quarterback, but that’s a different story.)
At any rate, Iowa is very beatable.
Iowa just D’ed up and beat PSU. At night. In Happy Valley.
I realize that they 1) have had to block two field goals at the end of regulation to beat Northern Iowa and 2) had favorable reffing get them past Arizona. But the road team winning at night in Happy Valley rarely happens. If they can keep momentum going from this game, they’re set. It’ll be hard for them as they have a really hard schedule, but this win shows me they’re legit.
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