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Big Ten play has arrived as the Ohio State Buckeyes take to the road and head to Champaign. Illinois is no longer the conference power they were just a few seasons ago – case in point, the 17-point spread. But there is always a chance that the Buckeyes can be sleepwalking this week as they just finished back-to-back games with Ohio University and Eastern Michigan where the Scarlet and Grey outscored the opposition 110-27. [Read more...]
By now, I’m sure you’ve heard it from any number of sources. I heard Colin Cowherd talking about it today when I went to pick up lunch. Stewart Mandel penned a piece about it today as well. The argument/rhetorical question centers around some combination of the following: is Jim Tressel’s coaching philosophy holding back the development of Terrelle Pryor and/or does Pryor now have a sort of “buyer’s remorse” for picking Ohio State over Michigan?
I’m weighing in as a Michigan fan, as I think I’m somewhat qualified to look at it in a, how to say, less biased way than most OSU fans. But, before I get going, some quick housekeeping to get out of the way…
1. I can admit when I’m wrong. As many of you probably remember, I wrote an incendiary screed about not being able to wait until USC beat up (“dismantled” was the word I used, if I can remember correctly) OSU. Well, I must tip my cap to Ohio State. They not only didn’t get thrashed, they gave USC all they could handle and then some, and if not for a few questionable coaching moves and back-breaking plays, probably win the game. I’m man enough to admit that I expected a beat-down, and Ohio State made a fool out of me. [Read more...]
I know that since Jim Tressel led the Buckeyes to a surprise National Championship victory in 2002 it has been almost sacrilege to criticize him. Combine that feat with the gaudy record over Michigan and it is an easy argument that it should be sacrilege to criticize the sweater vest. But even Tressel would admit that everyone, himself included, always has room for improvement. After this week’s near debacle vs. a scrappy Navy team, I think I am justified in voicing some concerns.
In the second quarter the Buckeyes had the lead at 17-7 when Jim Tressel decided it was time to give his backup quarterback some playing time. I recognize the fact that Bauserman drove the Buckeyes to the Navy eight-yard line where Pettrey kicked a field goal to take the score to 20-7. I hope that this won’t come across as Monday Morning Quarterbacking because I was just as perplexed the moment I saw Bauserman’s jersey on my television. Why would Tressel do that? [Read more...]
No pocket-passing quarterback.
No big, between-the-tackles running back.
No problem?
At least if you ask Jim Tressel, who appears to be eying up some new possibilities for his Buckeye offense come the start of the 2009 season.
Although Tressel didn’t come right out and say as much during his trip through Canton last week, it isn’t hard to picture Terrelle Pryor running some variation of a Wildcat offense or even more work with the pistol formation.
Tressel seemed smitten when talk of the Wildcat offense came up during a visit with Hoover High School head coach Don Hertler Jr.
But I thought Terrelle Pryor believes he’s a throw-first quarterback? Hmm.
Jim Tressel’s ability to woo the top-flight quarterback recruits apparently will have to take a year off. At least starting this off-season after landing the all world talent that is Terrelle Pryor. In the much recognized game of college football recruiting, Rivals.com currently ranks The Ohio State University second overall – with the LSU Tigers narrowly edging them out for the top spot.
Thus far, the Scarlet and Gray have managed to receive commitments from two five-star recruits (linebacker Dorian Bell and cornerback Corey Brown, both out of Monroeville, PA), as well as 15 four-star high school seniors. Of those 15, four are defensive backs, three are running backs, three are wide receivers and the rest fill a bevy of roles from offensive line to the ever-popular “athlete.” But the one position that is glaringly vacant is the one of quarterback.
This past Monday, Rick wrote a Buckeye recap that threw in the inquiry of whether Todd Boeckman should have been a part of this past Saturday’s loss to Penn State. In it, he questioned whether or not Boeckman would have given the Buckeyes a better shot at moving the ball down the field, when Terrell Pryor’s arm was obviously not getting the done. Granted, no one really saw Pryor’s first fumble occurring in the biggest game of his young career, but that is a different discussion for a different day.
On Tuesday, Coach Jim Tressell had a few updated thoughts on the loss. While he was brief, he mentioned that he was still perturbed with Terrell Pryor’s decision-making on the play, and that the young Pryor was still pretty down on himself. When asked if he had spent much off-field time with the freshman quarterback, Tressell cited that school work has kept him busy, not allowing for much one-on-one time.
The Buckeyes have 2 losses on the season. As much as it pains us to say it, both were to superior teams. Penn State did exactly what the Buckeyes couldn’t earlier in the season- go into a hostile environment and play mistake-free football.
There is a question that needs to be asked. It is a fair question. It doesn’t call for the firing of anyone, nor is it meant to heap salt on a fresh wound. The question is whether or not the Buckeyes could have won that game with Todd Boeckman at quarterback?
We have seen the talent that Terrelle Pryor has. We know about the competitiveness and desire to win. [Read more...]
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