Post by WANG on Oct 5, 2015 7:46:25 GMT -5
Another week, another (lackluster) victory for this OSU squad.
Overall - C-: This wasn't AS bad as other games. Indiana (regardless of past performances) was an undefeated, Power 5 school coming into this game. OSU's defense did an adequate job of stopping a high powered Indiana offense (with the exception of an inexplicable 75 yard QB run...seriously?), and the offense had some good things going for it, but was hindered again by untimely turnovers, a rash of penalties, and an overall sense that this team doesn't know what it wants to do. Being unable to convert MULTIPLE short fields is baffling. This game should never have been as close as it was, and that first half was about as bad as I have seen an OSU team play in a very, very long time. But the second half was pretty good, and if they start using Zeke more like they did and focus on distributing to playmakers (and not fumbling/throwing picks) then this team can right the ship.
Offense - C: Yes, a C. I know most will say it should be lower, but if not for over 100 yards worth of penalties and 3 BAD turnovers, this game would have been over 50 pts for OSU. While Jones did throw for about 250 and a TD, his interception was unacceptable, and he made a few bad reads and missed a few open receivers. He is looking better, but still not good enough. Marshall's fumbles really, really hurt this team, along with the penalties (including a few phantom ones IMO). What brings this grade up to a passable C, however, was the reemergence of EZE. While the OL played a large part, some of those runs reminded me of the post season performance that made Zeke a household name. He shed off early contact and then turned on the jets. If he isn't getting 20+ touches a game moving forward, someone needs to get fired.
Defense - B-: Holding Indiana to 27 is kind of a victory, but they gave up a decent chunk through the air, about half of that to Indiana's back up. The run D was stout...except for one NOTABLE play, which I still am not sure how it happened. Allowing a 79 yard QB run should never happen. Additionally, Indiana was without the services of their star RB for the majority of the game, so who knows how the run game would have looked with him. Overall, the D played well, the DL was fantastic, but a few miscues brought down the overall grade.
STs - C: Missed the only FG that was a challenge, need to be able to make more than chipshots. Missed an opportunity to down a punt inside the 5. Had a few nice returns on KO and PR, the Aussie brought the boot again. Overall, an average performance.
Coaching - D: I really, really, really miss Tom Herman. I understand bringing in new coaching, especially a co OC, is going to cause a few hiccups, but it's almost to the point where this CANNOT be the excuse anymore. This team, since the VT, has had ZERO offensive identity. If you are going to have Jones be your QB, then you have to throw the deep ball. You can't have him running the option, as he does not run it well. You can't be running mostly short, crossing routes, as this is not his game. If that is what you want to do, then you should have made JTB the starter. Play towards Jones' strengths (he has plenty). If you are going to run it with him, power him up the middle with Zeke as a lead blocker. Make him a pocket passing QB, that is what he is. With Zeke finding his legs, this should open things up more for Jones' arm. Please, please, please fix this.
Overall - C-: This wasn't AS bad as other games. Indiana (regardless of past performances) was an undefeated, Power 5 school coming into this game. OSU's defense did an adequate job of stopping a high powered Indiana offense (with the exception of an inexplicable 75 yard QB run...seriously?), and the offense had some good things going for it, but was hindered again by untimely turnovers, a rash of penalties, and an overall sense that this team doesn't know what it wants to do. Being unable to convert MULTIPLE short fields is baffling. This game should never have been as close as it was, and that first half was about as bad as I have seen an OSU team play in a very, very long time. But the second half was pretty good, and if they start using Zeke more like they did and focus on distributing to playmakers (and not fumbling/throwing picks) then this team can right the ship.
Offense - C: Yes, a C. I know most will say it should be lower, but if not for over 100 yards worth of penalties and 3 BAD turnovers, this game would have been over 50 pts for OSU. While Jones did throw for about 250 and a TD, his interception was unacceptable, and he made a few bad reads and missed a few open receivers. He is looking better, but still not good enough. Marshall's fumbles really, really hurt this team, along with the penalties (including a few phantom ones IMO). What brings this grade up to a passable C, however, was the reemergence of EZE. While the OL played a large part, some of those runs reminded me of the post season performance that made Zeke a household name. He shed off early contact and then turned on the jets. If he isn't getting 20+ touches a game moving forward, someone needs to get fired.
Defense - B-: Holding Indiana to 27 is kind of a victory, but they gave up a decent chunk through the air, about half of that to Indiana's back up. The run D was stout...except for one NOTABLE play, which I still am not sure how it happened. Allowing a 79 yard QB run should never happen. Additionally, Indiana was without the services of their star RB for the majority of the game, so who knows how the run game would have looked with him. Overall, the D played well, the DL was fantastic, but a few miscues brought down the overall grade.
STs - C: Missed the only FG that was a challenge, need to be able to make more than chipshots. Missed an opportunity to down a punt inside the 5. Had a few nice returns on KO and PR, the Aussie brought the boot again. Overall, an average performance.
Coaching - D: I really, really, really miss Tom Herman. I understand bringing in new coaching, especially a co OC, is going to cause a few hiccups, but it's almost to the point where this CANNOT be the excuse anymore. This team, since the VT, has had ZERO offensive identity. If you are going to have Jones be your QB, then you have to throw the deep ball. You can't have him running the option, as he does not run it well. You can't be running mostly short, crossing routes, as this is not his game. If that is what you want to do, then you should have made JTB the starter. Play towards Jones' strengths (he has plenty). If you are going to run it with him, power him up the middle with Zeke as a lead blocker. Make him a pocket passing QB, that is what he is. With Zeke finding his legs, this should open things up more for Jones' arm. Please, please, please fix this.
