Post by WANG on Nov 16, 2015 8:10:39 GMT -5
Overall - C+: Another ugly game by the offense and STs, another stellar defensive effort, another win against a mediocre team as OSU sleepwalked through an early kickoff. Although OSU was never really challenged, the game was not fun to watch. Bad throws, bad pass protection, penalties, and overall sloppy play from the offense is becoming all too commonplace right now. This is echoed by the fact that OSU is now #2 in both the CP and AP polls. At this point the only thing we can hope is that playing teams with a pulse will wake this squad up.
Offense - D: OSU looked great on it's opening drive right up to the point where the refs blew the call on the TD. A false start and missed chip shot FG later, and OSU never got back in the same rhythm. JTB looked bad, fumbling twice and throwing a pick. He completed 65% of his passes for 150 yards and a TD to go along with 74 rushing yards and a TD, but outside of the first drive he never looked comfortable. He did have an excellent fade pass to Thomas, but outside of that he missed a few open throws. Zeke put this offense on his back again, running for 180 yards and 2 scores, with almost 150 of that in the second half. He may never win a Heisman, but Zeke has an argument for the best back to ever don the Scarlet and Grey. His combination of power and speed, along with his ability to catch the ball AND pass block is better than anything I can ever remember seeing out of the RB position at Ohio State. Regardless, 28 points against Illinois, even in the wind tunnel that is Memorial Stadium, is not good enough for this squad at this point in the season. With Sparty looming next week, they need to figure it out and fast.
Defense - A: What else is there to say about this defense that hasn't been said already? Including sacks, Illinois rushed for 20 yards on 25 carries, good for a PALTRY 0.8 YPC. That is just dominant. The 241 passing yards look troublesome, until you realize that it took 47 attempts to get there. The DL set up a blanket in the backfield, sat down, opened a bottle of wine, and had a nice little picnic. The LBs were strong not only in defending the run and rushing the passer, but they matched up exceedingly well in coverage. I can't think of a weak spot in the defense from last game. With a disappointing showing by the offense again, the defense made sure this game was never in doubt.
STs - C: New kicker, same results. Missing a FG is always disappointing, missing one from 24 yards is unacceptable. I could make that kick, and that isn't hyperbole. Outside of that, the coverage wasn't as good as we are used to seeing, but it wasn't bad. Johnston was solid again, averaging about 45 yards a punt and constantly flipping the field. The performance was good enough to warrant a higher grade, if not for the missed chip shot FG.
Coaching - C: This would have been a GREAT game to try out some new things on offense and give Sparty something to game plan for, but that never materialized. I don't know if they just wanted to get out with a win do to shoddy QB and OL play, or if they were just trying to get JTB back in rhythm, but this game was a snoozefest. Miller didn't touch the ball once that I can recall, which is disappointing. Overall, I would have like to see something more creative against such a bad squad.
Offense - D: OSU looked great on it's opening drive right up to the point where the refs blew the call on the TD. A false start and missed chip shot FG later, and OSU never got back in the same rhythm. JTB looked bad, fumbling twice and throwing a pick. He completed 65% of his passes for 150 yards and a TD to go along with 74 rushing yards and a TD, but outside of the first drive he never looked comfortable. He did have an excellent fade pass to Thomas, but outside of that he missed a few open throws. Zeke put this offense on his back again, running for 180 yards and 2 scores, with almost 150 of that in the second half. He may never win a Heisman, but Zeke has an argument for the best back to ever don the Scarlet and Grey. His combination of power and speed, along with his ability to catch the ball AND pass block is better than anything I can ever remember seeing out of the RB position at Ohio State. Regardless, 28 points against Illinois, even in the wind tunnel that is Memorial Stadium, is not good enough for this squad at this point in the season. With Sparty looming next week, they need to figure it out and fast.
Defense - A: What else is there to say about this defense that hasn't been said already? Including sacks, Illinois rushed for 20 yards on 25 carries, good for a PALTRY 0.8 YPC. That is just dominant. The 241 passing yards look troublesome, until you realize that it took 47 attempts to get there. The DL set up a blanket in the backfield, sat down, opened a bottle of wine, and had a nice little picnic. The LBs were strong not only in defending the run and rushing the passer, but they matched up exceedingly well in coverage. I can't think of a weak spot in the defense from last game. With a disappointing showing by the offense again, the defense made sure this game was never in doubt.
STs - C: New kicker, same results. Missing a FG is always disappointing, missing one from 24 yards is unacceptable. I could make that kick, and that isn't hyperbole. Outside of that, the coverage wasn't as good as we are used to seeing, but it wasn't bad. Johnston was solid again, averaging about 45 yards a punt and constantly flipping the field. The performance was good enough to warrant a higher grade, if not for the missed chip shot FG.
Coaching - C: This would have been a GREAT game to try out some new things on offense and give Sparty something to game plan for, but that never materialized. I don't know if they just wanted to get out with a win do to shoddy QB and OL play, or if they were just trying to get JTB back in rhythm, but this game was a snoozefest. Miller didn't touch the ball once that I can recall, which is disappointing. Overall, I would have like to see something more creative against such a bad squad.
