The Hodgepodge: Multiple Things Can Be True Following Ohio State's Loss to Oregon, Tyler Warren Goes Nuts in Penn State's Victory over USC, Oct. 12 Lived Up to the Hype
If we don’t beat Penn state we not only are not going to the big ten we are not going to playoffs. Be hard to pick us without a ranked win. Be weird to also play texas in the playoffs with a qb and that day chose mccord over.
if we lose close games on the road to 2 #3 teams we WILL be in the playoff still if we win all the others. would suck not getting chance for Big Ten title though --so just need to beat everyone here on out like the 2014 team did after a loss.
d, nothing like being 0-2 in a quick quip. OS goes 10-2 there's only a 100% chance for the playoff. Day/mcc had nothing to do with Ewers running back to Texas. A perennial all pro who plays in texas had everything to do with it.
Is this where one says nice try, because it was really quite pathetic.
lol. So your saying we would get in without a ranked win?depends on how the other teams play out. And why am I pathetic for calling it how I see it? If day would have chosen Quinn over McCord he would still be here
It is possible, OSU, Iowa, Indiana, Rutgers and Oregon all finish with one loss. That's what not having divisions and having unbalanced schedulingcauses.
Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect - Woody Hayes
Couldn't have put it better. I was there. I lost my mind and my hearing. This stadium, this crowd, this mascot, this music...it was rockin' like no other I've ever experienced at 127 decibels. And I've been to most of the legendary ones both at The Shoe and away. All I can is WOW! And, regardless of missed opportunities, it was a great game and I guarantee we'll kick their waddling asses in Indy. We'll run the table to the Natty.!!!!!!
OSU fans want to believe that we have a top tier coach. It's not clear that we do. First, if OR in fact changed its offensive philosophy, confusing our defense, what did Day do to OR? When OSU got a personal foul that moved up OR's kick off spot Lanning knew what to do. What unexpected, brilliant thing did Day do? Same question for the 12-men-on-the-field. And then there is the clock mismanagement that looks bad not just next to the opposing coach but in a vacuum. I don't know what coach to get instead, but OSU fans are right to wonder if Day can win on coaching if talent levels are close.
First, if OR in fact changed its offensive philosophy, confusing our defense, what did Day do to OR?
Our defense wasn’t confused. On basically every big play a guy either missed his assignment (coverage, tackle, or overplayed the run). Also our offense had 467 yards & 1 less point than Oregon
When OSU got a personal foul that moved up OR's kick off spot Lanning knew what to do. What unexpected, brilliant thing did Day do?
Lanning’s call wasn’t unexpected. We had the hands team on the field specifically for an onside kick.
Same question for the 12-men-on-the-field.
Wow our coach didn’t cheat. Cool if the refs call the correct penalty we got 15 yards.
In the last five or six big games, Ohio State defense has not forced a punt by the opposition in the 4th quarter. The defense is overrated. Whether it’s scheme, players, or the defensive coordinator, they’re overrated. It will bite us in the end.
and Day simply doesn’t get it because he wants to play a video game versus football
I know Bill sent this text out but our offenses haven't really been stopped either. UGA we scored a FG and missed a FG. 2023 Michigan we scored a TD then had the pick that wasn't caused by Michigan. Jackson fell into Kyle cause he tripped. And 2024 Oregon didn't stop us. We scored a FG and had a questionable OPI knock us out of FG range. If we make the kick against UGA or don't have the OPI against Oregon this entire narrative is drastically different
We had the hands team on the field specifically for an onside kick.
Why is a Caleb Downs, a safety, on the "hands team"? Why aren't receivers and backs, guys who handle the football a LOT in practice, on that team instead? Downs tried to jump out of the way of the football when it was coming towards him, he didn't try to secure it. Im not knocking Caleb Downs, Im just wondering why...
1) Downs, a safety, is on the hands team to begin with
AND
2) Why he tried to avoid the ball rather than catch and secure the ball
Safeties are routinely on the hands team in the front as blockers. And he jumped cause it’s a natural reaction to a ball being bulleted at you when you’re not expecting it. We expected the onside kick but a bullet onside is not something teams really do cause it’s impossible to practice. There zero skill in doing it with a football due to the shape. And with that shape issue too you have zero idea where it’s gonna bounce.
Hodge's note was that our defense may have been prepared for the dink-and-dunk style that OR had been employing, not ready for the deep game. "Primarily, the Ducks lived through their short and intermediate passing game, so it wouldn’t be a total surprise if Burke and the rest of the Ohio State secondary prepared to defend short routes and were caught slightly off guard Oregon took so many deep shots." Don't downvote me for what Hodge said. But if our defense was prepared it was flat-out bad. And Knowles and Day did little about it. The holes in our zone were the same ones other teams had been finding but without the skill players to cash in. We were completely unprepared for a line drive on-side kick. It is something I have never seen in over 500 games I've watched. Lanning thought it up. (Who was on the field for us on the on-side kick that isn't normally on the field for kick-offs? Who was in our front line that made up the "hands team"?). And the 12 men on the field is no more cheating than intentional PI - it is using the rules to gain an advantage. Lanning knew it, Day didn't. And Day did not know the clock rules. The clock ran out and we still had an unused time-out!!! In your world Day has never done anything weak, OSU has never lost a game legitimately. In the real world Day seems to get outcoached too often, and OSU has accomplished little that we set out to do, little that the quality of our roster says we should be able to do. (What is the "correct" penalty the refs should have called? Are you saying there was defensive PI on Smith? Really? I have read a lot of people saying it was not OPI, but you are the first suggesting it was DPI.)
OSU fans want to believe that we have a top tier coach.
I can’t understand why someone who hates the head coach and the majority of fans, regularly comes to a fan site and takes the time to post comments. Says more about you than the fans you despise.
Same question for the 12-men-on-the-field.
This and your other questions were answered in the article. Day was yelling at the officials about the 12 men, it literally states this above. What else could he have done in that moment that means your expectations?
My writing is not difficult to understand, I'll try to rephrase. One reader accused Lanning of cheating by putting 12 men on the field. I said that Lanning did not cheat, he knew the rules and used them to his advantage. My question was: what obscure rule did Day know that he used to OSU's advantage? I can not think of one. Nor can I think of anything that Day did as creative as a line-drive on-side kick. Can you? What Day did do was totally mismanage time at the end of game by letting clock run when he had a time out. As for why I'm here - because I can love OSU and think players choked and coaches got outcoached. I don't despise fans, I despise people who don't know the game but won't admit it, and try to silence those they disagree with.
It’s incredible that people could down vote this. Good coaches beat other good coaches. Ryan Day’s claim to fame is beating James Franklin and Marcus Freeman.
the defense may not be as championship caliber as once thought.
This is gonna come off like a homer but what defense out there are championship caliber? I feel like college football fans hold defenses to the standard that they haven't been allowed to meet since RPOs became a thing. If you look at the national champs since the start of the CFP the championship defense has been shredded in at least one big game:
2014 OSU vs Sparty & Bama had over 30 points, Sparty had 536 yards, Oregon had 20 points but got 465 yards
2015 Bama vs Clemson had 40 points & 550 yards
2016 Clemson vs UL & Lamar Jackson had 36 points & 568 yards
2017 Bama - None
2018 Clemson - USC had 35 points & 600 yards
2019 LSU - Three games with over 500 yards and 35 points given up
2020 Bama - Ole Miss had 650 yards & 48 points. Florida had 460 yards and 46 points
2021 UGA - Bama had 536 yards and 41 points
2022 UGA - OSU had 467 yards & 41 points. Even LSU had 550 and 30 points
2023 Michigan - They cheated and even then a relatively mediocre OSU offense got 24 points and averaged 6.5 yards per play
In modern CFB defenses just aren't going to be able to hold top offenses under 25 points and 400 yards like the old days.
It’s not about total yards and points. It’s when it’s in the fourth quarter and Europe your defense needs to make one or two steps. Our defense doesn’t do that.
It’s not about total yards and points. It’s when it’s in the fourth quarter your defense needs to make one or two stops. Our defense doesn’t do that. The results show it
The coach would rather play video game football, than win the line of scrimmage.
Okay name a defense that makes that stop. Oregon let us get into FG range. 2022 UGA let us get into FG range. 2021 UGA got obliterated by Bama the first time and was on their way to getting obliterated before Jamo got hurt. 2020 Bama & 2019 LSU didn't make any 4th quarter stops in their bad games in top games. Has Knowles' defense been good in these games? No. Do they need to make stops in these games late in the game? Yes. But there are very few defenses in the modern era that are stopping top offenses.
Per 274 composite, we have a roster talent advantage over them. And it’s meaningful.
I don’t know about other teams, because I haven’t studied them, but I think it’s pitiful that in the 22 and 23 Michigan games, the Georgia game, and this past weekends game, we did not force one 4th quarter punt.
Talent advantage over who and in what phase of the game? The Ohio State offense every time scores points against playoff caliber teams. As stated above all playoff teams are struggling on defense.
I think it’s pitiful that in the 22 and 23 Michigan games
Do you believe that Michigan cheated or they didn’t? Because the NCAA believes they cheated.
All playoff teams are struggling on defense and we've seen final drives to win games in a ton of these playoff games unless the opposing offense gets the ball with like zero time left. Just off the top of my head you got, 85 yards through Heart of the South where Bama didn't get the stop they needed and neither did Ohio State on the next drive, 2016 Clemson-Bama traded TDs on the final like 3 or 4 drives, 2017 UGA-Oklahoma and UGA-Bama were both huge comebacks by the winner. Obviously 2019 Clemson scored on the final drive & OSU drove the field to be in position with 30 seconds left. 2022 UGA-OSU both teams scored or were in scoring range on their final drives. 2023 Bama allowed Michigan to go right up the field to tie the game. I'm struggling to think of a close playoff game where the winning score wasn't in the final 2 minutes or a potential game tying/game winning drive was just completely shut down to win the game
Ryan Day is now 2-6 against teams ranked in the AP top five
Losses: Clemson, TTUN x 3, Alabama, UGA, Oregon
Wins: Clemson, ND
Wouldn't that be 2-7 Vs top-5 teams, or is there a technicality, like one of those ttun teams was #6 in the AP & 5 in the coaches poll?
We can continue to talk ourselves into believing that there are good, rational reasons for Day's big-game failures, and maybe there are, but it doesn't change the bottom line. Ryan Day is not getting it done... he just isn't.
A good part of the reason is because he's been F'd over by dog shit defensive performances in six of those seven losses, but he hired, AND RETAINED (Im especially lookin at you, Kerry Coombs), the DCs.
** Jim Knowles' defense has failed to force a punt in the 4th quarter Vs ttun x2, UGA, and Oregon (and Missouri in the Cotton Bowl, although that was from pure exhaustion because the offense played the worst game in OSU history).
** Jim Knowles in top 5 games at Ohio State: 2022 Michigan - 530 yards, 2022 Georgia - 533 yards, 2023 Michigan - 338 yards, 2024 Oregon - 496 yards 1,897 yards & 149 points
Ryan Day sets the tone for EVERYTHING inside the Woody... everything. Ohio State consistently losing the biggest games on the biggest stages since he took over for Meyer goes back to him. We have the EXACT same conversations annually on here... and it is now tiresome. This entire team, minus the true freshman and the transfers, all they know is losing in the biggest games, under the brightest lights, with Day as their HC. That HAS to change. Football is all about momentum and confidence, and this program, under Ryan Day, seems to have none of either in these match-talent games. Changing that starts with Day, and I wonder if he can turn it around.
Clemson loss: replay official cheated. Since when is possession +4 steps not a catch?
TCUN x3: Cheated
Georgia: Replay official cheated again. One of the most blatant targeting fouls ever is waved off. It cost us our best player, likely points, and they bragged about taking him out.
We played Alabama with half a team in a championship game.
+1, outstanding comment. Exactly how I feel. I do believe we can get it together and make a run, but I also believe that Day needs to get it done this year or his leash will be non-existent next year. 2025 isn't going to have $20 mil in NIL to return 10+ major starters. This is 100% the best chance he's ever going to have, aside from the already-missed 2019 and 2022 opportunities. There were legitimate reasons for those misses, but they can't be just discounted for that reason.
I've watched the game twice more after recording it. It looks worse each time. Ryan Day has a record of 2-5 against top 5 teams for a 28.6% success rate.
The apologists won't want to hear this, but the AD is likely going to want Day to win something at some point. "Still not elite" only works in Happy Valley.
Please tell me what record is acceptable in top 5 games.
Then go find me a coach that actually meets that standard. Every coach not named Saban are well below 50% in top 5 games if you go by end of season records (meaning shit like beating a #2 Notre Dame who ends up 8-4 doesn't count). Kirby is 9-5 by at time of game for example but by end of season rankings he's 4-6 because it eliminates shit like 10-3 Clemson in 2021. All 4 wins being 2021 & 2022. And two of those wins basically only happening because WRs on the opposing teams got injured. He's a Jamo & MHJ injury away from being 2-8.
I swear 99% of people who say Cooper era don’t actually know what the Cooper era was. The Cooper era was not winning all but one game a year and barely losing top 5 match ups. In 13 seasons Cooper lost 3+ games in all but 4 seasons (93, 95, 96, 98). Cooper won 2 bowl games his entire time here. Cooper was a good coach but he was never remotely close to elite. His teams faced the elite 90s programs (Miami, Nebraska, FSU) once and they got completely run off the field in the Sugar Bowl.
There are maybe 2 or 3 coaches better than Day in CFB right now. None of them would live up to the stupid ass standards yall have though.
Well said and backed with facts! These clowns who keep calling for Day’s termination offer no solution to the way ahead. Day is a top 5 coach, there aren’t many of those floating around. They ignore the fact that Michigan cheated when pointing out Day’s top 5 record, while screaming for the death penalty for Michigan in separate forums. They also ignore the egregious late game officiating that has impacted the outcome of games.
What available option is going to take OSU to plus percentage wins against top 5 teams? Ryan Day can frustrate but he’s running a clean program and isn’t embroiled in a “did he or didn’t he purposefully push a player” controversy like Kirby Smart. Sarkissian has certainly had ups and downs both on and off the field. Dan Lanning got the monkey off the back with this win and tons of Phil Knight money, Dabo’s ship isn’t on even keel. Kyle Whittingham is back down to earth without Rising, and so on.
Im not saying get rid of him. I think he’s a great guy, runs a clean program as you said, and hes a good man. And doesn’t have an ego like a lot of these coaches do.
But he doesn’t get a pass either A pattern is developing
Basically, the only coaches regularly involved in games against top 5 opponents are in the SEC or B1G. Kirby is 8-6 against top 4 opponents. Take away the UM games and Day is 2-3 which isn’t what we all want but, if only interested in wins, I wouldn’t trade him for anyone but Kirby Smart.
Regardless, who do you want that’s a proven commodity that would be interested in taking the job at OSU? OSU took a chance on Tressel but that only occurred due to OSU’s collapse in Cooper’s final two seasons. Does OSU fire one of its winningest coaches to bring in Jimmy Rogers or an unproven coordinator?
I’m not a huge Ryan Day supporter but there are no obvious candidates who would be an improvement. Fickell and Freeman aren’t of OSU standard, neither Urban nor Saban are coming out of retirement, the coaches I listed prior probably aren't the answer, and Kirby isn’t coming to OSU and most fans are probably ok with that. I don’t like that OSU has lost big games recently but OSU could do a hell of a lot worse than Day and there are no likely candidates to match his record or do better.
We are a public university so I assume if you have media credentials the sports information DIRECTOR can’t keep you from press conferences.
I feel the media following the team are more cheerleaders than journalists. Especially in press conferences. They seem timid.
Day needs to be asked questions such as do you think Jim K is earning his money? If you do, in what way? Then tell him how bad his defenses play in big games, particularly in the 4th quarter and get a response
jim Knowles needs to be asked that too.
Also, why wasn’t Burke pulled when he clearly was not on his game.
With the talent and resources at Ohio State, you need to be around 40-50%. Very few rational fans expect him to be 100% or even 75%. Day is closer to 30%. Even Tressel had a better record - not to mention the much longer leash that a natty deservedly provided him.
When Day wins a title, it will buy him another 4-5 years even if he never wins another playoff game. Which is how it should be. It's been 4 years since our last legitimate trophy or accomplishment and that's a long time at Ohio State.
Tressel did not have a better record. No idea what you’re smoking. Per end of season rankings his wins are 2002 Miami and that’s it. But he lost to 2005 Texas, 2005 Penn State, 2006 Florida, 2007 LSU, 2008 USC, & 2008 Texas. That’s a 1-6 record. The whole narrative the last 5 years of Tressel’s time was we were completely outclassed by elite schools cause from 2006-2009 we were 2-4 against top OOC teams with 3 of the 4 losses being complete blowouts
Thank you for mentioning that Lanning was not at all perfect and made the same mistakes he has been griefed with for the last year. I’ve yet to see one media person say that he also had an opportunity to call timeout and attempt to get the interception overturned, which is assuredly something I can see Day getting blasted for.
If you take everything I’ve accomplished in my life and condense it down to one day, it looks decent!
Lanning did fail to call a TO. By the end of the game he was winning. Because in between he had some brilliant coaching moves. Including one so clever the NCAA is looking at a rule change because of him. Day benefitted from an INT that was not called to get a TD. By the end of game Day was losing. At very end of game Day totally bungled time management so he stayed losing. Games are not determined by one play - they are determined by all the plays (and by player ability). Day coached a decent game but decent was not good enough, because if you don't stop the other team enough scoring yourself isn't enough. Modern offenses are tough to stop. But teams that win the big games consistently stop them enough. Day didn't. Lanning did.
Games are not determined by one play - they are determined by all the plays (and by player ability).
While this is true, the narratives are not ever formed in a way that objectively analyzes everything and usually throws out most common sense for sensationalism.
Between last weekend and the 2023 ND game, there was a total of one yard and one second that determined how every piece of media looked at the games. And that isn't fair. If they had one more second and kicked a FG, we'd all be talking about the great throw to Emeka or the defensive red zone stops, or maybe we all are saying even how dumb it was that they gave us 5 free yards. And if we get stuffed at ND, we'd have all been talking about how pathetic it was to only score 10 points and how awful Mccord was instead of calling it a gutsy performance.
In either case, the black and white analysis from everyone is absurd, and it seems to me that CFB is the worst of any sport in this regard.
If you take everything I’ve accomplished in my life and condense it down to one day, it looks decent!
Buckeyes need to IMPROVE PASS DEFENSE AND TACKLING.
Agreed.
Pass Defense: With inadequate DL pressure, a lot of receivers are fairly open — we've seen this in a lot of OSU games this year. Either OSU gives them too much cushion, or they blow right past DB's without help over the top. How is it that Oregon DB's were able to stay with OSU's receivers, but OSU can't cover the Ducks?
Tackling: How is it that Buckeye defenders are trying to tackle ball carriers by their shoulders, rather than their legs? With the ball carriers gaining 3-10 more yards before going down?
Is this apparent bend-but-don't break strategy working? Especially in big games?
Our honor defend, we'll fight to the end !
"it's not magic, it's fundamentals" that lead to Ohio State's success. - Ryan Day
With the tackling, great point, it’s like they lost the fundamentals and are either trying to strip the ball maybe and tackle high or they are afraid of tackling lower and getting called for targeting, which after watching so many games I swear the officials in all conferences don’t know how to call it or have their own interpretation.
I disagree that Coach Day learned a lesson. We were at/near FG range a run or QB sneak gets us into more range and FG.
Our team makes more mistakes in penalties and muscles. None other than Howard's mishandled snap which stopped a drive. The Red Zone penalties.
Knowles getting out coached again.
Agree, that all goals are on the table. No one else on our schedule scares me. I think we see them again Dec 7th.
Howard had overall a great game. I can't fault him for much if anything. Burke however, believed his own hype and dropped about 2-3 rounds in the draft as a result.
Personally, I'm frustrated so many people are commending and celebrating Lanning for the 12 men on the field antics to burn clock. While I understand its in the rules, I find that tactic to be a very unsportsmanlike way to play the game. No one thinks players faking injuries is ok, so why would the intentional 12 men on the field be viewed any differently? It also makes no sense to me why the NFL resets the clock when the penalty for this is on the defense and has been for several years, but the NCAA didn't adopt it.
Lanning did some ballsy stuff last year against Washington in those games and it cost Oregon. That luck is going to run out soon and I think they caught some breaks in playing the Bucks and there’s a lot of season left. Payback is a Bit** and I believe we will see them again and dish it out. For as much as I hate *ichigan, they have to play them at the crap house still and that environment won’t be a cake walk. Not saying *ichigan are world beaters, but that game will be interesting.
I wish people would stop pointing at the ‘14 team. That team did something we have literally never seen before in college football with the run they made.
We need to talk about Ryan Day teams. The ‘24 team is a $20M team. Yet the performance of this team on the big stage looks like the performance of other Ryan Day teams on the big stage. How can it be a loaded roster on defense cant get one turnover, one sack, and only two TFLs in a game? How can you leave one timeout on the board of a 1 point game? Did we hire the wrong players or the wrong coaches?
Every elite, nearly elite, or wannabe elite team spends millions upon millions on NIL. OSU is a very talented team but that doesn’t mean they are the only very talented team. Oregon, Texas, Georgia, etc., have very good rosters and have also spent many millions on player retention, recruiting, and transfers. Let the season play out before calling it a failure and waste of funds.
For reference, here’s an estimate of the top 15 individual NIL collectives by university.
Thanks. I appreciate the perspective. But the sample size with Ryan Day is too big at this point and spans years. For example in two losses to Oregon and Three losses to Michigan, OSU has a total of two sacks. Something is fundamentally broken in the way he prepares and coaches.
I get the math says its a long season. But nothing in Days resume leads me to believe he is beating Oregon, Texas, Georgia, or anything other top team this year.
1. The $20MM dollar team narrative is meaningless. There are lots of teams now with big bankrolls. Aside from that many teams are using those moneys to bring in transfers. Ohio State, for the most part, used those funds to retain players for a 4th or 5th season. A lot of my friends who aren't Buckeye fans constantly drop that line bc ESPN continues to reference it (bc of course they would).
2. Dan Lanning is getting way too much credit for this supposed "genius" strategy. It is hard to tell if the 12th man even impacted that play for certain. If the Bucks get a 10 yard gain to the 33 yard line on that play, the 5 penalty yards would have moved them to the 28 with a 45 yard attempt rather than a 50 and if they make it Lanning doesn't look so hot.
I understand that with a 12 team playoff and the BTCG still in the future this 1 point loss on the road does not close the door to the bigger goals.
That said it continues a couple worrisome trends this team has shown under Day in the last 5 years. That if not fixed, likely will cost them another game later in the year.
1 - in top 5-10 games the defense often fails to show up, nearly 500 yards allowed, no "big plays" from the D (sacks, TO's, TFL at a critical time etc)
Saturday - no TO's, no sacks, 2 TFL, allowed nearly 500 yards.
Vs UM LY - McCarthy completed 80% of his passes and down 3 with 8:05 to play, the defense simply could not get off the field and allowed UM to drive 56 yards in 12 plays to kick a 37 yard FG w/o a single negative play on the drive, (3-3 passing for 19 yards, 9 rushes for 37 yards with no TFL)
UGA in 22 - allows 533 yards and gives up 18 points in the final 16 minutes to blow a 14 point lead.
UM in 22 - allows 530 yards has 0 TO's, and only 1 sack allows 252 rushing yards for 7.2 YPC. gives up 21 points in the 4th quarter
UM in 21 - allows 487 yards including nearly 300 on the ground and down 8 with 4 mins to play and needing a stop, gives up 5 straight runs totaling 63 yards for a clinching TD
Bama in 20 - allows 621 yards and 52 points.allowing an 80% completion pct.
Even in the Clemson win we allowed over 400 passing yards but the offense was another level that night to give us the win.
2) Day's poor end of game Management - Saturday there is less than a minute to play and 1 Time Out left, the clock runs out, you dont even get a FG off and go home with the Time Out still in your pocket
ND game LY - wins on a 4th down run in part due to luck of ND only have 10 men on the field and OSU running the ball exactly where the 11th man should have been. Caused in part due to calling at TO with nearly 5 mins left to run a terrible WR sweep on 4th and 1 at the ND 11 earlier in the 4th, rather than kick the chip shot FG to pull within 1.
UGA game, poor play calling etc leads to a longer than needed FG att that is missed.
3) The on going special teams issues - On side kick lost Saturday, and multiple instances in the past that would be a laundry list, from botched fakes, KO's OB, muffed kicks, missed FGs and on and on.
Certainly there have been a couple games in which we lost due to the offense. But other than last year's game vs Mizzou, our other losses to teams who finished ranked the offense has scored 31, 24, 41, 23, 27, 28, 24, 23 for an average of 27.6 or essentially 4 TDs. But the defense has allowed 32+30+42+45+42+35+52+29 or an avg of 38.4, or 5 TD's and FG
If OSU gets into the playoff this year, I think Day needs to win a game or two. And this is u see the presumption that they beat TCUN to begin with. The biggest test that remains is another road game at another insanely loud stadium. Are we gonna see a series of presnap penalties again? Against a defense that is more stout against the run than Oregon was. So Will Howard will have to have the game of his life and as far as the defense, don’t ask. If Larry Johnson and Jim Knowles are still butting heads, that’s not a recipe for success
When telling the truth becomes a revolutionary concept, it’s wise to join the revolution
UGA and Tennessee both win this week. And I don’t think the Tennessee/Bama game will be particularly close. Tennessees defense is its strength, and Bamas defense is its weakness. That bodes well for the Volunteers.
Lot of season to play out. Kudos to the Ducks. I will eat my crow as I thought the Buckeyes would be able to control that game on the ground more than anything, on both sides of the ball. Was shocked Chip didn’t commit to the run more, especially after Trey started breaking some big ones. That’s a game in an environment like that, which calls for doing what you need to do to get a win. Throwing 35 times, even with Howards success, wasn’t the recipe to win. That should’ve been 12-15 carries for both Trey and Q and another 8-10 for Howard. Pound them, especially with their top DL out for the game, and their struggles defending the run. The runs were opening the RPOs. Keep it simple and make them stop it.
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Unlikely but possible: We could end up playing Oregon 2 more times... just sayin'.
Screw the Blue (and that gawd-awful yellow)
If we don’t beat Penn state we not only are not going to the big ten we are not going to playoffs. Be hard to pick us without a ranked win. Be weird to also play texas in the playoffs with a qb and that day chose mccord over.
Doug
Of we have close 2 losses to top 3 teams, we are absolutely in the play off.
if we lose close games on the road to 2 #3 teams we WILL be in the playoff still if we win all the others. would suck not getting chance for Big Ten title though --so just need to beat everyone here on out like the 2014 team did after a loss.
d, nothing like being 0-2 in a quick quip. OS goes 10-2 there's only a 100% chance for the playoff. Day/mcc had nothing to do with Ewers running back to Texas. A perennial all pro who plays in texas had everything to do with it.
Is this where one says nice try, because it was really quite pathetic.
lol. So your saying we would get in without a ranked win?depends on how the other teams play out. And why am I pathetic for calling it how I see it? If day would have chosen Quinn over McCord he would still be here
Doug
It is possible, OSU, Iowa, Indiana, Rutgers and Oregon all finish with one loss. That's what not having divisions and having unbalanced schedulingcauses.
Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect - Woody Hayes
And Penn State.
My favorite team? Whoever is playing TTUN.
lol, yes! Thank you, you are right, I checked their schedule. That would be hilarious if all 5 finish with 1 loss.
Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect - Woody Hayes
That kickoff to the face was classic
Couldn't have put it better. I was there. I lost my mind and my hearing. This stadium, this crowd, this mascot, this music...it was rockin' like no other I've ever experienced at 127 decibels. And I've been to most of the legendary ones both at The Shoe and away. All I can is WOW! And, regardless of missed opportunities, it was a great game and I guarantee we'll kick their waddling asses in Indy. We'll run the table to the Natty.!!!!!!
klusewski
Root for mayhem.
Ah… the fun of College Football Chaos.
OSU fans want to believe that we have a top tier coach. It's not clear that we do. First, if OR in fact changed its offensive philosophy, confusing our defense, what did Day do to OR? When OSU got a personal foul that moved up OR's kick off spot Lanning knew what to do. What unexpected, brilliant thing did Day do? Same question for the 12-men-on-the-field. And then there is the clock mismanagement that looks bad not just next to the opposing coach but in a vacuum. I don't know what coach to get instead, but OSU fans are right to wonder if Day can win on coaching if talent levels are close.
Our defense wasn’t confused. On basically every big play a guy either missed his assignment (coverage, tackle, or overplayed the run). Also our offense had 467 yards & 1 less point than Oregon
Lanning’s call wasn’t unexpected. We had the hands team on the field specifically for an onside kick.
Wow our coach didn’t cheat. Cool if the refs call the correct penalty we got 15 yards.
In the last five or six big games, Ohio State defense has not forced a punt by the opposition in the 4th quarter. The defense is overrated. Whether it’s scheme, players, or the defensive coordinator, they’re overrated. It will bite us in the end.
and Day simply doesn’t get it because he wants to play a video game versus football
A fan since the Randy Gradishar days
I know Bill sent this text out but our offenses haven't really been stopped either. UGA we scored a FG and missed a FG. 2023 Michigan we scored a TD then had the pick that wasn't caused by Michigan. Jackson fell into Kyle cause he tripped. And 2024 Oregon didn't stop us. We scored a FG and had a questionable OPI knock us out of FG range. If we make the kick against UGA or don't have the OPI against Oregon this entire narrative is drastically different
Why is a Caleb Downs, a safety, on the "hands team"? Why aren't receivers and backs, guys who handle the football a LOT in practice, on that team instead? Downs tried to jump out of the way of the football when it was coming towards him, he didn't try to secure it. Im not knocking Caleb Downs, Im just wondering why...
1) Downs, a safety, is on the hands team to begin with
AND
2) Why he tried to avoid the ball rather than catch and secure the ball
When I die, sprinkle my ashes over the 70's
Safeties are routinely on the hands team in the front as blockers. And he jumped cause it’s a natural reaction to a ball being bulleted at you when you’re not expecting it. We expected the onside kick but a bullet onside is not something teams really do cause it’s impossible to practice. There zero skill in doing it with a football due to the shape. And with that shape issue too you have zero idea where it’s gonna bounce.
Hodge's note was that our defense may have been prepared for the dink-and-dunk style that OR had been employing, not ready for the deep game. "Primarily, the Ducks lived through their short and intermediate passing game, so it wouldn’t be a total surprise if Burke and the rest of the Ohio State secondary prepared to defend short routes and were caught slightly off guard Oregon took so many deep shots." Don't downvote me for what Hodge said. But if our defense was prepared it was flat-out bad. And Knowles and Day did little about it. The holes in our zone were the same ones other teams had been finding but without the skill players to cash in. We were completely unprepared for a line drive on-side kick. It is something I have never seen in over 500 games I've watched. Lanning thought it up. (Who was on the field for us on the on-side kick that isn't normally on the field for kick-offs? Who was in our front line that made up the "hands team"?). And the 12 men on the field is no more cheating than intentional PI - it is using the rules to gain an advantage. Lanning knew it, Day didn't. And Day did not know the clock rules. The clock ran out and we still had an unused time-out!!! In your world Day has never done anything weak, OSU has never lost a game legitimately. In the real world Day seems to get outcoached too often, and OSU has accomplished little that we set out to do, little that the quality of our roster says we should be able to do. (What is the "correct" penalty the refs should have called? Are you saying there was defensive PI on Smith? Really? I have read a lot of people saying it was not OPI, but you are the first suggesting it was DPI.)
I can’t understand why someone who hates the head coach and the majority of fans, regularly comes to a fan site and takes the time to post comments. Says more about you than the fans you despise.
This and your other questions were answered in the article. Day was yelling at the officials about the 12 men, it literally states this above. What else could he have done in that moment that means your expectations?
GeorgiaBuckeye
My writing is not difficult to understand, I'll try to rephrase. One reader accused Lanning of cheating by putting 12 men on the field. I said that Lanning did not cheat, he knew the rules and used them to his advantage. My question was: what obscure rule did Day know that he used to OSU's advantage? I can not think of one. Nor can I think of anything that Day did as creative as a line-drive on-side kick. Can you? What Day did do was totally mismanage time at the end of game by letting clock run when he had a time out. As for why I'm here - because I can love OSU and think players choked and coaches got outcoached. I don't despise fans, I despise people who don't know the game but won't admit it, and try to silence those they disagree with.
I think he gets a little too much credit for beating the likes of Alcorn State and Youngstown State. Need to beat a decent team once in a while.
Robert M
It’s incredible that people could down vote this. Good coaches beat other good coaches. Ryan Day’s claim to fame is beating James Franklin and Marcus Freeman.
This is gonna come off like a homer but what defense out there are championship caliber? I feel like college football fans hold defenses to the standard that they haven't been allowed to meet since RPOs became a thing. If you look at the national champs since the start of the CFP the championship defense has been shredded in at least one big game:
2014 OSU vs Sparty & Bama had over 30 points, Sparty had 536 yards, Oregon had 20 points but got 465 yards
2015 Bama vs Clemson had 40 points & 550 yards
2016 Clemson vs UL & Lamar Jackson had 36 points & 568 yards
2017 Bama - None
2018 Clemson - USC had 35 points & 600 yards
2019 LSU - Three games with over 500 yards and 35 points given up
2020 Bama - Ole Miss had 650 yards & 48 points. Florida had 460 yards and 46 points
2021 UGA - Bama had 536 yards and 41 points
2022 UGA - OSU had 467 yards & 41 points. Even LSU had 550 and 30 points
2023 Michigan - They cheated and even then a relatively mediocre OSU offense got 24 points and averaged 6.5 yards per play
In modern CFB defenses just aren't going to be able to hold top offenses under 25 points and 400 yards like the old days.
It’s not about total yards and points. It’s when it’s in the fourth quarter and Europe your defense needs to make one or two steps. Our defense doesn’t do that.
It’s not about total yards and points. It’s when it’s in the fourth quarter your defense needs to make one or two stops. Our defense doesn’t do that. The results show it
The coach would rather play video game football, than win the line of scrimmage.
A fan since the Randy Gradishar days
Okay name a defense that makes that stop. Oregon let us get into FG range. 2022 UGA let us get into FG range. 2021 UGA got obliterated by Bama the first time and was on their way to getting obliterated before Jamo got hurt. 2020 Bama & 2019 LSU didn't make any 4th quarter stops in their bad games in top games. Has Knowles' defense been good in these games? No. Do they need to make stops in these games late in the game? Yes. But there are very few defenses in the modern era that are stopping top offenses.
Per 274 composite, we have a roster talent advantage over them. And it’s meaningful.
I don’t know about other teams, because I haven’t studied them, but I think it’s pitiful that in the 22 and 23 Michigan games, the Georgia game, and this past weekends game, we did not force one 4th quarter punt.
A fan since the Randy Gradishar days
Talent advantage over who and in what phase of the game? The Ohio State offense every time scores points against playoff caliber teams. As stated above all playoff teams are struggling on defense.
Do you believe that Michigan cheated or they didn’t? Because the NCAA believes they cheated.
GeorgiaBuckeye
They cheated. We have a talent advantage over Oregon by meaningful amount.
A fan since the Randy Gradishar days
All playoff teams are struggling on defense and we've seen final drives to win games in a ton of these playoff games unless the opposing offense gets the ball with like zero time left. Just off the top of my head you got, 85 yards through Heart of the South where Bama didn't get the stop they needed and neither did Ohio State on the next drive, 2016 Clemson-Bama traded TDs on the final like 3 or 4 drives, 2017 UGA-Oklahoma and UGA-Bama were both huge comebacks by the winner. Obviously 2019 Clemson scored on the final drive & OSU drove the field to be in position with 30 seconds left. 2022 UGA-OSU both teams scored or were in scoring range on their final drives. 2023 Bama allowed Michigan to go right up the field to tie the game. I'm struggling to think of a close playoff game where the winning score wasn't in the final 2 minutes or a potential game tying/game winning drive was just completely shut down to win the game
Losses: Clemson, TTUN x 3, Alabama, UGA, Oregon
Wins: Clemson, ND
Wouldn't that be 2-7 Vs top-5 teams, or is there a technicality, like one of those ttun teams was #6 in the AP & 5 in the coaches poll?
We can continue to talk ourselves into believing that there are good, rational reasons for Day's big-game failures, and maybe there are, but it doesn't change the bottom line. Ryan Day is not getting it done... he just isn't.
A good part of the reason is because he's been F'd over by dog shit defensive performances in six of those seven losses, but he hired, AND RETAINED (Im especially lookin at you, Kerry Coombs), the DCs.
** Jim Knowles' defense has failed to force a punt in the 4th quarter Vs ttun x2, UGA, and Oregon (and Missouri in the Cotton Bowl, although that was from pure exhaustion because the offense played the worst game in OSU history).
** Jim Knowles in top 5 games at Ohio State: 2022 Michigan - 530 yards, 2022 Georgia - 533 yards, 2023 Michigan - 338 yards, 2024 Oregon - 496 yards 1,897 yards & 149 points
Ryan Day sets the tone for EVERYTHING inside the Woody... everything. Ohio State consistently losing the biggest games on the biggest stages since he took over for Meyer goes back to him. We have the EXACT same conversations annually on here... and it is now tiresome. This entire team, minus the true freshman and the transfers, all they know is losing in the biggest games, under the brightest lights, with Day as their HC. That HAS to change. Football is all about momentum and confidence, and this program, under Ryan Day, seems to have none of either in these match-talent games. Changing that starts with Day, and I wonder if he can turn it around.
When I die, sprinkle my ashes over the 70's
Clemson loss: replay official cheated. Since when is possession +4 steps not a catch?
TCUN x3: Cheated
Georgia: Replay official cheated again. One of the most blatant targeting fouls ever is waved off. It cost us our best player, likely points, and they bragged about taking him out.
We played Alabama with half a team in a championship game.
His record against Michigan, top 10 opponents, bowl games sucks. Sucks meaning the Ohio State standard.
A fan since the Randy Gradishar days
Fuck Kirby Smart and Fuck Javon Bullard and UGA. They should all be fired into the sun
When telling the truth becomes a revolutionary concept, it’s wise to join the revolution
Good info
A fan since the Randy Gradishar days
+1, outstanding comment. Exactly how I feel. I do believe we can get it together and make a run, but I also believe that Day needs to get it done this year or his leash will be non-existent next year. 2025 isn't going to have $20 mil in NIL to return 10+ major starters. This is 100% the best chance he's ever going to have, aside from the already-missed 2019 and 2022 opportunities. There were legitimate reasons for those misses, but they can't be just discounted for that reason.
We can't stop here; this is bat country...
Now imagine if Lathan didn't run out of gas and managed to house that missed PAT...
I've watched the game twice more after recording it. It looks worse each time. Ryan Day has a record of 2-5 against top 5 teams for a 28.6% success rate.
The apologists won't want to hear this, but the AD is likely going to want Day to win something at some point. "Still not elite" only works in Happy Valley.
Robert M
Please tell me what record is acceptable in top 5 games.
Then go find me a coach that actually meets that standard. Every coach not named Saban are well below 50% in top 5 games if you go by end of season records (meaning shit like beating a #2 Notre Dame who ends up 8-4 doesn't count). Kirby is 9-5 by at time of game for example but by end of season rankings he's 4-6 because it eliminates shit like 10-3 Clemson in 2021. All 4 wins being 2021 & 2022. And two of those wins basically only happening because WRs on the opposing teams got injured. He's a Jamo & MHJ injury away from being 2-8.
He’s far from it, but he’s trending towards John COOPER territory. And every Buckeye fan that was around then hated that era.
A fan since the Randy Gradishar days
I swear 99% of people who say Cooper era don’t actually know what the Cooper era was. The Cooper era was not winning all but one game a year and barely losing top 5 match ups. In 13 seasons Cooper lost 3+ games in all but 4 seasons (93, 95, 96, 98). Cooper won 2 bowl games his entire time here. Cooper was a good coach but he was never remotely close to elite. His teams faced the elite 90s programs (Miami, Nebraska, FSU) once and they got completely run off the field in the Sugar Bowl.
There are maybe 2 or 3 coaches better than Day in CFB right now. None of them would live up to the stupid ass standards yall have though.
Well said and backed with facts! These clowns who keep calling for Day’s termination offer no solution to the way ahead. Day is a top 5 coach, there aren’t many of those floating around. They ignore the fact that Michigan cheated when pointing out Day’s top 5 record, while screaming for the death penalty for Michigan in separate forums. They also ignore the egregious late game officiating that has impacted the outcome of games.
GeorgiaBuckeye
What available option is going to take OSU to plus percentage wins against top 5 teams? Ryan Day can frustrate but he’s running a clean program and isn’t embroiled in a “did he or didn’t he purposefully push a player” controversy like Kirby Smart. Sarkissian has certainly had ups and downs both on and off the field. Dan Lanning got the monkey off the back with this win and tons of Phil Knight money, Dabo’s ship isn’t on even keel. Kyle Whittingham is back down to earth without Rising, and so on.
The Velvet Frog
Im not saying get rid of him. I think he’s a great guy, runs a clean program as you said, and hes a good man. And doesn’t have an ego like a lot of these coaches do.
But he doesn’t get a pass either A pattern is developing
A fan since the Randy Gradishar days
Can’t say it much better than that.
I’m sorry, I can’t hear hippies. - Ron Swanson
Look at that other coaches ineptitude has nothing to do with my team. Be at least 500 or find yourself on a train out of town.
A fan since the Randy Gradishar days
Basically, the only coaches regularly involved in games against top 5 opponents are in the SEC or B1G. Kirby is 8-6 against top 4 opponents. Take away the UM games and Day is 2-3 which isn’t what we all want but, if only interested in wins, I wouldn’t trade him for anyone but Kirby Smart.
https://247sports.com/longformarticle/college-football-rankings-coaches-...
or, a more exhaustive but older list
https://www.teamspeedkills.com/2014/8/21/6052897/college-football-coache...
The Velvet Frog
If I take away Irving’s shot in 2016, Cavs lose the Title. If Tom Brady loses all his super bowls he’s not the goat.
The loses to Michigan count
A fan since the Randy Gradishar days
Regardless, who do you want that’s a proven commodity that would be interested in taking the job at OSU? OSU took a chance on Tressel but that only occurred due to OSU’s collapse in Cooper’s final two seasons. Does OSU fire one of its winningest coaches to bring in Jimmy Rogers or an unproven coordinator?
I’m not a huge Ryan Day supporter but there are no obvious candidates who would be an improvement. Fickell and Freeman aren’t of OSU standard, neither Urban nor Saban are coming out of retirement, the coaches I listed prior probably aren't the answer, and Kirby isn’t coming to OSU and most fans are probably ok with that. I don’t like that OSU has lost big games recently but OSU could do a hell of a lot worse than Day and there are no likely candidates to match his record or do better.
The Velvet Frog
We are a public university so I assume if you have media credentials the sports information DIRECTOR can’t keep you from press conferences.
I feel the media following the team are more cheerleaders than journalists. Especially in press conferences. They seem timid.
Day needs to be asked questions such as do you think Jim K is earning his money? If you do, in what way? Then tell him how bad his defenses play in big games, particularly in the 4th quarter and get a response
jim Knowles needs to be asked that too.
Also, why wasn’t Burke pulled when he clearly was not on his game.
A fan since the Randy Gradishar days
With the talent and resources at Ohio State, you need to be around 40-50%. Very few rational fans expect him to be 100% or even 75%. Day is closer to 30%. Even Tressel had a better record - not to mention the much longer leash that a natty deservedly provided him.
When Day wins a title, it will buy him another 4-5 years even if he never wins another playoff game. Which is how it should be. It's been 4 years since our last legitimate trophy or accomplishment and that's a long time at Ohio State.
We can't stop here; this is bat country...
Tressel did not have a better record. No idea what you’re smoking. Per end of season rankings his wins are 2002 Miami and that’s it. But he lost to 2005 Texas, 2005 Penn State, 2006 Florida, 2007 LSU, 2008 USC, & 2008 Texas. That’s a 1-6 record. The whole narrative the last 5 years of Tressel’s time was we were completely outclassed by elite schools cause from 2006-2009 we were 2-4 against top OOC teams with 3 of the 4 losses being complete blowouts
The 2001 loss to UCLA was one of the worst Buckeye performances I’ve witnessed. People forget that Tressel oversaw some truly awful performances.
The Velvet Frog
Thank you for mentioning that Lanning was not at all perfect and made the same mistakes he has been griefed with for the last year. I’ve yet to see one media person say that he also had an opportunity to call timeout and attempt to get the interception overturned, which is assuredly something I can see Day getting blasted for.
If you take everything I’ve accomplished in my life and condense it down to one day, it looks decent!
Lanning did fail to call a TO. By the end of the game he was winning. Because in between he had some brilliant coaching moves. Including one so clever the NCAA is looking at a rule change because of him. Day benefitted from an INT that was not called to get a TD. By the end of game Day was losing. At very end of game Day totally bungled time management so he stayed losing. Games are not determined by one play - they are determined by all the plays (and by player ability). Day coached a decent game but decent was not good enough, because if you don't stop the other team enough scoring yourself isn't enough. Modern offenses are tough to stop. But teams that win the big games consistently stop them enough. Day didn't. Lanning did.
While this is true, the narratives are not ever formed in a way that objectively analyzes everything and usually throws out most common sense for sensationalism.
Between last weekend and the 2023 ND game, there was a total of one yard and one second that determined how every piece of media looked at the games. And that isn't fair. If they had one more second and kicked a FG, we'd all be talking about the great throw to Emeka or the defensive red zone stops, or maybe we all are saying even how dumb it was that they gave us 5 free yards. And if we get stuffed at ND, we'd have all been talking about how pathetic it was to only score 10 points and how awful Mccord was instead of calling it a gutsy performance.
In either case, the black and white analysis from everyone is absurd, and it seems to me that CFB is the worst of any sport in this regard.
If you take everything I’ve accomplished in my life and condense it down to one day, it looks decent!
Biddy biddy boom boom
“In Europe, every morning game is a night time game. GO BUCKEYES!”
Great write up!
It is a weird year. I wouldn’t be shocked at all if Georgia beats Texas
Cheering hard for the Illini and def keeping an eye on the Nebraska game.
"In weightlifting, I don't think sudden, uncontrolled urination should automatically disqualify you."
-Jack Handey
Oregon game is over. Let's move on. In addition to left tackle replacement, Buckeyes need to IMPROVE PASS DEFENSE AND TACKLING..
Atlanta Buckeye
Agreed.
Pass Defense: With inadequate DL pressure, a lot of receivers are fairly open — we've seen this in a lot of OSU games this year. Either OSU gives them too much cushion, or they blow right past DB's without help over the top. How is it that Oregon DB's were able to stay with OSU's receivers, but OSU can't cover the Ducks?
Tackling: How is it that Buckeye defenders are trying to tackle ball carriers by their shoulders, rather than their legs? With the ball carriers gaining 3-10 more yards before going down?
Is this apparent bend-but-don't break strategy working? Especially in big games?
Our honor defend, we'll fight to the end !
"it's not magic, it's fundamentals" that lead to Ohio State's success. - Ryan Day
With the tackling, great point, it’s like they lost the fundamentals and are either trying to strip the ball maybe and tackle high or they are afraid of tackling lower and getting called for targeting, which after watching so many games I swear the officials in all conferences don’t know how to call it or have their own interpretation.
BuckeyeBaylee11
Burke not only got burned several times on the deep ball, he made up for it by not being able to tackle
When telling the truth becomes a revolutionary concept, it’s wise to join the revolution
Thanks Garrick. Your’s is repeatedly the best column on 11W.
The Velvet Frog
I disagree that Coach Day learned a lesson. We were at/near FG range a run or QB sneak gets us into more range and FG.
Our team makes more mistakes in penalties and muscles. None other than Howard's mishandled snap which stopped a drive. The Red Zone penalties.
Knowles getting out coached again.
Agree, that all goals are on the table. No one else on our schedule scares me. I think we see them again Dec 7th.
We were in FG range. Right hash. Run left and call your TO. Kick. Ballgame. Instead…
I’m sorry, I can’t hear hippies. - Ron Swanson
Howard had overall a great game. I can't fault him for much if anything. Burke however, believed his own hype and dropped about 2-3 rounds in the draft as a result.
OSUAlumInAZ
Should’ve kicked the FG as soon as they were in range. Day hasn’t learned anything.
If you can’t make a fourth and one, you don't deserve to win.
Too much time left, especially with the way our DBs were getting cooked.
Nice to see TCUN sandwiched by the service academies.
OSUAlumInAZ
Personally, I'm frustrated so many people are commending and celebrating Lanning for the 12 men on the field antics to burn clock. While I understand its in the rules, I find that tactic to be a very unsportsmanlike way to play the game. No one thinks players faking injuries is ok, so why would the intentional 12 men on the field be viewed any differently? It also makes no sense to me why the NFL resets the clock when the penalty for this is on the defense and has been for several years, but the NCAA didn't adopt it.
KY Buckeye
Lanning did some ballsy stuff last year against Washington in those games and it cost Oregon. That luck is going to run out soon and I think they caught some breaks in playing the Bucks and there’s a lot of season left. Payback is a Bit** and I believe we will see them again and dish it out. For as much as I hate *ichigan, they have to play them at the crap house still and that environment won’t be a cake walk. Not saying *ichigan are world beaters, but that game will be interesting.
BuckeyeBaylee11
I wish people would stop pointing at the ‘14 team. That team did something we have literally never seen before in college football with the run they made.
We need to talk about Ryan Day teams. The ‘24 team is a $20M team. Yet the performance of this team on the big stage looks like the performance of other Ryan Day teams on the big stage. How can it be a loaded roster on defense cant get one turnover, one sack, and only two TFLs in a game? How can you leave one timeout on the board of a 1 point game? Did we hire the wrong players or the wrong coaches?
Every elite, nearly elite, or wannabe elite team spends millions upon millions on NIL. OSU is a very talented team but that doesn’t mean they are the only very talented team. Oregon, Texas, Georgia, etc., have very good rosters and have also spent many millions on player retention, recruiting, and transfers. Let the season play out before calling it a failure and waste of funds.
For reference, here’s an estimate of the top 15 individual NIL collectives by university.
https://www.on3.com/nil/news/on3s-top-15-nil-collectives-in-college-sports/
The Velvet Frog
Thanks. I appreciate the perspective. But the sample size with Ryan Day is too big at this point and spans years. For example in two losses to Oregon and Three losses to Michigan, OSU has a total of two sacks. Something is fundamentally broken in the way he prepares and coaches.
I get the math says its a long season. But nothing in Days resume leads me to believe he is beating Oregon, Texas, Georgia, or anything other top team this year.
Couple of things that come to mind for me.
1. The $20MM dollar team narrative is meaningless. There are lots of teams now with big bankrolls. Aside from that many teams are using those moneys to bring in transfers. Ohio State, for the most part, used those funds to retain players for a 4th or 5th season. A lot of my friends who aren't Buckeye fans constantly drop that line bc ESPN continues to reference it (bc of course they would).
2. Dan Lanning is getting way too much credit for this supposed "genius" strategy. It is hard to tell if the 12th man even impacted that play for certain. If the Bucks get a 10 yard gain to the 33 yard line on that play, the 5 penalty yards would have moved them to the 28 with a 45 yard attempt rather than a 50 and if they make it Lanning doesn't look so hot.
It WAS a fumble. He took 4 steps.
I'm taking the opposite 4 teams on your first 4 picks.
I understand that with a 12 team playoff and the BTCG still in the future this 1 point loss on the road does not close the door to the bigger goals.
That said it continues a couple worrisome trends this team has shown under Day in the last 5 years. That if not fixed, likely will cost them another game later in the year.
1 - in top 5-10 games the defense often fails to show up, nearly 500 yards allowed, no "big plays" from the D (sacks, TO's, TFL at a critical time etc)
Saturday - no TO's, no sacks, 2 TFL, allowed nearly 500 yards.
Vs UM LY - McCarthy completed 80% of his passes and down 3 with 8:05 to play, the defense simply could not get off the field and allowed UM to drive 56 yards in 12 plays to kick a 37 yard FG w/o a single negative play on the drive, (3-3 passing for 19 yards, 9 rushes for 37 yards with no TFL)
UGA in 22 - allows 533 yards and gives up 18 points in the final 16 minutes to blow a 14 point lead.
UM in 22 - allows 530 yards has 0 TO's, and only 1 sack allows 252 rushing yards for 7.2 YPC. gives up 21 points in the 4th quarter
UM in 21 - allows 487 yards including nearly 300 on the ground and down 8 with 4 mins to play and needing a stop, gives up 5 straight runs totaling 63 yards for a clinching TD
Bama in 20 - allows 621 yards and 52 points.allowing an 80% completion pct.
Even in the Clemson win we allowed over 400 passing yards but the offense was another level that night to give us the win.
2) Day's poor end of game Management - Saturday there is less than a minute to play and 1 Time Out left, the clock runs out, you dont even get a FG off and go home with the Time Out still in your pocket
ND game LY - wins on a 4th down run in part due to luck of ND only have 10 men on the field and OSU running the ball exactly where the 11th man should have been. Caused in part due to calling at TO with nearly 5 mins left to run a terrible WR sweep on 4th and 1 at the ND 11 earlier in the 4th, rather than kick the chip shot FG to pull within 1.
UGA game, poor play calling etc leads to a longer than needed FG att that is missed.
3) The on going special teams issues - On side kick lost Saturday, and multiple instances in the past that would be a laundry list, from botched fakes, KO's OB, muffed kicks, missed FGs and on and on.
Certainly there have been a couple games in which we lost due to the offense. But other than last year's game vs Mizzou, our other losses to teams who finished ranked the offense has scored 31, 24, 41, 23, 27, 28, 24, 23 for an average of 27.6 or essentially 4 TDs. But the defense has allowed 32+30+42+45+42+35+52+29 or an avg of 38.4, or 5 TD's and FG
If OSU gets into the playoff this year, I think Day needs to win a game or two. And this is u see the presumption that they beat TCUN to begin with. The biggest test that remains is another road game at another insanely loud stadium. Are we gonna see a series of presnap penalties again? Against a defense that is more stout against the run than Oregon was. So Will Howard will have to have the game of his life and as far as the defense, don’t ask. If Larry Johnson and Jim Knowles are still butting heads, that’s not a recipe for success
When telling the truth becomes a revolutionary concept, it’s wise to join the revolution
UGA and Tennessee both win this week. And I don’t think the Tennessee/Bama game will be particularly close. Tennessees defense is its strength, and Bamas defense is its weakness. That bodes well for the Volunteers.
Lot of season to play out. Kudos to the Ducks. I will eat my crow as I thought the Buckeyes would be able to control that game on the ground more than anything, on both sides of the ball. Was shocked Chip didn’t commit to the run more, especially after Trey started breaking some big ones. That’s a game in an environment like that, which calls for doing what you need to do to get a win. Throwing 35 times, even with Howards success, wasn’t the recipe to win. That should’ve been 12-15 carries for both Trey and Q and another 8-10 for Howard. Pound them, especially with their top DL out for the game, and their struggles defending the run. The runs were opening the RPOs. Keep it simple and make them stop it.
You're too stupid to have a good time. -Dalton