Originally Posted by
D-Man
Much like last year, the defense isn't 7 ppg/against good. . . On several occasions this year, they have managed to escape dangerous scoring threats by coming up with a good play at a clutch moment.
But that is what good defense's do though.
I imagine that those key plays won't come as easily against a good offense. It's a bend-not-break unit, one that will be exposed sooner or later.
I would have believed that if it were last year. And I even stated that then. But I think that this year's defensive squad is better. They have played the Big Ten's top overall offense's in Purdue and MSU, and shut them down.
The good news is that this is the type of club that Tressel likes to coach. He loves to run the ball, kick field goals, and win close games. He never quite "got it" the past few years when his offense was loaded with weapons. This team strikes me as a better match between his coaching preferences and the guys he deploys.
I think the term "Tressellball" got a little overplayed IMO. He was pretty aggressive last year, and has been so this year too. They have had a very balanced attack IMO.
I am impressed with Boeckman, and I had questions going into this season. Especially after losing guys like Ginn, Gamble, and Gonzalez. But kids like Robiskie, Hartline, and Small have stepped up big time IMO.
Hypothetical question: if OSU loses a game, could they still play for the title? Given the wackiness of 2007, I imagine that they could. Among the one-loss teams, I would say that only LSU and Oregon would have better claims on the title game at this point, and neither of those teams have cakewalks from here on out.
No way does OSU get in. Late season losses are killers. And the so-called experts have been rooting and hoping for an OSU loss for the last few weeks. They are looking for an excuse. I think they are upset because they got burned last year for riding that OSU bandwagon going into the NC game vs Florida.
Hypothetically - if OSU and BC get into the NC game, then here is a "head to head" matchup.....
Code:
OSU DEFENSE BC OFFENSE
Points/Game 8.9 (1) 32.0 (62)
Rush Yards/Game 70.9 (6) 130.5 (175)
Pass Yards/Game 143.7 (5) 307.6 (15)
Total Yards/Game 214.6 (1) 438.1 (38)
Third Down Pct. 29.7% (20) 42.5% (71)
Fourth Down Pct. 62.5% (200) 55.6% (214)
Sacks 27 (12) 13 (63)
Sack Yards -169 (27) -72 (41)
Rushing TDs 2 (2) 12 (131)
Passing TDs 3 (1) 19 (28)
Carries/Game 265 (20) 260 (213)
Yards/Carry 2.4 (8) 4.0 (127)
Completion Pct. 53.4% (138) 60.7% (73)
Yards/Pass Attempt 4.5 (1) 6.8 (122)
Pass Rating 87.4 (2) 130.9 (83)
AVG NCAA Ranking 20.2 66.2
Code:
OSU OFFENSE BC OFFENSE
Points/Game 34.6 (45) 32.0 (62)
Rush Yards/Game 198.7 (52) 130.5 (175)
Pass Yards/Game 220.6 (109) 307.6 (15)
Total Yards/Game 419.2 (61) 438.1 (38)
Third Down Pct. 49.6% (17) 42.5% (71)
Fourth Down Pct. 55.6% (83) 55.6% (82)
Sacks 10 (38) 13 (63)
Sack Yards -75 (69) -72 (41)
Rushing TDs 12 (135) 12 (131)
Passing TDs 22 (15) 19 (28)
Carries/Game 392 (22) 260 (213)
Yards/Carry 4.6 (61) 4.0 (127)
Completion Pct. 66.3% (98) 60.7% (73)
Yards/Pass Attempt 8.3 (29) 6.8 (122)
Pass Rating 159.3 (16) 130.9 (83)
Avg. NCAA Ranking 38.6 60.2
Obviously, Tressell's game plan would be ball control and clock management in order to keep BC QB Ryan off the field. And that would call for running the ball. The problem is that BC is #1 in the nation in stopping the run (55.1 RYPG).
But on the other hand - BC relies heavily on their passing game, and is average in running the ball.
Could be an interesting matchup. I think it would be a high scoring affair IMO, and possibly a quite thrilling NC game.