Ohio State Football 2015 [Defending National Champions]

**bucksfan2** · 12-11-2015, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by GAC

Cardale may have went into the season as a Heisman candidate after his late season performances last year; but IMO he simply got exposed this year. Talented kid, but doesn't have a good head on his shoulders.

This team really got hurt offensively when Herman left.

I want to see what happens with the defense now that Ash s gone.

It was a cluster of a season at the QB position. I thought Cardale played very well against Va Tech. I also think the loss of Noah Brown (I think) really hurt the team on offense that left them short at the WR position. All season long they tried to stick a square peg in a round hole with the personal as well as play calling. I think for too long OSU tried too long to make sure Braxton got enough touches instead of making sure he grew as a WR. Had Braxton grown as a WR and not the continual effort to get him the ball in the wildcat and on reverses, this team could have been better off.

The team never played to Cardale's strengths. Even with Barrett at QB they had, what, two good offensive performances? The team never clicked on offense, the play calling, as documented, was stale and predictable. I have watched OSU's run through Wisconsin, Alabama, and Oregon over and over again. What I saw with Cardale was not only the read option, him running the ball, but his ability to make plays. His ability to scramble and make great throws. He made some plays and throws last season that neither he or JT made this season. Maybe it was playing with house money, maybe it was playing with low expectations, or maybe it was him on a roll. Whatever it was, they never were able to harness it this season.

**BuckeyeRed27** · 12-11-2015, 02:48 PM

Greg Schiano is going to replace Chris Ash as the Co DC. I like it.

**RiverRat13** · 12-11-2015, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by BuckeyeRed27

Greg Schiano is going to replace Chris Ash as the Co DC. I like it.

That seems like a huge get. He should help recruiting in NJ and Florida, too.

**BillDoran** · 12-11-2015, 02:59 PM

Hard not to like the hire. Doesn't have a ton of credentials as a defensive coordinator (because he moved pretty quickly from DB coach to head coach), but what experience he does have running a D is impressive, per Wikipedia:

Schiano served as defensive coordinator for the University of Miami from 1999 to 2000. In 1999, UM finished the year ranked 12th in the NCAA's Division I-A in points allowed per game (17.2), and in 2000 moved up to 5th (15.5 points allowed per game). His brief 18-month stint at Miami and his roots in New Jersey made him a candidate for his next position as head coach at Rutgers University.

**GAC** · 12-12-2015, 03:49 AM

Originally Posted by bucksfan2

It was a cluster of a season at the QB position. I thought Cardale played very well against Va Tech. I also think the loss of Noah Brown (I think) really hurt the team on offense that left them short at the WR position. All season long they tried to stick a square peg in a round hole with the personal as well as play calling. I think for too long OSU tried too long to make sure Braxton got enough touches instead of making sure he grew as a WR. Had Braxton grown as a WR and not the continual effort to get him the ball in the wildcat and on reverses, this team could have been better off.

The team never played to Cardale's strengths. Even with Barrett at QB they had, what, two good offensive performances? The team never clicked on offense, the play calling, as documented, was stale and predictable. I have watched OSU's run through Wisconsin, Alabama, and Oregon over and over again. What I saw with Cardale was not only the read option, him running the ball, but his ability to make plays. His ability to scramble and make great throws. He made some plays and throws last season that neither he or JT made this season. Maybe it was playing with house money, maybe it was playing with low expectations, or maybe it was him on a roll. Whatever it was, they never were able to harness it this season.

I think you're spot on here. Braxton was an "enigma" to me this season. Never really caught on, fit into the offensive scheme, like I thought he would.

I might be wrong as rain here, but I'm gong to throw it out anyway ...... I thought this team, offensively, wasn't very balanced in their attack. Sure, you have one of the best RBs in Eliot, as well as two solid option (running) QBs, so running the ball was their forte. But they seemed, IMO, to over-emphasize this, become very predicable, because they ignored that down field threat when it came to their passing game... Thomas, Marshal, and yes, even Miller.

MSU exploited that, stacked/controlled the line of scrimmage, stop the run, and dared OSU to try and open it up ... and OSU (play calling) played right into their hands IMO.

**Assembly Hall** · 12-12-2015, 04:10 AM

Originally Posted by GAC

I think you're spot on here. Braxton was an "enigma" to me this season. Never really caught on, fit into the offensive scheme, like I thought he would.

I might be wrong as rain here, but I'm gong to throw it out anyway ...... I thought this team, offensively, wasn't very balanced in their attack. Sure, you have one of the best RBs in Eliot, as well as two solid option (running) QBs, so running the ball was their forte. But they seemed, IMO, to over-emphasize this, become very predicable, because they ignored that down field threat when it came to their passing game... Thomas, Marshal, and yes, even Miller.

MSU exploited that, stacked/controlled the line of scrimmage, stop the run, and dared OSU to try and open it up ... and OSU (play calling) played right into their hands IMO.

Very well said.

**bucksfan2** · 12-14-2015, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by GAC

I think you're spot on here. Braxton was an "enigma" to me this season. Never really caught on, fit into the offensive scheme, like I thought he would.

I might be wrong as rain here, but I'm gong to throw it out anyway ...... I thought this team, offensively, wasn't very balanced in their attack. Sure, you have one of the best RBs in Eliot, as well as two solid option (running) QBs, so running the ball was their forte. But they seemed, IMO, to over-emphasize this, become very predicable, because they ignored that down field threat when it came to their passing game... Thomas, Marshal, and yes, even Miller.

MSU exploited that, stacked/controlled the line of scrimmage, stop the run, and dared OSU to try and open it up ... and OSU (play calling) played right into their hands IMO.

There was a ton of hoopla with Braxton at WR this season. ESPN did a segment on his transition, having Joey Galloway give him tips and what not. I wonder if the first game was fools gold with Braxton, who put on one heck of a show. I understand the idea of getting Braxton the ball in the wildcat, but the team needed him more in the slot or at WR than doing what Marshall was capable of doing.

Hindsight is 20/20 but I wonder when Urban and company look back if they are disappointed in Braxton's usage. IMO if Braxton lines up at WR starting with Hawaii and through the entire season, the decimated WR corps may just have looked impressive in November.

**Assembly Hall** · 12-14-2015, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by bucksfan2

There was a ton of hoopla with Braxton at WR this season. ESPN did a segment on his transition, having Joey Galloway give him tips and what not. I wonder if the first game was fools gold with Braxton, who put on one heck of a show. I understand the idea of getting Braxton the ball in the wildcat, but the team needed him more in the slot or at WR than doing what Marshall was capable of doing.

Hindsight is 20/20 but I wonder when Urban and company look back if they are disappointed in Braxton's usage. IMO if Braxton lines up at WR starting with Hawaii and through the entire season, the decimated WR corps may just have looked impressive in November.