Time for the weekly feature, discussing the keys to victory in Saturday’s game.
Let’s get right to it…what do you want to see on Saturday? Here’s The BBC’s list;
1) Beanie Wells, Beanie Wells, Beanie Wells – By now we’ve all heard the news that Tressel says Beanie is “doubtful for the game” against USC. For those of you new to college football and Ohio State, get off that ledge. For those of you who have paid attention to Jim Tressel for his time here at Ohio State, you understand that this is part of JT’s game plan. Keep the opponent guessing and make them practice as many different scenarios as possible. Tressel’s done this before (one example – 2002, he sat out Clarett with a shoulder injury for Illinois, then said he was doubtful for Michigan…Clarett started and shone against the Wolverines) and he’ll do it again another time. Until I see Beanie in sweatpants on the sidelines, I believe he’ll be playing.
2) Allow zero points in the first quarter – USC’s offense is indeed good, but let’s not kid around – they ran up the score against a weak Virginia. That game was NEVER close, and having starters in midway through the 4th quarter was pretty transparent. The Ohio State defense is not weak or inexperienced. Many people expect another blowout from USC and a shutout quarter will spread a lot of doubt.
3) Punch them in the mouth early – Force a fast turnover or score on a quick-developing play. Put them on their heels fast. And then do NOT dogpile on the guy who scores the big early touchdown.
The players on USC do not fold, so first-quarter success from the Buckeyes will not have an immediate effect on them. But the USC fans WILL fold. They are notorious hand-sitters when they’re not winning. Taking the crowd out of the game will have a lasting effect if it’s done early.
4) Interior pressure on the QB – A good pass rush is within the Ohio State arsenal, and what got us into trouble last weekend was the mobility at QB for Ohio. Mark Sanchez’s strength is not his legs, and we will not have the containment issues this time. Preesure from the center will force more mistakes from a QB as green as Sanchez. And yes, he is green – in a mere handful of appearances, he’s not performed especially well against good defenses.
5) Loads of stick’em for Robiskie and Hartline – The Brians are a powerful weapon, but they’ve dropped nearly as many passes as they’ve caught in ‘08. Make it stop. We need a minimum of 10 catches combined from you two, hopefully around 16.
6) Turn him loose! – Terrelle Pryor is ready for his situational plays. Send him in on multiple occasions for 1-2 plays at a time. The USC defense will have to change their package when he steps on the field, so mix it up. Send him AND Boeckman out at the same time and confuse them even more…put both QBs in the split-shotgun and send one of them in motion out of the backfield. You’ve got an extra weapon, use him in as many situations as you can.
7) Perfection from the kicking team – The schizophrenic nature of the FG unit was disheartening last week. Missing two kicks cannot happen against USC. Get back to the perfection we saw in Week 1.
8) Shut-down defense from the CB/DB/safeties– Malcolm Jenkins gets some support this weekend with the return of two defenders on suspension. Chimdi Chekwa gets the start but expect to see Donald Washington early. Cut the 15+ yard passes out of their gameplan and you’ll have a much smaller threat to deal with.
Any additions? Put ‘em in the comments!
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