Discombobulated indeed! This game is actually pretty easy to call.
If Urb decides to deploy a full game plan on both sides of the ball this will be a good old fashioned OOC blow out with issues. If he decides to try and finesse one more instance of the Spring Game in September, then we will get a repeat of the last two weeks with more issues.
The VaT game performance pretty much busts any narrative that there are big changes from the run at the end of last year. Stat line looked pretty much like it did versus Bama, Oregon and Sparty. Whisky was just one of those dream games.
The last two weeks have been so bad most people have forgotten about the Va Tech game. I don't think that includes the Committee, but a 3rd game in a row with the same plot line and they may start to raise an eyebrow.
Pretty simple solution: move the chains with a solid foundation of the run game with both the QB and Zeke and high percentage passes. Force teams to defend the whole field east/west to get some seams in the alley, and pull in the safeties and then hit some big plays.
WMU is a watered down version of NIU where all the players look like they went into a shrinking machine and lost a couple of inches and 15 Lbs. Some excellent WR’s, a QB with a nice release and some moxie and a good coach. I’d have figured they would muster 20+ but the D is on a roll and I expect they are going to be on a mission. The WMU D, much like Hawaii and NIU, is the weak link… we’ll see.
This should be a slam dunk, but I figured that'd be the case LAST WEEK. Urb's behavior at the end of the NIU game was like a petulant child who got angry when his favorite toy stopped working, so he threw it on the ground. All it needed was new batteries. Thankfully it didn’t break.
Prediction: Bucks 49 - 17 in a game that still has some grit in the gears.Vegas has the Bucks by 31, but I AM NOT betting on the Bucks until the O settles into a groove.
I think Urb will use a full game plan, but there are some fundamental issues within the O staff that need to get sorted out. I honestly think it took the VaT game last year to force the best out of the Urb and Tom show.
Game Flow: The issue the staff will need to work through is Urb wants big plays and is impatient. The staff will be compelled to force these. If they hit early this game could be in the 60’s. My gut says we hit and miss and the flow will still not be what most Bucks fans want, and will put the D in some bad positions. I expect a couple of drives early as the Bronco’s have that sort of passing game, but they don’t have enough diversity and no real ground game.
Things I’ll Look For:
Does Cardale run the ball, and do we give it to Zeke inside early. This is the sign we have the full plan on.
Can special team continue to play well. I think Jalin is ready to pop one.
Does the D line continue to be able to collapse the pocket. The sacks are fun but the key is the pocket getting crushed like a beer can. WMU has a quick hitting passing game and the DE’s will be late if they try and go outside all game. If the pocket collapses
Can the LB’s handle Braverman underneath. This will be an NFL readiness test for Lee, and I expect he will handle things so they will go after Kwon and Perry. This will be an interesting matchup.
When the Bronco’s have the Ball.
The LB’s will match up with Braverman, but he will win some… just not enough. The challenge WMU gives most teams is they have to commit a safety to help with Braverman underneath and that frees up Davis deep.
They will have to run the ball to make a dent in the Buckeye D, and I don’t think they have the OL or firepower behind it to make that happen.
I have a score early and one off a TO or botched play.
When the Bucks Have the Ball
I have a completely unfounded opinion that the staff is disconnected on the QB and gameplan.
Urb wants to go with CJ and the power Pro they used at the end of the year, and the OC’s would like to go with the base plan - which is in their wheelhouse and is the more natural way to use the talent…. it is what Urb recruited for and how they beat Sparty. The confusion is the root cause of the playcalling problems combined with the plan and mindset, as well as where Big Ed is stationed. I think this will only be partially sorted out today.
The improvements will allow OSU to get out of it’s own way, but we will have to get this completely ironed out before the O will fully realize its potential.
I see big days for Samuel, Zeke and Thomas. Braxton and Jalin also are more involved but we need to settle on the spread to get the safeties pulled in so they can pop a few.
Final Thinking:
I truly hope the staff comes together sooner than later… there is no reason this team needs to look like the 2003 Buckeyes.
If Urb decides to deploy a full game plan on both sides of the ball this will be a good old fashioned OOC blow out with issues. If he decides to try and finesse one more instance of the Spring Game in September, then we will get a repeat of the last two weeks with more issues.
The VaT game performance pretty much busts any narrative that there are big changes from the run at the end of last year. Stat line looked pretty much like it did versus Bama, Oregon and Sparty. Whisky was just one of those dream games.
The last two weeks have been so bad most people have forgotten about the Va Tech game. I don't think that includes the Committee, but a 3rd game in a row with the same plot line and they may start to raise an eyebrow.
Pretty simple solution: move the chains with a solid foundation of the run game with both the QB and Zeke and high percentage passes. Force teams to defend the whole field east/west to get some seams in the alley, and pull in the safeties and then hit some big plays.
WMU is a watered down version of NIU where all the players look like they went into a shrinking machine and lost a couple of inches and 15 Lbs. Some excellent WR’s, a QB with a nice release and some moxie and a good coach. I’d have figured they would muster 20+ but the D is on a roll and I expect they are going to be on a mission. The WMU D, much like Hawaii and NIU, is the weak link… we’ll see.
This should be a slam dunk, but I figured that'd be the case LAST WEEK. Urb's behavior at the end of the NIU game was like a petulant child who got angry when his favorite toy stopped working, so he threw it on the ground. All it needed was new batteries. Thankfully it didn’t break.
Prediction: Bucks 49 - 17 in a game that still has some grit in the gears.Vegas has the Bucks by 31, but I AM NOT betting on the Bucks until the O settles into a groove.
I think Urb will use a full game plan, but there are some fundamental issues within the O staff that need to get sorted out. I honestly think it took the VaT game last year to force the best out of the Urb and Tom show.
Game Flow: The issue the staff will need to work through is Urb wants big plays and is impatient. The staff will be compelled to force these. If they hit early this game could be in the 60’s. My gut says we hit and miss and the flow will still not be what most Bucks fans want, and will put the D in some bad positions. I expect a couple of drives early as the Bronco’s have that sort of passing game, but they don’t have enough diversity and no real ground game.
Things I’ll Look For:
Does Cardale run the ball, and do we give it to Zeke inside early. This is the sign we have the full plan on.
Can special team continue to play well. I think Jalin is ready to pop one.
Does the D line continue to be able to collapse the pocket. The sacks are fun but the key is the pocket getting crushed like a beer can. WMU has a quick hitting passing game and the DE’s will be late if they try and go outside all game. If the pocket collapses
Can the LB’s handle Braverman underneath. This will be an NFL readiness test for Lee, and I expect he will handle things so they will go after Kwon and Perry. This will be an interesting matchup.
When the Bronco’s have the Ball.
The LB’s will match up with Braverman, but he will win some… just not enough. The challenge WMU gives most teams is they have to commit a safety to help with Braverman underneath and that frees up Davis deep.
They will have to run the ball to make a dent in the Buckeye D, and I don’t think they have the OL or firepower behind it to make that happen.
I have a score early and one off a TO or botched play.
When the Bucks Have the Ball
I have a completely unfounded opinion that the staff is disconnected on the QB and gameplan.
Urb wants to go with CJ and the power Pro they used at the end of the year, and the OC’s would like to go with the base plan - which is in their wheelhouse and is the more natural way to use the talent…. it is what Urb recruited for and how they beat Sparty. The confusion is the root cause of the playcalling problems combined with the plan and mindset, as well as where Big Ed is stationed. I think this will only be partially sorted out today.
The improvements will allow OSU to get out of it’s own way, but we will have to get this completely ironed out before the O will fully realize its potential.
I see big days for Samuel, Zeke and Thomas. Braxton and Jalin also are more involved but we need to settle on the spread to get the safeties pulled in so they can pop a few.
Final Thinking:
I truly hope the staff comes together sooner than later… there is no reason this team needs to look like the 2003 Buckeyes.
