If this hasn’t been the best start to a Buckeye season in the modern era it has to be a close tie, and this weekend we move up in weight class from teams with SP+ performance in the 30’s to the 20’s.
Sparty D is a Top5 unit, Dantonio is one of the best D minds in the game and a quality big game coach having mentored with Saban and Tress. If he gets the chance, he knows exactly how to slow the game into a grinder, keep it close call a few trick plays and hope OSU cracks.
Our objective is to make sure he doesn’t get the chance, and that’s how I think it plays out. But it will be a test. The Bucks are rocking in every phase of the game, but there have been some “moments”.
Fields was off to start the game against IU. The D was flat and surprised to start the contest against Miami. Both sides of the ball took their foot off the gas in mid-game against FAU.
I think the team and the staff were laser focused against Cincy and Nebraska and there only moments of total dominance. I expect the same focus this weekend…. But Sparty is a notch up from Cincy and the Huskers.
When the Bucks Have the Ball
Two words define the Bucks O so far this season: Efficiency and Diversity. Oh and we score TD’s in the RZ.
Sparty D is set up to stop the run game, let you dink and dunk and then look for a turnover or force a FG in the RZ. That’s why IU was able to march the field… and I think the O woes early in the season gassed the D, which may impact the game Saturday.
The game within the game is how Day/Wilson attack Sparty. Fields hasn’t been super sharp with the long ball and Sparty will keep their safeties (at least one of them) deep.
I expect Day to take what Sparty gives them early in drives, get to mid-field and then try and hit some shots and look for some plays where Olave and Wilson can catch AND RUN.
Once we get in the RZ. I see no reason they don’t run Justin as they have all season.
Within this I’m super interested to see how our OL performs against Sparty early. If we are getting 3+ consistently, and occasional chunks and able to avoid the 2 yard Sparty stuff….Every future opponent we play is in serious trouble.
If the OL has to work to get it’s footing and Fields is erratic high, then Day will have to limit the O scheme and Dantonio will get what he wants and our future opponents have hope. If this happens, I’d look for some Counter Trey, and we may see it early if the passing game IS working to force Sparty to dedicate a defender to the QB.
If NOT, then the Bucks will net another convincing win. And the O will have proven itself against a Top10 D.
When the Bucks are on D
Sparty has been struggling to implement some new offensive concepts, and one of them appears NOT to be running the ball well.
Hence Lewerke has been dinking and dunking all over their opponents. Unfortunately for them, then they stall in the RZ and the kicking game hasn’t been too hot.
He can run which limits the amount of man but this only goes so far in the grand scheme of things
If Sparty runs in this game, we are flat. I don’t see that happening, so I don’t see Sparty running the ball.
I Expect the bucks to keep a LB into spy the QB and lock Werner up to prevent the TE relief, and smother the run game. This will be GREAT test for Werner in coverage, b/c I don’t think ‘Tone is gonna spend much time testing Jeff.
While this would otherwise be a good game for Tuf, I think Sparty will try and release the RB in screens and naked swings if we blitz… hence I’d rather see more Browning and less blitzing.
Given the lack of running game, I expect Lewerke to be under pressure all game and Okudah and Arnette will be beneficiaries.
How it Ends Up
We will learn if we really have a Top5 Team NOW. Even if we aren’t there now doesn’t mean we can’t get there. And even if we are there now, it doesn’t mean we can stay there till the end of the season.
Go Bucks
Sparty D is a Top5 unit, Dantonio is one of the best D minds in the game and a quality big game coach having mentored with Saban and Tress. If he gets the chance, he knows exactly how to slow the game into a grinder, keep it close call a few trick plays and hope OSU cracks.
Our objective is to make sure he doesn’t get the chance, and that’s how I think it plays out. But it will be a test. The Bucks are rocking in every phase of the game, but there have been some “moments”.
Fields was off to start the game against IU. The D was flat and surprised to start the contest against Miami. Both sides of the ball took their foot off the gas in mid-game against FAU.
I think the team and the staff were laser focused against Cincy and Nebraska and there only moments of total dominance. I expect the same focus this weekend…. But Sparty is a notch up from Cincy and the Huskers.
When the Bucks Have the Ball
Two words define the Bucks O so far this season: Efficiency and Diversity. Oh and we score TD’s in the RZ.
Sparty D is set up to stop the run game, let you dink and dunk and then look for a turnover or force a FG in the RZ. That’s why IU was able to march the field… and I think the O woes early in the season gassed the D, which may impact the game Saturday.
The game within the game is how Day/Wilson attack Sparty. Fields hasn’t been super sharp with the long ball and Sparty will keep their safeties (at least one of them) deep.
I expect Day to take what Sparty gives them early in drives, get to mid-field and then try and hit some shots and look for some plays where Olave and Wilson can catch AND RUN.
Once we get in the RZ. I see no reason they don’t run Justin as they have all season.
Within this I’m super interested to see how our OL performs against Sparty early. If we are getting 3+ consistently, and occasional chunks and able to avoid the 2 yard Sparty stuff….Every future opponent we play is in serious trouble.
If the OL has to work to get it’s footing and Fields is erratic high, then Day will have to limit the O scheme and Dantonio will get what he wants and our future opponents have hope. If this happens, I’d look for some Counter Trey, and we may see it early if the passing game IS working to force Sparty to dedicate a defender to the QB.
If NOT, then the Bucks will net another convincing win. And the O will have proven itself against a Top10 D.
When the Bucks are on D
Sparty has been struggling to implement some new offensive concepts, and one of them appears NOT to be running the ball well.
Hence Lewerke has been dinking and dunking all over their opponents. Unfortunately for them, then they stall in the RZ and the kicking game hasn’t been too hot.
He can run which limits the amount of man but this only goes so far in the grand scheme of things
If Sparty runs in this game, we are flat. I don’t see that happening, so I don’t see Sparty running the ball.
I Expect the bucks to keep a LB into spy the QB and lock Werner up to prevent the TE relief, and smother the run game. This will be GREAT test for Werner in coverage, b/c I don’t think ‘Tone is gonna spend much time testing Jeff.
While this would otherwise be a good game for Tuf, I think Sparty will try and release the RB in screens and naked swings if we blitz… hence I’d rather see more Browning and less blitzing.
Given the lack of running game, I expect Lewerke to be under pressure all game and Okudah and Arnette will be beneficiaries.
How it Ends Up
We will learn if we really have a Top5 Team NOW. Even if we aren’t there now doesn’t mean we can’t get there. And even if we are there now, it doesn’t mean we can stay there till the end of the season.
Go Bucks
