Depth is all that separates PSU from OSU

[WarrentonLion]

Sorry...this is going to sound a lot like glass half full to some, but I think the difference between our two programs is as narrow as it's been in over 2 decades. Putting play-calling aside, I believe where OSU has a leg up on us is quality depth across the board.
In last year's game, losing Buchholtz in the first Qtr, and ESPECIALLY Bates in the 2nd half killed us. Our O-Line, which was holding up surprisingly well, simply could not block their D-Line from that point on. Last Saturday, Hamler going down in the 2nd half on that hit also really hurt us. You have to wonder WHAT IF he had been on the field on 4th and 5. Even to serve as a decoy to keep them honest. But more generally speaking, their D had fresh bodies to bring in on that last series that ultimately made the difference. Considering the gap between our two teams 3 years ago looked as wide as the Grand Canyon when we got beat 38-10, it's amazing to me how quickly we have closed that gap. No doubt these last 2 losses really sting, but I believe the script will be flipped in the next couple years.

 

[ImaWright]

It is almost too obvious to recruits that they will make an immediate impact and BE the difference for a program who has been playing toe to toe with less talent. That Ohio St team had 3 x as many 5 stars and 2 x as many 4 stars as PSU. Did it look that way to anyone with a brain?

Meyer is underperforming with their talent. Franklin is outperforming. Now imagine Franklin with the recruiting edge that will begin in the 2020 class. That is why nervous buckeye fans continue to come to our board with their panties in a bunch. They know what is coming and they fear it.

 

[kgilbert78]

This is where the latent effects of the sanctions are still being felt--not quite as many upperclassmen and not as many at the same level of talent as a tOSU. But we're almost through that.

 

[22buck]

OSU had 4 defensive starters out the last couple series (3 to injury and one due to the targeting call) and a 5th (Dre'Mont Jones) playing on one leg. A 6th starter, Borland, still isn't all the way back from his Achilles injury and can't run full speed.

They weren't subbing to keep guys fresh... they were forced to pull some guys.

 

[royboy]

Two personnel groupings where I think PSU falls short of Ohio State -- secondary and D-line

I believe both areas are being addressed with young talent currently on hand from 2018 class, and also coming in 2019

 

[PSU87]

OSU had 4 defensive starters out the last couple series (3 to injury and one due to the targeting call) and a 5th (Dre'Mont Jones) playing on one leg. A 6th starter, Borland, still isn't all the way back from his Achilles injury and can't run full speed.

They weren't subbing to keep guys fresh... they were forced to pull some guys.

Yes. PSU doesn't have a host of injuries and players who quit football.

 

[ImaWright]

Yes. PSU doesn't have a host of injuries and players who quit football.

Two prior year DE starters were lost to retirement in preseason, Simmons at DE was either going to be 1st or 2nd string and hasn't returned from injury, Jordan (2nd string DT) is injured, we lost our other 2nd string DT for the 2nd half and ended up playing a RS freshman offensive guard in his place, we lost prior 2 year starter Bowen at outside LB in preseason to retirement, our best 2 LBs left are a walk on MLB and a true freshmen who played DE in high school, we lost a backup DB Butler to injury last week, both Reid and Castro Fields are still playing dinged up in the secondary. That is just the defense and I may have missed someone.

But apparently only the Buckeyes have injuries right now.

 

[Grant Green]

Last 5 recruiting class rank (incl current) sorted by ave stars

OSU - 10, 2, 2, 4, 6
PSU - 14, 20, 12, 6, 8

We're catching up gradually.

 

[kijanacat]

There are about 130 D1 teams that suit up every year and only one wins all the marbles. Normally that is Alabama. They deserve it. They spend gads of money for their sport, hire a great coach (there are better, btw) and bring the country's best athletes. I don't mind being of the other 129, I just think it would be nice to win some games when we have a 4th quarter lead.

 

[mcgunns]

OSU had 4 defensive starters out the last couple series (3 to injury and one due to the targeting call) and a 5th (Dre'Mont Jones) playing on one leg. A 6th starter, Borland, still isn't all the way back from his Achilles injury and can't run full speed.

They weren't subbing to keep guys fresh... they were forced to pull some guys.

And those guys were studs. That's exactly the point and precisely what I think turned the game as well. The PSU D-line was dominant until very late in the game. Depth explains it very well. PSU backup DTs in particular are.....let's call them works in progress.


It's also the same reason PSU was able to run up the score with backups against Pitt and Illinois. Against Ohio State it works in the opposite direction. For now .

 

[mcgunns]

There are about 130 D1 teams that suit up every year and only one wins all the marbles. Normally that is Alabama. They deserve it. They spend gads of money for their sport, hire a great coach (there are better, btw) and bring the country's best athletes. I don't mind being of the other 129, I just think it would be nice to win some games when we have a 4th quarter lead.

College football is primarily about recruiting. There is no better coach than Saban. He may finally be getting too old to keep it up going forward, but it's not because anyone was better than him at his best.

 

[Pocono Lion]

OSU had 4 defensive starters out the last couple series (3 to injury and one due to the targeting call) and a 5th (Dre'Mont Jones) playing on one leg. A 6th starter, Borland, still isn't all the way back from his Achilles injury and can't run full speed.

They weren't subbing to keep guys fresh... they were forced to pull some guys.

I don’t doubt that, but I think the point is that right now, your subs are better than ours. That is changing.

 

[anon_1eeb2b426hv3y]

OSU had 4 defensive starters out the last couple series (3 to injury and one due to the targeting call) and a 5th (Dre'Mont Jones) playing on one leg. A 6th starter, Borland, still isn't all the way back from his Achilles injury and can't run full speed.

They weren't subbing to keep guys fresh... they were forced to pull some guys.

Maybe. But the subs sure were effective. Not complaining. The quality of depth is impressive. Having to sub guys out for injuries and dirty play and being able to throw in new ones with fresh legs without much of a drop off is an enviable place to be.

 

[anon_1eeb2b426hv3y]

And those guys were studs. That's exactly the point and precisely what I think turned the game as well. The PSU D-line was dominant until very late in the game. Depth explains it very well. PSU backup DTs in particular are.....let's call them works in progress.


It's also the same reason PSU was able to run up the score with backups against Pitt and Illinois. Against Ohio State it works in the opposite direction. For now .

If I remember correctly, PSU basically didn’t sub on the OL - AT ALL.

 

[captainshakes]

It is almost too obvious to recruits that they will make an immediate impact and BE the difference for a program who has been playing toe to toe with less talent. That Ohio St team had 3 x as many 5 stars and 2 x as many 4 stars as PSU. Did it look that way to anyone with a brain?

Meyer is underperforming with their talent. Franklin is outperforming. Now imagine Franklin with the recruiting edge that will begin in the 2020 class. That is why nervous buckeye fans continue to come to our board with their panties in a bunch. They know what is coming and they fear it.

Urban Meyer really is underperforming. He's 75-8 at Ohio State with Big Ten Titles and a national championship. He's 6-1 vs Penn State and 6-0 vs Michigan. He's coaching an undefeated #3 ranked team in the nation on it's way to a 3rd playoff appearance in 4 years and has been the 2nd ranked recruiting team behind Alabama.

My goodness I can't imagine what will happen if he starts to perform to your expectations. If he starts coaching at Franklins current level, watch out!

 

[fastlax16]

Urban has a better coaching staff than Franklin this year.

 

[blion72]

Last 5 recruiting class rank (incl current) sorted by ave stars

OSU - 10, 2, 2, 4, 6
PSU - 14, 20, 12, 6, 8

We're catching up gradually.

we are closing the gap for sure, but i think UM staff is stronger, and there is a sizable gap amonng the higher end players. UM says that a high 4*/5* player better be on the field making an impact by their 2nd year on campus or they likely will never make much impact. that is because the new players come in and replace them. Young was an example, as he was Bosa's replacement.

 

[Grant Green]

we are closing the gap for sure, but i think UM staff is stronger, and there is a sizable gap amonng the higher end players. UM says that a high 4*/5* player better be on the field making an impact by their 2nd year on campus or they likely will never make much impact. that is because the new players come in and replace them. Young was an example, as he was Bosa's replacement.

Possibly but how do you explain the closer scores for 3 straight years vs the disparity in talent? A better coaching staff should have pounded us with the classes they had in 2015-2017.

 

[Howie'81]

Sorry...this is going to sound a lot like glass half full to some, but I think the difference between our two programs is as narrow as it's been in over 2 decades. Putting play-calling aside, I believe where OSU has a leg up on us is quality depth across the board.
In last year's game, losing Buchholtz in the first Qtr, and ESPECIALLY Bates in the 2nd half killed us. Our O-Line, which was holding up surprisingly well, simply could not block their D-Line from that point on. Last Saturday, Hamler going down in the 2nd half on that hit also really hurt us. You have to wonder WHAT IF he had been on the field on 4th and 5. Even to serve as a decoy to keep them honest. But more generally speaking, their D had fresh bodies to bring in on that last series that ultimately made the difference. Considering the gap between our two teams 3 years ago looked as wide as the Grand Canyon when we got beat 38-10, it's amazing to me how quickly we have closed that gap. No doubt these last 2 losses really sting, but I believe the script will be flipped in the next couple years.

I do too, and I'll say the glass is even more than half full.

 

[sdwcpa]

It is almost too obvious to recruits that they will make an immediate impact and BE the difference for a program who has been playing toe to toe with less talent. That Ohio St team had 3 x as many 5 stars and 2 x as many 4 stars as PSU. Did it look that way to anyone with a brain?

Meyer is underperforming with their talent. Franklin is outperforming. Now imagine Franklin with the recruiting edge that will begin in the 2020 class. That is why nervous buckeye fans continue to come to our board with their panties in a bunch. They know what is coming and they fear it.

I would not exactly call 78 and 8 under performing. And unlike PSU who has their "feature" OOC game with the likes of Pitt. OSU plays the likes of Oklahoma TCU Va Tech. etc.