My hope for this weekend...

[LionsandBear]

Whether Cain is back or not, I want to see us play small ball and keep away from O$U's Offense. I really think our only chance to win is by committing to the run and focusing on short and intermediate routes. Bring on the slants and crossing patterns. We need to be willing to throw the ball over the middle. O$U will have the most speed on the edge that we've seen all year which make bubble screens and out patterns more dangerous and less likely for success. The short passes will also limit the ability of Chase Young and company to get to Clifford.

If we try to drop back and throw it long we might hit on 1 or 2 plays but we will have a ton of 3 and out posessions, giving O$U's explosive offense more chances to score, which I believe they will.

We've shown the ability to drive down the field methodically, eat up minutes and score several times this year when we had to at the end of games. If we can commit to doing that throughout the game, I think we can win on Saturday.

WE ARE!

 

[republion]

How do you get the necessary “explosive plays” when playing small ball?

 

[MaconNitt]

How do you get the necessary “explosive plays” when playing small ball?

You don't. That was the point of ball control. Keep O$U offense off the field.

 

[danvillenit]

You don't. That was the point of ball control. Keep O$U offense off the field.

Of course that requires our OL being more physical than their DLine

 

[bdgan]

Whether Cain is back or not, I want to see us play small ball and keep away from O$U's Offense. I really think our only chance to win is by committing to the run and focusing on short and intermediate routes. Bring on the slants and crossing patterns. We need to be willing to throw the ball over the middle. O$U will have the most speed on the edge that we've seen all year which make bubble screens and out patterns more dangerous and less likely for success. The short passes will also limit the ability of Chase Young and company to get to Clifford.

If we try to drop back and throw it long we might hit on 1 or 2 plays but we will have a ton of 3 and out posessions, giving O$U's explosive offense more chances to score, which I believe they will.

We've shown the ability to drive down the field methodically, eat up minutes and score several times this year when we had to at the end of games. If we can commit to doing that throughout the game, I think we can win on Saturday.

WE ARE!

I don't see that happening any more than I see PSU sitting back on defense trying to keep things in front of them. Franklin is all about explosive plays on both sides of the ball and I'd be surprised to see him change his philisophy this week.

The only thing that might make Franklin more conservative on offense is if Hamler is not able to play.

 

[bcspsu]

Whether Cain is back or not, I want to see us play small ball and keep away from O$U's Offense. I really think our only chance to win is by committing to the run and focusing on short and intermediate routes. Bring on the slants and crossing patterns. We need to be willing to throw the ball over the middle. O$U will have the most speed on the edge that we've seen all year which make bubble screens and out patterns more dangerous and less likely for success. The short passes will also limit the ability of Chase Young and company to get to Clifford.

If we try to drop back and throw it long we might hit on 1 or 2 plays but we will have a ton of 3 and out posessions, giving O$U's explosive offense more chances to score, which I believe they will.

We've shown the ability to drive down the field methodically, eat up minutes and score several times this year when we had to at the end of games. If we can commit to doing that throughout the game, I think we can win on Saturday.

WE ARE!

Last night, BTN showed a condensed replay of the 1990 MSU-Michigan game. Michigan was ranked #1 at the time, but MSU beat them 28-27. Both teams had great running games; Michigan had a pretty good passing attack with Grbac, Howard and Alexander. Anyway, l loved watching how both teams based their offenses around the running game, unlike about 95% of the offenses today. I also believe that football is a better game when there is less passing; the game just flows better.

 

[Shadow99]

We've shown the ability to drive down the field methodically, eat up minutes and score several times this year when we had to at the end of games.

WE ARE!

Interestingly, despite the ubiquitous "team has regressed" sentiments (most of which pertain to schematically leaving WR's wide open, and justifiably so), the above statement actually sounds like a significant improvement.

 

[MaconNitt]

Of course that requires our OL being more physical than their DLine

True

 

[Gaffeoke_Queen]

My hope is that we win...kidding aside, my only hope is that we're competitive and most importantly competent. I want Franklin and the coaching staff to show they can coach the guys up to play with the big boys. I want Ohio State to have to win it rather than Penn State just loses it.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

No matter how the game plays out, the post-game presser between CJF & Jones will be ugly.

 

[bcspsu]

Interestingly, despite the ubiquitous "team has regressed" sentiments (most of which pertain to schematically leaving WR's wide open, and justifiably so), the above statement actually sounds like a significant improvement.

PSU's defensive backs haven't regressed; they've been pretty bad all year, except for the Maryland game. While many times they've had good coverage, their ball skills have been terrible.

 

[psuro]

This is the first conference game this year that I am not really all that stressed out about the outcome.

The next one will be next week.

I was actually concerned about Marylend because of their first couple of showings. Iowa, MSU, UM, because of PSU's history with them. Purdue - just a little bit but because I was not sure of what to expect from PSU (still at that time). IU always seems to give PSU trouble. I had a bad feeling about Minny.