POLL: Where's your head at right now with the 2018 team?
- Thread starter Zenophile
- Start date
This year felt like a golden opportunity to get the Buckeyes and Trace played about as well as anyone could play, so it's frustrating to see the game end like it did. I feel bad for him, especially. There's still a lot to play for this year, though, so hopefully one loss doesn't turn into more.
Our QB play will be different next year, but not necessarily a big drop off. I think we'll be OK either way. I did glance ahead at the schedule for next year and it doesn't look too bad. We don't play Wisconsin, and the toughest road games look to be Iowa and MSU. The one downside there is we have Iowa, Michigan and MSU in consecutive weeks. All winnable, but also teams that can beat you depending on the day. The Ohio State game is Nov. 23, right before they play Michigan. They have an easy-OOC schedule and get Wisconsin at home, so they'll likely be unbeaten going into that one. If we can get through mostly unscathed that could be a huge one.
There is no question the defense was FANTASTIC for about 52 minutes on Saturday - their best performance by far this year. Here is my concern - how much of that improvement was due to the emotional high of the white-out where they were literally playing above a level we have seen this year? Did that emotional lift eventually wear itself out and they simply couldn't sustain that for 60 minutes? Completely understandable if that were the situation.
So, do they revert back closer to what we saw in the first 4 games? My guess is they will continue to improve and they may not play as bad as they did in the 4th qtr of AS, or the first half of Pitt and Illinois, or the last 8 minutes of Saturday night. On the other hand, it may be expecting too much to think they will play a full 60 minutes like they did for the first 52 on Saturday.
If so, that is going to require the offense to make sure that last Saturday night was their worst performance of the year - they need to get back to converting for TDs in the red zone and putting up 35+ points per game if we want to win out. Win or lose on Saturday night, I still didn't think they would get through the rest of the year without another loss. So, my outlook says 10-2 with a New Years 6 appearance. To completely cover all bases, I would not be shocked by 9-3 or 11-1.
THIS, I agree that we have a >50% chance of making the playoff if we win out. Win our games and we'll be in the conversation. October/November carnage will happen to most of the contenders and when the dust settles we'll likely have the "best" loss of any of them.
Michigan, Iowa, and Wisconsin will all be challenging games. Even Indiana away will not be an easy one, so there is plenty of good football games remaining which may be close contests. I think think the team is improving but I wish we had a go-to receiver like Hamilton was last year, although he was a record breaker, so maybe that’s too much to wish for. My biggest upside surprise is the play of our tight end. My biggest disappointment is our freshman placekicker. We need to make the ones we need to make. Hope the kid turns it around. I’d like to see some accuracy from 45 yards.
Well, I'm big on defense for sure and I hope you're right. The team will certainly have a different look and game approach I would think. What concerns me most is the schedule. Won't have the same home field advantage (which is important) as this year, and I think Trace's skills and leadership aren't so easily replaced. Also, regardless of talent, new QB's generally require some adjustment time. Anyway, we shall see.
I am optimistic, and hope that we win out, but we have a difficult schedule and I think one or two more losses is not out of the question. I was pleasantly surprised by the level of play against OSU for most part of the game and it appears that we are near or at the same level of OSU. But they have an easier schedule from here on out. If we roll over MSU, then the sky is the limit. If it is close, then I will be much less optimistic.
I think the Clemson comparison is perfect. They went 10-4, 11-2, 11-2, and 10-3 before 14-1, 14-1, 12-2, and now 5-0. So it took 4 years of being great to reach elite. We are in year 3.
Despite not having the "eraser" we were one of multiple events away from slaying the dragon. Having 175 recruits at that game will help us find more "erasers". The PSU brand hasn't been this cool/strong since what....1994?
Regarding the in-game coaching concerns situational experience helps. Franklin and the staff will reflect and learn. I coached in high school. I was far better year 14 than year 4.
It is all trending upward moving forward....
Despite not having the "eraser" we were one of multiple events away from slaying the dragon. Having 175 recruits at that game will help us find more "erasers". The PSU brand hasn't been this cool/strong since what....1994?
Regarding the in-game coaching concerns situational experience helps. Franklin and the staff will reflect and learn. I coached in high school. I was far better year 14 than year 4.
It is all trending upward moving forward....
Only shot this year - we win out, OSU wins out (or loses one), then loses to Wisky in the Big Ten championship game. No way Wisky gets in under that scenario.
Going 11-1 would be a huge accomplishment and would still keep PSU in the playoff picture for sure. We have a huge stretch of games coming up. All depends on what the teams ahead of us do. 3 of the next 5, possibly 4 of the next 5 if Iowa jumps into top 25, will be against top 25 opponents. Playoffs still a possibility if PSU wins out.
bwifan
Well-Known Member
I am excited for this year and the future. Look at the number of freshmen and redshirt freshmen and how many are starting or playing significantly. What was the travel team number at Illinois? 34 freshmen/redfs out of what 70 players? 75 players? This team is green and played their asses off and almost beat OSU. We have a outstanding recruiting class coming in, I for one see the glass half full if not more....
I hope they practice defending against screen passes and reverses, because tOSU made them look silly on those plays. Repeatedly.
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