Where's The Defense?

zimbio.com

Just when I thought we were making strides on the defensive side of the ball and had written so, Indiana hangs 49 points on the Buckeyes.  What in the world is that about?  A Buckeye would be hard pressed to remember when any team scored 49 points against us let alone the Hoosiers.  Indiana’s spread offense was a nightmare for the Buckeyes.  They moved the ball without hesitation and had there been more clock available to them, there just might have been a different outcome. 

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Luke Fickel’s defensive squad needs to make some adjustments in a hurry.  It was interesting that Zack Boren was delegated to the defensive squad late in the game.  Injuries are playing their part in the defensive scheme of things but there are larger problems that must be addressed.  The lack of tackling continues to plague the Buckeyes.   For most observers, this is a question of discipline for the defensive squad.  Either Fickel isn’t sharing the get serious about tackling message or the players are not responding. 

Somebody better answer the phone; pick-up the message or Luke Fickel will be out of a job as Defensive Coordinator.  You have to wonder if Urban Meyer isn’t questioning his decision to keep Fickel around.  Meyer may not be thinking that way but Buckeye fans sure are.  Week after week, the defensive squad is getting exposed and eventually the offensive side of the ball will not be able to overcome the defensive weakness. 

There was no pass rush on Saturday against the Hoosiers.  Even more of a problem was the return of the big play.  Who can remember a year when the Buckeyes gave up more big plays than this year?  Gains of 15 yards plus are now the norm against us.  These problems must be addressed or it will be a quick fall off the undefeated list as the Buckeyes are just coming to the meat of their schedule. 

The offense continues to move forward.  The passing game was better on Saturday but dropping two passes for certain touchdowns hurt.  Carlos Hyde continues to develop as a powerful runner with defenses now having to worry about not only Braxton Miller but also Hyde.  I was delighted to see Miller running the ball in the first series.  It seems to help remove some of the early game jitters for him.  One had to be impressed with the shovel pass.  Each week, Meyer adds one more wrinkle to a growing offensive scheme. 

Another blocked punt and resulting touchdown was great to see but having it happen again to the Buckeyes was disheartening.  Special teams continue to get the job done for the Buckeyes.  On the other hand, we take way too much time punting the ball.  A blocked kick at the wrong time could spell doom for this undefeated Buckeye squad.

Purdue is coming off two disappointing performances against Michigan and Wisconsin.   They would like nothing more than to knock off the Buckeyes in Columbus.  Not going to happen of course but the Buckeyes need to continue to improve.   Look for the Buckeye defense to step it up this Saturday. 

BUCKEYE FOOTBALL - FUN AGAIN!

bleacherreport.com

Like most in the Buckeye Nation, I was more than disappointed with the sanctions placed on our football program.  Losing scholarships, vacating wins and paying money all seemed plenty to punish the program for the sins of the few.  Losing the opportunity to play in the conference championship, a bowl game and perhaps even the National Championship game was more than I cared to consider.  A season with little reward other than winning games and watching players mature and become better didn’t seem to be enough.



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I remember last season how conflicted I felt going into Ann Arbor for the first time ever.  If we beat Michigan, we would be bowl-eligible.  What an awful thought given the season we were experiencing.  What Buckeye fan wanted to see our team playing in the Tonka Truck Bowl game in the middle of December in the middle of the State of Idaho?  Losing to Michigan is never something you want to have happen but last year’s loss carried very little of what I remember to be heartache of losing during the John Cooper era.

Buckeye football in 2012 is fun again.  Of course, we’re winning and that makes all the difference in the world.  It’s more than that though.  Something about this team is special, magical almost.  Part of it is the influence of Coach Urban Meyer.  Perhaps more than I even realize.  This team keeps getting better week in and week out.  They seem to be making huge strides, not small ones but significant ones across the board.  What looked like a poor defensive unit at the beginning of the season now looks like what Buckeye fans have come to know in their defense. 

The defensive unit still does not tackle well but think about how good this defensive unit will be when they master the art of tackling and grow in their experience and skills.  They have speed at nearly every position.  I keep thinking about how special this defensive team could be once they have a full group of hard-hitting linebackers.  The group in the secondary is about as good as I can remember with nearly all of them being new to the program. 

Offensively, I can never remember an Ohio State team where you knew they were going to score before they did.  As I watch the games, I can almost predict which drives will result in touchdowns and which ones will fall short.  It’s almost uncanny with this team.  There is definitely something very special about them.  The Braxton Miller show is nothing short of spectacular but watching the emergence of other skilled players such as Devin Smith and Carlos Hyde is fun. 

Coach Meyer keeps saying that this team is really coming together as a unit.  A family if you will.  Coaches say this sort of thing all the time but it really seems to be true with this team.  They are playing well across the board as a team.  This team keeps getting better and better.  They are so young, enthusiastic and talented.  I had predicted this team would go undefeated long ago.  I continue to believe that this will be the case.  As each week comes and goes, this team shows one more dimension that makes it even stronger. 

Our Big Ten Championship Game, our bowl game and anything else of consequence for this team comes down to that fateful day in November when the Wolverines visit the Horseshoe.  It should be interesting to see where this team of youngsters is in their development come that Saturday.  I’m thinking it will be a game we all will remember for a long time.  It will be fun!