#11 Ohio State vs. #13 Michigan State

[Ohio]

Come to think of it, I wonder if we've ever won a big game, excluding PSU this year, where we didn't run the ball the majority of the time.

 

[col63onel]

Just like against MSU in 2015. And VT in 2014. And MSU in 2013. Etc.

The run/pass ratio in those 3 games were 29-16, 40-29, and 40-23. Elliot had 8/32 and 12/33 in his 2 games, with 1 run over 15 yards. They didn't abandon anything....their running game was just shit those games.

In 2013 Miller and Hyde combined for 39 carries, both going over 100 yards and over 6.5 per carry. They lost that game because the defense gave up up 440 and they only completed 8 passes.

 

[col63onel]

Come to think of it, I wonder if we've ever won a big game, excluding PSU this year, where we didn't run the ball the majority of the time.

We've run the ball the majority of the time EVERY YEAR. Even in our losses, like the 3 you mentioned, we ran the ball a ton.

 

[Ohio]

We've run the ball the majority of the time EVERY YEAR. Even in our losses, like the 3 you mentioned, we ran the ball a ton.

With the QB instead of the RB, yeah, we did.

 

[col63onel]

With the QB instead of the RB, yeah, we did.

Because that's how the option works.

 

[Ohio]

Q. You guys talked about, or on Monday you talked about how you would like to see the running backs or J.K. touch it more. Both those guys got a lot of work today. Did you guys make any game-plan changes or did you feel like you approached things differently from an offensive perspective this week?

Meyer: Yeah, there was a mandate to make sure those guys touch the ball. The flow of the game also dictated that we were controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides. What happened in other games is when you get behind or it just doesn't dictate it that way. But that was a mandate for me and it was, once again mandates are easy. The execution was outstanding.

Q. You guys lost in 2015 to Michigan State, and then went up to Michigan and ran the ball and blew them out. You came off a loss this year, ran the ball and had a blowout win. Is there something about a loss that gets you guys dedicated back to the run game?

Meyer: We use the term around here quite often, the laser-like focus. Those two running backs we have are two of our better players.

And that week of practice was all about controlling that line of scrimmage. And we also -- if you look closely at the way we ran the ball, it was not traditional. The one hit, we haven't run a draw all year, and it was a draw play. And we kept trying to do it as often as we can being in the spread sets.

To answer your question, the focus was there. And like we said, the mandate was there; let's go do it.

-------

That was another thing about this game. We didn't just run read option everytime we wanted to run the ball. There were draws. Power sweeps/stretches. Etc. Some actual designed run plays. Similar to how we ran Zeke in the big games in 2014 & 2015...except in the only losses of those seasons

Need moar mandates

 

[natedagg]

Q. You guys talked about, or on Monday you talked about how you would like to see the running backs or J.K. touch it more. Both those guys got a lot of work today. Did you guys make any game-plan changes or did you feel like you approached things differently from an offensive perspective this week?

Meyer: Yeah, there was a mandate to make sure those guys touch the ball. The flow of the game also dictated that we were controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides. What happened in other games is when you get behind or it just doesn't dictate it that way. But that was a mandate for me and it was, once again mandates are easy. The execution was outstanding.

Q. You guys lost in 2015 to Michigan State, and then went up to Michigan and ran the ball and blew them out. You came off a loss this year, ran the ball and had a blowout win. Is there something about a loss that gets you guys dedicated back to the run game?

Meyer: We use the term around here quite often, the laser-like focus. Those two running backs we have are two of our better players.

And that week of practice was all about controlling that line of scrimmage. And we also -- if you look closely at the way we ran the ball, it was not traditional. The one hit, we haven't run a draw all year, and it was a draw play. And we kept trying to do it as often as we can being in the spread sets.

To answer your question, the focus was there. And like we said, the mandate was there; let's go do it.

-------

That was another thing about this game. We didn't just run read option everytime we wanted to run the ball. There were draws. Power sweeps/stretches. Etc. Some actual designed run plays. Similar to how we ran Zeke in the big games in 2014 & 2015...except in the only losses of those seasons

Need moar mandates

This game was so painful. We are so good. Top 4 team for sure, and we can beat ANYONE in the country. Not many teams can say that. We aren't getting in, but we are a top 4 team. It's sad really.

Here's how my (pea) brain will remember it: PSU was off of our bye week, and on film we must have seen (besides don't let Barkley beat you) that their defense really flies to the ball and reacts quickly. The run wasn't going to work against their front 7, so we took it to the air, and it was cool. Lots of pump fakes and misdirection.

But Wilson forgot that this isn't IU. By that I mean that we have top end talent and in trap games against quality road opponents, no matter the score (college drives can be lightening quick even for a running team), we should be pounding the ball. I thought against Iowa, we were unprepared on many levels, but I was disappointed that the game was in Barrett's hands before it needed to be. I don't know about ratios of run-to-pass or if my memory is deceiving me, but that's how I'll remember it.

It just kinda sickens me that we're not going to make it this year. Last year I didn't expect us to be as good as we were, so when we got lit up, I was able to shrug it off. The way we looked yesterday tho, that was a level of awesome that showed that our best is right up there with anyone's.

 

[Ohio]

It just kinda sickens me that we're not going to make it this year. Last year I didn't expect us to be as good as we were, so when we got lit up, I was able to shrug it off. The way we looked yesterday tho, that was a level of awesome that showed that our best is right up there with anyone's.

Bama, Miami, Oklahoma, Ohio State win out = Playoffs.

 

[natedagg]

Bama, Miami, Oklahoma, Ohio State win out = Playoffs.

Don't do this to me bro!

I think Clemson beats Miami and then somehow they are both in.

Plenty of season left for all teams involved. There's a path but we need help.

 

[Ohio]

Don't do this to me bro!

I think Clemson beats Miami and then somehow they are both in.

Plenty of season left for all teams involved. There's a path but we need help.

Gun to my head, I agree. I think Clemson beats Miami and both get in.

But......Go Canes