The better team won. Even though Ohio State is not up to the standard of recent top-ranked teams, they looked good today, mainly in the fourth quarter. Here's why they won:
-They didn't beat themselves. How many blocking-related penalties did we have today, especially on kick returns, 20? How many fumbles? Poor passes? Ohio State didn't do that.
But mainly ...
-The Buckeyes' lines completely dominated play. From my vantage point, our skill position players are every bit as good as theirs, if not better, especially if PJ and Swan are healthy and play. Wells will get a lot of pub, but he wasn't touched on his touchdown runs, any one of our backs could have converted those opportunities. Their D-line had 10 sacks, although Donovan didn't help things by immediately tucking the ball at the end of his drop and making a beeline for the nearest defender.
Other thoughts:
-Have you ever seen Bielema as fired up as he was after that chop block call on Randle-El? I liked it, seemed like a bad call but couldn't tell for sure. Even if it was bad call, why do we still play Randle-El? All he seems to do is generate negative plays.
-Great pass and catch by Donovan and Beckum on the play immediately following what could have been a crushing penalty.
-Glad to see Pressley still involved in the offense, can't remember seeing him catch a pass before.
-Too many short fields for the Ohio State offense.
-Donovan still seems to be struggling progressing beyond his primary read. Case in point was a third quarter play in which he stuck on Beckum all the way and threw incomplete, even though Travis was tightly covered and Hubbard was more open five yards further downfield.
-Boeckman continued to hurt us with his legs, which just killed me.
-Did Vanden Heuvel's absence (Bscherer subbing) hurt us? I'm guessing EVH would have struggled to contain OSU's pass rush just as much. The Buckeyes have a scary young defensive line.
-Didn't like the second fake punt call, even if it might have worked, but the way they were moving the ball at that point it was probably worth a shot.
-Great catch by Robiskie, although Boeckman's pass probably wasn't intended for him. Those are the kind of breaks great teams make for themselves.
-Brown played pretty well today against a stingy defense. I think he'll be a four-year backup, next two years to PJ and/or Smith, after that to Clay or someone else, but he'll be a factor the whole time, like and Eddie Faulkner or Dwayne Smith.
-Hubbard really contributed today too.
-Brian Hartline = Curt Schroeder. The guy was hurt after every play he was involved in.
-Bielema just said it doesn't look good for EVH, Langford and Chapman; Chapman was down a couple times. We really need him against Michigan.
-Let's appreciate Beckum while he's still here - what a big-time athlete and gamer. He was the most talented guy on the field today - 140 yard and a touchdown. Hopefully he feels he needs to put on weight or work on his blocking and doesn't go pro after this season.
A little bit disappointed because we were in position to win but got beaten in the area the program is built upon - playing physical football. Still think we've got a great chance to pull an upset at home next week.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
UW-Ohio State postgame thoughts
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4 comments:
I would comment but I could not see the game.
Good write-up. Glad that you noticed the DeBauche and Small exchange...I thought it was funny too.
Didn't like the second fake punt call at all, down by seven that deep in the Badgers' territory (especially since that Beckham end-around/pass-back to Donovan was completely stopped). But I don't think it would have made the final result any different.
Beckham is unbelivable. What a great story to change positions and then to dominate. Glad to see a Wisconsin native who was given a great billing as a prep entering UW and realizing his potential. What do you think are the odds of him staying for another season? Could make a world of difference for Everidge or whoever starts at QB.
Wish we had Swan for this game. Did Jefferson do much, other than the block downfield for Hubbard's big play? You're right, the next big Randle-El play will be his first.
Good takes.
I think Beckum's gone. I think he'd benefit from another year in school, but I just have a feeling he's out of here. He was very animated today after some of Donovan's bad passes. He may not want to risk coming back and playing with a guy who wasn't good enough to beat out Donovan.
I agree that this game was won in the trenches. But I think Ohio State's skill guys are significantly better than UW's. Robiskie and Hartline would be clear No. 1 wide receivers at UW, and I think Small is overshadowed by those two and is probably pretty good, too.
And I'd take Wells over Hill in a heartbeat. I think Hill is a good college running back. I think Wells is going to be a stud the next two years and will be a star at the next level. I just like his combination of size and speed.
For what it's worth, I expected Hill to at least try to play today, even if he couldn't stand the pain and had to leave after a few carries. I thought he'd try to tough it out.
Finally, if UW can score 17 points without its best running back and best wide receiver, I guess Ohio State's defense isn't as good as I made it out to be.
I haven't crunched the numbers, so don't quote me on this, but I think a loss next week might put Bucky in Tempe for the Insight Bowl. Any chance of a College Tour 2007 Part II if that's the case?
If I remember correctly, the Insight takes the 6th place Big Ten team? Right now, it looks like Purdue or Wisconsin would end up in Tempe if that's the case. Another positive: The Insight Bowl is played on New Year's Eve this year -- with special guest The Barenaked Ladies. Judging by the band selection, Tempe must think they are ringing in 2001, not 2008.
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