Pyramid Hill lights up
Women of Excellence Awards
16th Annual Music Festival
Home > Blogs > Buckeyes Beat > Archives > 2008 > October > 15 > Entry
No excuses for Buckeye offensive woes
Purdue coach Joe Tiller applauded his defense for keeping Ohio State out of the end zone during a 16-3 defeat last week — the Buckeyes tallied three field goals and a special-teams TD — but Tiller should be careful not to give that unit too much credit for its performance.
Meager offensive outputs have become the norm at OSU this season.
In the Big Ten stats this week, the Buckeyes are a dismal 10th in total offense, while Michigan is 11th. The Wolverines probably deserve a pass this year since they’re phasing in a new system with heavy player turnover, but OSU has no such excuse.
In fact, offensive problems have surfaced frequently during Jim Tressel’s tenure. In his seven previous seasons, the Buckeyes have finished sixth or worse in the league in total offense six times. The lone exception was a second-place showing in 2006 when Troy Smith won the Heisman.
How can a program that consistently pulls in one of the top two recruiting classes in the conference be so feeble on offense? Some point to Tressel’s play-calling, labeling it predictable, and others cite a lack of second-half adjustments. I’m no expert, but I believe the pillow-soft offensive line is to blame.
I can’t ever recall the unit just overpowering an opposing front four. The group even had trouble opening holes against the likes of Ohio U. and Troy this season.
The Buckeyes are heading into the meat of their schedule, meaing they’ll need to find an answer soon. If not, other coaches will emerge from their clashes with OSU just as happy as Tiller.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment |
Comments
By Tim
October 15, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
I agree no excuses, I just hope week by week coach tressel is weeding out o-state judas(s) with faster, hungrier however inexperienced players like Todd who? Put me in the game coach. A stout defense, superb special teams with few turnovers as possible has led to alot of victories round these parts of townBy archie
October 16, 2008 7:05 AM | Link to this
Wasn’t beanie weanie wells supposed to have had the heisman wrapped up at this point in the season,,he has surely been a disappointment hasn’t he?By randy
October 16, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this
osu suxsBy randy
October 16, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this
osu suxsBy matt
October 16, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
Wow! You have got to be kidding me Archie, the only reason Wells isn’t in the top 5 for the heisman is because of his injury. He doesn’t have the numbers others do b/c he missed to many games. He is still one of the elite running backs in the country and your an idiot for calling him dissapointing..he also could use some help from the O-LineBy Jim
October 16, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
The x factor here is Jim Bollman.He is the OC and O-Line coach and as you can see this is OSU problems over the 7 years JT has been here. Can you imagine what will happen in the Big Ten if JT changes the OC and DC. watch out Big TEn!