Grading the Bucks: Week 12--Michigan State

No. Excuses.

The finger pointing has begun in Columbus, but make no mistake, this was a total team effort.  From the coaches, to the QB, to the RB, to the WR, to the lines, to the defense...no one is safe.

Offense: F
This was one of the most inept offensive performances by a Buckeye squad I've ever seen (the only one that comes close is 2004 Iowa--and that team was quite different).  If one unit must shoulder the bulk of the blame, it has to be the offensive line.  They were simply atrocious in this game.  Don't get me wrong, the Spartan D-line is very good and played an excellent game, but the trenches often determine the game, and the Spartans clearly outschemed and out'desired' the Bucks.  The line couldn't open up running lanes, couldn't protect JT for more than 2 seconds, and was simply abused.  Which brings me to the simple complaint, 'Why didn't Zeke get more carries?' Should he have? Maybe.  Was this a horrendous oversight by the coaches? Absolutely not.  Zeke refers to the power plays in which we 'gashed the Spartan D'.  He must have been watching a different game.  There was nowhere to run.  Again, should your best player be given more at-bats? Probably, but that doesn't address the 400lb gorilla of Shilique Calhoun and the D-line completely shutting Zeke down.  That isn't really on Zeke, but moreso on the O-line, but the team is a unit and the coaches need to look at the big picture.  The biggest flaw in the gameplan was utilizing Barrett on called runs over and over.  He had one or two successful plays, but not much room to run in general.  JT again made me look bad with another bad performance.  The conditions didn't help but he chose to tuck and run too quickly in my opinion.  Would Cardale have been better? Maybe but probably not.  The pocket was collapsing so fast (see O-line struggles) that Cardale's indecisiveness would have resulted in sacks rather than 'oh crap' 1 yard runs by JT.  Maybe, just maybe, we should have attacked Sparty's weakness of the secondary.  The weather didn't help but we threw deep 2 times.  Once, was to a wide open Braxton who was overthrown due to horrible pass protection and the other was against the wind in which Thomas had to prevent the interception.  Thomas, Braxton, Marshall, etc. are better downfield receivers but the Meyer scheme likes the quick screens...doesn't help when your receivers can't catch the ball.

Defense: B-
Only giving up 17 points to a top 10 team is a pretty good day, but not good enough.  The downgrade is for two major issues.  First, we were going against backup QB's in the muck.  Why are the safeties 15 yards off the line of scrimmage? MSU dared the Bucks to beat them over the top and we never tried.  Why didn't we do the same? If the backup hits it downfield, tip the cap, but allowing 200+ rushing yards (albeit against a really good team) when you know they are running the ball is a real problem.  The second issue is the lack of mental focus.  Every week, this team seems to roll the ball out there and expect to win based on the enormous talent gap (and yes, it is there).  Bosa had 3 HUGE offside penalties brought on by lack of focus.  Wipe those off the board, and I think the W is on the good guys end.  Think I'm going to far? one in particular was on a failed 4th and 8 making it 4th and 3 which was converted leading to a TD...seems pretty relevant in this game.  Oh yeah, that was the 3rd one.  How do you not adjust? Focus on what happened and learn.  Fool me once.... The secondary was fine, but the didn't have to do anything.  Perry got beat on the PA to the fullback for the touchdown but as I say, PA to the fullback is open 100% of the time (I may need to check the numbers, but sounds right).  He made a nice tackle but too late.  Of all the Buckeyes who saw their careers in the Show come to an end on Saturday, Perry is the only one who had a semblance of a decent game.

Special Teams: B-
A whole lot of 'eh' here other than the spectacular 5 yard punt by the normally solid Cam Johnston.  Most of his punts were fine, but that gem, while it didn't lead to points, bears note.  Hey! No kicks out of bounds and no missed kicks! Success!

Coaching: F
I'm gonna be that guy...I don't blame the coaching staff for not running Zeke repeatedly into a brick wall.  I would have given him a few more carries as opposed to the designed JT runs, but they were absolutely crazy to avoid the Bollman offense.  I will question the lack of stretching the field (or at least pretending to to back the safeties off).  Also, what happened to the option? JT generally runs it well although he had a few weird decisions in this game.  It all seemed to boil down to straight Zeke, straight JT run, or one read JT then take off (that's Cardale's job).  Defensive coaching was ok but to not cheat up with the safeties was a mistake to aid in the run game.  The biggest mistake from the coaches was not having the team prepared.  There was no gameplan, no motivation, no fire, no nothing.  We got complacent and it bit us...and that's on the coaches.  Don't get me wrong, the players sucked too, but the lack of fire is a lack of leadership both within and outside the huddle.

Overall: F
You play to win the game.  We didn't.  Everyone on that sideline contributed to the loss.  Everyone. This may be one of the most talented Buckeye teams in history, but because of this inexcusable performance, they will (likely) be an after thought in the annals of Buckeye lore.  That's a shame, but the truth.  You're remembered how you finish.  Last year, the team finished with a chip on their shoulder.  This year, the team flamed out amid a finger pointing, blaming, whine-fest.  You want to make a statement? There's only one thing left.  Pound Michigan into the ground so far that Harbaugh will regret leaving the University of San Diego let alone the Niners.  No mercy.  Or...come out flat, and be remembered as one of the biggest wastes of talent in recent memory.  The choices are yours and your alone.

GO OHIO!! BEAT MICHIGAN!!

Zeke: No
Don't you love the talking heads lauding Zeke for his postgame comments?  How many former players are siding with the stud RB?  Crickets.  Was he right in what he said? Maybe, but I'm not 100%.  Was he right to say it? NO. NO. NO.  This is the antithesis of a leader.  You have a problem with the coach, bring it up with him in his office.  You don't air the dirty laundry in the media.  Ever.  I don't care if he was completely right and the world knew it.  You don't throw your coaches/team under the bus.  EVER.
But he's just speaking his feelings...NO.
But he should have gotten more touches...NO.
But he's earned the right...NO
Imagine saying those things with Woody as the coach.  If I'm a player on the team, I lost some respect for Zeke shining the spot light on himself.  Players and coaches give lame answers to the media because that's how it's done.  If I'm Urban, I 100% sit him for the start of the game.  No, I don't suspend him.  He's earned the right to screw up, but actions have consequences.  You sit him for the start, not for his sake, but for the team's.  No one...NO ONE is bigger than the program.  Again, we're entitled to stumble but actions have consequences (a fact lost in our society today).  Imagine you have the world's dumbest boss and everyone agrees.  What happens if you publicly call him/her out? Actions. Have. Consequences.  He may be spot on with his comments (I happen to disagree in part), but you can't handle it like this because it foments doubt in the leadership.  The team with the cohesive goal is the team that flourishes (see 2014 Buckeyes).  Without the team mentality, we have a collection of really talented players, who have yet to put it together.

Want to go down in Buckeye lore in a more positive fashion? Hammer the Wolverines this week, Zeke.  Galvanize the team and throw your support behind the coaches.  One goal.  One mission.  BEAT BLUE!