Grading the Bucks Week 7--Wisconsin

Well, that certainly sucked. I have never seen an OSU defensive line get dominated like this past Saturday.

Offense: D
The offense was pedestrian the entire game. Terrelle had enough time to do the entire team's taxes in the pocket and still couldn't find an open receiver. The passes were off target, the play calling was horrid, and the execution was awful. The only positive in the game was Boom Herron's running which took a giant leap forward. I would have never imagined we would get back into the game through our runningbacks, but they proved me wrong. When the game was on the line, the unit didn't deliver. Sloppy and disinterested were the words of the day.

Defense: D-/F
Pathetic performance by the Bullets...if you can call them that. The defensive line showed no heart and was pushed all over the field. The first quarter, they couldn't hold Wisconsin (a pedestrian offense at best) to a single play which resulted in less than a 5 yard game. Chekwa was picked on all game and never rose to the challenge. I know Wisconsin has fat O-Linemen, but the Buckeyes let themselves be pushed away and run over. We knew Wisconsin was going to run with Clay and we couldn't stop it. It was strength on strength and we were dominated. The lack of intensity on the defensive side was also painful apparent. A leader must emerge and I don't see one. Cam Heyward has been a major disappointment and has most likely lost millions by not going pro last year. I'm hoping his lack of production is due to constant double-teaming...but I'm not convinced that's it. When the offense woke up and brought the team back into striking distance, the defense couldn't prevent the knockout blow on the final Badger drive...that's where championships are won.

Special Teams: F
Sorry boys...you suck. Many pundits continue to point to the final score and say "They didn't lose because of the kick return to start the game since they lost by 13." I'm here to say, that's BS. Momentum is HUGE in college sports, especially on the road. OSU came in looking to put the hammer down and prove their superiority. Wisconsin needed to prove to themselves that they had a shot...and the kick return gave them the hope and belief. You could see the energy rise and the drunken multitudes in the stands erupted into a frenzy when the Badgers showed they were here to win not to lose close as well as the deflation and skepticism introduced onto the Buckeye sideline. Let's not also forget the missed field goal in the first half. Had that been converted, the comeback ties the game and puts a whole new spin.

Coaching: C-
The Badgers clearly decided to roll the dice and go reverse of most defenses vs. OSU and stop the pass. They consistently dropped into coverage befuddling Pryor into indecision. I will admit that the coach's decision to move to the ground game in the second half surprised me and was a sound decision (even though I doubted at the time). My main problems were the lack of inspiration and hope the coaches were showing. Every time Wisconsin responded or scored, they looked deflated and defeated...and that was passed on to the team. Perhaps the most glaring coaching deficiency was on the Buckeye's FG drive in the 1st half. 1st and goal inside the 5 led to 3 straight runs (Pryor, Herron, Pryor) to no effect. This is unacceptable from a coach. Wisconsin was handed more momentum and a 4 point greater lead (FG instead of a TD) because Tressel went beyond uber-conservative. Listen, conservative is fine but that drive needed a touchdown. The playcalling wasn't as conservative as it was unimaginative. QB Blast, HB Blast, QB Blast....this isn't UF and Pryor isn't Tebow. The Badger coaches looked as surprised and elated as the Buckeye fans looked befuddled. A roll-out run pass option with one of the best dual threats in the game; a PA fade; a counter run by the halfback...SOMETHING DIFFERENT!! Victory goes to the bold, not the scared.