Grading the Bucks: Week 9 -- Northwestern

A win is a win, right?....RIGHT?!?!

Offense: C-
MVP: Noah Brown (just for the awesome block on JT's game sealing run)
Something just isn't right.  The line has been questionable, there is zero threat of a downfield passing game, and the playcalling is baffling.  The line was better than the game against PSU, but JT seemed to look to the flat immediately on every play.  Also, while the running game wasn't terrible, the explosion from earlier in the year just isn't there.  Maybe that's caused by the defenses being stronger, but it appears to be more than that.  Watching the game from the band's seats last week, I see that the receivers are simply getting no separation which allows the safeties/linebackers to cheat up and support the run. If the receivers can't develop into a semblance of a threat downfield (even if it's 5-10 yards downfield), this year can go south quickly.

Defense: C
MVP: Malik Hooker
Versus PSU, the defense held up their end other than 2 drives.  This week, the dink-and-dunk/rub routes just gave the team fits.  Credit to the coaches at Northwestern for identifying a scheme to accentuate the lesser talent of the team.  Nerdwestern was able to identify the alignment of the defense and run short plays to defeat the look (slant/quick in or out vs. man and finding the holes in the zone).  There was no pressure on Clayton Thorson most of the game which was concerning with the size differential on the line. The biggest issue with the Buckeye defense that MUST be fixed going forward is the atrocious 3rd down conversion rate.  The Cats converted a frustrating FOUR 3rd downs on their final drive (2 of which were 3rd and long).  With the game on the line and so many chances at getting off the field, the defense needs to rise up and take control of a lesser opponent.  They bent but didn't break on the final drive, but they shouldn't have bent that far....at home...against Northwestern.

Special Teams: C-
MVP: none
Cameron Johnston wasn't right.  His last punt was a nice 9 iron inside the 10, but the few he had early on were simply atrocious.  I'm guessing the block is still in his head from last week.  The kick return/coverage and punt return/coverage has been less than enthralling.  Last year (and at points this year), the return game was a momentum generator in key points by tackling the opponent short of the 25.  That seems to be gone as most kicks have resulted in a positive return.  I give credit to Durbin for kicking well, but the special units were a net (slight) negative.

Coaching: D+
Once again, I (and most of Buckeye Nation) just don't get it.  The offensive playcalling has become stagnant and predictable.  There is no fire; no tempo; no excitement.  When the reverse/end around went to Parris Campbell early on, there was some explosion and fun.  After that, you could essentially intuit what play was coming....swing pass behind the line.  I'm very concerned with the lack of running on first down.  It appeared that Urban wanted to make a point and work on the passing game...but they didn't work on anything but the checkdown to the RB in the flat every single time.  NW knew what was coming and it set us up in 2nd and 3rd and long too often, when the Buckeye's options were very limited.  Defensively, the Wildcats provide a problem for traditional offenses (kind of like the Princeton offense in basketball) where they just slowly bleed you to death. I was surprised there wasn't more pressure by the defensive front.

Overall: C-
Let's be real: this was not a great game.  Northwestern may be better than most think, but they are 4 point dogs to the Buckeyes in their house.  There was no excuse for the Buckeye offense to not have more success.  These issues need to be fixed and soon.  Nebraska comes to town this week, and there is no room for error.