Grading the Bucks: Week 3 -- TCU

A big win and a (potential) big loss.  Honestly, Buckeye Nation should be incredibly pleased with the performance last Saturday in Jerry World.  It wasn't perfect, but the team fought through the first modicum of adversity they saw all year and triumphed.  It was by no means a perfect game, but you went into a powerful enemy's home (sort of) and took care of business.  The only reason to be mad at the final score is if you had the Bucks -13 (we should have covered).  Obviously, the negative was the uncertainty of Mr. Bosa's future for 2018.  We shall see.

Offense: B
MVP: Dwayne Haskins, QB
Pretty solid showing this week, but not as crisp as the last two weeks.  Obviously, the Horned Frog defense had much to do with that, but the execution took a slight step back.  Austin Mack had a day with the swing of emotions.  First, a huge diving catch to get it going in traffic, followed by a bevy of drops.  Buckeye faithful need to relax.  Mack has been much better this year and he will continue to grow, but Sat was a lower point.  He'll get it together.  The backfield tandem was solid (not explosive, but solid).  I'm continually amazed by the balance of the two backs (especially Dobbins).  The footwork and concentration is exceptional.  I also love that Haskins finally kept the ball on a read.  Yes, he's slower than the StayPuft Marshmallow Man, but we need to keep the threat of the keeper alive.  A perfect playcall near the goalline.  We do need to mention the points left on the board in the first possession when Haskins swing pass to Berry was batted down.  A literal lob is an easy 6 with no one within miles of the TE.  Oh yeah, no turnovers :).

Defense: B
MVP: Dremont Jones, DT
This unit is going to be bipolar week in and week out.  The line is simply fantastic.  They scored 2 TDs for heaven's sake! The back 7....eh.  Linebacker play actually improved as the game went on a bit, but there's a ways to go.  Arnette has his moments (on both sides) but the secondary is not the high quality we've had in the recent past.  Let me be clear: expecting the secondary to be seeded with multiple 1st round NFL draft picks every year may be asking a bit much.  The only concern the reared it's ugly head is the run defense once again.  The pass rush is just nasty with Bosa (please?), Young, Jones, and Cooper.  I feel bad for opposing QB's.  However, TCU had a fantastic gameplan to nullify the rush with quick tempo, short passes, and inside runs.  Look for many future opponents to try to replicate that.

Special Teams: C
They were the ones to kick a kick off out of bounds! Moving on up Bucks! However, a missed kick by Nuernburger is no bueno.  Another average kick/return showing.  Another downgrade is the kickoff trickeration that should have worked (had they not thrown it forward).  How did no one see that?

Coaching: B
So ends the (first?) tenure of Ryan Day as OSU head coach with an unblemished record.  The offensive gameplan was just fine, although I was surprised to see so much Dobbins early when Weber had been the recent hot hand.  I'm glad they kept going to the receivers even with the dropsies.  The reps help.  The defensive gameplan was a little more questionable.  I'm surprised the coaches allowed the lack of run stoppers be showcased in this game.  The edge rushers of OSU are fantastic and should be the focal point, but when it becomes clear that TCU is using that advantage against us, adjustments need to be made.  I think they tried, but the middle of the field defenders are not at the level of the ends and it shows.  Maybe some more help in the middle (4 linebackers? Maybe a safety cheating up to aid with the run) would be in order.  Also, seriously, how was there not a single coach in the box screaming to the sidelines that there was a TCU player laying on the RED A in the endzone. With all the eyeballs on the game in college football, everyone missing that is very odd.  Yes it didn't work, but it should have.

Overall: A-
Lots of nitpicking above (more than is deserved as reflected in my final grade).  The Bucks took care of business in a workmanlike fashion.  Yes, they got the advantage of defensive scores, but those were a product of the quality defensive play rather than an accident.  This game is a big springboard for the season, make no mistake.  The only concern still lingering is the abdomen of Nick Bosa.  Let's hope he gets right for the Penn State game.  He has a meeting (multiple meetings?) planned with Chase Young at Trace McSorley.