Grading the Bucks: Week 10--Nebraska

Not great, Bob.

Offense: B-
So we finally got the running game going...and forgot how to pass.  Dwayne Haskins has seemingly started a slow decline in accuracy (very odd...and disconcerting).  Honestly, I spent most of the time railing at the playcalling (more to come) but the accuracy issues are a bit concerning.  It was certainly nice to see the line opening a few holes here and there, but this was against a bad Nebraska team.  The push on 4th and short was still nonexistent and it is HUGE problem for an OSU unit that has (should have) better athletes than 99% of the schools they face.  Dobbins and Weber flashed (and finally broke a few tackles!) but growth need to continue.

Defense: C
Let's be clear...Nebraska isn't good.  Yet they seemed to move up and down the field with relative ease.  There have been a bevy of injuries on this side of the ball (primarily in the secondary) but that's no excuse to look as the Buckeyes have.  Teams have figured out how to neutralize the strength of the D-line with quick hitters and draw plays and our coaches haven't adjusted (more later).  We don't face a truly dynamic offense for the remainder of the regular season, but the running game of TSUN will be a problem.

Special Teams: I don't remember
Sorry...I don't remember the special teams play of last week which is usually a plus.  Instead of making fun of me for my crappy lack of analysis...make fun of Nebraska's kicker for....what this was.

Coaching: D-
This team is devolving.  The playcalling is getting worse.  There is no ingenuity in design and scheme.  It seems as if the coaches are assuming the better athletes will win without help.  I don't understand the apathy.  Two weeks to improve and Haskins looks worse.  Two weeks to gameplan and the playcalling was horrid.  The team looks wholly unprepared and I think there may be some questioning of the coaching duties within the ranks as well (no real reason to think this other than the players aren't stupid).  The ultimate failure was early in the game on a 3rd and 1.  We know the line wasn't successful on getting a push in the past few weeks, but there were 2 attempts to psych the players up and get that yard.  Barring that, try to throw the ball (which was usually successful). No.  Instead the playcall was a jet sweep with Paris Campbell that the line (predictably) was unable to provide any protection.  Loss of 2.  Then, to compound matters, we went for it on 4th down in what appeared to be a total reaction to the bad play. "We failed there, but we'll show them by running it down their throat" (with no fight left). Stuffed.  Momentum swing.  The coaches appeared to be on tilt with the stupidity of the first playcall and the overreaction following.  Urban appeared in disbelief when we didn't get it on 4th...but that's been this team the last few weeks.  I don't know how some of the brightest minds in coaching seem befuddled at scheming for a 2-6 opponent.  It's disturbing to say the least.

Overall: C-
Not great, Bob.  Not great. The talent still resides in Columbus in the Scarlet and Gray.  We can achieve most of the goals set out at the beginning of the year (sorry, I saw the Bama game and I welcome our new Elephant Overlords and their Commander Satan...er...Saban).  To achieve these goals, the mindset and mental aspects of the team/scheme must be improved and they must be improved NOW.  Michigan State isn't a great team, but Dantonio has been a thorn in Urban's side.  The opponents smell blood in the water.  Can the Bucks rally and live up to potential? I sure hope so.

Bonus--Uniforms: BUTT
Stop it.  Just stop it.  Ohio State doesn't need gimmicks.  I don't care if you think they look 'fire emoji'.  This is Ohio State.  Play for the tradition, play for pride, play for what's come before you and what's coming after.  Don't play for stupid looking gimmicky uniforms.  Scarlet and Gray are the colors and that's what we should be about.  Now...get off my lawn.