Kneejerk: Week 5, Indiana

I feel like I have a crystal ball each time I make my pregame post. Well, I have the past few weeks. I think that trend ends next week, but I’ll deal with that next week!

Overall, I think it was a solid effort by the Buckeyes. I’ll stop short of calling it an “excellent performance” like ESPN did, though. But 33-14, was really 33-7 in my eyes, because a TD scores with 2 seconds left on the clock — and against the OSU backups — is a garbage score. Then again, I predicted that, didn’t I? Why, yes I did.

There’s no way IU will be anywhere near the 33 points that they put up last week. No. Freaking. Way. I’ll give them 17 max, but only if there is a busted play or 2, or we put the bench in late and they score a garbage TD.

And even though the media told us this would be a competitive game (based on IU’s game @ Mich), I didn’t believe them. Michigan doesn’t have our defense. And that’s all I’m going to say about that.

IN A NUTSHELL

• Brandon Saine, in his 1st start, passed the 100yd mark. Great to see!
• Boom’s injury also saw Jordan Hall get a lot of meaningful snaps, which is great for his development.
• I don’t think we missed Kurt Coleman as much as I thought we would, but glad he’ll be back next week. We will need him.
• I hope we get Dex Larimore back before our tough November stretch of PSU, Iowa, and Michigan
• I loved, loved, loved TP’s running tonight. Ran more upfield and made his move a lot faster than in games past.
• The block TP threw for Saine in the 1st quarter was sa-weeet!
• Speaking of blocking. Duron Carter can light up some defenders, can’t he? Also nice to see him get his first OSU TD.
• What was wrong with Pettrey tonight? I know he has more trouble with the short field goal attempts than long ones, but missing 2 FGs seemed odd to me. Could he be hurt?
• I can’t tell you how great it was to hear the beloved O-H-I-O cheer so often during the telecast
• So, IU was dedicated their newly renovated stadium tonight and still couldn’t sell out? There were so many empty seats in there. Kind of embarrassing. I don’t know if they want that overhead shot for their media guide…
• Some of TP’s throws were great and others were sketchy. And by sketchy, I mean I held my breath when he released. But that’s usually how it goes for him. The quick slant needs work, but with the exception of about 5 throws, I thought he looked good.
• I predicted 17 points max for IU. Don’t I look smart?
• I wanted to see more Stoney and Flash, and I did notice them out there more.
• LOL @ the commentators confusing Andy Miller (who didn’t make the trip due to illness) and Jonathan Newsome. Yes, they both wear #55, but for starters, one is black and one is white. And do our left tackles ever play special teams? Nevermind. It is the Big Ten Network, after all.
• I didn’t like all the yardage special teams gave up on kick returns. Gotta work on that. You know Tressel likes the win the field position battle.
• The contrast between the 1st half play calls and second half was noticeable. I liked the 1st half better, but we all expect Tressel to tone it down after he thinks the game is in hand.
• TP underthrew his pass on the INT, but loved seeing us try to go downfield that late in the game. He’ll get better.
• The TD to Zach Boren was a pleasant surprise

FINAL STATS: 16/27 for 159 yards, 3 TDs, INT. TP also had a TD (yay for QB keepers!) along with 63 on the ground.

So, I think this game can be summed up with the following picture:

Wisky is going to be a nice test next week. I admit I haven’t seen much of them, but they’re undefeated and, by all accounts, looking good. Always a tough and physical game when these two teams meet up!

• Pregame Postage: Week 5, Indiana
• Pregame Postage: Week 6, Indiana
• Buckeyes Get Revenge Win Against Illinois
• Kneejerk: Week 4, Illinois
• Kneejerk: Week 1, Marshall