Right: Um, coach, you might want to flip that over every now and then, there might be some better plays on the back side.
Getty Images

Well it’s that time of the season where I hand out the interim reports cards on the progress of the 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes

So far, the Buckeyes are 5-1 on the year, just as I expected them to be through six games this season. While I did predict that USC would beat OSU, never in a million years did I think that that the Trojans would take them to the woodshed like they did.

A lot of things have happened in those six games as well. Offensively, Beanie Wells miss three contests due to a toe injury, and sixth-year senior Todd Boeckman was replaced in the starting lineup by freshman Terrelle Pryor four games into the season. Defensively, the line was overhauled as ends Doug Worthington and Cameron Heywood moved to tackle, with Thaddeus Gibson joining Lawrence Wilson at end.

With as many returning starters back from last year’s team, the Buckeyes were in a state of flux, but it seems that Tressel has steadied the vessel.

Offense

Here are a few interesting numbers:

As someone who studied Political Science at The Ohio State University, the term always used with surveys was “sample size.” Yes, Beanie was only played on three games, so this is all I have to work, but the numbers below demonstrate how valuable Beanie is in the lineup, who is arguably the best player in college football. Even the passing numbers are better because at times there are safeties creeping up to stop the run.

More numbers:

Offensively, the Buckeyes have fared slightly better with Pryor as the starting quarterback, though for one game he had to do without Beanie against Troy.

Even more numbers:

As you can clearly see, the offense is more potent with Terrelle and Beanie in the same backfield. With just two games under their belt, things can only get better for the Buckeyes. I still think that the passing average has to improve to make Ohio State more balanced.

While I feel all of those numbers will improve, statistically Ohio State is at the bottom of most categories. The Buckeyes are 10th in the Big Ten and 81st among the 120 teams in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in total offense (337.3 ypg). Even worse, OSU comes in 11th in the Big Ten and 105th in the NCAA in passing offense (151.3 ypg). In scoring offense, Ohio State ranks eighth in the Big Ten and 65th FCS (25.7 pgg).

Those are absolutely awful numbers for a team that still clings to an outside chance of making it to a third-straight BCS title game.

One other blemish, Ohio State is also dead-last in the Big Ten and 106th in the NCAA in sacks allowed, giving up 2.67 per game.

Offense’s Grade: C-

Defense

In Tressel’s seven-plus years as head coach of the Buckeyes, the defense has always been a notch above the offense statistically. But this year’s D has not been as dominant in recent years.

Never mind the fact that Ohio State gave up 35 points and 348 total yards against USC, but the Buckeyes have also given up huge chucks of real estate to Troy (315) and Wisconsin (326), too.

Last season, the Buckeyes were tops in the nation in both scoring defense (12.8 ppg) and total defense (233.0 ypg). So far through six games this season, Ohio State is tied for 18th in scoring defense (16.2 ppg) and 18th in total defense (262.2). Those stats are good for second and fourth, respectively, in the Big Ten.

Another problem is penetration and getting to the quarterback. The Buckeyes are dead-last in the Big Ten in sacks (1.50) and tackles of loss (4.50).

Defense’s Grade: C+

Special Teams

Wow, what a mixed bag here. Ohio State is second in the Big Ten in net punting, first in punt returns, but 10th in kickoff returns. Ryan Pretorius is 11-of-14 kicking field goals, and 16-of-17 on PATs. A.J. Trapasso is averaging 44.9 yards per punt.

Special Team’s Grade: B

Tags: Football // View Comments