Ryan Field, Evanston,
Illinois
Kickoff: 12noon
TV: ESPN2
The
Buckeyes are not only a long shot for the Rose Bowl but also a BCS bowl
altogether. Ohio
State hasn’t been in this
position since 2004 and many Buckeye fans are confused as to how to view the
season. Northwestern has played well all season and with a 7-2 record,
are still entertaining hopes of a Big Ten title and a bid to a BCS bowl.
A win against the Buckeyes would certainly help both causes. Historically,
the Wildcats have not been successful against the Buckeyes winning only once in
the past 34 years (2004). The cards are easily stacked in favor of the more
talented Buckeyes but effort and coaching will be the downfall for the Buckeyes
if everything stays the same.
By Pete Quint
OSU
“O”
The
offense has played and been coached out of contention for the National title
and in all likelihood the Big Ten championship. Saying the “season is
over” is a bit of a defeatist mindset and offering a more optimistic outlook
should talk a few of us off the ledge of the building. Here is what the coaching staff has in mind
now that they are grooming the team for a run in 2009. The coaching staff is planning to throw
caution to the wind and start drawing plays in the dirt to see what works with
Terrelle Pryor, DeVier Posey, Boom Herron and company. This will make for an incredibly exciting
final three games as the offense lines up every which way and puts up 56 points
per game. All the offensive output will
swell the confidence of the young Buckeyes as they ride the momentum into the
2009 season as the favorites to win the Big Ten and make a serious run at the
national championship.
Are
you buying any of this?
Here’s
the red-flag stat that Ohio State needs to pay close attention to; Northwestern
is second in the Big Ten in sacks and Ohio State
is tenth in sacks allowed. The Wildcats have a good defense and if
the slow lumbering OSU offensive line doesn’t take them seriously, they will
get stuffed, stopped and sacked all day.
OSU
”D”
Experts
expected the Wildcats to tank after running back Tyrell Sutton and quarterback
C.J. Bacher went down with injuries (Sutton for the season) but head coach Pat
Fitzgerald and junior quarterback Mike Kafka had other plans last week against Minnesota. Kafka
threw for 143 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for a Big Ten quarterback single
game record of 217 yards on the ground. While Bacher is still penciled in
at quarterback, his return is questionable.
Kafka could be utilized as a tailback or a wingback if Conteh continues
to produce poor numbers. The Wildcat offensive line is young with five
new starters this season but despite the inexperience, the line is ranked 15th
nationally in fewest sacks allowed (1.11 per game). The Buckeye defense
is incredibly stingy on giving up yards but isn’t very good at getting sacks
(ninth in the Big Ten). With the lack of a good pass rush, the defense
will likely sit in a soft zone and attack the wide receivers looking for
turnovers.
Summary
If
the Buckeye offense continues to be poorly coached, the last three games of the
season could easily turn out to be a 1-2 or a 2-1 record. Northwestern is
playing for a good bowl game and the Buckeyes will get their best shot. Ohio State
can’t snooze on this team or we will have a repeat of 2004.
Reality
Prediction: OSU 20 – Northwestern 10
Optimistic
Caution-to-the-Wind Prediction: OSU 56 – NU 10
Why
OSU will win:
Play
loose and have fun; that goes for players AND coaches. The season is essentially
over and building for 2009 is a priority. Now is the time to start making
changes to the stuffy, boring, over-conservative offensive mindset and upgrade
the play-calling to a new sleek modern model of fun and scoring. Offense
should not be offensive.
Why
OSU will lose:
Same
old same old. The Buckeyes have superior size, speed, strength and depth
but if the same play-calling, effort and drive rise to the surface they will
still lose to a motivated Wildcat squad.
Crazy
stat or the game:
- At
Ohio State, Jim Tressel is 1-4 coming off a bye week.
-
Chris Wells needs 141 yards rushing to eclipse 3,000 yards in his career.
NU
players to watch:
Senior
QB # C.J. Bacher
Junior
QB #13 Mike Kafka
Junior
S #4 Brendan Smith
Senior WR #9 Ross
Lane
Senior WR #8 Rasheed Ward
Junior S #17 Brad Phillips
Senior LB #36 Prince Kwateng