OSU's Offense

 

News around Columbus is swirling about whether Ohio State’s offense be better with Terrelle Pryor playing wide receiver?  The quick answer is no.  OSU does not have an effective replacement at this point to plug in at QB.  Unfortunately, the Buckeye community is now painfully aware that Pryor’s success as a freshman was largely based on Robiskie, Hartline and Wells being threats. If one of the principle goals of coaching is to place your talent in the right positions to maximize your team’s success, Tressel should consider developing Pryor as a wide receiver.  Here’s why:

 

I might be with the pack on this one, but 18 games into a career should be producing better performances.  Pryor is the leader of an offense that is currently ranked 91^st in FBS in total yards per game.  The offense should not be ranked this low, especially when the defenses they’ve faced are 9^th, 31^st, 38^th, 71^st, 82^nd, 105^th and 109^th in the FBS.  Minnesota is 92^nd – can we expect better?

 

Two series against Purdue provide perfect insight into why a change on offense is necessary.  The first was the debacle of getting the ball on Purdue’s 31 yard line and the offense not only loses yardage, but turns the ball over.  The second was the 1^st and 10 from the Purdue one in the fourth quarter.  Down 23-7, a TD shifts the momentum to OSU and probably forces Purdue to press a little to score again.  With a 6’6” QB, three runs over Brewter’s back would have ensured a TD.  OSU settled for a field goal.  Instead of a momentum shift, Purdue got the victory by forcing the field goal. 

 

The mistakes made against Purdue are made by inferior teams with inferior coaching – not a common occurrence under Tressel.  If Tressel deserved credit for not losing the games he should win, then he deserves a lot of blame when he does lose these types of games.  Tressel’s offensively philosophy is to not put the defense in bad positions.  I would say this offense is failing miserably, and a change is warranted.

 

Don’t get me wrong, I think Tressel is one of the best coaches in the business.  He deserves the right to steer his team how he wants.  I just think his coaching philosophy works best when the offense is serviceable.  Sadly, it is not. 

 

In 2007, OSU was 53^rd in total offense.  In 2008, 69^th.  I already mentioned that OSU is currently 91^st.  Three seasons is called a trend, but I would argue it is systemic. From 04-06, OSU finished 90^th, 30^th and 29^th in total offense. 

 

By comparison, from 2006-2008, Florida’s offense finished 10^th, 16^th and 9^th.  USC’s finished 27^th, 27^th and 13^th.  Texas’ finished 26^th, 13^th and 11^th.  Perhaps it is worth mentioning that OSU is 1-4 against these teams since 05. 

 

Is having a good, effective offense not a reasonable goal?  How many championships have been potentially lost by not building a strong offense to go along with the good defenses?  I have seen a change on the defensive side of the ball in terms of recruiting to fit a more modern style of defensive play.  Is this not possible on the other side of the ball?

 

Tressel’s been called a perfectionist.  Great.  I'm sorry to say that I see this characteristic more frequently from Meyer, Saban and Carroll than Tressel.  Maybe I am crazy, but the players appear to be having fun playing for these coaches.  I have not seen that enthusiasm from OSU’s players in a long time, and yet my passion for excellence from the Buckeyes burns stronger. 

 

Some might question my Buckeye loyalty.  Nothing is further from the truth.  I always bleed Scarlet and Gray.  The businessman in me just expects a better product than we’re receiving.