The game started out much like last week for Ohio State. The Buckeyes come out flat, allowed the opponent to get a 10-0 lead and played catch up. This week it cost them big.
Purdue’s Robert Marve extended the football over the goal line to give the Boilermakers an upset win over the Buckeyes. The loss means Ohio State almost has no chance to make the Big Ten title game.
Give the Boilermakers credit. They out coached and out gained the Buckeyes. Purdue came out with nothing to lose and took it to the scarlet and gray. Even when Ohio State managed to tie the game at 20 with under a minute to go, Purdue had arguably their biggest play of the season when they ran through Ohio State’s offensive line to block the extra point, which sent the game into overtime. Purdue’s attitude made the difference.
Meanwhile, it’s the same story for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State came out flat and it showed. While young teams are going to encounter problems maintaining intensity each week, this start was inexcusable. The Buckeyes knew they had a chance of playing for the Big Ten title. Instead of going out and taking the game to Purdue, they allowed the Boilermakers to dictate.
The problem is two-fold. First, the coaching staff has to do a better job preparing their team each week. The game plan was less than stellar. Additionally, they need to project confidence and leadership so players can draw upon that. If they can’t convey it, then what source will the players use?
Moreover, Ohio State has leadership problems. While they have been able to bounce back and get into games, the slow starts show they don’t have players motivating them and at times kicking their butts into gear. Players need to step up and embrace this leadership role. Until some do, this team could be in a world of trouble.
Defensively, the Buckeyes had trouble stopping what Purdue threw at them. The secondary once again had trouble in coverage and there were plenty of missed tackles and poor pursuit angles taken. These mental mistakes were a big reason why Purdue was able to execute early and dictate the tempo of the game.
On the other side of the ball, the Buckeyes continue to have no evolution on offense. Braxton Miller did an excellent job bailing out the unit on some plays but even he had trouble. His mechanics seemed off all game yet he still managed to make big plays. The play calling was atrocious as they continued to do the same things repeatedly, expecting a different result (the definition for this is insanity). Instead of providing their freshman quarterback with plays such as slant or screen passes to establish momentum, they continue to think he’s Dan Marino and call up 30 to 40-yard routes. Frankly, it doesn’t make much sense.
With that said neither do the inconsistencies Ohio State continues to have. Until the Buckeyes find a way to get over this hump today may not be the last loss they suffer this season.
Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images
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