Ohio State - Navy 9-5-09

Ok Buckeyes, how does a 16 point lead against Navy come down stopping Navy on a two point conversion? In the almost four hours since the end of the game, i've come down from the ledge and I am busy listening to the SEC and Pac 10 mouth pieces calling out the team and coaching staff. Frankly, if JT had kicked the damn field goal and put the game out of reach, we wouldn't be here. Ohio State does not have the luxury of winning these types of games. People look the other way when Fresno State comes into LA and lights up the Trojans and it takes a USC miracle to pull off the win. It looks the other way when a 43 point favorite loses to Stanford. It will not look the other way when you nearly blow a 16 point lead.

Yes, Navy is a very good team. Yes, they are ranked 36'th in the country and have made six straight bowl. However, there is no excuse for what took place today.

Offense:
The offense played very well. Dare I say that Brandon Saine shined more than Boom Herron? Yeah, he did. It's a fantastic thing to see the new corp of wideouts run routes PAST the third down line. I gotta say this group is much, much better. Also, does it say something that Ray Small didn't smell the field today and watched true freshman make catches? Yeah, it does. Thanks Ray for your outstanding career. Now, please learn to properly take my order when I roll into BK next time. The offensive line was solid, especially Justin Boren.

Grades:
QB: B+
WR: B+
OL: B-
TE: A

Defense:
Um, really.....Anderson Russell, could you please learn how to guard a post route? You got burned by USC, Penn State and Texas last year and the mighty passing game of the Middies burned you to. Get your head out of your ass or gtfo the field.
The linebackers and ends played well. The DT's? Well, getting blown off the ball by guards that are literaly 1/2 your size doesn't bode well.

Grades:
DL: D-
LB: C
CB: C-
S: F

Coaching:
JT both amazed and frustrated me....much like normal. Rolling out TP and using play action early and often was brilliant. As usual, he didn't' show much, I guess saving his hand for next week. On the other hand, just when you want the JT of old to show up and kill the clock, JT does his best Steve Spurrier impersonation and is still throwing the ball with under six minutes to go in the game. JT also summoned his inner Pete Carroll and went for it on 4-2 when he should have kicked a field goal to put the game away.

Grade: C-


Ok boys, it's time to get your heads out. Next week, no excuses. Three years of agony, one chance to redeem yourselves. Rise up or fold. The choice is yours. Go Bucks.