If anyone happened to see the USC game last weekend, there is little doubt why both poll’s jumped USC up to the #1 spot. I know a lot of people would say they did it for ratings, but if you really watched that game and your an Ohio State fan, Wow, get ready! USC is like Ohio State, they never re-build, they just re-load. If you happened to watch their offensive line, which was the big question mark coming into the season, you need not doubt their talent at that spot. In fact, to put it bluntly, USC is loaded on both sides of the ball. All the more reason for a USC vs OSU match up to be the game of the year. A good ol’ Pac 10 vs Big 10 showdown. However, if Ohio State wants to beat USC, they must get better this week against OU. Here are some of my thoughts on what the buckeyes should do if they want to beat USC.
1. Blocking- Ohio State’s lineman did have some failures against Youngstown State, They HAVE to get better.
2. Play-calling- Coach Tressel cannot be afraid to throw in some trick plays, maybe put Boeckman & Pryor in at the same time, line Pryor up in a wing formation and fake a pass to him, or pass it to him, or give it to Beanie on an off tackle play. You see there is so much you can do with him just because he is such a threat, make the defense think, and think a lot.
3. Give it to Beanie- From what I hear so far, Tressel isn’t giving any information out about Beanie’s availability against USC. However, I think he will be ready. I think the injury to Beanie just scared him more than anything, and I think it is a smart move for them to keep him out this week vs Ohio.
4. Attack on defense- Mark Sanchez is a great player, but we do need to call his bluff. He is a little banged up with the knee dislocation, so that has to be on his mind. Pressure him with the Animal. Even throw some of the younger guys in there like Sabino, to mix it up with speed. We can’t be the traditional Ohio State team, we have to be more original on defense as well. Make Sanchez think so much about the pressure that he gets overwhelmed.
5. Last Point- Forget the past. Past failures can hurt the mental aspect in players mind. If they keep hearing all this stuff about how they are in a weak conference, and don’t play anybody. Or they are too slow. Whatever the haters are saying these days, Forget about it! It’s a new season, with new talent. If you think too much about the past and you get in an absolute war of a football game against USC, you have to be mentally tougher to overcome the challenge.
P.S. If anyone thinks I am overlooking Ohio University for this upcoming week, I’m not. They have to be ready because OU would love nothing better than to spoil the Buckeyes hopes for this season. For that reason, they need to be ready. GO Bucks!!!
