Solar

Some people just need tea and sympathy. And yes they will be back next time we lose.

Would Utah really beat 4 through 12 on a neutral field? I haven't watched them, but if they lose to BYU are they going to drop to like 15 or just few spots like an SEC team? It feels like some of these rank are playing 13 dimensional chess. Us at 23 is lining us up to make the playoffs if we win out IMO.

I think OSU really let all the circumstances get to them in a bad way. Long travel after a bye week, away game rainy when they needed to play from behind passing to win, first full game with the new QB. I think the QB was serviceable as Raiola, just the rest of the team didn't show up. All the penalties, drops, and missed tackles, an all around poorly executed game.

Yes, I remember saying when Dante was injured we would get to see how capable we really were and we struggled to pull away from them, which was honestly a little disappointing at the time, but reflective of our ceiling. Then again, we did what Ohio State could not, beat a highly motivated USC team at home, but I think that was more a case of us playing to our ceiling while OSU played to their floor. I do think our ceiling has an opportunity to continue to improve since the USC game, but unfortunately OSU is next week, and they won't be playing to their floor for a second week in a row at home with their be acks against the wall.

Per ESPN FPI we have a.1% chance of winning the Natty. So they are saying there's a chance!

I saw that too. The only thing he lacks is breakaway speed, he is really slow, but he's got everything else you look for. I think Hill and Davison's running style are too similar, one cut straight ahead. Some games that will work great, but other games you need the extra lateral agility and vision. Verdell and Dye were an underrated RB duo for that reason that their styles were so different. If one was struggling the other would have success depending on the chemistry between the defensive scheme and the offensive blocking.

I think the Vegas line makes sense at -10.5 Ohio State. Coming off a bye week way far on the road as a late game in the rain with a new QB. It was like a bowl game where one team doesn't show up. Now OSU is angry will get back in their groove at home with their backs against the wall to stay in the playoffs. Also we had a new OC, and Patricia now has a week to game plan against him, the NW didn't. I'm pretty sure we will show up this game and play hard, and the OL finally looks up to the task, but some play calling regression by Jay and a poor outing by Raiola is still in the cards. Our biggest hope is for OSU to have another mediocre offensive performance, with our defense playing their best game of the year, learning from what USC did.

Excellent point. The adversity is hitting the coaches hardest, because it's blatantly obvious the underperformance this year is all their fault. The talent is here to have been 8-0, but instead it's 5-3.

I don't feel good about OSU losing. They are going to be upset they lost and feel like their backs are against the wall to stay in the playoff race.

I think Lanning has learned not to play with his food when comes to coaching hires and better micromanage the lapses in intensity and focus. Can't let that stuff slide for a second.

I agree. He was able to get comfortable and get into a bit of a rhythm, something Mehringer and the OL would let him do against UCLA or Illinois.

Ohio State is severely off tonight playing in the rain and all.

I have the same strange feelings. It's the underdog effect. But honestly, we want Ohio State to win and be complacent against us next week, not pissed off and ready to attack us at home.

I'm just happy to be 5-3. I'm hoping we show up against OSU, but I'm not expecting to win.

Bad history, but he called a solid game. There are a few plays that need to be banished from his call sheet, but that's on the whole staff. He helped Raiola get in a rhythm, while remaining unpredictable to the defense. Obviously there was better execution in the pass blocking. And run blocking.

Gambling Dan is back for an extra 4 points!

I swear our defenders are taught it's better to give up 20 yards around the edge than an extra 2 yards up the middle.

Not good to have Hill and Davison injured at all, but you can see that Riggs and Smith have better vision and sense of space. They are less physically gifted, but better pure runners.

Jay is doing decent calling plays. Actually helped Raiola get in a rhythm.

Glad he's up. Oregon can sure appreciate the situation..

FYI I created a second half gameday thread since this thread is already showing the signs it's going to crap out

Since the discussion thread always breaks down in the second half, here is a new thread for backup!

In a press conference Dan Lanning went into great deal about why we couldn't use a spy on the QB, so Chip spent all week looking into ways to scheme Chiles free paths to first downs and end zones. Brilliant. (I'm referring to Chip literally and Dan sarcastically of course).

Yeah, "The Sitting Duck Play" I said I never wanted to see again. We stick with it through thick and thin.😭

Awesome coincidence! I hope it's worth watching.