Was Terry Moore a miss? Fifth year player brought in to sit behind a true freshman? Maybe Timmons is awesome or Little just couldn’t play nickel, but this seems like another Onianwa.
I have understood and supported the philosophy of playing slower. We know that attrition is real in college football and so anything you can do to save snaps for players can pay off down the road. My question is if playing slow is a strategic luxury that isn't available for Ohio State this year? With their schedule being as difficult as it appears to be, I think they won't be able to "play with their food" so to speak. Playing ball control at Texas, Indiana, and USC will be difficult due to the crowd noise, and would have to have a large enough lead to negate that, which will most likely come with playing faster. If they are able to defeat both Texas and Indiana, maybe then that allows them to play slower but I think you've got to empty the tank on those two games in order to give you a buffer just in case you drop a game or two later? Thanks for the coverage, you guys are the best on the beat!
One other question I have is what are the biggest non-analytical factors or human factors this upcoming college football?
For instance, I've been reading through the PickSix Previews document and Oregon is rated high in almost every category and is their pick for the National Champion. However, that doesn't include the fact that they have two new coordinators which if they don't pan out would affect their chances at a national championship
Would be interested to hear your thoughts on Bill Connelly and Adam Rittenberg's article analyzing the OSU and Miami game and how it represents larger trends in college football. I know that you both have discussed many aspects found in the article, but was curious if it expanded or clarified any of your thoughts.
The article also ends with, "If you're looking for the next great offensive innovation, it will likely involve heavier use of tempo again, but perhaps in a selective and varied way."
From what you've heard and see, do you think that the Buckeyes are working to move toward that?
What will be the scariest game of the season, and why is the correct answer the Maryland Terrapins??? But in all seriousness, while probably and one of the 'easier' games on this year's Heraclean slate, between the currently six AP ranked opponents could Maryland be the sneaky surprise hardly bowl-eligible opponent of the season?
Sadly, the season ending injury to the familiar named DE Zahir Mathis probably tampers excitement for a 'shell of a season' there is still young talent that maybe can put it together to final win a game past September 30th and maybe be more than a crabcake game for the Buckeyes.
Okay maybe not Maryland, but if not them who should we keeping an eye out for.
Cheers and I look forward to another season of coverage from BAD!
Does different experience and capabilities of this year’s defense result in Matt Patricia changing his scheme or play calling? Will they be more aggressive and higher chaos factor or less?
As you two are aware. Ohio state is in a weird space where most of media that covers Ohio State doesn’t watch during the year. They look at the score to see if Ohio State lost then spew the same talking points from previous years. “Ohio state isn’t tough” “ sayin isn’t a good QB” “ Ohio state doesn’t win big games”
However, somthing interesting has happened. People have actually went & watched Ohio states offense from last year and the consensus is Brian Hartline wasn’t just not good. He was awful. Why wasn’t this recognized in the moment? & how bad was he. Does Ohio state repeat with Chip Kelly as OC last year?
Phillip Bell. I read he had been repping with the 2's in the slot at the beginning of camp. Is he just a placeholder with the 2nd team until Kyle Parker is fully healthy? I feel like Philip Bell has been one of the least talked about offensive players since his arrival to the Buckeyes and I was excited when we landed him. Just curious what your thoughts are about him for this year and if he even has a future with the Buckeyes.
Overall optimism/expectations for Arthur Smith is high across the board, including from the both of you.
Compare that optimism/expectations to the previous two years with Chip Kelly & Brian Hartline (and also how you would grade them after the season was up?).
I’m guessing 1-10 preseason expectations…Chip was a 7. Ended up a 9. Brian was a 5…ended up a 5? Arthur Smith expectations feel higher than the previous two years of new OC’s.
Bill brought up in conversation regarding offensive line configuration that Padilla is light and therefore might be beneficial to add some size by bringing in Moore and sliding Siereveld to RG. Do we think moving to Arthur Smith zone heavy scheme that size alone will be a bigger factor in how things play out than seems to be the conversation currently? I remember a similar conversation around Chip Kelly run scheme preseason ‘24 where they mentioned Tegra’s size and if he could put it all together he was a big guard that has long arms and can get hands on people that fits well in that scheme before we had to move to gap scheme for obvious personnel reasons. Looking at size of Texas and Oregon’s front 7 I wonder if an NFL coordinator doesn’t come in and say it’s a no brainer that if Ian Moore is ready, we need to beef up the interior to use heavy zone blocking scheme. Moving AS inside almost a requirement given Montgomery and Hinzman are a bit undersized. I’m not sure I’ve seen a dline as big and deep as Texas this year at DT
A few weeks ago, you and Doug were discussing the Indiana and Miami games and how the offense just couldn't find a way to make enough plays to either win the game or at least get in a position to win when the defense gets the ball back.
My question/concern is do they practice situational football during the week? Last year, you can't tell me that the whole week was devoted to Grambling and Ohio. There had to be time at the end of practice for the offense to work on “ok, boys, we have 2:23 left on the clock. Two timeouts. Ball at our 12 yard line and we're down by 4. We are going against the best defense in the country. Go and win the game.”
Was Terry Moore a miss? Fifth year player brought in to sit behind a true freshman? Maybe Timmons is awesome or Little just couldn’t play nickel, but this seems like another Onianwa.
This was my question as well. I second this
Going into this season, how would you rank the security of OSU assistant coaches from most secure to hot seat.
Besides their record, at the end of the year, what stat would all but guarantee a successful season?
I have understood and supported the philosophy of playing slower. We know that attrition is real in college football and so anything you can do to save snaps for players can pay off down the road. My question is if playing slow is a strategic luxury that isn't available for Ohio State this year? With their schedule being as difficult as it appears to be, I think they won't be able to "play with their food" so to speak. Playing ball control at Texas, Indiana, and USC will be difficult due to the crowd noise, and would have to have a large enough lead to negate that, which will most likely come with playing faster. If they are able to defeat both Texas and Indiana, maybe then that allows them to play slower but I think you've got to empty the tank on those two games in order to give you a buffer just in case you drop a game or two later? Thanks for the coverage, you guys are the best on the beat!
Which of these factors will have the largest impact (perceived or real) on the Bucks pace of play this year?
1. More efficient play calling process due to an experienced play caller & 2nd year QB
2. Focus on YAC leading to slightly more explosive plays
3. Playing ~19 guys on defense so a possible increase in defensive plays won’t wear down the defense
4. Tougher schedule necessitating more offensive plays
One other question I have is what are the biggest non-analytical factors or human factors this upcoming college football?
For instance, I've been reading through the PickSix Previews document and Oregon is rated high in almost every category and is their pick for the National Champion. However, that doesn't include the fact that they have two new coordinators which if they don't pan out would affect their chances at a national championship
Would be interested to hear your thoughts on Bill Connelly and Adam Rittenberg's article analyzing the OSU and Miami game and how it represents larger trends in college football. I know that you both have discussed many aspects found in the article, but was curious if it expanded or clarified any of your thoughts.
The article also ends with, "If you're looking for the next great offensive innovation, it will likely involve heavier use of tempo again, but perhaps in a selective and varied way."
From what you've heard and see, do you think that the Buckeyes are working to move toward that?
https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/49577220/college-football-2026-trends-see-ohio-state-miami
What will be the scariest game of the season, and why is the correct answer the Maryland Terrapins??? But in all seriousness, while probably and one of the 'easier' games on this year's Heraclean slate, between the currently six AP ranked opponents could Maryland be the sneaky surprise hardly bowl-eligible opponent of the season?
Sadly, the season ending injury to the familiar named DE Zahir Mathis probably tampers excitement for a 'shell of a season' there is still young talent that maybe can put it together to final win a game past September 30th and maybe be more than a crabcake game for the Buckeyes.
Okay maybe not Maryland, but if not them who should we keeping an eye out for.
Cheers and I look forward to another season of coverage from BAD!
Does different experience and capabilities of this year’s defense result in Matt Patricia changing his scheme or play calling? Will they be more aggressive and higher chaos factor or less?
any chance the media will watch another practice of fall camp?
As you two are aware. Ohio state is in a weird space where most of media that covers Ohio State doesn’t watch during the year. They look at the score to see if Ohio State lost then spew the same talking points from previous years. “Ohio state isn’t tough” “ sayin isn’t a good QB” “ Ohio state doesn’t win big games”
However, somthing interesting has happened. People have actually went & watched Ohio states offense from last year and the consensus is Brian Hartline wasn’t just not good. He was awful. Why wasn’t this recognized in the moment? & how bad was he. Does Ohio state repeat with Chip Kelly as OC last year?
Bill, I know you're already sold on Ian Moore, but I'm curious if you watched Landon Tengwall's film study of Moore and what were your thoughts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3msfHQxfeuQ&t=1s
I wrote about Ian in April and highlighted all the same plays that Landon did https://www.billanddougshow.com/p/inside-ian-moores-push-to-be-ohio?utm_source=publication-search
I should have known you were way ahead of him! Thanks.
Phillip Bell. I read he had been repping with the 2's in the slot at the beginning of camp. Is he just a placeholder with the 2nd team until Kyle Parker is fully healthy? I feel like Philip Bell has been one of the least talked about offensive players since his arrival to the Buckeyes and I was excited when we landed him. Just curious what your thoughts are about him for this year and if he even has a future with the Buckeyes.
Overall optimism/expectations for Arthur Smith is high across the board, including from the both of you.
Compare that optimism/expectations to the previous two years with Chip Kelly & Brian Hartline (and also how you would grade them after the season was up?).
I’m guessing 1-10 preseason expectations…Chip was a 7. Ended up a 9. Brian was a 5…ended up a 5? Arthur Smith expectations feel higher than the previous two years of new OC’s.
Bill brought up in conversation regarding offensive line configuration that Padilla is light and therefore might be beneficial to add some size by bringing in Moore and sliding Siereveld to RG. Do we think moving to Arthur Smith zone heavy scheme that size alone will be a bigger factor in how things play out than seems to be the conversation currently? I remember a similar conversation around Chip Kelly run scheme preseason ‘24 where they mentioned Tegra’s size and if he could put it all together he was a big guard that has long arms and can get hands on people that fits well in that scheme before we had to move to gap scheme for obvious personnel reasons. Looking at size of Texas and Oregon’s front 7 I wonder if an NFL coordinator doesn’t come in and say it’s a no brainer that if Ian Moore is ready, we need to beef up the interior to use heavy zone blocking scheme. Moving AS inside almost a requirement given Montgomery and Hinzman are a bit undersized. I’m not sure I’ve seen a dline as big and deep as Texas this year at DT
A few weeks ago, you and Doug were discussing the Indiana and Miami games and how the offense just couldn't find a way to make enough plays to either win the game or at least get in a position to win when the defense gets the ball back.
My question/concern is do they practice situational football during the week? Last year, you can't tell me that the whole week was devoted to Grambling and Ohio. There had to be time at the end of practice for the offense to work on “ok, boys, we have 2:23 left on the clock. Two timeouts. Ball at our 12 yard line and we're down by 4. We are going against the best defense in the country. Go and win the game.”
Have you guys ever seen anything like this?