UGA "The Film Guy" analysis of OSU offense v UM defense

Submitted by Chaco on December 28th, 2022 at 10:41 PM

I've never seen anything by this UGA fan, but he analyzed the OSU offense against our defense in anticipation of their Peach Bowl matchup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzPObFDhY00; some reinforcement of themes from MGoBlog write-ups/podcasts but key takeaways (it's over 52 minutes long but interesting if you have the time and think that kind of thing might be interesting):

- fair amount of respect of Stroud/Harrison talent but view that some of OSU's o line was suspect

- some befuddlement at some play call decisions that don't target some of OSU's better talent in key situations

- recognized UM's strategy of mixing coverages, forcing long drives by keeping plays in front of them and letting shorter field in the red zone lead to more FGs than TDs

- criticism of OSU's lack of execution and, in some cases, preparation and acknowledgement of UM making adjustments along the way while OSU did not; along with repeating plays/tendencies

- general opinion that UGA superior defensive talent/speed will prevent some of the run game stuff that worked against UM from being as successful (this wasn't delivered in an annoying way just his perspective which probably has some merit)

so - nothing hugely new but interesting to get a 3rd party perspective.

Bo Harbaugh

December 29th, 2022 at 12:02 AM ^

OSU is broken.  Spent all year focused on Michigan and "toughness" and were exposed as soft and leaderless.  They play with fear and doubt, as UM and the entire country could sense in the second half of The Game.

I don't think OSU suddenly comes out loose with a great game plan just a month after being nuked on their home field.  That was shock and awe after 365 days of non-stop UM prep. 

OSU needs to get up by 2 scores to make this a game.  If UGA gets up early, OSU will fold like a cheap lawn chair - no resilience, no belief. They are currently in their own BPONE, the energy around their program is shit, and it would take a complete 180 to turn it around.  They go into this game hoping to win, not expecting to win.  Can they pull it off, sure.... is it likely, definitely not.

Joined: 08/03/2019

MGoPoints: 38615

Amazinblu

December 29th, 2022 at 10:48 AM ^

I’m disappointed.  So many negative vibes about the Buckeyes. I love what they have done recently - and, don’t want them to change.

I think every Buckeye should get a Mercedes AMG G53 to drive around campus - while Michigan players use their NIL monies to support families and communities who are in need.

Maybe the Buckeyes can build a luxury high rise condo complex for their players - I’m talking “lavish” accommodations.  It’s not about the team… it’s about me.   Yes, ME!

Joined: 01/22/2010

MGoPoints: 41285

Buy Bushwood

December 29th, 2022 at 9:07 AM ^

If day is 11-1 again after another loss to UM next year, he will be 56-7 (0.8888).  Day would have the highest winning percent of any coach in Div 1 history coaching 5 or more years.  That would be incredible to see a coach fired with that record, and one has to wonder if that would scare off any other coaches who would see expectations at OSU as absurd (which statistically they would be).

I can't imagine what the next closest win % for a coach who was fired for not winning.  And, he'd only be 1-3 against UM.  And let's not forget, one of those losses was in bad weather.     

 

Joined: 10/24/2020

MGoPoints: 21653

WeimyWoodson

December 29th, 2022 at 10:30 AM ^

Statistically, it would be insane to fire him, but it would be exactly what the OSU faithful would want at that point. Then OSU would start to collapse. Not like Michigan under Rich Rod, but it would no longer be 2 losses at worst and I would laugh and laugh and laugh!

If Day is fired after next season, would Fickell leave Wisconsin after one season to take a job where the coach was fired after going 56-7?

Joined: 08/25/2015

MGoPoints: 14729

blueheron

December 29th, 2022 at 6:59 AM ^

Yeah, well, Chip Patterson of CBS Sports outlined a path for an OSU win:

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-playoff-2022-prediction-why-the-no-4-ohio-state-buckeyes-can-win-first-title-since-2015/

We all know that's mostly garbage, but he really nailed this part:

"But then the college football gods answered, as they so often have for the Buckeyes."

Maizen journalists will continue to give them the benefit of the doubt as long as their 247 recruiting average is high.

Joined: 03/26/2009

MGoPoints: 30927

Buy Bushwood

December 29th, 2022 at 12:46 PM ^

Jeff George may have had the most gifted arm ever.  He didn't lack the fire in the belly though, he just couldn't control it, and it was, like Sauron before him, completely devoted to Jeff George's needs, thus he gravely failed the leadership test.

But holy shit what an arm and release.  Fastest release I've ever seen.  

Joined: 10/24/2020

MGoPoints: 21653

bringthewood

December 29th, 2022 at 11:51 AM ^

I am less concerned about his demeanor than I am with his complete disdain for contact. In the NFL he will not be kept as clean in the pocket as he is by OSU. What will happen when he has to stand in and take punishment? I think this and his lack of ability to run and throw on the run will doom him in the NFL.

Joined: 09/07/2009

MGoPoints: 5554

brad

December 29th, 2022 at 1:19 PM ^

Stroud's an Ohio State QB, so he is all but guaranteed to be a poor NFL passer, even before you look under the hood.  And the you look under the hood and see this guy.  Those draft grades are ridiculous, any GM who drafts Stroud should at least be asked to point to Ohio State QB's who amounted to anything whatsoever in the NFL as a passer.

They'll find Craig Krenzel there all alone in the list.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 15725

San Diego Mick

December 28th, 2022 at 11:01 PM ^

I dunno, I'm just so tired about hearing how all these other teams are so fast and strong and smart and.....

All I  know is Michigan went to that toilet bowl and without key guys, kicked the shit out of a team that is littered with 4 and 5 star guys that are really fast.

Let's see how Georgia does while playing a virtual home game.

Joined: 05/11/2011

MGoPoints: 50644

energyblue1

December 29th, 2022 at 10:52 AM ^

Agree!  This film breakdown did show that our Lbers have to be much better than they have been.  Namely Jr Colson in the first half was a problem in run fits and a few times in the 2nd half but got better overall.  

Getting stops on osu is huge and mixing up what you're going to do, throw at them.  This is massive vs osu and Georgia will follow that blueprint of forcing them to work all the way down field.  Georgia is more aggressive but lets not forget we didn't have Mike Morris this game so our edge vs the run likely wasn't as good as it will be, and the team as a whole a lot less banged up.  

Joined: 03/19/2010

MGoPoints: 5291

PopeLando

December 29th, 2022 at 11:12 AM ^

I agree - there's an insidious narrative that Michigan is SOMEHOW overcoming a lack of strength and lack of strategy, that we're SOMEHOW grinding out games via boring rushes... like Michigan's success is IN SPITE OF our players and coaching???? In spite of our NFL-bound OL? In spite of our should-have-been Heisman RB?

The only thing I could agree with is that Georgia could be characterized as "like Michigan, but maybe even better at it?"

There's really nothing that Ohio State could trot out against Georgia which they didn't use against us (defensively). Georgia got to see how we adjusted to their "take coke and then more coke and then sprint towards the LOS" (to paraphrase Seth). So I expect Georgia to have offensive success a LOT earlier and more consistently than we did.

And Georgia ALSO got to see the patented "make Stroud just the least bit uncomfortable and watch him implode - seriously, you don't even need a pass rush" approach which we rolled out.

I expect Georgia to capitalize on our research. They're going to kick the stuffing out of OSU, and I'm there for it.

Joined: 08/01/2015

MGoPoints: 68293

Amazinblu

December 29th, 2022 at 12:33 PM ^

Mick, the talking heads are SO correct.  Let’s face it.. Michigan’s offense is boring.  All they do is control the LOS on both sides of the ball.  The OL opens holes that the RB’s use their vision to get through and create favorable down and distance situations.

The media likes “sexy”.  They like passing more than running.  Interceptions are exciting.

Who cares about adjustments?   Shutting teams down in the second half.  Seven minute scoring drives with a 70 / 30 run / pass ratio.  TE’s aren’t sexy.  WR’s and deep throws are sexy.  

The score doesn’t matter.  Being undefeated doesn’t matter.  Being pretty and sexy does - at least to many members of the media.

As for me, I’m pretty content with drives that are based on “ground and pound”, ball possession, and an aggressive defense to complement it.

Joined: 01/22/2010

MGoPoints: 41285

energyblue1

December 29th, 2022 at 2:02 PM ^

Held osu to 23 and scored 45 without our heisman rb and top de in the game, so arguable our best offensive and defensive player didn't play, arguably our best TE didn't play, we had other players limited and still dominated.  

The only area of concern I have is our lber play has to clean up.  Could be why we have a safety moving up to lber, also to bring a safety closer to the los for the game, possibly spy and attack tcu, georgia.  

Osu fans all that week said no excuses when they saw the weather was going to be just fine and knew Corum was going to be limited if he went at all.  They were absolutely right, No Excuses, they just got their arses handed to them!  It's that simple.  

 

Joined: 03/19/2010

MGoPoints: 5291

1VaBlue1

December 28th, 2022 at 11:08 PM ^

Good recap, thanks for the summary!  Sounds like this 'Film Guy' might have a clue...  One disagreement, though - I don't think the 'superior' speed and talent of UGA's defense will do anything different against a few runs.  They get to see the new stuff first, where Michigan didn't, so can prepare for it.  And they also got a good preview of how OSU will react when the first read is taken away.

Dude should have thanked Michigan for the look ahead...

Joined: 01/31/2016

MGoPoints: 127087

energyblue1

December 29th, 2022 at 10:57 AM ^

Great observation, penn st did a solid job as did Iowa against osu's offense.  So there is good game film on osu from 2021 game and this years game for sure.  Georgia will have better talent and is very well coached fundamentally.  That said they aren't world beaters and a good game plan with some players that can out play the game plan is needed to beat them.  They rarely beat themselves but as shown this year in a few games they aren't perfect at all.  A bit of looking in the mirror playing Georgia tbh and they do have more high end talent, but so does osu as they nearly mirror each other in talent.  

 

Joined: 03/19/2010

MGoPoints: 5291

TBuck97

December 28th, 2022 at 11:13 PM ^

I think this game, much like ours w OSU, is going to be won by UGA in the trenches. Tough to fix o-line woes in 5 weeks. Plus UGAs lines are big and quick. 

Joined: 09/28/2016

MGoPoints: 5830