Let's Talk About Ohio State: Game (Sighs)

Hey!  So they were very good in a way that's awful for Michigan fans.  I had a talk with my betting slip for the season win total under 10, and while we're still going to keep at it, we both know it's probably over.  I'll start quietly bringing back some of my stuff from its place. 

Caveats remain and they're the only thing you have left to hold onto: the season is still young and Fields/this team hasn't been challenged yet, so we don't know what happens when things go wrong; Cincinnati was thought to be a test because of the way they took care of UCLA, but it's becoming clear that team is a collection of athletic-looking guys gathered from LA-area coffee shops rather than an actual football team; the back-up QBs are (probably) still terrible, the back-up RBs meh; MSU/PSU/Michigan DBs won't give OSU WR's this much space, and their DL's won't give Fields this much time; cover the edges of the field and see if... Fields is comfortable throwing over the middle (Day will have a response so make it count early, i.e. jump an out route); I think Iowa also wins this game 42-0. 

Highlights: 

• OSU dominated a team that is either OK or bad.  If the former holy shit.  If the latter this is what you would expect a good team to do. 
• Ryan Day is an elite play caller.  Surprised you with that one eh?  Maybe I should have thought of that while I was lol'ing at their spring game (when all play calls are basic).  I mean I think he is, because that would explain the number of wide open guys that both FAU and Cinci allowed.  Or both teams or bad. 
• Justin Fields is Terrelle Pryor.  That's not great eh?  He glides, easily avoids the rush, finds creases and scrambles for gains most QBs wouldn't, and can hit wide open WRs.  Did you ever wonder what a Don Brown defense would have done against Tressel's offenses?  Like Forcier didn't even have a chance, but maybe this team would?  Well you're going to find out.  Oh, and they have an OC who attacks on every drive, unlike Tressel. 
• It appears that Greg Mattison has done exactly what every OSU fan hoped: eliminated the unsound tendencies from Schano's scheme, simplified everything, and let the athletes at OSU play.  It's working quite well.  I hope the better offenses on OSU's schedule can turn him back into a so-so DL coach. 
• The OL looked very good in pass pro, fair enough in run blocking. 
• Yeah their WRs look really good too.  
• Game starts with a few nice plays by OSU, then a punt to the Cinci 1.  OSU gets the ball back at the Cinci 40 after a few fruitless plays by the Bearcats.  From there it's a waggle or two before the TD, which is a nice scramble up the middle by Pryor. 

• Next drive OSU actually turns it over on downs, and Cincinnati manages some offense (aided by a penalty) and gets the ball to the OSU 14 after going 66 yards.  Should be an easy FG, but it's not of course, because this the part of the story where Mordor looks unstoppable.  Remember that Mr. Frodo?  There's still some good in this world and it's worth fighting for?  Chase Young blocks it. 

• OSU marches down for another TD, the highlights of which are wide open WRs, a lot of passes to the outside, and some curls.  Nothing crazy.  Must be really good calls because Cinci can't cover any of it.  Maybe Cinci stinks.  Have I mentioned that?  Dobbins runs for a 4 yd TD that's nothing worth clipping. 
• OSU's next drive is highlighted by a play action pass in which Fields has 7 seconds to survey the field.  He navel gazes for too long, as a DE finally arrives from behind to sack him.  He fumbles but it bounces right back into his hand by dark magic.  A play or two later they run split zone with orbit action, which again doesn't look like much but Cinci is powerless against it.  Their WLB gets either held or caught messing with the OG for a beat too long, and Dobbins scores on a 60 yard TD.  MLB dawdles and it's too late. Nice work by the WR to fake a route, keeping the CB from engaging. Well coached. 

• Next drive is highlighted by Fields getting 8 seconds before releasing the ball; I mean nice play, but a lot of QBs can do this if given that amount of time.  This OL could be very good.  True freshman 5* Garrett Wilson makes an excellent grab on a very accurate ball to cap off the TD drive, in case you thought your future would be any better. 

• It's halftime, 28-0, and a 356 to 108 total yardage disparity, and there's really no reason to go on 
• Except to add that Chases Young also had 1.5 sacks and was murder 
• I clipped this one shot of OLB Pete Werner getting juked out of his shoes by a not-terrible TE from Cincinnati. 21 yard gain.  Throw against that guy, Indiana, would be my advice. Or Arnette.  Or LB Browning, who got time in this game and looked quite good, but probably hasn't figured it all out yet.  

• One last thing that won't matter: Fields stands in against the rush quite well, and probably too well.  He's had several occasions in the first two weeks, and also in the spring game, where he got the ball off directly into the face of a closing defender.  Meaning his throwing arm was releasing through a dangerously close DE/DT that could get that arm in a vulnerable position on impact, or fingers into a facemask.