Saturday, the Buckeyes disposed of their in-season scrimmage opponent, Tulane, with the expectation everyone had planned. To be honest, there was not a lot, if any, doubt that Ohio State would easily roll the Green Wave. Tulane came to Columbus knowing it was the lone “true” sacrificial lamb on the 2018 Ohio State schedule.
This week, OSU travels to Happy Valley to take on Penn State in their annual “White Out” game…a tradition that makes no sense to at least one Buckeye writer (this one).
What exactly is supposed to be intimidating about 100,000 people wearing the same color as the visiting team? It would make more sense to have Penn State wear their Road Whites to me. If anything, this makes the Nittany Lions stand out more. But to each his own, I’d guess.
Before I get too into Penn State, lets get into this week’s Hayes Gaze and Cannon Fodder!
Hayes Gaze
When you take on a sacrificial lamb like Tulane, it is really easy to fall in love with different aspects of the game. This week, we give our internet props to someone who played at a much higher level than I have noticed this season thus far.
Even though it won’t show up the same in the record books, this week our Gaze is highlighting sophomore Jeffery Okudah. Against Tulane, Okudah was credited with 3 solo tackles and 1 pass defended. As everyone will also remember, Okudah had an interception taken off the board thanks to an offsides penalty.
But the reason I want to give young Jeffery his props is more than just his stat line. If you watched his play on the field, you saw something we have not gotten to see much this season. Okudah played the receiver AND the ball. Often, OSU’s defensive backs play the man only, and attempt to stop the opposing passing attack that way. This weekend, you saw Okudah turn his head and make a play on the ball multiple times. This is what leads to passes being defended and intercepted.
As much as the coaching staff may not publicly say it, Ohio State needs the DBs to force turnovers and not just on overthrows or deflections. They will need a DB to make a great play on the ball at some point this season, and Okudah showed this weekend that he can do exactly that. These little things will change the outcome of a game at some point.
Cannon Fodder
I am sure that everyone knows what needs to be put up as Cannon Fodder this week. Simply put, it is discipline. As great as this Buckeyes team truly is, you can not have the discipline issues against top talent.
On Saturday, Ohio State was flagged, hatted, watched, and whatever else the officials throw, 13 times. Luckily, I guess (enter Bosa Shrug emoji), only 10 of these fouls stuck. As Tony mentioned in this weekend’s “Ten Things We Learned”, Ohio State was flagged 11 times in the first half. This is when the starters were still playing. Simply put, you can not have that many penalties and expect to beat Penn State, Michigan, or (potentially) Alabama.
Ohio State is 112th nationally in penalty yards this season. I would not expect that ranking to be the final standings at the end of the year, but being four games into the season will prevent them from moving to the top 10 also.
I fully expect Urban Meyer and company to correct this as best as they can, especially going to Beaver Stadium this week. However, this is something the coaching staff needs to get corrected before it bites the Buckeyes in the behind at some point this year.
Looking Ahead
Let me get one thing straight before I go any further: Penn State is NOT Ohio State’s rival. They are, however, a team I personally hate. I have zero love for PSU as an Ohio State fan. I do not hide this fact.
I do not think Trace McSorley is nearly as great as some media types have made him out to be. I do know that one hurried, and eventually missed, field goal attempt a few years ago is the only reason Penn State is on the national radar. Much like Urban Meyer ushered in the SEC/Media love affair and their national dominance, that night versus Ohio State is why they are in the Top 10 this year still.
I expect Penn State to be a tough team and for Beaver Stadium to be a tough place to play. I expect Penn State to score a lot of points. I expect Penn State to stop Dwayne Haskins on some drives.
However, they are not good enough to do all of these things for all 60 (or more) minutes. This week, my extremely premature prediction is 45-28,in favor of the good guys! Go Bucks!
“Hayes Gaze and Cannon Fodder” is the weekly look at the good and bad for Ohio State football from Mike Meals. Each week, Mike will look at the good of the week with a loving Hayes Gaze, and at what was the Cannon Fodder at best. You can also catch Mike along with Hayes & Cannon Content Manager/Writer Brandon Zimmerman on the weekly episodes of “The Sons of Schmidt” podcast on the Ozone Radio Network. Follow Mike on twitter (@mmeals)
Re: Okudah, I’m with you Mm. I like to see DBs look for the ball even though Spielman claims playing the receiver is the current and correct way to coach and play the position.
“hurried and eventually blocked.”