Cakedaddy wrote: Sun Nov 26, 2023 12:20 am
So, what are thoughts on the fairness of the game? Are we still gaining advantage from signs that were stolen? Having the head coach missing even things out at all? Partridge being gone?
The game was fair enough. Could OSU change "all" of their signs based on when the scandal broke? No. However, I do think they could change them all from when they had their suspicions going back to last year. Did they? We'll never know. However, I didn't see anything in this game that gave me pause. I think it was legit as it gets.
The Harbaugh thing is all hyperbole, and honestly imho, the B1G did you a big favor suspending him. It united your team and gave you a war cry. Does he really mean that much to the team when he's there every second except for during the game itself? All he's going to do is decide when to go for it, challenge rulings, and eat his boogers.
Cakedaddy wrote: Sun Nov 26, 2023 12:20 am
After we were able to keep that touchdown, I said "I guess they aren't having the refs punish us".
That TD, which decided the game, is going to be a forever controversy. First of all, it was an insanely lucky throw. JJ makes it through those two defenders one out of ten tries. Secondly, anywhere else in the field of play it's an INT. Third, the call on the field being a TD meant it was likely staying that way. Had they called INT on the field, I would bet you anything it would have stayed an INT. Fourth, the real controversy is did your WR ever have possession. By rule? No. The ball was moving the whole time and take out the defender and just say he drops it, no TD.
And yeah, clearly the officials weren't out to get you because you guys got very favorable homer calls the whole game. There was one play were JJ rolled right, a blatant holding took place right in front of the ump with no flag, then JJ tossed it 20 yards down the field for a completion where the WR caught it out of bounds, it was ruled in, and no review. Your team wisely ran up and ran another play real fast because they knew, but the officials were asleep at the wheel. I think it was a 3rd down and not the one where the guy caught the ball while sitting out of bounds. That one they caught.
But that's the game. Sometimes you get breaks, sometimes you don't.
Cakedaddy wrote: Sun Nov 26, 2023 12:20 am
I feel bad (only a very tiny bit) for Day and your QB. They are really good. But I get it. They just can't lose this game.
As for Day and McCord...
Day fucked up the end of the first half and it mattered for the final score. He had 40 seconds, the ball in your territory, the offense was clicking, a 4th and 1, your D was tired and instead of going with no real risk of you guys getting more points, he decided to play "safe" and kick a 52 yard FG. The kicker hit it before the inevitable TO, and then missed the 2nd attempt, which is EXACTLY what happened at the end of the GA game last year. Had Day gone for it, maybe they don't make it. However, maybe they get closer and the kick is good. Maybe they score a TD. Either way, the end of the game becomes a completely different situation. Day is a great coach, but that was a monumentally bad choice.
By the way, if he loses next year, at home, to a team that loses 40 or so 6th year seniors (a fact that REALLY gave you a massive advantage during the game and was never discussed), will have a new coach, if not a whole new staff, etc. he should be fired before he leaves the field.
As for McCord, he may become really good, but right now he is not. His first pick was atrocious, and again, could easily be pointed to as the difference in the game. He never should have thrown that ball. The knock on him is that he stares down WRs and doesn't go through his progressions. He missed a wide open Julian Fleming for a TD on an earlier drive because he threw to the #1 route, which was completely covered. He missed a wide open Treyveon Henderson that would have gotten a first down easily during the second half. I think we settled for 3. On the final throw, he tossed it up for grabs in the middle, which you cannot ever do as a QB. The worst part was his outlet man to the right was standing wide open and would have easily gotten 7-8 yards.
The other person you didn't mention is $2M Jim Knowles. His D played great tne first half, but couldn't get off the field in the second. Sure, they didn't give up big plays, but the "bend don't break" thing allowed you to drive down the field and eat all the time.
Cakedaddy wrote: Sun Nov 26, 2023 12:20 am
Odds of a rematch in the playoffs?
Zero. I would love it and would honestly feel pretty confident about beating you in a rematch at a neutral site. However, I don't think there's any chance it happens.
OSU will drop way out of the hunt. Bama should have lost, but Auburn doesn't know how to stop a 4th and goal with no time left from the 30 yard line. Washington won on a last second FG.
Honestly, OSU doesn't belong there. They need to retool. They're stagnant right now. The D is good, but not great. The O line isn't great, the QB isn't great, we lose a lot from the WR room, and so on. Day needs to do some soul searching and figure out what's going on with his team. He needs to figure out the offense a bit more. It was far too vanilla. I'd really like it if when Chip Kelly gets fired they bring him in to be an analyst for a season. Just help new OC Brian Hartline get a feel for calling plays.
I'd also love it if someone would call Dick Lebeau and have him come discuss D with Jim Knowles.
