Reviewing the tape-Sick,Sick,Sick

This is why predicting games is so difficult.
Part of picking games means sticking your neck out,but yours truly picked Ohio State to beat Purdue with an "easy win".
That usually is the kiss of death.
I didn't see anyone else picking Purdue,but I did see a woeful effort as the Buckeyes were saddled with one of their biggest upset losses in quite a while as Purdue earned the 26-18 win.
Ohio State hosts Minnesota this Saturday and the loss to Purdue puts them in "win out" mode from here on out or the bowl invitation will get weaker by the loss.

Buckeye Branches

1) Allow me to weigh in on Terrelle Pryor.
2 picks,2 fumbles and lousy passing.
Pryor's touchdown pass and one of his interceptions were the same pass-drop back,throw off back foot,heave and hope your guy catches the ball.
Of all the criticisms,the bad decisions and poor mechanics are the most valid.

2) Is Pryor a bad fit for Tressel's offense?
Maybe,but that is more the fault of the coaching staff than the player.
After all,they recruited him for this offense and thought he could play in it,that would be poor evaluating.

3) Could OSU add some things to the offense to make Pryor more effective?
Yes,he could be encouraged to see things better and tuck and run more if he sees a lane.
It seems to me that so many people have been on this kid to be a true passer that he then forces throws because he doesn't want to be seen as just a running quarterback.

4) Pryor's high school coach has joined in with his opinion that Pryor is being miscast.
His points are somewhat valid,but Pryor isn't blameless either-he knew that Ohio State ran an offense that was different than his past one and if he didn't want to run what they run,he could always go elsewhere.
And don't tell me that OSU misrepresented themselves in recruiting Pryor-there isn't a school that doesn't do that in recruiting kids.....

5) This game still hinged on three plays.
I thought the officiating was rather good except for a first quarter fumble deep in Purdue territory caused by Kurt Coleman that OSU recovered that was called forward progress stopped.
The play was so bad that the announcers kept wondering why Purdue was still on the field.
Bad call and momentum stopper,but not the difference in the game.

6) But this might have been-Brandon Saine rips off a 15 yard touchdown run that is called back by holding on Bryant Browning.
Next play Pryor fumbles and Purdue takes over.

7) Finally OSU has one final chance for a miracle,but they need to stop Purdue on a third down.
They do,but Doug Worthington (who wasn't even needed to make the stop) flies in and grabs the facemask.
Ballgame-Stupid,Stupid,Stupid.

8) Want another difference maker?
66 yards rushing for the Buckeyes and Purdue's Kevin Smith and Aaron Valentin combining for 22 catches and 222 yards combined.
Take your pick.

9) The OSU secondary was completely befuddled by the Purdue spread,the corners were just unable to shut Smith and Valentin down.
Just a little tighter coverage could have made the difference,but someones refusal to give up zone coverage just killed Ohio State all day.

10) Sorry,this wasn't a brighter post,but we pride ourselves on honesty and independence and there can be no other way to put this devastating loss.
This will never be a Homerville blog,if I have to write like that,I am finished.

Back later with the Browns tape review and some Devils stuff as well....

Photo Credit-Darron Cummings-AP Photo