Colorado Thoughts/Feelings

Braxton played well, but he's still learning

Well, we are four games into the season, and let me tell you something I have absolutely no idea what to think about this team. I can tell you we are not as good as we thought we were after the Akron game, and we are definitely not as bad as we thought we were after the Miami debacle. This year we have played 2 decent teams (Toledo who got robbed last week and Miami), one incredibly average team (Colorado), and one really really bad team in Akron.

We are 3-1 and we don’t know much. Let’s take a look at the Colorado game. First of all we finally got a true look at our future. We are Braxton’s team now. He played well. He showed the escapability that we all expected. He also showed that as a runner he is more like the QB from That School Up North, then Terrelle Pryor. He doesn't glide as he runs, he doesn’t have the famous stiff arm. What Miller does is fake a defender right out of his socks and then outrun the rest down the field. It appears at this time he is a run first QB with happy feet.

That should be expected though, he is true freshman playing against faster and bigger defenses then he has ever seen. He didn’t have a great passing game, throwing for less than 100 yards, but honestly he almost never threw the ball, so that could either be by design, or his feet may have just been too happy. I really think Miller provided a great spark for this team, and I look forward to seeing how he does against MSU this week. The rest of the offense was adequate at best. Devin Smith had some spectacular catches (or at least catch in the singular) and he should provide decent help to Philly when he returns, along with a very well rested Posey. I wish our tight ends, both Fragel and obviously Stoneburner were going to get back into the main game plan this week. At running back I love watching Hyde run, and a healthy Hall is a game changer. Those two along with Berry should be great compliments to an incoming loud Boom very soon.

I must admit, I am very confused by our defense. The silver bullets are still rated top 20 nationally as a unit, which is great, but they seem to be in a bend and not break mode, and I really hate that. In the first half Colorado couldn’t move the ball, but by the end of the game, they put up over 300 yards easily outgaining the Buckeyes offense. I realize this incarnation of the Buffaloes is known for it’s offense, but most Buckeye teams are known for D, and when Big Ten play starts this week, they must become the great lock down D that we know and have become accustomed too.

So in the end, Colorado taught me that there is a lot to work on with this team. Our young coaches are learning and our young Buckeyes are learning. What hasn’t changed is teams intensity. I predict that we will protect the ‘Shoe. Teams will find it very difficult to march into our house and knock us off, however playing away from home will be difficult. Young players can at times be awe of football cathedrals like Lincoln, Nebraska and Ann Arbor. But in the end we will see.