Recap: Ohio State 6, Miami 24

Hall tried to give the Buckeyes life

After an ugly win over a Toledo team that Boise State handled easily, Buckeye Nation was concerned over the quarterback controversy, where Joe Bauserman was solid in that he didn't turn the ball over, but couldn't throw an accurate deep ball to save his life. So, when Braxton Miller went in last night, and did well in the running game, he also fumbled and had an interception (It was a tipped ball, to be fair). A lot of frustration came in the game last night, due to the total of 35 yards passing, and just horrid play calling from Bollman. It's interesting that everyone was upset with Tressel's play calling when he was here (myself included), but with the real offensive coordinator calling the plays, we see that Tressel was actually a genius. Perhaps that's a bit exaggerated, but there is no doubt in my mind that Tressel is a better play caller then most think.

Lamar Miller was man among boys out there in Coral Gables, as he rushed for 184 yards on 26 carries. Jordan Hall and Carlos Hyde did their part in trying to get the Buckeye offense rolling, combining for 141 yards on 26 carries. Had Hall not gone down on one of his punt returns with serious cramping, and if our passing game had at least 100 yards, this might be a very different game. Jacory Harris threw two first-quarter touchdown passes to Allen Hurns, helping the Hurricanes top the #19 Ohio State Buckeyes, who are in danger of being knocked out of the Top 25 for the first time since November 28th, 2004. 

The Ohio State offense only managed 6 points, and that came from 2 FG's from Drew Basil, whose FG's happened to be the first made in his career. The Buckeyes went 3 and out on the first 2 possessions of the game, and right after, Lamar Miller struck with a quick run up the middle to get Miami at the goal line right away. After that, it took Jacory Harris about 3 plays to find his receiver for the touchdown. The ensuing possession, Miami went back to the same gameplan. Ride Miller into the redzone, and throw it up for Hurns, which put the Hurricanes out to a 14-0 lead, and Ohio State's offense was feeling lost.

So how bad was it truly? Luke Fickell seemed to have given up with about 4 minutes left in the game, not calling a single timeout in the second half. Eventually, Mike James plunged in from the 1 with 33 seconds left, and that put the final period on Ohio State's road test. Harris finished 16 of 23, for 123 yards and 2 TD's. He also threw 2 INT's, but that didn't matter much in the final score.

My Thoughts:

- Bauserman is out. He has to be at this point. People can say Miller didn't do better, but without the turnovers, I thought he did very well. The play-calling hurt more than helped his cause, as every play was a designed scramble. I think he has a bright future if he can erase those turnovers.

- The tag team of Jordan Hall/Jaamal Berry and Carlos Hyde is awesome. Two really quick guys that can add some explosiveness and then lowering the shoulder of Hyde is deadly for any type of defense. If the passing game gets going, with the addition of Boom, defense's are going to have their hands full.

- Luke Fickell giving up in the last 4-5 minutes, in top of losing 24-6 to Miami pretty much sealed the deal that he won't be around as the head coach in the next year. I would love to have Urban Meyer, but would he really want to come out of retirement? Ohio State might be a dream job, but I don't think Meyer is ready just yet to come out.

- The defense looked lost in the first quarter, but really turned it up a notch in the second half to give the Buckeyes even a chance to stay in it. Two picks, and loads of tackles for loss helped keep the Buckeyes in it until the end, and I tip my hat to these guys.

- As far as rankings, I think OSU might be done. I know ITS ranked them #19 last week, and I don't know if they can stay in with a total of 35 passing yards. We can't be one-dimensional against Big Ten teams, and it showed last night it won't work against the Miami's of the world.