Recap: Ohio State 7, Michigan State 10

If he isn't the answer, who is?

With the way the offense had played the past 2-3 games, I can't say I'm surprised that we only scored 1 touchdown in garbage time. Michigan State's defense is ranked #1 in the country in total defense (172 YPG), and passing defense (101 YPG). They backed up that lofty ranking, and added more stats into their rushing defense. Jordan Hall and Carlos Hyde a few big runs, and really couldn't seem to find a rhythm. I can't blame them: MSU knew what we were running, and so did everyone else in the 'Shoe yesterday. Michigan State (4-1, 1-0) didn't even have possession of the ball for this game, and even then the defense did it's job. The Buckeyes (3-2, 0-1), had true freshman Braxton Miller in at the helm again, but even #5 couldn't make any good plays that day.

Joe Bauserman led Ohio State to it's only score, that came with only 20 or so seconds left, and the onside kick was recoverable, but ended in the hands of Michigan State. The loss at home ended a 16 game winning streak in the 'Shoe. Fickell said after the game that he might just open up the quarterback job to the four contenders, including Kenny Guiton and Taylor Graham, who had fought for the job during spring and fall practices. At the same time, he said Miller would remain the starter for now. Bauserman came in late in the game, to many Buckeye's despair. Joe went 7/14, for 87 yards and a touchdown throw to Evan Spencer. Miller on the other hand went 5/10 for 56 yards with an interception. I was outraged with putting in Bauserman and then throwing on first and second down, like we should have been doing all game long with Miller in the game.

To put the blame on Miller is a bit childish in my opinion. The one interception he threw, Devin Smith had it in his hands, only to have it be ripped away by the defender, so that one isn't on Braxton. Other than that, his offensive line blocked way better for Bauserman than they did for Miller. Perhaps that's just my Braxton Kool-Aid glasses, but it sure seemed like Bauserman had more time to throw in the pocket late in the game. Dan Conroy wrapped the game up with a 50 yard FG, from the bend, don't break, defense. That gave the Spartans the 10-0 lead, with only a few minutes left in the game.
My Thoughts:

- Ohio State almost made horrible history: The Buckeyes hadn't been shut out in 183 home games, dating back to a 6-0 loss to Wisconsin on Oct. 9, 1982, and hadn't been shut out anywhere since a 28-0 loss at Michigan on Nov. 20, 1993. I'm very happy that we averted it, but the Buckeyes had plenty of chances to try and win this game.

- Between Carlos Hyde and Jordan Hall, the Buckeyes only amassed 78 yards on the ground. That's not counting the QB's. Between Miller and Bauserman, the Buckeyes had -43 yards from 9 sacks. That's incredible, and not in a good way.

- I feel for the seniors on this team. They know they are better than this, and I know how they feel about the Tat Five right about now.

- The best analogy for this situation came from Twitter: "Ohio State without Jim Tressel is like the Indianapolis Colts without Peyton Manning". That is so true, but the only problem is that we don't get Tressel back eventually.