Little Boston

The times have made us crazy. We want wins, conferences titles, national titles; we want them now now now. We want the program to just start blowing gold all over the place. Sometimes it's not that easy.

Sometimes you've just got to let it all burn. Watch it billow up into the sky, marvel at its destructive power and note that such a force could only have been necessary to destroy an equally awesome structure. Watch it burn because it is the only thing you can do. Watch it carefully and calmly, letting the ashes settle so that you can finally see everything that is and everything that needs to be done to fix it. Woe is us, for now. We're all trying to drink from the same milkshake; the only certain conclusion is that, amidst the shouting, the contents of that cup containing said milkshake will find its way to the floor, decorating it in a sad display, prompting the purchase of a new milkshake without ever having even enjoyed the first one.

But don't let the flames and the smoke infiltrate your mind. We must not allow the the plumes of darkness to slither in between the synapses that allow us to make decisions that don't fill us with regret and shame.

We all want this. We all want the wins. We all want to be the favored son. We all want the major media outlets to praise Michigan while we currently despise the network's kowtowing to the Standard Oil's of the world.

That's okay. The words ring hollow now, as I say them aloud: we will be back. Say it to yourself. Say it again and again. Forget about Rich Rodriguez. Forget about 3-9 and 5-7. Forget about minor violations and lawsuits and defections and non-qualifiers and everything else. Just think about Michigan.

Whether you support him or not (and for the record, I do...but that's not the point) just think about Michigan. Think about what is good for Michigan. Think about what it could be if given time to rebuild. If we continue to raise our voices, screaming across the room, spittle and words flying like poison-tipped arrowheads, we will all become deaf.

I'm telling you to remain calm, and maybe you don't need such advice. But, if you do, listen: wait. As hard as it is to do, as unsatisfying as it may be, wait. Tune out the world if you have to, for the world is not as understanding as we would hope. The world sees numbers and headlines when we see lackluster depth charts and injuries and a coach that can do the job if given a little time, as he's proven in the past. We must retreat into The Fort and examine ourselves before we say "But what about USC?" That's not to say that we've done anything worse than USC, but, in the end, who cares about them?

I'll be honest when I say that the total sum of the Michigan fanbase worries me. The booing during the 2008 Wisconsin game was a moment that shook me. Michigan completed one of the greatest comebacks in Michigan history, and I forgot about the booing for a while. But it happened, and it still simmers under the surface, living in my subconscious like a subtle reminder that maybe things could in fact collapse. I can only imagine how the players felt. I understand that playing and watching football often involves primal, knee-jerk reactions. I've been there. After The Horror, I said some things that I wish I hadn't. But that day against Wisconsin, amongst the litany of potential reasons supporting the idea that this center cannot hold, reigns supreme; that moment, as the team ran into the locker room, showed me that even the ostensibly key jinglin', down-in-front Michigan fanbase has a little Plainview in 'em. Perhaps it was one instance that thousands of people regret today in retrospect; maybe they don't regret it at all. It's likely that many do not. I am not against criticism. But that...that was something foul, something objectionable.

Don't let the end make you crazy. Don't let the goal fray the neurons that make you sane. Absord the pangs of defeat like a haymaker to the chin. Let it sting and pain you. Allow the wounds to scar over and become immortal reminders of where we've come from. College football fandom is sadistic in this way. But it is also glorious when the time comes for it to be so.

All I know is there's oil under there somewhere. We just have to wait and be honest to ourselves and those that strive to make the program better the best way they know how. They feel like we do. Indeed, they feel more than we ever could.

Terrelle Pryor: 2010 Rose Bowl

[ed.: Not sure what happed to the right side of the last drive chart...it was fine when I checked it yesterday. Regardless, that drive was all run-out-the-clock Tresselball, so y'all aren't missing much.]


Alright, so I got bored and decided to just put this up today. I went through every offensive series that the BTN showed yesterday, primarily watching Pryor. Did he show signs of legitimate improvement in this game, and should we, as Michigan fans, be even more worried about 2010's version of The Game even more than we already might be?

Well, "improvement" is somewhat vague and subjective. Pryor will probably never put up Troy Smith-type stats through the air, and he likely won't ever have to. Even Pryor's stats in this year's Granddaddy (23-37, 266 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT) aren't mindblowing, especially given that this performance is supposedly an indicator of things to come for Pryor. Make no mistake, Pryor had a great game; however, I'm not sure if the performance wasn't more attributable to solid offensive gameplanning and Oregon's defensive deficiencies. I'll now go through and do my best to analyze each play that the BTN showed (some were assuredly skipped over), looking at the types of passes TP was throwing, and the types of situations in which he excelled/struggled.

First Half, Drive 1

OSU 26	1st & 10	Shotgun, 1 back	A dangerous pass at the sticks that’s almost intercepted…not the best start.
26	2nd & 10	‘Gun1B, Trips right	A swing pass to Sanzenbacher goes for 4. Look for a lot of passes like this to him throughout the game.
30	3rd & 6	‘Gun1B	TP drops back and decides to take off, running through the middle of the line for 24. He comes up hobbling somewhat near the end of this play.
46	1st & 10	‘Gun1B (?)	Another short pass, this time to Posey for 4 near the right sideline.
UO 42	2nd & 6	‘Gun1B	TP hits Posey, who is running a slant on the left side. The corner is playing WAY off (sound familiar?), so the throw is relatively easy. Musberger swoons: “Terelle Pryor may be growing up right in front of us on this Rose Bowl afternoon.” We are 2:00 into the game.
UO 29	1st & 10	‘Gun1B	Flanker screen to Sanzenbacher for 7.
UO 22	2nd & 3	‘Gun1B	TP hands it off to Saine, who cuts it back up the middle for a solid 9 yards.
UO 13	1st & 10	‘Gun1B	Sanzenbacher runs a slant from the slot position, and TP quickly aims to hit him but the pass falls of #12’s fingertips. God coverage from UO’s Paysinger.
UO 13	2nd & 10	‘Gun2B (Boren and Saine)	Quick drop; TP throws a good looking ball to Posey in front left corner of the endzone. Posey drops it…this one’s on Posey.
UO 13	3rd & 10	‘Gun1B	TP drops back, finds no one, and hits the checkdown to Saine about 5 yards down the right sideline; Saine walks the tightrope and muscles his way into the endzone for 6.

1H2D

50	1st & 10	‘Gun1B	Boren and Saine on either sie of TP; TP easily sidesteps a rusher with a clean shot at him and launches a parabolic touch pass down the right sideline to Saine, who has slipped out on a wheel route, reminiscent of the same play in the 2008 BCS Title Game against LSU. Play goes for 46.
UO 4	1st & Goal	‘Gun1B	Bad snap; Pryor has trouble bringing it in and does well to get it back to the 6.
UO 6	2nd & Goal	‘Gun1B	Pryor fakes the handoff, dances up the middle for 3.
UO 3	3rd and Goal	‘Gun 1B	OSU runs what appears to be an option play. TP doesn’t seem to ever want to pitch it, which is wise as Oregon has got the pitchman covered. OSU Field Goal (OSU 10, UO 0)

1H3D

OSU 16	1st & 10	‘Gun1B	OSU runs the option play again; seemingly awkward pitch relationship, plus TP’s indecisiveness, leads to a minimal gain.
17	2nd & 9	‘Gun1B	TP drops back, begins to move around and eventually is brought down at the LOS.
17	2nd & 9	‘Gun1B	TP is sacked for a loss of 2. Sanzenbacher seems to come open across the middle right as TP begins to scramble, but TP doesn’t notice him as he is already concentrating on avoiding the swarm of UO defenders. Ducks are bringing heat.

1H4D

OSU 20	1st & 10	‘Gun2B	Pryor dumps to Herron in the middle for a modest gain.
24	2nd & 6	I-formation	Some old-school Tresselball. Herron for 4.
28	3rd & 2	‘Gun2B	Herron picks up the first as Herbie discusses UO putting 8 and 9 in the box to “test” TP. Boren leads the way for Herron, who picks up the first.
32	1st & 10	‘Gun1B	Quick pass to Sanzenbacher across the middle; decent pass, should’ve been caught but careens off of his fingertips.
32	2nd & 10	Under center, 1B	Run; Herron for 5.
36	3rd and 5	‘Gun2B	Pryor scans the field and takes off after abut a second; tackled for a gain of 1, but a personal foul penalty gives OSU the first.
UO 48	1st & 10	‘Gun1B	False start
OSU 47	1st & 15	‘Gun 1B	Pryor takes a couple steps to his right and hits Posey near the sideline.
UO 48	2nd & 11	‘Gun1B	Pryor drops back and lofts a pass with a little too much arc to Herron on a screen; loss of 1.
UO 49	3rd & 12	‘Gun2B	TP drops back, moves to his right and hits Herron who eventually slips open. Herbie notes that Pryor wants to hit Posey on the left side, but sees that he’s covered and thinks better of it.
UO 34	1st & 10	‘Gun1B	Hits Posey on the left with a quick slant (DB playing way off again)
UO 25	2nd & inches	I-form	Run up the middle; Saine picks it up.
UO 25	1st & 10	Under center, 1B	Illegal shift
UO 30	1st & 15	‘Gun 2B	Fakes sweep to Saine, avoids defender and hits Posey.
UO 20	2nd & 7	‘Gun2B	Waits and takes off for no gain. UO’s bringing pressure and TP has been forced to run often.
UO 20	3rd & 7	‘Gun1B	3-step drop and takes off, chased by several defenders. Does his standard “make everyone look like they’re running in mud” deal but comes up just short.
UO 14	4th & 1	Maryland-I	Handoff to Saine for the first. BIG TEN FOOTBALL AHH WENWONWO NQWN!!11!!1
UO 10	1st & Goal	‘Gun1B	TP drops and looks to Posey in the corner of the endzone but overshoots him.
UO 10	2nd & Goal	Empty trey	Flanker screen to Sanzenbacher. Sniffed out nicely; UO swarms and stops it for a loss of 3.
UO 13	3rd & Goal	‘Gun2B	TP sticks in the pocket for a good while and slings a dart to Posey in the middle of the endzone; he’s well-covered and the pass falls incomplete. Field goal; OSU 13, UO 10.

1H5D

UO 46 (after Homan interception: 25 seconds left in 1st half)	1st & 10	‘Gun2B	Deep drop, has all day to throw. Eventually tosses it away at the turf near Saine’s feet 5 yards downfield.
UO 46	2nd & 10	‘Gun1B	TP throws a dart near the left hash to Sanzenbacher for 18.
UO 28	1st & 10	Under center	Spike
UO 28	2nd & 10	‘Gun 2B	Feels pressure, scrambles and throws it out of bounds. :02 left; OSU opts for 3. OSU 16, UO 10.

2nd Half, 1st Drive

OSU 20	1st & 10	‘Gun1B	Hands off to Saine for 5.
24	2nd & 5	‘Gun1B	Yet another flanker screen to Sanzenbacher; picks up the first. Another “safe” throw for Pryor…
33	1st & 10	I-form	Run up the middle.
35	2nd & 8	I-form	PA rollout (to his left); TP goes deep to Posey. Throws a legitimately great ball. Only really the second deep try all game. Big gain here.
UO 29	1st & 10	‘Gun1B	PA; rolls rights to hit Sanzenbacher.
UO 24	2nd 5	I-form	Saine picks up most of it here.
UO 20	3rd & 1	I-form	Saine pounds through for the first.
UO 18	1st & 10	‘Gun1B	Zone read is stuffed by UO…at least we’re not the only ones having problems running the zone read!
UO 21	2nd & 13	‘Gun 1B	UO brings the house but TP calmly hits Sanzenbacher, who catches it then drops it after the DB takes out his legs.
UO 21	3rd & 13	‘Gun1B	Token fake, shoots for Sanzenbacher and man coverage. Sanz. runs the post, TP throws way behind him. Miscommunication? Field goal; OSU 19, UO 17.

2H2D

OSU 13	1st & 10	I-form	Saine for 5.
18	2nd & 5	I-form	Saine again for 2; Tressel reverting to old playcalling habits? (3Q ends).
20	3rd & 3	‘Gun1B	UO again brings several blitzers. TP’s pass to Sanz. falls incomplete; good coverage by the UO defensive back. OSU Punt.

2H3D

OSU 19	1st & 10	Single back, Boren offset left	Herron for 2.
21	2nd & 8	‘Gun1B	Pryor does his thing and scampers for the 1st after a DL gets his hands on him. As usual, he is too big and too fast to be taken down by arm tackles.
32	1st & 10	‘Gun1B	Herron for 1.
33	2nd & 9	‘Gun1B	PA, rolls right to hit Sanz. for 4.
37	3rd & 5	‘Gun1B	Hits Sanz. on quick slant. Good throw, but Herbie notes that Casey Matthews (yes, related to that Matthews) doesn’t get back in time after trying to show blitz pre-snap, leaving the lane open. Good throw, even if somewhat pitch-and-catch.
48	1st & 10	I-form	PA rollout right…nothing open so TP scrambles left and is caught by the shoestring for a loss.
46	2nd & 12	‘Gun1B	Another option-esque play…TP cuts it back and slips.
45	3rd & 13	‘Gun1B	Musberger mentions how quiet Ballard has been quiet all game. Of course, TP scrambles and throws up a jump ball that the 6’6’’ Ballard goes up and gets in traffic. “AND THERE’S OUR MAN BALLARD!” Indeed.
UO 31	1st & 10	Missed pre-snap as OSU picks up the pace	TP tosses incompletion, intended short for Sanz.
UO 31	2nd & 10	Under center, single back	Herron dances for 3.
UO 28	3rd & 7	‘Gun1B	Offsides on UO tackle. Facepalm. Either way, TP picked up the first with his feet.
UO 20	1st & 10	I-form	TRESSELBALL.
UO 17	2nd & 7	‘Gun2B	TP throws a beautiful pass to Posey near the front left pylon and Posey's backside shoulder. Touchdown Posey, OSU 26, UO 17.

2H4D

OSU 27	1st & 10	I-form	Tresselball for -2.
25	2nd & 12	‘Gun1B	Option; TP finally pitches it. Saine goes for a good gain.
35	3rd & 2	‘Gun1B	Option again; TP keeps it for the first.
40	1st & 10	I-form	Tressel. UO timeout.
42	2nd & 8	I form	Naked bootleg for 7.
49	3rd & 1	I-form	More Tressel. First down.
UO 49	1st & 10	I-form	Tressel.
UO 48	2nd & 9	I-form	PA bootleg to other side; TP runs for another first.
UO 36	1st & 10	I-form	Herbie talks about TP’s performance being a good indicator of things to come for OSU and how Tressel will be able to “trust” him more. Herron for 3.
UO 33	2nd & 7	Victory formation	QB Kneel. Game Over. OSU 26, UO 17.

Does all this mean anything at all?

Well, yes and no. Yes, this was arguably the best game of Pryor's career. The aforementioned numbers he put up are *insert any Texas Tech qb ever*-esque by OSU standards. The gameplan was classic Ohio State (i.e., ball control, whether via the run or the pass).

However, despite all of this, OSU only put up 26 points, 3 less than their season average. Oregon was not exactly a juggernaut on defense last year. Then again, OSU won, and that's all that matters. The deliberate, plodding style of offense that OSU employs limits opportunities to score, for either team, really. But about Pryor...

I will say that Pryor had a great game, and this post is in no way trying to discredit him or OSU's 2010 team. However, while reviewing this game, there are several obvious issues:

1) Decision time-Very few times throughout the game did TP hold on to the ball for more than a second or two; it was either quick pass or run. This tells me that Tressel perhaps simplified things, so that TP only had to look for 2, maybe even 1 receiver, before hitting the checkdown/running like heck. There's nothing wrong with this, because it worked, but I wonder if this is feasible against some of the better defensive teams in the country, especially if OSU hopes to make it back to the BCS Championship Game this year.

2) Short passes-I haven't gone back and counted, but a good majority of the passes were short ones, ten yards or less, and there were several flanker screens to Sanzenbacher. Of the 37 passes thrown, I counted only 10 that went 10+ yards (give or take a yard) in the air, and only 3 that went for 20+ (the Posey bomb, the Ballard jump ball, and the Saine wheel route). Then again, the fact that all 3 were completed is good news (for OSU, mind you).

3) Receivers-Pryor only hit Posey, Sanzenbacher, and the tailbacks (as well as the one to Ballard). It worked in this game, but if OSU faces a team with a good corner they may be in trouble (re: 2007 OSU-UF game). Take away the deep threat (i.e., Posey) and suddenly OSU could struggle, especially keeping in mind thethe lack of a superback like Beanie or an extremely accurate quarterback in Pryor. Then again, I guess that could be said about any team.

Conclusion: As frustrating as a conclusion it is to make after doing all that, I think that this game means very little in the grand scheme of things. Pryor looked great, running as well as passing. However, there's a difference between poise and Clausen-type poise...that is, hitting 4-6 yard passes is nice, but eventually teams are going to lock that up. The gameplan was crafted perfectly, and the OSU defense played as they usually do. Pyor was asked to make a quick read and run if it wasn't open, which is fine when you're up against an average defense. Against a top 10 defense, TP likely won't be able to just take off and run when his first and second options are covered. The Saine and Posey passes (the deep pass as well as the 4th Q touchdown) were all very nice passes, and TP showed consistent accuracy in the short passes as well, just as is to be expected of a D-I quarterback.

Either way, TP will be a handful for our Wolverines, regardless of how much the defense improves this season. 188 days till The Game.