A few hours and 40 points later, the Buckeyes have claimed their first, of hopefully many, win of the 2013-2014 season.
When my parents called me up with news that they had tickets to today’s game, I was excited. Not only would I get to see the Bucks play, but I’d get to experience the joy that runs through anyone in the Shoe as the beginning of a new season kicks off. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a lump in my throat and chills snaking through my spine when the pre-game festivities concluded with a stadium-wide singing of our alma mater, “Carmen Ohio”. Those two minutes of singing hit me in a way I wasn’t expecting, as the familiar words brought a rush of memories I’ve been lucky enough to make over the past three years, and the start of this fourth one.
I’ll lay off the nostalgia-pedal before I take that train off the tracks. Let’s get into the game itself. When you see “OSU vs, Buffalo” on the ticket, you have to assume the game wouldn’t be anything more but a gimmie for the Bucks. Though OSU pulled the win out in convincing fashion, the Buffalo Bulls were able to exploit and subsequently reveal some glaring weaknesses in this year’s scarlet and gray squad.
I’m not trying to bad mouth the Buffalo program. But for a storied team such as Ohio State, you have to raise your eyebrows when they give up 20 points and a number of big plays to a team that’s barely on anyone’s radar. Ryan Shazier was a bright spot at linebacker, as he stuffed the stat line throughout the afternoon. There were flashes of potential amongst the rest of the defense, but none of those huge hits or acrobatic interceptions that have defined OSU’s defense for so long. Admittedly, the team was without their shut-down safety CJ Barnett, who was sitting out the game with a “lower body” injury. As good as Barnett is, though, plugging him in isn’t going to make the defensive line more aggressive or the corners quicker. Perhaps the Buckeyes were just playing down to their competition, but I would still be concerned if I was a part of the coaching staff.
On offense, the points came fast and furious, led by a Heisman-favorite in Braxton Miller and the solid, consistent play of running back Jordan Hall. A number of young receivers stepped up with some very impressive grabs, and it looks like this offensive unit has the chance to really make some noise this year. Props to Kenny Guiton, for not only backing up Braxton Miller when Miller had to sit out a few plays due to cramps, but using his playing time to add to OSU’s lead with a passing touchdown.
Braxton Miller is known as a mobile quarterback, but today I didn’t see a quarterback running to make plays- I saw a quarterback running to save himself. The offensive line seemed totally lost at times, and only slightly aware the rest of the time. Just because your quarterback can run doesn’t mean he can’t benefit from a solid pocket. Hopefully the line steps it up so Braxton and the rest of the offensive can put together some even more dominant offensive series.
These problems don’t signal the end of the world by any means. It’s the first game, and I’m sure a number of players are still shaking off early-season jitters. Still, I’m sure I can speak for the majority of Buckeye fans when I say I hope OSU is able to shore up these problem-spots in order to make a run at some hardware in January.
Pictured below are the Buckeyes running out through the tunnel to begin the game. Please excuse the Ipod-camera quality.
