The Buckeyes enter this week wanting to prove that last week’s game was just a bad night and not a sign of things to come. The team must address many questions and find a way to build momentum as Colorado comes to town hungry for a signature win.
The Buffaloes are a good team. They have a prolific passing game that puts up over 300 yards a game. Quarterback Tyler Hansen is efficient and does a good job managing the game. This will be an interesting test for the Silver Bullets who have been anything but great recently.
Defensively, the Buckeyes need to get back to basics. The last two weeks showed a unit big on talent but having a tendency to make mental mistakes. Miami’s Lamar Miller ran through Ohio State like a hot knife through butter. He finished with 184 rushing yards. The Silver Bullets need to work on the basics like form tackling, shedding blocks, not breaking down in coverage and taking proper pursuit angles. If they get back to basics, they could shut down Colorado.
On offense, it will once again be the Joe Bauserman and Braxton Miller show. This duo had four completions for 35 yards a week ago. This week expect both to rotate in with Miller receiving more snaps. Either way, the offense will be heavy on the run light on the pass. The coaching staff will want to do a better job putting both quarterbacks in positions where they can succeed and they are hoping to use the running game as a springboard to open up the passing game.
In order for this to work, the Buckeyes will need another big week out of their offensive line. This will be interesting considering Colorado will stack the box and force the Buckeyes to beat them in the air. If the line can impose their will and create running lanes for the backs, it should create big plays and may open up the passing game.
Ultimately, this is game is a mental test for the Buckeyes.
Luke Fickell knows his team cannot start slow for a third consecutive week. They need to come in fired up, eager to prove last week was a bad memory. If they take the game to the Buffaloes, they have a good chance of winning. If they hang back and react to what Colorado brings, the Buckeyes will receive their second loss of the season.
Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images
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