Through the Misty Dawn - Editorial

Future Value for OSU

On TV we sometimes see the skier falling from the ski jump and hear the words "The Agony of Defeat."  Over the season Ohio State built great expectations and ended with an agonizing defeat. Pundits and sports writers are still trying to figure out what happened to the Buckeyes.

With benefit of hindsight a few important observations are in order. If Ohio State reviews the game films constructively they will learn important lessons that will benefit them tremendously during years to come. Ohio State lost to an extremely well coached team. A four man front sacked the OSU passer eight times. OSU's running game was stifled completely. The Florida Gators knew something about football that Ohio State needs to learn all about. For example, "How did the defensive line break through so consistently?" The game films should reveal their secret.

How did the Gators shut  down the OSU running game? Film review will tell the story. Interviewing the OSU offensive linemen will tell even more about the Gators.

One issue stands out more than any other. "Why did OSU continue a passing game that proved hopeless so early in the game?" In the first half OSU showed a modicum of success running the ball. The OSU Offensive Coordinator who selects the plays was unable to properly react to the surprising pass defense put up by the Florida Gators. The problem persisted throughout the game.

Another factor enters into the picture. If the Ohio State quarterback was having an off day Zwick should have shared the duties as quarterback more often. A bad day for a Heisman winner still requires options be considered that might improve their teams performance.  A coaching error quite obviously, perhaps because of the hype given the Heisman trophy winner. Or otherwise disbelief and another failure to react.

Interestingly both teams used a four man front on defense. Florida was far more effective. That defense is designed to stop the short passes but it did not work for Ohio State.

The foregoing analysis seems simple and rather un complicated. Retrospect and hindsight will prove that there is a very simple answer that is very hard to accept. Florida out coached the Buckeyes who were loaded with talent. And for those of us that followed the Gators throughout the season it was not surprising after we recovered from  the amazing and surprising defeat by the Buckeyes.

If I were the coach at Ohio State I would interview the OSU players and study the films during the off season. I would be relentless until I discovered the secrets of the winning Gator football team. I would then take those lessons into 2007.  OSU could then rebound next year and have another brilliant football season.

Richard Englefield

www.symphonybyenglefield.com  (Click here)

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