I would just repeat that I feel the FS era has been based on recruiting ok guys who execute very well. Lately, when we don't execute or are outmanned, we tend to be in deep trouble. I still say it starts with more highly rates and better recruits but this staff just doesn't seem to go after (or can't get) enough of these kinds of guys.

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. I don't see that we had any answer for Titus Davis. CMU went ground and pound after they were up two scores. As soon as we scored our TD to get it to within 11, they went right back to Davis for 29 yards, then picked up another 13 on a PI call on Bass.

8 of 11 CMU possessions went for 40 yards or more. One of the 3 that didn't ended on the fumble we returned to the 6, and another was the end of the first half. We forced one three and out (which we followed with our own three and out).

CMU moved the ball, through the air (233) and on the ground (234). Our punting generally pinned them deep, but we were not able to force the three and outs we needed to flip field position.

OHIO is #2 in the league in sacks, so to say they are not being disruptive would be to ignore that success.

About half (6.5 out of 14) of the sacks are from LBs. I don't have a problem blitzing LBs, but that pulls a man from coverage. I think we need more disruption from the 4 down lineman...especially up the middle...without needing the blitz.

Collapse the pocket and hurry the throw. The natural throw when the pressure is on is a quick hitter to the slot or TE....who would be covered by the linebacker were he not blitzing. The alternative throw is the quick out...again, a difficult throw, but if the LB is not there in coverage it does make it a bit easier to complete.

Give me game by game 3rd down conversion rates by the opposition with brief description of the quality of the opponent.

We're striving to be middle of the MAC.

I disagree. In the Solich Era we have had more guys drafted in the NFL as well as signed as free agents as I can ever remember. That would seem to indicated that we are getting good recruits. QB has been a notable exception, as we have not been able to recruit the big, mobile QB that some other MAC teams have. (That's why I'm so angered that Joey B. has verballed to the Evil Empire. There's still time for him to change his mind, but that's a different story for a different thread.) I think you put way too much emphasis on the rating services and their rankings. Also, I think we have a number of very good players on this team, but they tend to be underclassmen and some are a little wet behind the ears. The guys are also learning a completely new defensive system. Frank is an innovator, despite the negative remarks by some on this board. But, sometimes when you innovate you lose for awhile before you win. I think that's what's happening to OHIO. If we had stuck with the old defensive scheme, we might have won another game at this point in the season, but we'd be worse off in the long run. Have patience young man! (Well, I think you're two years younger than I am.) Like L.C., I expect that this team will improve as the season goes along. Keep the faith. Go OHIO!

Great post. The two camps here must be watching different games.

The question of why teams have so much success against us on their first drives and why we don't have success against the opposition on our first drives is a good one.

My quote was....

"This just isn't an indictment on Ohio, but tackling in football all together. If I had to see Josh Kristoff just run into somebody and REFUSE to wrap up I was going to kick my TV screen in. He must have done it 5-7 times. He had 9 tackles (I think) and I'm not sure 1 of those was truly a tackle....more like he just ran into the guy and he either went out of bounds or fell down."

"Kristoff might still be banged up...but as a safety he should watch some Mike Mitchell film and realize that you have to step up and make a tackle. He either doesn't want to take a hit, lay a hit or be involved in contact. It's very noticeable if you watch him."

On twitter I made this comment about Kristoff watching the game...

"Kristoff should be on blast during film session. Never wraps up. Just tries to knock into guys"

"Would be nice is Josh Kristof could wrap up...two missed open field tackles on this drive alone"

Yes....I will agree....he was technically the leading tackler at CMU....but you also get a tackle for running a guy out of bounds.

I implore you to go back and watch the game and watch Kristoff "tackle"

He simply tries to lower his shoulder and just run into people. He continually does it.

Proof?

00:24:55 into ESPN3 replay...missed open field tackle

00:26:45 just a horrible effort tackling....just lowers shoulder and doesn't even try to wrap up
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:11640187


00:40:15 into ESPN3 replay....Late 1st quarter....Rawls 30 yards run...watch Kristoff lower shoulder and just run into him (after Bass horribly misses open field tackle)
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:11640268

missed tackle here...just dives at his feet...HIT HIM AND WRAP UP!
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:11640820

02:16:30 has the angle and just goes at him with shoulder...does make the tackle, but the form was iffy at best
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:11641164

02:39:44 just watch his effort here...totally whiffs on play
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:11641462

02:43:40 and here...just kind of stands behind and gives a half-assed push on the pile

now watch the next play when quentin poling just stands up rawls...that's how you tackle

kristoff doesn't look like a guy who is a sure tackler who is flying to the football and trying to make good, solid tackles.

frustrating to watch.

not how I'd like to see my safety make plays

maybe he was having just a bad game....but you can't watch that and say that's solid football.

he might have had 9 tackles...but that's because a lot of runs got into our secondary which isn't good.

They definitely do go after good players. Most of the players that they send offers to have been rated 3-4 stars by the services, and have multiple P5 offers. The problem is that they haven't been able to get a lot of these guys away from the P5 programs. When they compete against other MAC programs, Ohio wins more often than not, but not against P5 teams.

As for the walkons, they are there to fill the gaps, and to push the scholarship players to be better. Sometimes the program finds some good players who clearly should have had scholarships to begin with, like a Dak Notestine, Corey Hasting, Paul Hershey, Ryan Clark, Keith Moore, Devin Jones, Josiah Yazdani, or AJ OUellette. Why do we have a walkon QB? Because he's filling the gap left because a couple QB's didn't want to wait their turn behind Tettleton, Kyle Snyder (who would be a fifth year Senior), and Ronnie Bell (who would be a 4th year Junior), and because the other scholarship QB had to take a year off from the program and fell behind. I'm glad to have Sprague.

Gimmie a break. I'm not questioning the kids heart, dedication or love for the university.

He's a Division I scholarship athlete. This is part of that. Once you put on that uniform for 25k+ every Saturday, you open yourself up for criticism. I'm criticizing his play on the field in this particular game.

I was called out by another fellow fan for my critique of his tackling, so I backed up my claims.

I never said "YOU SUCK" or anything that was over the line.

I questioned his ability to make good football plays.

I am a season ticket holder and proud alum and have supported this team from the 0-12 days thru the 10-3 days.

I have the right to criticize a player for his play.

Don't question whether I'm a real fan? C'mon

Having been in film sessions, I can only say I am sure NONE of the players enjoyed watching their play vs CMU and I would think FS and Co were very disappointed with the effort and fundamentals shown (or not shown) on both sides of the ball. Again, I say OHIO is a team built on "execution". having said that, I think there was probably really good execution on only a handful of plays last week.

Well, congrats on your loyalty. As for my comment, and I do stand by my comment!!!! If you think you have a right to belittle players play by name, feel free. I'm sure they appreciate your support.