I guess Utah isn’t much of a 2nd half team.
- Thread starter Alan Smithee
- Start date
Utah just got Northwesterned......again......
Smith-Njigba put up more receiving yards in this game than our whole offense averages.
When you have a guy like that, it's just a matter of figuring out you just lob it in his general direction and Utah can't do anything about it.
Ohio State just looks bizarrely inconsistent at times for how much talent they have on that roster; they should be as good as Alabama or Georgia with the raw talent that they have, but they just didn't put it together this year.
They're still by far the most talented squad in our conference, and if they fix up their flaws, they'll be back on top quickly and able to challenge for the CFP.
Smith Ngjigba wouldn’t have been far from our leading 2019 WR with that one game.
Stroud and those WRs are incredible but their D is not close to elite.
Stroud and those WRs are incredible but their D is not close to elite.
Watching the game last night, I am not convinced those two guys were their best two receivers. They may have been their most experienced receivers with talent but I am not sure they were better than the guys that replaced them. First class problem to have.
Last edited:
OSU puts a lot of guys in the NFL. Like NU they lost their Linebackers and top defensive backs and did not reload on defense in 2021. They have another tip 10 class coming in and will be in the hunt again next year. What great receivers they are getting. Enough of OSU, NU needs to get some solid veterans in the transfer portal. With roster turnover rebuilding will happen quicker. NU needs a QB and some speed and can get back to competitive soon.
Their D just flat out sucks. They're in the process of gutting their defensive staff starting with the hiring of 2021 Broyles finalist - Jim Knowles, the former Oklahoma State DC.
Imagine firing your DC after a few games into the season giving up far less scores and yards than ours. And bringing in someone far more competent and accomplished to address what is seen to be a problem.
Stroud had an amazing game. He and his receivers had end zone passes/receptions that couldn’t be defended. Just a totally enjoyable bowl game. Hats off to Utah for battling right to the end. Lots of starters for both sides out for the game either because of Covid or opting out. Amazing offensive output by OSU even with 2 top receivers opting out of the game.
——————————————————————
“OSU quarterback C.J. Stroud completed 37 of 46 passes for 573 yards with six touchdowns and a pick. Stroud set the Ohio State record for passing yards in a game.
Stroud, a redshirt freshman, also broke Justin Fields’ school record for completion percentage (70.2) in a season with 71.9, Fields’ school record for passer rating (181.4) at 186.6, and Dwayne Haskins’ school record for passing yards per game (345.1) at 369.6.
Before Saturday, the previous high for passing yards against Utah this season was 401, by USC. The firm of Stroud and Smith-Njigba nearly matched that number by themselves.”
——————————————————————
“OSU quarterback C.J. Stroud completed 37 of 46 passes for 573 yards with six touchdowns and a pick. Stroud set the Ohio State record for passing yards in a game.
Stroud, a redshirt freshman, also broke Justin Fields’ school record for completion percentage (70.2) in a season with 71.9, Fields’ school record for passer rating (181.4) at 186.6, and Dwayne Haskins’ school record for passing yards per game (345.1) at 369.6.
Before Saturday, the previous high for passing yards against Utah this season was 401, by USC. The firm of Stroud and Smith-Njigba nearly matched that number by themselves.”
Last edited:
Whittingham mismanaged the end of the game IMO. He should have calling time outs with one minute left, and especially when OSU got down near the goal line with 30+ seconds left. It would have given Utah a chance for a few plays after the OSU FG. Obviously a small chance of winning, but more than they had with 9 seconds left and three TO sitting around unused. Even the last KO was botched IMO. Should have taken ball at 25. Would have time for a 30-40 yard pass. If completed, could call time out and either try a FG or a Hail Mary. But, still a fantastic game.
I also thought they should have taken a touchback/fair catch despite Covey having a KOR TD earlier. No margin for error on the return - it’s either a TD or game over. Maybe a slim chance he returns it to the 50 and is down with 1 second left and a Hail Mary to the end zone.
Think about this. OSU finished 11-2 and won the Rose Bowl with 23 scholarship players out,.....yet, the vast majority of the people associated with that program consider 2021 to be a failure. Hence, the massive staff changes on defense during the off season.
I've watched Utah play several games this year. Believe it or not, their best bet was a Covey return. The guy is dynamite, and dopey OSU kicked it to him.
On the other side of clock management, during the Utah/Oregon first game, Utah had Oregon reeling, leading 21-0 in the first half and stopped Oregon at about their own 30 with like 10 seconds left in the half. In that scenario, Fitz would absolutely let the time run out. Whittingham called timeout to get Covey a touch, and he returned the punt for a TD. A real dagger.
But - yeah - once OSU was in Ruggles FG range, call your timeouts so you have time left.
Similar threads
