2nd Watch (Backfield) - Note from lifelong OSU friend.

[TheSingletron]

I unfortunately have a lifelong OSU fan that was a roommate in college so we talk... they thought their front 7 this year was stronger than last years.

With that said... I think it needs to be acknowledged, we got some backs that will fight for every yard (and talented enough to get them).

When you watch Smothers run, it's clear his vision and footwork gets him yards that our backs couldn't get last year. And... BROWN... I think it's going to be seen as the season goes on, that dude darts through holes and will carry a defender two or three more yards AT HIS SIZE. He hits a hole harder than any running back we've had for the last two seasons. 

I believe we are going to see some impressive runs and games from our backfield.

HOOK 'EM! 

[TexasMDcoach]

4 minutes ago, TheSingletron said:

I unfortunately have a lifelong OSU fan that was a roommate in college so we talk... they thought their front 7 this year was stronger than last years.

With that said... I think it needs to be acknowledged, we got some backs that will fight for every yard (and talented enough to get them).

When you watch Smothers run, it's clear his vision and footwork gets him yards that our backs couldn't get last year. And... BROWN... I think it's going to be seen as the season goes on, that dude darts through holes and will carry a defender two or three more yards AT HIS SIZE. He hits a hole harder than any running back we've had for the last two seasons. 

I believe we are going to see some impressive runs and games from our backfield.

HOOK 'EM! 

Thought our O line has really stepped up a notch too and got some push we did not see much of last year.  There is definitely a synergy between the two positions.

[HookemDTX]

Their defense was on the field for at least 20 more plays than they are used to playing and we just wore them out with conditioning and talent.

[Here for the Wins]

5 minutes ago, TheSingletron said:

I unfortunately have a lifelong OSU fan that was a roommate in college so we talk... they thought their front 7 this year was stronger than last years.

With that said... I think it needs to be acknowledged, we got some backs that will fight for every yard (and talented enough to get them).

When you watch Smothers run, it's clear his vision and footwork gets him yards that our backs couldn't get last year. And... BROWN... I think it's going to be seen as the season goes on, that dude darts through holes and will carry a defender two or three more yards AT HIS SIZE. He hits a hole harder than any running back we've had for the last two seasons. 

I believe we are going to see some impressive runs and games from our backfield.

HOOK 'EM! 

What on earth made them think they’d be better up front?    They had the highest graded run defender at DT and two LBs top 30-ish.  All gone.  Pierce is smaller than both, maybe slower.  The Wisconsin dude was an average player.  Their best hope was holdovers, underachieving to this point, rising up.  Nevermind Downs did support the run, and he’s gone too.

[TheSingletron]

4 minutes ago, Here for the Wins said:

What on earth made them think they’d be better up front?    They had the highest graded run defender at DT and two LBs top 30-ish.  All gone.  Pierce is smaller than both, maybe slower.  The Wisconsin dude was an average player.  Their best hope was holdovers, underachieving to this point, rising up.  Nevermind Downs did support the run, and he’s gone too.

I have no idea, but it's legit. They thought they'd have a better run defense, overall. 

[Here for the Wins]

6 minutes ago, TheSingletron said:

I have no idea, but it's legit. They thought they'd have a better run defense, overall. 

That’s fandom I reckon.

[DanielOnorato]

11 minutes ago, Here for the Wins said:

That’s fandom I reckon.

Yeah I have no idea why he would think they'd be better when they lost Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese who got drafted 7th and 5th overall. 

[Here for the Wins]

8 minutes ago, DanielOnorato said:

Yeah I have no idea why he would think they'd be better when they lost Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese who got drafted 7th and 5th overall. 

I dig deeper than makes sense on this stuff.  They had a number of front 7 guys play more snaps than they ever have, in 100 degree heat no less.  Pierce almost doubled his previous high.  Jackson ran 68 plays.  They do not seem to substitute as much as we do defensively.

They are relying more on transfers than in the past.  They lost a lot from defense last year, but it’s really a two year run of losing lots of guys, many except Downs, were homegrown too.