Extra answers on Tyler Moeller, Dan Herron and other Buckeyes
Some answers to some questions about the Buckeyes that made the Plain Dealer
Now, here are some more answers to questions sent on Twitter to @PDBuckeyes
@Droptotu8 Any sense of urgency from Illinois?!?!
Not really. If it happens again, then yes. But I think chalking that up to a combination of Terrelle Pryor's injury, wind and some solid defensive schemes from an Illinois team that did a good job with an extra week to prepare and already plays a somewhat unusual defense, is reasonable. I'm taking it as more of an aberration, and the run game was good enough when it needed to be in the fourth quarter. If the Buckeyes are flat or consistently ineffective against Indiana, then all bets are off.
@CONCEDE For Ohio State to run the table and win in a big BCS game, it's my opinion they'll need a legit tailback to convert first downs and run clock. Who is it?
Dan Herron reaches the endzone against Illinois on Saturday.It was Dan Herron on Saturday in the second half, and I think it will continue to be Dan Herron. There is no Beanie Wells or Maurice Clarett on this team. That's how it goes sometimes. But for anyone wanting a back to carry the load, Herron is the obvious No. 1 choice, and I do think he has improved this season. But when Terrelle Pryor is healthy, this is still a Terrelle Pryor offense first and foremost.
@snaker5 What is the greatest weakness OSU has right now: running game or secondary?
Good job cutting to the heart of the matter. Both are a concern. I think the secondary is a bigger question because the Buckeyes will now be playing two backups there with the injuries to C.J. Barnett and Tyler Moeller. At least the running backs are healthy. Indiana's Ben Chappell could test the secondary this week and help answer this question.
@matthrewgaskill What is the reasoning for many voters, yourself included, for moving Oregon above Ohio State?
Oregon's win over Stanford was slightly more impressive to me than Ohio State's win over Miami. And though Oregon gave up nearly 600 yards of offense against Arizona State, I thought Oregon didn't have a game when the Ducks struggled to the extent that Ohio State did against Illinois. To me, the schedules are pretty similar so far, and overall, after this weekend, I though Oregon's overall body of work was better.
@PChuck2 Do you think Jaamal Berry will see more time this week?
I think Jordan Hall might see more time at tailback. But I just can't see more carries for the fourth tailback as the way to go right now.
@JtownBuckNut Why won't Tressel play our most talented running back instead of running Brandon Saine up the middle for no gain? Hall is explosive.
It's possible Saturday's game was a line in the sand on this point. I think Dan Herron's workload will either stay the same or increase, but maybe Hall could get a few of Saine's carries.
@platoda How much of a concern is lack of pressure by the D line at Illinois?
Nathan Williams was a modified spy on Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase at times, delaying his rush to make sure Scheelhaase couldn't escape and find room to run, so that lessened the pressure a bit. Still, the Buckeyes entered the game with five sacks in four games and had three sacks against the Illini, so I thought the defensive line was OK.
@exiledclevelndr What are the chances Moeller can get a medical redshirt and play next year?
I think there's a good chance. It was Moeller's plan to ask for that after this season, based on the off-field head injury that cost him last season. He won't know until this season ends, but it seems he has a good case.
@arud818 Is there a significant dropoff between Moeller and Christian Bryant?
Moeller is obviously more experienced and he may pack a little more punch. But Bryant has as much talent and is as smart about the game as Moeller. He's more prepared than many freshmen would be. And while Moeller was a linebacker who moved to safety and then the star nickel back position, Bryant is a natural safety and corner who moved there, so I expect his cover skills might be better. As good as Moeller is, I don't think Bryant will be overmatched once he gets comfortable.
@RyanPearson21A With injuries, any chance Etienne Sabino burns his redshirt and becomes a "star"?
Sabino did play that position a bit in practice, but I think that would be only a desperation move, and the Buckeyes aren't quite desperate yet. The Buckeyes want to redshirt the linebacker, but if Christian Bryant got hurt, then maybe the Buckeyes would have to think about this.
@Buckeyes1117 If you were Tyler Moeller's mother, would you want him to keep playing football? Head injury...now this...
This torn pectoral muscle is a fluke thing unconnected to the rest. The head injuries are another issue, but Moeller was cleared to play and loves the game, and obviously he and his family made the decision to play this year. I don't think this latest injury affects that at all.
@BuckeyeToad75 In your opinion do you think Joe Bauserman could lead this team to a Big Ten title if Pryor was out?
My opinion, no. I think the Buckeyes could still be pretty good, but those games at Iowa and Wisconsin would get very, very difficult.
@DeaconSimmons Do you think OSU will continue to be a team with highly mobile QBs or revert back to a team with a more dropback passer?
I think Jim Tressel will take any talented quarterback, of any type, and his offensive system doesn't limit him to a certain style. However, his preference is for a guy who can get out of trouble and convert third downs with his feet as well as his arm. So I don't think we'll see true dropback guys very much. Recruit Braxton Miller isn't as mobile as Terrelle Pryor, but he can move, as can young OSU quarterbacks Kenny Guiton and Taylor Graham.