The chart above says it all. Penn State's win probability kept going up like Amazon stock throughout the game then came crashing down like the 2008 financial crisis. I mean, when the game starts like this, you gotta feel pretty good:
SAQUON TO THE HOUSE pic.twitter.com/C0gTOE93rF— Barstool Penn State (@PSUBarstool) October 28, 2017
But Ohio State did just enough in the first half to dig out of a 14-0 early deficit to go into the half 28-17 and receiving the 2nd half kick.
The key moment in the game happened when Penn State kicked a Field Goal to up by 11
Yeah it would have been nice to get a TD, but inside the 5, you're not putting that ball in the air when you can make it a two-score game. Time and again McSorely has scored a TD with his legs, he just couldn't get loose here. Even so, kicking a FG with 5:42 left up by 11? I like my chances.
What changed is the Ohio State offensive coaches decided to stop being fucking idiots and throw the ball downfield. All game that cute swing pass and screen pass shit was shut down by Penn State. Knowing they needed to score twice and score quickly forced them to get vertical. Penn State couldn't handle it, giving up a TD in a little over 1:20. They held tough on the 2-pt try, but the next offensive series did them in.
The first play was a zone read to Barkley that got blown up for a 7-yard loss. I don't have an issue with the play call, the blocking wasn't there and then you're staring at a 2nd & 17 inside your own 5. That's what dictated the next 2 plays. Up 5, you can't throw deep in your own territory, two more stuffed runs meant punting it back to Ohio State, and once again the secondary was carved up for the game-winning TD.
Goddammit.
Like I proclaimed in the title, Ohio State has won the Big Ten East. They're not losing twice with a remaining schedule like this:Aw shucks. What a bummer. Lol. pic.twitter.com/AyteZIjzMo— Nate (@BarstoolNate) October 28, 2017
HOWEVA, if they lose once, they're fucked in terms of the CFP. Unfortunately Penn State won't be able to back its way in to the CFP like Ohio State last year, because the schedule is too soft. Pitt sucks ass and the only ranked opponent remaining on the schedule is Michigan State.
The Big takeaway is that the Big Ten East goes through Ohio State. Ever since the Big Ten wisened up and got rid of that "Leaders and Legends" bullshit, the team that won the East was either Ohio State (2014) or a team that beat Ohio State, (Michigan State - 2015, Penn State - 2016). In other words, you cannot lose to Ohio State and hope they lose two Big Ten games. Just not going to happen.
Oh well. I blame ESPN's Heather Dinich for jinxing us:
If -- IF -- PSU keeps this up for 4Q (still early!!!!) no doubt could be considered for No. 1 on Tuesday.— Heather Dinich (@CFBHeather) October 28, 2017
No comments:
Post a Comment