10 Takeaways From Ohio State’s Loss to Virginia Tech

Sep 6, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies linebacker Chase Williams (36) tackles Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) as Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) arrives too late to block at Ohio Stadium. Virginia Tech won the game 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Ohio State’s loss to Virginia Tech could forecast a long season for Buckeye nation, as Scarlet and Gray fans across the country are hurting this morning.

Urban Meyer and company lost to the Virginia Tech at home, 35-21 against a team that really just outplayed Ohio State in the Buckeyes home stadium in front of over 100,000 fans.

This column won’t help ease the pain, but here are 10 takeaways from the game, plus some winners and losers.

Braxton, Who? Please

T.J. Barrett is not Braxton Miller, despite his best efforts to make us forget that. His first-half rushing exploits had Twitter asking us, “Braxton, who?”

That may have been a little premature.

Barrett completed only nine of his 29 passes, thorwing three picks,  and struggling mightily against Viriginia Tech’s press man coverage. His 12-of-15, 226-yard effort against Navy in Week 1 seemed like a distant memory.

Barrett did rush for an impressive 124 yards on 17 carries, which broke down to 7.3 yards per carry. Still, he’s got to be able to do more than just take off, especially with a dearth of playmakers at receiver, and running back.

A freshman is a freshman is a freshman…

A freshman is a freshman even when he wears a redshirt. Barrett’s inexperience was evident in the fourth quarter,  when he took six sacks and tossed two picks.

So long, Big Ten

While the Big Ten attempts to woo us with fancy animated commercials about how it has extended its reach to the east coast, the conference is sunk in a rut. Michigan State, the overwhelming favorite to win the conference and make the college football playoff, was someone derated by Oregon.

The Spartans had an eight-point lead in the third quarter, but then surrened 28 unanswered and lost, 46-27. And while the Bucks had to endure Tech fans shouting “ACC-ACC” in Ohio Stadium, Michigan suffered a huge embarrassment at the hands of Notre Dame. Not only have the Irish said, “W don’t want to play you anymore,” but the Golden Domers gave the Wolverines a beatdown to remember, by shutting out the Maize and Blue, 31-0.

The SEC has long been better than the Big Ten. The  PAC-12 looked better, at least this year. But now the ACC? Ugh.

On an Island

Viriginia Tech cornernacks Kendall Fuller and Brandon Facyson are the real deal. The duo play press-man coverage and don’t rely on much help. That was clear when Buckeye Mike Thomas broke one  tackle on a short slant and turned it into a 53-yard touchdown.  The defensive backs play on an island, and there was no relief. But that was about the only time Tech’s coverage failed.

Fuller is listed at 6-1 on the depth chart, while Facyson is listed at 6-2. The trend in the NFL, thanks to Pete Carroll and the Seahawks, is to go with bigger defensive backs, and these two guys fit the mold.

No Rush

Buckeye backs Ezekiel Elliot, Curtis Samuel and Dontre Wilson carried the ball a total of 15 times for 58 yards. Buckeye backs were non-existent, and that only puts pressure on a inexperience quarterback. Buckeye Colored Glasses The Buckeyes were 12 point-favorites entering the contest.

Even Vegas underestimated the loss of Miller, who could do nothing but watch with his arm in a sling on the sideline.

Youth Fails

Inexperience leads to growing pains, which leads to losses, and the Buckeyes have a lot of young players who are taking some lumps right now.

Just how much is this team depending on younger players? Consider that 49 of the team’s 55 points have been scored by freshmen or sophomores.

Playmakers, Stand Up

Weren’t Dontre Wilson and Jalin Marshall supposed to be guys this team could get the ball to. Marshall didn’t touch the ball, and Wilson had four touches for 35 total yards.

This catch, was a gem, though:

A Still Pretty Offensive Offensive Line

The unit was a problem against Navy, and that carried over into the home opener, as the Buckeye offensive line allowed seven sacks against a tenacious Virginia Tech defense.

Raekwon Sighting

Five-star freshman linebacker Raekwon McMillan finally got some playing time and he should get more.

Urban Meyer constantly sells the importance of playing freshmen and sophomores to big-time recruits. This team is already so young and not ready to contend for a title, so why not play McMillan?

Winners:

* Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer: A heck of a game plan.

* Norris Cole, AKA, the guy in the Miami Heat Hat who still gets to hang with LeBron James.

• Michal Brewer: The Virginia Tech quarterback is showing that transferring from Texas Tech was a brilliant idea. Brewer can play.

• TBDBITL, for making this awesome Bat signal at halftime. Unfortunatley, the Caped Crusader didn’t arrive in time to play  on the offensive line.

• Joey Bosa, who forced a big-time fumble in the fourth quarter, which helped Ohio State tie the game at 21.

Losers

• The Buckeye’s hopes of playing in the inaugural College Football Playoff. Chances were already slim, but it looks like this team could lose a couple more times.

• LeBron James: If you’re going to show up with your entourage, the Buckeyes better win. Talk about a bad omen, Cavs fans.

This was also James’ second game on the sideline this weekend, as he attended his alma mater’s contest Friday night at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary.