Some copium on a few of the screens/bubble RPOs - we can definitely still argue that there were too many. But (especially the RPOs), these are getting the exact look we should be able to punish. This is the "muddy up the LOS, but keep safeties deep" look, and it's hard to do much else here. I've been wanting to see more downfield RPOs (thought I did, but on rewatch think it was straight playaction), but then you're throwing into the safety. Maybe a Bubble/Slant here with the pressed CB playing the bubble so hard? But the real answer is, just block that guy:
The nickel blitzed (probably as a check based on this formation), so Barney 1 on 1 witha safety coming up from10 yards is great. Should be a guaranteed 5-6, if he makes him miss clean potentially a lot more. The play has an answer for the defense, it's a quick read and a good throw but it's -2 yards.
Again, this is one where we in theory have a terrific matchup. The LB stays inside to play the run, the safety is 12 yards deep, and the CB is playing tight so he pretty much engages with Banks on his own. Turns into a loss of 1.
I think this is the one people were pointing out that at least he sealed his guy and maybe Barney should have cut in, but I can't imagine that's what Banks is supposed to do. Barney was in motion, and sitting down inside of Banks would let the LB back into the play. I think Banks has to maintain the outside leverage here and he doesn't. This kind of stuff is why I'm more down on McGuire than Satt. I have heard zero negative things about Banks in any capacity, so I have to imagine he is working hard and playing as he is coached. But he has been a downright terrible blocker, and I have a hard time assigning the blame to the player when it seems like he goes above and beyond.
This one is a called screen, and again we got a good look for it. I do think the OSU DL was looking for it, but he was in the
backside A gap and crossed the face of 3 linemen to make the play. If OSU was fully expecting screen, that is a bold move to have your backside DT as the assigned player to stop it but he did. I think if that's a playside 3-technique or the DE, one of the linemen picks him up.
I just don't think they expected that guy to go that far - but if someone picks him up, we have 3 blockers for 2 defenders and can even clean up the DB if the WR loses his block. I don't think Emmett can come further inside because you are expecting some interior pressure, but they kept it mostly on the edges.
I have been of the opinion that it was too many screens/passes to the flat, but man they all looked like great calls about a second before they weren't.