Last year, the Buckeyes ran the table and there was no question that they were the team to play in the BCS Championship. The went into Phoenix a dominant favorite having already proven themselves by beating two number two ranked teams. Unfortunately, they also went into Phoenix unmotivated and out of shape and left a badly beaten team.
For Florida, however, the scene was different. They had been bombarded with Ohio State hype. Nike even jumped on the bandwagon with commercials that only ran in Florida challenging Gator students to run more miles than Ohio State students. Everywhere Florida went, the Buckeyes were there in their face — whether we wanted it or not. Florida had something to prove and did.
Flash back to 2003. The Buckeyes went into Phoenix unbeaten but with a number of close games under their belt. They were going up against a Miami team had dominated college football for the past two years. Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey hadn’t been sacked all season. The word was that Ohio State had no business on the same playing field with the Miami Hurricanes.
(For the record, the Buckeyes sacked Dorsey on the first possession and Dorsey was so banged up that he spent the night of the game in an area hospital.)
The difference between the ‘02 championship and the ‘06 game was that in ‘03, Coach Tressel had something to build on. As the underdog, the Buckeyes had something to prove and Tressel played it to the fullest.
With last year’s loss to Florida, Tressel and the Buckeyes have again had something to cling to, something to use as a base for motivation. Forty-one to fourteen has been the rallying cry this year and it has worked. What was supposed to be a rebuilding year with three/four losses has turned into a return to the BCS Championship — a return for redemption.
And now, with the country hailing the SEC as the greatest division and LSU as the best team out there, the Buckeyes again have something to prove. Not only that, but they will be playing LSU in what amounts to a home game. The odds are stacked against them and that’s just the way the Buckeyes like it.
Last year, the Buckeyes had trouble getting through the long break but now, Tressel has something to cling to, a tool to motivate and the Buckeyes have something to prove. Don’t expect to see the Buckeyes make the same mistake as last year.
Most of this team still remembers the sting of the embarrassing defeat last January…
…that’s a whole lot of motivation. Personally, when I get beat down, and get a chance to prove myself again, I come out fighting.
These boys will not be unprepared this time around.
AB-I sent this to Archie Griffin and the OSU alumni house staff. I sent it to you personal e-mail too…
Dear Archie,
Having had the wonderful opportunity to attend 3 out of the last 5 Buckeye Bashes, I’d like to share my comments on last years Bash in the desert compared to the NC Fiesta bowl and the Fiesta against the Irish.
Last year bash in the desert at the Arizona Diamondback’s stadium was an absolute bore and quite painful. The band didn’t take the field until nearly 90 minutes into the gig, there were long uncomfortable pauses between speakers from the President of the University, previous FB players and then Coach Tressel, Troy Smith and others.
The continuation of the Alumni video on the big screen quickly spelled that this Bash was nothing more than about money and raising funds. That’s fine. But it came at a significant expense in that it did not motivate many including the 25 plus Buckeye fans I was there in attendance.
This year, we face the daunting task of beating another heralded and unbeatable SEC team in what amounts to a home game for LSU. I know Buckeye Nation will travel well so I would like to suggest that you, the organizers, and the fans get this years Bash started out with a BANG. Get this OSU crowd fired up from the start and get this BASH going. Let’s be loud and proud and not start off the Bash with a video and long uncomfortable pauses.
LET’S GET THIS BIG 10 PARTY STARTED FROM THE BEGGING OF THE BASH THROUGH THE END OF THE 4TH QUARTER ON JANUARY 7 IN CELEBRATION OF THE 2007 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS…
THE OHIO STATE BUCKEYES!!!
Kind Regards and GO BUCKS!
[...] I mentioned in an earlier post, the underdog role suits Tressel and the Buckeyes well and Coach Tressel is apparently using it to [...]
You would’ve never won that national championship if it weren’t for the phantom pass interference call.
PSU,
Is there something about the above picture that I missed. I put it up there just for people like you. Please go back and review the play or do a search for pictures.
If somehow, that is not pass interference…well…
And you will also recall that on the next possession, Miami got their opportunity with a pass interference call placing them on the one yard line with a first down.
Buckeyes held them winning the game.
How many times do we have to go through this!!
Is it still just the way you like it? LMAO. Maybe now you see why there is so much SEC “hype” and why your pathetic excuse of a #1 ranked team is an underdog. Guess common sense isn’t present up north. Thanks for the Championship. GEAUX TIGERS.