What a weekend. Although ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreet and others spent a good portion of the week talking about how Ohio State was going to struggle against an up and coming Toledo, the Buckeyes silenced the critics shutting out the Rockets 38-0. According to the pundits, the loss to USC was just too big and if the Buckeyes couldn’t pull themselves up from the last minute defeat, it was going to be the start of a long, tough season (who do they think we are…Michigan?).
Meanwhile, these same critics were busy hailing USC as the next national champion and singing the praises of Pete Carroll as the greatest coach in the history of college football. Then, as we all know by know, Washington proceeded to absolutely destroy the USC offense holding them to 0-10 on third down conversions. Yes, that’s right. USC did not convert one 3rd down the entire game.
In typical fashion, ESPN’s Mark May was quick to defend USC and trash Ohio State. As Lou Holtz praised the Buckeyes for bouncing back from the loss, May repeatedly stated that Toledo had the “107th ranked pass rush in the nation.” He then went to to begrudgingly admit the loss and make excuses for USC harping on the fact that former starting quarterback Aaron Corp was not their main guy and as former USC coaches, the Washington coaching staff knew how to play against Carroll. (I’m waiting for the day when Holtz reaches across the table and bitch slaps Mays. You know it’s coming any day now.)
And while it’s true that a win over Toledo doesn’t say that much (unless of course, you’re Michigan), it demonstrates a crucial difference in these two programs. You can assume that both Ohio State and USC spent the better part of their summers preparing for the second game of the season. Not only was it one of the toughest non-conference games in the college football schedule, it was a highly emotional game. The winner would be well on their way to a national championship race. The loser left to pick up the pieces.
The beauty of the current BCS system is that it doesn’t allow for time to bounce back from a big game. With a playoff, everyone gets a second chance. As long as you make the bracket, it doesn’t matter what happened during the regular season. However, with the current system, every game is a playoff game. When an elite team loses just one game, they spend the rest of their season trying to salvage their program.
Instead of dwelling on the loss to USC, Coach Tressel and his players did exactly what they needed to do. They picked themselves up, washed up the blood, wiped the dirt from their brow and went back to work. USC on the other hand, apparently rested on their egos and it got the best of them — for the second year in a row. Buckeye fans calling for the resignation of Coach Tressel need to take a hard look at the outcome of week three. It’s easy to vent frustrations after yet another prime time loss. However, how many coaches can bring their team back to top form in a matter of days after a game like the game on Sept. 12. It’s about character and that is one thing Tressel brings to Ohio State — better the almost any coach in the NCAA.
Speaking of Character
I don’t know which was worse, Tennessee coach Lane Kiffen taunting the Florida Gators or the rumors that the Gators would hand 100 points on the Vols. How dare the taunt the mighty Gators. By all reports, those Tennesse fans were about to get a lesson in SEC football and properly put in their place.
And then they actually played football.
What was most eye opening was the one dimensional offensive attack of the Florida Gators. If all the star playin, media hyped bein, give me another Heisman now quarterack Tim Tebow didn’t make it happen for Florida, it wasn’t going to happen. A young Tennessee managed to shut down the Florida passing game — or at least contain it to short, safe passes. Unfortunately for the Vols, they just didn’t have the ability to stop Tebow on the ground. Put that up against a quality defensive line and it Florida could be in serious trouble.
Not to worry though. Florida is still ranked #1. Why shouldn’t they be? They proved themselves running the scoreboard against Charleston Southern and Troy. Sure, they struggled against a mid-level SEC team but heck, with all the media hype about the SEC, it’s obvious they are #1.
Buckeyes Slip Two Spots
Although the Buckeyes shut out Toledo, a team who’s passing attack had garnered at least some attention, and ran circles around the Toledo defense, Ohio State still slipped to #13 in the AP poll.
Meanwhile Virgina Tech, who barely got past a questionable Nebraska, and Oklahoma, who beat up on Tulsa, somehow proved themselves better teams.
What’s wrong with this picture? Should we be held responsible because USC can’t keep their shit together? Should we be impressed because Oklahoma put more points on the board in their shut out against Tulsa? Remember, just last week Toledo ran the scoreboard against a Big 12 school. Meanwhile BYU, who beat the Sooners in the season opener, got blown out at home by Florida State.
USC chokes and Ohio State drops a position. BYU chokes and Oklahoma moves up?
Wow…just wow.
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg actually agrees with me on this one.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I know the Buckeye faithful are upset but we needn’t be. When will we realize that the media loves to screw with our heads? They love to get Buckeye loyalists upset. They only do this stuff to get a rise out of us and it works every time. Mark May doesn’t dislike Ohio State as much as we think. He just wants to make us scream and holler when he throws out his little digs against us and Pryor. Unfortunately, it works. We give them exactly what they want. We take the bait every time. They know good and well we shouldn’t have dropped in the poles but they enjoy doing that because we’re The Ohio State Buckeyes. Responsibility comes with bearing the name. We are objects of envy and animosity. It is time that we recognize that. I’ll be glad when Terrelle stops listening to the junk from the media. I believe that’s one of the reasons he struggles at times. He’s too busy trying to answer his critics. JUST PLAY BALL. Terrelle needs to relax and go out and play ball. Use the tools the Good Lord gave him and he’ll be OK. Don’t try to thread a pass into the back of the end zone when you can easily run it in. Play your game Buckeyes. Very few teams can stay on the field with us when we do. But please Coach Tressel! Help us out. Call a decent play in the red zone. Can we run a bootleg or a naked bootleg with Pryor? Can we send one of our speedy backs outside on a sweep with a pulling guard escorting him. Can Saine, Herron, or Hall make it look like they’ll throw an option pass and take it on in? Can they possibly throw an option pass? We have so much talent. When will we see some creativity from our wonderful coach? C’mon Coach! You can do it. Just do it! Dammit! You’re killing us!
“bosshawk” makes some pretty good points here. Again, no need to panic, just play the game!
Go Bucks! OH-IO!
it happens every year..we lose to a ranked team and then come back to destroy a patsy and all of a sudden the buckeyes are back ..yeah right…pitt beats navy by 2 touchdowns and washington beats usc..the buckeyes are still rated to high..and tress will never change his way of coaching he just doesn’t know how to..oh boy we get a shot at another power next week….sad
here we go again..we lose to a rated team and the next week we come back and beat a patsy and all of a sudden the bucks are back..yeah in your dreams…washington beats usc and pitt beats navy by 2 touchdowns…there still rated to high..but next week we get a shot at a power house ( another patsy ) in illinois thank god for the big ten schedule or we would all be looking at cincinnati as being the best team in the state and they do pass that look…by the way tress will never change his style of coaching he knows no other way to coach….
Wow…AB uses b!tch and sh!t in one post? I think the hour of this post was fueled by Cap’n Morgan and Coke?
Hire a new O Coordinator soon. Not a good one. A great one.
And leave it to USC to blow a game every year. I don’t know which is worse. Losing when you play a top tier team? Or losing when you shouldn’t (UCLA, Stanford, Oregon St., and now Washington)?
I smell a conspiracy…
Once again, a voice of reason from Bosshawk. I like your style man.
Many times on this blog I’ve talked about the problem that Ohio State runs a program others only dream of. This envy translates to animosity against Buckeye Nation.
I’ve said in the past that we should forget the BCS, we should forget the rankings and just go back to the old days when the only conference that actually mattered was the Big Ten, the biggest game of the year was the game against Michigan and the only bowl worth anything was the Rose Bowl.
The junk from the media is distracting and it puts undue pressure on our team and coaches. Unfortunately, we get way too hung up on knowing who is “#1.” We all know who’s the real #1 and we don’t need to look to those on the outside to confirm it for us.
Thanks for helping me regain my balance Boss.
“Buckeye fans calling for the resignation of Coach Tressel need to take a hard look at the outcome of week three. It’s easy to vent frustrations after yet another prime time loss. However, how many coaches can bring their team back to top form in a matter of days after a game like the game on Sept. 12. ”
Oh come one. Defending Tressel is one thing, but for the love of God coming back to beat Toledo is hardly impressive. Unless you’re Michigan.
Agreed. As I mentioned, beating Toledo doesn’t mean much unless of course you’re Michigan. I think we’re all in agreement there.
However, for the second year in a row, Pete Carroll couldn’t bring USC back from a big game. Calling for Tressel’s resignation is not the answer.
Not Alan’s on the right track. We need a great offensive coordinator. What do you think NA…Spielman?
I don’t really know how far worrying about coordinators gets you though. It’s not like this is a new concern, and yet it hasn’t been addressed. It also doesn’t do much to change the defensive play calling which, frankly, is being done by a coach who’s just flat out scared of these big stage games. If Tressel hasn’t changed his administrative approach yet, he’s not going to now. So if that’s your answer, the AD is going to have to order him to do it, and if he balks you’re left with no options but dumping him.
Frankly I think it’s beyond fixing. You’re either happy with what we’ve gotten since the Florida game, or you think it’s time for a change. I tend to fall into the latter group.
I’m convinced. My buddy from Annapolis and I should be co-offensive coordinators for the Buckeyes. I bet you’d see some interesting formations and plays in the red zone. Guarantee you. If Coach Tressel for one week would accept plays from us we will score points. But I don’t think good ol’ Tress wants to score too many points. He’s too much a gentleman to embarrass the opposition. Therefore, I guess we’ll just have to keep our innovative plays to ourselves. By the way, what about that Jordan Hall. Didn’t he look good? I see no reason why we can’t have at least three Buckeyes rush for at least 600 yards this season. Also, we’ve been blaming the o-line for a lot of our problems. I don’t think they are really the problem. I’ve seen great improvement. Plus, think about this. How effective can and offensive line be if the oppositions defense knows exactly what we are going to run. I can only imagine Mike Brewster saying to Justin Boren and company, “Why the Hell we ruuning this play.” GO BUCKS!!!!
Sounds good Boss. Let’s see ‘em stack up against a Crusty Bob or the old Pig in a Polk.
If anybody can run a Chasin the Cat’s Tail it’s Pryor.
The rumor mill is circulating a terrible rumor that Lamaar Thomas is contemplating transfer. I pray that that is not true. But I can certainly understand why that might be a consideration for Mr. Thomas. When you are a highly recruited player and you show so well in nationally televised all-star appearances and you announce your college selection on ESPN I’m sure he cannot believe his obscurity at the college level. I’m sure he is disappointed and disillusioned. Please understand. I have no problem with Dane Sansenbacher. I’m sure he’s a fine young man but I think he possibly should be backing up Lamaar Thomas or even Ray Small. If that had been Lamaar Thomas catching that pass against USC can you visualize anyone catching him from behind. That is not going to happen. When you are Ohio State and you have a constipated offense in the red zone you best have your firepower on the field at the right time. You have to be able to strike quickly from anywhere on the field You must be able to take it the distance. You cannot do that with Dane Sansenbacher against top-tier competition. He is too slow. I know he’s a hard worker and he runs great patterns but he’s still Dane Sansenbacher. He’s a great possession receiver. Never will he possess blazing speed. If that were Ray Small, Dervier Posey, or Lamaar Thomas no one would catch them from behind. I’m sure some will say “how do you know Thomas would have caught the pass”. We’ll never know if he’s not on the field. I just don’t understand why Coach Tressel doesn’t utilize what he has. We probably have 10 guys on this team that can run 100 meters under 10.5 seconds. Sansenbacher is not one of them. There are not many college teams that possess that kind of speed. Use it Tress! Let’s see these athletes touch the ball at some point in the game. Believe me, there’s even a place for Dane Sansenbacher. I can see him and Duron Carter as key receivers in the possession game. If it’s 3rd and 10 and we need a catch Dane is my man. If we’re in the red zone and we need a catch in the corner of the end zone Dane’s my man; but when going vertical down the field I think there might be better choices. I hope Lamaar will hang in there. Give it time. You’re only a sophomore and sooner or later your coach will wake up. Go Bucks!!!!!!! (P.S. I only hope Lamaar and Jake Stoneburner aren’t close friends.)