The Buckeye Blog

It took a day to process but here we are again. Looking at the game it comes down to the fact that the Buckeyes made a couple of big mistakes. Biggest of all –the personal fouls.

The Buckeyes opened hot and if it wasn’t for an offside in the first quarter, the score could easily have been 14-0 instead of 10-0. However, the Buckeyes looked lost during the second quarter allowing LSU to run wild. This however was not the end of the game. Two touchdowns in no way means the game is over.

Coming out of the half, the Buckeyes managed to push LSU back to something like 4th and 23 forcing the punt. How the punt was not blocked I don’t know. It looked like Austin Spitler had a big hole in his stomach or something. Instead of a blocked kick we have a first down. Follow that with another personal foul for a late hit (I sure didn’t see it on the replay) and we’ve given the Tigers 30 yards resulting in a touchdown.

Let’s step back for a moment and look at the impact of the missed block kick. If the Buckeyes had blocked the punt at somewhere around the LSU 40, at the very least, they would have started the next drive with excellent field position if they hadn’t scored on the play. This would have put the Buckeyes within a touchdown forcing LSU to change their defensive strategy.

As it was, however, the two personal fouls put the Tigers up by three touchdowns allowing LSU’s defense to gamble with the blitz. A closer game and LSU can’t afford to gamble, Boekman stays confident, Buckeyes move the ball making it a much closer game. Add to that the swing in momentum and the Buckeyes are alive and well.

But that is what could have been.

And although the SEC trolls are all over this web site with their foul language and the writing skills of the average fourth grader, the Buckeyes were not an overrated team. Unlike last year when they weren’t prepared, this year they just made mistakes. One dropped pass less, one blocked punt and it is an entirely different game.

Yes, the anti-Ohio State crowd is large. Most fans never get to see their team play in a BCS level bowl game least bit a national championship. Ohio State has been to three in the past five years and chances are good that they will be back again next year. Jealousy rears its ugly head in a number of ways. We must continue to rise above it. When you’re the elite of the elite, those below will use the only weapon they have — cheap talk.

And the Buckeyes will have even more to prove next year and it is doubtful they will get the benefit of a high pre-season ranking — no matter how much they may deserve it. Next year, however, they will have their chance as they travel to USC Sept. 13. That should help to quiet some of the critics that question the Buckeye schedule. And if they lose, so be it. I always want the toughest schedule possible. Bring them on. In the long run, the Buckeyes will come out on top. Remember, when we scheduled Washington, they were a good team and the Texas series set the stage for the national championship run two years in a row.

However, with the majority of this year’s team returning and some very strong defense men coming up, the Buckeyes will be an even bigger threat than this year. If they get past USC away, they also travel to Michigan State, Wisconsin and Illinois and then face whatever it will be that Michigan brings to the table. They run the table on that schedule and there should be no questions asked.

Let’s move the game back to New Year’s weekend though. Nothing worse than watching the game on a weeknight the week after the rest of the bowl hype has died down.

In a few short hours, our eleven warriors will take to the field of battle to reclaim what is rightfully ours. And, as we all know, this will be no easy battle. The Buckeyes will be deep in enemy territory but from the reports I’ve heard, Buckeye Nation is again there in force to support our boys. ESPN reported that it appears to be about a 50/50 crowd in the Big Easy. An important fact as most of the country is putting a lot of weight into LSU’s home field advantage.

I have been particularly quite about the big game this year. Last year, my confidence was at a high and the fall was all that much harder. I feel much more like I did going into the 2002 Fiesta Bowl against Miami. There is a quiet confidence that yes, this year will be different, this year they will be ready.

This game will come down to defense. The Buckeyes have one of the best in the land and I believe they will shock the LSU offense coming out of the gate. If LSU can adjust, we have a game on our hands. Likewise, a healthy Glenn Dorsey will give the Buckeye offense a run for their money. The offensive line needs to get on him early to give Wells the running room he needs.

Vernon Gholston and the Ohio State defensive line have the ability to match any team in the country. They need to hit both LSU quarterbacks hard and early in order to throw them off their rhythm. And unless Buckeye Nation does show up in force (and when don’t they) than this game won’t be over until the final bell.

Somehow, as the #1 ranked team in the country, Ohio State is the underdog and that’s just the way we like it. We also like it close and this will be a close one.

Pre game pick - Ohio State over LSU 28-21.

“But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive.”

(William Shakespeare, King Henry V, Act IV, Scene iii)

The Columbus Dispatch reported today that LSU players will be watching the movie 300. When Coach Tressel was asked about the movie, he had never heard of it.

Kirk Barton told the Dispatch that the only film he would be watching is game film.

“Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more.”

As we wind down the bowl season, I ask this question. Naturally, there is still one big game left but I fear that unless either Ohio State or LSU comes out with a dominating win, this season’s national champion will have a big question mark next to it. And with the way the media has treated Ohio State lately, even if LSU comes out big, their still will be those who question.

Let’s take a moment to role through the bowl games so far and see what they have to tell. I’ll start with Michigan:

Michigan vs. Florida

If anyone read my earlier post, you can see that I am a little surprised by this game. I honestly didn’t think that Michigan had it in them. They did their best to throw it away with four turnovers and two fumbles that they recovered, I really didn’t think they would pull if off. For the first time in at least the last two years, the Wolverines figured out how to stop a spread offense and a quarter back that can run. The Michigan defense played a good game and I have to give them credit.

My hat is off to Michigan. I will always root for Big Ten over SEC even if it is that school up north.

And I also bid a fond farewell to Loyd Carr and the entire Michigan coaching staff. You guys have been a great asset to the Buckeyes the past few years and you will be missed.

USC vs. Illinois

The talking heads out there will try to claim that USC is the best in the land but a big win over Illinois really doesn’t prove anything. Yes, Illinois beat Ohio State but it was a different game at a different time. I am still somewhat disappointed that the Buckeyes didn’t get a shot at USC in the Rose Bowl. While I should be getting pumped up for the big game tomorrow, does anybody other than Ohio State or LSU fans really care? New Year’s day is the time for big bowl games and USC/Ohio State in the Rose would have been a classic. Instead, we got a good Illinois but really a second tier Big Ten team. Even a Michigan/USC rematch might have been a better game. And what a story line that would have been. Michigan gets a chance at redemption as the coaching staff/senior class goes out the door.

This biggest problem with this loss is that no matter how badly the Buckeyes beat LSU, the USC media machine will still be crowing about Southern Cal because of the Buckeye loss to Illinois.

West Virginia vs. Oklahoma

Wow. Was I impressed by West Virginia. I thought that West Virgina played a game similar to Missouri and Oklahoma handled Missouri pretty well. Add to that the fact that the West Virgina coaching staff (along with some new recruits) was being torn apart by now Michigan coach Rigch Rodriguez and you’ve got a West Virgina embarrassments in the making. The Mountain Men were to have none of that and came out dominant. They ran the ball down the Sooner’s throats and walked away proud. If anyone other than Ohio State/LSU gets a shot at #1, you have to look at West Virgina. If you’re going by bowl appearances alone, what a great showing. The picked up the pieces of a broken program and played like champions.

Virgina Tech vs. Kansas

There was actually a Virgina Tech fan prowling this forum for a while saying that VT was number one and it was a good thing the Buckeyes didn’t have to play them. Yeah, the final score of the Orange Bowl was close but let’s face it, Virgina Tech looked like crap. To be honest, I really don’t need to waste my time with this one.

Hawaii vs. Georgia

Well, Hawaii was undefeated going into this game. 41-10. Enough said.

Kentucky vs. Florida State

Did anyone else enjoy watching Kentucky win as much as I did. There is something about Florida State that I really don’t like. Sure, they were missing 30 some players and considering the situation, they played very well — end zone dives and all (oh yeah, I remember what I don’t like about FSU). Kentucky, the team that beat LSU, got pretty lucky on this one.

Some other games to mention:

Navy came so close. I really wanted to see my local boys do well. Navy Coach Paul Johnson has done some great things for the Navy program and it is tough to see him go. However, as I mentioned earlier this year, it is hard to keep a successful coach at a program like Navy.

Boise State got beat by East Carolina? Didn’t see that coming.

Good to see Purdue win but by three points over Central Michigan? Doesn’t do much for the Big Ten.

I really thought Michigan State could beat Boston and they gave them a game. I still think MSU will be a threat in the Big Ten in the near future.

Good to see Penn State take down Texas AM. A quality Big Ten win.

Alabama struggled against Colorado more than expected. SEC speed….right…

If Ohio State can go in tomorrow night and give LSU the smack down the SEC deserves, than there shouldn’t be any questions. There will be though. No matter how many times I post the pictures of the Miami pass interference call, the Buckeye’s last national championship still gets called upon.

Maybe my Dad has it right when he says, “Who cares about #1. We need to throw all this garbage out and just go back to the good old days when it was the Big Ten and the Pac Ten in the Rose Bowl and nothing else mattered.”

And you know what, I think he’s right.

We all know that this season has been about redemption. The numbers 41-14 have been a constant reminder the entire season and whether he admits it or not, Coach Tressel has has built the year around the notion the notion of “never again.”

And the media has played into this well, reminding the Buckeyes at every turn that like in 2002, they don’t really belong in the BCS Championship and when it comes to ESPN, we should probably just hand the BCS trophy over to USC. It seems like you can’t turn on the television without hearing the talking heads mention Ohio State without all but placing a big question mark on the screen.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, the underdog role suits Tressel and the Buckeyes well and Coach Tressel is apparently using it to the fullest. According to Ken Gordon at the Columbus Dispatch, Coach Tressel sent his players home for the holidays with a special DVD filled with ESPN commentary (among others) “blasting” Ohio State and touting LSU and the SEC. And while Mark May is still crying over USC, according to Gordon (who says he has not seen the DVD), May is prominently featured in the video.

Let them all talk. It worked for Florida last year and it worked for the Buckeyes in 02. Maybe that is the biggest problem with the BCS and the reason the underdogs have traditionally done so well. Without a playoff, one team always seems to arrive with a big question mark next to it. The hype builds until the underdog is so angry that they hit the field ready to prove the world wrong. Meanwhile, the favorite comes in as if they don’t even need to play the game.

Let’s just hope the Buckeyes did their homework over the holidays.

(Thanks to Eleven Warriors for the tip and if anyone gets a copy of the dvd, let me know. I would love to post the highlight reel.)

Update: A blog out of Canton, Ohio has the first 90 seconds available to download. It takes time to download but I will put it up here if I can get it to work. It is pretty much what you would expect: Florida players gloating, ESPN commentators trashing the Buckeyes, no Mark May but I understand he has an entire section of the video all to himself.

Update: Here’s the first 3 minutes or so.

This is the kind of stuff that leads to big Buckeye victories

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.

So the old magic 8 ball was right. Of the possible games, I like this one the most (although I do like an OSU/USC matchup–but we’ll get that next year). The SEC has again done such a good job at promoting themselves that unless we beat an SEC team, the national championship would have been questioned.

Not is the time to silence the SEC garbage once and for all.

As for the game, I hope we play the team that showed up against Tennessee. They we’re one interception away from missing out on the BCS all together and tell me exactly, how many stupid penalties can a team rack up in one game.

And no, I haven’t seen many LSU games but what I have seen leaves me wondering what all the hype is about (oh yeah, it’s the SEC, they specialize in hype). Looking back on it, I saw LSU vs. Alabama which they almost blew, LSU vs. Kentucky, which was a loss to..ahem…Kentucky, LSU vs. Arkansas, and LSU vs. Tennasee. So maybe I caught LSU on a bad night — or maybe four bad nights. Whatever the case, LSU may be one of the better teams…this year.

Regardless, the key for Ohio State will be getting through the break. I think last year, the spring game was closer to the BCS Championship than the Ohio State/Michigan game. However, the Buckeyes will have learned from their mistakes. This entire year has been about redemption and rarely, does a team get an opportunity to erase the mistakes of the past.

I don’t think LSU has met an offensive line like our this year and I know they haven’t met a defense like ours. If the o-line can hold, our defense should do well against an LSU style offense.

Wow, when I wrote my earlier post asking what would happen if West Virginia and Missouri both lost, I didn’t really think it would happen. Missouri, yeah but West Virginia?

So here we are, the morning after, and what a hangover it is. I’ve pulled out the old magic 8 ball and am ready to step forward with my predictions for this tonight’s BCS selection. And let’s face it, the old 8 ball will probably do better than the BCS voters.

Virgnia Tech

Regardless of what the comments on my earlier post may say, it ain’t going to happen. And that is probably a good thing for Virgnia Tech. Ohio State’s defense would outright humiliate Tech. As for getting in to the BCS game, they lost to LSU, LSU won the SEC, the world has a love affair with both the SEC and LSU so face it, a national contender coming out of the ACC–might as well send in Wake Forest. The loss to LSU should knock them out of the running.

Eight Ball says: “Definitely Not”

Georgia

Like the Buckeyes, Georgia sat out this weekend. The difference is that Ohio State won their conference, Georgia did not. And while yes, as I was reminded earlier, Nebraska did go to the BCS without winning their division, it isn’t going to happen this year. While the BCS loves controversy, Georgia jumping in ahead of LSU and Oklahoma might be enough to end the entire system once and for all.

Hmm, maybe Georgia’s not such a bad pick after all.

Eight Ball says: “Very Doubtful”

Kansas

Sure, they only have one loss but they haven’t beaten a team in the top 25. They will be left behind when the smoke clears.

Eight Ball Says: “Are you kidding”

Wow, this isn’t so hard. The 8 ball seems to be doing pretty good so far. Only a couple left to go…

Oklahoma

To have heard it last night, you would have thought Oklahoma Coach Bob Stoops was going up against Hilary in Iowa. He was so desperate he told reporters, “I’m gonna call all my coaching buddies [and try to get them to vote for us].”

Sure, he beat the number one team last night but lots of people beat number one teams this year. Should we be taking a closer look at Appalachian State? Face it, Oklahoma was the favorite and they were supposed to win. The fact that the #1 team can go into their last game of the season as an underdog shows us just how broken the system is this year.

I think Oklahoma makes a good argument for going but let’s face it, LSU is getting the love that Oklahoma is not.

Eight Ball says: “You will have to wait.”

USC

I think USC had a shot if everyone else fell on their swords last night. However, only two of the required four or five teams actually did. Yes, I would love to see USC play Ohio State for the national championship game — especially in a neutral field. However, I don’t see it happening. USC struggled too much this year. Even ESPN’s Mark May bailed out on them last night.

Eight Ball says:”Don’t bet on it”

LSU

That leaves LSU. I would like to see Ohio State play against the LSU that I watched last night. I thought the entire game looked pretty sloppy and if Tenn hadn’t thrown the interception at toward the end of the game last night, we might not even be having this discussion.

Sure, LSU only lost in overtime but to who, Kentucky? Arkansas? From what everybody is telling me, LSU is the best team in the country but I don’t think that’s what we saw yesterday. LSU is good at getting stupid penalties and if their the best, bring ‘em on.

If Ohio State weather the break and play in the form they played in against Michigan, LSU is in trouble, even in what will pretty much be a home game.

Eight Ball says: “Most Likely”

So there it is, the Eight Ball has spoken. LSU goes to the BCS game without about as much certainty as the BCS can give us these days.

I can’t say I wasn’t looking forward to a USC/Ohio State Rose Bowl and the old school football it brings with it. However, a chance to rectify last year’s loss will be worth the trip. And unless Ohio State plays LSU, it doesn’t matter who we beat, the critics will look at an Ohio State national title over anyone but LSU with a lot of doubt. However, I like LSU style football and I think it matches well with the Buckeyes style of play. Bring on LSU and give me a Buckeye blowout. It is time to silence the critics.

GO BUCKEYES!!

Let’s bring it back where it belongs!!!

Yeah, yeah…so I’ve bought my Oklahoma Sooners jersey and Buckeye fans have suddenly taken a huge interest in the Big Twelve championship, but what happens if Oklahoma does come through and Pittsburgh gets a taste of rivalry fever and actually knocks out West Virginia? Sure, it’s a long shot but so was Michigan/Appalachian State.

Let’s step back and take a look at the BCS at its worst.

If both the number one and number two team drop out, you would think that would move us to #4 ranked Georgia. Seems easy enough, Georgia sits idle this weekend and they should step right in, right.

Yeah right.

While Georgia and the Buckeyes get in a little Christmas shopping, the rest of the college football world has to play one more game. Unlike the Big Ten that determines it’s champion in the Ohio State/Michigan game, the SEC, ACC, and Big 12 all have a pesky championship game to worry about and USC stills has one more game left against UCLA.

So, let’s see if we can sift through the mess of an Oklahoma win and a Mountaineer loss.

Georgia sits in a bad situation in that they didn’t win their division. You would think that it would be a requirement that you win your conference before you are allowed to play in a BCS championship game. The conference championship is the closest thing we have to a playoff. If Georgia gets to New Orleans then yes, the system is broken once and for all. (I can hear the SEC complaining now…but the Big Ten doesn’t have a playoff. Wah, wah, wah)

So let’s move to #5 Kansas.

Again, you need to win your conference. However, LSU looses to Tennessee, Virginia Tech looses to Boston or just plays like crap, and USC loses to UCLA, then sure, let Kansas and Georgia fight it out.

Oh, if that scenario plays out, I suggest the Buckeyes skip the BCS championship and play USC in the Rose Bowl.

#6 Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech has to absolutely wipe the floor with Boston to get into the big game. Even then, they are going to need some serious help to jump over Georgia. Come on, seriously, does anyone out there think Virginia Tech is a national championship team?

And then there’s LSU. It’s like Deja Vu all over again.

If LSU can blow the doors off Tennessee, who’s going to keep them out of the big dance (given the Missouri/WV loss). However, I’m not so sure that Tennessee won’t give them a run for the money. Their coach seems to have a thing for a certain school up north and I wonder what it’s like to play for a coach who is about to bail out on you right before the big game. Can’t do much to motivate the team.

That brings me to USC.

USC is the entire reason I wrote this post. There is nothing I would love to see more than an Ohio State/USC national championship game. Better yet, an Ohio State/USC game played on neutral territory as opposed to a USC home game in Pasadena.

It wouldn’t take much for USC to jump to the top. ESPN has already called it claimig that if WV/Missouri lose, West Virginia jumps over Georgia to play in the BCS championship — no mention of any other team standing in front of USC. (Yes, ESPN loves USC that much.) If LSU struggles against Tennessee and USC runs the score on UCLA, putting on a performance like they did against ASU, then yes, send them to New Orleans.

For me, I say we pick up the Rose Bowl and move it to New Orleans this year. What better than an Ohio State/USC game without USC home game advantage. And what a great kick off to next year as Ohio State/USC starts a two year regular season series. Can you imagine the hype of a rematch the third game of the season? Ohio State should rank pretty high next year as I doubt too many Buckeyes are going to the pros. A win over USC and we will be marching right back to a national championship game.

Three national championship games in three years? I’m sorry, it’s more than I could dream of.