Game Thread #2 tOSU at #3 Oregon, Sat. Oct. 12, 7:30 pm ET, NBC
- By RB07OSU
- 2024 Season Capsule
- 2270 Replies
I tried to manage expectations as best as possible but once game day hits and there is an electric atmosphere in Eugene, I couldn't help but get my confidence up some.Nah no one left on the schedule can really stress the defense like Oregon can. Indiana looks like they have a great offense this year, but not sure what they'll look like against better athletes.
To be really honest, I'm not super down on this loss. Hell I'm not even really down on the defense all that much. Oregon may just have a truly elite offense this year. If that's the case then giving up 32 at Autzen isn't some unforgivable offense. Even projecting forward to the playoffs, the only team other than Oregon for the 2nd or 3rd time I'd be worried about facing is Texas. Even then I need to see Texas do it against a good defense before I truly start shaking in my boots. Everyone else in the Top 10 has pretty glaring issues.
My disappointment just comes from my lofty expectations. I honestly believed this team would be talented enough and motivated enough to run roughshod over anything that got in their way, cementing themselves as arguably the best OSU team ever. Looking back that was probably a fool's errand. Even some of the all time greats have one stumble along the way.
I'm with you though on most of your points. I don't think Oregon has an elite offense based on the games leading up to this one, but maybe they were holding back on some plays/early season rust/not taking lesser opponents serious, etc. However, I do agree there are a lot of things that make this loss more palatable. One point loss on the road against #3 Oregon and early in the season. Defense has to seriously get better but you are right that most of the other top 10 teams have glaring issues as well. I just have a 24-48 recovery period from a Buckeye loss (and I'm not breaking things, just frustrated), then a sense of clarity usually follows.
The clarity here is that the season is far from over and we can still hit all of our goals if the defense gets fixed.
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