Carmen Ohio
All-American
Now that the season is over and all the bowl games have been played we can look at where we are and where we stand with the rest of the teams in the country. USC's "domination" of Oklahoma was actually a great sign for Ohio State because of all the things we have come to be and all the things that point to where this team is going that mirror where USC is. If the commentators and sports pundits really looked at how teams played at the end of the year instead of basing everything on overall records and winning a so-called superior conference they would know that the one of the few teams that could give USC a run for their money at the end of the 2004 season is Ohio State. They (USC) shut down Peterson ( a freshman who is great if he can get north-to-south a couple of yards past the line of scrimmage). We shut down Hart (a freshman who is great if he can get north-to south a couple of yards past the line of scrimmage then a Morency who is I would think by good counsel entering the NFL draft). They handled a better-than-average Clayton... we handled a great Edwards. They didn't have to contend with a Breaston... and Bush, while explosive and a diffrence-maker is as a game breaker no better than if not a step behind Ted Ginn who plays in his own world. To me spreading the offense out a little to accomodate his talent and the ability for the quarterback to find a running lane totally changed our offense and befuddled defensive coordinators down the stretch. Look at how we handled Michigan who #5 Texas struggled with until the end and how Oklahoma owns the Longhorns but struggled with OK State who we crushed to show how random the polls really are.
My comments are in no way meant to take anything from USC. They are meant to show we are not that far from if not all ready at the current standard they have set for college football. We also take the best rusher out of the game and through pressure put the onus on the quarterback to make the reads and the throws under duress. But going into 2005 I think we have the best linebacking corps in the country... an active, strong and penetrating front four even without Fraser, a lockdown corner with Ashton and the among the games biggest headhunters in Donte and Nate. On the offensive side of the ball I think our base receivers are just as feared with the addition of Ginn who I define as more of an athelete than a pure receiver. Our offensive line finally learned our system, found a groove and is now becoming deep (even if you don't consider Boone and the other incoming freshmen).
But there are two glaring differences between USC and Ohio State... one that is obvious but debatable, another that has to be left open to interpretation. First the running game. Obviously at this point their backs are statistically and perhaps even physically better than ours. Thats not to say that Antonio and Eric won't emerge, but to not concede that at this date and time is just being blind. On the other hand with Troy Smith we have a unique commodity that not only confounds opponents, it pushes Justin into being more of a total quarterback and balances out the rushing issues. How many times did Jason White have a chance to just run for it when he chose to throw risky passes. The debatable issue I think deals with coaching and the approach to game day and the game plan. I can't think of a more "one of the guys" coach who isn't under investigation than Pete Carroll, nor a more "heralded" offensive coordinator than Norm Chow without a head coaching offer. But I also can't think of a more all for the school ... all for the student athelete and change what we have to change on the field for the win staff than coach T and company (watch the Michigan 2001 game and 2004 game).
The bottom line... going into 2005 we stand with the best and in my opinion are ready to start our own dynasty. It will begin with a victory over Texas in The Shoe that'll get us noticed and up in the polls and end with a classic Rose Bowl match-up that unfortunately will be a BCS godsend. The ESPN guys said it under their breath in the NC postgame ("next year obviously Ohio State should be very good"), but I'm saying it out loud - we will challenge for the national championship next year and for beating Michigan and closing strong despite all the irrelevant BS... thanks for a great year and the hopes for 2005!
My comments are in no way meant to take anything from USC. They are meant to show we are not that far from if not all ready at the current standard they have set for college football. We also take the best rusher out of the game and through pressure put the onus on the quarterback to make the reads and the throws under duress. But going into 2005 I think we have the best linebacking corps in the country... an active, strong and penetrating front four even without Fraser, a lockdown corner with Ashton and the among the games biggest headhunters in Donte and Nate. On the offensive side of the ball I think our base receivers are just as feared with the addition of Ginn who I define as more of an athelete than a pure receiver. Our offensive line finally learned our system, found a groove and is now becoming deep (even if you don't consider Boone and the other incoming freshmen).
But there are two glaring differences between USC and Ohio State... one that is obvious but debatable, another that has to be left open to interpretation. First the running game. Obviously at this point their backs are statistically and perhaps even physically better than ours. Thats not to say that Antonio and Eric won't emerge, but to not concede that at this date and time is just being blind. On the other hand with Troy Smith we have a unique commodity that not only confounds opponents, it pushes Justin into being more of a total quarterback and balances out the rushing issues. How many times did Jason White have a chance to just run for it when he chose to throw risky passes. The debatable issue I think deals with coaching and the approach to game day and the game plan. I can't think of a more "one of the guys" coach who isn't under investigation than Pete Carroll, nor a more "heralded" offensive coordinator than Norm Chow without a head coaching offer. But I also can't think of a more all for the school ... all for the student athelete and change what we have to change on the field for the win staff than coach T and company (watch the Michigan 2001 game and 2004 game).
The bottom line... going into 2005 we stand with the best and in my opinion are ready to start our own dynasty. It will begin with a victory over Texas in The Shoe that'll get us noticed and up in the polls and end with a classic Rose Bowl match-up that unfortunately will be a BCS godsend. The ESPN guys said it under their breath in the NC postgame ("next year obviously Ohio State should be very good"), but I'm saying it out loud - we will challenge for the national championship next year and for beating Michigan and closing strong despite all the irrelevant BS... thanks for a great year and the hopes for 2005!
