Best Buckeye;1209011; said:
I think every Buckeye fan will agree with your remarks about the team Daddy. Now myself I believe that they can achieve what you envision and of course I hope and expect to see that happen.
However I am more a bird in the hand man. I expect them to go undefeated and win the NC. But! I need to see them beat teams like Illinois and USC. I need to see them stop not only the spread but all the other types.
Jmo but the 2002 wouldn't have lost to Illinois last year.
I agree and disagree with your sentiments, BB. The idea that the 02 team wouldn't have lost to 07 Illi is very speculative. In 02, the Bucks were pushed into overtime by a very mediocre Illini squad that lost to So. Miss, Minny, and San Jose St. Without another clutch performance by Mr. Krenzel, the championship run would have ended in Champaign. Also, I don't recall the 02 team facing a spread option offense like 07 Ill. They no doubt had all the tools to stop it (I'm sure the D-line would have disrupted the blocking and timing), but that type of offense, especially with players like Juice and Mendenhall, can make the best defenses look lost. That said, I hope the coaches have been picking apart the 08 Rose Bowl film.
One thing I've always said about the 02 team is that they didn't so much win games as they refused to lose. That is the attitude I'd like to see from the 08 team. The best thing about watching the 02 season (which I consider to be the greatest season by any team in any sport) was that no matter how dire the situation, I knew that they could pull it off. The feat of being perfect in so many close games is nearly unprecedented, and it took a total team effort. The defensive players, especially, took every opportunity to be the hero of the game. I think the 08 D has the potential (there's that "P" word again) to play to that level, the difference will be attitude. In 06 and 07, the team brimmed with confidence when the game was in hand, but in the few games when the opponent brought their A game, the Bucks seemed resigned to failure. Those are precisely the times when an INT, forced fumble, sack, or big hit can swing the momentum back to the Bucks. Last year's D was excellent, but the main difference from 02 is sheer nastiness. Certain players on the 02 squad (Smith and Doss, most notably) were intent on punishing their opponents each and every play. That attitude was magnified when the game was on the line, and proved contagious to the rest of the team. It only takes a couple of guys to spark that attitude. I think Wilson, Gibson, Terry and Coleman are prime candidates to take on that role. This is a watershed season for OSU. Run the table in a convincing manner, and it validates their status as a top tier program. Stumble along the way, and it gives credence to the perception that OSU is an overrated team in a weak conference. The difference maker for the season could be a nasty attitude on D, and the conviction to refuse to lose.
BTW, DBB, you've been on fire with your last few posts! Keep it up!
