Carmen Ohio
All-American
Yes, there is something good we can take from the Wisconsin game. The team can now take away the pressure of expectations and grow the way they ought to... without the specter of pre-season rankings that have little fact to support them. I still believe that before this season is over we're going to see what all the pre-season hype was all about. We are truly in a rebuilding year and we as fans should start focusing on the positives as this young team progessses. I for one am not looking at any game as a given. The Northwestern contest should have shown us that we're vulnerable to every team in the Big Ten and nobody should have been surprised with Saturday's outcome. It basically came down to our inexperienced offensive line against the best front four in the Big Ten leading to so many three-and-outs that our defense just got worn out... it's a simple as that. I still think that overall we had the better athletes, characterized by the vast improvement of our return game. It is for the first time in a long time a legitimate weapon. I was so happy to see Ted Ginn be a factor in the game and to hear his quotes afterward. He basically said that with all the great athletes OSU has on the field, we've got to do better. Wisconsin beat us the way we try to win... with enough ball control to keep the "D" fresh... yes Barry Alvarez plays "Tresselball". The best way to stay positive this year is to shed the unfounded notion that this team is a title contender that is somehow mis-coached or without the athletes to get the job done. How can we blame Justin Zwick playing with a bad ankle, bad left hand, running for his life and getting no help from our running game. He looked like he just left the emergency room! How can we blame the line when last year's seniors couldn't handle Hawthorne and Co., without Erasmus James. How can we blame the backs when there are no holes to run through. How can we blame the "D" when they're on the field most of the game. I'm as guilty as the next guy for thinking we had it all going into this season but it is now unmistakenly clear that these Buckeyes need a lot more reps. It should also be clear that with the number of returning starters, the freshmen in waiting and our phenominal recuiting class that if teams in the Big Ten are going to get us... they'd better get their best shots in now.