Indiana's win gives OSU something to think about
By Jim Morris
Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
I was glad to see the Indiana University football team upset Iowa on Saturday for two reasons.
First, it was great to see coach Terry Hoeppner come up with such a magnificent win.
He's a good guy who has been through difficult physical challenges, so it was heartwarming to see him lead his team to victory over a difficult foe.
Second, Indiana winning on Saturday should at least give the Buckeyes something to think about this week. Until the Hoosiers knocked off 15th-ranked Iowa, the Ohio State players might have decided to mail in this week's game against Indiana, figuring it was little more than a bye.
Now, perhaps, they won't.
The only thing that can knock OSU from its lofty throne between now and its Nov. 18 clash with undefeated Michigan is complacency.
Let's face it, Indiana, Minnesota, Illinois and Northwestern can't match up. Everybody knows that.
But at the same time, no team can take another lightly.
Not only is complacency a recipe for disaster, it doesn't help the top-ranked team prepare for its ultimate challenge: Michigan. You can't improve between now and then if you're not really trying.
At the same time, Michigan can't have tunnel vision, seeing only the Buckeyes in its possible path to glory. Did Iowa look past Indiana to Michigan? Now Michigan must play host to the hostile Hawkeyes.
If Michigan can get past Iowa, it has a similar schedule to OSU's, facing Northwestern, Ball State from the Mid-American Conference and Indiana before heading to Columbus.
Michigan appears to be a formidable football team. Any team that expects to beat the Wolverines must deal with that ferocious pass rush ... yes, even the top-ranked team in the land.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2409
or
[email protected].