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- Thread starter ShakerBuck
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Oh, I do.
(don't let the fact that I'm responding to what you've written indicate anything other than me simply guessing about what you might be saying)
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cincibuck
You kids stay off my lawn!
This class of seniors and RS juniors is 40-8. They are 2-1 against Michigan, 3-0 in bowls, have two Top-5 finishes, two BCS/Fiesta bowl trophies, a national championship, an outside shot at another Top-5 finish and BCS appearance, and all people do is piss and moan on the Internet and on radio call-in shows because that's just not good enough.
Fair enough. I don't think you saw much bitching... except about Bellisari... during Tressel's first year as most of us thought the talent wasn't there. His second year amazed us because we still didn't think he had the talent. I was surprised at how good the 03 team played given the losses to the NFL. The QB/RB situation began to emerge in 03 and it came to a boil in the midst of last year's 0-3 Big 10 start.
Why? Because it is hard to believe that a program with all the advantages that OSU has at its disposal can't find a 1000 yard RB two years in a row.
Now comes the 05 season and I don't think it's pissing and moaning to ask what the hell is going on given ALL the talent the Bucks have on the offense. They couldn't/can't punch the ball in from the 15, couldn't/can't run on third and short, they consistently have field position and yet it isn't turning into points. Look at the Big 10 stats:
6th in scoring O, 1st in preventing scoring D,
8th in pass O, 1st in pass D,
1st in KO returns,
4th in punt returns,
(Which means we have great starting postion for the O)
5th in rush O, 1st in rush D,
7th in total O, 7th in the red zone, 10th in first downs,
1st in total D.
http://bigten.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2005-2006/confldrs.html
Is there any doubt that this is not a balanced team?
That may not be a problem against Indiana and Illinois, but it cost us the first two key games of the season, Texas and Penn State. Two games in which we were up against teams with similar talent and reputation; two games in which we retained field position most of the game and failed to turn the advantage into points.
My Opinion: This was a team with solid NC credentials and the consistent failings of the offensive system has taken them out of contention and leaves the Michigan game, when the Bucks will again face a team with comparable talent and tradition, looking scary. If this had happened to the 02 season I would have kept my mouth shut and accepted that you don't always have the horses. I simply refuse to believe that this year.
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You are absolutely correct with regards to the stats, but 'pretty' 1st down and red zone stats aren't what Ohio State hangs its hat on. Leave that for the Northwesterns, Purdues, and Michigan States of the Big-10: all dysfunctional teams whose only method of getting a victory is to score 40+ points and pray to have possession of the ball last.
The Texas and Penn State defenses you mention had as much to do with OSU's offensive performance in those games as the offense did, which doesn't even come close to measuring the impact that the lack of practice snaps had on Troy coming into this season resulting from last season's suspension. Texas and Penn State are also both national title caliber teams. Ohio State will not face another defense anywhere near as good as either of those teams, including whatever bowl the Buckeyes are awarded to participate in.
I think some people just need to be realistic, you simply cannot expect to win a national title every single year.
I mentioned the 40-8 stat for the 2002-2005 players. Sometimes the breaks just don't go your way. Could you imagine what this team's record would be with the two jewels of the 2002 recruiting class, D'Andrea and Clarett? With both players, does OSU lose to Wisconsin or Michigan in 2003? Does OSU lose to Northwestern or Purdue in 2004? Does OSU lose to either Texas or Penn State in 2005?
Does OSU lose to Texas or Penn State if Troy keeps his nose clean? Does OSU lose to Michigan in 2003 if Troy and Santonio aren't out drinking the week leading up to The Game?
Simply, there are far too many variables from game-to-game or season-to-season to expect or want anything more than:
1. Beat Michigan
2. Win the Big-10
Everything else is gravy.
This class has been truly special and I think people need to appreciate that a little more. Justin, Troy, Santonio, A.J., Bobby, Sims, Salley, etc ... didn't all come here off of a 10-1 season expecting to compete for championships ... they all came here following one of the most embarrassing periods in Ohio State football history (1999-2001) where the team couldn't even board a bus for an away game without something going wrong. Somehow, these guys have gotten through all that shit, plus plenty more they brought upon themselves, to be this close to matching or exceeding anything that USC, Oklahoma, Miami, Florida State, Virginia Tech, or anyone else has done over a four year period.
It's just too damn bad that it wasn't pretty enough.
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