Here's where I mumble aimlessly for a bit to get thoughts about this team down.

[BuckNutty]

I have yet to see a JT team not come out strong for a big game.

Not to split hairs but the defense did not come to play against scUM in Ann Arbor in 2003. That's the only time during JT's time in Columbus where the team laid an egg, IMO. That cost them a shot at the national championship game, IIRC.

 

[lvbuckeye]

considering that Tressel was trying to pound a square peg into a round hole all year, due to losing the 'power running' portion of his power running offense, i'll give him a pass... the D was absolutely dead on it's feet from carrying the O for so long... no offense to Krenzel and Co, but the personnel did not suit a pass happy type offense... and we couldn't run the ball...

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

considering that Tressel was trying to pound a square peg into a round hole all year, due to losing the 'power running' portion of his power running offense, i'll give him a pass... the D was absolutely dead on it's feet from carrying the O for so long... no offense to Krenzel and Co, but the personnel did not suit a pass happy type offense... and we couldn't run the ball...

Plus we had missed a starter or two on defense due to injury IIRC...

 

[LightningRod]

My additional mindless comments.

1. This team is having fun. The D players are enjoying the hell out of playing an aggressive/attacking game, and the D coaching staff has prepared this team well. The O players are probably in shock that Tressel followed through on opening the playbook up. News for the O - you haven't seen anything yet. These guys are plain having fun.

2. Tressel played a nice recruiting game during the Miami game. How many true freshmen received playing time other than special teams during mop up? The Buckeyes can now begin using the line that "our team plays true freshmen."

3. Halftime comments by the ABC studio analysts during the Miami game. I believe it was Aaron Taylor who made a statement that this Ohio State offense is actually exciting to watch. SAY WHAT!!! When was the last time we heard that statement? I recall not too long ago that a certain former QB co-captain stated on national TV that offense recruits may want to consider playing somewhere other than Ohio State. What a nice turnaround in a short time period. Advantage recruiting once again.

4. O8ch hit this point a few weeks back - the competition on this team is bringing out the best in everybody. Iowa 2004 was the turning point. That is where Tressel turned the young pups lose and sent notice that from now on, if you decide to take a day off, you will be replaced.

One day at a time.

 

[lvbuckeye]

i think that it should also be noted that Tressel is VERY loyal... almost to a fault... he loves his seniors, that is for sure...one thing that hurt us a bit last year was a lack of senior leadership... but Tressel stuck with the seniors, basically until the bottom fell out... now, that didn't make for a very fun early October for us, but when the time came, and Tressel made a personnel change, the impact was HUGE... imagine if Tressel had stuck with the seniors for the whole season... maybe we wouldn't be in the situation that we are today...

i think that the struggles of last year have only served to make the team that much more focused and hungry... almost as if Tressel knew that we didn't have what it took, so he let the guys take their lumps as a motivational tool... now, i'm not saying that he wanted them to lose, but he allowed them to literally grow up on the job, which is already paying nice dividends as we speak...

i hope that makes sense...