I think what we've seen in these "big games" is that the Buckeyes have lacked either the willingness or the ability to be the aggressors or impose their will on the other team. The Buckeyes are playing entire games on their heels and reacting to what the other team does instead of making them react. They will not be able to fulfill their potential until they fix that.
Also, please know that I do not mean to bash here, but Boeckman just doesn't have it. There was a time where he was a very capable QB. He just hasn't been the same since that disastrous finish to the MSU game last season. Since then he has lacked composure - he makes a lot of poor decisions or sometimes makes no decision at all, which can be just as bad.
It seems to me that it has reached the point where allowing him to lead the offense is cheating the hard work that a lot of other players are putting in to try to make this team successful. I'm not trying pin it all on him, but it's plain to see that his very presence on the field gives opposing defenses a glaring weakness to attack and it's making it tougher for other players to do their jobs - and yes, that includes the O-line. It seems to me like his performance has regressed to the point where I can't think of a single strength he brings to the team. There's some areas where he's acceptable, but nothing where I'd say he excels or where an opposing team has to account for him.
The silver lining I guess is that USC is an excellent team - undoubtedly the best in the country right now - and the things that they were able to do to the Buckeyes and Boeckman tonight are things that not every team has the capability of doing. There's gonna be a lot of doom and gloom in Buckeye Country for a bit (and for good reason I guess) but this is not a lost season. While the goal of a national championship has evaporated, many of the other goals - Big Ten Championship, beating M*ch*g*n, going to the Rose Bowl - are still out there to be had.
I remember the disappointment after the Buckeyes lost to Texas and Vince Young at the Shoe. This is a different kind of disappointment for sure, but one of the ways to help put it behind is the same. Even if you're gonna catch shit from people at work or family or friends - wear your Buckeye gear. Wear it with pride and keep your head up when talking about the Buckeyes this week. Show that you're proud win or lose. Also, show up to the Troy game next week. Don't boo them (like I heard people boo Justin Zwick and Ryan Hamby after the Texas game that year) and shout down anybody who does. Cheer them on as loud as ever - because they're gonna need it.
And finally... I think I'm more disappointed in Kirk Herbstriet than I am in the team's performance. I guess if his goal to make everybody forget he was ever a Buckeye, you could say he's doing a good job. I'm not saying he should be a homer or a pollyanna when he's on TV, but shit... he said some things tonight that I'm gonna find hard to forgive. Some of the words he used just threw his alma mater under the bus - and denigrated the team and the players - many of whom have accomplished more in a Buckeye uniform than he ever did. It's really disheartening to hear a former captain go on national TV and bash these guys in a way that shows such a lack of pride. Just for some perspective - if the things he said on TV tonight were posts in this thread, Herbie's ass would've been banned. That's sad.
Also, please know that I do not mean to bash here, but Boeckman just doesn't have it. There was a time where he was a very capable QB. He just hasn't been the same since that disastrous finish to the MSU game last season. Since then he has lacked composure - he makes a lot of poor decisions or sometimes makes no decision at all, which can be just as bad.
It seems to me that it has reached the point where allowing him to lead the offense is cheating the hard work that a lot of other players are putting in to try to make this team successful. I'm not trying pin it all on him, but it's plain to see that his very presence on the field gives opposing defenses a glaring weakness to attack and it's making it tougher for other players to do their jobs - and yes, that includes the O-line. It seems to me like his performance has regressed to the point where I can't think of a single strength he brings to the team. There's some areas where he's acceptable, but nothing where I'd say he excels or where an opposing team has to account for him.
The silver lining I guess is that USC is an excellent team - undoubtedly the best in the country right now - and the things that they were able to do to the Buckeyes and Boeckman tonight are things that not every team has the capability of doing. There's gonna be a lot of doom and gloom in Buckeye Country for a bit (and for good reason I guess) but this is not a lost season. While the goal of a national championship has evaporated, many of the other goals - Big Ten Championship, beating M*ch*g*n, going to the Rose Bowl - are still out there to be had.
I remember the disappointment after the Buckeyes lost to Texas and Vince Young at the Shoe. This is a different kind of disappointment for sure, but one of the ways to help put it behind is the same. Even if you're gonna catch shit from people at work or family or friends - wear your Buckeye gear. Wear it with pride and keep your head up when talking about the Buckeyes this week. Show that you're proud win or lose. Also, show up to the Troy game next week. Don't boo them (like I heard people boo Justin Zwick and Ryan Hamby after the Texas game that year) and shout down anybody who does. Cheer them on as loud as ever - because they're gonna need it.
And finally... I think I'm more disappointed in Kirk Herbstriet than I am in the team's performance. I guess if his goal to make everybody forget he was ever a Buckeye, you could say he's doing a good job. I'm not saying he should be a homer or a pollyanna when he's on TV, but shit... he said some things tonight that I'm gonna find hard to forgive. Some of the words he used just threw his alma mater under the bus - and denigrated the team and the players - many of whom have accomplished more in a Buckeye uniform than he ever did. It's really disheartening to hear a former captain go on national TV and bash these guys in a way that shows such a lack of pride. Just for some perspective - if the things he said on TV tonight were posts in this thread, Herbie's ass would've been banned. That's sad.
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