For all 2 of you that will read these ramblings anyway. 
Despite his early struggles, I thought this was a great way for Craig to go out. I don't dare go over to BN, mostly because if I see the threads ragging on him in his last game ever for OSU, where he throws 4 TDs and wins the game... I'll go postal.
How about that offense? It didn't look good, it didn't even entirely play well, and it still put up 35 points, and 21 of those were unanswered in the 1st quarter. The sick thing is, both of Craig's early picks were at the expense of sure TDs. It could have been 35 up after the first 15.
That only reinforces my unpopular opinion about our offense. That it's execution and talent away from being as good as we need it to be, and then some. Craig for a lot of reasons will go down as one of my favorite Buckeyes. As much for personality and off-field reasons as on probably, but that doesn't change the fact. The only reason I say that, is I wanted to preface this next statement with something glowingly positive. Had a more naturally gifted QB been starting for us this year -- like any of those we faced this year like Rivers or Pickett, this offense looks a hell of a lot different across the season. That's a grossly obvious statement, but I think it's something that's lost in the rhetoric spewed by the anti-JT/anti-offensive gameplanning/anti-team factions. Our gameplan has some fundamental flaws, sure, but all do, no matter how effective they may be. So I'll take the next step and allow that ours is more flawed than most others in some ways. Sure, probably, maybe, whatever. Eh fuggit, I don't particularly feel like getting into this, so I'm going to stop meandering aimlessly around what was a spongy point anyway. How's that for an exit?
I thought everyone played pretty damn well. Jenkins certainly didn't hurt his draft prospects, neither did Allen or Smith -- neither did Gamble if he bolts. In fact, I thought this was Gamble's best game from a technical standpoint all season.
Got thinking about Maurice more than once in this game. It's easy to think that this would have been another national championship win had we had him -- but we didn't, the season is over, time to move on, etc. Personally, I hope that everyone does what they need to do (with the greatest emphasis there on Mo himself) in order for him to come back under the right circumstances next year. I say that selfishly as a fan in part, but also because I think it's the best thing for him as a person and player.
Normally I'd rant and rave about guys like AJ Hawk, Bobby C, etc., but we all saw the game, we all know they're incredible, but it's still nice to close your eyes and drool a bit over the possibilities there next year. Which is good, because with the losses on the DL, despite it still being more than solid IMO, they're going to have to step it up if we're going to maintain defensive dominance like we have under Tressel.
11-2 and a BCS bowl win, following 14-0 and the national championship in the same venue.
I'm feeling pretty good.
Anyway, good send off for the seniors. I'll miss watching those guys as Buckeyes. But we'll see many of them back on our sidelines now and again, and I suspect quite a few of them will suit up in the NFL, and maybe the rest get a shot between the AFL, CFL, NFLEu, etc.
I'd give a nod to KSU for playing with a ton of heart. Coming back 21 points down so early and making a real game of it, particularly against our D, is a huge feat. Good for them, I've got more respect for their program going out than I did coming in -- and that's saying something as I respected them quite a bit beforehand.
I'm sure people will wonder how the game might have been different if not for Ell's pregame legal problems. We'll never know. Maybe we would have won by 21 instead of 7.
It works both ways.
Good way to start the new year. And now I'll cut this convoluted stream of consciousness off -- I'm exhausted and off to bed. Maybe after stopping online somewhere for a hat and tee...
Go Bucks! Looks like we can look forward to another great year. Let's hope the Army AA game is another great step forward tomorrow.
Despite his early struggles, I thought this was a great way for Craig to go out. I don't dare go over to BN, mostly because if I see the threads ragging on him in his last game ever for OSU, where he throws 4 TDs and wins the game... I'll go postal.
How about that offense? It didn't look good, it didn't even entirely play well, and it still put up 35 points, and 21 of those were unanswered in the 1st quarter. The sick thing is, both of Craig's early picks were at the expense of sure TDs. It could have been 35 up after the first 15.
That only reinforces my unpopular opinion about our offense. That it's execution and talent away from being as good as we need it to be, and then some. Craig for a lot of reasons will go down as one of my favorite Buckeyes. As much for personality and off-field reasons as on probably, but that doesn't change the fact. The only reason I say that, is I wanted to preface this next statement with something glowingly positive. Had a more naturally gifted QB been starting for us this year -- like any of those we faced this year like Rivers or Pickett, this offense looks a hell of a lot different across the season. That's a grossly obvious statement, but I think it's something that's lost in the rhetoric spewed by the anti-JT/anti-offensive gameplanning/anti-team factions. Our gameplan has some fundamental flaws, sure, but all do, no matter how effective they may be. So I'll take the next step and allow that ours is more flawed than most others in some ways. Sure, probably, maybe, whatever. Eh fuggit, I don't particularly feel like getting into this, so I'm going to stop meandering aimlessly around what was a spongy point anyway. How's that for an exit?
I thought everyone played pretty damn well. Jenkins certainly didn't hurt his draft prospects, neither did Allen or Smith -- neither did Gamble if he bolts. In fact, I thought this was Gamble's best game from a technical standpoint all season.
Got thinking about Maurice more than once in this game. It's easy to think that this would have been another national championship win had we had him -- but we didn't, the season is over, time to move on, etc. Personally, I hope that everyone does what they need to do (with the greatest emphasis there on Mo himself) in order for him to come back under the right circumstances next year. I say that selfishly as a fan in part, but also because I think it's the best thing for him as a person and player.
Normally I'd rant and rave about guys like AJ Hawk, Bobby C, etc., but we all saw the game, we all know they're incredible, but it's still nice to close your eyes and drool a bit over the possibilities there next year. Which is good, because with the losses on the DL, despite it still being more than solid IMO, they're going to have to step it up if we're going to maintain defensive dominance like we have under Tressel.
11-2 and a BCS bowl win, following 14-0 and the national championship in the same venue.
I'm feeling pretty good.
Anyway, good send off for the seniors. I'll miss watching those guys as Buckeyes. But we'll see many of them back on our sidelines now and again, and I suspect quite a few of them will suit up in the NFL, and maybe the rest get a shot between the AFL, CFL, NFLEu, etc.
I'd give a nod to KSU for playing with a ton of heart. Coming back 21 points down so early and making a real game of it, particularly against our D, is a huge feat. Good for them, I've got more respect for their program going out than I did coming in -- and that's saying something as I respected them quite a bit beforehand.
I'm sure people will wonder how the game might have been different if not for Ell's pregame legal problems. We'll never know. Maybe we would have won by 21 instead of 7.
It works both ways.Good way to start the new year. And now I'll cut this convoluted stream of consciousness off -- I'm exhausted and off to bed. Maybe after stopping online somewhere for a hat and tee...
Go Bucks! Looks like we can look forward to another great year. Let's hope the Army AA game is another great step forward tomorrow.
