Putting Things into Perspective

[JohnLSU]

Woody coached at Ohio State for 28 seasons, and during that time, won three national titles ... And speaking of three national titles, that's how many LSU has in their school history after their victory tonight. In comparison, Tressel has coached seven full seasons at Ohio State and already has a national title

That's a great point that Hayes only won 3 titles in 28 seasons and that LSU has only won 3 titles in our school history. National titles are extremely hard to come by. Look at it like this, how many active college football coaches have won a NC for the team they are currently coaching? Any guesses? The answer is 9...

BIG TEN
1. Jim Tressel, OSU
2. Joe Paterno, Penn State

PAC 10
3. Pete Carroll, USC

SEC
4. Urban Meyer, Florida
5. Les Miles, LSU
6. Phil Fulmer, Tennessee

BIG 12
7. Mack Brown, Texas
8. Bob Stoops, Oklahoma

ACC
9. Bobby Bowden, FSU

 

[Lockup]

is that right? Michigan beats Florida in their bowl game and ends up ranked below them? The AP is retarded.

scUM was unranked when they played Florida. How far do you want them to jump?

 

[RugbyBuck]

That's a great point that Hayes only won 3 titles in 28 seasons and that LSU has only won 3 titles in our school history. National titles are extremely hard to come by. Look at it like this, how many active college football coaches have won a NC for the team they are currently coaching? Any guesses? The answer is 9...

BIG TEN
1. Jim Tressel, OSU
2. Joe Paterno, Penn State

PAC 10
3. Pete Carroll, USC

SEC
4. Urban Meyer, Florida
5. Les Miles, LSU
6. Phil Fulmer, Tennessee

BIG 12
7. Mack Brown, Texas
8. Bob Stoops, Oklahoma

ACC
9. Bobby Bowden, FSU

Sadly, 3/4's of the SEC's, according to your criteria, have come at our expense. If we give one to UGA next year I will be a homicidal/suicidal lunatic; more of one, anyway.

 

[MaizeandBlue]

scUM was unranked when they played Florida. How far do you want them to jump?

top 10 sounds about right.

 

[Sportsbuck28]

top 10 sounds about right.

I really hope you just forgot to use the sarcasm font.

Michigan is borderline Top-25.

 

[JohnLSU]

national titles don't just happen, and even when you have deserving teams, it still takes extraordinary circumstances to win it all. IMO, we certainly had a deserving team that has played way above expectations this season. We came up short, not because we weren't capable, just that we didn't have extraordinary circumstances on our side this time. If anything, this game just makes cherish the Fiesta Bowl victory against Miami that much more.

Good point. That 2002 Buckeye team needed extraordinary circumstances to win it all (Holy Buckeye play, crucial penalty against Miami late in the NC game, etc). This 2007 LSU team needed extraordinary circumstances to win it all (5 for 5 on 4th down to beat Florida, last second TD pass to beat Auburn, last minute sack and fumble to beat Alabama, everything going our way in the NC game against OSU, etc).

 

[martinss01]

The only thing that gives the BCS any credibility is that the Coaches Poll agreed to name the BCS game winner to #1 on their poll, and award that winner the Coaches Trophy at the end of the game.

while i would be willing to entertain the arguement that the bcs did not pit the two best teams in the country in the nc game. i believe the bcs without quesiton succeeded in crowning the best team in the nation the champion. in a year as fucked up as this one proved to be, thats a hell of an accomplishment.

But the Coaches Poll never agreed to name the loser of the NC game to the #2 spot. In fact, this year, they put OSU (11-2) at #4, behind #2 USC (11-2) and #3 Georgia (11-2) -- but ahead of #5 Mizzou (12-2) and #6 WV (11-2).

i don't have a problem with this.

 

[JohnLSU]

last night's loss is sticking with me more than last year's. Why? Last Year Ohio State was out of the game essentially by the end of the 1st quarter. I was over that the next day. There wasn't really much to be said.

Last night ... the Bucks could move the ball seemingly ... This isn't like last year where they got their doors blown off by Florida. this game was winnable.

I agree with you that OSU put up a strong showing this year compared to last year. Last night, OSU had 353 total yards, while LSU only had 326. OSU averaged 4.8 per rush, while LSU only averaged 3.1 per rush. But like you pointed out, the only reason OSU lost was because of crucial moments that all went in favor of LSU (7 penalties, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble, 5 sacks).

Sure, last night's loss might have been heartbreaking to Buckeye fans, but I wouldn't say that last night's loss was worse that last year's loss.

Last year, undefeated OSU was #1 all year long, beat #2 Texas and #2 Michigan, had a QB who was given the Heisman, made the cover of SI twice (the second time it said "The best. Period.") and then they go play a one-loss SEC team and get beat down 14-41.

This year, OSU started the season at #11, lost to Illinois, and still finished the season as the #1 team in the country. They lose to a two-loss SEC team, but at least this time the Buckeyes showed that they belonged in the football game (like I said, OSU had 353 total yards, while LSU only had 326).

 

[JohnLSU]

while i would be willing to entertain the arguement that the bcs did not pit the two best teams in the country in the nc game. i believe the bcs without quesiton succeeded in crowning the best team in the nation the champion. in a year as fucked up as this one proved to be, thats a hell of an accomplishment.

Both the AP and Coaches had OSU #1 and LSU #2 going into the game, and I agreed with that. That game could have gone either way, and whoever won that game deserved to be the NC. Had LSU lost last night, we would have had three losses. We would have fallen in the polls behind two-loss USC and Georgia, and maybe some of the other teams as well. Two-loss USC had no chance at being NC after that massive loss against Stanford. Georgia... sure, they got screwed, not because they weren't in the NC game, but because they weren't in the SEC Championship game. Conferences shouldn't be so rigid with the rules determining who gets to play in the Conference Title game. This year, at the end of the season, Tennessee had three total losses (one out of conference), while Georgia only had two total losses. It was silly that the SEC didn't let Georgia play LSU for the SEC Title. But that's the SEC's fault Georgia got screwed out of shot at the NC, not the BCS system.

 

[Cicero]

Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue.

 

[GoodLifeSean]

i don't have a problem with this.

I have a problem with USC Jumping us. Ultimately I think it should be The winner LSU at 1 the runner up (OSU) at 2 Georgia at 3 (No Loss to a team that lost to ND.

I'm sorry for all the BS talk about who played the best at the end of the Year the rankings are supposed to be who played the best over the whole year. USC blew that with a loss to Stanford.

We will return bigger, faster, stronger, and pissed of like a rabid pit bull who's just eaten some bad kibble.

 

[BUCKiWILD]

The State of Ohio State

I have seen an amazing variety of actions and reactions to the third OSU National Championship Game in six years. I can easily equate our actions as a fan base with the players on the field. As a fan base we are down by 3 TDs going into the 4th quarter.

"Whuh?", you say? Well, we all started fast coming out of the gates in the first quarter (2002 NC Miami). We then got pummeled in the 2nd quarter (2006 NC Florida). We did not adjust correctly and find ourselves down big after putting up a fight in the 3rd (2007 NC LSU).

So here we are OSU fans. We are down big going into the 4th (2008 NC). How will we as a fan base respond? Will we continue getting the same 15 yard penalties that we complain about our players? Will we toss in a motivational DVD and blame the media? Will we give up, panic and fold like some have accused Tressel and the players of doing? Or will we stay humble but confident? Angry!, but composed? Will we bolt for the NFL and pick a different team to escape the pain?...

What really bothers me are the "fans" that lash out at our team, and then complain that it is their right to do so. Well, yes, it is your "right." However, I would like to point out that by dogging Cam Heyward or by calling for the firing of coaches we as fans are practicing the same behavior we complained about. Constructive criticism is fair and necessary for improvement. Lashing out is counterproductive.

As a fan base we need to analyze the game to get better, but not paralysis by analysis. We need to harness our anger and frustration, not take a cheap shot at our players and coaches (equivalent to a 15 yard penalty for you fans). We need not blame the officials, the LSU fans, ESPN or the SEC. We need to focus on our positives and get better.

I hope Tressel learns the he can prepare and plan with the best of them, but he needs to improve on how to react and adjust. A brilliant move would be to go get Jon Tenuta as his Defensive Coordinator.... and instead of FIRE Heacock!!!, Let him maintain his duties only as Asst. Head Coach. He should also hire an OC that embodies his philosophies, but also can adjust! With Tressel so involved on the playcalling in the headset, he lacks the big picture thinking we all get to do by taking a step back during the games.

I am very proud of this team for overachieving and playing well. I will endure the relentless criticism from the media as we make yet another appearance next year ( the 4th quarter!)...

I for 1 choose to embody the attitude of Beanie Wells. "We are down big coach, give me the DAMN ball!"

 

[Cicero]

IO