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Game Thread Southern Cal 18, at tOSU 15 (Sept 12th, 8 pm, ESPN)

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on another note

ive never seen Pete Carroll act like he did on the sidelines tonight

he seemed nervous as hell the whole game, like panicking with his assistants.....

I dont think he expected Ohio State to be able to hold the running game that well
 
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This is a really disappointing loss. I said before the game that moral vitories aren't going to cut it and now that it is over...it still isn't. I feel like crap about this one. We beat them all game and I do think we were the better team tonight, yet found a way to lose. We were so close to revenge. Some honest thoughts (not bashing, which is why I waited so long to post this, to let the adrenaline wear off):

- Pryor can be taken out of Heisman talks for awhile. He can be taken out of the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year talks. In fact, he is far from the MVP on this team so far. He still has all the potential in the world but it isn't put together. His decision making when it matters is just not there. When he got that intentional grounding call, how in the world did he not see the corner blitz coming? How does he throw that pick directly to Gallipo? Honestly, there were so many times where his decisions made a major impact, but hardly any of them were for the good of the Bucks. When they were the right decisions, it still didn't work out. His passing has a ways to go and he panicks at times, completely abandoning his mechanics. I hope he becomes the player he is capable of because this team needs it in the big games. They can beat the Navy's and a down Big Ten conference without him playing well, but a poor performance against PSU equals a loss. He is still only a sophmore though but it does show, and he needs to grow a ton.

- Our defense is legit, especially the defensive line. I never expected us to do what we did tonight and we ought to be darn proud of the effort given by the D. You could tell they did every last thing in their power to try and get the win, but the offense just couldn't help them. Truth be told, they really only "gave up" ten points, as the first touchdown Pryor gave them. The secondary did a heck of a job against Williams and Ausberry. The defense held the TE's in check and kept an eye out for the backs in the passing game. The defensive line gave significant push and gave a fairly consistent pass rush considering the opponent. Great job D, you are truly silver bullets.

- The offensive line played well. They really pass blocked well and opened some lanes occasionally. Ideally, the run blocking could have been better but overall, I thought we won the battle in the trenches.

- Overall, I think Tressel coached average in this game. Kudos for kicking the field goal to go up 10-7 because if we would have went down there and got nothing, huge momentum goes to USC. However, I do not know why he would punt the ball at the end of the game instead of letting Pettrey try the field goal? He has a huge and fairly consistent leg. Even if you miss and give USC good field position, they still have to score a touchdown. I had enough confidence in the defense at that point to try the field goal. The large field really only helped USC run out the clock, but how could you ever guess that?

- This is a respectable effort and the team really gave it their all. I am in no way ashamed of them and what they gave on the field. On the contrary, I feel horrible for them that we have yet another loss on the big stage and as unfair as it may get (with close losses to Texas and USC now), the legacy of this program now will most definetly be that of chokers in the big game (if it already wasn't before). I also feel for all of the fans, who also gave it their all and the whole Buckeye Nation wanted it soooo badly...but came up just short, which may be more disappointing intially than a blowout.

- The offense needs a new coordinator and that much is apparent. The beginning of the game we kept them on their feet, only to get predictable and cling to what wasn't working. There is no reason with our personnel and the opportunities we had in this game, that we shouldn't have won this game by 17-20 points. The defense more than did it's job and the offense left them out to try...and I'm sick of it. Our offense is so ugly to watch right now...USC was good but we made them look way too good.

- I expected at least one loss this season but I was hoping it wouldn't come in this game, because USC's bragging rights are just getting ridiculous. The season is far from over and nobody better be willing to throw in the towel. We need to sweep the season and get in the Rose Bowl. I would be very happy to see that happen and every fan should be. While the NC game probably wasn't too lofty of a goal, it would have taken a lot of favor from the football gods.

- It's still a great day to be a Buckeye and let's still try to face the rest of the season with great anticipation. There is still much at stake and we need to win the Big Ten. :osu:
 
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whew, where to begin. First, hats off to both programs for scheduling this series.

You know, college football is hopelessly unpredictable. Before last year's game, I would've guessed 18-15 more than 35-3. Before this game, I would've guessed 35-3 more than 18-15. I was truly impressed by OSU's defense today. I never would have believed that SC's rushing attack could be held in check like that for 53 minutes. Definitely had me thinking of horror games of years' past. Barkley showed a ton of poise, exactly as Carroll said he would. He didn't light up the scoreboard, but that was more from OSU's defense than from the pressure of the situation/crowd. OSU's defense really brought it today.

I am perhaps the biggest non-OSU Pryor fan. He is just special. So even more surprising than the OSU's defense tonight was the offense's performance. I knew that the SC defense would do better than those "SC's weakness is running QBs" commentators suspected. But I just don't know. I guess I'll have to go back and watch the game again, but I think Pryor is capable of much more than he showed tonight. I have to think back to Vince Young in 2004 against Oklahoma (8-for-23, 86 passing yards, 16 carries for 54 yards, 2 fumbles, 12-0 loss).

I have to think that part of the problem is TP's approach to big games. When the pressure is on him, he doesn't seem to approach it right (PSU last year and SC this year). When the pressure is off (SC last year to an extent, and Texas last year for sure), he looks more like the special prospect he should be.

Man, that near-blocked punt.

Great game Buckeyes. Shake it off and stay behind your team. Maybe we'll meet again in Pasadena.
 
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I know it's probably been mentioned, but I am freaking beat up emotionally too bad to read thru everything.

3rd and 1 at the half yard line 1st quarter....QB sneak changes this game. Pryor would score it and it's 14-7. The way the defense played that's all that was needed. Disappointed.
 
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One question. Who was the last OPPOSITION true-freshman QB to come into the 'shoe and win? Has there ever been one?

One 'if' part. Since everybody is bringing up the what if's, I'll ask as well. What if Chris Wells had returned this year and been healthy for this game? What if Sanchez had returned this year as well?

edit: This loss hurts. Talk about getting your heart ripped out while still alive. That Saving Private Ryan analogy was apt. Hurts much more than any loss other than that 1969 scUM game. Fuck. :(
 
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N00b here.

I'm not sure why everyone was so down on the play calling, as I thought JT called by far the best offensive game he's ever called in the past few big games like this. TP honestly just looked really off to me. Very inconsistent, hesitant, etc. He did not seem to have the swagger that he normally does. Ironic really, as I saw the rest of the team play with more swagger than I have in years. If Pryor is even half as good as he normally is the Bucks win this.
 
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Systems_id;1540293; said:
N00b here.

I'm not sure why everyone was so down on the play calling, as I thought JT called by far the best offensive game he's ever called in the past few big games like this. TP honestly just looked really off to me. Very inconsistent, hesitant, etc. He did not seem to have the swagger that he normally does. Ironic really, as I saw the rest of the team play with more swagger than I have in years. If Pryor is even half as good as he normally is the Bucks win this.
Click to expand...

Agreed.. just an off-game for TP. I still have confidence in him and JT showed that he did all game. Just kind of waited for that big play that never happened. We were all waiting, the Shoe was ready, it just never came.

Welcome to BP.
 
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It's just a massive shame the usc got the result having been outplayed by us for 3 periods. Watching on tv, I have to say, the fans sounded amazing and definitely deserved to see a win. On that performance, we will turn a few teams over big time this season. Go Bucks!!:oh::io:
 
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My Top 5 Moral Victories (wait does it matter if I give my post a title?)

As I watched this game I felt my heart slowly rise with anticipation for 50+ minutes of game play, then rapidly sink with a familiar dread. It has taken me several hours to revive my spirits and regain my sense of optimism about the remainder of the season. I can feel hope again because I have realized that there are 5 important moral victories the Buckeyes won in this game. I will share them with this board in the hopes that anyone reading this thread can also find some peace of mind in them.

Counting down the Top 5 Moral Victories From a Tough Loss to Southern Cal . . . . .

5. The Ohio State football program and fan base still have enough pride and ambition to find a close loss to a top level opponent disappointing. Some other schools have had it so tough, they give their coach a contract extension just for coming close to beating USC (e.g. Notre ame).

4. Anyone who predicted that TOSU would get blown out at encouraged others to wager money on the Trojans dominating (such as a certain ESPN radio a$$ hat) wound up looking foolish. Of course it would be even worse if she also predicted that Tennessee would beat UCLA and UNC would clobber UConn.

3. The House that Harley Built lived up to it's reputation as one of the toughest stadiums in college football. I had heard whispers that the crowd was going to be full of old alumni and desperately short of students meaning a quiet 'Shoe (so pretty much like That Stadium Up North). Some pundits even predicted that the SoCal crew would make themselves right at home in Ohio Stadium. Thankfully the crowd proved as loud and intimidating as we could want, bringing the pressure to bare during a few key moments. They certainly did a much better job than the famous Sea of Red in Nebraska, or than the home crowds in the supposedly ultra-passionate EssEeeSee Our team played like one of the best in the nation and our fellow Buckeye fans showed why we are in a class by ourselves.

2. No one can honestly say Ohio State doesn't play on the same level as the best teams in the nation. The Buckeyes were a few plays away from toppling a college football dynasty and ending any number of highly tauted win streaks. Losing sucks. But it would suck a lot worse if it was an ugly blow out like past games, or if it came at the hands of MAC team.

1. As we wonder "Where do we go from here?", let us remember that the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward victory for the Buckeyes. Do people realize this may be the weakest Buckeye team since 2004? Yet they still mananged to hold a lead over a team filled with NFL-caliber talent with more experience. Has anyone else noticed that in each of the last 3 big game losses the Buckeyes have come closer and closer to achieving a big game win? Last year's loss in LA was a pure beat down. Then in an ugly slugmatch with PSU the Bucks caught a bad break from which they couln't quite recover. In the Fiesta Bowl the team played well and it came down to the wire. Last night Tressel imposed his style of play on Pete Carroll and the Buckeyes were in a position to win until literally the final minute. I have faith that the young players will keep learning, that Pryor will continue to improve as a QB, and that the Buckeyes will continue to improve in the big games. Because it's only a matter of time before the Buckeyes win another big game. I can't say when it will happen, but once it does the rest of college football better watch out.

With those 5 moral victories in mind, I can still say I am proud to be a Buckeye.
:osu2:
 
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