TESTED??

[Buckeye Tree]

Have the STATE BUCKEYES been tested? I personally say no they have not been tested. Don't get me wrong, the BUCKEYES have dominated in the games that they have played. As far as I am concerned the offense and defense have yet to be tested.

Sure Garret Wolfe ran out of his jock against the defense, but that was not a test more like a quiz to me. Oh yeah, #2 texas defending national champs in austin was a complete joke (they were not truly deserving of the #2 ranking), they need vince young bad. The bearcats did slap us around a bit, but in the end :osu: responded and it turned out only to be a pop quiz.

I feel :osu: will be tested in conference play only. Only when the defense comes up against an offense that has a top/mobile QB (that can run and pass) a quality proven RB and WR's to match will we see what our beloved defense is all about. The same goes for the offense who have yet to see a defense that can put presure on a QB consistantly and lock down the WR's that we have, and stifle the run game.

I look for the Penn State game to be a test (some what, I mean they did loose to ND). After the win against Penn State I look for the Hawkeyes to be another test followed by Michigan State and last but not least Michigan.
Until conference play we have just seen a glimpse of what our team is or is not.

 

[NFBuck]

You don't think the (at the time) #2 team in the country was a test?:crazy:

 

[Buckeye Tree]

No I didn't think texas at the time was the true #2 team in the country. And the out come of the game proved it. :osu: dominated on both sides of the ball, besides if they were the #2 team texas would not have been molested in thier own house.

Don't get me wrong THE OHIO STATE BUCKEYES are just that damn good, but they still have not been tested by ant of the three teams that they have played.

 

[Padraig]

But your question wasn't whether Texas was a legit #2 team in the nation or not...it was if our team has been tested yet.

And going on the road, to the defending national champs house, to play in the most hyped game of the season to that point, at night which had historically not resulted in great success, with a lot of "green" / "untested" players on D...

Texas may have not given us everything that some in the media expected, but I guarentee you the Coaches and players feel that they have passed some significant "tests" to this point of the young season. That game being a major test on several different levels in and of itself.

Maybe your question is more along the lines of, "has any of the 3 teams we've faced really 'stacked up' with us talent wise / have we clearly been the best team on the field so far in each of our games?" If that's what you meant, then I definitely agree with you. We have been the best team by far.

But I would say we are the clear favorite against Penn State. Yet after being the better team last year (in my opinion) and losing that match up, starting Big Ten play this coming Saturday against the Co-Big Ten Champs, struggling to 'get out of the gates' last week vs. a relativly weak UC team...I believe the tests are going to continue to present themselves.

But the win against Texas was definitely a HUGE test for this team and we obviously passed with flying colors.

:osu:

 

[LordJeffBuck]

The following post is proof that "Nothing good happens at 4 AM."

No I didn't think texas at the time was the true #2 team in the country. And the out come of the game proved it. :osu: dominated on both sides of the ball, besides if they were the #2 team texas would not have been molested in thier own house.

Don't get me wrong THE OHIO STATE BUCKEYES are just that damn good, but they still have not been tested by ant of the three teams that they have played.

"And the out come of the game proved" that Texas wasn't the number two team in the country? Or, maybe did it prove that Ohio State was that much better than the number two team in the country?

Even if your assumption is correct, namely that Texas wasn't the number two team in the country, certainly they are a solid top ten team that will probably finish the season with 12 or 13 wins. Texas was a legitimate test, on the road, at night, early in the season, with a young defense that has not yet fully gelled. Texas is probably the best team on Ohio State's schedule, with the possible exception of Michigan.

Only when the defense comes up against an offense that has a top/mobile QB (that can run and pass) a quality proven RB and WR's to match will we see what our beloved defense is all about. The same goes for the offense who have yet to see a defense that can put presure on a QB consistantly and lock down the WR's that we have, and stifle the run game.

And which team in the country (much less the Big Ten) has all of those attributes: top QB who is also mobile; quality proven RB; quality proven WR's; defense which pressures the QB; lock-down corners; stuffs the run. If you can find one, let me know....

Otherwise, good post.

 

[bkochmc]

Texas was a legitimate test, on the road, at night, early in the season, with a young defense that has not yet fully gelled.

You forgot to mention the Texas heat.

 

[Bucks07]

Every game is a test. Be it the ability to focus and not look ahead, guard against let downs, beat the teams they're supposed to beat or playing top competition on the road at night in a huge regular season game.

 

[osugrad21]

There is no such thing as a "pop quiz" in football.

Over the 3 games, the staff has made adjustments in gameplan, personnel, and preparation.

That ability to adapt and overcome is a test in itself.

At the very least, to say the Texas was not a test is way off base to me.

 

[daddyphatsacs]

To answer the initial question.........I think that our biggest tests are yet to come. In that regard, I am very enouraged with the way that Pittman has begun to emerge. Our defense has improved every week, this team hasn't even touched what kind of football they are capable of by late season, and quite frankly, that is flat out scary to think of if your are an opposing head coach.

 

[bkochmc]

The same goes for the offense who have yet to see a defense that can put presure on a QB consistantly

I disagree with most of your post but mostly the quoted part above. Texas has a mean defense and has one of the best front sevens in the nation. There were times during that game where UT's d-line got good pressure on Smith and even sacked him once or twice. I think it is more a testament to Smith and our offensive line that we limited the amount of times UT was able to pressure Smith.

You're entitled to your own opinion but most everyone else on this board will agree that Texas has been our best test so far and most likely will be until the Michigan game (I think Iowa will still be a very tough game though). To say Texas was not a test is just Charlie Weis-type arrogance.

 

[JXC]

Texas is real good...they likely have the best and deepest lines we will face all year. Definitely a test for our OL and DL. But...even though Tressel teams have been known to be clutch, this team has yet to have a game in doubt in the 4th quarter. That will be a test, which may come soon, or it may not, but eventually it will.

But as far as us not being tested??? We've played more players this year in minutes that matter than I can EVER remember. A lot of young players have already gotten valuable experience...especially against Texas...A HUGE TEST.

Just because you get an A on a test doesn't mean it wasn't hard.

 

[2002AGAIN]

No I didn't think texas at the time was the true #2 team in the country. And the out come of the game proved it. :osu: dominated on both sides of the ball, besides if they were the #2 team texas would not have been molested in thier own house.

The #2 team the following week lost at home too...or, in your words, they got "molested." You can call ND overrated all you want, I think they, at that time, deserved to be #2. Of course "the outcome of the game proved it"; that's what's called hindsight, and it happens to be 20/20.

Yes we have been tested. Was it easier than we expected? Hell yes, but that doesn't mean we haven't been tested.

 

[Buckin' A]

We have been tested more than Paris Hilton.

 

[martinss01]

have we been tested? yes. in which game(s)? all of them.

niu - heisman trophy hopeful with a solid qb and excellent line.

texas - imho, the best d in the nation. one of the best d coordinators. more than a handful of guys on offense that will have a legit shot at all american status. on the road, at night, in a football state. has a legit shot of being the biggest test for our team all year including a possible nc shot.

cincy - one of the better coaches in the nation who just happens to have been one of the (imo) top 5 defensive coordinators in the nation at one time. oh and he used to coach at tOSU. oh and with tressel over many years. scheme can trump talent ya know...

each of these games were a test in their own right. to say a team wasn't a test is to assert they did not deserve to play tOSU. each of these teams deserved to play them and each of them had a chance to win their games. though some had a better chance than others. this team is facing a number of tests yet. some will certainly be less daunting than those in the past. some have a good chance of being far more a challenge. we won't know till the season is over.

 

[Crystal76]

Have the STATE BUCKEYES been tested? I personally say no they have not been tested. Don't get me wrong, the BUCKEYES have dominated in the games that they have played. As far as I am concerned the offense and defense have yet to be tested.

Sure Garret Wolfe ran out of his jock against the defense, but that was not a test more like a quiz to me. Oh yeah, #2 texas defending national champs in austin was a complete joke (they were not truly deserving of the #2 ranking), they need vince young bad. The bearcats did slap us around a bit, but in the end :osu: responded and it turned out only to be a pop quiz.

I feel :osu: will be tested in conference play only. Only when the defense comes up against an offense that has a top/mobile QB (that can run and pass) a quality proven RB and WR's to match will we see what our beloved defense is all about. The same goes for the offense who have yet to see a defense that can put presure on a QB consistantly and lock down the WR's that we have, and stifle the run game.

I look for the Penn State game to be a test (some what, I mean they did loose to ND). After the win against Penn State I look for the Hawkeyes to be another test followed by Michigan State and last but not least Michigan.
Until conference play we have just seen a glimpse of what our team is or is not.

Now, see I see it differently. They were tested, at least defense wise against NIU. Most of the defense is young players, with a few exceptions. I expected what I got. A young, somewhat stumbling Defense. The offense is great, they took it to NIU's defense, and made it look like a cakewalk. Garret Wolfe SHOULD be getting some national press. Hell of a runner.


I find it humorous that you would call Texas a joke...They have took it to their 'pop quiz' teams, beating them soundly. The young QB will be a national spotlight player by the end of the year, or maybe next year. I really hate when people say oh, this team would be better if player X hadn't left early, or what ever reason. Because they are basically saying without player X the team is a bunch of nobodies. And that is a crock for a team. That is like saying Since AJ left, The Buckeyes have been sucking wind....Football is a TEAM sport. One player does NOT make a team. Sure Vince Young was a great QB, but if he didn't have a good defense, and a good O-Line, he damn sure would not have played as well as he did.

Now, I somewhat agree with your statement of conference play. I believe the real test, for lack of better word will come in the Big Ten. When you start a conference game, it's all about heart, and skill. Who wants it more, and who has better skill. Even with the non conference games, the O line looked pretty good, minus all the flags (and how many flags were actually thrown during that one play against Cincy? I thought I counted four.) I personally think that the Bucks have a damn good chance of running the tables. They are hungry. The Defense still feels like they have everything to prove, and the offense is looking to send Troy to New York to collect that trophy. (And, how classy is Troy? He is a damn good QB, who gives credit where credit is due...)

Penn State will be a good starter for the conference play. They are looking to play spoilers. And, one thing I hate that goes with a number one ranking, is the other team is LOOKING for the upset. They are looking to derail that number one team, and will play their guts out to make it happen. Again, this will be a game of heart. Who has it, and who doesn't.

ND is a good team, as much as I hate to say that. But, I honestly believe they got into the mind frame, we are number two, and we are that damn good. Something I hope doesn't happen to the Bucks. With JT I doubt they will. All it takes is for the underdog to want it worse than they do....

Michigan manhandled ND. By the time the tOSU game comes around, they will be just as good or better than the team we saw handing ND their butts. That game is always gut check time. Even if they have a loss, or we have a loss. The players want the bragging rights for the next years game.

All in all, I believe we will see some damn good games, The Buckeye's have been tested...they are tested every time they get out on the field, because that no named team is LOOKING to take them out of the number one spot. It's the one team you think doesn't stand a chance that normally ends up playing spoiler...

But, that is my two cents and with a dollar it still wouldn?t get you a cup of coffee.