Game Thread Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 20 (final)

[Clashmore Mike]

...so what are we going to bet?

Loser has to take consolation prize of dominating Michigan???


......never mind.....


This looks to be an epic match-up. ND is certainly the underdog here and deservedly so. Weis' first bowl game, mediocre schedule, weak finish. Having said that Charlie has already exceeded my wildest dreams in nearly every facet of our program (have you guys been paying attention to our recruiting)........so I'll continue to believe in him until he gives me reason not to.

A bare-bones / quick analysis tells me that the performance of Troy Smith wins or losses this game.

I'm hearing rumors of an OSU -6.5 line.

 

[ohiostate=life]

While standing at the College Gameday set for the Texas game earlier this year, I watched as they ran through the previews of the Michigan vs. Notre Dame game and Herbie and the guys began picking. One of the guys in front of me turned to his buddy and said it best with the comment, "That's like trying to pick between syphilis and chlamydia." I think that pretty well covers how I feel. We've already beat syphilis...one more to go.

 

[bucknut11]

^^^
Great Post Award nominee

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Announcers are listed as Musberger, Danielson, and Arute. Fine by me.

Good, I am glad I don't have to listen To Jackson and Griese or some of the lesser guys on ABC. I think we got the best Trio.

 

[Clashmore Mike]

"That's like trying to pick between syphilis and chlamydia." I think that pretty well covers how I feel. We've already beat syphilis...one more to go.

Is there that much bitterness towards us? Not that I'm unaware of the spite coast to coast, but whatever happened to put us in the same boat as Michigan.....aren't they enemy #1?


Bucknut11, I was at that game in '95.......and my OSU buddies have thrown that pic in my face ever since. You've got 29 more days to relish it.

 

[jimotis4heisman]

Is there that much bitterness towards us? Not that I'm unaware of the spite coast to coast, but whatever happened to put us in the same boat as Michigan.....aren't they enemy #1?


Bucknut11, I was at that game in '95.......and my OSU buddies have thrown that pic in my face ever since. You've got 29 more days to relish it.

did they forget about the 96 game?

 

[Clashmore Mike]

did they forget about the 96 game?

Oh hell no.....they just didn't have as good a pic.



.....I'm sure this will spur some of you to enter a number of candidates....

 

[Buckeye86]

.....I'm sure this will spur some of you to enter a number of candidates....

do it do it!!! :tongue2:

 

[osugrad21]

Is there that much bitterness towards us? Not that I'm unaware of the spite coast to coast, but whatever happened to put us in the same boat as Michigan.....aren't they enemy #1?

Well, Michigan is always in a league of its own when it comes to despising a program. However, most Buckeye and Wolverine fans will at least admit a certain level of respect for one another. Where would either program be without the other?

As for ND, I'd say much of the animosity stems from the preferential treatment (TV, BCS, etc) and the refusal to join a conference...not to mention the media love affair that has always existed. Silly? Maybe, but it is hard to understand unless you have been on the outside looking in...like Oregon fans right now :)

 

[Clashmore Mike]

....As for ND, I'd say much of the animosity stems from the preferential treatment (TV, BCS, etc) and the refusal to join a conference...not to mention the media love affair that has always existed. Silly? Maybe, but it is hard to understand unless you have been on the outside looking in...like Oregon fans right now :)

Well, that's alot to answer for.....way too much for tonight. I would point out that we did attempt to join a conference many times, and were rejected. As far as the media goes, I'd challenge you to point out any "love affair" they've shown us in the last couple of years. Nothing but scorn and glee in pointing out that we'll never be back because of academics / talent / schedule / etc.

Where are they now?

As far as outside looking in goes, you're damn right we are harboring an "us vs the world" mentality.

Oregon's spot in the BCS was taken by #22 Fla. St.......not Notre Dame.

 

[Buckin' A]

Posted this in the ND site thread also....thoughts?

I spoke with a good friend of mine who is a die hard and knowledgable ND fan. He said that quite frankly, our defense scares him. He believes they need to be able to run the ball to win, and Hawk and company will be keeping him awake at night.

We also discussed ND's D backs. 2 sophomore's and 2 juniors, most of which are fairly inexperienced. He feels that Holmes, Ginn, and Gonzo could have a field day...although we both agreed that Troy is going to have to be patient and find them.

Finally, he feels pretty comfortable that ND's recievers could do alright against our DB's. Their top 2 recievers are over 6 feet tall which we both agree could be to their advantage with Quinn's ability to throw the jump ball. We agreed that if we blitz them a lot, they could be in trouble (which is likely). He stated that Stanford blitzed damn near every play and were very successfull with it.

I told him that athleticly, I feel very confident that we are a better team. My only concern is that Charlie will have almost 4 weeks to put together a game plan. We tend to be very predictable, and he is known for picking apart defenses.

This is going to be a great great game! May the best team on Jan 2 win...and GO BUCKS!

 

[jwinslow]

i'd challenge you to point out any "love affair" they've shown us in the last couple of years.

being rewarded for a "moral victory against USC" by not dropping AT ALL for your second loss, not having the loss to MSU held against you very much despite them missing the bowls, and never brought up discussion for who truly deserves the other at-large bid (instead OSU vs Oregon was the only debate) despite beating 3 teams with a winning record.

you don't really want to open that can of worms.

 

[Buckeye86]

As far as the media goes, I'd challenge you to point out any "love affair" they've shown us in the last couple of years. Nothing but scorn and glee in pointing out that we'll never be back because of academics / talent / schedule / etc.

The love affair is always preseason. There's always some intangible that the media harps on as the reason this year will be the year that ND will be a contender again, and then when it doesn't work out then comes the scorn and glee at pointing out the troubles.

When the intangible actually does work out (hello Mr. Weis) then the love affair gets worse. In the selection show they said Notre Dame had two "near wins" instead of two losses. Give me a break.

I hope I spelled intangible right.

 

[osugrad21]

As far as the media goes, I'd challenge you to point out any "love affair" they've shown us in the last couple of years. Nothing but scorn and glee in pointing out that we'll never be back because of academics / talent / schedule / etc.

Rudy, NBC, BCS special treatment, etc...

Where are they now?

Back on the ND bandwagon of course...

As far as outside looking in goes, you're damn right we are harboring an "us vs the world" mentality.

Oregon's spot in the BCS was taken by #22 Fla. St.......not Notre Dame.

I know that, but it is easy for Oregon to blame ND for a variety of reasons for their exclusion. Fair? No, but since you asked where the animosity comes from, I gave my thoughts. I never said I agree that this feeling is correct, but those are the standard reasons...

 

[Buckin' A]

being rewarded for a "moral victory against USC" by not dropping AT ALL for your second loss, not having the loss to MSU held against you very much despite them missing the bowls, and never brought up discussion for who truly deserves the other at-large bid (instead OSU vs Oregon was the only debate) despite beating 3 teams with a winning record.

you don't really want to open that can of worms.

Well said jwins.