Game Thread tOSU vs. Sparty, B1G Championship Game, Sat 8 ET on FOX

[Buckeneye]

I can only buy so many TVs

That's not emotional, that insanity lol.

That said; regardless if you've never played the sport - to call one self a 'fan', there has to be an emotional investment. It's makes the highs of winning that much higher. I can still remember running out of my house and down the street when Cie Grant came off the edge. Makes my hair stand up.

I started double fisting when Florida went up 34-14. I don't remember the 2nd half and to this day haven't (refuse) watched any video's or clips involving that game. I'll gladly take the lowest of the low's that way I can properly experience the elation and joy when we win something truly special. I.e. Rose Bowl, The Game, Orange Bowl. Etc etc.

That, is how the greatest sport in the world is meant to be followed.

 

[stowfan]

SIAP:

http://www.toledoblade.com/Ohio-Sta...n-for-Big-Ten-football-championship-game.html

 

[sparcboxbuck]

Fickell's name belongs in that discussion with the ones you mentioned. His position group has been subpar as well. Ryan Shazier had a great individual season but as a unit they are ineffective blitzers, without a clue against misdirection and just as ineffective in coverage as the secondary.

Fickell's defense in 2011 was better because it was Jim Heacock's defense.

While I agree that Luke's group hasn't performed up to tOSU standards, his is the one we can also point to that has had significant injuries and misses in recruiting.

I don't like the idea that any of _our_ coaches are on a hot seat. Don't like it one bit, they're our guys. That said, it would be wrong to believe that's not the case. Of those included in the obvious discussion, Luke is 3rd of 3 of my concerns.

 

[Telekinesis]

After the NC game for the 2006 season, I learned to not get emotionally attached. I kept running the game through in my mind trying to find out what went wrong and I didn't sleep that entire night.

Ever since then, I realize, it's beyond my control and while I can be dissapointed, there's no point in getting mad at a game.

Well, I'll never learn to do that... but that game completely crushed my soul. I don't think anything will hurt more than that one. I loved that team. I like to pretend it never happened. It's just easier that way. Honestly, the only thing I even remember about it was Ginn's opening TD return and him being pounced on. After that, it's pretty much all blank. I have not attempted to go back and watch any of it and have no desire to do so.

 

[LostLassie]

There are places in the world for people who willingly watch replays of games like the '06 team's last one, but most of them require accessories, like shackles and ball gags.

or so I've heard

 

[BuckeyeFan 52]

FWIW regarding MSU's defensive starters vs OSU defensive starters as it relates to their initial recruiting rankings (scout ratings):

MSU:

Rush - 3* (DE)
Calhoun - 3* (DE) - recruited as a TE
Reynolds - 2* (NT) - recruited a an OG
Hoover - 3* (DT) - recruited as a TE
Bullough - 4* (LB)
Allen - 2* (LB)
Jones - 3* (LB)
Waynes - 3* (CB)
Dennard - 2* (CB)
Lewis - 4* (S)
Drummond - 3* (S)


Ohio State:

Hale - 3* (DT)
Washington - 5* (DT)
Bennett - 4* (DT)
Spence - 5* (DE)
Perry - 4* (LB)
Shazier - 4* (LB)
C. Grant - 5* (LB)
D. Grant - 4* (CB)
Roby - 3* (CB)
Barnett - 4* (S)
Bryant - 4* (S)

I'm not putting this here to argue whether our defensive woes are due to talent or coaching, just found it very interesting. At a minimum, I believe these results prove that recruiting rankings should always be taken w/a grain of salt. It also shows that MSU is not afraid to move players around by position once they're in the program.

I'm re-watching the BIG Champ Game and I'm dumb founded at our defensive inability (or unwillingness) to bump TE's or WR's at the LOS, and especially our apparent confusion in zone coverage, specifically by our LB's. It's like our defense is just watching the game instead of playing in it.

No intent of bashing here - just want to understand what we're doing wrong defensively.

 

[LostLassie]

Yeah, those high school rankings translate about as well into college as college achievement translates to the NFL. Ain't no guarantees.

 

[AuburnBuckeye]

I started double fisting when Florida went up 34-14.

You can fit both of them in there?

 

[HorseshoeFetish]

You can fit both of them in there?

So wrong.

 

[Taosman]

Like in life, we learn mostly from failure. I think the coaches will learn a lot from this loss and that will help them going forward.

 

[DEBuckeye]

Not really on a ledge. If we go back to 1998 vs. Sparty, that was a dangerous time.

I used to get depressed and grouchy after a loss, but my wife got tired of it and asked me one day, "Why do you let a bunch of guys who play football - that you don't personally know - affect how you feel?" Good question. "It's only for entertainment" is another wise thought.

Your concerns were warranted? Oh yes they were!

Oh my God. I'll never forget that '98 game. It felt like someone had kicked me in the stomach. I walked around for several days in a shocked, grumpy haze. Ugh...

 

[OSUK]

Oh my God. I'll never forget that '98 game. It felt like someone had kicked me in the stomach. I walked around for several days in a shocked, grumpy haze. Ugh...

Michigan State was a mediocre team with a mediocre coach (Saban ). What was Sparty's QB's name? Berger or something like that. Bucks got up on them several scores and then the thing I remember was their QB kept throwing jump balls downfield and the MSU receivers - and it seemed like Sparty ended up with everyone of those 50-50 balls. It gave you a "this cannot be happening type of feeling" - like karma is coming down on your head in a bad way or that you are on the short end of a large dose of serendipity. But Joe Cool is going to lead us downfield and win anyway, right? Nope. Interception - game over - despair.

That was a really good team Ohio State lost to Sat night. So, disappointment, but no despair.

 

[jlb1705]

Michigan State was a mediocre team with a mediocre coach (Saban ). What was Sparty's QB's name? Berger or something like that. Bucks got up on them several scores and then the thing I remember was their QB kept throwing jump balls downfield and the MSU receivers - and it seemed like Sparty ended up with everyone of those 50-50 balls. It gave you a "this cannot be happening type of feeling" - like karma is coming down on your head in a bad way or that you are on the short end of a large dose of serendipity. But Joe Cool is going to lead us downfield and win anyway, right? Nope. Interception - game over - despair.

That was a really good team Ohio State lost to Sat night. So, disappointment, but no despair.

Plaxico Burress. Wish he had shot himself in the leg much earlier.

 

[brodybuck21]

Plaxico Burress. Wish he had shot himself in the leg much earlier.

bill burke to plaxico burress and I believe sedrick Irvin in the backfield. 24-9 3rd qtr osu lead though after damon moore's pick 6 and then the "punt"

 

[kujirakira]

As bad as 98 was... I remember being elated that we not only beat scUM... but won the bowl game that year. It was the only year I could remember doing both during Cooper's reign.