A look at the Buckeye’s season before the Rose Bowl
Written By: Denny | Category: Ohio State Buckeyes | Comments: 7
Going into September, Rock and I detailed our thoughts about the upcoming Buckeyes football season. We both agreed that it was a year that was supposed to be one of dampened expectations and would be a ‘rebuilding year’. Given the youth of the offense and the losses on the defensive side of the ball, I forecast a 2 loss season (though I saw the losses coming in Happy Valley and to SC or a bowl game, not to Purdue and SC) and likely a share of the Big Ten title. So what has happened this year that got the Buckeyes the outright B11 title?
1) The Defense is wicked good. We thought the D-line would be good, and we all knew that Kurt Coleman is good, but I don’t think many people expected the D-line (specifically Cam Heyward) to be THAT good. This defense is what allowed the Bucks to get through November unscathed.
2) Terrelle Pryor showed significant progress over the course of the season. Though he’s not where we all dreamed he’d be at, the progression that we saw allowed the Bucks’ offense to steadily improve, especially after the loss to Purdue.
3) We have an offensive line! Though they won’t be confused as the best unit in the country, the Buckeyes offensive line has come through and allowed Pryor time to pass and also provided holes for the Buckeyes’ solid runners to get through.
At this point, I still don’t know whether the fact that OSU won the outright B11 title is more a testament to the Buckeyes’ ability or more damning evidence that the B11 just isn’t that great of a conference. I have a feeling that it may fuel people’s expectations even more going forward. I’m looking forward to the game against UO (and I’m sure a more detailed preview will be coming), and a win there will be big to validate the Buckeyes. That being said, the losses to SC and Purdue aren’t good. It could be worse, though – at least we didn’t lose to Indiana, Illinois, or Michigan. More importantly – Roses, baby.
Author: Denny
Denny is a Northern Ohio native and Ohio State alumnus who currently lives in (and therefore blogs from) Washington, DC. Because he lives in the District, he clearly does not understand anything about Cleveland sports. You can follow Denny on Twitter.Denny has written 279 articles for Waiting for Next Year.
The sweater vest really protects our D with all the punting and controlling the kicking game. This could end up really helping us. The best way to beat Oregon is to keep it outta their hands. We run the ball and control the kicking game we win the football game.
I really believe it’s a testament to how terrible the B11 has become. Is anyone watching the speed of play inside of this Bama v. FLA game? Wow.
props to Akron soccer… NCAA Final 4
Tressel doesn’t win the big game because he is a [WFNY Edit: Cat?]. A perfect Tressel example was Nebraska today. 3rd and 10 on the 25 yardline with 1:54 to go against one of the best offenses in college football. On 3rd down they ran up the middle to set up a field goal. Playing not to lose, will not cut it against UO. Of course, as I always predict, Texas marched down the field and won the game. Happens everytime. Tressel needs to go for every 4th and short inside the Oregon 50, and when time is winding down in the 4th….he needs to be RUNNING UP THE SCORE. If he stays to his conservative ways…Buckeyes may as well not even show up, saves the embarassment.
Forgot to say…..Nebraska should have played for the 1st down to run more clock and kick a field goal with 20 seconds remaining. Coaches lack balls, and like Tressel, lack Championships….2002 was because of a lucky call.
Natty, you’re quite angry.
@ Natty – last I checked, Tressel doesn’t coach Nebraska. 2002 is still one more NC than you have. Your argument is invalid.