Observations from 26AA:
1. The run/pass tip from the running back in the shot gun should be fixed right away. If the RB needs to be a yard behind Troy on the running plays, put him there on passing plays. And, it's not just Pittman....Wells was doing it too, so they're actually being told to stand there. This has to be corrected.
2. The defense is almost embarassing. There were two guys sitting behind us - one
OSU fan and one Iowa fan. Both cool guys, and the Iowa fan took his beating like a man. But, he started moaning that this just wasn't fair. To a certain standpoint, I see where he's coming from. At times, it felt like Iowa was sending a bunch of junior high kids out to play an NFL team. And then, when the Buckeyes blitzed, I found myself thinking "poor, poor, Tate. He just doesn't stand a chance." Then I remembered 33-7, and saw him crying like a baby on the sidelines, and I wanted Heacock to send everybody on the next play.
3. I was on TV! That was cool.
4. The Iowa fan was absolutely blown away by the overall Horseshoe/gameday environment. He was completely in awe.
5. I have had tickets in 25C for 24 years. This is my first season out of that section, and it's way down in the second row of 26AA. This is the first time I've spent a game looking at the freaking HUGE pressbox. And the stadium looks so much bigger, and it sounds so much louder, and the players hit so much harder. It's really very amazing. The bad part is, everything appears to be moving so much faster that it's difficult to pick up on the open receivers, or the holding no-calls, or the missed blocks. Still, I can't imagine a more intimidating stadium environment.
6. Isn't it cool that Rob Harley's on the team? I think that's cool.
7. How often can you say that an
OSU offense racked up 400 yards of total offense? Not as often as I'd like. How often can you say that an
OSU offense racked up 400 yards MORE THAN THE OTHER TEAM?!?! I don't think I can ever remember a time. Granted, the game ended with Iowa about 390 short of
OSU's total, but there were moments in the game where
OSU's total was more than 400 yards higher than Iowa's total.
8. I still like Ferentz. He whined quite a bit on a pass interference no-call, but he's still a classy guy. I especially liked his quote of "we took it on the chin today. If we had two chins, we would have taken it on both of them." He'll be back.
9. Huston drilled that 47 yarder. It had plenty of distance. DAMN IT!!! I wish he would have squeezed that Texas FG in there. He's another great kicker. I wish we could have him for a 7th year.
10. Back in 2001, I thought the Alma Matter thing at the end of the game was cheesy and stupid. I stand corrected. It's definitely a very cool tradition. I'm always amazed at how many people stick around, and I'm always amazed at how loud everyone sings.
31 Ohio State
