OSU's Image Outside of Ohio

[DaddyBigBucks]

Maybe Style Points do count.


Back in 2002, I was one of the many who repeated the Buckeye Mantra of that year: "Style points mean squat. Just keep winning baby."

Then in 2003, (after an incredibly rough year for me personally), I moved to Tallahassee. I heard the term "Luckeyes" from every person I met who found out that I was from Ohio State, which was EVERY person I met.

They were mostly engineers, as am I; so for the most part they understood the argument that 7 wins by 7 points or less is just way too unlikely to happen by chance. Their HAS to be some intangible the team possessed that willed them to victory. On this board, we know that intangible by the initials CK; but that's a different thread.

Fast forward to this year. Today, I saw and heard two sure signs that the style points of this year's dominating version of the Buckeyes are having an effect on people outside of the State of Ohio.

The thing I saw was at work. A coworker whose son was visiting made a point of bringing the 6-year-old into my office. The reason? The kid was wearing a OSU Home #10 Jersey, this year's style. This guy is a huge Seminole fan. His son is a Troy Smith fan.

The thing I heard was on the radio on the way to get some beer for tomorrow. The local sports radio guy had a caller who was pressing the issue about FSU's dismal offensive production of the last few years. They lamented the NFL success of some guys who were ho-hum while at FSU and the caller asked what the problem was.

That's when the host, Jeff Cameron, went on a 2-minute rant about Ted Ginn. He explained that any coach would be an idiot if they didn't at least try to go deep to him once or more a game. But, he continued, OSU goes beyond that. All of the coverage Ginn gets leaves Gonzalez, "a special player in his own right", with coverage that he can beat with regularity. Either way, the danger posed by Ginn is used by the OSU staff to the Buckeyes best advantage.

They went on to lament that FSU doesn't do that.


I've lived in 6 States not named Ohio in my life; and I can honestly say that OSU has a higher profile outside of the OHIO right now than they've had for my entire adult life. And it's a GOOD profile. They are getting nothing but respect bordering on reverence here where college football is king.

[Oh8ch]

Good post.

Something I have noticed as well. In visiting other boards the consensus is that Troy Smith is and should be the run away leader for the Heisman. Even at the ND and WVU boards where they have candidates of their own they agree it should be Troy unless he falters badly.

[scooter1369]

It will be interesting to see if after two years of having a prolific offense, that the image continues next year after Troy is gone.

Currently, some talking heads are talking about USC right now as if they are the cat's meow, because despite being close in most games "they just keep winning ugly".

I recall a few years ago that Ohio State was lamented and bashed by these same talking heads because they were "just winning ugly".

I find the double standard extremely interesting. Is USC given a pass this year because of previous year's high powered, visually appealing offenses? Was Ohio State not given the same courtesy because until 2002, we were amid a serious rebuild?

I find the whole thing fascinating.

[JohnnyCockfight]

Great thread. I agree wholeheartedly with the above observations and will give an additional one.

The retail stores in Virginia are now stocking the shelves with Ohio State merchandise for the first time in years. Stores like the Finish Line are profiling Ohio State clothing alongside schools such as UNC, Duke and the like. This is the effect of having a great basketball team. For whatever style points you can gain in the marketability of a great football program, a great basketball program will multiply that effect, and Greg Oden & the "Thad Five" are spreading the name of Ohio State around, similar to what Michigan experienced with the Fab Five. And you're retarded if you don't think that a marketable basketball program brings additional attention to an already great football program.

What Coaches Tressel and Matta are building, or what they have already built, is really something to behold. As I've read from others who post on this board, we are witnessing the glory days of Ohio State athletics right now.

[txbuckeye1983]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCockfight

What Coaches Tressel and Matta are building, or what they have already built, is really something to behold. As I've read from others who post on this board, we are witnessing the glory days of Ohio State athletics right now.

The best thing about it is, we are just at the tip of the iceburg. I agree, it is a great thing. It all starts at the top. Andy Geiger and Gene Smith were/are dedicated to building Ohio State into the best athletic department in America. I think it all started when they improved the facilities. The rennovation of the Shoe and the building of the Schott have given Ohio State the finest facilities in the land. And, the hirings of Matta and Tressel came at absolutely the right times. Ohio State could not have hired two better coaches.

[Cornerback6]

I teach in South Carolina and I can personally say that a LOT of my kids are beginning to like the Buckeyes. They hate to admit it because I brag about how good we are every Monday, but a lot of the stubborn kids are starting to come around and say things like, "I'll admit, I kinda' like them boys". Of course there are many variations to this sentence, but the general idea is there.

[sandgk]

Originally Posted by scooter1369

It will be interesting to see if after two years of having a prolific offense, that the image continues next year after Troy is gone.

Currently, some talking heads are talking about USC right now as if they are the cat's meow, because despite being close in most games "they just keep winning ugly".

I recall a few years ago that Ohio State was lamented and bashed by these same talking heads because they were "just winning ugly".

I find the double standard extremely interesting. Is USC given a pass this year because of previous year's high powered, visually appealing offenses? Was Ohio State not given the same courtesy because until 2002, we were amid a serious rebuild?

I find the whole thing fascinating.

At least one talking head I didn't count on lavishing praise on Ohio State did just that today.

Discussion was about NFL prospects and how Miami's glory days of multiple first rounders have gone bye-bye. Pundit was (of course) Mel Kiper, his verdict, today it is all about Ohio State on draft day, and, oh yes, USC.
His rationale - the preparation and development of the players is what Ohio State (and oh, yes USC) have going for them - which is a nod to the coaching staff, let alone the players dedication to improve under their guidance.

[t_BuckeyeScott]

All I know is down here in OK you can still go to the mall and maybe find 2 Ohio State hats and that's all as far OSU apparel goes. Yes I know this is the opposite of what you all are saying. I'm still [censored]ed.

[Cornerback6]

My dad lives in Orlando and I know for a fact tOSU stuff is all over the place down there.

[Steve19]

Originally Posted by Cornerback6

My dad lives in Orlando and I know for a fact tOSU stuff is all over the place down there.

There and Washington DC last month. Great post DBB!

[SanClementeBuck]

Timely discussion, DBB! I'm emersed here in pac10, and SCal region football, where vehicle license plates abound w/ucla or usc emblems, as one would expect. I compare many usc fans with those of texas, who respect college football. They are quite aware of the Buck's history and current team. This, of course, is because the Bucks have won and lost to pac10 teams since the '50s.

The Buck's importance here is directly in relationship to the harm our team can do to the fan's team. Media here seems well aware that usc's golden days are diminished this year, whether they are or not. They talk as much about Leinert, Bush and crew as they do about this year's team. Don't see any reference, save one, that OSU is not #1. (one pundit picked wva as his #1, but he also had cryami a 4-td favorite when Bucks won nc.) There is some small speculation usc could face our Bucks for nc.

LATimes sports today is filled with ucla's debacle in last minute of nd game.

When I wear Buckeye gear walk'n around, it's met with smiles rather than jeers, or, people are indifferent. Little or no Buckeye gear in sport stores, where you might find weasel stuff occasionally...really ticks me off.

The most pleasant thing: There are a host of Buckeyes out here in SCal! Hardly go a day where I don't bump into a Buck. We're all over the place.

[DaddyBigBucks]

Originally Posted by SanClementeBuck

Timely discussion, DBB! I'm emersed here in pac10, and SCal region football, where vehicle license plates abound w/ucla or usc emblems, as one would expect. I compare many usc fans with those of texas, who respect college football. They are quite aware of the Buck's history and current team. This, of course, is because the Bucks have won and lost to pac10 teams since the '50s.

The Buck's importance here is directly in relationship to the harm our team can do to the fan's team. Media here seems well aware that usc's golden days are diminished this year, whether they are or not. They talk as much about Leinert, Bush and crew as they do about this year's team. Don't see any reference, save one, that OSU is not #1. (one pundit picked wva as his #1, but he also had cryami a 4-td favorite when Bucks won nc.) There is some small speculation usc could face our Bucks for nc.

LATimes sports today is filled with ucla's debacle in last minute of nd game.

When I wear Buckeye gear walk'n around, it's met with smiles rather than jeers, or, people are indifferent. Little or no Buckeye gear in sport stores, where you might find weasel stuff occasionally...really ticks me off.

The most pleasant thing: There are a host of Buckeyes out here in SCal! Hardly go a day where I don't bump into a Buck. We're all over the place.

Thanks for chiming in SCB. Great post! Happy 500th!!

[rocketman]

Watching the replay of the game last night, I heard for the first time an announcer commenting on the discipline of Tressel's players, and how they handed the ball to the officials and then celebrated with their team. What I loved is he preceded that statement with something along the lines of "If you are a young player, here's the role model you should be following..."

[DaddyBigBucks]

BP Lane is an Officer in the U.S. Army, and is too busy serving our country to post. He asked me to chime in for him.

He was at the gym in Augusta, Georgia and overheard two Clemson fans talking. They had no idea that an OSU fan was hearing what they were saying.

1. One said, and the other agreed, that if Troy Smith doesn't win the Heisman, "The voters should be SHOT".
2. One said, and again the other agreed, that there IS NO #2 that can play OSU in Glendale. "Who gonna play 'em????" was the way they put it.

BP Lane's story reminded me of a conversation that I had recently. I was at Jury Duty here in Tallahassee (as with any engineer, I was excused), and before they let us go I had a good talk with a Miami fan. Unlike most 'Canes, he grew up in Miami, is an alumnus of the school, and knows a heck of a lot about College Football. He said, "Ohio State is AN ANIMAL this year. No one can touch them."

[OH10]

I was at a bowling alley in a suburb of Detroit wearing a #4 Ohio State jersey. Now, I've been to this bowling alley and other drinking places in the same suburb in years past - each time making sure to wear some Ohio State gear (It is Michigan after all). This was the first year where anyone ever once had anything nice to say to me. You could tell is wasn't easy for any of them to admit, but people kept coming up to me and saying "that's a fine team you've got there in Columbus... it should be a great game Nov. 18." It's like I was in a twilight zone.

And each time, I would say back, "that's a fine team they've got in Ann Arbor... it will be great game." Respect among rivals. Both teams have earned it this year.