*Warning - optimistic post* - compare to 2001, NC in 2005??? (Long)

[MistriBuck]

funny thing though, everyone thought that we were primed for a NC run in 03 not 02 with that team and we made it happen. no reason we can't in 05.

this is very much my point.......we had guys step up/come out of nowhere in '02 and that's all we need is a few of those guys to make it happen, like Krenzel/Gamble/Peterson/Wilhelm (all-american season), etc.

1. we need zwick/smith/boeckman/whoever to play like an all time great craig krenzel. certainly possible but not likely statistically.

agreed, maybe boeckman in his 3rd year steps up and equals krenzel in his 4th year? maybe smith gets some significant PT and blossoms into this role? zwick? not sold..........i'm not counting on it though, and this is the most critical aspect without a doubt in my opinion

2. we need pittman, haw, or recruit to play like maurice, another all time great. certainly possible but not likely statistically.

stop and think about this one for a second, do we REALLY NEED a Reecie type back or Reecie type production? as great as he was in the first half and as much press as he garnered, how many games did we win that year WITHOUT him? how many games was he the TRUE difference in? THREE........Wazzu, could of done it without him that game was about the D.........Michigan, different story, this is the ONE game we would not have won without him.........Miami, but not because of his production, because of "THE PLAY".........so if you really think about it we just need some solid production.........but that will depend HEAVILY on the o-line situation as was pointed out by SDGO and KN1F3.........hey the talent is there, will they step up and will constructive actions be taken??? god i hope so

HOw much has our defense suffered by losing our D coordinator? Or is it just loss of talent that has made such a big difference this year?

check out the other post i just put up........this answers your question in great detail, there are INCREDIBLE similarities between D'Antonio and Snyder's first years........and i offer up some reasons why we can actually be more excited about the '05 defense than the '02 as crazy as it sounds, and some answers to those that question if this current d-line (or more importantly front 7 as a whole) has the same potential as the '01 d-line


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[tundra1]

Originally Posted by Buckeye737

Hopefully we can get a running back to come in like Clarett. Come on JStew.

As long as he doesn't go out like Clarett. And I agree with you 100%--come on, JStew!

[FKAGobucks877]

Dude, that is a great post. All three of them. You have actually inspired me....I have been feeling better the last couple of days or so, knowing that we were now playing the rest of this season solely for November 20 and next year. These kids and their coaches are gaining very valuable experience right now, and a [censored]load of them will be back next year. I also like the fact that Tressel was playing a lot of the underclassmen back-ups as well, gaining them valuable PT. Next year's schedule is not easy, but having Purdue and Wisky off the schedule will help...although they both lose their best offensive threat...Minny could still be tough, but in the B10, it's all about rushing offense, and even more so, DEFENSE. I will feel extremely good if a coaching change on the OL is made before spring ball....otherwise, I really don't think we have a very good chance. The OL MUST perform. I actually believe the talent we have, especially next year, is outstanding....but the coaching needs to improve. It needs to.

[MistriBuck]

Dude, that is a great post. All three of them. You have actually inspired me

hey thx man - seriously, i really surprised myself with this stuff, and i'm inspired now too..........BELIEVE ME, i've been as negative and critical as ANYONE until i thought this up, on "that other board", justifiably i haven't had anything good to say about the coaches........it was actually someone else, wish i could remember who, that pointed out that D'Antonio wasn't great his first year either and give Snyder some time, that got me thinking, and that's what this whole thing spun from.......and as i started thinking more and digging more (especially with the last one with the stats) i started getting REALLY excited............the x factor here (aside from qb play) is the constructive changes on offense that we're all so desperately craving, and IF THAT HAPPENS, my god, watch out!!! but even if it doesn't i can live with knowing that based on JT's history and this team's history that a top 5 team, and maybe another run will still be highly possible, will just have to stay on the heart meds

P.S. - i broke out the Avatar, i've come full circle on BuckeyePlanet!

[3yardsandacloud]

WTF! Um, yeah, well, I just might have to ban you for that optimism Mistri. Didn't you get the memo? This season will be pessimism, followed by dispair, then bashing of the players and coaching staff ... and that's all I'm going to say about that!











BTW, well done.

[MistriBuck]

hey i put a disclaimer!! you entered at your own risk

[3yardsandacloud]

Ok, ok, but next time try and hide these positive posts in the Romper Room. It's password protected and all, so people will actually have to work to read this stuff.

[UpNorthBuckeye]

When you were running down the players who might make a difference next year, you left out Sirjo Welch. I think he has been awesome on the kickoff teams, and he oughta be a great DB. The dude hits like Jack "TCMA" Tatum!!

I also remember that the sweet thing about beating Michigan in 01 was that over the span of the Cooper years, the UM fans had stopped CARING about Ohio State --- it almost seemed like they got more fired up for the Sparties, because they were just ASSUMING they were going to beat the Buckeyes.

My point is, it's the bad years (like all of the 90s!) that inspire the great years, and I hope that lessons are being learned by the players AND the coaches this year that will make 2005 a huge year. Good coaching can take a negative experience like going 6 and 5 and turn it into a positive attitude in 2005.

Go Bucks!