Putting Things into Perspective

[Tresselbeliever]

Let me just start out by saying that the point of this post is not to make excuses, paint a rosy picture or make you feel any less disappointed about the loss tonight.

Just take a moment and consider the fact that Woody coached at Ohio State for 28 seasons, and during that time, won three national titles and produced countless All Americans. And speaking of three national titles, that's how many LSU has in their school history after their victory tonight. In comparison, Tressel has coached seven full seasons at Ohio State and already has a national title, not to mention going 6-1 vs. Michigan. So in reality, Tressel is on pace to win four titles in 28 seasons, one more than Woody.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, national titles don't just happen, and even when you have deserving teams, it still takes extraordinary circumstances to win it all. IMO, we certainly had a deserving team that has played way above expectations this season. We came up short, not because we weren't capable, just that we didn't have extraordinary circumstances on our side this time. If anything, this game just makes cherish the Fiesta Bowl victory against Miami that much more.

[BuckeyeMike80]

you know, after having a night (sort of) to sleep on it, last night's loss is sticking with me more than last year's.

Why?

Last Year Ohio State was out of the game essentially by the end of the 1st quarter. I was over that the next day. There wasn't really much to be said.

Last night the holes were there, the Bucks could move the ball seemingly at will but couldn't stop LSU until the 2nd half. The mistakes are what I keep coming back too, that's the killer.

In all honesty, LSU won the game by executing but dammit if Ohio State executes THEIR gameplan for 60 minutes and doesn't make a ton of boneheaded mistakes with the penalties, it is a completely different ballgame. Not to take anything away from LSU, they went out there and took what they wanted, but Ohio State could have definitely played much better. This isn't like last year where they got their doors blown off by Florida. this game was winnable.

[cincibuck]

'Tis a business where "What have you done for me lately?" rules. A coach and a team are often seen as only as good as their last game.

What concerns me more is that this will have an impact on succeeding BCS bowl assignments for ALL big 10 teams.

[DCBuckeye07]

This was a baaad loss. It was nearly as humiliating as last years, but, like Herbie said last year's would set the big 10 back ten years...I think this loss sets us back in similar fashion. It proves last year's loss wasnt an aberration. Our quarterback is an embodiment of our gameplan for these big games...he/we just dont have it. Dont quite get it yet. Oh well, at least it wont be long until Tressel and gang can prove them selves again in LA next year.

[RuGettinIt]

My concern after this game is that we could/should have won this game, but again we just didn't put it all together when we needed too and didn't make the plays when they were there. Sadly, most folks including the media, don't see it this way. They see it as the same old, same old. I got to tell you that I am beginning to believe the talking heads and this really scares me.

I think that to compete consistently and to be able to win these types of games that OSU needs to step up its competition outside of the B10 season. We need to be able to take a punch in the mouth and get up off of the canvas and come back. To do this, we need to be tested more than just once or twice a year in our schedule.

I'm also becoming a proponent of adding a 12th team, having a B10 Title Game, and having an eight team playoff. These long layoffs just kill the tearm, I think more so last year than this, but the lag was still there after the emotion of the quick start.

Okay, I'm totally scared now.......must go to work.....

[BuckTwenty]

There were just so many "ifs" about this game. If we'd hit that FG that got blocked... If Austin had just gotten his hand on that punt... If Boeckman didn't turn the ball over... If the refs actually called a couple of penalties on LSU...

In the end, LSU won and they deserved it. We didn't execute and we got rattled. If there was a speed difference, I didn't see it. They can say whatever they want about SEC speed.

Shake it off guys. Next year's team is gonna be pretty good. If they go to the "plus one" format next year (which I hear is possible), OSU can show they belong with 2 wins and they will have the team to do it, depending on which juniors return.

[BrutuStrength]

Originally Posted by BuckTwenty

In the end, LSU won and they deserved it. We didn't execute and we got rattled. If there was a speed difference, I didn't see it. They can say whatever they want about SEC speed.

If anyone claims there was a big disparity between team speed in last night's game, then they should simply be ignored. It will simply prove they don't know what they're talking about.

Originally Posted by BuckTwenty

Shake it off guys. Next year's team is gonna be pretty good. If they go to the "plus one" format next year (which I hear is possible), OSU can show they belong with 2 wins and they will have the team to do it, depending on which juniors return.

From what I've most recently read, any such "plus one" format probably won't happen until 2010, after the current BCS deal expires.

Next year should be another fun year to watch. We should have a solid core of juniors and seniors. This was a great season, but there's no reason next year shouldn't be just as good, or even better.

[Lockup]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeMike80

you know, after having a night (sort of) to sleep on it, last night's loss is sticking with me more than last year's.

Why?

Last Year Ohio State was out of the game essentially by the end of the 1st quarter. I was over that the next day. There wasn't really much to be said.

Last night the holes were there, the Bucks could move the ball seemingly at will but couldn't stop LSU until the 2nd half. The mistakes are what I keep coming back too, that's the killer.

In all honesty, LSU won the game by executing but dammit if Ohio State executes THEIR gameplan for 60 minutes and doesn't make a ton of boneheaded mistakes with the penalties, it is a completely different ballgame. Not to take anything away from LSU, they went out there and took what they wanted, but Ohio State could have definitely played much better. This isn't like last year where they got their doors blown off by Florida. this game was winnable.

I actually have the opppisite effect.

Last year we were suppose to win. So when we lost the way we did I was sick to my stomach for a long, long time.

This year we were not even suppose to be there. Hell we weren't even suppose to win the Big Ten. So while I am still disappointed with the outcome, I am not sick to my stomach like last year.

[buckeyesin07]

Originally Posted by BuckTwenty

There were just so many "ifs" about this game.

Seems like that's always the case when our team loses.

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