2008 Preseason and Regular season Polls

[3074326]

Yeah, it's our fault that they (the media) voted us into the title game. Yet they all keep acting like we selfishly forced everyone else out of it.

I'm not saying whether or not we should've been there (I'm happy we were there), I just wish the media would stop acting like Ohio State is a terrible football team every year. It's getting a little ridiculous. Everyone is so quick to criticize us, but apparently enough voters thought we deserved a shot at the title. No need to bash a bunch of kids endlessly.

[pianobuck46]

Originally Posted by 3074326

Yeah, it's our fault that they (the media) voted us into the title game. Yet they all keep acting like we selfishly forced everyone else out of it.

I'm not saying whether or not we should've been there (I'm happy we were there), I just wish the media would stop acting like Ohio State is a terrible football team every year. It's getting a little ridiculous. Everyone is so quick to criticize us, but apparently enough voters thought we deserved a shot at the title. No need to bash a bunch of kids endlessly.

Yeah, you're dead right, but national disrespect for tOSU seems to be part of life. It's been around at least since Woody Hayes. In spite of JT's great record, it's still here.

Remember, everybody wants you to be successful at the outset.........may God help you if you are.

[mross34]

Originally Posted by 3074326

Yeah, it's our fault that they (the media) voted us into the title game. Yet they all keep acting like we selfishly forced everyone else out of it.

I'm not saying whether or not we should've been there (I'm happy we were there), I just wish the media would stop acting like Ohio State is a terrible football team every year. It's getting a little ridiculous. Everyone is so quick to criticize us, but apparently enough voters thought we deserved a shot at the title. No need to bash a bunch of kids endlessly.

I didn't see what was written, at least in this case, as negative. They put us in the category of teams that will be improved. The fact that we've been highly touted and come up short the last two years needed to be addressed for all the Buckeye haters. He's not saying it's going to happen again.

[buckeyemania11]

Did anyone else catch LSU's OOC Schedule?

Appalachian State, Troy, North Texas and Tulane

its funny how people cry about Ohio State playing a weak OOC schedule last season, but I bet they wont say a word about LSU's this year

not to be hateful toward LSU, just using it as a example

[TheIronColonel]

I'd complain, but don't we play Troy this year too? I'm sure Troy will be a respectable team when LSU plays them, but get a mysterious case of suck-itis the week we get them. It's the way of the world, really. LSU plays 3 patsies in the south? No problem. Ohio State plays 3 patsies in Ohio? ZOMG SCANDAL!

I mean, if only we had powerhouses like Alabama (lol), Arkansas (snicker), Mississippi State (WITTY QUIP!), and Mississippi (they're 1a? Who knew?) on our conference slate to show how great we are. LSU plays exactly 1 meaningful conference division game each year: Auburn, then possibly the conference championship game. How in Satan's glorious name is that a tougher conference schedule than playing Michigan and/or Wisconsin every year? Face it, the SEC west sure as hell isn't the SEC east.

[Gatorubet]

Originally Posted by TheIronColonel

I mean, if only we had powerhouses like Alabama (lol), Arkansas (snicker), Mississippi State (BRETT FAVRE!), and Mississippi (they're 1a? Who knew?) on our conference slate to show how great we are. LSU plays exactly 1 meaningful conference division game each year: Auburn, then possibly the conference championship game. How in Satan's glorious name is that a tougher conference schedule than playing Michigan and/or Wisconsin every year? Face it, the SEC west sure as hell isn't the SEC east.

IOW, Colonel, your smack would look better if you erased that stat. The best of our conference - both divisions - routinely loses to the powers you mentioned, which I do not see happening to you and scUM and Wisky when you play your lower tier. To me that infers that Bama and Arky and Ole Miss aren't that bad. In any event, the lol and snicker should come from someone with a better record if you want to have fans of other conferences join in on the mirth.

[ShakerBuck]

Originally Posted by buckeyemania11

Did anyone else catch LSU's OOC Schedule?

Appalachian State, Troy, North Texas and Tulane

its funny how people cry about Ohio State playing a weak OOC schedule last season, but I bet they wont say a word about LSU's this year

not to be hateful toward LSU, just using it as a example

I think their conference schedule gives them a pass, whereas the big ten has been undeniably down the last year or 2.

But I agree, those are the games that they chose to schedule and there isn't a competitive game in the lot. They just came off a home and home with VT which is admirable, but these games are a joke

[DaddyBigBucks]

Originally Posted by Gatorubet

SportingNews.com - Your expert source for NCAA Football stats, scores, standings, and blogs from NCAA Football columnists

Five teams moving ahead and five in reverse


Five in drive

Ohio State. We heard the same thing last year: The team has never been in better shape, never been more focused -- despite a championship game meltdown. It helps that super quarterback recruit Terrelle Pryor will give the offense a Tebow-like jolt in the fall -- and loosen up what could be a tight atmosphere.

Jeeze. They can't seem to give you a compliment without a backhand.

Good find.

The same list had this to say about the Illini:

Originally Posted by TSN

Illinois: The story is that dynamic quarterback Juice Williams struggled this spring. The reality is that Illinois is going to be scary good on defense with an influx of developing young players. No team in the Big Ten will have a better front four or secondary, and if young linebackers Martez Wilson and Ian Thomas learn quickly, Illinois won't be far from another significant jump.

Hey TSN, Malcolm Jenkins and 4 or 5 of his friends would like a word with you. That sentence is just ESPNish.

[Jaxbuck]

Just a quick word on all the hype for the Illini(above linked preview story).

They just lost 10-6 last year @ freakin Iowa. They are coached by Zook. They have a human TO machine at QB and at backup QB. Young talent aside they just graduated the heart and soul of their defense, while their most consistently effective offensive player now calls Pittsburgh home.

Just like UF when Zook coached there, Illinois will have a lot of talent and lose games they shouldn't because of stupid turnovers, penalties and coaching decisions.

Unfortunately, once a year they will forget who they are for 4 hours and beat someone they have no business beating.

That is all they are and all they will ever be.

[3074326]

Originally Posted by mross34

I didn't see what was written, at least in this case, as negative. They put us in the category of teams that will be improved. The fact that we've been highly touted and come up short the last two years needed to be addressed for all the Buckeye haters. He's not saying it's going to happen again.

Sorry for a slightly late reply..

I felt and still feel that the little piece has a negative tone to it. "We heard the same things last year" certainly isn't a compliment, especially considering that they said we had a meltdown. If they anything like all the other media outside Columbus, they expect the same thing to happen.

Not positive in my opinion, but I could just be reading into it too much. Still, I think my comments are valid for many of the people who obviously bash OSU daily. Probably a bit too heated in this situation, though.

[Gatorubet]

Originally Posted by Jaxbuck

Just a quick word on all the hype for the Illini(above linked preview story).

They just lost 10-6 last year @ freakin Iowa. They are coached by Zook. They have a human TO machine at QB and at backup QB. Young talent aside they just graduated the heart and soul of their defense, while their most consistently effective offensive player now calls Pittsburgh home.

Just like UF when Zook coached there, Illinois will have a lot of talent and lose games they shouldn't because of stupid turnovers, penalties and coaching decisions.

Unfortunately, once a year they will forget who they are for 4 hours and beat someone they have no business beating.

That is all they are and all they will ever be.

Jax just distilled essence of Zook. He is a good fit at Illinois for the reasons you said. Will compete with good teams, win some he shouldn't, and come up short every year. But he won't get blown out much, so he will be an improvement.

[TheIronColonel]

Originally Posted by Gatorubet

But he won't get blown out much, so he will be an improvement.

Unless, of course, they play USC and get thoroughly humbled.

[Jaxbuck]

Originally Posted by TheIronColonel

Unless, of course, they play USC and get thoroughly humbled.

They were in that game well into the 3rd quarter. Classic example of Juice Williams remembering who he was and killing them.

To be fair, and restate the obvious, our defensive scheme has helped Leak and Williams with their forgetting of who they are in the two games we faced them. You can't sit back in a soft zone and let them get some rythm and confidence. Force the action and they will both make the mistakes you need for victory.

[Steve19]

I'm surprised about these comments about their defense. USC's offense chewed them up for more than 600 yards and they were flattered when the offense scored early in the third quarter to make it 21-10 and then raced down the field again before the turnover and the open door to the rout.

I think this year, we will be ready for these guys and that we will score more than 40 points on them. I like 42-7 for an outrageously early call.

[TheIronColonel]

Stewart Mandel: Georgia exits spring practice as No. 1 - Stewart Mandel - SI.com

Mandel's spring exit poll. As follows:

1 Georgia
2 Ohio State
3 USC
4 Missouri
5 LSU
6 Oklahoma
7 Florida
8 Texas Tech
9 Auburn
10 Wisconsin