Game Thread Ohio State 3, Southern Cal 35 (Sept. 13)

[BuckeyeTillIDie]

1) Cowherd never said what happens to USC in the media IF they get slaughtered. (I'm sure the carte blanche will be extended for time immemorial).

If OSU wins the excuse will be that USC "hasn't gelled yet" and "lacks experience due to (X) players going in the draft last year. Basically, there will be a laundry list of protective excuses for USC should they lose.

 

[sandgk]

If OSU wins the excuse will be that USC "hasn't gelled yet" and "lacks experience due to (X) players going in the draft last year. Basically, there will be a laundry list of protective excuses for USC should they lose.

You forgot the old standby - Pete Carroll was having a bad hair day

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

If OSU wins the excuse will be that USC "hasn't gelled yet" and "lacks experience due to (X) players going in the draft last year. Basically, there will be a laundry list of protective excuses for USC should they lose.

I agree with the point you're making. On the other hand, we need to accept that those who will be reciting that "laundry list" will have a point.

The truth is, we are catching USC at a good time. Early in the year, they will be as inexperienced in key areas as they've been in a few years. We can call it "excuse making" if we want. To a certain extent, it is "excuse making" to say such things.

But there is also a certain legitimacy to putting this win, if we get it, into perspective. Yes, it will be huge. Yes, it will be over a very good team. It will be USC's 2nd OOC loss in what, 5 years? We don't need to make it any bigger by downplaying the opponent's lack of experience. I understand that you aren't doing that; but others commenting on this subject have done exactly that.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

I agree with the point you're making. On the other hand, we need to accept that those who will be reciting that "laundry list" will have a point.

The truth is, we are catching USC at a good time. Early in the year, they will be as inexperienced in key areas as they've been in a few years. We can call it "excuse making" if we want. To a certain extent, it is "excuse making" to say such things.

But there is also a certain legitimacy to putting this win, if we get it, into perspective. Yes, it will be huge. Yes, it will be over a very good team. It will be USC's 2nd OOC loss in what, 5 years? We don't need to make it any bigger by downplaying the opponent's lack of experience. I understand that you aren't doing that; but others commenting on this subject have done exactly that.

It's just ironic that the same people giving them the benefit of the doubt haven't let anything slide with us. No one cared to mention we had to replace 9 starters on defense and 2 1st round draft picks on offense in '06 after the Florida loss and everyone seemed to suddenly forget we were replacing just about every key player on offense and half our defense last year, after the LSU game. It seems we're the only team in the country that isn't allowed to show any weaknesses. Part of that is flattering because it means people have such high expectations for us but it's also a curse because when we don't meet those expectations we get unfairly punished. And unfortunately, the media has way too much influence on the game.

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

It's just ironic that the same people giving them the benefit of the doubt haven't let anything slide with us. No one cared to mention we had to replace 9 starters on defense and 2 1st round draft picks on offense in '06 after the Florida loss and everyone seemed to suddenly forget we were replacing just about every key player on offense and half our defense last year, after the LSU game. It seems we're the only team in the country that isn't allowed to show any weaknesses. Part of that is flattering because it means people have such high expectations for us but it's also a curse because when we don't meet those expectations we get unfairly punished. And unfortunately, the media has way too much influence on the game.

Agreed on all points.

In fact, it was in thinking about our own inexperienced team going up against a more seasoned (and stronger) team last January that I composed my post.

While others may apply a different standard to us than to USC, let's be careful that we don't do the same thing but in the other direction. Let's acknowledge that our opponent has more holes to fill than we do. It's OK. We can be fair, even when "they" are not. We're Ohio State. Being held to a higher standard is part of the territory, regardless if it is a blessing or a curse.

 

[generaladm]

Link to 11W's early look at the game:

Eleven Warriors ? How Good is Good Enough?

 

[Football_Junky]

Agreed!

That is a very good point, a bunch of them actually. I never really looked at the game that way but I see your point.

 

[buckeyemania11]

It's just ironic that the same people giving them the benefit of the doubt haven't let anything slide with us

its been the same thing with USC and media every year the past Few seasons

highly ranked preseason, media rambles on about how they are "loaded with talent" and how their bench players could start for most other schools

they lose to a Stanford or Oregon State and it is a "fluke"

and every year at the end of the season we have to hear about how USC is "the best team right now" even though they did not get it done earlier in the season against subpar competition

and then the media goes on about how to "watch out fo them next year, they will be better!"

 

[muffler dragon]

Agreed on all points.

In fact, it was in thinking about our own inexperienced team going up against a more seasoned (and stronger) team last January that I composed my post.

While others may apply a different standard to us than to USC, let's be careful that we don't do the same thing but in the other direction. Let's acknowledge that our opponent has more holes to fill than we do. It's OK. We can be fair, even when "they" are not. We're Ohio State. Being held to a higher standard is part of the territory, regardless if it is a blessing or a curse.

DBB:

I agree that WE can do the emboldened; however, I'm not seeing a whole lot of that from the media pundits. Case in point: Cowherd said that there will be 15 NFL pros on the defense in the game. Nine from USC and 6 from OSU. He did say that the Offensive line for USC is inexperienced; however, there was no statement throughout his entire discussion that there is really any weakness to the USC team. In truth, he didn't say that tOSU had any glaring weaknesses either; however, the inundation of "recent history" IS playing a huge role. The transitory effect plays a role when people think of tOSU; however, USC doesn't get much of that if at all.

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

DBB:

I agree that WE can do the emboldened; however, I'm not seeing a whole lot of that from the media pundits. Case in point: Cowherd said that there will be 15 NFL pros on the defense in the game. Nine from USC and 6 from OSU. He did say that the Offensive line for USC is inexperienced; however, there was no statement throughout his entire discussion that there is really any weakness to the USC team. In truth, he didn't say that tOSU had any glaring weaknesses either; however, the inundation of "recent history" IS playing a huge role. The transitory effect plays a role when people think of tOSU; however, USC doesn't get much of that if at all.

For every reason you mention, look for Cowherd to totally blow it out of proportion if we win the game by 7 points or more. He will make it look like the biggest sports accomplishment of all time by the time he's done flapping his lips. Don't let his own recent history fool you, he's talked up the Buckeyes and he will do it again. Overstating his case is his stock in trade. In overstating the case for the Trojans, he is setting the table for totally overblowing what the Buckeyes accomplish on September 13th.

Don't get me wrong; I've said before and I'll say again that it will be a huge win. But Colin "how-does-this-asshat-have-a-syndicated-show" Cowherd will make it into something it isn't, both before and after.

 

[muffler dragon]

For every reason you mention, look for Cowherd to totally blow it out of proportion if we win the game by 7 points or more. He will make it look like the biggest sports accomplishment of all time by the time he's done flapping his lips. Don't let his own recent history fool you, he's talked up the Buckeyes and he will do it again. Overstating his case is his stock in trade. In overstating the case for the Trojans, he is setting the table for totally overblowing what the Buckeyes accomplish on September 13th.

Don't get me wrong; I've said before and I'll say again that it will be a huge win. But Colin "how-does-this-asshat-have-a-syndicated-show" Cowherd will make it into something it isn't, both before and after.

That is true. Thanks for reminding me.

 

[alpo]

its been the same thing with USC and media every year the past Few seasons

highly ranked preseason, media rambles on about how they are "loaded with talent" and how their bench players could start for most other schools

they lose to a Stanford or Oregon State and it is a "fluke"

and every year at the end of the season we have to hear about how USC is "the best team right now" even though they did not get it done earlier in the season against subpar competition

and then the media goes on about how to "watch out fo them next year, they will be better!"

I'm in this choir to whit you preach! Couldn't agree more...and I'm sick to death of it!

 

[generaladm]

The media love affair with USC has been going on for most of PC's tenure, they did give them a NC they didn't earn. The disparity between the media's attitude between USC and OSU is quite glaring. Look at last year, OSU was slighted all year because of an atypically weak Big Ten schedule, often described as "charmin soft". USC had a much weaker slate last year and got a free pass for losing 2 games. In the last 3 years, USC's marquee OOC opponent (other than the 1 good game ND gave them) was Arkansas, who was 14-11 over the two seasons they played. The criticism of playing a weak schedule in a weak conference applies much more to USC than OSU. As far as Cowherd talking up the Buckeyes, I certainly have never heard it. I used to catch his show frequently when I drove to work, and he had nothing but vitriol for the program and the fans.

 

[BUCKYLE]

As far as Cowherd talking up the Buckeyes, I certainly have never heard it. I used to catch his show frequently when I drove to work, and he had nothing but vitriol for the program and the fans.

Before the '05 Tejas game, he said "tOSU is going to beat Texas like a drum!"

 

[generaladm]

Okay, so Cowherd is a hack and a jinx!