Paul Daugherty: OS-Boo

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

OS-Boo

They lost composure, they didnt tackle, they didnt block. Todd Boeckmann had the sort of game the critics said he would. The Buckeyes were so hyped for this game, the first time something went wrong, they couldnt handle it. Every criticism leveled at them the past 12 months remains in play: Weak schedule, inferior conference, slow. All the usual suspects. All hail the smug SEC. Lots of crow chewed last night, mine included. Give it to me tonight on the radio. I deserve it.

Surprising that a Sweater Vest-coached team would get hit with 3 conduct penalties in 1 quarter and that players would lose their minds once they got behind. LSU, on the other hand, was accustomed to coming back this year, from deficits and injuries, and played like a champion.

Les Miles is a bit of wack-job, and you know he or his reps talked extensively with Michigan, denials aside. But the man is 3-0 in bowls at LSU, outscoring opponents, 119-41 in the process. Another long offseason for the Bucks, who for the 2nd straight year reinforced every stereotype about Big 10 football.

Maybe Sweater Vest should change the training facility combination to 3824.

Live Big, Billy Cannon.

33 Comments:

at 9:03 AM

Unknown said...

You know, I thought they had a chance after they were able to roll past Youngstown State and Akron this season. Now we have to hear it from the SEC folks for another year.

at 9:04 AM

Anonymous said...

How about the terrible roughing penalty? That in all killed the game. I never liked Boeckman, anyways. In a way, I'm glad they lost- but in another, I hate that they did because for the next year we're going to here "all hail the mighty SEC."

Oh, BTW- how is Florida STILL 13th? Michigan beat them, but is ranked behind them? The only four loss team I see still up there. Does the AP have stock in Tebow or what? UC only moves up 3 spots. Glad they are in the top 20, but just disappointed I guess.

at 9:04 AM

Anonymous said...

I thought s-vest had plotted some offensive creativity when he moved Henton up to #2 QB, thinking his style and speed would open things up.

S-vest could have used him in the second quarter. Or even Shoenhoft. Anything would have been better than watching Boeckman stand in and get pounded. He's lucky his right arm is still attached after a couple of those hits.

I'd like to see the stats on "first down yards". LSU dominated there, until the 2nd half when they went on auto-pilot.

Enjoy the night off.

at 9:40 AM

Anonymous said...

Calling for a punt block should have been saved for more desparate times later in the game, much like an onsides kick.

At that point, early in the 2nd half, and only down 14 points, and you just stopped LSU three and out, just take the kick and play.

That penalty was much more fatal for OSU than the dropped TD pass/blocked FG sequence earlier.

at 10:13 AM

Laura said...

Well, that was disheartening. "Preparing myself for a loss" really didn't help anything.

I gotta say, though, that I feel better about this game than I did last year's. Last year, the Buckeyes mustered all of 82 yards of offense - we got almost that in one play with Beanie. There were numerous times where it looked like OSU might come back and make it close. It was stupid mistakes (i.e. dropping a sure-thing TD pass, hitting the punter instead of the ball) and horrible personal fouls (2 drives with 30 yards in penalties???) that killed the Buckeyes. They're young and they played young.

Regardless, no one ever thought they would make it there. I mean, at the beginning of the season, who would have thought Todd Boeckman, who hadn't really played since high school, could lead them to the national championship game? How many teams could lose a Heisman trophy winner and 2 first-round draft picks and come right back to the national championship?

The people who say the Buckeyes should be barred from National Championship games are ludicrous. It's not like they ranked themselves #1 or could have said, "No, thank you - we're not good enough" to a national championship game.

There are some positives. That team played their butts off. They never gave up and showed how strong they can be. Next year, they're even poised to be just as good, if not better than, this year's squad. They're not losing very many seniors (though they could lose some great starters on D, which would hurt). Beanie set himself up to be a Heisman front-runner next year. Brandon Saine looked good.

Though last night I felt like saying the Buckeyes are a tease, I've rethought my position. When I remember that this team was discounted from the beginning, picked to be third in the Big Ten, I have reason to be satisfied with this season. Happy? No. Pleased? Not really. But satisfied? Yeah, I think so.

Congrats on a good season, Ohio State... but please don't do this to me again next year!

at 10:44 AM

Anonymous said...

Hey Paul,

In my mind WVa earned a share of that trophy. What do you think?

Wouldn't you really love to see that game?

at 11:02 AM

Anonymous said...

Are we being serious OSU fans?

Satisfied? Next year is our year?

Fact is OSU should never be allowed to play in a National Title game again until they first beat the SEC champion.

People are right when they say the speed factor wasn't that big of a deal. But the fact LSU was stronger and better coached was a huge factor. How many people going into this game gave the edge to the sweater vest? His players were unprepared emotionally and were not used to playing against good teams. Maybe playing USC next year will fix that.

OSU did lack speed at the WR and DB positions. LSU DB's were able to play man to man the whole game. That set the tone, not to mention a healthy Glenn Dorsey smacking you in the mouth.

Until next year OSU fans, lets go for a 3peat of getting smacked in the mouth by the SEC.

at 11:44 AM

Anonymous said...

Laura no way you are serious. The only reason OSU ended up in this game was b/c the Big 10 had a terrible year. OSU played a cakewalk non-conf schedule and at least 7 teams lost after OSU played their last game. Even if they don't go to the Championship they still lose to USC in the Rose. Saine looked good? What on the wide open play b/c the LSU defenders messed up? I would look good wide open as well. How many teams lose draft picks and go to the Championship. Let me name 3 in the BCS era. Tenn won after Peyton left, USC won after Carson Palmer left and LSU won after Jamarcus Russell left. All of those were drafted number 1 the year before. One last thing, OSU did NOT play their heart out. Personal fouls, special teams mishap, etc. Their heads were not in the game.

at 11:59 AM

Laura said...

I wasn't saying, Oh yeah, forget this year, next year we'll win it. I was numb last night watching that game. They didn't play smart, and there's no excuse for losing a football game like that. But if you had asked me at the beginning of the year if I thought the Buckeyes would finish in the top 5, I would tell you that you were smoking something.

Saying that OSU should never play in another title game is ludicrous and elementary. Yes, they lost badly 2 years in a row. Maybe they shouldn't have been there this year. But if that's the case, you can't blame them - blame the voters.

at 12:38 PM

Anonymous said...

I was so despondent during the game that I was frantically trying to locate my cyanide capsule..

From the highest high to the lowest low, in a mere 3 hours.

Something is very wrong in Columbus...

at 12:55 PM

Laura said...

Arg.

I hate trying to communicate via internet.

I never said they played well as a whole last night. They didn't - defense couldn't tackle. Stupid, stupid penalties - facemask, roughing the kicker, unnecessary roughness. Uncalled for and poor discipline. But playing stupid doesn't mean they didn't play hard. It wasn't smart hard, but after watching last year's team totally give up, yeah, I think they played hard.

Peyton Manning didn't win the Heisman; neither did Jamarcus Russell. I never said other teams haven't lost good players and then won - of course they have. I just don't know too many that lost the vast quantity and quality of last year's players.

For Saine coming off knee surgery and hardly playing this year, yeah, he looked good. Besides, just because he was open doesn't mean he automatically makes the play. Case in point - Brian Robiskie on the dropped TD pass. Austin Spitler on the "blocked punt."

Again, I never said they played a good game. They didn't - they played a young, stupid game. But they played hard, they didn't give up.

Besides, how is it Ohio State's fault that the Big 10 stinks right now, and despite that, the voters vote them #1? People keep saying that, but OSU can't change the rest of the Big 10 or say "No, thanks" to the #1 rating.

at 2:16 PM

Anonymous said...

If OSU wants to beat a SEC team maybe they should schedule Vanderbilt ...

at 2:30 PM

Anonymous said...

Is it true that the SEC is the only conference that accepts partial-qualifiers. If true, does that help explain their dominance?

at 2:56 PM

Anonymous said...

I always enjoy the weak non- conference schedule comments. People forget that OSU just finished a home/home series with Texas and will start them with USC, Miami and Virgina Tech over the next several years.

It was tough to watch them struggle, but Tressel has great recruits (possibly Pryor) coming in. If they get back to the national championship game in the next few years, they'll have earned it. Big Ten is definitely weak, but most of the teams are young.

-Non partisan Ohio resident

at 4:57 PM

Anonymous said...

I am an Ohio State fan and disappointed, mainly because I expect Tressel to out coach Les Miles. The game came down to Boeckman AND most especially every mistake (whether penalty, miscue, etc) by OSU leading to a loss of points or giving points to LSU. I can't remember a football game in recent memory where every mistake was so costly-a bit of bad luck in that regard. LSU played pretty flawlessly so you have to give credit there, though I still don't think they are the best team (and certainly neither is OSU) but they deserved to be in the game.

That being said, us OSU fans do need to put things into perspective, this was a rebuilding year, this team was picked to finish 3rd in the Big 10.

Oh, and it wasn't speed that lost the game (anyone notice 230lb Beanie Wells outrun the All-American safety?). Though I do think our WRs are a bit slower than normal, but that is an anomally, not indicative of OSU (Ginn, Gonzalez, Galloway, Boston, etc).

at 7:05 PM

Anonymous said...

Good Perspective> Nathan, 4:57
Young defense, several killer crucial plays....
I also marvel at Beanie's speed, especially for a big-legged, big-butt, 230 Lb.'r.

Definitely Heisman potential next year IF they can feature him.
Although based on last 2 years Heisman bowl performances (see T. Smith, T. Tebow), Heisman may not be a good thing.

at 7:05 PM

Anonymous said...

To the poster above I'm pretty sure partial qualifiers are determined on a school by school basis. I doubt Vanderbilt accepts partial qualifiers. Also South Florida in the Big East I know accepts them where as Alabama does not. So you are receiving some very false information.

To Laura you’re digging yourself in a hole. Peyton Manning and Jamarcus Russell were 10 times the player the little QB from OSU was or will ever be. Building up stats in an inferior conference means nothing.

OSU is a inferior team in a weak conference. The only hope for the Big 10 is now that Rodriguez is coaching at Michigan it may finally force more Big 10 teams to play fast football.

OSU's only title in the modern era was over a superior Miami team on a phantom passing interference call. Heck I say the game deserves an asterisk because OSU didn't play an SEC team.

I hope OSU does make the final game next year who will the SEC send to beat them next year Georgia, Florida, LSU, or Auburn?

Being a fan of SEC sports is so fun.

at 7:36 PM

Anonymous said...

Nathan,

I just saw a replay of the Beanie Wells TD run. It looks like the referee passes him up on about the 15 yard line.

at 9:24 PM

Laura said...

Ok, "Glen Dorsey...", that's fine, say what you want. I'm still satisfied (not happy, but satisfied) with the season. Not the last game, I hated how it was. It was a bad game, poorly played with a few exceptions.

Bad calls (though whether or not that was a bad call has been debated, not to mention the bad call on OSU on the Miami drive before that) are a part of football. Crying about it 5 years later is sour grapes.

Yes, the Big 10 is not the greatest conference, though the speed argument is worn out and tired. Speed did not kill OSU last night. OSU killed OSU last night. So please don't hand me that. And an asterisk? That's really kinda sad. I forgot the SEC was the only legitimate conference in college football. I guess Texas should have an asterisk too, eh?

at 10:06 PM

Anonymous said...

7:36 >> so the referee outran Beanie??
Beanie outran a stud free safety >>
ergo the Bungles should signup the referee (who'll, BTW, be way too smart to sign here)?

Hey, it's silly season (between football & golf). Cheers.

at 10:37 PM

Anonymous said...

PD
Did you ever play college sports? Have any of the folks in the 18 previous comments to your post, which I glanced through, played college sports? Are all of you extremely happy with what you have accomplished so far in your lives? Do you see yourself seriously making it to the top in your careers? What about you PD? Will you always be a sports writer/blogger? Will any of you ever play or coach a team in a National Championship game? I am sorry Ohio State lost. I did want them to win, but...they were there, two years in a row. I would say that in itself is something to be very proud of. I know the coach and players will always think for the rest of their lives "what if". But it did not happen. I did not attend Ohio State but feel they should be proud of themselves.
I would bet most of you already believe that "The Rocket" used drugs. Roger Clemens did not use steroids or HGH! But...no matter what happens from this day forward most of you will say he did and you have no proof, neither did Mitchell but he put Clemens on the list. He did not even have the decency to speak with him, after what Roger Clemens has done for the past 25 years. This is the problem with so many people...they want too see those who have worked hard take a fall. I have read some other local blogs. A weeks ago there were bloggers who desperately wanted Ohio State to lose. They made silly comments about the coach wearing the sweater vests. PDeven you had to make reference to "a Sweater Vested - coached team".Well has their loss made your life better. Has Roger Clemens being accused of using steroids and HGH improved your lives? Do you feel better about yourselves? What a sorry bunch!
PDtake care...

at 11:49 PM

Anonymous said...

Championship game or not, that was an embarassment to watch last night. There's high school teams that make less stupid mistakes than Ohio State did last night. If Tressel ever wants to win a big bowl game against the SEC (or Illinois, for that matter) he better teach his players how to contain a spread offense.

An absolute disgrace of a game last night, the Buckeyes should be banned from playing in BCS bowls for the next five years thanks to the sloppy performances they've had in the last two. Way to embarass yourselves and the Big Ten, guys.

at 12:01 AM

Anonymous said...

PD, that was silly. We all know it.

How's that go? >> take care?

Just messin'.

BTW PDaug, why not just a 2 letter confirmation, or somethin' simpler? After a few Keystones?

at 7:48 AM

Anonymous said...

Brennaman or partner liked those first down long bombs that Tressel was throwing, saying that was evidence they were loose and going after it.

I didn't. Even from the start.

First drive they were going short pass and run. LSU didn't stop it. Why did they switch??

Their defense defies explanation. They were just as big as LSU, but they got pushed around on the line. LSU found what worked, and then stuck with it.

Is it just me, or is OSU fairly weak at adjusting at halftime?

They might want to consider the addition of a defensive asst with a track record of adjusting.

at 8:22 AM

Anonymous said...

"Brennaman or partner liked those first down long bombs that Tressel was throwing, saying that was evidence they were loose and going after it.

I didn't. Even from the start. "

That is a fair point. OSU went away from the run too early. Just like last year, they panicked when LSU started to score points, and got away from the run. I don't quite understand why, they haven't demonstrate the same tendency in any other gamve I've watched but the past two national championships.

Ban Ohio State from BCS bowl games? They are 4-2 in those games, that is idiocy.

at 9:42 AM

Anonymous said...

Speed does trump strength. Back in the 80's I was covering the 49er's and Montana at the Bengals and had a sideline press pass. My first impression looking down the line was the 49ers didn't look any bigger or stronger than the Bengals. In fact, the Bengals looked bigger and stronger. But every time the ball was snapped, whether it was offense or defense, the 49er linemen were always one step ahead of the Bengals. The receivers and safeties were all faster, too. I couldn't believe how much speed the 49ers had. Of course, Joe and company won the game.

at 10:22 AM

Laura said...

This is my last post in this discussion.

I shouldn't have seemingly made the excuse that it's not OSU's fault they were voted #1. While true, it's a cop-out. It doesn't matter how they got there, they were there. They played without smarts, shot themselves in the foot and beat themselves in a game they should have played more competitively.

Nonetheless, had you asked me at the beginning of the season if I would have been happy with a #5 ranking at the end of the year, I would have unequivocally said yes. You can't win the NC every year. I never dreamed they would make it that far.

So for a team that shot up beyond expectations, that was predicated to finish 3rd in the Big Ten, I say thanks for a surprising season. It was ultimately a huge let-down, and I'm worried about who we're going to lose to the draft and how we'll live up to the higher ranking we're predicted to have to start next season, but I still hope next year will be better. Go Buckeyes!

at 12:03 PM

Anonymous said...

OSU sucks. OSU has always sucked. The Big Ten is crap and the SEC proved that again. I told some lady at applebees at the start of the season that the Big Ten is full of nothing but losers and that the SEC is the best college football conference. man i love being right all the time.

at 2:48 PM

Monclova Steve said...

Laura,
Well, I for one (Maybe the only one!) feel the same way you do.
Most teams would look at OSU's year as a shining moment in their history, not to mention 3 championship games in 6 years!
OK, they didn't win 2 of them. Are we disappointed? Of course. Angry? Not even a little bit. Is there room for criticism? Sure.
It's amazing to me how people brag about their sports teams when they're winning -- as if they themselves had something to do with it; then, after a loss, how they "turn" on those same players with some pretty intense hatred.
This says more about the so-called "fans" than about their teams. Nobody ever makes a mistake from the stands or in front of the TV, but they can sure rip others.

at 3:03 PM

Anonymous said...

I don't think OSU sucks but they are overrated. And OSU can't beat SEC teams in bowl games. OSU is 0-9 in bowl games where an SEC team is the opponent:

2008 38-24 (Lost to LSU)
2007 41-14 (Lost to Florida)
2002 31-28 (Lost to South Carolina)
2001 24-7 (Lost to South Carolina)
1996 20-14 (Lost to Tennessee)
1995 24-17 (Lost to Alabama)
1993 21-14 (Lost to Georgia)
1990 31-14 ((Lost to Auburn)
1978 35-6 (Lost to Alabama)

at 5:59 PM

Anonymous said...

Ill give Les Miles credit, LSU has looked good in its bowl games but 2 of those 3 were in the Superdome. The other one was in the Georgia dome. That is the problem I have with crowning the SEC and bashing the Big Ten, is that the SEC come bowl time has homefield advantage. Could you imagine LSU having to come up and play OSU in a bowl game in Cleveland. Or an SEC team having to travel to Lambeau Field to play Wisconsin or Soldier Field to play Illinois. Yes they are neutral fields but the homefield advantages the SEC often has in bowl games is often underestimated.

at 9:45 PM

Anonymous said...

I'm an Ohioan and follow the Buckeyes but let's face reality. If OSU was in the SEC east and faced Tennessee, Georgia and Florida every year and played a rotating schedule with LSU, Auburn, Alabama & Arkansas in the mix from the west... seriously... what would OSU's record be?

at 11:50 PM

Anonymous said...

Alright, enough already! Sure, OSU didn't play like they wanted to win the game, didn't deserve to be in the game, etc, etc. You people complaining and bit#hing about them losing 2 national title games in a row, and questioning Tressel, and saying something is wrong in Columbus, are the same one that were calling for Cooper's head because he always lost to Michigan (Cooper 2-10-1, Tressel 5-1), and that they never went to a national title game, let alone only 1 Rose Bowl during his tenure! Now, with OSU doing things that they couldn't even do consistently during Woody's time (back to back title games), you want to crucify Tressel and them! Be true fans! I have seen OSU win a national title, UC make a Final Four, the Reds win a World Series. Be happy for what you have seen and been able to appreciate. Quit being greedy and selfish, and think of just how bad those kids that were out there playing for OSU (and our state) felt. Give them the credit for at least being out there representing, not complaining.

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Tuesday, January 08, 2008

OS-Boo

33 Comments: