Ohio State OSU Sports

COLUMBUS: Despite locking up 18 players on Wednesday’s first day for football signings, much of the focus on Ohio State’s recruiting class will be on the ones that got away.

Coach Jim Tressel and his staff picked up two quarterbacks, two running backs, three defensive linemen and several other quality prospects, but everyone will be talking about the loss of several major players from within Ohio’s borders.

The Buckeyes, who usually fatten up on Ohio-bred blue-chippers, signed just nine in-state players. To put that into perspective, Michigan signed 10 players from Ohio.

The top names on the recruiting list were Roderick Smith, a running back out of Fort Wayne, Ind., and wide receiver James Louis out of Delray Beach, Fla.

Darryl Baldwin (DE, Solon HS, Solon, Ohio): Talented pass rusher with all the tools … all-Ohio, first team all-conference … NOC player of the year … team captain … recorded 25 TFL, nine sacks and scored three touchdowns for Coach Jim McQuaide’s 12-1 Comets … Solon won NOC title and advanced to regional finals … Cleveland Plain Dealer defensive player of year … Detroit Free Press Top 20 … Ohio All-Star Classic … also a three-year starter in basketball and track at Solon … honor roll, SADD and CASS mentor … son of Caron Baldwin

Drew Basil (K/P, Chillicothe HS, Chillicothe, Ohio): Versatile specialist who will bolster the kicking game … career long field goal of 47 yards; 13-13 on PAT as a senior … second team all-Ohio for Coach Bill Davidson … SEOAL special teams player of year … team captain for the Cavaliers … four-year starter … also played soccer and bowling at Chillicothe … National Honor Society, Spanish honorary, peer mediation, ping-pong club … son of Elaine and Brad Basil

Corey Brown (WR, Cardinal O’Hara HS, Upper Darby, Pa.): Two-time all-state speedster from Philadelphia … MVP of the Philadelphia Catholic League … three years all-conference, two years all-Delco … career numbers of 3,000 yards rushing, 1,500 yards receiving and 50 touchdowns scored for Coach Dan Algeo … UnderArmour All-America Game … Maxwell Award … Philadelphia Daily News PCL all-decade team … All-America sprinter who holds the Delaware Co. 200m record (21.4) … all-state, all-Delco and all-Catholic League in track … son of Delene Williams

Christian Bryant (DB, Glenville HS, Cleveland, Ohio): All-Ohio defender from Cleveland Glenville … Senate conference offensive player of year for Coach Ted Ginn Sr. playing quarterback, tailback, reciever, kicker and punter … 82 tackles, five interceptions (two for TD) for the 13-2 Tarblooders … Archie Griffin and Blue Chip awards … U.S. Army All-American Bowl … Ohio All-Star Classic … Cleveland Plain Dealer all-star … also ran track … honor roll student … son of Tonya Ellis and Ronnie Bryant

David Durham (LB, Charlotte Christian HS, Charlotte, N.C.): Athletic linebacker who helped Charlotte Christian to the state finals … 86 tackles, 9.5 sacks as a senior for Coach Jason Estep’s Knights … all-district at Westlake (Texas) High as a junior with 64 tackles, five sacks … Aloha Prep Bowl … Charlotte Observer Top 25 … NC-SC Shrine Bowl captain … also an all-state wrestler in Texas … son of Ken and Dani Durham … dad played football for Ole Miss

Taylor Graham (QB, Wheaton North HS, Wheaton, Ill.): Second-generation Buckeye signalcaller … knee injury curtailed his senior campaign for Coach Joe Wardynski’s Falcons … junior season was cut short by an ankle injury after 4 ½ games, passing for 460 yards and six scores … also a baseball and basketball letterman … National Honor Society … son of Kent and Courtney Graham … dad played quarterback for Ohio State (1990-91) and 11 seasons in pro football

Chad Hagan (DB, Canon-McMillan HS, Canonsburg, Pa.): Safety prospect from western Pennsylvania … second team all-state for Coach Guy Montecalvo’s Big Macs … first team all-Great Southern conference … Washington Observer-Reporter Elite 11 … East-West all-star game … also an all-conference basketball player … track letterman … son of Crystal Hagan

Johnathan Hankins (DL, Southeastern HS, Dearborn Heights, Mich.): Outstanding defensive tackle prospect … two-time all-state selection for Coach Donshell English’s 11-1 division champions … 85 tackles, 12 sacks as a senior … all-Detroit city, all-metro, Michigan Blue Chip playing on both sides of the football … four-year starter … Cityballers.com player of the year … also a shot putter … Drama Club … son of Louise and James Ward

Carlos Hyde (RB, Naples HS/Fork Union MA, Naples, Fla.): Power running back who shows lateral dexterity … spent autumn 2009 at Fork Union Military Academy playing for Coach John Shuman … rushed for 1,653 yards, 16 touchdowns as a senior for Coach Bill Kramer at Naples (Fla.) High … Naples Daily News Broxson Award as player of the year … Ft. Myers News-Press Southwest Florida player of the year … Golden Eagles were 2007 state champions and 2008 regional finalists … Super Prep Florida Top 75 … a basketball and track standout … mentor to elementary school students … son of Dermidra Hyde and Carlos Britton … enrolled at OSU in January

James Louis (WR, Atlantic HS, Delray Beach, Fla.): Speedy all-state receiver from Florida … accounted for 38 catches, 682 yards, 10 TD as a senior for Coach Andre Thaddies … two-time all-area … posted 56 receptions, 1,100 yards, 12 TD as a junior … three-year starter … UnderArmour All-America Game … Palm Beach Post Super 11 … also a track letterman … son of Vivianne Louis and Arnaut St. Fleur

Scott McVey (LB, St. Ignatius HS, Lyndhurst, Ohio): Hard-hitting linebacker from Cleveland St. Ignatius … all-state as a junior and senior for Coach Chuck Kyle … all-Northeast Lakes district … Cleveland Plain Dealer 2008 defensive player of year, recording 144 tackles, 18 sacks, 44 TFL, two interceptions … nominated for both Ohio all-star games … also runs the 110m high hurdles for the Wildcats … Latin and service clubs … son of Dave and Gina McVey

J.T. Moore (DE, Boardman HS, Boardman, Ohio): Defender who totaled 110 tackles, seven sacks, nine TFL as a senior … first team all-Ohio for Coach D.J. Ogilvie … all-Northeast Ohio and all-Federal League … Youngstown Big 22 team … three-year starter … Five Blocks of Granite award … nominated for Ohio All-Star Classic and Big 33 game … also a basketball letterman … honor roll student … son of Claudette and Darryl Moore

Andrew Norwell (OL, Anderson HS, Cincinnati, Ohio): All-Ohio lineman from Cincinnati Anderson … helped Coach Jeff Geisting’s Redskins to two state title games … senior season cut short by a leg injury … first team all-state, all-Southwest, all-FAVC conference … his teams had a three-year record of 37-6 … U.S. Army All-American Bowl nominee … also a basketball letterman … son of Julia and Ivar Norwell … brother Chris played at Illinois

Verlon Reed (ATH, Marion-Franklin HS, Columbus, Ohio): Versatile athlete who played quarterback, defensive back and receiver in Columbus City League … three-year starter for Coach Brian Haffele’s Red Devils … all-city, all-district, all-metro, all-state … passed for 1,714 yards, 18 touchdowns, rushed for 1,658 yards as a senior, helping team to state semifinal … 23-6 as a starter … four City League titles … basketball and track standout … son of Charlestina Roseboro and Verlon Reed Sr.

Bradley Roby (DB, Peachtree Ridge HS, Suwanee, Ga.): Cornerback prospect who earned all-state recognition as a DB, WR and athlete … all-region, all-Gwinnett County … 42 tackles, six interceptions, 29 catches for 526 yards as a senior … Gwinnett TD Club defensive player of year … scored 11 touchdowns for Coach Bill Ballard’s state quarterfinal club: five on receptions, two on punt returns and one each on a kick return, a rush, an interception and a fumble recovery … team captain … Atlanta TD Club Iron Man award … also a track and basketball standout … four-time scholar-athlete … DECA club, Ideals leadership … son of Betty and James Roby

Rod Smith (RB, Paul Harding HS, Fort Wayne, Ind.): Powerful tailback who totaled 1,000 career carries … player of the year as a senior for Coach Sherwood Haydock, rushing for 1,855 yards, 19 scores … SAC conference career rushing leader with 6,625 yards, 66 career touchdowns (eighth-best in Indiana prep history) … all-conference basketball standout … ran first leg of state runner-up 4×100 relay … son of Sophia and Roger Smith

Jamel Turner (DE, Fork Union MA, Youngstown, Ohio): Determined defender who spent his senior season at Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy … 66 tackles, two interceptions as a senior at FUMA, playing for Coach Mickey Sullivan … Virginia all-prep league team … recorded 23 sacks as a sophomore and 18 as a junior at Youngstown Ursuline … 2008 Ohio Division V state champions … also a track and basketball standout at Ursuline … son of Rachella Pendlton

T.Y. Williams (WR, Shaw HS, East Cleveland, Ohio): Tall, athletic receiver from Cleveland … 39 catches for 685 yards and 14 scores as a senior … second team all-state for Coach Rodney Brown’s Lake Erie League-champion Cardinals … all-Lake Erie League and all-district … junior season cut short by knee injury … also a basketball and track letterman … son of Vorise Williams and Tyrone Banks

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The Rose Bowl may not literally be ‘The Grandaddy of Them All’ anymore, but it’s a welcome bid for both Oregon and Ohio State.  It’s been over a decade since either team sniffed the roses.   The Buckeyes appeared to be in somewhat of a rebuilding year with big losses to the NFL and a young team coming back.  Oregon might have expected the worst after an embarassing opener at Boise St.  The last time the Ducks were in the Rose Bowl was ‘95…  OSU, ‘97.  This year the Buckeyes punched their ticket in an overtime game versus the Iowa Hawkeyes.  Oregon gained their invitation by winning the Civil War against rival Oregon State.  That’s right, this years Rose Bowl features the Bucks versus the Ducks.

These teams have many similiarities.   Both are 10-2.  Both are led by dynamic quarterbacks.  Oregon’s Jeremiah Masoli finished the regular season with 2,066 yards passing and another 659 on the ground.  His counterpart, Terrelle Pryor, finished with 1828 through the air and 707 on the ground.  Each team has two effective rushers.  The Ducks feature a speedy and dangerous LaMichael James, and the much maligned Senior, LaGarrette Blount.  The Buckeyes’ Boom Herron and Brandon Saine combined for 1,252 yards.  The teams shared two common opponents, USC and Purdue.  Oregon beat Purdue in Eugene 38-36.  Ohio State lost to Purdue in Lafayette 28-16.  Ohio State lost at home to USC 18-15, but Oregon smashed the Trojans 47-20 at Autzen Stadium.  The early money line is Oregon-3.5.

Something has to give.  Oregon is averaging a whopping 37.67 points-per-game – while Ohio State is only surrendering 12.17.  LaMichael James is averaging 7 yards a carry.  Ohio State has only given up 4 rushes of 9 yards or more all season.  The Buckeyes went 37 straight quarters without allowing a 9 yard rush(must be some kind of record)!  James broke one for at least 17+ in every game.

More Back and Forth:
Ohio State’s rush defense is among the best in the country…  the front line…  may actually be the best.

Oregon’s LaMichael James is easily the fastest and most dynamic back that OSU has seen all year.

Take out the opener against Boise and Oregon is averaging over 40 points a game.

Ohio State’s defense isn’t just the best in the BigTen – it’s easily the best defense the Ducks will have faced all season.

Jeremiah Masoli is the most dynamic qb the Bucks have faced all season.

THe Buckeyes face Pryor everyday in practice, and he and Frosh Kenny Guiton are perfect Masoli clones for preparation.

Ohio State didn’t fare well against Navy – the last option heavy team they faced.

The Buckeyes led the country in takeaways with 33.

Oregon wasn’t far behind with 24.

Oregon has a clear speed advantage.

Ohio State has a clear size advantage.

Oregon has been a scoring juggernaut since mustering just 6 points and 152 total yards in their opener against Boise St.  However, the Ducks will be facing a fully loaded defense.  When Ohio State DT Dexter Larimore went down; Ohio State went back to the ‘bend don’t break’ philosophy.  The key hole plugger on the sidelines – teams were able to move the ball against Ohio State.  Larimore is back, and could have a huge impact on this football game.  The 6′1″ 305lb junior takes away the dive, and creates pressure up the middle.

Coach Tressel needs to open up the playbook.  He needs to run clock and control the time of possession because  he can’t afford too many three-and-outs with the usual vanilla offensive play-calls.  Oregon is going to load the box.  They have to.  The Ducks simply do not have the size on the defensive line to stop Ohio State’s own running game – unless they load the box.  It’s going to happen.  Ohio State needs to come out with guns blazing.  Pryor running, Pryor throwing, and who knows, maybe pryor receiving?  The idea sounds ludicris, but Texas sure was surprised to see Pryor split out and Boeckman behind center in the FIesta Bowl. Bauserman is no Boeckman though – so don’t expect to see him.  You could, however, see Boom Herron in the wildcat.  Basically, Ohio State needs to do what they haven’t been able to do all year – be effective on offense….  unpredictable.  Write this down.  If Ohio State puts together just 2 or 3 long drives for touchdowns – this game is over.  If the offense sputters with repetitive three-and-outs…  Oregon could blow this team out.  Oregon is going to get their points.  Even if Ohio State plays lights-out on defense – this group of ugly ducklings(hey don’t blame me for the uniforms) will score.  The results are entirely predicated on the effectiveness of Terrelle Pryor and the Ohio State offense.

Enough with what I want to happen…  and enough with what should happen.  Here’s what’s likely to happen.  Ohio State and Jim Tressel are going to try to run it down Oregon’s throats.  This may or may not work.  On one hand – Oregon will load the box.  On the other hand – this is an underrated Ohio State offensive line, especially in terms of run-blocking, and they’ll be healthier than they have been all year.  Before all the injuries and flu issues hit the OL – the OL was playing fantastic.  I’ve been reading a lot of the normal, now almost expected criticism’s from the Buckeye faithful about how the OL still stinks.  Fortunately, most of those in-house detractors are just repeating complaints of years’ past, and not paying much attention to how the unit actually performed throughout the season.  Early, the Ohio State OL only gave up 5 sacks in the first 4 games.  Late, the OL paved the way for no less than 228rushyards a game over the last three games.  Two of those games were against strong defenses, Iowa and Penn State, which makes me wonder if Oregon will be able to stop Ohio State’s running game, even if they load the box.  When Sophmore Mike Adams and Junior Justin Boren are healthy and playing every down – Ohio State’s offensive line is dangerous.

Turnovers and Special Teams could be the difference.  I’d give the turnover edge to Ohio State, and the special teams edge to Oregon.

My Prediction:
Ohio State 30 Oregon 24

With key cogs back from injury – Ohio State will beat the Ducks.  While Oregon’s offense is fast and explosive – it’s hard to imagine that they’ll break off huge chunks of yardage against a team that hasn’t given them up all season.  Masoli won’t be running anybody over, and Oregon isn NOT going throw up a 40 spot.

Whatever the result – this will be a fantastic game….  strength on strength….  weakness on weakness.  My guess is that Oregon’s D will make Pryor and Co. look good, and that Oregon’s Offense will make Ohio State’s D look vulnerable.  That’s why I see a close game.

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Ohio State beat Michigan 21-10 in Ann Arbor Saturday.  It was the sixth straight victory over their northern rival, and Tressel’s eighth in his 9 year tenure.

The Buckeyes controlled the game with 251 yards rushing, and by being the recipient of 4 Tate Forcier interceptions.

The trip to the Rose Bowl was practically sealed a week earlier, but nothing is sweeter than another victory over the Wolverines.  The Seniors leave with 4 pairs of Gold Pants – awarded to every player who has beaten Michigan since 1934.  The Buckeyes’ Rose Bowl opponent will be decided on Dec.3rd when Oregon meets Oregon St. in the ‘Civil War’ at Autzen Stadium.  Oregon kept their Rose Bowl dreams alive with a breathtaking 44-41 double-overtime victory @ Arizona.  The two teams have a mutual foe.  Purdue lost 38-36 in Eugene, but beat Ohio State in West Lafayette, 26-18.  Oregon State has won 6 of their last 7, and is led by a solid signal-caller in Sean Canfield.

The 2009 Buckeyes have been all about the defense.  The defense held every opponent under 370 yards, and led the country in takeaways, and in 3 and outs.  Terrelle Pryor was asked to do nothing more than hold onto the football for the last 5 games.  The defense did the rest.  It wasn’t pretty, but it sure was productive.  Ohio State will play in their 8th BCS bowl game – that’s more than any other school since the BCS’ conception.  Jim Tressel has been on the receiving-end of much scutiny(guilty), but his record cannot be denied.

Buckeye fans are the prognosticators of prognosticators(Xmas Vacation) – so let’s look ahead.

This is Ohio State’s best opportunity to win a Bowl in years.  Whether it be Oregon or Oregon St. – It’s no Fla, Texas, or LSU of years past.  I figure the Ohio State defense will be a tough assignment for either team from the Oregon Territory.

Looking ahead even further – 2010 looks like a fantastic time to be a Buckeye fan.  Let me think.  WHo do we lose?  RT Jim Cordle is gone.  TE Jake Ballard is gone.  Ray Small is gone.  SS Kurt Coleman is gone.  DT Todd Denlinger is gone.  Austin Spitler is gone.  That’s about it.  I figure Cam Heyward is a first round pick, but Cam has already stated that he intends to return for his senior campaign.  I think the only early departure will be Thadeous Gibson – as Gibson has probably already reached his ceiling in the draft as a future NFL OLB.   The 2010 Buckeyes will likely be pre-season top 5, and should be a National Title contender with a favorable schedule where their two toughest games(Miami,Fla and PSU) are at home in ‘the shoe’.  The Bucks will return 6 of their top 8 OL, 6 of their top 9 defensive lineman, 4 of their top 5 defensive backs, their top 3 quarterbacks, their top 4 runnings backs, and 5 of their top 6 Wr’s.  If Ohio State could add one more 5 star DT(Seantrel Henderson please oh please) – this could be the best team in the country in 2010.  I already believe that Ohio State is a National Title contender for next season, but adding the #1 overall recruit in the country in a position of need – would be huge.

Let’s sit back and enjoy the rest of the college football season!  It will be gone before you know it.

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BAGHDAD – Soldiers from the 16th Engineer Brigade practice their “trash talk” at Camp Liberty, Nov. 16, in preparation for one of the biggest night of the year in college football: the University of Michigan v. The Ohio State University. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Aaron Testa, 16th Eng. Bde.)

BAGHDAD–For more than 100 years, a hotly contested rivalry that boils over to an all out war occurs on a Saturday afternoon each November.

This war is not between religious factions or countries, but between two college football teams – the University of Michigan Wolverines and The Ohio State University Buckeyes.

The rivalry is deeply rooted in both teams’ history. Since 1935, the Ohio State vs. Michigan match-up has decided the Big Ten Conference championship 23 times. The game has also had implications on determining the conference 24 times.

This year, that rivalry spills over in Baghdad for Soldiers of the 16th Engineer Brigade, encompassing both the Ohio Army National Guard’s 1192nd Engineer Company and the Michigan Army National Guard’s 1434th Engineer Company. For these troops, the game has a special meaning.

The companies work closely together, serving under the same battalion – the 101st Engineer Battalion, co-located in the same building and working many projects together. However, on Nov. 21, all the teamwork and camaraderie the two units have built will be set aside.

As the old rivals prepare to square off on the football field, the trash talk on a faraway base begins.

[click to continue…]

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How time flies. Only 3 months months ago we were making predictions and talking about this football team with the excitement of a kid in a candy store. Living with National Championship expectations each year is a futile and fruitless state of being, but that doesn’t mean the fans are disappointed with this years Ohio State Buckeyes. At least, not with the players.

Jim Tressel has fantastic numbers. He has won over 81% of his games at Ohio State. He’s 3-3 in BCS games. Just the mere fact that he’s about to go to his 7th BCS bowl game in 9 seasons makes it sound ridiculous when you try to criticize his coaching style. That said, Jim Tressel is not a good play-caller. A good coach? Sure. A good recruiter? Sure. A good man? Positively. His conservative style mirrors coaches from years past(Woody’s’ three yards and a cloud of dust). Now, that style of play-calling is costing Ohio State wins, and leaving them ill prepared against elite competition. While Ohio State finds themselves back in the Rose Bowl for the first time in over a decade – it’s becoming painfully obvious that Jim Tressel’s coaching style hurts in big games. It doesn’t even have to be a big game; a close game will suffice.

When Tressel gets a lead he plays ‘run-out-the-clock’. Now, every coach does this, but not to the painfully obvious and conservative degree of Jim Tressel. This approach inevitably leads to a three and out. Most of the time(in these circumstances) the team goes backwards. The result is the opposite of what you want. Time killing drives under Jim Tressel ultimately die like leaves in the fall. Case and point Saturday night when Ohio State goes to overtime. Forget the fact that the conservative play calling is what sent the game to overtime to begin with. Maybe if we decide to MOVE THE BALL McNutt doesn’t even get an opportunity to tie the game. So Iowa goes backwards and all we need is a FG in overtime to win. We have a walk-on 26 year-old kicker who started the season as a third stringer, and Tressel decides that he DOESN’T NEED to get any closer. Forget the fact that he was just 2 of 4 on FG’s in his career. He calls three vanilla runs right up the middle and gains NOTHING. He hit the FG. There’s no denying that. Ohio State crept back into the top ten. The team salvaged the top spot in a conference struggling for National recognition. I’m not even going to get into how the not-so-fan-friendly style of play is adding to that struggling reputation, but any fan that denies how this conservative approach is having a negative effect on this teams’ production and National perception, IS IGNORANT.

It’s frustrating. It’s Michigan week. We’re going to the Rose Bowl. I love Buckeye Football. We should not be sitting here talking(or reading) about Jim Tressel’s coaching style. We should be enjoying the moment.

Tressel isn’t playing to win(though he would deny that, emphatically) – he’s playing NOT TO LOSE. He reminds the media about how young this team is…. he talks about the mistakes(which have been there)…. he talks about the competition..execution…. anything not to acknowledge his shortcomings. Ohio State should be undefeated! There, I said it. I’m not saying it like the obsessive Ohio State fan that expects them to go undefeated every year – I’m saying it because it’s a fact. Ohio State was better than every team they played this season. As much talent as USC, and better starting units on both sides of the ball compared to every team they played. We led Navy 29-14, and played NOT TO LOSE just enough to win 31-27. We led USC 15-10 and played NOT TO LOSE and lost 18-15. We led Purdue 7-3 despite Terrelle Pryor only going 3 for 9 in the first half without attempting a single pass down-field, PLAYED NOT TO LOSE, and fell 26-18. In the last three years Jim Tressel is 3 and 5 in games decided by 8 points or less. In that same time frame he’s 1 and 4 against top ten competition. The first win coming last Saturday.

Ray Small(ironically) and the Ohio State defense have saved Jim Tressel from what seems to be an inevitable media onslaught. He’s been under a small flame, but I’m not sure that Jim realizes how close he is to ‘fanbase and media disaster’…a literal meltdown. The problem is that these strengths would still be there if Jim called a more aggressive game on offense. In an era where style points and marketability have become more important than ever – Jim Tressel is a dying breed with a philosophy that will only hold this team back. It is up to him to change. It is up to him to bite the bullet and hire an offensive coordinator that will better prepare this team against tough competition, and help them in close ballgames. If he doesn’t – we’ll still win BigTen Championships, we’ll still play in BCS bowl games, we’ll still follow the team as fans, but if he doesn’t change this before next season – Ohio State fans will simply relive the disappointments in big games. Let’s not waste the biggest gathering of Ohio State talent since ‘02/’03. It’s like a called third strike in baseball. If you are going to go down – go down swinging.

It’s not just the fans and the media that are growing frustrated with his conservative play-calling. Anybody notice Terrelle Pryor in the 3rd Quarter against Iowa. Ohio State had rushed 27 times for 120 yards(4.45/to that point)) and was left with a 4rth down and ONE FOOT from their own 30 yard line. Everyone knew what was going to happen. That’s how bad it’s become. We can tell you what we’re going to do offensively as fans. How difficult do you think it is for the competition to figure out what you’re going to do when there’s 105,000 people in the stands that know what you’re going to do? Not very! Pryor begged for Tressel to go for it. Hiding behind a vail of ‘coach knows best’ – Tressel decided to ignore the pleas of his signal caller and do what Jim does best, play it safe. Of course the decision didn’t ignite a fire under the players butts.  And we wonder why this team has under-performed in big games. We wonder why they lack the confidence to attack when the pressure is on. Their simply a direct reflection of their coach. Do just enough to win…. just enough to keep the lead… just enough to not take a risk… and all-to-often in big games, not enough to win. You can’t tell a marathon runner to become a sprint champion. You can’t tell a abused dog to not cower at the site of a raised hand. When the time comes for aggressiveness and big plays on offense – will Jim Tressel’s team be ready? Unless something changes – No.

2010 is THE year. Ohio State will return either 17 or 18 starters from this years’ team. Pryor is back. Herron and Saine are back. 6′3″ 235 pound Roderick Smith and the speedy Jamaal Berry will be added to the mix at Rb. The O-line returns 8 of it’s top 9 contributors. Cameron Heyward has said he plans to return for his senior year. Thad Gibson could return as well. 3 of the top4 Db’s are back. 2 of the top 3 linebackers. A talent pool that is stinking rich gets one year better and Jim Tressel needs to take advantage. He needs to put the pedal to the metal – not sit there seeing how many miles he can get per gallon. We don’t just want to win – we want to look good doing it. It’s not selfishness. It’s not greed. It’s what is required for Jim Tressel to bring home another NC. Take the leash off the running Qb(he can take care of himself), take some shots down-field, attempt some trick plays against teams other than New Mexico St., quit protecting narrow leads, quit being predictable in every facet, or keep edging your way closer to the door, and watch Tressel-ball turn into a Tressel-fall.

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