Wizblog

OSU Football Bounces Back

I love being wrong like this. I had predicted a 10-point loss for the Buckeyes today because I didn't think our offense could score more than 14 points. But then they went and wiped out a whole season's worth of disappointment in one glorious afternoon by spanking the Ugly Hats, 37-21. I had figured that if we could score a special teams touchdown and get a couple of turnovers we'd have a chance. All of that happened, but the bottom line is I didn't think we could win the game. Which of course makes winning all the sweeter.

Thank you Troy Smith. Thank you Teddy Ginn. Thank you A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter, Ashton Youboty, Mike Kudla, Brandon Joe, Santonio Holmes. It's a terrible cliché to talk about a "team win", but that's exactly what this one was. When the Buckeyes drove to tie the game at 14-14 in that first quarter, I got the feeling that the momentum had swung our way, and we had the confidence to keep on scoring. The defense gambled early and late, and it paid off by frustrating Michigan's super-freshman Chad Henne. Nice game for Mark Snyder, OSU Defensive Coordinator.

I think the play of the game may have come after the Bucks 20-point lead had been cut to 13 with about 11 minutes to go. We got the ball back, couldn't do anything right, and were obviously feeling the pressure of a potential massive choke job. Forced to punt from our own 15 yard line, Kyle Turano uncorked a 71-yarder to put the Wolves back on their own 20 and take the heat off the OSU defense. Even a routine 40-yard punt in that spot puts Michigan at midfield with plenty of time and plenty of hope. That punt killed the hope, I think.

If Ted Ginn's coming out party was the Michigan State game, this one served the same purpose for Troy Smith. His numbers were outrageous compared to his track record coming in, and the clutch 46-yard dash off of what appeared to be a sure sack set up the Buckeyes' final TD, and gave the game the look of a blowout. Smith is improving with each game, developing a little touch finally, as evidenced by the 3rd down lob to Holmes down the right sideline when the outcome was still in doubt. And that was just one of several great throws in this game for Smith.

This win serves a number of purposes for Ohio State. First, it was a statement by the whole football program of their pride in themselves and their school, which had been under attack in recent days by a former player and the national media. It salvages a season during which the competence of the on-field and off-field football operations was questioned by fans as well as media, and which authored some of the most embarrassing performances by Buckeye teams in recent memory. A loss to Northwestern for pity's sake. A 33-7 thrashing by Iowa. Don't make me go on.

In addition to that, we had a couple of bigtime recruits at the game, including Maurice Wells, the Florida running back who is a Top 50 player nationally. It'a lot easier to land some of the top national recruits if they witness an emotional victory instead of a downer loss while they're in town. It also makes Jim Tressel 3-1 against Michigan in his career, and no stat is more important for the OSU coach than that one.

This one was sweet in so many ways. One year's worth of bragging rights will do for now.

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Posted by dan at November 20, 2004 05:39 PM