November 18, 2006

12-0

Pittrman_11_18_06r.jpg

(photo via espn.com)

Random postgame Buckeye thoughts:

The Bucks ran up 520 yards on the vaunted Michigan defense today, and Troy Smith carved them up in the first half for 28 points. Then he did his annual clutch Wolverine-killing by leading the Bucks on an 85 yard touchdown drive in the 4th quarter to put the game out of reach. Smith had the Heisman Trophy wrapped up by halftime today. After 3 TD's in the first half, it was over. I feel so great for that kid. He's a Buckeye hero forever, no matter what happens Jan. 8.

I agreed with commentator Bob Davie (for once) on his point that we just saw the National Championship game, and to take seven weeks off and then come out for another game, isn't the optimal way to decide the overall best team. This year.

I think a Michigan rematch is unlikely, or at least it will be when analysts look back on this game, and see that OSU giftwrapped 17 points on turnovers and on the bogus PI on O'Neal on 4th down. Pollsters will realize that Michigan was fortunate to be within three, and that now another team deserves a chance to play the Buckeyes. They had their shot. The argument will be made that a team failing to win their conference shouldn't have the opportunity to go to the BCS Championship Game. I think UM is probably the second best team in the country, and that's why I want no part of a rematch with them. My heart couldn't take it anyway.

Rutgers is getting handled tonight by a Cincinnati team that the Buckeyes beat 37-7, so that little fantasy is likely to be over. USC should be the Bucks' opponent if they win out.

Several very questionable calls went against OSU today. Like the bizarre 4th and 15 cant-touch-the-center-on-the-punt foul. A seldom called penalty on a possession-changing play, which looked dubious at best on reply, as the center stood up, took a step back and got a little shove from our lineman. Unbelievable.

Late hits on Smith were being ignored on more than one occasion before they finally called the flagrant one near the end. The bogus PI on O'Neal was ridiculous. You don't allow a team to convert a 4th and 16 on contact like that. I kept calling it the Bo Factor. The two bad snaps by Datish were clearly Bo's handiwork, no?

Officiating aside though, it was still one of the best college football games I have ever seen.

Congratulations, Troy Smith! Thank you, Troy Smith!

Posted by dan at November 18, 2006 8:51 PM