I do not have an article to link to on this subject, but I just listened to an interview with Alex Boone on 1460. Boonie said he just had class with James and he was coming back. Perhaps Little Animal is wording his press release as I write this, but Alex has said this twice in the last 24 hours, so I am going to believe it is true.
We are one week removed from OSU's second straight BCS Title game defeat and I believe Buckeye Nation's spirits have been lifted after news of all these juniors returning. This subject has dominated the last week and all of 11W readers have been exceptional on their comments and leads, but did you honestly think all of these guys (save the Gun Show) were coming back? I thought Jenkins and Vern were gone for sure, but I also thought one or two other players were leaving.
Anyone making reservations for Miami? OSU does have USC in September, but Penn St. and Michigan are at home again this year and with the Big Ten being down in talent, it is time for us as fans to prepare for the hate that will be coming our way in the next year. Sweet!
Comments
Again, 11W readers strike before the writers, thanks as always to GoBucks89 for the head's up.
There is no reason to make any reservations for Miami. Two straight defeats in the title game, to the same conference, disqualify us as a contender next year. We could go undefeated, whip USC by fifty points, and two 9-2 teams will make the title game over us. The writers will not put us in, the coaches probably won't put us in, and the non-Ohio State fans across the country won't want to see us there. I'll be surprised if the new computer formulas for this year don't automatically deduct points from a composite score that merely associates itself with OSU.
Sorry, but we're playing for a Big T(elev)en title next year and a BCS bid, and nothing else.
If Ohio State manages to beat USC in California and stay undefeated, there is no way even the media could justify leaving them out of the title game. Granted, one loss even with a victory against USC makes them a tough sell.
we would have to run the table and beat perennial-greatest-team-of-all-time USC by a hundred (which would be oh so nice) to be in consideration. As MotSaG and AtO note, only we are experiencing such round-the-clock media humiliation whereas Oklahoma has always been welcome back into the national title picture (when they were without conference title in 2003 and thoroughly denatured in 2004). Going undefeated and running up the score on USC, no easy task considering the road schedule next year (Wisky, USC, Illinois, Michigan State too (I think)), would be the only way of leaving no doubt in people's minds.
As for the returning juniors. No surprise on Gholston, huge surprise on Jenkins. It's rewarding to hear him talk about becoming better as a player and earning his degree. It's as rewarding to hear Boone talk about owing something to Ohio State when no one would fault them for pursuing their NFL dreams. Of the 5 seniors on our two deep, 3 were fullbacks with early defections from Schoenhoft (transfer) and Gholston (NFL). The future is pretty bright if we can hurdle the media critics with our play on the field.
They would have to go undefeated, and there better not be 2 other undefeated teams. We would certainly be the odd team out in that case. If OSU was the only undefeated team they would go. No question. Remember, the BCS still relies on the polls for a good part of its rankings. Let's say Animal comes back. Where will OSU start the year in the polls? 5? I'll give 10 at the worst. If they beat USC (who will certainly be top 5 at the time) and run the table they will have moved up the rankings as other teams lose (sound familiar?) If there is no other undefeated team, then Ohio State would be ranked #1. No doubt in my mind.
I hate to do a preseason what-will-happen type thing, but here's what I see happening now that our team is being defined.
The Rivals.com 2008 rankings have the buckeyes at number 3, which may drop because it was written before Gholston left. If we beat USC (which will be a big if, as much as I hate to say it), the only other problems in the road I see are:
1.) At Wisconsin - playing in that stadium is tough enough, regardless if they are any good.
2.) At Michigan State - D'Antonio (sp?) has them on the rise - at least they aren't folding as bad as they usually do.
3.) At Illinois - this might be easier without Mendenhall, but unless we can figure out how to stop a running/passing quarterback, we'll have a hard time with them again.
4.) Michigan at home - If we're undefeated to this point, I think the team and the fans will have a voracious appetite for some Wolverine meat. They won't let them upset us. They could give us fits if a.) they get Pryor and b.) they change their game plan around and actually execute the Rodriguez system. Which is tough for a team which is more suited to big-ten style power running/pro-passing.
Make of this what you will, but by no means is USC our only problem. If we do defeat USC and run the table, there is no doubt we'll get in again - regardless of what the media says. If we beat USC and lose down the road, we're out - I think there will be at least 2 other 1 loss teams this year. If we lose to USC, we're not getting in, even if we run the table and there's only 2 loss teams left. Unfortunately, the computer rankings would have us up there, but humans are 2/3rds of the equation and nobody likes us. We're the Patriots and Cowboys of the '90's.
Yeah but the Patriots and the Cowboys won championships. We put ourselves in this position by not winning at least one Title. Nobody mentions that the Pac-10 can't beat USC, but they are all over how the Big Ten can't beat tOSU. Until we win a bowl (SEC opponent or not) we won't get any respect....
Even with all the hate from the pundits, we still ended up in the top 5 at the end. I think you guys are chasing a "phantom menace". If we win all our games we'll be there at the end. And the pundits will have to grind their teeth all over again. But it's that "win all our games" thing that is the real challenge.
I'm certainly not saying that 'running the table' would be easy, but I think its ridiculous to think that we have zero chance at playing for the National Championship again. If we are undefeated we will play in the title game again.
JL is returning:
http://blog.cleveland.com/spor...
Hell yeah! I heard it on the radio also!
Laurinaitis for a senior season? Ahhhhh what a rush
It has begun!
ESPN just said Lil' Animal is coming back!
Get real guys..... I am a HUGE Buckeye fan, but until we address some of the real issues like : defense fails for year #2, lack of leadership when the shit hits the fan, loss of composure and stupid penalties, and yes very predictable play calling-- we cannot realistically expect to earn a shot at another title. Tressel is awesome, but he has to change with the times........ the simple way of doing business has changed and things must be done differently. Oh and one more thing, Laurinaitis is awesome---but where was he last monday nite??? Where was he during the Penn State game??? These are all reasonable questions to ask
Mitch G.,
Since you missed it, #33 was setting the record for tackles in a BCS championship game with 18.
Mitch, I certainly hope that with more seniors in key positions we'll have better composure. Plus, at least two of those personal foul calls were ticky tack, and JL's facemask was an accident. The defense was on their heels, but sometimes you just have to give it up to the opponent for good scouting and film study.
The fact that the polls have so much to say about who plays for the title under the current BCS system is precisely the reason OSU will not play for it all next year. Forget tough games on the road against USC, Wisconsin and Illinois. Forget what I think will be a resurgent m*ch*g*n team. Blowing two straight title games against the same conference, by large margins, and looking outclassed while doing it will prevent OSU from being at the top at the end of the season. No one outside the Ohio State fan base wants us there again. We are now the Buffalo Bills, like it or not.
It hurts me to say this, because I dearly love Ohio State, but we are not going to the title game, no matter how badly we beat USC. The Big T(elev)en lost a monumental amount of respect over the last two seasons, and it will take small steps to regain it. The best we can hope for is to play in a BCS game - hopefully against an SEC team - and whip ourselves into a win that will go a step toward regaining some of our lost prestige. That's it.
It's a fearful thing to start your year with a senior-laden team, only to know that we won't get to play for a title, but that's the price of two straight, cataclysmic failures.
Joe, I gotta disagree. First, the odds of more than two teams going unbeaten are pretty damn low. If the Buckeyes take care of business all year long (including a nice win over USC) and go unbeaten, they most certainly get in.
Now if OSU finds itself in a pool with other teams looking at a spot, whether 3 unbeatens or multiple teams with one loss, then yeah, I think they're out for sure.
Jesus, Joe...
Putdown the negativity pipe and step back from the ledge. Someone please put him on suicide watch!
If the Buckeyes go undefeated, they will have a good chance to get in the title game. If more than one team is undefeated, that could be a problem. However, I doubt if a one loss Buckeye team will get in, unless everyone else has two or more losses.
The voters are not as bad as the media pundits when it comes to selections.
Putdown the negativity pipe and step back from the ledge. - Jim Thorpe
Your OSU Buckeyes have been smoked in so many bowls the negativity pipe has become a necessary fixture. You can fire it up again next time after another SEC team makes you its biotch. Post-coital respite for the Buckeyes, and then you will be pounded, pounded, pounded . . .
Charlie-Weis-Snarfs-Krill, please tell me you are not a Notre Dame fan. Because as a Notre Dame fan you would have no right to talk smack about any other team......especially when it comes to bowl games......when you do make it to bowl games you are always over-matched and embarrassed.....check your last 2 BCS games (one of which was the Buckeyes whipping your @$$).
If the Bucks go undefeated again next year, they will be in Miami. Anyone who says they won't is just ignorant. Look at the non-conference schedules, the OSU-USC matchup is the only one that has a bonafide contender on it. If USC goes undefeated, they will be in. That game has huge nat'l title ramifications. As much as it pains me, Florida could be back as well, as they have 2 'name' OOC games, Miami and Florida St.
OU: Cincinnati, Washington, TCU, TBD
UF: Hawaii, Miami (Fl), Citadel, Florida St
USC: Virginia, Ohio St, Notre Dame
LSU: North Texas, Troy, Tulane, TBD
UGA: Georgia Southern, Central Michigan, Arizona St, Georgia Tech (plus 2 bye weeks)
I would agree that the SEC is solid, but their OOC schedules are laughable at best. OSU's isn't anything to brag about, but I don't see any top-5 teams on anyone else's schedule either. That being said, conference strength is very cyclical. The SEC happens to be on top now, but they won't be and haven't been forever.
If anyone in the SEC goes undefeated should definitely get in. Last year was wacky, I don't know about 2-loss teams playing for nat'l titles and I don't see that happening 2 years in a row. This was a case where the conference championship game helped LSU, whereas it hurt Georgia.
Also don't forget that the BCS Sponsors don’t care if we won the last 8 or lost the 20 ... we travel too damn well. This shouldn’t be a factor for a BCS game, but we all know it is. Tell me what city would turn away 50,000 fans who are ready to spend lots of money and have a great time?
This football team goes 9-3 next year, or maybe - and it's a big maybe - 10-2. Tops.
OK GERALD, I STAND CORRECTED.... HE DID MAKE ALOT OF TACKLES, BUT IT IS THE SCORE THAT COUNTS.... NOT CRITIZING LITTLE ANIMAL--HE IS AWESOME-- BUT HE HAS NOT PLAYED HIS BEST GAMES WHEN THEY COUNTED....NOT ALL HIS FAULT THOUGH.....