Any chance that the Trojans would be taking the Buckeyes lightly based on their performance against Ohio on Saturday promptly flew out the window when Ray Small shared his OSU vs. USC recruiting experiences with ESPN's Adam Rittenberg after the game:
"As I took my visit to USC, I'm like, 'How are they successful? They're not even serious about the game,' " Small said. "Before the game, they're all going crazy. Me and [Buckeyes defensive end] Rob Rose was on the visit and I'm looking like, 'Wow.' And then the coach said, 'You better get out of here. It's 'bout to get hectic.'
"And then I come [to Ohio State] on the visit and before the game, it's all quiet, everybody getting taped, coaches talking. It's the total opposite."
But that was relatively tame compared to what he said next:
"Here at Ohio State, they teach you to be a better man," Small said. "There, it's just all about football."
The postgame comments were quickly picked up (and amplified) by the Los Angeles Times and the junior may find himself heading right back into Tressel's doghouse right after turning in his finest performance as a Buckeye.
Comments
I don't want to sound all idyllic or something along those lines but Small seems to be on to something: The USC program is about winning football games. Nothing more, nothing less.
At Ohio State, football is about life, and every aspect of it. It is literally about everything we know as men/women/children. It is indeed a fabric of our society.
It's sound so incredibly lame, but watch a youtube clip of Pete Carroll's corny son directing practice and remember everything you know of OSU, compare the two, and you'll kind of get what Small is talking about.
right like maurce clarret he turned out to be a real honest man
At Ohio St it's about life just ask Maurice Clarett.
I get what you're saying Rob, but there are some things in life better left unsaid. Especially seven days before you meet the team you just dissed on the field.
That you tube clip of Pete Carroll's son was done as deliberate joke and spoof of another coach. All the players knew that. They never really intended for that to get on you tube, but you know how that goes....
Pete Carroll is the epitome of class. He treats people well. His players, past and present, love the man and would go to war for him. Trojans players won't be thinking about Small's comments during the game, they will of course be focused on their assignments. But it will piss them off this week because they have so much respect for Pete Carroll.
God, what is it with this subculture within sports, where men can't simply play hard on the field and show respect for their opponents?
Honestly, I am so finished with this neighborhood-brawl, thug nonsense.
Lets be honest, if Small was learning much about class at OSU, he wouldn't have said it. What does Tressel do now? Yank 82 and give him 164?
Who cares honestly. Both teams will be plenty fired up for next Saturday. Ray Small, of all people, should be the last OSU player to open his mouth. Sure he had a good game yesterday but his performances and behavior have been less than desirable.
I don't know how Pete Carrol runs his program, but they are successful as a program and don't seem to have an inordinate amount of off field trouble.
This quote won't have much impact on the outcome of the game. What will have an impact is how OSU comes out of the gates, another lackluster start and this one will be over early.
Good.
Yeah, Woody Hayes really exemplifies what OSU football is all about.
Ask Clemson.
Yeah, OJ Simpson really exemplifies what USC is all about.
Ask Ron Goldman.
Hell, if anything it'll make the match-up more interesting, and let Ray Small be Ray Small and maybe The Ghost will finally show up in a big game in a very big way. He's certainly got more top end speed than Robo or BHart. If this is the way he gets fired up, so be it; not every player is meant to follow the Tressel Talking Points.
why not ask keyshawn johnson...i wonder if he ever published that book?
After laying an egg like we did, do we really want to give that team locker room material?
This stuff gets fans more fired up than any of the players. The disrepect angle is totally overblown IMO.
Honestly, with the way we played this weekend, we don't need a quiet locker room with everyone getting taped. We need anger. However, I have a feeling that this might be wishful thinking.
It's always a good idea to make your excuses ahead of time. "Look, we are a class act because we said so," Smalls said. "USC thrashed us, but we took our beating like the better men we will be. Now excuse me while I go give the police officer the license plate number of the truck that just ran over us." USC 38, OSU 14
jim tressel basically hung clarrett out to dry. after he had served his purpose (help win football games) tressel couldn't have cared less about him. it's laughable that some fool wants to talk about AN ohio state university tecahing you to be a better man.
regardless, as others have said, this stuff doesn't mean anything for the game itself. USC's better at football and at life, USC 45 anOSU 14
Mike, care to make a wager on that score?
He went to Ohio State because he couldn't get into Michigan - let alone USC. Enjoy your 15 Minutes, Mr. Small.
USC 2,344,023 Ohio State 3
Go Blue.
Yeah at SC we are all about football when playing football. Isn't that what the game is about. Commenting on how players come up at the University is ridiculous outside of football. Bottom line that team is in the business of winning championships period.
OSU 18 USC 17 on a two point conversion as time expires. Traveler steps in a hole and has to be euthanized on the track and hauled out in a trailer. GO BUCKS
[...] hoping that USC will take the Buckeyes lightly after last week’s pisspoor performance, Ray Small provides some bulletin board material: “Here at Ohio State, they teach you to be a better man,†Small said. “There, it’s just all [...]
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