Scrolling through the forums this morning, wow, we must have lost last night.
No, wait, I checked the paper this morning, they said we won.
Now I get it, this program is once again saddled with coaches that don't get it. We have players that suck. Winning is simply not enough for the elite, well informed, studious internet coaches that abound in Buckeyeland.
Tressel was never good enough because he played Tresselball. Our qb.s have rarely thrown the ball to please anyone. Our running backs don't know how to hit the hole. Our defense always seems to give up too many yards. We can't seem to win the big game. The freaking laundry list of what we never do right is always longer that any accomplishments this program ever achieves.
Some of your are the biggest whiners and complainers I've ever read about. Seriously, we're 7-0, ranked in the top ten, with a legit shot at winning our side of the conference.
We're learning an entirely new playbook, decimated with injuries, trying to get a new coaching staff to gel together, and coming off of arguably the worst season for Ohio State in modern history.
It's no freaking wonder the rest of college football looks at us with disgust. The reality is that 95% of the college football programs would love to trade our success for theirs.
Wow, talk about a bunch of negative Nancy's wringing their hands like little school girls, some of you really take the cake.
Sorry we will all stop trying to get as close to perfection as possible in everything we do. Who wants to stride to be the best anyways?? We like watching the SEC win every year.
SARCASM
Purple Raider
So you complain about the fans rather than the team. 6 of one, half a dozen...
Downvote
I dont like this post. Are there fans that get worked up over every little thing? Yes. But, we don't need to call them out like this just let them say their piece and downvote it if you don't like it.
I'm sorry, I will lower my expectations to the level of a MAC team to please you...
And why do you think OSU is in such an enviable position? At least partly because the alumni and fans have never accepted, and will never accept, mediocrity as a laudable achievement. OSU demands the best. This demand results in what some will always see as unreasonable "whining" but it also results in Conference titles, BCS wins, National Championships, Heisman trophies, and getting Urban Meyer instead of, say Bo Pelini or Mark Dantonio.
You know what is more annoying than the whiners and complainers? The people complaining about the whiners and complainers. We have every right to be disgusted with how the defense performed last night. We are only undefeated because Indiana is actually not a good team and the conference is terrible this year.
I actually agree with most everything that is said on this post. There's no problem with saying that the defense, special teams, or, to a lesser extent, the offense have some things to work on. But it's entirely different to get on here after winning the 7th consecutive game and calling for all the defensive coaches heads.
Yes they should've played better. Yes they should've won by a lot more. Yes the defense didn't have a good game. But there really wasn't any point in time where that game was really in doubt. A win is a win is a win.
They know they have stuff to work on, so let them do their thing and work out all the kinks before next year when it all really matters.
I sure do love mediocrity. Christ -- what a horrible mindset to have.
In my opinion it would be 10x worse if all of us were sitting here saying how good we were since we are 7 - 0.
"You're pissed because we went after a committed guy? Guess what, we got 9 guys who better go do it again," said Meyer. "Do it a little harder next time."
I guess it's just us fans trying not to be over confident in our teams ability. Hopefully our complaints don't go unheard. We got ourselves a bowl ban, & this is the time to fix the issues we have on defense, so the more pressure Buckeye nation puts on the coaching staff to fix the problems on D, the more likely it is to happen. We're a smart fan base & the only thing that would make us delusional would be acting like said problems don't exist just because we're winning games. If we did that, we would be way too much like Alabama fans, & I don't think anyone here wants to be like them.
"We're invincybowl! Did I spell that right? Idk, I'm a Bama fan, Roll Tide!!" <-- Bama fans
It's 5 o'clock somewhere, & Michigan still sucks
It's about improvement and being the best it is possible to be, not "bitching". If you take ugly wins and just leave it at that, it is only a matter of time until they become ugly losses. Competition is about constantly working to improve yourself to give yourself the best chance to win.
Our defense has NOT improved. In fact, last night might have been the worst they've looked this year. Unfortunately, it is difficult to tell because they've had so many bad games. Seeking to improve after a win, and pointing out the negatives of what occurred, is a necessary part of becoming a champion.
I think it is unlikely any coaching changes will occur during the season, but frankly if you can watch a team give up that many points to teams like they have this year and not feel people's jobs should be in jeopardy then I hope you are not the CEO of any of the companies in which I'm invested. People who don't perform should be removed from their jobs, and company profitablitiy is not the sole judgement factor of everyboy's performance. Each person is responsible for their own area and judged accordingly.
We're winning DESPITE our defense, and if the defense doesn't improve soon calls for heads are 100% justifiable.
Urban Meyer's thing has always been an explosive spread offense, accompanied by a strong defense. That's what's supposed to separate us from other teams that run the spread, it doesn't matter if you score lots of points if the other team can score just as many. So we're all wondering "When will we see that SEC/Silver Bullet hybrid D we were all expecting?"
It's 5 o'clock somewhere, & Michigan still sucks
We have to take the good with the bad. Ohio State is 7-0. That's pretty good. The defense isn't what we're used to. That's pretty bad. Braxton Miller is a star and future Heisman winner. Also good. The Buckeyes are playing with fire and won't be able to outscore everyone. Bad.
In the end, it's just football. The complaining is half the fun, but we should temper it with some of the really exciting things this team is doing. Perfection doesn't exist, unless you consider being undefeated perfect. Alabama was far from perfect yesterday. Should they be worried? No. Still, this has to be the first time I've ever seen the term "mediocrity" thrown around an undefeated team.
It's a weird time to be a Buckeye fan, but we should all refrain from throwing each other under the bus - that goes for both sides of this debate.
Because we couldn't go for three.
Show me the fanbase that would be bragging about that defensive effort?
Show me any non-demanding, happy go lucky fan base and I'll show you a loser. Anyone doing their job, school work etc poorly at any level should be called-out for it and I know from friends at the Woody Hayes that Meyer is way more po'd, embarrassed and critical than any of us fans. Our critical, dedicated and demanding fan base is probably the biggest reason we have one of the top programs of all-time. For all you easily offended apologists who think the rest of us are too critical: follow our band more...that's more your speed. they are great and consistent every week and you won't be frustrated by, or have to deal with any criticism at all.
D. Anthony
If I walk into another teams board and brag about being 7-0... what do you think they are going to say? Exactly what is said on this board.
@Adamant73 mabye West Virginia?
Don't forget that the word "Fan" is short for "Fanatic". I think someone who is a fanatic about their team will always display emotions and make statements that don't always make sense or resemble rational thought.
Having said that, I believe that a fan base that drives the program is entitled to high expections and shouldn't be chastised for speaking out on areas that they perceive as week or not up to the standard of the program !
I guarantee you that Urban "Fn" Meyer will be more critical of his players and staff than any of the "spoiled fanbase" you speak so highly of.
I agree that our fanbase can be a bit spoiled sometimes but for complaining about a win where we played horrid defense is completely fair. It is not like this was a fluke or a one time performance, this has been building up for weeks. I wonder if this poster realizes that the game against IU may have been the worst defensive performance we've ever seen as a Buckeye fan. I say complain and be proud!
When is it ok to let the team score 49 OP? When is it OK to be up by 18 with 4 minutes left and all of a sudden when you look at the final score you beat a team who got handed a L to Ball st by 3 points?
You dont expect more out of this team? Out of this defense? Ohio st. forever has been praised as having one of the best defenses in the nation year in and year out. Does this defense look even 1/8 of that? No? didnt think so. 7-0 is great but why cant people sit here and point out the obvious week after week? Is it something that you hope if you ignore it, it just might go away? Got a newsflash for ya its not gonna work like that.
You want to talk delusional? If you think we will get through the rest of the season with the defense playing like they did last night and go undefeated I would call that being pretty delusional. So what side of the fence are you on?
I will just put it on both of your topics since it was made twice
This is a post by someone who probably doesn't understand striving to be the best and not being happy with anything less than perfection....its ok though....for every person like him theres two of us who get it....
You have to be kidding, right? What the hell good is a site like this if we can't come here to break down the good with the bad. Did you see Braxton and Carlos run all over Indiana last night? Good. Did you see an Indiana team that hasn't won a Big Ten game in two years torch Ohio State's defense? Bad. Some people might be overly dramatic about things but geez, you should look in a mirror if that's really bothering you. We're all thrilled to be undefeated but there are serious flaws with this team that, if unsolved, will result in this team no longer being undefeated. We would like to stay undefeated. We point out obvious flaws. If you think we're the only fanbase that wants their team to be undefeated and has criticisms of their own team you're out of your mind. I've heard it from every fanbase. Perhaps you hear it just a little louder when you're in the middle of one?
I'm sure the Indiana fans are basking in the glow of their close loss to the Buckeyes. Their talking about what might of been with one more chance. Happy fans. Thats good. I don't root for Indiana. I'm an Ohio State fan. I have certain expectations. I expect to have a top staff leading this team. I expect them to recruit quality student athletes to participate in the program. I expect the team to perform to their potential. The offense is meeting my expectations and are coming together as a unit. They make mistakes, but you can see their improvements. The defense is a whole different animal. I see flashes, but to few and to far in between. I expect the defense to play as a competent unit, that in no way should resemble the "Keystone Cops". I expect improvements weekly and I'm genuinely disappointed when they don't appear. I don't expect the Buckeyes to dominate both sides of the ball every game. I just expect the product of the teams efforts to be acceptable to reasonable people. I also expect someone like you to come on this site every week to chastise someone like me. Different opinions, and we all know opinions are like a$$holes, everybody has one.
An angry fan...rooting for an angry team...led by angry coaches
This also must be why Urban Meyer was so chipper after his big win over Indiana. I'll bet he's going to have more than a few blunt criticisms about this game and the defense. He must just be a spoiled brat, delusional, whining little girl about everything. He should just be fat, dumb and happy...his team's 7-0!
Ohio State is one of the finest football programs in history. We believe in the pursuit of excellence. Our standards for play, recruiting, and conduct are high. Those standards have become tradition and culture at Ohio State. It is the people who want to dilute and lower the standards that are a detrement to the program. At elite institutions of any kind if a problem, a flaw, or a weakness, is uncovered, you take immediate and continuous action to correct it and improve it. Hiding from problems, refusing to acknowledge and confront them, is a recipe for mediocrity. If this pursuit of excellence is antithetical to your beliefs, you are on the wrong forum. Join the cheerleading blogs. We are here for excellence and championships.
I used to come on here everyday and comment, this is my first post in months for exactly the reason this thread suggests, our fan base is a pathetic bunch of whiners, our home crowd is embarrassing most games, its really just sad, I view ths site 5-10 times a day, I will keep coming because of my love for OSU but I don't want anything to do with most of u people, this is a dream season in my eyes, i wouldnt change a thing so far, very proud of all the coaches and players, herby was right, osu fans suck!
Shady...Glad you're not part of "our fan base"...maybe we are all that bad? Please join the Miami (Ohio) or Toledo fan base. We don't deserve you and couldn't possibly appreciate your blind loyalty. Keep fighting the good fight in the MAC.
D. Anthony
Most loyal, passionate, dedicated fan base. Best in the college football PERIOD
OSU fans don't suck
OSU fans aren't a pathetic bunch of whiners
My wife, kids, sisters and dad are part of this fans base
Shady you are wrong.
Go Bucks!
Go join a Baylor, Colorado , Washington st. or Indiana fan site where they are excited about being 7-5 or barely a bowl eligible team. Who wants expectations maybe we hope for a National championship instead of playing for one!
Wherever you are, there you be!
Realistic > Delusional and/or Excellence> Mediocrity. I'll be the fan that chooses the obvious ones...
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you."
"I love football. I think it is most wonderful game in world and I despise to lose."
Woody Hayes 1913 - 1987
I'm sorry, I didn't realize that as a fan I'm not allowed to be upset about what happens in a game. Yeah, we're 7-0, and that's great. We have won more games this year already than we did all of last year. But come on. Give me a freakin' break. I guarantee you I am one of the most realistic and non-delusional Buckeye fans you will meet. I have not got all caught up in the 12-0 talk and I wasnt one that thought Urban would be able to step right in and that things would instantly turnaround. But still I am ticked off about the way that game played out last night. We let Indiana have their way with us, and we're lucky we came out of Bloomington with a win. But I guess I'm not allowed to voice my displeasure. I'm "spoiled and delusional'.
I'm just so glad there are people on here who can tell me how I am supposed to act.
If you accept mediocrity, that's exactly what you'll end up with.
The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender. - Woody Hayes
Figures. The OP is too weak to come back to his thread and offer up counter-arguments. Just a pansy posting on the run...
Delusion doesn't happen at Ohio State. Delusion does indeed happen at a school like Akron expecting to win a national championship every year.
Evidently, the OP is soft and can't handle criticisms.
A dream season would be undefeated, B1G champs, National Champs and beating the snot out of some SEC team to win the BCS Title. Last time I checked we can only do one out of three of those things and the two we can't do are a pretty big deal. Shadybuckeye- your opinion is always allowed but man you are way off alot of the time brotha. If you don't like the complaining then tune it out and go spread your OSU love somewhere else.
I'm glad we won, glad we're 7-0, glad Braxton is having an awesome season, glad Hyde is getting it done, loved Tressel, and am elated to have Urban. I'm just really worried about the defense. If they were making tackles and people still scored on us, I could live with that! I just think that we could and should make some more tackles - these guys didn't get recruited because they couldn't tackle in high school, did they? So when 4-5 guys bounce off of runners 7 weeks in a row and none of them try to wrap the runner up - I think that's both coachable and fixable. Sorry for being a whiner.
DEB II
It is funny to read some of these posts and how some believe you can have influence. The only thing that can be accomplished is driving recruits away from a program. You have 0 influence on any coaching or recruiting evaluations.
This is a transitional year. Coaches this year have no choice but to deal with the hand that is dealt them. I am sure there are several Tressell recruits who blame the coaches as much as most of you. Does that mean you resort backwards to accomodate. Heck No! You keep the transition going forwards. If the upper classmen after playing a full season does not or they are not capable of adapting they will be replaced. In the mean time we should all be thankful our offense is capable to cover during our transition.
Lots of mediocre people in this world....every fan base has them...but as you can tell by this thread for every 1 mediocre person theres 10 exceptional people that demand more from themselves and others...thank you to those in our fan base who are appreciative of 7-0 but demand excellence from the most tradition rich football team in America!
Demand! Wow
From the title, I'm just relieved this wasn't another Michigan thread. We'd like very much to be undefeated right now.
Perspective. Thanks for providing it.
We won, right? We are playing for nothing more than recruiting and prepotioning in the polls next year, right? We have accomplished both.
Can you imagine what the linebacker recruits will say after seeing this game tape? I'm going to start my freshman year. That's what. This performance will do more to motivate recruits than a thousand chicken dinners. I'm sure Fick is a great dinner guest, but once he pops in this game tape and exlplains how much they're needed and how they'll start their first game... Sold.
Always look on the bright side of life...
This is actually one of my favorite Buckeye teams ever. I have really enjoyed the undefeated season. The MSU game had me on edge, the Nebraska game was a blast, and Saturday night was frustrating but afteward I said I'll take a W any day. I am just endeared to this team really. The seniors are awesome. Fragel, Stonburner, and Boren have switched positions for the team. They are willing to do whatever it takes to win. Simon has become a great leader and is just a beast. Nate Williams has been through hell. I love these guys. I know they aren't perfect, but if they go undefeated it'd be amazing and a great send off for this senior class who really deserve it. I will be extremely bummed if they lose. I just love this particular group.
ALL OF THAT BEING SAID...........There are some clear problems that need to be worked out and I think are absolutely valid concerns. Last year I apparently came off pretty negative in criticizing the coaching, but it was bad and this is a place to come vent, my wife sure as hell doesn't care lol. So, while some people definitely take it a little to far(I am convinced some people would complain if we beat Alabama 100-0. They'd say, well there was that dropped pass.....) I think a lot of what has been said was warranted.
I'm with Albert - i.e., on both sides of this "issue" (maybe Albert or I should run for office).
That said, I don't get the logic of an idea repeated over and over again in this thread: that it's partly because Buckeye fans will not stand for mediocrity that the program has a great history of excellence.
Obviously, if Ohio State players/coaches were content with anything less than excellence, that would be a very serious problem.
But, logically, it's probably more a problem when fans are spoiled than if/when they are content with mediocrity. In terms of program development, fans that are content with mediocrity could very well be a positive thing.
(Before I explain, note: we've discussed several times here at 11W that fan psychology is pretty much irrelevant to team performance, unless we assume that it somehow bleeds over to the players/coaches. When some fans says that we - the fans - shouldn't overlook team-Y, that seems silly to me, I'm sorry, because we're not playing in the games. As long as the players/coaches don't take their opponents lightly, it doesn't really matter what the fans think.)
Anyway, consider this hypothetical . . .
Fan base-X loves it when their team has excellent seasons, but they're also content with mediocrity. Every year, no matter how well or how poorly the team is doing, they always sell out every home game; they give their team an awesome home advantage by going completely bezerk in the stands regardless of the scorebaord; they always buy tons of gear, luxury boxes, etc.; they give a boatload of money to their universities and athletic programs; etc.
Isn't that the ideal fan base? The only argument against is maybe that this fan base would enable an athletic program to retain a mediocre coach or AD longer than is helpful, but that presupposes that fans generally have better instincts for when to fire AD/coaches than people closer to the situation do. If anything, a highly impatient fan base might result in excessive AD/coach turnover.
In short, it's Buckeyes' fans love and passion for the program (which transpates into money, interest, branding, etc.) that helps supports program success; not a refusal to accept mediocrity.
I mean, I wasn't happy with the play, but isn't supposed to be our "playing with house money year" or "lets work out the kinks with no consequences year"? Definite improvement needed, but we're 10 months from it really mattering.
The moment we accept mediocrity is the moment we become Rutgers. No thanks.
This is the result of the helmet stickers. People coming on, posting erroneous, ill-conceived, and downright ignorant threads, and then refusing to even man up and provide discourse due to fear of downvotes
to: new BlockOHBuckeye on 14 October 2012 - 9:00pm # Figures. The OP is too weak to come back to his thread and offer up counter-arguments. Just a pansy posting on the run...
Delusion doesn't happen at Ohio State. Delusion does indeed happen at a school like Akron expecting to win a national championship every year.
Evidently, the OP is soft and can't handle criticisms.
Wow...couldn't you have found any stronger words anywhere...I took his post as basically saying, lets enjoy the ride for what it is inspite of the problems on defense. You might as well have called the poster a coward and I think you went way to far. Frankly a moderator should have squashed your comment.
PS: you have posted 2 times since Aug 12th and HE posted on the run...LOL
shortbus20
Buckeye56: Can you explain your argument?
When some of the programs that had been historically mediocre recently became top 20 programs - e.g., Stanford, South Carolina, Michigan State - how did that happen? Was it that they accepted mediocrity before they became good programs, but then large numbers of their fans all of a sudden decided, "We're no longer going to accept mediocrity!"
Were Notre Dame and Texas A&M fans accepting their mediocrity when those programs sucked over 10+ year periods before their recent upsurges? If so, they could have fooled me.
"The moment we accept mediocrity is the moment we become Rutgers. No thanks."
Rutgers is 6-0
I understand being happy with being 7-0...who possibly wouldn't be? It is also clear as day that if certain areas do not improve we will no longer be able to say "a win is a win" after a game. This season comes down to just beating Michigan for me at this point. If we play like we've played in most games on defense this year we will not beat Michigan. That's not being spoiled, delusional, etc....that's a fact.
Fido- you are the man. Thank you for rationalizing what the OP is trying to say while at the same time understanding the frustration of those who can't stand our porous defense. I wish I could have stated something equal to yours but I do not have that ability! Bravo, keep the posts coming.
Rutgers has an all time winning percentage of .504, which is good for #82 out of 124 all time, that was the point I was trying to make. My apologies to all Scarlet Knights that were offended.
Lets stop acting as if Michigan has this unstoppable offense. :/
"YOLO" = I'm about to do something extremely ignorant/stupid & I need an excuse to do it.
The biggest problem with this thread is that it misidentifies OSU fans as the most delusional in the country. 20 straight years of preseason NC talk leading to 7-5 seasons at Notre Dame is SHOCKED at being unseated for the Most Delusional throne.
Yes, we're spoiled as a fanbase. We expect greatness, because we are used to greatness. You don't want to deal with the heat after a poor performance, win or lose? Go play/coach somewhere else. Better yet, go get better. Improve. Prove the naysayers wrong, please. We implore you to. We expect you to. I don't think we should apologize for high expectations. BuckeyeNation is not for the faint of heart.
That being said, I'm all for perspective. We're still one of like 5 undefeated teams (ballpark, I'm too lazy to go count). We're a work in progress, yes, but it sure does feel good to be unbeaten.
When told OSU set school record for 50+ games this year, UFM said "That's good. We're gonna break that next year."
Shortbus: I'm a long time lurker on this site, yet rarely post. 99.9% of my posting is on 247sports. I lurk here everyday, but occasionally log-in to occasionally post.
I think it's stupid when someone creates a thread complaining about whining, and yet they're doing the exact same thing by whining about the whiners, and don't come back to engage in conversation whilst berating those of us whom choose to show they're displeased, is nonsense.
It's like someone calling you an idiot to your face then take off running. That's how I view the OP.
Who the hell is talking about accepting mediocrity. I've read that same generic line 100 times today. Just because we're not on a roof ledge demanding for Fick to be fired we're asking for mediocrity? get outta here.
I know there's a game saturday, and my ass will be there.
I really find it annoying when people who are frustrated with the play of their team, but don't want to criticize the actual players or coaches, decide to use their fellow fans as the outlet for their frustrations -- let alone with myopic remarks like "the most [insert negative adjective here] fans in America," which mostly prove that the poster hasn't gotten around much in his life.
I'm happy the Buckeyes are undefeated. I'm also somewhat surprised that last season's EPA-cited dumpsite of a team had an easier time with Indiana than this season's relatively well-oiled machine did. It is in fact possible to hold both these thoughts in one's head simultaneously.
The most "loud mouth, disrespect" poster on 11W.
@buckeyeEddie
Who's asking for Fick to be fired? The vocal minority?
Just because we take the stance that "we're undefeated, great...but a lot is going to have to improve to stay that way," we're spoiled, delusional, the worst fans in the world, or whatever?
It would seem by the number of anti-Fickell comments I read today supporting his firing that it wasn't such a minority.
My comment was supposed to be directed at buckeye56. I should have specified that.
Mainly I was using that argument as an example of the over the top irrational fans bashing fans who seem to come off as not concerned enough. As if their loyalty was in question due to lack of outrage.
I'm in the camp of be happy we're 7-0 and be concerned about our problems too. It doesn't have to be one or the other. Some posters on here seem to think it has to be one or the other. That's what I disagree with. It just so happens I made a comment on this thread. Doesn't mean I'm 100% in agreement with the author's views.
I know there's a game saturday, and my ass will be there.
^ This...(B.E.27)
We've got 3 different defensive mindsets (Coombs, Fickell, & Withers) mashing together young / inexperienced tallent into a super soft cover-4. This is at times painful to watch. It is not a cause to scream for a DC's head. Just as painful is watching the offence in the 1st quarter of almost any game this year. Why don't we see people calling for Urban's head? Short answer is cause that would be ridiculous. Am I happy that we are 7-0? Yup. Am I happy we give up so many yards & points? Nope. Am I happy the corners play 8 yards off the line of scrimmage on 3rd & 8? Nope. Good news, the secondary will get better, just going to take more time than most people want to give them.
FTR, I am not a Rutgers fan simply because I live in NJ. But, I don't think they "accept" mediocrity, it's just that the vast amount of talent that resides here (our own Malcolm Jenkins ) doesn't stay here and play for Rutgers. If they did, RU would be a national power. Schiano knew it and left for the NFL. I hope they can keep building on the success they have had this season. RU is a very good school and have some really good kids playing for them.
We have 4 star recruit coming from Voorhees NJ, Eli Woodard.
I think the most clear, offensive and blatant bashing took place in the OP. I'd say the reaction that followed on this thread was defensive. I'm not necessarily buying the mediocre thing myself, however the OP calling me spoiled, delusional, etc. because I have concerns about a team that is 7-0 and has some serious defensive flaws is enough to make me defensive as well.
Its what a fanbase does criticize the team and how they play but I dont get how people can be calling for the D coaches to be fired. Any buckeye fan, who actaully follows our personel and recruiting, knows that we lost almost all of our LBs from the last 4 recruiting classes to transfer or medical hardship. Let me repeat that THE LAST 4 RECRUITING CLASSES. So in other words we are so thin at LB that we have our FB switching positions. Theres not a coach in the country that can squeeze OJ out of apples. Time to encourage not discouarge with some stupid idea like getting rid of our D coaches, especially one who everyone praised just last year, lets see how much an influx of 5talented LBs improves in one year.