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The Ls You'll Take

+9 HS
osu992's picture
August 31, 2016 at 8:49pm
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Folks, it's Wednesday. In my recent world, that means two things: Ramzy Nazrallah and Eleven Dubcast. I imagine you're familiar. It's also August 31. That's the precipice of non-astronomical autumn, the eve of the appointed hour that returns our beloved Buckeyes. It signals the end of the dreaded off-season, an eight month wasteland riddled with bad takes and filler. For some fans with lofty expectations, that off-season can be longer, with early losses forcing an early hibernation. For us, in this golden era, any loss is almost unthinkable. While not always devastating (see vs. VT, 2014), they do happen. They are part of the game.

In If You Build It, Ramzy said "the Saturdays that matter most on the calendar are required to take a few Ls along the way. It makes the Ws that much better." He also said "sure, it sucks when your team loses - but there is a joy in just being a part of it."

While listening to Episode 72 (starting 3:20), Beau describes his excitement for this season compared to last year's. Last year, the expectation was perfection: fresh off southern marching and duck hunting, with a loaded roster, and a relatively easy schedule. Compare that with this year: inexperience, youth, and uncertainty on all fronts. That anything can happen this year, even while expecting Ohio State to win the Big Ten, provides Beau greater excitement. 

Tonight, I'm asking you to search your soul, to use the ego to address the id.

Knowing we can't and won't win every game we ever play and assuming we derive additional satisfaction in the wins as processed through the losses, which losses are you willing to take?

The 2016 Ohio State Buckeyes: a team of uncertainty, a team of youth. Could you forgo this season (unconsciounable trap game breakdowns and other stumbles) to set up an emotionally enhanced romp in 2017 with a more experienced team? Would you lose early (see Norman, OK) this and every season for a predictable bounce back for the remainder and into the post-season, risking diminishing returns along the way? How about crapping the bed at year-end (a la MSU in 2015), just narrowly missing out on destiny but an end result you can still label 'successful?' Hell, are you willing to drop a few editions of The Game to keep the maintain the illusion of a competitive rivalry?

If you must take some Ls, which Ls will they be?

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