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OSU vs. Rutgers - It feels like this thing is going to a whole new level

+9 HS
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September 28, 2016 at 9:58pm
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Tressels, Fickells and Urbans,
 

September 28th, 2013 

Ohio State was in the early part of Urban's second season with the Buckeyes when it happened.  The year prior, Urban's first Ohio State squad went 12-0; one of only 6 perfect seasons in the 126 years of Buckeye football...so expectations in 2013 were high.  And then...Christian Bryant broke his ankle on the next to last play of the game against Wisconsin in Ohio Stadium.  

From his reaction, you could tell Urban was devastated.  On the surface it was upsetting but his reaction seemed a bit over-the-top.  Sure, Coach Meyer lost one of his senior defensive leaders and an outstanding defensive back.  But, something about this injury was really crushing to him.  As the season unfolded, we eventually found out why.  After winning 23 straight games to begin the Urban era, Ohio State lost consecutive games to Michigan State in the Big Ten Championship Game (to keep them from the national title game) and Clemson in the Orange Bowl...after just barely beating Michigan 42-41 in Ann Arbor.  In the Orange Bowl, Taj Boyd and Sammy Watkins shredded the Ohio State secondary which was a sieve without Bryant.

If you look back, the roster was loaded with players that are now in the NFL.  But, they were missing one key cog that kept the defensive secondary from falling apart...and provided on-field senior leadership.  I wonder if that would have been Urban's first national championship at Ohio State if Christian Bryant had not gone down with an injury.  You could just tell from his demeanor the 2013 season was tough on Urban.

August 26th, 2015

Ohio State was just 11 days away from the season opener at Virginia Tech.  The year prior, Ohio State won the first College Football Playoffs national championship trophy...many key players from the championship season were returning and OSU was primed to repeat.  And then...Noah Brown broke his leg during practice.  

Urban's reaction to this injury was interesting.  Noah, a second year player, was a non-factor the previous season - he barely saw the field.  Many Buckeye fans probably didn't even know his name...and the 2015 roster was loaded with household-name superstars.  And yet, Urban was deeply emotionally impacted by Noah Brown's injury.  At first it seemed a little odd.  But, after Noah's four touchdown performance against Oklahoma this season, we now understand why.  There were a couple things missing from the 2015 Ohio State team even though they were one of the most talented Ohio State team's ever assembled -- the missing components: one, heart...and two, a passing game.  I wonder if things would have turned out differently for the 2015 team if Noah Brown had been able to take the field?  You could tell from Urban's interviews last season that something was never quite "right" about the 2015 team.

August 25th, 2016

I had an opportunity to hear Urban give his thoughts about his 2016 squad to a small group after an OSU practice.  At this time, the 2016 team is essentially a bunch of no-name players after a mass exodus sending a record-number of underclassmen to the NFL last Spring.  Slightly more than half of the 2016 team has freshman eligibility; that is not usually a very good sign.  But, Urban's comments were very interesting...you could tell he was extremely confident in his 2016 team.  In fact, I don't recall ever seeing Urban this confident - not even during the 2012 season when they were perfect or the end of the 2014 season as Ohio State made its incredible run to the national championship.  He was comparing the 2016 team to 2014, but there was a calm confidence...it was as if he thought this year's Buckeyes were even better.  It was very odd at the time given how young and inexperienced this team is.

But, something very interesting is happening with the 2016 team.  They just look different from any other Ohio State team...in a good way.  These guys are all now Urban's recruits and only know the grueling training environment of Mickey Mariotti's conditioning program..and the defensive coaching staff may be the best ever assembled at Ohio State.  

            
You can also tell something very interesting is happening regarding Urban's belief in this team.  It feels like this thing is going to a whole new level.

Touchdowns:  JT, Mike Weber, Mike Weber, Curtis Samuel, Dontre, Noah Brown, Parris Campbell, Terry McLauren, Malik Hooker
 
OSU 63 Rutgers 6

Go Bucks!  Beat Rutgers!  Dante Booker for Heisman! 

Portly Pa
 

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