As we are getting into the thick of our B1G schedule, week-in and week-out we are being reminded of our conference's opponents. After our challenging out of conference schedule is over, out of arrogance, a lot of us Ohio State fans look at the B1G schedule and see all W's and blowouts against the likes of names like Indiana, Minnesota, Purdue, Maryland, Iowa and so on.
The truth and reality is, these teams that were once looked at as light work to the juggernaut of Urban Meyer's Ohio State Buckeyes, are getting drastically better. Since Urban Meyer's arrival we have seen our program take off, entering a golden era of Ohio State football. Reaping benefits in wins, recruiting, national recognition, and all the good things that come with being elite. While we have been enjoying this, we have also become targets for the rest of the programs in the B1G. Every time a team like Minnesota, or Indiana, or Purdue, plays our Buckeyes, that is their version of the national championship game. They are on the same field as a national championship caliber team. They recruit and hire and fire coaches, based on the way they perform against us. This was Urban Meyer's goal when he used to speak about getting the B1G better upon his arrival, we should be grateful of this.
As a ripple effect of Ohio State hiring Urban Meyer in 2012, since we have seen many notable hires around the B1G. TTUN, Jim Harbaugh. PSU, James Franklin. Wisconsin, Paul Chryst. Nebraska, Scott Frost. Minnesota, PJ Fleck. Indiana, Tom Allen. Illinois, Lovie Smith. Rutgers, Chris Ash. Maryland, DJ Durkin. Purdue, Jeff Brohm. We have also seen Mark Dantonio, Kirk Ferentz, and Pat Fitzgerald, the only three pre-Urban Meyer B1G coaches left, improve their programs and on field play drastically.
Despite, the improvement of these programs, Urban Meyer has maintained a 53-4 record against the B1G since his arrival. Losing to MSU twice, and PSU and Iowa once.
Over are the days in which Ohio State blows out almost every name on the B1G schedule. Every week in the B1G, as Ohio State fans, we should expect nothing less than a true battle. To our advantage, the difference between us, the best team in the B1G, and everyone else, has shrunk.
Before overreacting about Ohio State's "huge" flaws and weaknesses, understand the reality of our situation. Our opponents have hired great, high level coaches to expose our weaknesses. Just a few years ago, we couldnt get a clear assessment on our weaknesses until we actually played a well coached team, usually not until one of the final games. Now, we are able to get a good assessment of where we need to improve against Indiana and Minnesota, only 3 weeks into our conference schedule.
A win 30-14, with key injuries against Minnesota is something to celebrate. A 49-26 win against Indiana is something to celebrate. Let's not become hysteric about the state of the Ohio State football team. We are in a very good spot. On this site, can we PLEASE, without the hysterics, focus on becoming a better football team, whilst appreciating the ways we are improving week to week.
Enjoy your Sunday. Buckeyes are 7-0.
