Rivals Writers are Clowns

• OneBuckeye

  

  Every time OSU is in a close game or loses a game these rivals clowns write the same article. This time it was Justin King's turn. And from reading the article he obviously didn't watch the game. Or see the breaks Iowa got throughout the game.
  
  http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=jn-osu111409&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
  

  When it was time for the interrogation to begin, though, no one said a word. “You guys look dumbfounded,” said Tressel, staring into a throng of reporters. “It’s like you’re shocked that we [won].”
  
  In a rare attempt at humor, Ohio State’s stoic coach couldn’t have been more on the money.
  
  The Buckeyes may have sewn up a spot in the Rose Bowl but, as has been the case all season, they hardly looked like a team worthy of a BCS berth.
  
  Conservative, timid play-calling – a “star” quarterback who was more of a facilitator than a factor – blunders on special teams and untimely penalties. So maddening were the Buckeyes to watch on Saturday that, entering the overtime period, their fans were actually booing.
  
  But then – as they so often do in close games against mediocre teams – things began going Ohio State’s way.
  
  The more telling scene, though, occurred near the Iowa tunnel, where receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos attempted to swat a bouquet of roses away from a Buckeyes fan who was holding them high in the air while running onto the field.
  
  “This is bullshit,” Johnson-Koulianos said to no one specific, and there are plenty of college football fans who feel the same way about the Buckeyes and the Big Ten.
  
  Ohio State continues to be the best team in its league but, on a national scale, it appears destined to disappoint once again. There’s no reason to believe this group of Buckeyes will fare any better in January than its predecessors, who have lost three straight BCS bowl games, including two in convincing fashion
  
  While the defense has been stout, Ohio State’s offense continues to be laughable at times. Tressel has so little confidence in the unit that on Saturday, with the score tied and just over two minutes left in regulation, the coach called for two straight running plays and a short pass that went for a 3-yard loss. It was as if the Buckeyes, who were forced to punt, weren’t even trying to win the game.
  
  Even more embarrassing was the decision by Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz on the Hawkeyes’ ensuing possession. Iowa had the ball on its own 33-yard line with 52 seconds remaining. A few quick 10- or 20-yard passes from red-hot quarterback James Vandenberg and the Hawkeyes would’ve been in range for a game-winning field goal.
  
  Instead, inexcusably, Ferentz ran out the clock. Rather than try to win the game, he played for overtime. What message does that send a player?
  
  “We could win the game with a few medium-length passes and a field goal, but I don’t think you guys are good enough to execute under pressure, so we’ll take our chances in overtime.”
  
  So confident were Tressel and Ferentz in their offenses that, in the final 2:42 of regulation, they ran a combined seven plays.
  
  These are the top two teams in the Big Ten?
  
  It’s no wonder the conference went just 1-6 in bowl games last season. The Big Ten also has lost six straight BCS bowl games, and there’s no reason to think that trend will end this winter.
  
  Especially if Ohio State doesn’t mix things up offensively.
  
  He may improve eventually but, for now, it’s clear that Tressel has no faith in Terrelle Pryor. The former national No. 1 national recruit completed 14 of 17 passes for 93 yards. That’s just 6.6 yards per completion, meaning his coaches don’t trust him to do anything other than the elementary. There also were only three or four running plays designed for the athletic Pryor, who is saying all the right things. Still, deep down, he can’t be happy with the way he’s been utilized thus far in his career.
  
  “I know we need to get better,” Tressel said, and that may have been the understatement of the night.
  
  Scores in the teens and 20s may be enough to win in the offensively challenged Big Ten, but it won’t cut it Jan. 1 in Pasadena in a game that promises to be somber for the Buckeyes.

  The article is just a Big Ten and OSU bashfest. Didn't write anything of significance about the game. Not journalism at all. Also focused on the negatives and has already dismissed the big 10 in bowl games this year. Rivals has been bent over and taking it from the SEC for so long, it is disgusting that they do the "reporting" for yahoo now.
• thedynasty1998

  

  I don't know if I could agree any more with one article.
  
  The Big 10 is awful. And OSU has won because they are able to recruit the most talented players. They are not winning because of better execution, better coaching or anything else other than pure talent.
• OneBuckeye

  

  ^ Please explain how the Big Ten is awful? What are you basing this on? Purdue took Oregon to the wire and OSU did the same with USC. Please explain why you think they are awful.
• osu45804

  

  Give it a rest..... Michigan, Penn State, Illinois, Purdue, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Mich. State, Northwestern & Minnesota would ALLLL love to be in our position!!! It's not our job to recruit for them to! We don't have to apologize for a thing! GO BUCKS!!
• Prescott

  I'm an OSU fan and I think the article is spot on. Tressel does not trust Pryor to make winning plays. It is that simple.
• Rotinaj

  

  OneBuckeye wrote: ^ Please explain how the Big Ten is awful? What are you basing this on? Purdue took Oregon to the wire and OSU did the same with USC. Please explain why you think they are awful.

  USC has been clown stomped twice and has another loss against Washington..Taking teams to the wire and losing means nothing. It's funny that u argue the big 10 isn't awful and then site losses.
• charliehustle14

  He's way off base when he's talking about Pryor.
  
  For one, Pryor was knicked up pretty good (ankle, knee, cut finger, sore hip) and he still managed the game well. He played well enough and moved the chains when OSU needed it badly. He picked up 2 huge 1st downs on amazing plays during the drive Boom Herron scored. Tressel wanted to run right at the defense all night and it actually worked well. Pryor has bought into Tressel's values and I'm sure Pryor is more than happy where he is at in his career. A 2 year starter as a sophomore, Rose Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, 2 Big Ten Titles.
  
  Gotta love Johnson-Koulianos trying to swat a bouquet of roses out an OSU fans hands and yelling 'this is bullshit'. This is bullshit? What's bullshit are all the breaks Iowa got to get back in the game when it was 24-10. He should be saying 'this is bullshit' to Ferentz for playing for OT with 50 seconds to go. He should be saying 'this is bullshit' for the way his offense was overmatched on Iowa's OT possession.
• tigerfan82

  I bet even after we WIN the Rose Bowl...........they will make another excuse as to why we win.
• dwccrew

  

  I don't think the article is that off base. This guy likes to spice it up a bit, but for the most part he is spot on. The Buckeyes played like shit for 3 of 4 quarters last night. The fact that OSU had the superior talent won them the game. That's it. It wasn't coaching, it wasn't play execution, it was the talent.
  
  Tressel tried his hardest to piss the game away, but Ferentz pissed it away more. Tressel should sent Ferentz a gift basket after the way he handed back the game to Tressel.
  
  Iowa had all the momentum and there is no doubt that had they attempted to go for the endzone with 50 seconds left, they would have won the game.
  
  I'm not real sure how a Tressel coached team blew a 14 point lead that quick. The only conclusion I can come up with is that with all the conservative playcalling, that is what happens. Build on the lead continually, the conservative crap hasn't been working and will not work. Build the lead to protect it, don't sit on it and allow the other team to get back into the game.
• devil1197

  Why do people think its a trust factor? Maybe the reason why OSU is running the football is because they running it very effectively.
  
  Why air it out all the time like most people love seeing when you are getting 4+ ypc and 200+ a game?
  
  The same conservative play calling built the 14 point lead so people need to quit bitching and complaining. Our offensive running game ran straight down the field against Iowa for two TD's. They built a 14 point lead with this so called crappy offense. If it wasn't for a blown tackle on the kick coverage and the offsides by Williams the game would have been a blow out.
  
  Just because it isn't flashy or there are drives where it stalls quickly doesn't mean its a crappy offense.
• dwccrew

  

  devil1197 wrote: Why do people think its a trust factor? Maybe the reason why OSU is running the football is because they running it very effectively.
  
  Why air it out all the time like most people love seeing when you are getting 4+ ypc and 200+ a game?
  
  The same conservative play calling built the 14 point lead so people need to quit bitching and complaining. Our offensive running game ran straight down the field against Iowa for two TD's. They built a 14 point lead with this so called crappy offense. If it wasn't for a blown tackle on the kick coverage and the offsides by Williams the game would have been a blow out.
  
  Just because it isn't flashy or there are drives where it stalls quickly doesn't mean its a crappy offense.

  
  You make a valid point. But there is sometimes Tressel runs it that I don't quite understand. Like 3rd and long yesterday, why do that?
• darbypitcher22

  

  tigerfan,
  
  you can count on it.
  
  Until OSU goes 13-0 and wins a National Championship and isn't in a close game the entire way, ramrodding everyone by 30+, which we all know will not happen, the criticism will continue to flow.
• charliehustle14

  dwccrew wrote: I don't think the article is that off base. This guy likes to spice it up a bit, but for the most part he is spot on. The Buckeyes played like shit for 3 of 4 quarters last night. The fact that OSU had the superior talent won them the game. That's it. It wasn't coaching, it wasn't play execution, it was the talent.
  
  Tressel tried his hardest to piss the game away, but Ferentz pissed it away more. Tressel should sent Ferentz a gift basket after the way he handed back the game to Tressel.
  
  Iowa had all the momentum and there is no doubt that had they attempted to go for the endzone with 50 seconds left, they would have won the game.
  
  I'm not real sure how a Tressel coached team blew a 14 point lead that quick. The only conclusion I can come up with is that with all the conservative playcalling, that is what happens. Build on the lead continually, the conservative crap hasn't been working and will not work. Build the lead to protect it, don't sit on it and allow the other team to get back into the game.

  Ferentz didn't even need a TD with 50 seconds left. A FG would have won it.
• dwccrew

  

  charliehustle14 wrote:
  Ferentz didn't even need a TD with 50 seconds left. A FG would have won it.

  Yea, I know. That was implied in my point.
• devil1197

  dwccrew wrote:

  devil1197 wrote: Why do people think its a trust factor? Maybe the reason why OSU is running the football is because they running it very effectively.
  
  Why air it out all the time like most people love seeing when you are getting 4+ ypc and 200+ a game?
  
  The same conservative play calling built the 14 point lead so people need to quit bitching and complaining. Our offensive running game ran straight down the field against Iowa for two TD's. They built a 14 point lead with this so called crappy offense. If it wasn't for a blown tackle on the kick coverage and the offsides by Williams the game would have been a blow out.
  
  Just because it isn't flashy or there are drives where it stalls quickly doesn't mean its a crappy offense.

  
  You make a valid point. But there is sometimes Tressel runs it that I don't quite understand. Like 3rd and long yesterday, why do that?

  I can understand some people getting upset, but the offense is working. It may not be perfect 100% of the time, but it only takes one play (Saine's 49 yard TD) to shut people up.
  
  The 3rd and long surprised me too, but realize that Iowa had a FR QB, that looked great at time but then again should have had 5 INT's yesterday and one returned for a TD. Trust one of the best defenses in the country to shut down Iowa's offense.
• redstreak one

  

  Putting your trust in Pryor, who has been anything but shaky for the first half of the season? He is starting to manage the game well by not losing it with untimely turnovers! The next step is letting the reigns loose a little more, not with 1:30 left in the 4th quarter and at least 65+ yards needed to try and win the game. Am I losing my memory, but some were asking for Pryor to be sat, now you want him to orchestrate a long drive when you can play for overtime? LOL
  
  I agree with the poster above that said so what we won with better talent, isnt just winning the bottom line? I agree some points with the article, but I would rather be in Ohio States position, rather than Michigans!
• devil1197

  I love how people say we won with better talent but they are the same ones that have bashed Herron/Saine/Pryor before saying that they weren't good and that freshman like Hall or Berry should have replaced them.
  
  Which one is it. Does OSU truly have better talent, the same talent that scored 21 points (Saine x2 and Herron x1) or is it the execution of Tressel's offense that works.
• dwccrew

  

  devil1197 wrote: I love how people say we won with better talent but they are the same ones that have bashed Herron/Saine/Pryor before saying that they weren't good and that freshman like Hall or Berry should have replaced them.
  
  Which one is it. Does OSU truly have better talent, the same talent that scored 21 points (Saine x2 and Herron x1) or is it the execution of Tressel's offense that works.

  I think OSU easily has the best talent in the Big Ten. Hence 5 straight Big Ten titles. But, that doesn't necessarily exempt some players from being sub-par.
  
  Saine and Herron are decent backs, but some fans are spoiled after having Beanie and Pittman before that. Those 2 were head and shoulders ahead of Saine and Herron.
  
  Pryor is still coming into form. The talent is there, it just needs to be harnessed. It seems that he is turning a corner since the Purdue game.
• devil1197

  I think they have the talent also, but its the same people who bash Herron and Saine saying that aren't good.
  
  Well if OSU has the best talent but the guys who are scoring the TD's aren't good? See the problem with that.
• dwccrew

  

  devil1197 wrote: I think they have the talent also, but its the same people who bash Herron and Saine saying that aren't good.
  
  Well if OSU has the best talent but the guys who are scoring the TD's aren't good? See the problem with that.

  Just to play devil's advocate (no pun intended) I think one could argue that even though the OSU backs aren't that good, they are superior in talent to teams in a weak conference.
  
  This is not my opinion, but I think one could use that as an argument.
  
  Saine and Herron may be talented enough to beat Big 10 teams, but at the national level, they can't run over teams with equal talent and therefore aren't as good.
• redstreak one

  

  Devil, you are not alone! LOL I agree you cant bash them one week calling them sub par, then say OSU wins with talent! Saine and Herron are solid Big Ten backs, not Beanie caliber. Pryor is a solid QB, the last few weeks he has proven that, but just like Troy Smith, he isnt ready to shoulder the whole burden. I can tell by his body language that he wants to be, I just hope he is patient.
• bo shemmy3337

  OSU has 10x the talent in comparison to any team other than Michigan and PSU. And they got 2x more talent than those 2 teams. OSU has not beat a team with equal recruiting classes in a long time. They get the same ranked talent as USC/Florida/ and many other top 5 teams.
• bo shemmy3337

  All you have to do is go to rivals.com or scout.com and you will see that the other teams in the big ten are filled with 3 star recruits. OSU is 4 and 5 star for the most part. Now the guys ranking talent up here are clearly wrong as most of the 3 star guys from Florida and Texas are better than the 4 stars up north.
• trep14

  That article is dead on. What part of it do you disagree with?
• OneBuckeye

  

  I desagree with part that says... OSU won but... they still suck. Who writes that about college teams? I have never seen articles like this about other teams. Secondly the played pretty well in that game. Their defense should have had 4 or 5 INTs. The offense got 200+ yards rushing. The team does not suck. Just because the play calling is conservative and boring doesn't make it bad. It is predictable at times, that is the only critisim I have and agree with.