What's Troy Smith's Legacy?

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

But I think Smith's legacy is at least a little tarnished because of that one game.

I think he'll always be remembered as a great all-around Buckeye. Especially the way Tressel still talks about him. Troy was the absolute perfect quarterback for a coach like Tressel.

He was one of those guys that led by example. He did things the right way and people took notice. Just like Tressel.

He wasn't a loud mouth, busy-body, or cheerleader. Just like Tressel.

He was kind of like an extension of Tressel to the players. It was a great consistency.

And Tressel seems forever indebted to Troy because it seems he's committed to keep his memory alive in the program.

But then again, if Tressel were to retire today, what would his legacy be?

People would say he was a great coach, but that he couldn't win the big one at the end of his career.

Just like Smith. He was a great player, but he couldn't win the biggest game of his life at the very end.

And I think that's the thing that will hurt him the most. It wasn't like it was his first game and he rebuilt. No, this was his last hurrah. His lasting memory.

It's like a spider man movie, where the geek Peter Parker became a hero. He was heading into the final battle scene against the Green Goblin except instead of a captivating battle, Spidy's web broke and he fell 50 stories and died.

Epic let-down.

So even as I try to remember the good times, I can't help but associate Troy Smith with that "epic let-down in the final scene" feeling.

What do you think?

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