Ohio State's New Focus? Rose Bowl Now, Changes Later

I have addressed this issue extensively before, and I can only hope that others are slowly but surely coming to my side of this argument. No more cupcakes like Youngstown State, Ohio University, Kent State, etc., on the schedule. While I understand why Ohio State wants/needs to have as many home games as possible, the team needs to play tough opponents prior to The Big Ten schedule for reasons that the entire nation witnessed tonight.

Ohio State should be scheduling teams such as West Virginia, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame (for geographic purposes), one MAC team (and ONLY ONE MAC team), one "tough" non-conference team (such as USC, or, in future years, Miami (FL), California, Oklahoma, etc.), and another Big Ten team.

Intermediate to Long Term: Bring In an Offensive Coordinator

Offensive line coach Jim Bollman also serves as the offensive coordinator, with coach Jim Tressel serving as the unofficial play-caller on game days.

It would be in the program's best long-term interests to bring back Walt Harris as the offensive coordinator, as Ohio State's offensive formations, attack, and general approach are just completely devoid of any creativity or aggressive tendencies. At worst, Harris could develop the passing game philosophies, with Bollman and Tressel focused on the running game philosophies.

Intermediate to Long Term: Consider a New Defensive Coordinator

I would contend a major piece of the puzzle that has been missing to Ohio State's success is coach Mark Dantonio, who was the defensive coordinator for the first three years in coach Tressel's tenure and is now leading Michigan State.

Coach Dantonio's defenses did not consistently apply pressure, but could pressure and force turnovers much more frequently since he left for the Cincinnati job back after the 2003 season.

While he just arrived at Notre Dame, a welcome return would be for coach Jon Tenuta as the defensive coordinator. Tenuta's aggressive blitzing styles that have served him well at Georgia Tech and now at Notre Dame would be comparable to what Ohio State offenses have seen by blitzing defenses such as Florida, LSU, and now USC.

While it would be understandable for Ohio State fans to wallow in self-pity after being demolished by USC, this game only serves as one loss. Troy will be in Columbus next weekend with little-to-no concern about the mental state of Ohio State coaches, players, or fans. It will be interesting to see how coach Tressel, his assistants, and the senior captains regroup after this big loss as Ohio State prepares for the Big Ten, starting with Minnesota on Sept. 27.

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