All Was Not Great, But OSU Will Still Compete in 2008!!

Jordan Furbee — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:09:57 -0500

Although the last two years have been let downs and a disappointment for the Buckeye football team and their fans, but people really should take a step back and look at this decade differently.

As of this past season the Buckeyes have compiled a record of 81-20, with 4 Big Ten Championships, 5 BCS berths including 3 berths in the NC game and have been in a bowl game every year. Some schools can only dream of these numbers!

But in the days of the SEC's dominance and the USC teams that ESPN heralds as "The Best Team Ever" almost every year, Buckeye fans can't help but appear spoiled and selfish. I know it's hard to look past getting embarrassed twice in the big game, but in the grand schemes of everything, this really can be seen as the glory days of OSU football.

You can debate that the late '60s and into the mid '70s were better when Woody coached the team to two National Championships and 9 Big Ten Championships, including six consecutive outright or shared titles from '72 to '77.

However, under Tressel the Buckeyes have consistently been the best in the nation and can always count on being competitive and in the hunt for college football's ultimate prize. Which is why the team will be near the top again next year. I'll throw out a pre-season top 5 for what it's worth since this year's top 5 didn't stay the same for long.

#1. USC

#2. Florida

#3. Georgia

#4. OSU

#5. Oklahoma

And I can even see the Buckeyes in Miami for the NC game again next year, say what you want about the big Ten (pun intended) but the Bucks can't help where they play and they look to be the favorite again. Their schedule shouldn't be an issue this year, since they play @ USC the 3rd game of the year. I'll even predict that they play USC or Florida in the big game and win the whole thing (3rd times the charm right?) But if another '07 is in store for College Football, all this might be totally false.

BIG Win for Michigan and the Big Ten

Jordan Furbee — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 19:36:55 -0500

As an Ohio State fan, your two favorite teams should be the Buckeyes and whoever plays Michigan. However, today I must admit I was rooting for the Maize and Blue. I guess it's better to root for the Big Ten then for the other team that Buckeye Country and I despise.

Michigan was patient, risky, and a bit lucky as they beat the Gators 41-35. I was impressed with the game I saw Michigan playing throughout and thought they would make a respectable showing, especially after Corso predicted a 41-14 loss. (I wonder how he got that?)

But the more and more I watched, the better Michigan played. They made Florida look vulnerable and seemed to provide a formula on how to beat Superman and his teammates. They did this by playing man-to-man coverage instead of the zone defense that killed OSU last year and were able to contain Tebow and his favorite target Harvin very well.

Now wasn't the almighty SEC supposed to be above and beyond better than the "Little Ten"? Weren't they supposed to be superior and "too fast" for the Wolverines, like they were with the Buckeyes? Michigan not only showed that they can compete, but that they really do belong at the top of the polls after an embarrassing season opening loss to App St.

Now it is up to the Buckeyes to beat LSU and help the Big Ten finish this bowl season with a winning record over the SEC. It may not quell the notion that the SEC is better, but it will at least prove that Ohio State and Michigan, along with the rest of the Big Ten, can compete with the best the nation has to offer.

Bleacher Report - Articles by Jordan Furbee

All Was Not Great, But OSU Will Still Compete in 2008!!

BIG Win for Michigan and the Big Ten