Keeping the Faith: Terrelle Pryor and Buckeyes Believe Season Can Turn Around

After a rough day in West Lafayette, Buckeye Nation has been morally crippled and is questioning why the team faltered and even doubted Jim Tressel's statements of the team overlooking Purdue.

But in the past few days, no player in the country has come under more scrutiny than Terrelle Pryor, either warranted or unwarranted.

His poor performance against the Boilermakers brought questions of his competition level, his demeanor—which may border on arrogance—and even his mental makeup.

But this time around, his comments to the press on Wednesday seem to be reflective of someone who's been humbled.

We all do still have to remember that Pryor is only 19 and still coming into his own as a person.

When he talked to the press, he said that the loss humbled him and that he has come back a more focused, relaxed person, at least on the practice field.

In addition, several personalities, such as LeBron James, Miami QB Jacory Harris, and reportedly Florida QB Tim Tebow have reached out to the sophomore and given him words of encouragement.

Fans will probably have to remember that in high school, Pryor was clearly the best athlete in his level, only AA in a state where AAAA is the top level of football.

It does seem an adjustment would take longer to play well against top competition week after week. And against a lot of defensive-minded Big Ten teams, that adjustment period could take a little more time.

Probably the best lesson he can learn is that it's perfectly fine to take four or five-yard plays if they are open.

Often times, when he rolled out and had space in front of him, he threw the unnecessary pass instead of taking the short yards and using his physique to help him get extra yards.

But he still believes, along with other players on the team, that they can make it to the Rose Bowl. Despite having one loss in-conference, they still control their own destiny, as they still have unbeaten Iowa at home.

Winning out should land the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1996 against Arizona State.

Two games against Minnesota and New Mexico State should help Pryor build his confidence back up. But he has the support of everyone in the Buckeyes locker room.

And hopefully he has their faith, as well, because this team will live and die by Pryor, regardless of how unfair the responsibility is to a true sophomore.

The running back situation doesn't seem to be getting any better, though.

Boom Herron is still out for this Saturday's game and Jaamal Berry is getting one day closer to a redshirt after re-aggravating a hamstring injury suffered in the fall camps.

Luckily for the Buckeyes, Brandon Saine has emerged as a capable back this year, having 524 total yards (381 rushing, 143 passing) on 70 rushes and 10 catches. On average, Saine gets 6.6 yards every time he touches the ball.

On a team that lacks much proven talent, having a multi-threat back like Saine could be Pryor's best option.

Whatever happens with the offense, Pryor playing with less pressure on himself could be the best thing for the Buckeyes.

He puts so much pressure on himself and just needs to relax and let the game come to him. When he does, a whole new kind of football player will emerge out of Columbus.

We all knew this was not Ohio State's championship year. But a six-game winning streak would go a long way to building momentum for 2010 as only WR Ray Small and TE Jake Ballard graduate as far as skill positions are concerned.

Others, like Saine and WR Dane Sanzenbacher, could declare, but will probably stay for their senior seasons.

But if Buckeye fans want to have faith in the future, they must put faith in their team for 2009.

The season is not lost, and the Rose Bowl is still possible. The team believes it can happen, but it's up to everyone else to keep the faith.