Dave's IMO: Year in a Nutshell

Dave Thurman (1:15 pm)

What a strange year 2008 has been for the Buckeye faithful. As I look back over this past season, there are a number of things that rate as strange, shocking or absurd:

1) 10-2 with a historic, one-sided victory over Michigan still being considered disappointing due to preseason rankings and expectations.

2) True-freshman Terrelle Pryor totally unseating sixth-year senior and returning all-Big Ten quarterback Todd Boeckman...and, receiving snaps from another true freshman, Mike Brewster.

3) Three games without a single offensive touchdown!

4) Struggling to score at home against weak teams such as Purdue and Ohio, but putting up over 40 on the road against decent teams like Michigan State and Northwestern.

5) Statistical oddities like: 272 yards of total offense against Ohio, 49 yards passing against Illinois; 10th in Big Ten in passing yards; 24 total sacks on the entire year (with only one coming from Lawerence Wilson, the tabbed replacement for Vern Gholston); and, 65 total rushing yards from Brandon Saine, considered a budding superstar at tailback.

6) Although a veteran unit averaged only 340 yards per game on offense (about 60 per game less than the '06 and '07 teams did during the regular season), surprisingly they committed less turnovers (only 13) and had less penalty yards (41.7 per game) than the previous two squads. Go figure!

As Johnny Carson used to say, "That's weird, wacky stuff."

So, how can we summarize 2008, and what does it tell us about the future?

First of all, it ended up being a decent season when it could have been an unmitigated disaster. We saw a senior laden Michigan team basically tank it last year, at least until their bowl game when they won one for departing coach Lloyd Carr.

After the USC humiliation, with media and fans totally down on the Buckeyes, and some players disgruntled with the quarterback change, this team could have lost four or five games. The win at Wisconsin was huge, and while the season was disappointing in lieu of the lofty expectations, 10-2 with revenge against Illinois, and a fifth straight victory over "that school up north" can't be considered a terrible season.

A share of the Big Ten title means four in a row, and that is not to be taken lightly.

While I believe we should have defeated Penn State, it may be a blessing in disguise that we didn't, because I don't think this team is ready to play a top five squad in a bowl game. What Buckeye Nation didn't need was another one-sided loss in a big BCS bowl game.

So, while the 2008 will not go down as one of Tressel's best, it proved again that good defense and special teams allow a team to stay in most every game and keep upsets at a minimum.

As far as the future: Although the bowl game may have some impact on 2009, I think we can get a pretty good idea about next season from looking back on the past 12 games.

Actually next season should be very interesting as there will be a lot of young talent on the field. It may be one of the fastest Buckeye squads ever, and if a few key vacancies are filled, it could be an excellent team. However, a great deal rests on who calls next year's plays and whether or not Bollman is demoted or asked to leave altogether.

Later this week I'll take a look at a projected roster and a way-too-early prediction on next season's record. Before then, enjoy some turkey and mashed potatoes, lift up a word of thanks, and be glad you aren't a Michigan or Notre Dame fan!