Last Saturday afternoon my dad walked to the upper level of my parents’ Ohio home to see who my mom was talking to. “Uh, huh… that’s what you get”, my mother was uttering to no one within hearing distance . Picture a big cartoon question mark over my dad’s head as he watched my mom reprimand the televised Tressel Bunch in her ever present monotone voice.

As we laughed over the reiteration of the story, she provided clarity; she explained that it is good to see the Buckeyes make mistakes as they will get the feeling in the pit of their stomach that they do not want to feel again… and, therefore, will be cautious to avoid said mistake in the following weeks. I learned a long time ago that my mom is always right, this instance was no exception.

The Buckeyes played one hellofa game against Michigan State. Note worthy performances all over the board including 221 yards by Beanie Wells. Lucky for Beanie, he was able to dive on his own fumble in order to maintain positive recognition from last Saturday. Added to the Beanie fumble were two major missteps by the offense to the tune of an interception returned for 54 yds. and a 25 yd. fumble return within a 56 second time frame. Well deserved tongue lashing! Mistakes will be made but let’s hope that the Buckeyes continue to grow from the mishaps because there are a lot of 56 seconds in a game in which the world could come crashing down. There will be little room for error this Saturday in Happy Valley.

Ohio State is walking into the stadium with an identity crisis (Question: why do the “Nittany Lions” maintain a “Beaver Stadium”) with a lot on the line. First and foremost a #1 ranking and spot in the national championship game; second, an opportunity to tie the 1990-92 state up north team for most consecutive wins in the Big Ten (19); second squared as it holds just as much relevance, maintaining a top ranking in the current Big Ten rankings; and finally, PRIDE. Trash talking on every sports show and website debating OSU and how they do not deserve a #1 ranking. Honestly people… the bitching is not going to change the facts; the TOP RATED DEFENSE in the country has that title due to skill, not lack of effort from the opposing team. The offense has out-performed. The teams have not been top ranked teams but (as this season proves ranking does not matter week to week with the constant change) also did not approach the game and lie down.

Brutus and buddies are walking in to a “white out” in Beaver Stadium. This is something that they dealt with in a 2005 (gasp) loss. Learning from mistakes and keeping their eyes on the prize is crucial. 107,000 fans wearing white will be sitting in the stands and not on the field. QB Anthony Morelli will, however, be on the field. Morelli is averaging 217 yards per game but also has a history of folding under pressure. He is known to throw as their ground attack is not as strong, and a 59.5% completion rating (additionally only 3 interceptions at home on the season) means nothing against a defense who is well suited to stop it.

Facts:

We will start with a mistake OSU will hopefully learn from,

The 2005 loss at Happy Valley was the Bucks last regular season loss to date

Now for the good stuff,

#1 National Scoring D (7.88)

#2 National Pass (146) and Rush D (62.4)

#1 Yards surrendered to opposing O (208.5)

AND

The last 2 times Ohio State started the season 8-0 they continued on to play in the National Championship Game

Come on Bucks, listen to my mom. Learn from those mistakes. There is a lot on the line but, above all, you don’t want to deal with another monotone tongue lashing!

Becky

(Love you mom and dad!)

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Last post (s) by Rebekah Edwards

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Tags: NCAA Football