Minnesota vs. Ohio State; Is Beanie the Missing Link?

Growing up in rural Ohio I was a tomboy. I participated in every outdoor activity my older brother, Jason, allowed me to join. Fighting tooth and nail to prove myself worthy and become an asset in each after-school backyard game motivated me. I wanted to be a part of whatever he did and I wanted to play whatever game he was involved in.

 

Upon aging into adolescence, our parents put a major kink in my plans to follow my brother in athletic endeavors. Jason was active in the local pee-wee football program. I thought it only natural that I too would take the field padded up and representing the black and yellow Westside Chargers. Understandably I am a female and it was far from the norm in those days for parents to put their small daughter on the playing field with much larger boys.  To me the norm didn’t matter; I was athletic, competitive, knowledgeable and mentally tough. I belonged out there with my brother. Instead I had to take my abilities to the sideline in a pleated skirt!

 

The past weeks of the current college football season have confirmed that a team can be the most competitive, skilled and athletic but if they do not have the mental toughness they have nothing. At 7 years old I had the confidence and mental toughness to take on anyone. How can the Buckeyes regain that mindset and reestablish the unbeatable attitude they had prior to this season?

 

It has become apparent that The Ohio State Buckeyes football team has a mental block resulting from embarrassing defeats in consecutive national championship games. Self doubt is evident in the hesitation on nearly every play involving a team veteran. The uncertainty became more prevalent when 2007 team MVP Beanie Wells was taken out of play due to injury in the first game of the Buckeye’s 2008 season. Is it possible a single player can make that much of a difference to a team already lacking morale?

 

It seems that Coach Tressel acknowledged the veteran team members’ struggles and set up a rally of youngster’s during Troy last Saturday. True freshman Terrell Pryor replaced fifth-year senior Todd Boeckman (and became first true freshman to start at quarterback for the Buckeyes since 1978). In doing so, Tressel gifted the Buckeyes a mobile quarterback who hasn’t faced adversity in the pocket and proceeds without second guessing his decisions. He has proven he can transform a loss into a gain.

 

The Buckeyes also experimented up front with several new faces on the offensive line. Jim Cordle, who had started the last 16 games at center, moved to left guard to fill in for Steve Rehring who sat out due to injury. Another true freshman, Mike Brewster, then took Cordle’s spot. Brewster wasn’t the only youngster to step in up front. True freshman J.B. Shugarts and sophomore Andrew Miller also saw action.

 

These boys have not felt the national level agony of defeat that their elder team members have and may be able to boost team confidence with strong performance. Still, the team will continue to look to its leaders for motivation.

 

The Minnesota Golden Gophers will be walking into Ohio Stadium Saturday with the motivation of an undefeated record on the season after suffering an 1-11 record last season. All four victories are from non-conference play but all four still contribute to team confidence. Self assurance through victory is coupled with Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber throwing just one interception in 110 attempts to gain Big Ten respect, while freshman DeLeon Elkridge is on track in creating a much needed Gopher running game. Their outstanding performance(s) will accelerate the level of play against the Buckeyes. 

 

The Minnesota defense could be a major pitfall, ranking in the lower half of the conference in areas that matter most. The defense will be facing Pryor’s outstanding ability to move out of the pocket and free opportunity for run OR pass. Additionally the Gophers will have to contend with the return of Beanie Wells. It is official!

Let’s hope that Wells’ return will brighten the light in the stadium tunnel as the Buckeyes begin conference play on a mission to be the first team to win three straight outright Big Ten Conference titles. Wells is slated to start Saturday but will not be pushed to rush over the limitations of his injury. He will find relief in Pryor and Boom Herron who had 20 rushes for 94 yards a week ago.

 

The stellar receiving team of Brian Hartline and Brian Robiskie seems to have struggled with slippery fingers through this season. Ray Small has been instrumental in leading the receiving corp early on but has and will see limited play on receiving as well as punt returns due to disciplinary measures. 

 

There was motivation for improvement on the OSU defensive side of the ball as team captain James Laurinaitis took initiative in challenging his teammates. Via Laurinaitis’ pro-wrestling father, Joe, “(James) had a serious talk with his teammates this week about going into the Big Ten season with a mind-set that they would increase their intensity a notch. This team is just starting to find their identity,” Joe Laurinaitis said. “He’s doing the right thing. He’s trying to fire up his teammates. He’s trying to get them ready, because now it really matters.”

 

What matters is breaking down the mental barrier. The team is stocked with athletes, competitive nature, absolute knowledge of the game… and the fact that their parents allowed them to play at a young age in order to get to this level. Snap out of it boys, it is a new season and it is far from over! Let’s hope Wells is the missing link that connects the team back to the confident champions we know they have the potential to be.

 

Go Bucks!

 

BE

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