What is your pick of the top teams Tressel has had in his 10 years at Ohio State?

1. 2002- I think that it goes without saying that this is the best team at Ohio State under Tressel. 14-0 and the national title with probably the best defense Tressel has had at Ohio State. This team just had no quit in them and found a way to win every time.

2. 2006- Even with the embarassing loss in the BCS title game, this team was #1 wire to wire and had a Heisman trophy winning QB (I believe the only one in the Big 10 history). This team was great and laid an egg in the title game, it still doesn't take away how great that season was.

3. 2005- It took a while for this team to finally find its identity, but by season's end they were arguably the playing like the best team in the nation. The defense was very nasty and was the only defense to hold a Vince Young led Texas team (that ended up national champions) to under 40 points (25).

4. 2003- IMO, had this team had a decent running game (meaning if Clarett would've kept his nose clean and played this season) OSU repeats as national champions. This team had an outstanding defense and sent a record 14 players to the draft. The only thing missing was a running game, which would have opened up the pass.

5. 2009- Rose Bowl champs and an outright Big 10 title is vintage Ohio State and this team accomplished that feat. The 2 losses they had that season were to lesser teams, which always stings, but this team was definitely in the upper echelon of Tressel coached Buckeyes teams.

6. 2008- The worst loss in my time watching the Buckeyes (as far as humiliating and getting totally dominated) was the USC game this season. However, the Bucks still won a share of the Big Ten and were 30 seconds away from winning their 3rd Fiesta Bowl.

7. 2007- Many people have argued that this team didn't deserve to play in the national title game. Whatever side of that argument you are on, there is no denying that this was a tough OSU team. They were outright Big 10 champs and also tied a record for consecutive Big Ten victories.

8. 2010- This team could move up, as of now though, they are sitting at #8 on my list. They have no "big" wins so far this season (no teams that finished ranked) and have played rather soft on the defensive side of the ball from what we as OSU fans are used to seeing out of OSU defenses.

9. 2004- A season that early on looked all but over that ended up great with a dominating 37-21 win over #9 Michigan at home and a bowl win in the Alamo Bowl over Oklahoma St. by 30 points.

10. 2001- Tressel's very first year (and 1 before the NC team) that was up and down but capped by a impressive win in Ann Arbor against a heavily favored Michigan team. That is when Tressel first made his mark and he hasn't looked back.

What are your top ten lists? Please no arguing over lists, this is purely opinion.

2002
2006
2005
2009
2003
2010
2007
2008
2004
2001

We lost to the 3 best teams we played in 08 (really the only 3 legit teams we played), so I have that one ranked lower than you. The rest of your list is pretty similar to mine though.

As a neutral observer, I think the 2006 team would beat the BCS Championship team.

1. 2002 - Enough Said

2. 2005 - Loaded with talent. Should have defeated Texas and Penn State losing both games late.

3. 2006 - Probably the best offensive team.

4. 2010 - Subject to change (still have a bowl game to go). The Wisconsin game doesn't look as bad now. Solid defense and improved offense

5. 2003 - Just about everyone back from the National Championship team except #13

6. 2007 - Overachieved.

7. 2008 - Most disappointing. 19 starters back but was handled by USC and upset at home to Penn State.

8. 2009 - USC game became worse as the Trojan struggled this year. Plus losing to Purdue didn't help.

9. 2001 - Competed. Losing 4 games by 7 points or less. Which helped them become battled tested the following year in their championship run.

10. 2004 - Stressful year. Beating Michigan did make it somewhat better than what it was.

2005
2002

2006

2003


2010

2007

2009
2008
2001


2004

1. It's tempting to put the 2002 Buckeyes at #1 but I think the 2005 was actually better despite the NC.
2. 2002
3. 2006 The amount of harassment I took here in State College after the Buckeye got their asses handed to them in the NC still stings. I keep reminding Penn State fans that OSU has at least played in 3 NC games in the past dozen years. PSU's last NC...1986.
4. 2003 What if Clarett had not been an idiot? What if?
5. 2010 Seems the Buckeyes are always one choke away from the NC every season. This year's hairball: Wisconsin.
6. 2007 Decent team but not in Tressel's Top 5.
7. 2008 Condom loss #1.
8. 2009 Condom loss #2.
9. 2004 Excruciating year
10. 2001 Not bad for Tressel's first season.

^^Wise man right there!

I really think 2005 was better than 2002 on paper. I consider their loss to Texas to be similar to Notre Dame's loss to Michigan this year--wouldn't have happen had their best quarterback been taking snaps the whole game. At the end of 2005, Ohio State was playing better ball than anyone in the country, and we haven't had a year like 2005, as far as how good the teams are, since. Ohio State, Texas, and Southern Cal were all among the all-time elites.

I tend to agree with people saying the 2005 team was the best team on paper and probably at the end of the season of any Buckeye team.

5 first round picks that year,all 3 linebackers went in the top 3 rounds, Troy Smith turning into the Heisman winner by season's end, WR corp of Holmes, Ginn, Gonzo was unreal. That defense was nasty. If Smith had not been suspended for the Alamo Bowl the year before and the 1st game to start '05, or if Ryan Hamby didn't suck, they would have had a shot to run the table. Instead they started off with Zwick getting snaps and getting in the way.

Close to the only Heisman Winning QB from the Big Ten. Joined only by Les Horvath from Ohio State as well. Doesn't mean I think Brady Quinn shouldn't have gotten it tho

2002
2006
2005
2003
2007
2010
2009
2008
2004
2001

dwccrew;607544 wrote:What is your pick of the top teams Tressel has had in his 10 years at Ohio State?

1. 2002- I think that it goes without saying that this is the best team at Ohio State under Tressel. 14-0 and the national title with probably the best defense Tressel has had at Ohio State. This team just had no quit in them and found a way to win every time.

2. 2006- Even with the embarassing loss in the BCS title game, this team was #1 wire to wire and had a Heisman trophy winning QB (I believe the only one in the Big 10 history). This team was great and laid an egg in the title game, it still doesn't take away how great that season was.

3. 2005- It took a while for this team to finally find its identity, but by season's end they were arguably the playing like the best team in the nation. The defense was very nasty and was the only defense to hold a Vince Young led Texas team (that ended up national champions) to under 40 points (25).

4. 2003- IMO, had this team had a decent running game (meaning if Clarett would've kept his nose clean and played this season) OSU repeats as national champions. This team had an outstanding defense and sent a record 14 players to the draft. The only thing missing was a running game, which would have opened up the pass.

5. 2009- Rose Bowl champs and an outright Big 10 title is vintage Ohio State and this team accomplished that feat. The 2 losses they had that season were to lesser teams, which always stings, but this team was definitely in the upper echelon of Tressel coached Buckeyes teams.

6. 2008- The worst loss in my time watching the Buckeyes (as far as humiliating and getting totally dominated) was the USC game this season. However, the Bucks still won a share of the Big Ten and were 30 seconds away from winning their 3rd Fiesta Bowl.

7. 2007- Many people have argued that this team didn't deserve to play in the national title game. Whatever side of that argument you are on, there is no denying that this was a tough OSU team. They were outright Big 10 champs and also tied a record for consecutive Big Ten victories.

8. 2010- This team could move up, as of now though, they are sitting at #8 on my list. They have no "big" wins so far this season (no teams that finished ranked) and have played rather soft on the defensive side of the ball from what we as OSU fans are used to seeing out of OSU defenses.

9. 2004- A season that early on looked all but over that ended up great with a dominating 37-21 win over #9 Michigan at home and a bowl win in the Alamo Bowl over Oklahoma St. by 30 points.

10. 2001- Tressel's very first year (and 1 before the NC team) that was up and down but capped by a impressive win in Ann Arbor against a heavily favored Michigan team. That is when Tressel first made his mark and he hasn't looked back.

What are your top ten lists? Please no arguing over lists, this is purely opinion.

Gotta say, I'm in agreement on all those points.
2002 > 2005 simply for the will to win, and the Buckeye loss in Happy Valley that year was a killer.

The 2001 and 2004 teams were the only Tressel teams that didn't finish in the Top Ten.

I would say the top ten Coach Tressel teams at OSU are all ten of them

With a come from behind 1 point victory over ArKansas where would you list the 2010 team?
A blow out win? A blow out loss?

2002- This team always seems to be underrated, the offense was somewhat lacking, but that defense was one of the best ever.
2005- Great team, but started too slow to get the number 1 spot (mainly due to Smith's issues)
2006- Can't get past the Championship game to move them any higher...

2010- Very good team, losing to Arkansas could move them down. No big wins thus far, but no terrible losses either.
2009- The Rose Bowl was very nice, but not enough to forget terrible losses to Purdue and a mediocre USC team.
2003- The only Tressel team to lose to Michigan. I'm not putting them any higher than this.

2007- Backed into the national championship, but really wasn't all that impressive of a team.
2008- Disappointing team. Should have been so much better with all the returning players, but never seemed to click.

2001- Tressel's first year, not a very good team, but they still beat Michigan, so all around a decent season.
2004- Frustrating season watching Smith and Zwick battle it out for QB. Neither looked good at all until it finally clicked for Smith against Michigan. Also, lots of controversy involving Clarett then Smith. They finished strong, but still not at all a fun season...