When it was time for the interrogation to begin, though, no one said a word. “You guys look dumbfounded,” said Tressel, staring into a throng of reporters. “It’s like you’re shocked that we [won].”

In a rare attempt at humor, Ohio State’s stoic coach couldn’t have been more on the money.

The Buckeyes may have sewn up a spot in the Rose Bowl but, as has been the case all season, they hardly looked like a team worthy of a BCS berth.

Conservative, timid play-calling – a “star” quarterback who was more of a facilitator than a factor – blunders on special teams and untimely penalties. So maddening were the Buckeyes to watch on Saturday that, entering the overtime period, their fans were actually booing.

But then – as they so often do in close games against mediocre teams – things began going Ohio State’s way.

The more telling scene, though, occurred near the Iowa tunnel, where receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos attempted to swat a bouquet of roses away from a Buckeyes fan who was holding them high in the air while running onto the field.

“This is bullshit,” Johnson-Koulianos said to no one specific, and there are plenty of college football fans who feel the same way about the Buckeyes and the Big Ten.

Ohio State continues to be the best team in its league but, on a national scale, it appears destined to disappoint once again. There’s no reason to believe this group of Buckeyes will fare any better in January than its predecessors, who have lost three straight BCS bowl games, including two in convincing fashion

While the defense has been stout, Ohio State’s offense continues to be laughable at times. Tressel has so little confidence in the unit that on Saturday, with the score tied and just over two minutes left in regulation, the coach called for two straight running plays and a short pass that went for a 3-yard loss. It was as if the Buckeyes, who were forced to punt, weren’t even trying to win the game.

Even more embarrassing was the decision by Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz on the Hawkeyes’ ensuing possession. Iowa had the ball on its own 33-yard line with 52 seconds remaining. A few quick 10- or 20-yard passes from red-hot quarterback James Vandenberg and the Hawkeyes would’ve been in range for a game-winning field goal.

Instead, inexcusably, Ferentz ran out the clock. Rather than try to win the game, he played for overtime. What message does that send a player?

“We could win the game with a few medium-length passes and a field goal, but I don’t think you guys are good enough to execute under pressure, so we’ll take our chances in overtime.”

So confident were Tressel and Ferentz in their offenses that, in the final 2:42 of regulation, they ran a combined seven plays.

These are the top two teams in the Big Ten?

It’s no wonder the conference went just 1-6 in bowl games last season. The Big Ten also has lost six straight BCS bowl games, and there’s no reason to think that trend will end this winter.

Especially if Ohio State doesn’t mix things up offensively.

He may improve eventually but, for now, it’s clear that Tressel has no faith in Terrelle Pryor. The former national No. 1 national recruit completed 14 of 17 passes for 93 yards. That’s just 6.6 yards per completion, meaning his coaches don’t trust him to do anything other than the elementary. There also were only three or four running plays designed for the athletic Pryor, who is saying all the right things. Still, deep down, he can’t be happy with the way he’s been utilized thus far in his career.

“I know we need to get better,” Tressel said, and that may have been the understatement of the night.

Scores in the teens and 20s may be enough to win in the offensively challenged Big Ten, but it won’t cut it Jan. 1 in Pasadena in a game that promises to be somber for the Buckeyes.

OneBuckeye wrote: ^ Please explain how the Big Ten is awful? What are you basing this on? Purdue took Oregon to the wire and OSU did the same with USC. Please explain why you think they are awful.

devil1197 wrote: Why do people think its a trust factor? Maybe the reason why OSU is running the football is because they running it very effectively.

Why air it out all the time like most people love seeing when you are getting 4+ ypc and 200+ a game?

The same conservative play calling built the 14 point lead so people need to quit bitching and complaining. Our offensive running game ran straight down the field against Iowa for two TD's. They built a 14 point lead with this so called crappy offense. If it wasn't for a blown tackle on the kick coverage and the offsides by Williams the game would have been a blow out.

Just because it isn't flashy or there are drives where it stalls quickly doesn't mean its a crappy offense.

dwccrew wrote: I don't think the article is that off base. This guy likes to spice it up a bit, but for the most part he is spot on. The Buckeyes played like shit for 3 of 4 quarters last night. The fact that OSU had the superior talent won them the game. That's it. It wasn't coaching, it wasn't play execution, it was the talent.

Tressel tried his hardest to piss the game away, but Ferentz pissed it away more. Tressel should sent Ferentz a gift basket after the way he handed back the game to Tressel.

Iowa had all the momentum and there is no doubt that had they attempted to go for the endzone with 50 seconds left, they would have won the game.

I'm not real sure how a Tressel coached team blew a 14 point lead that quick. The only conclusion I can come up with is that with all the conservative playcalling, that is what happens. Build on the lead continually, the conservative crap hasn't been working and will not work. Build the lead to protect it, don't sit on it and allow the other team to get back into the game.

charliehustle14 wrote:
Ferentz didn't even need a TD with 50 seconds left. A FG would have won it.

dwccrew wrote:

devil1197 wrote: Why do people think its a trust factor? Maybe the reason why OSU is running the football is because they running it very effectively.

Why air it out all the time like most people love seeing when you are getting 4+ ypc and 200+ a game?

The same conservative play calling built the 14 point lead so people need to quit bitching and complaining. Our offensive running game ran straight down the field against Iowa for two TD's. They built a 14 point lead with this so called crappy offense. If it wasn't for a blown tackle on the kick coverage and the offsides by Williams the game would have been a blow out.

Just because it isn't flashy or there are drives where it stalls quickly doesn't mean its a crappy offense.

You make a valid point. But there is sometimes Tressel runs it that I don't quite understand. Like 3rd and long yesterday, why do that?

devil1197 wrote: I love how people say we won with better talent but they are the same ones that have bashed Herron/Saine/Pryor before saying that they weren't good and that freshman like Hall or Berry should have replaced them.

Which one is it. Does OSU truly have better talent, the same talent that scored 21 points (Saine x2 and Herron x1) or is it the execution of Tressel's offense that works.

devil1197 wrote: I think they have the talent also, but its the same people who bash Herron and Saine saying that aren't good.

Well if OSU has the best talent but the guys who are scoring the TD's aren't good? See the problem with that.