I blame the Big 10 for the conservative play calling of Jim Tressel. He knows he can win championships by default because no other team steps up to challenge the Buckeyes.

The other league members don't force his hand and make him take some risks. Run, run, pass, punt works for OSU in the Big 10. Why would he change his philosophy?

Yes, Tressel knows that he can run a conservative offense and win games in the B10.

But honestly look at what the running game is doing. They are running the ball on some of the better rush defenses in the nation (PSU/Iowa).

If it wasn't for a missed tackle on ST and a offsides on defense the game would have been 31-17.

^ Right... they had 200+ yards rushing vs Penn State and Iowa. What is so bad about that? It is more the predictability of his run plays and sequences that is most annoying. But when you can line up and run it down your opponents throat you control the clock and the game.

devil1197 wrote: Yes, Tressel knows that he can run a conservative offense and win games in the B10.

But honestly look at what the running game is doing. They are running the ball on some of the better rush defenses in the nation (PSU/Iowa).

If it wasn't for a missed tackle on ST and a offsides on defense the game would have been 31-17.

Are PSU and Iowa really the better rush defenses in the nation though? Seriously, its like 2006 when OSU had the best scoring defense in the nation statistically...that really helped against Florida, right?

Tressel's play calling has to have a negative impact on Pryor's confidence. Yesterday's game was a game in which Tressel was determined not to let Pryor beat the Buckeyes.

Prescott wrote: Tressel's play calling has to have a negative impact on Pryor's confidence. Yesterday's game was a game in which Tressel was determined not to let Pryor beat the Buckeyes.

I disagree. I think Tressel going conservative has helped Pryor confidence the past two weeks just by the fact that OSU has "won" those games.
Tressel had TOO much confidence in Pryor to start the season and was letting him throw the ball around way too much. Now that he has bottled things up, per say, its no coincedance that OSU has done well. I think he is doing just fine with the play calling, the running game has been better then I EVER expected and the pass blocking was giving Pryor time as well. Pryor is also much more patient in the pocket as well.

As far as the conference to blame...yes, partially. But anyone who has followed Tressel through his career will tell you...thats his style of play, and its not going to change.
People can critcize him all they want, but he does what he does, and he wins most of the time. And, when it looks like the wheels are going to fall off....Tressel seems to hold the team together. Look at USC this year, LSU last year and other teams to get a true appreciation for what Tressel does.

If it wasn't for a choke job by the defense in the last 2 minutes against USC and a blunder of a game against Purdue, we'd be undefeated.

Shit happens.

LTrain23 wrote: If it wasn't for a choke job by the defense in the last 2 minutes against USC and a blunder of a game against Purdue, we'd be undefeated.

Shit happens.

THis team doesn't deserve to be undefeated and wouldn't be ready to compete against a team like Texas, Fla or Bama. Next year is the year IMO.

centralbucksfan wrote:

LTrain23 wrote: If it wasn't for a choke job by the defense in the last 2 minutes against USC and a blunder of a game against Purdue, we'd be undefeated.

Shit happens.

THis team doesn't deserve to be undefeated and wouldn't be ready to compete against a team like Texas, Fla or Bama. Next year is the year IMO.

I know this team doesn't deserve to be undefeated, which is the reason they are NOT undefeated. Pretty much common sense.

However, I'm just putting things in perspective.

Also, this team proved last year that they could compete with Texas, which imo, was a better Texas team last year than it is this year.

I also think OSU could compete with Bama. It's funny that people criticize OSU, yet Bama is the SAME EXACT type of team. Run, Run, Pass, Run, punt, rinse and repeat until they score. They hang their hat on running the ball and playing great defense.

LTrain23 wrote:

centralbucksfan wrote:

LTrain23 wrote: If it wasn't for a choke job by the defense in the last 2 minutes against USC and a blunder of a game against Purdue, we'd be undefeated.

Shit happens.

THis team doesn't deserve to be undefeated and wouldn't be ready to compete against a team like Texas, Fla or Bama. Next year is the year IMO.

I know this team doesn't deserve to be undefeated, which is the reason they are NOT undefeated. Pretty much common sense.

However, I'm just putting things in perspective.

Also, this team proved last year that they could compete with Texas, which imo, was a better Texas team last year than it is this year.

I also think OSU could compete with Bama. It's funny that people criticize OSU, yet Bama is the SAME EXACT type of team. Run, Run, Pass, Run, punt, rinse and repeat until they score. They hang their hat on running the ball and playing great defense.

Well, I happen to think Texas is better this year. Their defense is better this year. They are flying under the national radar because of FLA and Bama being in the SEC and with the Big12 not having a great year. Texas is going to coast into the title game. I happen to think, theyare going to win it as well.
I agree about the criticism comment...u can throw in Fla as well as they are leaning on defense and a pretty conservative offense as well.
Funny how all the SEC fans always talked about how BORING Big Ten Football was because of the low scoring games. Now the SEC top 3 teams, Bama, Fla and LSU have not soo good offenses, very good defenses, low scoring games..and its all of a "sudden", great football!! lol
I happen to think OSU could compete with both because neither one has an explosive offense as they have had in the past. But I don't think OSU could beat either one unless a pefect storm occurred..mainly because Pryor just isn't ready to let the ball fly with any consistancy. Hopefully, that will change by next season.

I'm with you about next year.

I also just noticed I gave Bama 5 downs on offense, no wonder they're undefeated

I agree if he hadn't had so much confidence in Pryor we would be undefeated. Hell, if we had just stayed in I-form the whole year, we would be undefeated and ranked #4 in the country.

Ohio State is good and the rest of the big ten are average at best. They will loose the majority of there bowl games again this year IMO. Just by looking at e recruiting classes the past 4 years or so you will see why OSU is good on a consistant basis and no one else is.

bo shemmy3337 wrote:They will loose the majority of there bowl games again this year IMO.

I hope you're wrong. I think the Big 10 not having 2 teams in BCS games will lead to a much better bowl record. They may get less money, but I think after this bowl season is over everyone will be surprised at how well the big 10 finishes.

The Big Ten will have 2 teams in BCS games.

bo shemmy3337 wrote: Ohio State is good and the rest of the big ten are average at best. They will loose the majority of there bowl games again this year IMO. Just by looking at e recruiting classes the past 4 years or so you will see why OSU is good on a consistant basis and no one else is.

I wouldn't be so sure. Look around the country, the SEC is down, Big12 is down, Pac10 is probably up and possibly the best conference top to bottom. Big Ten currently has 4 teams ranked in top 15...SEC has 3 in the top 25 total. Of course Bama and Fla are carrying that conference.
Depending on the matchups, I think this year the Big Ten could do ok.

centralbucksfan wrote:

bo shemmy3337 wrote: Ohio State is good and the rest of the big ten are average at best. They will loose the majority of there bowl games again this year IMO. Just by looking at e recruiting classes the past 4 years or so you will see why OSU is good on a consistant basis and no one else is.

I wouldn't be so sure. Look around the country, the SEC is down, Big12 is down, Pac10 is probably up and possibly the best conference top to bottom. Big Ten currently has 4 teams ranked in top 15...SEC has 3 in the top 25 total. Of course Bama and Fla are carrying that conference.
Depending on the matchups, I think this year the Big Ten could do ok.

I guess your right but the problem is the PSU,Iowa, and Wisconsin Will most likely play good teams and I don't think either of those are that good.

bo shemmy3337 wrote:

centralbucksfan wrote:

bo shemmy3337 wrote: Ohio State is good and the rest of the big ten are average at best. They will loose the majority of there bowl games again this year IMO. Just by looking at e recruiting classes the past 4 years or so you will see why OSU is good on a consistant basis and no one else is.

I wouldn't be so sure. Look around the country, the SEC is down, Big12 is down, Pac10 is probably up and possibly the best conference top to bottom. Big Ten currently has 4 teams ranked in top 15...SEC has 3 in the top 25 total. Of course Bama and Fla are carrying that conference.
Depending on the matchups, I think this year the Big Ten could do ok.

I guess your right but the problem is the PSU,Iowa, and Wisconsin Will most likely play good teams and I don't think either of those are that good.

PSU, Iowa and Wisky will likely be matched up with a couple of SEC teams. Bama and Fla are headed to BCS games. LSU is solid, but their offense is putrid. They barely got by a 3 win Lous. Tech team yesterday. Then you have teams like Miss, Auburn, Ark, Georgia, South Carolina and UK. I think those above Big Ten are as good as any of these. They obviously have to show up and win though.

OneBuckeye wrote: ^ Right... they had 200+ yards rushing vs Penn State and Iowa. What is so bad about that? It is more the predictability of his run plays and sequences that is most annoying. But when you can line up and run it down your opponents throat you control the clock and the game.

4.5 yards per rush doesn't equate to "running it down" someone's throat.

Ohio State ran the ball 51 times and threw it only 17 times (Pryor was 14 for 17)

That's a ridiculus ratio of 3 to 1.

Had that young kicker missed the 40 yarder, and lost in double OT...there would be 50 posters calling for Tressel's head.

Running off guard 3 straight times in OT was a bloody disgrace...and I don't care how it turned out.

Cleveland Buck wrote: The Big Ten will have 2 teams in BCS games.

They might, but they shouldn't. In fact.....I doubt that they will. Neither Iowa nor Penn State played a worthy opponent OOC. Unless people think Temple is a worthy opponent.