Approaching this with a bit of reluctance and hesitation for two specific reasons: 1) I am very new to this board, and 2) have no desire to come across preachy or convert others to my point of view. I might add, this is not meant to be a reactionary post to anyone else that is discouraged or upset over this season and have expressed it. It just seems this board is open to transparency so I just share where I am at in relationship to this year’s team.
I must digress briefly to a little background. Played college football under elder coach Tressel, so I could talk some x’s and o’s but others here are much better versed at that than I am so, I defer to attitude and, yes, even some heart. Grew up 35 miles from AA, never bonded to the place but fell in love with OSU in 1966. Saw the 1968 NC team, the debacle in AA in 69, John Sciarra (UCLA) rob us of an NC in the Rose Bowl and the same with Jim Plunkett (Stanford 27-17). Had a front row view of Woody’s last game, the Clemson mess, a response to Schlicter’s last minute interception in the Gator Bowl. Earle came along in ’80 and went 11-0 to the Rose Bowl against USC. Refused a field goal and stopped cold by the Trojan defense and Charles White took over and lost another NC, 17-16. He would have some big victories, Oklahoma (Barry Switzer in Norman) and Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl. These would be coupled with unexplainable defeats, 6-0 to Wisconsin in the Shoe and a few others.
John Cooper era began after a series of 9-3 seasons and disgraceful dismissal of Coach Bruce. Two great victories over Notre Dame, last second Rose Bowl win against Az., and again Texas A & M in the Sugar Bowl. But 2-10-1 against Michigan, the tie being called ‘our greatest win by the OSU president’, were just agonizing. An undefeated Buckeye team losing to an average Michigan team 28-0, a back called Biabutuka (sp.?) gaining over three hundred yards in a 30-23 loss, Shawn Springs stumbling to allow a Tai Streets TD and another undefeated team bit the dust 10-9. Not to mention the MSU loss in ’98 after holding 24-9 late in the third. That was one of the best OSU teams ever – totally depressing – costing us a slot in the first BCS title game.
Then the JT reign was upon us and one NC and 9-1 vs. Michigan felt like Buckeye heaven. Which gets me to the root of this (sorry for the length), Nevada Buck frequently stated on another site that these years were the ‘Golden Years Of OSU Football’ – given the context he was correct. He told all of us to enjoy it because it wouldn’t last forever. Almost prophetic, don’t you think?
Post JT we groaned through a 6-6 season including a meaningless loss to Florida in the Gator Bowl. The sun had set on the Golden Years, it seemed. But Urban Meyer arrived the Monday after the Michigan game and ESPN was wall to wall with coverage of the OSU hire.
Let’s see, we have one NC, one undefeated season, 26 straight Big Ten wins, a victory over Alabama, three over Michigan and we are working on another undefeated season.
Which brings me to halftime yesterday. Both my son and myself were frustrated by the break and he said he was going out to do yard work because this time is so disappointing. I said to him, “Don’t walk away from the Golden Years of Buckeye Football, you may never see the likes of this again when the door closes.” It just kind of slipped out and I remembered it was NB’s statement. I did explain it to him, be frustrated even angry but enjoy what you have because it will not always be there.
Now I am not a Pollyanna type person – my vocation has kept me on the frontlines with human beings for four decades – and I have seen much human suffering. Not saying people shouldn’t be upset, frustrated or even critical. For myself, yes, I can experience those things, but I am going to balance it with enjoying the Golden Years – it’s not ever going to be better than this when the door is shut. If we are passionate fans, the ranges of emotion will come, but these are the Golden Years Of OSU Football. Do not mean to steal it from NB.
There I said it – apologize for the length. Appreciate this board allowing this type of expression.
Later -
I must digress briefly to a little background. Played college football under elder coach Tressel, so I could talk some x’s and o’s but others here are much better versed at that than I am so, I defer to attitude and, yes, even some heart. Grew up 35 miles from AA, never bonded to the place but fell in love with OSU in 1966. Saw the 1968 NC team, the debacle in AA in 69, John Sciarra (UCLA) rob us of an NC in the Rose Bowl and the same with Jim Plunkett (Stanford 27-17). Had a front row view of Woody’s last game, the Clemson mess, a response to Schlicter’s last minute interception in the Gator Bowl. Earle came along in ’80 and went 11-0 to the Rose Bowl against USC. Refused a field goal and stopped cold by the Trojan defense and Charles White took over and lost another NC, 17-16. He would have some big victories, Oklahoma (Barry Switzer in Norman) and Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl. These would be coupled with unexplainable defeats, 6-0 to Wisconsin in the Shoe and a few others.
John Cooper era began after a series of 9-3 seasons and disgraceful dismissal of Coach Bruce. Two great victories over Notre Dame, last second Rose Bowl win against Az., and again Texas A & M in the Sugar Bowl. But 2-10-1 against Michigan, the tie being called ‘our greatest win by the OSU president’, were just agonizing. An undefeated Buckeye team losing to an average Michigan team 28-0, a back called Biabutuka (sp.?) gaining over three hundred yards in a 30-23 loss, Shawn Springs stumbling to allow a Tai Streets TD and another undefeated team bit the dust 10-9. Not to mention the MSU loss in ’98 after holding 24-9 late in the third. That was one of the best OSU teams ever – totally depressing – costing us a slot in the first BCS title game.
Then the JT reign was upon us and one NC and 9-1 vs. Michigan felt like Buckeye heaven. Which gets me to the root of this (sorry for the length), Nevada Buck frequently stated on another site that these years were the ‘Golden Years Of OSU Football’ – given the context he was correct. He told all of us to enjoy it because it wouldn’t last forever. Almost prophetic, don’t you think?
Post JT we groaned through a 6-6 season including a meaningless loss to Florida in the Gator Bowl. The sun had set on the Golden Years, it seemed. But Urban Meyer arrived the Monday after the Michigan game and ESPN was wall to wall with coverage of the OSU hire.
Let’s see, we have one NC, one undefeated season, 26 straight Big Ten wins, a victory over Alabama, three over Michigan and we are working on another undefeated season.
Which brings me to halftime yesterday. Both my son and myself were frustrated by the break and he said he was going out to do yard work because this time is so disappointing. I said to him, “Don’t walk away from the Golden Years of Buckeye Football, you may never see the likes of this again when the door closes.” It just kind of slipped out and I remembered it was NB’s statement. I did explain it to him, be frustrated even angry but enjoy what you have because it will not always be there.
Now I am not a Pollyanna type person – my vocation has kept me on the frontlines with human beings for four decades – and I have seen much human suffering. Not saying people shouldn’t be upset, frustrated or even critical. For myself, yes, I can experience those things, but I am going to balance it with enjoying the Golden Years – it’s not ever going to be better than this when the door is shut. If we are passionate fans, the ranges of emotion will come, but these are the Golden Years Of OSU Football. Do not mean to steal it from NB.
There I said it – apologize for the length. Appreciate this board allowing this type of expression.
Later -
