*Not much to really say about this latest victory over TBGUN. Typical “Tresselball” performance for the most part, although if Terrelle Pryor is on target with two deep heaves for DeVier Posey, it’s closer to a mirror image of last year’s butt kicking. When Cameron Heyward got the first score, were any of you like me thinking (somewhat tongue-in-cheek), “Well, Tress has all the points he needs, he’ll lock it down now.” As much of an indictment as that is of “The Vest’s” offensive approach, it also is the proverbial “bouquet of roses” to an outstanding job by the defense.
*As I pound this out, the All-Big Ten teams have been announced. As I anticipated, guard Justin Boren is the lone OSU rep on the offensive first team (and just by the media voters). But only safety Kurt Coleman on the defensive first team? As Colonel Potter would’ve said on “M*A*S*H”, “Horse Hockey!” How Cameron Heyward is only second team is beyond me. But this unit got it done all season without a true superstar, and I guess those gentlemen would rather have anywhere from a first to a fifth Big Ten ring than an all-conference award. But a little more recognition for the “D” was deserved.
*I’ve read in a couple places where people feel this is the best defense Jim Tressel has had since he’s been at Ohio State. I still will give the 2002 team the nod, but this group would be in my runner-up spot, followed by the ’07 squad in third.
*The chicken-or-the-egg conundrum continues- Are we going to see more improvement out of Terrelle Pryor to the point where Jim Tressel would trust him to operate a more wide-open offense, or is Tressel’s stifling offense never going to let Terrelle fully develop? Here’s what I know- next season on the defensive side you’re losing Coleman, Spitler, Worthington and Denlinger for sure, and more than likely Heyward and maybe even Gibson. Your special teams are going to have to rebuild with Thoma, Small and Pettrey graduating. The offense is going to have to score points next year until the other units gel and develop. Whether “The Vest” lets loose of the reins remains to be seen.
*Selfishly, I guess I’m pulling for Oregon to win the Civil War on December 3rd. They seem to be more of a glamour team than O-State, so a Buckeye victory would carry more weight. You knew Tressel wouldn’t have to pull out all the stops in Ann Arbor. He won’t have that same luxury in Pasadena.
*By the way, Cameron Heyward’s fumble recovery for OSU’s first touchdown was only the second-ever defensive touchdown that the Scarlet and Gray have scored in “THE Game”. The first was all the way back in 1904, when William Marquardt snatched up a Wolverine fumble and took it back for a TD. Not only did Marquardt’s feat give Ohio State its first EVER lead over Michigan at 6-5, it was the first score of ANY kind that the Buckeyes had managed against the Maize and Blue in six games at the rivalry’s outset. The Bucks have had an assortment of kick return TD’s in the series, and have managed to ring up a couple of safeties, but they’ve never run an interception back for a score in 106 meetings with TBGUN.
*Care to guess what college football conference is the only one with three teams sporting 10 wins or more? That’s right, the poor, pathetic Big Ten. It will take until bowl season for any other league to have a shot at matching that mark, if those teams win.
*With Charlie Weis’ days in South Bend numbered, the name game has started in earnest. I have no doubt the first phone call- if it hasn’t been made already- will be to Gainesville, but whether “Urban Legend” will answer is still in doubt. Cincinnati’s Brian Kelly seems to be the next obvious choice, but I hope Cincy’s likely BCS bowl preparations aren’t bogged down by rumors. Kelly’s teams at UC have been held to less than 20 points only 4 times since Kelly took over in 2007. Would Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate stay put in South Bend if Kelly got the job?
*My thanks again to Gregg for doing the “meat and potatoes” rundown of the record sixth-straight win over UM. We’ll see if it’ll be the Ducks or the Beavers on the other sideline on January 1st, and we’ll go from there.
Joe-S-U
Random Thoughts - Michigan/Season End
By Joe-S-U
November 23, 2009
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