In the weeks leading up to the 2010 Rose Bowl, the talk of Ohio State’s recent big-game failures dominated any and all conversation. So much so, in fact, that there seemed to be little reason for OSU to even bother showing up for their Pasadena date with Oregon.
Tonight, however, the Buckeyes proved they very much belonged on the same field as the best the Pac-10 had to offer. And started the process of putting all of that talk and bashing behind them.
Oh, and a much-hyped quarterback may have come of age in front of a national audience over the course of sixty minutes.
Hampered by late-season ankle and knee injuries, Terrelle Pryor nonetheless totaled 338 yards of total offense in leading the Buckeyes to a huge 26-17 win over the Ducks.
Not only was the win huge for a program that’s been maligned nationally, but it was huge for a talented player who had been very much maligned locally. Pryor threw for 266 yards, rushed for another 72, and used his arm to help produce the Buckeyes’ only two trips into the end zone.
And that Buckeye defense? Oregon’s high-octane attack came into the game averaging nearly 425 yards per game. An Ohio State defense that has been stout — and underrated due to lack of star power — all season long held the Ducks to just 260 yards. They were also held a full 20 points under their season’s average.
All in all, it was redemption for the Ohio State Buckeyes. And, perhaps, the launching pad for Pryor to finally match the tremendous hype heaped upon him before he’d ever played a snap of college football.
Nicely done Buckeyes. I was sooo sick of hearing about the high powered Oregon offense. Pryor had more yards than the entire Oregon offense.
What theme are the untalented ass clowns like Skip Bayless and Gregg Doyel going to beat tirelessly now? Strange as it sounds, I can tolerate their trash, but The Bachelor running his mouth all day during pre-game was too much. Ummmm, you’re Jesse Palmer.
Anyways, good performance. Now go land some a-list recruits.
I hope this can help put to rest the ”conventional wisdom“ about Big Ten speed. Ohio State can run with anybody. I think the bigger issue about bowl games is that they are basically home games for sunbelt teams (although I don’t mean that in Oregon’s case). LSU could have walked to the stadium when they beat Ohio State. They don’t have to practice indoors and go to an unfamiliar climate and locale.
What would happen if we ever saw these ”fast“ SEC teams have to be versatile enough to play in all weather conditions like cold rain and mud. I’d like to see that. Oh, wait, I just did. Miami froze like confused snowmen against Wisconsin in the mud in Orlando. Then today, LSU did the same, dropping balls with their cold hands, running around as if they were wearing cement shoes losing to Penn State, just as did such other speedy powerhouse teams Akron and Syracuse.
Oh, and remember sunbelt team fans, it is the fans from the Midwest and up north who spend airfare, hotels, meals, entertainment, and merchandise in your communities. So, chill, we’re paying your salary.
I am so proud of the entire Buckeye team but even more so of Terrelle Pryor. Sadly, he has taken a galaxy size dose of criticism, tons from within his own corner, about not living up to an Everest of expectations. But all he did in response was keep his head down, his mouth shut, and his determination to improve and be that person in constant high drive. He continued to believed in Tressel and listened intently to what Troy Smith and other Buckeye stars had to say. He stood tall tonight and put on the performance of his life on the largest stage possible! Congrats to the Buckeye offense, congrats to the Buckeye defense, and double congrats to Air Tressel and company for putting together a stunning game plan! Special Teams… you’ll report to the stadium tomorrow for a MASSIVE amount of stadium stair runs and gassers… you stunk badly today!
dont get carried away. they call it the PAC-10, though in reality is it usually the PAC-1. This year however, it was closer to the PAC-none.
Yes – that’s always the way it is isn’t it… Oh, the Ducks are going to destroy you – they’re offense is unstoppable and you are the slow overrated Buckeyes! Then when we win – oh, it wasn’t USC and since all other teams suck, your victory was nothing. Whatever ButchD – I choose to get carried away!
“I hope this can help put to rest the ”conventional wisdom“ about Big Ten speed. Ohio State can run with anybody. I think the bigger issue about bowl games is that they are basically home games for sunbelt teams (although I don’t mean that in Oregon’s case). LSU could have walked to the stadium when they beat Ohio State. They don’t have to practice indoors and go to an unfamiliar climate and locale.
What would happen if we ever saw these ”fast“ SEC teams have to be versatile enough to play in all weather conditions like cold rain and mud. I’d like to see that. Oh, wait, I just did. Miami froze like confused snowmen against Wisconsin in the mud in Orlando. Then today, LSU did the same, dropping balls with their cold hands, running around as if they were wearing cement shoes losing to Penn State, just as did such other speedy powerhouse teams Akron and Syracuse.
Oh, and remember sunbelt team fans, it is the fans from the Midwest and up north who spend airfare, hotels, meals, entertainment, and merchandise in your communities. So, chill, we’re paying your salary”
Yeah, they sure could run with Florida. Ted Ginn and Troy Smith turned that game into a track meet LOL!
Come on down and play in 100 degree heat in the hot South and see how you manage, ladies. Keep spending money down here. So, chill, we’re whipping your teams’ asses with regularity.
Buckeye fans… it’s about time.
How about that National Championship?
@ Gruden the Guru:
So, how did that Florida-Michigan Capital One Bowl turn out a year later, hm?
Hey Gruden the Guru: two things. Are you aware that the Big Ten record against the SEC in the BCS era is 10-8 and maybe 11-8 now that Penn State beat LSU? Or do you just wanna hate on Ohio State and go with the ”conventional wisdom“ you get?
Ted Ginn actually did smoke you (asshole celebration jumping on him hurt his ankle and he had to leave the game) but you have a good point about Troy Smith. His Heisman Trophy win didn’t just go to his head but to his gut. A month on the prime rib circuit gave him twenty additional pounds of lardass stereotype. I’ll take that hit any day because it’s true. And you should take the evidence on the field today by Penn State and Ohio State and Wisconsin the other day.
I also will say you picked a great name. Gruden. Who is from Ohio, played his college football there, learned to coach there and, guess what, so is Urban Meyer. He actually played for Cincinnati and smoked them tonight.
And I don’t know where the “100 degree heat” you’re talking about is? I can guess, but there is medication for that.
You can reply with all your flaming but I’m out. I live in the only good part of the sunbelt, SoCal, and am going to the Promenade in Santa Monica to celebrate a win in a real football game. Glad you beat Cincinnati. I heard it was even on TV.
Now just calm down and remember, it’s fun, not politics.
PolegoJim,
How about UM getting back to .500? And playing in a bowl game? And beating OSU more than once a decade?
Gruden,
So then why is the Big Ten vs SEC bowl series at .500 over that last 6-8 years? You are a good example of why fans from every conference hate SEC fans. So arrogant, yet don’t prove it on the field. Schedule OOC cupcakes, lose 1-2 games in conference play and then get the unspoken slotted spot in the championship game. That’s a pretty good deal. I bet USC would have liked that pansy formula over the last three years. A playoff would be the worst thing for the South since Sherman.
I am a PAC 10 fan, I gotta agree though that even at the best outlook they haven’t played up to their own hype this year.
Congrats Buckeyes on a fine win.
However this was definitely a down year for west coast football.
Usually I scream about the east coast bias… this year I can’t.
Gruden the Guru
Sorry dude, your arguments no longer work. The SEC is not supreme, go Penn State!
Buck a Duck! Ohio State and the Big Ten have shown they can run with anyone. And, yeah… the Sun Belt teams playing in their own backyards do have the home team advantage. Too bad no one wants to travel north for the holidays… would have loved to see how good Tebow plays in Ann Arbor in late Decembrrrr.
Gruden, You really need to check your facts before ranting. Yes, the SuC beat the Big Te(leve)n, in a couple of high-profile games (OSU v. FL – 2006, OSU v. LSU – 2007).
However, as others have plainly pointed out, the Big Te(leve)n has dominated the SuC in bowl games – both overall, and over the past five years.
Typical SuC fan – you write checks with your mouths that your teams can’t cash. Sorry, but just because Florida and Alabama have a couple of good seasons – doesn’t mean your whole conference rocks. (See e.g., LSU’s loss to Penn State, and Auburn’s narrow win against Northwestern yesterday). – (Seriously, Auburn? Northwestern? Even the Big Te(leve)n fans laugh at Northwestern …)
@ Brown Town
We’ll be back, thanks for your concern.
As far as beating OSU frequently, we’ve already done that, thanks. How does it feel to dominate the rivalry for the first time in 100 years? Enjoy for now. Now that my rivalry statements are complete… here are the facts:
With OSU’s high caliber coach, recruiting efforts, and raw football talent, you shouldn’t have been playing for anything short of Championship Bowls for the past 3 years, and only winning ONE at that.
At least you’re in a bowl game? Sure, ok, great, good job. Bank on that level of excellence in mediocrity, and keep your deposits south of our border.
Sorry Polego if things did not work out as you planned. LOL….
@cbfan… they soon will, bwahahahahaha
My potion is almost complete. Bill is gone, David is in. Soon we’ll have an entire line of Mr. Hyde’s taking the field with hairy dragging arms and superhuman strength.
Brandon is a HUGE football upgrade as AD. Rather than being known for Martin-like budgetary successes, he’ll bring back FOOTBALL success.
Brandons leadership skills and success will translate on the field, where Martin was only supposed to be an ‘interim’ AD all along. That showed up in true football decisions… RR.
Brandon is a Michigan grad and former player. Martin didn’t even go to Michigan. Outsiders are never as passionate. It’s more than a job to Brandon.