APThere’ll be plenty of time to lament what might’ve been, what could’ve been for the 2012 Ohio State Buckeyes were it not for the shortsighted arrogance of school officials in 2011.
For now, it’s all about what is. And what it is was the perfect end to a perfect, albeit bowl-less, season in Columbus, neatly wrapped in a bow that only a victory over That School Up North could provide.
On a day when Jim Tressel, the accidental architect of a 2012 postseason ban that will cost his beloved Buckeyes a shot at a BcS title, and his 2002 title team were honored, The Ohio State University paid tribute to the former coach, kicking four field goals en route to a sloppy-at-times 26-21 win over hated rival Michigan.
A first half that took on the look of the classic 2006 edition of The Game, with the Wolverines taking a 21-20 lead into the locker room, gave way to a defensive struggle over the last two quarters as the two teams combined for just six points, all off the right foot of OSU kicker Drew Basil. The Wolverines turned the ball over four times on the day, including a fumble and interception on its last two possessions of the game that healed seal UM’s fate, while the Buckeyes were flagged for nine penalties.
It was a sloppy, uneven affair throughout, but in the end it was about an OSU defense not giving a damn for whether Devin Gardner or Denard Robinson was under center, or how suspect UM’s playcalling was at times, or even the whole state of Michigan.
It was about capping a perfect 12-0 season in Urban Meyer‘s first year at OSU, the sixth unbeaten, untied season for the school and the third for Meyer — at three different schools. It was about further cementing their first-ever Leaders division title. And, most of all, it was about sending the seniors out the only way that matters in the great state of Ohio, with a win over That School Up North.
Yes, as one of the only two remaining unbeatens left standing, these 2012 Buckeyes should be glued to their television sets tonight getting an early scouting report on its potential opponent in the BcS title game. Thanks to Tressel’s lies and coverup, and a misguided decision on the part of school officials, that won’t be happening.
Still, in what was a “rebuilding” year for the Buckeyes, the program can hang its hat on an undefeated season capped by both a division title and a win over their hated rivals. And can head into the offseason armed with the knowledge that only they, not the administration, can keep themselves from going one step further in Year Two of Urban renewal in Columbus.
Great job Buckeyes, hats off to the seniors.
Let’s get some recruits!
0-12
The birth of an Urban legend
Congrats Buckeyes for a perfect season.
Terrible coaching today for UM but I guess wearing short sleeves and trying to look tough is more important.
Great season! Go Bucks!
In your face John Taylor
Go peddle your hate elsewhere, it is very unprofessional.
CFT should rebuild their reporting staff, starting with you.
Hey Tayor, have you ever made a mistake? You are judgmental and arrogant. Tressel made a tremendous mistake and, as he should, is paying an enormous price… as are the coaches and players on this years team. People make mistakes in life, and sometimes there is collateral damage. Tressel loves the university, and I’m certain if he had it all to do over again he would simply forward the email. However, there are no “do overs” in life, so get over it and enjoy the moment in victory over TTUN and in an undefeated season.
Terrelle Pryor is one of the best starting QBs in the NFL now and generously donates to OSU, so it was all worth it … right?
Hey tuckfexas. You’re on the wrong thread. If you want 0-12, go to a Southern Mississippi thread. You’re in the land of perfection right now. Take some notes and re-dedicate yourself.
It be great to see the Irish fall flat tonight and have OSU stand tall as the only undefeated team in 2012.
Nice win Buckeyes, another decade of domination is dawning.
Thank you Brady Hoke for going for it on 4th down and running Denard up the middle )when he was gashing OSU on outside runs). Also thank you for not playing Denard in the 2nd half, it definitely helped us keep you from crossing the 50 in the 2nd half.
Back to normal. 9 of the last 11 against that eastern michigan team from up north.
Who cares. OSU still can’t carry the jock of anyone from the SEC
I have to admit, I wondered myself why they took Denard out of the game? Was definitely not a smart move.
and meechigan STILL SUCKS
@rockthered- Be glad OSU can’t play in a bowl game,especially the BCS title game,because ND would destroy the Suckeyes. GO IRISH!
Tressel certainly gave them the BOOST today!
What NCAA did to Ohio State was wrong, I used to not like them but enjoyed their 12-0 because of way they were treated
charger838 says:
What NCAA did to Ohio State was wrong, I used to not like them but enjoyed their 12-0 because of way they were treated
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When your players are selling team issued equipment and accept goods and services its a violation. When your QB is driving a new car furnished by a Columbus auto dealer, it’s a violation. The NCAA dropped the hammer ONLY because it was proven Tressel knew about it, lied about it, and covered it up.
OSU is no victim, even though the fans still blindly cheer the ex-coach that ended their season today.
@spun HATER only team getting destroyed was tND when fat boy was ur coach. We r not the best team in the NCAA. tND is also not the best. But u better worry about USC and who ever u play after that. U have put together one run in the last twenty years. Slow down and enjoy it why u can.
@zurnvs- If ND isn’t the best team in the country,why are they ranked #1 then? You’re an idiot.
Urban Liar will use this season as ammo to steal other schools commits, starting in three…two…one…
tremendous failure on UofM’s coaching staff today. the offensive play calling in the second half was terrible. that said, OSU did what it had to and played a better football game. hope all you knuckle-dragging hillbillies enjoy your hollow season with an undefeated year in a horrendous B1G conference with no signature wins. meanwhile, “that school up north” will be going on to a bowl game and undoubtedly improving next year without the nations worst QB behind center anymore. i will also be anxiously awaiting OSU’s next NCAA hammer due to your newest scumbag coach at the helm. lay down with pigs, etc.
@spun that is all u have to say. Being ranked number one makes you the best, that is funny. I hope u guys win. I don’t dislike tND, but because of fans like u, it will be worth listening u run ur pie hole til Alabama runs p into like a cheap whore.
hillbillies? I have never thought of Ohio as being true hillbillies.
It was about capping a perfect 12-0 season in Urban Meyer‘s first year at OSU, the sixth unbeaten, untied season for the school and the third for Meyer — at three different schools.
***
John: Would you care to name the schools and corresponding seasons for which Mr. Meyer was undefeated?
Without that information, I am unable to determine the accuracy of what you allege in your article. It does, at first glance, appear to be factually incorrect.
Thanks.
If there are levels of misinformed, so many of these comments would rank at the top.
@John Taylor
Please stop inferring that had we taken a bowl ban last year we would not have gotten one this year. This is false. There is a fair amount of information out there to suggest we were going to miss this one no matter what.
@vincentbojackson
players were not selling/trading tOSU equipment. Only Boom Herron traded a jersey for a tattoo. EVERY other item was an award given to a player. In other words, their property. Apparently, their property on loan to them until such a time it is legal to own your own stuff. AND, our sanctions had nothing to do with car loans or students driving cars. Facts are usually a minimum requirement for discussion. AND the NCAA did not drop the hammer because Tress knew and lied and covered it up. They dropped the hammer because the DiGirono incident occured (which most trolls know nothing about) so I will accept your current frantic google search of evidence of my troll theory.
Utah fla and OSU.
Oops looks like only Utah and OSU
Good game Michigan… see you again next year.
Ohio State deserved to get punished… Tressel lied(effectively) about major violations, whether that is the reason for the punishment or not. This is not a hollow season, in fact, I would consider it an F-U season. We may not be able to play in a bowl or get national accolades, but we are perfect (for the season) and our coach has not lost since coming to this program (the option offense is still BS).
Go Buckeyes!
So many people were upset last year because Urban could recruit while all the other coaches were preparing for bowl games. Not hearing the comaimts this year……..yet. Maybe that’s why the staff hasn’t lenses the bowl ban.
@spun. I see the irish are struggling against an unranked team. Shouldn’t they be up by 2 or 3 touchdowns by now?
@Spun… HAHAHAHAHA. Norte dame… HAHAHAHA. Good luck vs. Alabama. Better get your trash talk in now. It is so cute to see ND fans gloating.. with your big east offense and your 3 star talent. I’ll be looking for your big mouth after the nc game.
~prefaced that I am not a UofM fan (the’y're horribly arrogant and bandwagon-ish)
Funny that so many people cheered for sweatervest prior to the game and yet he was the cause of their perfect season never appearing on the record books. Just odd to me, just like the same people cheering for sweatervest also screamed about Hoke, aka fred flintstone, not shaking Meyers hand after the game.