Tonight’s easy victory over Marshall showcased a lot of big plays from this Buckeye team. I’ll have more on the high points of the Marshall game later as well as the looming task of beating the talented Miami Hurricanes. Right now it’s time for an early season prediction. Talent and schedule-wise, if the Buckeyes get past Miami next weekend there is absolutely no reason why Ohio State shouldn’t run the table this year. You always need a little luck to go undefeated and you have to win that game in the middle of the season against an inferior opponent when you aren’t playing well (think Purdue last year). Champions also need to avoid self-sabotage. Perhaps in this case, it would be best coined to avoid getting “Sweater vested” with overly conservative calls in a close game. If tonight’s Marshall game was any indication of the trust level Tressel has in Pryor, expect a more open, exciting and productive offense than we witnessed last year.
In the end, despite the long odds of any team finding the perfect combination of production, health and luck to achieve an undefeated season, I am predicting that Ohio State runs the table in the Big 10 and plays for the national title. I can only hope it is against Alabama or Florida. It’s time to put the SEC “stuff” to rest once and for all. I only have one piece of advice for Jim Tressel in 2010: Go for the touchdown!
Marshall Summary and Miami thoughts coming soon…
