Can RichRod match the Vest, and would you be happy?
The Smartfootball article got us all talking about whether the game has passed the Vest by. I don't think any fan is particularly fond of his conservative style that often leads to games being much closer than they should be. Also, it's clear that he hasn't been able to hang with LSU, Florida, Texas, and USC. In other words, the Vest doesn't *quite* belong on the same level as what we consider the elite programs.
His short comings on the national stage are well documented; but we know all to well that he's owned us pretty good, including a victory over our #2 team in 2006. Say what you want about the quality of the big ten, but he made it to three title games in 8 years. Admittedly, he crapped his pants two out of the three times. Probably the most impressive feat is two separate winning streaks of 19 games.
So, do you think RichRod can match that? And, if he did, would you be happy with it?
Personally, I'm really torn. That's a lot of wins, including big wins over the top rival, but repeatedly losing to the big boys is kind of embarrassing. There's no shame in losing to USC once or even twice, but at OSU it's becoming a pattern to lose the big games.
September 14th, 2009 at 7:10 PM ^
But clearly, if we win 19 games in a row it will be a lot more fun than what the Vest did. Sure the OSU fans enjoyed the wins, and some of them were exciting. But so many were just boring. We enter a new era of excitement. There may or may not be Tressel level success, but it will be more fun.
September 14th, 2009 at 7:14 PM ^
What I think is happening is the same thing that happened to lloyd. Lloyd was owning osu, winning the national title and getting us to bcs bowls a lot in the early 2000s. but then tress came along and you know the rest. I'll bet the same thing will happen with Rich Rod and Tressel in the next 5 years.
September 14th, 2009 at 7:17 PM ^
From what Ive seen from RR...he has a particular attention to details...and last years team during the transition, mostly due to not having talent at key positions, but also the team being young and not acclimated to such attention to detail in a short period of time...confused them and hurt them.
This year, we are seeing more of the fruits of a team that understands the level of detail that RR is looking for...and having GRob on staff on the defensive side has also help on that level as the tackling is much better for example.
This will only get better and better over time...the team will become even more crisp and eventually (probably sooner than later) will be competing for a National Championship.
I also like the fact that the team plays with an Edge...but still seems to be loose and having fun at the same time... they dont appear to be "tight" but are focused and having fun at the same time...which is a great atmosphere to play under.
September 14th, 2009 at 7:18 PM ^
RR has a pretty good record in bowl games.
September 14th, 2009 at 8:53 PM ^
Some of y'all are delusional if you think we're going to start suddenly owning OSU. Tressel may be like Carr in terms of coaching philosophy, but Tressel is recruiting like a madmen and will have excellent talent for years to come. Tressel isn't going anywhere for at least another decade, so be happy if we split the Game over the next decade.
September 14th, 2009 at 9:32 PM ^
I bet a lot of osu fans didn't think they would win 5 in a row either. we aren't delusional, and it very well could or could not happen.
September 14th, 2009 at 10:07 PM ^
OSU is a force and the situation is not changing anytime soon. Pryor is a true soph, by time he reaches his Junior and Senior seasons the Buckeyes are going to be a load, shit, in the Big Ten they are a load now.
If Michigan wins the Big Ten any of these next 3 seasons, it will be a very tough well earned road to a Championship and that road runs thru Columbus. I think RR and M can get it done but it ain't a gonna be a easy.
September 15th, 2009 at 4:59 AM ^
"It very well could or could not happen."
Are you ready to commit to that? That is serious "out on a limb" stuff right there. Almost as rock solid as a "definite maybe."
I am going to hold you to that.
September 14th, 2009 at 10:14 PM ^
Tressel turns 57 this year. Do you honestly expect him to be around at age 70? He's spoken lately about how he has no plans to be JoePa, how important his 40th year in coaching (2014) will be to him and how he plans to be gone before OSU starts their series with Tennessee in like 10 years. All tangible evidence points to him giving it up sooner rather than later.
September 14th, 2009 at 11:12 PM ^
WTB,
Yep, because Lloyd sucked at recruiting... Henne's class was damn good and they were upperclassmen in '06 and '07 and what did that bring UM? Under performing when it mattered most. All the talk in '06 and '07 was the leadership and MNC, all dashed by conservative play calling, improper preparation, and ineptitude within the regime.
September 14th, 2009 at 9:01 PM ^
I think that richrod will play much more aggressively than tressel or carr, even once we are all the way back and are expected to win every game. His style of coaching is much more centered on having fun and getting the fans involved in the games, and I believe that with his offense we will find more success on the national stage. while we may split The Game, I think his bowl record will be much better and I think every season its gonna be more fun for the fans, and I think we will be more successful finishing games as we saw this week against nd.
September 14th, 2009 at 11:14 PM ^
I don't think RichRod's gameplan has anything to do with getting the fans into the game. It has to do with scoring points as quickly and efficiently as possible.
One takes care of the other.
September 15th, 2009 at 9:43 AM ^
RR has mentioned that he wants to get fans more involved and that's why the music is being played in the stadium now.
September 14th, 2009 at 9:27 PM ^
I'm a believer. I'm all in. But at this level it's all about results. Great so far, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.
And speaking of looking backwards: Watching the game on ESPNU and it's more obvious:
how Weiss blew the game
how badly Cissoko got beat all game
how hungry the old man Greg Robinson is (a very nice surprise)
September 14th, 2009 at 10:06 PM ^
Because Tressel is a douche.
Actually though, if we get a MNC in the next five years, I'll be ecstatic. It's so hard these days to get to the title game and win. Getting there three times with a win to boot would be fantastic.
September 15th, 2009 at 7:35 AM ^
an .800 winning percentage (what Tressel has) after last year's 3-9, then absolutely, because it will take several 10+ win seasons to do that.
hell, 9-3 this year gets him to .500
12-0 in 2010 would get him to .667
12-0 in 2011 would get him to .750
12-0 in 2012 would get him to .800
you get the picture. :)
so yes, in that scenario, i'll take him getting even with the Senator.