Big Ten mailbag: Buckeyes bummin’
September 16, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
Got a few minutes here before the Big Ten coaches’ teleconference begins. Time to check in with my adoring masses.
Ben from San Diego writes: Adam… Do you think that it could ever be possible for Jim Tressel to be on the hot seat if he keeps winning in the Big 10 and beating Michigan, but losing the big non-conference games? If so, how many more embarrassing losses will it take? Do you think there could ever be pressure from Jim Delaney to make changes on the OSU coaching staff, given that OSU is embarrassing not only themselves, but the Big 10 as a whole? As a Buckeye fan, I’d rather see us lose to Michigan than be blown out like this on the big stage again. It really hurts! I don’t care about Michigan anymore!!
Adam Rittenberg: Wow, Ben, I never thought I’d see those six words ever uttered by a Buckeye fan. But I understand your frustration. Tressel is nowhere near the hot seat and recently received a well-deserved raise, but if Ohio State loses another game or two and falls out of the BCS picture, he’ll face some pressure this offseason. Staff changes certainly could be on the way, though I doubt Jim Delany would be demanding them. Jim’s a busy guy and has more important things to worry about. Ohio State can still redeem both itself and the Big Ten by going to the Rose Bowl and winning, but the worst thing that could happen for both parties is another big-stage flop. I think you’ll still care when the Wolverines visit The Shoe in November, but beating Michigan has certainly lost a bit of its luster.
Alex from Chevy Chase, Md., writes: A-Ritt, Having beaten Fresno State, is it too early to start talking BCS Championship for Wisconsin? They’ll only get better as Beckum and Casillas get healthier. Plus, Ohio State, Penn State, and Illinois all come to Madison, where Bielema has never lost.
Adam Rittenberg: It’s a bit early, given the Badgers’ upcoming schedule. Though it helps a ton that they play Ohio State, Penn State and Illinois at Camp Randall, they first will face a desperate Michigan team that needs something to go its way. The Wolverines could be dangerous in that game. Wisconsin is helped by having a bye week before heading to Ann Arbor, especially because of the injuries you mention and several others (CB Aaron Henry comes to mind). If Wisconsin gets through Oct. 11 undefeated, get ready to jump around. The BCS buzz will be there.
Neal from Iowa City, Iowa, writes: So Adam, with what happened to OSU (Saturday) night, do you think the pressure is now off the Buckeyes and on the rest of the conference? Everyone is going to be dragged down unless the nation is shown that OSU is not the king of a weak conference as so many believe so isn’t the pressure on all the other teams to play OSU even harder this year in order to prove thar this is not a weak conference?
Adam Rittenberg: Neal, you read my mind. The rest of the Big Ten needs to prove it can not only play with Ohio State, but beat the Buckeyes and perform better in national showcase games. If the Buckeyes dominate in league play once again and lose in the Rose Bowl, the Big Ten bashing will continue. Wisconsin and Penn State look like the teams with the best shot to unseat the Buckeyes as Big Ten champs, but it’s also important for squads like Michigan State, Illinois, Iowa and Northwestern to make strides and win bowl games.
Brian from Columbus, Ohio, writes: So Adam, after reading that story you posted saying Alex Boone noticed no emotion whatsoever in my beloved Buckeyes at halftime of the USC game, are you with me in thinking one of OSU’s biggest problems these days is the lack of emotion (read: fun) while playing? I haven’t seen any heart in any of these big games because the players are too focused on being “businesslike” in their preparation and execution. After three games of playing with a terrible mindset, someone desparately needs to breathe a little life into the program. Do you agree? If so, do you think such a transformation is possible in the short term? And if not, what is the Buckeyes’ real problem?
Adam Rittenberg: Several people have questioned Ohio State’s lack of fire against USC, but you bring up an interesting word there: fun. I’ve got two questions for everyone, and here’s a hint: they have the same answer. Which program in the country has the most fun? Which program in the country has consistently had the most success? If you picked USC, you get a prize (to be determined later). The buttoned-up approach at Ohio State has its pluses, but loosening up a bit could benefit the Buckeyes. I thought about this same question the last few years covering Notre Dame. The ultra-controlled environment around the Fighting Irish seemed so anti-fun compared to that of their archrival, USC. And USC has dominated that annual series. Some of these Midwest teams could take a hint from the Trojans and start enjoying themselves a little more.
Mike from Johnstown, Pa., writes: Why doesn’t anyone seem to give any respect to Penn State this year? Yes, they haven’t played top competition yet, but aside from USC-OSU, who has???? I think everyone just assumed that OSU (and following them, Wisconsin) was at the top of the Big Ten. Well, hey, OSU isn’t gonna be at the top of the Big Ten any more….Penn State has explosive Offense, and despite the off-field stuff, still has dominating Defense. Why doesn’t anyone shoe JoePa the love? I cannot believe that OSU is ranked ahead of PSU after that dismal offensive showing.
Adam Rittenberg: Well, the Lions were ahead of the Buckeyes in my power rankings, and like you, I was surprised to see Ohio State three spots ahead of Penn State in the AP poll. The Buckeyes not only lost badly to USC, but they looked wholly unimpressive against Ohio. So their résumé only includes a blowout win against Youngstown State and a bunch of familiar names on the two-deep. Penn State hasn’t played anybody, but few teams have looked as impressive so far. I can’t wait to see how the Lions fare against Illinois and Wisconsin in the next few weeks. They’ll get their due from the pollsters if they beat those teams.
Brandon from Geneseo, Ill., writes: I have major beef with the statement about how the “Big Ten Title goes through Madison”. And The Fact you call fresno state their toughest road game. Iowa will be a tougher road game for UW, harder environment, and a game that recently has always been close. Take a peek at Iowa’s schedule. PSU, Wis, PU, NW at home. Road is Minn, IU, MSU, and Ill. Iowa taking 3 of 4 at home, and 3 of 4 on the road is not out of the question. Id venture to say 4-0 at home and 2-2 on the road.
Adam Rittenberg: Brandon, I see your point, but I still think Fresno State was a tougher test. It marked the first road start since 2005 for new quarterback Allan Evridge, standouts Travis Beckum and Jonathan Casillas hadn’t played a down this season and Fresno State makes a living from beating BCS teams. No one, I mean NO ONE, wants to play the Bulldogs out there, and Wisconsin took a huge risk and got a huge reward by doing so. Iowa looks tough at home, but the Hawkeyes still have some quarterback issues to work through and they really haven’t been tested. It should be a good one Oct. 18, but Wisconsin will go in with confidence after already posting a huge road victory.
Sam from Evanston, Ill., writes: What happened to Andrew Brewer on NU’s receiving corps? He was getting so much hype after missing last season as one of Bacher’s primary targets, but he’s been invisible for the past two games.
Adam Rittenberg: I was really puzzled when I saw Brewer had no catches in the blowout win against Southern Illinois. Coach Pat Fitzgerald said Monday that Brewer is battling some minor injuries and faces some tough competition from freshman Jeremy Ebert and sophomore Sidney Stewart. Before breaking his arm weeks before the 2007 season, Brewer was being talked up as potentially the team’s top receiver and an All-Big Ten candidate, but the injury and the transition from quarterback to wide receiver could be taking time. This could be a case of a tremendous athlete never really fitting into one spot, but Brewer brings a lot to the table and likely will be a bigger factor later in the season.
James from Ann Arbor, Mich., writes: Does anyone else think it is a joke that both Minnesota and Notre Dame have received 4 votes in the AP poll? Or that Notre Dame received votes in the USAToday poll after their impressive opening victory over San Diego State? This really makes me question the voting process.
Adam Rittenberg: James, I’ve got to admit I was a bit surprised to see the Gophers and, to a lesser extent, the Fighting Irish show up in the polls. Northwestern getting 10 votes in the coaches’ poll also was a head-scratcher, given the competition the Wildcats have faced so far. I know this: it doesn’t take much for “national programs” like Notre Dame and Penn State to get major spikes in voting (the Lions didn’t get a spike this week, though). The Irish get a ton of credit for almost any win and a lot of blame for almost any loss. Minnesota, Northwestern and Iowa have had nice starts, but I really can’t justify ranking any of those teams in the top 25 until they play better competition. There really should be some more research that goes into the voting process.
Brad from Bloomington, Ind., writes: Recently reading some of the bowl projections I have noticed Indiana is getting little (or no) respect. IU plays eight home games and has a weak schedule otherwise. Where do you see the Hoosiers this post-season?
Adam Rittenberg: I’ve dumped on the Hoosiers for their easily scheduling, but they really should show up in more bowl projections. The eight-game home schedule is absolutely huge, along with the fact Indiana doesn’t face Ohio State this fall. Saturday’s game against Ball State is a big one because the Hoosiers will find out a lot about themselves, particularly on defense. Wins against the Cardinals and preseason Big Ten sleeper Michigan State would put Indiana in position for a postseason run.
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