It’s Not as Bad as it Seems Buckeye Nation

After last Saturday night’s debacle, I can see how many of the members of our beloved Buckeye Nation can take a trip to negative town. Yes, they were terrible in many facets of the game. Also, they looked like a MAC team, against a mediocre at best Miami team. But after having a few days to digest everything, and many, many beers, I have realized the glass is not all empty for our beloved Buckeyes. Here, I’ll explain.

First off, they were not at full strength. They were missing their top wideout (Devier Posey), top tackle (Mike Adams),  All-Big 10 RB (Boom Herron), and top pass rusher (Nathan Williams).  Those are HUGE losses. After looking good against two MAC teams, the young wide recieving core looked, well, young and inexperienced. Chris Fields and the WR gang didn’t get alot of separation from the U’s corners, and frankly may have been swallowed up by the atmosphere of the game. Without a senior, or even junior, there to guide them they looked kind of lost, not that Braxerman really helped them up much (more on this later).  Posey would have steadied the ship so to speak. He’s been in so many big games, it’s like happenstance to him now.

In Boom, and Adams cases, yeah they’re losses, but not as much for their on-field prowess, as their locker room presence right now. Again, Boom could have helped the RBs, who I thought stuck out as the main positive in an otherwordly disappointing night,  stay calm, and not freak out. The main example of this, was actually after the game when Carlos “Beast” Hyde came out and said they should have run the ball more. This was not good.But Jordan Hall did rush for 89 yards. He is a major factor, and the 1-2 punch of him and Hyde is definitely a good one.  They show some serious promise, and are a good thunder and ligthning duo. expect to see more of them in the coming games, wit hsolid results. See, there’s some positivity fo that ass. Yeah, I said it.

As for the quarterback situation, Joe Bauserman is not now, nor will he ever be, the answer at QB for Ohio State. He folds under pressure, it’s that simple. Look at the Toledo game. He was pressured all day, and he was hurrendous. And then this latest debacle proves he’s not the QB. Sure Braxton Miller had a rough go of it as well on Saturday night, but he is still the more talented of the two, and gives the team a much better chance to win, in my opinion. The turnovers are going to be there, but wit hexperience those  things will be cleane dup, and by the end of the year, he’ll be one of the best QBs in the Big 10 heading into next year. This is why not playing him in the Toledo game (injury my ass!)was such a massive failure for Luke Fickell. You don’t let Freshmen get their feet wet in tough environments like Miami, you play them against inferior competition to give them confidence. This is why his timing was off. Plus, if you’re offensive identity is goign to be running the football anyway, then why not play the QB THAT CAN RUN?! If you want to create excitement for the rest of the season here’s how you do it: START BRAXTON MILLER. The more reps he gets, the more acclimated he will get to the college game, and the more dangerous he becomes. Look at how Jimmy T handled TP. And that season ended with a BCS game, albeit a loss to my boy Colt McCoy (He’s a Brown now) and Texas, but a BCS appearance, and 10 wins nonetheless. Also, Braxton creates excitement in the fan base. I mean, I know I was jacked up about how good Brax could be after his picking apart the Freshmen Team’s (Akron’s) D.  Let him learn under fire. I’ll bet he comes out just fine.

As for the “Silver Bullet” Defense, they’re fine. It’s not like they gave up 60 points. This is still the strength of this team. They finally got Travis Howard  back, and caused turnovers, all without Nathan Williams, who is far and away the Bucks best pass rusher. Sure, Lamar Miller gashed them for 159 yards, this is a serious problem, but Jim Bollman will tighten it up, and they’ll be fine. Have faith people!

Finally, look, I’m sure everyone felt this way after the USC games in previous years, or the Texas game when Vince Young went HAM at the shoe. The Bucks will rebound from this. The season is not over. Hell, the Big Ten season has even started. I still smell Big Ten title, and 10 wins for this Buckeye Team. Or maybe that’s just the raw chicken in my fridge, but either way,  DO NOT JUMP OFF THE LEDGE YET BUCKEYE NATION. WE WILL OVERCOME THIS.

What’s your take? Is the Season lost? Let me know at @THEscottyI , or in the comments section.