Jim Tressel, meet Mack

In fact, I think you simply read way too much into what I wrote.

I have already pointed out that Ohio State has great players and a great football team. That is exactly part of my point: They are a team that should not be blown out in these games, yet they have been. I drew the comparison to Texas’ struggles against Oklahoma; we’ve been blown out in that series a few times the last decade, but there is no good reason for that. OU was better, but not to the tune of 63-14.

1. They have completely destroyed their main rival and dominated them so much on the football field and in the living room that they have gone from a national power to a team that struggles against division 2 programs like Appalachian St and Notre Dame.

This is irrelevant to my discussion. I have already stated they have dominated the Big 10, which obviously includes Michigan. Given the current reputation of the Big 10, earned or not, nobody is really impressed by this. And you are way overstating the case of OSU’s dominance; it’s a far leap of logic to say that Michigan struggled last year and the beginning of this year due to the fact they’ve been losing to Ohio State.

2. They have won 1 MNC and have participated into 2 others. Only USC can boast better in that time period.

Again, irrelevant. Their national title happened in 2002, which obviously does not include the time period of the last three years when they’ve been toasted in big, out of conference games (not to mention the fact that many people consider that Buckeye team to be the flukiest champion in the BCS era). The two others are simply part of my overall point: They dominate their conference, then show up to the national title game to be embarrassed in front of the country. On an additional note, it is actually NOT USC who can boast about three BCS title appearances. The other two teams to do so are Florida State and Oklahoma.

3. They have won like 7 Big Ten Championships under Trussel. Something us Texas fans would just cream ourselves over.

Exactly part my point. You do realize I said this: “Ohio State has gone quickly down the drain as far as reputation is concerned, and they’re taking the rest of the Big 10 with them.” Obviously, that’s because they are A. Dominating the Big 10 but B. Haven’t shown up to their last few big, non-conference games. In any case, this is again irrelevant; the point of my post is not to dissect Ohio State’s struggles but to draw the comparison to Texas’ past struggles in big games. If we want big things this year, and especially next year, we would do well to learn the lessons of the past as well as the lessons of our contemporaries.

4. They have accepted some challenges in scheduling – signing 2 year agreements with the Texas Longhorns and USC. A practice that is great for college football and should be applauded at all times.

I agree. But again I ask: How is this relevant to my post?

5. He secured Terrelle Pryor – who will probably deliver a VY type performance to win the 2010 MNC.

Perhaps so, and props to them for getting Pryor. Yet again I will ask: How is this relevant?

1. Urban Meyer outcoached the Buckeyes – plain and simple. But that Gator team was not Boise State. Tremendous talent that would have waxed alot of teams that night.

Agreed, but not a good excuse. This was exactly something I wanted to address: I don’t want Mack Brown to get out-coached like that by the likes of Bob Stoops again. Tressel had just as much time as Meyer to get ready for that game, and the Gators came out and flattened an Ohio State team with a lot of good athletes. It’s hardly a good excuse to say that Meyer simply outwitted the sweater vest.

2. The loss to LSU was a case where the Buckeyes were not expected to compete, and truly did not have the talent to compete. Trussel focused the team, and they earned a premature trip to the MNC. USC was better, but they unbelievably stumbled at Stanford. WVU was better but they got beat by Pitt. Mizzou was destined before getting Stooped. So why criticize the inferior team that beat the teams they were supposed to beat.

Again, a poor excuse, and this is exactly what I’m talking about. Obviously, LSU was better. I said so above in my post. That doesn’t mean Ohio State, if they are truly as good as they want everyone to believe and if they want everyone to be impressed by their Big 10 championships, can show up like that and get trounced. After all, they DID start out well, yet they crumbled to the ground afterwards. What, are we going to say that Miles outcoached Tressel as another excuse? These are precisely the excuses I don’t to hear. If the other team is better, than let’s fight to the bitter end. If not, let’s not get the pants coached out of us.

3. USC at home was a significant challenge. I just do not think that criticizing teams for scheduling on USC on the road instead of a "weather vane university" is the right approach.

I fail to see where I criticized Ohio State for scheduling USC. I think that’s great, and I wish more teams would do it. I merely pointed out how, once again, Ohio State flopped against a high profile OOC opponent, and this time I clearly saw doubt in the eyes of the Buckeyes. They weren’t even sure they belonged on the field with the Trojans, and that’s not what I want to see happen in our group.

You simply missed the entire point of my post, which was clearly stated to not concentrate on Ohio State but to compare their recent big-game struggles with our past ones. Please read more carefully.

2010 MNC is ours and colt’s to lose.