Preseason Top 25 Discussion

[Voltaire]

Meatchicken is ranked so high because their coach will cry to motivate them

We are ranked too high ... Ya gotta prove yourselves. I'd rather we'd not be ranked at all. If we are #9 going into the playoffs, I'll be happy.

 

[osubuckeye89]

Meatchicken is ranked so high because their coach will cry to motivate them

You kinda get that benefit of the doubt when you win. Reminds me of Ohio State going into 2004 ranked in the top 10 despite losing about everything that made them successful in 02 and 03. Even though there was going to be a clear drop off (they finished 8-4)

 

[Across The Field]

You kinda get that benefit of the doubt when you win. Reminds me of Ohio State going into 2004 ranked in the top 10 despite losing about everything that made them successful in 02 and 03. Even though there was going to be a clear drop off (they finished 8-4)

The 04 team was still loaded on both sides of the ball, they just wasted too much time giving Zwick snaps. Had they started Troy Smith from the start they're probably 11-1.

 

[osubuckeye89]

The 04 team was still loaded on both sides of the ball, they just wasted too much time giving Zwick snaps. Had they started Troy Smith from the start they're probably 11-1.

The offense was complete trash, Oline sucked and the running game was non existent. Along with the QB issues. Defense was good enough to keep them from completely tanking into the ground. Probably like Michigan will be this year.

They had guys who would eventually become stars but they were very young then.

I don't think they go 11-1 at all if Smith started all year. Smith managed to lose to a mediocre at best Purdue team. He really feasted early on bad Penn State, Indiana & Sparty teams. Maybe they go 9-3 instead of 8-4.

 

[ericd7633]

The 04 team was still loaded on both sides of the ball, they just wasted too much time giving Zwick snaps. Had they started Troy Smith from the start they're probably 11-1.

Those 04 and 05 teams were loaded. I think the 05 team was probably more talented than the 06 and 07 teams that made the title games. Smith was obviously better in 06, which upped their ceiling, but overall, damn that 05 team was stacked. If they would have gotten 06 QB play from Smith in 05, they win the title hands down. He was good in 05, but obviously not the Heisman level he was in 06.

 

[Across The Field]

The offense was complete trash, Oline sucked and the running game was non existent. Along with the QB issues. Defense was good enough to keep them from completely tanking into the ground. Probably like Michigan will be this year.

They had guys who would eventually become stars but they were very young then.

I don't think they go 11-1 at all if Smith started all year. Smith managed to lose to a mediocre at best Purdue team. He really feasted early on bad Penn State, Indiana & Sparty teams. Maybe they go 9-3 instead of 8-4.

I think the offense would've looked significantly different with Troy leading the way for the entire season, though. He was in his 3rd year, and when he did play he was exponentially more dynamic than Zwick. The OL looked bad but again, I think part of that was the overall ineptitude of Zwick to create anything running or throwing.

Also 04 was 2 years after our title, the 03 team went 11-2 with Krenzel.

 

[osubuckeye89]

I think the offense would've looked significantly different with Troy leading the way for the entire season, though. He was in his 3rd year, and when he did play he was exponentially more dynamic than Zwick. The OL looked bad but again, I think part of that was the overall ineptitude of Zwick to create anything running or throwing.

Also 04 was 2 years after our title, the 03 team went 11-2 with Krenzel.

The 2003 team still had 14 players who got drafted in the 04 draft. That team was loaded. If Clarett wasn't a moron we probably win the national title again or at least play in the title game.

 

[Across The Field]

Those 04 and 05 teams were loaded. I think the 05 team was probably more talented than the 06 and 07 teams that made the title games. Smith was obviously better in 06, which upped their ceiling, but overall, damn that 05 team was stacked. If they would have gotten 06 QB play from Smith in 05, they win the title hands down. He was good in 05, but obviously not the Heisman level he was in 06.

Smith was incredible in 05 when he played, but again they inexplicably went with Zwick to start the year. I'd argue it cost us the win vs. Texas that year, as we spotted them 10 points before Zwick was finally pulled. By the end of the year with Smith starting, that team could've definitely gone toe to toe with either Texas or USC, and I agree, it was better than 06 and significantly better than 07.

 

[Across The Field]

The 2003 team still had 14 players who got drafted in the 04 draft. That team was loaded. If Clarett wasn't a moron we probably win the national title again or at least play in the title game.

Don't disagree one bit there, was moreso just adding that for context.