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Are you ready to get excited about the Buckeyes?
Written by Duane Long   
Tuesday, 29 September 2009 12:44

I want to ask all of you two questions. Have you looked at the Buckeyes schedule? Have you looked around the country this year at the landscape of college football? If you haven't, do so.

The national championship is anyones for the taking. There is no elite team out there this year. Anyone can step in and take a shot. Look at the Buckeye schedule and tell me that you don't feel confident that the Buckeyes can run the table. That puts us right smack dab in the middle of another run at it.

Another reason for optimism is the last two weeks of offense. When I said a new OC would help, just get someone else in JTs ear, I got some pushback from some fans that things would never change as long as JT was running the offense. Since I did not support firing JT, that I was not going to get the change I expected. Sherman, a Bucknuts poster, did an excellent job of breaking down the changes in the offense the past two weeks. I would love to bring that post over here but I don't think Mr. Bucknuts nor Sherman would appreciate that. I know Sherman is a current or former coach and does a great job with this kind of thing. His breakdown shows clearly the difference in the offense. I noted that we were running more to the right. He took it a lot further. The changes in the way we are doing things in the running game coincides with the buzz that Darell Hazel is getting an opportunity to call some plays. Back when I said there would be a change at OC you may have noticed I sidestepped the question of who would be the next OC. Hazel is odds on. You can bet there is going to be some push to get someone outside of JTs circle. The fear is someone JT is close to is going to think like him and nothing will change.

I speak to high school coaches just about every day. So much accurate information comes from high school coaches. I learn so much about recruits from coaches who coached against them. That is how the relationships got started but I learned over time that high school coaches have more contact with the staff than anyone. They get to know these coaches. The one offensive coach that the high school coaches I have talked to are most impressed with is Darrell Hazel.

Put an improved running game with a great defense and a season devoid of great teams, and I am really excited about what can happen. You want to hear the best news? Going into the season if you were asked to sum up the Buckeyes in one word I think most of you would have said "young." Think about all these pups getting a season under their belts, a new OC next year, and Miami (Fla), Penn State and Michigan at home.


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Comments (14)Add Comment
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written by RipsManifesto, September 29, 2009
Love the enthusiasm, but I don't see it yet. Four top 10 teams (Miss, Cal, PSU, Miami) lost this weekend, and after our second straight pasting we moved up exactly two spots in the coaches. We lost spots after beating Toledo. It seems like pollsters are doing all they can to keep OSU out of the title hunt this year.

We'll need a crazier year than 2007 to get there. As in, a whole lot of teams are going to need to lose two or more games, because I don't see OSU getting in over any SEC, Pac10, or Big12 one loss team. But, hey, crazier things have happened I guess.
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written by Clown Baby, September 29, 2009
Your last paragraph intrigued me. OSU could be scary good next year but I also could see Heyward and Gibson leaving after this year. Is that a real possibility, considering Gibson already redshirted? If they did leave, what would the impact be?
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written by edbuck51, September 29, 2009
This team is just soooo much more fun now that all the cry babies and negative "me first" guys have moved on. It is a golden opportunity with this Defense and the current landscape in the FCS.
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written by edbuck51, September 29, 2009
Also, while OSU will surely miss Worthington, Wilson, Denlinger and Rose, having Gibson, Heyward, Larimore and Simon coming back doesn't seem like a bad place to start.
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written by Chalkie, September 29, 2009
I'll take Hazel as OC for sure. Add in a steadily improving Pryor and not too many guys going early & we have a great shot next year. We have a shot this year too. We just need Pryor to keep getting better and the O will make strides.
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written by Chalkie, September 29, 2009
Yes, Gibson and Heyward are the ones I'm worried about too. Duane, have you heard anything about these two or any others regarding leaving early?
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written by Zonabuck, September 29, 2009
Duane - with regards to Hazell getting a shot at OC duties - has anything really changed, or is it now more publicized to counter the recent growing criticism of how the offense is handled?

Also - I know you don't have an answer yet, but I would also be interested in any feedback you get from HS players and coaches about how this very public move has and will changed the perception of OSU offense in the eyes of potential recruits (read: Braxton Miller). There were rumblings about some locks maybe not being as automatic as we thought and I'm sure some excitement and a feeling of a step change in progress will be welcomed with open arms from all sides. I think JT would be stubborn and not change in the face of criticism. I don't think he would be so stubborn if he thought it would impact recruiting.
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written by tOSU Looking Good, September 29, 2009
Gibson might test the waters but he wouldn't receive a high round grade. Theres still some kinks in his game he needs to iron out and his productivity will have to be increased as well. I feel he'll be back. Now if hits a terror that might change but right now I don't think he would be rated sure fire 1st rd.

Heyward in the intriguing one. I think he'll be back as well.I look at it like this. His dad played in the NFL. I'm betting his mom would advise him to enjoy college while you can. She's seen the hustle and struggle of it all so she probably wouldn't rush her son off to the pros.
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written by Jimm, September 29, 2009
Losing probably 6 of the 9 DL that get playing time really worries me for next year, I'm not gonna lie. Hopefully the young guys can step into the new roles but we'll see...
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written by Hilltopbass, September 29, 2009
All we need is a steady improvement each week and I think we are seeing that. We aren't going to see it come in leaps and bounds, even if Hazell get's more than a PR shot at the offense. By the end of it all even if the pollsters do keep us out of a title shot I think we will see a team ready to claim some respect in a BCS bowl.
Good Point Hilltop
written by KasinoRoyale, September 29, 2009
Hill has a good point. Even if we don't get the respect in the polls at the end of the year; We should get a favorable bowl opponent.

Either way I'm happy. I just wanted the team to fight every game and look like we belong. They've done that so for, so I'm good. Guess I'm easy to please. lol
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written by alfey45, September 29, 2009
In my opinion Darrell Hazell is one of the members on the staff we absolutely cannot afford to lose. I believe he would be a great offensive coordinator and is invaluable as a recruiter. The defense is gonna be scary good for a long time and anything less than undefeated from here on out this season is unacceptable. Just win out and leave the other bs to the pollsters and don't worry about what other teams are doing. Personally I'd be happy with a rose bowl win then setting up a grand stage for next year. Think Vince Young win over Michigan setting the stage for his junior year.
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written by nat, September 30, 2009
speaking of 2010 DL concerns, duane, is it a possibility that wilson will look into and could be granted a medical hardship extra year of eligibility for missing all but a couple plays in 2007? haven't heard anyone talking about it yet, but if wilson's draft prospects aren't looking all that great at the end of this season, it could be a possibility he'd look into it, wouldn't you think?
From who?
written by James1, September 30, 2009
You can bet there is going to be some push to get someone outside of JTs circle

You keep saying this Duane, but you need to answer the question,"From who?" who the heck is going to pressure Jim Tressel to do anything he doesn't want to do?

The Fans? LOL...ok

Gene Smith? Jim Tressel could have Gene Smith fired in a matter of minutes.

There is literally no one who can put pressure on Jim Tressel right now other than Jim Tressel.

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