Q&A with an Ohio State fan

1 comment so far November 17, 2006 by Steve Hanway

In case you haven't heard, #1 Ohio State is hosting their bitter rival, #2 Michigan, on Saturday in Columbus. Since the Huskers are taking a well deserved break this weekend, we thought we'd call on a couple Buckeye and Wolverine fans to hear their views on the game.

First up is Michael, a passionate Buckeye fan in Washington D.C.

Do you think Troy Smith deserves the Heisman regardless of how Saturday's game plays out, or does he have to look good in an OSU win?

OSU Fan: QB Troy Smith has yet to have a bad day in a big game, but the 2 biggest of his career are #1 OSU vs. #2 Mich-eegan on Saturday, and then if the Bucks win, the BCS Championship Game. If he plays poorly in either game, someone else gets the Heisman.

Ohio State is a touchdown favorite to win the game against Michigan, do you think that's fair or do you see it as a "pick'em" game?

OSU Fan: Bucks’ fans never take the spot seriously in this game – heck, for money I might even take Mich-eegan and 7. Harken back to the days of Barry vs. Dr. Tom in the Sooner-Husker series – the intensity of the rivalry negates any point spread.

What about Michigan concerns you as an Ohio State fan?

OSU Fan: Mich-eegan can pound the football with its big front line. Even Illinois pushed the Bucks’ defense around in the 2nd half of a 17-10 OSU win, the closest game of the season.

What concerns do you have about your Ohio State team?

OSU Fan: OSU no longer has a Woody Hayes 3-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust offense (think Husker football under Dr. Tom). But with more reliance on the forward pass comes more risk – sacks, QB fumbles, interceptions. Sometimes the Bucks must now pass in the red zone to score TDs. And like any other team, the Bucks are fully capable of beating themselves – almost happened vs. Illinois this season.

Where do you see some advantages for Ohio State in this matchup?

OSU Fan: The Bucks are speedy, especially at wide receiver, and QB Troy Smith, WR Ted Ginn, and others are among the best athletes in OSU history.

If Jim Tressel were to win another national championship, it would seem likely he would get some NFL offers. Do you think he'd bite on one?

OSU Fan: Coach Tressel won’t say, but his agent has loose lips. The only pro job that would interest him would be that of Cleveland Browns Head Coach because he’s true blue Northern Ohio borne & bred. But he’d have to take a pay cut if he wants the Browns’ job !!

There's been talk of a possible rematch of these teams in the national championship game (though history would suggest that's unlikely, that late season losses are usually a death sentence to national title hopes). Do you think a rematch would be fair or would another team (like USC) deserve to face the winner?

OSU Fan: We’re still waiting for a Bucks-Husker match-up in a major bowl game, in the near future perhaps. Actually, any major bowl would salivate at the thought of hosting 2 cold-weather North Coast teams with large fan bases willing to travel and spend money. Last year, for the first time ever, the Bucks played Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, and the Phoenix-Tempe area was giddy with the economic boom both teams provided. OSU fans flocked to the area even if they couldn’t get tickets.

FSU in 1999 is the only team to go wire to wire #1 in the AP Poll. Does that give you any concern heading into this game?

OSU Fan: Only the media folks are concerned with such stats.

OSU has held an advantage in recent meetings, does that mean anything this weekend or do the new assistants at Michigan render recent history irrelevant?

OSU Fan: To frazzle the delicate nerves of Mich-eegan’s Coach Carr, a loyal OSU fan never fails to mention that the Bucks’ Coach Tressel is 4-1 against him in head-to-head meetings. Hee-hee !!

GO BUCKS !!!

Related: Interview with a Michigan fan | Buckeye Blog | Michigan Blog

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