Football Troubles
The Sports Quarter
Buckeye leaves. It strangely enough rhymes with Buckeye bereaves.
Judging from Ohio State fan reactions after their team’s loss in what could only be described as a pathetic mishmash in the Cotton Bowl, it appears Coach Ryan Day’s words about intending to take a hard look at everything during the off season are growing rather thin.
That now is a movie fans have apparently seen before. One more rerun should pop the bubble, close the concessions stands and turn off the soft drink machines.
Some and rightfully so claim Ryan has made poor decisions and his play calling has slipped noticeably. Others feel he has turned in a slightly upgraded version of Tressel Ball, being way too conservative settling for field goals and such.
Offensive line play and recruiting, many believe, has up to now been maybe okay. But for the last two seasons, as we’ve noted before, they’ve had tough times with fourth and short yardage situations.
A few believe Ryan’s apparent stubbornness has contributed. Note the juxtaposition of stubbornness and too conservative.
Others claim Ryan has micro-managed his QBs too much rather than letting them rip, mistakes and all. Mistakes and growth go together these people suggest. Could it be by some quirk of fate not an acceptable part of college football played mostly my young people 18 to 22?
Talk about bringing in a portal QB as if it’s a one-player-away matter is naive and downright foolish. Portal QBs are no less subject to micro-managing and subpar play calling than recruited ones.
Was it that Ryan’s luck—sounds like a potential television or Netflix saga—kicked in at just the correct time with his successful QBs, only one of whom as far as one can tell was actually recruited by him?
Football junkies are by nature inpatient, outright voracious and dog-pound vicious at some schools and Ohio State is surely one. Will somebody please pass the keg of nails? The BS carbs are not getting it.
And at this point the Buckeye leaves won’t get it either.