By: Clinton Reed Jr. | Buckeyes Gameday Correspondent
As the clock strikes midnight at the end of each December an old year becomes a memory, and a new year is set to begin. With the next subtle movement of the clock comes a new day filled with new expectations.. new perspectives.. new resoloutions.. a New Year. For many teams, the game which summarizes the past four months that have made up the college football season has already taken place. For twenty-eight others it has yet to begin.Within the first ten days of January thirteen teams will emerge victorious and become bowl champions, and there will be but one game remaining on the college football schedule.
The National Title.
The brightest lights on the biggest stage as per college football. For two teams it is the culmination of days, months, and for some years of hard work. For two legions of fans it is what you believe can be atained at the begining of each and every season. It is the quest for the crystal football.
The Ohio State Buckeyes have extinguished all hope of playing on that stage this season with their loss to Purdue in last Saturday’s meeting in West Lafayette. In what was the worst performance for the team so far this season, the Buckeyes offensive line proved itself non existant as Terrelle Pryor was on the move whether he wanted to be or not.
For the Bucks it is not a matter of talent, nor is it a matter of size, it is a matter of each person believing themself capable to do what needs to be done in order for victory to be attained. Yet in their most recent performance The Ohio State Buckeyes were far from a cohesive unit on the offensive side of the ball. Every snap seemed to be nothing more than a preface to the flood gates swinging wide open and the defensive rush being let through. With literally no time to make any sort of decision quarterback Terrelle Pryor struggled all game long. From interceptions to fumbles Pryor’s day covered the entire negative end of the spectrum of how to play the quarterback position, and now he has opened the door for criticism from all who have an opinion to share.
And honestly, what can he say…? Purdue?
For every player on the roster for The Ohio State Buckeyes the realization is starting to sink in as to what the ceiling is as far as this season is concerned. Hopes of being the last team to call themselves victorious and hoist the crystal football overhead have come and gone. Rose Bowl? A longshot. The challenge now exists for everyone within the locker room to find a way to motivate themself to play to the best of their ability and hope that destiny deals them a good hand. There are still things that the Buckeyes need to accomplish in order to make a successful transition from this year to the next.
Next on the agenda for the Bucks is a Homecoming game against the Golden Gophers hailing from Minnesooota. Even considering the fact that the Buckeyes experienced defeat at the hands of Purdue, the Bucks should still feel confident going into the game this Saturday against the Gophs. It is time for the entire offensive unit to take a collective deep breath and go out and play football. Like they have all done since they can remember time. Just relax. It is only a matter of time before the team comes together and plays like everyone who has watched them play knows that they can.
A new day starts on Saturday.
Tags: Clinton Reed Jr, Golden Gophers, homecoming, Minnesota, Nation title, purdue, Rose Bowl, Terrelle Pryor
