From my perspective it was a Big Ten coming out party, at the most prestigious venue in college football, below the Hollywood sign and near the beautiful scenes of the mountains. In what was the biggest game for Ohio State, where coach Jim Tressel wears his red vest, where fans in Columbus waited anxiously for a big victory, the large population could scream from the top of their lungs.
They finally can scream O-H-I-O! Given a few miserable meltdowns in big games, within a big conference with its network, the Buckeyes stumbled and collapsed on the biggest stage in the game of football. Jim Tressel, the man with the vest, sustained redemption and recovered from an insufficient era.
For a long time, Ohio State stood as a misrepresented symbol, tattering the negligible Big Ten Conference. There are people in the nation still categorizing the Buckeyes as a worthless program. That was fair to say, when flaws thwarted pursuit of hoisting BCS titles last decade.
Rarely were the Buckeyes welcomed to play in an enormous bowl game, where the biased populace ridiculed them, insulted them, and neglected them. Massive moments have been skeptical, for the problematic losses suffered on the national stage in the midst of dreadful contests against powerhouses of the Southern Eastern Conference.
But now, a losing streak no longer exists, a Big Ten losing streak is snapped and Terrell Pryor is a savior, delivering the greatest win starting a new decade. After being demolished in consecutive BCS games, being doubted of capturing a much-needed victory, triumph has finally established itself within a wretched program in a weakened conference.
In an ecstatic environment, before thousands of Buckeyes faithful, Pryor silenced all disbelievers in a 26-17-breakout victory of seventh-ranked Oregon in the Rose Bowl game. For an entire week, Ohio State prepared for this moment, dreaming of a bed full of roses.
Never mind shriveling roses, when Pryor blossomed with superlative heroics, indicating greatness in the near future. The beauty of football is having a shot at legitimizing prominence within a prestigious school, where its entertaining band performs unique melodies, where its games are hosted inside an illustrious structure known as the Horseshoe.
For much of the week, Tressel seemed humiliated of prior letdowns and burdens that had brought down the Buckeyes.
Lost of sprit, dismantled assurance, lost of regard disintegrated mystique. But now, Tressel, who has three years remaining on his contract, is sighing relief. And because he’s an old-school coach, Tressel's offensive schemes were anticipated routes opponents saw coming.
Everyone should be impressed with his ability to change the style, exploiting a contrasting scheme. He’s grasping a wise sense of involving Pryor in an average offense, and has now found it simpler to nurture and cultivate his explosive superstar of Columbus.
And, indeed, Pryor was mentally and physically prepared to withstand the finest and grandest moment of his career. Pryor, the sprinting sophomore, stamina and rushing ability are one way to employ legitimacy. Instead he tried new options, with his aerial spectacle and proved to the world he’s a stellar passer just as well as he runs and races to the end zone.
Even though Ohio State has been able to win five straight league titles, they’ve faltered to win the meaningful games and diluted its reputation. Suddenly, in the second decade of the 21st century, Pryor has revived belief, not only for the long-waited masses in Columbus, but the Big Ten Conference as well.
It was sort of like witnessing an endless nightmare, in an unfavorable conference unworthy of regards. Before Ohio State celebrated together on New Years Day, this was a catastrophic conference.
The Big Ten had gone 4-11 in BCS games in the last nine games, thanks to Pryor, who had career highs in 266 passing yards and 23 completions, relieved much pain. Oh, absolutely, he displayed a reliable rush attack and ran for 72 yards. On greater imports, he led an energetic offense and was responsible for such a brilliant afternoon in converting 11 of 21 third downs.
To start, he played like the running icon everyone idolizes, and compares to Michael Vick. To start, he was unstoppable moving the ball on his successive ground game, a style the nation pictured when the Buckeyes recruited Pryor to become the nation’s No. 1 quarterback two years ago.
This was a program predicted to win a BCS title in 2002, but it’s never too late for a school to win. If this was a statement, the Buckeyes are bound to return and capture national title respectability. There’s a good chance Ohio State may not be the erratic school we viewed before Pryor emerged to stardom, and paralyzed Oregon’s improbable chase of conquering the smell of roses.
Chip Kelly, an inspirational coach, high-powered offense wasn’t nearly as effective as it was during a storybook season. Although the Ducks’ tailback, LeGarrette Blount, stormed to the goal line and broke the plane for redemption after he was forced to serve a suspension for punching a Boise State player in the face during an ugly melee in Oregon’s season-opener story, a wonderful tale wasn’t completed.
The Ducks committed two turnovers inside the Ohio State 35. Their creativity wasn’t potent, or befuddling in throwing off a well-aware Buckeyes’ defense. Missing in action was talented quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who completed 9 of 20 passes for a season-low 81 yards.
But Pryor clearly was the marquee player and stud of the game, lifting the Buckeyes out of devastation and granted them with the ultimate prize.
Watching many painful seasons of Big Ten flaws, Pryor has been named the biggest hero in the Big Ten.
He’s a remedy within a conference that badly needed joy.
