Missing the Old Days

It's been a few days since my last post, but my life had been less than exciting between then and now until last night so I didn't really see a reason to post.

As I awoke this morning and popped two brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts into the toaster I turned on the TV for the typical start to my day-breakfast and Sportscenter. At commercial, I started surfing through those beloved Time Warner Cable channels that my family and I have been stuck on for who knows how long. I went all the way up to the upper 50s and stopped at 57 when I saw members of the scarlet and gray running onto the field at Iowa. Intrigued, it only took me a few seconds to realize that the Big Ten Network was showing their program known as Big Ten in 60, a quick run through of either football or basketball games in 60 minutes, and that this morning's flavor was this past season's game between Ohio State and Iowa. This was a game in which, as I'm sure we all remember, the Buckeyes were in a fight all day long but ended up on top when it mattered most to win 20-17. It was a game that saw DeVier Posey drop a wide open touchdown pass on 3rd and 10 with about five minutes to go that would have given Ohio State the lead 20-17. Terrelle Pryor could not have thrown that ball any better. Pryor saved the game, the Buckeyes Big Ten title chances and essentially season with what he did the next play. On 4th and 10, he dropped back to pass and then scrambled to the left and got about 14 yards and a 1st down. The Buckeyes then continued on down the field and Boom Herron ended the drive with a one yard touchdown run. Iowa couldn't get anything going on their next possession thanks to Cameron Heyward, who more and more is becoming my favorite player from last years team and who sacked Hawkeye QB Ricki Stanzi forcing Iowa into a 4th and long situation. The defense held and Ohio State won the game.

You may be wondering why I'm even talking about this, because I can no longer stand Pryor or the idea of watching the other members who were a part of tattoo-gate and who are either no longer at Ohio State or suspended for five games next season. Well, let me shed some light on why I am.

The reason I decided to talk about this was that because right after that program was over, what came on next was simply one of the best college football games I've ever seen in my lifetime. Anyone who calls themselves a Buckeye like myself knows what I'm referring to. November 18th, 2006. #1 v. #2. 42-39.

The program was called "Big Ten's Greatest Games" and this certainly was one of those. It had everything, and I love watching highlights from it or anything that had to do with the game no matter what time of year it is, for the simple fact that I miss those days and it was an unbelievable game. It sent Ohio State to the National Championship game that year, where yes we got stomped by Florida, but I personally think had the best two teams in the nation play in it. I mean, Ohio State was #1 after all, and Michigan was #2. It went back and forth, and even when Ohio State got ahead by two touchdowns Michigan never went away and fought back. It was just a great game all around, and I'm proud to say as a Buckeye that we pulled it out and afterwards quarterback Troy Smith was awarded the Heisman Trophy as the best college football player that year.

Like I said, I miss those days. I really do. We were so good that year. So good. Especially on offense. I mean, that game alone was about Troy Smith and showed how good he really was as not only a quarterback but also as a leader. The guy threw the ball so hard and it was always on target. He was a helluva runner as well, and he showed that in that game too. He threw the ball all over the field, and it didn't matter who he was throwing to. Brian Robiskie. Ted Ginn, Jr. Anthony Gonzalez. Roy Hall. Rory Nicol. Brian Hartline. Antonio Pittman. Beanie Wells.

It just didn't matter.

That list of names shows how stacked Ohio State was, and how good we had it. I miss that team, because they all were great players who seemed to really "get it" and enjoy playing together and not do anything stupid. That was not the case last season, because at times (even though I hate to admit this) it seemed liked a few of our players were playing for themselves and not for the TEAM. Not for Buckeye Nation. Not for every BuckNut who cheers them on and wishes they could be as amazing as they are athletically and who just simply love to watch them beat the piss outta somebody.

That game will never get old to me as a student and fan of college football. Anybody who calls themselves a fan of the sport must have an appreciation for that game because of its pure greatness. I'll leave you with this: hands down my favorite play of the entire game. It is the last one of this video.

Another thing I really enjoyed about watching this this morning was how all the commercials that were shown were advertising for the schools in the Big Ten. But when Ohio State's came on, boy did I get chills. I love Columbus, and miss it terribly. I am so glad that I decided to attend the best University in the world.

GO BUCKS. I'm aware that we are in a rut right now, but we will get out of it and I, along with every other Buckeye wishes more and more for players like Troy Smith go through so we can enjoy what they do on the football field.

Proud BUCKEYE and Sports Enthusiast,

Eric Seger

Daily Segs