Wick,
I remember that. Tressel started in 86 correct? We really didn't start making noise until what 1990? We had the signature win over Ga Southern in 89 or 90? And after that we were bad news to everyone. I don't remember what year that was, but that was when we alll knew that we had something special.
I thought we had the same thing happeneing when we beat NDSU at their dome, but then we regressed and lost so many games it kept us out of the playoffs.
I don't have any kind of feel for where we are 3 years into this. I don't know if we are a top 25, top 15 top 10 or unranked. What I mena by that statement is what is the capability of this team? We all know there is luck involved in games, but what is this team capable of doing in the area of leaving no doubt that they control the outcome of the game---that is what I want to know. I used to have a good feel for it. Even when Heacock was coaching, the team had the look of a playoff team in fall practice and I knew we would be going to the playoffs. 2006 was the last time the team had that look, however, at the time I did not realize that App state was so good and they used that WVU offense which was new at the time and blew us out.
Rambling on here a little, but where are we? We cannot base where we are on last years players returning. This is an entirely different team, and we have lost a lot in my opinion.
Here is the other thing that bothers me. When Tressel and Heacock coached it seemed like it only took a couple of games before the defense settled in. I even remember Heacock saying that it doesn't take him long to get the defense ahead of the offense. This will be tresey's second year correct? Well, I didn't see any improvment last year and he had a whole year. Making noise on 3rd down is not going to stop the other team. I feel like that was what the formula was the last 2 years. Make noise on 3rd down. Why did we have a pass rush against NDSU and we couldn't reproduce that pass rush the rest of the year.
So what are the real expections of this team. I hear more ultimatums than I hear expectations. I agree that it has to be playoff or Wolford will be looking for a new job, but do we have the talent to get to playoffs or win a NC if the coaching is good enough?
In reality the Pitt game was somewhat of a fluke because they had a new coach, a new system, they had turmoil, it was the first game and pitt was outcoached. Do we have our signature win? This is really messy and unpredictable to me.