I think that we bounced back nicely this past weekend with a victory over Iowa. Our defense looked impressive with 11 quarterback sacks and our offense rolled up over 600 yards. We were back to playing Buckeye style football. But we really didn’t get too much time to savor this win. Before we left Iowa, reporters were already asking questions about the upcoming Michigan game.This is a special week for Ohio State football players and fans. Once again this season is going to come down to one game. If Penn State beats Wisconsin then the winner of our game against Michigan will determine who will be the Big Ten Champion and most likely go to the Rose Bowl. There is going to be a lot of pressure on both teams, but that is why players go to OSU or Michigan, to be able to play in a big game like this.OSU and Michigan are the last two teams to win the Rose Bowl, so it seems fitting that we will meet, hopefully to determine who will return to Pasadena. After being asked a bunch of questions from the media myself, I have found that a lot of people are living in the past. People want to talk about what happened in the last three OSU-Michigan games as if that will help give them insight to what is going to happen this Saturday. I didn’t hear everyone talking about Michigan State’s record against us before we lost to them a few weeks ago, so why is it so important that we continue to talk about OSU’s record against Michigan. All that stuff goes out the door when a college football rivalry is played. It doesn’t matter. The only thing that really matters is how the two current teams are playing and I think that both teams are playing very good football right now.I am also sick of hearing people talk about coach Cooper’s record against Michigan. To my knowledge he has never played in any game against Michigan. Yes, I think he has to take some of the responsibility, but the players are the ones that are going to make the difference in the game, not the coaches. The coaches can want to win this game more then anything in this world, but the players have to want to win too. And don’t tell me that coach Cooper should motivate the team; we should already be motivated and we will be.O.K., let’s talk about some other football around the country. Congratulations are in order for Kansas State. They finally did it; they beat Nebraska, and with that victory they jump up to the No. 1 team in this week’s Griff’s Top Five poll.
Kevin Griffin is special teams captain of the OSU Buckeyes. He can be reached at [email protected], or you can try yelling at him above the crowd on Saturday.
