Last December, ESPN football guru and former Cornhusker, Trev Alberts burned the hearts of thousands of Buckeye fans with his scorned synopsis of Ohio State’s 13-0 season.
“Ohio State isn’t even the best team in the Big Ten,” Alberts said on national television. “Iowa is simply the better team.”
Alberts pushed the knife a little deeper into Buckeye nation with his predictions of a blowout loss to undefeated Miami in the national title game.
Unfortunately, for the too-late-to-remove-foot-from-mouth commentator, his prediction was grossly wrong on both accounts. The second-best team in the Big Ten had just ended the Hurricanes’ 34-game winning streak and their chance for back-to-back national titles.
Sadly, gloating Buckeye fans everywhere were stunned to find out that Trev and his analysis were nowhere to be found after the game.
Instead, we were left with ESPN analyst and former Buckeye Kirk Herbstreit and network-bandwagon jumpers Lee Corso and Chris Fowler, who sang our beloved team’s praises after one of the most shocking title game upsets in recent memory.
Still, the national championship, shared-Big Ten title and perfect season seemed a little empty without the once proud Nebraska alum around to share it with.
But fear not Buckeye fans .
Tomorrow we get our chance during the annual Scarlet and Gray game to once again relive past glories and dream about even better tomorrows.
The annual spring game will be the public’s first chance to view a more exciting offense, new starters on defense with the same aggressive style, and outstanding special teams play.
To be expected, the experts are already coming on board.
Last week during their ESPN college tour, Corso and Herbstreit picked OSU as the team to beat in the Big Ten.
Noticeably, my man Trev was missing from the tour. Perhaps because he is stuck on the ‘B’-team of ESPN’s college crew, or the more likely scenario is that he was afraid to show his face after the embarrassing predictions during last year’s bowl season.
Luckily for Trev, I am a forgiving person. In fact, I am willing to hold a spot for Mr. Alberts in Buckeye nation for a few meager acts of goodwill.
Here are my demands. First, I want him to apologize to all OSU fans during his first on-air broadcast for your embarrassing underestimation of last year’s team.
Second, I want to see him on the sidelines at tomorrow’s scrimmage, so he can apologize to the 18 returning starters and everyone else on last year’s roster.
Completing these tasks will not only give Trev a chance to cleanse his soul, but it will give him a first-glance at one of the best teams in the country.
Just being on the sidelines tomorrow would help him understand why last year’s team was so good, and why this year’s squad also has designs on perfection.
On offense, the likes of Craig Krenzel, Maurice Clarett, Michael Jenkins and Chris Gamble make you wonder just how many points can this team put up?
After all, the offense returns all 11 starters but will be implementing a new open-passing attack to go with its punishing ground game.
On the other side of the ball, you will be hard-pressed to find a better defensive line than returning starters Will Smith, Tim Anderson and Darrion Scott.
Returning linebackers Fred Pagac Jr., A.J. Hawk, Mike D’Andrea, Bobby Carpenter and Robert Reynolds will be providing extra pressure from the middle.
There is intense talent and competition at defensive back from Dustin Fox, Gamble, Will Allen, Nate Salley, and newcomers Donte Whitner and Ashton Youboty.
One of last year’s strengths, special teams, might not lose a step with new punter B.J. Sander and returning kicker Mike Nugent.
And Trev, if you get on the field then you will finally understand why this team doesn’t listen to us media types. Tressel and the coaches simply do not allow this team to believe in its own hype.
Tomorrow it begins Trev. Get to the airport, I’ll buy your $5 ticket – See you at the Shoe.
Andy Schwartz is a senior in journalism. He can be reached for comment at [email protected].
