It’s a shame that the season has to end, but it does. Fortunately, it ends with a 12-0 record and an exciting win over TTUN. I wish I could write about a bowl, but such is life.

Ohio State is officially the best team in the B1G:

Just put an asterisks on the B1G Championship game.

OSU, with a first year coach, new system, young offense and everything possible working against them went undefeated. This basically means that an Ohio State team that everyone considers to “not be that good” ran roughshod over the B1G. They should be much improved next year and they are bringing in highly athletic recruits that fit the Meyer mold. The B1G should be concerned.

Miller’s greatest asset is Hyde:

All year, people have wondered what would happen if Braxton got shut down in the running game. That question has been answered; he simply hands it off to Carlos Hyde.

After a week of wondering why Hyde was held back, he went off for 146 yards rushing. He looked phenomenal and is no doubt making a case for being the go-to guy next year. With Hall receiving a medical redshirt, the Buckeye backfield looks to be in amazing shape next year. In fact, dare I say that Braxton might not be the Heisman candidate from OSU next year? We’ll see.

Oh, yeah, and by “shut down in the running game” I mean 57 yards net. If not for losing 51 yards on sacks and generally crap plays, Braxton is also over 100. And, let’s be honest, 57 yards for a QB is still pretty good. Braxton was hesitant to run a few times, opting to pass instead, when he probably should have run. It reminded me a bit of watching Troy Smith’s development from pure scrambler to competent passer.

The D was ready:

There were a couple of big plays, sure, but overall the D looked amazing against a TTUN offense that had me concerned all week. In the end, however, it ended up being an offense that was pretty darn predictable.

Denard Robinson netted 122 yards rushing, but 67 of that was on one play that caused him to launch into his bizarre spoon celebration. That spoon was shoved firmly down his throat for the entire second half as he tallied -2 yards on 4 carries. That’s likely largely because of that predictability factor. Is Denard at QB? Well, it’s a run. Is Denard on the field? He will probably get the ball because he certainly isn’t an outstanding blocker. They went to the Denard well a few too many times. In fact, I’ve rarely heard The Horseshoe louder than when Robinson was stuffed on 4th and 2. He ends his career 1-3 against OSU and brings TTUN zero Heismans.

People love to overreact:

Imagine my surprise when I find out that people are losing their minds over Tressel being honored before the game. This was for many reasons. One, it was actually between the first and second quarters. Two, they were honoring the 2002 NC team and not Tressel alone. Three, the team actually had to really push Tress to accept any recognition. Four, he wan’t given a standing ovation, per se, but the crowd was already on their feet honoring the team because they had just shown a video of highlights of the remarkable run. And, finally, why in the hell does anyone outside of Ohio State care? It doesn’t affect you at all. Haters gonna hate, I suppose.

To hear ESPiN tell the story, Tressel was brought in like Kim Jong-Il and hoards of Buckeyes saluted his presence. That was totally not how it went down. Ohio State fans are appreciative for what Tressel did for the program, overall. Did he screw up? Oh, yeah, big time. Am I miffed that his screw up means this 12-0 team won’t have a shot at the B1G title and a National Championship? Heck yes I am. Did the 2002 Buckeye team bring me a joy that I didn’t know possible after watching the 96 and 98 teams choke? Yes, yes they did. And for that, I will always be grateful. To Tressel and to Clarett, even.

People make mistakes. That doesn’t nullify all of their accomplishments. Tressel being in The Horseshoe doesn’t hurt anyone. In fact, if anyone should be upset it would be Buckeye fans. We’re not because, well, we realize that people make mistakes. The fact that PSU fans (Sandusky), TTUN fans (Fab Five) and Miami fans (well, what haven’t the Hurricanes done?) seem to be the most vocal about this is hilarious.

But, please, continue to hate away. As I’ve always said, Buckeye Nation embraces it. People don’t hate things that are irrelevant. They hate programs with success. When The Buckeyes are not hated, it means they are not performing on the field.

This team will go down as one of my all-time favorites:

They didn’t win a National Championship, but they went 12-0 against all odds. They could have easily bolted for other teams and they did not. Thanks, guys, for sticking around and giving all of Buckeye Nation a really fun season to purge the awfulness of last year.

Can they duplicate it next year? It’s hard to go undefeated, let alone undefeated twice. I don’t think I’d bet against them, though.