Everyone wants to know, will this year be any different from last year’s trip to the BCS National Title game? Ohio State is #1 in the BCS, coming off a 51 day lay-off and playing an SEC team that will only be sitting out 37 days, just like a year ago and the disastrous showing against Florida. Obviously, the Buckeyes think it will be a different story.
It’s become an accepted fact that last year’s team was hurt by the lengthy lay-ff and the extended stay in Arizona. Coach Tressel isn’t buying it. Lengthy lay-offs are nothing new. From 2002-2005—all Bowl Wins for the Buckeyes and Tressel, they had 41, 40, 39 and 44 days in between the Michigan game and the Bowl game. During that time, Tressel was hailed for his bowl preparation. Granted, the time off difference between the Buckeyes and their opponents were not as pronounced as this year and last year. But, there’s nothing to be done about that until 2009 and the 13 week Big Ten schedule. When asked about that change on Thursday, Tressel reiterated he likes having the regular season done before Thanksgiving as a reward for the players and coaches, allowing them to spend the holiday with family. But he also said, he’s a good soldier, and if that’s what the conference wants, he won’t complain about it.
Reflecting on last year’s experience, Tressel said it’s too early to tell if this year’s team is following the same path of last year. He feels the 06 team prepared well, while in Columbus, and it wasn’t until they hit the desert that things went awry. According to Tressel the team went to Arizona early last season in order to adjust to the climate but this year that won’t be an issue, since the Title Game is being played inside at the Superdome, and the team has the indoor facility at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. So, while not admitting heading to Arizona early last season was a mistake, the Buckeyes won’t be doing the same thing this season. They’re practicing this week, and then will break on the 19th for Christmas, players will have several days to go home, and then they’ll return to Columbus on the 26th, for more practice, before leaving for New Orleans on January 2nd.
Several players talked about how last year’s team was complacent when they got to Phoenix, Brian Hartline said not only did the guys know which places they wanted to go during the off-time, but that they didn’t even need directions, as the 5th year Seniors were making their 4th trip to area. James Laurinaitis talked about how some players NFL futures were a distraction, (perhaps a slap at Troy Smith’s much vaunted leadership ability). We can only hope this year’s team learned a lesson from that experience.