Media Criticism

In honor of Saturday’s big game between Ohio State and Michigan, which attracted massive national media attention, here’s a brief look at coverage of the outcome. There’s general agreement that the Buckeyes thrilling 42-39 win was an instant classic but now there is great debate over whether Michigan deserves to stay ranked #2 and get another shot at the Bucks on a so-called neutral field in the national championship game in Arizona on January 8, or whether another team such as USC or Florida deserves a shot at the #1 Buckeyes.

Bomani Jones of Espn.com does an excellent job of summing up the arguments for and against a rematch in his article, “Ohio State vs Mich-Again?”

I won’t pretend to be an objective observer. As someone who bleeds scarlet and gray, I feel that the Buckeyes conquered the Wolverines and shouldn’t have to do it again. I respect the Wolverines too much to want to give them another shot.

Although, if it comes to it, I’d still like our chances with Troy Smith and Jim Tressel. Plus, there’s something else that I have yet to see mentioned in any of the many articles about a possible rematch. Due to the fact that Ohio State has the best fans in the land, there is no such thing as a neutral field for a bowl game involving the Buckeyes.

Ohio State fans travel in such large numbers that there will be a predominance of scarlet and gray in the stands regardless of who the Buckeyes play. When they played the University of Miami, FL for the 2002 championship at the Fiesta Bowl, the crowd was at least 75 percent for the Buckeyes. Ohio State fans were able to do the O-H-I-O cheer around the stadium’s 4 sides just like at home games in Columbus. So the Bucks will still have the edge, although Troy Smith is of course the primary reason for that.

There’s also some great analysis from College Football News’ Matt Zemek. He really sums it up when he writes:

At various points along the way, then, Jim Tressel made the kinds of game-management decisions and play-calling selections that vastly increased his team’s chances of winning.

The other major masterstroke from the best Buckeye brain in the land came with roughly six minutes left in the second quarter. A few minutes after Lloyd Carr and Michigan punted on a 4th and 1 from their own 49 in a game OSU led by seven (14-7), Tressel faced a 2nd and 1 from the Wolverine 38. If this was not a fast-break game and more of a Woody-Bo brawl, a power run for a chain-moving two-yard gain would have been in order. But since this was a track meet, Tressel used the down-and-distance situation to press his advantage and convert a kill shot. He had Smith throw a bomb to Ted Ginn for a quick-strike touchdown and a 21-7 advantage. This was the kind of executive decision making that enabled Ohio State to outpace Michigan all day long. While the final spread was just three points, the Buckeyes were never seriously in danger of losing. Michigan fought hard, but only to keep the game within a one-score margin. The difference on the field was Troy Smith, but the No. 1 team in the United States also had a difference-making coach. Without Jim Tressel’s impressive combination of insight, feel and boldness, the Buckeyes would not have been able to light up Ron English’s defense they way they did.