No. 1 Ohio State (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten) is on the road and on a roll. And just like Jack Keruoac’s memorable tale, this long trip promises to be as wild and wacky as his own documented trip.
The team’s first destination is Happy Valley. Coach Jim Tressel spoke to the difficulties he plans on seeing at Penn State (6-2, 3-2).
“Paterno’s got another great team up there. They’re big and strong and have some depth,” Tressel said.
Tressel’s Buckeyes – who escaped Columbus with a 24-17 victory against Michigan State last week that caused flashbacks to a upset loss in 1998 – will fly into the Keystone State with 2005’s crushing defeat in the back of their collective minds. One undeniable reason for Ohio State’s painful loss that year? The noise factor of 107,282 Nittany Lions faithful screaming until their voices turned hoarse. Although Tressel was visibly flustered after former quarterback Troy Smith failed to perform in front of the raucous crowd, he was not fretting over the meltdown potential for his inexperienced current quarterback.
“Todd’s been around for the craziness. He’s yearned to be in it. We’ve been in some loud situations – Washington, for one, and Purdue had a blackout crowd. You can’t hear much even at home,” Tressel said. “So, the noise is something he is used to … He’ll be ready. In order to be a leader, you have to produce. And the more he produces, the more confidence our kids will have in looking to him as a leader.”
In 2005, University Park, Pa., hosted one of the biggest conference clashes of the season. This year, it’s no different as ESPN’s College Gameday will be on campus and a supersized edition of “Rally in the Valley” is scheduled. With the place promising to be packed and communication between the quarterback and his offense certain to be limited, the Buckeye’s sophomore tailback Chris Wells may be called upon to shoulder the load.
“He’d like to put the offense on his back,” Tressel said. “He is ready to carry it 30 to 35 times if he’s asked to.”
When pressed to discern what single factor would determine the eventual outcome, Tressel was rather brief and to the point.
“Just be who we are.”
MICHIGAN CAN SEE OVER THE MOUNTAIN
The Appalachian Mountain that is.
After being proclaimed buried and dead following the unimaginable 0-2 start to the season, the maize and blue is once again alive and well. No. 19 Michigan (6-2, 4-0) is back in familiar territory – on top of the Big Ten and embedded in the rankings – and preparing to face Minnesota (1-7, 0-4).
The historical collapses of yesteryear are now nothing more than a distant memory. According to Carr, positivity is now all that matters.
“We had to put the negativity away. We had to believe in each other. In our first two games, we had some major issues defensively,” coach Lloyd Carr said. “We went back and tried to practice in such a way that we could see the improvement. I think our players came together. The only way out of it was to believe in each other and do the things that each guy was capable of doing.”
Although Carr is preparing to do battle with the Golden Gophers – the shame of the Big Ten and losers of their last six games – the Wolverines are not taking even the lowliest of opponents for granted these days.
“We’ve felt that, certainly in our conference, that there is parity. From that standpoint, you have to be prepared to play every week.”
Reach Matthew Murray at [email protected].
