BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : Get nervous? Not this QB

Dispatch OSU football beat writer Ken Gordon answers your questions about the Buckeyes, Big Ten and college football in general on Friday at noon.

[dave from dayton]

wow. what a surprize. another article suckling the tit of usc. you forgot to metion that pete carroll is a direct decendant of jesus (you didn't read the di vinci code?). I come to this site to learn about the buckeyes, not to bash them or hear how good usc is. when were all buckeye fans required to have their testes removed? please buckeye fans-have a little faith and pride in your bucks. the game is about COMPETION. since no one has any "bucknuts" in their pants i'll say it. usc sucks! they choke worse then our cooper lead teams (which were more talented than either team playing saturday). barkley is a freshman and a tool if you listen to any interviews. F usc! F mark may! F espn! and FU if you won't support the buckeyes!!!

[the SCARLET BRUTUS]

I'm about to stop reading the Dispatch because of articles like these. Sad when the Dispatch perpetuates the hype. This freshman has no clue what the SHOE will be like on Saturday night! No CLUE! I predict PAIN for this kid... PAIN! Buckeyes win! GO BUCKS, and the Columbus Dispatch better shape up fast!

[Superman]

Ohio State needs to punish him similiar or worse than they did to Ken Dorsey. The whole USC team is overconfident, I cant say I really blame them though. They have destroyed just about every big name team with the exception of a Vince Young led Texas the last seven years.

[Buckeye in TN]

Yeah, let's see what happens to this "unbelievable, unstoppable, unflappable" freshman when he can't hear his own snap count on Saturday, and after Nate, Thad, or Cam plants him one time. Everyone on the Buckeyes D, should be forced to read this article, and if this doesn't inspire the crowd on Saturday to be louder than they ever have, then Dave from Dayton might be right.

GO BUCKS!!!!! Do what most people do with Trojans, use them and flush them down the toliet!!!!

[TrojaninLasVegas]

Wow! That's all I can say. You know, the L.A. Times devotes at least one, sometimes several articles each day about the upcoming USC opponent the week prior to a game. Prior to a Rose Bowl Game, it usually begins 10 - 14 days in advance. I'm sure the theory is that hometown fans have been reading/hearing about their own team all spring/summer/early fall and are quite knowledgable about their team. Hence, they write about the upcoming opponent in an effort to inform those readers that don't frequent a message board twelve hours a day. I, for one, welcome the opportunity to learn about the next opponent. And, the articles are usually complimentary - there's more than enough of the negative stuff and smack talk on the message boards. Now, as to this particular article: The writer is basing his analysis on quotes from Barkley and Carroll. Why shoot the messenger? I'm quite certain that "The Shoe" will be the most hostile environment that Barkley has played in; it remains to be seen how he responds. Of course, we Trojan fans heard the same dire predictions prior to Matt Leinart's first start @ Auburn (23-0) and Booty's first start @ Arkansas (50-14). Every fan base seems to think their stadium is the loudest and most intimidating in the country. Hasn't seemed to bother any of the USC teams of the past 7+ years. BTW: Do you really think it is your hometown paper's role to get the Buckeyes motivated to play the Trojans? If so, you guys are in worse shape than I thought.

[trojan horse]

desperate times call for desperate actions!
FIGHT ON !!!!!!!!

[Tom]

Superman wrote:

Ohio State needs to punish him similiar or worse than they did to Ken Dorsey. The whole USC team is overconfident, I cant say I really blame them though. They have destroyed just about every big name team with the exception of a Vince Young led Texas the last seven years.

Ken Dorsey? Stop living in the past.

[Scarlet-faced and Gray]

TrojaninLasVegas wrote:

Wow! That's all I can say. You know, the L.A. Times devotes at least one, sometimes several articles each day about the upcoming USC opponent the week prior to a game. Prior to a Rose Bowl Game, it usually begins 10 - 14 days in advance. I'm sure the theory is that hometown fans have been reading/hearing about their own team all spring/summer/early fall and are quite knowledgable about their team. Hence, they write about the upcoming opponent in an effort to inform those readers that don't frequent a message board twelve hours a day. I, for one, welcome the opportunity to learn about the next opponent. And, the articles are usually complimentary - there's more than enough of the negative stuff and smack talk on the message boards. Now, as to this particular article: The writer is basing his analysis on quotes from Barkley and Carroll. Why shoot the messenger? I'm quite certain that "The Shoe" will be the most hostile environment that Barkley has played in; it remains to be seen how he responds. Of course, we Trojan fans heard the same dire predictions prior to Matt Leinart's first start @ Auburn (23-0) and Booty's first start @ Arkansas (50-14). Every fan base seems to think their stadium is the loudest and most intimidating in the country. Hasn't seemed to bother any of the USC teams of the past 7+ years. BTW: Do you really think it is your hometown paper's role to get the Buckeyes motivated to play the Trojans? If so, you guys are in worse shape than I thought.

The Dispatch does the same thing here. Thankfully most of us OSU fans appreciate the info on our upcoming opponent and are thoroughly embarrassed by comments like the first two above. These are probably the same people who harassed Texas fans in 2005. Ugh. I hope the USC fans who come to C'bus for the game have a much better experience than that. Go Bucks!

[OSU Fans STEP IT UP]

As an OSU student I went to every home game and now that I am an Alum, I am very disappointed sitting with my OSU Alum. They sit on there hands until 3rd downs or until we need a big stop. Well this game should be different. We need our fans more then ever to be the LOUDEST they can be for every snap that the USC offense has the ball. We need to start cheering even while they are huddled up so they can't even hear Matt Barkley speak. Every fan needs to leave the Shoe horse. I am challenging all OSU fans going to the GAME to be the LOUDEST CROWD EVER at the stadium and make me proud to sit in the Alumni sections. PASS THE WORD ON...EVERY SNAP,EVERY POSSESSION.

[Its a very big monkey]

ZERO creativity by the OSU coaches does not bode well against a highly talented and confident team like USC.
Sure, I hope the Buckeyes can play their hearts out and possibly squeak out a victory. The o-line has to get the job done but I'm afraid the d-line is in for a longer night.
It's been a long time since Jan 1, 1974 - longer than the national championship drought.
Go Bucks and get this monkey off your back!

[Its a very big m-on-key]

I can't believe the Dispatch considers this word offensive...

[Buckeye on the Rampage]

Barkley sounds like nothing more than little rich, pampered brat has never had to face any adversary. What this kid does not understand is that here in Columbus, Ohio, the Horseshoe and the Buckeyes are all we have. Our players are hungry and pissed, their players (and fans) are tanned rested and too cool for Columbus, you have to understand these people have literally hundreds of fun things to do in SoCal. So look out USC fans, you are in Columbus Ohio, where the Buckeyes are GODS, that is the only game in town. Buckeye fans are desperate and drunk so don't expect too many high fives from the Scarlet & Gray Massive!
Barkley, you are about to experience the most adversity you ever had in your life, good luck kid.

[GoBucks]

Ok Bucknuts - this is THE game that we HAVE to be the loudest we have ever been when USC has the ball. I don't care if they go up by 4 touchdowns, let's stay in the game!!

But remember that their fans are not the enemy. Be respectful please.

[FLABUCK]

Largest crowd he has played in front of is around 5,000? He is going to have a tough time in the shoe. The previous posters who said our stadium needs to be loud are absolutely right. The fans not only have to make it hard for USC, they need to get the players hyped up. TrojaninLV: Sorry about the negativity. We do like to know what is happening with our opponents. Unfortunately, some of the nasty comments you have seen are a backlash from a couple USC idiots that have been all over here for the past few weeks...take a look at other posts that have MisterToo in them. I would love to meet this guy in a dark alley as a Buckeye fan. But chances are we won't hear from him after Saturday, because we will win. Not taking anything away from USC, but I truly think we are all in for a surprise with the way this team comes together on Saturday.

[Brutess419]

I'm with you, Scarlett Brutess!! The Columbus Dispatch is a DISGRACE to Columbus, Ohio.

If this QB is not nervous, then something's wrong with him. EVERYONE gets nervous before some huge game or event. HE's out to lunch.

TRUE BUCKEYE FANS are behind their team no matter what. Get with the program or find a new team to hassle.

[Trojans just reload]

Buckeye on the Rampage wrote:

Barkley sounds like nothing more than little rich, pampered brat has never had to face any adversary. What this kid does not understand is that here in Columbus, Ohio, the Horseshoe and the Buckeyes are all we have. Our players are hungry and ****, their players (and fans) are tanned rested and too cool for Columbus, you have to understand these people have literally hundreds of fun things to do in SoCal. So look out USC fans, you are in Columbus Ohio, where the Buckeyes are GODS, that is the only game in town. Buckeye fans are desperate and drunk so don't expect too many high fives from the Scarlet & Gray Massive!
Barkley, you are about to experience the most adversity you ever had in your life, good luck kid.

The closer to game time the more desperation I sense from OSU fans. Trying to rely on a loud and boisterous crowd to keep your team pumped up or into the game seems to be grasping for straws a bit. You see, good coaches and their staffs can anticipate these kinds of things and actually "PREPARE" their team to deal with it. It's called a silent count. Sure the Shoe holds 105,000 loyal Buckeye fans but noise is nothing new to the Trojans. If you've ever been to Oregons Autzen stadium or Husky Stadium in Seattle, you know they can get pretty darn loud. The fact that Barkley has only played in front of 5,000 people in high school means nothing, after the first quarter all you'll hear is the 5,000 of so Trojan fans anyway.

[Scarlet brutus]

It cracks e up these Usc fans think they understand entrap Ohio football tradition. You can beat us down time after time bug we are going to get right back up and in your face! I can already feel the energy growing here in Columbus! I can't wait! People bashing the Buckeyes cause the Navy game was close! Well Navy us on tough team, an they played great. Go Bucks and take out these Southern Californian warm weathered people!

[Millsie VRadio]

dave from dayton wrote:

wow. what a surprize. another article suckling the tit of usc. you forgot to metion that pete carroll is a direct decendant of jesus (you didn't read the di vinci code?). I come to this site to learn about the buckeyes, not to bash them or hear how good usc is. when were all buckeye fans required to have their testes removed? please buckeye fans-have a little faith and pride in your bucks. the game is about COMPETION. since no one has any "bucknuts" in their pants i'll say it. usc sucks! they choke worse then our cooper lead teams (which were more talented than either team playing saturday). barkley is a freshman and a tool if you listen to any interviews. F usc! F mark may! F espn! and FU if you won't support the buckeyes!!!

great Dave. way to show your faith in our team by associating everyone that disagrees with you, to genitalia. way to prove your point and let everyone know the scope of brain matter. need to do better to make us listen. i'll tell you what ..go to Vegas and put down a thousand on the Bucks to cover the Spread. then get back to us telling everyone you can't make your baby buggy payment. you wil lbe the one wearing genitalia around your neck. they don't have a passing game! and the can't keep the ball away from SC...get it? called smart football...this isn't playing with rattles. ignorance is bliss (and obvious). your consolation prize is waiting at the door on your way out....wanna read about the Buckeyes? go back to the 70's. a passing game wasn't needed or allowed then. Woody had a philosophy: when you throw. 3 things can happen. 2 of which are bad.

[FLABUCK]

Trojans just reload wrote:

<quoted text>The closer to game time the more desperation I sense from OSU fans. Trying to rely on a loud and boisterous crowd to keep your team pumped up or into the game seems to be grasping for straws a bit. You see, good coaches and their staffs can anticipate these kinds of things and actually "PREPARE" their team to deal with it. It's called a silent count. Sure the Shoe holds 105,000 loyal Buckeye fans but noise is nothing new to the Trojans. If you've ever been to Oregons Autzen stadium or Husky Stadium in Seattle, you know they can get pretty darn loud. The fact that Barkley has only played in front of 5,000 people in high school means nothing, after the first quarter all you'll hear is the 5,000 of so Trojan fans anyway.

You know what, you're right. We shouldn't need our fans to pump them up. We should be like the Trojans and just have the university buy our players houses and cars and give them money and hold that over their heads as motivation....good call. And comparing your crappy PAC10 schools atmosphere with OSU, Michigan, Tennessee, UF, or basically any other great football school is a joke. If you think Autzen or whatever you call it stadium is a hostile environment, your team is going to be in trouble come Saturday. The only time we will hear the 5,000 Trojan fans in Columbus will be their horns blaring as they try to scatter off campus with their tail between their legs.

[Millsie VRadio]

Scarlet brutus wrote:

It cracks e up these Usc fans think they understand entrap Ohio football tradition. You can beat us down time after time bug we are going to get right back up and in your face! I can already feel the energy growing here in Columbus! I can't wait! People bashing the Buckeyes cause the Navy game was close! Well Navy us on tough team, an they played great. Go Bucks and take out these Southern Californian warm weathered people!

this is great talk from the committe accepting losses in a great program. conceding a loss and tehn rallying the boo birds to get behind your time is great for tailgate parties and get togethers around the holidays. only 1 thing matters nowadays....the big prize. so why can't we expect that to happen? i grew up on Woody and the Buckeyes. but i can also judge football talent after 40 years. they don't have it. fair weathered or not..judge the teams for what they are..and not the jersey. SC will control the Ball. Carroll is a good coach. he's been allover the place. he knows what he is doing also. watch the strategy that is imposed on Pryor. he knows that is the key (when they get the ball). he will make him run. then when he has to Pass,..it will be obvious.