Just like 2002, Close Games will be Commonplace

At halftime of the Ohio State game I don’t think I was the only one in Columbus taking a deep breath. I surely wasn’t the only one who looked around and saw shocked faces and heard the yells of people calling for Tressel’s job. But this game is just what the Buckeyes needed, and was very reminiscent of what happened in the 2002 season.

By Eric Geier

A Sign of Things to Come

Let’s face it, the past two years we’ve had it pretty easy. We’ve been able to settle in come game time and watch the Buckeyes pretty much dominate their regular season opponents (save Illinois). But Saturday versus Ohio University may be a sign of things to come for the Buckeyes. No game this season is going to be easy, the Buckeyes are going to have to scrap and claw for each yard as everyone is out to show that the Ohio State football program is nothing special.

Four Close Calls in 2002

I have a feeling that close games are going to be commonplace this season, at home and away. The Buckeyes squeaking out close games was commonplace in the 2002 National Championship season. The Buckeyes barely got a win in a hostile Cincinnati environment and had to lay it all out on the line for the Big Ten season. Who could forget Craig Krenzel’s miracle pass to Michael Jenkins to seal a victory against Purdue? Besides those two exciting games, the Buckeyes barely won against Wisconsin and No. 10 ranked Penn State.

I believe that this season could be fairly similar. The game against USC is going to be close, and if the Buckeyes do win, they are going to do it in dramatic fashion. So buckle your seatbelts people, this season is going to get wild.