Before the start of this season, an 11-2 season would have seemed unreal. This was supposed to be a "rebuilding year." We were supposed to be no better than 3rd in the Big Ten. Even beating Michigan was not so sure.
I'm fine with winning the Big Ten and beating Michigan. A young, inexperienced team getting sent to the NC game was a function of the BCS craziness, over which we had no control.
A big loss is still a big loss, but Ohio State has had worse, much worse.
Under Jim Tressel, winning has become too easy and too frequent. Many fans have forgotten what things were like before him.
I thought I'd add these quotes from Ohio State's coaching legend Woody Hayes:
"Even the best team, without a sound plan, can't score."
"Anything easy ain't worth a damn!"
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you. "
"One thing you cannot afford ever to do is to feel sorry for yourself."