The big college football match-up this weekend, dubbed as the "Collision in the Coliseum" (wow ESPN, that's very clever) pits the Ohio State Buckeyes against the USC Trojans. I think the Trojans win easily in this one, but since my man Greg Oden will reportedly be roaming the sidelines supporting tOSU, maybe the Buckeyes manage to make a game out of it. Maybe.
So here's my question to you. Who is/was more important to the success of their respective Ohio State squad: Greg Oden ('06-'07 Buckeyes basketball) or Beanie Wells ('08-'09 Buckeyes football)?
I don't think this is even close Casey. It has to be Greg. I mean no offense to Ohio State, but their football team is overrated. While they might have made it to the last two national championship games, the preseason polls in football make it nearly impossible for a team that is not ranked in the preseason to even make it to a BSC bowl game. Not to mention the last two national championship football games they did not show up at all.
ReplyDeleteI would have to give the nod to Greg being more important that Chris "Beanie" Wells for two reasons. First, Ohio State's football team is not that great, and one running back is not going to change the complexion of their team that drastically when there's 11 guys on the field. Greg though, he was the backbone of that national championship run. The only reason Ohio State was somewhat competitive in that game against Florida is because Greg is a man-child. Greg is much more important than Beanie Wells to his respective team, no doubt.
I agree wholeheartedly rick. Thad Motta's 06-07 team without Greg probably doesn't make the tourney, let alone play in the title game. Beanie Wells? A good team, like tOSU supposedly is, should be able to overcome the loss of a running back. And how is it that a powerhouse like tOSU doesn't have another legit RB? Hell, even UO has had two starting quality RB's every year for the past 5-8 years.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Greg's work certainly helped Ohio State get to the title game but he didn't do it alone at all. Look at the Xavier game where it took a miracle 3 to send the game into over time for Ohio State to stay alive. Greg fouled out of that game. I read on draft express that Greg didn't really shine until the last few games of his college career. Pretty amazing when you think about it.
ReplyDeleteI say in a few months of NBA action he will start to really return to form. It took a few months of college basketball for him to get there. It will take him to about the mid way point of the season to start owning the competition.
Beanie, baby.
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