blame pryor

After USC’s disappointing 18-15 victory on Saturday, critics on the Ohio State campus blasted OSU coach Jim Tressel. All I heard was “Tressel is a bad person he calls” or “Pryor was in no condition to hurry up enough.” I’m here to tell you that putting most of the blame on anyone other than Terrelle Pryor is simply wrong. Pryor needed to play like a star, and instead he looked like a real freshman with no understanding of decision-making.

In my podcast on Saturday, I stressed that Matt Barkley, Joe McKnight, Jim Tressel, etc., would be supporting players in the story of this hyped matchup. As the leader of the soccer team, it was Terrelle Pryor who played the leading role and ultimately laid an egg on the world stage. A decent performance would have been enough for OSU to win. The defense played such a terrible game that to win, Pryor just needed to be decent. Instead, Pryor made poor calls, just looked at DeVier Posey and committed a costly fumble off the shot. He seemed nervous throughout the night and, especially, during the last desperate trip.

When it comes to accountability, Pryor deserves praise for blaming himself exclusively. Pryor’s postgame comments reflect a humble man who, to his credit, showed the kind of maturity he lacks on the field.

“We have to hit on offense,” he said. “It all comes down to me. I take all the blame.”

The ending was eerily reminiscent of the final series against Texas in 2005 and Penn State last year, ironically the last two night games in the ‘Shoe. Those nights were defined, at least in part, by the lack of a calm presence in the group. Each heartthrob exposed a group that wasn’t ready for greatness yet.

However, one of those seasons was ultimately defined not by failure, but by the beginning of Scarlet and Gray’s championship-caliber dominance. Of course, I am referring to the 2005 team that was formed under the leadership of 2006 Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith. The difference between this year’s team and that team is that a loss to Penn State just won’t cut it.

This group must and will focus on a season that still offers much to look forward to. A BCS look is still very realistic and an outright Big Ten crown is still very much achievable. The potential to beat Michigan six times in a row should never be underestimated. Perhaps even Pryor has a chance at the only true redemption possible for this particular season; another crack at the Trojan Men at the Rose Bowl.