Hit the panic button and start Pryor!

At least that's what Buckeye fans are hoping for. They, as most rabid fans who lack sense, would love to see Pryor start and show off his blazing athletic skills and run past opposing defenses. They argue that he could have been a difference maker in their loss last week to the Trojans. And that's just why Tressel should hold back the reigns on Pryor. A rash decision should not come off a loss on the road to a powerhouse like USC. Especially when your starting running back (Heisman hopeful Chris Beanie Wells) did not even dress for the game. Not that that would have made a difference anyway because in case you missed it last week, USC was just better than OSU. They are faster, more athletic, and deeper at every position. I know that's not what Buckeye fans want to here but consider the point that Emmanuel Moody, who was highly regarded coming out of highschool and became the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, had to transfer to UF because of the log jam of talent at the tailback position. OSU doesn't have that luxury of problems to deal with. They don't have depth, speed, or a highly respected quarterback (just a 5th year senior in Boeckman) unlike USC's Sanchez to think that they could compete against USC on the road is laughable. It's not to disparage OSU, but when you think about 17 and 18 year old kids and you're trying to convince them to come to your school, cold weather is a hard sell against the landscape of sunny Florida, or the beaches of California. USC recruits everywhere just look on their roster and the background of their players.

Again, I think Pryor should see some more playing time, but to start him over Boeckman would be placing a tremendous amount of pressure and responsibilty on a freshman and could stunt his growth for the future. And if the Buckeyes value that future they will let him grow in reading defenses and adjusting to opposing schemes while not forcing him to rely on that athletic ability that they desperately need. The best thing they can do is grdually work Pryor into the offense and allow their targeted recruits to see that a freshman can receive significant playing time on an elite team like OSU.