If we are psychological products of our past, then college football research is therapy, providing explanations for the way we think and feel about programs.
From 1969-79, the peak of my childhood fandom, Ohio State coughed up national championship chances with regularity. Five times the Buckeyes entered their final game needing a win to secure the Associated Press national title. Five times they failed.
That does something to a kid. Trust issues, anyone?
Fast forward about 50 years to Monday’s release of the AP preseason poll that ranked Ohio State No. 2 behind Alabama (The Buckeyes were also No.