The Buckeye Blog

Whew, we made it out of that one in one piece. Pittman, Wells and two other Ohio State players have been cleared by the NCAA for their gratutious spaghetti eating.

For those of you who haven’t been following the drama this past week, Antionio Pittman and Chris Wells got a good NCAA violations scare last Saturday when a hometown friend of the family thought they raise a little money to help their parents get to the BCS game.

If you hanven’t noticed, BCS games can get a little expensive. I mean the tickets cost around $300 if you can get them at cost. The ticket brokers are asking at least a grand. Then you have the airfare and good luck getting a hotel. But hey, this is big business right? The NCAA makes $300,000 on just television rights alone not to mention all the liscensing rights and corporate naming rights. And hey, the colleges that play in the big games get their cut.

And don’t forget, we have to pay Notre Dame for just being Notre Dame.

Wow, it must be nice to be a college football player. Just think of all the fame and fourtune that they must get from a multimillion dollar BCS game. Oops, that’s right…well at least they get the fame.

So when a community dogooder tries raises around $800 bucks, everyone goes into a panic because there could have been a NCAA rules violation. Luckily, Tressel and his staff have trained their boys well. About halfway into that first steaming bowl of pasta, Pittman realized that the $8 per plate meal could cause a potential problem. He called coach Bollman who told Pittman and Wells to get out and get out fast. They left without even trying the homemade meatballs and all $800 was donated to the local Pee Wee football league. Apparently, it was about enough to cover the cost of the dinner.

While the incident may seem minor, I find it increadibly disturbing. The thing I like most about college football is that it is not professional football. Unless it is a Florida school, you don’t see the egos and showboating. There is no T.O. working out his next end zone performance (between dropped passes). As Bo Schemblecher once said for college football players, it’s about, “The team, the team, the team.”

The problem becomes, for everybody but the players, the BCS Series is about “The money, the money, the money.” Heck, even coach Tressel will pull down an extra $200,000 just for getting to the big game. Everybody connected with the bowl games is getting rich yet many of the players families will not be able to see their son play in what may be the biggest game of their career because it is just too expensive to go.

And at the same time, I hate to see our best Ohio State players go pro early but how can anybody justify telling a 20 year-old-kid who is staring down a multi-million dollar contract that no, he shouldn’t go pro early. Stick around for another year and get that college degree…even though you could always finish you’re degree in the off season.

I love college football and I am as guilty as the next guy. I buy the college gear, I live the college football hype. I want our players out there playing for the thrill of winning and not the thrill of the big paycheck. If I want to see overpaid players who’s personalities I can’t stand, I’ll go back to rooting for the Browns.

At the same time, something is wrong when an $8/plate community dinner can put the fear of the NCAA in the eyes of Ohio State players and fans everywhere.

Talk about the best of intentions gone bad.

Antonio Pittman and Chris Wells left a fund raising dinner Saturday after concerns of NCAA rules violations. According to the Akron Beacon journal, members of an area pee wee football league were hosting a spaghetti dinner to raise money to send Ohio State football player family members to the BCS game in Arizona. Midway through the dinner, Pittman’s mother called Ohio State offensive coordinator Jim Bollman to explain the situation. Bollman advised that she and Pittman leave the dinner. Money raised from the dinner will be donated to the local pee wee football league.

Apparently, even though the NCAA will make millions off of Pittman and Well’s appearance in the BCS Championship game on Jan. 8th, it is against NCAA rules for the pee wee football club that first introduced the Pittman and Well’s to the game to raise money to send their parents to Arizona to see them play.

While the potential NCAA violation may seem innocent enough, it will provide fodder for those trying so desperately to find fault in Tressel’s Ohio State program. It took at least three years before ESPN could write about Ohio State without mentioning Maurice Clarette and I am sure we will hear this story rehashed over and over during the coming bowl season.

Just remember as we see feature after feature about community spaghetti dinners, the story of Willie Williams. When it comes to NCAA rules violations, at least the SEC knows how to do it right.

OK, that was a little difficult. I guess with all the Oden hype, I was hoping for a little better. And to be honest, it wasn’t so bad until late in the first half. We even came back at the beginning of the second half.

Then we quit.

At least that’s what it looked like. There is no question that Florida’s experience got the best of the Thad Five and as the Buckeyes pretty much rode Florida’s bus straight to school.

The bright side of this mess is that while Florida did take Ohio State to school, that is exactly what it was…an education. This is probably the first time in Oden’s career that he has faced an opponent that can contain him. If the coachability of Oden we keep hearing is true, than today’s loss could pay off in the long run.

I could make an attempt at analysis but the Buckeye Commentary, The Pojo Dojo and Eleven Warriors seem to have covered about everything I would say anyway. (Eleven Warriors even checked in with my West Side Baltimore boys, Marlo and Snoop for an opinion)

Enjoy it now Gator fans, January will be a much darker month the Gator faithful.

The Columbus Dispatch reported yesterday that Ohio State cornerback Antonio Smith has injured his left arm. According to the Buckeye Extra, Smith was seen with his arm in a sling on Thursday and will be evaluated for play on Dec. 30 when the team arrives in Phoenix.

Tressel, in his usual straightforward manner, told the Buckeye Extra, “You know what slings usually do. They usually signify a shoulder problem.”

Thanks for that insight Jim.

The Buckeyes may get a big boost today as Florida’s Al Harford, the closest thing the Gator’s have to Oden at 6′10, 245lbs., may be out with an ankle injury. The key word here is “may.” The word out of Florida is that he will be out but Harford is officially listed as “day to day” and the Buckeye’s are preparing as though he will be on the court. Don’t be surprised at all if Harford plays and plays healthy as ESPN is reporting that he practiced this morning.

If Harford fails to show, that leaves Oden duty to Joakim Noah. The boys in Vegas like Oden’s chances against Noah saying that while Noah may have the speed, he won’t be able to keep up with Oden physically.

Regardless of who Florida puts on the court, the real test will be the trip to a hostile environment. Florida fans are planning an “Orange Out” in an attempt to convince a nationally televised audience that they actually deserve the same stage as Ohio State. As we all know, Florida is a little insecure in the national spotlight. It took weeks of whining, pouting and pure luck took to get the football team to get to the national stage. A win over number #4 ranked Florida is just the first step in the Buckeye’s complete ownership of the best Florida can put forward.

(Although it sounds like most of Florida’s best are quickly bailing out on the Gators for a much better team up north).

Ohio State Men’s Basketball moved to a 3/3 ranking today in both the AP poll and the ESPN/USA Today coach’s poll. At this point, the ESPN Power Rankings have the Buckeyes as a top seed come tournament time. Wisconsin knocked out number two ranked Pittsburgh with a comfortable 89-75 win to move into the number four spot.

If you haven’t seen Oden play yet, it is pretty amazing. On defense, he just sort of stands in the key daring anyone to even think about driving for the net. His very presence left Cinci in a shambles forcing outside shots and a miserable scoring percentage and a 26-2 Ohio State run over more than 9 minutes going into the half.

On offense, well, he’s only missed two shots so far in his college career going 17 of 19. He’s also made eight blocks and 25 rebounds in only three games..

Oh yeah, and in the name of fair play, he only uses one hand. While we may not see a fully healed Oden playing at Ohio State, we may not need to. As ESPN’s Pat Forde points out, Oden is good enough with one arm to lead Ohio State to a national championship. Forde states, “…Seventy-five percent of Oden could be enough to lift Ohio State to the national championship.”

Forde quoted Cincinatti coach Mick Cronin who said that the fact that Oden isn’t even healthy is, “a little scary for the Big Ten.” That makes two out of three coaches to face Oden that have confessed their concern for the Big Ten.

The big test comes this Sat. as Ohio State takes on defending national champion Florida, currently ranked fifth. If Buckeye Coach Thad Matta can lead the Bucks to a win over Florida with an injured Oden, all of College basketball may need to be more than a little worried about the potential of an Ohio State team with a healthy Oden come March.

Personally, I think a blowout against Florida is definitely in order. Their football coach has obviously grown a little too big for his britches, what with all the pre-bowl selection whining and all. Beating the crap out of them on the basketball court will only make owning them in Glendale all that much sweeter.

As we all know, every Ohio State fan needs that one of a kind Ohio State bird house or the special edition Buckeye grilling set. The problem is, where to find it?

Problem solved, The Buckeye Blog has opened The Buckeye Store through Amazon.com. Stop by and do a little window shopping. It’s got everything from jerseys to Ohio State lawn chairs.

See you there.

Alright, I’ve just resigned myself to the fact that traveling anywhere today is going to be a nightmare. Christmas shoppers have the roads completely jammed and I am doing everything in my power to avoid the malls.

So here’s the plan, I give in to the wife’s demands to go shopping somewhere around 2:30, 3:00 this afternoon. Once at designated shopping destination, I offer to take the kids while she shops. I find some place with a big screen t.v. and lots of chicken nuggets and catch the Ohio State/Cinci game at 3:30. The wife thinks I’m doing her a favor taking the kids, I catch the game, all is well.

Until then, here are some Saturday links to help you procrastinate that dreaded trip to the mall.

The Columbus Dispatch’s Buckeye Extra starts us out with a story on how hard life can be when you’re 7 feet tall and weigh in at 280lbs. Apparently finding a size 18 shoe is only have the story.

If you need to brush up on your stats before this afternoon’s game, Buckeye Planet, as usual, gives us more then we ever need to know to watch a basketball game. Eleven Warriors has a nice “Cliff Notes” version.

Still have that urge to pick on Michigan? I’m still trying to decide what to make of this one. Personally, I find it a little disturbing yet I can’t seem to look away.

Still in Game Day withdrawal? The university has put up a great collection of pictures of from the 12-0 season. Break out the bloody mary, sing Hang on Sloopy and make the best of it. Bowl games start in another week.

What does a Denver sports columnist do when he knows nothing about Ohio State football and there’s a big BCS game coming up? When you get a tip that Ron Zook, Illinois coach and former Florida coach, is in town for a recruiting trip, you jump on the opportunity. John Henderson, of the Denver Post, searches for insight on how to beat Ohio State from an Illinois coach. You know the Buckeye’s are in trouble when Florida gets tips like this:

“When you first start looking at them,” Zook said, “you’re like, ‘Holy smokes!”‘

There’s been a lot of talk this week about Ginn, Gonzolas, Pittman and Barton leaving early for the pros. They all turned in their NFL papers this week. Personally, I’m not too concerned. I can see Ginn going. He and Smith are something of a package. Barton, yeah, he’s a lineman and why not. I think Gonzo and especially Pittman will stick around for another year. They had big year this year but another season and they both could be looking to be top players in college football. At the same time, the NFL papers allow them open Lloyd’s insurance policies. Seems like a good move when you’re facing million-dollar injuries.

ESPNU interviewed all four underclassmen and Coach Tressel about the situation. Gonzo quelled my fears a little commenting, “The vast majority of the people I know in the NFL are miserable.”

The Pojo Dojo points out that Ohio State basketball has more than Oden (remember that showing against NC?). Mike Conley Jr. may not look 40 but he can still play basketball.

That should get you started. If you’re really getting desperate and need to hide at the computer, there’s always Defender and Robotron…and you don’t need to rob the quarter jar to play!!!

Don’t say I’m not here for you.

(Dispatch photo)

Finally, after 40 years, Ohio State meets Cincinnati in what should become a major cross state rivalry. Unfortunately, this is a one shot deal and it isn’t even taking place on a home court. I think most Ohio State fans have been waiting years to see this game, unfortunately, this year’s version probably won’t amount to much of a game. This year’s OSU team is too strong and the Cinci is not the team it used to be.

Cincinatti is home to two great basketball schools with Xavier sitting just across town. Wouldn’t it be great to see both become regular games on the OSU schedule? Especially with Matta and his history at Xavier. Add Dayton to the mix and you have the potential for some great in-state basketball.

Bob Hunter addresses the issue in this morning’s Columbus Dispatch and I couldn’t agree more. Believe me, living in the shadow of Maryland basketball, OSU gets very little respect in ACC land. We have the team this year, now lets build the legacy.

And as for Maryland, if you want to really get a Maryland fan going, tell them it takes an Ohio State coach to make a Maryland basketball team. Try it sometime but don’t say I didn’t warn you.

(looking for thoughts on UM’s outstanding Rose Bowl performance, click here)

I made the mistake of slipping across enemy lines this evening to MgoBlog only to find Brain still crying about a BCS playoff system.

Hey Brian, we had a playoff on November 18th, you lost, deal with it, move on…

To be honest, I’m getting pretty tired of the whole “we got screwed” Michigan fan thing so I pretty much skimmed the article. There are some real gems however. Take this one for example:

But… really, what has Ohio State proven? Little. They have suggested much, surely. This isn’t a shot at Ohio State, but rather a simple observation that the Buckeyes have played 12 games and only two of them have come against ranked teams.

Yeah, so I take it a little out of context. Ohio State has proven plenty. Face it Brian, after their opening scoring drive, Michigan didn’t control anything except their bladders as they all but shit themselves in the face of Ohio State. The only reason the score was close was that pass interference call on fourth and 15 or something like that? You know the one, the pass that was overthrown by about five yards and at least as much between defender and receiver. I keep rewinding it on my iPod and I still can’t figure that one out.

Without the pass interference, ball goes to Ohio State and the clock runs out. Game over. Unfortunately, that pass interference only did two things. It blew the spread (the bookies in Columbus had a good night) and sent Michigan fans into a some sort of slow developing dementia that caused them to remember the game as close.

Oh, but wait, I think I read something over at MgoBlog about that very pass interference…what was is again…let’s go back a few weeks and see how Brian felt about a rematch on Nov. 20th.

Rematch? Uh… what? Going to the game and losing imposed a sort of involuntary media blackout so I must have missed the leap of logic from “Michigan got housed” to “Michigan deserves a rematch.” Yeah, yeah, three point final margin but let’s not fool ourselves: Michigan was +3 in turnover margin – and two of those were gifts – and still only got within ten points of OSU before scoring a 90% cosmetic touchdown aided with a miraculous, potentially horrendous bailout pass interference penalty. (Please note Secret Axiom Of Football #27: “If it ends with an unrecovered onside kick, it wasn’t that close.”) I see that Michigan is still somehow #2 in the BCS. Now… I know a lot of poll madness is attributable to people not watching games, but you watched this one, right? This is madness. Brain, MgoBlog

Op…there it is only further proving my dementia theory. And did you get that, I think the term he used was “madness.”

I will say this for MgoBlog. The BCS post dates all the way back to Tuesday. Since that time, he has written volumes on some things very dear to my heart. He trashes Notre Dame and Brady Quinn, takes a few pot shots at Michigan State and even manages to talk about the Rose Bowl a little (you’ll have to dig for that one).

Oh, and by the way, did you see that UM only has a 1 point spread over USC!! As if that rematch slap in the face wasn’t enough.