The Buckeye Blog

And, you thought I’d end on lucky Number 13? Like Punxsutawney Phil, I thought I’d stick my head out to end your finger-pointing and crying. Erase everything from your minds. Cease and desist. You’re good fans and the Buckeyes are worth cheering.

It shouldn’t be a shock to anyone that OSU lost to LSU. We were rated 3rd preseason in the weak Big 10 with a patsy schedule. Serendipity or dumb luck allowed us to sneak in the back door. At least we didn’t get screwed like Georgia. They were 4th and OSU was 3rd going into the Missouri and the Mountaineers choking. The “Show Me State?” I’ll show you a spanking to Kansas. And, Pittsburgh beating WVA. Please… Where’d LSU come from?

As an English major it makes plain sense to me that 3rd goes to 1st and 4th goes to second. The University of Spoiled Children (USC) looked like axe murderers at the end of the season — a little too late. Pete Carol lobbied and cried like Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops (who was rated 9th in BCS strength of schedule going into their last game). Bob are you smoking dope or are you stupid?

Okay, the BCS isn’t perfect, but it’s all we have and we tweak it every year. If all you babies were in the championship game, you wouldn’t utter a freaking word would you? Pete needs to win another championship before the New York Jets offer him the coaching job to derail the guys who kicked him to the curb, Bill Belichek’s (I mean Mr. Kraft’s) New England Patriots. Good luck. You’d do a better job hosting The Price Is Right.

Michigan was preseason 5th in the country and look what Appalachian State did to them. Face it. It was a weird year as NostroCraigus stated earlier and repeatedly. How many times do I have to hit you on the nose with a newspaper to get the point across? I was as pensive and leery as every one of you.

Now, let me rub salve on your American Express Card — I mean wounds. Here’s the breaking and final news for the 2008 Buckeyes. We have 19 out of 22 starters returning for next year including James “Little Animal” Laurinaitis. Most teams are happy to return half their team, but 86%? Yes, I cheated with a calculator because I know one of you smarmy weasels would correct me and email bile my way. Where are you Nitany Cryin’s? I miss your spite. Gus and Ollie, you out there? I know better. They’re out ice-fishing (hiding from their wives until the Packers game on Sunday).

Anyway, other than exiting senior fullback Dionte Johnson, OSU needs to replace only two starters, DL Vernon Gholston who should be a 1st round Pro and MLB Larry Grant. You can’t blame Gholston for taking the money. But, hats off to the young gentlemen taking the high road that are going education first, then cash secondly. They’re pissed off and are on their way to a third BCS trip in 3 years. Where the heck are we going? Email me and I’ll reserve a Timeshare tomorrow.

So, we lost two championships back-to-back. Maybe we’ll win another national championship for our third try. But, hey, we’d be there 4 in 7 years. Gators and Tigers, SEC — shut up please. Notre Who? OSU might even be ranked the preseason #1 for next year. Great…

Michigan Freshman phenom, Ryan Mallet is considering transferring to A&M, Tennessee, UCLA — anywhere but Michigan. Is this writing on the wall? With yet another year of eligibility left, although he looked poised and tough winning the Alamo Bowl, we know Chad Henne is almost as bad as Chad “Choke” Navarre. With new run-and-shoot coach from West Virginia, Rich Rodriguez might win the battle for all-world QB, Terrelle Pryor — where Michigan can fully utilize his Vince Young skill set — and he can start on a hapless Michigan basketball team.

Bad news for Michigan though. Not only did mouthy running back (0-4) Hart graduate, but WR Mario Manninham and WR Adrian Arrington are leaving early for the Pros. Who’s Pryor going to throw to — his own shadow? If you’re going to run and suck, you might as well go to Penn State where they know how to run and suck. Pryor lives in PSU’s back yard too. Easy decision if it were me. Wow. And, Michigan’s new coach is being sued for $4 million for breaking his contract. Looks like bad theatre up North.

OSU’s 3rd-string “Gunslinger” Schoenhoft transferring to Delaware might be telltale as well as the Michigan QB gyrations. Antonio “I was set up for soliciting prostiution” Henton is a scrambling QB with about 30% less stuff than Pryor – and with starting QB Todd Boeckman leaving, Pryor could be king of the Horshoe.

It took a day to process but here we are again. Looking at the game it comes down to the fact that the Buckeyes made a couple of big mistakes. Biggest of all –the personal fouls.

The Buckeyes opened hot and if it wasn’t for an offside in the first quarter, the score could easily have been 14-0 instead of 10-0. However, the Buckeyes looked lost during the second quarter allowing LSU to run wild. This however was not the end of the game. Two touchdowns in no way means the game is over.

Coming out of the half, the Buckeyes managed to push LSU back to something like 4th and 23 forcing the punt. How the punt was not blocked I don’t know. It looked like Austin Spitler had a big hole in his stomach or something. Instead of a blocked kick we have a first down. Follow that with another personal foul for a late hit (I sure didn’t see it on the replay) and we’ve given the Tigers 30 yards resulting in a touchdown.

Let’s step back for a moment and look at the impact of the missed block kick. If the Buckeyes had blocked the punt at somewhere around the LSU 40, at the very least, they would have started the next drive with excellent field position if they hadn’t scored on the play. This would have put the Buckeyes within a touchdown forcing LSU to change their defensive strategy.

As it was, however, the two personal fouls put the Tigers up by three touchdowns allowing LSU’s defense to gamble with the blitz. A closer game and LSU can’t afford to gamble, Boekman stays confident, Buckeyes move the ball making it a much closer game. Add to that the swing in momentum and the Buckeyes are alive and well.

But that is what could have been.

And although the SEC trolls are all over this web site with their foul language and the writing skills of the average fourth grader, the Buckeyes were not an overrated team. Unlike last year when they weren’t prepared, this year they just made mistakes. One dropped pass less, one blocked punt and it is an entirely different game.

Yes, the anti-Ohio State crowd is large. Most fans never get to see their team play in a BCS level bowl game least bit a national championship. Ohio State has been to three in the past five years and chances are good that they will be back again next year. Jealousy rears its ugly head in a number of ways. We must continue to rise above it. When you’re the elite of the elite, those below will use the only weapon they have — cheap talk.

And the Buckeyes will have even more to prove next year and it is doubtful they will get the benefit of a high pre-season ranking — no matter how much they may deserve it. Next year, however, they will have their chance as they travel to USC Sept. 13. That should help to quiet some of the critics that question the Buckeye schedule. And if they lose, so be it. I always want the toughest schedule possible. Bring them on. In the long run, the Buckeyes will come out on top. Remember, when we scheduled Washington, they were a good team and the Texas series set the stage for the national championship run two years in a row.

However, with the majority of this year’s team returning and some very strong defense men coming up, the Buckeyes will be an even bigger threat than this year. If they get past USC away, they also travel to Michigan State, Wisconsin and Illinois and then face whatever it will be that Michigan brings to the table. They run the table on that schedule and there should be no questions asked.

Let’s move the game back to New Year’s weekend though. Nothing worse than watching the game on a weeknight the week after the rest of the bowl hype has died down.

In a few short hours, our eleven warriors will take to the field of battle to reclaim what is rightfully ours. And, as we all know, this will be no easy battle. The Buckeyes will be deep in enemy territory but from the reports I’ve heard, Buckeye Nation is again there in force to support our boys. ESPN reported that it appears to be about a 50/50 crowd in the Big Easy. An important fact as most of the country is putting a lot of weight into LSU’s home field advantage.

I have been particularly quite about the big game this year. Last year, my confidence was at a high and the fall was all that much harder. I feel much more like I did going into the 2002 Fiesta Bowl against Miami. There is a quiet confidence that yes, this year will be different, this year they will be ready.

This game will come down to defense. The Buckeyes have one of the best in the land and I believe they will shock the LSU offense coming out of the gate. If LSU can adjust, we have a game on our hands. Likewise, a healthy Glenn Dorsey will give the Buckeye offense a run for their money. The offensive line needs to get on him early to give Wells the running room he needs.

Vernon Gholston and the Ohio State defensive line have the ability to match any team in the country. They need to hit both LSU quarterbacks hard and early in order to throw them off their rhythm. And unless Buckeye Nation does show up in force (and when don’t they) than this game won’t be over until the final bell.

Somehow, as the #1 ranked team in the country, Ohio State is the underdog and that’s just the way we like it. We also like it close and this will be a close one.

Pre game pick - Ohio State over LSU 28-21.

“But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive.”

(William Shakespeare, King Henry V, Act IV, Scene iii)

The Columbus Dispatch reported today that LSU players will be watching the movie 300. When Coach Tressel was asked about the movie, he had never heard of it.

Kirk Barton told the Dispatch that the only film he would be watching is game film.

“Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more.”

As we wind down the bowl season, I ask this question. Naturally, there is still one big game left but I fear that unless either Ohio State or LSU comes out with a dominating win, this season’s national champion will have a big question mark next to it. And with the way the media has treated Ohio State lately, even if LSU comes out big, their still will be those who question.

Let’s take a moment to role through the bowl games so far and see what they have to tell. I’ll start with Michigan:

Michigan vs. Florida

If anyone read my earlier post, you can see that I am a little surprised by this game. I honestly didn’t think that Michigan had it in them. They did their best to throw it away with four turnovers and two fumbles that they recovered, I really didn’t think they would pull if off. For the first time in at least the last two years, the Wolverines figured out how to stop a spread offense and a quarter back that can run. The Michigan defense played a good game and I have to give them credit.

My hat is off to Michigan. I will always root for Big Ten over SEC even if it is that school up north.

And I also bid a fond farewell to Loyd Carr and the entire Michigan coaching staff. You guys have been a great asset to the Buckeyes the past few years and you will be missed.

USC vs. Illinois

The talking heads out there will try to claim that USC is the best in the land but a big win over Illinois really doesn’t prove anything. Yes, Illinois beat Ohio State but it was a different game at a different time. I am still somewhat disappointed that the Buckeyes didn’t get a shot at USC in the Rose Bowl. While I should be getting pumped up for the big game tomorrow, does anybody other than Ohio State or LSU fans really care? New Year’s day is the time for big bowl games and USC/Ohio State in the Rose would have been a classic. Instead, we got a good Illinois but really a second tier Big Ten team. Even a Michigan/USC rematch might have been a better game. And what a story line that would have been. Michigan gets a chance at redemption as the coaching staff/senior class goes out the door.

This biggest problem with this loss is that no matter how badly the Buckeyes beat LSU, the USC media machine will still be crowing about Southern Cal because of the Buckeye loss to Illinois.

West Virginia vs. Oklahoma

Wow. Was I impressed by West Virginia. I thought that West Virgina played a game similar to Missouri and Oklahoma handled Missouri pretty well. Add to that the fact that the West Virgina coaching staff (along with some new recruits) was being torn apart by now Michigan coach Rigch Rodriguez and you’ve got a West Virgina embarrassments in the making. The Mountain Men were to have none of that and came out dominant. They ran the ball down the Sooner’s throats and walked away proud. If anyone other than Ohio State/LSU gets a shot at #1, you have to look at West Virgina. If you’re going by bowl appearances alone, what a great showing. The picked up the pieces of a broken program and played like champions.

Virgina Tech vs. Kansas

There was actually a Virgina Tech fan prowling this forum for a while saying that VT was number one and it was a good thing the Buckeyes didn’t have to play them. Yeah, the final score of the Orange Bowl was close but let’s face it, Virgina Tech looked like crap. To be honest, I really don’t need to waste my time with this one.

Hawaii vs. Georgia

Well, Hawaii was undefeated going into this game. 41-10. Enough said.

Kentucky vs. Florida State

Did anyone else enjoy watching Kentucky win as much as I did. There is something about Florida State that I really don’t like. Sure, they were missing 30 some players and considering the situation, they played very well — end zone dives and all (oh yeah, I remember what I don’t like about FSU). Kentucky, the team that beat LSU, got pretty lucky on this one.

Some other games to mention:

Navy came so close. I really wanted to see my local boys do well. Navy Coach Paul Johnson has done some great things for the Navy program and it is tough to see him go. However, as I mentioned earlier this year, it is hard to keep a successful coach at a program like Navy.

Boise State got beat by East Carolina? Didn’t see that coming.

Good to see Purdue win but by three points over Central Michigan? Doesn’t do much for the Big Ten.

I really thought Michigan State could beat Boston and they gave them a game. I still think MSU will be a threat in the Big Ten in the near future.

Good to see Penn State take down Texas AM. A quality Big Ten win.

Alabama struggled against Colorado more than expected. SEC speed….right…

If Ohio State can go in tomorrow night and give LSU the smack down the SEC deserves, than there shouldn’t be any questions. There will be though. No matter how many times I post the pictures of the Miami pass interference call, the Buckeye’s last national championship still gets called upon.

Maybe my Dad has it right when he says, “Who cares about #1. We need to throw all this garbage out and just go back to the good old days when it was the Big Ten and the Pac Ten in the Rose Bowl and nothing else mattered.”

And you know what, I think he’s right.

Ok, so it’s about 1:45 mountain time New Year’s morning. About an hour ago, I found myself in the desert west of Phoenix celebrating New Years with a couple of Afrikaners and discussing the history of the Dutch settlers in South Africa and how they have been mistreated by the current South African government for the last 15 years (go figure).

At one point, I remember singing something about, “Und Faderland,” and God only knows the rest of the translation. I’m pretty sure this is the closet I have come to Nazi Germany and let me just say, the view is not pretty.

Anyway, I find myself here at the early hours of 2008 with an urge to cleanse myself of a somewhat biased lesson in the history of Apartheid and to take out my frustrations on our old favorites, the University of Michigan.

Yes, in a few short hours, Michigan plays our beloved Florida in whatever bowl they managed to land (Oh yeah, the Capital One Bowl). And have you ever seen a more ridiculous story line for a bowl game. You would think that a game in which the first sophomore to win the Heisman trophy would be the feature event but no, Michigan, in their utmost failing, has managed to steel the spotlight.

If ever a team had something to prove, Michigan would be the team. However, how many times have we been through this. And what a slap in the face Michigan got. A coach, fresh from trashing a national championship to Pittsburgh, comes in and proceeds to fire the entire staff. Add to that the fact that Chad Henne, Mike Hart, et all, the team that was supposed to waltz their way to a national championship game, has still failed to win a bowl game or, of course, beat Ohio State.

So this is the last hurrah. Is there anyone out there who thinks they have a chance?

You might think that if there was ever a game to win, this would be it but Michigan has been a let down how many times now? Seven? If they can’t get up for a win against Ohio State, don’t expect big things from the bowl.

Oh, and did I mention Florida’s spread offense? Yes, Florida not only has a quarterback that can stymie the Wolverines, they have a coach that can run Llllllloyd Carr right into the ground.

While I wish there was a way that both teams could lose this game, I expect a score like 41-14 would be a gift for Michigan. Unfortunately, I’m afraid that this game will be yet another chance for the SEC to trash the Big Ten. No, it is not a good match up and no, Michigan doesn’t really deserve a New Year’s day bowl game. They’ve got it though. Great.

So with that, I leave you with the end of an era and of course, the last time I get to link to this video (now viewed more than 160,000 times):