Late Night Ramblings: Ejuan Price, Brady Hoke and No. 1

Wolverine to Buckeye. As I talked about earlier this evening, the Buckeyes grabbed a huge commitment from linebacker Ejuan Price. It wasn't that long ago that it seemed like a real possibility that the staff wouldn't be able to get a linebacker in this class. Now just a couple of months later the staff has nabbed three athletic guys in Price, Crowell and Shazier. Honestly, linebacker is one of the strengths of this class.

As for Price, if you haven't seen his film you need to take a look, it's pretty impressive. Immediately his speed jumps off the screen at you, especially his straight-line speed. Whether he's coming off the end or up the middle, the guy is fast and very athletic.

He also has great instincts, moves naturally and seems to put himself in position to make sure tackles. I really think the Buckeyes stole a very solid player here, as Price projects very well at the next level. The only negative is that he plays for the Woodland Hills Wolverines and has had to wear a "winged" helmet.  I'll forgive him.

Hoke was Plan C. When Brady Hoke was announced as Michigan's new coach, AD Dave Brandon tried to convince everyone he was the first choice all along. It was a nice try, but we all knew it was total garbage. Michigan had been rumored to be interested in Jim Harbaugh, and then courting Les Miles after Harbaugh bolted for the NFL. Now we know at least the Miles part is true.

Stanley Jacobs, a member of the LSU Board of Supervisors, has come out saying Michigan offered Miles the job twice. They were ready to pay $4.25 million, more than his job at LSU, and he still said no. Which is about what I expected had gone down. I like how Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com describes this whole scenario:

"Brandon shot for the moon and ended up with an Aztec. That's OK. If Hoke was the first choice, Brandon would have announced him the day after Rich Rod was fired. That's what you do with the Plan A guy who said he would crawl to Michigan. In reality, Hoke was the girl with braces in Chem 1 who says yes to the prom after the head cheerleader says no. Not a knockout but at least a date."

Comparing Hoke to a high school girl with braces...priceless.

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Holding No. 1 for a week. Earlier this year the Buckeyes grabbed the No. 1 spot in football after Alabama's loss to South Carolina. It last for a week. Pryor and company came out flat in Madison, and never recovered.

Now a few months later, Matta has OSU on top of both polls in basketball. Over the last four games they haven't looked like a No. 1 team at all though, and have barely escaped several losses. They will have to play much better as they face off against the Fighting Illini this weekend in Assembly Hall.

It should prove as the toughest road test so far this season, and a major statement game for where this team is right now. While I remain optimistic, since this team has been so sharp in big games and hostile environments this season, their recent struggles does leave some room for doubt. We very well could have another Buckeye squad only hold on to No. 1 for a week. Not that rankings matter that much in January!

Thank God for Tres! In case you've somehow missed it, today marks the 10 year anniversary of when Tressel was hired at Ohio State. In that time he has posted a 106-22 record, along with five BCS bowl wins and a national championship. Oh, and one more thing, he's 9-1 against TSUN!

This is Indiana. This video is extremely pitiful, as some bored IU college students try to live in the past. In fact, this song is almost as bad as the state of their basketball program and their 1-4 record in the Big Ten thus far. Watch, and prepare to laugh.