Bleacher Report - Articles by Ryan

Following Ohio State from the Front Lines of War

Ryan — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:25:41 -0400

I have not written for a long time, due to the fact that I am sitting on the border of Pakistan wondering when I will be coming back to Buckeye Nation. Meanwhile, I stay up late on Saturday nights to see the Buckeyes play.

Imagine, if you can, being in the most remote area of the world, wondering every second if you will live to see the next. Then, while everyone else is back home getting prepped for another day at "The Shoe," my fellow soldiers and I are finishing our daily briefing. It's around 18:30 or for you civilians—6:30 at night on a Saturday. We go to our common area where AFN (Armed Forces Network) is preparing to broadcast Gameday.

Finally, all things around us seem to stop. We are each in our own perfect world, not worrying about our battlefield, but the war our teams are about to wage. Each game a small battle leading to the ultimate fight—the national championship.

I watch intently for anything I can about the Buckeyes and how well they are prepared for their next battle. I am excited, anxious, and nervous—all the same feelings I get when we go out and patrol for the enemy.

I realize that some may not like the comparison of war and football, but when you have been in my shoes and seen the things I have, then you would know that they aren't all that different. I know that, for me, being a Buckeye is of huge importance to who I am and why I fight. It's about more than a team—it's about a nation of people with one common interest, a Buckeye Nation.

I wish I could describe the feeling I get when I see the Scarlet and Grey run out onto the field and I know everyone from Cincinnati to Cleveland, and everywhere in between, is cheering as loud as they can. It's a feeling of euphoria that I call "Buckeyetopia." A place where the members of Buckeye Nation gather every Saturday to root for their favorite team.

Whether it's in a bar, a friend's house, with your family, or at the Mecca of college football, The Shoe, we are all hoping for the same thing—another Buckeye win!

I am not a professional writer, or even a college-educated man. I am just a US Army infantryman with a passion for the Buckeyes. I am writing this piece for a couple of reasons:

1. To let all the other Buckeye fans who feel the way I do know they are not alone.

2. To let everyone in Ohio and across Buckeye Nation know that, no matter where you are in the world on Saturday Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. Eastern, we will all be gathered together for the same common goal—for our Buckeyes to come into The Shoe and show Penn State and the rest of the football nation why we are The Best Damn Team In The Land.

God Bless the USA, and God Bless Buckeye Nation!

Ohio State Football: Can the Buckeyes Reach a Third Straight Title Game?

Ryan — Thu, 15 May 2008 00:49:47 -0400

I am finally back, I am currently deployed to Afghanistan and have not had the time to write. I was sitting here watching a copy of the Scarlet and Gray game and couldn't help but think about B/R.

I have been known to bring havoc on this site with my articles on the Buckeyes and how they are the team of the decade. Yes, I said it. Despite losses in back-to-back national championship games, the Bucks are poised for a third straight title game.

I know this will cause a shockwave across SEC country and pretty much everywhere else in the nation. It's not the Buckeyes fault that the rest of the teams couldn't close the deal.

We were supposed to be rebuilding and instead we found ourselves back in the title game. We had to play against a senior-led team and a damn good one at that. All the best to LSU and their fans, but 2008 is the year of Buckeye Nation.

I know, start your comments here with me. I am a big boy and can take it. If you are a true college fan, though, you can't deny the Buckeyes are coming and they aren't taking any prisoners.

This year, the non-conference schedule is much better, with a Week Three matchup against the darlings of college football. I believe this to be the most important game of 2008. You take the two best teams over the past 10 years ad match them up, with the winner being in the driver's seat to Miami.

It's hard to argue that the Bucks, after losing only Vernon Gholston, will be the team for 2008. I know many people see Georgia as the number 1, but to me they still have a lot to prove on the national level. Remember Bulldogs it was just Hawaii.

My top 5 going into 2008 would be 1. Ohio State 2. Georgia 3. USC 4. Oklahoma 5. West Virginia. Then I would have a mix of teams including Florida. Don't think I forgot you Gators, even though you have a used car salesman at coach.

Now, before I part to going back to making the world a safer place let me say this, Michigan, I never really liked you before but I respected you. Now you have an absolute snake at coach who is disloyal, and above all doesn't even respect the game. He is going to be the downfall of your program, so I will give you an early prediction on our yearly slugfest: Ohio State 1,000, Michigan 0.

Good luck to all the rest of the college football teams and for you Michigan, GO BLOW!!

Ohio State, College Football, and War: Through the Eyes of a Soldier

Ryan — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 23:44:32 -0500

I am always amazed to see the passion and love most fans have for their teams. I myself am a die hard Buckeye fan and I can honestly say it hurts me emotionally when they lose.

As I get older, and read about other teams and their fan bases, I come to the conclusion that most feel the same as I do when their team falls. This being the case, I couldn't be more proud at this moment to be a fan of college football.

Now for all you SEC fans, don't use this article against me later when I start talking smack about your team or your fans. This is just my perspective on why the college game is so special.

I had the privilege of going down to New Orleans to watch the National Championship Game and also enjoy some time on Bourbon Street. While I was down there, a few things stuck out to me.

First, LSU fans and SEC fans in general are as passionate about their teams as us Buckeyes are. Second, when you actually have some time to talk to fans from other conferences it gives both you and them a better perspective on each others football knowledge.

I was surprised and pleased that on the whole, SEC fans weren't nearly as bad as the blogs pegged them to be. Before my adventure to Louisiana, you would have thought that the LSU fans were going to reenact the scenes from Deliverance on us Buckeyes.

As it turned out, we both just love our team and have a pride in our state unmatched in any other sport. I know this sounds like a lovey dovey article about my feelings for the SEC, but like I said before, after this it's game on.

The main reason I felt the need to write this is that as I went through the bowl experience and read different fan sites, I got the feeling that college football is a large part of what makes our country so special.

As you may or may not know, I am a U.S. Army Soldier preparing for my third deployment to war. As I prepare to deploy, I look for the reasons to fight as hard as I can against the terrorists trying to take these very freedoms from us. I prepare in my head, a list of all the things I love and cherish about our country and I focus on those when I am having doubts or tough times.

First and foremost, I think of my family and all my fellow soldiers' families. Then I think of all the people before me who have sacrificed everything so that I can sit in the Shoe on a Saturday afternoon and listen to the crowd roar to "Hang on Sloopy," or as I walk by and scream O-H, knowing I am going to get a thunderous I-O in return.

I know similar traditions occur all throughout the country, whether it's the 12th Man at A&M, Clemson's players touching Howard's Rock, seeing UGA snap at the opposing team, the Trojan galloping on his horse, or hearing "Rocky Top" 10,000 times a game.

You see, it is all these special moments that I think about when I am away in a foreign country remembering how very lucky I am to be an American, especially a college football fan. I know most people would never like to admit they watch other teams, and most would definitely say the thing they hate the most is whatever your enemies fans are doing.

I fall into the same category, but deep down I don't know how my life would be without hearing "tigerbait, tigerbait" or "war eagle" or my personal favorite "Michigan Sucks," but truth be told, this is what makes the worlds of us, the true college football fans, go round.

It is also what brings us together each and every fall. Without these football traditions it just wouldn't be the same.

Remember, after blood has been spilled on the football field, and your team has won or lost, there is still American blood being shed on real battlefields across the world. Soldiers are fighting, and dying for our freedom, giving us the ability to enjoy each other's company each Saturday afternoon.

So, next time you are in a packed stadium screaming for your team to win, remember that in the grand scheme of things we are all on the same team, fighting for the same causes. We are all college football fans. Oh, and by the way, MICHIGAN STILL SUCKS!! Go BUCKS! blog.buckeyetopia.com

Stadium Stories: What Is Your Greatest College Football Moment?

Ryan — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:45:28 -0500

I am looking to see who has the best college football stadium story.

I know this could create some interesting comments, but I want to know who has a story that rivals all others. My goal is to take all the stories and pick the ten best and then have you the fans vote on the best stadium story.

This is a little off the wall, and I realize it is against the norm of tellng each other how much we hate each other's team or conference, but I was sitting around thinking about all the incredible times I had going to Buckeye games, and I wanted to get a feel for all the college teams fans.

Tell anything you want as long as it pertains to college fooball. I am curious to see just how crazy everyone gets at their tailgates or in their stadium.

On May 1, 2008 I will post the 10 best on my blog and then let you guys vote.

This is all in good fun and will help all of us pass the time until spring practices. Everyone knows how boring time is with no colege football. I am expecting great participation so have fun with it.

Good luck, and may the best story win.

College FB: Helping a Solider

Ryan — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 04:47:50 -0500

I have written quite a few articles on this site mostly having to do with The Ohio State University. I was sitting down reading some of the other articles which have been published and it got me to thinking about my job and how it relates to all these die hard fans of College Football. I am always amazed to see the passion and love most fans have for their teams. I myself am a die hard Buckeye fan and I can honestly say it hurts me emotionally when they lose.

As I get older, and read about other teams and their fanbases I come to the conclusion that most feel the same as I do when their team falls. This being the case, I couldn't be more proud at this moment to be a fan of College Football. Now for all you SEC fans, don't use this article against me later when I start talking smack about your team or your fans. This is just my perspective on why the college game is so special.

I had the privilege of being able to go down to New Orleans to watch the National Championship Game and also enjoy some time on Bourbon St. While I was down there a few things stuck out to me. First, LSU fans and SEC fans in general are as passionate about their teams as us Buckeyes are. Second, when you actually have some time to talk to fans from other conferences it gives both you and them a better perspective on each others football knowledge. I was surprised, and pleased that on the whole SEC fans weren't nearly as bad as the blogs pegged them to be. Before my adventure to Louisiana, you would have thought that the LSU fans were going to reenact the scenes from Deliverance on us Buckeyes. As it turned out, we both just love our team and have a pride in our state unmatched in any other sport. I know this sounds like a lovey dovey article about my feelings for the SEC, but like I said before, after this it's game on.

The main reason I felt the need to write this, was as I went through the bowl experience and as I read different fan sites I get the feeling that College Football is a large part of what makes our country so special. As you may or may not know, I am a U.S. Army Soldier preparing for my third deployment to war. As I prepare to deploy, I look for the reasons to fight as hard as I can against the terrorists trying to take these very freedoms from us. I prepare in my head, a list of all the things I love and cherish about our country and I focus on those when I am having doubts or tough times. First and foremost, I think of my family and all my Soldiers' families. Then I think of all the people before me who have sacrificed everything so that I can sit in the Shoe on as Saturday afternoon and listen to the crowd roar to "Hang on Sloopy", or as I walk by and scream O-H, knowing I am going to get a thunderous I-O in return. I know similar traditions occur all throughout the country, whether it's the 12th Man at A&M, Clemson's players touching Howard's Rock, seeing UGA snap at the opposing team, the Trojan galloping on his horse, or hearing "Rocky Top" 10,000 times a game. You see, it is all these special moments that I think about when I am away in a foreign country remembering how very lucky I am to be an American, especially a College Football fan. I know most people would never like to admit they watch other teams, and most would definitely say the thing they hate the most is whatever your enemies fans are doing. I fall into the same category, but deep down I don't know how my life would be without hearing "tigerbait, tigerbait" or "war eagle" or my personal favorite "Michigan Sucks", but truth be told this is what makes us, the true College Football fans, world go round. It is also what brings us together each and every fall. Without these football traditions it just wouldn't be the same.

Remember, after blood has been spilled on the football field,and your team has won or lost, there is still American blood being shed on real battlefields across the world. Soldiers are fighting, and dying for our freedom, giving us the ability to enjoy each other's company each Saturday afternoon. So, next time you are in a packed stadium screaming for your team to win,remember, in the grand scheme of things we are all on the same team, fighting for the same causes. We are all, College Football Fans. Oh, and by the way, MICHIGAN STILL SUCKS!! Go BUCKS! blog.buckeyetopia.com

Georgia, the Buckeyes Are Waiting for You!

Ryan — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:28:44 -0500

It's Official!! Laurinaitis is on his way back to the Buckeyes. That pretty much solidifies us for another run at the National Championship!

I know that all the SEC fans are excited for us to be at the top again seeing as we just can't beat you guys. Our poor football program just doesn't have the players or the coaching that you have in the SEC. Ha! Ha! What a funny little conference you are.

I just can't wait to get back to the title game for a third time. I am certain that this 0-9 record will be changed in Miami. I think we will start off by going into the Coliseum on September 13 and wiping the floor with USC. Do you really think you have a shot a beating us, Pete Carroll? The only chance you have is to pay off our team just like you pay off your players. Who knows, maybe he won't even be the coach after the Reggie Bush saga.

I guess my biggest hope is that the National Title game will be against those SEC wanna be's Georgia. I have watched as Georgia self destructs year after year, and then you say that we whine! Did anyone happen to catch all the crying Georgia did after they were denied a seat in the National Championship? They are so mad they are still crying. Do I need to remind you UGA that Tennessee throttled you in the regular season? Go Dawgs!!

Well, I guess there is only one way we will find out how good you are: when we see you against a tough Vanderbilt team, or a 6-6 Saban (4 million a year are you kidding me?) team or what about the real deal teams in your conference, Florida and LSU?

You aren't in their league or our league. You are a pretender Georgia and you can't match what we do anyday of the week.

I throw this challenge out to you Georgia fans: keep your mouths quiet all year long and we might see you in Miami. Remember, you are no LSU or Florida. I think it is time for us to silence all the critics and take it to the house for our 2nd National Title in 7 years and our 4th visit. I don't know about Georgia, or USC for that matter, but that sounds to me like the best team over the past decade is the Buckeyes!

If you don't believe now, you will come January. See you in Miami!

Ohio State: 2008 National Champions

Ryan — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 01:20:33 -0500

If you thought the Buckeyes football program was finished after the BCS Championship Game, think again. All the pieces are there for the Buckeyes to return for the third time to the "Big Game."

I know everyone is tired of seeing the Bucks at the top, but we really have nothing to apologize for.

Is it really Ohio State's fault that a 41-point underdog went into the Coliseum and beat the Greatest College Football Team ever?

Is it our fault that UGA was throttled by the Volunteers?

I think not.

Amidst all the whining and crying that everyone did at the end of the season, I feel deep down the best team in the Nation won and no team was going to change that, not even USC. I do know this: The more people trash talk OSU and view us as sub par to the elite teams, the more the Buckeye team and fans will love proving you wrong next season.

The Buckeyes will be back in 2008 stronger than ever and the Big Ten better be prepared. Most of the team will be returning as well as some dynamic new young players and an offensive line that will be dominant for years to come. With the return of Malcolm Jenkins, Marcus Freeman, Alex Boone, Brian Robiskie, and possibly Laurinaitis, OSU will be a force to be reckoned with.

I want to personally congratulate LSU on their Championship, and by the way, you have great fans. What a class act Glenn Dorsey is returning to lead his team to a Championship.

I also want to thank LSU and Florida because in playing them, we have learned what it takes to play with a swagger, and yes Big 10 fans; we learned some things from the SEC. We have become a better team thanks to those games.

With all of our juniors doing what Dorsey did by staying for the love of their team and university, we will get the chance to do something very special and rare next year by returning to a third National Championship.

Write this date down in your calendar and remember it, September 13, 2008. This is when we will see the Buckeyes ready to regain the respect of the nation.

On this date, we travel to the Coliseum and play against the team all the analysts and writers feel is an NFL team (I think because of their payroll, thanks Reggie Bush) trapped in a college world. If you think Ohio State is a joke or that we just don't have what it takes to play with the elite teams, then I suggest you watch the 2008 season very closely.

A message to all you fair weather Buckeyes who were calling for change in Columbus: Go to Athens, Georgia and ask them if they would trade places with you. Or, take a trip to any other University and ask if they would like to have played in 3 National Championships in 6 years. I am sure you would hear a resounding "YES!!" from any college football fan.

Congratulations once again to LSU, but be forewarned. We here in Columbus are ready for 2008 and our third run at the National Championship. Don't take the Buckeyes lightly or doubt our talent, it might just sneak up and crush you. If you want to read more on the Buckeyes or just want to leave angry SEC 0-9 comments go to blog.buckeyetopia.com it's my area to rant and rave!!

BCS Championship Fallout: An OSU Fan Beats Depression

Ryan — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 22:28:39 -0500

I am finally able to get out of bed and function through an entire workday without thinking about the OSU vs. LSU game. I am optimistic about the future of the Buckeyes and think we should not hang our heads in shame and point fingers, but instead think to how bright the future looks. I know all the media is against us and think we have no athletes and we are slow. I look at it like this LSU was a fantastic team playing in a home game with a senior driven team. Tough for anyone to accomplish that mission. I might be in the minority, but you will not convince me anyone else would have faired any better. I was in the Superdome for the game and the LSU fans were great and made it tough on us. Not to mention the way we shot ourselves in the foot time and time again. I can tell you maybe Ohio State is not as bad as everyone thinks, maybe it is that they are playing incredibly gifted teams with great talent. Not that we don't have talent, but there can only be only one champion. I am very proud of the Buckeyes, and think we will see more Championships in the future. For all of you Buckeyes willing to turn against Tressel and the boys, I can only tell you, search far and wide and you will not find another coach who will take you to 3 National Championships in 6 years. You are all spoiled and whine too much. Suck it up Buckeyes, and be proud of what you have. I have talked to many LSU fans who now understand the Buckeye Nation and how much football means to us. I think the LSU players and fans carried themselves with class and dignity, and came away from that game with a better respect for our team and our fans,as we did theirs. I am looking forward to what we have going into 2008. If you watched Beanie and that stiff arm you know why I am so excited. It was Florida's turn last year and LSU this year. We had our time and it will come again so be patient, the future looks positive and if we stay behind our team and players we will be just fine. I pose this to all true Buckeye fans, get out of bed tomorrow morning and put the 2007 season behind you. We weren't even supposed to be that great this year and look what Tressel gave us. I see we are spoiled by our own success. And as for the SEC, give them credit maybe if we took the chip off our shoulder we might be able to relax and win against these guys. I know from my experience with the fans of LSU they are just as passionate as we are and I think this game in New Orleans, and having the Buckeye Nation show up there, gave the SEC fans a new appreciation for us, and us for them. I can tell you one thing for certain, the Florida fans and players could definitely take a note from the fans of LSU about how to conduct yourself. I also think we should remember that LSU was a team of destiny, not far different from us in 2002. Hurricane Katrina, the injuries, the two losses, the coaching debacle, and finally getting to the Championship in their hometown. C'mon Buckeyes we are better than all of this whining and crying everyone knows we are a great football team now we just need to realize what we have and shut our mouths and play some football. Congratulations to you LSU, you treated myself and the Buckeye Nation with great respect. I hope you came away with a better appreciation for the Buckeyes and the Big 10 as we did for you and your Conference. Don't think you won't see us again though!

BCS Championship: The Most Important Game in Ohio State History

Ryan — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:13:49 -0500

If you think that the National Championship is all the Buckeyes are playing for, you couldn't be more wrong.

These Buckeyes are playing for personal pride, conference pride, state pride—and most importantly, national recognition.

Right now, the Buckeye Nation feels as though the whole world is against them—except Lou Holtz.

These players have heard for almost 365 days how slow they are, how the SEC is far superior to the Big Ten, and how they do not deserve to be in the National Title game.

Some have even gone so far as to say that if Ohio State loses this game, they should not be allowed back into the Championship ever again.

The embarrassment suffered at the hands of Florida last year changed the nation's perspective on Ohio State and the Big Ten. I can't remember before that game hearing anything about how slow OSU was or how poor the Big 10 is. In fact, I remember that prior to the Michigan-Ohio State game, people were saying the loser could possibly play in the title game for a rematch.

The only way for the current negativity to subside is for Ohio State to beat LSU, and do so handily.

I have trouble understanding why one game so fully changed the assessment of a team and program. Oklahoma has been a bust in BCS games since the turn of the century, but every year they are talked about as potentially the best team in the nation. I may not be an expert, but four losses out of BCS tries doesn't seem to be National Championship material.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love Oklahoma—after all, Stoops is an Ohio guy.

But why is it that everyone is convinced Ohio State is slow and pathetic?

I am sure nobody was spewing these accusations after the 2003 National Championship, 2004 Fiesta Bowl, 2006 Fiesta Bowl, or the Texas game in Austin. It is as though that Florida game set the Buckeyes back 50 years.

Well, it is time to change the national perception. This game will be a coming-out party for the Buckeyes—a pedestal to show the sports world that last year's game was the result of an unprepared, overhyped team playing against a team which felt disrespected and was playing against all odds.

Sound familiar, Buckeyes? If you don't think these kids have a lot to play for, then you just need to tune into the TV and radio. You'll hear every reason to suppose the weight of the program's future is on the shoulders of these 2007 Ohio State Buckeyes—and they are hungry for redemption.

Ohio State Buckeyes Should Take a Note from WVU

Ryan — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:03:07 -0500

I am a Buckeye fan, tried and true—on my way down to New Orleans to see the game.

After watching WVU last night and the passion with which they played, I can only hope my Buckeyes will play with that much love for the game.

I think WVU became America's team last night. What an amazing thing—to watch some absolutely great kids persevere and put the game—and the team—above all the ditractions.

First, they had a selfish coach, who walked out on them when you needed him most. Then, the same guy tries to get out of what he owes the University. Finally, he leaves the kids high and dry before the bowl game.

Little did we know, but it made them a better football team—and one who found a coach that will be there for them until the war is over.

I have nothing but the uttmost respect for WVU, and the way they have dealt with all the distractions. I was one of the doubters who thought that they would be unable to bounce back from the coaching debacle. I also believed that they just wouldn't have any desire or heart left.

Boy, was I completely wrong.

Those men came out and played with a fire I wish we saw in every college football game. When faced with adversity, a program can do one of two things—crawl into a hole and die, or get up off the turf, become a team, and don't hold anything back.

WVU chose the high road, and played with the passion and joy of kids playing in the street.

I think what WVU did in this game is the story of the year. I want to express thanks to the fans and players from West Virginia—you have inspired me to be a better fan. I am a Buckeye, like I said before—but I will make a point to watch WVU and root for them.

Hopefully, next year the Mountaineers will be in the situation my team is in now—playing for a National Championship.

I can tell you this—Bill Stewart is all class, and WVU is much better off without the wolf in sheep's clothing. (By the way: Good luck, Michigan—you will get exactly what you deserve in Rich Rod, and I hope you enjoy it.)

Lastly, no matter what happened or what was said before the game, know this Mountaineer fans—you have added me as a fan of your inspirational football team.

Go Mountaineers! Go Bucks!

Mark May, Buckeye Nation is Calling You Out!

Ryan — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 15:02:38 -0500

You know what Mark May, you really shouldn't be getting paid to be a college football analyst.

I'm tired of you spouting off at the mouth about how slow the Buckeyes are. If you would watch the games half as much as you run your mouth about them you might actually see that the Buckeyes are as fast as any team in the nation. You can't go to three National Championships in six years being as slow as you claim them to be.

Yes, we got our butt handed to us by a hungry Florida team with a lot to prove, but you obviously have not watched any of our games this year. Our offensive line may be the best in the nation along with Oklahoma. I am not trying to take anything away from LSU, a fantastic football team we are excited to be playing, but compare the 40 times side by side and while you are at it check the NFL rosters—you might find some Buckeyes.

I realize LSU has some speedsters. Holladay is an amazing player, but it really gets old listening to you—an overpaid, unintelligent, ex-player who should not be allowed to broadcast in America's living rooms. I am appalled that ESPN employs you.

First, you treat Lou Holtz with an arrogant disrespect that you would see out of an unruly teenager to his father. You do realize that it is Lou Holtz, a National Championship coach and one of the best motivational speakers on the planet. I know he rambles sometimes but I would rather listen to him any day of the week over your uninformed, arrogant self.

Mark May I am calling you out—and the Buckeye Nation is calling you out.

We deserve to be in the National Championship jus as much as LSU does. On behalf of all the Buckeye fans—which believe me run a lot deeper than your Pitt fans—I want you to watch, Mr. May, as THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY shows everyone that we are tired of the disrespect and the references to last year. We are tired of all the BS about how slow we are.

Yes, we do have something to prove, but don't for one second think we won't bring our speed to New Orleans or that we are going to let LSU's "unstoppable" speed stop us from showing up.

I want to wish the LSU fans good luck, but also remind them if you are listening to the analysts and critics, especially Mr. May, be prepared, The Buckeye Nation is coming to your town not for the blues or the brews but to take home the National Championship and silence the critics. O-H!

Enough Is Enough: Why Playoffs are Bad For College Football

Ryan — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 16:21:01 -0500

I am not sure where to begin...

Is it just me, or is everyone else tired of the ongoing debates over playoffs or no playoff, or this team is more deserving than that team. I think we need to get our eye back on the ball.

If anyone had the pleasure to watch the Motor City Bowl, then I think it is clear the Bowls work. I don't know that I ever would have heard of the Central Michigan Chippewas QB had I not tuned in. This kid's numbers are Tebow-like.

Playoff? No way, I am entirely too happy to be able to give the kids who pour their heart and soul into the season a great reward. With a playoff, you take away all the Bowls, especially the ones that matter to the smaller programs.

What has happened here is that the fans of big programs just aren't satisfied if they don't get into the National Championship. I am certain that Central Michigan, BYU, Boise State, and some of the other smaller programs are thrilled to be in a Bowl game and have the privilege of enjoying all their hard work.

If you decided on an eight game playoff, it would have to be across the 1A board. You can't just have the best eight or 16 or whatever number of teams, and then leave the rest of the 103 teams out. How ridiculous does that seem?

I would never—in a million years—trade the Boise State vs. Oklahoma Fiesta Bowl for anything. I have too many great memories from the Bowl games throughout the years. Along the way, I have learned about lesser known teams I would never have watched in a playoff system.

I love the Bowl Championship Series. Isn't the real issue here who's conference is better? Let's pull our heads out of our fourth-point-of-contact Conference Presidents and play an SEC vs. Big 10 challenge, or a Pac 10 vs. Big 12 showdown in August and September to help settle this on the field. That way, you can better decide a champion, because they will have all played each other.

Enough is Enough: just enjoy the games!