Bleacher Report - Articles by onezuke18

Advice For Congressmen: Stick To Nuclear Bombs and Stay Away From Hail Mary's

onezuke18 — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:40:50 -0500

Normally I think ESPN is sensationalistic crap, and normally pay absolutely no attention to their happy bear dance up in Bristol. But I was exceptionally bored this morning, so I was surfing the information highway to keep abreast on the latest sporting news from different sites.

Well I caught a wave that actually took me to ESPN.com and get this...an actual news story! Well after I caught my breath from that miracle, I began reading about Republican congressman Joe Barton from Texas, and his new crusade in office.

What highly important endeavors was he embarking on you ask? Was it the economic recession that the United States is facing? The rising unemployment rates? No, wait, I've got it...it is the threat of war with Russia and Iran that seems to be creeping ever so closer to becoming a reality! No?...The auto crisis and failed bailout that has the American government throwing money around (that they don't have mind you), like its a game of Monopoly! That's it, it has to be it! WHAT?!?!? No?

Okay...you got me, what is Joe Barton concocting to help make America solid as a rock in the future?

He is in hot pursuit of making certain that you and I, the die-hard college football junkies have wanted to very badly for the longest time...a college football playoff! Everybody on your feet in applause for Congressman Barton of Texas everybody! Raise your glasses to him and give him the proper salute for being the biggest jackass in Congress today, (yesterday's winner was to the esteemed Mr.Blagojevich from Illinois).

I'd like to be the first to respectfully ask Congressman Barton to let the minimum wage, burger joint cashier, genius bloggers, like yours truly, handle the continued fight for a college football playoff. I know this is an important matter...but I think us fans can fight that battle Mr. Barton.

Furthermore, I'd greatly appreciate it Mr. Barton if you would place a little more of your attention upon border protection, economic concerns, the risk of a possible World War 3, and keeping America out of another great depression. I know that none of these pesky problems are as important as if Oklahoma and Florida are really the two best teams in College Football or not...but they still have their point of concern. If you could get on top of all of those issues for us regular joe schmo's out there, we'd appreciate it!

Okay...enough...I'm putting Captain Zuke "The Sarcastic", back in the box for the rest of this article. Down to business...

You can file the college football playoff in with the MLB steroids scandal, as events that the federal government shouldn't be concerning themselves with. These problems are problems with the BCS/NCAA, and major league baseball, and should be addressed and dealt with accordingly by those two organizations.

Maybe I'm the only one that thinks that we pay our federal government to worry about economic and national security measures. Maybe I'm in the minority that thinks that these state congressmen could better serve the people of their states by worrying about our failing school districts in desperate need of money, and the jobs in these states uprooting for Mexico, China, and India. But I'll continue my stance on that until the day I die.

I find it personally humorous that Mr. Barton is from Texas, and I'd be willing to become a gamblin man that says he's a quite pissed off Texas Longhorn fan who has a little bit more power than the rest of us to voice his displeasure. I get that, and can respect that because even though I'm a professed Buckeye honk, I thought Texas got screwed royally as well. But here's a couple of statements from Mr. Barton regarding the BCS situation:

"In some years the sport's national championship winner was left unsettled, and at least one school was left out of the many millions of dollars in revenue that accompany the title," Barton said in a statement released ahead of the bill's introduction. "Despite repeated efforts to improve the system, the controversy rages on."

Barton goes further, proposing the ban of any phrase of "National Champion" until a playoff is implemented:

"will prohibit the marketing, promotion, and advertising of a postseason game as a 'national championship' football game, unless it is the result of a playoff system. Violations of the prohibition will be treated as violations of the Federal Trade Commission Act as an unfair or deceptive act or practice."

Are you serious Congressman? Your going to bring the Federal Trade Commission Act, into the BCS??? Oh and I'm sure that the latest victim of the BCS happening to be the Texas Longhorns, and you being a homer from Texas has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with why this agenda has become so important to you Mr. Barton.

Bottom line, because just writing this piece is making me angry, get your nose out of the BCS. Let us $7.50 an hour schmucks worry about those problems, those are entertainment problems, those are trivial, and despite what we say about the BCS being a farce (which it is), no one is going to go hungry, lose their jobs, or be killed over it.

You are a CONGRESSMAN Mr. Barton, you have far more important fish on your plate to fry than whether Texas got hosed or not. And by watching CNN the past few years or so, it looks like this country needs your attention on these political, economical, and social issues a bit more than college football. Stick to Nuclear Bombs Mr. Barton, and stop worrying about football Hail Mary's.

Please feel free to comment. Become a fan of my site and spread the word.

OneZuke18's State of the Cleveland Browns Address

onezuke18 — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 01:21:18 -0500

My fellow Brownies,

Its seems like just yesterday doesn't it? 1999, and our beloved Browns were coming back to town! We were elated, we pulled out all of our old Browns garb, bought up all of the new Browns garb, and were high-fiving complete strangers in the street in celebration to Cleveland's rightful and most deserved return to the National Football League.

It was a new beginning, a new future, and new ownership, free from the frugal stylings of Art "Plan B Free Agent" Modell. So much promise and optimism abound the city.

Fast-forward 10 years...and its back to the same old same old for this city, and this organization. Granted, this team spends money, I will give Randy Lerner that much. This team goes out and dumps money into free agent players like the Cleveland Browns are a glorified wasteland.

But still, the results are the same, losses. Loss after loss, week after week, year after year. "Wait Til Next Year", "Next year is our year!" Well, this columnist is terminally ill from hearing those phrases, and the Cleveland Browns have to make changes once and for all.

Fast-forward to the 2008 Cleveland Browns football team, and this team is in the same spot it began back in 1999. They have no clue, they have no identity, and they have no leadership. Tell me I'm wrong on this Browns fan...Tell me that I'm missing the "plan" that is set for this team.

Tell me that this team has a direction they are going, that every Sunday when they go and get their backsides handed to them, they go in with a offensive and defensive philosophy. Tell me that the Cleveland Browns are a (insert offensive philosophy here), and they are going to do (blank), every Sunday to you as an opponent.

I'd be willing to bet you my life savings, ($3.78), that you couldn't give me a concrete answer. Ten years back in the NFL, and the Browns still don't have an identity.

Who's to blame? Is it the players? The ownership? The hired management including the coaching staff? I think you could easily make a case for all of these phases of this organization being at blame.

When an organization such as our Cleveland Browns is this bad, for this long, I think everyone takes a piece of the criticism. But who is at the root of the problem?

To answer that I would assert that it isn't who, but where? The front office. That is where this organization is clueless, and that is where this organization needs overhauled, and it starts with Phil Savage.

Let me start by saying I like Phil Savage. He has done some things to really try and improve this organization. And I think he has brought in a couple of tremendous young players, (Joe Thomas, Josh Cribbs), and a couple of solid free agent additions in Eric Steinbach and Shaun Rogers.

But Braylon Edwards is allergic to catching the football, Kamerion Wimbley hasn't done anything since his rookie season, opposing running backs still bank on a 100-yard effort against this Browns run defense, and this team still balls up into the fetal position every time the games on the line. This team should be past this stage of growth.

Most of my fellow Brownsbackers have placed the blame at the doorstep of Head Coach, Romeo Crennel. I would agree with you to an extent. But I would then ask you who hired him? Phil Savage. This is Phil Savage's guy, this was the man that he trusted to win with the talent that he surrounded him with, and Romeo hasn't done it.

Timeouts left on the board, field goals in the fourth quarter when you're down 17 points, a team that continuously seems to play without energy and urgency, and a defense that is incredibly been inept considering their head coach was an alleged defensive guru upon being hired.

Not to mention that pesky "team direction" question I posed earlier in this article...hmm. Oh I also forgot to mention the contract extension that Crennel got following his first and only winning season last year.

But the bottom line is that Phil Savage needs to gracefully exit Cleveland I-71, and Randy Lerner needs to make sure Romeo Crennel is with Savage for the trip. Because whether it is fair or not, Phil Savage chose to place his legacy as the General Manager in Cleveland on the coaching abilities of Romeo Crennel.

And Romeo Crennel hasn't demonstrated the ability to motivate, teach, and get the maximum potential out of the talent on this team. 23-34 and looking at another Top 10 draft pick isn't cutting it anymore in this town, and these fans deserve better.

That said, Browns fans, brace yourselves for the following statement...It's time to assess which players are a part of the future of this organization, who we're moving forward with, and then we have to start rebuilding again! Yay...another five-year plan!

Memo to the Browns' ownership from Cleveland Browns fans...

-Figure out what your identity as an organization is going to be. Pittsburgh knows it, and that's why we are their doormat on our two annual meeting every year. The New York Giants know who they are, and that's why they won a Super Bowl and continue to hammer teams week in and week out.

-Get a plan, and search for front office management that see that plan together, and are all together working toward that plan.

-It's time to bring in a PROVEN COACH, and no I don't mean an unsuccessful retread like Norv Turner. I'm talking about a proven, winner, at the NFL head coaching level.

Somebody that will grab this team by the "Browns", and provide leadership, discipline, and also believe in the direction that the front office is providing. This team needs to refocus, a new voice, and a new attitude.

-To the Cleveland Browns organization, its time to stop the excuses. Those days ended about four years after the expansion. Randy Lerner, get your organization, organized, and give this town a winner. Because these fans passion and loyalty to this team most certainly warrants it.

My Revised College Football Playoff Proposal

onezuke18 — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:27:52 -0500

THE NEW PLAYOFF PROPOSAL...

ALREADY BCS GAMES

BCS National Championship Game: $17 million payout

Sugar Bowl: $17 million payout

Orange Bowl: $17 million payout

Rose Bowl: $17 million payout

Fiesta Bowl: $17 million payout

ADD TWO EXTRA "BCS GAMES" TO THE ABOVE

The two highest "non-BCS" payouts are the Cotton Bowl and the Capital One Bowl. So offer them first bump up to BCS status...if they don't want to pony up the $17 million dollar payout...offer the next bowl down the list. But, for argument, say they accept.

Cotton Bowl: $17 million payout

Capital One Bowl: $17 million payout

Now that you have seven "BCS Games" and a sponsor established...

Go to all of these bowl games and accept bids from these sponsors for who would bid, say, $20 million for the semifinal games, with the championship game to get $25 million.

Also since there is more money involved for advancing, lower that $17 million dollar payout on those divisional rounds down to $15 million apiece.

Decide which bowls are willing to pay an increase for semifinal games, and grant them those games.

Divisional final games will alternate between the bowl games each year (1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6, 4 vs. 5).

BCS system is still used to determine the strength of the conference and seeding. For instance, BCS concludes following the season that 1) SEC, 2) Big 12, 3) Big Ten, 4) ACC, 5) Pac-10, 6) Big East, 7) Mountain West, 8) WAC.

Neutral site only for the national championship game played at randomly selected sites all over the country.

Home-field advantage goes to top-rated seeds.

Realign the conferences to 10 teams per conference *THIS IS THE STICKY PART OF THIS ENTIRE PROPOSAL* (nine conference games, three out-of-conference games. No scheduling of I-AA opponents. Round-robin competition through the conference schedules...Conference champions from each of the eight playoff conferences get the eight bids into the playoffs for the national championship, with seeding determined by the BCS strength of conference.

Here is the overview including new payouts...for example...

Lets say following the season this is how the conference strength is determined by the BCS: 1) SEC, 2) Big 12, 3) Big Ten, 4) ACC, 5) Pac-10, 6) Big East, 7) Mountain West, 8) WAC.

So here would be the model for my proposal...

Divisional Finals

Cotton Bowl (Gainesville, Florida)

(No. 1-ranked SEC Champ) Florida vs. (No. 8-ranked WAC Champ) Boise State

Capital One Bowl (Austin, Texas)

(No. 2-ranked Big 12 Champ) Texas vs. (No. 7-ranked MWC Champ) Utah

Fiesta Bowl (Columbus, Ohio)

(No. 3-ranked Big Ten Champ) Ohio State vs. (No. 6-ranked Big East Champ) Cincinnati

Orange Bowl (Blacksburg, Virginia)

(No. 4-ranked ACC Champ) Virginia Tech vs. (No. 5-ranked Pac-10 Champ) USC

Winner of each of these matchups moves on, and higher seed gets home field. Example...say USC upsets Virginia Tech in their matchup, and Boise State beats Florida in their matchup, and the rest of the higher seeds win out in the divisional round...the semifinals look like this.

Semifinals

Rose Bowl (Los Angeles, California)

No. 5 USC vs. No. 8 Boise State

Sugar Bowl (Austin, Texas)

No. 2 Texas vs. No. 3 Ohio State

Finals

BCS National Championship (TBA)

No. 2 Texas vs. No. 5 USC

Reviewing...

This system would work. The sticky part to this plan is where you realign the two extra teams from the Big 12, SEC, and ACC, plus the extra team from the Big Ten. That is the only sticking point I see.

Every conference would have 10 teams, everybody plays everybody in the conference in the round robin format, and in case of ties in conferences, go with tiebreakers in following:

1) head to head vs. two teams in question...

2) if three teams, go with head to head...if that doesn't solve the tie, go to BCS SoS.

The BCS is still involved in the process, and the bowls are still in the process.

You eliminate conference championship games that waste a week where you could have a viable playoff.

Each conference is still getting its money from the playoff/bowl profits.

By using a home field advantage system, you reward the conference winners in the most competitive conferences with home field advantages. This promotes the conferences striving for excellence within its members' programs and teams playing challenging non-conference games being rewarded in tiebreaker situations, instead of penalized by a possible loss.

You also can't say that the regular season doesn't matter any longer. Clearly through this system, the conference schedule directly dictates who represents the conference in the playoffs.

The MAC, Sun Belt, and Conference USA would not be BCS conferences. They would get the opportunity to play for smaller (non-playoff) bowls. Why, you say? Because they haven't proved they can get teams to be BCS busters, and unlike the WAC and MWC conferences, they are weaker conferences as a whole.

The WAC and Mountain West, despite what people think, are good conferences and have shown the improvement to deserve BCS status. With increased television visibility, the bump to BCS conference status would make these programs all the more competitive in recruiting.

Regular Season Outline...

Twelve games of football with one bye week for every team (13 weeks total for regular season).

One bye week between regular season finale and beginning of playoffs for playoff teams.

MAXIMUM TIME: Two teams will end up playing 15 weeks of football.

The Problem...Conference Realignment...

This can be done. It just needs some massaging. Here is my idea...

Big Ten: loses Penn State and Northwestern, *Gets Notre Dame* to get to 10 teams.

Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Purdue, Wisconsin, Iowa, Notre Dame

SEC: loses Vanderbilt and Arkansas to get to 10 teams.

Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Kentucky, South Carolina

Big 12: loses Baylor, Colorado, and Iowa State. *Gets Arkansas* to get to 10 teams.

Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Kansas State, Arkansas

Pac-10: stays the same...

USC, Arizona, Arizona State, UCLA, California, Stanford, Washington State, Washington, Oregon, Oregon State

ACC: loses Boston College, Maryland, and Duke. *Gets South Florida* to get 10 teams.

Florida State, Miami, Wake Forest, North Carolina, NC State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Georgia Tech, South Florida

The Big East: loses South Florida. *Gets Penn State, Maryland, Boston College* to get 10 teams.

West Virginia, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Louisville, Connecticut, Rutgers, Boston College, Penn State, Maryland

The WAC: *Gets Iowa State* to get 10 teams.

Boise State, Louisiana Tech, Fresno State, Hawaii, Utah State, New Mexico State, Nevada, Idaho, San Jose State, Iowa State

The MWC: *Gets Colorado* to get 10 teams.

TCU, BYU, Utah, Air Force, UNLV, San Diego State, Wyoming, New Mexico, Colorado State, Colorado

Non-BCS Conferences...

The MAC: *Gets Northwestern* to get 14 teams (two divisions of seven teams). Nine conference games, three non-conference games. Conference championship game winner gets higher-paying bowl bid, along with championship. Runner-up in the conference championship game is guaranteed a bowl bid as well.

MAC EAST: Buffalo, Temple, Bowling Green, Ohio, Miami of Ohio, Akron, Kent State.

MAC WEST: Toledo, Northern Illinois, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, Ball State, Northwestern.

Conference USA: *Gets Duke and Baylor* to get to 14 teams (two divisions of seven teams). Nine conference games, three non-conference games. Conference Championship game winner gets higher paying bowl bid, along with championship. Runner-up in the conference championship game is guaranteed a bowl bid as well.

C-USA EAST: UCF, UAB, Marshall, Southern Miss, Memphis, East Carolina, Duke.

C-USA WEST: Tulane, SMU, Houston, Rice, UTEP, Tulsa, Baylor.

The Sun Belt: *Gets Vanderbilt, Army, Navy, and Western Kentucky* to get 12 teams.

Sun Belt North: Middle Tennessee State, Arkansas State, Vanderbilt, Western Kentucky, Navy, Army.

Sun Belt South: UL Monroe, UL Lafayette, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Troy, North Texas.

This realignment eliminates the independents and places them in conferences.

This realignment keeps geographic order for the most part.

This realignment allows the BCS conferences the 10 teams each to play round robins and come out with a true champion.

This is my new system. I think this is truly viable. Give me your thoughts on this and questions.

If you liked this article...go to bleacherreport.com, sign up for free, and find my articles by searching "onezuke18."

Thoughts From Around College Football Part Deux: Times of Change

onezuke18 — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:39:27 -0500

With just a handful of regular season games remaining, and Bowl bids on the verge of being handed out for the holiday season, I felt it was time to weigh in on some of the various topics around the college football landscape.

NEW ERA IN KNOXVILLE...

Lane Kiffin was announced as the new head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers earlier this week. At first thought, I just can't get excited about this hire.

I tried really hard, because Knoxville is the home to some of the most passionate and dedicated fans in all of college football. Even though I'm not a Tennessee fan, but I love their tradition, their fanbase, and I think a good Tennessee is not only good for college football, but more importantly the SEC.

But I just don't see Lane Kiffin fitting the SEC mold. Lane Kiffin is a PAC-10 guy. He should have taken the Washington job.

He was an offensive coordinator at USC, he coached for the Oakland Raiders, he has a relationship with California recruits. It would've been an easier sell to California recruits to come to Washington, as opposed to Knoxville across the country.

All said, I hope it works out for both parties involved, but I actually thought that somebody like a Charlie Strong, or a Will Muschamp, or even a Mark Dantonio would've been a better personality fit for Tennessee.

Auburn Seeking Greener Pastures...

The marriage between Tommy Tuberville and Auburn always seemed to forced to me. When Auburn was winning, and things were good, the marriage seemed to be a happy one on the surface.

But I always got the impression that Auburn was never completely sold on Tuberville, which really baffles me because of his tremendous success against Alabama.

But upon a 38-0 beating at the hands of the "rising Tide" this past Saturday, an abysmal offense, and a non-bowl qualifying 5-7 campaign, Tuberville and Auburn mutually agreed to call it quits with one another.

And my advice to Auburn officials and fans alike is this...BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR...cause you just might get it.

I'll argue until cows milk Pepsi that a big reason for Auburn's success was the sleeping giant of a brother in Tuscaloosa. With this Alabama resurgence led by Nick Saban, I think this Auburn job is going to be a tough challenge to take on for the next head man.

And my question to Auburn would be, who's out there better than Tommy Tuberville who is going to legitimately challenge Nick Saban and the Tide for the top-flight Alabama recruits?

Because other than Mack Brown, Pete Carroll, or Urban Meyer...who could do that? Those coaches don't grow on trees, Auburn.

I would posture that Tuberville always did more with less during his tenure at Auburn, and I will be interested to see not only who Auburn gets to fill that position, but also where Tuberville will land as well.

Lay In The Grave You Dug...

That's what Notre Dame and their athletic department are going to do with Charlie Weis, despite his 1-16 record against Top 25 opponents and 28-21 overall mark in his four years in South Bend.

The 28-21 record comes out to a 57 percent winning percentage at Notre Dame in those four years, lower than Bob Davie, and lower than Ty Willingham (GASP!).

I'm not pulling any punches on this pompous, arrogant fool. Weis has disrespected alumni, he's thrown players, coordinators, and the athletic department under the bus during his tenure there.

And as for his "schematic advantage," bet you're regretting that idiotic proclamation aren't ya Chuckie, well that advantage was good for about four first downs for the entire game against your arch-rival USC, and a combined score of 76-3 in your last two meetings against Pete Carroll.

Memo to Charlie Weis, stop your excuses! Because you have zero left, and remember this...You are still head coach of Notre Dame because you were smart enough to fool an entire fan and alumni base into thinking you were a competent coach, and they signed you to that absurd 10 year, 40 million dollar deal.

And I don't want to hear it Notre Dame fan, you don't legitimately have the money to buy Weis out, then shell out premium bucks to someone else, or you would have.

Notre Dame football is and will be a joke. And don't get me wrong, Notre Dame football will "improve" on their record next year, because have you seen their schedule next year? Besides USC, its laughable.

So Notre Dame, go out get your eight to nine wins that you should be getting because you are Notre Dame, and your brand amazingly still sells itself to top flight recruits, get your middle-tier bowl bid, go get humiliated like you do every year by USC, and go on thinking that you are still relevant. Sweet dreams are made of these.

Some may be thinking, "Wow, this is really harsh," Notre Dame deserves more respect than this.

My answer is yes...Notre Dame did, until they fired a good man in Tyrone Willingham, who didn't get the five years every other coach in the HISTORY of Notre Dame football got, to hire this Emperor Weis, who is running out of clothes to explain why he still has a job, and why he deserves five years based on his performance, but Willingham didn't.

They did this to themselves at Notre Dame, they dug this 400-pound grave, and now they've got figure out how to get out of it.

Bulldog Mike Leach...

Mike Leach has quietly built Texas Tech into a solid winner in Lubbock. And college football presidents are finally beginning to notice. Washington interviewed Leach for its open position on Monday, and seem to be courting the Red Raider coach.

Now whether Leach is using this courtship as leverage for a raise from Texas Tech isn't known, and Texas Tech has said that its willing to extend Leach's deal and offer him a raise.

What is known is that Leach and his coaching philosophy is somewhat of a great equalizer and has been so against the big boys Texas and Oklahoma every year. Leach's system in the right environment could be a perfect fit to cause fits every year...

But I don't think Washington is that place.

If I'm Mississippi State, I offer Mike Leach that job and I sell him with the following thoughts...

1) Mississippi is the highest Division I recruit per capita. And Mississippi State is a state institution, thus easier to gain admittance into.

2) Mississippi has terrific JUCO programs within the state, and Mississippi State would be a primary place to go. If you're Leach, you could fill depth problems specifically on the defensive side of the ball, through those ranks.

3) Mississippi is relatively close to Texas, a place where you've built many recruiting relationships, it would be much easier to pitch a move to Mississippi as opposed to Washington.

4) It's SEC football, better national exposure than the PAC-10, better recruiting opportunities.

These are just my thoughts, I think Mike Leach at Mississippi State would give people in the SEC West something hard to think about.

That makes more sense for Mike Leach, IF HE MOVES from Texas Tech...better recruiting grounds, familiarity with the area, and he is a Southern guy. Hell, I thought he'd be a better fit at Tennessee than Lane Kiffin.

Hope you enjoyed the article, as always, thoughts and comments are appreciated. Become a fan and spread the word...

"Blitzing" The Ohio State Buckeyes On Their Defensive Schemes

onezuke18 — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:49:19 -0500

OneZuke18...why don't the Buckeyes blitz more? OneZuke18...I just got done watching X-SEC team vs. Y-SEC team, and they just bring the pressure every down, why don't the Buckeyes do that more? Fire Jim Heacock! Enough of the zone coverage! I just don't understand...

Well have no fear BuckeyeNation! For OneZuke18 is here to bring clarity to your defensive philosophical concerns!

Why don't the Buckeyes blitz more? Its a combination of things actually.

First of all, Jim Heacock isn't Fred Pagac or Mark Dantonio. So if that is the style you are looking for, then you are going to want to get rid of Jim Heacock. Heacock, despite what everyone thinks however, does like to bring pressure. He just seems to be a bit more calculated and cautious about doing so.

Unlike the 2002 National Championship teams and some of the great teams in the 1990's under Pagac and Dantonio that just brought waves of pressure and brought it from everywhere on the field, Heacock tries to mix his fronts, fake blitz, and coverages as well. Heacock's thought being eliminating the big plays, and getting more aggressive teams to make mistakes by making them sustain drives.

Once again, its a different philosophy, if you prefer Dantonio and Pagac, you're not going to be in favor of Jim Heacock.

Another reason the Buckeyes limit the amount of pressure is the inability of the front 7 to get to the quarterback consistently. Football starts and ends up front at the line of scrimmage and neither the offensive or defensive lines have played up to par. Take a look at some of these numbers...

2008 Ohio State Defense:

-52nd in the country in sacks (7th per game in the Big 10)

-64th in the country in tackles for loss (8th in the Big Ten)

As a defensive coordinator, if you can't get consistent pressure on the quarterback, you can't blitz with as much frequency, and it limits what you can call and when you can call it. And as you can see in the numbers above sacks and tackles for loss are two of the biggest indicators that dictate that thought.

My question to you the reader, would be do you think that Jim Tressel, Jim Heacock, and Luke Fickell don't know these numbers? Don't you think they see the game film, practice film, and know from those things what they can do effectively as a defensive unit, and what they can't?

I'm not apologizing for Jim Heacock here, don't misunderstand the point of this article, because regardless of what the problems are with this defense are...I don't like the philosophy or the recruiting of overall talent across the board on this defense. But that leads me to my point...

The recruiting on the defensive side of the football must be addressed. Because there is a clear problem from this authors perspective. When you have numbers like the ones I pointed out to you earlier in the article, there is a problem, and you have to look for a solution.

Why don't the Buckeyes attack more like say...an SEC defense? Because they don't have the talent in the front seven to do so currently. Take a look at the starters/players currently getting a lot of playing time, name one player in the Buckeyes front seven that SCARES YOU as a pass rushing threat? If you came up with a name, please comment on the message board and inform me, cause I couldn't come up with anybody.

Take a look at the front four, there isn't a Will Smith, Vernon Gholston, or even a Quinn Pitcock who you point to as an offensive coordinator and say, "that guy commands a double team, WE MUST ACCOUNT FOR HIM."

In addition, look at the "strength of our defense", the linebackers...I think they are athletic, and I would agree that they're the strength of the team. But what are their individual strengths? James Laurinaitis' strengths are his ability to drop in pass coverage, read and diagnose, and being a solid tackler. Marcus Freeman's has terrific athleticism, and his pass coverage abilities.

And Ross Homan is generally regarded for his ability as a strong tackler and his knack for filling hard in run support. The common trait missing in all of these is their lack of pass rushing/blitzing skills. There isn't a blitzing linebacker out of this current starting group, no A.J Hawk, Matt Wilhelm, Bobby Carpenter, or Andy Katzenmoyer out of this group that seems to have the knack of rushing the quarterback.

You can look no further than the recruiting of the front seven as to why these current issues exist. How do the Buckeyes address this? Well it depends on who you talk to...some people feel it falls solely on Jim Heacock since he is the defensive coordinator and his style of defense doesn't seem to rest well with many in BuckeyeNation. I would to an extent agree with the masses. But I think it goes further than just that surface explanation.

The root of the problem as I see it, is the lack of size at the defensive tackle position to recruit from in Ohio. And like it or not, but the primetime states to recruit impact defensive tackles is in the southeastern part of the country, Texas, and California primarily.

Look at Marvin Austin, Marlon Favorite, Tyson Jackson, DeMarcus Granger etc...all from those aforementioned areas. The Buckeyes HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO PULL KIDS FROM THESE AREAS TO MEET THIS NEED. Its paramount to them evening the gap between us and the Florida's Texas', Oklahoma's, and USC's of the world. Because that is where we are losing these bowl games folks, on the offensive and defensive lines. And if you're wondering why we have trouble with spread offenses...this is a big reason as well.

Tressel and the staff have tried very hard to correct this situation through recruiting in 2008 and continue to do so in 2009. Hopefully, they will start hitting on some of these targets, so the defense can become a little more aggressive, and start to resemble the Silver Bullets again.

As always thoughts and comments are welcomed. If you liked this article, check out my others, and become a fan! Thanks.

O-H!

Texas Longhorns "Hooked" By Flawed BCS

onezuke18 — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:21:59 -0500

You have got to be kidding me, BCS. Seriously, is this is an extremely tardy April fools' joke?

Tell me you were messing with all of us fans when you placed Oklahoma over Texas in the latest BCS rankings last night. Because if memory serves me correctly, I seem to remember earlier this season, Oct. 11 to be exact, Texas defeating Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas by 10 points, 10 points...a DOUBLE DIGIT VICTORY.

Texas has since lost one game and that was to a then-undefeated Texas Tech team on the road. The six-point loss, which came in the waning seconds, is the reason why there was a three-way tie in the Big 12 South. But I'm digressing here...

The facts are that the alpha and omega in this conversation between Oklahoma and Texas begin and end at 45-35.

If Texas had lost a second football game before the end of the season, then, sure, give Oklahoma the Big 12 South bid to the conference championship game. If that was the case, Texas would have no legs to stand on.

But that didn't happen.

So now Texas, with a record identical to that of the Sooners, now has to sit at home and hope that Missouri beats Oklahoma so justice can be somewhat done in this situation.

But regardless of that latter situation, it just further proves my point that the BCS structure is an absolute joke, and that a playoff must be implemented immediately following the season to stop this nonsense.

Assume Oklahoma, indeed, wins the Big 12 Championship (which it most likely will) and then plays and beats, say, Alabama to win the BCS National Championship. Also assume that Texas beats Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl to finish No. 2 in the polls. Both teams would finish with one loss.

How is that fair? Texas beat Oklahoma to begin with.

I don't care what any of these BCS garbage computer ratings say. If Oklahoma becomes the national champion, I will not recognize them as such. To me, Oklahoma will be a paper champion.

Stop it, BCS apologists! You have no legs to stand on in this argument. The BCS has stolen the proof from the field, the proof that took place ON THE FIELD, WHERE THE GAMES ARE PLAYED.

That proof is immune to variables, mathematical equations, point differentials, magical mystic rainbows, and lucky charms tricks.

But the funniest part of this entire travesty, this mockery, this farce is that if Oklahoma does manage to choke against Missouri this coming weekend, (and I hope to God they do...Go Mizzou!), Texas finally will get the opportunity that should've been its to begin with.

I want this to happen so I can sit back, laugh, and enjoy how the BCS committee and its apologist try and talk themselves out of this disaster.

I'm not even going to begin to get into the possibility of Alabama losing to Florida in the SEC Championship, which would leave Alabama, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma (assuming they do beat Mizzou), Texas Tech, and USC all with one loss. And let us not forget undefeated Utah, Boise State, and Ball State.

So, go ahead, BCS. Go ahead, college football, crown your paper champion, collect your money (because that is what this fraud of a current system is all about), and continue to hand us lines that the BCS creates the most compelling regular season.

But this fan knows better, and I'm not buying your brand. You screwed Auburn in 2004, you screwed USC in 2005, and now you are going to shaft Texas in 2008.

What a joke. Texas fans should be fuming.

Liked this article, hated it? Let me know, please comment, become a fan, and spread the word!

E$PN Sold You Out a Long Time Ago

onezuke18 — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 23:13:46 -0500

So it's been a few days since I've last graced you with an article, (I know
you've been waiting with baited breath for my next words).

And I'm still basking in my beloved Buckeyes proving me 100% correct by beating Michigan all the way back to Ann Arbor this past weekend, (but I still have it ALL
wrong about the thought that the Michigan program is in the tank and has no
direction under Rich Rodriguez). But with the Ohio State season on hold now
until bowl season, (by the way by FAR Zuke's favorite season), I found
myself searching for something to write about.

I could put in my take on the joke of a program that Notre Dame is right
now following their defeat to the football powerhouse that is the now 3-9,
Syracuse Orange, but I'm pretty sure Mr. Weis has enough people who want
his head on a platter.

I could go into further discussions that Michigan fans need to realize that
Rich Rodriguez is not the right guy for Michigan. But they are still
celebrating their 42-7 stunning upset over Ohio Sta ERRR....wait a
second...they lost? Oh, nevermind.

But then ESPN came in and saved my potential writer's block by littering
their programming a few days ago with the topic of LeBron James. LeBron James,
gold medal winner, No. 1 overall pick in 2003 to the Cleveland Cavaliers, host
of SNL and the ESPY's, posterboy for Nike, Ohio native, and global icon.

Why was LeBron James the topic of the day? Because LeBron James and the
Cleveland Cavaliers were in New York to play the Knicks at MSG. What was
all the hub bub about? Was it the 10-3 Cavaliers playing terrific
basketball early in the season and their chances in the Eastern Conference?
Was it the addition of point guard Mo Williams to the Cavaliers, his
stellar play, and the improvements to the Cavaliers? Was it New York's new
head coach and their changes? NOOOOOO...of course not. That would
constitute REAL SPORTS NEWS TOPICS...something ESPN the "worldwide leader
in sports", abandoned about 10 to 15 years ago now.

No, the raging topic was whether or not LeBron James was going to leave
Cleveland in free agency in 2010 to sign with either the New York Knicks or
the soon-to-be Brooklyn Nets. ESPN and its entertainers (Skip Bayless, the
"Two Live Stews", Steven A. Smith, Tony Reali...etc.), and yes they are now
just entertainers in my book, continued with comments along the lines of
'LeBron James is too big for Cleveland,' 'LeBron James needs the lights of
New York to be a global icon,' 'The NBA needs the New York Knicks to be
relevant and good for the NBA to thrive.' I'm not kidding with you.

ESPN, considering their financial ties to the NBA to me, is borderline tampering in the case of LeBron James and if I were the Cleveland Cavaliers I would bring it to the attention of David Stern and have it stopped.

I would officially like to give my response to ESPN, WHAT ARE YOU INHALING,
DIGESTING, OR SHOOTING THAT MAKES 2010 A RELEVANT TOPIC?!?!? Check your
calendars ESPN, its 2008, NOT 2010! Where LeBron James is headed in 2010
isn't relevant until the 09/10 NBA season is over in June of that year!

But this is an example what ESPN is and has been doing for about 10 to
15 years now. They are no longer a news outlet. A network that
delivered you coverage of sports from here and around the world. A network
that did actual broadcasting and journalistic work and found the story
wherever it may be. There was a time when ESPN held some respect in my
eyes.

Watch ESPN today, it is all sensationalistic garbage. Its homerish, it's
biased, it's about ENTERTAINING FIRST, then informing. I think back to guys
like Bob Ley and Charley Steiner, Dan Patrick, guys who were informative
and insightful, but also sprinkled in humor to that network. But they
informed you first and foremost. That is what made ESPN what it is today
because the audience loved it.

Now you look at Steven A. Smith, Skip Bayless, Mark May, Peter Gammons,
Buster Olney, John Clayton etc...and I can barely stomach watching these
entertainers. Entertainers, because they aren't journalists or
broadcasters, they are entertainers who have been given the ESPN soapbox to
wave their arms around and out-shout one another. When did this revelation
happen? I think it pretty much coincided with the development ESPN original
entertainment.

It was also about this time that ESPN starting getting its piece of the pie
in sports programming. College football was growing into a bigger business,
NASCAR was starting to really find the mainstream, and ESPN merged with
ABC. From there, ESPN has expanded its baseball coverage, the NBA is now on
ESPN, as well as Monday Night Football and NASCAR races. Most recently, ESPN won the bid for the BCS for college football and struck a huge deal with the SEC conference for exclusive football coverage as well.

My point to all of this? ESPN is no longer a sports news source, it is a
sports entertainment source, and now has a vested BUSINESS interest in the
NFL, NBA, NASCAR, MLB, etc...so ESPN wants to protect its investment, and
it wants ratings for commercial dollars.

Back to ESPN and its original entertainment...ESPN has developed many
successful shows from this branch of marketing and development, (Around the
Horn, Pardon the Interruption, Jim Rome is Burning, First and Ten, and one
of its earliest shows The Sports Reporters). All of these shows have things
in common, they all feature sports journalists from the Boston, New York,
Los Angeles, and Chicago predominantly. "Journalists," who started humbly
as beat reporters for these cities and have an incredible bias toward their
respective cities.

Back to ESPN and its agendas...

I've sat and watched, sat and heard the following statements from ESPN
analysts, 'The NBA can't thrive without successful franchises in Los
Angeles and in Boston.' Really? Is that why the NBA is globally now right
below soccer in popularity? Is that why the NBA has more superstars than
ever before?

I mean jeez, I'll be the first to admit that I'm a football
honk, I love college and professional football, and that is my first love,
but I like the NBA product. I think the league is stronger than it's ever
been. You have Dwayne Wade in Miami, Garnett/Pierce/Allen in Boston, Kobe
in L.A., LeBron in Cleveland, Chris Bosh in Toronto, Howard in Orlando,
Shaq/Nash/Stoudamire in Phoenix, Duncan/Parker/Ginobili in San Antonio etc...the NBA is as exciting as its ever been.

And wouldn't you know it? I didn't mention New York or Chicago?! Well
those are huge viewing markets, and their teams are God freaking awful, so
forget all those superstars in Phoenix, Cleveland, Toronto, Miami,
Orlando etc...the NBA is terrible because the New York Knicks aren't relevant. That is what ESPN is telling you and I.

Watch NFL Live...what do you see? The biggest trumped up soap opera ever. I
personally call it the "As The Dallas Cowboys Turn." I've NEVER in my life
seen a mediocre 7-4 team covered more in my entire life than the Dallas
Cowboys. While a team like the Atlanta Falcons with an identical record, a
FAR BETTER STORY, gets a tenth of the coverage.

Here is an Atlanta Falcon football team that was 4-12 last season. A team
whose coach quit in the middle of the night 13 games into the season, a
team whose previous starting quarterback was jailed on dog fighting
charges. The Atlanta Falcons were starting a rookie in Matt Ryan, a rookie
head coach, a roster full of rookies, unprovens, and busts, and expected to
be a laughingstock. Eleven games later they are 7-4 and positioned for a
playoff spot. Why are we talking about the latest Jessica Simpson/Tony Romo
love connection, Tony Romo's pinkie finger, Terrell Owens latest demand for
more attention, when you have a story like the Atlanta, a real FOOTBALL
STORY??? I'll tell you why...because the Dallas Cowboys are allegedly
"America's team."

Don't even get me started with ESPN's coverage of Major League Baseball.
Teams outside the New York Mets/Yankees, the Boston Red Sox, the Chicago
Cubs, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are pretty much irrelevant. But that is
both ESPN and MLB's fault.

Bottom line is that the ESPN has a conflict of interest. ESPN has become
the "worldwide leader in sports," ESPN is now a "family of networks," ESPN
is the ESPY's and original entertainment, ESPN is in bed with the NFL, NBA, MLB, NASCAR, and the NCAA. Understand that they are a business and they are motivated to promote certain agendas.

When ESPN got into bed with these leagues and began vast programming of them, they married these organizations financially. So all of a sudden, the NFL, NBA, MLB etc...financial success became a real priority to ESPN. Its all about viewers. Because viewers equals dollars. So if you are the president of ESPN, wouldn't you prefer a Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics NBA Finals as opposed to say the New Orleans Hornets vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers?

Wonder why MLB World Series games are down? NBA Finals games? Because ESPN doesn't promote teams that aren't in Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, or New York nearly enough.

The worst case I saw was that of the Colorado Rockies in 2007. That should have been TOP OF THE SHOW NEWS, that was a great story. The Rockies were a team that went from .500 in August, a middle of the division baseball team, and won 21 OUT OF 22 BASEBALL GAMES. 21....OUT OF 22 BASEBALL GAMES! I'd never heard of a streak like that in baseball in my life. This was a team that then had a playoff game, to get into the playoffs! A Rockies team being carried by young stars in the making in Matt Holiday and Troy Tulowitzki who had never been in the position they were in. No one expected them to get past Philadelphia or Arizona to get to Boston. But there they were, fighting the mighty Boston Red Sox and ESPN darling.

This should've been billed a battle of David and Goliath, the established stars of Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz against the upcoming ones of Holliday and Tulowitzki. The story was set, the Colorado Rockies winners of 21 of their last 22 vs. the Boston Red Sox...and NOBODY WATCHED. Because ESPN didn't do their journalistic jobs in promoting the Rockies for the true story that they were. Granted, there are huge problems with MLB's playoff setup, but ESPN certainly didn't help.

Attention ESPN! Not everything revolves around New York, Chicago, Boston, and Los Angeles. The NBA, NFL, and MLB can be just as successful without competitive teams in some of those towns. Good teams, no matter what the towns, have good players, with good stories to tell. It's not ESPN's job to tell me and you, (the viewers), about how the NBA can't be entertaining without a good New York Knicks team. Its ESPN's job as "journalists" to find the teams and players that are electrifying professional sports and introduce them to the viewing masses. That way people know about the 2007 Colorado Rockies before the first pitch of the World Series.

That's your job ESPN...stop trying to "entertain" us so much, stop trying to push your big city agendas to try and garner ratings, and remember that you are supposed to bring us news, wherever that news may come from. Stop worrying about trying to help move LeBron James to New York City in 2010, (because I'm pretty sure he's already there in his mind), no one cares about 2010 right now, its 2008. Cut the agendas, and just inform us.

Introducing Terrelle Pryor to THE GAME

onezuke18 — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:24:29 -0500

Tomorrow's the day, Terrelle. Tomorrow is the day why you were brought to Ohio State. Forget the National Championships, and forget Big Ten Championships, Terrelle. While they are wonderful accomplishments, and while they are great goals to have while you play at THE Ohio State University, they're not THE GOAL.

Like it or not, right or wrong, your valor as a quarterback is defined by your performance against the Michigan Wolverines, Terrelle. Troy Smith didn't fall in defeat to them during his career, and look at the aura he holds in this town. Great quarterbacks like Bobby Hoying are often not given their full due because they struggled in this game.

So get ready for the spotlight, Terrelle, and get ready for your legacy to be written, because this is the game that will make or break you in Buckeye folklore.

From a strategy standpoint, I fully expect the Wolverines defense to load the box on first and second downs with eight-man fronts. Expect those safeties up around the line of scrimmage waiting for any kind of Beanie Wells or Pryor in the earlier running game.

I look for Michigan Defensive Coordinator Scott Shafer to try to get the Buckeyes into third and long passing situations and put the game on Pryor's arm.

I also think you see a different approach, at least early, for the UM defensive unit. If they are successful in getting Pryor and OSU into third and longs, I look for them to try to mix up looks on third down situations. Look for Shafer to AT LEAST EARLY...try to blitz Pryor, as opposed to the soft zones on third down that Pryor's been getting from the likes of Illinois and Northwestern.

Also, don't be surprised if you see one of Michigan's best defenders, linebacker Obi Ezeh, act as a spy in a soft zone if Michigan doesn't indeed try to mix coverages to try to confuse Pryor.

For the UM defense, I think the onus definitely falls on the defensive front four for the Wolverines...Brandon Graham, Ryan Van Bergen, Terrence Taylor, Tim Jamison, etc....have to win the battle in the trenches for this defense to establish its presence in the backfield consistently.

For Terrelle Pryor, this game is simple...play within yourself, understand your sight adjustments in the passing game, know your defensive keys on the option zone read, and know when it's there, it's okay to throw it away and play another down.

Play smart, get the ball to your playmakers, and be the playmaker when you see your opportunities—because the opportunities will present themselves throughout this game.

Troy Smith became a Buckeye legend by keeping his team in the game and playing smart football, and then when the plays were there to be made...he made them.

This is Ohio State vs. Michigan, so throw out the records, Terrelle. Respect this team because this IS the Michigan Wolverine season. They have nothing else going in a historically bad season. Right now their program is an absolute mess, and they are looking for ANY KIND OF REDEMPTION. A victory over Ohio State goes a long way in doing that, so expect a very fired-up Michigan unit out there tomorrow.

All this said...this Buckeyes team is just clearly better than the Wolverines. If Terrelle goes out there with intensity and urgency, plays within himself and makes plays as they are there, and lets the talent around him work for him, the Buckeyes should make this rivalry seven out of eight, and five in a row.

Welcome to THE GAME, Terrelle. Welcome to the greatest rivalry in all of sports. In about 27 hours from this article you will be baptized into its passion and spectacle—and you will TRULY start writing your legacy here at THE Ohio State University.

It's Time To Wake Up Big Blue!!!

onezuke18 — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:55:21 -0500

Lol...this article is going to be great! I'm sure I'm going to get TONS of positive and "constructive" feedback from Wolverine Nation on the thoughts I'm about to express.

Look I'm a Buckeye, and I know what all you Wolverines are thinking..."A Buckeye doesn't know Michigan football and its problems!" Or how about the response of, "Shut up, Buckeye fan!"

But if you read my work you'll probably see that I'm about as unbiased as it gets...so please Michigan fan, hear me out on this one...

You need to storm the ivory towers of Ann Arbor Michigan, fan. You need to pull Athletic Director Bill Martin from that fancy office of his, carry him down to the 50-yard line of the Big House, and you need to hang his career at Michigan right there. Then we need you to do the same with Rich Rodriguez...their careers at the University of Michigan should die side by side, following the complete ass-whipping your football program is about to endure in Columbus this coming Saturday.

Please, Michigan fan, I'm begging you, I know you are drinking some delicious maize and blue kool-aid right now (much like a lot of delusional Buckeye fans that I have to deal with sometimes). I know that the kool-aid is filled with the flavor of change, turn-around, revival, hope, and promise. I know you are tired of obnoxious Buckeye fans (yours truly), sitting here year after year, crowing, mocking you, and telling jokes about the JOKE your program is.

Believe it or not...I'm tired of it too. So I'm begging you Michigan fan...WAKE UP AND REALIZE THAT 1) YOU CONTROL THE MICHIGAN PROGRAM and 2) HAVE THE COURAGE AS A FANBASE TO STEP UP TO THE UNIVERSITY AND ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND DEMAND A CHANGE! Because the hiring of Rich Rodriguez into this program was wrong. Save yourselves Michgan fan!

What more evidence do you need that this was a bad hire from the get go? How many more things can go wrong with your program until you ask yourselves why this decision was made? Rich Rodriguez had D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R written all over him from the beginning. Think I'm just a stupid Buckeye talking out of his rear? Need proof? Well here's more damning proof than you can swallow...

How successful at West Virginia was Rich Rodriguez really? The Big East (when it was still a legitimate BCS conference), was prior to the 2004 season when Miami, Virginia Tech, and Boston College were still a part of the conference.

Rich Rodriguez had been at West Virginia for three years while this was still a real conference. His record over that three-year stretch overall was 20-17 with an 0-2 record in bowl games. His best season during that stretch, was a "stellar" 9-4 campaign. His record following Miami, Virginia Tech, and Boston College's departure, 40-9. Doesn't this strike anybody as a magical coincidence?

How much of Rodriguez' contract extension at WVU and now at Michigan should have been given to Pat White? The spread zone option read...and it genius inventor Rich Rodriguez, prior to Pat White strolling into Morgantown was 28-21 with a glowing 0-3 in bowl games. Once Pat came in and took over immediately, 32-5 overall and 2-0 in bowl games.

Compound the God blessing that is Pat White along with the exodus of the power hitters in that conference, and how much of that success really should be dedicated to Rich Rodriguez?

Forget the whole rigaramo with the lawsuit between after Rodriguez and the WVU highers up after Rodriguez got that huge extension and the epic disaster that turned into after Rodriguez lied about interest in the Michigan job that he was brokering for all along, then bolted without trying to pay that pesky buyout he agreed to in his "CONTRACT". We all know the story, I won't rehash the details because its been covered a gazillion hours through ESPN (The Worldwide Leader in Sports!).

But more importantly, I ask the question about the kids of HIS PROGRAM, and the position he left them in and the manner with which he did so.

Remember Pat White? That quarterback that Rich Rodriguez basically owes his West Virginia buyout and his current Michigan contract to? Pat White who has risen to superstar status under Coach Rodriguez and his "genius"? What did he have to say about the departure of the coach who recruited him, and built a relationship of success with?

White, who you would expect to be somewhat remorseful of Rodriguez exit, seemed pleased that Rodriguez left, and happy that Bill Stewart was running the show. White indicated that players there were tired of the verbal abuse of Rodriguez and the staff laid on a regular basis. That's your first *RED FLAG* moment right there Michigan fan where you should have been questioning the hire.

Or, how about the manner with which Rodriguez bolted for Michigan to begin with? Telling potential recruits about his departure to try and get recruiting in Michigan on the pavement, DURING THE SEASON—before he had told a West Virginia team—KIDS that Rodriguez built HIS PROGRAM and got him that new contract with, that he was going to be leaving! Strike two people...

Okay, so now Rodriguez comes to Michigan...Hail to the Victors trumpets from the towers, banners of "Go Blue" reign from the skies, and all of Buckeye Nation shakes in its boots with the thought of our six out of seven streak to Michigan going down the drain.

So how does Rodriguez use this shred of positive momentum? Immediately runs what little of the depleted talent that was still on the roster from the Carr regime (Mallet, Manningham, Arrington, Boren, etc...) out of Ann Arbor, didn't respect the alumni or the rich, proud, and long standing traditions that a school of Michigan's prestige, and has looked the depleted roster of square pegs, (the ones he couldn't run off because those kids just want to play college football), and decided that he was going to jam them through the round holes of his "genius" offense! Besides, he is Rich Rodriguez, the genius that turns cowpies into roses.

Or that is what he, Bill Martin, and the rest of the Michigan Board of Trustees has gotten you, Michigan fan, to buy?

Well Michigan fan, three wins, two against absolutely average and OVERRATED Wisconsin and Minnesota football teams, and a dominating 16-6 win over the powerhouse that is Miami of Ohio, and a record setting level of ineptitude in the 129 years of Michigan football later with eight defeats (soon to be nine after this Saturday), and you have officially witnessed the genius of Rich Rodriguez, Michigan fan!

Bottom line, Rich Rodriguez was not Bill Martin's first choice. Les Miles was. Les Miles was a "Michigan Man" that you guys always like to bark about up there in Ann Arbor about. Miles was in the process of beating the crap out of your archrival that was the main reason you got rid of a good man in Lloyd Carr to begin with.

Les Miles wanted to take the Michigan job in the worst way, all Michigan brass had to do was keep their fat pieholes shut until after the SEC championship game...and they couldn't do it. Word leaked and Miles facing unbelievable scrutiny from the backlash had to turn the job down.

Hell, Rodriguez wasn't even your second choice, Greg Schiano was...but he saw the baboons that run your athletic department, and the fact that your AD likes riding yachts more than taking care of the future of an unstable football program and he passed.

Then, he came, the "Savior" that Martin wanted all along...and Michigan fan I'll be damned if you slop that kool-aid up like a sugar starved 4 year old.

I don't want to hear the arguement from angry posters that this is the first year of Rodriguez! That you have to give a chance to rebuild. That's all crap. Rich Rodriguez had a chance to make this a FAR SMOOTHER transition than its been. YOU'RE FREAKING MICHIGAN FOR GOD SAKES!

This is a team that had some talent that would've come back if Rodriguez would've adjusted slowly. This was a team that beat the now 9-1, No. 3 ranked Florida Gators last year! But Rodriguez had to burn all bridges and have his "signature" on this team.

I'll say it again...GOOD COACHES ADJUST TO THE TALENT ON THEIR TEAMS. Urban Meyer did it, so did Pete Carroll, Bob Stoops, and Jim Tressel. Because they are good coaches. This should NOT be a 3-8 team that isn't even competitive half the time. What is your excuse for Rich Rodriguez Michigan fan?

If you're looking for a huge turn around next year Michigan fan, you're in for a massive rude awakening. You'll be starting a true freshman at quarterback in the Big Ten. You will be in-fluxing more unproven talent at skill positions. Your current commitments are jumping this sinking Rodriguez ship, and you are not recruiting any size whatsoever or depth for your offensive and defensive lines in the future. There is even talk amongst the program that there will be multiple additional defections in addition to the previous ones.

Oh, and by the way Michigan fan, you're going to now lose 7 out of 8 to The Vest who owns you.

Which will lead me to my finally point before I hit "publish" on this bad boy, and let the love fest between the Wolverine faithful and myself begin. Rich Rodriguez doesn't "get it" when it comes to THE GAME. He sounds like a John Cooper clone.

*MEMO RICH RODRIGUEZ*...this ISN'T just another game to Wolverine and Buckeye fans. This is war, this is hatred, this is Desmond's Heisman pose, its Buckeye players tearing apart the M Club Flag in 73', its 50-14 in 68', and 24-12 in 69'...ITS Woody and its Bo.

Do your history Rich Rodriguez, and realize that coaches get fired because of this game, become legends from this game...Jim Tressel UNDERSTANDS THIS. Hell, Lloyd Carr knew this for crying out loud.

A win over Ohio State in the minds of Michigan fans this Saturday, SAVES THE ABSOLUTE EMBARRASSMENT this season has been Rich. And as a Buckeye fan, I'm thrilled you don't get it, because I'm very confident we'll lay an ass beating on you for another few years until Michigan fan wakes up and realizes the mistake Bill Martin has made.

Please Michigan fans, please make THE GAME meaningful again, wake up, stop drinking the Martin/Rodriguez kool-aid, and use your power as a fanbase. You can do it, you just have to show the stones to stand up together and tell Bill Martin that the man he hired that wants you guys to "get a life", needs to pack up his stuff and "get out of town".

Now before the hate mail pours in on the comments board, I ask you to consider one thing...I am an unabashed Buckeye fan, I HATE your school. That said, I LOVE this game, and I respect the Michigan program, this is a BUCKEYE FAN saying you deserve better. Shouldn't that be convincing enough that something is wrong with the Michigan Wolverine football program?

Please feel free to comment! If you liked the article, or even hated it, spread the word, and become a fan.

Three Reasons Why Jim Tressel Has Taken THE GAME Back

onezuke18 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:09:49 -0500

Bear with me on the setup of this article...lots of background, but good numbers...enjoy!

The year was 2001. Ohio State was in turmoil as a program. The program, under previous head coach John Cooper, had risen from the ashes to post some great seasons during the 1990s. But great 1993, 1995, and 1996 teams, National Championship-caliber teams, all fell to defeat at the absolutely one team it couldn't afford to...Michigan.

As the 1990s came to a close, it just seemed to get worse. The Buckeye football program not only continued to annually fall to Michigan in "The Game," but the bowl losses also mounted, and academic ineptitude within the program began to reach the public.

Voices grew louder calling for the dismissal of Cooper, and those voices were heard after mediocre 6-6 and 8-4 seasons in 1999 and 2000. Under Cooper the Buckeyes were 3-8 in bowl games, and most damning, 2-10-1 against the hated Wolverines. BuckeyeNation needed fresh air...

That fresh air arrived in 2001 when a relative unknown outside of football circles arrived in Columbus and got the job over "higher profile" candidates such as Bob Stoops, Glen Mason, Walt Harris, and Chris Spielman. Jim Tressel came to Columbus from Division I-AA Youngstown State, where he had won four National Championships for the Penguins.

But this wasn't Youngstown State, and this wasn't Division I-AA...this was the Big Ten, and this was Ohio State, and many questions arose as to whether Tressel would be able to handle the challenge.

At the time, Michigan had a stranglehold on the Midwest as the signature program, and Tressel also faced the difficulty of perceptions that the Ohio State program was out of control and declining in general. All throughout the main question being...how are you going to take Michigan to task?

Tressel answered that question with flair at a ceremony during a Buckeye basketball halftime, saying, "I can assure you that you will be proud of your young people in the classroom, in the community, and most especially in 310 days in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on the football field."

310 days later that promise was kept with a rebuilding Ohio State marching into Ann Arbor a heavy underdog and walking out with a 26-20 victory, the first win for the Buckeyes in Ann Arbor in 14 years. The Buckeyes haven't looked back since.

Under Tressel, the Buckeye have won six out of the seven meetings against the hated Wolverines, won a National Championship in 2002, and are 4-3 in bowl games. The improvement has seeped in off the field as well with team discipline, and academic pride has generally been restored as well.

But most importantly to BuckeyeNation, Jim Tressel took control of The Game at the end of November.

I don't find it to be coincidence that the arrival of Jim Tressel has coincided with the decline of the Michigan football program. Michigan's record under Lloyd Carr prior to the arrival of Jim Tressel in 2001 was 58-16 (78 percent), but from 2001 and until Carr's resignation in 2007...64-24 (72 percent).

Before Tressel arrived, Carr was entrenched at Ann Arbor. A disciple of legendary head coach Bo Schembechler, Carr continued the dominance of Ohio State during the John Cooper era, leading the Wolverines to a 5-1 record against the Buckeyes from 1995-2000, and was a Co-National Champion in 1997.

But by the time of his departure in 2007, Carr was the goat of Ann Arbor, and Michigan had clearly declined as a program and needed new life.

How did Tressel turn the tables in this one-time lopsided rivalry for the Wolverines? How did Jim Tressel come in and swiftly take The Game back into Ohio State's hands? How do we enter the annual game this year between Ohio State and Michigan with the rivalry looking as lopsided as many of us can remember in Ohio State's favor? How did Michigan fall so hard, so quickly?

I will attempt to answer those questions...

1) Tressel put the importance of The Game back into the Ohio State program.

John Cooper simply never "got it." Cooper never put the sense of urgency into his tenure that this game made or broke the season for his players. Thank God Woody Hayes wasn't alive to see 2-10-1 during Cooper's tenure...and he probably would've shot school president Gordon Gee in 1992 following a 13-13 tie against the Wolverines for stating that "a tie is one of our greatest wins ever."

As soon as Jim Tressel accepted this job, losing to Michigan was restored as an unacceptable occurrence. Jim set that precedent at St. John's arena during halftime in 2001, and the Buckeyes have played that way for the past seven years.

2) What's in Ohio Stays in Ohio!

Under Cooper, Ohio had gotten poached of some of its best talent by Michigan. Most notably, two Heisman Trophy winners in Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson were taken by the school up north right out of Ohio State's backyard. Michigan fans will even admit that a great amount of their success on the football field has come from the great state of Ohio.

Cooper often spent a great deal of time recruiting national talent from California, Texas, Georgia, Virginia, and New Jersey to fill out his roster.

With Jim Tressel's arrival came a renewed foundation of putting a fence around Ohio for other programs, and in most cases since 2001, he has been successful. Tressel has almost made it mandatory that if you are an elite high school prospect in Ohio, it's your duty to play for Ohio State.

This has hurt a lot of the programs that have been successful recruiting Ohio talent (Notre Dame, Tennessee, and Penn State), but it has undoubtedly hurt Michigan the most.

This has forced Michigan to settle on secondary Ohio talent and look elsewhere to find their impact players—players from mostly out-of-state, and players who didn't necessarily grow up with the importance of The Game.

3) Raising The Standards...

The Buckeye program under Jim Tressel has lifted itself into elite status in the college football world again—not only on the football field by scheduling high-profile games against national powerhouses Texas, USC, Miami, Oklahoma, and Virginia Tech, but also off the field by strengthening the stress upon academic success and high moral character.

All of this has gone further in making Ohio State all the more powerful a program...and it sets a standard and a tone for your program.

All of these reasons above...build cohesiveness, stability, and a marked direction.

That's something that Michigan had lost somewhere along the line, and what you see them trying to regain under new head coach Rich Rodriguez.

Jim Tressel took The Game back and has completely turned the tables in the epic battle between these two storied programs. We eagerly enter the weekend of The Game with an air of confidence as Buckeye fans that I can't remember ever having before.

As for new head man Rich Rodriguez, Saturday will mark his baptism into this rivalry. Amidst a cloud of uncertainty, Rodriguez and the Wolverines are trying to rebuild themselves and find a new identity. Saturday would go a long way for Rodriguez in accomplishing that goal.

What will happen, at this point we don't know...but one thing's for sure—The Game will be as much must-see TV as ever.

As always, I hope you enjoyed the article, and I look forward to comments from everyone. Become a fan of my site and spread the word!

onezuke18

Don't You Dare Forget 1969 Buckeye Fan!

onezuke18 — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:04:14 -0500

The numbers are eerily similar...Michigan is a 19 point underdog heading into the Ohio State game in Columbus. The Buckeyes are in the midst of a dominate stretch over the "school up North." Michigan is featuring a new head coach who will get his first taste of the rivalry this coming Saturday.

Ohio State is littered with a roster full of stars with tons of hardware, and up and coming stars who will undoubtedly follow their predecessors success (Laurinaitis, Jenkins, Wells, Boone, Pryor, Gibson, Brewster). And is seeking out a fourth straight Big Ten title with a victory.

Michigan, on the other hand, is meiered in a historically poor season. 3-8 on the year, 2-5 overall in Big Ten play, and is still trying to claim an identity under first year coach Rich Rodriguez, and find a stable of talent in Ann Arbor.

Why are these numbers and statistics so eerie? Because if you know your Ohio State history kiddies, you know that not since 1969, has this rivalry seemed so lopsided headed into THE GAME...a game where Ohio State walked into Ann Arbor as 17 point favorites, and limped out with a 24-12 defeat in what has been called by some as one of the greatest upsets in college football history.

1969...it haunted Woody Hayes until his death. The 1969 edition of Ohio State football was supposed to be the greatest team Woody Hayes ever assembled. This was a team coming off a National Championship in 1968, a team that was on a 22 game winning streak.

A team littered with superstars all over the field, the likes of Jack Tatum, Jim Stillwagon, Rex Kern, John Brockington, and Jim Otis. Almost an identical team that absolutely annihilated Michigan team in Columbus a year previous 50-14. This was supposed to be a slam dunk, and the game that set up Ohio State for back to back National Championships.

Sure, newly hired Bo Schembechler was a good young coach and a prodigy of Woody Hayes himself at Miami of Ohio and then at Ohio State. He was building Michigan in the right direction, but surely the program was at LEAST a year or two of really challenging Ohio State again.

ABC play by play guy Bill Flemming exalted it "There it is! What has to be the upset of the century!" Schembechler was carried off on the victorious shoulders of his players, and what was so gracefully named, the "Ten Year War," would ensue.

So what can we learn from this history lesson Buckeye fan?

That this isn't just a lesson for the fans, but the coaches, and players alike. I don't care that these players weren't alive when this happened. I don't care that Michigan is 3-8 and has looked awful all year long. I don't care that we have beaten them six out of the last seven years.

I don't care about Michigan's struggles with a new system, poor quarterback play, hideous tackling, and lack of team chemistry. I don't care that not a single player on Michigan has beaten Ohio State in their tenure at Ann Arbor.

You're Ohio State, everything is on the line for you. A possible BCS bid, and a Big Ten Championship...the motivation is there. You have the foot on the throats of the enemy. You stick your heel into them and turn the foot.

Set the tone for Rodriguez and this new regime, that you are the big dogs on the block, and they are going to have a war on their hands not only the final game of November every year, but year round in recruiting as well.

I hate Michigan. I've hated them since I could remember fellow Ohioan Desmond Howard Heisman posing in the endzone as a child. I remember them destroying multiple National Championship opportunities in 1995 and 1996 with inferior talent to my Buckeyes. I lived 2-10-1, and if you're a Buckeye fan, you know that number too, without me having to explain its meaning. I detest Michigan, and I'm thrilled to see them at the current state they are in.

All that said, as much as I hate them, I also greatly respect them as well. I learned that from football, that no matter how much you hate the enemy you are facing, you have a controlled fear and respect for them. You take nothing for granted against them, and you'd better be prepared for a fight when you encounter them.

The 2008 edition of the Ohio State Buckeyes need to take a lesson from the 1969 edition. Don't take anything for granted when it comes to facing the Michigan Wolverines. Respect the opponent and come mentally and physically ready to execute your assignments.

The 1969 Buckeyes forgot to due those things, and they watched the Rose Bowl and National Championship go down the drain, and a ten year war ensue. I urge Ohio State players, coaches, and fans alike...respect and fear the opponent. Play with urgency, fire, and passion, and we will this game on Saturday.

Because on any given Saturday...Ohio State vs. Michigan in 1969 can happen. Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

Please feel free to comment! I love the banter. Become a fan of the site, and tell others!

P.S: This is the first of a week full of Ohio State vs. "The State Up North" articles. So if you liked this one stay tuned for others throughout the week.

The Roots of Ohio State's Problems, Part Eight: Identity Crisis

onezuke18 — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 01:08:34 -0500

I took a few articles off to address a couple of other topics I wanted to touch on and generally take a step back from the ledge of being a frustrated Buckeye fan.

But there are a few more aspects of the Ohio State football program I still have to address in this series before we can put it to bed.

Today, I wanted to touch on what I believe to be another reason this offense has been as erratic as it's been, to put it kindly.

Tim Mays wrote a great article this past week in the Columbus Dispatch touching on this exact topic I wanted to address with you this morning: the lack of offensive identity in the Ohio State offense throughout the Jim Tressel tenure. Along with my article, I would also give you the heads up to read his as well.

Would the REAL Buckeye offense please stand up? I've been asking that question since the transition from the Steve Bellisari, Craig Krenzel, Justin Zwick-led offenses to the Troy Smith influx and back to Todd Boeckman, and now to Terrelle Pryor.

Why did I just give you a list of the Ohio State signal callers during the Tressel era at Ohio State? Because we (the fans) have seen repeated shifts in offensive style and philosophy throughout the Tressel tenure.

Why is this important? Because there hasn't been continuity in this offense.

Who is Ohio State? Are we the pro-style attack who turns and gives the football to our 230-pound, 25-30 carry a game, run first, set up the pass game offense?

Are we the spread you out, use a mobile quarterback, throw the ball all over the field, and scramble with the quarterback when necessary attack? Are we a mixture?

I don't know, and chances are you don't either, because we've been all of these things over the past eight years. Terrelle Pryor and Troy Smith were night-and-day to Bellisari, Krenzel, Zwick, and Boeckman. There's no identity.

I'm all for playing to your team's strengths as a head coach/offensive coordinator when you first get into a position at a school and are dealing with players you didn't recruit, and you want to install a system that the existing personnel can't effectively run.

You recruit the future to fit your plan and try your best to adapt a game plan to the current team to win as much as possible. I get that. But once you get "your guys," you're supposed to have a plan that fits your philosophy.

I have a couple of questions for Coach Tressel regarding this offensive philosophy since he is both head coach and offensive coordinator...WHAT IS THE OFFENSIVE PHILOSOPHY? If there is one that I'm not seeing, why is it not being incorporated?

Great football teams know who they are offensively and defensively. Nick Saban-coached football teams know who they are.

Defensively, they are going to absolutely make sure priority number one is shutting down an offense's run game, and from there they are going to attack you relentlessly and play instinctive, aggressive football.

Offensively, Saban's teams are smashmouth, they are physical, they establish the run, and they dictate the pace of the game and wear you down.

You know what you are getting from Saban's football teams, and he doesn't care, because he is counting on the fact that his teams are going to be more physical than the opponent, and regardless, they're going to execute with disciplined athletes who can carry out that game plan.

Urban Meyer's football teams have an identity. Meyer's teams are going to spread the defense out as thin as possible, run the option and pass out of the set, and he's gonna recruit as many athletes as possible and hope his are better than yours.

Can you honestly tell me what Jim Tressel is as a coordinator? Can you honestly give me a game plan that Ohio State goes into each game with? How many formations can you have?

I've seen everything under the sun from Jim Tressel this year: the pistol, the shotgun no-back, the shotgun two-back, the power I, trips wide, three tight end...and on, and on.

What my point? Ohio State needs to figure out the identity of this football team offensively. They need to figure out the kind of team they want to be and what they want to accomplish offensively, and they need to stick with it.

You're Ohio State. You just signed a dynamic athlete to play the quarterback position in Terrelle Pryor. You benched the pro-style veteran Todd Boeckman in favor of Pryor, seeing him as the future and deciding that you need Terrelle to gain experience in the present to aid the future goals of your football team.

At this moment you've decided that you want a spread offense...the moment you made that switch, you established an identity for your offense. Now start recruiting pieces to fit that identity...and KEEP THAT IDENTITY.

Stop trying to develop power I, three tight end, and under the center formations! Those formations don't play to the strengths of your leader of the offense (Terrelle Pryor). Develop your pistol and spread (three-, four-, and five-wide) set playbook.

Running this "little bit of everything" playbook we've been running for years now limits what you can do from each formation. Expand that scheme like Urban Meyer has been doing, recruit the athletes that you can if you are Ohio State, let your playmakers go out and do just that...make plays, and watch this offense take flight.

Ohio State shouldn't be searching for an offensive philosophy in year eight under Jim Tressel. Once Troy Smith came and brought the success he did offensively to this football team, that should have been the continued direction.

No offense to Todd Boeckman, but he shouldn't have started at quarterback LAST SEASON either! It should have been Antonio Henton, because he would've kept a continuity with his style of play in this offense, and told Terrelle Pryor and FUTURE RECRUITS at quarterback like Robert Bolden, Devin Gardner, or even later Braxton Miller, that this is who we are now!

You now give recruits an understanding of that identity as well because they see it too.

I'll say it again, BuckeyeNation: Great teams know who they are. I don't care what offense this team decides to run—anything from the Texas Tech "throw it 9,000 times a game" to Georgia Tech's "wishbone run it 9,000 times a game."

I do care that this offense figures out who they are going to be and what they are going to do to attack an opponent, makes the full-out commitment to it, and executes.

I would argue that this offensive identity crisis has as much to do with the current problems that this offense is facing, from an execution standpoint as well as a discipline standpoint, as "Tresselball" or any of the other perceived struggles by this unit.

But one thing is constant right now offensively for Ohio State. There are problems, and they need to be addressed.

As always, thoughts and comments are encouraged and welcomed...I appreciate you taking the time out to read my work. Become a fan of mine, and spread the word to other fans about me.

Thanks,

onezuke18

Enough Is Enough: Bring on a College Football Playoff!

onezuke18 — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:21:33 -0500

Enough is enough. Attention college football presidents! Cut out the nonsense, get out of your ivory tower, get the deafening wax out your ears, and hear us (the average college football fan)...WE WANT A COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF BY 2009!

Not a plus-one game, not the bowl system which has ruined years of this sport, and certainly not this absurd BCS system that has created a bigger mess than ever. We want an eight-team playoff, and we want it by 2009!

Cut the excuses—they're lame and tired. Get all the conferences and all the presidents in the biggest Holiday Inn meeting room you can find, and make it happen.

We, the college football fans have been robbed long enough. This isn't a presidential debate in which things are supposed to be left to convincing, argument, and perspective. This is college football, and to a lot of people—sad but true—this is more important. This is about establishing which college football team is the best in America.

Is a playoff a perfect solution? No. There is no such thing as a perfect solution. But there is a thought of coming up with the best that we can to find out who is the best ON THE FIELD. Not through a computer, or a biased coaching opinion, or some media reporter in Apehumper, South Dakota who looks at the ESPN ticker for 15 minutes on Sunday morning before casting his ballot.

I'm not going to go into a long rant about how the BCS has screwed teams like USC, Auburn, Oklahoma...this article isn't about that. What this article is about is solutions, and that's what we're going to provide.

But to reach root problems, you have to trim branches.

- Eliminate independents. Notre Dame, Army, Navy, and Western Kentucky must join conferences. No more special deals for Notre Dame (independent TV contracts, BCS privileges, and soft scheduling). Make all of them join a conference, or they are left out of playoff consideration...aka...the money involved in the playoff.

Ideally, Notre Dame would join the Big Ten, and the others would join either the Big East or Sun Belt conferences. Which would lead me to my next stipulation...

- Every conference that wants to compete in the playoffs must have a conference championship. This would mean that the Big Ten, the Pac-10, and the Big East would have to expand if they wanted to be involved. But I also think that a seventh super conference is needed to make the symmetry of this playoff work a bit more smoothly as well.

So for regional convenience, once again, I make Notre Dame join the Big Ten, have Fresno State and Hawaii join the Pac-10, have East Carolina and UCF join the Big East with Army and Navy, and start reshuffling some of the other conferences. Combine the WAC and Mountain West to create a seventh playoff conference.

Here would be the new realignments...

Big Ten

East

Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Indiana, Notre Dame, Northwestern

West

Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois

Pac-10

North

Washington, Washington State, Oregon, Oregon State, California, Stanford

South

USC, UCLA, Arizona, Arizona State, Fresno State, Hawaii

Big East

North

Syracuse, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Rutgers

South

South Florida, UCF, Louisville, East Carolina, Army, Navy

The New Mountain West Conference

Western Athletic Division

Boise State, Idaho, Nevada, UNLV, New Mexico, New Mexico State, TCU

Mountain West Division

Utah, Utah State, BYU, Colorado State, Air Force, San Jose State, San Diego State

This realignment keeps the majority of conference rivalries alive. Wyoming and Louisiana Tech would join Conference USA in place of East Carolina and UCF, and Western Kentucky would join the Sun Belt conference.

With seven super conferences now, you give the conference champion from each of these seven conferences an automatic bid into the eight-team playoff. But to keep in-season rankings relevant and still important...use a form of the BCS (computer and human rankings) to determine the eighth and final wildcard berth.

These BCS rankings would also determine strength of schedule in regards to conference strength and therefore determine the seeding of these teams. This would force the strength of a conference, but also would promote conferences scheduling better non-conference schedules to improve the conference strength for seeding in the playoff.

Example: Ohio State, USC, Florida, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Miami, and TCU all win their respective conferences...and through conference strength and scheduling, it's determined that the toughest conferences are in order are the SEC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-10, ACC, Big East, and the new MWC.

Then from the toughest schedule and highest ranking in the regular season polls, an eighth wildcard is determined...let's just say Texas comes through as the highest-ranked non-champion.

So your playoff would be...

(1) Florida vs. (8) Texas AT THE SWAMP in Gainesville (AT&T)

(2) Oklahoma vs. (7) TCU AT Memorial Stadium in Norman (NOKIA)

(3) Ohio State vs. (6) West Virginia AT The Horseshoe in Columbus (Gillette)

(4) USC vs. (5) Miami AT The Coliseum in Los Angeles (Taco Bell)

Highest-ranked seed has home field throughout the playoffs until the championship game. The championship game is to be played a neutral site...

- To appease corporate sponsors and presidents who feel that you would lose promotional money, have each game sponsored like a bowl game. Or have each round of games sponsored by a singular sponsor.

- You can still have a bowl season, just a much smaller one. Have the teams from the super-conferences who lost in the conference championships, along with the conference champions from the non-super conferences (MAC, Conference USA, and Sun Belt), play at neutral sites and still get the postseason opportunity.

But you also spare us the waste of time of a riveting matchup between Wyoming (6-6) and Wofford (6-6) in the Cialis Boner Bowl!

By doing it this way, you'll get matchups like LSU vs. Florida State, or Penn State vs. California, who lost in the conference championships with eight, nine, and 10 wins instead. Why should a team be rewarded for a 7-5 or 6-6 season?

Through this plan, you have a rankings system that still matters, a plan where the BCS computer system still has a place, a smaller bowl season for teams with good seasons who just didn't have quite enough to win their conferences, and everyone is finally getting what we want...a champion that is decided ON THE FIELD.

Attention College Presidents:

1) A playoff would be worth upwards of billions in revenue.

2) With the rapid growth of the college games popularity, a playoff would be second probably only to the NFL playoffs.

3) You can still make money off a limited bowl season.

4) You eliminate the constant squabbling between everyone in college football (fans, ADs, coaches) debating who is the "real champion."

Stop making excuses (the season would be too long, what about the established bowl tradition?, injuries, these kids' educations)...because none of it is true. Pay attention to what is right, John Q. Harvard, and make it happen.

Why should Penn State, Texas Tech, Alabama, Florida, USC, Texas, or Oklahoma get screwed anymore? End the charade and let the playoffs decide it once and for all. Enough is enough.

As always, your thoughts and ideas are welcomed. Tell me what you think of the system I provided. How would you do it?

Become a fan, and spread the word...

Thoughts from Around College Football: Overrated Teams and Conferences

onezuke18 — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:05:58 -0400

Figured I'd take a break from Buckeye talk today and give you some my thoughts about topics around college football outside my enclosed bubble of Ohio State...

- What a disaster occurring in Ann Arbor right now. As a professed Buckeye, I find myself a bit conflicted in regards to the "State Up North."

On one hand, this is my Darth Vader in life, the team I've hated ever since I was old enough to talk, and the team that destroyed National Championship hopes and dreams for me in '95 and '96. The pain and anguish that they are experiencing has me smitten with giddy delight.

On the other hand, winning six out of the last seven in "THE Rivalry" and watching national powerhouses Appalachian State and Toledo beat the Wolverweenies (on their home field, mind you) has almost watered down the rivalry for me.

But maybe the most frustrating part is why the Wolverines are an absolutely irrelevant 2-6 this season. I don't want excuses from Michigan fan about the people transferring or a new offensive system.

I could be completely wrong, because it has been less than a year, but I think Rich Rodriguez was a terrible hire for that university. Do you think Michigan would be 2-6 with Lloyd Carr at the helm still? No way.

Rich Rodriguez, in his "coaching wisdom," has decided to put square pegs in round holes with his personnel, and he has deserved everything he's gotten for it. Good coaches see their team's strengths and weaknesses and play to talent, not the scheme.

If you are Rich Rodriguez and you want to bring the spread option to Michigan, fine. It's your team, and you take it the direction you choose. But you recruit to the style and make the switch when you can make the commitment to that scheme.

Rodriguez ran people out of the program and has done an absolute disservice to the returning players of the Carr regime by having them try to run an offense they weren't recruited to.

One more indictment, and probably the most telling one, is the de-commitments coming from their current recruiting class. Kevin Newsome, Bryce McNeal, and William Campbell—three of the cornerstones to his first full recruiting class—have already evacuated, which tells me that the recruits don't buy Rodriguez's vision for the program.

Look back at Jim Tressel's first couple of recruiting campaigns...despite the Buckeyes' struggles in 2000 and 2001, Tressel was able to keep the 2000 recruiting class by Cooper relatively intact and build with following classes because the recruits bought his vision.

The same thing happened with Urban Meyer, Bob Stoops, and Pete Carroll. You never saw the rash of de-commitments you are seeing in Ann Arbor.

Bet Michigan fan is wishing Mr. Yachtman (Bill Martin) would have been a bit more proactive in the Les Miles courtship, eh? What an abomination.

Much as I hate them, the school up north should NEVER be 2-6...if I was Michigan fan, I'd have Rodriguez flown back to Morgantown on my own dime immediately.

- Speaking of disappointing, you almost can't say that word without Charlie Weis coming to the forefront of your mind. Watching Michigan and Notre Dame play this year was the epic battle of sinking ship vs. treading water.

My favorite line of the 2008 college football season is, "Notre Dame is on the rise." To answer that, I will quote one of my favorite television characters of all time, Dr. Cox of Scrubs: "WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG...WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG...WRONG...WRONG."

Notre Dame isn't on the rise. Notre Dame has the benefit of playing a softer schedule than your biggest roll of Charmin. Notre Dame has wins over San Diego St., Michigan, Purdue, Stanford, and Washington.

Combined record of those opponents, drum roll please...9-30! And none of the five victories they have are against a team with a winning record! WOO-HOO, Notre Dame is back!

Notre Dame has dropped two games thus far, and wouldn't ya know, if it wasn't to the only teams on their schedule that have a winning record in Michigan State and North Carolina.

Get back to me Notre Dame fan when you fire Weis, beat USC, and all of your top five recruiting classes start living up to their hype.

But hey Notre Dame fan, don't fear. I'm sure that next underachieving top five recruiting class will be the one to bring Notre Dame back to glory.

I will give Charlie Weis one thing...he can recruit. Unfortunately for Notre Dame, he can't coach any of the talent he has there.

But he is the next best thing to a good coach: He's a white, Catholic, Notre Dame alum, so that will buy him AT LEAST five years of mediocrity, unlike another "off-colored" coach who wasn't granted that same courtesy and who will remain nameless...

- Touching on conference strength, I think it's a bit humorous how ESPN, "Your trusted worldwide leader in sports," has this HUGE debate going on about who is the "strongest conference." The epic battle this year pits the Big 12 vs. the perennial favorite SEC.

Even funnier is the thought that ESPN is trying to sell you and I, the college footballaholics, the idea that this is really even a debate, because it's not even close in my mind.

The Big 12 is far and away, THIS SEASON, the best college football conference in America. Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State are all legitimate Top 25 teams, with four teams in the Big 12 SOUTH ranked in the Top 10.

Watch their games, and they've been amongst the most entertaining of the season. Oklahoma-Texas, Oklahoma State-Texas, and Missouri-Oklahoma State were all competitive, exciting, compelling must-watches for college football fans this season.

Future matchups like Oklahoma-Oklahoma State, Texas-Texas Tech, Kansas-Missouri, and Oklahoma-Texas Tech are going to be compelling matchups as well.

Maybe the best indicator that the Big 12 is the best conference in America is the quarterback play, which is second to none. Graham Harrell, Colt McCoy, Sam Bradford, Todd Reesing, Chase Daniel, and Zac Robinson—if you listed the top 10 quarterbacks in the country right now, all of them would probably be on the list.

The SEC, on the other hand, I would agree with the majority is the best conference on most years. But has there ever been a year that a conference has been as overrated?

Bring on the poster board hate, SEC fan...because you can fill up all the stadiums you want and chant "SEC...SEC..." until all of the rest of us inferior college football fans' ears start bleeding from your sheer ignorance. It's not going to change the fact that you have three really good teams, one good team, four really REALLY average teams, and four flat-out god-awful teams.

"You're wrong Zuke..." I can hear the echoes from the South as I write this paragraph. Really, SEC fan? Tell me ANYTHING GOOD about Tennessee, Mississippi State, Auburn, and Arkansas. Convince me all four of these teams aren't horrific this year, SEC fan.

Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot Auburn v. Mississippi State's heart-stopping 3-2 baseball game. My bad—that was the worst football game I've witnessed in the past decade! That moment in football was brought to you by the SEC, the best conference in their own minds since 1992!

I'll give credit to Alabama, Georgia, and Florida for being very good football teams. I'll even give LSU some love for being decent this year.

But the SEC, whether they want to admit it or not, is a top-heavy conference this year, ESPECIALLY with Auburn and Tennessee just being dreadful, and Arkansas and Mississippi State being a different dimension of bad this year.

Please feel free to leave thoughts and comments! Become a fan and spread the word.

The Roots of Ohio State's Problems, Part Seven: "Tresselball"

onezuke18 — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 02:28:55 -0400

A few days ago, I turned into the Incredible Hulk via print and blasted Ohio State's offensive performance against the Nittany Lions this past Saturday. Today we'll continue our multi-series look at problems facing Ohio State, turning our attention to what has been so warmly coined "Tresselball."

I apologize if some of the thoughts correlate with that previous article, but I'm going to try to dive a little deeper into solutions today rather than angry criticism.

I don't know about you, Buckeye fan, but I'm almost tired of turning on Ohio State football now. Maybe I'm alone in this—maybe I'm not "a true fan" for saying this out loud—but watching Buckeye football these days is almost a chore.

Of course I watch, because this is the team I grew up watching as a little kid, and deep...DEEP down, I love this team. But by god, if I don't hate the way this team plays football.

And save it, everyone who wants to hate on this article, because I've already heard it a million times..."This is the golden age of Ohio State football"; "Ohio State's record is blah blah blah and five in the past blah blah years"; "Stop complaining! We're winning"...and so on, and so on...

I'm not going to stop complaining, because the recruiting prior to 2008 was mediocre, the defensive schemes have been softer than your favorite ice cream, and this "offense" has been, other than 2006, absolutely, positively unwatchable.

This is THE Ohio State University, home of six Heisman Trophy winners, rich tradition, second to none facilities, and some of the best, most passionate, and knowledgeable fans around—and we deserve better than the product that is being put on the field.

The offense we've seen ever since Jim Tressel has taken hold of this program is an offense that isn't built to win football games—it's built NOT TO LOSE THEM. "Tresselball" is built on running the football, managing, and dominating the clock...minimizing risk.

Well, I've got a newsflash for the Ohio State coaching staff. Risk leads to reward, and sometimes you have to risk things to make things happen, because right now, it isn't happening for this offense. The Buckeyes have been shut out of the end zone offensively in three games this year!

Someone needs to alert this staff that they are coaching at Ohio State and not Omaha State. Ohio State routinely recruits better athletes even in an AVERAGE recruiting class than probably 90 percent of the rest of the country. The athletes are there to make some plays for you as an offense...but to look at these numbers, you'd never know it.

Total Offense and Scoring Offense from 2003 to this year...

Total Offense Scoring Offense

2003 93rd (332 ypg) 74th (25 ppg)

2004 98th (320 ypg) 71st (24 ppg)

2005 32nd (422 ypg) 26th (33 ppg)

2006 26th (384 ypg) 8th (35 ppg)

2007 62nd (393 ypg) 31st (31 ppg)

This season 85th (372 ypg) 67th (25 ppg)

My questions to Jim Tressel would be, when are you going to trust your athletes to go out and make plays for you? When are you going to start mixing up your play calls? Maybe the best question of all would be, when are the people who sit at home NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO CALL PLAYS FROM THEIR COUCHES?

Guess what, Mr. Tressel: If Joe Schmo the plumber can figure out what offensive plays you're going to call, I'm pretty sure Pete Carroll, Urban Meyer, and Bob Stoops are gonna have a hint too.

Do you honestly think other top college programs and head coaches aren't aware of those numbers above as well? Do you honestly think they don't use these numbers and the philosophy against the Buckeyes in trying to pull in the best of the best in offensive talent?

I know for a fact that it cost us Fred Davis and Dwayne Jarrett right off the top of my head. Cordale Scott was the most recent that I could think of that chose Illinois over the home state Buckeyes because the Illini offense was viewed as more "dynamic."

Look no further than the lack of talent in the upperclassmen at the wide receiver position to see that "Tresselball" has hurt recruiting. To put it in perspective, this is the alma mater of David Boston, Terry Glenn, Joey Galloway, Cris Carter, Demetrius Stanley, Dee Miller, Michael Jenkins...great wide receivers.

No offense to Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline, but can you think of a weaker WR tandem than this combination at Ohio State in recent memory? Ohio State or not, wide receivers are cocky playmakers, and they want to go where they know they are gonna touch the football and get into the end zone.

Ohio State's offense is known as a safe ground attack across the country.

"Tresselball" works when you are playing marginal, inferior competition and talent. You can throw your talent out on the field and win with better players.

But when you step up to play the best, you'd better have the offensive athletes to stretch the field, you'd better be prepared to trust the athletes you have to make plays, you'd better be prepared to open the coaching vault up and play call for the opposing coach's jugular, and you had better be prepared to take chances and risks to GO OUT AND WIN THE FOOTBALL GAME...TAKE THE GAME!

"Tresselball" hasn't done any of those things, and it's gotten hammered every time it counts since the 2002 National Championship.

What can Ohio State do to remedy this? Easy...like it or not, Jim Tressel needs to find a young, bright offensive mind from OUTSIDE the program. A young coordinator that will bring in new ideas and philosophies to this coaching staff. A coordinator who will use the Ohio State offensive coordinator position to ADVANCE to a head coaching position somewhere else!

That's right—coaching turnover within a coaching regime means that you have the best young minds in college coaching on your staff, your program is winning, and other programs want these young coaches for their program.

Florida has that, USC does too, and Texas as well. All of these schools not only have head coaches, but assistants who are young, hungry, and learning everything they can to advance in their profession.

Jim Tressel needs to find this individual that he meshes with and feels can grow that working relationship with—a coordinator that he can learn to trust to focus entirely upon the offense, focus on game planning and game calling, and who is also a good recruiter.

Hopefully taking this step will open this offense back up and improve the recruiting at the wide receiver and quarterback positions on a more consistent basis, though I do give the Buckeyes kudos for the haul of wide receivers they've gotten the last two years now—and of course, Terrelle Pryor is Terrelle Pryor.

But this momentum in recruiting needs to continue. Remember that it's not always the talent that you bring in, but how you use the talent.

I hope that a new coordinator with a new scheme will open up aspects that have been lost on "Tresselball" for seemingly years now. Maybe use the tight end in the passing game, instead of strictly as a glorified offensive tackle? How about a quick slant to the wide receivers? Or even pass routes that cross the middle of the field?

I've even been told before that you can put offensive personnel in motion prior to the snap to try to create confusion for a defense and even personnel mismatches in coverage!

All this said, there must be changes THIS offseason. I know Jim Tressel is a proud man, I know he is a good coach, and he is a good man. But the philosophy isn't working, and the stats I gave you above show as much. This philosophy has affected recruiting certain talent to Ohio State.

This team and these fans deserve to risk for victory, rather than to safely go down in defeat. As the cliché goes, "If you're going to go down, go down swinging." You've recruited better the last two years, there is more talent forming around this offense...open the playbook, trust your talent, and go down swinging.

As always, thanks for reading...please pass the word on this series and feel free to discuss and leave comments.

Is Terrelle Pryor Doing Too Much, Too Soon?

onezuke18 — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 01:22:43 -0400

Okay, before I even begin to try to dive into this article, I want to give you (the reader), an immediate reassurance: I'm for Terrelle Pryor. I like the kid on a personal level. I think he's a tremendously gifted athlete who, when he puts it together mechanically and mentally, is going to be a NIGHTMARE for opposing defensive coordinators to deal with.

Secondly, I'll admit that I, like the vast majority of you out in the reading audience, was in favor of bringing in Terrelle Pryor to relieve the much-maligned incumbent Todd Boeckman following the "Collapse at the Coliseum." I felt—and part of me still feels—that Terrelle Pryor gives the Buckeyes the best chance to win football games.

Now that I've established those preconditions, let's get down to the nitty-gritty.

All that said, how many of you out there in BuckeyeNation or even just spectators of the game sat there after the deflating loss to Penn State and questioned whether Terrelle Pryor was placed in a situation that was FARRRRRRRRR over his head?

How many of you share the same sentiments that I've just shared with you, but still were left feeling like Terrelle Pryor just shouldn't have been in that situation?

What I'm saying sounds insane even as I'm typing it, but part of being a man is being willing to admit when you make a poor decision, whether it be in spite or haste or whatever the triggering means. I'm beginning to feel that Todd Boeckman should never have been benched to begin with, and I am man enough to admit I made a huge mistake as an outspoken fan.

Before I get lynched by BuckeyeNation for stating a very unpopular position, let me fully explain my argument before the tar and feathers come out.

In recent weeks I've seen some VERY ALARMING signs. Not from the coaching staff, who have been in constant support of Terrelle. But from the veteran players on this team and Terrelle Pryor himself.

Explain to me how Terrelle Pryor going to Jim Tressel before Michigan State and telling him that if he isn't moving the ball to "take him out" is a good thing! How does that statement make ANYONE feel that Terrelle Pryor is ready to be out on the field as Ohio State's starting quarterback?

Yet that was the way that was being spun by the media and fans on message boards across the nation. "Oh, what maturity that shows from a young, inexperienced quarterback! What a leader!"

Really? You sure about that, Buckeye fan? Or was it the first red flag that this kid has NO BUSINESS on the football field in this large a capacity?

Call me crazy, but the moment he uttered that phrase to Jim Tressel, he should have been reduced to the package role he was playing before the USC game.

Don't get me wrong—that isn't a slight on Terrelle Pryor in the slightest. It is more the impossible position that Terrelle has been put in by almost everyone. The coaching staff made the move to the phenom because the national loss to USC was devastating to the program, and it drew the ire of BuckeyeNation along with the rest of the nation.

The fanbase, along with the rest of the nation, blew this kid up beyond realistic expectations and hailed him the starting quarterback before he even stepped foot officially into Columbus for summer camp. There are veterans who felt and STILL FEEL that Todd Boeckman should be out there as the starting quarterback.

It's been a no-win situation for Terrelle from the beginning, in my opinion.

But then I think a bad thing happened...Terrelle Pryor stepped in against Troy following USC and performed relatively well, and the Buckeyes won. Then Minnesota...and the Buckeyes won.

Then Wisconsin at Madison...and this was the worst thing that happened: Terrelle Pryor leading the Buckeyes on the final drive for a last minute, game-winning drive against an ABSOLUTELY MEDIOCRE, OVERRATED, Wisconsin Badger football team, in a truly tough atmosphere.

From that point forward, the expectations have had no limits, and I knew that there was going to be eventual fallout.

The seniors, especially Jake Ballard and Brian Hartline, have been outspoken in support of Todd Boeckman, and this HAS CREATED A RIFT in the Ohio State locker room. Anybody who expresses otherwise is not telling you the whole story. While the talk around the situation has been somewhat silenced in recent weeks, you can trust that it's still there and isn't going to go away until this season comes to an end.

Regardless, the Buckeyes continued to find a way to win against Purdue and shocked many with a great performance against Michigan State on the road. But Penn State loomed...and the stage was perfectly set.

I'm sure you're familiar with the images...Pryor fumbling the football coming around the corner on a third and short. Pryor attempting a final heave toward the end zone that fell into a Penn State defender's hands for the game-ending interception. But those weren't the most important images of the game for me...

I was more so focused on a completely inconsolable 19-year-old Pryor, at the end of a long, empty, Ohio State bench with his head (still in his helmet) buried in his hands: another sign leaving me questioning whether Terrelle was ready mechanically, mentally, and emotionally for this moment.

But the final sign that assured me that Jim Tressel and the coaching staff, the fans, and the nation had made a huge mistake toward Terrelle Pryor and owe him a grave apology, was his comment after the game.

"I have never faced adversity like this," said Pryor. His comment was followed up with fellow players stating that Terrelle puts a lot of pressure on himself.

Granted, what better time than now to learn these kinds of lessons for a young player?

That is a point that definitely has truth in it and should absolutely be a part of the discussion. Then again, everyone has to ask themselves if we put Terrelle Pryor in the best chance to be successful.

This wasn't a bad football team we were talking about here in the 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes. This was a team with 20 returning starters, winners of back-to-back outright Big Ten championships, and back-to-back National championship appearances. Whether this team was performing to expectations is irrelevant to me in this argument.

Let me be the first to apologize as a fan to Terrelle Pryor. I'm sorry we placed you in a situation that was, for you, an absolute no-win. We should have kept you on the bottle in regards to your development within this offense and let the 2008 season sink or swim on the shoulders of the sixth-year grayshirt, returning All-Big Ten, senior quarterback Todd Boeckman.

But in our impatience with the recent problems we've faced as a program, we made a hasty decision in putting the entire show on your shoulders, Terrelle. I wish we could take it back, but we can't.

Regardless of the Penn State hiccup, you're our guy now, and we will now sink or swim with you. You ARE OUR FUTURE as a program, and we still think that when you put it all together as a football player, you're going to be a helluva player.

I'm just hoping that we didn't damage your psyche for the rest of the season, because we still can win out and go to the Rose Bowl.

Once again Terrelle, I'm sorry that the fans and I, the coaching staff, and the rest of the nation placed too much on you, too soon.

Please feel free to comment—they are all welcome. Please add me to your favorites and spread the word! Thanks again.

P.S: I swear tonight I will continue Part Six of the Ohio State series. I just have most of the story saved somewhere else where at the moment I can't access it. But I will get that up for you.

Ohio State's Monster.com Posting: "Will Pay Top Euro for Offensive Coordinator!"

onezuke18 — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 01:36:20 -0400

I'm sick...physically ill. If I have to watch the 2008 edition of the Ohio State offense again, I might just vomit all over the computer screen and then hit send, and that will be my article for next week.

WHEW! That felt good to get off my chest. Almost like a good ol' verbal teaspoon of Pepto-Bismol for the tummy. As a matter of fact, it felt so good, I think I'm gonna drink myself a whole verbal bottle full...

Explain to me, the "common man," who doesn't know the true intellect of football, how you can go count 'em...one...two...three college football games during a singular season without scoring an offensive touchdown?!?!

Better yet, explain to me, the "ignorant fan," the following numbers out of 120 Division I college football teams...

- 95th in the NCAA in passing offense

- 24th in the NCAA in rushing offense (mind you, this is what Ohio State does AT LEAST 75 percent of the time)

- 67th in the NCAA in scoring offense

- 95th in the NCAA in total offense

- 41st in the NCAA in third down efficiency

- 99th in the country in sacks allowed

Now for the greatest riddle of all: If an offense can't throw the football, can't convert third downs, and can't protect the quarterback...how does it score???

Ah...but it's a trick question, because if you are THE Ohio State University, you don't know what the end zone is unless you are the defense and special teams! Because it's become perfectly clear that this offense can't find it.

Jim Bollman should be fired IMMEDIATELY...IMMEDIATELY. And they should scour the country to find an assistant coach to try to teach this offensive line how to friggin' block!

Chris Wells, your preseason All-American tailback, your workhorse...22 carries, 55 yards for a grand whopping total of 2.5 yards per carry! The offensive line got no push, there were no holes, no cutback lanes, nothing...

Alex Boone (6'8", 316), Bryant Browning (6'4", 312), Ben Person (6'4", 323), Steve Rehring (6'7", 335), Jim Cordle (6'4", 300), Michael Brewster (6'5", 295)...Not one player under 295, and you're gonna try and tell me that you can't make a hole?

This isn't just about Penn State: it's about Ohio, Troy, and USC too. The only thing consistent about this unit all year has been its inconsistencies. When Michael Brewster, a true freshman, is your best offensive lineman among four-year starters and multi-year starting seniors...there is a big problem.

And don't tell me that the reason OSU can't run the football is because the Buckeyes aren't a threat to throw the ball deep. It's garbage.

Navy leads the nation in rushing annually, and everyone from the opposing head coach to Lil' Tommy the 10-year-old popcorn vendor in section 146 ZZZ knows it's coming. But the Naval Academy offensive line, (which by the way, probably AVERAGES about 275 pounds per lineman), are tough, hard-nosed, and disciplined. They know their assignments and they execute them, and they carry out their game plan.

Oh...game plan? Almost forgot! Leads me to my next dose of Pepto...

An offensive coordinator for Ohio State...I think the time has come for the alumni association, the board of trustees, and the fanbase to rise up together and DEMAND one. And NO...I don't mean a "co-offensive coordinator" like Jim Bollman claims to be. And NO...I don't mean bringing in some coordinator who is a puppeteer for Jim Tressel.

I'm talking a full-blown, independent, young, energetic, filled with new ideas, offensive coordinator that Jim Tressel can have a good working relationship with.

Because I, along with the rest of BuckeyeNation, am sick to death of an offense that used to have explosive weapons all over the field (Terry Glenn, Eddie George, David Boston, Joey Galloway, Teddy Ginn, Rickey Dudley, Maurice Clarett etc....etc....etc....) and has potential now with DeVier Posey, Lamaar Thomas, Terrelle Pryor, Chris Wells, Brian Robiskie etc....being wasted in the philosophy of "Tresselball."

This is an offense where our offensive coordinator thinks the most important play in football is the punt! Wrong, Mr. Tressel: The most important play in football is the play that gets you first downs, moves the damn chains, and gets you into the end zone! That's the most important play in football!

I know I'm angry right now. I also know that this isn't a nonsensical rant. These are well thought-out sentiments that are being expressed with the hint of "Tresselballitis" that is rumbling from the pit of my stomach.

It may not seem like it from this article, but I'm an Ohio State fan and a Jim Tressel fan. I think he is an excellent leader of young men. I think he is centered as an individual, wise, and offers a great father figure to the players. But I think we are coming to some dead ends as a program.

I've been told on many occasions by people "in the know" that Jim Tressel won't give up play calling duties. Well, I think it's time for the people above him to make him do just that. If Jim Tressel can't understand that, is he really still right for this program any more?

A coach has to be willing to adapt. A coach has to be willing to change. If you can't do that, you risk your program becoming stale. Yes, Ohio State is Jim Tressel's football program, but he still answers to alumni, to board members, and to you, the fan—and it's about time we start demanding some change.

There is absolutely no reason this team should be as inept as they are offensively. None...N-O! N-E!...zero, zilch, nada...This team has talent across the board to get inventive, creative, and become explosive.

Ohio State has the talent offensively to be just as prolific as the Texas Techs, Missouris, Oklahoma States, Oregons and Illinois of the world. None of them have "recruited" to the level of Ohio State, so why are they outperforming us?!?!?

Bottom line, stop wasting this team's offensive talent. Fire Bollman, who can't motivate this offensive line to block, and open up the world's largest athletic department budget to hire an offensive coordinator that can help find an offense that, excluding '06-'07, has been absent for the past 10 years.

Hell, at least get us into the Top 50 in most offensive categories (I know we're not like Ohio State or anything). Let's see what we can do...if that isn't asking too much.

Ohio State-Penn State Preview: Who Will Take the Showdown at the Shoe?

onezuke18 — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 01:16:42 -0400

It's been discussed from just about every angle possible everywhere. But the showdown at The Shoe is just about a day and a half away, so I decided that it was my duty to you, the loyal college football fan, to throw my clichéd two cents in on Saturday's game, when the third-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions come to Columbus to face the ninth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes at 8PM on ABC.

Note that I'm taking a break from my Ohio State series, but the sixth installment of that series is in progress, and I should have it up later as well today. Enough said on that, and back to the present task at hand.

Today I'll give you a positional tale of the tape of these two fine football teams, my analysis, and who I ultimately feel will walk out of The Shoe this Saturday with the inside track on the Big Ten championship.

With all that said, let's get down to business...

QUARTERBACK

Both teams enter this contest with rising stars at quarterback who have surprised the "experts" with the amount of success they've had to this point. Daryll Clark and Terrelle Pryor come from complete opposite ends of the spectrum (Pryor a true freshman, Clark a fifth-year senior), but both quarterbacks share the commonality of not having a whole lot of real game experience.

Questions for both quarterbacks entering the contest...

How will Clark handle his first big game on the road in a Columbus night game atmosphere? How will Clark handle the speed of the Ohio State defense, and will he be able to win the game with his arm if the Bucks take away Evan Royster as a factor?

For the Buckeyes, can Pryor make plays when he is forced to throw the football (because he ABSOLUTELY WILL HAVE TO), and can he make better decisions with the football against the best team he will have started against thus far in his college career?

I think both quarterbacks struggle, and I honestly don't think either will be the difference in this football game...but Clark has been involved in his program for five years now, as opposed to TP's six games.

ADVANTAGE: Penn State

RUNNING BACK

This game has always been about who can control the tempo of the game on the ground and whose defense can be more aggressive and impose its will on the other offense. Granted, you might see a big play or two in the passing game, but once again, I don't think that will be the difference in the game.

I do think that offensively the battle will come down to Wells vs. Royster and the respective offensive lines.

With all due respect to Evan Royster, who I think is a very good college running back, he is not Beanie Wells, who will likely be a Top 15 pick in the NFL Draft this coming April. Beanie carried the Buckeyes to a 37-17 victory last season with 133 yards on 25 carries in Happy Valley last year, and he's finally getting healthy going into the meat of the Big Ten season.

Royster will get his touches and have some success in this game, but I think you see a big heavy dose of Beanie, and he will have a very good game against a Penn State defense that looked a bit susceptible last weekend against the Wolverines in the running game.

ADVANTAGE: Ohio State

WIDE RECEIVER

To me, this matchup is the biggest mismatch on the field between the Nittany Lion wide receivers and the Buckeyes unit. Derrick Williams, Deon Butler, and Jordan Norwood are the strength of the Penn State offense, all bringing terrific speed and vertical threats in the passing game.

Opposing them is a wide receiver corps that has been much maligned this season for missed opportunities and dropped passes. Granted, Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline both had solid games against the Spartans...but Ray Small has become the invisible man in the passing attack, and the Buckeyes' boundary men have been anything but consistent.

It's clear to me that Williams, Butler, and Norwood have to make big plays that they haven't made in this series for Penn State to win. They haven't in the past, and the Buckeyes have found ways to win. That unit HAS to be the X-factor. But this, to me, is the clearest advantage one way or the other...

ADVANTAGE: Penn State

OFFENSIVE LINE

Which one of these units will force their game on the other? That's the big question. For Penn State, how will they as an offensive line deal with the most talented and deepest defensive line they've seen all year long? Will they continue to be as dominant up front as they've been up to this point?

I know that A.Q. Shipley is a helluva center, probably Penn State's best offensive lineman, and a probable All-Big Ten player.

For Ohio State, the question is this simple: Will they show up and play with fire, urgency, and aggressiveness? Until Michigan State last weekend they hadn't, and even though they did last weekend, will they start to take some pride in themselves as a unit and initiate the fight?

Also, how will the Buckeyes fare against the most talented ends they've seen all year in Maurice Evans and Aaron Maybin in pass pro?

Talent-wise, across the board I feel Ohio State is the more talented offensive line. But they have to prove it! I think they follow up Michigan State with some passion, fire, and energy. I think they will be ready to deliver a complete performance.

ADVANTAGE: Ohio State

DEFENSIVE LINE

Once again, I think you are looking at strength vs. weakness. This defensive line for Penn State, to me, is the best unit on their football team.

Aaron Maybin has been an absolute nightmare for opposing offensive tackles, registering 10 sacks to this point. Maurice Evans I still feel is the best defensive lineman on this team and part of the reason Maybin has been so successful. Jared Odrick is also very solid and has seemingly been at State College since the Reagan administration.

They are all fast, physical, and aggressive—the Buckeye O-line is going to have their hands full with this unit. But my main question to that great unit will be, can you stop the run? Because the Wolverines found some holes in the first half of their contest.

For the Buckeyes, this has been their Achilles' heel. This front four HAS NOT been able to pressure opposing quarterbacks without blitzing. When the Buckeyes haven't blitzed, quarterbacks have basically camped for the weekend in the pocket.

It concerns me even more that Penn State is now running that HD Spread, and that they have a more mobile quarterback in Daryll Clark. It's spelled disaster in the past for this Buckeye unit, and I truly am most concerned in the game about this matchup.

If I'm Penn State I play basically the whole game in the HD spread and force Ohio State's front seven stop it. If I'm Ohio State, I play the four best pass rushers on the field at the same time (which to me are Williams, Gibson, Rose, and Worthington...with Cam Heyward rotating in for all of them) and do everything I can to contain, pressure, and bother Clark.

Either way...

ADVANTAGE: Penn State

LINEBACKERS

The debate rages on...who is truly "Linebacker U"?!?! Well sorry, Penn State fans but Ohio State is! This year is no different. If Ross Homan went pro at the end of the year, all three of the linebackers would be first day NFL Draft picks with Lil' Animal going Top 10, and Marcus Freeman possibly a late first rounder as well.

But debates aside, both of these units are tremendous and year in and year out produce outstanding talent. Navorro Bowman and Tyrell Sales are both tremendous talents at middle and outside linebacker and have held the unit together after the loss of All-Big Ten player Sean Lee in spring ball to an ACL.

Looking at both of these units, there isn't a whole lot more to say other than they are both gonna try to knock your lights out when you get the ball. So sit back, try to zero in on those units when you are watching the game, and enjoy two of the fastest and most linebacker corps in all of college football.

ADVANTAGE: Ohio State

DEFENSIVE BACKS

I think when you look at both of these secondaries you don't see a whole lot of "stars." You just see two units who are pretty smart and solid. They keep things in front of them and try to play the ball when it comes their direction.

With Penn State you have a veteran unit on the field. All of the starters (Davis, Sargent, Scirrotto, and Rubin), are all three-year varsity seniors, so they have all been part of the program for years and know the schemes because DC Tom Bradley has been there forever as well. You can bet they are going to play good assignment football.

I think you look at the same thing from the Buckeyes as well. Kurt Coleman, Anderson Russell, Donald Washington/Chimdi Chekwa, and Malcolm Jenkins are all very experienced, know what their roles are, and do what is asked of them very well.

A couple of factors to keep in mind...

- Will the new HD spread look cause defensive breakdowns for the Buckeyes in the pass coverage? Those were certainly issues in defeats to Florida, Illinois, LSU, and USC.

- How will Penn State's secondary hold up with the pressure of not only Wells, but Pryor now as well? Will they be able to maintain their assignments in the pass game and still have an eye on that two-headed monster?

In the end I think there is only one STAR in either of these defensive backfields this year, and that is Malcolm Jenkins. He has been the leader of this 2008 Buckeye team and has led with his fire and big play skills. Remember, he's intercepted and returned it for six in the last two games between these two teams. Jenkins is the difference.

ADVANTAGE: Ohio State

SPECIAL TEAMS

Ohio State has been spotty on field goals and kick returns this season. Penn State has been solid and efficient in all categories, and Derrick Williams proves his true worth more in the special teams game and is the triggerman of this unit. The Buckeyes need "special" performances out of Ray Small and Aaron Pettrey. No doubt to me who has the edge here...

ADVANTAGE: Penn State

Official Scorecard... Ohio State Penn State

Quarterback X

Running Back X

Wide Receiver X

Offensive Line X

Defensive Line X

Linebackers X

Defensive Backs X

Special Teams X

Regardless of any opinions of advantages at any one position, this should be a great contest between two very good teams with the winner being in the driver's seat for the Big Ten championship. No doubt The Shoe will be rocking on Saturday night, and I can't wait to see you guys there.

My prediction for the game: 24-21 Ohio State.

Please feel free to leave comments, thoughts, and your game predictions as well! Thanks for reading.

The Roots of Ohio State's Problems, Part Five: Recruiting Is the Lifeblood

onezuke18 — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 02:59:12 -0400

Talk to all 120 Division I college football coaches, every single one of them, and ask them the following question: "What is the most important part of your job in running a successful program?" I'd be willing to take bets with you that all of them would respond with recruiting.

The phrase has been coined so many times that it should almost be considered a cliché, though recruiting is most certainly not: "Recruiting is the lifeblood of every college football team."

Now that isn't to say that X's and O's, mental preparation, and ultimate execution of the game plan and fundamentals aren't important, because they most certainly are. But I would still assert that most of the time, the team with the superior talent can play an average game and still come away victorious in college football probably more so than any of level of football.

Think about it for a second...why is it that at the end of the year you see the "usual suspects" fighting it out for those BCS games? The same programs—Oklahoma, USC, Texas, Florida, LSU, Ohio State—why are they always slugging away at each other for the title of best program annually?

Because their programs push it to the limit every year. They offer everything a five-star, blue-chip, can't miss prospect could possibly want;: academics, facilities, exposure, tradition, and a head coach who sells them out of high school that the program with John Q. Five Star will be playing for all the marbles at the end of the year.

Hate it or love it, these teams have more talent most years than the rest of the competition in their respective conferences and thus find their way into the BCS mix.

But recruiting numbers can be deceiving, and good teams can be masked as great teams under the BCS system. Depending upon conference strength on a year to year basis, a team that has recruited well can be can be mistaken for a team that has recruited exceptionally.

Prior to the 2008 campaign, I will make the argument that no team has run further into this problem over the past few years than The Ohio State University.

It's a team that prior to 2008 has recruited well...but not EXCEPTIONALLY—a team that has benefited from playing in a Big Ten that overall (look at the stats I provided you in Part Two of this series) has recruited poorly.

It's also a team that has benefited from its two biggest rivals (Michigan and Penn State) experiencing down periods in their programs: a Michigan team that has been in slow decline, and a Penn State team that has been erratic, to put it nicely.

These statements aren't meant to bash Ohio State. Explain to me how it's Ohio State's fault that they play in the conference that they do.

Tell me why it's Ohio State's fault that these programs that fight Ohio State for Big Ten supremacy every year don't recruit well consistently, don't invest enough in their facilities and coaching staffs, and don't make the commitments to their football programs necessary to effectively compete against one another and make the conference better in general.

Ohio State does what it's supposed to do. It beats the teams (for the most part) that it schedules in non-conference games, and it beats the teams that it is delegated to beat in conference. It graduates a high level of players. It gets players into the National Football League and gets the kids exposure in front of national audiences to showcase their talents.

All that said, we as a fanbase shouldn't be surprised by what we've seen the last few years from the Buckeyes, when the lights of the nation shone on us the brightest and we played the best competition at the end of the year.

The facts are this: Ohio State has recruited well enough to win the Big Ten but hasn't recruited EXCEPTIONALLY enough to compete with the best of the other conferences.

Like it or not, Buckeye fans, recruiting services have become far more accurate than they were even as early as 10 years ago. These recruiting websites and services now run their own camps seeing prospects up close and personal. They have former coaches and analysts who watch prospects' game film and have people scouring the country looking at these kids at an earlier age and more frequently every year.

Like the NFL Draft, recruiting will never be 100 percent, but look at the websites and look at the past three or four recruiting classes on these websites, and you'll find the teams that are consistently at the top of the rankings are, for the most part, at the top of the BCS rankings at the end of the year.

And like it or not, Buckeye fans...the Buckeyes that you are currently seeing on the field this year are the product more of a Top 12-15 team from a recruiting standpoint than a team that has been playing for the BCS championship the last two seasons.

Don't believe me? Let's look at the numbers....

The following are the recruiting rankings from 2004-2007 between OSU and some of the other top schools in the nation. (Per Scout and Rivals)

Ohio State Florida LSU USC

*(parenthesis separated between Scout and Rivals Rankings)*

2004: (11th, 9th) (8th, 7th) (2nd, 2nd) (1st, 1st)

2005: (7th, 12th) (11th, 15th) (19th, 22nd) (6th,1st)

2006: (13th, 12th) (2nd, 2nd) (7th,7th) (1st,1st)

2007: (16th, 15th) (1st, 1st) (5th, 4th) (2nd, 2nd)

AVG: (12th, 12th) (5th, 6th) (8th, 9th) (2nd, 1st)

5 Stars: ('04-'07): (8, 4) (19, 9) (12, 8) (31, 23)

Top 100: ('04-'07): (18) (24) (21) (42)

What do these numbers tell you? It tells you Ohio State hasn't brought in enough impact players that are VETERAN PLAYERS ON THIS CURRENT TEAM. Until' 08 and '09, they haven't recruited to the level of the top tier programs in the country, and it's certainly shown in the meetings between these teams the last three years.

This margin of difference isn't a small one—it is significant. USC more than triples OSU in Top 100 players in this time period. Florida doubles us in five-star athletes brought in during this stretch, and LSU is bringing in more talent across the board as well.

So if you're wondering why Ohio State keeps getting manhandled in these big games, look no further than the numbers above. Take an even closer look at Ohio State's '06 and '07 classes vs. UF/LSU/USC, and you are basically seeing top three programs facing off against top 15 level football talent at Ohio State.

Your next question to me might be, "Why are the Buckeyes playing for national championships then?" Well, that answer is easy...

Once again, take a look at the team recruiting rankings in Part Two of my series, and you'll notice that the Big Ten outside of Michigan and Penn State doesn't recruit Top 25 talent. Add the fact that Michigan and Penn State, despite their recruiting, haven't had the stability and forward movement in their programs to fully utilize their talent.

That overinflates the value of the Buckeyes in the eyes of the voters and places them ahead of a one or two-loss team that may be better despite their record.

Does this mean I'm saying that my beloved Buckeyes are a bad football team? Absolutely not...they are a good football team that has a roster full of solid football players and a superstar or two. They are a good football team in a bad conference.

But Ohio State is not a top five football team in the nation! Look at the facts when they play teams who are!

What can Ohio State do to take the next step and join the LSUs, Oklahomas, Texases, USCs and Floridas of the world in college football? Well, the good news for all of you is that the Buckeyes and Jim Tressel have ramped up their efforts on the recruiting front.

The 2008 and 2009 classes are ranked in the Top Five, and with another effort on the recruiting trail in 2010, they will be setting the foundation for a future that, to me, will continue to put the Bucks in these high profile games with a chance to be far more competitive.

Call me crazy, but I consider the Florida, LSU, and USC games blessings in disguise. Whether or not the Buckeyes were beaten soundly, they were there. They were playing for the championship of college football, under the eyes of the entire country, and its finest future prospects.

That exposure is starting to really show in the across the board talent you have seen in these '08 and '09 recruiting classes.

These nationally televised games have also given top prospects a closer and longer look at who I feel is the most misunderstood coach in college football in Jim Tressel. I really think his style is one that at first didn't appeal to the "five-star athlete."

Tressel doesn't possess the outward charisma of Pete Carroll. The outward fire of Urban Meyer and Bob Stoops. The bold brashness of Les Miles. The southern charm of Mack Brown. But Jim Tressel, within the confines of his family, the Buckeye family...is all of those things. Through it all, he wins—and loses—with dignity and class.

Slowly but surely, I think that has reached the states outside of Ohio. With time, success is beginning to follow in the most important aspect of college football...recruiting.

The challenge for the Buckeyes going forward will be fighting the negative recruiting ammo that has been built up with national blowout losses. Can the Buckeyes weather that storm on the recruiting front and continue the current successes they are experiencing? That is amongst many other challenges Ohio State will face and continue to fight going forward.

Look for the next installment tomorrow: Roots of Ohio State's Problems, Part Six: Buckeyes "Spread" Too Thin.

Thanks for reading!

The Roots of Ohio State's Problems, Part Four: Stale Is the Beginning of Death

onezuke18 — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 01:16:50 -0400

We've seen this far too many times—but oh, how the mind lets the minuscule details pass us by.

Before I continue my thoughts, I'd like to give a pre-warning before the scarlet and gray fanatics come from all directions of this great nation seeking my severed head upon a silver platter: THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL PROGRAM IS NOT ERODING. OHIO STATE FOOTBALL IS AT A ZENITH OF COMPETITIVE EXCELLENCE.

I'm in no way saying that Ohio State football is on the decline, but there is a very pulling fear in the pit of my stomach that if things don't change soon, we could be headed that direction as a program. So that said, ah, where was I...ah yes, the mind passing up small telltale signs...

Nebraska...Michigan...Notre Dame...Miami...Alabama...teams that have been to the top of the mountain in the college football world in glorious past. But what do they all have in common? They have all in recent years fallen completely off the mountain, banging their heads violently on the way down until they hit the bottom of the valley with a complete thud.

Presently, none of these teams have come close (other than possibly Michigan in '06) to achieving the elite and dominant status they once had at their pinnacle.

But what happened to these powerhouses? Where did the cracks form in the blocks of the foundations that brought these programs off their pedestals and back to the world of ordinary in college football? Well, it varies with each program.

Nebraska lost a legend to retirement and never had the same level of coaching afterwards, and locale has also been a recent issue. Michigan fell to old training, old traditions, and an old coaching regime. Notre Dame's elitist thought from board of trustees, alumni, and fans alike has arguably caused their current problems.

Miami has just been in the headlines for everything but football, and its perception as a "renegade program" has hurt the program. Alabama, meanwhile, has been looking into the past ever since Bear Bryant, and a combination of bad coaching regimes and NCAA infractions have eroded them as well.

As you can see from these programs, any multitude of things can drag a program from the peaks of national and conference championship glory to struggling to rekindle past glories. But it's not those universities that I want to draw my comparison from.

Today I look at the current states of Penn State and Florida State: two more programs that in their prime were perennial national championship contenders and forces to be reckoned with; two teams that I can see Ohio State following down a path of stale mediocrity if they don't realize that a program needs fresh approaches from time to time.

At present, The Ohio State University is riding a crest of success this program hasn't experienced annually since Woody Hayes ran the program: BCS Championship appearances three of the last six years, a national championship in 2002, and two consecutive outright Big Ten championships, with the Buckeyes currently in pursuit of a third straight, which has NEVER been done in Big Ten history.

It is indeed a good time to be a Buckeye, as the phrase is so commonly uttered amongst fans.

But the numbers don't go away...41-14, 28-21, 38-24, 35-3...all lopsided, all embarrassing, ALL connected. I want you to think back into the banks of your memory, as painful as it may be...and recall the games against Florida, Illinois, LSU, and USC.

Those games had two commonalities: Florida and Illinois both effectively ran versions of the spread, and LSU and USC were had DECIDEDLY better talent. All of these games had one thing in common...OSU wasn't prepared to play any of those games.

Who is to blame when a team is repeatedly not prepared to perform during a big game? Is it the players who lack the dedication to be ready for every and all angles you might encounter during a contest? Is it a team that isn't quite as good as they are reported to be from a talent perspective?

Is it the mental approach that the team takes? What about the heart and fire of the team collaborated together?

Or is it a coaching staff that doesn't trust its talent, doesn't make appropriate adjustments, plays not to lose instead of playing to win, and doesn't prepare for the team for every possible occurrence that it can think of happening during the game?

What's the answer? Everyone is and has been asking Ohio State that question for going on two years now!

What's the answer...? Probably a little of everything. But what is at the root of these questions, and what is the problem? I think the root of it runs to a stale atmosphere.

Riddle me this, Batman...tell me how a team with 20 returning starters from a National Championship runner-up, a team with as many as four to five first round picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, and a team with as much big game experience can be as uninspired at times and be performing as poorly as this 2008 edition of Ohio State football has been?!?!

I can already hear the comments on the board..."We just beat Michigan State 45-7!" "We are changing offensive philosophies midseason!" "We're 7-1 Zuke!" Blah...blah...blah...

THOSE ARE EXCUSES, SOFT STATS, AND I'M TIRED OF LISTENING TO THEM. There are no excuses for the lack of passion this football team has played with at points this season. There's no excuse for the absolute egg we laid in Los Angeles earlier this year, and most of all, the fashion with which we laid that turd egg!

Whether you like it or not, fellow Buckeye fan, USC was our chance to prove that we were a legitimate national contender, that the two national championships were wrong place, wrong time freak occurrences...Ohio State should have come out with a fire that would set the Coliseum ablaze, prepared for the challenge, and gone out there to win and not lose.

But we did none of those things. We looked overmatched, unprepared, and dispassionate, and we wilted under the pressure of the situation.

Regardless of what we do the rest of this season, the program needs to REALLY start looking for the missing pieces of the puzzle. What is the missing link in this team as it is currently constructed? How can we take this program to the next level and keep it there?

It's clear to me that there is a staleness to the program. The players aren't getting the message of what these coaches are trying to convey to them.

Look, I respect the hell out of this coaching staff. As a unit they have achieved many wonderful things and should be proud of all they have accomplished together. But there comes a point where you are at a particular place and the message gets repetitive, the voice gets drowned out, and the lessons don't sink in with the same effect.

Whether the coaches are good coaches is regardless. The changes are needed to get fresh air into the program—to put the veterans on their heels a little bit, to give a new direction if needed, to hear a new voice of reasoning. Those are just the facts of life, and the Ohio State football program needs refreshment of that fact.

Where have the Silver Bullets gone? The defense that blitzed, took risks, attacked, and took the fight to the offense? The defense I've sat and watched most Saturdays over the last few years looks more like the "Silver Bend But Don't Breaks."

Has anyone else noticed that this defense doesn't seem to play as fast as they used to? It's not that this team isn't fast, because they are actually probably one of the fastest, if not the fastest, defenses Ohio State has ever had. But they are in a READ AND REACT system. Let me say that again...READ...THEN...REACT.

While this defense is trying to read...good opposing offense have already reacted to the Buckeye defense.

Jim Heacock (the Ohio State DC) has two options left to me: A) stay and change the philosophy, or B) look for new work.

I know it's heartless of me to say. I know that this defense plays lights-out football against the Purdues, Minnesotas, and Indianas of the world—which, by the way, is why Ohio State's defensive statistics are annually inflated—but this defense doesn't work against the Floridas, USCs, and LSUs of the world.

It gets exposed when it counts—and that's the bottom line.

I love Jim Tressel, think he is a great coach and an even better man, and am in no way advocating he be fired. That would be ignorant on my part considering Ohio State's success under his tenure.

But the time has come for the Board of Trustees, AD Gene Smith, and more pressure from the fans to see a bright, young, energetic, and innovative OC come onto this staff and work hand in hand with Jim Tressel in developing a new plan with this offense. Not only would it give a new, fresh offensive outlook for the players and the opposition, it would help recruiting exponentially.

Enough is enough with "Tresselball" at Ohio State. We're Ohio freaking State...we've had the likes of Terry Glenn, David Boston, Joey Galloway, Eddie George, Keith Byars, Robert Smith, Orlando Pace, Troy Smith, Ted Ginn Jr., Cris Carter...and on and on and on...There is absolutely NO REASON that we shouldn't be able to throw a pass on first down!

There is no reason that we should be 109th in the nation in total offense going into MSU last week! No way...not with Terrelle Pryor and Beanie Wells in your backfield, not with young receivers like DeVier Posey and Lamarr Thomas paired with at least solid veterans Hartline and Robiskie. There are no excuses.

What happened to Michigan? They got old and stale in philosophies and the coaching staff. Lloyd Carr was at his last stop, as was the majority of his staff. At the very least they weren't going to advance their careers as head coaches.

What about Ohio State? Where has the transition in coaches been the last few years? Other than Darell Hazel and Luke Fickell, this staff is very established (aged). While having an established core group is nice, wouldn't it be nice to have that established corps blended with fresh young minds using Ohio State as an audition to get head coaching gigs for themselves? What's so wrong with that?

Dantonio did that. Snyder did that. Mel Tucker did that. But in recent years that progression of coaches has run dry. Now you have a team with far too many seniors who have been through the wars, having experienced far too many rough environments and team challenges together for them to look this uninspired, unprepared, and at times, inept.

You see it all the time when new college football head coaching jobs open up—all the hot young coordinators around the country who are up for the gigs...and where were a lot of them from? Texas, USC, Florida, even places like Oklahoma State, North Carolina, and West Virginia.

I think it's a good thing to lose coordinators. It means they have done an outstanding job at your school. It means that they are creating explosive offenses and defenses. It shows that they've proven what it takes to go out on the road and pull in those big recruits that help their system excel—and their talents are now being rewarded with a chance for a program of their own.

Where has that gone at Ohio State?

I fear that Ohio State is ripe to fall into a stale state as a program if changes aren't made and problems aren't addressed moving forward. Sometimes those changes are not easy to make: They involve long-lasting relationships, they involve a working comfort level...and losing those things or change in them is very difficult.

But sometimes that difficult transition is exactly what is needed for personal growth, and growth from your program.

Never rest on your accomplishments and your past—or that's exactly where you'll be left.

Thanks for the ear guys. Please, as always, feel free to leave comments and thoughts. Also please spread the word about the series to others, and if you choose so become my fan! Hope you enjoyed the article, and sorry this installment took so long. Also look for the next installment coming soon...

* The Roots of Ohio State's Problems, Part Five: Recruiting Is the Lifeblood (OSU from 2004-07)

The Roots of Ohio State's Problems, Part Three: The ESPN Agenda

onezuke18 — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 02:16:59 -0400

In Part Two of my ongoing series on the problems revolving around the Ohio State football program, I touched on the Big Ten not helping Ohio State's cause when it comes to the national perspective on the program.

This morning, I want to touch on another aspect/entity that leads the way in criticism of the Ohio State Buckeye football program.

Finding that problem is quite easy and something any sports fan is quite familiar with...none other than the "worldwide leader in sports," ESPN.

ESPN has led the way in criticism of Ohio State football and has done so particularly harshly for about the last three to five years now. Some of the quotes from ESPN analysts have been borderline astonishing.

The "Luckeyes" slant is largely credited to ESPN's 1st and 10 personality Skip Bayless. Tom Luginbill, one of the talking heads of ESPN's college recruiting division, summed up Ohio State's 2009 recruiting class by saying, "while Ohio State's recruiting class this year was impressive on paper, unlike LSU and Georgia's classes, Ohio State's is going to have prove it on the field at the next level."

If you watch College Football Scoreboard, you won't have to listen too hard to hear the biting criticisms on the Buckeyes every Saturday by Mark May. Mark Schlabach, Pat Forde...the list of ESPN analysts ready to bury the Buckeyes seems infinite.

But why is this the case? BuckeyeNation is convinced there is a bias against Ohio State and thinks that ESPN takes its shot at the Buckeyes every chance it gets.

What does ESPN have against Ohio State? Why are we a kicking post for the worldwide leader in sports? Fans have been wondering aloud for some time if this is just paranoia inside our scarlet and gray minds. Today, I will contend to you that it ISN'T just in your head. There is a lot more at play in regard to this topic than you might think.

Granted, I will admit to you that I have no "black and white" evidence convicting ESPN of anything, and I will further tell you that ESPN has done nothing overtly illegal to harm THE Ohio State University. What I do have are a lot of coincidences that tie together that may have you thinking that this "Buckeye bias" isn't just a figment of our imaginations.

The Buckeyes aren't alone in this 24/7 soapbox beatdown. The rest of the Big Ten conference has gotten a share of the belittlement as well, but seemingly not to the degree that the Buckeyes have had to endure. Why is that? Why is the Big Ten also seemingly under fire as well?

Let's look at some facts...and some even better questions...

Does anybody recall the time ESPN's criticism of Ohio State began to increase? EWW! PICK ME, PICK ME!!!! I know this one! Well, let me tell you.

It began Jan. 7, 2007 in Glendale, Arizona following a 41-14 Buckeye defeat at the hands of the Florida Gators. The Buckeyes walked into the stadium that night undefeated, heralded, celebrated, and crowned by the college football world and ESPN as national champions before the ball was kicked that evening.

The Buckeyes left as the goats, and ESPN has been the biggest monkey that has ever latched onto a back in the history of college football. ESPN has since said it is because Ohio State has failed to show up on a national stage—which, considering that public embarrassment to Ohio State that night, seems like legitimate reasoning.

But is that really the truth? Or was it just the right excuse for ESPN to unleash its publicity blitz against the Buckeyes and the Big Ten?

Do you think I'm just crying conspiracy? Maybe, because I have nothing CONCRETE to prove my point. But I sure do have a whole lot of convenient coincidences...

Another question for you: Does anybody know their history, and what event was coming to fruition almost simultaneously to the national championship disaster? No? The development of the Big Ten Network, which was set to kick off broadcasting that summer and begin programming of regional Big Ten football broadcasts that next fall.

What does that have to do with ESPN, you ask? Well, let me tell you! The successful development of the Big Ten Network would eliminate Big Ten programming on the ESPN GAMEPLAN PPV packages and also the ESPN+ programs.

The loss of a BCS conference's programming on their packages means ESPN is losing most of the Midwestern audiences, who would most likely prefer a Big Ten contest as opposed to a national game without regional ties.

You see, for as much blame as the Big Ten gets for the problems the conference has right now, they were WAAAAAAAYYYYY ahead of the curve on this thought.

Why have to share conference broadcasting profits with ESPN, who will put the money in their pockets and give nothing back to the universities that provide their money and ratings, when we can make our own network, cut out the middle man (ESPN), get all of the money, and enrich the universities in the end?

The Big Ten saw this vision LIGHT YEARS ahead of the rest of the conferences, and since then all the other conferences were looking with a watchful eye to see if the network idea would work.

ESPN joined everyone in the watch, but for a completely different reason. ESPN knew that if the Big Ten Network got off the ground and was successful in the Midwest region, other conferences were going to follow suit.

Well, guess what sports fans?!?!?!? It's taken a while to fully get off the ground, but with Time Warner and BTN finally coming to terms this fall, BTN is up, operational, and here to stay. The ACC and Pac-10 conferences are also looking seriously at setting the groundwork for their own networks now.

Does anybody realize just how big a deal this is to ESPN? BTN's success has cost ESPN tens of millions of dollars in lost revenue, programming, and sponsorship dollars. Their GAMEPLAN package value has been cut about in half. ESPN+ now runs MAC conference games in the Midwest region that obviously don't carry the value of Big Ten programming.

If the ACC and the Pac-10 do in fact start their own networks as well, that is even more money lost in VALUABLE program dollars—and from the looks of it, the ACC and Pac-10 will eventually reach their independent goals.

What has ESPN done to answer this serious threat to their value as a company? Panicked, that's what—and recently with their programming agreement with the SEC, absolutely destroyed any objective news source programming in my book.

You see, the SEC was looking into its own network as well, and ESPN had to do something to try and stop the bleeding. With that, beginning in 2009-2010 the "SEC on ESPN" will be the mantra for the upcoming 15 years!

You may still be wondering, Zuke, what is your friggin' point?!?! My point is that ESPN is now, in my educated opinion, broadcasting with a biased agenda. The ESPN/SEC marriage now has placed the ABC/ESPN Co. in direct financial success with the Southeastern Conference.

What does that make the Big Ten Network? That's right kiddies—it makes them direct competition! ESPN will also be in competition with any conference that follows the Big Ten's path in gaining its own network.

I also find it oddly coincidental that the ACC seems to be the next closest conference to following the Big Ten's lead, and all of a sudden, ESPN has turned up the volume on the criticism of the conference's strength when just a few years prior, the ACC was to be the next "superpower conference in college football."

But I digress. Back to Ohio State...

The Big Ten has been ESPN's whipping boy for the last few years now, and who is the premier team in the Big Ten conference right now? Ohio State.

This leads me to questions of ESPN's validity as a network when the Reggie Bush money scandal, Alabama infractions, and the SEC's "oversigning" policy, amongst other whispers of SEC improprieties, are kept at whispers.

But the Troy Smith fiasco was 24/7 across the wire, Penn State's player conduct issues have gotten Outside the Lines special report coverage, and Rich Rodriguez's legal dispute between Michigan and West Virginia has been littered across ESPN's programming the past few months as well.

If you think all of this in the article is just a nice bedtime story, you might want to remember that there is something called the "ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll," and that ESPN for the last two years has been the loudest voice proclaiming that a two-loss SEC team should get a national championship opportunity over any one-loss team from another conference.

From this man's eyes, ESPN is not out to help the Buckeyes' cause. Think about it...

As always, leave me comments, arguments, and thoughts on my board! I welcome all praise and criticism. Also please add me to your favorites list. My words make no sound without your ears!

Also look for the next installment to the series "The Roots of Ohio State's Problems, Part Four: Stale Is the Beginning of Death."

The Roots of Ohio State's Problems, Part Two: The Big One and the Little Ten

onezuke18 — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:01:24 -0400

This morning I set the introduction to a multi-part series revolving around the problems and unrest facing the Ohio State football program. Let's now start to touch on the reasons that the Ohio State program is facing such adversity from not only the college football fans around the nation, but even scrutiny from BuckeyeNation itself.

First, let me ask you a question: Why is it that Ohio State is regarded around the nation with such hatred? That whenever the microphone is pushed in front of national pundits' mouths, you can almost guarantee that venom is spewed with wrathful vengeance toward the Buckeyes?

Better yet, why is it that the Buckeyes can handle the tough and physical stretch of the regular season, but when the national spotlights are on in a bowl game or nationally heralded non-conference game, the Buckeyes have shrunk?

The reasons have been varying and everyone seems to have an answer: The Buckeyes don't have "SEC speed," the Big Ten ends its season too early, leaving too much layoff before the bowl games, the Buckeyes are overrated and void of premier talent...and on, and on, and on.

But is that really truthful? Do you really believe any of those reasons? I don't. Those reasons are not insightful, too simplified, and honestly...excuses.

I will tell you one reason today why Ohio State in recent years has been unprepared and overmatched when the nation is watching and the pressure is on, and you can look no further than the Little Ten, errrrrrr...I mean, "Big Ten" conference.

The Big Ten over the last five to 10 years has become a punch line, and that's a fact. The Big Ten is caught in the past. Most of the college football world has moved light years ahead in a couple of different areas.

These areas are simple to explain: Other teams recruit better and place more effort into finding the personnel to put more talented teams on the field, they pour money into their facilities and coaching staffs, they throw caution to the wind and pull out all the stops to be winning programs, and they are constantly looking for new and innovative ways philosophically to win football games.

There it is—the answer is that simple.

The Big Ten is rapidly working itself into relative "Ivy League" status. Tell me another conference and another set of athletic directors and board of trustees members that allow mediocrity from their programs year in and year out more than the Big Ten conference.

Don't have an answer? That's because there isn't one out of the other BCS conferences.

Unfortunately, the flag bearer for the Big Ten conference through this absolutely hideous stretch of football across the conference, and the ONLY team in this conference that has committed itself FULLY to being a national power, is our Buckeyes.

But with the Buckeyes' almost unparalleled success in the history of the Big Ten have come the curses from the national media, instead of giving our Buckeyes the credit they deserve for striving for football excellence despite the dismal effort from the rest of our conference nemeses.

Instead of cursing the Big Ten for their feeble attempts to try to build and rise up to fight the Buckeyes for dominance, it's the flag bearer who is taking the heat.

As fans of our individual teams and Big Ten football, we are just as guilty as these programs. We're not putting the heat on these ADs and these boards of trustees and demanding that the brand of football improve.

We're not saying as Big Ten fans, "I'm tired of losing to Northern Illinois, and Florida Atlantic, and Toledo, and Appalachian State, and I demand changes to the program, or you'll see an half empty stadium!"

Where are you, Big Ten fan? Better yet, where is your outrage?!?!?

Everybody wants to complain about the SEC. Granted, they do things that I disagree with strongly, and I don't think they deserve the constant slurp job they get from ESPN 24/7.

But how are you going to argue with the results? Every defense is fast and physical, every atmosphere is loud and passionate, they have FIVE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP-WINNING HEAD COACHES, and they are ruthless as a whole.

They fire OCs in the middle of the season, they fire coaches at the end of a season, they bench seniors for freshmen, and they don't give a crap what you or I think because right now and for the past 10 years or so, all they have to do is point up and say scoreboard!

Let me ask you some more questions...

- Where is the Penn State Board of Trustees to drag Joe Paterno out of the head coaching position?

With new coaching lifeblood at that university, they join Ohio State as an elite program in college football. They have the stadium, the facilities, the fanbase, and the recruiting base to be a dominant NATIONAL powerhouse. They should be in the same breath with Florida, Texas, USC, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Ohio State annually.

Yet under Paterno, they have grown stale, old, tired, outdated, and you are LUCKY if they are good once every four or five years anymore.

- Why did Michigan not get Les Miles out of LSU? Well, let me tell you why...because Bill Martin is too busy yachting to make the move to a REAL coach with a CHAMPIONSHIP pedigree.

Rich Rodriguez hasn't done JACK SQUAT as a head coach without Pat White! He did NOTHING at West Virginia until that gift from God was dropped in his lap—check the records.

Michigan SETTLED on Rich Rodriguez. Don't you get it, Michigan fan? The Michigan athletic department SOLD you that this was "their guy" all along when the facts are that Les Miles turned you down. Greg Schiano told you no. Then your choices were Rich Rodriguez or Brady Hoke.

- You could also make an argument that Iowa and Wisconsin should be among some of the top jobs. Maybe not elite...but good jobs that when opened up should be the destination for a good young coach to come through and establish himself—and maybe become a Barry Alvarez or Hayden Fry.

- To me, the Big Ten has three flagship coaches right now: Jim Tressel, Mark Dantonio, and Ron Zook. Think about the strength of this conference with quality coaches like Jim Tressel at Ohio State, Ron Zook at Illinois, Mark Dantonio at Michigan State, Les Miles at Michigan, and say, Greg Schiano at Penn State.

Then add in a good young coach like a Turner Gill, Brady Hoke, Randy Edsall, or Jim Leavitt to an Iowa and a Wisconsin, and those are premier coaches on the college level that not only would make the Big Ten more competitive in recruiting, but on the field as well.

I know it seems as if I've gone off topic, but it all relates to one another. Since when does a coach leaving his position on the team get to pick his successor? Better yet, tell me the last time you have seen that situation and it's worked!

Yet that's what has happened at Wisconsin and Purdue and Indiana, and it's what Joe Paterno is going to try to pull next at Penn State—you watch.

It all relates...the Big Ten hasn't made the same RUTHLESS commitment to being the best that some of these other conferences have and are moving to do.

It starts with facilities, it moves to money allotted for coaching staffs, it trickles into this Big Ten succession thing, or simply the allowing of mediocre coaching (Iowa, Indiana, Penn State, Michigan, Purdue), to this insane thought that less talented seniors are owed something more than the FREE EDUCATION you've provided them with a SCHOLARSHIP, and a chance to showcase their talents on a weekly basis in the fall to get paid in the NFL.

Other than those things...these coaches owe these kids nothing. These coaches need to put the best team on the field that is going to make them as competitive as they possibly can be for a conference championship and a national championship.

And if that is a true freshman brought in from Walsh Jesuit HS in Podunk, Idaho over an All-Big Ten returning starter, oh well, life sucks that way sometimes. The SEC gets this and HAS gotten this for a while now, and as time has passed the gap got wider and wider to the point it is now where everyone sees it.

You think I'm wrong? You think I got this all wrong, and I'm just another in the long line of haters? People, you are talking to MR. BIG TEN. You're talking to a lifelong Buckeye fan and a lifelong Big Ten fan.

There IS a problem—and it's not Ohio State. My god, Ohio State is about the only thing right about the Big Ten right now.

But because the Big Ten is not holding up its end of the bargain, the Big Ten has been a problem for Ohio State. Anytime Ohio State has to step up to play bigger competition, they aren't prepared for the raise in competition. Cause and effect then leads people to believe that Ohio State is a farce.

I'll conclude this article with some stats for you.

Here is a look at how many teams have had Top 25 recruiting classes per BCS conference 2005 to 2008.

2005: 1) SEC: 7 2) ACC: 7 T3) Big 12 & Pac-10: 4 4) Big Ten: 3 5) Big East 0

2006: 1) SEC: 7 2) Big 12: 5 T3) ACC & Pac-10: 4 4) Big Ten: 3 5) BE: 1

2007: 1) SEC: 7 2) ACC: 5 3) Big Ten: 4 T4) Pac-10 & Big 12: 3 5) BE: 2

2008: 1) SEC: 6 T2) ACC & Pac-10: 5 3) Big 12: 4 4) Big Ten: 3 5) BE: 1

The Big Ten is being out-recruited: plain and simple. Recruiting is the lifeblood of a college football program, and the Big Ten is recruiting right above the Big East in recent years.

That ties into a few more problems—coaching and facilities.

The Big Ten isn't paying top dollar for the young, best and brightest coaches. Seven of the top 15 highest paid coaches reside in the SEC, eight within the top 30. Six Big 12 coaches are paid in the Top 30. Six within the Top 30 also reside in the ACC.

The Big Ten, you ask? Four—and one of the four, Joe Tiller, will be retiring at the end of the season, leaving Jim Tressel, Rich Rodriguez, and Kirk Ferentz as the only three left. Jim Tressel and, surprisingly, Kirk Ferentz are the only two Big Ten coaches receiving Top 10 money.

Ferentz, you can argue over the last few years, certainly hasn't earned it through recruiting and victories.

Bottom line: The Big Ten is becoming a problem more than a benefit for Ohio State. The proof is in the numbers I showed you above. It is also in the allowance of mediocrity from the fan bases and the alumni.

It's resting on tradition and not willing to pay for the youngest and brightest minds to stay up to date in the X's and O's, and energetic personalities to bring in recruits across the board. The bar has been raised by these other conferences, and the Big Ten isn't doing what is necessary to keep the pace.

Unfortunately for us in BuckeyeNation, we aren't being viewed as the outstanding exception that we are...but the gold standard of mediocrity.

Until A) The Buckeyes can raise their game and beat USC, or the SEC for a title, or B) the Big Ten makes a conference-wide commitment to excellence in football again, this monkey upon our backs is just going to keep growing and growing.

Stay tuned for tomorrow for the next installment...The Roots of Ohio State's Problems, Part Three: The ESPN Agenda.

Thanks again, and feel free to leave questions and comments on the board for me! Also spread the word about the article to others who may be interested and make sure you add me to your favorites. As always, it's a privilege.

The Roots of Ohio State's Problems, Part One: The Introduction

onezuke18 — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:40:59 -0400

I'd like to start off my time here at Bleacher Report with a very ambitious BANG! I will attempt that beginning by addressing the growing underbelly of unrest that builds within BuckeyeNation.

I will tell you that I'm a VERY active board member. I'm on numerous sites throughout my day, every day, and am as in tune with THE Buckeye universe as just about anyone outside of Senator Tressel, his holiness' self.

Ever since the Sweater Vest walked into Ann Arbor during his first season in command and stunned the Wolverines, Buckeye fans have almost been mesmerized by a Scarlet and Gray potion that blinded us to every and any faults or shortcomings that resided with the Ohio State football program.

A 2002 National Championship did nothing to change that spell over awed Buckeye fans. In fact, it might have been the last drink that sent 99.9 percent of common Buckeye die-hards into almost a four-year, unabashed, drunken stupor of BCS victories, Big Ten championships, and program successes not seen since Woody Hayes himself patrolled the sidelines of Ohio Stadium.

But then a couple of funny things happened: 41-14, then 28-21, then 38-24, and finally 35-3. You know the scores, you know the teams, you know the defeats—and through each of those defeats, more of BuckeyeNation started sobering up.

As the crushing defeats occurred, more and more of you (the fans) began not only sobering up, but also getting that nasty, grumpy hangover you get when you've had far too many the night before. Looking at it now, it feels as if 2002-2006 was lifetimes ago, and all that's left from the party is this hangover that feels like it won't ever end.

Buckeye fans, seemingly overnight, have turned from eternal optimists into sky is falling eulogists.

Read Ohio State boards right now. It's brush fires of an inept defensive schemes and coordinators. It's raining acid upon an offense that is 10th in the Big Ten in total offense and is calling for personnel changes and an offensive coordinator to help the once invincible Jim Tressel.

Read the Ohio State fan boards, and you would think that the Four Horsemen were returning to end the world. I read these posts every day, and if I didn't know any better, I would think that the almighty Ohio State Buckeyes were 0-7 and 0-3 in the Big Ten.

You would have no idea that in actuality Ohio State is ranked 12th in the country, is 6-1 overall, 3-0 in Big Ten play, and tied for first place with Michigan State and Penn State going into this weekend's pivotal matchup with the Spartans.

With everyone playing in Buckeyeland playing the finger-pointing game (Jim Heacock, Jim Bollman, Jim Tressel, the offensive & defensive line play, Todd Boeckman, Beanie's injury, the offensive play calling, the defensive scheme and general philosophy...just to name a few of the people or things being blamed for the collapse of Ohio State football as we know it), I am going to take a wild swing of an attempt at pinpointing the problems that face THE Ohio State University football program today.

But it won't be the same old reasons that have been accused of causing the current problems the Buckeyes have/are/will be facing. Through a multi-part series, we will go into an in-depth examination of problems that are happening and revolve around the program.

I don't want this to be a negative series of problems though. I want to present some of the problems that maybe people haven't thought of, but most of all I want to try to be reasonable, present solutions, and most importantly...generate a healthy and intelligent discussion with all of you!

I encourage you to follow this series with me, add me to your favorites, and help me build my page. Feel free to leave any and all feedback—positive or negative, I don't care, just as long as you are enjoying and participating—and I will do my best to respond to each of your thoughts and comments!

O-H! Go Bucks.

Upcoming posts: The Roots of Ohio State's Problems, Part Two: The Big One and The Little 10...coming later tonight.