Ohio State Football: Will the Vest Be Robbed Again?

Dave Thurman (8:21 p.m.)

A quick look into the crystal ball brings to light a very disturbing revelation.  Jim Tressel, a.k.a. "The Senator" and "The Sweater Vest," is set to get robbed again. 

Now I don't claim to be a fortune teller or a seer, but I do have a pretty good idea of what is going to happen at the end of this year.  The Dave McCalin Big Ten Coach of the Year will be chosen, and once again, JT will not be at the top vote getter. 

Truthfully this should be Tressel's year.  That is, of course, if Ohio State takes care of business which is a big "if."  This Saturday evening's game with Wisconsin should be a war, to say nothing of the trip to Iowa City in a few weeks.

But should the Buckeyes run the table and capture their sixth straight Big Ten title, you would think this would finally be the year for Tress to get the award monkey off his back. 

After all, he captured his 100th victory as an Ohio State coach this season, achieving that milestone more quickly than any Buckeye coach in history.  And, you have to think that voters are beginning to realize how unfair it is that JT has never won the award. 

Personally, I was convinced he would receive the honor last year after the team emerged from the disaster at Purdue to capture a fifth straight Big Ten championship. 

But alas, the honor went to Kirk Ferenz, who is the Big Ten media darling.

In case you are wondering, below is a list of the recipients of the award since Tressel has been at Ohio State:

2001 - Ron Turner (Illinois)
2002 - Kirk Ferenz (Iowa)
2003 - John L. Smith (Michigan State)
2004 - Kirk Ferenz (Iowa)
2005 - Joe Paterno (Penn State)
2006 - Bret Bielema (Wisconsin)
2007 - Ron Zook (Illinois)
2008 - Joe Paterno (Penn State)
2009 - Kirk Ferenz (Iowa)

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In truth Tressel could have won the award any year except 2001 and 2004, and probably should have won it at least twice (2002 & 2009).  For some reason, though, he has always been overlooked. 

But 2010 should be his season, right?  Except that there is a compelling story coming out of East Lansing, Mich. 

Not only are the Spartans of Michigan State off to a great start, playing far better than the experts predicted, but there is the whole Mark Dantonio heart attack angle. 

As has been well publicized, the 54-year-old Dantonio had a heart attack just minutes after his team defeated Notre Dame, scoring on a gutsy fake field goal.  The ex-Ohio State assistant had surgery the following week as a stent was placed in a blocked blood vessel, and he missed the next couple of games. 

But in a made-for-Hollywood story, the coach returned in time to lead the Spartans to a spanking of in-state rival Michigan.  So you better believe that if MSU can finish strong, Mr. Dantonio will be hoisting the hardware at the end of the season.

Now I can't argue with that choice, if in fact the Spartans can finish in first or tied for the top spot.  But, man, you have to feel for Tress.  He just can't catch a break. 

Every year that he looks like the front-runner, someone sneaks up and gets him, often with a compelling story.  Heck, some of the guys who beat him out even wound up jobless within two or three years.  Weird, wacky stuff to say the least. 

Of course there is a lot of season to still be played, so I am getting the cart before the horse,  But this whole saga is getting really old.  Maybe it's time for Buckeye fans to start the "J. Tea Party" or begin a "Vest is Best" campaign. 

One thing is for sure...it couldn't hurt!