Ohio State Rising from the Ashes and Bowl Bound?

It was just a few short months ago the headlines were about illegal gifts and tattoos. They were followed by failure to report said violations, coaching changes, suspensions, NCAA infractions, penalties, star players skipping to the NFL and more suspensions. Who would have thought that in November, Ohio State would have a real chance to do some serious bowling in December or dare we say, January.

Temporary Head Coach Luke Fickell, old 99, from glory days past, has been able to raise the once proud spirit of the Buckeye from the ashes once more. 

Things were a little shaky in the beginning, a close call to Toledo and a loss on national TV to Miami.  The Big Ten season started with losses to Michigan State and newcomer Nebraska.  Halfway through the season, the Bucks were 3-3 overall and 0-2 in the Big Ten. Besides that, the offense was in a total and utter collapse.

When Terelle Pryor decided to jump to the NFL, backup Joe Bauserman was called into action. He was somewhat less than spectacular and Coach Fickell and his staff were faced with one of the most monumental decisions of the season. The decision was made and untested but highly touted Freshman Braxton Miller was inserted as the starting quarterback. What did they have to lose? The offensive numbers were ….well… downright offensive.

Miller’s quick feet and hyper active running style gave opposing defenses something to think about, even though the passing game was nonexistent. The return of Boom Herron from suspension coupled with the quickness of Miller, and the running game began to click. The offense began to earn their spot in the post-game buffet line.

Two wins against nationally ranked Big Ten opponents, Illinois and Wisconsin, have the Buckeyes back to even in the conference (2-2) and 5-3 overall. 

The final four games are all against Big Ten opponents. The Bucks' next test is home with Indiana, the team that sports the worst record in the conference. Mark it up in the win column for the Buckeyes. 

The key game of the season could come at Purdue on November 12^th. The Boilermakers are also currently at 2-2 in the Big Ten and 4-4 overall. If the Bucks can win at West Lafayette they have a shot at a major bowl.

Next on the agenda is JoePa and the Penn State Wildkittens. PSU currently sits atop the Leaders division and the once beaten Wildcats are the only team in the Big Ten undefeated in conference play.  They have not been pretty but have done just enough to slip by every Big Ten opponent thus far. Penn State has a bye this week but will face 10^th ranked Nebraska at home on November 12^th, before traveling to Columbus.

Ohio State will finish out the season at the Big House against that team up north. Michigan is 7-1 with their only loss coming at the hands of their in-state rival, Michigan State. The Wolverines have to play Iowa, Illinois and Nebraska before the finale with OSU. 

“The Greatest Rivalry Game on Earth” will be special this year as Ohio State needs the win to complete a total turnaround for the season and Michigan’s new coach Brady Hoke will be looking to end the Buckeye’s complete domination of Michigan over the past 10 years.    

Looks like the Big Ten is getting just what it wanted: great drama, close games, division rivalries being born and each game important in the season standings. All of this makes for great viewing and even bigger television revenues coming into the Big Ten coffers.

Meanwhile Luke Fickell and the youthful Buckeyes have made a major turnaround in their season and if they can just finish out with three more wins, especially a win against the hated Wolverines....

Well, wouldn’t that be something?