Well, it’s certainly been an… interesting… day as far as news goes. But before we dive into the dregs of college sports (and those who “oversee” it), let’s enjoy the fact that it’s finally FOOTBAW! season.  Here’s your “pump up”/palate cleanser before the season kicks off.

Buckeye 411

• Captains, My Captains- Well, the news yesterday that Ohio State had named eight captains to start the season surely made Tom Bradford happy, although it did make the position seem a bit like the “everyone gets a trophy” phenomenon we see in youth soccer. My guess? Urban is looking to “spread the wealth” among several people since there’s no small group of standouts this season.  At any rate, I’m ecstatic that Kenny Guiton will be getting the opportunity to lead, even as a “backup”.  Smooth Jazz for everyone.
• Wash It Down With Juice- Today, many lucky souls in the media got to experience the new food that will be enjoyed at the ‘Shoe this season. As you remember, the University ended their contract with Sodexho and is going a bit more local with Levy Restaurants for their fan- fare.  Marcus Hartman has great coverage of the reason that I hated him all day on Tuesday… wonder what this will mean for the fitness of the two ushers on our staff? Luckily we have a fitness guru to keep them in shape.
• Injury Report- Coach Meyer said on Wednesday that Defensive Lineman Tommy Schutt will miss 6-8 weeks with a broken foot; “Mr. Adaptability” Chase Farris will return to the Defensive Front from his tenure with Coach Warriner. Schutt had been working in with the first team as practice progressed this fall- here’s wishing him a quick recovery.
• Sure, Why Not? Ohio State has 8 captains, why not 10 “Assistant Head Coaches”?  Stan Drayton was elevated to that role over the past month due to his investment in the program… and he certainly deserves it.
• BULLetin Board Material- Sure, it’s just a fansite (not that there’s anything wrong with that), but here’s a “hate piece” from The State College Of New York At Buffalo fans.
• Thinking Healthy- A couple of other wellness stories this week: The Dispatch had a great discussion about the concussion debate, and talked at length with Andrew Sweat about his decision to walk away from football due to the issue. Also, Maurice Clarett was in Columbus again to advocate for expanded health care and mental health support. Nice work, folks.
• Welcome To The Interwebs- Coach Meyer must have heard that Ken was finally on twitter, since he decided to join him this week. Also online? Ohio State announced their official YouTube Channel, which brings us awesomeness of this nature: Read More

Tags: 2013 Season, 2013-14 Season, Aaron Hernandez, Andrew Sweat, Buffalo, Captains, Chase Farris, ESPN, Johnny Manziel, Maurice Clarett, Mekka Don, NCAA failures, SBP, Stan Drayton, Tommy Schutt, Twitter, YouTube
Categories: College Football, Humor, NCAA Investigations, Ohio State Basketball, Ohio State Football

All The Better To Hear You With

Buckeye 411

• Shower Ends Sweat- This “Duh!” headline actually points to an interesting story Tuesday about why former Buckeye Andrew Sweat chose to end his bid at a professional career. According to the Dispatch, Sweat slipped in the shower the morning that mini-camp was to start and experienced concussive-like symptoms similar to what he wrestled with during his time in Columbus. After they lingered longer than he’d expected, he sat down and talked with his family; I’m sure the recent news about health issues in the NFL had to be at the back of his mind (OK, maybe not the best choice of phrase there). Given that he’s also been accepted to several law programs, it does make sense to look at the bigger picture- heck, even Michigan fans think so. Godspeed and best wishes, Mr. Sweat!
• Hall Of Fame? More Like Hall O’ Lame, AmIRite?-  The College Football Hall of Fame announced their incoming class, and somehow Orlando Pace was not amongst the nominees in spite of the fact that he was a potential candidate. Seriously- the best offensive tackle in the history of Ohio State sports, a two time Lombardi trophy winner and one of two people to win either the Lombardi/Outland three times.  Pace was also a Heisman (!) finalist, and should have been a cake walk into the CHoF.  Doubt me? Watch this video…  Pace wasn’t the only snubbed choice, as Nebraska’s Tommie Frazier also missed the cut. You remember Frazier; three time National Championship Game MVP, Heisman runner up to Eddie George, and dude I met last fall. Video evidence hereabouts.  You know who did get in? Ty Detmer, the guy who brought us such memorable moments as this.
• Rocketman-  JD Weatherspoon announced today what we’d expected for a while- he’s transferring to Toledo to finish his college career. Best of luck, ‘Spoon!
• Justice, Of Sorts- The man who shot former Buckeye recruit Jamel Turner was found guilty on all charges today. The shooting took the life of another Youngstown native.
• Your Weekly Dose Of Swoon- Double shot this week: Craft the pitcher and meeting the governor.
• A Hairy Situation- Nick Mangold getting his chest waxed? Nick Mangold getting his chest waxed.
• Meet The New Boss- Tuesday was the Urban Meyer Town Hall for students at OSU; it was pretty much what you’d expect (huge thanks to @KristinPantoni), except for this bit of brilliance: Read More

Tags: 2012 Basektball, Aaron Craft, Academics, ACC, ACC/B1G Challenge, Andrew Sweat, B1G, Big 12, BTN, Charlie Weis, Duke, Finance, Gene Smith, Jamel Turner, JD Weatherspoon, Mark Pantoni, Mickey Marotti, Minnesota Golden Gophers, Money, NCAA, Nick Mangold, Orlando Pace, Playoffs, Rose Bowl, SEC, Southern Cal, Texas, Tom Osborne, Tommie Frazier, Urban Meyer
Categories: College Basketball, College Football, Conference Expansion, Humor, Ohio State Basketball, Ohio State Football

Prizes for everyone!!

Today was the football team banquet; here’s who was honored:

• Boom Herron was named Team MVP, in spite of his being suspended for a good portion of the year. My guess is that this gives us insight into the role that he played behind the scenes as an integral part of the team.
• Captain, My Captain- As promised these were named at the end of the season, and are as follows: Michael Brewster, Boom Herron, Andrew Sweat, and John Simon.
• Braxton Miller was named Archie Griffin Outstanding Offensive Player.
• Bill Willis award for Outstanding Defensive Player was John Simon.
• Freshman Ryan Shazier won the Rick Meyer Award for his play against Penn STate
• Most Inspirational Player (Bo Rein Award) was Nate Ebner
• First Year Defensive Award winner: Bradly Roby
• The Jim Marshall “Warrior” Award was given to Tyler Moeller.

Congratulations to these Buckeyes and all who were acknowledged during the season ending event!

Tags: Andrew Sweat, Bradley Roby, Braxton Miller, Daniel Herron, John Simon, Mike Brewster, Nate Ebner, Ryan Shazier, SBP, Silver Bullet Points, Tyler Moeller
Categories: College Football, Ohio State Football

If You're Gonna' Go, Go Big.

Buckeye 411

• Captain, My Ca… Ah, Screw It- At this point, no captains have been named for this week’s matchup with TTUN.  I’m sure it’s Brewster, Simon, and some other folks.
• Injury Report- Sweat is a “doctor’s decision”, due to it being a head injury.  Philly Brown is going to be OK, but safety Christian Bryant is “questionable” for the game. No additional information on Bryant, but he’s currently listed as the starter on this week’s depth chart.
• Fickell Speaks- On “The Game”;

It’s still the Ohio State/M*chigan game, still the greatest rivalry in all sports. We wouldn’t attack it any other way. That’s what is remembered. We understand that. We know that. Our guys have understood that regardless of what the situation has been in the last 10 years that I’ve been here or even the five years I was here as a player.

When you come here, you know what it’s about. That’s why I’d say 70 percent of our guys are from that 250 mile radius, been grown up, born into it, and know more about what this rivalry is all about than most.

• More From Fickell- This exchange was a great one between Coach Fickell and a member of the press,

Your Michigan counterpart refers to your employer just as “Ohio.” Have you noticed that, first of all?

…Coach Bruce or Coach Hayes used to not refer to the team up north or whatever that is, hopefully that it’s no disrespect to Ohio University, they are Ohio, but it is what it is.

We might refer to M*chigan in different ways, too. Read More

Tags: Andrew Sweat, Brady Hoke, Christian Bryant, Jim Bollman, Jim Heacock, LSUFreek, Luke Fickell, Mich1gAAn, Purdue, Rich Rodriguez, SBP, The Game, ThuJone, Urban Meyer
Categories: College Football, Humor, Michigan Football, Ohio State Football

Initially, this week was supposed to be “POPS”- Pink Out Penn State for Breast Cancer Awareness.  While we’ve not heard anything more about that since things changed in Happy Valley, we’re more than glad to give our support. You know… given the circumstances.

This Week's Wallpaper from Kevin Dearth

Buckeye 411

• Walking Wounded- It seems as if the injuries are piling up for the Buckeyes. Andrew Sweat will miss Senior Day (will dress, but not participate) with the aftereffects of a concussion, meaning Ryan Shazier will get his first start.  Although he’s listed as the starter on the depth chart, Big Hank will more than likely not play this Saturday- although the injury is not deemed season ending.  JB Shugarts might play, as he recovers from a knee issue; he practiced on Tuesday, but is trying to take it easy. Don’t be surprised if Ohio State looks to get someone else to false start against PSU. Philly Brown is also dinged up from last week’s prep, and Boom mentioned that he re-tweaked his ankle, but is doing fine and plans to play.
• Fickell Speaks- As always, the message is “We control what we can control, and learn from what happens”.  In reflecting on some of the struggles that the team has had recently, Fickell commented that you have to play the hand that you’re dealt, and that life isn’t always fair.
• We Can Has WR? This week should mark the beginning of DeVier Posey’s two/three game season, barring some arbitrary shenanigans from Indianapolis. When asked about his presence on Gameday, Coach Fickell responded that much of it would depend on how Posey progressed at practice and if Philly was healthy.  He did say, though, that he hopes DeVier gives the offense a spark similar to the one Boom provided against Illinois. So, yeah- he’s playing. Read More

Tags: Andrew Sweat, Corey "Philly" Brown, Dan "Boom" Herron, DeVier Posey, Gene Smith, J.B. Shugarts, Jerry Sandusky, Joe Paterno, Jonathan Hankins, Les Wexner, Luke Fickell, Michael Brewster, Penn State, Ron Zook, Ryan Shazier, SBP, Solomon Thomas, Texas, Urban Meyer, Will Lyles
Categories: College Football, Humor, Ohio State Football

Tuesday’s update from the Ohio State press conference and the rest of college football news…

Don't Need No Stinking Badgers

Buckeye 411

• Getting Deep- Interesting notes from the depth chart this week: Boom is #1 with Hall/Hyde behind him. Miller is QB1, with Guiton OR Bauserman, although Fickell said that Kenny G has been getting more of the snaps in practice. Curtis Grant is now in the 2 deep at LB; there’s speculation that Ohio State will be running more of the traditional 4-3 look due to Wisconsin’s running attack
• Fickell Speaks-Historically, Ohio State has struggled the week after a bye. Coach addressed this,

Yeah, I think we did. We got a lot of work done. Our guys did a heck of a job on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. You look back in the years past, ask around how people handled their bye week, you still have to look at your team and figure out what you guys need as opposed to how everybody else does it. I think we did a very good job with the attitudes and getting the work done we needed to get done.

• Captain, My Captain- Brewster, Sweat, and Simon.  I think we’ve found our permanent captains, folks.
• On Wisconsin- Coach Fickell spoke about the big upset in East Lansing, and confessed that he’d gone to bed before the game went final. He spoke at length about the impact that Russell Wilson has had on the Badgers, and how he’s fit into the system from early on. Of course, Wisconsin’s success starts up front, and their line play dictates every aspect of their offensive game plan.
• The Future- As usual, Luke Fickell said that he focuses on the things he can control, and hasn’t given much thought to the pending NCAA sanctions or what benchmarks he might need to meet to be given another year at the helm of the Buckeyes. Interesting that he was asked these questions with Gene Smith in the room; others in attendance said that Smith didn’t flinch during this line of questioning at all.
• Fickell Funnies- When he wasn’t talking about slinging the ball around with his kids, he joked regarding his “to do” list to keep his job for the 2012 season, saying, Read More

Tags: Andrew Sweat, Braxton Miller, Carlos Hyde, Curtis Grant, Dominic Clarke, Eddie George, Jamaal Berry, John Simon, Kenny Guiton, Luke Fickell, Mike Brewster, Missouri, NCAA, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Rich Rodriguez, SEC, Southern Cal, Tyvis Powell, Uniforms, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Categories: College Football, Conference Expansion, Humor, Michigan Football, NCAA Investigations, Ohio State Football

Notes from Tuesday’s Ohio State press conference and around the realm of college sports. No soundtrack today, but we’re totally shopping for a El Camino.

More Prestigious?

Buckeye 411

• Injury update: Braxton practiced, and by all reports looked “fine”, although he took it easy after the initial burst. Coaches will continue to monitor, but according to the depth chart, he’s the starter. Not as good news for Nathan Williams, who will need another surgery for microfracture issues and will miss the season. HOWEVER- there is the possibility that he can take a medical redshirt and be back for 2012. *crossesfingers*
• Captain, My Captain: Brewster (4th time), Sweat (3rd), and Stoneburner for this week’s tilt against the Illini.
• Fickell Speak:Lots of talk about disappointment, obviously, and some reflection on the difference between being an assistant and the man in charge (almost sounds like he misses the former): Read More

Tags: Andrew Sweat, Big lEast, Bradly Roby, Braxton Miller, Chris Spielman, Daniel Herron, ESPN, Illinois, Jake Stoneburner, Jamaal Berry, Jim Bollman, Kenny Guiton, Luke Fickell, Michael Brewster, Mike Adams, Mike Stoops, Nathan Williams, NCAA, Nebraska, SBP, SISU, TCU, Uniforms
Categories: College Football, Conference Expansion, Humor, NCAA Investigations, Ohio State Football

Quick look at Tuesday’s press conference, Nebraska prep, and other news from the world of college sports:

Grey and headed your way

Buckeye 411

• Injury update- Nathan Williams still out, Verlon Reed has torn his ACL and will be out for the season.  Yesterday, we were also informed that Melvin Fellows had been classified as a medical hardship, but there’s still no further information at this time. Philly Brown is day to day, and may see action against the Cornhuskers. Solomon Thomas will see some action- he’s returning from suspension and from surgery for the broken leg he suffered in the spring. Brewster said after practice that Philly and Michael Bennett both were active this afternoon.
• Fickell Speaks- On dealing with adversity and suspended players:

Probably we went ahead and went with our three points of wisdom from John Wooden that said: Don’t whine, don’t complain and don’t make excuses. And I think that’s what we have got to be able to do, and it starts from the top down with all of us as coaches.

How many times have we said, we are going to focus on what we have, not what we don’t have and focus on moving forward. So that’s what we have to do. We are not going to make excuses for guys. We are not going to allow them to be down and we are not going to allow them to do that; as coaches we are not going to do that as a team, and we believe everybody will follow suit.

• Captain, My Captain- Brewster, Sweat, Moeller. Attorneys at Law.
• Read More

Tags: 2011-2012 Season, Andrew Sweat, Bryce Brown, BYU, Cincinnati, Conference Expansion, Jim Bollman, Joe Paterno, Luke Fickell, Mark Titus, Mike Brewster, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, Rob Harley, SBP, Tyler Moeller, Uniforms, Wisconsin
Categories: College Football, Humor, Miscellaneous, Ohio State Football