No, it’s not time for the IlliBuck trophy again… Tuesday’s “news” was full of terrapin conversation, so we go where it leads. As such, here’s this morning’s soundtrack… I’m sure my folks will recognize it.

You want me to hang that WHERE?

Buckeye 411

• Urban Legend- The world was a twitter yesterday with news that Urban Meyer had revealed that Woody Hayes once let a turtle bite him… well… you know. While I agree with Vico that it should have been immediately evident that the story was a playful fabrication, as it wasn’t weird enough, it should also be noted that Coach Meyer told the same story last year with Earle Bruce as the protagonist. Never the less, the Ohio State PR department decided that it would be wise to clarify that the story was merely a tall tale, lest the area’s extensive Testudines Advocacy Group (TAG) call down the thunder on the University.
• Perhaps- That’s why the IlliBuck is a Woody?
• Turtle Not Included- Thursday is a sacred commemoration for Buckeye Nation, as we celebrate St. Woodrow’s Day, which will be the 100th anniversary of his incarnation upon the earth. As part of the festivities, today the University will be unveiling a great statue of the man over at the WHAC, which is my only critique.  If other schools can have their statues by the field of battle, shouldn’t Woody’s be near his beloved and sacred Horseshoe as well? Perhaps some industrious student can make that happen.
• Speak Loudly, And Carry A Winning Record- Last week, Coach Meyer made some comments about talking to the B1G Coaches about the conference’s recruiting and their national brand. Of course, the media and writers from other fanbases blew it out of context and presented it as “Urban going to tell the B1G how things should be done!” Well, come to find out, it was actually a well facilitated conversation that a number of coaches had already been a part of, and that a number of other reasoned folks agreed with. Interesting, that.
• Oh, Mark May- Never change.
• Vote Or Die- Seriously, I’m afraid John Simon will track me down, so I’ve cast my ballot numerous times already. Read More

Tags: Alabama, B1G, B1G Conference, Brady Hoke, Compliance, Expansion, IlliBuck, John Simon, Mark May, Olympics, Oregon, Oversigning, SBP, Uniforms, Urban Meyer, Woody Hayes, Wrestling
Categories: Conference Expansion, Ohio State Football, Ohio State Football History

Advent Calendar Of Sorts

This could quite possibly be the last SBP of… well… forever. The Mayans have spoken… or the Aztecs, I always get them confused. So, of course there’s only one soundtrack for the moment… it’s been a good ride.

Buckeye 411

• Something Significant- As exciting as this season was, I’d be willing to bet that the most important game that Urban Meyer coached this year might just be the one involving military veterans just back from tours of duty. It’s part of  the “Tostitos Homecoming” event that will air on January 3rd, but Coach Meyer once again found himself across the field from Bobby Bowden. The event also included stars from the NFL and pop culture… a great event for a great cause.
• Longsnapper Update! It’s no secret that we’ve got a soft spot in our heads and a warm spot in our hearts for current Buckeye and Nittany Lion scourge Bryce Haynes. That why we received Monday’s news that Ohio State had gotten another verbal for the 2013 class on Monday with mixed emotions; sure, it’s a “preferred walk on”, but the position in question is long snapper. Thomas Worthington’s Nick Sharick joins the team by way of Tennessee- he took a grey shirt with the Volunteers after not participating in fall camp. Eligibility wise, he’ll be a freshman while Haynes and Makridis complete their eligiblity in the next two years- as a “preferred walk on”, he’ll have the opportunity to earn a scholarship during his tenure. This is definately a move that is impacted by Ohio State’s scholarship restrictions this season- we’ll talk more about that a bit later in today’s commentary.
• We Hardly Knew Ye’-  Wide receiver Verlon Reed has left the program, and will transfer to a yet to be determined institution. It sounds as if the transition is “amicable”; Reed was recovering in 2012 from a knee injury after having a relatively successful 2011 campaign.
• Mo’ Money, Mo’ Compliance? One of the interesting stories recently has been Ohio State’s “strengthened” compliance efforts following the self audit and issues in 2010-11.  As a part of that, student athletes are receiving valuable “real world” coursework, including budget creation and money management. Folks who mock these as unnecessary “jock” instruction haven’t worked with college students recently- I’d love it it my students leaders had the same requirements.

As a part of this, though, the University is requiring students to have “open” bank accounts- to allow the University to better monitor incoming funds to avoid no-show jobs and booster “gifts”.  Read More

Tags: aTm, Bryce Haynes, Cincinnati, Compliance, Conference Expansion, Denard Robinson, Eleven Warriors, Gary Anderson, George Makridis, Kent, Mark Snyder, Michigan, Nick Sharick, Oversigning, SBP, Texas A&M, Tommy Sanders, Uniforms, Urban Meyer, Verlon Reed, Wisconsin
Categories: College Football, Michigan Football, Ohio State Football

Weekly updates and miscellany from around the world of college sports…

Urban Meyer's Secret Identity?

Buckeye 411

• Hoops, There It Is- #Hop2theRafters
  
• We’re Stars- With the Senior Bowl nigh upon us, we’ve been hearing good things about the former Buckeyes in attendance. Mike Adams, in particular, is getting rave reviews; his form and size have many projecting him into the first round. Mike Brewster has been, according to report, owning Michigan’s Mike Martin (what else is new?), and things are getting a bit chippy between the two. DeVier has been rumored to have a case of the dropsies, and we haven’t heard much from Boom as of yet.
• Don’t Just Take Our Word For It- From an article on the Cleveland Browns website about DeVier, it sounds a bit like he picked up with Tressel was laying down,

“To be able to lead, you have to serve first,” Posey said. “I feel like being on scout team, helping the younger guys and being in the meeting room and telling them the little tips that I have allowed me to understand the game more and it humbled me as well. That’s what I needed going into this process and going to the next level. Through this process, everything you hear is what you can’t do and everyone’s tearing you down. Going through the draft, you’re going to hear a lot of negative things and then, when you get into camp as well, you have to be humble as well. You have to serve the team and show them you can play. I felt like I learned all those lessons this past year.”

• Don’t Just Take Our Word For It, Part Two-  Again, from the Browns’ website, Mike Brewster said that his work at OSU prepared him well,

“Every day at practice was a challenge, so I definitely think that will pay dividends,” Brewster said of Ohio State. “It really comes in the preparation the last couple weeks and really, four years of college. Now, it’s just show time and it’s time to go out there and do it. Anytime you get a chance to go against the best, you want to measure yourself.”

• Crunching Numbers At Crunch Time- Even though we’ve hit a lull in the Urban Meyer Recruiting Cavalcade, there are still worries that Ohio State might have some issues when it comes to making the 2012 class fit under the 82 scholarship limit imposed by the NCAA.  The Dispatch takes a close look at the numbers, while the OZone’s Brandon Castel has some insider information on some of the attrition that usually happens when there’s a change in coaching. While we (and our friends at Oversigning.com) will be watching the numbers closely to see if there are any SEC shenanigans, it should be remembered that this is not something Urban’s been wont to do. Oh, and Cincinnati has over thirty current verbals. I guess Ohio’s BCS team is trying to become Ohio’s SEC team.
• You Will Comply- The Lantern has an update on the move to make athletic compliance a part of the larger University oversight.
• Urban Sez- Bonus material from the interview with the BTN-

Read More

Tags: Baltimore Ravens, BCS, BTN, Chip Kelley, Cleveland Browns, Columbus Dispatch, Compliance, Craig James, DeVier Posey, ESPN, Finance, Higher Education, Jerry Sandusky, Joe Paterno, Mike Adams, Mike Brewster, NCAA, Oregon, Phil Knight, Recruiting, SBP, Urban Meyer, Wisconsin Badgers
Categories: College Football, Humor, Miscellaneous, Ohio State Basketball, Ohio State Football

Following up our excellent conversation with Jonathan Wells and The Wiz of Odds, we continue our return with another great interview. New Orleans Saints Free Safety Malcolm Jenkins (OSU DB ’05-’08) joins me on the podcast! In addition to being a Buckeye Legend and Super Bowl champion, Malcolm’s work in the community is making a difference in New Orleans and is worth checking out.

Jenkins discusses his feelings about the current situation surrounding his Alma mater, along with his feelings about OSU compliance in particular. He also talks Coach Tressel, the NFL Lockout, and what he thinks of Nebraska joining the Big Ten.

You don’t want to miss his thoughts on Ray Small’s recent comments, so make certain to stop by and listen to the latest Buckeye Battle Cry Radio Hour!

Be sure to subscribe on iTunes so that you’ll be up to date with the latest from our writers and guests.

Tags: Compliance, Jim Tressel, Malcolm Jenkins, Nebraska, Ohio State, Radio Hour, Ray Small
Categories: Analysis, Buckeye Battle Cry Radio Hour, College Football, Conference Expansion, Ohio State Football