Buckeye Blogger Network
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Interesting Tuesday in college sports, to say the least. We’ll get to all the movers and shakers, but first a little traveling music.
Buckeye 411
Most of the frustration was aimed at the inclusion of Notre Dame’s Manti Te’o, who we’ve argued here before is only a finalist due to his team’s success, solid (but not great) numbers, and the great “story” that his season has been- both for him and as a heart of the awakened echoes of the Irish program. Tony Gerdeman from the OZone compared Te’o to AJ Hawk, the last linebacker to be seriously considered for the Heisman, and found that Hawk’s numbers eclipsed the Irish’ star. He, along with the guys at Land Grant Holy Land (check out the infographic) continue to compare his numbers to Ohio State’s Ryan Shazier- Gerd points out that, in the last three games of the season, Shazier outplayed Te’o and almost doubled his statistics, minus the interceptions. Given that Te’o plays in a variation of the Tampa 2 defense which requires more coverage, this might make sense- different roles for both players. But it does highlight the fact that Te’o is a debatable finalist… and as such, might have just as well been left home with Miller and Marquis Lee (who I believe is the best player in the country this season).
With no hope of a national championship, the Buckeyes saw excellence as its own reward—and achieved it. What better example of pure sportsmanship could there be? Next year, Ohio State will once again be jockeying for a high-profile bowl berth and all the cash that flows from it. This year’s team, by contrast, will stand forever as the one that played not for money but for pride.
No "#Swoon" Hashtag?
As usual, friend of tBBC Josh Winslow was in The Horseshoe Saturday night to bring us some outstanding photos of the game. Here are some of our favorites, and make sure to check out the rest at his site.
It was a big night for recruiting, and Canton GlenOak RB Brionte Dunn was one of many recruits in attendance.
Click here for many more pictures from the game.
Tuesday’s update from the Ohio State press conference and the rest of college football news…
Don't Need No Stinking Badgers
Buckeye 411
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.
Whoopsie
A quick update of sorts: Sorry for the sketchy coverage over the past few days; we’re having an ongoing debate with the owners of the intertubes.
Actually, we’ve got a couple of big things we’re working on that should make your Buckeye experience a lot more enjoyable. Thanks for being patient with us…
Here’s the first announcement- tBBC is growing yet again, with another great member of the team. Wrapping up our “all J starting lineup” for this year’s Buckeye hoops tournament, we welcome Joe Dexter to the squadron. Formerly lead editor for Scarlet and Game, Joe brings a background in journalism that will certainly be welcomed here amongst us amateurs. Check the rest of his info in the “About Us” section, and look for an article from him tomorrow (if the server gods deem it so).
Other News
Subject of one of the greatest Beastie Boys lyrics ever
Couple of “in house” notes today-
27 days left until kickoff:
Two days before kickoff. 48 hours. Are you ready?
In keeping with the tradition of our countdown format, we bring you a player who has worn #2 for the Buckeyes. But Jeebus, who to pick???? Oh, the hell with it…..let’s just do a series of our #2 legends!
Part 3 belongs to a guy from Canton, Ohio – Mike Doss.
Makin' the Buckeye legends happy
When the 2001 season ended, Ohio State had compiled a 7-5 record and lost their bowl game. Junior defensive back Mike Doss was already hearing the NFL calling his name. Nobody would have said boo if he declared himself eligible for the draft.
But he saw something in the Buckeyes that the rest of the NCAA didn’t. He saw the realistic potential for a National Championship the following season. So he stayed. A rookie coach with a 7-5 squad, and he wanted to stay and win a title….damn, THAT is pride!
“My one goal, it was to win a National Championship. I won a championship on every level since I was 8 years old, and to come back and to get it done, I give all glory to God, and I thank the best damn fans in the land.”
A simple request to any Buckeye fan who ever runs into Doss – make sure you THANK the man for that. He stayed on and you know what happened….he didn’t lose a single game in his senior season, and that 14-0 Buckeye squad won the whole enchilada down in Tempe.
One last note – go back and look at the picture at the top of this post again….look at the faces on the sidelines behind Doss. Ever seen Eddie George and Kirk Herbstreit look so happy?
Back in the days when the Irish were actually a good team
Eddie George.
#27.
Do I need to say anything else?
