Buckeye Blogger NetworkAnd now, it gets real. Conference season. No more cupcakes… although, that hasn’t worked out all that well for a lot of teams. Today’s soundtrack is from this week’s release, and was chosen just to make our friend Bacon happy.
Quack
Let’s start out west this week, which gives me a chance to do two of my favorite things in the world. The first is to enjoy this moment: Oh, Rich Rod face, how I’ve missed your sublime poignancy. The second is to post a great FanShot, sent to us from pretty choice seats in Eugene… lots of people making their “O” face in that game, for sure. As a reminder, if you go to a game this year, send us a photo and we’ll run it on Monday mornings.
So, let’s talk about the Ducks. The wife and I watched the game… at least until Arizona threw a 4th and goal interception in the third quarter. After that, the fate of the Wildcats was sealed and we headed onto other things (Food Network, Ahoy!). ‘Cause here’s the fact- Oregon may take some time to warm up, but once they find weakness they will attack and attack and attack… and the next thing you know, you lose 49-0. Well, until they play a team with a defensive front, that is.
While the Ducks are still doing what they do, I’ve got to tip my hat a bit to Arizona- it was fun to watch the Rodriguez offense again and only have a little bit of hatred for the passes to the slot receivers and so forth. He’ll do well in Tuscon, particularly given that the transition won’t be as drastic as it was heading from Morgantown to Ann Arbor… and he probably doesn’t have alumni and former coaches trying to sabotage him as well.
In fact, I’d love to see RRod’s former team play the one he just faced- What WVa is doing offensively is probably the only thing that can match with the speed and scoring ability that we’re seeing in Eugene. Granted, they only managed 31 against a pretty bad Maryland team, but the potential is there. A bowl game between Chip Kelly and Dana Holgorsen would certainly surpass the UW/Baylor game from last year, and would feature some of the most unique costumes uniforms in college sports.
I don’t know which is worse- that the play was allowed to continue, or that the official seems to be enjoying the spectacle. A little help here: Was the player that removed the helmet ejected, as per the rules? Read More
Lots of excitement in your Wednesday updates…
Ah, balloons...
Buckeye Hoops 411
Buckeye Football 411
As you do the research necessary to win this year’s BBN Bracket Challenge, we here at tBBC are previewing each region to give you just a bit of info on teams not named “Ohio State”. Here’s a gander at Bob Seger’s favorite part of the bracket.
Favorites: You can’t spell “Midwest” without “Meh”- While North Carolina is the top seed, you’ll have to drill all the way down to the #7 slot before you find a team that won it’s conference tournament, and that was an OT victory for St. Mary’s in the WCC final. Sure, Carolina won the ACC, but they couldn’t solve FSU more than once this season, and KU ended up behind Mizzou in what’s left of the Big Integer. There’s really no one who stands out, but there’s no one that looks to be mis-placed, either… You’ve got to think that Roy Williams will have his team ready for the long haul and intensity that is March Madness. Based on their mix of experience and youth, I’m going to go with the Tarheels as the obvious favorite in the region.
Throughout this bowl season, tBBC’s team looks at all the bowls to give you enough info to convince your family it’s worth watching. Enjoy!
"I like them taters, Mmm hmm..."
The Basics: 5:30 PM ET on ESPN, from Boise Idaho. Ohio (9-4, 6-2 MAC) and Utah State (7-5, 5-2 MWC.
The History: Hey! It’s the third sponsor in three years! That’s a tradition that must be preserved… Second MAC/MWC matchup of the day.
Ohio Bobcats- Frank Solich’s team made it all the way to the MAC championship as the East representative, and fell apart late to drop a heart breaker to Northern Illinois. They’re 39th in the nation in passing yardage, led by QB Tyler Tettleton’s 3100 yards and WR LaVon Brazill’s 1100 yards receiving.
Utah State Aggies – Rushing attack led by Robert Turbin’s 1400 yards is sixth in the nation. Took the defending national champs to the wire in the season opener, and destroyed Wyoming 63-19 early in MWC play.
Fun Facts- The Buckeyes have never played in this game, nor played Utah State (home of impressive gender role research). Brady Hoke believes he’s undefeated against the Bobcats (he’s wrong); Brandon Hanning is still a punk.
Who We Got?
Since everyone’s talking about the other battle in The ‘Shoe on Saturday (note: kid wasn’t even a student at OU, jumped Brutus out of nowhere and from behind, and STILL didn’t get a win. Classy), it might be a good idea to remember what happened during the game:
If Ohio State wasn’t the #2 team in the country and fans weren’t expecting great things down the road from the Buckeyes, the game on Saturday would have been a resounding success.
That, however, is not the case. Ohio State fans are hungry for bigger and better things from this team, and there are still several areas that need improvement.
While there are certainly things that this team can do better, getting lost in the flaws is missing the forest for the trees. It is still way too early in the year to sweat the small stuff.
I understand that the small stuff can be the difference between a win and a loss in a close game, but any potential close games are still weeks away, giving the Buckeyes plenty of time to continue to get better.
The optimist in me is almost happy that this team has flaws that they can continue to work on each week. It provides motivation and drive to a team that might otherwise become complacent.
During a stretch of less-than-exciting match ups, motivation is important.
Join me after the jump for our weekly look at how the Buckeyes stacked up against our pre-game expectations of them. Read More
Totally pissed
This week Ohio State plays host to the Bobcats of Ohio University, led by Head Coach Frank Solich. Unlike the two previous coaches featured in this series, this is not Solich’s first head coaching position. In fact, Solich is far more well-known for his past head coaching position than for his current post. For those who may not be familiar with the man once called Fearless Frankie, let’s take a look at some history.
Solich is an Ohio native, having grown up in Cleveland in the 40′s and 50′s. He was recruited to play at the University of Nebraska (who we will welcome to the Big “Ten” next season) and went on to achieve great success at running back for the Huskers. Post-graduation, Solich began his coaching career in the high school realm, where he stayed for over 10 years before making the leap into the collegiate ranks, signing on with the coaching staff at his alma mater.
Like the annual haircut (whether needed or not), a new “look” makes a world of difference, no? Since all of the cool kids were getting new school clothes, we thought in only appropriate to join in on the blog couture arms race.
Big thanks to Chad of Digital:Construct, an OSU alum who was great to work with (even upgraded the old Etch-a-Sketch) throughout the process.
Now, news and notes from the intertubes:
Buckeye 411
REPORTER: You’ve lost 41 times playing other Ohio colleges.
COACH TRESSEL: You said that last year but you used 40.
REPORTER: Can you imagine what it would be like –
COACH TRESSEL: You asked the same question. You’ve got to get new material.
REPORTER: I need a better answer maybe.
COACH TRESSEL: What was my answer last time?
REPORTER: I don’t remember.
COACH TRESSEL: Then how do you know it wasn’t good? You weren’t pleased with it, but you don’t know what it was. Man!
Miami news
No Clue At All: I know I’m a little late on this, but it’s been a busy week…
in various online fantasy football and baseball leagues. In all instances, he paid an entry fee and played for a chance to win prizes, which meets the NCAA definition of sports wagering.
Not only did the former head coach participate in wagering, he also purchased an online fantasy football business and oversaw its operations as part owner and managing partner. In 2008, the former volunteer coach, who was already employed by the university at the time, was hired by the former head coach to work in this business. The former volunteer coach acted as “commissioner” of the fantasy leagues, coordinating the competitions and monitoring the selection of players by those who paid entry fees to participate. In the spring of 2008, he traveled to Las Vegas to oversee a live “draft.”
