We’re one week away from National Letter Of Intent Day, and the excitement (and chaos) is building.  We’ll talk a bit this week about the idea of “verbals” and visits, but let’s dig through the news bucket a bit first, shall we? Oh, and Mark Titus’ favorite band brings us our musical inspiration for the morning. Happy Wednesday.

Buckeye 411

• Taking My Talents To… Tuesday night, we got another great shot of Buckeye alum Greg Oden, just as rumors were swirling about his work to rejoin an NBA franchise. In what might seem to be the most ironic choice of programs, speculation is that his return could either be with the Cavaliers or the Miami Heat… although, I’m sure he’ll be a lot more professional about how he makes that announcement. Either way, Ohio State fans will be excited to see him back in action, and we wish him nothing but the best.
• As The Recruiting World Turns- Ohio State picked up a great wide receiver on Tuesday, but the recruiting cycle is far from over. We’re hearing positive things from Trey Johnson’s coach, but haven’t heard anything specific from him.  Ezekiel Elliott seems to be back on board as well, but has stated that he’s not willing to do interviews until a week from today, and announced on Tuesday that he would make his announcement at 3:00 PM at his school. Could this mean that he wants time to see what else happens with the OSU recruiting process before making his decision? Again, those who know feel confident that he will still be in the scarlet and gray, but that’s what makes this whole time of year so interesting, isn’t it?
• RE: Cruiting, Part Deux- The two “big names” that are still out there are Vonn Bell and Dontre Wilson; the former seems to be torn between the hometown Vols, Alabama, and the relationships that he has made with Ohio State’s coaches and possible teammates.  Bell has a visit from Coach Withers on Thursday; he’ll then shut down his recruiting and make a decision some time this weekend.  Wilson, the current Oregon commitment, had a great visit in Columbus last week by all accounts, but it was announced today that he would be visiting his home school with a trip to Austin this weekend. Given that the Longhorns recruited the last two Heisman Trophy winners and tried to make them play defensive back, it’s hard to see an offensive threat like Wilson in Austin, particularly given that the offense Texas runs has little similarity to the Ducks or what Urban Meyer is building.

Commentary- Commitment Read More

Tags: Alabama, Dontre Wilson, Ezekiel Elliott, Greg Oden, Manti Te'o, Michigan, Oversigning, Penn State, SBP, Trey Johnson, Virginia, Vonn Bell, Western Michigan
Categories: College Football, Conference Expansion, Humor, Michigan Football, NCAA Investigations, Ohio State Football

There is nothing more prestigious than being invited to play and watching the Pizza Pizza Bowl on the day after the day after Christmas. Every single year, we struggle with letting go of Pepperoni Perfection. Especially when it involves some MACtion and a barely eligible bowl team that left a sour taste in Ohio State fans just over a month ago (They are Pumped in Indiana!). Gone is my prediction and hopes that Brady Hoke would meet “Ohio” at Ford Field in his initial season of cleaning up scUM. Wait, the Bobcats don’t need quotations. THEY ARE OHIO. Silly me…. I hate blonde Hoke moments.  Anyways, there is still a lot to look forward to from a team that loves their coach and another that is proud to holster the MAC’s greatest PAT kicker of all-time.

Nothing Like Slapping "Pizza Bowl" on a Corporate Logo

Seriously. We have a decent football game ahead of us on Tuesday.

The Basics: Tuesday, 4:30 PM ET on ESPN, from Detroit (Ford Field).  Western Michigan (7-5, 5-3 MAC) and Purdue (6-6, 4-4 B1G).

The History: As much as I mocked this bowl in the opener, the last two games at Ford Field have been really exciting. Just a year ago, FIU hit the big time with their last second field goal win over Toledo. Mario Cristobal, who is the favorite to take over at Pitt, got his Panthers to consecutive bowl games despite losing to 2009 Little Caesars Pizza bowl selection Marshall last week. The battle for the Bell was yet another Pizza Pizza bowl that was entertaining early. Despite holding Marshall scoreless in the second half, Ohio couldn’t put enough together to beat their former MAC rival. It was also in 2009 that history was set by Sarah Thomas, who became the first female to officiate a bowl game.
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Tags: 2011-12 Bowls, Little Caesars Bowl, Purdue Boilermakers, Western Michigan
Categories: College Football

ESPN just announced that Rich Rodriquez has been linked to a booster that is banned by the NCAA.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — One of the business partners involved in the real estate venture at the root of a federal lawsuit against Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez is an accused felon and banned Clemson University booster.

The partner, Clegg Lamar Greene of Clemson, S.C., was arrested Dec. 29 and charged with multiple counts of breach of trust.

[snip]

When he partnered up with Rodriguez in September 2007, Greene had already been banned twice from being a booster at Clemson. NCAA investigators accused Greene in 2000 of providing a $1,300 loan and use of his boat to two Clemson recruits.

Coming up for the rest of the week, Brian at MGoBlog will write six dissertations about how “these are not the droids you are looking for.”

It’s comical, in my opinion.

Remember the good old days, when Michigan bloggers only had to freak out about a report that said RichRod would be platooning three QBs against Western Michigan? That was four days ago.

Oh, the times, they are a-changin’.

———–

Oh, and as you hear the whiny excuses over the next few days, keep this in mind…Rodriquez partnered himself with the guy BEFORE he was the head coach at Michigan. Yes, you’ll hear that excuse. Well, why the hell didn’t Bill Martin actually investigate who RichRod was before hiring the guy?

Michigan bloggers freaked out when they learned that their new stud QB was actually a coke dealer and declared “how DARE you ask us to investigate his past before we signed him to play at UM?”

That excuse isn’t going to fly with the guy that makes 2 million a year of Michigan money.

Bottom line – Michigan hired a guy who had partnered up with a felon that had been TOLD not to have contact with NCAA coaches and/or players. That’s at best stupid, at worst, unethical and potentially criminal.

You made the bed. Now lay down.

Tags: Bill Martin, Clemson, Justin Feagin, MGoBlog, NCAA penalties, Stupid people, Western Michigan
Categories: Uncategorized

The new rankings are out.  No major surprises.  Buckeyes are 10th.

But this just in…..The University of Michigan is now the 4th best team in the state of Michigan.

Yes, that’s right.  Michigan State is ranked 18th.  Western Michigan is #32.  Central Michigan is #34.

UM is unranked.  Three teams in Michigan are better than them.

Tags: Central Michigan, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Polls, Western Michigan
Categories: Uncategorized