Buckeye Blogger NetworkUpdated post: In case you’d forgotten, today is the birthday of Wayne Woodrow Hayes. He would have been 100 years old.
Leader. Legend.
Born in Clifton Ohio, Woody followed a stint in the US Navy by coaching at Denison (his alma mater) and Miami University before transforming Ohio State football as we currently know it.
Woody led the Buckeyes to 5 national titles and 13 Big Ten titles; his teams’ matchups against former assistant Bo Schembechler’s Wolverines during the Ten Year War also defined The Game for generations of midwestern sports fans. In fact, Woody’s decision to go for two because three was out of the question may have even been the impetus for current UM coach Brady Hoke’s inability to remember the full name of his school’s rival. Read More
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
If you’re an Ohio State fan, you get it.
You understand that the end of season match against That Team Up North is the measuring stick by which the program is defined.
You know that going out for groceries in many towns in Ohio during The Game is an exercise in futility; a lot of places are closed for the sacred observance of the annual clash.
If you’re a younger fan, you may wonder what the big deal is, though- last year was but a blip in the 10 year domination that Ohio State has had over their vaunted rivals. Growing up during the Cooper administration, though, you have a different perspective: 2-10-1 burns deep into your psyche. Before him, Coach Bruce managed 5-4 in his tenure; a winning record, but not enough to allow him to keep his job.
And even yet today, both Coaches Bruce and Cooper still spend time in the athletic center named for the coach that made The Game what it is; their legacy and leadership helping ensure that the significance of this event is passed down to the next generation of Buckeyes.
While always significant, it was Coach Woody Hayes, who would not even say the name of That School or buy gasoline in That State, who made the rivalry what it truly is. While the “Ten Year War” between the schools is well documented, what’s less remembered is the second victory Coach Hayes had over the Wolverines and what it meant for him and the rest of the program.
Ohio State would never be the same after November 20, 1954… especially for a group of optometry students. Read More
Lots of excitement in your Wednesday updates…
Ah, balloons...
Buckeye Hoops 411
Buckeye Football 411
St. Woody of Columbus. Would have been 98 today…
Legend
What? It’s also Valentine’s day? Oh, ok: here’s a quote about love you can share with your significant other-
“I love football. I think it is the most wonderful game in the world and I despise to lose. I’ve hated to lose ever since I was a kid and threw away the mallets when I lost at croquet.”
As promised, here is a look at various ten year periods of Ohio State football.
The Cooper years, with some serious 2002 assistance from Tressel.
I threw this one in mostly for fun and cheated by including 2002. Even with that, this ten year period is behind in all categories… but not by much.
The record against Michigan and in bowl games, as well as a lack of Big Ten championships, is what really brings this decade down a notch. Read More
It’s the off season and that means it’s the perfect time to ponder some ponderables. For instance, who’s regime at Ohio State was (is) better, Jim Tressel’s or Woody Hayes’?
Ohio State football personified.
Before we start, I want to make it clear that Woody Hayes is Ohio State football and he always will be. I am not challenging that. What I would like to compare is which period of Ohio State football was “better”, the Jim Tressel era or the Woody Hayes era.
Another thing to get out of the way right now is that obviously the Jim Tressel era isn’t over yet. That only makes the issue more interesting as far as I’m concerned because it opens up the additional question: what does Jim Tressel need to do over his final seasons to surpass Woody Hayes?
And there is little question that Tressel is entering his final seasons.
The contender.
Tressel recently signed a contract extension through the 2014 season. There is much speculation that it could be the last contract extension he signs (there was speculation that he would retire when his initial contract expired in 2012 too, so take it for what it’s worth).
Even if Tressel does extend again, he has said he doesn’t see himself coaching as long as a Paterno or a Bowden, so I will say very roughly that he retires within the next ten years.
That leaves us with two questions: how do the two coaches compare now? and what does Tressel need to do over the final years of his regime to clearly separate himself from the Godfather of Ohio State football.
Let’s break it down. Ding! Ding! Ding!
Ok, not to be “that guy”, but like many Buckeye fans I find myself with a huge amount of trepidation regarding Saturday’s game.
Perhaps it’s because I’m a believer in The Wolf’s mantra about counting chickens, or perhaps it’s because I want to be more satisfied with my cheering/viewing experience. Either way, I’m not seeing this game as the blowout that many fans from both sides are.
Since my therapist and the voices in my head tell me that it’s good to “talk these types of things through”, let me give you a couple of reasons that we should remember that The Game means throwing out the record books.
Ok, that was depressing… and eye opening. Two more reasons to never EVER take The Game lightly, these with better endings.
With all the rumors swirling around TTUN, with the sense of desperation around the team and the coaching staff, there’s no better time to remember the wisdom of St. Woody-
“The time you give a man something he doesn’t earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect.”
This year, as always, victory in The Game must be earned.
