Good morning Buckeye Nation! We can officially say ZERO wakeups until Ohio State Football kicks off because, if you're half as excited as I am, there's no way you're falling asleep tonight. A true Buckeye only knows two seasons, football season and offseason, and the one we live for has finally arrived.
Midwest autumns certainly have this indescribable magic to them that nothing else can top, but football season feels more like spring this time around. The brutal, wintry cold of a hellacious offseason is finally over and a new chapter in Buckeye football is about to emerge... what could be more beautiful (and insomnia worthy) than that?
In case you haven't noticed the lack of a brilliantly crafted obscure movie reference by now, I am your new 11W entertainment for Friday mornings as Sarah is now your Girl Wednesday. The pressure of my first Skull Session coinciding with Ohio State Kickoff Eve probably rivals that of Antonio Cromartie trying to name all his children, so I thought I'd try a little bribery before I dive in. Pat Forde has managed to make a career out of pictures of women with no relevance to his articles, and word on the street is you guys have some weird yoga pants fetish. It's okay, I don't judge... I just bribe, so click and enjoy.
In case you're now nervous I'll be channeling Forde regularly, you can put your barf bags away. I won't ever be urging any of you to get on the "bus" as I had hoped that thing took a nosedive in Nevada. Before this Skull Session does just that, let's get started.
ANOTHER THREE BITE THE DUST. Ignore everything I just said about the long and cold offseason being over. As if the Tat Five suspensions weren't buzzkill enough, Ohio State officials announced Thursday that another three players will be suspended for the season opener against Akron tomorrow. Junior RB Jordan Hall, Junior DB Travis Howard and Sophomore DB Corey Brown received impermissible benefits of up to $300 in total value at a charity event earlier this year. While current, unconfirmed, speculation claims the "impermissible benefits" were gift bags given to attendees at the event, taking a gift bag would be a no-no for someone whose standing as a student-athlete was their ticket to the event. Drew Tate probably thinks this rule sucks 83 times as much as the Charity Three do.
In case you're in need of a few silver linings to the latest dark cloud hovering over the Horseshoe, here they are:
1. Ohio State now has three more players we know won't get injured on Saturday.
2. The Buckeyes are playing Akron. While I wouldn't go as far as to say my grandmother could beat them, Gardner-Webb did last year. I'm simultaneously hoping that's close enough, and that I didn't just jinx something here.
3. They were doing charity, not hookers. Antonio Henton could not be reached for comment.
RUSSELLMANIA LIVES UP TO THE HYPE. Kicking off the official start of big time college football this year, Wisconsin defeated the UNLV Rebels Thursday night 51-17. While the defense (feeling the loss of former DE J.J. Watt to the NFL) looked rather lackluster, Russell Wilson (transfer from NC State) impressed a crowd of 77,085 at Camp Randall. Wilson was 10/13 for 255 yards and 2 TDs and also had 2 carries for 62 yards and a 3rd score. Wilson's offensive line was a big help, as Russell experienced less physical contact Thursday night than a rule abiding BYU student.
In case you need a new countdown: 57 days until Bucky comes to the 'Shoe. This is exciting stuff, as it's not often a mascot brings his twin brother to Columbus to coach the game.
One day away. The incomparable Script Ohio.
THE OHIO STATE BUCKEYES, NEBRASKA EDITION. The distinguished news source that is Maurice Clarett's Twitter announced Thursday night that the Omaha Nighthawks have signed Troy Smith to a UFL contract. Worried college football fans everywhere can finally breathe a sigh of relief and call off the search party as news of Smith's contract also let us know that his fellow Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch is alive and well.
Smith will compete against Crouch and Jeremiah Masoli for the Nighthawks' starting QB job. Troy also joins former Buckeyes Clarett and Roy Hall as the third OSU alum on the Omaha Nighthawks. Maurice later tweeted that he's "going to call up Coach Tressel to see if he can make it to a game or two." Well Maurice, sadly, I don't believe he's busy these days so I'm sure he would love to go.
ONCE AGAIN, DANE GIVES US SOMETHING WE CAN ALL FEEL GOOD ABOUT. I happened to meet Dane Sanzenbacher's father at Varsity Club the night before the '10 Miami game and let him know that I wished I had a younger sister solely for the purpose of setting her up with his son. The more I see out of Dane, the more I wish I had a time machine and an open mind to cougar status. How could you not love this guy?
As sad as Buckeye fans were that his time had come to move on, it's great to see him proving himself at the next level, and that's exactly what he did Thursday night in the Bears' preseason finale. Sanzenbacher contributed to Chicago's 24-14 victory over Cleveland with 4 receptions for 50 yards. He also returned a punt 66 yards for a touchdown. The touchdown was eventually called back for a holding penalty, but the impression had already been made.
Sanzenbacher on the punt return:
'It was great. Anything you can do to try to turn heads at this point is a positive step. You hate to see the flag on the ground when you turn around. But I can't remember the last time I returned a punt... it was pretty cool being out there and doing it.''
While the Bears still need to finalize their 53 man roster, all signs point to Sanzenbacher having done what he needed to do to earn his spot. If not in Chicago, then somewhere in the league. I don't doubt for a second that I speak for all Buckeyes when I say we wish him the best.
FLASHBACK FRIDAY. Previously, on "Ohio State Football"... In case you missed this on Monday... Laughing at Michigan is always fun... This should definitely get you pumped for the season to begin... I wish for world peace, and to SHOCK THE WORLD!
