We're knee deep into the offseason, which typically means we're in store for a few months of recruiting updates, debates on all-time teams/coaches/shower beers and the like before the Buckeyes begin fall camp in early August.
Seriously, as long as Charles Robinson isn't sniffing around town1 and the team avoids Fulmer Cup recognition, it's smooth sailing2 as we count down the days until kickoff by discussing things that would rarely earn a passing notice during the heart of the season.
Today's topic is Ohio State's move to academic semesters and The Plain Dealer's esteemed Doug Lesmerises broke down the transition nicely over the weekend:
Under the former quarter system, Ohio State classes didn't begin until late September (last year it was on Sept. 21) meaning the Buckeyes always played three, sometimes four, games before taking a single class. That didn't change the NCAA rule on the 20 hours each week coaches can mandate from athletes. But it left a lot of free time for players to make the Woody Hayes Athletic Center their homes.
Extra film study. Extra conditioning. Extra hours with the playbook. Time for the freshmen to figure out big-time football before figuring out where English 110 meets. After working out all summer and going through preseason practice, the Buckeyes then were able to focus on football for 25 percent of the schedule.
It was an edge for Ohio State. But did the Buckeyes win more games because of it? Probably not.
Doug goes on to point out that Ohio State went just 6-4 in the 10 national matchups that were supposed to be competitive during out of conference play in the last decade (losses to Miami, USC twice and Texas). While it would be nice to have a control group in the form of the same staff and routine of the previous decade, I can't help but think the new regime will help mitigate any disruptions from the switch to semesters. There are so many things that are new and different right now for the players -- and that will extend through fall camp -- that they may not even notice much of a difference from the academic calendar switch. If that even matters.
The change also helps the Buckeyes headed to the NFL and the men's basketball program on the Academic Progress Rate front. With the graduation date in the second week of June on the quarters system, a rule that limits players to one NFL rookie camp until graduation day will soon be moot and the move to semesters lessens the APR damage early NBA entrants can do.
So, yay, semesters.
SWEAT TAKES A PASS. Andrew Sweat's failure to show up for Cleveland's rookie mini-camp surprised more than a few of us on Friday, but maybe it shouldn't have.
Sweat has already been accepted to several law schools, so he's not your typical jock best equipped to line up and hit someone at fast speeds. With a national discussion centering on football head injuries and a personal history of concussions, perhaps Sweat looked at the odds -- data has shown that only 30% of undrafted free agents actually stick with a team -- and decided he had better options than putting his head and body on the line in between avoiding Friar Tucks and singing in talent shows.
Best of luck to Andrew in whatever he decides on in life.
'Til we wobble in our shoes.PUTTING THEIR MONEY WHERE THEIR BEER FOAM MUSTACHE IS. Several media outlets have picked up on Ramzy's idea of selling beer in Ohio Stadium, and while I wish I could tell you momentum was brewing (I'll be here all night), it doesn't look like it will happen anytime soon.
Last week, the local ESPN radio affiliate devoted a segment to it and yesterday, The Toledo Blade's David Briggs weighed in on the topic, exploring the school's about face on alcohol and more specifically, alcohol-related advertisements. According to Gene Smith, the school was proactive in combating some of the problems it faced in 2002 and 2003 when partying and riots spiraled out of control:
"We went through challenges in 2002 and 2003, so we made a lot of big changes because we felt like alcohol contributed to some of the problems," said OSU athletic director Gene Smith, who arrived at the school in 2005. "Now, we're in a more family-oriented environment."
In the Big 12, every school except Baylor allows alcohol in luxury suites, but you won't find that at Ohio Stadium anytime soon. In fact, the school has gone so far as to renegotiate media deals:
OSU renegotiated its radio deal to ban beer sponsorships -- the 2003 contract fell in value by $85,000. In 2008, the school signed a national petition to keep broadcasts of college athletic events free of alcohol advertising.
Compare that to the NCAA, which bans alcohol at its 88 championships3 but also raked in nearly $45 million in advertising from Anheuser-Busch InBev and SABMiller for 2011 men's basketball tournament alone. Unsurprisingly, the NCAA did not return Briggs' request for comment on the matter.
[As an interesting aside in the article, the 21 schools that currently serve beer at their home games are listed, including the Miami Hurricanes. That fact only makes photos like this all the more puzzling.]
DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS. The Dispatch's Tim May took a look at offensive coordinator Tom Herman's extensive Texas roots. While most of you are aware of his previous stint at Iowa State, not many know that he spent his first 11 years in Texas, first in Austin as a graduate assistant and then Sam Houston State, Texas State and Rice.
It's no surprise, then, that Ohio State is hitting the Lone Star State hard on the recruiting front. Quarterback J.T. Barrett of Wichita Falls, Texas is committed to the 2013 class and running back Dontre Wilson of DeSoto, Texas lists the Buckeyes in his top three.
Urban Meyer on the school's approach to recruiting in Texas:
"I wouldn’t say we’ve been all over the place in Texas, but we will cherry pick when we’re interested in a kid, find out if there is a connection (that would enhance interest in Ohio State), then we’ll recruit him real hard. That’s just like what we’ll do with California, just because the high-school football there is so good. … We’re just trying to make a little bit of an impact."
Carry on, sir.
AT FIRST I WAS LIKE "THIS SUCKS," BUT THEN I WAS LIKE "NAH, WE'RE COOL." Two weeks ago, the rumors of a Florida State move to the Big 12 were just the talk of fringe message board fans. But then Saturday happened.
The chairman of FSU's Board of Trustees, Andy Haggard, told Rivals that he was upset with the new ACC television deal and that he would like to see the Seminoles explore leaving the ACC for a better deal. Hours later, FSU coach Jimbo Fisher echoed Haggard's comments, saying he would be down with whatever was good for the school. Finally, the day ended with Florida State President Eric Barron apologizing for the stink caused by Haggard's comments.
We'll have to see how this plays out, but yeah, that TV deal is kind of garbage.
ETC: Salon on "Rust Belt Chic"... Cool story of an Ivy League janitor that graduated with honors... Iowa basketball will leave you speechless... Shopped, but funny... Sunday morning at every store that sells cards in America... You're doing it right, kid... Times New Roman, it's funnier than Arial... TIMMAA!!
- 1 He isn't, is he?
- 2 I say that, but two years ago Expansiongeddon dominated the summer, while last year brought us The Troubles. Covering Jim Tressel's downfall was one of the least enjoyable things I've ever had to do in my life, but it could have been worse. Johnny somehow managed to pull Skull Session duty on the morning after every single bit of bad news came out.
- 3 This may be something to keep in mind when advocating NCAA-run college football playoffs. Bowl games presently serve beer.
