Weekly Rittenberg Everyone loves them some Adam Rittenberg, so this week we once again bring you some gold from ESPN’s Big Ten Blogger. Adam spoke to the Bucks this week and they certainly know what’s at stake on Saturday. Here is his weekly update on the Big Ten Awards Race. If you don’t live outside the OSU world, here is what to watch in the conference this week. Finally, here are Adam’s predictions for this weekend’s games. If he’s on spot for OSU-UM, I’ll be a happy camper.
Prognosticating Bowl Season While there is still a substantial amount of football to be played the rest of this year, now is a good time to look at what teams will end up where. Stewart Mandel of SI.com likes the Bucks in the Sugar Bowl against LSU, which would surely be spiffed up to be a 2008 MNC rematch. CBS Sports has OSU in New Orleans as well, but against one-loss Auburn, setting up an epic Terrelle Pryor-Cam Newtown match-up (if he’s eligible). Finally, Kevin Bull of the Free Press likes the Bucks to go to either the Sugar or Orange Bowls, keeping things pretty constant across the board. For some reason the Orange Bowl just doesn’t do it for me, even if we haven’t been there in 33 years or so. I’m all for the Sugar Bowl and getting a shot to end the “Oh-and-nine” chants.
Double-Down On Your Boren All eyes are focused on Justin Boren this week, as he competes in his final time in The Game. The Plain Dealer has a good piece on Boren going for an even 2-2 mark in the series, of course with both wins potentially coming from the good side. While Justin is likely off to the NFL after this season, his brother Zach might not be too far behind. Making a name for himself as a solid pass-catching option out of the backfield as a freshman, the younger Boren has proven himself to be an even better blocker as a sophomore this year. Dave Biddle does a good job breaking down his reasoning on why Zach is the best fullback to play under Jim Tressel. Yes, even better than My Favorite Martin. Oh, and by the way, the youngest Boren, Jacoby, is a 2012 center prospect and holds an offer from the Buckeyes. Don’t be surprised to see him commit this weekend at The Shoe.
Dane FTW In case you missed it in the forums yesterday, this video is just pure awesome:
The Game Tim May of the Dispatch talks about how the Bucks shouldn’t be seeing anything new Saturday, as Michigan’s offense is very comparable to the one the Silver Bullets shut down against Oregon in last year’s Rose Bowl. Doug Lesmerises says this weekend’s showdown between Denard Robinson and Terrelle Pryor should be an exciting one to watch. On a side not, it will actually be the first time in the rivalry that there are two African-American starting quarterbacks since Cornelius Greene and Dennis Franklin squared off in 1973-1974. Jack Park has some facts and figures heading into the 107th edition of The Game. Scout breaks down some recruiting rivalries, and surprisingly there is only one prospect under OSU-Michigan. Either the Bucks and Wolverines just recruit different type athletes nowadays or maybe it’s different talent levels. Finally, the Detroit News says Rich Rod should be canned if he loses to the Buckeyes this weekend. We can’t disagree, but we can only hope they’re wrong.
Mirror Lake Jump Lives On Tuesday was made the new night for the traditional Mirror Lake Jump, as most students will be home for the holiday tonight, the normal evening of the event. The Ozone did a good job filming the Tuesday debut, so check it out here. I kinda like this one better though:
