Well, it's Thursday. We are now only two days away from the "next embarrassment" or the "next surprise" or the "first whatever", game of the year for our beloved Bucks, depending on your own measuring stick.
As a Buckeye fan, I think there's nothing more interesting than to see how different segments of the fanbase react to these sorts of struggles. Sports, generally is a reflection of life, and it's not hard to make that comparison when witnessing the struggles of our beloved Scarlet and Gray warriors. There are the pragmatists who realize that sports is about the law of averages, there are the optimists who feel we are just "a few plays away from being 5-0", the pessimist who believes that we have played 1 good team and have only three wins, and so on and so forth.
What kind of fan are you?
BACK TO THE FUTURE. As we usher in this era of unusual uncertainty, it's hard to look back on some of the mediocre seasons past and try to figure out which of those seasons this year is most similar to. In 2001, Jim Tressel's first year at Ohio State, the Buckeyes returned a senior starting QB, Jonathan Wells rushed for over 1200 yards, Chris Vance and Michael Jenkins led the receivers and Ben Hartsock and Darnell Sanders lined up at TE. The offensive line was anchored by LeCharles Bentley and the team was mediocre, but the offense averaged just under 25 points a game as JT figured out his roster, on the way to a 7-5 season (with a win over Michigan, and an Outback Bowl loss).
In 2004, a season which saw the Buckeyes lose three straight after a 3-0 start, Tressel's troops were dealt a 33-7 beating at the hands of the Iowa Hawkeyes in Kinnick Stadium, and the Troy Smith era was officially upon us. The offense featured Troy Smith, Santonio Holmes, Anthony Gonzalez, Ted Ginn and a running back by committee of Lydell Ross, Antonio Pittman, and Brandon Joe. The offense averaged 24.16 points a game, as Ohio State finished 8-4 and decimated Oklahoma State by that same 33-7 score in the Alamo Bowl (Troy Smithless, and Justin Zwick saving the Todd Boeckman gray-shirt by playing with a badly hurt hamstring).
As this season unfolds, Buckeye have no doubt lowered their expecations for this season to uncomfortable levels. Those earlier years were distinctly different; in 2001 Buckeye fans had no idea of what to expect from Jim Tressel and his staff, or his teams. In 2004, the mid-season struggles were made a bit easier by knowing that a national championship coach was at the helm, and would most assuredly right the ship.
How do you think this season finishes out? 2001, 2004, or worse?
BOOM! THERE GOES THE DYNAMITE. First of all, this is sort of sad, ain't it? I mean, sure, we can pretend that you had bought a Rod Smith jersey before this season, but we all know that's not true. Hard to imagine a team with a group of "leaders" who have acted in a more selfish manner than the likes of Pryor, Posey, Herron and Mike Adams. It's nearly impossible to not feel all sorts of awful for those who did it the right way, like Mike Brewster and Jake Stoneburner, among others.
Those "leaders" have been the gift that never stops giving (no, not herpes) for the Ohio State football program, and the latest revelation could have a greater impact, long-term, than the issues that have been dealt with over the last year.
Whatchoo talking about, Willis?
Well, on Monday, as Gene Smith made himself and Ohio State an even bigger laughing-stock for the national media with another ridiculous press conference, he noted that the originial NCAA Committee on Infractions report, which was originally expected within the next week or so (it's been 8 weeks since the August 12th hearing) would now be amended to include these lastest findings. That means the Buckeyes may not receive their actual NCAA sanction until December, or even later.
If the Buckeyes athletic department intended to commence a coaching search after the regular season, not having the NCAA issues cleared up could put a good-sized dent into that timeline.
Bo Pelini gets himself ready for his big job interview
MR. PELINI, WE'LL SEE YOU NOW. I don't have the metrics available to back up this claim, but I would imagine that rarely in the history of college football has a team who will be searching for a new head coach post-season, had the opportunity to see first-hand so many potential hires.
There are dozens of candidates who would love to take over a job as high-profile as Ohio State's, but a few of the most "realistic" among them (not named Urban Meyer or Jon Gruden) would have to be Toledo's Tim Beckman, Michigan State's Mark Dantonio and Nebraska's Bo Pelini. Beckman and Dantonio both acquitted themselves nicely as they visited the 'Shoe with their squads, and some have cast their ballot for making a run at Miami's Al Golden, as well.
This week, Pelini gets his chance to impress the Ohio State brass and add a win against his alma mater to his resume. I don't believe that Pelini has the sideline demeanor or personality type that Ohio State is ultimately looking for in a head coach, but I can't help but think he would jump at the chance to come to Columbus.
YOU SERIOUS, CLARK(E)? One player who was conspicuous in his absence during the Buckeyes loss to Michigan State was cornerback Dominic Clarke. Clarke, who played well for the Buckeyes during Travis Howard's early season suspension, did not record a tackle as Howard was entrusted with covering Michigan State's all-time leading receiver, BJ Cunningham. Howard struggled mightily against Cunningham (unless riding a receiver for 5 yards on his way to a first down is now considered a success), but Fickell refused to make personnel adjustments to try and fix the problem. No idea why Clarke didn't get on the field, but if Howard Island continues to struggle, I will be shocked if Clarke doesn't retake the starting spot opposite Bradley Roby soon.
I read where someone suggested "Howard Island" was more like Put-In-Bay recently, since everyone in the midwest goes there to score on the weekends.
MEDIA-NATION LEADS TO NO MEDIATION. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled against Ohio State's request that would take ESPN's lawsuit against the school to mediation rather than the courts. The issue at hand is whether or not OSU had the legal responsibility to redact information that ESPN had requested about former QB Terrelle Pryor and his relationship with his mentor, Ted Sarniak. As a result of the dismissal of OSU's request, Ohio State will be required to submit to the court unredacted versions of the filings regarding Pryor, at which point the court will rule if the redacted version is necessary, according to FERPA regulations.
Stay tuned, I am sure sEcSPN will continue to hack away at Ohio State's brand as much as possible in an attempt to ruin their main competitor for college football supremacy and dollars, the Big Ten.
QUICK SLANTS. Lil Rockers are the best...Gary Patterson is ornary toad...The Madden Curse is an unstoppable virus, adapting to stay ahead of potential vaccines...Andrew Luck is a freaking show-off...CCHA Tournament coming to Ohio...Michigan State's pro-combat helmets?
