Wow! And I thought the task of writing a Skull Session that wraps up the week after a disappointing season, including a loss to Michigan, would be a tough one. Granted, it's been awhile, but I don't ever remember a post-Michigan loss week that's provided so many Buckeye-induced smiles.
Michigan fans have been talking smack to me on Twitter, and you know what? I laugh at them. Out loud. Hit me up when you have something better than the Wolverines squeaking out a win because DeVier Posey is just super fast, and not stupid fast. And: if you bring up Michigan "owning" the all-time record, I'll just laugh harder, and then ask you to tell me more about the leather helmet era. I never knew it'd be possible to feel such ownership as this, after a loss. A BCS bound team, against OSU's worst team of the century? Ruined doesn't even begin to describe it.
Monday's announcement of Urban Meyer as the new Head Coach at Ohio State made it as distant memory as a loss in "The Game" can be, creating a buzz among Buckeye Nation that I don't believe I've seen since... well, if not the removal of the BCS monkey from the Buckeye back, then the 2002 season and a National Championship.
The sports gods apparently felt they hadn't quite yet made up for all the fuss they made over discounted tattoos, and Ohio State basketball beat Duke (that's right, Duke) by 22 points (that's right, 22 points) on Tuesday. Fans who paid top dollar for tickets, and camped out since Sunday, were likely slightly disappointed that Urban Meyer didn't make an appearance as expected, but quickly got over it. Most felt they got their money's worth... and likely participated in an "Overrated!" chant that rained over #4 Duke like Diebler threes (couldn't resist the recent throwback).
To add to the fun, Wednesday brought news that Braxton Miller is the B1G Freshman of the Year, as well as juicy info on the other players that will be coming to Columbus to join him. (To stay up to date on all the recruiting news, look out for Alex's great updates or follow him on Twitter.)
The fun for the week didn't stop there. What else has gone down in the 614, in this week that keeps on giving? Read on, Buckeye Nation...
STOOPS TO URBAN'S LEVEL. In his press conference on Monday, Urban Meyer laid out his gameplan for B1G and college football domination. "Our objective is simple: It's to make the state of Ohio proud; recruit student-athletes that will win in the classroom and win on the field," Urban said. "I'm going to go about and try to assemble the best coaching staff in college football.
The man has wasted no time. In addition to the recruiting updates that have been popping up all week, coaching staff changes have been happening as well. Most recently, it was reported yesterday that former Arizona Wildcats head coach, Mike Stoops, has been offered the position of Defensive Coordinator. While Stoops' run as a head coach wasn't the most successful (despite pulling off a notable upset almost every year he was there), his record as an assistant is impressive. In 18 seasons, as an assistant coach, his teams went 158-48-4. Most notably, he was instrumental in a turnaround at Oklahoma, under his big brother Bob.
Under the Stoops brothers, the Sooners went to five consecutive bowl games, after experiencing a four year drought prior to their arrival. Not to mention, an undefeated, national championship season with a win over a highly favored team from Florida, in their second year there. Sound familiar?
In addition to Stoops' accomplishments as a defensive coordinator, which I could go on about, he also brings to the table another quality Meyer mentioned he would be looking for... Ohio roots. Though he mentioned that a lack of ties to the midwest wouldn't prevent him from hiring the best, Meyer did make a point of mentioning the importance of hiring coaches from the area, when possible. Youngstown-born Stoops seems to fit Urban's formula quite nicely.
Stoops has yet to state whether he will be accepting the offer, but there are rumors of head coaching positions he's being considered for. And, returning to Oklahoma may also be a possibility for him.
TORN BETWEEN TWO LOVERS. The Senator himself, James Patrick Tressel, called in to Bob Conners' radio show on 610 WTVN this week to briefly discuss his whereabouts, Urban Meyer, and the rumors of his chats with Akron to be their next head coach.
I must say, as much as the Urban Meyer hire was exciting, and the mourning period over the loss of Tressel is coming to an end, it was nice hearing Tressel's voice and oh-so-many Tresselisms packed into a five minute punch. What gems did he have for us this week? Jimmy T wasted no time with his classic vest speak, opening with, "It was certainly a tremendous pleasure to serve the Buckeyes in central Ohio for those ten years." Really though, the pleasure was ours, Jim.
Conners brought up the rumors that have been flying regarding Tressel talking to Akron, and Jim quickly shot that down with, "It's a wonderful place, and I had four wonderful years there... but no, there's no validity to that." In true Tressel form, he talked up Akron and the campus, but reiterated he won't be going there.
When asked about the kind of job he thinks Meyer will do at OSU, Tressel said, "Urban has done a great job wherever he's been. He'll come in and do a good job with a great bunch of kids. When you go through some suffering, like we went through this year, and you have the right kind of players in the program, you're probably going to have some good things happen. And so he'll come in, and he'll do a good job. He knows how to coach a game, and our kids will have been a little bit toughened by this, and most of them are returning. So, no, I look for great things." Did you notice the constant usage of "we"? It was kind of nice... and sad... and nice.
Because he didn't use the word "battle," which is my favorite Tressel term of all, it just wouldn't be a Tressel interview without an "oh gosh" out of the man. When asked whether or not he'll be with the Colts next year, Tressel said, "Oh gosh, I don't know that."
Lastly, Tressel left us all with some words to live by, "At the end of the day, if you can be a good friend, that's a darn good thing," he said. Thanks for the memories, Tress.
You need two MCL's? Amateur.
YET ANOTHER BUCKEYE FRESHMAN STUD. Rumors circulated yesterday regarding Freshman Linebacker Ryan Shazier's injury that he sustained last Saturday against Michigan. Several have mentioned that Shazier may have suffered from a torn MCL. If the rumors are true, that makes him pretty bad-ass for the effort he still gave the Wolverines on Saturday, on a torn MCL.
As we wait for more information, however, it appears that Shazier is too. He tweeted several indications that he still needs to go to the doctor today to find out what the problem really is. Speculation has been that Shazier will be unable to play in the bowl game, but will be good to go by the Spring. Best wishes to Ryan on a speedy recovery, whatever the case may be.
EVERYBODY HURTS. Ohio State obviously won't be playing tomorrow, but the B1G Conference Championship game will be held in Indy at 8:17pm EST on FOX. Though it stings that the Buckeyes won't be playing in the inaugural championship game, considering their ownership of, at least part of, that title for the past six* years, it may be best for the Buckeyes, as they haven't had the best record in big games on FOX.
It seems it's not just OSU's loss, however, that the Buckeyes won't be participating. There are still over 2,500 tickets left on StubHub, starting at just $14 each. Not to mention, that while a Craigslist posting offering to pay people $75 to act as seatfillers has since been deleted, the situation just does not look good for the B1G. Here's some insight from EDSBS on the seatfilling situation.
While Wisconsin isn't known to bring a poor showing of fans, Columbus is about half the drive to Indianapolis from Madison, and Ohio State faithful are known to fill seats. In addition, Chicago likely would have been a much better choice of venue for this event than Indy. Either way... it should be interesting to see what happens when Bielema, his twin brother Bucky, and the Badgers have a chance to avenge "The Rocket."
LINKS, LINKS, LINKS. The Onion pokes fun at OSU's newest Commander in Chief... Sandusky is innocent, but he isn't... Everyone wants to "move the needle"... Shake and bake (donuts), and shimmy... Here's one Miles-Petrino LSUFreek, and here's another.
