Welcome back to school, students.
You're joined today by five new Buckeyes, all members of the class of 2013 and getting after it early: DL Tracy Sprinkle, DE Tyquan Lewis, DB Cam Burrows, DB Eli Apple, and QB J.T. Barrett. Give them a hearty "O-H" if you see them.
I realize you may be a bit groggy as you simultaneously get back into learning-mode while processing the conflicting Buckeye sporting news of the weekend.
The football fan in you is likely ecstatic. Ohio State addressed its need at linebacker over the weekend with verbal commitments from two of the nation's top prospects, Trey Johnson and Mike Mitchell.
Johnson, a former Auburn commit and a consensus top-three inside linebacker, was a Buckeye lean for a while, but ended the suspense in style during Friday's Under Armour All-America Game.
Less than 24 hours later, he was joined by outside linebacker Mike Mitchell, a top-10 prospect from Plano, TX.
Mitchell, a freak of an athlete that set the national SPARQ record at Nike's The Opening in July (his metrics included a 4.39 40-yard dash), had long been considered an Ohio State lock, but getting his commitment on the heels of Johnson's felt like a second Christmas for Buckeye recruitniks.
Ohio State did miss out on wide receiver James Quick, the MVP of the US Army All-American Bowl, as he decided to stay home and play for Louisville, but the push at linebacker helped move Ohio State's class up to #3 in the 247Sports Composite Rankings.
Urbtopia is a thing, indeed.
As if we needed more good news on the football front, All-Big Ten cornerback and ball-hawkin' coverbeast Bradley Roby announced plans to return to Ohio State for his redshirt junior campaign. With major losses on the defensive front, getting Roby back is absolutely huge for Ohio State's championship hopes in 2013.
The flip side of the general football exuberance is the full-on fretting over Ohio State's basketball program. The Buckeyes were absolutely thumped by Illinois in Champaign Saturday, handing Thad Matta's team their third loss in as many games against ranked teams.
What's wrong with this team? Where to start:
Two particular factors have plagued the losses, specifically, the lack of a consistent 2nd scorer and an inability to get key stops.
Unfortunately, those items have now been supplemented by an increased turnover rate in each of the three losses and now, after the debacle in Champaign, an incredibly slow and seemingly disinterested start to each half.
ESPN's John Gasaway tends to agree, saying it's time to start worrying about the Buckeyes:
In their past two games against teams that can look them in the eye talent-wise (at home against Kansas and at Illinois), the Buckeyes have looked not merely tentative but downright confused on offense, like they don't know how they're supposed to score.
Meanwhile, Michigan, who visit Columbus Sunday, is looking like a legit contender for the national championship. Good times.
CHIP KELLY, YOU TEASE. After a long and heavy necking session with the Browns and later the Eagles, Oregon's Chip Kelly has apparently decided to remain in Eugene:
The Oregon head coach has decided to remain just that, the coach of the Ducks, according to two people informed of Kelly's decision who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because Kelly's camp has not publicly confirmed his decision. Kelly has informed teams that were interested in him he is no longer considering a move to the NFL.
A curious choice, considering the sanction train is likely heading Oregon's way.
But hey, it's not easy turning down Mat Kearney.
THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS WEARS SHAMROCKS. Like many right honourable Buckeye fans, I'm no fan of the Fighting Irish. Likewise, the SEC ranks just below al-Qaeda on my list of organizations that suck, so tonight's BCS Championship matchup presents somewhat of a dilemma... for about three seconds.
As much as I despise Notre Dame, they're not part of the club that tells everyone within earshot about six-straight. They're not part of the fraternity that's okay when their own team is terrible, just as long as a brother captures the crystal. They're not coached by Nick Saban. And they do not oversign.
The choice is easy, really. Go Irish (and that filthy defense).
While it seems fashionable, especially in light of the SEC's bowl struggles, to pick Notre Dame in tonight's game, Vegas thinks it will be a two-score affair. In fact, the game opened at Alabama -8½, but has since moved a point in Alabama's favor.
Regardless of who you're pulling for, be sure to tune in, if for nothing else, to see Urban Meyer recruiting doing studio work on ESPN.
Analyst swag. [Embiggen]WRESTLING BUCKS NOT QUITE THERE YET. On Friday, Tom Ryan's 4th-ranked wrestling team traveled to Iowa City for a huge clash with 5th-ranked Iowa. One could make a case that these were two teams heading in opposite directions with Iowa struggling a bit recently (relatively, at least) and Ryan moving Ohio State into national title contender territory.
And then, the teams met on the mat.
The Hawkeyes thoroughly outclassed Ohio State 22-9, serving up a stop sign on OSU's 6-0 start. Sophomore Hunter Stieber did get a win to move to 19-0 on the season, but that was about the extent of the good news.
The Buckeyes bounced back yesterday with a 33-6 road win over No. 15 Northwestern, showing some mettle for a young, talented team, but part of shedding a little brother on the mat mentality is doing things like beating Iowa on the road.
ETC. The Big Ten vs the SEC on New Year's Day is not as bad as you'd think... Gator burn on Family Guy... UGA's Aaron Murray is coming back for his senior season... Los Angeles fire lanes take on a new meaning (no, really)... How do you spot Ohio State fans in Chicago? Easy.
