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Learning curve should be complete for OSU's Pryor November 29, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Jim Tressel likes to say that the most important stat for a quarterback is wins. By that standard, Terrelle Pryor's 10-2 record and No. 8 ranking isn't bad for sophomore...But there have been a lot of young quarterbacks putting up better numbers than Pryor this season. Pryor ranks 65th in the nation in passing efficiency, with 17 sophomores or freshmen ahead of him. Nine of those 17 threw more touchdowns than Pryor's 16. Eleven of those 17 threw fewer interceptions than Pryor's 10. That doesn't mean that you'd take the young quarterbacks ranked ahead of Pryor...
But winning with a young quarterback isn't unusual. Of the 17 quarterbacks ranked ahead of Pryor, 12 are leading teams with winning records...
All this is to welcome the end of any discussion of Pryor as a young quarterback. He has basically been a full-time starter for two seasons, going 18-4. By the time he starts his next game on Jan. 1, he'll also have gone through two bowl practices, a spring practice and a full preseason as a No. 1 starter. By any standard, when the Buckeyes take the field in the Rose Bowl, Terrelle Pryor will be a veteran."
"No doubt, the Thanksgiving turkeys taste better around here when a Wolverine pelt is strapped to the hood of the family truckster. "
- Jeff Essak, Columbus, in the Columbus Dispatch's November 29, 2009 letters to the editor feature The Mailbox.
Mr. Bucknuts Wraps The Season And Bows Out November 29, 2009 Source: Bucknuts.com - "Mr. B goes to the "O-S-U" school of grading as he analyzes...The Offense...Defense...Special Teams...
These were Steve Helwagen’s favorite signs spotted in Michigan Stadium (yes, I know they play there, but we own it):
• Michigan - National leader in: · Attendance · Unemployment
• Those who stay will be … humiliated
• Michigan: Stuck On 57 Since 2003
• Will Someone Please Wake Mary Sue Coleman? (Note: Coleman is the Michigan AD)
What stat all about?...I parrot a lot of your concerns and queries as to what, exactly, is the issue with having both a great defense and a great offense? Is that so wrong? And why not?So I put that query to our resident expert (and hobbyist statistician), the mysterious Technician and he wrote in to say:...
Another throw-back – another throw-away?...We were talking to Rob Harley, the former Buckeye who now works for WSYX-TV in Columbus, and he told us that he played in the 2003 Ohio State-Michigan game in Ann Arbor, which, of course, is the only one the Buckeyes have lost in the Tressel Era. Rob said that the jerseys that year had a patch sewn on to commemorate the 100th installment of The Game and that many of the players wanted to keep the patch afterward. Well, when they reported back to the WHAC the next day, Harley was among the players asking the equipment managers for the patch. He wanted to put it in a scrapbook. That's when he was told that all of the jerseys were burned because the Buckeyes lost the game. They were never even washed, just thrown into the incinerator at the facility. I think it's safe to say those throwbacks the Buckeyes wore against Michigan would have made a onetime appearance if OSU had lost the game.
...And speaking of deception, I always thought it was an integral part of the sports world. Occasionally, I guess, you can go too far. And if the refs are offended, here’s what they do to you (see video below)..."
Line's drive: Poor performance during loss at Purdue steeled blockers' resolve November 29, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "...The offensive line had been ripped to shreds at times by the Purdue defense and left for rubble alongside the Big Ten championship road. How could the Buckeyes even think about a run at a fifth straight title if they couldn't block more consistently than that? Behold, the offensive line, quarterback Terrelle Pryor and running backs Brandon Saine and Daniel Herron resolved to make it right, to become more consistent, to give the Buckeyes more punch in the running game. Of course, who hadn't heard all of that before?
"I'm just excited because our o-line took a lot of criticism early in the year, and we rushed for over 200 yards five games in a row," Brewster said. "I can't stop saying that. It's just a great feeling." Before the run of 200-yard rushing games, the heat was on from riled fans and media critics for offensive coordinator Jim Bollman and the line to get it its act together..."
"You go into a game trying to make them pass..."
- Illinois defensive coordinator Dan Disch said after the Illini lost to UC and Tony Pike passed for 399 yards, the most against a Ron Zook team at Illinois, and a school-record 6 touchdowns, which wasn't exactly a surprise considering the Bearcats entered the game as THE NATIONAL LEADER in pass efficiency (170.01 rating). They also ranked No. 7 in passing yards per game (314.3 ypg). Read more in the (IL) Daily Herald's Unbelievable Illinois postgame quote.
Top 25 Overview WEEK 13 2009 Source: ESPN - All Top 25 Teams for the 13th week of the season, including Recap, Box Score, Play-by-Play, Drive Chart, Photos
Do Buckeyes want Duck or Beaver on their New Year’s Day plate: "...which team would Ohio State, currently ranked 10th in the BCS, rather face? Let’s compare...Phil Steele, publisher of the annual stat-packed College Football Preview. "Even though Masoli gets a lot of the notice, James is probably their most dominant player. If you can shut down their option pitch you can hurt them, and I think Ohio State has the team speed to do that."...Steele said he thinks Ohio State will be favored in the Rose Bowl no matter which Oregon team it faces. Sinisi said a match-up against the Ducks would be “close to a pick-‘em. I can’t see either team getting more than 3 points.” Should Oregon State win the Civil War, Sinisi said he’d anticipate the Buckeyes to be a 4- to 6–point favorite. (Source: The Other Paper)
Watching the Nail-Biting Big Game Hurts So Good: "A new study suggests that spectators -- especially those who root for the winning team -- enjoy the greatest satisfaction if it's a closely contested match and victory was in doubt, producing feelings of worry and even despair...To conduct the study, published in the December issue of the Journal of Communication, Knobloch-Westerwick and David polled 113 college students as they watched a dramatic football showdown in 2006 between the Buckeyes...and the Wolverines...Prior to the game, the study participants had completed a questionnaire that asked which team they were rooting for and how committed they were to that team. Half the students were Ohio States fans, one-third were Michigan backers, and the rest were uncommitted. Then, during the 24 commercial breaks...the students were asked questions via the Internet about how up or down emotionally they were feeling, whether they thought their team would win, and how exciting they found the game. The researchers discovered that the Ohio State fans who at some point during the game were convinced their team would lose ended up thinking the game was the most thrilling and satisfying. Knobloch-Westerwick...summed up the results this way: "Sports fans seek out the 'risky' entertainment of sports [risky because 'their' team might lose after all, which creates disappointment], probably because the intense connection to 'their' team, as well as the real threat of losing the game, create intense suspense -- instead of going for something with a guaranteed happy ending, such as the typical holiday suspense movie." One outside expert said the study findings echoed previous research that has tackled entertainment and suspense theories..." (Source: US News & World Report)
"Ten of the most thrilling college football games of the decade: Ten of the most thrilling games of the past 10 years:...7. Ohio State 42, Michigan 39 (2006) - One of the most memorable of the 100-plus games of this storied series and the first that featured No. 1 vs. No. 2. It was played a day after the death of Michigan legend Bo Schembechler. The No. 1 Buckeyes booked a trip to the BCS title game...3. Ohio State 31, Miami 24 (2002 season, Fiesta Bowl) - The double-overtime affair had all the makings of a great title game. The underdog won, plus it had controversy as a pass interference call in OT gave the Buckeyes the chance at the crown, their first since 1968..." (Source: USA Today)
Which Campus Is More Hateful—Michigan or Ohio State?: "...In the end, the verdict was clear. Michigan, which has lost to Ohio State five straight times and is the heavy underdog Saturday, came out more hateful in 10 of the 15 tasks. Finally, the Wolverines have something to celebrate." (Source: Wall Street Journal)
Mullen channels his inner Woody: "As a show of just how much he truly despised Michigan, legendary Ohio State head coach Woody Hayes was loathe to refer to the Wolverines as anything other than "That School Up North". Fast forward about 30 years, and Dan Mullen has taken the TSUN tradition to the Deep South and wholeheartedly embraced it. Mullen has been Mississippi State's coach for less than a year, and has yet to refer to Ole Miss by name. At all. As this is Egg Bowl week, the Rebels name might, ya know, come up on occasion. The coach won't bite, though. It's either "the school up north" or "the team up north". And the former Florida assistant readily credits the volatile Hayes for the idea. "I just don't like referring to them by name," Mullen said. "I think it adds more. You could call them 'Mississippi.' I heard that one a lot..." (Source: College Football Talk NBCSports.com)
Ex-Wolverine Charles Woodson gives $2 million to Mott Children's Hospital: "...The money will go toward construction of a new hospital, scheduled to open in the fall of 2012, and create a fund that will help doctors conduct clinical research. It is the first donation toward the $15 million needed to create space and purchase equipment for researchers doing early-stage work to help children with cancer, heart disease, kidney disorders and autism..." (Source: AnnArbor.com) (Woodson on UM's struggles: 'It's been hard to watch')
SI's Top 16 and Playoff Bracket: "Each week during the season 14 college football writers, editors and producers at SI and SI.com will each vote for 16 teams that deserve berths in the playoff bracket with points assigned to their rankings (16 points for No. 1, 15 for No. 2, etc.). The vote totals form the 16 seeds in the bracket. (OSU is 9th, just ahead of Oregon at 10. Oregon St. is 16th)(Source: SI.com)
Nixed recruiting trip another nail in Weis' Irish coffin?: "For those looking for tangible evidence of Charlie Weis' ultimate demise at Notre Dame, here's a tidbit that's only missing a flashing neon sign that reads "YOU'RE FIRED!"...Following the Irish's regular-season finale loss to Southern California last year, Weis stayed on the West Coast for a recruiting trip. He won't have that chance following Saturday's game against Stanford. Notre Dame athletics director Jack Swarbrick said Tuesday that Weis will return to South Bend, Ind., after the game, and the two will likely meet within a few days to discuss the coach's future and that of the program. (Source: ESPNChicago)
Number for Dummies:18,000,000 -- Dollars reportedly involved in Weis' buyout clause at Notre Dame. I guess the old saying "you get what you pay for" doesn't always apply. Swarbrick talks buyout and coaching status(Source: The Webmaster & Inside The Irish)
Odds have Weis headed back to NFL: Bodog.com has released their odds of just where Weis will end up in 2010, and "return to the NFL as a coordinator" is the current leader in the clubhouse as far as gamblers are concerned.
NFL Coordinator 1/1
NCAA Division 1 Head Coach 9/5
NCAA Division 2 or lower Head Coach 4/1
NCAA Division 1 Coordinator 4/1
NCAA Division 2 or lower Coordinator 15/1
NFL Head Coach 20/1 (Source: College Football Talk)
Stoops-to-Irish rumor continues to percolate: Tony Barnhart of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, arguably the best and most connected college football writer in the country, has scooped the Stoops rumor up off the floor and tosses it back on the table in a note titled I think Bob Stoops will at least listen to Notre Dame. On the surface, it appears silly to think that Stoops would entertain the thought of another college job. He has one of the best franchises in the sport as the head coach at Oklahoma But the profession has changed. After a coach has been in one place for 11 years (he is 114-29 with seven New Year’s Day or BCS bowls) his support starts to sag unless he’s winning the conference championship every year. It’s been a tough year at Oklahoma, which lost QB Sam Bradford and TE Jermaine Gresham early in the season and has not been the same ever since. Fans become unrealistic and don’t believe the program should ever have a down year. Stoops is a native of Ohio and so he knows the territory. Notre Dame needs a strong personality and a proven winner on the college level. Maybe Stoops, 49, has one more move left in him. (Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution)
Should Notre Dame join Big Ten?: Maybe it's time Notre Dame thinks about a monumental change. One that goes deeper than the football coach. One that lets the Irish keep their national-championship options open but gives them other options as well. Maybe it's time Notre Dame revisited joining the Big Ten. At Notre Dame, having no conference pretty much puts the Irish on a jittery tightrope from the opening kickoff every season. The faculty senate strongly believed joining the Big Ten would enhance ND as an academic institution. Which is reason enough. But joining a league also might improve life in the athletic department. (Source: Chicago Tribune)
Number for Dummies II-How USC's Defense Has Fallen: 174 -- Points allowed by USC in its last five games. 177 -- Points allowed by USC in the 19 games prior to the five-game span, which allowed 174. (Source: The Webmaster)
Oregon Cheerleader Struck By ‘Zona Bottle Speaks: "Cheerleader of the Week: Oregon's Katelynn - Katelynn was in the news the weekend before Thanksgiving after being hit in the head with a full water bottle and hospitalized briefly following the Ducks victory over Arizona. "We were cheering the team off the field when I got hit in the head by something. My head hurt but I remember a police officer yelling at us to grab our belongings and run to the middle of the field. We were somewhat in the field when I looked at a fellow cheerleader and he asked if I was OK... That was it. The next thing I remember is my best friend [Amanda Pflugrad] talking on the phone over me in the hospital. The entire rest of the trip was a blur, but my parents picked me up at the airport and I am headed towards full recovery...Here is a photo gallery of Chelsie in action..." (Source: SI.com)
Carroll To Jim Harbaugh: "I Am Not Forgetting It" "Pete Carroll guested on the (Steve) Mason & (John) Ireland show on ESPN 710 in Los Angeles this week. The coach attempted to hedge his comments about Harbaugh’s decision to go for two with his Stanford team already ahead of Carroll’s USC Trojans 48-21 last Saturday in L.A.. But instead, Carroll let slip smoldering resentment. Will I forget it? No, I’m not forgetting it. But uh, you know, to me, it’s in the past...Don't know about you, but I'm already putting a big red circle around October 9 of 2010. Something tells me that Carroll won't be "forgetting it" by then, either..." (Source: SportsByBrooks)
Hope: Rose Bowl will come down to QBs November 25, 2009 Source: ESPN - "If Oregon and Ohio State meet in the Rose Bowl, as many are projecting, no one can break down the matchup better than Purdue head coach Danny Hope. Purdue is the only team to have faced both the Ducks and the Buckeyes this season, and the Boilers more than held their own in both games. They shocked Ohio State on Oct. 17 in West Lafayette and should have beaten Oregon on Sept. 12 in Eugene but got killed by three turnovers, two of which the Ducks returned for touchdowns in a 38-36 escape.
Oregon can clinch the Pac-10 title and a Rose Bowl berth by beating rival Oregon State on Dec. 3. If the Ducks prevail, Hope forecasts a competitive Rose Bowl that should be decided by the two quarterbacks, Oregon's Jeremiah Masoli and Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor. "They both have real quick defenses, outstanding defenses," Hope told ESPN.com this week. "Each [team has] had their high points throughout the course of the season on both sides of the ball. They both have very athletic quarterbacks. The quarterback who plays the best in that game would have the edge because they're both really good teams."
Masoli completed only 11 of 21 passes for 163 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions against Purdue, but he led Oregon with 84 rush yards and a touchdown. Pryor endured his worst collegiate performance against the Boilers, committing four turnovers (two interceptions, two fumbles) in the 26-18 loss." (Webmaster Note: Pryor was 17 of 31 for 221 yards, 1 TD passing, and the 2 aforementioned interceptions. He was also sacked five times.)
Cleveland's OSU club honors the 2009 Buckeyes Tuesday night November 24, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Several Cleveland metropolitan area and Northeast Ohio players received honors Tuesday night at the Cleveland Ohio State Alumni Club banquet at Windows on the River in The Flats. The Lou "The Toe" Groza Award for the top player from the Cleveland area went to junior defensive lineman Thaddeus Gibson of Euclid...The Korey Stringer Award for the most inspirational area player was defensive lineman Lawrence Wilson of St. Vincent-St. Mary.
The other honorees: John Hicks Award, outstanding offensive player: Dan Herron, Warren Harding; Ray Small, Glenville. W.W. Hayes Award for scholar-athlete: Bryant Browning,Glenville. J. Milton Costello Award for outstanding defensive player: Jermale Hines, Glenville. John Nagy Award for outstanding freshman: John Simon, Youngstown Mooney..."
Chris Dufresne rates college football's best rivalries November 25, 2009 Source: Los Angeles Times - "Some of sports' best rivalries play out each fall on college football fields across the country. National football reporter Chris Dufresne rates the very best matchups -- with mention of a few you might not know too much about. 1. Ohio State- Michigan: Put this game as 1(a) alongside Duke-North Carolina in basketball as the top rivalries in sports. The series intensified in 1969 when first-year Michigan coach Bo Schembechler shocked Ohio State and cost mentor Woody Hayes a national title. It ignited what is commonly known as "the 10-Year War." Hayes never mentioned Michigan by name, calling it "that team up north." In 2006, the teams were Nos. 1 and 2 when they met in Columbus, the day after Schembechler died..."
2. Alabama-Auburn...3. USC-Notre Dame...4. Oklahoma-Texas...5. Army-Navy...A few heated rivalries that tend to go unnoticed: * Washington vs. Oregon...* Idaho vs. Boise State...* Kansas vs. Missouri...* Amherst vs. Williams: Dubbed "The Biggest Little Game in America," it began in 1884 and is the essence of Division III football, fierce but always with a sense of higher purpose..."
Chic Harley Feature: A profile of the legendary Buckeye running back, who in 1919 (ninety years ago) led the Buckeyes to their first victory over Michigan,
Mr. Bucknuts' Annual Bucket of Bullets Michigan Beat-Down Edition! November 22, 2009 Source: Bucknuts.com - "This is the modern era…The argument continues about the “all time Michigan-Ohio State rivalry record”. Why an argument? Well, for the first fifteen years or so of the nascent rivalry, Ohio State football was like a club team, going up against the varsity at Michigan. So they got clobbered in all those games. The actual argument is over when did the series really become a rivalry... the rivalry really started (in 1927). IMHO...Since that time?...It’s 40-39-4 (Buckeyes).
...* More on Cam Heyward…This from an NFL scout that works with us: "I would not be surprised to see Heyward go No. 1 in the draft this year." That's No. 1 OVERALL. Why? "He's a big guy that can move and is a real athlete. So many NFL teams are switching to the 3-4 or at least involving that approach heavily and he is the prototype 3-4 defensive end." Also said that Tyson Jackson, the No. 3 pick in the draft last season by the Chiefs for basically the same reason - really fit the 3-4 DE mold – and that Jackson is nowhere near as good as Heyward. This scout was in attendance for the Iowa game and said what sealed it for him was watching him do it against Bulaga from Iowa, who is a highly-regarded OL prospect for the NFL.
...* Another scout, another story…This time we talked to a guy that covers offensive line prospects for an NFL group and we asked him his thoughts about the Buckeyes. He said it was no secret that the Bucks have just not recruited well on offensive line...He also opined that Andy Miller and Mike Adams should get more playing time to generate continuity and that he really likes Brewster and the right side of the line. He opined that if the guys get “more athletic”, they can move around more (and do more pulling) and that would really help Pryor in his own development.....
...Here are a few final tidbits that didn’t seem to fit all that well anywhere else: Michael Shaw is a punk. He was a punk at Alter and he transferred to Trotwood Madison. He was a punk there and punked Penn State by committing and switching to UM. And yesterday? The best hit he made was in the tunnel against Grant Schwartz when he caught him unawares. Shaw will always be a punk and here we are exposing his punk-essence (see video below). Btw, Shaw’s stat line for the game was seven yards on seven carries and one reception for minus-six..."
Thousands say goodbye to Stefanie Spielman November 24, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Three breast-cancer survivors who attended public calling hours for Stefanie Spielman yesterday warmly recalled the moments they'd shared with their champion...The three women were among an estimated 2,000 people who made their way through the Longaberger Alumni House near Ohio State University to share their memories and their appreciation of Spielman, who died Thursday at age 42. During the 11 years that she fought the disease, the wife of former Ohio State and professional football player Chris Spielman embraced cancer advocacy as a life mission. The Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research has since raised more than $6.5 million for OSU's Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute...The Ohio State football team, along with former Buckeyes, also comforted Mr. Spielman as he endured the seven-hour receiving line. "If the roles were reversed, Stefanie would have been the same way," former assistant football coach Bill Conley said. "They were meant for each other." Some guests gathered around TV screens showing photos or video footage of Mrs. Spielman; others wrote notes to the family or used laptops to post their condolences online.
Ohio State football players and coaches paid a special tribute to Stefanie Spielman during their annual clash against Michigan last Saturday. A sticker, with Spielman's initials and a pink Buckeye leaf, was placed on each player's helmet. Coach Jim Tressel wore the sticker on his signature sweater vest..."
Why has Jim Tressel never been chosen Big Ten Coach of the Year?
This year Jim Tressel is Big Ten's best coach: "In nine seasons at Ohio State, Jim Tressel has won 93 games, eight Michigan games, six Big Ten titles and four bowl games, but he's never won Big Ten Coach of the Year...In Tressel's first eight seasons in the conference, 12 coaches won or tied for a championship. Five times that result earned them coach of the year. The seven times it didn't? Twice for former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, and Tressel's five titles before this season. It's tough to impress when you're expected to win. It's about time for a lifetime achievement award. Besides that, this season might be one of Tressel's better coaching jobs..." (Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer)
Time for Tressel's success to be noticed: "But despite the accolades "The Vest" has piled up throughout his Buckeye tenure, Tressel has never earned recognition of being the Big Ten’s best coach. Since arriving at Ohio State, Tressel has led the Buckeyes to a 93-21 record and six Big Ten championships. He has beaten rival Michigan in eight of his nine seasons — including a running streak of six victories. Tressel will say that numbers and statistics don’t mean anything, but they paint a vivid picture of the excellence he has instilled in the OSU program. When success goes unnoticed for so long, often times it eventually gets rewarded even when not at its peak...Eventually, his rare string of success in Columbus must be noticed and rewarded. To Tressel, statistics don’t mean much. But to voters, they should..." (Source: The OSU Lantern)
Ferentz named Big Ten Coach of the Year for the Third Time
Only two Ohio State players named first-team All-Big Ten: "Michigan beat Ohio State in something football-related on Monday night. Actually, five teams beat Ohio State. The Buckeyes, the outright Big Ten champions with a 7-1 conference record, put only Kurt Coleman on the All-Big Ten first team as chosen by the coaches. Senior safety Coleman was named by both the coaches and the media, while offensive guard Justin Boren was a first-team choice by the media and a second-teamer for the coaches..." ..." (Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer)
Three-point stance: One Buckeye honoree?: Ivan Maisel writes: "The Big Ten coaches selected seven players from Iowa and six from Penn State on the All-Conference team. Wisconsin had three, Michigan State and Michigan had two apiece. Among the teams with one? Northwestern, Minnesota and….the conference champion. Ohio State went 10-2, 7-1 in the Big Ten, and only defensive back Kurt Coleman made All-Conference. It just may be Jim Tressel’s best coaching job..." (Source: ESPN)
Big Ten Announces 2009 Football All-Conference Teams: Boren, Coleman win Big Ten honors November 23, 2009 Source: Big Ten Official Site - "Wisconsin's Clay and Borland Earn Offensive Player and Freshman of Year Laurels, respectively; Penn State's Odrick Tabbed Defensive Player and Lineman of Year by Coaches, while Michigan State's Jones Named Defensive Player of Year by Media; Iowa's Ferentz and Bulaga Chosen as Coach and Offensive Lineman of Year, respectively...Among this year's All-Big Ten first-team selections, 15 were members of the first or second team from a year ago, including seven first-team selections from 2008 who are on this year's first team - Michigan punter Zoltan Mesko, Michigan State linebacker Jones, Minnesota wide receiver Eric Decker, the Penn State trio of linebacker Navorro Bowman, quarterback Daryll Clark and defensive lineman Odrick and Wisconsin tight end Garrett Graham. In addition, Clay and Jones were unanimous selections by the media. ..."
2009 All-Big Ten Conference Football Team
As selected by CONFERENCE COACHES:
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE: Kurt Coleman, Ohio State
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE: Brandon Saine, Justin Boren, Ohio State
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE: Thaddeus Gibson, Cameron Heyward, Ross Homan Ohio State
HONORABLE MENTION: OHIO STATE: Bryant Browning, Chimdi Chekwa;
As selected by CONFERENCE MEDIA:
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE: Kurt Coleman, Ohio State
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE: Justin Boren, Ohio State
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE: Brandon Saine, Ohio State
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE: Thaddeus Gibson, Cameron Heyward, Ross Homan Ohio State HONORABLE MENTION: ILLINOIS: OHIO STATE: Bryant Browning, Terrelle Pryor, Doug Worthington
Top 25 Overview WEEK 12 2009 Source: ESPN - All Top 25 Teams for the 12th week of the season, including Recap, Box Score, Play-by-Play, Drive Chart, Photos
The 11th-ranked Oregon Ducks (9-2, 7-1), after beating Arizona 44-41 in 2OT, is now set to host an epic Thursday night Civil War against rival Oregon State (8-3, 6-2) on Dec. 3.
The stakes are simple: The winner goes to the Rose Bowl to take on Ohio State on New Year's Day.
Ken Gordon, in the Columbus Dispatch's Inside the Beat, November 23, 2009, writes: "There's no arguing the bottom line, certainly, and that's this: Jim Tressel's winning percentage at Ohio State is better than any coach in school history. Better than Woody's. It's not his fault if the Big Ten is down or Michigan is in disarray. However, I do think the program needs a win right now over a well-respected non-Big Ten team. For that reason, I believe OSU is better served if Oregon is the Rose Bowl opponent. The Ducks seem to be one of those "national darling" teams right now. Clearly, snapping a three-game losing streak in a bowl is important no matter who the opponent, but a win over Oregon State won't do as much for OSU's reputation. So, pull out those duck calls and quack away on Dec. 3."
"I might be wearing one of those trench coats and a little Paul Brown hat."
- Jim Tressel when asked if there was an alternate coaching outfit for Saturday.
The Ohio State football team will wear a special uniform in its game Nov. 21 at Michigan as part of the Nike Rivalry series. This unique one-time-only tribute pays homage to Ohio State’s 1954 national championship team in its styling and design. The Buckeyes will be wearing the Nike Pro Combat uniform, a new system of dress and the lightest football uniform Nike has ever created. Ohio State is one of 10 elite football programs to debut the Nike Pro Combat uniform this month before the uniform’s official introduction at the start of the 2010 season. The Nike Pro Combat uniform is 37 percent lighter than current designs (673 grams vs. 1,061 grams). Nike utilized a four-way stretch twill that does not hold sweat or water and as a result, the new uniforms are 46 percent lighter than the current designs when wet. Overall, the Nike Pro Combat uniform, when wet, is still lighter than the current Ohio State design when completely dry.
The uniform draws inspiration from the Buckeyes’ proud football tradition, particularly the teams of the 1950s. In 1954, Ohio State used a goalline stand to defeat Michigan en route to capturing the national championship. To salute that championship team, the Buckeyes are wearing all-white helmets with their clean-look uniforms. The motto "BUCKEYE TRADITION" is embroidered on the inner collar of every Ohio State jersey collar as well as on the cuff of the Nike Vapor Trail 2.0 gloves. (source: OSU Official Site)
Click HERE to get a larger look at the uniform with helmet on our site as well as a link to photo galleries on the OSU Official Site and the Columbus Dispatch: The Evolution Of The Ohio State Uniform-the Buckeyes have sported different looks throughout their history. Three years ago The Dispatch provided readers a look back at Ohio State's football uniforms from seasons past. (source: OSU Official Site) And check out the Nike OSU Throwback Uniform video.
Buckeyes' new look may come with old kicks after players' complaints November 17, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "...The cleats might be an issue. "I'm concerned about our Nike shoes," offensive lineman Jim Cordle said Monday, explaining that the alternate cleats are a different style than the team usually wears. "The cleats that they have, we tried them on early in camp and everybody was rolling their ankles. I mean, they roll hard." Cordle said it was particularly a problem for the linemen, who may have to take matters into their own hands. Or feet. "I don't know if we're going to come out and just have our black shoes on and everybody else has the throwback cleats on, so we'll look a little out of fashion sense, but we have to save our ankles," Cordle said. "But I don't even know if they'll let us. I'm sure they'll want everything to be uniform."
Defensive lineman Lawrence Wilson said he'll have his old cleats ready for a halftime switch if need be. Defensive lineman Doug Worthington said he'd been told to make comfort, not fashion, the priority. "I know they're a little bit different than we're used to, and we need to break them in," Worthington said, "but I'm sure if anything is wrong with them, we'll go back to our other cleats. If it looks different, it looks different. The only thing that matters is getting that W. "If the shoes don't fit, take them off. If they feel funny, take them off. If they're not as comfortable as your other shoes, take them off. That's the message handed down to us."
A Nike representative said there are four different versions of the new shoe design available, so he doesn't anticipate a problem on Saturday. As for the rest of the look, the Buckeyes seem to like it..."
Earle Bruce wouldn't mind a few Michigan football coaches getting fired November 17, 2009 Source: Detroit Free Press - "Earle Bruce saw his first Ohio State-Michigan game in person in 1949. He’s developed some strong feelings for the rivalry in the many years since. The former Buckeyes coach (81-26-1 in 1979-1987, including 5-4 vs. Michigan) was asked this week about Saturday’s noon clash with the Wolverines at the Big House in Ann Arbor. Has any of the passion gone out of the game for him because of Michigan’s troubles the past two years?
"We want to beat them every year, every year, every year. That’s what we’re doing," he said, referring to Ohio State’s five-game winning streak in the rivalry. "I’m all for five in a row, six in a row, seven in a row, and I’d be fine with a couple of good coaches getting fired. That wouldn’t be bad, either." Bruce also didn’t want to hear about how the rivalry has lost its luster because of Michigan’s bad spell. "I know you hear it’s not a rivalry when one team dominates, but we’ve done that, too (lose a lot of games in a row), especially before the 1930s," he said. "I would like to see a better (Michigan) team, and they will probably play better than they have all year. I’d like to see a rivalry where who’s going to win is up in the air at kickoff, the point spread was never more than one or two points and every game was nip and tuck."..."
Michigan in free fall from grace November 17, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Michigan had just completed another second-half collapse Saturday against Wisconsin. It was the Wolverines' sixth loss in seven games, but in an instant the past became irrelevant. According to left tackle Mark Ortmann, coach Rich Rodriguez imparted a simple message to his team.
"He came off the field into the locker room and said immediately, 'We've got to start thinking about Ohio State. Wisconsin is in the past, and Ohio State is a very beatable team. We just all have to be focused. If you're not all in, don't bother showing up.' "
Michigan (5-6) needs a victory Saturday to be eligible for a bowl. But that's not what's driving the Wolverines. "I know with six wins you become bowl-eligible," Ortmann said yesterday. "Me personally, that's not even on my mind. Right now, we're (tied for) last in the Big Ten. A bowl would be nice, but a victory over Ohio State would be better than any bowl we could go to." Ortmann is a fifth-year senior. No current Michigan player has been part of a victory over Ohio State. The thought of bearing that legacy stings. "It's a lot of motivation," senior defensive end Brandon Graham said. "It's a lot for the whole team. If you can't get jacked up for this one, I don't know where you've been or what you've been thinking about. This game should give you some kind of chills. I just can't wait until Saturday." Graham and Ortmann organized a players-only meeting yesterday to stress the importance of Saturday's game..."
Answering the critics:Tressel's fourth-quarter play-calling against Iowa was widely questioned. Leading 24-17, he called six straight between-the-tackles running plays on a drive that started on Iowa's 45-yard line and that ended in a missed 47-yard field goal. With 2:37 left and the score tied, Tressel called several runs and two short passes. OSU punted back to the Hawkeyes. Tressel was asked if the result (OSU won) backed up his methods. "Well, it's a little bit easier to back it up when we ended up winning," he said. "The object is to win the game. I guess the other sport is to discuss how it was done or wasn't done." (Source: Columbus Dispatch)
Still no ‘winning performance’ for Pryor: Pryor had a steady performance against Iowa, finishing 14-of-17 passing for 93 yards. He also rushed eight time for 29 yards. However, even against a good defense, it wasn’t enough to earn him his first "winning performance" at OSU. "He graded out really good," Tressel said. "The number was 78 or something. It was good, very solid. "Eighty-five (is a winning performance). Coach Sis (quarterbacks coach Nick Siciliano) is a tough one now. Those young coaches … I mean, I guess I was that way back in the day. But very, very solid. There were some things that we didn’t get done that we needed to, but he was very, very solid." (Source: Bucknuts.com)
Michigan failed to turn in practice logs: Michigan released embarrassing details of an internal audit yesterday that showed the football program failed to file forms tracking how much time players spent practicing during the 2008 season and the offseason this spring. Perhaps coincidentally, the NCAA and the school are investigating the program about similar issues. The NCAA sent the school's president a notice of inquiry last month, saying it plans to complete its investigation by Dec. 31. The school's report did not find issues of noncompliance, but acknowledged the practice logs were not available to be reviewed when the audit was conducted. The forms are now turned in on a timely basis, according to the school. (Source: Columbus Dispatch)
Rose Bowl-bound fans aren't stinting on trip: Despite the sour economy, many fans are planning to follow the Ohio State football Buckeyes to the Rose Bowl, local travel agents said yesterday..."I think this Rose Bowl is going to be better than the national championship games" in 2007 and 2008, Reynolds said...But buyers aren't scrimping, he said...Fans are excited about getting back to the Rose Bowl, said George Kun of George Kun Travel. (Source: Columbus Dispatch)
Tressel Joins Rare Coaching Fraternities: Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel joins an elite group of coaches to claim five straight Big Ten titles and six championships in his first nine campaigns. In the previous 113 years of Big Ten football, only one coach had finished atop the conference standings in five or more consecutive years, as the Buckeyes' Woody Hayes earned six straight crowns from 1972-77. In addition, only two coaches had earned six or more titles in their first nine years with a Big Ten institution. Michigan's Bo Schembechler holds the Big Ten record by finishing first in seven of his first nine campaigns from 1969-77, while Minnesota's Bernie Bierman won six titles from 1932-40. (Source: Big Ten Conference Official Site)
Lobbying Tress: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor has been improving steadily as the season progresses, but one thing he has never lacked is confidence. That was true heading into the Iowa game. Pryor lobbied Tressel before the game to let him bring home a winner for the Buckeyes and earn Tressel a trip to the Rose Bowl, a place he hasn't been in 25 years. "I kept on telling him 'Coach, just trust me, I'm going to get you there,'" said a griming Pryor. "I kept texting him over and over. This morning I texted him and said 'You ready to get this?' and he said 'Lets do it!'" "I'm so happy for him. I gave him a hug after the game and said congratulations, but it's Michigan time now. "It's Michigan and it's going to be a fight no matter what their record is." (Source: The Ozone)
Buckeye fans don’t deserve title: I’ve never quite understood why the Ohio State Buckeyes garnered so much hatred...On the surface, the Buckeyes represent everything that is great about college football — passionate fans, a terrific marching band, and, yes, success.But these sentiments lasted approximately 30 minutes after we unloaded our UI-issued Dodge Caravan in downtown Columbus on the evening of Nov. 13... (Source: The Daily Iowan)
Michigan not a meaningless game to Buckeyes: ...Can playing a mediocre Michigan team really mean all that much? The Buckeyes clinched at least a share of the Big Ten title for the fifth season in a row after beating Iowa 27-24 in overtime. They could win the conference championship outright with a win in Ann Arbor on Saturday. If the Buckeyes lose, though, they have lost nothing. Or have they? Is there much to play for in one of college football’s storied rivalries?... (Source: Canton Repository)
Michigan-Ohio State Game Impacts Big Ten Race Again: For the 10th straight season, the Michigan-Ohio State season finale will have a direct impact on the Big Ten Championship race. The Buckeyes enter the season finale with a conference record of 6-1 and can clinch their third outright title in the last four seasons with a victory. A Wolverines' triumph would give Iowa, Penn State and Wisconsin a chance to share the 2009 title with OSU. In every year since the 2000 campaign, at least one of these two teams has entered this game with a shot at the conference crown. The last Michigan-Ohio State game to have no impact on the Big Ten title chase occurred in 1999, when Wisconsin clinched the title in the second-to-last weekend with a 7-1 mark before the Wolverines improved to 6-2 with a win over the Buckeyes in the final weekend.(Source: Big Ten Conference Official Site)
OSU's image takes a hit in Iowa victory: Good thing Rose Bowl president Jeff Throop came bearing long-stemmed gifts Saturday because those weren't flowers a couple of national pundits were throwing at Jim Tressel's feet. More like dandelions...Fanhouse.com columnist Jay Mariotti, a panelist on ESPN's "Around the Horn," accused Tressel of "marshmallow thinking" in his typical play-not-to-lose approach to the 27-24 win over Iowa in overtime. He suggested that the Big Ten respectfully decline its Rose Bowl invitation based on "stodginess and cowardice" after Tressel and counterpart Kirk Ferentz basically laid down and played for OT...Forde perfectly described the Big Ten as a "tunnel-visioned, tradition-addicted" conference filled with teams that apparently don't care about being perceived as second-class citizens as they plod along on the path to Pasadena. (Source: Mansfied News Journal)
Irish's Weis cancels regular interviews: Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis is tired of answering big picture questions. It was evident from the answers he gave before the game on Saturday at Pittsburgh, the answers he gave after the Fighting Irish lost 27-22 to the eighth-ranked Panthers and by the fact he canceled his scheduled news conference last night. The official reason for the cancellation was the team arrived home later than planned from Pittsburgh, putting the coaches behind schedule on their work. It was the first time in five years that Weis canceled a news conference the day after a game. Asked Saturday night about the status of his program, Weis said he didn't want to talk about it because it was "too big picture." (Source: Columbus Dispatch)
Oh! That Barclay!: Not many people knew who Devin Barclay was when the football season began but with one swing of his leg Barclay chiseled his name into OSU football lore forever. His 39-yard field goal in overtime gave the Buckeyes a Big Ten championship and trip to the Rose Bowl. It also elevated Barclay from footnote status to celebrity status in the blink of an eye. "Aaron Pettrey said I had the opportunity to be a hero tonight," said Barclay..."He was talking to me and keeping me calm, letting me that 'you're going to get another chance here," Barclay said of the encouragement he was getting from Pettrey, the man he replaced as OSU's kicker after Pettrey was injured in the New Mexico State game. "You want to get this one right," Pettrey told Barclay. (Source: The Ozone)Big Ten title game isn't the solution: Imagine for a moment a Big Ten championship game like the one we saw Saturday in Columbus was played on a rotating basis at, for example, Ford Field in Detroit, Soldier Field in Chicago, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and Cleveland Browns Stadium. Sounds pretty cool, huh? One problem. There is no such thing as a "Big Ten championship game." Should there be? I say no. To create an event similar to the SEC and Big 12 championship games, the Big Ten, or Big 11, would need to expand to 12 teams and split into two divisions. As thrilling as Ohio State's 27-24 overtime win over Iowa to clinch the Rose Bowl was, adding a 12th team and splitting into two divisions would mean the winner of the OSU-Michigan game would most likely have to play another game to claim the conference championship... (Source: The News Herald)
Buckeyes Earn Share of Fifth-Straight Title: Ohio State has now won at least a share of the last five Big Ten Championships , becoming the first school in conference history to win five or more straight crowns on multiple occasions. The Buckeyes shared the crown with Penn State in 2005 and 2008 and ended the 2006 and 2007 seasons alone atop the standings and have compiled a Big Ten mark of 35-4 over the last five years. OSU is the first conference team in over 15 years to finish in first place in five straight seasons since Michigan won at least a share of five consecutive championships from 1988-92. Ohio State has clinched five consecutive crowns for the first time since posting a Big Ten-record six straight titles from 1972-77. Michigan and Ohio State are the only two teams in Big Ten annals to post four or more consecutive first-place finishes on multiple occasions, accomplishing the feat a combined seven different times.
(Source: Big Ten Conference Official Site)
Climbing the BCS: Stanford's victory over USC two years ago was considered a fluke. Saturday's 55-21 pasting wasn't. Stanford is ranked 14th in the AP poll, the highest the Cardinal has been ranked since the end of the regular season in 2001. (Source: Columbus Dispatch)
Sinking in the BCS: USC fell to 18th in the standings. The Trojans lost in November for the first time in 29 games in coach Pete Carroll's tenure, and the collapse of his defense has been stunning. (Source: Columbus Dispatch)
Enjoy the Roses, Already November 16, 2009 Source: Eleven Warriors - "Reading through some of the comments from this weekend, you would think the Ohio State program was in a state of wreckage similar to our friends in South Bend or Ann Arbor. No matter that the team had just knocked off a nine win Iowa team getting stellar play out a young gunslinger and a hard-nosed defense, and disregard the fact that the win clinched Ohio State’s first Rose Bowl trip in 13 seasons, evidently there are serious problems in Columbus. And that kind of talk is ridiculous. Yes, there are some things that drive us all nuts about Tresselball, but to be 9-2, ranked in the top 10 in every poll and headed to Pasadena with another Big Ten championship in the bag in a rebuilding year is nothing short of remarkable. Especially given the events of Purdue Harbor last month. Appreciate it for what it is..."
TCU might have missed a Buckeyes opportunity in pursuit of BCS glory November 15, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Ohio State's win Saturday sent the Buckeyes to the Rose Bowl. If their schedule this season had worked out differently, the Buckeyes' win may also have sent Texas Christian to the national title game. In late December of 2007, Ohio State said it had reached a deal to open the 2009 season at home against TCU. Army had recently backed out of a planned series, and the Horned Frogs, coming off an 8-5 season, were set for a one-game trip to Columbus. According to Ohio State, the game had been agreed to but the contract wasn't yet signed. Then it never happened. A two-game series against Navy was later announced..."
Iowa Game 11/14/09:
Offensive Player of the Week: Dan Herron and Brandon Saine, RB
Defensive Player of the Week: Ross Homan, LB
Attack Force Award: Austin Spitler , LB
Jim Parker Lineman Award: Jim Cordle , OL
Special Units Player of the Week: Devin Barclay, K
Jack Tatum Hit of the Week Award: TBD
Scout Team Champions: Offense: Chris Malone; Defense: Keith Wells; Special Units: Jordan Whiting
2009 Big Ten Conference
Conference Standings
Through games of Nov 15, 2009
Last week's results:
--------------------
No. 11 Ohio State 27, No. 10 Iowa 24 (Nov. 14, 2009 at Columbus, Ohio)
Minnesota 16, South Dakota State 13 (Nov. 14, 2009 at Minneapolis, Minn.)
Northwestern 21, Illinois 16 (Nov. 14, 2009 at Champaign, Ill.)
No. 18 Penn State 31, Indiana 20 (Nov. 14, 2009 at State College, Pa.)
Michigan State 40, Purdue 37 (Nov. 14, 2009 at West Lafayette, Ind.)
No. 20 Wisconsin 45, Michigan 24 (Nov. 14, 2009 at Madison, Wis.)
Conference Points Overall Points
Team W L T For Opp Pct W L T For Opp Pct
---- - - - --- --- --- - - - --- --- ---
Ohio State.......... 6 1 0 201 91 .857 9 2 0 330 136 .818
Penn State.......... 5 2 0 172 105 .714 9 2 0 314 128 .818
Iowa................ 5 2 0 162 129 .714 9 2 0 265 186 .818
Wisconsin........... 5 2 0 205 161 .714 8 2 0 311 226 .800
Northwestern........ 4 3 0 145 168 .571 7 4 0 269 249 .636
Michigan State...... 4 3 0 191 180 .571 6 5 0 341 259 .545
Minnesota........... 3 4 0 179 202 .429 6 5 0 259 283 .545
Purdue.............. 3 4 0 166 207 .429 4 7 0 296 328 .364
Illinois............ 2 6 0 148 206 .250 3 7 0 202 260 .300
Michigan............ 1 6 0 167 245 .143 5 6 0 344 309 .455
Indiana............. 1 6 0 174 216 .143 4 7 0 261 316 .364
Who will Buckeyes play in Pasadena?: Oregon (8-2, 6-1) leads the Pac-10 standings, followed by Stanford (7-3, 6-2), Oregon State (7-3, 5-2) and Arizona (6-3, 4-2), with California (7-3, 4-3) and Southern Cal (7-3, 4-3) another game back in the loss column. This coming Saturday will determine a lot. Oregon plays at Arizona and Cal plays at Stanford in two big matchups. In the only other game of consequence, Oregon State is at Washington State. On Nov. 28, Arizona is at Arizona State and UCLA visits USC in two big rivalries. A lot could be determined on Dec. 3 when Oregon State travels to Oregon. Then on Dec. 5, Arizona is at USC and Cal travels to Washington. So even though the Pac-10, like the Big Ten, does not have a conference championship, the West Coast league still plays games that matter a full two weeks after Ohio State's final regularly scheduled game. (Source: Associated Press)
Rose Bowl outlook: We could see a six-way tie for Pac-10's top spot: Four football teams have two league losses or fewer. Today, all of them claim more than a puncher's chance at the Rose Bowl berth opposite Ohio State..." span class="font45">(Source: The Seattle Times)
Rose Bowl poses risk of losing another big game to non-Big Ten team November 15, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealers - "Ohio State's two most meaningful wins this season do little for the Buckeyes' national reputation. That's because in beating Penn State and Iowa, Ohio State was simply getting the best of two Big Ten foes. The Buckeyes, and indeed, the Big Ten as a whole, have earned the stigma and the last three years or so that they can't beat the best teams outside of the Big Ten...writes Don Borst for CollegeFootballNews.com and FoxSports.com. In the Big Ten, they go out there and "not lose one for the Gipper." Given the option, Jim Tressel would have fast-forwarded to penalty kicks. In Saturday's Big Ten championship showdown, Tressel and the Buckeyes did not lose better than the Iowa Hawkeyes did not lose..."
What we learned in the Big Ten: Week 11: 1. Ohio State is simply the best: They might not be the people's choice, but until someone beats the Ohio State Buckeyes, they will set the standard in the Big Ten. Ohio State's 27-24 overtime triumph against Iowa didn't resemble many of its other wins, but the defense stepped up when it counted and running backs Brandon Saine and Dan Herron performed well. Ohio State is going to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1997 and claimed at least a share of the Big Ten title for the fifth consecutive year. Ohio State has been the team of the decade in the Big Ten.
5. Conservative coaching defines this league: You certainly saw it in Columbus, as Jim Tressel and Kirk Ferentz both coached not to lose at the end of regulation. Tressel-ball won out, but these two looked like they'd run away from the nickel slots. You also saw few risks from Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald and Minnesota's Tim Brewster in close wins against Illinois and South Dakota State. And there's Penn State's Joe Paterno, the dean of conservative coaching. The formula clearly works in the Big Ten, but these coaches likely will need to take more risks to win in the postseason, where the Big Ten has struggled in recent years. (Source: ESPN)
Tresselball debate: Was Ohio State coach Jim Tressel too conservative against Iowa? November 15, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealers - Doug Lesmerises writes: "Time for a Tresselball debate. There seems to be two distinct reactions to Ohio State's win over Iowa. There's the "Be excited the Buckeyes are headed to the Rose Bowl regardless of how the game went" side. Then there's the "Boy, Jim Tressel's conservative gameplan nearly cost Ohio State that game" side. I'm much more in the second category than the first, currently amazed by the Ohio State observers that are focusing on Ohio State's "success" running the ball, and believing that Iowa basically lucked itself into overtime. However, I'm not as far on that side as some people are, like CBS Sports columnist Gregg Doyel. And then there are the people who believe Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz was even more conservative than Tressel by not taking a shot after the Hawkeyes got the ball back in the final minute. Des Moines Register columnist Sean Keeler is one of those people. Here's the take of Pat Forde of ESPN.com and Stewart Mandel of SI.com as well.
"
Thorny victory for OSU November 14, 2009 Source: Yahoo Sports - "...Ohio State continues to be the best team in its league but, on a national scale, it appears destined to disappoint once again. There’s no reason to believe this group of Buckeyes will fare any better in January than its predecessors, who have lost three straight BCS bowl games, including two in convincing fashion. While the defense has been stout, Ohio State’s offense continues to be laughable at times. Tressel has so little confidence in the unit that on Saturday, with the score tied and just over two minutes left in regulation, the coach called for two straight running plays and a short pass that went for a 3-yard loss. It was as if the Buckeyes, who were forced to punt, weren’t even trying to win the game...These (OSU & Iowa) are the top two teams in the Big Ten? It’s no wonder the conference went just 1-6 in bowl games last season. The Big Ten also has lost six straight BCS bowl games, and there’s no reason to think that trend will end this winter. Especially if Ohio State doesn’t mix things up offensively. He may improve eventually but, for now, it’s clear that Tressel has no faith in Terrelle Pryor. The former national No. 1 national recruit completed 14 of 17 passes for 93 yards. That’s just 6.6 yards per completion, meaning his coaches don’t trust him to do anything other than the elementary. There also were only three or four running plays designed for the athletic Pryor, who is saying all the right things. Still, deep down, he can’t be happy with the way he’s been utilized thus far in his career. "I know we need to get better," Tressel said, and that may have been the understatement of the night..."
Ohio State doesn't play to win, Pac-10 champ will November 15, 2009 Source: Fox Sports - Don Borst writes: "No matter who winds up winning the wild Pac-10 race, at least somebody is going to have to win it. They'll go out and do something special ... or they'll lose trying. Say what you will about their shootouts, but Oregon, Stanford, Oregon State, and Arizona all play exciting and eventful football. And they always play to win. That's how it works in an exciting conference like the Pac-10, which is coming down to a race as epic as Stanford's double-nickel at the L.A. Coliseum. That's how it works, too, in the ACC, where Clemson's late-season surge and Georgia Tech's remarkable campaign appear to be leading to a wild ACC Championship Game. Same goes in the SEC, obviously. And in the Big East too, where Cincinnati will have to earn everything it can get. Even in the Big 12 this year, Texas has shown it will let it all hang out in order to hook 'em. But in the Big Ten, it's not like that. In the Big Ten, they go out there and "not lose one for the Gipper." Given the option, Jim Tressel would have fast-forwarded to penalty kicks. In Saturday's Big Ten championship showdown, Tressel and the Buckeyes did not lose better than the Iowa Hawkeyes did not lose..."
