 | Mr. Bucknuts' Bucket Of Bullets
December 31, 2006 Source: Bucknuts - "It's one last Bucket of Bullets for 2006. Mr. Bucknuts looks back on the year, hands out some thank-yous, and also takes some time to take shots at familiar targets. Read on for more..."
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Ohio State players leave fundraiser over NCAA concerns
December 24, 2006 Source: Associated Press - "Two Ohio State players left a fundraiser to help their families attend the upcoming national championship game because of concerns the benefit violated NCAA rules, the team's offensive coordinator said. Running backs Antonio Pittman and Chris Wells, both of Akron, were at the spaghetti dinner fundraiser Saturday when Wells' mother called Ohio State offensive coordinator Jim Bollman to explain the situation..."
UPDATE: University studying possible violation
December 27, 2006 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Ohio State continues to look into potential NCAA violations committed Saturday involving a benefit dinner for four players’ families. 'We still have conversations to occur, and hopefully by the end of the week we will have it resolved one way or the other,' athletic director Gene Smith said. Asked if it appears to be a serious matter, Smith said, 'I can’t comment on it at this point.'..."
Better then?
December 27, 2006 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Ohio State is 12-0 and has the No. 1 college football team in the country so far this season. The Buckeyes finished 10-2 and ranked No. 4 last season. So the 2006 OSU team is better than the 2005 team, right? Not necessarily..."
Comparison: Then vs Now
No need to pity Ohio State defense
December 26, 2006 Source: Associated Press - "Ohio State is 12-0 and has the No. 1 college football team in the country so far this season. The Buckeyes finished 10-2 and ranked No. 4 last season. So the 2006 OSU team is better than the 2005 team, right? Not necessarily..."
| Mr. Bucknuts' Bucket Of Bullets
December 24, 2006 Source: Bucknuts - "Mr. Bucknuts is back with his Happy Holidays edition of the Bucket of Bullets with notes on recruiting, Bucknuts The Magazine, Jim Tressel's penchant for preparation and much more..."
Mr. Bucknuts' Bucket Of Bullets
December 18, 2006 Source: Bucknuts - "Mr. Bucknuts maintains his rep as an insider as he spent part of the week inside the Woody Hayes Center. Who did he speak with? What insights were inside? Well, come on inside this week’s Bucket of Bullets..." |
 | The-Ozone Note and Quotebook
December 23, 2006 Source: The Ozone - "Hitting the Books, Parting Gifts, Injury Update and Stepping Up; it's all in the-Ozone Note and Quotebook..." |
Answers elusive for why Tressel is so good in big games
December 22, 2006 Source: Associated Press - "The makeshift sign, with crooked letters and bright colors like a third-grader's class project, was held aloft in the twilight chill of No. 1 Ohio State's 42-39 victory over archrival and second-ranked Michigan last month. 'In Tressel We Trust,' it said. So successful is the Buckeyes' sweater-vested, close-to-the-vest coach, that he has become a football deity in a state where people get nervous when approaching the backup tight end and make pilgrimages to the grave of Woody Hayes..."
OSU has winning routine for postseason
December 22, 2006 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "If Ohio State practices behind closed doors for two weeks and there’s no media or fans watching, does it mean the Buckeyes still are going to make some noise Jan. 8 in the national championship game against Florida?..."
Ohio State’s Antonio Smith might have shoulder injury
December 22, 2006 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Ohio State senior cornerback Antonio Smith had his left arm in a sling yesterday. Tressel said Smith’s status will be evaluated once the team arrives in Phoenix on Dec. 30. The Buckeyes wrap up two weeks of practice Saturday morning, then break for Christmas..."
 | Is Clifford Reconsidering? Let's hope not! His high school coach at Colerain, in Cincinnati, resigned Sunday to accept the position as the defensive backs coach at UC. Clifford and Coombs, from all accounts, are very close. Read this article in The Enquirer's December 19th edition. |
 | After narrowing things down to Florida and Ohio State, Daytona Beach (FL) Seabreeze defensive back James Scott has committed to the Buckeyes. Scott is the No. 8 cornerback prospect in the Rivals.com player rankings and the No. 19 overall prospect in the Sunshine State. He had scholarship offers from Ohio State, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, LSU and Tennessee among others. He made the announcement Sunday evening (12/17) at his high school football banquet. Welcome, James! |
 | Solomon Thomas, of West Chester (OH) Lakota West, has committed to Ohio State. The 6'4", 215 lb. DE, chose the Bucks over offers from Tennessee and Louisville. He recorded seven sacks and eight tackles for loss during his senior campaign that was reduced to seven games due to an ankle injury. Welcome, Solomon! |
Four juniors checking out NFL draft prospects
December 15, 2006 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Four Ohio State juniors have submitted paperwork to the NFL to have their draft prospects reviewed by the league, and Buckeye coach Jim Tressel seems resigned to losing at least one of them.
"That’s just part of the deal," Tressel said today during interviews to preview Ohio State’s Jan. 8 national title matchup with Florida.
Receivers Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez, running back Antonio Pittman and tackle Kirk Barton all requested to be evaluated by NFL teams and receive official advice on what round they are likely to be picked.
Tressel encourages prospective first-round picks to move on to the pros, and Ginn will almost assuredly fall into that category. But Pittman said what happens to one player won’t affect the decisions of the other juniors.
"It won’t be a follow-the-leader type thing," he said.
Last year the Buckeyes lost three juniors to the draft. Safety Donte Whitner and receiver Santonio Holmes went in the first round, and cornerback Ashton Youboty was picked in the third round.
Draft could do OSU a selective disservice
December 16, 2006 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer
 | Brian Rolle, of Immokalee FL Immokalee, has committed to Ohio State. A 5'10", 202 lb. outside linebacker, Rolle runs a 4.45 40! The coaches visited with Rolle in his home yesterday, December 12 and came away with his committment. Rolle had over 125 tackles each of his last two seasons. He had offers from Florida, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Iowa, among others. Welcome, Brian!
Indians’ Rolle becomes a Buckeye |
Smith A Finalist For The Cingular All-America Player of the Year
December 9, 2006 Source: OSU Official Site - "Winner to be determined exclusively by fan voting..."
 | Troy watches the BCS selection show from the Woody Hayes Athletic complex Sunday, Dec 3, 2006, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)
Did the BCS get it right
 Ongoing Poll Results |
Rematch? No thanks, OSU-Florida is best game
December 4, 2006 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Michigan is without doubt the second best college football team I watched this season, which is why Florida should play Ohio State for the national championship. If my No. 2 couldn’t beat the Buckeyes, then give my No. 3 a shot..."
Gators get it: Ohio State vs. Florida; Michigan blue
December 4, 2006 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "They might be protesting in the streets of Ann Arbor, Mich., and partying in the streets of Gainesville, Fla., but when Ohio State's opponent for the national championship game was revealed Sunday night, the Buckeyes captains seated in the team meeting room at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center didn't move..."
From Human element has biggest impact on the BCS process:
"...What changed from last week to allow Florida to get into the title game at Michigan's expense?
"Voters in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll on Sunday moved the Gators from fourth to second, 26 points ahead of No. 3 Michigan. Florida was 40 points behind the Wolverines a week ago.
"Last week, four coaches voted Florida second in their poll; this week, 44 did.
"Pollsters in the Harris Interactive rankings also moved the Gators up two spots up to second. In that poll, Florida is 38 points ahead of Michigan this week. Harris voters had the Wolverines 69 points ahead of Florida last week.
"Finally, Michigan was third and Florida fourth last week in the BCS computer ratings. This week, the teams are tied for second.
"Illinois coach Ron Zook, who now coaches in Michigan's conference, but used to coach Florida and recruited many of the players on Urban Meyer's team, said the fact that Florida had to play an extra game for the SEC title helped him decide to change his rankings this week and move the Gators up..."
| What was this guy thinking? |  |
A Harris Poll voter, Jim Walden, a former Washington State and Iowa State coach, voted Florida No. 1 and was the only person in either poll to do so.
"If you look at the Big Ten conference, it is a joke," Walden said in a telephone interview late last night. He added: "I voted my heart and I voted my strength of what I believe in. In my opinion, Florida is the No. 1 team in the nation." (From New York Times: Florida Passes Michigan for Spot in Title Game)
Excuse me. Maybe this explains something: Jim Walden, resigned November 3, 1994 as the head coach of Iowa State...as his team was on its way to a 0-10-1 record.
Here's each Harris Poll voter's rankings for December 3rd poll; click on a panelist's name. Scroll this PDF to see how all Harris panelists voted.
 | See how each coach in the USA Today Top 25/ESPN Coaches Poll voted in that final poll.
(If your browser resolution prevents viewing the link above, try this alternate view.) |
 | Laurinaitis named top defender in college-Wins Nagurski
December 5, 2006 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "James Laurinaitis found himself in somewhat of a bind at lunch yesterday, hours before the Bronko Nagurski Award ceremony in Charlotte, N.C. As the Ohio State sophomore linebacker took his assigned seat, he found Florida safety Reggie Nelson on one side of him and Michigan cornerback Leon Hall on the other..." |
 |  | 2006 Wuerffel Trophy Winner - Joel Penton
December 5, 2006 Source: wuerffeltrophy.org - "The Wuerffel Trophy is presented by the All Sports Association of Fort Walton Beach, Florida to the college football player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement..." |
 | On a Lichter scale
December 5, 2006 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Buckeyes using new techniques to reach goals set by their enthusiastic first-year strength coach ..." |
 | Smith Named Buckeyes' Most Valuable Player
December 3, 2006 Source: OSU Official Site - "Senior quarterback Troy Smith has been selected by his teammates as the Buckeyes' 2006 Most Valuable Player. Smith was honored earlier today at the team's annual appreciation banquet..." |
 | Rocco Pentello, of Westerville (OH) South, has committed to Ohio State.. A 6'0", 200 lb. safety, Pentello could also play on the offensive side. He was on an official visit to OSU this weeked. "They offered," Pentello said. "I committed." He was Westerville's South's starting QB for four years. He is well known to the coaches, having camped at OSU for several years. Welcome, Rocco! |
"I don't know exactly how people sorted out their thinking..." | Florida No. 2 in coaches poll
December 3, 2006 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Tressel chooses not to vote...Florida moved from fourth to second -- and around No.3 Michigan -- in the USA Today coaches poll, which makes up one third of the Bowl Championship Series ratings formula. At the same time, Tressel revealed he did not vote in the poll, as his team waited to see whether it will have a rematch with Michigan in the national championship game or a first-ever game with Florida. 'We are excited to play in the BCS title game against a tremendous opponent,' Tressel said in statement released by OSU. 'After consultation with my director of athletics, Gene Smith, and based upon our unique position in the BCS standings, I believe it is only fair that we not participate the final poll'..." |
5 Thoughts - Tressel is right, so is Urban
December 4, 2006 Source: CollegeFootballNews.com - "Jim Tressel was right not to vote, but not like you think. Urban is right to want a playoff, a plus one is needed, & more in the latest 5 Thoughts..."
Forget BCS, here's a better way to play it
November 29, 2006 Source: The Gainesville Sun - "We're up to our muddy cleats in another college football season and the BCS is still a ludicrous, irritating, inadequate, preposterous, outrageous, asinine, moronic, ill-contrived, short-sighted, witless, flawed and nonsensical flash of stupidity. Do I make myself clear?..."
BCS Head: Football Playoffs Could Be Done
Source: ABS News - What did the BCS tell Congress in testimony in December 2005: "Coordinator of the Bowl Championship Series Kevin Weiberg testifies before the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2005 in Washington. The so-called "plus-one" model for determining a college football national champion should be reconsidered, Weiberg told Congress on Wednesday, while other witnesses talked about the dangers of a playoff system..."
Florida states case by winning toughest conference
December 3, 2006 Source: SI.com - "Whether Florida will have the opportunity to face Ohio State for the national championship is now up for debate - and it will be argued ad nauseam leading up to unveiling of the final BCS rankings Sunday, and for months after - but this much is clear: the Gators are the champions of the nation's toughest conference..."
Why Florida Should Play Ohio State
December 3, 2006 Source: CollegeFootballNews.com - "Who should play Ohio State for the national title? Michigan will most likely end up playing Ohio State in a rematch, but does it deserve it? According to the CFN Formula, which ranks teams based on what actually happened on the field and takes all subjectivity out of it, here are the rankings of four teams currently in the debate for the number two spot..." |
Sheer lunacy of bowl games defies all traditional logic
December 3, 2006 Source: SI.com - "There is nothing more idiotic than how college football crowns its national champ. What would you think if, after the major league baseball league championships were played, the two winners practiced for a month or so and didn't play the World Series until around Thanksgiving?..." |
There's no right answer in BCS mess
December 3, 2006 Source: Ann Arbor News - "They were scrambling last night at the University of Michigan. Scrambling to get football coach LLLLLloyd Carr on ESPN to plead his case for a spot in the national title game, scrambling to come up with statistical arguments that would counter Florida's arguments, scrambling to do everything they could to hold the No. 2 spots in the USA Today coaches poll and the Harris Poll..."
And also, Easy playoff solutions exist
Smith, Buckeyes not resting on glory of 12-0 regular season
December 1, 2006 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Fat and happy is no way to go into a national championship game, and quarterback Troy Smith pledged that is not the way Ohio State will show up Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz. That's even though the Buckeyes clinched their spot almost two weeks ago and are in the midst of a 51-day layoff. And that’s even though several players are up for national awards, including Smith, the front-runner for the Heisman Trophy. 'We're not finished, not by a long shot,' Smith said yesterday. 'Everybody’s thirst and hunger was not just to get through the regular season. It was to have a chance at a national championship..."
Layoff can't rattle confident Buckeyes
December 1, 2006 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Ohio State gets practices today for the first time since the Buckeyes' 42-39 win over Michigan 13 days ago. And then it's only . . . whew, another 38 days until gameday. Compared to three hours on the runway and a bus trip from Milwaukee to Chicago the night before a 44-point win, the Buckeyes figure a break long enough to mummify them shouldn't be a problem.."
In sod they trust? Not anymore
December 1, 2006 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "The Ohio Stadium field will have artificial turf next season, Don Patko, Ohio State assistant athletic director for facilities management, said yesterday. An athletic department committee made the call this week. Patko, whose crew oversaw replacement of the grass field two times during the season, said he understood the decision. 'You've got to move along with the times,' Patko said..."
Although there is no mention of this in the above article, back in late October, in an e-mail update, buckeyefansonly.com reported: "And next season the Shoe gets Field Turf...who's got it? The Bucks currently have it on practice field #4.
 | Buckeye Assistant Joe Daniels selected as a Broyles Award Finalist
November 29, 2006 Source: OSU Official Site - "If there's one thing that the finalists for the 11th annual Broyles Award have in common other than their success, it is their will, their determination to overcome personal tragedies or injuries or rosters depleted by graduation. These overachievers - Ohio State passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Joe Daniels..." |
Buckeyes preparing for title-game foe
November 29, 2006 Source: Canton Repository - "It's been nearly two weeks since anyone on the Ohio State football team picked up a ball, strapped on a pad and assembled as a team. That will end Friday when Head Coach Jim Tressel brings players together for the first time since beating Michigan. The Buckeyes are in a 51-day layoff between the Michigan win and the national title game on Jan. 8. It isn't something that concerns Tressel. 'People asked at the beginning of the year if you're worried about the 12 (straight) games. If you worry about it, I'm not sure what good that does,' Tressel said..."
     | | OSU verbal Eugene Clifford, of Cincinnati Colerain, has been named co-defensive player of the year in Ohio. A 6'2", 200 lb. safety, the Cardinals Clifford could also play WR. "He has great closing speed and he is very, very physical," said his coach Kerry Coombs. RB Brandon Saine of Piqua was named Mr. Football in Ohio and co-offensive player of the year. Other Ohio OSU commits who garnered 1st team honors are: DB Nate Oliver, Lakewood St. Edward; WR Dane Sanzenbacher, Toledo Central Catholic; RB Daniel 'Boom' Herron, Warren Harding. LB Ben Martin, Cincinnati La Salle, who many believe will sign with OSU, was also named to the 1st team. |
More thoughts a week after judgement day
Source: The Lantern - Two letters to the editor from OSU school newspaper...good read.
Tressel's numbers
November 26, 2006 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "If Tressel wins it all, he's entitled to ask for a new contract, which would result in more money and more job security. That’s news to Tressel. 'I didn’t even know about it,' Tressel said through a statement issued by a university spokesman. 'We’ll worry about it on the 9 th (of January). Right now, I've got a game to get ready for.' Winning a trip to the Bowl Championship Series title game on Jan. 8 tipped the scales even further to Tressel’s advantage. He will pocket an extra $200,000 because the Buckeyes earned a trip to Glendale, Ariz. If the team wins, he can land a more lucrative new contract..." (Click on the link to see the compensation graphic)
The December Cover of Sporting News
Source: Sporting News - Check out the December 1 cover of Sporting News. (Click on the link to see the graphic)
 | Big Ten names Smith offensive player of year
November 22, 2006 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Troy Smith is the fifth Ohio State player named Big Ten offensive player of the year. Troy Smith’s long line of congratulations for a spectacular senior season began yesterday, when the media and the coaches of the Big Ten named the Ohio State quarterback their offensive player of the year..." |
Layoff benefits young players
November 23, 2006 Source: Akron Beacon Journal - "When Ohio State coach Jim Tressel considered the positives and negatives of a 50-day layoff before the BCS national championship game, he immediately flashed back to 2005. Cornerbacks coach Tim Beckman and safeties coach Paul Haynes felt the 43 days the Buckeyes had to prepare for Notre Dame last season made a huge impact on freshmen Anderson Russell, Donald Washington and Andre Amos..."
Big Ten Announces 2006 Football All-Conference Teams And Individual Honors
November 21, 2006 Source: ESPN - "The Big Ten announced the 2006 All-Conference football teams and individual award winners today as selected by the coaches and a media panel. After leading Ohio State to a perfect 12-0 regular season and a second-straight conference title, Buckeyes quarterback Troy Smith was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year by both the coaches and media, including a unanimous selection on the media side..."
 | Matt Singer: So many reasons to hate Ohio State
November 17, 2006 Source: The Michigan Daily - "Asking a Michigan man like me to limit his attacks on Ohio State to just over a half-page is like asking former Congressman Mark Foley to choose just one page. It's not easy. I could go after the entire, crappy state of Ohio - its ugly highways, its uglier cities and its poor judgment in picking presidents. I could go after the city of Columbus, which is easily the worst of the 10 Big Ten towns I've seen. There's no character at all, just miles and miles of decrepit strip malls and chain restaurants. I could go after The Ohio State University and spend the next 500 words mocking its hilariously low academic standards..."
(You can e-mail Matt at: mattsing@umich.edu) |
 | Rivals.com NCAA power rankings
Source: Rivals.com - Updated rankings for all positions on offense and defense, plus head coach and offensive and defensive coordinators |
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