Football Flashbacks:
1988 - Ohio State Rallies Past LSU, 36-33
December 31, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "In a game that will take its place in history as one of the greatest ever played in Ohio Stadium, the Buckeyes rallied from a 13-point deficit to upset No. 7 LSU, 36-33..."
1987 - No. 7 Ohio State 13, No. 4 LSU 13
December 28, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "A blocked Ohio State field goal attempt with five seconds remaining in the game spoiled a come-from-behind upset bid by the No. 7 Buckeyes and left them with a 13-13 tie at No. 4 LSU..."
 | Coleman finds inspiration in father
December 31, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Ron Coleman is like most parents of a college football player. When something is written about his son, he wants to read it. That's why he quickly flipped to page 23 of the 2007 Ohio State media guide to peruse the biography of sophomore starting safety Kurt Coleman of Clayton, Ohio. 'It lists his favorite food, Chipotle, and it said one of his desires in life was to travel to Australia," Ron Coleman said. "And then I come across the line where they asked him to name his hero. He says it's me.'..." |
 | Big Ten has the Bucks, but SEC coaches pull in the big bucks
December 31, 2007 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "As Ohio State's defensive coordinator, Jim Heacock leads the No. 1 defense in the country. As LSU's defensive coordinator, Bo Pelini leads the No. 2 defense in the country. Heacock won the Broyles Award this year as the nation's top assistant college football coach. Pelini won an even greater reward -- he will leave after the BCS National Championship game to coach Nebraska. What will separate them when the Buckeyes and the Tigers meet in the New Orleans Superdome in a week? How about $161,000 in base salary..."
The culture of college football in the South: SEC football is 'whole 'nother animal' |
Stay or go?
December 30, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Gholston, Jenkins, Laurinaitis are latest Ohio State underclassmen faced with the decision of whether to leave early for NFL..."
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 | Adam Homan is 5th Buckeye Commit
December 29, 2007 - Adam Homan from Coldwater (OH), and brother of current OSU LB Ross Homan, became the fifth 2009 Ohio State commitment when he called Jim Tressel to give him the good news. Homan, who is 6' 3" and 230 pounds, played RB and LB and lead his school to a state title this season. "It doesn't matter to me what position I play at Ohio State. I just want to be a contributor." Although Notre Dame, Illinois, Virginia, Iowa, Pittsburgh and others were recruiting Adam, he said, "Ohio State was pretty much all I was looking for in a school, and recruiting really ended once I got that offer." Welcome aboard, Adam! |
| "Jim Tressel has a clause in his contract that gives the Ohio State coach an opportunity to negotiate a new contract if his team wins a national championship, which presumably means he could hike his salary above the $2.4 million he is being paid (not including bonuses) this season. LSU coach Les Miles has continued to receive raises since his team won the SEC title game Dec. 1. When Auburn gave Tommy Tuberville a $200,000 raise to $2.8 million for 2008 and Bobby Petrino left the Atlanta Falcons to accept a $2.85 million a year deal from Arkansas, Miles' $1.8 million salary went up. His contract guarantees that in a season after Miles wins an SEC title, he will make at least as much money as the third-best-paid coach in the conference. Alabama coach Nick Saban and Florida coach Urban Meyer rank first and second. An LSU win in the national championship game Jan. 7 would bump Miles' salary at least another $530,000." (December 28, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch) |
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 | Jack Mewhort Commits To Ohio State
December 28, 2007 - Ohio State's recruiting continues for the Class of 2009 with the commitment of Toledo St.John's (OH) Jack Mewhort. One of the top junior offensive linemen in the Mid-West, he accepted the Buckeye offer on Friday. Mewhort is 6-6 and 285 lbs. and plays center in high school. He said OSU coach Jim Bollman told him he could be playing either that position or guard for the Buckeyes. The junior already had offers and or significant interest from Michigan, Illinois, Stanford, Northwestern, Michigan State, Toledo and Bowling Green. Welcome aboard, Jack! |
"NFL scouts apparently don't realize that Ohio State doesn't have the talent to beat teams from the Southeastern Conference. Scouts Inc., an NFL draft feature on the ESPN.com Web site, has three Buckeyes juniors in its top 11 picks of the upcoming draft: linebacker James Laurinaitis at No. 7, defensive end Vernon Gholston at No. 9 and cornerback Malcolm Jenkins at No. 11. Louisiana State defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey is listed at No. 3, receiver Early Doucet III is No. 22 and linebacker Ali Highsmith is No. 28. The service's top pick is Arkansas running back Darren McFadden. Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long is No. 6." (December 28, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch)
OSU Speed vs. LSU Speed Source: NFLDraftScout.com
Big Ten vs. SEC
December 30, 2007 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "In comparing the Big Ten and the SEC, it might be wise for Ohio State fans to lean toward expressing Big Ten pride. Since Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1993, the SEC holds a 18-15 bowl edge on the Big Ten..." |
 | December 30, 2007 8pm |
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Tressel: Losing Washington was never in jeopardy
December 30, 2007 Source: The Morning Journal - "To hear Jim Tressel tell it, the loss of Eugene Clifford won't impact preparation much at all and the team was never in danger of losing starting cornerback Donald Washington for the national championship game against LSU. Despite numerous reports to the contrary, when asked if Washington was ever in jeopardy of being suspended, Tressel said ''No, no.'' He didn't elaborate..."
Washington eligible to play in title game, OSU says
December 28, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Ohio State cornerback Donald Washington is eligible to play in the BCS national championship game, OSU athletics director Gene Smith said today. Washington's status had been unclear since Dec. 20, when sources told The Dispatch that he and teammate Eugene Clifford had been suspended for violating an unspecified team rule. OSU announced Clifford's suspension the next day, and sources told The Dispatch that Washington was appealing. Washington has been practicing since the team returned Wednesday from a holiday break. The Buckeyes will face Louisiana State on Jan. 7 in New Orleans."
Washington practicing; game status still unclear
December 28, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Ohio State cornerback Donald Washington is allowed to practice, but whether he'll play in the national championship game remains unclear..."
An official release (Defensive Back Suspended 12/20/07) from the official Ohio State athletics site makes no mention of Donald Washington, which a Columbus Dispatch article (Ohio State's starting corner suspended for title game) indicated would be suspended as well. The Dispatch has a follow up article cited below (Corner reportedly appeals suspension) that addresses Washington's status.
Defensive Back Suspended
December 20, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State defensive back Eugene Clifford has been suspended from preparations for the Buckeyes’ BCS championship game with LSU in New Orleans Jan. 7. He was suspended by head coach Jim Tressel for a violation of team rules and will not play in the BCS championship game. The Buckeyes resume practice for the bowl game on Dec. 26 in Columbus.
 | Corner reportedly appeals suspension
December 21, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "...The Dispatch, quoting sources close to the team, reported yesterday that Clifford and Washington would be suspended from the game Jan. 7 against LSU because of an unspecified violation of team rules. Several more sources yesterday said that Washington, a third-year sophomore, had appealed his suspension and his status won't be known for days, perhaps after the Christmas break..." |
OSU's mum on DB's ban
December 21, 2007 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "When the Ohio State Buckeyes departed campus for Christmas break on Wednesday, they believed they'd be playing without one of their starting cornerbacks in the BCS national championship. Twenty-four hours later, that wasn't the case..."
Ohio State's starting corner suspended for title game
December 19, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Ohio State starting cornerback Donald Washington and reserve corner Eugene Clifford have been suspended for the national championship game because of a violation of team rules, a source close to the team confirmed tonight. There were no details on the nature of the violation, except that it is not a legal issue. The loss of Washington is significant. The sophomore from Indianapolis has started every game this season and played well, twice being named the team's defensive player of the week...His absence means redshirt freshman Chimdi Chekwa likely will start with Malcolm Jenkins at the corners. In the nickel defense, safety Jamario O'Neal now likely will get the nod. Previously, Chekwa has played corner in nickel and Jenkins has shifted to safety. Andre Amos, Nick Patterson and Aaron Gant also could see more playing time. Clifford, a freshman from Cincinnati, has played in four games and has eight tackles..." |
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 | Johnny Simon Commits To Ohio State
December 26, 2007 - Youngstown Cardinal Mooney superstar Johnny Simon made it official that he will be playing his college football for Ohio State when he committed today to Tressel and assistant coach Jim Heacock. A two-year starter on the defensive line for Youngstown (OH) Cardinal Mooney, the 6-3 255lb defensive tackle, with 4.7 40 speed, is regarded by many as the state's top prospect in the loaded Ohio class of 2009. "I've always loved Ohio State. I visited some other schools, but Ohio State always stood out to me. I'm a Buckeye 100%. I'll be playing on the defensive line for Ohio State. I'm not sure where and it doesn't matter to me. I'll play where the coaches want me to play, whether it's at tackle or end. Anyway I can help the team is what matters to me." Simon already had offers and or significant interest from Notre Dame, Illinois, Stanford, Michigan, Penn State, Boston College, Iowa, Nebraska, Pittsburgh and dozens of other schools. Welcome aboard, Johnny! |
Coaching stability builds Ohio State
December 27, 2007 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "...National recruiting analyst Jamie Newburg of Scout.com believes that, other than playing time, coaching stability is as important as any consideration for a recruit. 'In a perfect world, one would think a player would commit because of a school or the program,' Newburg said, 'but recruiting is all about relationships.'..."
 | Freeman's time comes
December 27, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "...The Ohio State junior linebacker has had a breakout season. He and his girlfriend, Aynsley Collier, celebrated the birth of a baby girl, Bria, last winter. It was suggested that somehow parenthood helped spur Freeman to fulfill his potential as a player...'No, I don't want to say that,. he said. He attributes his success to good, old-fashioned hard work and film study. 'I think I just started to get more confident,' he said. 'Just being out on the field, getting more and more plays, you get more confidence. And as confidence comes, I think you build your play a little more.'..." |
Tressel knows you play game on the field
December 26, 2007 Source: Associated Press - "Ohio State will be playing in its third national championship game in the past six seasons when it takes on LSU Jan. 7 in New Orleans. So what, coach Jim Tressel said. 'So do we get any points for that?' he joked. 'Do we get a two-point start because of that?' There's no advantage to being in the national spotlight so often -- unless you win. Despite a glorious tradition -- 118 seasons, 798 wins, seven Heisman Trophy winners and a building full of trophies -- the Buckeyes have fallen short of doing even better through the years because they have come up empty in bowl games..."
Click on the link above the football news for an in depth preview of the BCS Title Game
 | Abdallah Going Home
December 26, 2007 Source: Associated Press - "When the Ohio State Buckeyes arrive in New Orleans on Jan. 2 for the national championship game against LSU, defensive tackle Nader Abdallah will serve as unofficial tour guide. There are parts of his hometown, however, that he'll stay away from. Seeing them again is just too painful..."
National title game brings Abdallah family back to New Orleans to finish their story
December 23, 2007 Source: Dayton Daily News - "...On Jan. 7, Nader's Ohio State Buckeyes meet the local-favorite Louisiana State Tigers in the pinnacle of college football, the Bowl Championship Series national title game at the Superdome, which towers just a few minutes away from the now-gutted store that for 25 years stood as the Abdallah family's totem to the American dream..." |
There's some history between OSU, LSU
December 26, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "History buffs want to look at Ohio State's 0-8 bowl record vs. Southeastern Conference teams -- especially the lopsided loss to Florida last season -- and declare the Buckeyes don't have a chance against Louisiana State in the national championship game Jan. 7. 'It doesn't matter what's happened in the past,' former Ohio State coach Earle Bruce said. 'That's what people don't seem to understand. What matters is what happens now, how you play now. It's not about what's gone on before.'..."
Former LSU coach's life has come full circle in Ohio
December 25, 2007 Source: CentralOhio.com - "If Paul Dietzel has one regret, it's that he wasn't held back as a student at Mansfield Senior High School. 'I came to LSU too soon,' he said chuckling...When Dietzel led LSU to its first national championship in 1958, he got a $1,500 pay bump. When he left the school after seven years, his salary skyrocketed from $13,000 to a whopping $18,500..."
 | Humble LB doesn't feel he belongs among OSU's greats
December 24, 2007 Source: Associated Press - "Before he leaves Ohio State - after one more game or one more season - James Laurinaitis will undoubtedly rank among the school's top linebackers ever. This astounds Laurinaitis, the son of a WWE icon who still thinks of himself as a work in progress despite winning the Butkus Award earlier this month and the Nagurski Award a year ago. 'It's unbelievable. It's unbelievable to be mentioned in the same category as A.J. (Hawk) or Chris Spielman,' he said..." |
Did draft distract OSU?
December 24, 2007 Source: Gannett News - "Ohio State lost eight players to the NFL draft after getting embarrassed by Florida 41-14 in last season's national championship game. In retrospect, junior All-America linebacker James Laurinaitis wonders if the Buckeyes lost some of those players -- in terms of concentration -- before they teed it up against the Gators. 'I think last year there were a lot of distractions with some of the guys who were seniors, leaving (for the NFL) and things like that,' he said. 'We need to stay focused and really not focus on those kind of things. LSU is a big enough task for us.'..."
OSU Hopes To Add To National Title Legacy
December 24, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "On Jan. 7, Ohio State will play LSU in the national championship game. The Buckeyes have a shot at their sixth consensus national title and eighth overall. Click this free link for a comprehensive look at OSU's previous national titles, it's near misses and also a look at its top-five poll finishes..."
Buckeyes say they learned from '06
December 21, 2007 Source: Akron Beacon Journal - "Ask any member of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team what 41-14 means, and there's no doubt. Those numbers - that score - remain tattooed on their brains. Many have tried to explain the reason for the rout. Was it the trips to In-N-Out Burger? How about team members being on the rubber-chicken awards banquet circuit too much? Perhaps it was thoughts of the NFL dollars that awaited some team members. With the LSU Tigers ready to pounce Jan. 7, Ohio State players say there's a different mind-set this time. To let this year's team tell it, a combination of all of the above problems led to a complete lack of focus last year. Members of this year's squad choose their words carefully when talking about a team that marched through the regular season unscathed last year, only to pull one of the most memorable choke jobs in college sports..."
 | Mr. Bucknuts' Bucket Of Bullets
December 23, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "In an "all new" Bucket of Bullets, Mr. Bucknuts covers the new Michigan coach, the next new commitments for 2009, new ways to make room for the Class of 2008, new Bucknuts contributors and some new Les Miles humor in this week’s column..." |
|  | Blood before bayou:
Terry Robiskie big-time LSU name, but come game time, Buckeyes, son come first
December 20, 2007 Source: Gannett News Service - "LSU coach Les Miles soon will lose the support of a prominent LSU alumnus in the coaching profession...Miles met former LSU tailback Terry Robiskie, the first 1,000-yard rusher in school history in 1976 and now the wide receivers coach for Miami, who just happens to be the father of Ohio State receiver Brian Robiskie...'Today I say hello to you as a friend and the coach of my alma mater,' Robiskie said he told Miles. 'But three weeks from now, you won't be my friend.' Robiskie will instead be pulling for his son, a 6-foot-3, 196-pound junior who leads the Buckeyes with 50 catches for 885 yards and 10 touchdowns..." |
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 | Shawntel Rowell, of Cleveland Glenville, has committed to Ohio State. Rowell now continues the pipeline of Glenville kids to Columbus, like former Tarblooders Ted Ginn and Troy Smith. 'To me I just think I need to keep it going and make the Glenville resume look good. I just look at it as an honor to have the chance to go to Ohio State.' The 6' 4" defensive tackle had a deal with the OSU coaching staff: cut his weight from 375 pounds to near 300 pounds and a scholarship offer would be his. Ted Ginn Sr., his high school coach, said Rowell has benefited from his new frame. 'He was more explosive. He's a big guy, but he's like an athlete. It helped him a lot.' In addition to Ohio State, Rowell had offers from West Virginia, Illinois, Boston College, Iowa, Oklahoma State and Indiana. Welcome aboard, Shawntel.
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|  | Big Ten official's background raises questions
December 18, 2007 Source: Rivals.com - "A Big Ten football officiating team that came under scrutiny for its performance in two conference games last month was led by a crew chief with a history of bankruptcy, casino gambling, child abuse and allegations of sexual harassment, a Yahoo! Sports investigation has revealed...When reached at his home Tuesday, (Big Ten commissoner) Delany said, 'I don't have any comment on that right now.' Pamon and the seven-man officiating team he oversees came under fire after a series of controversial calls during a game between Penn State and Purdue on Nov. 3. Afterward, Purdue Coach Joe Tiller filed an official complaint with the Big Ten. The performance reportedly led the Big Ten to suspend the crew for the final week of the regular season. But before the suspension took effect Nov. 17, the conference allowed the officials to work a game between Illinois and Ohio State..."
Big Ten blew it big time
Yahoo Sport's Dan Wetzel writes: "...Pamon is an ethical disaster of a person, let alone a major college referee who gambling interests would love to get their paws on. But at least he wasn't hiding it. Anyone |
who cared could have found out about Pamon's background. The Big Ten claims it cares, claims it uses a third party service to do background checks on its officials. Well, if fans think the refs are blind, what does that make the service that couldn't figure out Pamon had no business making the call on anything, let alone a close football game with millions wagered on it?..."
Big Ten responds in wake of Yahoo! Sports probe
December 19, 2007 Source: Yahoo Sports - "The Big Ten said Wednesday it will immediately adopt annual background checks on all football and men's and women's basketball officials as a result "of the new information" revealed in a Yahoo! Sports investigation of conference official Stephen Pamon a day earlier..."
Big Ten crew under cloud of suspicion
December 20, 2007 Source: Los Angeles Times - "...'Both games had disproportionate money bet on the teams that benefited from the objectionable calls in those games in Penn State and Illinois,' said RJ Bell of Pregame.com..."
NCAA, football powers seek better officiating
December 28, 2007 Source: USA Today - "There's a new eye on college football officials.
The NCAA and the nation's 11 major conferences will announce Friday they are setting up a supervisory body - and appointing the Big Ten's Dave Parry as the sport's first national coordinator - in an effort to improve consistency in areas ranging from on-field game management to the use of replay to officials' training..."
OSU's Abdallah to return to scene of Katrina tragedy
December 17, 2007 Source: CentralOhio.com - "Ohio State defensive tackle Nader Abdallah is the only Buckeye going home to New Orleans to play LSU in the national championship game. Which begs a tough question: Home to what? His family's downtown business and their home in nearby Metairie were destroyed two years ago by Hurricane Katrina. His father, Younes, and mother, Izzieh, Palestinian immigrants, have moved back to the Middle East. Two brothers and a sister relocated to Houston..."
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Larry Grant to play in fourth straight college football title game
December 16, 2007 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "How did Ohio State senior linebacker Larry Grant reach four consecutive college football national championship games? By getting out. Six years ago, LaSean Woods, one of Grant's five older siblings, called from his home in Georgia. He had a message for Grant, his younger brother by 13 years, who was living in Sacramento, Calif., with his mother. 'You're coming with me, little brother.'..."
| | December 21, 2007 |
 | Rodriguez fires all Michigan assistant coaches
December 21, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Rich Rodriguez fired Michigan's assistant coaches yesterday during his second day as an employee of the school. Rodriguez met with the coaches one by one at Schembechler Hall as retiring coach Lloyd Carr packed up his belongings in boxes. Michigan athletic director Bill Martin declined comment. Carr will coach the Wolverines on Jan. 1 against Florida in the Capital One Bowl, then Rodriguez will take over. Each of Carr's assistants were given two-year contracts in March that will pay them through Feb. 28, 2009.
From the Detroit News (12/21/07): Rodriguez fires all 9 Michigan assistants |
WEST VIRGINIA ANALYST:
Rich Rodriguez's recruiting prowess, weakness and whether his offense will work in Big Ten
December 20, 2007 Source: Detroit Free Press - "The Free Press recently spoke with wvsports.com (West Virginia’s site on Rivals.com) writer Jim Laise. Laise, a West Virginia alum, has covered West Virginia basketball and football with the Rivals site for five years. We discussed how Rich Rodriguez stacks up as a recruiter, whether his offense can find success in the Big Ten and if he was surprised that Rodriguez left his alma mater..."
STRIKE IT RICH: West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez accepts Wolverines job
December 16, 2007 Source: Detroit Free Press - "West Virginia's Rich Rodriguez, who met with U-M president Mary Sue Coleman and athletic director Bill Martin on Friday in Toledo, has accepted the Michigan coaching job, replacing retiring coach Lloyd Carr..."
For more coverage from the Detroit Free Press
Rodriguez leaving West Virginia to coach Michigan
December 16, 2007 Source: ESPN.com
Pryor: Add Michigan To My List
December 16, 2007 Source: Rivals.com - "The nation's No. 1 high school football prospect as ranked by Rivals.com - Jeanntte, Pa., quarterback Terrelle Pryor - apparently knew before most that West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez was headed to Michigan as the Wolverines' new coach. 'Add Michigan to my list,' said Pryor early Sunday afternoon. 'Rich Rod is headed to Michigan. I just spoke to him earlier this morning and he told me he's gone. I don't know when it will be announced, but it could be as early as today.'..."
Michigan Taps WVU's Rodriguez As Next Coach
December 16, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "Already spurned by a pair of high profile coaches, Michigan athletic director Bill Martin was under the gun to produce a respected name to fill his school’s vacancy as the head football coach. Martin appears to have done just that with his hiring on Sunday of West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez. Martin had taken his lumps from UM fans and in the Detroit media as the search for Lloyd Carr’s successor dragged on after LSU's Les Miles and Rutgers’ Greg Schiano each said 'Thanks, but no thanks' to overtures from Michigan..."
Desert meltdown still hounds Buckeyes
December 15, 2007 Source: CentralOhio.com - "Tressel defended Ohio State's No. 1 ranking despite last year's collapse, its loss to unranked Illinois in this year's final home game and an indefensible schedule that included in-state lambs Akron, Kent State and Youngstown State. 'I'm sure if the national perception took a step back and really looked at what the Ohio State football program has done recently, it would match up with most any,' Tressel said. He also dismissed suggestions his players got fat and happy during the 51-day layoff before their title clash with the Gators..."
 | A challenging proposal: Which is the better conference: Big Ten or SEC?
December 16, 2007 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "It's hard to say what the result would be if Jim Tressel's Buckeyes played an SEC school in an annual Big Ten-SEC challenge, but The Plain Dealer's Doug Lesmerises would love to find out...Here’s an idea: Settle it on the field..."
SEC dominance against the Big Ten isn't clear-cut
December 16, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Louisiana State is a four-point favorite, but in the court of public opinion, that's far too polite to Ohio State. LSU will win, the feeling goes, simply because it's a member of the Southeastern Conference, whereas Ohio State plays in the Big Ten..." |
Ohio State learns that not everyone loves a winner
December 16, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "The media haven't been particularly complimentary to the Buckeyes, in part because of their meltdown in last season's national championship game and in part because their 11-1 record was judged to have come against a weak schedule and in a weak conference. But does the outside world really hate Ohio State?..."
Tressel shifts title-game travel
December 14, 2007 Source: Dayton Daily News - "Ohio State coach Jim Tressel can't do anything about another 51-day layoff before playing in the national title game this year, but he can do something about how his team occupies the time. The Buckeyes are planning a standard bowl trip to New Orleans, leaving just five days before their Jan. 7 game against Louisiana State - as opposed to last year, when the players felt like they stayed at the bowl site long enough to get married, raise families and send their kids off to college..."
Dodds and Ends
December 14, 2007 Source: CBSSportsline.com - "Who are these Buckeyes? A year after losing marquee pieces of a national runner-up, Ohio State is back for the ultimate mulligan with an unknown cast. Dennis Dodd tells you about Tressel's Columbus crew..."
 | Ohio State president: No football playoff – ever
December 14, 2007 Source: Canton Repository - "...This tumultuous season has led even defenders of the current BCS setup to think college football’s method of determining a champ is broke. Not Gee. He said college football can have a playoff over his dead body. 'As far as a playoff system is concerned, there will not be one,' Gee said. 'They will wrench a playoff system out of my cold, dead hands. It’s too much of moving toward having universities being farm clubs for the pros.'..." |
 | Henton working out as No. 2 QB
December 14, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "The need for a tight end on the scout team produced an interesting piece of news yesterday: Ohio State's Antonio Henton has been practicing as the No. 2 quarterback..."
Buckeyes Shuffle Backup Quarterbacks
December 14, 2007 Source: The Ozone - "Robby Schoenhoft has been listed as OSU's backup this entire season, but rumors have been rampant this week that Schoenhoft has moved to tight end and that Antonio Henton has moved into the backup role..." |
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OSU's Laurinaitis All-American again
December 12, 2007 Source: Associated Press - "Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis was named to the Associated Press All-America first team for the second time Tuesday..." (Vernon Gholston and Malcolm Jenkins earned second-team recognition and Kirk Barton was named to the third-team offense.)
Laurinaitis wins Butkus
December 7, 2007 Source: Associated Press - "Ohio State's James Laurinaitis won the Butkus Award on Friday night as the nation's best linebacker. The junior became the second Buckeyes player to win the Butkus, joining Andy Katzenmoyer in 1997. Laurinaitis beat out Penn State's Dan Connor and Colorado Jordan Dizon..."
Three Football Buckeyes Earn Walter Camp All-America Recognition
December 7, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Ohio State's James Laurinaitis was a repeat first-team All-America selection by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, announced Thursday at the ESPN College Football Awards Show in Orlando. Vernon Gholston and Malcolm Jenkins both were second-team selections..."
Laurinaitis, Heyward Named to Sporting News All-American Teams
December 8, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "James Laurinaitis, a junior linebacker and 2007 Butkus Award winner, and Cameron Heyward, freshman defensive end, were honored by the Sporting News Saturday. Laurinaitis was named a first-team All-American and Heyward was recognized on the freshman All-American squad..."
Barton, Laurinaitis Named To AFCA All-America Team
November 29, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "The offensive line features Ohio State’s Kirk Barton...The linebacking corps features James Laurinaitis of Ohio State...The AFCA has selected an All-America team every year since 1945...The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions. What makes these teams so special is that they are the only ones chosen exclusively by the men who know the players the best - the coaches themselves..." |
Football's Robiskie Academic All-American
November 28, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Ohio State wide receiver Brian Robiskie has been named first team Academic All-America, as selected by ESPN The Magazine and CoSIDA..."
Vernon Gholston Hendricks Award Finalist
November 29, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "The Ted Hendricks Foundation has unveiled the list of finalists for the 2007 Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award. Because of a very competitive first-round vote, the field of finalists has expanded to eight very talented individuals..."
Ohio State football game with Michigan will be after Thanksgiving, starting in 2009
December 11, 2007 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "The Ohio State-Michigan game is moving back on the calendar. Starting with Thanksgiving week 2009, the Big Ten Conference is choosing football over Butterball. On Dec. 2, Big Ten school presidents voted to support a 13-week conference football schedule, pushing the final weekend of the season to after Thanksgiving, Big Ten spokesman Scott Chipman said Monday. That would allow teams one week off during the 12-game regular season. Since the NCAA adopted a 12-game schedule in 2006, many Big Ten coaches have been clamoring for a bye week to give coaches and players a mental and physical break instead of three straight months of football. Other coaches, including Ohio State's Jim Tressel and retiring Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, staunchly supported the Big Ten tradition of ending the season before Thanksgiving, though no other conference in college football finishes as early. This season, 48 major college football games were played Thanksgiving week, in every conference but the Big Ten..."
Turkey, then Wolverines in 2009
December 12, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "It's not what Ohio State's president, athletic director or football coach would prefer, but the Buckeyes likely will play Michigan on Thanksgiving weekend each season as soon as 2009..."
BCS format could face a tweak, but not in immediate future
December 7, 2007 Source: USA Today - "Incoming Bowl Championship Series coordinator John Swofford says he will pick up where his predecessor Mike Slive left off by directing further discussion of the "plus-one" model. One plus-one format would involve seeding the top four teams in the BCS standings. The winners of two semifinal bowl matchups would advance to a new title game. BCS decision-makers (conference commissioners, bowl officials and Notre Dame athletics director Kevin White) will discuss the issue at their April meeting. Changes could not be implemented until 2011 because of current contracts...The biggest opponents remain the Pac-10 and the Big Ten, mostly because of their relationship with the Rose Bowl. 'We're strongly opposed to the plus-one format,' Pac-10 commissioner Tom Hansen says. 'We don't want to be forced by seeding to play outside the Rose Bowl. And if you don't seed, you don't find out anything more (than the current model). Seeding breaks up.'..."
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