ESPN's Adam Rittenberg: Meet John Simon, Ohio State's sandman

A training session at Ohio State's weight room is like a day at the beach for John Simon. Well, sort of. When Simon, a budding star on Ohio State's defensive line, enters the 8,000-square foot weight room at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, his first stop is typically the sand pit. Simon will sprint through the sand, sometimes with a heavy tire harnessed to his waist. He'll work on drills tailored to defensive linemen, trying to get that all important burst when the ball is snapped. The sand pit in Columbus will never be confused for Manhattan Beach, but Simon doesn't mind. "That's about the closest I could get," he said, "coming from Youngstown [Ohio]." Simon got a lot closer this winter as he and his Ohio State teammates made their way to California for the Rose Bowl. If Simon keeps it up in the weight room and on the field, he and the Buckeyes likely will be making a few more trips to the coast. The 6-foot-2, 270-pound Simon appeared in 12 games as a true freshman in 2009, showing flashes with four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a pass knockdown. He's competing for a starting spot at left end or left tackle in 2010, and he's already earning respect from veteran defenders like linebacker Brian Rolle. "If somebody's going to try to outwork him, they'll going to have to work really hard," Rolle said in April. "And he's going to outwork that effort. He's going to be a guy who will be a star here the next couple of years." Simon's reputation stems largely from his work in the weight room. He came to Ohio State with solid credentials, including a max bench-press of 450 and a max squat of 700 as a high schooler, and has impressed coaches and teammates with his approach to workouts and training. Ohio State strength coordinator Jeff Uhlenhake calls Simon the "best total package workout guy" he's coached. Although Simon is only a true sophomore, few in Columbus will be surprised to see him appear on colleague Bruce Feldman's list of Freaks, or workout warriors. "I enjoy being in the weight room," Simon said. "I'm in there every day. Our whole team's like that." Simon typically works out in the morning with his teammates and then returns in the afternoon to lift or run in the sand pit. Despite his lofty high school bench and squat totals, Simon hasn't tried to max out yet in college, citing the need to stay healthy for the Big Ten grind. Instead, he works on his explosion by doing chain bench or band squats and improves his stamina by pulling sleds. "I like a lot of endurance things because the games in college are very long," Simon said. "The sand pit, I really enjoy, just to get that extra quickness where the sand slows you down a little bit and builds up your legs." Simon heads to the sand pit at least three times per week during the offseason. He hopes it pays off this fall as Ohio State aims for a national title. "Just running in the sand, it slows you down so much," he said. "And then when you get on regular grass or turf and you're in your spikes, you feel that much faster. I see a big difference." Is it too early to give Simon a nickname? He might need to start a full season for the Buckeyes to one, but here's an early suggestion. The Sandman.

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Stewart Mandel of SI: Big Ten divisional proposal

Stewart Mandel of SI.com’s Big Ten proposal is below. It makes a lot of sense – while I would prefer to have Penn State within the same division as Ohio State, I would rather ensure Ohio State and Michigan are in the same division, so as to avoid any possibility of a rematch for The Big Ten championship game. This would ensure THE GAME would remain the last game of the regular season.

Enjoy…

**

With the Big Ten and Pac-10 going to 12 teams as soon as 2011 and, in all likelihood, adding a conference championship game, I've spent more time lately than I care to admit trying to figure out how the respective leagues will split themselves into divisions. It's a somewhat tedious exercise, yet undeniably fun. And this budding hobby isn't limited to fans and media. I spoke to one coach last week who said he and his athletic director had spent that morning sketching out various scenarios on a board.

Anyway, I'm fairly certain I've got it all figured out. Jim Delany and Larry Scott: Feel free to take my ideas.

The Big Ten

At the press conference announcing Nebraska's addition, Delany clearly spelled out the priorities by which the Big Ten will decide its divisions. Most important will be ensuring competitive fairness. Second will be preserving rivalries (a particularly daunting task in the league of Paul Bunyan's Axe and the Little Brown Jug). Third will be geography.

One thing I've noticed during the realignment craze is that many fans have too short a memory when it comes to the first consideration. College programs go through up and down cycles. You can't get caught up in Michigan's past two dismal seasons or Iowa's recent Orange Bowl win. You have to consider a team's performance over a longer time period when defining its "typical" competitive level.

With the Big Ten, we have a convenient starting point of 1993, the year Penn State joined the conference. That gives us 17 seasons worth of data and encompasses high and low points for nearly every program. It gets a little trickier when incorporating Nebraska, which not only played in a different conference, but which was still a member of the much-weaker Big 8 in '93. In the Huskers' case, I used only their records since 1996, when they joined the Big 12.

Here are the standings from that time span (conference records only):

Recent Conference Records of Big Ten Teams and Nebraska

TEAM RECORD TEAM RECORD 1. Ohio State 106-29-1 (.779) 7. Purdue 63-70-3 (.463) 2. Michigan 94-42 (.691) 8. Michigan State 63-72-1 (.463) 3. Nebraska 75-37 (.669) 9. Northwestern 59-77 (.434) 4. Penn State 86-50 (.632) 10. Illinois 45-90-1 (.331) 5. Wisconsin 79-54-3 (.581) 11. Minnesota 44-92 (.324) 6. Iowa 71-64-1 (.522) 12. Indiana 33-103 (.243)

This list shows that the teams fall into four general tiers: The "elite" (Ohio State, Michigan, Nebraska, Penn State), the "contenders" (Wisconsin and Iowa), the "middlings" (Purdue, Michigan State and Northwestern) and the "also-rans" (Illinois, Minnesota and Indiana). To achieve true competitive fairness, both divisions would contain roughly equal numbers from all groups. But that might not be possible due to the second consideration: rivalries.

The Big Ten takes its annual rivalry games very seriously -- there are no fewer than 12 traveling trophies (do you know who plays for the Governor's Victory Bell?) -- but as Delany himself said, "Not all rivalries are equal." In other words, the most important of them will be protected, but some will unavoidably be disrupted (certainly one of Minnesota's four).

Which games fall into which category?

• Must be preserved at all costs: Ohio State-Michigan, Michigan-Michigan State, Indiana-Purdue (Old Oaken Bucket), Iowa-Minnesota (Floyd of Rosedale) and Wisconsin-Minnesota (Paul Bunyan's Ax).

• We're sure as heck going to try: Michigan-Minnesota (Little Brown Jug), Illinois-Northwestern (Land of Lincoln), Wisconsin-Iowa (Heartland Trophy) and Ohio State-Penn State.

• They'll barely notice it's gone: Penn State-Michigan State (Land Grant Trophy), Indiana-Michigan State (Old Brass Spittoon), Illinois-Ohio State (Illibuck), Purdue-Illinois (Purdue Cannon) and Penn State-Minnesota (Governor's Victory Bell).

As we get set to form our divisions, we do so with the following understandings:

1. Ohio State and Michigan MUST be in the same division. There's no way either the conference or the schools wants to touch the tradition of these teams' season-ending showdown, and you certainly don't want the possibility of them meeting again a week later in a title game.

2. Penn State is going to be a geographic outlier. There are only three schools within a reasonable drive of Happy Valley (Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State), and it's nearly impossible to achieve the first two goals without separating the Nittany Lions from that group. That doesn't mean they can't still play them regularly.

3. Nebraska has several logical new rivals, most notably Iowa and any or all of Ohio State/Michigan/Penn State, while Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema is lobbying hard for an annual season-ending game with the Huskers. These are considerations as well.

So here's what I did. Treating the teams' above standings as "seeds," I tinkered around with a bunch of different combinations with the goal of achieving a combined seeding that's equal in both divisions, while also maintaining the most important rivalries. I now present the result:

The 12-Team Big Ten

"EAST" DIVISION "WEST" DIVISION Ohio State (1) Nebraska (3) Michigan (2) Penn State (4) Purdue (7) Wisconsin (5) Michigan State (8) Iowa (6) Northwestern (9) Illinois (10) Indiana (12) Minnesota (11)

In addition to its divisional slate, each team would have an annual crossover game, just as in the SEC. They would be Ohio State-Penn State, Michigan-Nebraska, Purdue-Iowa, Michigan State-Wisconsin, Northwestern-Illinois and Indiana-Minnesota.

If you add up the seeds listed in parentheses next to each team, you'll find that in both divisions they come to 39 -- perfect balance. All six crossover games involve teams within one tier of each other. And of the 14 rivalry games mentioned earlier, 10 will still be played annually, including all but one in the top two groupings. (The exception: Michigan-Minnesota. We'll miss the Little Brown Jug, but it had already fallen off the Big Ten's annual schedule, including this season.)

All that's left is picking the championship site.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/stewart_mandel/06/22/expansion-divisions/index.html#ixzz0riGQR0NQ

---

Cris Carter: Duron Carter "will be back"

Great article from The Columbus Dispatch regarding Duron Carter. Cris Carter sounds like a concerned father who only wants the best for his son, and is taking steps to make sure Duron gets on the right path academically. Enjoy the article below.

Link to article

Big Ten: Leave your vuvuzela at home

Hallelujah!  None of those $#*#*#*$ vuvuzelas in Ohio Stadium (or in The Big Ten).  Below is Adam Rittenberg of ESPN's article…

 

The dream is dead. A group of Ohio State students, inspired by the World Cup in South Africa, started a campaign to get as many vuvuzelas to The Shoe on Nov. 13 for the Buckeyes' clash with Penn State. They launched a Facebook page that, as of earlier today, had 1,760 people confirming they'd show up along the banks of the Olentangy, vuvuzelas in hand. Another 621 folks are "maybe attending." (If you don't know what a vuvuzela is by now, turn on ESPN's World Cup coverage and get the wax out of your ears. That's a vuvuzela.) Ohio State student Dustin Stinson, who started the page, implores his fellow Buckeyes, writing, "Everyone bring a vuvuzela for the Penn State game and let's bring some noise! We're trying to get as many students as possible to bring them. INVITE AS MANY PEOPLE FROM OHIO STATE TO JOIN AS YOU CAN! Let's do this." Apparently one Buckeyes fan was ahead of the curve, bringing a vuvuzela or some derivative to last year's game against Iowa. But alas, the Big Ten (AKA no fun police) is putting the kibosh on the vuvuzela. From Every Day Should Be Saturday: Per Scott Chipman of the Big Ten Conference via e-mail this a.m.: "The Big Ten has specific policies that do not allow irritants or noisemakers, so vuvuzelas would not be allowed. Below is the specific language from our football game management manual." A. Nonpermissible Items -- The arena management is responsible for enforcing the Big Ten policies in this regard. The following items may not be brought into the arena by patrons: Alcoholic beverages, bottles, cans, cups or containers, irritants (e.g., noisemakers) or strobe lights. In addition, the facility may have additional restrictions on items that can be brought into the arena. I don't know how well vuvuzelas would go over at a college football game, and I'm sure a lot of folks -- and their eardrums -- are pleased to see the Big Ten's response. Personally, I don't mind them, but I'm biased, as half of my family is from South Africa and I've watched soccer games there before. I'll still give Ohio State students credit for the idea, and I bet we'll still see a vuvuzela or two smuggled into The Shoe on Nov. 13.

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Hazell: Carter taking it "day by day"

From The Columbus Dispatch…

 

Just spoke with Darrell Hazell, OSU receivers coach, about Duron Carter leaving for junior college this fall. He said he has spoken to Carter often in recent weeks, but they did not spend much time talking about whether Carter will return to OSU. "We talked about him doing what he needs to do on a daily basis," Hazell. "And then we'll figure it out from there." Hazell said he felt Carter's major problem was consistency, and he wasn't talking about on the field, he meant in the classroom. "He needs to work on `day by day,'" Hazell said. "Today is the most important day for him." Carter is at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College. He must spend at least the fall semester there before possibly returning to OSU in January. But indications are that this is not a cut-and-dried situation. Carter has frustrated the OSU staff with his struggles to consistently go to class and stay on top of his academics, even after he was declared ineligible for the Rose Bowl. If Carter does not show significant signs that he "gets it" at Coffeyville, it's possible OSU may not welcome him back. But as Hazell said, that's a subject for another day. Meanwhile, the coach is not worried about replacing Carter on the field this fall. Taurian Washington, Chris Fields, Grant Schwartz and James Jackson are returning at the position, and three freshmen receivers are on campus now for summer workouts: Corey Brown, Tyrone Williams and James Louis. "We've got guys," Hazell said. "We'll have four or five guys by the Marshall game (the Sept. 2 opener) that are pretty good, I think."

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Here's the trifecta: Rod Smith status unknown

Another blurb from The Columbus Dispatch (below)…

A busy day of news keeps delivering blows to OSU. Hot on the heels of Duron Carter and Keith Wells leaving the program is the revelation that of the 18 players in the incoming 2010 class, only RB Rod Smith is not enrolled for the beginning of summer-quarter classes today (and Jamel Turner, but I think that was obvious). Smith has not returned messages left for him this afternoon, so the reason is unclear. There were reports earlier in the year that he had some work to do to be academically eligible, so that could explain it. If Smith does not show up in time for fall camp, it's not a catastrophe. The Buckeyes have a crowded backfield, led by experienced "co-starters" Brandon Saine and Daniel Herron, and backed up by Jordan Hall, Jaamal Berry and Carlos Hyde, at least. Converted fullback Jamar Martin is apparently pondering a transfer. He, too, is not enrolled for summer quarter. So the backfield would not be barren. Still, Smith (6-3, 220) is highly touted, considered an Eddie George-type runner with a combination of speed and power. He compiled 6,625 rushing yards and 66 TDs at Fort Wayne (Ind.) Harding High School and also ran a leg on the school's state runner-up 400-meter relay team. If he's ineligible for this fall, no big deal, but if he doesn't come to OSU at all, it would be a significant loss.

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Keith Wells joins Carter at the exit

Ohio State confirmed today that not only has receiver Duron Carter left for junior college, but also sophomore defensive end Keith Wells has left the program. Though no reason was given for either move, sounces have said that academic deficiencies were the reasons for both. Wells saw limited action as a freshman in 2008 but was redshirted last season. Out of Gainesville, Ga., he had been projected as a possible pass-rush expert with above average speed when he signed the winter of 2008. While Carter has enrolled at Coffeyville (Kansas) Community College in an effort to improve his academic situation, Wells' plans aren't known.

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Duron Carter at junior college for 2010 season

Thanks to Steve Seymour for texting me with this info. Below is the RSS feed from The Columbus Dispatch.

I am not sure if Carter will make it back. Considering Carter was academically ineligible for the Rose Bowl against Oregon, then spring ball, and now this, it makes me wonder if he will ever suit up for the Buckeyes again.

One thing is for certain, and that is it will make the battle for the third wide receiver spot one of the key areas to focus upon during the upcoming fall camp that will begin soon.

Feed: Blogging the Buckeyes
Posted on: Monday, June 21, 2010 12:38 PM
Author: Blogging the Buckeyes
Subject: Duron Carter at junior college

Receiver Duron Carter will not play for Ohio State this fall. He has enrolled at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, Coffeyville coach Darian Dulin said this morning. Dulin said Carter was scheduled to take part in summer workouts at Coffeyville, and must stay at the school for at least a semester before possibly heading back to OSU. That means the earliest Carter could be back is January. Dulin said one of his assistant coaches knew Carter's father, Cris, and "recruited" him to Coffeyville. The selling point was a smaller class size (Coffeyville has about 1,300 students) and smaller town so Duron could work on improving his grades. Carter was a freshman last season and had a promising year, playing in 12 games and making 13 catches for 176 yards and a TD. He was declared academically ineligible for the Rose Bowl, and then also sat out spring practice. More as we get it.

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Ohio State recruit Jamel Turner still in critical condition

Info regarding Jamel Turner, who had signed with Ohio State in February…

 

Ohio State recruit Jamel Turner remains in critical condition Sunday after being shot multiple times early Saturday in Youngstown, Ohio. There were some reports late Saturday that Turner had died, but a source told The Columbus Dispatch on Sunday morning that Turner had made it through the night but remains "hour to hour." A 17-year-old girl who was with Turner at the time of the shooting died from multiple gunshot wounds. "I'm so sad to hear of Jamel's misfortune," Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel said in a statement late Saturday. "I have not communicated with Jamel, but am certainly praying for him at this time." Turner also suffered minor injuries from gunshot wounds April 17 in a shooting on a highway in Youngstown. A defensive end, Turner signed with Ohio State in February, but his status for enrollment was unclear after he withdrew from Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia. Turner went to Fork Union after being declared ineligible at Usuline High School in Youngstown. Keep Turner in your thoughts today as we all hope he makes a full recovery.

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More Moeller: On 6th year, nickel back, etc

From The Columbus Dispatch 'Blogging The Buckeyes'…

Spoke with Tyler Moeller a little while ago, and he was fired up and ready to go. He wants so badly to talk about the whole punch-trial ordeal, but he's been advised to wait until after his assailant, Ralph Gray Decker, has been sentenced in August. But he did speak freely about his impending return to football. Some of this will be in the paper tomorrow, but here are the highlights: -- He got a CT scan last week and it came back clear. He will have another CT scan after preseason camp is complete, and another halfway through the year. If all those are OK, that's the end of his scans and he's good to go. The scan was like his eighth, he said. He said he walks into the office, "and the receptionist says, `Hi, Tyler' they know me by first name now." -- The Moeller family has had to pay for all the scans, medical stuff, etc. Per NCAA rules, because it was not a football-related injury, OSU cannot pay. This is why the Moeller family is going after Decker for restitution, obviously. -- He says he feels "completely fine. I don't even have any pain where the (incisions) were in my head. The only thing is I'm out of shape a little bit still. I almost passed out couple times, because I was trying to run as much as I used to." -- Looking ahead to the first day of full contact this August, he said, "I'm anxious a little bit that `Am I going to be fine?' but it's not something I'm thinking about. Really, I'm anxious to get it all (behind) and be where I was. I haven't played in so long, I want to show everyone what I can do." -- On his position: "Right now, I'm working with the safeties full time, and I'm happy about that. I know I can play it, I just need to work a little more on the mental aspect, because when I'm confident, I play good. I'm at nickel back. Jermale (Hines) is full-time at safety. I'm 100 percent confident I can play this position, I know every single play." He said Nate Oliver and Jamie Wood also are working at the "Star" spot, which is what OSU calls its nickel back. -- As the Dispatch reported when Decker pleaded guilty a few weeks ago, Moeller definitely plans to seek a 6th year of eligibility from the NCAA, as a medical redshirt. "I can't see why they wouldn't give it to me," he said. "I lost a whole year, I don't see how they couldn't." Moeller said the OSU compliance officers have told him he cannot apply for the 6th year until his eligibility is up, though. So he will go through this year and take part in all the normal senior activities, just in case. If he gets his 6th year, then, he could be running across the Ohio Stadium turf again on Senior Day 2011....the senior that won't leave? "Nobody will cheer for me," he joked.

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Texas saved Big 12 because doing so was best for Texas - Andy Staples - SI.com

Good article from Andy Staples of SI.com on Texas and the Big 12. Enjoy...


Texas saved Big 12 because doing so was best for Texas - Andy Staples - SI.com

Notre Dame: Price of independence

I found this article, and in the wake of the recent expansion news, felt it was a worthwhile contribution to the blog. Enjoy...

Notre Dame: Price of independence
--------------------

When your only goal in football is national title, all your players have been career failures for 22 years

David Haugh
In the Wake of the News

June 16 2010

Whenever somebody from Notre Dame talks about reasserting the university's independence during the ongoing college conference realignment discussion, I imagine a thirtysomething bachelor still living in his parents' basement.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-spt-0616-haugh-notre-dame--20100615,0,1669364.column

CFN Analysis - Texas, Oklahoma Staying Put?!

CFN Analysis - Texas, Oklahoma Staying Put?!: "Y2K, Al Capone's vault, the Big 12 South. After all the lobbying and all the politicking and all the hot air, it turns out Texas simply wanted to get more money from the Big 12 deal. Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech are all planning on staying put. The CFN writers give their analysis on the big non-move."

Gerry DiNardo of The Big Ten Network: Video on possible divisions

DiNardo has some ideas on how the divisions could shake out. Personally, I prefer my idea of splitting the divisions geographically, which would ensure Ohio State and Michigan would always play each other. Again, nothing has been set yet; this is all pure speculation. Enjoy the video.

Welcome Nebraska To The Big Ten - How Do We Sort This Out?

Greetings and salutations there, Dr. Tom Osborne. And let me be among the many to welcome you and the Nebraska Cornhuskers to the Big Ten Conference. I have deliberately been laying low on any commentary or speculation on who would be joining the conference until it was official. Now, it is official - welcome.

I cannot say for certain that the name will remain "Big Ten" now that the conference is officially up to twelve members, but hey, the name has stuck since Penn State joined back in 1990. Maybe the conference will come out with a creative logo with the number 12 imposed within the name Big Ten like they did before?

Anyway, now that the conference is up to twelve members, we can get down to the business of how to set up these divisions. And let me tell you - if we do this strictly from a geographic sense, I think we'll be okay.

The Big Ten West Division: Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, and Wisconsin.

The Big Ten East Division: Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, and Purdue.

First complaint I hear ~ "It's too unbalanced towards the east, with Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State in the same division."

Rebuttal - probably. Again, from a geographic standpoint, do you want to split up Michigan and Michigan State? How about Indiana and Purdue? And please don't tell me that Ohio State should be in the west, if they are the second to furthest eastern state in the conference, after Penn State.

Another point to consider - Looking at this year's crop of talent, I would not be so sure to say that the west division is too shabby. Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin are all highly touted going into the 2010 season. Who is to say that will not be the same in 2011, when Nebraska officially joins the conference?

Second complaint, or probable question ~ how will the games be played out?

Considering the conference has now moved to twelve teams, with probable two divisions, I would surmise that a schedule could look something like this:

-play every team within a division, so there would be five conference games (and this preserves Ohio State and Michigan as being the last game of the year, potentially)

-develop a rotation of playing four games against the other divisional teams

-and still play three non-conference games, to bring a schedule up to 12

And let us not forget - with twelve teams, now we have a shot at developing a Big Ten Championship.

My personal vote? Give me Soldier Field in Chicago the first afternoon of December 2011. With Chicago being the home of the conference, why not play it there? More so - why not play football outside, with the elements being a factor?

Third question, and this is a legitimate question - how will Nebraska be scheduled into conference play in 2011?

Answer: Stay tuned. With college football scheduled so many years in advance, I am speculating there are many the broken contract to be seen with this move by not only Nebraska but multiple teams within the conference.

A follow up question, along these lines (and this one is for Dr. Tom) - any idea when Ohio State and Nebraska will play? I have a hunch, and it is only a hunch, that Ohio State will be traveling to Lincoln on October 15, 2011, for the first Big Ten battle between the Buckeyes and Cornhuskers. If that is the case, I am hoping I can certainly be in attendance for that one.

Nebraska, welcome to The Big Ten.

06/11/2010 ~ Big Ten Network Press Conference: Nebraska

Below is the video from The Big Ten Network. With Nebraska seeking to become a member in July 2011, I am curious as to when Ohio State will play Nebraska.

Looking ahead to Ohio State's 2011 schedule, there is currently an open date of October 15, 2011, with Ohio State scheduled to be on the road. Perhaps this will be a battle with the Cornhuskers? And maybe I can convince the lovely Mrs. Minnich to let me use some frequent flyer miles to take in that first game, whenever that happens to take place.

Enjoy, and welcome Nebraska...

Pat Forde of ESPN.com on USC's penalties

Like, love, or loathe him, Pat Forde of ESPN.com is one of ESPN's top college football analysts. He wrote an article on USC's punishment from the NCAA that I enjoyed, and wanted to share on the blog.

Nebraska ready to make right move at right time - Stewart Mandel - SI.com

Stewart Mandel of SI.com offers his perspective on the pending addition of Nebraska to The Big Ten. Enjoy.

Nebraska ready to make right move at right time - Stewart Mandel - SI.com

ESPN.com video: Nebraska to The Big Ten on Friday?

Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports ~ article on expansion and The Big 12

I found this article the other day and believe it summarizes how the possible dissolution of the Big 12 can (could?) be avoided if the Big 12 had supported a Plus One two years ago...

Buckeyes get pledge from coveted QB

ESPN's analysis on Ohio State landing Braxton Miller. Enjoy…

Two years after winning the Terrelle Pryor sweepstakes, Ohio State has landed another big-time recruit at the most important position on the field. The Buckeyes on Thursday were able to keep Braxton Miller at home, as the heralded quarterback recruit from Huber Heights, Ohio, picked Ohio State over several major programs, including Florida. Miller will be billed as the projected successor to Pryor, who could turn pro after the 2010 season or play two more years in Columbus. Colleague Craig Haubert writes that while Pryor came to Ohio State with unparalleled hype and unique skills, Miller might be a more significant addition, especially because of what he can do in the passing game. You might have to go back to the Class of 2002 when the Buckeyes signed Troy Smith to find the last time the Buckeyes landed a QB whose production at the position matched the hype. Miller, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, isn't the biggest player, but has a big arm and does a good job of going through his progressions and can make all the throws. He shows good velocity on deeper throws, can fit the ball in tight spots and knows when to take something off it to throw catchable touch passes underneath. Miller will have to beat out Joe Bauserman and Kenny Guiton to succeed Pryor, which is never a guarantee. But he certainly has the all-around skills to be very good at the college level. After signing a middling recruiting class in February, Ohio State is well on its way to compiling the Big Ten's top class for 2011. The Buckeyes already have a league-high 12 commitments, including three ESPNU 150 prospects.

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Big Ten will be watching Big 12, Pac-10

Sounds like it will be the Pac-10 poaching the Big 12 (click on the link below where they reference  the Rivals.com report).  If that happens, the first shot across the bow has been fired towards the creation of superconferences…

 

Feed: ESPN.com - Big Ten Blog
Posted on: Friday, June 04, 2010 9:00 AM
Author: Adam Rittenberg
Subject: Big Ten will be watching Big 12, Pac-10

 

The Big Ten has been viewed as the catalyst for expansion in college sports since Dec. 15, when the league issued a statement that put expansion on the front burner. For the past five months and change, everyone has reacted to Jim Delany and his league. But Thursday, the spotlight shifted to two other conferences, the Big 12 and the Pac-10. A Rivals.com report that stated the Pac-10 would extend invitations to six Big 12 teams, including Texas and Oklahoma, turned the college sports world on its head. Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe and Texas president Bill Powers canceled a news conference Thursday at the league's spring meetings, and Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione indicated that the unity Beebe wanted to achieve among the institutions this week has not yet been reached. It's really hard to believe the Big 12 is one big happy family right now. Colleague David Ubben writes: A unified front and clear consensus would have made answering questions a reasonably simple exercise for two men with backgrounds in law. But that front never materialized on Thursday, leading to the postponement of Powers' and Beebe's comments until late Friday morning.  And the reports about the Pac-10's shockingly proactive move -- which sounds far closer to a possibility than a probability -- obviously contributed to that delay. The Pac-10 tried to put the brakes on things, saying no offers have been extended, and while I highly doubt anything is imminent, Colorado AD Mike Bohn said the report has some legs. Needless to say, today could be critical for the Big 12, which wraps up its meetings in Kansas City. What does this all mean for the Big Ten? Is Delany going to get upstaged by a rookie commissioner in Larry Scott? I'd reiterate that nothing is definite, and the six-team expansion sounds a lot like a best-case situation for the Pac-10. Not saying it can't happen, but much like the Big Ten's expansion study, this will take more time. Still, Delany and the Big Ten brass can't turn a blind eye to what's happening in Kansas City or what will happen at the Pac-10 meetings, beginning this weekend in San Francisco. The Big Ten presidents and chancellors meet Sunday at league headquarters -- I'll be there -- and you can bet they'll be talking about what has taken place. Losing Texas to another league would disappoint Big Ten fans, but for Texas, it might make sense. The Big Ten already has its own TV network. It already has established powerhouse programs. The Pac-10's pitch to Texas could be, "Let's build something new together," and Texas could get some of the special concessions from the Pac-10 that I'm told it won't get from the Big Ten. Aside from Texas, the other schools mentioned in the report aren't Big Ten targets. I'm told the league is more interested in Big 12 North members, specifically Nebraska and Missouri. The expansion process is nowhere near an end, and things are heating up.

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Kirk Herbstreit interview from Bucknuts.com

One of my usual routines is to download various football-related podcasts from iTunes. One of those is usually from Bucknuts.com.

Kirk Herbstreit recently visited with the staff of Bucknuts.com for an interview discussing his thoughts on the upcoming Ohio State season, possible Big Ten expansion, and his supposed lack of objectivity when it comes to Ohio State when he is on the air for ESPN.

I really enjoyed it, and figured others might want to listen to the interview by clicking on the link below.

Front Row Radio Instant Classic: Herbstreit Unplugged Football Article

Tyler Moeller’s Attacker Pleads Guilty | Ohio State Buckeyes College Football Recruiting, OSU Big Ten Football, OSU Basketball – Bucknuts.com

Article below discusses Tyler Moeller's attacker from last year...


Tyler Moeller’s Attacker Pleads Guilty Ohio State Buckeyes College Football Recruiting, OSU Big Ten Football, OSU Basketball – Bucknuts.com