Will Carlos Hyde "Take The Money and Run" to the NFL?

At the conclusion of every college football season, it is pretty much the same story. Fans wonder if some of their favorite players will skip their senior season to seek the riches of the National Football League.

It kind of reminds me of one of my favorite greatest hits compilations. Greatest Hits 1974-78 by The Steve Miller Band ranks as one of the best-selling albums in history, and I am partial to the song, "Take The Money And Run".

Ohio State fans are all curious as to whether defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins and/or cornerback Bradley Roby will be leaving early. Speculation about both players leaving for the NFL has been fairly consistent throughout the 2012 season.

While I have not heard much about this next player, the more I think about it, the more I wonder...
Will Carlos Hyde leave Ohio State for the NFL?

Before I continue, I want to emphasize that I do not believe Carlos Hyde should leave for the NFL. Hyde was truly instrumental in Ohio State's perfect season in 2012. Hyde will certainly enter into 2013 spring football as the starting running back.

Carlos Hyde carried the football 185 times for 970 yards, averaged 5.2 yards per carry, with sixteen touchdowns on the ground. Hyde also added 8 receptions for 51 yards, with one touchdown through the air. These accomplishments helped land Carlos Hyde on the 2nd-team All-Big Ten team for 2012.

Why would Hyde leave Ohio State, after such a great season as a junior? Carlos Hyde just came within thirty yards of a 1000 yard rushing season, and that was with missing 2.5 games with a sprained MCL during the Central Florida game in September. Hyde demonstrated how a power runner could truly carry Coach Urban Meyer's during the crucial Big Ten run in October and November.

Who else on the roster could fulfill Carlos Hyde's role as a power runner, if needed in 2013? Look at the depth chart for 2013, and think this through.

How about Rod Smith, who surprisingly emerged as an alternative this season? Rod Smith will be a redshirt junior next season, and at a listed 6'3", 228 pounds, could be a possibility. Yes, I know Rod Smith has had fumbling issues in the past, but perhaps with another Coach Meyer offseason, will finally take strides towards becoming the player Ohio State fans envisioned when Rod Smith signed with the Buckeyes in 2010.

How about Bri'onte Dunn? Dunn played sparingly as a true freshman in 2012, but is listed at 6'1", 210 pounds. Dunn could also fulfill a power runner role for the Buckeyes.

How about Warren Ball? Ball redshirted in 2012, after suffering an injury in preseason fall camp. Ball is listed at 6'1", 215 pounds on Ohio State's website.

I want to emphasize – I do not want Carlos Hyde to leave for the NFL. I am merely speculating on how Carlos Hyde may be comparing his situation with that of Wisconsin's Montee Ball.

Montee Ball has had a tremendous career with Wisconsin. Ball recently set the NCAA career touchdown record with 79 touchdowns, and has rushed for nearly 5000 yards in four seasons.

Will Montee Ball play in the NFL? Absolutely. Will he play for long in the NFL? That is completely uncertain.

Montee Ball has already carried the ball a lot during his college career. And there is a belief that running backs only have so many carries in their bodies. Perhaps Carlos Hyde will think to himself that if he is going to carry the ball, he should get paid for it by an NFL team.

Will Carlos Hyde decide to "Take The Money And Run" to the NFL? I am hoping the answer is no, but only Carlos Hyde knows for certain (and it could depend on how he's graded by the league's NFL Draft advisory board; no early projections have him as a first or second day pick).

Carlos Hyde will not need to make a decision until the beginning of January 2013. Ohio State fans may have to be prepared to bid adieu to a major reason for the successful 2012 season at that time.

Ohio State's (Inexact) Science Of Recruiting

Ohio State's 2012 season concluded with the 26-21 victory over That Team Up North.  Ohio State invited many of its already verbally committed 2013 recruits, as well as other 2013 recruits that are still being actively sought by the Buckeyes.

Under Coach Urban Meyer, Ohio State has already begun the process of evaluating players for its 2014 class. Taking that into consideration, these are players who have just concluded, or are in the process of concluding, their respective junior years of high school football competition.
I enjoy football recruiting as much as the next college football fan. I will merely offer some words of caution and restraint, from past experiences.

In 1995, I was a volunteer recruiting assistant for Ohio State. The opportunity to scout high school players within the Columbus area, for then-Ohio State recruiting coordinator Bill Conley, led me to a scouting internship with the NFL's Washington Redskins in the summer of 1996.

When I helped Ohio State back in 1995 as a recruiting volunteer for Coach Conley, the Internet was not a factor. I can honestly tell you that "the board" Ohio State used was just that – a board. I remember Ohio State's top quarterbacks were Mark Garcia out of a California junior college, who then-Ohio State quarterback Coach Walt Harris loved and wanted, Tim Couch, and Rashard Casey.

Coach Harris scouted Tim Couch at one of his Kentucky high school games, and loved him. Couch never truly considered Ohio State before signing with Kentucky. I sometimes wonder how Couch's career may have turned out if he had been coached by a true guru of the West Coast offense, like Coach Harris, instead of the offense Tim Couch eventually played in at Kentucky under Hal Mumme.

Rashard Casey of New Jersey signed with Penn State. Casey eventually started for Penn State as a dual-threat quarterback from 1998 through 2000.

For those who remember in 1996, Ohio State's Bobby Hoying had concluded his Ohio State career. Stanley Jackson was returning, as well as some other quarterback named Joe Germaine, whom the coaches did not really seem excited or enthusiastic about heading into spring football in 1996.

Ohio State signed Mark Garcia, and he hardly played. For all of the recruiting hype and excitement the Ohio State coaches had for Mark Garcia, Garcia could not beat out either Stanley Jackson or Joe Germaine at quarterback.

Flash forward to the fall of 2001. Mike D'Andrea was rated as one of the top linebackers in the nation. D'Andrea was signed in the same linebacker class as A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter, and Stan White, and was more highly-touted than his classmates.

Mike D'Andrea never developed into the dominant player recruiting analysts predicted. Injuries ended D'Andrea's career, which was unfortunate, but honestly, how many big plays was he involved in at Ohio State as a middle linebacker?

Now with Curtis Grant, it seems as though Ohio State has missed the boat again on a highly-touted middle linebacker. Curtis Grant was beaten out at middle linebacker by Zach Boren, a former high school linebacker, and Storm Klein. For what it is worth, Curtis Grant was ranked the second-best prospect in the country for the 2011 recruiting class.

Not Ohio State's recruiting class. The entire country, in 2011.

My point? Sometimes it seems as though Ohio State fans jump up and down about how so-and-so is rated as a 4 star player or 5 star player commits to Ohio State, and the guy just does not seem to measure up. And the reality is recruiting analysts who rate them are not football coaches, whose livelihoods are dependent on making accurate assessments.

Am I suggesting that Ohio State is the only team to have recruited players not turn out as expected? Not at all.

Between now and February, players will commit to Ohio State. Players will turn Ohio State down. And I will maintain my strong faith in Coach Meyer and the Ohio State coaching staff on their collective evaluations of the players who decide to become Buckeyes.

No matter who finishes up Ohio State's 2013 recruiting class, my biggest concern is not how many recruiting analysts' stars will be next to the player's name, but how that player will wind up contributing as a Buckeye.

THE GAME 2012 in pictures

Pre-game with Tim Tallaksen (taking the picture), Jay Kimball, Eric Nettle, and myself at Todd's tailgate by St. John Arena pre-game.

Some .gif files, courtesy of Land-Grant Holy Land, a blog I occasionally contribute to and highly recommend...

Coach Tressel being lifted onto shoulders by his 2002 national championship team in between the first and second quarter.

Coach Meyer naturally irked at the atrocious officiating...

Ohio State's Braxton Miller on a long run near the end of the 3rd quarter...

Coach Meyer showered with Gatorade in the closing seconds of the 26-21 victory over That Team Up North

And the view of victory from the perspective of Tim Tallaksen and Jay Kimball

Script Ohio

So awesome to see in person at THE GAME...

We Don't Give A Damn...

New Countdown Until 2013

Getting ready to go to THE GAME with some friends this afternoon.  As I will be without a laptop, and probably quite inebriated tomorrow afternoon, I figured I would get this done ahead of time to give fans of That Team Up North some idea as to how many days they will have to wait...

GO BUCKS!

Ten Years Ago...

My first trip to THE GAME, and I am stoked to be going on Saturday to witness the ten year anniversary of this Ohio State team that defeated That Team Up North enroute to the 2002 national championship...

Happy Thanksgiving From The Mind Of Minnich

Happy Thanksgiving!  I posted this video last year, but it truly gives both sides, I believe, ample reasons on why we are all so grateful for THE GAME...

A Little History On THE GAME

Bucknuts.com has an article defining the importance of THE GAME historically for both programs.  Highly recommend it.

Kind of stoked that the 2002 victory was ranked as the best game in the history of the rivalry, as I was there.  Truly looking forward to being there again with friends this coming Saturday.

Go Bucks!

http://ohiostate.247sports.com/Article/The-Game-Colleges-Best-Rivalry-50180

"There Is No Tomorrow!"

Motivation is such a tricky thing.  What works well for one individual can miss the boat completely on someone else.

Heading into The Game on Saturday, I wonder how Coach Meyer is motivating his team. After all, Ohio State has nothing to play for after the game versus That Team Up North concludes.
Yes, I know – Coach Meyer should not need to motivate any of the Buckeyes for The Game. Playing against That Team Up North, Ohio State's main rival, should be motivating in and of itself. These are the type of games why someone comes to Ohio State in the first place.

I am going to offer up a corny and cliché motivational slogan. I realize that this is one that any fan of the Rocky Balboa series will recognize immediately:

"There is no tomorrow!"

I am not trying to suggest to anyone that Coach Meyer is playing the role of Apollo Creed with this phrase or scene. And I would never ever demean the ferocity, swagger, and violence of Clubber Lang in "Rocky III" by comparing Clubber Lang to That Team Up North. Heck, That Team Up North is not even close to Union Kane, who was pummeled by Tommy Gunn in "Rocky V".

I use that phrase because every Ohio State fan knows that no matter the outcome on Saturday, this is it for the 2012 season. There will be no Big Ten Championship Game, despite clinching the Leaders Division with the overtime 21-14 victory at Wisconsin. There will be no bowl game appearance, despite the 11-0 regular season record and the current #4 ranking by The Associated Press, due to the NCAA-imposed bowl ban for this season.

For senior defensive lineman John Simon, this is his last game in an Ohio State uniform, after so many intense and inspiring performances. For senior fullback-turned-linebacker Zach Boren, this is his last opportunity to square off against the team he grew up rooting for as a child, only to be turned off by the arrogance of the previous Team Up North's coaching staff's approach, especially with his older brother, Justin, in 2008.

For senior tight end Jake Stoneburner, here is a final opportunity as a Buckeye at redemption, after an offseason of embarrassment. For senior defensive lineman Nathan Williams, here is an opportunity to show Ohio State fans one last time that all of the injuries and setbacks have all been worth the price. For senior offensive tackle Reid Fragel, one last opportunity to leave Ohio State fans wondering, "what could have been?" if the move to offensive line had happened earlier in his career.

One last time to run through the Tunnel Of Pride. One last time to battle That Team Up North in Ohio Stadium. One last time to link arms with teammates and coaches, singing "Carmen Ohio" to the student section at the end of the game.

Remember, "there is no tomorrow!"

It Always Hurts When Ohioans Help "That Team Up North"

There is an old saying about the ones who hurt you the most are often those closest to you. Throughout the storied rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan, it is certainly true about Ohio players who went up to "That Team Up North".

Any loss to "That Team Up North" is painful. One point, ten points, twenty points – the hurt caused by "That Team Up North" is always palpable.

When the pain has been inflicted by Ohio players on behalf of That Team Up North at home, in Ohio Stadium, against the Buckeyes?

Takes the hurt to another scale. Probably even off the charts.

In 1988, I remember when John Cooper was hired from Arizona State, replacing Earle Bruce as Ohio State's head coach. One of the key reasons cited at the time was John Cooper knew how to beat Michigan, as evidenced by Arizona State's victory over TTUN in the 1987 Rose Bowl. Arizona State won, 22-15.

Think about how much it hurt for Coach Cooper in 1988, in his first Ohio State/TTUN game in Ohio Stadium. Not only had Ohio State suffered through a losing season, but they trailed TTUN badly in the first half, 20-0, in Ohio Stadium. But the Buckeyes didn't say die quite yet. They rallied to take the lead over TTUN late in the game, 31-27.

Enter John Kolesar.

Yes, John Kolesar, who had played a key role in the 1985 game as a freshman wide receiver in defeating Ohio State up in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The same John Kolesar from Westlake, Ohio, whom I ran against in high school track. Kolesar was a senior when I was a freshman. For what it is worth, when we ran in the 400 meters, the back of his track cleats looked pretty good from where I was at the time.

John Kolesar, who would have gone to Ohio State, if not for being a legacy of TTUN. After Ohio State took the lead late in the 1988 game, Kolesar returned the kickoff to the Ohio State 40. On the very next play, Kolesar caught the winning touchdown.

An Ohioan, who could have been a Buckeye, but chose to be a Wolverine, inflicting pain on Ohio State fans in Ohio Stadium.

Two years later, John Cooper felt pain again from TTUN in Ohio Stadium. This time it was from three people with ties to the Buckeye State.

Every Buckeye fan remembers the painful 16-13 loss to TTUN, as a result of Ohio State quarterback Greg Frey being stopped on an option play late in the game. What a dreadful play call.

How about the fact that Elvis Grbac, a Cleveland St. Joseph alum who wanted to be a Buckeye until Earle Bruce was fired, threw a touchdown pass to Desmond Howard, his high school teammate? Howard also could have been a Buckeye if not for Earle Bruce's firing.

Who led the way on the ground for TTUN? Akron Buchtel's Ricky Powers, who was offered a scholarship by Ohio State, but chose to go to TTUN. Ricky Powers could have been a Buckeye, along with Robert Smith, but chose to be a Wolverine.

Now think about the glorious record former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel had against TTUN. Eight wins, one loss (and one vacated win, unfortunately).

Think about how many Ohioans who played key roles against the Buckeyes during Coach Tressel's tenure...

***Insert cricket noises***

Coach Tressel made it a key point to lock down the top talent in Ohio. Yes, Mario Manningham turned down the Buckeyes to play for TTUN, and had a nice game in Ohio Stadium versus the Buckeyes in 2006. Prescott Burgess turned down the Buckeyes to play for TTUN, but I truly cannot recall Burgess making any big plays in The Game, especially not in Ohio Stadium. And all Ohio State fans can marvel at Justin Boren coming to his senses back in 2008 when he decided to become a Buckeye.

Will there be any Ohio-on-Ohio hate crime during THE GAME in 2012? Kyle Kalis opened the wound. We'll find out if any other turncoat Buckeyes can pour maize and blue salt in it.

HBO clip on Cris Carter & Chris Spielman re: THE GAME

I will be posting an article on this subject in greater detail tomorrow, but here is a video clip that briefly discusses the importance of Ohio high school players who decide to go play for That Team Up North...

Why THE GAME is...THE GAME

OSU@Wisconsin: Look To The Past For Present Ideas

Ohio State defeated Wisconsin in Camp Randall Stadium during the 2008 and 2002 seasons.  Will Ohio State be able to duplicate those past Buckeye efforts?

A couple days ago, I wrote about how Ohio State has struggled against Wisconsin in Camp Randall Stadium. Even the oddsmakers give Wisconsin a slight benefit of the doubt going into Saturday's contest. The reality is Ohio State has defeated Wisconsin in Camp Randall Stadium, and some of those games were in comparable circumstances to this year's game. Think back to the games against Wisconsin in 2008, and the national championship season of 2002.

In 2008, Ohio State traveled to Wisconsin with a true freshman quarterback in Terrelle Pryor. While Pryor was a tremendous athlete, Pryor's comprehension of the full Ohio State offense was limited. Ohio State would need to rely upon the powerful running game, led by Chris "Beanie" Wells.
True to form, Ohio State and Wisconsin battled throughout most of the game. Although Ohio State took a quick 7-0 lead in the first quarter, Wisconsin tied Ohio State in the second. Going into the half, Wisconsin was able to extend the lead to 10-7.

Ohio State, true to "Tresselball", tied the game with a field goal in the third quarter. Wisconsin took the lead late in the fourth quarter, 17-13, behind a P.J. Hill two yard touchdown run.

And with time running down, in a hostile environment, Ohio State called upon its immensely talented quarterback to put the team on his back. Sound familiar to this year?

With only a little over one minute remaining, Terrelle Pryor scored the winning touchdown on an option keeper to defeat the Badgers, 20-17.

(Yes, I know how many Ohio State fans despise Terrelle Pryor. I am merely making the comparison to how instrumental Pryor was to that Ohio State offense, and how important Braxton Miller is to this year's Ohio State's offense.)

In 2002, Ohio State entered the game at Wisconsin undefeated (sound familiar again?), needing the victory to remain in the hunt for the national championship. Ohio State entered the game with a 7-0 record, having won some games despite some less than impressive performances (again - familiar much?). The contest at Wisconsin was considered to be Ohio State's first true road test of the 2002 season.

Ohio State battled Wisconsin closely throughout this contest, relying upon freshman running back sensation Maurice Clarett. Clarett sustained a shoulder stinger near the end of the game, but helped Ohio State control the clock by rushing for 133 yards on 30 carries.

And here is where I find the ultimate comparison - Ohio State needed to rely upon a player who had switched from offense to defense in midseason to help secure the victory.

Sophomore wide receiver Chris Gamble began playing more and more cornerback in the latter portion of the 2002 season. Gamble was able to make a key interception of Wisconsin quarterback Jim Sorgi late in the fourth quarter, to help Ohio State hold on for its 19-14 victory over the Badgers.

For years, Wisconsin has relied upon its traditionally stout running game. While Ohio State's defensive line unit should pose a strong competition for Wisconsin's offensive line, it will also be imperative that Ohio State's linebackers be able to slow down Wisconsin running back Montee Ball. Zach Boren, a transplanted fullback to linebacker, will be essential in this effort.

Will senior linebacker Zach Boren be able to replicate the feats and accomplishments of another transplanted Buckeye defender such as Chris Gamble? Will Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller be able to perform in the clutch if needed against Wisconsin? Ohio State fans can draw upon these positive memories in Camp Randall Stadium for inspiration and guidance - we shall see if Zach Boren and Braxton Miller do the same.

Ohio State Hopes To "Jump Around" At Camp Randall

Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin is one of the toughest places in college football to play for visiting teams.  Wisconsin fans revel in making it as difficult as possible for the opposition.

Ohio State is certainly no exception to this premise. Before the season, I predicted this game versus Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium as being the toughest game on Ohio State's 2012 schedule. It would be fair to say most Ohio State fans probably would have marked this game as a loss for Ohio State. Wisconsin even enters this game as a 3 point favorite over the Buckeyes after opening as one point favorites.

Through the years, Wisconsin has been a major thorn in Ohio State's side. Growing up, I can recall Ohio State losing to Wisconsin when Earle Bruce was the head coach for Ohio State. During the 1980s, Wisconsin seemed to be the team Ohio State would inexplicably lose to, despite Ohio State having superior talent than Wisconsin.

Former Ohio State head coach John Cooper was not impervious to losses at Wisconsin during his tenure at Ohio State.In 1992, Ohio State lost at Wisconsin, 20-16. In 1993, Ohio State tied at Wisconsin, 14-14. (Remember when college football used to have tie games?) That tie game with Wisconsin allowed the Badgers to claim the Rose Bowl berth at the conclusion of the 1993 season instead of Ohio State.

Another former Ohio State head coach, Jim Tressel, had mixed results when it came to leading Ohio State to victory at Wisconsin. As memories go, two of the most painful losses during Coach Tressel's tenure took place at Camp Randall Stadium.

In 2003, Ohio State was undefeated when the Buckeyes took on the Badgers in Camp Randall Stadium. Ohio State, despite having virtually no threat of a running game because of the season-long suspension of star running back Maurice Clarett, was ranked number three and in contention of another national championship.

And then Chris Gamble cheated on coverage. Lee Evans blew right by him. And Wisconsin knocked Ohio State from the ranks of the unbeaten, 17-10. The dream of back-to-back national championships were essentially gone that night in Camp Randall Stadium in 2003.

Want to think back to the last time Ohio State visited Wisconsin? I know the answer is an emphatic "no", but let's look back at that painful episode in 2010.

During the 2010 season, Ohio State was ranked number one in the BCS when the Buckeyes took on Wisconsin in Camp Randall Stadium. David Gilreath of Wisconsin took the opening kickoff 97 yards to stake Wisconsin an early 7-0 lead over the Buckeyes. Ohio State trailed Wisconsin 21-3 at the half. Even though Ohio State rallied to make it a game, Wisconsin physically dominated Ohio State on its way to a rather dominant 31-18 victory over the Buckeyes.

Of course, there is one important concept for Ohio State fans to hang their hats upon. The 2010 season, with the exception of that Wisconsin loss, did not take place. All of the Ohio State victories were vacated from 2010.

I kind of look at that 2010 Wisconsin game with a dose of the wisdom of George Costanza: "Just remember – It's not a lie if you believe it.".

Will this year's contest at Camp Randall be a positive trip? We shall see Saturday afternoon, beginning at 3:30pm EST.

Will They Or Won't They Redshirt This 2012 Season?

My fellow Buckeyes fans, the Ohio State coaching staff have important decisions to make.  Decisions that can have long-standing consequences for years to come.

No, we are not talking about Election Day.  I believe I have heard the phrase, "I approve this message" more than enough to last several lifetimes.  (On a separate topic…how well did Nate Silver nail his election predictions?  I wonder how that guy would do in Las Vegas.)

The decisions I am talking about, as they relate to Ohio State football, have to deal with redshirting players.  While I may be a tad overdramatic with my opening sentences, the final judgment of redshirting a player can impact a team in a subsequent season or seasons.

A good case in point is current Ohio State right tackle Reid Fragel.  Fragel was recruited by the previous Ohio State coaching staff as a tight end out of Michigan, and Fragel played as a freshman during the 2009 season.

How many receptions did Fragel make during that freshman season in 2009?  Zero.  Fragel’s primary benefit to Ohio State was as a blocking tight end.

When Coach Urban Meyer was hired in November 2011, one of the first moves made by Meyer’s new coaching staff was moving Fragel to the offensive line as a tackle.  Actually, Fragel initiated the move to the offensive line, realizing that his long-term football future was best served along the offensive line.

My point, you are asking?  My point is how much better served the 2013 Ohio State Buckeyes may have been along the offensive line if the 2009 Ohio State coaching staff led by former head coach Jim Tressel had redshirted Reid Fragel.

This is not the first time in recent years that a freshman player has played, with questionable results near the end of the player’s career.  Another example can be pointed to with former Ohio State wide receiver Brian Robiskie.

Brian Robiskie was a late addition to the 2005 recruiting class, and was able to get on the field as a true freshman, even with other wide receivers such as Santonio Holmes, Ted Ginn Jr., and Anthony Gonzalez on the roster.

How many receptions did Brian Robiskie make in 2005?  One.  Was it truly worthwhile to burn that year of eligibility for Robiskie for one reception?  Was it truly worthwhile for Reid Fragel to play with zero receptions in 2009?

Please do not misunderstand the gist of this article.  I completely and enthusiastically support Coach Meyer and the Ohio State coaching staff’s approach of bringing in talented freshmen, telling them that the best players will play, regardless of year.  I applaud the idea of encouraging freshmen players to be ready to play.

In my estimation, the best way for any true freshmen to justify burning a year of freshman eligibility is to play extensively on the special teams units.  During the 2002 national championship season, former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel would play linebackers, such as A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter, or Mike D’Andrea on kickoff coverage.  Coach Meyer has used a similar mindset, using freshmen linebackers such as Josh Perry, David Perkins, Camren Williams, and Jamal Marcus.  Using these players in this fashion has strengthened the special teams, while also justifying the use of their respective freshmen eligibility.

Are there any true freshmen on this year’s Ohio State team who have not yet played?  I believe the following players have not played in any games this season – RB Warren Ball, QB Cardale Jones, WR Frank Epitropoulos, TE Blake Thomas, OL Pat Elflein, DE Se’Von Pittman, OL Joey O’Connor, and OL Kyle Dodson.  Please correct me if I am mistaken on any I have listed.

Will any of the remaining freshmen play at Wisconsin or versus Michigan this season?  It is possible, but the Ohio State coaching staff will want to contemplate about the future consequences of any impulsive decisions on 2013 and beyond.

Should the Big Ten Realign Its Divisions?

Ohio State's players and coaching staff must be looking forward to this upcoming bye weekend.  After ten straight games, everyone involved with the program will get an opportunity to rest and recuperate, while other Big Ten teams battle on the field.

As I look at the current Big Ten standings, I cannot help but think how differently The Big Ten could be, if aligned by different means. I am not talking about the wretched and foolish division names - Legends and Leaders are probably here to stay, I am afraid.

I am talking about the possibility of aligning the divisions geographically. Instead of Legends and Leaders, what if The Big Ten had taken the logical East and West alignments?

Think of it this way - in the West Division, the teams could be Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, and Wisconsin. The East Division could consist of Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, and Purdue.

I know, I know - this would tilt too much power towards the East. The East would also have the upper hands with regards to the tradition-laden programs, as teams such as Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State are among the best programs in college football history. All very worthwhile points.

However, and I am guessing I am in the minority here...I think about the division battles that The Big Ten presently has, and what The Big Ten could have if they followed my alignment.

As an Ohio State fan, I was outraged at the possibility of moving "THE GAME" from its traditional end of the regular season slot. Perhaps some of you were as well.

What is disconcerting to me is the future possibility of having a rematch the week after "THE GAME". This year's Ohio State team has already clinched a share of The Leaders Division, but as all Buckeye fans know, are ineligible to compete for The Big Ten Championship Game. At the moment, Nebraska and Michigan are tied for the lead in The Legends Division, with Nebraska holding the tiebreaker over Michigan, with the Cornhuskers' victory over the Wolverines giving Nebraska the edge.

Nebraska's final three opponents are Penn State, Minnesota, and at Iowa. Michigan's final three opponents are Northwestern, Iowa, and at Ohio State.

Again, I remember that Ohio State is ineligible to win The Leaders Division. But suppose "THE GAME" had added importance?

Back during the prestigious heydays of Coach Woody Hayes of Ohio State and Coach Bo Schembechler of Michigan in the 1970s, the winner of "THE GAME" determined The Big Ten's representative to The Rose Bowl. "The Ten Year War" was something the entire college football nation looked forward to at the end of the season.

I am as excited as usual for "THE GAME" on November 24th. Want to know how it would be even better?
If Ohio State's defeat of That Team Up North knocked them out of the division race.

I know, I know - Ohio State's defeat of Michigan can still do that. But...how much better would it be if Ohio State knocked Michigan out of the division race of The Leaders Division, or what I would be calling The East Division?

Or, think about it this way...In 2013, Ohio State goes up to Ann Arbor to defeat Michigan, to win The Leaders Division...and the Buckeyes get to play the Wolverines the following weekend in Indianapolis for The Big Ten championship.

Maybe I am in the minority on this one. Maybe everyone else believes the divisions have been set up well, for the good of The Big Ten. I do know I will be watching the rest of The Big Ten this coming Saturday, wondering how much better served the conference would be if geographic locations were used to determine the teams, versus the current arrangement set up by Jim Delany a couple years ago.

The Curse Of Fall Weddings, Or How I Will Miss The 2nd Half Of OSU/IL

 Any of my close friends can tell you about my unbridled passion for college football.  Once college football season concludes, I pretty much go into hibernation.

That is, until National Letter Of Intent at the beginning of February, when I begin to speculate and plot as to how Ohio State's newly-signed talent fits into the existing depth chart. And then in April, when the Ohio State spring game takes place, and I am provided an easy opportunity to head to Columbus to tailgate with my cousin John and my friends Bob, Greg, and Jim, watching how any early enrollees or redshirt freshmen are fitting into the depth chart for the upcoming season. But I digress.

When I was dating my lovely wife Colleen, I tried to be as upfront as possible with her about my state of mind as it relates to college football. I never wanted any misunderstandings or confusion as to why I would say, "NO!" if Colleen were to say, "Let's go to ---". Colleen has always been supportive of my obsession, I mean, my passion. I find out when Ohio State is kicking off, and I adjust my Saturdays accordingly.

Now, in the interest of full disclosure...Colleen and our children do come first. With our children starting to have events that cut into Ohio State games, I attend our kids' events...but I do know how Ohio State is doing, thanks to my BlackBerry and the ever-powerful Internet that Al Gore invented years ago.

Again, I digress. My apologies.

What does this have to do with Ohio State and Illinois?

I was holding out hope that Ohio State and Illinois would be a noon kickoff on November 3^rd. My thinking is Ohio State has had several afternoon and evening games recently (a 3:30pm kickoff at Michigan State, an 8pm kickoff versus Nebraska, an 8pm kickoff at Indiana, and a 5:30pm kickoff at Penn State), plus Illinois is not doing well this season(enter into this game with a 2-6 record). Surely, the network powers would want to showcase some other team besides Ohio State, right?

Actually, no. Ohio State is the best team in The Big Ten, and ESPN has concluded Ohio State should be showcased whenever possible. It really does not matter how poorly Ohio State's opponent may be at the moment; the spotlight is entirely on a 9-0 Ohio State team looking to be 10-0 after playing Illinois.

And where will I be at 5:30pm? Yes, you guessed it - at a wedding. Not mine - do you think I would be able to tolerate a fall wedding during college football season?!?  We will be at a family member's wedding, who actually does not grasp the importance of college football season.

It is not just the second half of the Ohio State/Illinois game that I will miss. Oh no, that would be too easy.

How about #4 Oregon at #17 USC, which kicks off at 7pm on Fox? Or how about #1 Alabama going down to #5 LSU at 8pm on CBS?

This is a public service announcement for any young men who are thinking of getting married in the near future, or sometime in this lifetime. When you pop the question, just remember that picking a date is usually the domain of your fiancee. Here is where you need to step up to the plate.
Pick a date in the summer. June, July, early August, but nothing in the fall.

When your fiancee says, "I always dreamed of a fall wedding", you can accurately forewarn her of the dangers of such a decision. You can point back to this article as an example. You, and your fiancee, can thank me for helping you both out.

So on Saturday afternoon, when Ohio State and Illinois are battling during the second half, I will be in a church, with thoughts of Braxton Miller scoring touchdowns while a wedding ceremony is taking place in front of me. While at the reception, I am guessing the song "Brick House" will be played by the DJ, which will make Colleen want to dance with me on the dance floor, but I will be in front of the reception bar television, along with other young men, watching Alabama/LSU or Oregon/USC.

Remember how Tom Hanks once said, "There's no crying in baseball!"?  Remember my words  - Do not get married during college football season!