THE GAME 2013

Ann Arbor = Absolutely Arrogant

Welcome to Black Friday.  For those of you like me who prefer the comforts of a warm home, leftovers, and quality college football the day after Thanksgiving, I have some quick thoughts to share regarding That Team Up North.

Most college football fans are familiar with the traditional Associated Press, or AP, poll used to rank teams throughout the season.  The AP poll began crowning a national champion following the 1936 season.  Below is an image of the recognized AP national champions.  You will note how Ohio State is recognized by the AP poll with four national championships, while That Team Up North is recognized for having two since the AP poll began in 1936.  For those who may have forgotten, 1997 was actually a split national championship, between Nebraska and That Team Up North, as both teams went undefeated but were denied the opportunity to play each other, in the pre-BCS era.

If you listen to That Team Up North, their number is a little different...

Essentially, That Team Up North claims national championships before there was such an idea as to having a poll.  You know that whole, "champions of the West" idea?  They could claim that, because they claim national championships from years when there were literally no other programs to the West that were even playing college football at the time.

Another area that is tremendously galling to me is how many fans of That Team Up North refuse to acknowledge or accept how legendary coach Bo Schembechler loved and respected Coach Woody Hayes.  Schembechler repeatedly stated in his books and interviews how he built and developed That Team Up North to compete against Ohio State.  Fortunately, John Bacon, author of the outstanding book "Bo's Lasting Lessons", is not one of those individuals.

@ChipMinnich Agreed. Woody was Bo's father figure - which Bo said, flat out. The teams were almost mirrors for ten great years
— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) November 15, 2013

Michael Citro of elevenwarriors.com wrote why he has hatred for That Team Up North very eloquently.  Ann Arbor, home of absolute arrogance.  I believe the song below sums it up beautifully...

Happy Thanksgiving 2013

While the turkey is in the oven (or in the deep fryer, as my good friend Tim may do on Thanksgiving), do yourself a favor.  Grab a beer, and sit down for an hour to watch this HBO documentary on THE GAME.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Ann Arbor = Assistant's Agony For Coach Meyer

For those who may have forgotten, Coach Urban Meyer will be making his first trip as Ohio State's head coach to Ann Arbor, the city and location for That Team Up North.  (I realize that everyone on Ohio State's campus is forgoing the letter "M", but I am not that creative.  Please bear with me.)  Coach Meyer also repeated in his press conference on 11/25/2013 how he recalled the infamous 1987 game, which served as former Ohio State head coach Earle Bruce's last game with the Buckeyes.  Ohio State defeated That Team Up North, 23-20. 

Coach Meyer was a graduate assistant from 1986-1987 for Coach Bruce and Ohio State and suddenly without work, in the wake of Coach Bruce's firing.  Coach Meyer landed an assistant job at Illinois State from 1988-1989, reuniting with Coach Bruce at Colorado State in 1990.  Coach Meyer served on the Colorado State staff from 1990-1995.

An opportunity to serve as Lou Holtz's wide receivers coach at Notre Dame led Coach Meyer to South Bend in 1996.  Fortunately for Coach Meyer, Bob Davie retained Coach Meyer on his Notre Dame staff when Davie was named Holtz's successor at Notre Dame in 1997.

Unfortunately for Coach Meyer, return trips to Ann Arbor as a Notre Dame assistant coach were not pleasant experiences again.  In 1987, Coach Meyer coached against That Team Up North, knowing he was soon to be out of a job.  In 1997, as an assistant at Notre Dame, That Team Up North defeated Notre Dame 21-14.  In 1999, again That Team Up North defeated Notre Dame, 26-22.

Before anyone becomes too antsy or nervous about Coach Meyer and his lack of success in Ann Arbor, something important to keep in mind regarding Coach Meyer and rivalry games - Coach Meyer is very successful.  Check out his record in rivalry games below...

@11W leadership " PRICELESS"
— Scottie Graham (@ScottieGraham) November 25, 2012

Perhaps it was just because Coach Meyer was an assistant coach, and not the head coach, for his challenges with Ann Arbor.  It would certainly be understandable if Coach Meyer referred to that city as Assistant's Agony instead, as he makes every effort to not refer to That Team Up North by name.

Thanks To The 2013 Ohio State Seniors + Bradley Roby

Buckeyes Have No Time For Senioritis Against Indiana

Senior Day in Ohio Stadium is always a special occasion.  Eighteen seniors, including Buckeye stalwarts such as Carlos Hyde, Corey "Philly" Brown, Jack Mewhort, Corey Linsley, Marcus Hall, and C.J. Barnett will be introduced for recognition by the fans, their respective families, teammates, and Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, in their final game as a Buckeye in Ohio Stadium.  What may be an emotional moment for all could involve Christian Bryant, who was lost to injury near the end of the Ohio State/Wisconsin game on September 28th.

 Senioritis is something that seems to afflict most students as they wind down their academic careers.  Unfortunately for Ohio State fans and players, senioritis has been an issue in Ohio Stadium in recent seasons:

• In 2011, Penn State defeated Ohio State 20-14 in Ohio Stadium.   This was the first post-Joe Paterno victory for Penn State, while this defeat was one of many during the ill-fated 2011 season for Ohio State.

•  In 2007, Illinois defeated # 1 ranked Ohio State, 28-21.  While Ohio State was able to rebound from this defeat to earn a BCS Championship bid, this defeat had to be a bitter experience for seniors such as Alex Boone and Kirk Barton.

 Other areas of concern for Ohio State for this game stem from the fact that Ohio State suffered defensive lapses in their 60-35 victory over Illinois last week.  Factor in how Indiana took Ohio State down to the wire last season, and one can understand why Ohio State cannot overlook Indiana in this upcoming contest.

Coach Meyer, a graduate assistant on the 1987 Ohio State coaching staff that suffered through what former Ohio State head coach Earle Bruce termed "the darkest day in Ohio State football" in a bitter home loss to Indiana, will keep his team focused upon the task at hand.

@ESPN_BigTen Hoosiers were still in the game in 4th quarter at Ohio Stadium in 2011
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) November 19, 2013

Meyer on not overlooking IU: "I think this one is a little different because they see the tape." Seen IU put up points vs Mich, PSU, MSU
— Bill Rabinowitz (@brdispatch) November 19, 2013

Meyer says that despite #Buckeyes being favored in upcoming game, he sees how dangerous #Hoosiers offense can be. #B1GCoaches
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 19, 2013

Below are some areas I will focus upon throughout the game...

• Ohio State's Focus Upon The Running Game:  Indiana may be an offensive threat, but is poor by any definition defensively.  A key way to keep Indiana's dangerous offense off the field is for Ohio State to control the clock by relying upon its dominant running game.

Carlos Hyde is on the doorstep of a 1000 yard rushing season for Coach Meyer.  Hyde should have his 1000 yards for this season by the end of the first quarter, based upon Indiana's defensive outlook.

Once Ohio State has a comfortable lead, it would be advantageous for Ohio State to use other running backs such as Jordan Hall, Rod Smith, Ezekiel Elliott, and Warren Ball in the second half to finish off Indiana.  Like Carlos Hyde, Jordan Hall is also a senior playing in his final game in Ohio Stadium.  It would be a fitting conclusion to Hall's Buckeye career if Hall had an opportunity to score at least one more time in front of the Ohio Stadium crowd.

• Will Dontre Wilson Be Involved In The Game Plan?  Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman acknowledged earlier this week that Wilson needs to be more involved in the offensive attack, yet wonders how to do that without Ohio State's other offensive weapons such as Braxton Miller, Carlos Hyde, and Corey "Philly" Brown suffering as a result.  Perhaps once the Ohio State running game has taken control of the game, Wilson may be factored into the contest.

• Can Ohio State's Pass Defense Slow Down Indiana?  Illinois scored 35 points on Ohio State, the most points surrendured by Ohio State this season.  Indiana, led by players such as Nate Sudfeld, Tre Roberson, Stephen Houston, Cody Latimer, and one-time Ohio State recruit and former Cleveland Glenville star Shane Wynn, can score on anyone.  A case in point - Indiana was able to score 28 points on Michigan State, and Michigan State is arguably the toughest defense in the nation.

Secondary players such as Bradley Roby, Doran Grant, Armani Reeves, Tyvis Powell, and the aforementioned C.J. Barnett will all need to show up big in what promises to be an Indiana aerial assault.  What would truly help would be if Noah Spence, Joey Bosa, and Michael Bennett can contribute with a pass rush to throw off the timing of the Indiana passing attack.

• Has Ohio State Figured Out Its Special Teams Coverage Units?  Shane Wynn is capable of taking a punt back for a touchdown, as V'Angelo Bentley of Illinois (another Cleveland Glenville alum, like Wynn) did last week against Ohio State.  Has Coach Meyer figured out what went wrong against Illinois, and will it be fixed against Indiana?

Urban Meyer says Ohio State will use more offensive players on special teams units (Jordan Hall, Warren Ball) because of injuries.
— ESPN Big Ten (@ESPN_BigTen) November 19, 2013

No time for senioritis in Ohio Stadium on Saturday.  Ohio State wants to send its eighteen senior players off with a victory in their last game in Ohio Stadium.  It will bear watching to see how Ohio State handles the offensive challenges Indiana will bring to this game.

Ohio State To Wear Alternate Uniforms For THE GAME...Again (Sigh)

Word came out via multiple sources that Ohio State will wear all-white uniforms for THE GAME against That Team Up North on 11/30/2013 at 12pm EST (televised by ABC).

http://www.elevenwarriors.com/2013/11/29006/ohio-state-football-will-wear-all-white-rivalry-uniforms-against-michigan

I certainly understand why Ohio State, especially the athletic department, seeks to capitalize on the interest in THE GAME and make some extra money.  It is just disappointing that THE GAME is the selected venue, again. 

THE GAME is a tradition-laden event, thanks to events such as this in 1973



Or "The Catch" in 2005



No need to mess with the uniforms.  Play THE GAME as it has traditionally been played.

If OSU wants to wear these stupid Good Humor Man uniforms once a year, whatever. Just stop soiling The Game with this nonsense.
— Tom Orr (@TomOrr4) November">https://twitter.com/TomOrr4/statuses/402513452431720449">November 18, 2013

Winsipedia Looks At Ohio State @ Illinois

http://www.winsipedia.com/ohio-state/vs/illinois

Ohio State Football Mid-Season Highlight

Courtesy of Coach Meyer & Ohio State Football on YouTube..

Ill At Ease When Playing At Illinois

Ohio State travels to Champaign, Illinois, for a 12pm EST kickoff against the University of Illinois.  While Ohio State is a considerable favorite to win this game easily, it may be worthwhile for Ohio State fans to remember that trips to Champaign have not always been the easiest or enjoyable of contests.

Perhaps someone can ask Craig Krenzel, the quarterback of Ohio State's 2002 national championship team, what it was like to rally Ohio State to victory over an Illinois team that had a losing record.  Krenzel escaped from what appeared to be a certain sack by Illinois to pick up a key first down on a broken quarterback scramble late in the game.

How about the 2006 game?  Ohio State, ranked # 1, defeated Illinois 17-10 in a game that was anything but easy.

2008 was a classic Tresselball contest, as Ohio State defeated Illinois 30-20, behind the running game of Chris Wells and Terrelle Pryor.  Even in victory, this was not easy, even as Ohio State had revenge on their collective minds, after the crushing 2007 upset at the hands of Illinois in Ohio Stadium.

Remember how the 2010 unfolded, with Terrelle Pryor returning to the game after sustaining a leg injury?  24-13 did not seem that comfortable at the time.  (Yes, I know, this game has been vacated.  Please do not remind me.)

And in 2011, somewhere Coach Woody Hayes was smiling, as Ohio State defeated Illinois 17-7, throwing four passes, completing one to Jake Stoneburner.  It was this game that ushered in the end of the Ron Zook era (or error?) at Illinois, as Illinois has lost every B1G contest since that game.

The average score of these games at Illinois?  See the image below.  Ohio State 22, Illinois 13.

Do I believe Ohio State will win this game on Saturday in Champaign, IL?  Yes, I do.  I will also be happy when the game is over, and Ohio State has left Champaign, IL, with a victory well in hand.

"The Enemy Of My Enemy..." Is Ohio State's Best Chances For The BCS

The old adage, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend", is usually reserved within a political context.  For Ohio State, ranked fourth in the latest version of the BCS standings, this adage may be necessary during the November stretch run.

Ohio State sits 9-0, coming off an impressive 56-0 victory at Purdue.  The second bye week of the 2013 season will come at an opportune time for Ohio State, allowing the players time to rest and recuperate before finishing up the month with games at Illinois, Indiana, and That Team Up North.

A common, and convenient, refrain used by critics of Ohio State has been that the Buckeyes have not played anyone.  While Ohio State did play against lesser-regarded teams such as Buffalo, San Diego State, and Florida A&M, the media conveniently ignores that Ohio State did defeat ranked teams such as Wisconsin and Northwestern earlier in the season.  All Ohio State can do, from here on out, is play, and defeat, the teams the Buckeyes have left to play.

What could help the Buckeyes would be if Michigan State, as well as That Team Up North, were to win the remaining games on their respective schedules.  This is where the old adage from up above kicks in.

For example, That Team Up North has remaining games versus Nebraska (11/09), at Northwestern (11/16), and at Iowa, before THE GAME on 11/30.  If That Team Up North were to win all of these games before the Buckeyes arrive in Ann Arbor, their record would be 9-2.  That Team Up North truly needs to regroup for the November stretch run.

Weekly Wolverine Watch: Michigan embarrassed by Michigan State, has officially let Ohio State down: http://t.co/IGCBkuBES7
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) November 4, 2013

Michigan State, which thoroughly dominated That Team Up North in its 29-6 victory, is not scheduled to play Ohio State.  Michigan State's remaining games are at Nebraska (11/16), at Northwestern (11/23), and Minnesota (11/30).  Like Ohio State, the Spartans have a bye week scheduled for 11/09.  If the Spartans won all of their remaining games, Michigan State would have an 11-1 record, and the Buckeyes would play the Spartans for The B1G championship the evening of 12/07 in Indianapolis.

Ohio State can only control its performance on the field.  It certainly would not hurt for the Buckeyes to be rooting for their enemy, and the enemy of their enemy, for the remainder of November.

2013 Ohio State @ Purdue: Exercise, & Exorcism, Are Buckeye Goals

Congratulations to Ohio State on winning its twentieth straight game, against a well-coached Penn State team, 63-14.  I believed Ohio State would win, but I certainly did not expect such a dominating victory.  For a team in need of an impressive victory in the eyes of the voters, Ohio State delivered with a strong statement to the national television audience.  On a side note - as someone who watched with complete dismay in 1994 as Penn State dismantled Ohio State 63-14, I found this to be deliciously delayed payback, as Ohio State put 63 points on Penn State.

Others have already mentioned, but #Buckeyes fans still have not forgotten 63-14 loss at Penn State in 1994. #OhioState #GoBucks
— Rob Kunz (@Rob10TVSports) October 27, 2013

Up next for Ohio State?  A trip to West Lafayette, Indiana, and a 12pm EST kickoff against the Purdue Boilermakers, televised by Big Ten Network.  While a casual Ohio State fan may look at Purdue and chalk this game up as an easy win, it will not take long for Coach Urban Meyer to get the Buckeyes focused upon what lies ahead.

Ohio State fans certainly can recall how the Buckeyes have lost the last two trips to West Lafayette, in 2011 and in 2009.  As a matter of fact, Ohio State lost at Purdue in 2004, as the Troy Smith era was just beginning, and who can forget how Ohio State pulled out this victory in 2002 to keep its national championship dreams alive?

To put it in perspective, Ohio State's last victory at Purdue was this 23-7 victory in 2007.  I am guessing Coach Meyer and the coaching staff will gladly take a comparable victory over Purdue.

Considering Halloween takes place a few days before, and how Ohio State has struggled in West Lafayette over the past several visits, an exorcism might be on the Ohio State coaching wish list.  Other items I will be watching?

• Can Ohio State Come Out Strong Two Weeks In A Row? - Ohio State attacked Penn State at the onset of the game, taking a 28-0 lead before Penn State even knew what hit them.  Conversely, Ohio State struggled out of the game against Iowa the week before.  Can Ohio State maintain its aggressive style of play at Purdue?

• Play The Backups Considerably - Holding a dominant lead in the third quarter allowed Coach Meyer and the coaching staff to play backups such as Kenny Guiton, Jordan Hall, and Ezekiel Elliott.  Above all else, I would hope to see the backup offensive line play the entire second half, if possible.  In 2014, Ohio State loses four starters along the offensive line; the Purdue game could be an excellent opportunity to get these players valuable game-time experience.

• Rest The Starters For The Stretch Run - Braxton Miller, Carlos Hyde, Devin Smith, Noah Spence, Ryan Shazier, etc., are all playing well.  Once and if a commanding lead has been established, I am hoping the coaching staff gets the starters out of the game.  Not only am I concerned about getting the backups valuable game-time experience, I want to see the starters fresh for the remaining games @ Illinois, Indiana, and @ That Team Up North.   Avoiding injuries are key this time of the season, as Ohio State gears up for the final conference contests.

Ohio State has won twenty straight games.  To win twenty-one, exercising its starters and backups may allow the Ohio State coaching staff to exorcise the demons of games past at Purdue.