An Ohio State Sports Blog
Media Day, usually held in Ohio Stadium, was rained out and had to be held indoors, but that didn’t stop the Dispatch from capturing this endearing moment as Brandon Mitchell tenderly adjusts Marcus Freeman’s man jewelry. How precious. (This photo is screaming out for a caption):
More pictures at The O-Zone.
We’ve toiled over statistics, made notes in the margins of our newspapers, did some encantations and finally decided on the most meaningless poll of all – The Pre-Season Poll. Since there’s four of us Buckeye Bloggers here at MotSaG, we’ve eached submitted a top 25 list which has been tallied up and the resulting list looks like this:
| Ranking | School | Points |
| 1 | OSU (4) | 100 |
| 2 | Texas | 91 |
| 3 | Auburn | 87 |
| 4 | West Va. | 78 |
| 5 | USC | 75 |
| 6 | LSU | 75 |
| 7 | ND | 73 |
| 8 | Cal | 71 |
| 9 | Iowa | 63 |
| 10 | Florida | 63 |
| 11 | Michigan | 59 |
| 12 | Oklahoma | 59 |
| 13 | Georgia | 58 |
| 14 | Louisville | 54 |
| 15 | Miami | 50 |
| 16 | FSU | 39 |
| 17 | Clemson | 33 |
| 18 | Penn State | 31 |
| 19 | Va. Tech | 30 |
| 20 | Oregon | 25 |
| 21 | Alabama | 20 |
| 22 | TCU | 16 |
| 23 | Nebraska | 13 |
| 24 | ASU | 10 |
| 25 | Tennessee | 6 |
(Others receiving votes: South Carolina 6, UCLA 3, BYU 3, Toledo 3, Texas Tech 2, Utah 2, MSU 1, Duke 1)
A few comments:
As you can see, one of our voters fancies himself Steve Spurrier and put Duke on his ballot.
Yes, all four of us had Ohio State at #1. Call us homers if you like, it’s not something we’re going to hide. This is the Men of the Scarlet and Gray, afterall. That being said, we all feel, as it stands now, that Ohio State is fielding one heck of a team and they are going to play some good football this season.
Texas: Texas still has loads of talent, but it’s going to be hard to win a championship with a freshman QB, though. (Has it ever happened in the modern era? That is a serious question. Email us if you know of an example.) When Ohio State plays at Austin in September, it won’t be easy; but on a neutral field, OSU would win this game easily.
Michigan: As usual, Carr has amassed enough talent to make most coaches jealous. Great front four on defense will give Big-10 offensive coordinators headaches.
Notre Dame: That schedule just looks too harsh for them to get through it unscathed. There are two very possible losses in the first four games. If they can run the gauntlet and make it to USC undefeated, that will be one of the most important games of the year.
Auburn: Biggest advantage is their schedule – they play a lot of tough home games. Replacing their WR corps won’t be easy to do, which may hurt them early.
What does this all mean? That we can make lists and look smart. Of course we’ll disown this work by the middle of October, but it’s still fun to start the rankings, even without a kick-off for another 3 weeks.
The NCAA has reinstated Dwayne Jarrett for USC’s opener.
Jarrett, who accepted $18,000 in unallowable benefits, is allowed to play for the Trojans because it was only “a mistake.”
The NCAA’s justification for letting Jarrett get away with the violations? The NCAA’s Jennifer Strawley said:
“Mr. Jarrett made a mistake, and we believe that had he known he was required to pay his full share of the rent for the apartment, he would not have chosen to live there.”
Apparently, Ms. Strawley even said that with a straight face.
Yes, it seems that the NCAA actually believes that Jarrett didn’t know he was supposed to pay for his rent. And, of course, since he didn’t know, he shouldn’t be required to suffer a suspension.
Sigh.
If you haven’t figured out how ridiculous that sounds, consider this: Troy Smith, a backup QB at OSU in 2004, accepted $500 from a booster. He gave the money back, admitted he was wrong, apologized to his teammates, and accepted a two-game suspension for his “mistake” – a mistake that hindsight shows probably cost his team a shot at the 2005 title.
Jarrett, a starting WR, accepted $18,000 from a booster, then claimed he “didn’t know” he wasn’t supposed to do that, and earns no suspension.
Think there’s a little bias in the NCAA for Pete Carroll and his LA boys?
I used to be a Pete Carroll fan, but my respect for him over the past couple of years has been dropping faster than a battery-filled snowball thrown from the upper deck of the Big House.
Here at MotSaG we have had our fun taking shots and expressing pity at [HE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED]. Now that more details are coming to light about his life the past few days, a disturbing picture is emerging, and it seems appropriate to take a serious, sobering look at the situation.
Here is what we know – a collection of facts from disparate sources:
Those are the facts. Here is my speculation:
This is just one monkey’s opinion, but the facts indicate that [HWSNBN] was prepared to engage in some serious, Hollywood-style, ABC “movie-of-the-week” type freakin’ DRAMA last Tuesday night. Suicide? Possibly. Standoff? Perhaps. Death? Maybe. Destruction? Of some sort: probably.
It’s also clear that the CPD’s intervention prevented whatever was really about to go down from happening, which is the most shocking realization.
‘Nuff said about Tuesday night’s events.
When he founded MotSaG, el Kaiser approached me with my opinion on what stance we should take on [HWSNBN]. One the one hand, we’re sick and disgusted at the entire situation – most especially the media’s handling of it – and want it to go away. On the other hand, however, [HWSNBN] is an Ohio-sports personality, both current and past. To make things even murkier, a lot of us still have a smidgen of “fan-dom” left over from his awesome performance during the 2002 season. It’s tough trying to reconcile anger, appreciation, and pity for the same person.
I don’t think it was ever el Kaiser’s vision that we would have three [HWSNBN] posts in a row, but since MotSaG is in a unique position (Buckeye blog, Ohio Sports blog, and we all live and work in Columbus), perhaps we owe it to the blogosphere to chime in. As he wrote yesterday, this whole thing is just “sad, sad, sad.”
News outlets around the country are quickly backtracking from inaccuracies surrounding the reporting of [HE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED].
Former DENVER BRONCOS tailback [HE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED] was reported as having a loaded AK-47 assualt rifle in his possession. Turns out all he had was a k-47, a Sony VAIO laptop computer. Police apologized for the confusion.
Also miscommunicated was the former DENVER BRONCOS player’s CD collection, which apparently included several Molly Hatchet compilations.
“When this stuff goes out on the scanner, you can see how the news media might misinterpret crucial details,” said a spokesperson for the Franklin County Sheriff’s office. “Still, though, Molly Hatchet? I would have pegged him for a hip-hop type of man.”
The former DENVER BRONCOS tailback was released, and plans to report to his new job tomorrow.
Ohio State tight end Marcel Frost was suspended for the upcoming season for violating team rules.
Athletic department officials declined to comment on the nature of the violation. Frost will remain on scholarship and will be eligible to rejoin the team next season, school spokesman Dan Wallenberg said Wednesday.
Frost played nine games and started the final five last season after Ryan Hamby suffered a knee injury, catching seven passes for 70 yards.
The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Frost was expected to start this season for the Buckeyes, the preseason No. 1 in the coaches’ poll, but now sophomore Rory Nicol likely will get the nod.
Information from The Associated Press and SportsTicker was used in this report.
***Updated*** Scroll down for updates.
We have a standing rule here at MotSaG wherein we’ve agreed to avoid any news (good or bad) about [HE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED]. Unfortunately, the news coming out of Columbus today is too big to ignore. You know things are bad when you get out of the shower before 7 o’clock in the morning and your wife says that [HE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED] was on the news this morning.
So why is [HE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED] in the news? Surely you’ve already read about his arrest, after making a U-turn and leading the CPD on a high-speed chase, ending in him being maced after the Taser used against him was rendered useless by his bullet-proof vest. Never mind the loaded weapons, including an assault rifle, in his truck. Or empty bottle of liquor in his car. Or that he went “raging bull” in the back of the paddy-wagon. Just do what I do. Close your eyes and wait for him to go away. Because I’m done feeling sorry for [HE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED].
Of course bloggers are gleefully waking up to tons of new material to hate on OSU. We’ll let them have their fun, but [HE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED] stopped being a Buckeye years ago. Sticks and stones, sticks and stones. People love to seeing sports figures fall from grace, and [HE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED]’s fall has been spectacular.
I titled this post “Sad sad sad” because [HE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED] has completely hit rock-bottom and has begun to dig deeper. I won’t get into the potential he wasted or the good-will he squandered. It’s all been said before.
He could have been King of Columbus but instead decided to be the court Jester. Which is just sad, sad, sad.
Updated: There’s an article by Tom Friend at ESPN chronicling the strange, winding path that has put [HE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED] on a downward spiral.
I also heard on the ESPN Radio this morning that [HE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED] was picked up a block away from the house of someone who was going to be testifying in his robbery court case. Not good. I haven’t been able to confirm this from any other media source. Whether that’s an unfortunate coincidence or it was part of a bigger plan, it’s obvious that [HE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED] is in a bad way, mentally and otherwise.
This may be old news about Erik Haw transferring, but I thought everyone would like to know where he is going.
Former Ohio State running back Erik Haw said he will transfer to Jackson State in Mississippi.
Haw rushed for 61 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries last season for the Buckeyes. He said he decided to transfer after learning he would likely be low on the depth chart at running back (Antonio Pittman and young stud Chris Wells will be 1 and 2) going into this year. He’s a sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining.
By going to Division I-AA Jackson State, Haw is eligible to play immediately instead of having to sit out a season if he went to another Division I school.
Haw went to Independence High School in Columbus. He played in four games with the Buckeyes last year.
Fowler: Welcome to the GameDay College Football preview, here on ESPN. We’ve got a dandy of a 2006 season waiting in the wings, and it looks to be another exciting, wide open season.
I’m Chris Fowler, here with my coanchors Lou Holtz, Kirk Herbstreit, and Lee Corso; we’ll be joined later by Mark May.
All co-anchors: Hi.
Holtz: I think the Irish could pothibly run the table this year. They are good, solid, young men, and they have a good coach in Charlie Weith, and if they don’t lose any games, they could potentially win. Good, fine young men.
Corso: I agree. I agree. Weis has that QB of his. That Quinn kid. With that arm of his! [slaps Herbie in the arm]. Zoom! Right down the field! But I’ll tell ya. I’ll tell ya. [points pencil at camera] He’d better be careful against that Michigan State defense. Whoo! Tough, I tell ya, Tough!!!
Herbie: Yeah, I agree. Michigan State is going to be a tough opponent for the Irish. It’s going to wrap up three tough weeks of football for Weis’ players, and going against the Spartans, at night, against Drew Stanton and that talented offense is going to be quite a challenge for Notre Dame.
Fowler: So we’re agreed… they’re the best of all time. Moving on to the lesser..uh.. other teams, do you think any of them are coached by men as great as Charlie Weis?
Corso: Let me tell you something. That Mack Brown is a heck of a guy. He won the championship last year. With the mighty, the talented, the scary, his HIGHness, Vince Young. What a leader! With the zoom and the pass and the POW! Mack doesn’t have Young back this year, so he can’t use Young to win games. It will be hard for Texas to match last season’s success.
Herbie: Yeah, I agree. Texas will certainly have more challenges this year.
Holtz: Mack Brown is a fine young man. He’th a coach, you know.
Herbie: Yeah, I think they do. Tressel has put…
Holtz: Trethel is a fine coach. A good young man.
Herbie: …has put together an offense that is potentially better than the 1998 squad that finished ranked first in the country in most major categories. The defense is the, is the…
May: Did someone say Clarett? I’m here.
Herbie: …is the question. Losing all those starters will have an impact on the challenges the Buckeyes have to overcome.
Fowler: Welcome, Mark. What do you think?
May: Look. Ohio State is going to have to overcome all the distraction brought on by Clarett. I mean, if the latest accusation is true, and he’s actually shorting waitresses in the heartland of rural Northern Ohio, what does that say about the team he played six games for over four years ago? It’s simple. Vince Young will win the championship for Texas. It’s that simple.
Fowler: Uhh… Mark, Young is in the NFL now. Texas will have a couple of new QBs at the helm.
May: I meant that the legacy of Vince Young will serve as motivation for Texas to win the title. Look, forget the Buckeyes. Stick a fork in ’em. They’re done.
Corso: That Vince Young. BOOM! Ha. Great kid.
Fowler: One has to wonder if the rumors were true that Vince Young was born from one of Charlie Weis’ bowel movements 22 years ago.
Holtz: …..zzzzzzzz…finyngmnnnnn…zzzzzz….
Herbie: Oh, for crying out loud. Just come on. That’s ridiculous.
Fowler: That’s what it says, Kirk. We are just reporting.
May: Kirk, didn’t you quarterback for the team that suspended Clarett a decade later?
Herbie: Die in a fire, Mark.
Corso: ZING!
Alberts: Hey guys!
Fowler: Trev?!? How’d you get in here? How’d you get past security?
Alberts: I hid in a laundry cart of jockstraps being sent up for washing from the ESPN workout facility.
Herbie: So that’s what that smell is. God, I need a drink.
Alberts: It’s Nebraska all the way this year, baby! The blackshirts are back!
Corso: Not so fast, my smelly friend! It’s Nebraska with the whee and the whaa and the flbtz…. HAH!!!! I pay taxes! Kibbles and bits my friend!! KibblezNNNbitss!!! bpthphlept!! Owuuu!!
Holtz: zzzz…buymy book… “winth, lothez, & lethonz”… zzzzz
May: Trev?!? [their eyes lock]
Alberts: [running in slow motion towards May while violins play in background] Maaarrkk….
Herbie: [preparing seppuku]: Our father, who art in heaven…
May: Oh Trev, don’t ever go again!
Corso: Hbububbbubbbubbbuuububbbbbbbuuflpt!! A-hiyaaaa!
Alberts: Marry me, Mark! I won’t let us be separated again!
May: I will! [more violins]
Herbie: HMMGGHRRFGHhhhh… aaauuuugggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…… *wheeze*cough* *plop* [dies in a pool of his own blood]
Fowler: Well, that about wraps it up. For Lou Holtz, the misters Alberts, and the estate of Kirk Herbstreit, I’m Chris Fowler, and we’ll see you on GameDay. Go Irish.
We’d like to extend a warm welcome to all our new readers to the Men of the Scarlet and Gray (MotSaG, for short) It’s been a busy weekend here at the casa of the Men of the Scarlet and Gray. First off, I was notified this weekend that we’ve been invited to take part in the 2006 Blog Poll, which should be a lot of fun. Since we’re a multi-blogger outfit here, we’ll work together on a weekly basis to put our poll together. We’re looking forward to participating in the BlogPoll festivities, as well.
Then we were linked earlier today by both The M Zone (It’s ironic to be linked by the M Zone on the very same day I was pointed in the direction of this video. How apropos.) and Deadspin, so thanks to you guys for the links. Unfortunately, the 1and1.com server that hosts our site took a big dump earlier today and the site has been off and on for the better part of the afternoon. We appreciate those of you that have tried more than once to access the site, hopefully you were able get through eventually.
Looking at the referral logs, it appears we’ve also been linked on the Texas Rivals message board. Unfortunately it’s behind their paid subscriber wall, so we don’t know what it’s about. If you’ve come from Orange Bloods, let us know what brought you here.
So again, welcome to our humble blog. We hope you’ll add us to your bookmarks, your deli.cio.us bookmarks, your Bloglines, your whatever and check back often. Especially if you’re a Buckeye fan, because it’s a good year to be a Buckeye!
