Oh, how awesome.
This week’s SI cover:
H/T to The Penalty Kill
Archives for November 2006
“The Best,” indeed
November 21, 2006 by 4 Comments
I’m tired of it.
November 20, 2006 by 25 Comments
I read Yost & company’s recount of the horrors they endured at the hands of bone-headed OSU fans. No, let me rephrase that. Those people are simply a-holes with an Ohio State shirt on. Or, more likely, a Budweiser “F-Michigan” t-shirt. They are not fans. They are idiots. I’m tired of defending people who call themselves Buckeye Fans but who are so in name only. I’m really sorry what happened to Yost and countless other Michigan fans, I am. It’s unfortunate. But I’m tired of being lumped together with the knuckle-draggers. Stop lumping us true fans with those mouth-breathers. It made me sick to read what happened. But I’m tired of hearing of it. And I’m tired apologizing for it.
I’m not one of the guys that buys the F-Michigan T-shirts those dirt bags are selling on Lane Avenue. I’m not one of the guys throwing garbage at Michigan fans. I’m not the one who’s hurling epithets at them in slurred, guttural drunken-speak. I’m not the person who puffs up his chest, in front of his friends, and tells a Michigan fan to “Go Blow!” Those guys are imbeciles of the finest grade and I am not one of them.
Another thing to remember is that Columbus is a big city. We’ve got a lot of unsavory individuals. A lot. I’m sure there’s a lot more than you’d ever see in Ann Arbor. The majority of the idiots causing problems are these unsavory inidividuals, people that aren’t even peripherally involved with the university. They see it as an excuse to get wasted and bully people around. We wish they’d go away, but it’s something we all have to deal with.
I’m the guy who goes up and apologizes for what the Neanderthals in the “Ann Arbor is a Whore” shirts said to the guy in the Maize and Blue block-M hat. I was the guy apologizing to the Texas fans last year when my fellow “fans” were telling them to “F’ing Go Home!” I’m the guy who gives you an apologetic look when some moron says something he’d never say in front of his mother.
I’m tired of it. I’m tired of having to defend my school and my team to a bunch of people who are just looking for a place to stand to take the higher moral ground. “Our team lost on the football field, but your team (and school) sucks because a couple drunk half-wits hurt my feelings! They said mean things about my mom!” I’m not asking you to grow up or get over it. Just take things in perspective. In a week or two, the sting from the loss will lessen and you’re realize, in the grand scheme of things, these things really aren’t that important.
And no, Michigan doesn’t have the high ground to take on this issue. As Zeke, SYR and I were heading for a pre-game lunch (at La Bambas, a fine High Street establishment) we watched as the police-escorted buses of the Michigan Marching Band passed by. You’d think these guys, you know, actual representatives of the University, would show some class right? Of course you’d think that. And you’d be wrong. I’m no professional lip reader, but I know how to make out phrases containing four-letter words that start with F and end with YOU. The middle fingers aimed at us OSU fans were a nice touch. Saw a lot of those. But my favorite were the “F-OSU” signs. I saw a couple of those in the windows. That was the epitome of class.
So, to the fans of college football everywhere, get off our friggin backs. We don’t have control over what a few thousand people do to ruin the image of Ohio State. Contrary to what people will have you believe, it is a few rotten apples that spoil the bunch. I’m sorry, but that’s the truth. We were down on campus all morning long and I didn’t hear a single F-Michigan or any other derogatory comment. There was easily 200,000 people on campus, enjoying the festivities. I saw some good natured ribbing, some fun at each others expenses, but none of the vile that other people had happen to them. Those of us who care about who we’re perceived were trying to keep our rowdy brethren in line. We are. But most of the idiots you had the misfortune of interacting with were probably young college students with a little extra to drink. I’d be willing to bet that a large majority of them weren’t even students of the University. They were simply idiots. We don’t want them and we don’t claim them. Unfortunately we have to put up with them a lot more often then you do. When they say ridiculous, mean, hurtful things, we do reprove them. We tell them to keep it clean. We tell them that it’s uncool what they’re doing. But that’s all we can do. We try to do our part, but it’s not easy. And it is, quite honestly, pointless. They’re free to say what they want. It’s unfortunate but true. These people are idiots and are going to do whatever feels good to their alcohol soaked brains.
I don’t associate myself with them. I am an Ohio State Buckeye, I love this university and I love those who love it with me. We aren’t all about hating Michigan. We’re about loving the Buckeyes. The team. We love the tradition, the crisp autumn afternoons with a 100,000 friends cheering on the Buckeyes. It isn’t all about hating Michigan. Yost says, “it’s not “Pro-OSU,” it’s “anti-Michigan.”” Do you think the hatred for Michigan fills the stadium when we play Texas? What about when we play Cincinnati?
I know some of the backlash is coming from Michigan fans with wounded egos and fragile emotions. They hurt and they want to strike back, however they can. Saturday’s game was draining. For everyone, not just you. But we’re not sorry your team lost. We’re not even happy your team lost. We’re happy our team won. You had a bad experience and it was amplified by your disgust for the outcome of the game. But I’m sure the memories you had up to that point would certainly be clouded by your disappointment. But don’t you dare lump the people who offended you with those of us who care. I wish I could have been standing next to you in the stadium. I would have shook your hand and said “good game.” Most of us real fans treat everyone with respect. I know some people do not. But we are not them.
I’m just tired of apologizing for them.
Why there will be no rematch in the BCS NC game in simplest form….
November 19, 2006 by 4 Comments
There is absolutely no chance that the BCS and every other conference in the NCAA will allow the Big 10 to have both teams in the game. There are 42 million reasons for this not to happen. That is the approximate payout for the two teams that play in the NC game, which tOSU and scUM would have to share with the rest of the Big 10. That would take money away from another conference and/or team. If there is one thing I have learned in my 21+ years of being a college football fan, it is that it is all just a business… No one will allow this to happen unless every other contender loses again.
Rematch talk is a shame
November 19, 2006 by 17 Comments
Less than 24 hours after the “real” national title game, sportswriters are already clamoring for an OSU/UM rematch in Glendale. Clearly, they’re just upset that UM lost.
Some Michigan players are hoping for it, too. A classless Mike Hart said:
- “I guarantee if we play them again it would be a whole different game… We should have got them the first time.
“It hurts. Whenever you don’t beat Ohio State it hurts. I’ve got one year left and I’m going to get it this year.
“We knew we could run all day on that defense. It ain’t nothing special.”
There’s no need to mock UM’s ‘vaunted’ defense. The numbers speak for themselves: Ohio State’s O-line totally owned the line of scrimmage. But let’s put Hart’s comments in perspective… Michigan was given every opportunity in the world to win this game, and failed to do it. Every break in the game went Michigan’s way, every bounce of the ball and every questionable penalty. Consider just a few opportunities given to UM:
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OSU gift wrapping three turnovers for the UM defense (one was created by PI, but not called). Result: 10 points
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A phantom PI call on third-and-long, giving UM a first down. Any other place in the country, Michigan would have punted. In the Big Ten, UM gets an automatic first down. After that egregious call, Michigan managed a TD.
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A never-before-in-history-called penalty for “roughing the snapper” on a punt attempt. I don’t care who you are, or what team you pull for – that was a disgusting call.
In short, 24 of Michigan’s points came from the breaks that fell its way (including up to 17 points from breaks given to them from the officiating crew alone).
So here you are, the number two team in the country, given every single advantage you could possibly have. You have the intangible motivation from losing a legend in your program the day before, giving your players something to rally around. All the balls bounce your way. All the calls are going your way. You enjoy a +3 turnover margin. Your offense is firing on all cylinders, performing better than it has all year. And you have the best defense in the country, in fact, the best defense in the history of your school’s fine tradition.
Yet you still get soundly beaten in every statistical category.
Pittman runs for a 56-yard TD against a UM defense that only allows 29 total yards per game
Some analysts are saying that “the game was closer than the score showed.” I disagree. I think the “game wasn’t anywhere near as close as the score showed.” At no time was Michigan ever in control of the game. Again, subtract anywhere from 17 to 24 points from UM’s 39-point total, and that’s actually how well Michigan “played” on Saturday.
But enough about the game. Why doesn’t UM deserve a do-over?
It’s unfair to OSU. Just because the media doesn’t like the outcome of Saturday’s game, doesn’t mean they get to whine and stamp their feet until they get what they want. And, as Keith at Buckeye Commentary eloquently points out, OSU doesn’t need to, nor should be requested to, validate its victory against Michigan in the BCS title game.
For both teams, the title was played for on Saturday, November 18th. The winner earned the right to advance. Does it seem fair that the loser should earn that same right?
- It’s unfair to Michigan. If UM plays OSU in Glendale, it’s a lose-lose situation for UM. A consensus title is only possible for OSU. If the Wolverines were to win, the AP would probably vote OSU #1 afterwards, splitting the title. If the Wolverines were to lose that game, it would leave the rest of the country wondering if USC, Florida, etc. could have done better. Not to mention that Carr would probably lose his job.
- It’s unfair to the other one-loss teams who deserve the same shot that UM got this weekend. Pundits claim that, “hey, Michigan’s only loss was to the #1 team.” That’s an illogical way to think, and compares apples to oranges. If OSU and USC play in Glendale, and OSU loses, could the fans say, “Hey! OSU’s only loss was to the national champion Trojans! So we should get another shot!” Ridiculous. Where does it stop? Best two-out-of-three? Four of seven? Are we heading towards a “World Series” approach to college football titles?
Besides, how could anyone think it is fair to leapfrog UM, who didn’t even win its conference, over a one-loss Pac10 or SEC conference champion? Especially when the Big 10 isn’t, shall we say, “anything to write home about” this year.
- It’s unfair to fans, for reasons that are patently obvious. A BCS national title game between OSU and UM would alienate and anger millions of college football fans. A matchup would be bad for college football as a whole.
- Michigan will probably be the favorite to win the title next year. With a bowl win (or even a close bowl loss), UM will undoubtedly be preseason #1 in 2007. With its fantastic offense & defense largely returning, and all its big games next year at home, UM has a chance to go wire-to-wire as the BCS title favorite. Hart will no doubt be the Heisman favorite. Tell me, how awesome would it be for the Big Ten to win back-to-back Heismans and national titles? Let OSU have the title shot it has earned, and let UM start putting eggs in its basket for next year.
Congratulations to OSU and Michigan on a great season. Fans of both teams should wish OSU well in Glendale, and UM well in Pasadena.
Pictures credit & copyright: Jim Davidson at the O-Zone.
Ohio State/Michigan semi-live-update
November 18, 2006 by 9 Comments
Ohio State: 42
Michigan: 39
Big Ten Champs!
It’s kick-off!
First Quarter
Michigan strikes first, a nice drive engineered by Henne and Mannigham. Crap!
OSU: 0 Michigan: 7
Seniors rule! Troy Smith took them down the field, utilizing Roy Hall’s inhuman arms to catch his passes, marching down the field without much trouble, converting third downs like it was their job and answering Michigan’s TD with a TD of their own.
OSU: 7 Michigan 7
A couple drives for each team ending in punts for each time. Ending the quarter tied.
End of the First Quarter
Start of the Second Quarter
Akron’s #1 boy just went straight up the gut on Michigan’s “Vaunted D” and absolutely embarassed the Michigan secondary. How do they not catch Beanie? We’ll call that run “Backbreaker #1”. Did you see that spin move he made? Chris Wells hit the X-button and ran right up the gut. Touchdown Ohio State.
OSU: 14 Michigan: 7
Did they just make up a new rule? We talked about it here, and we’ve never seen a “roughing the snapper” penalty. Wow. Just wow.
Did Boomer Esiason just take a snap and fake out the entire universe with that play-action pass? Jim Tressel is a genius and Troy Smith is winning the Heisman trophy in front of the nation. Ted Ginn is HUGE.
OSU: 21 Michigan: 7
Well, congratulations Carr & company, it appears the refs are determined to help you score, so you finally took advantage of yet another phantom call and Arrington got behind the secondary to take in a score for the bad guys.
OSU: 21 Michigan: 14
Completely, COMPLETELY unfazed, Troy Smith just marched the Buckeyes straight down the field, 80 yards without any resistance. Troy Smith is shredding the Michigan secondary and the vaunted front four can not reach Smith. Touchdown to Gonzo after a nice and smooth drive.
OSU: 28 Michigan: 14
End of the first half
Not sure what else to say thus far, Ohio State’s offense has been lights-out and the defense has played well. I’m feeling good so far. Thirty minutes to go.
Start of the Third Quarter
Michigan shows they can move the ball without the refs help, as Hart just ripped out the D’s heart with a couple big runs. That wasn’t pretty.
OSU: 28 Michigan: 21
Troy Smith tried to sneak a pass in and was denied and Michigan was gifted a ball inside the 30, but in typical fashion, couldn’t convert the turnover into a touchdown. Fieldgoal, Rivas.
OSU: 28 Michigan: 24
Wow, that didn’t take long. I thought Michigan was tough against the run? Hmm, two runs of 50+ yards would beg to differ. Antonio Pittman and Chris Wells would like to differ, as well. Pittman, right through the teeth of the Michigan D, touchdown.
OSU: 35 Michigan: 24
Crap! Bad snap leads to another chance for Michigan to get back into the game. Troy took his eyes off the ball just long enough to let the ball squirt free. Crap! Let’s hope the D can hold the Wolverines to a FG.
End of the Third Quarter
Start of the Fourth Quarter
Fifteen minutes left until Glendale.
One play, possibly six points. It looks like that play should stand, so now the Buckeyes have to hold the 2pt conversion.
Sweet! They just overturned the call. Here comes the snap. Mike Hart, over the right side. Now we need to hold the 2 points.
OSU: 35 Michigan: 31
After some back and forth action, and Troy Smith takes them down the field, he and Robiskie then hookup for Troy’s fourth touchdown. Time is now running out on Michigan’s hopes for Glendale.
OSU: 42 Michigan 31
Henne valiantly drove Michigan down for a quick score and converted on the two point conversion, but on the on-side kick, Ginn wrapped his sure hands around and sealed the deal.
End of the Fourth Quarter
OSU: 42
Michigan: 39
Clearly, this was the mini-championship. Michigan is clearly a great team, perhaps still deserving at a shot at the Buckeyes in the championship game. Wow.
Memories…
November 17, 2006 by 2 Comments
Crable and Burgess pwned by OSU line for Pittman’s winning TD in 2005:
Today’s “Memories” comes complete with bonus pic goodness; no explanation required:
Week # 12 – Michigan – Open Thread
November 17, 2006 by 3 Comments
The day is here. The day productivity approaches zero in offices around Columbus and Ann Arbor. Where a million fans go over a million scenarios. Arguments will be made. Angles will be examined and reexamined. Message boards will light up with idiots and pundits alike. Blogs, this year more than ever, will be a twitter with the anticipation of the game that has defined the 2006 season. Would OSU finish as it started — ranked #1. Would Michigan, coming off a disappointing season, rise to the occasion and make this game one of the biggest game of the century?
Well, the stars have aligned, the cards have fallen into place and the table has been set. This game couldn’t get bigger. Couldn’t be hyped any more. Just for a minute, let’s let that all sink in. We are in the midst of something historic.
First, the previews. I could link them until kingdom come and still miss one. We’d be remiss to not link Buckeye Planet and The O-Zone, as they’be been excellent sources all year long. The guys at Burnt Orange Nation have a good statistical comparison, but this is the Michigan/Ohio State game. Stats don’t mean bug-squat. Brian at MGoBlog has some great stuff, including video from the OSU/Texas and OSU/Iowa games. He’s got some excellent analysis.
On the good guys side, The Buckeye Expat has some great stuff up. Eleven Warriors, The 614 and Pfef are not to missed, either. Like I said, I could go on, but I’m close to reaching my link limit.
I don’t think much more can be said that hasn’t already been said. The Buckeyes come into the game with one of the best offenses and a great defense. Michigan comes in with one of the best defenses and a pretty good offense. (See what I did there?). It’s the whole “Unstoppable force versus Immovable Object” conundrum. It’s going to be a work of art, a piece of brutal poetry, a battle of wits.
WE CAN NOT WAIT!
Normally we have a handful of items to predict. This game means to much to sully with silly prognostications. Just your prediction of the score for this one, Buckeye Fans. Vegas is favoring OSU by 7. What say you?
I say OSU: 27 Michigan: 16
sportsMonkey says: OSU 23, Michigan 13
Sylvester Yon-Rambo says: OSU 31, Michigan 9…..I Dont Give A Damn About The Whole State Of Michigan, Cause I’m From OHIO…….O H
Zeke says: OSU 24, Michigan 17
Battle of the Blogs
November 16, 2006 by 7 Comments
This week, CSTV.com will be featuring a daily “debate” between rival OSU and UM bloggers. Make sure to check it out each day. There should be a healthy variation in the topics, from classic Xs and Os debates to abstract ones that focus on the rivalry.
We’ve been asked to contribute material for later this week, so watch this space for more details.
Today’s discussion: Today’s topic features our post, which answers the question, “Who wins: Ohio State O or Michigan D?” (Interesting side note, but originally the question was “Who wins: Ohio State O or Rutgers D”. Was CSTV being snarky, prescient, or did they just make a mistake? You decide). Anyway, we fellow bloggers presented our arguments (many of which you can find in this post) for why OSU’s offense should be able to give the business to Michigan’s D. The counterpoint comes from Dave of Maize and Brew. While Dave’s description of some of the Michigan personnel may be a bit … hyperbolic … he does a good job of looking at matchups. He mentions using “Pat White” as a fullback, but I think he means “Stan White Jr,” whom he refers to later. Overall, minus the prediction of a Michigan victory, Dave makes some valid points.
Advantage: Do we even have to ask?
Sunday’s discussion: Which program has the better game day atmosphere? Keith from Buckeye Commentary and David from Michigan Against the World participate.
Advantage: Keith
Monday’s discussion: Which stadium is better: the Big House or the Horseshoe?. Ryan from Pfef’s Sports Blog and the guys (I assume?) at M-Zone square off.
Advantage: Push. Both were good pieces, but the M-Zone had a little more meat to it. But since we toe the company line, we’ll call it a Push.
Tuesday’s discussion: Who wins: Michigan O or Ohio State D? Sean from The 614 and Kenny Chung at the Westsider Rider duke it out. I’m not sure what strength of schedule Kenny is looking at but Michigans is not #2 (I take that back, I noticed on Kenny’s site that he is using the NCAA SoS). I believe that honor belongs to Southern Cal.
Wednesday’s discussion: Which is better, Michigan’s Fight Song, or Ohio State’s dotting of the ‘i?’. Sean from the 614 and Frank from UM Tailgate square off.
Advantage: Sean. Frank loses points by talking about UM and Notre Dame in the first sentence. He then gets negative bazillion points for confusing “dotting the i” with “performing script Ohio” during the climax of his argument, claiming that UM invented “dotting the i.” Hey Frank: Just because the UM band once spelled out “OHIO” on the field in 1932 does not mean that UM invented the dotting of the ‘i.’ (Lots of bands were writing opponents’ names on the field.) It was OSU that invented “Script Ohio” and turned it into a march. And it was OSU that invented “dotting the ‘i'” at the crescendo of the song.
