Archives for November 2007

Okay, we’ve had enough Penn State negativity and Big Ten bashing. Time for some feel-good, pick-me-up stories. We’ve got a couple for Wisconsin week.

The first story is about a couple Wisconsin walk-ons. Both earned scholarships, but there are no guarantees…

“There was no guarantee that walk-ons like Strickland and Johnson would keep their scholarships throughout their careers.

When Johnson found out earlier this fall that his wasn’t being renewed this season, Strickland sprung into action. After thinking it over and talking to his parents, Strickland decided to give up his scholarship so his best friend could have it.”

Stories like this definitely do wonders to restore faith in humanity after incidents like last week.

The other story is the Ryan Pretorius story. There is so much to like about this guy. It’s not every day you can say one of the players on your college football team is from a different country. But the likability doesn’t end there. I’ve been a fan of the game of rugby since I lived in Spain and my high school buddy was one of the captains of OSU’s rugby team in the late nineties. Anyone who’s played rugby is okay in my book. I was also listening to Herbstreit and Hooley when his wife called in, talking about his frustration of not starting last year, but he kept at it and look at him now. Another one of those stories to make your day.

Okay, that’s enough touchy-feely. Let’s get back to some football.

MotSaG reader George sent us the link to this article in USA Today today. (I hate saying that). Titled “Big Ten has alarming lack of championship results,” you know where this is going. You’re probably fighting back the tears of boredom before you even read it.

Let me summarize for you: “Ohio State sucks and are only #1 because they’re Ohio State.” Then the author looks at the championship results since 1968, and how little the Big Ten has produced. Yeah, the truth sort of hurts. Sort of. Funny thing is, if you count Penn State’s championships (yeah, I know, they weren’t in the Big Ten back then, but stick with me) you’d have seven National Championships for the Big 10. Nine for the big old bad SEC. You know, the conference of Superheroes. If you go back eight years, to 1960, you’d have 11 championships for the Big 10, 13 for the SEC. I’ll take a national championship ever four years or so for the Big Ten.

Yeah, so the article isn’t worth your time. Funny thing is, that’s not the worse part of the article. This throw-away quote from Mark May is:

“Do you think the kid growing up in California or Florida really cares about ‘dotting the I’ in late November in the Horseshoe?” May asked, referring to the Ohio State band’s traditional rendition of “Script Ohio.”

Uhmmm, I guess not? What the hell does this have to do with playing football at Ohio State? My guess is, if the kid plays the sousaphone and really into marching band, then yeah! He probably does care and would love to dot the I in late November. But this makes no sense. Mark May makes no sense. I wish he was an analyst for NASCAR with Brad Daugherty. Then I’d never have to listen to his crap.

Yeah, it’s from the Michigan State game. Who cares? Everyone loves a picture of VGholston abusing opposing offensive linemen.

I heard a rumor that Vernon asked if the Ohio State athletic department if we could substitute Pitt instead of Penn State on the schedule next year. Not sure why.