Mr. Greene was a trend setter and made it possible for players like Troy Smith and Terelle Pryor to not only start but succeed at Ohio State. He was Ohio States first ever African American starting QB in its history.

He was the starter for 3 years compiling a record of 31-3-1 and he was the Rose Bowl MVP in 1974 and Big Ten MVP in 1975. He also was a part of 4 Big Ten Titles and 4 Rose Bowl Rings. In 1975 he even beat out his teammate and 2 time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin to win OSU MVP and Big Ten MVP. He changed the way OSU recruited and played the QB position. In 1998 he was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame. He may be most well known though for wearing Red Shoes and being a fashion guru on the gridiron. Simply put he is an OSU icon and someone all the younger Buckeye fans should learn more about.

Traditionally speaking, of course, Penn State is nicknamed “LBU” by silly pundits and fans of that school. The truth is tOSU has been, for years, been putting out some of the best LBs in college football and they have been doing extremely well in the NFL.

This year is no different and may possibly be one of our deepest positions on the team and maybe one of our best LB crews ever.

The Linebackers:

Ross Homan

This senior out of Coldwater, Ohio is a tackling machine and is on every defensive awards watch-list. He has the size and speed and is smart enough to anchor the defense and be its leader. He has a lot of skills needed to be a dominant player and uses them to his advantage. Homan is technically sound and has that “knack” of being at the right place at the right time, as evidenced by his five interceptions at opportune times. He also averaged 8.3 tackles per game . He has All-American written all over him and the potential to win at the very least the Butkus Award for best LB in the country.

And he’ll do it all quietly and efficiently, just the way he likes it.

His 2009 statistics were 108 tackles, 5 TFL, 5 INT, and 2 fumble recoveries.

Brian Rolle

This senior out of Immokalee, FL lacks the size at 5’8″ and 218 lbs that is normally needed to be a starting linebacker on a top 10 team. So, why is he starting again this year? Simple answer: his speed, explosiveness and toughness makes up for his lack of size. Fundamentally, he has issues (see: his tackling, especially at the goal line versus Jeremiah Masoli in the Rose Bowl) but he makes up for them with the intangibles. He is a Buckeye in the truest sense of the word. All heart and motor. He may not get the press that Homan does but he should get the accolades All-Big Ten this season.

His little, stumpy legs and oversized melon look out of place out there, but Rolle will simply out hussle you.

His 2009 statistics were 95 tackles, 7 TFL, 1 INT, and 1 fumble recovery.

Etienne Sabino

This guy has all the talent in the world and the size to go with it at 6’3 and 240 lbs. He is a junior out of North Miami, FL. He has been given every chance to win the third LB spot on this years team and in the spring it was almost a sure thing it was his. That was the case until this next LB came along.

Sabino has seen the field in the past and he has been effective on special teams but Buckeye fans are still looking for him to reach the potential that fans and coaches have seen in Etienne. Most linebackers seem come into their own during their junior year and there will still be plenty of opportunities for Sabino to make an impact, but it just seems like his time is limited. He can turn the pressure into winning playing time into a great experience.

His 2009 statistics were: 6 tackles, 0.5 TFL, no interceptions and no fumble recoveries.

Andrew Sweat

Andrew seems to be gaining a lot of traction in his bid to getting the starting nod at LB. Buzz out of practice is that he is getting a lot of time with the first team unit during the Jersey Scrimmage game and now the speculation is this 6’2″ 238 lbs junior out of Washington, PA stud is going to be the starter with Sabino backing him up and pushing him every week. From the sounds of it, it’s less of Sabino performing poorly and more of Sweat impressing coaches with his play.

Sweat saw playing time last season but barely enough to really get a bead on his strengths and weaknesses. From what we saw, his technique and strength seem to be there and he’ll just need game experience to go with it.

His 2009 statistics were: 15 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT and no fumble recoveries.

Dorian Bell

Young Puppy is a red-shirt freshman out of Monroeville, PA and at 6’1″ and 225 lbs he is a pure athlete and probably needs to put on some size but he is young and hungry. He should see time on special teams and in mop up duty in games against Marshall and EMU. With Ohio State’s depth at linebacker, it will be tough for Bell to see the field too often, but

His 2008 High School Statistics 113 tackles, 19 TFL, 7 sacks, 4 forced fumbles as a senior.

These Buckeyes should continue the tradition of Ohio State producing high quality linebackers at all three positions.

For only the second time in school history Ohio State will have 6 team captains.

This years captains are all seniors with 3 each from both sides of the ball. From the Offense we have Bryant Browning, Brandon Saine, and Dane Sanzenbacher. From the Silver Bullets side we have Ross Homan, Brian Rolle, and Cameron Heyward.

I cant think of a better leadership team for our beloved Buckeyes lets just hope Bryant Browning plays like a captain all year long the rest are shoe ins for All Big Ten and or All American.

O-H

LeCharles Bentley is a famous former Offensive Lineman at OSU and he was a beast but maybe he is best remembered for his 2 lawsuits. First, while at OSU he pulled a Mike Tyson on Tyson Walters face and knocked him the crap out lol. Tyson sued LeCharles and won 6 grand + medical expenses but lost his manhood in doing so. Now LeCharles is suing the Cleveland Browns for a staph infection he recieved while part of that team.

Mr. Bentley is a Manimal and I cant wait to see how he does hosting his own show. Bentley will co-host the Big Ten Pulse (debuts Sept. 9, airing Thursdays, 9 PM ET). he is just one of a lot of former Big Ten players that the BTN has recently hired to do shows and games on the network. It is apparent that this network is doing well and is going to continue to rise in ratings and fans myself included.

If you are the Ohio State Buckeyes the answer is a 1 game series at home with Colorado Buffaloes.

As I reported a few weeks ago Gene Smith AD at tOSU was in talks to get this game for next year to fill a open slot. Rumor was Colorado wanted 2+ mill to come and be a gimme win for the Buckeyes. In the end it looks like Mr. Smith was able to Wal-Mart them down to a decent amount and will give the Bickeyes another quality OOC game against a BCS conference school.

Next years OOC Game schedule

September 3, 2011- Akron at tOSU
September 10, 2011 Toledo at tOSU
September 17, 2011 tOSU at Miami of FL
September 24, 2011 Colorado at tOSU

So I thought before the season goes into full blown chaos here on MOTSAG we might be able to debate a question I have had several heated conversations with other Buckeye fans.

During a 12 game season excluding the last week when TTUN plays the Ohio State University… What do you as a Buckeye fan hope happens to TTUN?

A.) Do you hope they lose every game and their team and fans suffer as much agony as possible?

or

B.) Do you hope TTUN is undefeated going into THE GAME?

Before I give you my answer I thought I would share some of my findings in having this debate with others. It seems as though the younger the fan is the more likely they will choose (B) and hope for scUM to be unbeaten. The older the fan the more likely to choose (A) and hope for agony on scUM. There also seems to be a consensus that in order for the Big Ten to be successful as a league we need a very healthy and successful TTUN.

So, here is my opinion. Let me first state I will be 35 years old in a few weeks so I clearly fall in the OLDER Buckeye fans group in this scientific experiment. My two favorite teams are OSU and whoever is playing TTUN. I remember the 90’s like it was yesterday and I remember the TTUN fans and players telling us on a daily basis that we weren’t their rival and we didn’t matter to them. They didn’t let a chance go by to rub dirt in our wounds as fans. It was torture and I can’t get past it no matter how much success we have had in the past 9 years.

I personally choose to root against TTUN and I do my best to kick TTUN fans while they are down. Is it bad sportsmanship? Sure it is but my hatred for the team and its fans is so deep that I can’t help myself. Maybe it is that I was raised to feel this way and I should break the cycle with my kids? Maybe I should be more like Tressel and less like Hayes on this subject? Is it ok for younger fans to feel sorry for TTUN and its fans? Is it our responsibility to change our ways or to teach the younger fans the history and hatred we have?

I ask you fellow Buckeye fans to please when you reply to this post and give your thoughts please give your age as well so we might have a better sample for the study.

Thank You