Wolverine Tears:

These Wolverine tears taste amazing!  After a heartbreak at home, the Buckeyes once again showed that they should at least be considered as a potential College Football Playoff candidate.  The Buckeyes entered the game limping after a home loss to those darn Spartans and a major heartbreaker.  The gameplan was not working and the Buckeyes couldn’t maintain control in the trenches.  Fast forward to this past weekend, the Buckeyes demonstrated that they should at least be considered to be a part of this years playoffs, IF and I mean IF, chaos happens during the Conference Championship weekend.

A couple of losses to for the teams that are ahead of the Buckeyes would do wonders for their cause.  While we are all hoping for a miracle, I will hold out just a smidgen of hope for this to happen.  I will pray to the College Football gods for a miracle.  Just like 2007 when the Buckeyes utilized said “chaos” to sneak into the BCS Championship Game, but now it will be used to get into the CFB Playoff.  A Conference Championship Game would’ve helped the Buckeyes cause, but that is just how it is and that is how it will stay.  For now at least.  I for one would be hoping for a miracle.

Now, back to the tears, that taste SO GOOD!  This was supposed to be a tightly contested game.  The Game of all games.  The Scarlet and Gray versus The Maize and Blue.  The first installment of Urban Meyer VS Jim Harbaugh.  It went the way that I wanted it to go.  I was screaming well into the fourth quarter for Coach Meyer and the Buckeyes to run up the score.  This was no time for pity.  We needed to crush the Wolverines in the fashion that we had done to get the attention of the Committee.  To keep the Buckeyes fresh in their minds.

The Buckeyes offense rose from the dead.  Literally!  After a snoozer and after poor game planning, Coach Meyer assisted in the play calling.  And it worked and/or helped.  Tremendously.  J.T. Barrett looked less predictable as opposed to the Michigan State game, the play calling was more straight forward, the execution was crisp and ZEEEEEEEEEEKE RAN WILD!!!  Let’s feed this man and help his cause for the Heisman or should I say HE15MAN.  The Silver Bullets returned and stuffed every run, but it did enough to disrupt the Wolverines.  Yes, they passed on us, but could they run?  NO!  Meh!  Well there are 363 days left until TTUN comes into the Shoe for a date with Coach Meyer, round 2!

All The Gold Pants:

For what its worth, I find it interesting how recruiting works out.  After terrible seasons, like Coach Fickell’s Interim Head Coaching year after the ousting of the one and only Jim Tressel, the one’s who were a part of that class and for those who have stayed, congrats to you all.  Congratulations are in store for the players who have been there through those tough times.  Players like Taylor Decker, who stuck with their commitment have had quite the career.  Case and point, four, I say again FOUR pairs of gold pants.  Now for all the noobs who just started following the Buckeyes, Gold Pants are gained after defeating that team up north.  The ones who have stuck with their commitment have four of them.  The class of 2011 also have a Conference Championship AND a National Title.

Now, a certain recruit comes to mind, Kyle Kalis.  I follow recruiting closely and I remember all the fuss and all the talking that he was doing after he flipped to play for Coach Hoke.  I guess the Buckeyes get the last laugh.  What do you have to show for yourself?  I guess you thought that Coach, ahem Former Coach would still be around or that Michigan would go back to how they were in the early years.  I think that it is comical and I could name a bunch of other Michigan players who were once Buckeye targets.  Jabrill Peppers, Jake Butt, and so on and so fourth.  They made careers out of what they had accomplished, but until you guys can consistently beat the Scarlet and Gray, (shrug).

The Waiting Game:

This will be a weekend to watch.  As opposed to putting hope out there and hoping that Penn State would help us out, it is just laughable right now.  I want to believe but we will just have to see.  Either way, I see the Buckeyes still getting a great bowl game.  Either way, here’s to hoping for the Football gods to answer.

Welcome back to my weekly column, A Look Around the Country. I’m highlighting notable games from the previous week, the week ahead and of course, the Heisman and Playoff race. Special features include an in-depth look at the Ohio State and a Michigan update, mainly for folks to bask in their misfortunes. Feel free to comment with your opinions, I hope you enjoy!

Notable Games Last Week

Michigan State 17, Ohio State 14

Welp, the Buckeyes were not able to overcome questionable play calling and terrible weather and dropped their first game since September 2014. The loss all but destroys Ohio State’s playoff hopes unless mayhem ensues the next 2 weeks. Michigan State finds themselves in the driver’s seat in the Big Ten East and with a win over Penn State, they will face Iowa in the Big Ten Championship with a trip to the Playoff on the line.

Baylor 45, Oklahoma State 35

Down goes another Big 12 playoff favorite as the Bears knocked off the Cowboys Saturday in Stillwater. Now the only hope for that conference remains with Oklahoma as a win over Oklahoma State would give them a great chance to make the Playoff.

Oklahoma 30, TCU 29

Oklahoma barely escaped TCU and will face the Oklahoma State Cowboys this week for the potential right to go to the Playoff.

Ole Miss 38, LSU 17

After the 3rd straight loss for the Tigers, it appears that the Les Miles era at LSU will be coming to an end at the conclusion of this season. Miles has one National Title in Baton Rouge and his firing will add just another name to the list for head coaching vacancies across the country.

Big Games This Week

Ohio State at Michigan

The greatest rivalry in sports will kick off for the 112th time this Saturday in Ann Arbor with the long awaited match up of Meyer vs Harbaugh, Part I. Ohio State’s playoff hopes are on life support with a New Year’s Six Bowl their likely destination unless they drop this one. Michigan has been playing inspired all season and let’s be honest, this Saturday’s game is all their fans, players, and coaches have been thinking about since Jim Harbaugh was hired. This will be an all out war like it always has been and I cannot wait to watch. There is just nothing like watching Scarlet and Gray clash with Maize and Blue. There is nothing else like it in the world. Woody and Bo will be smiling down onto Michigan Stadium come noon on Saturday.

Saturday, November 28 at Noon on ABC

Florida at Florida State

One of the best in-state rivalries in the country will take place in Tallahassee with Florida’s playoff hopes on the line. If the Gators are able to win this one, then beat Alabama in the SEC Title Game, it will be difficult to keep them out of the playoff. But the Noles have been waiting for this one all year and with it being at Doak, I give them the edge.

Saturday, November 28 at 7:30pm on ESPN

Notre Dame at Stanford

The Irish can likely clinch a playoff berth this Saturday with a win over Stanford, who has been no slouch this season. The only way the Irish are left out of the playoff after a win would be if everyone in front of them were to win, as well as Oklahoma. It would then come down to the playoff committee to decide. I think the Irish win and set up a rematch with Clemson down in the Orange Bowl. We shall see.

Saturday, November 28 at 7:30pm on FOX

Oklahoma at Oklahoma State

Bedlam! Playoff hopes will be on the line at Boone Pickens Stadium with the Sooners needing a win and some help from other teams across the country to make it into the playoff. The Cowboys controlled their own destiny but could not escape last weekend’s game with Baylor. I think Oklahoma State wins and the Big 12 will yet again be left on the outside looking in.

Saturday, November 28 at 8pm on ABC

That Team Up North Update

If you don’t know what this week is or what it means, get the hell out of here.

Heisman Watch

1. Derrick Henry, Alabama

Unless Henry has the worst game imaginable and Baker Mayfield goes off for 1000 yards, the Heisman Trophy will be headed to Tuscaloosa for the second time.

My Playoff if the Season Ended Today

*Editor’s Note: This will be a volatile poll every week based on performance in the past week and resume to date, very similar to the Playoff Committee.

1. Clemson

2. Alabama

3. Iowa

4. Notre Dame

Just Missed the Cut

5. Michigan State

6. Oklahoma

7. Baylor

8. Ohio State

9. Florida

10. Stanford

Welcome back to my weekly column, A Look Around the Country. I’m highlighting notable games from the previous week, the week ahead and of course, the Heisman and Playoff race. Special features include an in-depth look at the Ohio State and a Michigan update, mainly for folks to bask in their misfortunes. Feel free to comment with your opinions, I hope you enjoy!

Notable Games Last Week

Alabama 31, Mississippi State 6

Alabama was able to run by the Bulldogs in their last true test until their game with Florida in the SEC Title Game (that is of course you count Florida as a test). I guess you can never count out Auburn when it comes to the Iron Bowl but it would be a major upset if they were able to pull off the victory. The Tide will be back in the playoff.

Oklahoma 44, Baylor 34

Down goes another Big 12 undefeated as Oklahoma was able to unseat the Bears in Waco. It appears that both TCU and Baylor will be yet again left out of the playoff. The Big 12’s only hope now lies on either an undefeated Oklahoma State (who would be guaranteed to be in with an unbeaten record) or Oklahoma (who would be fighting with the Irish for that last spot if it were to win out). At this point, I will give the Sooners the slight edge.

Big Games This Week

Michigan State at Ohio State

The preseason is finally over for the Buckeyes as Mark Dantonio and the Spartans come into Ohio Stadium for a chance to knock Ohio State out of the playoff and Big Ten picture. Michigan State has had plenty of injuries this season but maybe none could be as costly as the throwing shoulder of Connor Cook. Without much of a running game, Sparty could be in huge trouble fast if Cook is unable to go. The Spartan defensive line is dangerous though and will stack the line to keep Zeke Elliott in check so J.T. Barrett and the Buckeye receiving corps will have to be on their game. It will be late November in the Horseshoe….be excited.

Saturday, November 21 at 3:30pm on ABC

Baylor at Oklahoma State

The Big 12 round robin continues with the Bears headed to Stillwater to take on the Cowboys. A Baylor win would put all hopes for a Big 12 playoff team in the hands of Oklahoma. I do expect Okie State to win, especially because of their great home field advantage and the fact that Baylor is coming off of a devastating loss. A win here for the Cowboys sets up one of the most anticipated versions of Bedlam in years.

Saturday, November 21 at 7:30pm on FOX

TCU at Oklahoma

The other important Big 12 game this week features TCU and Oklahoma. The Horned Frogs are theoretically eliminated from playoff contention but can ruin the Sooners hopes as they travel to Norman. Oklahoma QB, Baker Mayfield has turned himself into a Heisman candidate and that will continue this weekend. Oklahoma will roll into their Bedlam matchup with Oklahoma State.

Saturday, November 21 at 8pm on ABC

Michigan Update

Michigan was able to escape Bloomington with a win over Indiana in double OT and now only have Penn State standing in their way between them and the Buckeyes. We are almost to Beat Michigan Week.

Heisman Watch

1. Derrick Henry, Alabama

2. Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State

3. Leonard Fournette, LSU

4. Deshaun Watson, Clemson

5. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma

My Playoff if the Season Ended Today

*Editor’s Note: This will be a volatile poll every week based on performance in the past week and resume to date, very similar to the Playoff Committee.

1. Ohio State

2. Clemson

3. Alabama

4. Oklahoma State

Just Missed the Cut

5. Notre Dame

6. Iowa

7. Oklahoma

8. Michigan State

9. Florida

10. Baylor