Big Win Over That Team Up North; Plus, Who Cares About Miley and WVU?

According to whichever foolish celebrity news outlets you choose to listen, Miley Cyrus is 16.

Who cares?

Not me. I was too busy calling a high school football playoff game while learning THE Ohio State Buckyes fully throttled that team up north and its first-year coach in the most lopsided outcome of this rivalry in 30 years.

I don't care what the people in Hollywood are doing because their pathetic lives pale in comparison to college football. Nlo star in Hollywood is worth my time unless they suit up and play for the Buckeyes.

Not Miley, not Madonna, and certainly not Britney Spears.

My stars are Jim Tressel and company, and man, did they shine in the second half against "that team" and its coach. Beanie Wells, of course, broke his annual big run against that team as well.

I'm hearing this could've been his last rivalry game, but I'm hoping that is just a rumor.

Anyhow, this was an unprecendented fifth straight win for the Buckeyes over that team up north, and that team's coach was, as usual, in denial. In case you didn't catch that coach's comments, let me be the first to tell you that he considers this just a one-game winning streak.

Unless he gets fired, he'll likely be around for four more losses to Ohio State and then maybe he'll accept it for what it is. Anyhow, this thrashing couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

Also, I'm glad West Virginia fans continue to think they have any logical reasons to hate the Buckeyes, because, even if they hate "that coach", he's a WVU alum and Ohio State thoroughly embarassed him.

I wonder if Fred Earley was thrilled with 42-7 and will still root against the Bucks. Maybe yesterday's game will make Earley and the rest of WVU's fans to go join that state up north in being quiet for another 365 days.

I'll be cheering on Pitt in the Backyard Brawl and waiting to see where the Buckeyes go in January.

Across The Field by Justin Hearn is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at drivedriveondownthefield.blogspot.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://drivedriveondownthefield.blogspot.com/.

They'll Be Jumping in the Lake Thursday

I'll admit that I have been a participant in the craziest of all M*CH*G*N week traditions because there's nothing more uncomfortably comfortable than ice water in 20-degree weather in late November.

I last made the Mirror Lake Jump in 2004...and I've since retired. Not only because I graduated from Ohio State, but because it's no longer necessary to do so.

Anyhow, thousands of Buckeye students will brave the cold and risk hypothermia as they celebrate the last stage of Beat Michigan Week (an unsanctioned event, mind you) before The Game.

Legend holds that if you jump in on even years, you stay out of the water on odd years. According to legend, I'd be obligated to make the jump if I were still there this year.

By the way, even if you're only in for five minutes, it feels like pins and needles constantly stabbing your legs and other important parts of your anatomy. You will not gather your breath for another ten minutes after escaping the arctic climate.

If you've never been to one of these jumps even as a bystander, you do not understand how loud it is at these events, either. The cheering is constant and carries on as if Ohio State just scored the first touchdown of the game.

I've included several pictures documenting jumps of years past and what the beautiful Mirror Lake looks like before and as the jumping happens.

My friend, Dawn Durkot, actually covered this event in 2006.

Across The Field by Justin Hearn is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at drivedriveondownthefield.blogspot.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://drivedriveondownthefield.blogspot.com/.

THE GAME Preview: That Team Up North At 10 Ohio State

No rivalry in the history of sports compares to this one.

Period

This year, The Game is a little lackluster in hype as it isn't going to be the marquee game on the slate. Maybe it's because that team up north comes in with its historic losing record or because Ohio State isn't in the running for a national title.

Regardless, this is still Ohio State-M*CH*G*N, and this is the championship. This is the season for both of these teams.

And I don't care if they both came into this rivalry 0-11--you beat Michigan, and you're golden (pants).

All the talk is squarely on Rich Rodriguez who should consider his public image since even quiet Mark Dantonio refuses to root for his team in order to claim sole possession of the Big Ten Championship.

If there is one person who does not deserve to win this game, it is Rodriguez because he has no morals and coaches that team up north.

I try not to downgrade M*CH*G*N too much because I believe that doing so could backfire and cause harm to the Buckeyes; but, I truly wouldn't root for that team unless it suited up to go play the Bush administration.

Early predictions indicate that the No.10 Buckeyes will steamroll M*CH*G*N, but I know better than to expect that. They really haven't steamrolled the Wolverines since 2004 when, ironically, Ohio State was the underdog. That game set off a three-game winning streak by Troy Smith and company.

It is pretty clear now that Terrelle Pryor thrives on rivalries, but he kind of overdid it against Penn State. This time, though, he will not be trying to prove anything to the folks back home. He'll (hopefully) come out ready to show the Wolverines what's in store for the next three years.

Meanwhile, the game changer for Ohio State has to be Beanie Wells who single-handedly beat the Wolverines last year. Beanie will have to be on the mark if Pryor and the receivers are to get some breathing room.

Interestingly, while Pryor and Rodriguez are introduced to this rivalry, you can look across the sidelines and learn that no active Wolverine has experienced a win in this rivalry. That doesn't hurt my feelings and won't if they don't win this weekend, either.

Still, you have to throw out all records and realize that it's 0-0 when you play that team up north. This is why players come to these schools and fans love this rivalry--it's just the way it always has been and always will be.

Let's enjoy THE GAME this Saturday, and GO BUCKS!!!

Across The Field by Justin Hearn is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at drivedriveondownthefield.blogspot.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://drivedriveondownthefield.blogspot.com/.

Pryor Taunts Classless Illini Fans With 30-20 Win As BEAT M*CH*G*N Week Begins

It's no secret that Terrelle Pryor is the best thing to happen to Ohio State's 2008 season, and I absolutely love his spunk, his grit, and his talent.

This dude is the real deal, and he thrives on making the other team's fans pull their hair out. The revenge win against Illinois couldn't have happened to a nicer group of people.

Illinois has some of the most classless fans in all of college sports, and it's nice to bring the Illibuck trophy back where it belongs even if it is an ugly, wooden turtle.

Now, Pryor will get his first taste of the that team up north, and hopefully that team's first taste of Pryor will be a bitter one. I'll have more on The Game later this week.

Pryor is going to be the man for a long time at Ohio State, so the rival fans had better get used to some serious taunting on and off the field from the Buckeyes' new "it" player.


Across The Field by Justin Hearn is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at drivedriveondownthefield.blogspot.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://drivedriveondownthefield.blogspot.com/.

BCS Projections

It's November and that means it's time to get out the calculators and start figuring who will go to which bowl.

This entire BCS System is a nightmare, but bowl season is a unique beast in and of itself. Still, it's time to begin projecting the five BCS bowl games and who will be playing in them.


BCS Championship Game:

I knew as soon as Alabama began struggling with LSU last week that this BCS Championship was gift-wrapped for Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators--a team that lost to Ole Miss not too long ago. Texas will probably make it back into title contention after Oklahoma wipes out Texas Tech. Oklahoma, though, won't be able to motor into the Big 12 Championship Game against Missouri. Texas will take care of the Tigers and then probably give way to the Gators in Miami just when it looked like the SEC was down and out.


Rose Bowl Game:

As much as I hated the pounding USC gave Ohio State, I really wasn't too keen on Penn State's choke job to Iowa even though the Nits' beat the Buckeyes. Penn State will take care of business against Sparty in two weeks, and Oregon State will stumble in its bid to keep USC out of the Rose Bowl. This game will be a battle of (two)teams that beat the Buckeyes during the regular season.

Fiesta Bowl:

It's not exactly a matchup you see everyday, but this one is a big if--and I mean BIG. That's because Ohio State is going to have to get past Illinois and Michigan--two rivals--in order to have any chance at a BCS bowl. Personally, I think you're asking Terrelle Pryor to do a lot here. Oh, and by the way, I don't see Texas Tech keeping up too much momentum. If Oklahoma beats Tech, then the Sooners will meet the Buckeyes for the first time since the early 1990s.

Orange Bowl:

Could you have umagined these two teams in a BCS bowl before the season started? Me neither. This is still going to be the least intriguing bowl of the postseason.

Sugar Bowl:

Well, isn't this lovely? It's the SEC's bowl game right in SEC territory. For all the fans in the bayou who hate Nick Saban, I suggest you prepare yourself. I fully expect the Tide to wind up here in a consolation prize after losing to Florida in the SEC title game. Boise State, meanwhile, will get to see if it can live up to its 2006 Fiesta Bowl miracle against a solid team from the "toughest conference in the nation."

So there they are--my projections for the 2008 BCS bowls. They are open to debate, and you may or may not like my ideas. I don't select the bowls, but if I did, these are the matchups I'd take if available. Unfortunately, sometimes money is worth more to the selection committees than great entertainment (which logically equals ratings which, in turn, equal more money).

10 Ohio State At Illinois Preview

I understand that Illinois (5-5) might be considered a disappointment to the rest of the college football world, but for some reason, that team always has a chip on its shoulder when the Buckeyes come calling.

Could be that before the Big Ten instituted a rotating schedule, Illinois was one the Buckeyes' main rivals.

You may be familiar with the Illibuck tradtion that chronicles this rivalry's history. Well, the previous game's winner keeps the wooden turtle until the next meeting.

Unfortunately Illinois has the trophy, and they have no plans on giving it back anytime soon.

You see, Ron Zook always feels the need to prove a point against the Buckeyes, and he did so last year as he guided his team to an upset of then-No.1 in the Horseshoe. The Zooker again wants to prove that his team, which is batting 500 on the season, really is better than advertised.

I can't say that I blame him. Ohio State clearly underestimated Juice Williams and company last season. The Illini play for pride, and it's clear they wake up for Ohio State.

I'll be honest--this is just one of those teams I simply cannot stand. I don't care for Zook, and I don't like the way that team carries itself under his direction. About the only thing I like about the Fighting Illini is that their school is mighty close to that toddlin' town, Chicago.

I have good reason to hold a grudge against them; but, I'm fair enough, as always to give them credit. They outplayed the Bucks last year and deserved to win even with that questionable fumble.

My grudge also stems from the 2002 encounter when the Illini almost derailed Ohio State's championship season, and a deja vu 2006 matchup in which they almost prevented the Buckeyes from reaching the Game of the Century with that team to the north.

For some reason, these cats (in recent years) only seem to play with fire against Ohio State. They didn't when the Buckeyes dismantled them three years ago, but I expect them to come at us full force this year--especially with a neat quarterback battle to watch.

This is a must-win game for Ohio State if it has any hope to gain another Big Ten crown and possible BCS bowl berth. Illinois could be fighting for its postseason life, too.

That 28-21 loss last year eats at me more than it should any normal football fan, but I can't lie and say it left a great taste in my mouth. I don't want to have another helping this year.

The Buckeyes must squeeze the Juice, but that's going to be a tall, tall order.

If Andre Ware Doesn't Like 45-10, Then Yank Him Out of the Booth

Andre Ware didn't like the fact that Ohio State "ran up the score" on Northwestern, and apparently neither did Jim Tressel.

Tressel's reaction to the final touchdown with maybe eight seconds left in the game was one of disgust, anger, and remorse.

Andre Ware of ESPN just used the opportunity to criticize the Buckeyes. If Ware disagrees with the plays, then he needs to step away from the booth and let me handle the color commentary. Besides, I actually have an education in broadcasting and can be objective since that's the ethical thing to do.

Anyhow, I don't see the need for the team to apologize for increasing the score. These guys play to win, and they need to score every once in a while to gain some confidence. They certainly did plenty of scoring Nov. 8 in their 45-10 rout of Northwestern.

You know, teams like Jokelahoma, Texas, USC, and most of the rest of the Big 12 love to run up the score. I also didn't hear Ware or Brent Musberger complaining when USC tried to run the score up on Ohio State.

I also heard silence from the rest of the college football world when Florida tallied the points unnecessarily on Georgia. People seem to forget that Tressel opted to run out the clock inside Michigan's ten yard line last year to preserve a 14-3 win.

Perhaps people are just hypocrites in general. I think that's the likelier case.

Maybe one day, college football personalities like Ware and Mark May will save us all the headaches and put corks in their mouths.

Ray Small's Dad Is An Anus

Breaking news: Ray Small has been suspended from the Ohio State lineup apparently for skipping class.

Now, his idiotic father claims Ohio State is trying to ruin Ray's career. Wait, what?!

First off, it is Ray's obligation to get an education. Second, his father is obviously a horse's anus and I can't put that in any nicer terms.

Ray Small is obviously lazy, and his father apparently just expects handouts so he can ride his son's coat tails to fame and fortune. Hey, have a father like this guy and you certainly wouldn't need enemies.

The reason kids act the way they do today anyhow is because parent like this guy don't teach responsibility. The attitude is, "Well, I'm a Buckeye football player and I am above everything else."

The Small family can just keep on dreaming. I am so sick of people not owning up and taking responsibility. Ray Small has an opportunity that most people never get, and it is his R-E-S-P-O-N-S-I-B-I-L-I-T-Y to make sure he keeps it.

Besides, other people will gladly take the spot he and his father seem to not deserve. Interestingly enough, Small's jersey number is 82--which means he doesn't get to wear the coveted single-number jersey. Notice that he was once No. 4. Hmmm...

Remember, if you find yourself in the doghouse, then you probably deserve to be there.

12 Ohio State at 24 Northwestern Preview

Who would have thought that both Ohio State and Northwestern would be ranked in the AP Top 25 coming into this contest?

Four years ago, Northwestern upset then-No.6 Ohio State in Evanston, and the Wildcats will be looking to do the same in 2008. They come into this game buoyed by an interception-fueled victory over Minnesota last week.

C.J. Bacher is likely to start for Northwestern, and he hasn't had much success against the Buckeyes. There is, however, one problem that could face Ohio State in this game--Mike Kafka.

Kafka was impressive against Minnesota and is a dual run-pass threat for the Wildcats. The thing is, this is the same Minnesota team that Ohio State throttled before letting up late to make the final score closer than what the game really was. Ohio State won 34-21.

Ohio State comes off a loss to Penn State in which the Buckeyes had control late before Terrelle Pryor fumbled while attempting to try and put the game away. I can't say that I blame him for his effort, but his poor attitude after the game is something he'll need to discard. I will have to say that I love how Pryor ripped on ESPN's Mark May earlier this year.

The Buckeyes' defense has been steadily improving and it beat up on Bacher the last time Ohio State was in Evanston in 2006. It'll need to clamp down on both Bacher and Kafka.

With Tyrell Sutton out, the Buckeyes' lone running threat will probably be from Kafka. I look for this to still be a tough game. The Buckeyes will need to successfully navigate the three remaining tests if they're to have any chance at a BCS bowl.

They'll also need to be rooting for Oklahoma State to upset Texas Tech or LSU to upset 'Bama this week, too.

Images courtesy the athletic departments of The Ohio State University and Northwestern University.

The Only Time I'd Ever Root For Michigan is if It Played The Bush Administration

First, let me say that this is the most political post you'll ever see from me, and I'm going to milk it for all it's worth.

I am not an overtly political person and never intend to be. However, I must deviate from Ohio State for just a moment and address the political landscape.

If you didn't think Barack Obama was going to be the next president, then you either live under a rock or are one of the 26 people who still think Bush is doing a good job.

I'm neither hardcore liberal nor conservative, but I know a bad president when I see one, and Bush fits the bill. It's bad enough to raise gas prices, but to enter a senseless war just so you can get the oil in Iraq and make a profit is ridiculous. Our troops deserve better, and I stand behind them no matter what--just not Bush.

Our troops are incredible men and women, and they are true heroes unlike these foolish celebrities like Lindsay Lohan.

Also, the thing that irritates me most about Bush is that he makes a mockery of God by invoking God's name. Don't kid yourself--Bush is not a Christian.

Also, I heard a woman in church last week offer people rides to the polling station. That's great, but she had to go on and criticize Obama and his supporters (some of whom were in that service judging by bumper stickers on cars) directly after that. She should have just stopped at "polling station."

Church, in my mind, is really no place for people like that woman to stand up on a soap box and condemn everybody else. Church is supposed to help people. It's too bad too many churches have forgotten that, but that's another topic for another day.

Anyhow, I am interested to see how Obama will do. Obviously, it's impossible for him to come through on every campaign promise. Still, if he really does have a passion for this country and helping unite the United States again, then I'm all for it.

By the way, I think Obama will do just fine. If you didn't vote, though, keep your mouth shut if the candidate(s) you wanted to win failed. You don't vote, you lose your voice. Learn it.

Finally, it's nice to see Larry Steinel ousted as Washington County Commissioner. Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

Anyhow, Jim Tressel did not win the presidential race, and that saddens me. Still, he'll be coaching against Northwestern this weekend.

The Psychological Advantage of Ohio State

I must give a pat on the back to my favorite department at Ohio State--the Ohio State Department of Psychology.

Ohio State has ranked the doctoral program among the best of the best on campus. That means the program ranks with the likes of the prolific and renowned political science program (which at one point was the fourth best in the world).

The 12 rated as “high quality” stand out in terms of their planning, focus and potential to enhance the standing of the university, according to a university release.

The program also ranks in the top ten in number of citations of work published from 2002-2004. I was a research assistant with the program in 2004, so that's a pretty sweet deal.

Psychology was and may still be the most popular major at Ohio State, and if it continues to rake in these accolades, it could overtake engineering as the best overall major. Chemistry, however, will remain the most challenging with engineering, math, and psychology all close behind.

'Bama in First? 1993, Is That You?

Alabama has rolled to the top of the rankings, and Penn State gets the shaft from Texas Tech.

That's my take on the latest rankings. I suppose, though, when you're idle, you can't expect to move up. I sincerely hope Penn State makes it to the BCS Championship Game.

If Penn State doesn't make it to that game, Ohio State, should it win out, won't go to a BCS bowl for the first time since 2004.  We certainly don't want that.

I feel that Penn State got a little bit of a shaft because beating the No.1 team on a last-second play should not automatically make Texas Tech world beaters. Besides, they still have to play the Overrated Sooners.

My prediction is that Penn State will run the table and go play for the crystal football LIKE IT DESERVES. I don't see 'Bama getting through that SEC slate. It just seems like so many teams are peaking right now and anything could happen.

That is, after all, why we love college football so much.