11W Weekend Update: Sponsored by BCS Position
They need to lose, but you gotta like this guy.While the Buckeyes take the weekend off, here are the teams you need to be cheering for in order for the scarlet and gray to move up in the polls and solidify their bowl position.
There are only two top 25 matchups, but the three teams directly ahead of OSU play on the road and any loss by them will help the Vest’s team tremendously.
National Games
#5 Florida at #8 Georgia, 3:30PM – CBS
The world’s largest outdoor cocktail party comes back to Jacksonville, with first place in the SEC East on the line. Georgia took down Florida last year 42-30 and riled up Gator Nation with their celebration after the first score. The war of words has been quiet thus far, but Urban Meyer proclaimed Knowshon Moreno’s play has made his quarterback better. However, Meyer has given his own team a gag order this week.
The winner obviously has the driver’s seat to the SEC title game, with the loser having their national title hopes squashed. I think Florida is playing the better ball right now, putting up 112 points the last two weeks, so a Georgia loss seems like it would help the Buckeyes more.
#1 Texas at # 6 Texas Tech, 8:00PM – ABC
The biggest game ever to hit Lubbock is in primetime and this should be a high scoring affair, as TT is averaging 48 points and Texas is averaging 46 points. Some people are not sold on Texas Tech yet, as their toughest challenge has come from Kansas, a 63-21 win last week. After this game the Red Raiders take on Oklahoma State and Oklahoma in consecutive weeks, so I hope they lose Saturday and at least one of the next two to help the Bucks.
Texas is the best team in the country and if they get past this one, they only have Kansas, Baylor and Texas A&M before the Big 12 title game. This is a big game for Colt McCoy, he is the front runner for the Heisman and a poor performance could shoot down his dreams. He comes in completing over 82% of his passes and is the Horns leading rusher. I expect to see at least 800 yards of total offense in this one, so sit back and enjoy some offense (for once) in the Buckeye’s off week.
Nebraska at #4 Oklahoma, 8:00PM – ESPN
This game may not have much bearing on Ohio State’s chances of getting to a BCS game, but Buckeye alum Bo Pellini gets his first chance to take down the mighty Sooners. Nebraska is tied for first in the Big 12 North and a win here could help turn this program around. A loss for the Sooners would erase them from the national title picture, but something tells me they would still be ranked ahead of OSU.
#11 Boise State at New Mexico State, 7:00PM
#12 TCU at UNLV, 8:00PM
#10 Utah at New Mexico, 9:30PM
None of these games are on national TV, but they all have major implications for the Buckeyes BCS chances. Ohio State needs at least two of these teams to lose over the next four weeks and with Utah facing off against TCU next week, a Boise loss Saturday would be perfect.
Boise State doesn’t face any type of challenge the rest of the season and I doubt they get one against the 3-4 Aggies, but anything can happen in the crazy state of New Mexico and the lack of blue turf just may throw them off.
Big Ten Games
Northwestern at #17 Minnesota, 12:00PM – ESPN2
Minnesota is looking to tie Ohio State for second place in the Big Ten standings with a home win over the ailing Wildcats. Who would have thought at the beginning of the year, this is where the Gophers would be at this point in the season. Don’t look now, but Minny has a realistic chance to finish this season 11-1. Three (Michigan and Iowa) of their final four are at home, with an away game at Wisconsin on November 15th.
Can you believe that the Gophers may go from being 1-11 to 11-1? They got off the hook by not having to face Penn State or Michigan State, which can skew any record a bit, but props to Tight End Tim and the turn around he has done in Minnesota.
This brings back the argument of the Big Ten’s scheduling. I’m of the opinion that one OOC game be eliminated and each team should have to face 9 conference teams. With all due respect to Minny, they have played one ranked team all year, OSU and 11-1 potentially sets them up to get destroyed in a bowl game by an SEC team on Jan. 1st. What are your feelings towards the scheduling?
Wisconsin at #22 Michigan State, 12:00PM – ESPN
This is an upset alert. After two straight weeks against Ohio St. and Michigan, the Spartans welcome a Badger team that got their first conference win last week against Illinois. With both teams favoring the run and the new clock rules, this game might be over before 2PM. OSU needs MSU to pull off a victory here and continue to climb the polls. At least this gives you a couple of games to flip between during the early afternoon.
Seriously, do we want to play a BCS game with our O line?
Decent slate this week. Texas-TT game should be good, hopefully it’s a tight shootout… kinda want to see the Red Raiders win, just want to screw the polls up, and I’m craving for an upset after no real ones last week. UGA-UF, I honestly can’t bring myself to watch an SEC game from beginning to end ever. I’ll flip over and check the score every so often, but it doesn’t really interest me.
Also you can check out Michigan vs Purdue on BTN if you want to see some pure ugly.
Oh, and while Minnesota’s turnaround is commendable, the thought of that squad going to the Rose Bowl (it’s possible) is sickening.
BuckeyeChief-
Personally I would love to play in a BCS game every year. I know our Oline is struggling right now, but perhaps that extra month of practice would do them good. Plus I think they need to get redemption for the last two BCS games.
“Seriously, do we want to play a BCS game with our O line?”
You took the words right off my keyboard. What this team needs most is a solid bowl win over a beatable opponent. But even if they fall into the Capital One, they’re looking at the also-ran in the SEC. Gawd help them if that happens.
Remember the good old days, when Oklahoma/Nebraska was played on the same weekend as Ohio State/m*ch*g*n? That was a real event back then. I miss those games.
Its hard to block if the other team knows the play call.
That said bring on the Outback bowl or Capital One bowl. I’ll get a chance to go see these boys kick some sec ass. Last year I went to the Outback bowl here in tampa (wisconsin vs Tenn) and You couldn’t give these tickets away. I was shocked how weak both fan bases were.
We could be looking at Georgia, Florida, LSU. I like the sound of that. We need to get this offense rolling heading into the bowl game. We should win out 10-2 isn’t bad if your a “Michigan Man”. Our standards are very high. 11-2 with a win over an SEC big boy would be the only way to call this season a success. GO BUCKS!!
Sorry fellas, I know you two may be a bit more realistic, but I never want this program to get to a point where us fans root for bowl games that they can win versus a “beatable opponent.” They may get whooped, but the challenge is always welcomed by me.
However, if you want a beatable opponent in a BCS game, Notre Dame is only 4 wins away from an automatic berth and their games are against Pitt, Boston College, Navy, Syracuse and USC.
Count me in as one who wants the Buckeyes in a BCS bowl.
I do not want to have an tOSU/USC matchup again in the Rose Bowl. Ugh. I’m fine with a BCS bowl, but please, not USC again. The potential of getting beat three times in 12 months by the same team is too much to handle.
Corey is right. If you want respect you have to beat an SEC team. If Penn St wins out and Ohio St wins out it could be a Rose Bowl however I’m pulling for Capital one or Outback. If we lose to the Illini we can lock it up. Go Bucks! keep calling the plays Tressel and bring it home to Florida for my New year.
No doubt, I want to win a BCS game and beat the SEC. The only way to make that happen (IMHO) is to make the o-line start off everyday from November 23rd until Janurary 1st running 3+ miles and then gassers. EVERY DAY.
And no, I don’t want it to get to the point where I root for a winnable bowl game, beating Notre Dame doesn’t prove anything, but the Vest has gotta figure something out.
And just wondering, outside of Tampa Buckeye, are most of you in C-Bus, or Ohio? Like I’ve said before, I am in the Navy. I’ve gotten into fistfights over the scUM game, got my hair butchered by the ship’s barber after the Florida game, and have taken a lot of abuse over the last few years. HOWEVER, my flag is still flying, and I am constantly rocking OSU gear damn near every day.
I live in Albany, NY Chief. My grandpa was from the Glenville area so I was born a buckeye. I take RIDICULOUS amounts of shit up here from everyone, but my wardrobe is 60% Buckeye attire.
Unbelievable. Not to sound like an internet tough guy, but are you guys fucking serious? I will NEVER understand why Buckeye fans would want the Buckeyes playing in any bowl outside of the MNC. Since that is out the window, why wouldn’t you want the Buckeyes in the next best thing? This is college football, not little league baseball. You do not get a ribbon for participation and the only thing you would gain by beating a “beatable” squad in a lower tier bowl would be a false sense of confidence going into next year.
I never thought I would see the day when we were actually afraid to play another team. If the Rose Bowl vs. USC is the best we can still play for, than that is what I want. Sure, we have a better chance of losing, even getting blown out, but I would rather be in that situation than a no win situation like the Capital One or Outback Bowl. Think about it, if you win those games, great “May I present The Ohio State Buckeyes, 2008 Outback Bowl Champions”…..has a nice ring to it (sarcasm). But if you lose….especially to the third or fouth placed SEC team…..
Look, I’m as frustrated as any Buckeye fan over this past season. But to openly root AGAINST the Buckeyes playing in the Rose Bowl is, for lack of a better word, fucking crazy!
I have an idea! Since we have qualified for a bowl, let’s tank the rest of the season and play in a real shit bowl against a team we know we can beat. Then we can ride the victory of the Papa John’s Bowl into an undefeated season next year! But then we might have to play a good team….shit, I’m out of answers.
I could care less what Bowl game we go to at this point. All I want is us to win the game and look good doing it.
I’m sick of looking sloppy and getting ugly wins. The bye week is going to be depressing, not just because the Buckeyes aren’t on, but because I will be forced to watch team that actually execute and look like a college power house… I’m just not up for the reality check this Saturday.
Burlington VT. I have one of my Ohio State sweatshirts on right now. I graduated in 2007. Met my wife at OSU (she is from Zanesville). I never paid attention to college sports until ariving in Columbus in 2002 (boy was I spoiled). People around here don’t know what college sports are (besides UVM Hockey, and that has been a bit of a joke since they had to cancel the season a few years ago due to a hazing scandle).
~Joe
I think we should tank the rest of the season and still hope for a ribbon to put up at WHAC. That would look good next the Heisman trophies and Waterford Crystal.
I’m not “afraid” of the Buckeyes’ playing any SEC team, or any other team, for that matter. What I do fear is the impact on the program if they get smashed – again – by a top-flight opponent.
Anyone thinking that this group, as they stand now, could so much as keep the score close with Florida, Georgia or Alabama is watching a different team than the one I’m seeing.
That said, maybe they could gel a bit in bowl practice. Who knows?
Joe… I think this team has the ability to play with ANYONE in the country. It just comes down to what OSU team shows up that Saturday. Talent wise there is no question in my mind that we can play and beat anyone – Execution is another story.
middle of the carribean here (Dominica, for med school). Graduated in 06 from OSU.
I’m personally rooting for us to win out and play in a BCS game, either Rose or maybe go to columbus south for the fiesta again. Can’t even think about winning it if you’re not even in it. Like someone said earlier, I’d rather go to a BCS bowl 4 years in a row than win the papa john bowl every year.
“I’m not “afraid” of the Buckeyes’ playing any SEC team, or any other team, for that matter. What I do fear is the impact on the program if they get smashed – again – by a top-flight opponent.”
Ditto.
And when I said my hair was butchered, I had an “F” cut into it.
Stating the obvious here but national perception is the reason, Tyler. We are pigeonholed as a team that picks on little ones and tucks it tail in the presence of the powerhouses.
I have people who don’t even watch sports coming up to me all like “So what was up with your Buckeyes this past week LOL”. We’re a household name and not the good kind. And that hurts us in the polls and hurts even more in recruiting.
Would it really hurt all that much to stay under the radar and re-establish ourselves a little bit?
Give me an O-line, keep playing man on D, and I pretty much think we can beat almost anyone…until we get that line, though…
The one and only come back I had after the USC game:
Brother in law: “So did Ohio State win last night? What ws the score?”
Me: “The Yankees are still in 4th place”
BuckeyeChief07,
I too was in the Navy but I was stationed with about 8 guys in my department from Michigan. They would give me crap all year until we beat them each year I was there. I remember having close to 100 guys crammed into the berthing lounge to watch the OSU/Texas game in 2005. We were on the way to Japan at that time. They gave me crap about losing to texas till ScUM got beat by USC. The Navy is a great place to show your loyalties. if you take a picture of yourself in uniform somewhere on the ship and you are holding a buckeye flag you can send it to Jim Tressel and he will but it in his Tressels troops section on his webpage.
ToledoBuckeye
I actually got to meet the Vest and gave him a command ball cap last summer. Completely awesome. Even my wife was amazed. He gave my youngest kid an autographed blanket and me two hats. Good guy.
Also, I laughed at the Texas logic, they stomped us by what, 3 points, whereas we barely won by 17 in ‘06. That was great.
BuckeyeChief07,
Did he come out to the ship or were you in Columbus?
I went to Canton to see the HOF and then went to Columbus.
How long where you in? I am around 12…made Chief at 11…
I did 4 years in the navy. I got out as an E5. I am not at the University of Toledo finishing up my bachelors. We are also still celebrating our victory in the big house!
Awesome. I am still finishing up my AA, trying to jump into an online program at tOSU…I want to finish what I started.
When I was stationed in VA we had Kevin Greene and Donnie Shell come to the ship along with the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders. I also got to meet Jessica Simpson, Aerosmith, 3 Doors Down and Gary Senise. Unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to meet Tressel yet.
I made a bunch of calls and got hooked up, met him at the WHAC. I didn’t know they moved Buckeye Grove though, and I couldn’t find it, which sucked.
“Stating the obvious here but national perception is the reason, Tyler. We are pigeonholed as a team that picks on little ones and tucks it tail in the presence of the powerhouses.”
Isn’t beating an average team in an average bowl just going to reinforce this sentiment? Outside of snapping the streak, are we really going to win back national respect because we beat a 3 or 4 loss SEC team?
Don’t get me wrong Flip, I hear what you are saying, and I understand how devestating another big game beatdown could be, but we are going to be in the spotlight regardless, and the “respect” you seek isn’t going to be gained by beating on the South Carolinas and Kansas’ of the world. Personally, I could care less what people in Georgia think about the Buckeyes. I really don’t care what Ivan Maisel or Stewart Mandel think of the Buckeyes either. I know our perception is a factor in the polls and voting, but if the Buckeyes win all their games that is instantly irrelevant.
Bottom line, you have to be in the big games in order to win them. Maybe I’m in the minority here, just not ready to concede the season because this team didn’t turn out to be world beaters I had envisioned cheering for at the beginning of the year.
To me, it isn’t the fact that we aren’t world beaters, more the fact that
A) Our O line is horrific
B) We have no return game (Where have you gone, Ginn and Holmes?)
C) Who is our kicker and why?
D) Is our Defense here to stay?
That being said, I am not ready to concede anything, but winning a mediocre bowl game is better than getting beat down, again. 2004 Alamo Bowl, anyone?
and remind me who we played in that alamo bowl? I remember beating kansas and notre dame in fiesta bowls, and everyone remembers the MNC games against miami, florida, and LSU. You remember the fiesta bowls, but you win a small game like the alamo bowl and not as many people are gonna remember it, so it’s not gonna have as much of an impact on national perception. It’ll give us ammo in defending tressel, but that’s about it imho.
just looked it up, i guess it was oklahoma state with a 7-4 record… is that really going to get us any more respect? I’d rather get a chance to beat a good opponent than risk losing to a mid-level opponent.
and yes, i meant kansas state, i could see the little wildcat in my head, but wrote kansas anyways
You gotta be in it to win it, no doubt. But the question remains, CAN we win it? You gotta ask the O line.
@ Vermont Buckeye-
If you run into Trey Anastasio or any other member of Phish, tell them Chris and I said what’s up. Super pumped they are coming back to play some shows. This is the only time I have been disappointed that Germain amphitheater shut down.
Oklahoma State. Forget the Alamo. If this team wins out they play in the Rose or Capital one. We all should be hoping for a Capital One Bowl.
Chief the line is fine its the play calling. With 8 or 9 in the box you can’t block everyone. CREATIVITY is lacking we have burners Saine, and Flash both 10 second hundred meter guys and they get one touch a game? The tight end looked good vs Michigan state but we totally forgot about him vs Penn st.?
The best way to go into next year is run these next 3 games and beat LSU, Fla or Georgia in the Capital One bowl.
Don’t ask the O line. They think they are all first round draft picks and blame everyone except themselves for this team’s struggles.
And Ted Ginn beat Okie St. in the ‘04 Alamo Bowl, everyone else just watched the show.
I’m listening to 1460 at work right now (@ 1615 hours). Is anyone else listening right now?
Is it me, or does Hooley totally rip off this site for show topics? Yesterday, I swear Spiels and Hooley ripped off a whole thread and used it.
Bizarre.
Esp. Boone.
I know..they talked about whether or not Bollman should get canned all day yesterday.
What was their verdict? And does Spiels ever talk about coaching about the Buckeyes? I still don’t get why he ain’t on staff.
i mean coaching for the buckeyes
Hire Herbie for offense and Spiels for defense. That would be sick.
Anyone see the Coaches poll for bball. Buckeyes no where to be found? I’m kinda shocked because florida is ranked. The Buckeyes return Lighty, Turner, Dallas, Diebler and are bringing in the #1 player in the nation in Mullens and 3 other top recruits. Also 2 quality transfers. Is this the other coaches hating on Ohio State and Matta because he is killing them in recruiting?
I think OSU got about 54 points, they were about 3 or 4 teams from being ranked 25th. I don’t know, after last year I’m going to stay on the fence until I become a true believer in this year’s crew.
Spiels on defense would be awesome. I don’t know if Herbie would do well in a coaching role, but who knows.
“This brings back the argument of the Big Ten’s scheduling. I’m of the opinion that one OOC game be eliminated and each team should have to face 9 conference teams. With all due respect to Minny, they have played one ranked team all year, OSU and 11-1 potentially sets them up to get destroyed in a bowl game by an SEC team on Jan. 1st. What are your feelings towards the scheduling?”
Corey- I’m a fan of playing more Big Ten games. However, your proposition is impossible. Each Big Ten team CANNOT play 9 games, it’s mathematically impossible.
See, if each team played 9 games, that’s 11 teams playing 9 games each, for a total of 99 results(each team would have a total of 9 results). However, a conference is a zero-sum game…..meaning that the conference’s combined winning percentage must be exactly .500. For that to happen, the conference would have 44.5 wins and 44.5 losses. Obviously, you cannot have half a win and half a loss.
The Pac 10 can play 9 games each because 10 teams*9 results=90 results. A conference must have an even number of results.
All of this means that either the Big Ten must play 8 conference games(like we do now) or 10 conference games(playing everyone). If they went to 10 conference games, that would leave only 2 OOC games, and you’d see the demise of the Big OOC games(Texas, USC, Miami, VaTech, Oklahoma, etc.) because we’d have 7 home games one year and 6 the next.
Simply put, it won’t happen.
I don’t care if they hire Spiels to be the waterboy, as long as that man is in the locker room I’m happy. A guy that loves Ohio State that much, demands that much intensity, AND brings the fear of God with him? Yep, that’s pretty much exactly what I want for this team. He would pretty much have every Buckeye team ready to rip the oppossition to pieces.
I really hope Northwestern beats Minny this week. OSU needs to get 2nd outright. A tie with Minny would be worse than kissing your sister.
I hope they get to go to the best bowl game possible, but man, I’m worried about another national embarrassment under the lights. It would be nice to exorcise that demon.
Did anyone realize that Penn State has the week off also? That could either be a big help or a big problem.
One other worthless bit of info. I read an article in the Dispatch online, and it mentioned that Earle Bruce once said if he couldn’t call plays, that he may as well just go sit down behind the bench and smoke cigarettes…
“Is it me, or does Hooley totally rip off this site for show topics? Yesterday, I swear Spiels and Hooley ripped off a whole thread and used it.”
As far as 1460, I swear I called in 2-3 weeks ago, and when I asked the question before they put me on air, it took them 20 minutes before they put me on, and then they hemmed and hawed instead of answering.
Put me in the camp that wants to win a bowl game more than say we were able to get destroyed on national TV again
I would rather win a non-descript game that is forgotten than have another high profile, big-game beatdown again . another huge loss in a MNC puts this program FURTHER AWAY FROM WINNING ANOTHER MNC. If you guys want to win the title, which I do, then playing in a BCS game this year is not what you want.
it is not so much the respect gained by winning a lower level bowl, as much as the negative national chatter will finally go away a little. there will be another loser of a MNC (hopefully it is another blowout – that is what I really want) and we will have won a game … Nobody talking about us is better than everyone talking about another huge loss.
it’s one thing to say that you always want to play the best teams, but seriously, I want to win another national title and that doesn’t mean becoming the next ND where we play in games we have no business being in and lose
we should play in the big games when we deserve it based upon being a really good team, not just because we have a big an base and play in a bad conference
“And does Spiels ever talk about coaching about the Buckeyes? I still don’t get why he ain’t on staff.”
Oh, there are some very good reasons within the powers-that-be. Believe me.
And that’s laying aside his Destroyers record.
“Oh, there are some very good reasons within the powers-that-be. Believe me.”
Aside from his Destroyers record and his lack of coaching experience in general, I’d disqualify him as well. I’m not so sure his temperament is all that good either. Would you mind expanding on your other reasons? You’ve piqued my curiosity.
“Aside from” should be “Given”. Sorry.
Joe – I’m not disrespecting your opinion, but I don’t think Speils Destroyer record comes into play AT ALL. Arena football is to college football what Soccer is to Baseball…nothing.
Arena league is all about who can score more. There is no D what so ever – Having a Defense minded coach in the Arena League was a joke and not a fair assessment, in my eyes, of Speils as a coach.
Since Speils Destroyer record is the only coaching record he has it has to be relevant. I’ve stated before that I thnk he was a great player, is a passionate Buckeye and makes me laugh from time to time on my drive home but all of those things don’t make him a bonafide D-cor candidate. Now does he want to be a lower level assistant? That would be a good place for him to start.
I’m mixed about where the Bucks end up. Part of me has given up on this season. I’m a freakin’ die-hard OSU fan, and it’s hard for me to give a d@mn when wins don’t mean anything. Three of the first 4 games were, let’s just watch to see what they can do – all of which ended up being pretty lackluster wins (5 field goals against YSU). Then we got to Minnesota, and that ended up being a pretty good win – wish I had known that when I was watching it. So that brings us to Wisconsin, and that was an awesome game against what was seemingly a great team. Turns out, it was just game #2 of Wisconsin’s 4 game stink-fest, and we barely beat them.
Then we come to Purdue, which was the one game I got to go to this season. It was good to see the band…
Then Michigan State. Wow, it really looked like that team turned the corner and were going to steam roll people.
Then found a new way to lose against Penn State, at home, at night. Now what do we have, Northwestern, Illinois, Michigan left? Again, it’s another stretch where we’re just watching for new things for next year. Not a big deal if they take all 3, as the bowl game likely won’t matter if they drop one.
A bowl win would be nice against an SEC team, but until this team changes its identity (which it won’t), it’s going to be another loss, or at least that’s what to expect.
Pretty heartbreaking season considering what these guys were supposed to be capable of. When was the last time an Ohio State offensive linemen went in the first round of the NFL draft? Just curious.
Nick Mangold, Center, 2006, 1st round, 29th pick, to the New York Jets.
dear Lord this fanbase is spoiled
I wouldn’t give Spiels the coordinator position at this point either, but I think he’d be perfect as a Co D Coordinator/Linebacker Coach. His fire and intensity on the sideline alone is worth the “gamble”.
Garret Monroe is a Buckeyes fan! (Cincy v USF game)
bup-bup-bup-
This stuff is normal from a fan base. They wants Stoop’s head in Norman.
Every other year the natives get restless in Austin and want Mack Brown out.
If Mark Richt doesn’t win the SEC this year, the fan base will want him gone. He has never won a National Title and only has 2 SEC titles.
Those guys are good coaches and the fans want them out.
Winning cures everything. If you are old enough to remember, people questioned Coach Tressel back in 2002. There were fans that wanted him out them.
You cannot make everyone happy all the time. Luckily for us, the fans do not decide who coaches.