11W Weekend Update: Sponsored by Minute Maid
Pondering his greatnessI’m subbing for Corey this week and as luck would have it, I get to talk about perhaps the least exciting weekend of this college football season. Seriously, not one compelling matchup nationally or in the Big Ten. Thankfully the Buckeyes kickoff early this week, because it’s shaping up as a Saturday to actually get something done after things close in Champaign.
I suppose the OBC’s return to Florida is worthwhile because it does pit two ranked teams, but is there anyone that doesn’t think Tebow of Nazareth will guide the Gators to a 30+ point victory?
So now that I have you totally stoked, here’s what’s on deck tonight and this weekend.
National Games
Virginia Tech @ Miami, Thurs. 7:30PM ET – ESPN
Both the Hokies and Hurricanes are tied with North Carolina at 3-2 atop the ACC Coastal division and this game is the first of many over the next three weeks that will help whittle the six to eight teams left in contention down to the two that will meet in the conference championship game. The Canes are riding a four-game winning streak, but will be without the services of starting left tackle Jason Fox. That should make my sworn lifetime mission statement of rooting against Miami all the easier.
#22 Cincinnati @ Louisville, Fri. 8:00PM ET – ESPN2
Chances are you know a Bearcat fan pretty well. You may even have one in the family. Always the little brother in the state, they now have something to crow about after a thriller in Morgantown last weekend. With that win, Cincinnati avenged one of their three losses last season. They’ll get a chance to avenge their loss to Louisville this weekend will have a chance at the third team to beat them last season, Pittsburgh, next week. If Kelly takes this team to a BCS Bowl, he’ll likely be somewhere else soon — just in case any of you are starting to get antsy about a potential Buckeye state recruiting nuisance.
#13 Georgia @ Auburn, Sat. 12:30PM ET – ESPN360
After entering the season ranked #1, it’s been a rough ride for Mark Richt’s Dawgs. The thumpings at the hands of Alabama and Florida have Georgia battling for 2nd place in the SEC East and an invitation to a 2nd tier bowl (don’t scoff — your beloved Buckeyes might end up playing them). Auburn has been nothing short of terribly mediocre this season, staring down a 5-5 record after also entering with high hopes. They won’t get the relief they’re seeking this week as Georgia will probably be in the mood to take out some frustrations.
#24 South Carolina @ #4 Florida, Sat. 3:30PM ET
Florida has looked as good as anybody lately and on paper, this game shouldn’t be close. But Gator fans are finding reasons to be nervous and Spurrier usually has something special cooked up for games like these. With a win, Florida would then just need to finish off Citadel and Florida State before their epic showdown in Atlanta with Alabama on December 6th.
Troy @ #21 LSU, Sat. 8:00PM ET – ESPN360
No, this game should not be a good one. And no, you can’t project hypothetical matchups based on how teams play against a common foe, but I’m going to tune in anyway to see what maybe, might, kinda happen if the Buckeyes and Tigers were to play again this season.
Big Ten Games
Northwestern @ Michigan, Sat. 12:00PM ET – ESPN2
How low has your program fallen? Low enough to not even rate a full preview from the WWL — just the stats, thank you. Northwestern has a history of giving the Wolverines fits in years they shouldn’t and this year, they’re about as evenly matched as they ever will be. The game is in Ann Arbor and the Wildcats are still banged-up, but Sheridan the Great will be at the helm, so all bets are off.
Purdue @ Iowa, Sat. 12:00PM ET – BTN
The Hawkeyes will be attempting to build on that big win against Penn State last weekend and should have no problems with Purdon’t. The only questions are whether future Silver Football winner Shonn Greene will top a hundie again (he will) and whether the fine Boilermaker blogs in the Big Ten will completely shift to basketball coverage without saying another word on the 2008 football season.
Minnesota @ Wisconsin, Sat. 3:30PM ET – ABC
The coaches don’t like each other. The players don’t like each other. And a sharp object is up for grabs this weekend in Madison. The Gophers will be without Eric Decker and might be playing with a little bit of a hangover after dropping a tough one to Michigan last week while the Badgers should be coming in on a high after racking up 55 on Indiana. Sure, it’s Indiana, but 55 in a Big Ten game is worth noticing.
Definitely a snoozefest. I think the WWL is advertising Boston College vs FSU as the big game of the week.
Yeah, wow.
Someone forgot to close their bold tag!
Miami is Playing Virginia Tech tonite at home… and no one cares. Enough said
the bold lettering is out of hound.
Jason is to HTML as Bryant Browning is to defensive ends.
Zing!
sure does feel like Im yelling at everyone!
i’m not seeing the bold…
Did Jimmy T make a new weekly award for the BOLDEST player on the field? Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Im stealing J Leman’s cheezy line from the opening roll call of last years game and saying that Beanie is gonna put the pain back in Champaign.
Last year Heacock decided to play one of his famous goofy zones against the Juice……. didn’t even think he needed to make and adjustment to that after the half. He can’t possibly do that again?? Can he?? The way to beat an option offense (read option) is to get into the backfield and just screw up the timing——- gonna be hard to sack the Juice man, but the D needs to force him to abandon his plans and have a spy (Animal, Jr.) to grab him when he runs for his life. Gonna be a long day, but disciplined D is the key— and speaking of D, the Illini do not exactly bring good D to the field this year–they are giving up alot of yards and points– and that is bad when you lose to a MAC team after playing in a Rose Bowl. 34-19 Bucks
Apart from the OSU-Illinois game, played for the legendary Illibuck trophy (a game that I still think will give OSU fits), I’m actually looking forward to a few games:
Auburn/Georgia – Tommy Tuberville needs a win over Alabama to keep his job, probably. If he loses to ‘Bama, he’ll need the win over Georgia BADLY.
Miami/Va. Tech – Get your M.C. Hammer jam pants on, sip some Bartles and James, and you’ll be transported back to a time when this game mattered. Plus, if things fall right, and OSU goes to the Orange Bowl, you’ll get an early scouting report on Va. Tech. Beamer may be on a bit of a hot seat, too, although I think that’s ridiculous.
Minnesota/Bucky – Paul Bunyan’s axe. Rumor has it that Bielema is planning on putting the axe (currently in Bucky’s possession) behind the Minnesota bench, so that if Bucky wins, they’ll get to rush the Gopher bench and take it – again; if they lose, Minnesota won’t get to run across to Bucky’s turf. What a jerk.
I have to watch the OSU game in the presence of my future father-in-law (who I’ve met all of once before) and a pastor who’s a m*ch*g*n fan. Needless to say, any one of you will have more fun this weekend than I will.
(And I get to see my Steelers blow one against an underwhelming San Diego team on Sunday. SUCCUBUS.)
I heard Eric Decker punched some dude in the nuts last year vs Wisconsin (lol?). That game would be more watchable if he wasn’t injured just to see if there is any nutpunching retaliation in store.
Joe-
Thats the worst game conditions since the Ice Bowl dude……who cares if he is a priest, he is a sorcerer who dabbles in necromancy if he is a M*ch*g*n fan…..
Next up, If Heacock tries to revert BACK to the soft zone, I might actually die prematuraly at 25 of a heart attack. I don’t think the ol’ ticker could take Juice running around untouched for 5-8 yards a pop whenever he pleases again……
I think LiC has another big game, this is his last chance to learn a wrinkle or two before scUm rolls into C-bus next week….Guys, I dont know about all of you, but scUM week is the best/worst week of the year…so much anticipation until Saturday, but after the ass-kicking is over, so is the season basically so its a win/lose
I have to agree with you Ski about next week. But hey, there is no better b-day present then the bucks whooping some m*c*i*g*n ass. I was very hyped about the season starting now i’m bummed that its over. oh and if heacock does play a zone i’m going hunting. and if the refs blow another call this year as bad as the one at the beginning of last year then its going to be zebra hunting.
awww, they fixed the bold font. i was getting used to it
Yeah, sorry about that. It wasn’t showing up all busted in FF or Safari. Guess we know who our IE users are.
Haha, if only I could use Firefox at work.
“Thats the worst game conditions since the Ice Bowl dude……who cares if he is a priest, he is a sorcerer who dabbles in necromancy if he is a M*ch*g*n fan…..”
I’m not wholly used to the fiancee thing yet. She makes plans for me, and doesn’t tell me until they’ve been finalized. I was hoping for a nice, comfortable afternoon of throwing things at Heacock on the TV screen, but now I have to be good.
It turns out he may not be an actual m*ch*g*n fan – he’s just a pastor up there – but it’s still “up there,” and you know how peer pressure goes. I’m hoping he’s a natural counterculture guy, and roots for Sparty. I can handle that, since I like Dantonio.
Anyone think Indiana will score enough on p*nn st*t* to win?
No, I really dont think Indiana will see Penn States side of field enough let alone scoring enough. Especially, since it is at Penn State. I see a butt whooping coming this weekend. Lets hope for the Sparty upset the week after.
Sparty upset is on my X-mas wishlist along with Beanie’s return for his senior year….I mean somebody has to chapperone TP’s steps into manhood right?
I wouldnt be suprised if Beanie left or stayed. I know he wants to win the heisman but I also think its running through his head that he may be injury prone and may jump to the NFL this year. We’ll see though, I think 50-50 right now on him going or staying. And you know Tressel’s belief on Juniors that he believes are good enough for the jump. He will make sure they put there names out there too see where they would get drafted. If he is in the top 5, and I pray to god he wont be due to the shitty ass teams he would end up going to, I think he may jump. I dont know though, just speculation
Specualation Brian, but really valid points. I hope that your wrong my friend
beanie wells and the hellish beanie hop for one more year would surely be out of hound
I think he’ll leave as well, since he’s getting a reputation of being injury prone. But hey, TP with Herron and Berry wouldn’t be so bad, would it?
You should amke a note to keep a tab on Oregon State’s remaining games as they will play a huge part in determining if tOSU will be going to a BCS game or not.
Simply put…..they win out……we do not get into a BCS bowl.
well..road trip to oregon state…we gotta get them hammered and take them to the strip clubs teh night before the game…i’ll bring all my sorostitute friends…all for the good of good ol’ O-H…
Me too, I would love to see the Beanie Hop for one more year. BUT, we do have some running backs coming in next year and would like to see what they have to offer. Nothing against Rasta but, I am glad he will be gone. I feel bad for him though. We never utilized him in a way that would magnify his strengths. They would just run him up the middle and he would go down as soon as he got to the line. But, his chest bump against penn state, i will not forgive or forget.
i’m excited about other rb’s too..but just the build and the way that man runs the ball gives me the goosebumps everytime…the stiff arm ugh..if he does leave though..Cleveland..please pick him up…beanie hop into the dawg pound…GAAAAAAAAAAAAAWGEOUS
The Bucks will end up playing Miami/VaTech winner in the O.B.
I hope we dont end up playing Miami/Va Tech. I am not undermining those programs but both are at least 2 years from really competing. And damn me for saying this but Miami could compete next year. But, us playing an ACC school is not good for us. If we happen to hammer on them then we still look bad for picking on an inferior oppenent. If its a close win then we get bad mouthed for not killing them. And god for bid if we happened to lose. Bring on bama, texas, oklahoma, or tech. If we can beat one of those schools it would get Ohio State more respect then whooping on someone from the *cough* ACC
Berry is getting a lot of love, as he should, but we have a kid that is almost a Beanie clone coming in next year too – Carlos Hyde. He was recruited as a FB (#2 FB in the Nation), but runs just like Beanie. His size (6′1 235) compared to Beanies’ (6′1 237) and is just as quick (4.5 40).
It’s amazing how much this kid actually reminds me of Beanie! He can even lay down the “Varsity Club” – check out 1:05 on the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwF2mO_Sofo
If Beanie comes back – Bonus! But, I feel pretty good about our backfield the next few years with Heron, Berry and Hyde!
I really think that the Orange Bowl (selfishly, since I live in West Palm Beach, FL) is the best Bowl destination this year for the Bucks…
Rose vs USC– Does anyone seriously care to risk losing 3 games to the same team in 12 months??
Sugar vs Alabama or Florida — Nuff said… Another loss to the Suck it SEC?? What would that do this program from the inside and the outside??
Fiesta vs Texas–Texas Tech or Oklahoma?? Alot of firepower here, but not a bad option
Orange vs Miami or Va. Tech or Fla State?? These 3 teams are weaker than any of the above and give the Bucks the best shot at a dominant bowl win. This would build alot of postive vibes into the program for next season and keep the Bucks out of the microscope during the 6 wk layoff. This game also presents the best opportunity for Pryor to showcase his stuff. The OSU defense is better (by far) than any defense in the ACC. Also, does anyone want a shot at redemption against Fla. State for the embarrasing Sugar Bowl loss? I DO.
Ok, I’ll give you the embarrasing Florida St. loss. But thats it. Nothing else
Ditto. Any else notice Colin Cowherd has turned into Mark May? He is killing GO.
I think we sound like a bunch of pussies if we say we are “scared” to go up against talented teams like USC or anyone out of the Big 12 and SEC and would much rather play a “weaker” team we would dominate in a Bowl game.
I’ll take any matchup and expect JT and Co. to take care of business.
If this was a scUM site talking the same crap, tell me you wouldn’t sit back in your chair and laugh your ass off at’em.
This is turning into a horrible debate…too bad we are even having to debate this. It’s getting out of hound.
I think we match up good against any Big XII team due to the fact it would be the first time all year any of those teams faced a defense with a backbone….
What are we turning into here?? The day we don’t want to line up and take another shot at USC, Florida or LSU is the day we should join the friggin” MAC!!!
Not a horrible debate chief, just a difference of opinion. Pretty simple really, half of our fans want the big boys, anytime, anywhere. The other half are a bunch of pussies that are afraid of the big boys and want an ACC team. lol
No, I see both arguments, but chalk me up as one who isn’t afraid to see the Buckeyes step on the field with the “elite”.
The other half should become Cincinnati Fans
Football is simple. Go out there, get push on the line of scrimmage, run the football, don’t throw interceptions, and tackle well.
The Buckeyes are top-10 in take-aways this year, and they haven’t had to pressure the QB much to slow down pretty good offenses. They can run the ball as well as anyone, and Pryor doesn’t throw interceptions. The push on the line is the only thing missing, and of course that’s pretty important.
Work on that in the 5 weeks between Michigan and the bowl game, and this team can play with anybody, anywhere…even USC. It’s a tall order, but one with which a top-5 program with multimillion dollar facilities and top-of-the-line recruits, when healthy, should have no problems being competitive.
I’m not scared of anybody. Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, USC, Florida, Georgia, LSU…the Bucks can beat any of them. All they need is better play from the o-line and some creativity…very tangible things that can, should, and have improved slightly.
Joe you need to get your woman in check. Saturdays are sacred and can’t be spoiled by unwanted in-laws or preachers.
You know how the old saying goes. “What do you tell a woman with two black eyes?” A: Nothing you haven’t told her twice already!” Yes! Misogyny is hilarious!
LOL @ Kyle!
I didnt put my girl in check, I simply made like Waco and converted her to the Scarlet Church. My saturdays are never in jeopardy now that she is a fan as well. It took two full seasons to get her in the mix, but now there is no turning back.
While a dominant win over a bad ACC team wouldn’t hurt, it wouldn’t help much either. We’d only be reinforcing the perception that we like to and can only beat up on inferior teams. Sure a dominant bowl game win would be nice, but if it happens to be competitive or dare I say we lose, it would confirm to the nation that we are just mediocre.
I’d rather risk losing to USC/SEC/B12 teams as long as we get the chance to prove we are a legitimate powerhouse. How else do you expect to get back to the top? Surely not by routing the Northwestern’s of the world. Even if we lose, just being competitive in big games vs other conferences would do much more for the integrity and perception of our program.
And if we get blown out again? Well as the Vest said recently, and I’m paraphrasing… we get what our efforts deserve.
I am still rooting for the Orange Bowl, so I have a 30 minute minute drive to the bowl game!!
is a 30 minute minute drive half the time or double? Either way its definately “out of hound”
The best football game going on this weekend is tonight’s Chicago Fire vs. Columbus Crew playoff match. Kinda sad, but totally true. Go Crew!
That’s 30 minutes to get to Dolphin Stadium and 30 minutes to get home…. I’ll bet the tailgate is gonna be awesome. Too bad I will have to go to work the next day… I won’t get much accomplished.
No one cares about the crew except the illegals living in Columbus. Can we trade the Jackets and Crew for a fucking NBA franchise!?
“I didnt put my girl in check, I simply made like Waco and converted her to the Scarlet Church.” – BuckeyeSki
11W quote of the day!
Gotta stop the Juice Sat or all is lost
No Zone D please!!!!!!!
haha, is someone bored at work?
Anyone watching the Crew game tonight? I am not much on MLS, but always willing to support C-Bus…
come on “ILLIBUCK”, back home where you belong…..!
oh, and “buckeyebrowny919″, I – O….! that was almost out of hound..!