I told y'alll on Thursday: our reality is simply Leslie Miles' dream sequence. He owns everybody's soul. He even ventured into the pits of Hell and kicked the Devil's ass and repossessed Nick Saban's. And anybody saying the LSU-Alabama game wasn't exciting didn't really watch the game and/or is simply a hater. At least the low score line (which was all done via five #TresselFieldGoals sprinkled over four quarters and an overtime) had to do with both defenses being made up of beasts and not total inept offensive play, like the Big Ten.
I have gone back-and-forth on Ohio State's coaching situation so many times, but I'm now issuing a trusty #djbyrnesflipflop on this matter. After being convinced Gordon Gee stick it to the NCAA and re-hire Jim Tressel (or his leather jacket-bound, Wario-like Evil Twin Brother), I am now shifting the efforts of my bulstorous sphere of influence behind the Les-Miles-to-OSU swagwagon. I will be making calls to all the earth-shakers behind The Ohio State University to see if I can make this happen. (R U OUT THERE, MR. WEXNER!!? IT'S ME, A GUY WITH A KEYBOARD!!!!)
Sure, The Hatter is a disgusting "Michigan Man," but I'm willing to wager that he's also a Money Man. When Les' coronation is complete this January, it better be Gordon Gee and Gene Smith's Replacement leading a caravan of gold bricks down to the Bayou. After watching Michigan fans melting down on Twitter, I would love nothing more than to watch their reactions to Les Miles, bedecked in Scarlet and Grey, making the Big 10 his personal fiefdom over the next 15 years in semi-retirement.
ON PENN STATE AND BOB RYAN. Look, I'm sure everybody's heard of what's going on at PSU right now. If you want details, you'll have to use Google because they make my stomach churn. If these allegations are true, then heads should roll. I mean that literally too: there should be multiple decapitated heads rolled like bowling balls into the streets of Justice. The wheels are apparently already in motion, as Penn State says athletic director Tim Curley and university official Gary Schultz have "stepped down." I'm no stranger to the crass or offensive joke, but honestly; this matter is beyond that realm. So I'm going to leave that over there and let the American Justice System sort this (alleged) debacle out. And yes, it's time to put an end to Joe Paterno's multi-million dollar charade to an end.
Now, Joe Schad Serious Business Voice aside, I want to address Bob Ryan of The Sports Reporters and The Boston Globe fame. Ryan, an archaic parrot from Boston, seems to think since Joe Paterno took allegations of alleged pedophilia up the chain-of-command, this makes him better than Jim Tressel, who covered up something which wasn't legally wrong. This is the kind of crystalized logic I've come to expect from the crotchety bag of bones who probably still uses a typewriter. (BTW, King Troll Clay Travis says people will be stunned when they read the attorney general's report).To be fair, Bob Ryan later said "it was a poor choice, [but I] just wanted to dig that phony Tressel." I guess that's reasonable. I mean... who here didn't read about this story and immediately think to themselves "How does Jim Tressel fit into all of this?" Of course, the next branch on that Logic Tree is obviously, "What a great vehicle to take a cheap shot at the integrity of a man I've (probably) never personally met.)
Look, I've said -->A LOT <-- of dumb things in my life -- (obvii not on a national stage) -- but how the hell does this connection ever get made in the first place? The thought process behind it stupefies me (and I'm a pretty stupid guy). Though, I must confess: I've never cared for Bob Ryan, his eyebrows, his style or his opinions because they all belong in 1982. I guess it's no coincidence he works at a newspaper.
THE NEXT BANGER IS OREGON-STANFORD. *It's the Eye of the ESPN Hype Machine, shifting its focus to Stanford, California. Craig James rides out on his Nazgul and Kirk Herbstreit on a small pony.* This week, it's the Pac-10's turn to bathe in the national spotlight for what is expected to be the de-facto Pac-10 title game. If Stanford were to win, they would probably be on the inside track to be the sacrificial lamb offered up before LSU on national television in January. If not, people will freak out then people will argue about BCS ratings in the first week of November.
Honey Badger TAKIN CHAINZ
BREAKING: THE BIG TEN SUCKS. ESPN, always known for their in-depth investigations on complex issues, has an article asking where exactly the Legends or the Leaders are in the Big Ten this year. I don't know what has to be done about the state of Big 10 football, but something must be done. Although, after watching the Big Ten mangle the game of football throughout Saturday's afternoon, I'm not sure anything can be done.
Just do what I do when SEC fans' aren't shoving porkgrinds down their gullet anymore and they start rambling about their collegiate football superiority: calmly mention the Big Ten leads the SEC in the only score that matters: Civil Wars.
THE GREATEST RIVALRY IN SPORTS. LSU-Alabama had historic numbers, but more people watched Michigan and Ohio State's "Game of the Century" than LSU's and Alabama's remix. *It's Jim Delaney, adjusting his monocle as he does a mental fist-pump while reading this news over his morning coffee.*
THERE'S A TROLL AFOOT IN THE AP. Somebody really voted Boise State the #1 team in the country. When this man is brought forth for his round of public shaming, I assume he'll look a little something like this. Although, I hope Boise State does sneak into the national title game just so we can settle this once and for all.
INTRANAT LINKS: Woman realizes she's getting cheated on, heads to Craigslist... Alabama, LOL... Hackers mistake French rugby fansite for German Stock Exchange... Ohio Stadium received five stars, obvii... Parents Telling Their Kids They Ate All Their Halloween Candy...
Comments
DJ, Your troll..
Surprisingly, the one in the middle. Can't get the pic to not show up huge here. So I'm just giving the link.
He also has tOSU ranked 24th for what it's worth.
WAIT.
You mean a middle-aged guy taking a "OMG LOOK AT ME BEING ALLOWED TO STAND IN THIS GROUP OF ATTRACTIVE WOMEN, BIG PIMPIN STYLE" picture is the same guy who put Boise State over LSU?
I MAY NEED MORE EVIDENCE.
#goodfind
If nothing else: Marionaire.
It's starting to become a pet peeve of mine when people use the term "de facto title game" when discussing a game played in a conference that boasts a conference championship game, particularly a game between division opponents. I've heard it a few times this season regarding games in the Big Ten and SEC, and it needs to stop. It might be the de facto Pac-12 NORTH title game, but we won't know until Stanford and Oregon finish their season. Then, the winner needs to play the South division champion.
Are you serious? It's a pet peeve of yours that you can't keep up with the conversation and understand the context in which the author's statement was made? The author realizes the Stanford-Oregon winner still has to play the Pac-12 south champ, but the point is because that Pac-12 south champ will be some horrible team (let's face it--there are only two teams that are even remotely good in the Pac-12, Stanford and Oregon), that this weekend's game really is the championship game, for all intents and purposes. Try to keep up.
Keep up with what? If a game were a forgone conclusion, it wouldn't be played. The Pac-12 championship has to be played, and you never know what will happen.
Oregon-Stanford: big game that might have little overall impact on the Pac-12 title. Both teams still have to survive their rivalry games.
Welcome to playoff systems.
Sorry to offend, Bucksfan. I believe the winner of the Oregon/Stanford game will win the Pac-10 title game (against whomever they come to face), much like I believe LSU will beat the tar out of whoever comes out of the East.
You're right though, this is why they play the games. If I am wrong -- and I most certainly could be -- I'll gladly tip my cap to you, sir.
If nothing else: Marionaire.
It's not offensive, DJ, just a bit "out-dated" maybe? Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are likely going to play a de facto Big XII championship game at the end of the year...the winner wins the Big XII championship, even though it's a regular season game. If there had been a Big XII title game to be played the following week, then it's just a de facto Division Title game.
Ohio State and Michigan played more de facto conference championship games than any other rivalry in the country...maybe even more than any 2 combined. That is the biggest reason it is what it is. It's a little sad that the OSU-UM regular season game will never carry that same kind of weight ever again because of the game in Indy, but that isn't to say the game won't be without annual impact on the division races.
Anyway, just my 2cents.
The LSU-Bama game was not exciting. I love a good defensive struggle but the low scoring had as much to do with offensive ineptitude and mistakes as it did the defenses. Ultra-conservative play calling and 3 mediocre QBs making horrible decisions.
"Ultra-conservative play calling and mediocre QBs making horrible decisions."
Oh how familiar that all sounds ...
Ok, I watched this game on Saturday night too, and I somewhat agree. On LSU's interception at the 1 yard line, the ball was horribly underthrown (and I'm not sure the TE wasn't down anyway). If McCarron puts that ball on the money, it's an easy TD. There were numerous times guys were open and they were just missed. I think Blackmon for OSUsouth could do damage, and Luck puts the ball where it has to be.
And, the Big X hate today is funny. Have you watched Florida's offense? Ole Miss? Ms. State? Kentucky? They are putrid. I can't buy the good defense thing always. I buy it somewhat; there are great athletes in the SEC. But I think the Big X is going to match up pretty well with the 3-6 teams this year. Neb/PSU/OSU/Mich/MSU/Iowa/Wisky can all play good football, as they've shown at different times this year. Even Ill. can move the ball and cause problems for a D. I'm not saying the Big X is great this year....they aren't. But the Big X had more D-linemen taking in the first round last year (I think 5ish with Cam, Kerrigan, Wat and Liuget) than the mighty SEC who had 2 I think.
Wasn't it a WR that threw that INT?
My bad it was so I guess it wasn't close to as bad as I thought. I take back my previous statement about that specific play..but overall I think other teams could do some offensive damage against them
It was just that great SEC coaching and play calling.
Other teams already have done some damage against them. West Virginia put up over 500 yards of offense against that vaunted LSU defense. And hell, even Penn St managed a TD against Alabama
haha psu's touchdown is the most damning evidence against bama's defense
Wasn't that kind of in mop-up time though (PSU TD)?
Yes it was late in the fourth quarter with the game pretty much decided. So maybe Alabama took their foot off the gas. But I don't think 'Bama had their second string in or anything like that
I posted this below but found it fitting to put here too:
Last time OSU gave up 500 yards of offense in a game? October 29th, 2005 @Minnesota.... Over SIX years ago.
Teams/QBs that did not even manage over 400 yards of offense in that time include Texas '06/Colt McCoy, Florida/Leake-Tebow, USC/Sanchez, USC/Barkley, Oregon/Masoli, Wisconsin/Wilson, Notre Dame/Brady, LSU/Flynn, Washington/Locker, Miami/Harris... and Arkansas/Mallett gets a special mention for breaking the 400 yard mark with 402.
In the past six years, only four teams have managed over 400 yards of offense on the Buckeyes defense: Nebraska/Martinez, Arkansas/Mallett, Illinois/Williams, Texas '08/McCoy.
Wow, that is impressive. Nice work HumbleBuckeye!
We're unusually slow today at work, so I literally went through every box score for the past six years. It's truly unbelievable when you think about it.
For the record, that 2005 Minnesota offense finished 7th in the country averaging an unbelievable 494.7 yards per game.
Also, the 2005 B1G finished as the number one conference in every conceivable computer ranking, so if you're averaging almost 500 yards of offense in the B1G in 2005, that's really something. Too bad they didn't have a defense.
Wow I had no idea. I was sorta wondering how in the heck we gave up so many yards to the Gophers of all people. Was this when they had both Marion Barber and Laurence Maroney at RB? Or were they before this even?
Laurence Maroney. Finished 5th in the country and 1st in the B1G in rushing yards per game. They also had Gary Russell who was averaging over 90 yards per game. A great backfield duo that led the team to 3rd in the nation in rushing yards per game. They were complemented by Bryan Cupito at QB who finished a respectable 21st in the nation in passing efficiency.
So what did their record end up? (AKA how bad was their defense) LOL
They finished 7-4 in the regular season and then lost their bowl game to finish 7-5. Their defense didn't look so bad, but then gave up an average of 34.7 ppg during the final six games (including the bowl game).
Ouch.
so how small can these message boxes actually get?
Time and change will surely show how firm they friendship... O-HI-O.
I WAS WONDERING THE SAME. Are we messing with the thread of time itself?
If nothing else: Marionaire.
The thread where the SEC homers chimed in about oversigning not being shady went amazingly thin... still got a ways to go with this one.
Just another reason to hate SEC fans. They're even better at carrying on long message board convo's than us. LOL
A box this size is all the room an SEC fan needs to fully express his thoughts.
Speed. Tebow. OVERSIGINING IS NECESSARY. (I'd like to think I summed all of their thoughts up nicely).
Class of 2005.
Go! Go! Go! Go!
"I'm an SEC fan, I hide behind my conference because my program is inadequate most years."
Class of 2010. 5 years, 2 degrees, 1 love - Go Bucks!
thin
I'm sorry for not being sorry.
thinner
Wow, I don't think S-E-C will fit on one line anymore
is it saturday yet? of course not. why else would seeing how small we can get the reply boxes be entertaining?
Smaller?
An 11W reader took exception to Bob Ryan's comments comparing Paterno/child rape with Tressel/discounted tattoos and emailed him:
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: 11W Reader Matthew
> Sent: Sunday, November 06, 2011 11:27 AM
> To: Ryan, Robert P
> Subject: PSU
>
> How in good conscience can you say the PSU scandal is the same as OSU?
>
> We are talking about tattoos and the sale of memorabilia to the repeated raping of a child and cover up of supposed high ranking/respected officials in an institution of higher learning.
>
> I expected someone of your stature to see that difference.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
...and here is Ryan's response:
> From: "Ryan, Robert P" <Ryan@globe.com>
> Date: November 6, 2011 11:31:05 AM EST
> To: 11W Reader Matthew
> Subject: Re: PSU
>
> Probably a poor choice. Just wanted to dig that phony Tressel.
ESPN: The Worldwide Leader in Equating Child Rape with Discounted Tattoos
How does someone write something like that and get to keep their job?
We should strive to keep thy name, of fair repute and spotless fame...
(Also, I'm not a dude)
Thanks for providing the email exchange, Ramzy, which I find very telling. You could write a book analyzing the ironies and absurdities revealed in that brief exchange.
Bob Ryan thinks that JT is a "phony" because JT avowed that his most important responsibility was protecting and mentoring the kids who were in his charge. Bob Ryan inteprets that instinct as JT preaching about family values while skirting the rules to win football games, whereas I interpret it as JT trying to lead his kids to a higher callling, but still being there for them when they fall short.
We could argue about which is the real JT, but either way Bob Ryan's complaint of phoniness implies that Ryan believes coaches should not promote moral values among their players - that it would have been fine for JT to skirt rules (if you believe that's what he did), etc., if only he hadn't preached higher standards to his kids and in his books and press conferences, etc.
Meanwhile, at PSU, a man in a position of authority did just about the opposite of what Ryan is claiming JT did. JT supposedly tried to cover up for the mistakes of 18-23 year old young men, so that that those young men would still be eligible to win football games for JT, but which also would protect those players from possibly falling through the cracks. Whereas Sandusky, a man in a position of authority at PSU, destroyed the innocence of boys before they ever really had a chance in life - if some of those poor kids ended up falling down the cracks, Sandusky will have helped pushed them into that abyss. And then this problem was passed along to even higher PSU authorities, it was ignored.
Yet because those PSU authorities did not write a book urging that we raise higher standards for ourselves and our children, they're not phonies and therefore cannot be as contemptible as JT. Thanks, Bob Ryan, for revealing yourself to us.
I'm not sure if Tressel being a "phony" is just from this one incident. It does seem that I've heard for a long time different sports writers or on air personalities mention that when it comes to NCAA rules, Tressel wasn't always squeaky clean. I'm not defending Bob Ryan at all because as I said earlier I don't think you can even try to compare these 2 situations. I do, however, think that within the context of the NCAA maybe Tressel wasn't the virtuous man we all believe him to be. However, a system like the current system in college football is such a joke that in the greater scheme of things who cares if you cheat a little?
The important things are the life lessons a coach teaches a kid, the idea of what you do when no one is looking etc. Tressel ultimately deserved his fate, and he'd tell you as much. In fact, there were probably other things that could've been found along the way in terms of NCAA compliance and the handling of NCAA infractions etc. At the end of the day though, who cares? That's a neccessary evil these days. You have to play that game to win and keep a job at a major NCAA D1 program.
To me, the phony is the guy who kicks guys off his team because they broke a rule or smoked some weed, but ignores an assitant coach who is committing unspeakable acts.
I don't believe that JT ever intentionally cheated his own code of ethics. If protecting a player who was possibly in danger meant that he'd have to prioritize his ethics over the corrupt NCAA system, then so be it - and he'd live with the consequences.
Look, all human beings are flawed and we're all phony at times, but in my book JT was about as far from being a "phony" as one could ever hope to be.
"It does seem that I've heard for a long time different sports writers or on air personalities mention that when it comes to NCAA rules, Tressel wasn't always squeaky clean" ... But therein lies the problem BTA... Where's the proof? The more sportswriters repeat lies about Tressel not being "squeaky clean" (uh, is any coach), the more it's just accepted as fact in the absence of evidence. If repeated enough, it becomes the meme. Take Bob Ryan for example. He wanted to "take a shot at that phony Tressel" despite admitting he'd never met him. I judge Tressel from my own dealings with him, and in the multiple times I've ancountered him, he is an honest and decent man. Ramzy's "The Man Who Wasn't There" piece from a few months back is a much better testament to Tressel's character than the meme repeated by sportswriters who have never met him.
+11.
Guys, I'm not bashing Tressel here. His own boss gave him a poor evaluation when it came to NCAA issues and how he handled them. I'm saying he probably knew things have gone on along the way and played the, jeeze I had no idea card, when infact he probably did. Who cares though? That's how you play the game these days.
Now, If I asked you what you though about John Calipari, would you be honest with me? He's been implicated with some kind of scandal at his last 2 jobs, and there are some accusations about a player he coached at UK too. Most people outside of Kentucky, and before he was coaching UK people in KY call him a cheater or sleazy etc. However, no one has ever proved he did anything wrong, just players he coached, much like JT at YSU and Ohio State.
I've always made the comparison between these two. If you know much about Cal, you'll know he has his guys going to hospitals and visiting people, he sends letters or visits sick fans, he doe a lot in the community and encourages his players to do so too. He, like Tressel, gets it. He does a lot of good from his position. I don't know what the general belief is here at 11W, but I tend to think most people would completely scoff at the idea tht I would compare the 2, but the way people view Cal outside of UK is exactly how people view Tressel outside of Ohio.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying they are identical. Personality wise, theya ren't even close, but there are a lot of similarities between the 2 in terms of how they've impacted players, and how they skirted around NCAA trouble for years. Fans outside of their fan bases view both of these men pretty similarly as well.
How has JT "skirted around the NCAA trouble for years"? Other than Tatgate, what are you even referring to, let alone what evidence backs up these other claims?
I missphrased that I guess, just the Moe C stuff, and other players who have gotten in trouble over the years, he's been implicated in. Rightfully or not. Much like Calipari has done the same thing. I venture to say many would call him a cheater, though no one has every proved it. Much like Tressel is viewed as a cheater and has been before the Tatoo stuff. That's the only point I'm trying to make. Plus, I'm not naive enough to think coaches bend the rules all the time. When the rules and enforcement of them are a shame, breaking them means nothing to me. I don't think less of Tressel for breaking the rules this time, or if he ever did break other rules. I could personally care less if he was in fact rigging raffles.
Where there is smoke, there's usually fire. So murmurs of him breaking rules for the last 20 years or so, are probably paritally true, just as Calipari has probably cheated as well. The people around them, that can prove it never come out and say yeah he did this or that happened. When a player does come out and say they did something wrong it's usually someone like Ray Small so anything they say is just dismissed as sour grapes. AGAIN, I'm sure other rules were broken, I don't need proof to believe it, and I really don't care if they were or not because it does nothing to change my opinion of the man. Ohio State, it's fans and players were better for having Jim Tressel as their coach. The man was great on and off the field.
First, let me declare that I'm not a conference lover. I only defend the B1G because apparently the games you play no longer matter and we have been reduced to politics and Kevin Bacon semantics. Now, the problem with the B1G this year is that it lacks a national title contender, that one of two marquee teams that the sportswriters can put deep into their throats. However, what the B1G does have is good teams that can play good football and parity among these teams. While we may not win the big bowl games this year, I expect our 3-7 teams to clean up.
I think Bama and LSU are very good teams - excellent defensively, average on offense. However, a rematch? No. Bama had their chance and in this chance they had missed FGs, turnovers, and penalties. In other words, they gave away their chance whether they are the second best team or not. But since we are talking about an SEC team, let the politics begin.
Assuming LSU wins out, I don't see how there could be a rematch for the NC if Alabama hasn't won their conference, let alone their division.
It was especially amusing when Craig James said after the Game of the Century that the sloppy plays all resulted from awesome SEC defensive speeeeeed . . . because SEC speeeeed is the primary explanation for QBs missing open receivers when given time to throw, missed FGs, and bone-headed penalties.
I watched the game and I am not a hater. I was just as frustrated with the lack of ingenuitive play-calling in this game as I am in most OSU games. This looked to me like two teams trying desperately not to lose, which makes for an extremely boring game.
They are both great teams but that doesn't mean they can't come together for a stinker of a game.
Wow, Penn State was able to disprove my theory that Gene Smith is the worst AD ever.
JLP36
so very true
Alabama does not currently have a NC caliber QB (or kicker).
JLP36
DJ wrote:
Were you being snarky, or did you really mean that anyone who disagrees with your perceptions of a game should be discounted out-of-hand?
I love watching great defenses ply their trades. I get bored with 52-45 games because, on any given series, there's little suspense: the offense is going to move the ball right down the field, with defenders taking bad angles and missing tackles left and right - whichever team gets the ball last probably wins. In a great game, there's tension between offensive and defensive playmaking, which brings me to Bama v. LSU . . .
The defenses in the Game of the Century were fantastic, but the offenses made very few plays. Even against great defenses, offenses of championship-level teams will occasionally win a few battles . . . a QB will thread a needle against excellent coverage, a RB will make a sick move in the open field, the OL will dig deep and dominate on one or two TD drives, which might be all that's needed to turn the tide of the game . . .
Teams like Miami FL 2000-2002 and USC 2002-2007 would have scored 3-4 TDs against these defenses. FLA 2006 and 2008, Texas 2005 & 2008, heck even Bama 2009, would have scored multiple TDs against these defenses, too.
I'm going to copy a post I had that got a postive response from the crowd over at Off Tackle Empire regarding the LSU-Bama game...
I couldn’t help but to think while watching that game that the offenses were playing scared. They were trying too hard to not make a mistake. Was this really a case of absolutely dominant defenses? Or was it a case of poor playcalling and execution? Think about this: in regulation, each team only had one sack. One. When I think about a defensive struggle, I think about defenses penetrating with brute force and slamming down the QB on third and 7. We really didn’t have any of that (Alabama’s one sack might not technically count since it looked like a design run with Jefferson). When Illinois and Penn State had their defensive struggle this year, their were six sacks. In Nebraska’s defensive struggle with Texas in the ’09 Big XII title game, there were TEN sacks (Nine of them from Nebraska). When we watched that game, we knew that it was a case of good defense because Colt McCoy was a QB who ran an offense designed around getting rid of the ball quickly (for the record, Alabama only sacked Texas once in the title game that year, even with Gilbert under center… Texas sacked McElroy six times).
I think because of the lack of pressure, sacks, and TFL, I don’t think this was as much of a case of defensive greatness as it was offenses playing scared (including conservative play-calling from the OCs). Nebraska-Texas ‘09 was a defensive struggle, but it was no snoozer. Last night’s game was just boring.
In 2006, I thought Michigan was worthy of getting a rematch. That game was a classic, they were both at the time Unanimous number 1 and number 2, we had no idea of knowing what the bowl games would hold. The game Saturday night showed me 2 teams that had 1 great, elite phase of the game, and inept/mediocre offenses, with bad special teams.
Neither team has a good QB. The defenses didn't force the picks, they were horrible passes. With Bama's schedule to this point, and the loss this week, they should've dropped farther than 3. I think Stanford, could pose problems for either of those teams. They have a QB that can pick apart D's. They have a solid O-line and running game, and they have athletes at receiver. They could cause a lot of trouble for both of those SEC teams that played the other night.
I also don't think LSU is unbeatable. I really think Georgia has a shot to beat them in the SEC championship game. If that happens, we won't have an SEC team in the title game. Georgia has come on strong as of late and has a pretty darn good QB.
I just am not convinced that these teams are unbeatable or clearly 1 and 2. They both have D's with a lot of NFL talent, but the other phases of the came are inadequate in my opinion.
I've only seen Stanford play a little, but I would pick them over anyone this year.
I agree BTA.
The one offense with a competent passing game that LSU has seen (WVU) put up 533 yards on them. They've yet to see a QB who can go over-the-top, stretch the field, and challenge the safeties and force them to stay back. Tyler Wilson and Arkansas can do this. I think that will be a game.
LSU is very beatable. Their offense is very "meh". There's a reason it was ranked 81st in the country coming into the game. And there defense has yet to be challenged by a competent QB.
You and Albert make good points. Both Bama and LSU have championship-caliber defenses but are mediocre in the other phases.
I'm now beginning to think that Stanford is the only great team this year. If they roll at home this weekend against Oregon like I expect them to, then I'll be completely sold on them. I wonder if I can still get Stanford to win at all for like 5/1 or better?
[edit: wow, Stanford is currently 10/1! What a bargain. Get me to Vegas].
People need to take a closer look at the Oregon-LSU game and see how sloppy play from Oregon allowed LSU to win. These were two turnovers that were not caused by LSU but rather from sloppy play by the Ducks.
Beginning of the second quarter: Oregon fumbles on punt return, LSU recovers for TD. LSU +6.
9:00 left in the third quarter: Oregon fumbles on exchange at their own 13. Leads to LSU touchdown. LSU +13.
So 13 additional points for LSU, minus at least a few forgone points for Oregon.
Oh, and 12 penalties for Oregon for 95 yards. Again, sloppy play by a Ducks team. Not unusual given the way their offense is run that they wouldn't be in rythm for the first game (see Boise State 2009).
It's hard to say that a team that won by 13 got lucky, but the headline says it all: "LSU takes advantage of miscues to best Oregon".... rare moment of truth from the WWL http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=312460099
But you're forgetting that the reason Oregon dropped a punt and fumbled an exchange was they were hearing footsteps, petrified of that legendary SEC speeeeeeeeeeed!
Just like in the movie Aliens (1986). You're hearing the creatures scurrying around and screetching in the dark, you panic and start hyperventilating, and you've pretty much killed yourself before the creature even takes a bite out of you.
Obviously... ESSSEEEESSEEEEE SPEEEEED petrifies the slow and plodding Oregon ducks.
Dominant defenses don't need breaks to get victories. The Buckeyes defense held the Ducks to 260 total yards and 17 points, compared to LSU holding them to 335 yards and 27 points. And I think Jeremiah Masoli was a better QB than Darren Thomas. Hell, Washington held Oregon to 381 yards and 34 points. The Huskies had three turnovers in their own territory which lead to 17 points for the Ducks (to INTs returned inside the 35 and one turnover on downs at the 48). Just going off what I've seen, the LSU defense isn't as great as everyone says. They've played a bunch of mediocre offenses. No great defense would ever surrender 533 yards in a game. When's the last time the Bucks gave up that many, even in a down year?
So I answered my own question...
Last time OSU gave up 500 yards of offense in a game? October 29th, 2005 @Minnesota.... Over SIX years ago.
Teams/QBs that did not even manage over 400 yards of offense in that time include Texas '06/Colt McCoy, Florida/Leake-Tebow, USC/Sanchez, USC/Barkley, Oregon/Masoli, Wisconsin/Wilson, Notre Dame/Brady, LSU/Flynn, Washington/Locker, Miami/Harris... and Arkansas/Mallett gets a special mention for breaking the 400 yard mark with 402.
In the past six years, only four teams have managed over 400 yards of offense on the Buckeyes defense: Nebraska/Martinez, Arkansas/Mallett, Illinois/Williams, Texas '08/McCoy.
West Virginia put up 500 yards on LSU, got 21 points from it, and nearly lost by 3 touchdowns. Since that game (5 games) LSU's opponents have scored a whopping 45 points.
Come to think of it, I hope it is Stanford who makes it to the NC game. I will give anybody 10 points if they face LSU, who will whipe the floor with them.
If nothing else: Marionaire.
Who have they seen since then with any sort of offense?
Kentucky? 117th in total offense.
Florida? 94th in total offense.
Tennessee? 97th in total offense.
Auburn? 89th in total offense.
Alabama? 68th in passing offense (which, judging by the WVU and Oregon games is where they are suceptible)
LSU is living on borrowed time. Arkansas is 23rd in total offense and 8th in passing offense. That game may get interesting.
Touche, but they still rolled WVU.
I'll take the best secondary in the country against Arkansas. Don't forget, that game is at home for LSU as well.
If nothing else: Marionaire.
BTW I should also mention that I have a bromance with Les Miles which is reaching a terrifying level. I'm talking scribbling his name into my notebook in various fonts for three hours a day type of stuff. So yeah, I'm just a wee bit biased here.
If nothing else: Marionaire.
West Virginia is a bad team though. Louisville just beat them. The same Louisville team that lost to Florida International. Bad teams may move the ball but they still turn it over a lot. We've seen some lopsided games where the Buckeyes have given up a lot of yards but not points over the years.
at Dallas Cowboys Stadium (night game), at WVU (night game), at Florida (night game), at Bama (night game), at Starkville (night game). ALL W's.
I'll take that resume against ANYONE IN FOOTBALL right now.
If nothing else: Marionaire.
Not disagreeing with you there DJ. Their resume is better than anyone else's right now. All that matters is the final score. But I'm not going to declare them unbeatable like so many in the media have done. Great teams have great defenses AND great offenses. LSU is still 87th in the country in total offense. They're hardly 2009 Bama or 2005 Texas (teams with both top 15 offenses and defenses).
Agreed they're far from unbeatable, and honestly as of now I'd take Stanford over them by 7-14 points.
Stanford is 8th in total offense (3rd in scoring offense) and 18th in total defense (11th in scoring defense... in a conference known for its offenses). Very well balanced team (they rush for 224.7 and pass for 281 per game). If they beat the Ducks by two scores (absent boneheaded plays by the Ducks a la the LSU game), then Stanford will be the favorite in my book as well.
But not 533 yards... see my other posts. Six years since the Buckeyes have given up that many yards. Only four teams have managed over 400 yards in that time.
I think part of my point is, it's yet to be seen if this is the best secondary in the country. They look great on paper, but can they cover a guy on a well thrown deep ball without getting a flag? I think they can. They're fast and athletic. But we've really yet had a chance to see that.
I don't think Arkansas wins, but like I said, it could get interesting. If they beat Arkansas - and it doesn't have to be a blowout in my mind, just a W - then I'll be convinced. The offenses in the SEC this year are anemic and uninspiring. Coincidentally, the two teams that garnered the most yards and points on LSU were non-conference opponents.
I just hope these SEC offenses stay anemic come bowl season. We might be in for a B1G treat. I'll be assuming the fetal position if B1G teams come out flat against the SEC again this year. If there's any year where the SEC (besides LSU/Bama) is very beatable, it's this year. I just hope the B1G doesn't choke.
Les Miles is a Michigan-man. Stop the Les-ophilia. Woody is very mad at you right now. Repent!
All very good points.
I don't have much hope for the Big 10 in Bowl Games this year.
If nothing else: Marionaire.
I'm your huckleberry.
Robert Ryan = Idiot? Yes.
Failing to alert the NCAA = failing to alert Law Enforcement and/or Child Protective Services? No.
And people can just stop with "JoePa alerted his superior" crap because that is just what it is, crap. Informing the AD who in turn notified the Chief of Finances who just so happens to have the University Police under his umbrella, DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENT MANDATED BY LAW (besides, anyone who thinks JoePas actually has a superior at PSU is as delusional as Mr. Ryan). You tell your AD your kids are tradiing trinkets for tattoos, you tell the police an adult male was in the shower with a child. Not to mention that somehow, someway, JoePa decided Sandusky was no longer the coach of the future and their relationship became frigid. But wait, JoePa gets to claim that since Sandusky was no longer employed by the football program that he went up the correct chain. They are right about one thing: This wasnt a football issue, it was a CRIMINAL issue.
I fail to see how anyone can argue a point contrary to this and yet somehow Tress signing a letter in September equates to a mulit-year cover up of the worst kind???????
Even if JoePa was told only that someone was 'horsing around' with a child in the showers in the football facilities, that is still a MANDATED REPORT OF INADEQUATE SUPERVISION, particulary because Sandusky was acting in a caretaker role for the child.
Of course I believe in innocent until proven guilty, but my biggest gripe right now is how easily most people are ready to not even consider JP is culpable. Curley and Shultz are being charged with failure to report based on the SAME incident in 2002 of the child in the shower. This is the same incident in which JP called the GA to his house to discuss. You mean to tell me, the very next day a special meeting with the boss takes place and you dont say exactly what you saw???? Something is not right. Something is very, very wrong and anyone who can, with a straight face and two normally functioning brain cells, think this is on the same level as recruiting violations, overpaid summer jobs, or any other non-sensical NCAA infraction is a seriously misguided individual.
You got 30 minutes..30 minutes, fight hard, prepare hard, and it comes down now the way it should in a BCS game..the way it should..good ass teams, two good ass teams for over 30 minutes..does everyone understand?
I personally am wondering how many investigative journalists have descended on State College.
The more I read the more I'm convinced that Paterno is involved in the cover up.
The BSD commentariat are taking the approach that everyone's innocent until proven guilty and that all of the details will eventually come out in trial and exonerate Paterno. I'm calling BS on that. Paterno is the most popular person in the state of Pennsylvania and pretty much the face behind the PSU brand. I'm sure there are political forces at work behind the scenes to ensure that "JoePa's" reputation isn't tarnished. For instance, why did the PA Attorney General and the District Attorney both feel it necessary to commend Paterno "for handling himself appropriately".
And now in Paterno's statement, he says he didn't know the exact details of what McQueary saw. Only that something had happened in the locker room showers. Right. /sarcasm The first thing ANYONE would do if presented with a vague accusation is to ask for details. ie "What exactly did you see, Mike?" But if he wants to contend that he left it at that, then Paterno's non-inquiry as to specifics leads down a much darker rabbit hole. Because that makes me believe that Paterno could guess the details due to other internal investigations and specifically stopped McQueary from going into detail so he (Paterno) couldn't get drug into any legal proceedings. Success with honor, right?
This whole thing smells and IMO it's all scripted at this point. The only way the truth is going to come out is if someone with no Pennsylvania or PSU connections digs it up.
You have to make decisions, ... I've never pretended that every decision I've made was right. And I've been reminded of that.” - Jim Tressel
Also... I think I'm one of the few that thinks that the B1G is much better than people are giving it credit for. Here's how I see it:
Wisconsin 2011 is probably better than Wisconsin 2010. Wisconsin 2010 gave up 21 points to a TCU team that - as we see now - might have had the most polished QB in college football last year. After all, Andy Dalton is 6-2 already in the NFL, and looks REALLY good. The fact that Wisconsin 2010 probably SHOULD have won that game against an NFL starting QB tells me they were the real deal. Now as I said, Wisconsin 2011 is probably better than Wisconsin 2010, and Wisconsin 2011 already has two losses in the conference.
I guess we'll see come bowl season. I actually like the potential bowl matchups so far. The fact of the matter is, the B1G needs to improve their bowl performances EVERY year. 2009 was great! Two BCS bowl wins, and four victories over Top 15 opponents (only conference EVER to do that). But we need to be more consistent. I think the parity helps. No victory is taken for granted. Teams are playing hard and physical every week. Jim Delaney negotiated arguably the toughest bowl tie-ins of any conference. The conference needs to deliver. If there were any year that the B1G could go 4-0 against the SEC, it's this year since they'll likely not see Bama or LSU. Arkansas is tough, but last time I recall they lost their last matchup with a B1G team (and last years Arkansas team was much better than this one). The rest of the SEC is very average.
I think college football in general is not that great this year in terms of overall quality. The Pac whatever has 2 good teams, the Big 12 has 2 good teams, the SEC has 2 good teams. The ACC is what it usually is, has some teams that look like they could be good, but will probably lose their BCS game and perform badly in their bowl games. The Big East is horrible. Then that brings us the Big 10.
I really think the Big 10 stinks this year. Nebraska is not the team they have been the last couple of years. Wisconsin lost by 2 hail mary's basically, they could be undefeated right now and they appear to be a pretty good team. Michigan State, is probably about the same or worse than they were last year. They have great D, but will get crushed if they have to play a really good opponent on a neutral field. They also live and die by whether or not good Cousins shows up or Bad Cousins shows up. I could easily see them getting trounced in the Rose Bowl. Ohio State has the horses to be really good, but are terribly inconsistent. I said a few weeks back they could beat Wisconsin and lose to Indiana. That was almost proved this weekend. Penn State is in first place with no offense whatsoever.
I think the Big 10 has a lot of entertaining games because there aren't any great teams this year. I think the big 10 will struggle this bowl season again, just because the potential for unfavorable matchups is there. What if Georgia were to beat LSU in the SEC title game. You'll have Bama in the Cap 1 Bowl. They'd likely play MSU, PSU, Wisconsin or Ohio State. We know how they've handled the other 2 teams. I just don't see a B1G team that can win that game. I don't know how it will shake out but would there be a potential Big 10 matchup against K-State and or Texas too? Those matchups would likely be who? Illinois and Northwestern?
There are some other potential matchups that would be entertaining and give the B1G a shot. Nebraska and Michigan vs Arkansas and South Carolina may be pretty entertaining. Ohio State, I'm just not sure where they'll end up or if they can even play but I have no idea what to think or expect out of them in a bowl game.
I mostly agree, the BT has a lot of decent to good teams but no top-5 caliber teams this year. The BT will do well in bowl games, though, this year if the conference only gets one BCS invite and therefore the teams get favorable matchups.
I disagree, though, that Wisky is a better this year - they're not quite as good because they lost two NFL OLmen and aren't running the ball as consistently as they were last year. Also, I don't see Wilson as an overall upgrade over Tolzien. Wilson is a more dynamic playmaker, but Tolzien was a better game-manager, more consistent, tough as nails, etc. Tolzien was an excellent fit for last year's awesome power run game. Plus, Wisky lost JJ Watt and a few other veterans on defense.
MSU is about the same. ILL, Michigan, and PSU are better, but Iowa, NW, and Purdue are worse. Still, I like the BT in bowls as long as they're not facing the hardest bowl schedule yet again.
The Big 10 is weaker than usual this year and only partly because the Bucks are not top 5 caliber as usual. No team has a great record and this is with a dilution of the schedule due to division play. The addition of Nebraska is nice, but it does not makeup for the growing bottom of the league that is decidedly MAC like. Everybody has lackluster records and that is with everyone missing one or two legit matchups from the other division. The Buckeyes, of course, look to be playing the 3 best from the other side in their cross over games, but there is no Michigan - Wisconsin, no Michigan - Penn State (notice pattern), etc. And don't forget that the schedule is back loaded (a good thing) with key matchups down the stretch. Its going to get uglier - except for the Buckeyes who will win out and shower their home state with the football glory that is its birthright.
JLP36
Bob Ryan is a moron. Didn't he get in some kind of trouble by suggesting Jason Kidd should beat his wife or something like that? This comment came after he had allegedly beat her already. How this guy can keep a job with the non sense he mumbles is beyond me. I don't pay any attention to anything that idiot says.
What happened at Penn State was a tragedy, I'm not even going to try and compare it to Ohio State because quite honestly there is no comparison. Anyone who tries to make that comparison is an idiot. I'm also not going to try take some solace in the fact that trading stuff for tatoos isn't as severe. They are two totally different situations. If anything it proves how stupid NCAA rules are, when programs land in hot water over stuff that is legal and programs who have players, coaches, and other officials who break laws don't end up in trouble.
At the end of the day though, the Penn State stuff is just horrible. What a horrible person to commit such acts. The people who covered it up or lied about it are equally horrible. This was just a mess, and it was not mentioned so there would no bad press directed at the school. Just totally F'd up on all accounts there.
When I first read the story on Saturday, my first thought was "Dear God, please don't let people make comments about how this makes the OSU thing seem ok" and a few were made but in passing and I accepted it for what it was. For it to get turned around the other way by a respected member of the media is totally inexcusable. These two things have absolutely nothing to do with one another. For all intents and purposes, OSU's problem is a football thing and Penn State's is a legal thing. To use OSU and Tress as a way to deify Joe Pa even further than he already is makes me ill. Then to turn around and say he just wanted to dig Tress? Come on man. And "Probably a poor choice" is like saying "I'm not racist but....(RACIST COMMENT)". This is a new low for journalism. To make an attempt at relating anything going on in CFB with this PSU scandal boils my blood, so much so that I'm admittedly losing coherence as I write this response.
*FWIW, I think Ryan is an Ace Hardware store full of tools but the dude has gotten some props as a writer. I use the word 'respected' grudgingly.
Class of 2005.
Ohio State's problems were very much of the legal variety as well. That point is constantly forgotten, hopefully not by the NCAA. Thankfully, no Buckeyes were implicated in any illegal behavior in that fiasco. That we are even mentioned with the likes of SMU and Miami is a shame - much less mentioned in articles about the dispicable and disgusting behavior in PA.
Stop expecting any journalism in the world. It is dead. If you encounter a trace of it consider yourself lucky.
JLP36
Exactly. Football/athletics was just the setting for PSU. It could have just as easily been a chemistry professor and the dean of arts and sciences and neither the story nor the outrage changes. The problem with OSU, UNC, USC, GT, etc was the NCAA violations and had they not pertained to athletics and football, nobody would have cared.
Jenks, I see what you're saying, but I disagree. It is a football problem. There is no way this situation would've been handled like this if the perpetrator wasn't a legendary coordinator for them, I believe.
I mean, Joe Pa, you weren't told the specifics? Please give me a plausible scenario involving a 60 year old man, a small boy, a shower, and a freaked out witness other than criminal activity?
The ineptitude here is as tragic as it is mind-boggling.
If nothing else: Marionaire.
I see where you are coming from too, and I guess it's not right for me to ignore that piece of the story and only look at the end result. I just don't see how OSU's problems could have happened anywhere but in the athletic department, while PSU's could have (even if they were more likely to happen in the AD).
Actions speak louder than words. JoePa states that the details of the event were not shared with him by the GA. However the Sunday following the incident he arranges a meeting at his house to discuss what happened with the powers that be (The AD-Curley and the vp of finance- Schultz, who also manages the university police)? A week and a half later, those same powers have a closed door meeting with the GA and then decide to revoke Sandusky's athletic campus privileges with kids based on Sandusky 'Horsing around' with this victim. It's easy to understand why the GJ did not buy it and charged these assholes with perjury.
I guess JT never learned Cover-up 101 from JoePa. If you are going to surpress an incident like this, I would suspect this would be exactly what you would do.
It's a House of Cards and it is starting to fall. JoePa needs to resign NOW and apologize in person to Sandusky's victims to save what little respect he has left.
The one thing I hope in all of this scandal is that the respective fanbases of the teams that Penn State has left on the till leave this out of their smack talk and signage for games. As a dad, hell as a human being this just makes me ill. If the kid that got raped in the shower were my son I'd be going all law abiding citizen on the House of Nittany at this point if people weren't brought to justice over this.
I had an interesting convo with a friend of mine. He's a UM fan, but other than that he's a pretty decent person. He seems to think PSU doesn't get affected by all of this, short of the distraction its sure to become. I have to disagree. I don't think the NCAA does squat to their football team, because it isnt a football issue but I'd be willing to bet the University gets hit pretty hard in civil court. Ever see what happens when a company covers up, say, sexual harrassment or racial discrimination? Think that but worse. That's how I think this ends for PSU. Gonna be mighty hard to pay for stuff like new coaches named Urban....
Again, just an idea I had rolling around in my noodle.
Class of 2005.
I agree....anything related to the crime needs to be left outside of the stadium. However, JoePa needs to be boo'd big time. I used to respect the hell out of the guy. Not anymore.
A chorus of boos is well earned, agreed. I just can't see a situation where JoePa comes out of this at the end of the season with a job. Even if they keep him on and "support him" through this scandal( and if ANYTHING in sports truly deserved this massively overused word it's this.) His supporters can't be seen as all that supportive anymore. I'm not going to paint his whole life with this broad brush. As OSU fans we should be extremely sensitive to that at this point, but I do see him in a different light now. I sure wish I didn't have to.
I've posted in the past that I would not judge other programs based on the experience of the last 10 months. However, this transcends sports and just pisses me off to no end. I'm assuming that it's because I have two young children (two boys). I'm not saying that if you don't have children this is not upsetting. I just think for me personally it has risen to another level. JoePa obviously has kids, why didn't he follow up on this? Does football and/or a friendship trump a child's innocence? There isn't even a choice.
My sister went to Penn St. I heard the stories about JoePa. I respected the guy for who he was and what he represented. He stood up for JT. I just don't get it.
Why would he follow up with it? How do we know he didn't? They School administration said it wasn't what it seemed and they just took away the keys from the locker room and said don't bring kids around anymore. It is not JoePa's job to investigate a retired coach's activities and to track down an unidentified kid.
JoePa's job was to tell the administration and they are to follow up and investigate to see if there is reasonable suspicion. Word of mouth accusations should be told multiple times to different people so to avoid false accusations. Why didn't the adult witness stop it and call the cops? Why didn't Second Mile call the cops? All this attention on Paterno made me forget the monster's name who preyed on little boys.
You follow up on it by notifying the cops. And I am not buying the vague detail argument. They knew and I base that judgment on how quickly meetings were arranged, where they were held, and the people involved. It's the reason why there are perjury charges.
JoePa is Penn St and Penn St is JoePa. He doesn't have a superior. He needed to do the right thing and he didn't. If more facts come out that support him, then I will change my opinion, but until then I have lost all respect for the man.
It's also the reason he was investigated in 98-99 and retired after the 99 season.
The guys name is Jerry Sandusky.
For one second, I want you to imagine yourself walking into a shower room that should be empty and finding that scene. What would you do? Never mind, we can't recreate the anxiety and horror that you might have felt so it's hard to say what any of us would have done.
I do agree though, the first thing the G.A. should have done is call the cops from the office and keep an eye out to see if he tried to leave. On the other hand I can see how he might have been a little intimidated, he was just a student and the rapist was a respected long time coach.
The point I'm making is that they all have a responsibility, not just the administration.
The grad student was a 28 year old man. I can understand being shocked and fumbling around the lockerrom but he called his dad and not the cops. Common now. Can we not expect more from 28 year old men? He is the only one who actually saw it and can ID the kid. I can't deny that JoePa could have done more but until I hear more about it, I'm not going to assume the worse of people.
Oh, the grad student's dad should have called the cops then too. He was the first person to hear about it from the only witness. Yet he said to call Coach Paterno.
If you read what I wrote I said everyone should have called the police. Everyone.
I'm a Grad. Assistant at OSU (not with the football team though). I'm 33. I can see the dilema he was in. I report to several well respected and long tenured profs. in my department. I know that I would report though, knowing the law in the state of Ohio that requires it. Having been a public school teacher for 10 years it gets drilled into our heads that we must report and that we are protected from retaliation.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=ap-pennstate-abuse
This sums it up but I would add all of the other names we are throwing around too. They all should have called the police. I still can't believe the law in PA doesn't require direct contact with the police.
No one talking about the Buckeyes? Anyone worried about our trip to Purdue?
Forgetaboutit!!!!!
At this point in the season its become obvious that if we are playing a defense that has a pulse we won't be able to pass for 100+ yards, so all we need to do is pull a Georgia Tech every week and rush for 300+ yards in order to win.
No gimmes at this point in the season with inconsistent offensive and defensive efforts in pretty much every game but should be able to out-class Purdue.
I hear that William. Its pretty mind boggling that we couldn't air it out vs arguably the worst pass defense in the country at home after a monumental win. I figured we'd be beaming with confidence and swagger but was proven wrong.
The theme for this years Buckeye squad this year should be "what team will we see this week"?.
Forgetaboutit!!!!!
That seems to be the theme across the BIG in general this year as Iowa loses to Minny then beast TTUN, Nebraska dominates MSU and then lays an egg against the Nerds. No consistency.
Yes Darth, that could be probably said every year for most confrences as well as the NFL. Anyone team could beat anyone on any given day. We aren't used to seeing it with the Buckeyes but hey..it is what it is this year.
The Fickell meter is probably going to break from all the ups and downs that we see from this team. Can't be said enough that Bollman needs to be handed a pink slip as soon as this season ends.
Bollman shouldn't get all the blame however. The Linebacking group especially Sabino just don't seem to have "it". Sweat is playing his ass off, and I think he could be really good if he had another year as the starting Will under his belt but that ship sailed when they didn't redshirt him in 08' like they shouldve.
Major strides need to be made by Braxton, the Wide recievers, Klein and Sabino if we want to be as good as we can be next season.
Forgetaboutit!!!!!
From: Ryan@globe.com
To: p m
Date: Sun, 6 Nov 2011 18:11:46 -0500
Subject: Re: PSU
I said it was a poor choice. I fucked up. Calling it "heinous" should suffice.
From: p m
Sent: Sunday, November 06, 2011 06:08 PM
To: Ryan, Robert P
Subject: RE: PSU
You and the entire ESPN organization "tweaked" Jim Tressel for years, so please don't act as if this was your golden opportunity to finally get at him. That is as phony as you claim Tressel to be. Yes, you did say the crime was "heinous" (what do you want, a cookie?) but by comparing it what happened at Ohio St., you put the two on the same level and by doing so, told us much more about you than you think you did about Jim Tressel.
From: Ryan@globe.com
To: p m
Date: Sun, 6 Nov 2011 15:58:45 -0500
Subject: Re: PSU
My bad. Mistaken words. Just wanted to tweak that phony Tressel. I did say the crime was "heinous."
From: p m
Sent: Sunday, November 06, 2011 02:35 PM
To: Ryan, Robert P
Subject: PSU
Dear Bob,
I will be asking ESPN to fire you or at the very least apologize for the comments you made today on "The Sports Reporters" Anyone who would even attempt to compare the non-reporting child sexual abuse to the proper authorites to not reporting the sale of personal items for cash/tattoo's to the proper authorities, does not deserve to have the job you have. You made an absolute mockery of what happened at PSU and the lives that were destroyed by the administration not going to the police.
Sincerely,
Pamela Mason
Princeton, NJ
Hell yeah Pam! You go girl! Stick it to these paid hacks masquerading as "journalists"!
Reading this exchange, Pam, I'm having trouble deciding which is my favorite sentence:
Or
If nothing else: Marionaire.
From: Ryan@globe.com
To:p m
Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2011 06:41:14 -0500
Subject: Re: PSU
My bad dumb reference.
From: p m
Sent: Sunday, November 06, 2011 10:04 PM
To: Ryan, Robert P
Subject: RE: PSU
An apology to Jim Tressel for putting his non-action in reporting NCAA violations in the same category as non-action in reporting criminal child sexual abuse would suffice as well as an apology to the victims of Sandusky for making their horror about CFB and two coaches.
What in the world did Jim Tressel ever do to you that would cause you to fuck up? Because he didn't report NCAA violations? He lost his job because of it and you still need to "tweak" him? You are a seasoned sports reporter who doesn't even cover college football exclusively and you let a coach that you have likely never met get under your skin that much for that? How embarrassing.
Jim Tressel being the kind of man I know him to be, was probably on the phone this morning with Joe offering his old friend support. He is a much better person than me. Not even an 83 year old man gets a pass from me when it comes to kids being sexually abused. Which makes Tressel a much better person than you.
+1000
Way to go Pam!
We should strive to keep thy name, of fair repute and spotless fame...
(Also, I'm not a dude)
Pam probably deserves a term and definition on the 11W terminology page - for persistence, elequence, and overall righteousness in e-mail defense of all things Buckeye.
At work they call it getting "Pammed"
I basically sent him an email that said Trivializing sex abuse is as deplorable as the cover up that followed the crime. Then I said of course we've seen this out of you before when you made light of Domestic violence. What is your next topic Bob, Racism? Maybe those victims whose lives Bernie Madoff ruined would like to hear your spin on how it compares to something a college coach has done.
Ohio State should rehire Jim Tressel as head coach in 2012. If nothing else, it would grind media hackjobs like Bob Ryan.
Really, after this Penn State scandal, Tressel looks more and more like a boy scout. He's too good of a guy to go out for something so trivial as tat discounts, and I think he actually did tell somebody, but for some reason Gene Smith is protected.
"You win with people." - Woody Hayes
We have a better chance of Jordan Hicks and Trey Depriest transferring to Ohio State than Tressel being rehired as head coach next season. Not going to happen. He's gone for good.
Forgetaboutit!!!!!
Bob Ryan is just like a lof of the PSU fanbase sheep --- they would look the other way if Joe Pa murdered somebody, then find a way to justify it.
Joe Pa, the media darling, is a phony fraud, and has been for decades.
"You win with people." - Woody Hayes
Hey world - leave college football alone! I want to think and argue about who has a better running game and who was the best linebacker ever and why we don't run crossing routes. There is plenty of crap in the outside world. I don't need it here! The deepest issue I want discussed here is why it is OK ethically to make fat jokes about Michigan's coach. And here we are with allegations of heinous behavior and obstruction of justice.
Hey GENE SMITH: Here is your chance to bow out without tons of attention on your absolutely abysmal job performance!
JLP36
Ladies and gentlemen, our new head coach: Tim Jressel!
"Anything easy ain't worth a damn." - Wayne Woodrow Hayes
Jim "Hope" Tressel.
Taking a page out of Bobby Valentine's playbook! Or should I say, "Vobby Balentine".
Man, I can't wait untill the the Joe Pa caption contest this year. Oh my.
What, Too Soon?
So LSU-Bama is a defensive suck-fest marred by uncreative playcalling, no offense, lots of FGs, and therefore it was terrible and horribly overrated.
Yet, anytime a JTressel team played in exactly that same way and won it was all "HAIL TRESSELBALL WE ROX #WIN" ...
All I'm saying is, give credit where credit is due. Good Defense is not always pretty to watch. If we're gonna hail our own teams whenever we play a grind-it-out style we shouldn't turn around and use a double-standard on SEC teams just b/c we hate them so damn much.
There's a difference between Tressel's conservative nature and the sloppiness that was visible in Tuscaloosa. Tressel was also know for mixing things up against great defenses to at least try to throw them off. In 2008, against a Penn State team that was 1 loss from appearing in the BCS Championship Game, Tressel had Pryor pass the ball 25 times, WAY more than any other game during his freshman season (he went 16/25 for 226... so it obviously worked to some extent). He did something similar in the Rose Bowl after the '09 season, and again in the Sugar Bowl last year. What we saw Saturday night were two offenses playing scared.
ALSO, we are NOT re-hiring Jim Tressel. Jesus, some people here sound like an 8th grader whose first girlfriend just dumped them. LET IT GO.
As much as we would like to "stick it" to the NCAA and re-hire the man, what would that ultimately bring us in the end? MORE NCAA WRATH. We need to do everything possible right now to escape that, for the good of the program's future. That means showing them ASAP that a "new administration" is in charge, which means new coach, (New AD...), etc.
Sorry folks but the Jim Tressel ship sailed long ago. Those who want to re-hire him in spite of all this are valuing their reverence for the man over the long term benefits to the Program.
This isn't addressed to the commenters on this web site, as I know the vast majority of you are much smarter than the people I'm referencing in this post, so don't take offense in any way. But I've already seen some dumb comments (not on this blog) from some Ohio State fans here and there, such as "I would take my kids to the Ohio State/Penn State game this year, buttttt.... y'know."
This is serious sh*t. This issue with Penn State is disturbing, far beyond any ultimately meaingless NCAA infraction garbage. It is not a tool to be used for making Ohio State look better by comparison. Doing that is unbelievably short-sighted in relation to the big picture, and it's an insult to those that have been deeply affected by this. Ohio State fans are better than that, and I'm sure most of them would gang up on and outlaw any such behavior. So, if you're going to the Ohio State/Penn State game next week, keep an eye out for any foolish signs made by idiotic fans, and do what you can to get rid of them. As I said, it's unlike most Ohio State fans to even do such things, but you know a few of them will. If you find it, do your part to get rid of it. I'm sure the school will be mindful of it as well, but just keep your eyes open and be sensitive to what's going on in general, because it's much, much bigger than school perception.
+1,000,000. We are better than that as fans. Let's show the world one more thing that we are better than Penn State at - being classy. Not that I care what other fanbases think of us, but many of them already look at us as obnoxious and lacking of class. The last thing we need to do is make an ass out of ourselves on TV, and perpetuate that perception. You know if something like that happens, ESPiN will be all over it, and the 95% will be lumped in with the jackass 5% as far as our fanbase goes.
Class of 2010. 5 years, 2 degrees, 1 love - Go Bucks!
Penn State should be handed the most severe NCAA penalties available. JoePA, the AD, VP and lets be honest, the President must have some knowledge in this... must all be held responsible as should the school since they are employees protecting Penn State's "pristine" image. No tattoo, bribe, etc et can ever compare to what happened at Penn State.
If OSU puts up 100 pts on PSU and have Braxton Miller throw a 60 mph ball in JoePa's face, I would be an extremely happy individual.
It just angers me to no end.
Please, Please have the student section chant "Child Molesters...."
Disagree. This goes well beyond the NCAA's scope here. This is a much larger issue than anything the NCAA can do to PSU. I predict far reaching civil litigation\penalties. But there isn't anything the NCAA can do to take football away from PSU.
Class of 2005.
"Please, Please have the student section chant "Child Molesters...."
Yeah, great. I'll be glad to see Ohio State fans handling this with class on national television. That's precisely what we don't need.
My thoughts exactly. That kind of 'chant' doesn't do anything. It makes fans and fanbases look awful and is an insult to the victims here. Bad form, GoBlu.
Class of 2005.
As a current student, I will not be surprised one bit if chants like that are started. The behavior of some of my fellow students is flat out embarrassing. As much as I love Buckeye football, at various points throughout the year I have very seriously considered selling my tickets to the remaining games because of the way some students around me act. I'm honestly ashamed to be a part of it.
As student I'm embarrassed by how some of the other students act. No one whats to smell the ridiculous amount of booze on your breathe or hear you ramble, and curse like a sailor. Its embarrassing and classless. Of course that would never lead to me selling my tickets.
I know it was in bad taste, but as a father... it disgusts me and angers me. I have never been more angry and have had something completely ruin my football season as a story like this did. We have to stop praising football as a religion.
I do disagree that the NCAA shouldnt step in. Their football dept covered this up and should face penalties.
Btw... How is Penn State's story not on ESPN full time when a stupid tattoo issue was on primetime 24 hours a day?
As a dad it angers me too. As does the thought that somewhere today an 18 or 19 year old is having a horrific time tyring to deal with with all the crap that I am sure he has been struggling with for the past 9 years being paraded all over the news again. One would think that he hadn't told his parents so odds are he hasn't been able to seek help in dealing with this. I tell you this if some Jackass fan next to me started that chant and I were there this weekend as a Dad I'd be doing all I could to get them removed from the game. There are no jokes here. Nothing is funny. Everything is tragic. It's not a "Hey let's see what kind of comparisons we can make between schools infractions" issue(looking at you Mr Ryan) It's not a college football issue. It is as serious as life gets. As fans we need to rise above this and not even reference it in a game type situation.
Sir, I owe you a pint. This gentleman has the right idea. As I said before, this isn't a tool for making Ohio State look good in some foolish way. It's a serious life issue, one that should be respected.
All of the victims were participants in The Second Mile which is a program for at-risk youth (which Sandusky founded). I'm guessing all of them are from economically disadvantaged, single parent homes. Probably not a lot of family resources to begin with and then to have to deal with the psychological carnage left by a sexual predator.
Needless to say they are going to need a lot of help. And there are probably more than eight of them out there. (That's all that the grand jury was able to confirm.)
You have to make decisions, ... I've never pretended that every decision I've made was right. And I've been reminded of that.” - Jim Tressel
Being angry and being petty are hugely different things. We can be one without the other, and should be. Making light of atrocities elsewhere does nothing.
Taquitos.
Posted this in a different thread but I don't think anyone saw it. Maybe my conspiratorial mind is running amok but I have a feeling that there is a wide ranging coverup going on.
http://www.centredaily.com/2011/11/07/2977299/something-must-be-said.html
http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2011/11/7/2545027/-jerry-sandusky-ray-gricar-prosecutor-1998-penn-state-missing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Gricar
The first link may be conspiracy theory gone wild....but note the reference to Ray Gricar (and his link to this case, and his searches from his home computer before he disappeared in the wikipedia link).
I do not and will not actively cheer for a football program's demise (other than The U) but I have a feeling that JoePa and Penn State's squeaky clean image is just a mirage.
It is sad that people are bring so much attention to JoPa and that he didn't call the cops. We are all now going to remember over reactive people wanting to blame a good person (as far a we know at this point) and not the actual name the rapist coach, not the Penn St Administration who didn't call the cops, not the Second Mile director who didn't call the cops and not the witness who didn't stop it and call the cops. Just that JoPa left Penn St. because he didn't call the cops.
Of what If read from the Grand Jury Report, JoPa did exactly what he should have done. From what I understand JoPa didn't get any detail of what actually happened. It is not JoPa's job to investigate, that is an administration job. The AD and President are responsible to investigate it then decide if the was reason to report it. They failed but they did tell the Second Mile of what was going on with one of their kids. Why didn't they call the cops? Why didn't the adult grad assistant stop it and call the cops? Why isn't anyone blaming them. For all we know, JoPa was told it was taken care of and settled.
Well, I did mention the University in my post and I have a feeling most will remember the name of the person that did this. The Second Mile was FOUNDED by Sandusky, do we need a hint why they didn't report?
My feeling on the matter is that EVERYONE involved should have reported; JoePa, the G.A., athletic department, the janitors that caught him doing the same thing in the '90's. The law here in Ohio requires that ANY SUSPECTED child abuse must be reported. To the police. I thought this was standard but I guess PA is behind the times.
I also have a feeling but no proof that there were a lot of people that knew all of the details and swept it under the rug.
It's PA law too. It says the instituation responsible for the child is to investigate and report any reasonable suspected abuse. It is not typical that everyone who heard of a suspected event has to report it to police.
My wife is a special Edu teacher, she periodically has to report abuse. Typically she reports it to guidance or the school social worker, the call the student it and confirm the report then call the police or DHHS. My wife only had to call DHHS once becuase everyone else wasn't available so they asked her to do it.
I would agree with you if there were some other kind of situation--maybe Sandusky is caught cheating on his wife with an adult woman in the shower or something like that. The bottom line is clear and distinct, whether the AG wants to go there or not: Anyone who SUSPECTS child abuse of any kind must report it to the appropriate authorities. Its actually NOT the adminstrations job to investigate. Its up to people like me, actual specialized child abuse investigators, to make a determination as to whether or not an act of abuse has occured.
I really dont care if JoePa is criminally charged, but anyone who thinks he did not have knowledge of what Big Red saw, and I mean with specificity, then your thought process defies logic. Joe would know if it were reported to the appropriate authorites because someone from law enforcement would have interviewed him and his staff EXHAUSTIVELY. Oh, and not almost a decade later. So please, stop with the 'maybe he thought it was taken care of.' The way crimes get 'taken care of' is through investigations and arrests, NOT by administrative acts.
I have ZERO doubt Big Red told JP he saw a ten year old being sodomized in the shower. Sure, JP went to administration and maybe that was enough for him to sleep at night, but consider this: how would you feel about this so-called legend if it were one of your children abused in 2003, 2004, 2005, ect?
JoePa gets all the attention because he IS Penn State. Until a few days ago that was all fine and good. You cant have it both ways.
You got 30 minutes..30 minutes, fight hard, prepare hard, and it comes down now the way it should in a BCS game..the way it should..good ass teams, two good ass teams for over 30 minutes..does everyone understand?
Amen
With the information that we know of what JoePa was told about the actual sex acts was that there was fondling or some sort of sex acts. The Grand Jury Report doesn't say he was told specifically and it doesn't charge him with perjury for saying he didn't know specifics, however, it does mention what the witness told the Curly and Shultz and they are being charge with perjury and failure to report to the police because of what was said in that meeting and PA law. If JoePa was in that meeting reviewing the 28 year old witness's accounts then and still did nothing I'm sure he would be charged as well.
I agree that Paterno could have or even should have called the police, but to solely focus on him and drag his name through the mud is wrong when there are other players involved that are more at fault then him and nobody focusing them. Now if a person can prove, not speculate, but prove that Paterno wanted to keep this in house as much as possible then I say burn him at stake. Until then I'm not going to tar and feather Paterno with the witness didn't do sh*t the night it happened, over the weekend, the following week and he still didn't do anything when he was told the outcome. He is the once with the burnt image in his head. He is the only one that could ID the kid.
Justice for me would be social embarrassment and pressure on the Curly and Shultz, pressure on the only witness for not reporting it or making sure it gets reported and dragging the monster Sandusky through the mud and back. Paterno should get some pressure on why he didn't repot it to the police but we shouldn't solely focus on him; letting the witness escape his responsibility. He was a 28 year old adult. I'd hope a high school kid would report this. Oh, if we are going to through mud at Paterno then we should do the same to the witness's father; he didn't say sh*t either. His father could have called the cops that very night and the police could have cought Sandusky in the act.