Hi.
It's now three days after the end of the 2011 Ohio State football season. It's finally over and here's the proof. I hope that you're all coming to terms with what that means.
It means that you were there man, for what may end up being the worst season in Ohio State football history. Congratulations, here's your certificate of participation and a plaque that signifies your involvement as a fan.
What's that? You want me to do what with that plaque?
Well, that's a bit uncalled for, but I do appreciate your concern for my prostate health.
Anywho, it's time to turn our focus to basketball, recruiting, the NFL play-offs, etc - because college football is over, because none of us are going to watch the SEC Championship squared, right?
IF YOU CAN DODGE A WRENCH. Apparently having the innate ability to dodge mechanical implementations will not help Ohio State dodge Wisconsin's Montee Ball in 2012. Ball, the 4th place finisher in the 2011 Heisman trophy race, announced on Wednesday that for some reason or another he will return to Madison for his senior season in 2012.
In 2011, Montee led the nation in rushing yards and finished his season with a mind-blowing 39 touchdowns, which tied the NCAA's all-time mark for a non-quarterback, set by Barry Sanders in 1988 (Although Sanders actually finished with 44, his five bowl game TDs did not count towards his season total). Ball was steady at his worst in 2011 and spectacular at his best, racking up nine 100 yard games, including 2 games where he topped the 200 yard mark on the ground. He scored two or more touchdowns in every game in 2011, and scored four touchdowns in four separate games. Ridiculous numbers on an offense that was incredibly dynamic and diverse.
It's always good to see guys go back to school and try and help their teams win for another year, but in some cases, it doesn't seem to make a lot of sense, and that's definitely how I view Ball's decision. Wisconsin will lose their offensive catalyst in Russell Wilson and their top wide-receiving threat in Nick Toon. They also will be breaking in a new offensive coordinator and new offensive line coach after Paul Chryst and Bob Bostad bolted for Heinz Field and the Pitt Panthers. It's hard to imagine that Montee's NFL stock will go up after another year and another 300+ hits on his body.
Ball had 17 carries for 85 yards with three catches for 30 yards to go along with a rushing and receiving score in Ohio State's dramatic win against Wisconsin in October.
ORANGE YOU GLAD I DIDN'T SAY BANANA?. Through 14 games this year, the Clemson Tigers basketball team has been pretty mediocre. They are 8-6, with their best win coming at Iowa in late November. They have also lost to Charleston, Coastal Carolina, Hawaii and UTEP, among others. However, in their 14 games, they have only given up 70 or more points a total of three times.
Last night in Miami, the Clemson Tigers football team, the ACC "champion", took on the West Virginia Mountaineers of the Big East in the forgotten BCS game, the Orange Bowl. Unfortunately for the Tigers, the game was on TV, and people watched them get drubbed by WVU to the tune of 70-33. Yes, 70. To 33.
The game was, believe it or not, very close at one point. With just under 11 minutes to go in the first half, El Tigres were looking to retake the lead; sitting on WVU 1-yard line they fumbled, it was returned 99 yards for a TD by the 'Eers Darwin Cook to make the score 28-17 West Virginia. That's when things got weird.
WVU scored three times in the final 2:30 of the first half, thanks to Clemson's inability to hold onto the football or play defense. At half, Clemson found themselves trailing 49-20. The 49 points by the Mountaineers was a bowl record for points in a half, and put Baylor's week old all-time bowl record of 67 points squarely in view.
When the massacre finally ended 20 minutes after midnight, the 'Eers had not only set a new bowl record for points in a game, but did so in a manner that will be remembered for quite some time. The Tigers gave up ten touchdowns to the WVU, more than Alabama's defense has the entire season.
Vegas had the over/under on the Orange Bowl at 65 points, for both teams. Look out, South Beach, Dana's on the loose. (Not related to Holgorsen's drunken escapades, but this had me laughing hysterically last night.)
All-Time Winningest Sore Loser (via todaysaccheadlines.com)
BLUE DEVILS TAKE ONE UPSIDE THE TEMPLE. I have always "liked" when Duke loses a basketball game, not because I am some sort of "Duke-hater" or whatever, but because I, like many; am a fan of the "underdog story". When the Devils lose, they are rarely in the role of David, more often than not, they are the Goliath.
So when #3 Duke fell to Temple 78-73 last night, there was the normal level of glee (especially now that Duke is somehow ranked ahead of Ohio State again, my disbelief at how pollsters vote is a tale for another time), but it was also mixed with a new, exciting thrill: seeing how Coach K responds in the press conference.
After the Ohio State game, he quipped about his rear-end being sore, and following last night's defeat in Philadelphia, he was once again the life of the party.
Some reporter asked a silly question about whether or not Krzyzewski could foresee his team's struggle against the Owls. He was quick to retort.
"If I saw it coming, I would have faked an illness, instead of getting ill during the game"
The Blue Devils are now 12-2 on the year. Their two losses have come in their only two true road games, at Ohio State and now at Temple.
HAPPY VALLEY COACHING SEARCH NEARLY COMPLETE? Multiple outlets are reporting that Bill O'Brien, the current offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots will be interviewing today at Penn State, and that a deal could happen in short order if things go as expected. O'Brien is considered by many to be the lead candidate to replace ousted legend Joe Paterno and at this point, no matter who PSU hires what's important is that they move quickly, lest they risk losing any grasp on the 2012 recruiting class.
The 43 year old O'Brien is perhaps best known not for his coaching expertise, but rather for this recent blow up with dancing queen Tom Brady on the Patriot's sideline.
Here's hoping he and Matt MgGloin are able to get along better than Matty Ice (on his eye to reduce swelling) and Curtis Drake.
QUICK SLANTS. LSU's football team gets right to work upon arriving in 'Nawlins... I am 100% sure I know the guy in the orange hat in the first picture... True love isn't dead... Water coolers in Miami are officially on notice... Bullet-tooth Tony provides a tremendously helpful PSA.
