Eleven Warriors

Rich, the mastermind, may not be worried about "the so-called pageantry", but he probably is worried about how his offense will fare against the Big Ten's top defense.

If the Buckeyes pull through on Saturday, I'll be lucky enough to have been alive to see Notre Dame and Michigan go 3-9 back-to-back. I still contend that Charlie Weis and Rich Rodriguez are single-handedly trying to destroy midwestern football, but it's been kind of fun to watch.

I know, I know. Hubris, rivalry game -- all that. It's going to be tough to go Holtz this week with platitudes, so I'm just warning you out of the gate. 19.5 point lines will do that.

The Middle Cinnamon Roll If you've ever thrown down an 8 pack of Pillbury's oven baked cinnamon rolls you know two things. One, they are orgasmically delicious. Two, the middle one is the greatest and softest of them all. With those two facts in mind, my brother has officially annointed Beanie as the Middle Cinnamon Roll.

First, there's no doubt he's a great back. A healthy Beanie is the best back in the country and yesterday was another example. He continously displayed his power dragging players for extra yards while also showing his agility and quickness hitting holes and hurdling helpless defenders to the tune of 24 carries and 143 yards - good for a hair under six yards a pop.

Impressively, Beanie didn't have a negative yardage play (3 for no gain) while busting runs of 13, 25, 30 and 35 in a consistenly bruising performance.

The other side of the coin, however, is this marked another game where he left the field at least twice due to tweaks. Look, I'm not saying the guy isn't a workhouse nor am I trying to pile on because I've got nothing but love for #28 but I can't help but challenge the whole warrior label that some want to place on him.

The continuous nicks causing him to remove himself from the game mean something, don't they? If nothing else, don't they register on the radar of NFL scouts who supposedly leave no stone unturned? I don't know..I'm not losing sleep over this I'm just wondering what you all think about this topic. Is he a warrior in your mind? Are the constant nicks and plays missed legit in your book? Will it impact his draft status? I'm honestly curious as to what everyone thinks about this taboo topic.

The Deer, The Steer and Our Fear Even with the Illini defense armed with the knowledge a running play was coming (52 rush, 10 pass), Beanie and Pryor couldn't be stopped. Force yourself to give the line some of the credit - don't just shower it all on the Deer and the Steer. Pryor was electric running 13 times for 110 yards and a score while Beanie got loose for the aforementioned 24/143. To put up those stats with that lack of balance is a testament to the guys up front, though I don't have much good to say about Illy's front four.

I can't believe I'm typing this but Rehring actually had two great blocks according to my notes (my handwriting is sloppy and I was sitting in a bar so maybe I'm misreading) and Cordle also created some running lanes in between he and Brewster. I don't care if OSU played Columbus State, to put up nearly 6 yards a pop when the defense knows you are running 84% of the time is impressive.

Of course, the concern with all this is that even though OSU again won the surest way on a windy day for the second consecutive Saturday, the lack of balance, or even preparation for furture balance could be setting the Buckeyes up for the annual bowl melt down. Sure, running it 84% of the time (74% last week) will get past chumps like Northwestern, Illinois and Michigan, but I don't think that approach is gonna fly against a legit bowl foe. That said, what do you do? I don't particularly blame Tressel for the play calling considering the weather and the fact Illy couldn't stop the run but I'm not sure the overall offense is improving due to lack of need to throw a pass.

Regardless of who OSU is matched up with in January, they are certain to at least be better than anyone on this year's schedule with the exception of USC and possibly Penn State. Trying to run it 4 out of 5 plays, in good weather, isn't going to get in done in a bowl. I hope Tress has some WD-40 for TP's throwing arm. It's going to be rusty...

Thanks for the Dirty Hit I've never been a Ron Zook fan so my bias is probably in play here but are they not a DIRTY team? Seriously, I will always excuse an agression penalty in the flow of the game but Zooker's boys were a little over the top. Beyond the extra cirriculars that weren't called, they spent a lot of time pushing, shoving and woofing after plays in a way that the 'Canes would be proud of.

In particular, I think it was #4 Donsay Hardeman, who was responsible for the helmet to helmet hit on Sanzenbacher on the TD drive putting OSU up 30-13. Without DVR, I think I recall it was a 3rd and 4 at midfield when Pryor fired a pass intended for Dane that another Buckeye WR tipped. If not for the suspension worthy hit, Illinois would've gotten the ball back down only 10 but personal foul kept the TD drive alive. Thanks, Dirty.

And what's up with Vontae Davis? Why does such an established and talented player feel the need to chirp after every play? He went out of his way to jaw with Pryor, which was ironic from the standpoint that resident idiot and ESPN analyst Andre Ware forgot to notice. I guess Ware was too busy criticizing Pryor's comments after the NU game to notice how a seasoned veteran like Davis behaves on the field.

Seriously, did you guys catch Ware essentially saying Pryor's comments fire up a defense and change the game? Idiotic. If that's the case, then what's the excuse for Pryor torching the fired up Illini defense for 110 yards (8.5 ypc)? Am I to believe if wouldn't have talked he would've had 200 yards rushing? Bottom line, words don't make defenses better and words don't break tackles. Ware belongs on Raycom, at best.

Where'd the Defense Go? Once again, Juice and the Ilini offense gave the Buckeye D fits racking up 455 total yards (season high against OSU) though the Buckeyes did stiffen up a bit in the second half yielding just 163 after surrendering 292 in the first.

The first half was highly frustrating as Heacock stayed almost exclusively in zone and chose not to blitz Juice on more than a few obvious passing downs and/or 3rd and mediums allowing the shady passer to survey the field. One particularly painful example was Juice's first TD pass on 3rd and 6 at the OSU 8 yard line. He had all day to throw before launching a turd to Chamberlain for the score. That play killed me because the few blitz calls to that point seemed to pay off. To his credit, however, Heacock did dial up more blitzing as the game wore on.

I thought Moeller, in particular, did some nice work off the blitz in place of an injured Hines. A Moeller blitz forced Juice into the second quarter INT and he ended up with 7 tackles (2 TFL) and forced a fumble on the day.

As for his mates, the first half was a missed tackle convention resulting in numerous long runs. In the opening half, Illinois racked up 167 yards rushing on the strength of 8 yards per carry. Ridiculous.

Though this unit didn't have its best game but they did enough to slow Illinois in the second half allowing just 47 yards rushing on 14 attempts (3.35 ypc) keeping the game from ever being in doubt. Problem is, Illinois just isn't any good. All I can say is thank goodness OSU got some early turnovers or this would have been a totally different game.

Other Stuff

• Hartline is now officially on my list. I was already a little salty on him after reports he was one of the whiners when Boeckman was shown the pine then followed up by more than his share of drops but yesterday put me over the edge. In case you don't already know what I'm talking about, I'm referencing the 3rd and 7 reverse to Hartline midway through the fourth quarter. As Hartline neared the sideline, he blatantly avoided any contact stepping out of bounds just shy of the marker. Of course, TP picked up the first down on a sneak but what the hell was Hartline doing? Total wuss move. And don't tell me he was concentrating on the sticks and thought he had enough yards - I don't think he ever even looked. Inexcusable to not stay in bounds and turn up field whether you get the first down or not.
• Malcolm Jenkins had another strong day with 2 tackles, 3 pass break ups and his second blocked punt of the season. He now leads the team with 8 break ups (not counting all the ladies he's sent packing!). Man, I'm gonna miss that guy. A true Buckeye.
• Kurt Coleman's INT gave him a team leading fourth of the season and he also had a career high with 11 tackles. Of course, that's bound to happen with RB's are dancing in your secondary for much of the game.
• I said it last week too, but it was great to see Boom in there looking healthy again. He's no Beanie but he moves the pile pretty well for a guy with that frame and can make guys miss.
• What the hell happened on OSU's last drive of the first half? Taking possession with 2:39 to go, Tress played it so conservative that he left :41 on the clock knowing full well his defense had no mojo to that point. I get running the ball four consecutive times to start the drive but to not throw, or even roll out with the possibility of a throw, on 3rd and 3 near midfield was a little painful to watch. AJ then shanks a 33 yarder and Illy does their thing to make it 23-13 at the break. Not fun to watch.

It was another cold, windy day in the state of Illinois, but for the second straight week, the Bucks rode their star power to overcome the conditions and pull off a road victory.

Tresselball was in full effect during the second half, as Ohio State passed the ball twice after halftime, en route to a 30-20 win in Champaign.

It wasn't the prettiest defensive performance, but they made the stops when needed and watched most of the second half, as the Buckeye rushing attack turned the tables.

Beanie Wells and Terrelle Pryor each ran for 100+ yards and Ohio State controlled the ball for almost 20 minutes after halftime. It was the first time the Bucks have had two players go over the century mark since Troy Smith and Antonio Pittman did it against Iowa in 2005.

After trading punts to start the game, Ohio State created their first turnover when Tyler Moeller knocked the ball loose from Juice and Nadar Abdallah recovered the ball at the Illinois 19. Five plays later, LiC ran in from one yard out on a great bootleg play call. All five plays were runs and ate up 2:33 on the clock.

On Illinois's next drive, the Buckeye defenders reverted back to their old ways and let the Illini rush 7 straight times for 75 yards, missing numerous tackles and allowing runs of 12, 23, 24 and 11 yards. The drive was capped off by a 7 yard diving catch by Jeff Cumberland from Juice Williams, setting off visions of 2007 in the Buckeye faithful.

The Illini were only able to kick it 34 yards into a strong wind on the ensuing kickoff and the Buckeyes got the ball at their own 48. After failing to move the ball, Trapasso pinned Zook's team at the eight, setting up a momentum changing sequence. On 3 and 4, Nader Abdallah knocked down a Juice pass and Malcolm Jenkins blocked his second punt of the year, out of the endzone, giving OSU the 9-7 lead.

Another crummy 34 yard kick by Illinois gave the ball to Tressel's boys at the Illini 43. Breaking a season long trend, Pryor connected with Hartline for 16 yards on first down and then handed off to #9 on second down for an end around and a gain of 18. Two plays later, Beanie punched it in from 3 yards and the 16-7 lead.

The Buckeyes allowed Juice to march his troops down the field, as the Illini mixed in some no huddle offense and completely confused the Silver Bullets. After a much needed timeout by Tressel, Juice was pressured again by Moeller and threw a pick to Kurt Coleman at the Ohio State 6. Six plays later Pryor found Dane Sanzenbacher for a 20 yard touchdown. The drive covered 79 yards, including a 25 yard run by Pryor and 4 carries for 21 yards by Beanie.

The Illini gained another 107 yards in the final 6:30 of the second quarter, resulting in two field goals and a 23-13 halftime deficit. Illinois gained 292 yards in the first half, including 167 on the ground and had 13 plays of 10+ yards. They ran 11 more plays, but held the ball for only a 1:56 more than the Bucks.

There was an uneasy feeling across Buckeye Nation during halftime, not because we had to watch Mark May act stupid, but because the spread offense was given OSU fits once again. Credit must given to Heacock and the defense though, as they shut down the Illini in the second half, giving up only 42 yards in the third quarter and 88 in their first 4 possessions.

With the defense seemly in control after half, Tressel decided to run the ball on 31 of 33 plays in the second. Beanie electrified the crowd on the fourth play, with a three foot hurdle on an Illini defender and a gain of 25. He unfortunately fumbled the ball 5 plays later at the Illinois 18, but not before the Bucks had rushed 8 times for 58 yards, including TP's 16 yard scamper on 3rd and 13.

Luckily the Ilinni couldn't convert and after a battle for field position ensued, the Dynamic Duo lead OSU on an 8 play 84 yard drive, that ended with a 12 yard Boom Herron touchdown run. On that drive, Beanie had 5 carries for 37 yards, including a 30 yarder and Pryor had a 26 yard scamper on 1st and 15 that got the ball to the Illinois 13 yard line.

The Illini added a late touchdown to make the score more respectable, but it was the dominating second half performance by both sides that propelled OSU to their 15th straight conference road victory.

The Buckeye's ended up rushing the ball 52 times for 305 yards, including Beanie's 24 for 143 and TP's 13 for 110. Boom Herron chipped in with 11 carries 29 yards and Hartline had 2 for 24. Terrelle only needed to throw the ball 10 times, completing 6 of them for 49 yards and the aforementioned TD. Thankfully Robo (34) and Hartline (27) kept their streaks of at least one catch alive.

Ohio State ran the ball on 19 of 24 first downs by my unofficial count. I get as frustrated as anyone with Tressel's predictability on offense, but I don't blame him today. The conditions were horrible for throwing, it is mid-November on the road and you have a freshman QB.

The defense looked like a sieve during the first half, but the insertion of Tyler Moeller gave them a new blitzing dimension and I thought Nader Abdallah continued to inspire the defensive front. They missed tons of tackles, but made the stops when they had to and can now turn their attention to Michigan.

It's been an up and down season to say the least, but this team is 9-2 and in contention for a fourth straight Big Ten title and BCS bowl game berth. It is now Michigan week and those bastards have snuck up on us before. They are having their worst season in the history of the school, but the bitter taste could all go away with a victory over Ohio State.

Notes: Beanie moved past Pepe Pearson for fifth all time and now has 3,142 career yards. Next up is Keith Byers with 3,200... Jim Tressel moved past Earle Bruce for third with 82 career wins, he is now 82-18 at OSU... Illinois 455 yards of total offense was the most given up by Ohio State this year... Kurt Coleman had a career high 11 tackles... Ohio State has recovered 12 fumbles this year.

Kickoff:	12:00PM ET
Previews:	11W, OHD / PTO, Illinitalk
Favorite:	Ohio State (-9.5)
Television:	ESPN (Nationwide)
Radio:	OSU Football Affiliates
Weather:	Kind of pissy

Stop Juice, win the game. Should be simple.

But players like Williams rise to the occasion in games like these. He came into the Shoe last year flying under the radar somewhat and left with a new career high for passing touchdowns in a game. (Flynn later proved that was no big deal, but I digress.)

Senior day in Champaign, lousy weather and the recent struggles with the Illini are adding up to a bit of nervousness on my end, but I have to believe the revenge factor will be enough to carry the day.

Besides, Nader is living large.

With the ball first, what's your scripted opening series? Here's what I got:

• Fake reverse kickoff return from Flash
• Power I play-action leading to a seam completion to Ballard
• Pistol handoff left side to Beanie
• Shotgun, five-wide to Dane working the middle

Those should be good for a two or three score cushion....

#11 Ohio State 8-2, 5-1 Big Ten Roster | Schedule

November 15, 2008 12:00 PM ET - ESPN —— Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL

Illinois 3-3, 5-5 Big Ten Roster | Schedule

It's time. It's time to play the one Big Ten team that shouldn't scare you, but does, nonetheless.

They've dropped games to Minnesota, Wicsonsin and just last week, the pride of the MAC, Western Michigan. Last year it was Iowa and Michigan. But damn if they don't give you pause.

SEC fans will be quick to point out the Zooker's success in the Big Ten, which truthfully isn't all that, but one thing you can't argue is the fact that he's been good against the Buckeyes. His 10-loss team gave top ranked Ohio State a scare two years ago and we're all keenly aware of what transpired last November.

On any given Saturday, they're powered by the conference's best player. But, the consistency isn't there as they've alternated wins with losses since beginning Big Ten play. So why so much fear? Why does this one team scare Buckeye fans like no other? We may never know the answer to those questions, but unless Ohio State figures out their own Illinois riddle, they'll be scooping up bowl scraps instead of getting the BCS berth they need to help validate the 2008 season.

Opponent

Illinois may bring five losses into the matchup, but their offense currently leads the Big Ten in output, averaging a pretty fresh 459.9 yards per game. The scoring offense is good enough for 31.4 per outing, and the engine driving the show is quarterback Juice Williams. At times capable of being one of the premier players in the country, the junior can be a pocket terror. Size like Beanie, touch better than Pryor. And handling the ball on every play.

Williams doesn't have the luxury of a solid running attack and that's the primary reason for the under-performing season. He's carried the offense, accounting for 99% of the passing yards while also checking in as the team's leading rusher. His 577 rushing yards is two greater than tailback Daniel Dufrene has recorded and he's as much as an option on the ground as he is through the air, where he'll look to the Big Ten's leading receiver, Arrelious Benn.

Williams already has two games of at least 400 yards passing and his ability to run the read into first downs is oh so painfully fresh in our memories. Juice operates behind a decent offensive line and the Buckeyes will need to play an aggressive style -- unlike the react defense that was displayed last year -- in order to bottle him up and prevent him from eating large chunks of the clock.

On the defensive side of the ball, a lot of the preseason noise went to linebacker Martez Wilson and defensive back Vontae Davis, but the star of the unit has been senior Brit Miller. The linebacker leads the Big Ten in tackles and is 9th in the nation in TFLs. He's everywhere, like Leman, but without the gorgeous flowing locks. And infomercial aspirations.

Illinois has a middle-of-the-pack special teams unit. Benn is a threat on returns and the kicking game is dependable, but the Illini are actually quite drawn to the penalties. They have recorded more penalties and accompanying yards than the Buckeyes, who have consistently ranked amongst the conference's top (bottom?) teams in that category.

Buckeye Breakdown

As touched on above, the number one goal for Ohio State should be containing Juice. Memorial Stadium is an incredibly uninspiring place to play and the Buckeyes will have to look to the embarrassing fourth quarter last season for inspiration. They were humbled on their own field by not being able to force a 4th down when it mattered and we expect the team to come out wanting blood.

The approach last season was more react instead of attack and was probably the beginning of the WTF-Is-Heacock-Doing school of thought. The players universally pointed to the fact that they didn't attack enough and some openly questioned the defensive gameplan following the 28-21 loss. We're encouraged by the fact that the Buckeye defense has really come on since the USC game and is finally playing to the level that was expected of them before the season started.

A huge part of neutralizing Juice and the Illini offense is keeping them off the field. Pryor really came into his own as a passer in the stiff winds of Evanston last weekend and all of a sudden is leading the Big Ten in passer rating. When you step back and think about where Troy Smith was at the same point in his career, that is nothing short of remarkable.

Illinois has to fantastic corners, but when forced into the nickel or dime packages, they can be exposed. Just ask Chase Daniel.

After being held to a miserly 3.2 yards per carry in last season's game, expect Beanie to improve on that significantly. Leman is gone and though the Illini have top-notch defenders that will likely be playing the games of their lives, the stiff arm will feast on the orange and blue.

His running combined with Pryor's emergence as a thrower should be enough to keep the Illini defense on its heels a little and the Buckeye defense had to have learned their lesson from last year and will come out and spy Juice while moving Jenkins into range to take away his primary weapon.

We don't take anything in Champaign for granted, but these two programs are heading in very different directions and the revenge factor will mitigate any sort of upset notions.

---

PREDICTION: Ohio State 31, Illinois 20

The Quad has a fascinating interview with Michael Rosenberg, author of the new book War as They Knew It, a look at Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler in the turbulent years of Woody's final decade on the sidelines.

While most books on this topic focus solely on the football rivalry between the two, Rosenberg gathers "quite a bit of social history" in the book as well. Woody's friendship with Nixon is explored as are his visits to Vietnam in support of the war. On Woody's use of war metaphors*:

Woody did make that comparison almost every day of his coaching career. These days, whenever somebody compares football to war, the media erupts –- the basic assumption is that the athlete or coach does not appreciate the gravity of real warfare. But Woody certainly appreciated it. He was a Navy captain and military history buff. He never made the comparison lightly, but he did make it constantly.

The rest of the interview is pretty meaty and definitely worth a read. As for the book -- I haven't read it yet, but will be doing so with a quickness after this tantalizing passage:

Q: If you could have interviewed Woody Hayes, what would you have asked him about?

A: My questions would probably be pretty specific: How much did Nixon’s resignation influence his view on quitting his own job? Did he have any idea one of his quarterbacks was doing cocaine in the huddle? How much did his diabetes influence his temper? Then we would just see where the conversation took us.

Believe me, I wish I had the chance to talk to Woody Hayes. As a sportswriter, I’ve had a chance to cover some unusual people, but Woody Hayes is the most fascinating person I have ever covered, and I never even got to talk to him.

I have a pretty good guess who it might have been blowing down in the huddle, but I'm withholding judgement until I find out myself or someone that has read the book or knows of this story fills us in.

* I've often felt nervous putting out the war photoshops on game day because of this potential for criticism, but vets or current members of the military, please know that we don't in any way think the game of football is anywhere near as serious as something like combat. Oh, and many thanks for your service.

While visions of revenge on the Illini dance in your head, the Buckeye hoopsters start their season tonight with a exhibition tilt against NAIA Division II Walsh University, who has already played three games.

The Cavaliers lost an exhibition game to Akron 83-81, but have won two regular season games by an average of 43 points. Thad Matta doesn't have a senior on his team, so this could be an interesting contest. Perhaps that is why the BTN execs decided to spare us, airing the game only on webcast.

I personally think this Buckeye team can make it back to the dance, if they gel earlier than last year and a couple of go-to players emerge, starting with tonight. It may be tough to watch on your computer screen, but here are a few things to look for if you are able to catch the game.

1. Improvement from last year: There is no doubt Evan Turner and Dallas Lauderdale are going to play key roles in any Buckeye success. Turner showed flashes of brilliance throughout his freshman season and was the only Buckeye picked for preseason honors this year. However, he had a bad habit of turning the ball over and with an expected increase in touches, Tuner has to take better care of the rock if OSU is to have success.

I think Dallas Lauderdale could be the key to Ohio State's season. The sophomore banged against Kosta Koufos in practice last year and dominated BJ Mullins in the early going of camp this year. He won't see the floor tonight due to injury, but he is on the verge of returning and will be ready to go in the opener next week, just in time to be the breakout player in the Big Ten, hopefully.

2. Point Guard Competition: For the first time in three years, Ohio State has a question mark at point guard. I appreciate P.J. Hill's effort, but OSU is in deep trouble if they have to rely on him to lead this team. The competition should be between JUCO transfer Jeremie Simmons and freshman Anthony, don't call me Noopy, Crater.

Chris was impressed with both of them during the open practice, enjoying their contrasting styles and competitive nature. Simmons will look for his shot when available, but Crater is more of a distributor.

3. Will Mullens follow Diebler's footsteps: Jon Diebler's shooting struggles from last year are well known and he came from a Division II school. BJ Mullins played in the same division and is rated by Rivals as the top player in the country. If Mullens can give Ohio State a legit inside presence and show the toughness it takes in the Big Ten, the driving lanes for Lighty and Turner should open up, creating an exciting team to watch.

4. Man defense vs. Match up zone: Thad had to implement the deadly match up zone just three days before the regular season last year, due to the inability of the bigs to recover after a screen. This move forced OSU to mostly play a 3/4 court match up zone, which gave teams absolute fits and the Bucks finished in the top 10 in FG defense. I'm sure we will see man defense against Walsh, but tonight's performance could determine which route Matta has to take.

5. Freshmen Impact: Besides BJ Mullens and Crater, Thad brought in William Buford and Walter Offut, two wing players who will add depth to the Bucks rotation. Buford is a slashing scorer who should instantly help the offense, while Offut looks to be fully recovered from his knee injury last year, it just may take some time for him to get back on track.

Further previews can be found at The Ozone and Bucknuts, with rosters at the Dispatch.

I'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.

Every college football program can look back to its litany of great players – even this one – but there are a few players who served as the virtual foundation of a program’s destiny. Ohio State has Chic Harley, Army has Doc Blanchard and USC has Frank Gifford.

Illinois has Red Grange. Red Grange put Illinois and what became the Big Ten Conference on the map, and then did the same for the pros.

Red Grange was born in Pennsylvania but attended high school in Wheaton, Illinois, where his father became a police chief. Grange earned 16 varsity letters by playing football, basketball baseball and running track. To earn extra money for his family, he took a job as an ice-carrier (back in the days when ice was hauled to your house by truck) and earned the local nickname “Ice Man" (and you thought he had it first).

Putting the Midwest on the Map

Grange came to Illinois determined to run track and perhaps play basketball, but was persuaded by friends and connections back home to try out for football. Grange scored three touchdowns in his first game, a whipping of Nebraska. Illinois rode Grange to an undefeated season and a 1923 national title. In the days when college football fans tended to pay attention to teams on both coasts, Red Grange made Midwest football a factor.

In 1924, Illinois hosted heavily-favored Michigan for the dedication of Memorial Stadium. Grange returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, then scored three additional touchdown runs of 56, 44 and 67 yards in the game’s first twelve minutes; Michigan had not given up more than four touchdowns in 1922 or 1923 combined. A winded Grange sat out the second quarter, then ran for a fifth touchdown and passed for a sixth. Michigan’s 20-game winning streak was over, and Red Grange vaulted to national prominence. He played offense, defense and special teams during the 1924 season, showing elusiveness and a burst in the open field that defied description. Chicago sportswriter Warren Brown dubbed Grange “The Galloping Ghost.”

Grange’s career numbers don’t seem overly impressive today – a 5.3 yards-per-carry average and 31 touchdowns scored. But he was a magnificent all-around player, and his exploits were wired across the country – he even appeared on the cover of an October issue of Time Magazine. And – yes – he beat Ohio State three straight times and twice in Columbus. The Buckeyes did a good job of containing Grange, though, and lost the three games by scores of 9-0, 7-0 and 14-9. Illinois coach Bob Zuppke said "I will never have another Grange, but neither will anyone else. They can argue all they like about the greatest football player who ever lived, but I was satisfied I had him when I had Red Grange."

On to the Pros

George Halas signed Grange to a Bears contract the day after he played Ohio State in the season finale, then sent him on a 67-day barnstorming tour, from which Grange would get $3000 and a cut of the gate. Red’s decision to go pro was enormously unpopular with college administrators. “I’d have been more popular with the colleges if I had joined Capone’s mob in Chicago rather than the Bears,” Grange said.

In an era when most professional football players earned about $85-$100 per game, Grange finished the tour with a cool $100,000 in his pocket. Though television would help make professional football the juggernaut it is today, Grange’s presence on the Bears legitimized the “mercenary” NFL at a time when college football was far more popular with the public. He appeared before a crowd of 65,000 in New York, and the proceeds from that game saved the Giants franchise from bankruptcy.

In 1927, the 5’11”, 175-pounder suffered a serious knee injury that permanently limited the speed and “hip-wiggle” that made him such a dangerous player. Grange was no longer the greatest player that ever lived; now he was just an exceptional one. He missed the 1928 season as a result of the knee injury, and finished his career in 1934. In the unofficial 1932 championship game, it was Grange who caught the winning touchdown pass from Bronco Nagurski; in 1933, his tackle at the goal line preserved another title for the Bears. Chicago won two championships thanks to the heroics of a man who was a shadow of his former self.

Life After Football

Grange was Frank Gifford before there was a Frank Gifford. He was the first professional football player to be widely showered with lucrative endorsement deals, and even starred in two movies and a 12-part cinematic serial – “The Galloping Ghost.” Grange had a career in speaking and radio, and lived quietly with his wife of fifty years. The Galloping Ghost developed Parkinson’s in the last year of his life, and died in 1991.

Legacy

It’s easy to make the argument that it was Red Grange who put Midwestern football on the map. A few programs had established themselves - Michigan, Ohio State and Nebraska, for example – but it was Grange who became the face of Midwestern football. He was not just a great player – he was a media star.

ESPN named Grange one of the top 25 college players of all time, and he was the only unanimous choice of the Football Writers Association of America in 1969 when it named its all-century team. Let’s hope Ohio State kicks the crap out of Illinois this weekend - while remembering how instrumental Red Grange was in making Big Ten football what it is today. Remember Red Grange when you watch the NFL on Sunday. Grange laid the bedrock for modern football.

In yesterday's presser, Coach Tressel didn't spend any time reflecting on the pasting of Northwestern in his opening statement instead jumping right into Saturday's tilt in Champaign while touching on a Veteran's Day field trip to the Statehouse.

You know, we spend so much time focusing only on W's, L's, X's and O's, it's easy to overlook the things Tressel does to positively impact his players and expose them to real life outside of the program.

When asked about the field trip, Tressel expanded on why they went to the Statehouse and on the program's relationship/connection with family and members of Lima Company, a Columbus based part of the Third Battalion, 25th Marines, Fourth Marine Division:

We went down to the Statehouse, and being Veteran's Day, today was the last day that that display was up in the rotunda of the Lima Company, and it just so happened that we didn't plan it or know it, but the artist who did all the portraits was there because it was the last day and they were packing it up and moving it to the next city and it was really special for our guys because a lot of the Lima Company have come through here over the last few years and some of their families of the lost have come into practice, so we've had a little connection with that over the years. Remember A.J. Hawk carried their flag on senior day and carried it with him in the Michigan game, carried it with him in the bowl game. So we have a connection with that, so we thought it was -- since we didn't have school today that we'd go to the Statehouse and it was neat. The artist was there. There was one of the Company there that, again, we didn't plan that and it was pretty neat for our guys.

Good stuff, right there...

Of course, Tressel's efforts to teach his players about what real life is truly about in an effort to mold them into upstanding citizens doesn't always pan out as evidenced by the laundry list of felony charges facing former crazed lineman, T.J. Downing. As Tressel notes, transitioning to real life can be a hard chore after years in the Buckeye limelight:

Those things hurt, you know, and I haven't had a chance to talk with him and I don't know, I'm not judge and jury, I don't know what allegedly is the case or not the case, but anytime you hear of something as disappointing, even if it's alleged, that puts a knot in your stomach and it just reminds you that it's a difficult transition. Look at all these cameras and all this stuff and then two years later, there aren't all this cameras and all this stuff and that's not an easy transition and it's just a reminder that we've got to keep working hard to -- I don't want to get on the pulpit, but there's a bigger difference between what you do and who you are. Sometimes, I hate to say it, because of all this and because of aunts and uncles and everyone else telling us we're out of this world, we start thinking that what we do is what gives us our value and we've just got to keep working on helping ourselves understand that it's who we are that really is important, but it hurts. I guess a shorter answer to a tough question, it hurts.

For all the double-talk usually coming from Tressel, particularly in his presser's, you gotta love the comment "there's a bigger difference between what you do and who you are."

Okay, with all the serious and non-football stuff covered, Tressel talked about Illinois, particularly the dymanic duo of Juice Williams and Arrelious Benn:

Juice Williams is coming along such that when I thought early in the year when I first saw him again that he was throwing the ball with a lot more velocity, a lot more assurance. He's had a couple balls bounce off hands into the other folks and those things that happen when you throw it a little bit more. But obviously he runs the ball extremely well and you better keep it away from Number 9 because if you let Number 9 have it, whether it's in the pass game, the run game, don't punt to him, don't kick off to him, because he can make it happen, so we've got a great challenge ahead of us in terms of when they're trying to move the football.

After watching Illy run out the clock last year with The Drive That Grayed My Hair, solving Juice is clearly the key Saturday.

Tressel downplayed any revenge factor after the Illini punched OSU in the mouth then flicked their sack by dancing on the O, but you gotta think the players haven't forgotten:

I haven't heard it brought up. I remember being out in the middle of the field. My take on it was that they were excited that that was a heck of a win against a good team because I thought we were a good team. I didn't take it as if it was any demonstration of -- now, the league did, obviously, because the league looked at it and said that neither team, in their opinion, handled the post game as well as it could be handled, but it was in and out and we were on to the next game. It wasn't talked about for even 24 hours here.

Considering the Buckeyes haven't lost a conference road game in nearly three and a half years, I hope they brought their dancin' shoes. I'm not a fan of showing a lack of class, but I'll be glad to excuse it against Zook.

One last thing slighty related to Illinois. When asked about the Big Ten Network's running documentary on the Illini program and whether or not he'd ever approve that at Ohio State, the answer you knew was coming, well, came:

Anything that could distract what we're trying to do, I don't think helps. So most of the time I try to keep things we do toward how can it help us and I don't know as I analyze, maybe longterm something like that could help us because more exposure and all that, but I think about what's going on here now and what's the best thing for us today so I probably wouldn't, but I'm old-fashioned, everyone knows that.

That's probably for the best. I don't think most of could handle watching locker room shots of Rehring and Bollman partaking in a gravy chugging contest with Saine repeatedly, unwittingly, walking directly into various defensive players milling about in the background.

Back to serious topics, Tressel had some nice things to say about Pryor after his strong showing in windy Evanston. As we noted in the recaps, Pryor threw the ball with more confidence and velocity which Tressel largely attributed to improved footwork:

Well, his feet were much improved, which that was our goal, and if your feet are with you, it doesn't matter what sport it is, if your feet are right, you have a chance to do the best you can do and I thought his feet were much better. Now, when you have good protection, it's a lot easier to have good feet. The one that he threw early to Brian Hartline down the field, great job by Mike Brewster coming back and cutting that guy after he delivered to the right guard, another guy, but that guy was tumbling through the air and landing at Terrelle's feet and Terrelle's feet were still good, which I thought was a great sign because some people, when bodies are flying, all of a sudden their feet start getting nervous and so I think his feet was the biggest thing.

I think all of us are interested in seeing two of the most dynamic QB's in the conference (I know, big whoop) square off.

On the injury front, a flurry of updates were given:

REPORTER: Do you have an injury update, Denlinger, Hines? COACH TRESSEL: Denlinger worked today. Jermale didn't work much today, but you never know couple days after. I'll be more worried if he doesn't work tomorrow. Mo Wells didn't work today. I'm trying to think who else. REPORTER: Gibson? COACH TRESSEL: Thaddeus worked a lot more today than he did last Tuesday, yeah, that was good to see. REPORTER: Ben Person? COACH TRESSEL: Ben Person, we think, can get back for the bowl game, which a week or so ago, we weren't sure, but he seems to be doing better than some thought he might. REPORTER: Did he have his surgical procedure? COACH TRESSEL: Yeah, he did.

As expected, Tressel noted OSU will be without the services of Ray Small but other than that, he would only say Small has a chance to work himself back in. After last week's media smack down, the reporters opted not to ask any other questions on the topic.

Real quick before I finish up, I liked Tressel's explanation as to why OSU likes to take the ball if they win the toss:

We didn't start doing that until last year and that was because kicking from the 30, we thought that you have a chance even with an average return to be out to the 25. When the ball was being kicked from the 35 and so many balls were going as touchbacks, we didn't necessarily think that that's an advantage starting on the 20, so we thought, well, let's begin the game with some field position. We've won the toss a lot this year. It's amazing.

Makes sense to me. Of course, it would make more sense if guys like Flash were in there all season instead of watching Saine seek tacklers or Rasta chest bump kickoffs out of bounds.

Anyway, that's the big chunks except a subtle yet funny exchange in which Tressel appears to not understand the word "ostensibly " as used in reporter's question, only to then use the term in his responses throughout the rest of the presser. You know he was telling Ellen about it later. I love it.