Tuesday’s update from the Ohio State press conference and the rest of college football news…
Buckeye 411
- Getting Deep- Interesting notes from the depth chart this week: Boom is #1 with Hall/Hyde behind him. Miller is QB1, with Guiton OR Bauserman, although Fickell said that Kenny G has been getting more of the snaps in practice. Curtis Grant is now in the 2 deep at LB; there’s speculation that Ohio State will be running more of the traditional 4-3 look due to Wisconsin’s running attack
- Fickell Speaks–Historically, Ohio State has struggled the week after a bye. Coach addressed this,
Yeah, I think we did. We got a lot of work done. Our guys did a heck of a job on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. You look back in the years past, ask around how people handled their bye week, you still have to look at your team and figure out what you guys need as opposed to how everybody else does it. I think we did a very good job with the attitudes and getting the work done we needed to get done.
- Captain, My Captain- Brewster, Sweat, and Simon. I think we’ve found our permanent captains, folks.
- On Wisconsin- Coach Fickell spoke about the big upset in East Lansing, and confessed that he’d gone to bed before the game went final. He spoke at length about the impact that Russell Wilson has had on the Badgers, and how he’s fit into the system from early on. Of course, Wisconsin’s success starts up front, and their line play dictates every aspect of their offensive game plan.
- The Future- As usual, Luke Fickell said that he focuses on the things he can control, and hasn’t given much thought to the pending NCAA sanctions or what benchmarks he might need to meet to be given another year at the helm of the Buckeyes. Interesting that he was asked these questions with Gene Smith in the room; others in attendance said that Smith didn’t flinch during this line of questioning at all.
- Fickell Funnies- When he wasn’t talking about slinging the ball around with his kids, he joked regarding his “to do” list to keep his job for the 2012 season, saying,
My wife tells me all the time what she wants to see from me. That’s all I have to worry about.
Homecoming Events
- Legacy- With such a special week in Columbus, it’s good to remember all of the tradition and excellence that’s gone before:
- Costumes Ahoy- Lots of photos today of the
outfituniform that Ohio State will be wearing in this week’s Homecoming game against Wisconsin. Coach was asked several questions about the “tradition”, and had this to say:
I think a few years ago when coach brought it (special uniforms) up to me, I was against it. I said, I’m not a guy that likes a whole lot of change. I’ve seen how the young men, the guys like it, the team likes it. I think it’s a part of our culture now. I’m sure there’s a lot of traditionalists that don’t.
I think it’s a good thing. I really do. It brings some excitement, different things, whether it’s a marketing thing or a recruiting thing. Our guys enjoy it. We enjoy it.
(On his wearing black, and future black uniforms) I don’t know in history that they’ve worn that. People ask why you wear that. We wear black, just be the signal guy. It’s not anything history-wise. Unless they have something back in the archives, I don’t know that we’ll be changing that uniform much.
- Eddie! Eddie! With Eddie George being honored at halftime of this week’s game, Coach Fickell was asked to reflect on his former teammate. He called him the hardest worker he’d ever seen, and someone who used his early struggles as motivation for greatness.
- Later… While it will be interesting to see Wisconsin play in the second straight road night game in a long time, Coach said that he’d just as soon kick off at noon and not have to wait with all the anxiety that builds up over a day.
This Week In Scandal
- Speaking Of Depth- Dom Clarke was back on the depth chart after missing the Illinois game due to a campus policy violation.
- Berry Interesting- Jamaal Berry was also on the depth chart at kick returner, although it was posted prior to reports of yet another assault by the junior running back. In the presser today Coach Fickell said that it was “something they were investigating”, and that they have to help students realize that they represent something much larger than themselves.
- Wild Wild West- You get the sense that Cliff Harris probably won’t be getting an advanced degree at Boise State any time soon, after yet another issue involving a motor vehicle. I’m sure it will get 35 seconds of discussion during ESPN’s next broadcast of a Ducks game
- Wilder Wilder West- Although it’s hard to know how “wild” the situation with Dillon Baxter is, but he’s now been removed from the Southern Cal football team.
This Week In Expansion
- See Ya! The news all week was that Missouri would be moving to the SEC, after the chancellor was given permission to pursue that option. However, news is that they still have not made that official announcement to the Big Integer.
- Call In The Replacements- Simple as that, West Virginia is added to the conference with Texas and friends, albeit that they’re as far away from their conference foes as could be possible. Personally, I’m down with this move if only for the wonders that the great ThuJone will bring to the table.
- When Irish Eyes- There’s a lot of speculation that the Big Integer will add Notre Dame as well.
- In A Handbasket- Bill Livingston looks at where this is all headed. It ain’t good. I’m sure there’s nothing that could be done with all that extra cash, could there?
Show Me The Money
- Counting The Cost- NCAA head Mark Emmert is supporting an additional $2000 for athletes to cover the “full cost of attendance” at universities. Gerd has a different perspective, as usual. Jason Winrow also responds to some of the haters about this issue.
- Occupy NCAA- A number of student athletes have actually signed a petition asking for the NCAA to seriously consider this proposal.
- The Big Guns- And Dan Wetzel wonders what would happen if some of these athletes would boycott bowl games as a way of making a statement.
- Reform Schools- Even more folks are calling for NCAA reform than just student athletes, and those reforms might eventually include scholarship reductions for institutions who don’t meet APR rates.
Elsewheres in College Football
- Fun fact- Oklahoma State had their first false start of the season during last week’s third quarter…. I will now beat my head against a blunt object.
- The Future- Check out this great article on incoming Buckeye Tyvis Powell.
- Costumes, Continued-Great article in the Dispatch about the rationale and impact of “special” uniforms, and it’s all about the students and potential students. You’ve got to remember that, for many young adults, playing PS3 includes the opportunity to create your own team’s fashion sense- looking good is as important to playing good.
- I Agree With Yost- MZone reminds us that we’re not the only folks frustrated with the uniform phenomenon.
- Speaking of Michigan- The latest book making waves in Ann Arbor looks at the Rich Rodriguez era, including the fiasco that led to his hire. All I can say is that I hope Ohio State uses this as a template on what not to do for any future searches.
- Whoever It Is- I hope they figure out their position on dubstep:
And, Finally
- Weather Or Not- It’s supposed to be a cold, wet winter this year (you know, if you’re not in California), so you might as well stock up now
- ‘Tis The Season- Here’s what’s at the top of my wish list, in case you’re out shopping:
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