Ohio State favored over Wisconsin by only 2.5

Buckeyes 2.5 point favorite over Wisconsin. Click here for complete odds.

At halftime of the Wisconsin/Michigan game last Saturday, I pried myself off the couch, called my bookie and doubled my bet on Wisconsin beating the mere six point spread and went out to spend my sure winnings. It wasn’t until …
Go to Source

Purdue game scheduled for 3:30

After a season in which the entire first half saw games starting at either Noon or 8pm, the Buckeyes finally get a 3:30 slot.

The Purdue game next weekend will kickoff in Columbus at that time.

Go to Source

Ohio State favored over Wisconsin by only 1.5

Buckeyes 1.5 point favorite over Wisconsin. Click here for complete odds.

At halftime of the Wisconsin/Michigan game last Saturday, I pried myself off the couch, called my bookie and doubled my bet on Wisconsin beating the mere six point spread and went out to spend my sure winnings. It wasn’t until …
Go to Source

College Football: Parity is Bliss

When Tim Tebow took the snap from center on fourth-and-1, my heart was in my throat.

However, after the Ole Miss defense stuffed the defending Heisman Trophy winner at the line of scrimmage, it dropped down to my stomach with a resounding thud.

My Florida Gators, the No. 4 team in the nation, had lost to unranked Ole Miss—at home.

As shocking as the outcome was, Florida’s loss to the Rebels was not the first major upset to take place this past weekend.

In fact, it wouldn’t be the last as Alabama went down to Athens and manhandled a good Georgia football team, handing UGA VII the first loss of his mascot career.

However, despite the frustration that accompanied the Gators’ setback, I couldn’t help but smile.

Once again, parity will play a major role in college football.

But what exactly is parity?

Parity is defined as “equality, as in amount, status, or character.”

That definition epitomizes the current state of college football.

If I’m not mistaken, the events of this past college football weekend would have fit in nicely with the topsy-turvy 2007 season, and that is just fine with me.

It’s safe to say that the last season was not an anomaly.

Rather, it was a trendsetter. A preview of things to come.

Parity has returned in full force.

Nothing is guaranteed in college football anymore, which will only benefit the fans and the NCAA in general.

Without a doubt, college football has one of the most exciting regular seasons in all of sports, a luxury that the fans enjoy in lieu of a playoff system to determine the national champion.

In addition, what better for the sport to extend that excitement not only to clashes between rivals and conference powers, but also to smaller schools and traditional middle-of-the-road conference foes as well?

The underdog has become lethal in college football, constantly threatening to hamper each title contender’s BCS hopes.

Because of their recent success, most athletic directors will think twice before scheduling the likes of Appalachian State (LSU is so bold) or East Carolina to open up the season.

In contrast, college football’s finest will do their best to schedule unproven “cupcakes” to pad their win-loss records.

However, scheduling relatively unknown schools can be equally dangerous, as the supposed favorite’s team and fan base have no idea what to expect.

This so-called “cupcake” could be the next Appalachian State.

Not only do the powers that be in college football have to worry about losing a trap game in the season’s opening weeks, but also the reduced disparity between the top and bottom teams of each conference.

FBS schools that normally don’t compete for conference titles annually are beginning to turn the corner.

Examples include Kansas and Vanderbilt, who have recently made some noise in their respective leagues.

The Jayhawks finished 12-1 in 2007 and are the defending Orange Bowl champions while the Commodores have started the season 4-0 and currently hold the first place spot in the SEC East.

Heck, even Wake Forest, better known for their performance on the hardwood, now claims the title as the best team in the ACC, a league that includes traditional football powers Florida State, Miami (FL), and Clemson.

Not to mention, the non-BCS conferences around the nation have formed a dynamic group of BCS-busters, including Boise State, Utah, Hawaii, and others.

Their success against college football’s powerhouse programs has led to an excellent opportunity for each of these schools to garner national attention for both their school and their respective conference.

The recent triumphs of schools such as Wake Forest, Kansas, and Boise State prove that the playing field has been significantly leveled and that there are almost no certainties left in one of the nation’s most popular sports.

But why is this parity so great for college football?

Honestly, assuming that you are not a Beaver or Trojan fan, raise your hand if you were planning to watch the entire Oregon State-USC game before you learned that the Beavers were up 21-0 at the half.

I didn’t think so.

The fact of the matter is that close/surprising games are, naturally, more exciting than your run-of-the-mill blowout.

The average fan will automatically tune in if they see that East Carolina leads West Virginia 24-3. The same goes for Florida trailing Ole Miss 31-30 and Maryland leading Cal 28-6 at the end of the third quarter.

It’s that simple.

We love chaos; it‘s a part of our human nature.

If something goes wrong or the element of surprise is involved, we are all glued to the story with a fervent interest.

And that is what makes college football so great.

So, when we watch ESPN College Gameday on Saturday mornings, we cannot take Kirk Herbstriet’s word for it that Purdue will beat Notre Dame. Lee Corso may not be spot on when he takes Clemson over Alabama.

We cannot even entirely doubt Lou Holtz when he declares that Notre Dame will finish the season with a record of 11-1.

The truth is that we never really know what is going to happen.

Last weekend was a telling testament to that.

Here’s to more college football weekends just like it!

Go to Source

The BBC returns from California!

Actually, I got back last night, but I was WAY too exhausted to write.  Here’s a quick catch-up on the haps.

First and foremost, the trip was incredible.  I’ll spare you too many details, but I now have the warm feelings that a daddy gets when he gets to see his daughter’s face light up at Disneyland.

“Representin’ The 614, yo”

Charlotte and the future Mrs. BBC

Yeah, we had a blast.  Anyway, here’s the Buckeye-related stuff.

Terrelle Pryor

I watched the game late last night and I am truly in awe of what I saw.  From this day forward, our quarterback will no longer be referred to by the name of Terrelle Pryor.  He shall now be known by a more accurate description, “LBiC” (LeBron in Cleats).

The man can do it all on the field.  He has no fear, and he has the proper amount of respect for the game at the same time. When he runs, he looks like he’s merely trotting downfield, while DBs are failing to stay close.  When he passes the ball, it’s on target and on time.  Pressure him in the pocket, and he’s gone before you know it.

We heard the stories out of PA during the state basketball playoffs last year, that he was a head case and a troublemaker.  I do not believe any of it.  He has a cool temperature on the field that no 18-year-old possesses.  The Big Ten Netwrok reported that before the game, Minnesota defenders were in his face trying to rattle him.  LBiC just shakes it off and plays the game.  All those stories now appear to be high school rivals trying to work the press and make LBiC look bad.  Didn’t work.

But LBiC showed us another side on Saturday.  Just watch;

<object width=”425″ height=”344″><param name=”movie” value=”http://www.youtube.com/v/98AoVUCLToU&hl=en&fs=1″></param><param name=”allowFullScreen” value=”true”></param><embed src=”http://www.youtube.com/v/98AoVUCLToU&hl=en&fs=1″ type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” allowfullscreen=”true” width=”425″ height=”344″></embed></object>

F-ed that guy up, didn’t he?

The kid is no ordinary quarterback.  And while most of us look back at signing him as a glorious day for our team, it was also a good day because we stole him away from both Michigan and Penn State.  Imagine how good those teams would be with LBiC at the helm.  That’s what we’ve got starting for us now, and it’s a treat to watch.

Beanie Wells

Welcome back, Beanie.  It’s good to have you on the field again.  A little rust showed up in Wells’ hands on that fumble, but he certainly didn’t have much rust on the legs.  Breaking off a 28-yarder on the first drive was exciting for all of us, and cracking the century mark on just a handful of carries showed us that you are ready for the big time again.

I’m glad he got the start for the Minnesota game to get back into the groove before Wisconsin.  This will be a big game at Camp Randall, and we need our top player to be fully prepared.  Plowing over Minnesota was just the ticket for Beanie to get that preparation.

Brian Robiskie

Oh, THERE you are!  You’ve been hiding from us for way too long.

8 catches for 90 yards and 2 TDs is what this guy should be pulling in on every Saturday.  Now that he sees he can still bring it, I am confident that Robo will keep it up.  I’ve only seen the game film once, but I don’t think Robo missed anything that came his way.

Now go back to wherever you were hiding, tell Brian Hartline that everything is OK and he should come play football again too.  Mommy and Daddy promise to stop fighting if it’ll make you boys smile again.

Ray Small

Seriously, what the fuck, Ray?  Catch the ball.

Elsewhere in the blogosphere

• Eleven Warriors discusses the good side of losing so badly to USC.  Summary?  One, losing ealry is always better than losing late.  Two, losing so badly forced Tressel to make changes for the better, especially concerning LBiC starting at QB.
• Buckeye Commentary rightly calls Tim Brewster “a whiny, enthusiastic prick”, and chastizes him for leaving starters in against OSU’s third-string in a 4th-quarter blowout.
• MotSaG does what we all did on Saturday….make fun of the Gators for choking to Ole Miss.  Clearly that just means that even the SEC also-rans are so awesome that they deserve to be in the BCS too.
• Our Honor Defend gets us ready for the Wisconsin game by uploading a video of the 1993 Ohio State/BYU game.  And somehow, I still follow the logic behind it.

This weekend

Thursday actually has some good games.

• Pitt goes to 10th-ranked South Florida
• #15 Utah takes on Oregon State
• #8 BYU will run it up against Utah State

Unfortunately, three Utah teams playing Thirsday night means that lots of viewers in that state will not see how much of an idiot Sarah Palin is in the debate.  The Straight Talk Express is currently lobbying the NCAA to force Penn State, Ohio State, and Florida to play their games that night too.

I don’t see much opportunity for the full-scale upset tour to hit college football again this weekend, but there are some great games scheduled between ranked teams.

• #18 Wisconsin gets another crack at a mobile QB when they host #12 Ohio State.  Only this time, the quarterback is actually….well, you know….good.
• #19 Vanderbilt hosts #13 Auburn.  I’m still convinced that Vandy is ranked because they play in the SEC.  They’ve defeated nobody yet,  A win here changes that perception.
• #23 Oregon travels to #9 USC.  The Trojans once again lost to a nobody, and they do rebound well.  But Oregon is targeting a wounded Mark Sanchez (metaphorically, you little helmet-thrower, you)

Go to Source

Ohio State football: The Buckeyes’ Heisman candidate

APRecognize this pose? Beanie Wells isn’t ready to give up on it yet. He’s third on his own team in rushing with 217 yards in two games and he’s 680 yards behind Big Ten leader Javon Ringer of Michigan State….
Go to Source

Buckeye NFLer of the Week – 4

Smith is on pace for 8 sacks this season.

With Anthony Gonzalez on a bye this week, Ted Ginn a bust (but also on a bye) and Santonio Holmes facing off against the NFL’s best defense, it was a bad week for offensive Buckeye NFLer’s.

However, the defensive side of the …
Go to Source

BCS Busting – Part III

Ok, with a BCS non AQ conference member likely to get in and two possibly able to get in, is it possible for one to get to the national championship game? This is the ultimate individual team BCS Busting accomplishment.

The team with the best chance, by far, is BYU. I refuse to seriously consider Utah’s chances until after October 11th, the earliest point when they could be significant. What would it take for BYU to get to the title game? For starters the teams ahead of them would need to lose. Also several SEC, Big 12 and Big 10 teams would likely pass them as the season wears on. Here are the additional losses each team needs to fall below an undefeated BYU.

2 losses needed
Oklahoma
Alabama
LSU
Missouri
Texas
Penn State

1 loss needed
USC
Texas Tech
Georgia
Florida
Auburn
Ohio State
Wisconsin
Kansas
Vanderbilt
Oklahoma State

Except for USC, the teams needing one loss should not be much of a problem. While 3 or 4 of the 6 teams needing two losses could easily get those losses, I would expect 2 or 3 to end up with 1 loss or less (not saying who, just estimating the count, as that is all that matters here). The more unlikely result, however, is that BYU must finish undefeated and a lot of games are left to be played.

The most likely result is that BYU losses a game and eliminates themselves from consideration. If this does not happen they could expect a #3 or #4 spot and could slip into the #2 spot under turbulent conditions at the top.

For BYU to get to the title game it would take a fortunate set of upsets leaving only them standing. That said, is that not how they won their last title?

© www.fanblogs.com

Comment on BCS Busting – Part III…

Go to Source

BCS Bowl Predictions: If The Season Ended After Week 5

The season didn’t end after week 4.  If it did end after Week Five, however, these would be your BCS bowl eligible teams and possible bowl match-ups.  This is based on the AP Top 25 since the BCS poll isn’t available yet.

BCS Eligible Teams

1.	Oklahoma
2.	Alabama
3.	LSU
4.	Missouri
5.	Texas
6.	Penn State
7.	Texas Tech
8.	Brigham Young
9.	USC
10.	South Florida
11.	Georgia
12.	Florida
13.	Auburn
14.	Ohio State
15.	Utah
16.	Kansas
17.	Boise State
18.	Wisconsin
19.	Vanderbilt
20.	Virginia Tech

 

BCS Bowl Picture

1.	BCS National Championship selects No.1 Oklahoma and No.2 Alabama.
2.	Orange Bowl selects ACC conference champion Virginia Tech as tie-in.
3.	Rose Bowl selects Pac-10 conference champion USC as tie-in.
4.	Rose Bowl selects Big Ten conference champion Penn State as tie-in.
5.	Fiesta Bowl selects Missouri to keep Big 12 conference tie-in after losing
	conference champion Oklahoma to national championship game.
6.	Sugar Bowl selects LSU to keep SEC conference tie-in after losing conference
	champion Alabama to national championship game.
7.	Fiesta Bowl selects Big East conference champion South Florida with first pick
	in bowl rotation. Only other available teams left are Ohio State and Brigham
	Young.
8.	Sugar Bowl selects at-large Ohio State with second pick in bowl rotation. Only
	other available team left is Brigham Young.
9.	Orange Bowl selects auto-bid Brigham Young with third and final pick in bowl
	rotation. Obligation to choose team because they were an auto-bid by being
	ranked ahead of a conference champion (Virginia Tech).

 

Bowl Match-Ups

BCS National Championship
Oklahoma vs. Alabama

Fiesta Bowl
Missouri vs. South Florida

Sugar Bowl
LSU vs. Ohio State

Orange Bowl
Virginia Tech vs. Brigham Young

Rose Bowl
USC vs. Penn State

BCS Teams By Conference

ACC: 1
Virginia Tech (Conference Champion)

Big East: 1
South Florida (Conference Champion)

Big Ten: 2
Penn State (Conference Champion)
Ohio State (At-Large)

Big 12: 2
Oklahoma (Conference Champion)
Missouri (At-Large)

Pac-10: 1
USC (Conference Champion)

SEC: 2
Alabama (Conference Champion)
LSU (At-Large)

Non-BCS: 1
Brigham Young (Auto-Bid)

Go to Source

Award Recipients for Week 5

QB Terrelle Pryor

For the second-straight week, Pryor has been named BuckeyeBanter.com’s “Best Damn Player of the Game” after rushing for 97 yards on eight carries with two touchdowns, and throwing for another 70 yards on 8-of-13 passing and another score.
Pryor made his second-consecutive start at quarterback for the Buckeyes. He scored Ohio State’s first [...]
Go to Source

Next Page »