Just Let L.A. Float Away

Yesterday my esteemed colleague and the purveyor of this site responded to an L.A. Times article written about the attendance of the OSU Spring Game. Now let me preface this by saying that I am, of course, a Michigan fan. But don’t allow that to stop you from reading this glorious rhetoric nonetheless.

Normally, I would be glad to see an opponent kick sand in the face of every poisonous nut on the planet, but Chris Dufresne’s article was the worst drivel I’ve read in ages and yet again makes us question how very far sports writing has fallen. The basic premise behind this article was that Ohio State fans have absolutely nothing to do in their lives but go to the Spring Game because outside of that, there’s nothing but field plowing and taking your sister out on a date available to them. On the other hand, glorious Southern California is so littered with magnificence that they just have too much going on in their awesome lives to stop and support their football teams. Mr. Dufresne is then kind enough to inform us that they are true fans since their butts are in the seats when it really counts. (obligatory reference to the OSU-USC game of ‘08).

Here’s why I take issue with that: He’s trying to take an exceptional, record-breaking thing (one that I, as a Wolverine, would be most happy to possess) and turn it into nothing in an effort to reassure his readers that they’re not bad fans, they’re just cooler than the rest of us. Yes, a sports writer who asserts that he and his readers are too cool for sports.

Ultimately, his point (like his spelling and grammar) quickly loses footing when you look at the facts.

The first point that completely exposes the sadness of the SoCal fanaticism was mentioned very clearly by my associate. Los Angeles County alone has approximately 10 million people, most of whom I can assume were NOT at the beach. That point in mind, they couldn’t muster any more than 20k people to watch a consistent national championship contending team go out their for their warm ups? Seriously? Is Frisbee Golf THAT time consuming?

The second point that’s even worse is based off of the assumption that the SoCal fans are there when it counts. They’re not and that’s just a plain fact. During the season, USC barely cracks 90% attendance and UCLA does even worse, eeking in just about 80% attendance. TEN MILLION PEOPLE and you can’t even get to capacity? Are you serious?

Mr. Dufresne, the reason Ohio State fills up the Horseshoe and Michigan gets 50k people to show up to a spring game after suffering it’s worst season in history is because these are fans that actually give a crap about these teams and these schools. These schools are part of how we grew up, part of childhood memories and where we came from. A school like USC buys it’s history. Half of the reason USC gets athletes is because of climate and girls. You can try using the “exceptional educational opportunity” line, but when you barely graduate 50% of your football players, it’s not really a valid point.

In the end, the true college football fans from around the country who actually support their teams IN SPITE of the fact that we could be doing other things would like to request that you put your roller skates back on, head back to The ‘Bu and the next time you have an ingenious brain fart to write about sports, write it in the sand and let the mighty Pacific wash it away.

USC and L.A.’s Weak Stab at REAL Football Fans

On the dispatch blog today, they pointed to an article on the Los Angeles Times taking a cheap shot at Ohio State fans in an article entitled “In L.A., there’s more to life than spring football“  Maybe the L.A. Times is hard up for page views so their putting garabage like this out, but either way their weak jabs at Ohio State fans have 0 merit and really make them look pitiful.  In a city that in 2007 had a estimated population of 9,878,554 was only able to bring in 22,565 people is extremely weak in comparison to Columbus which in 2007 had 747,755 residents and 95,722 fans at the Scarlet & Gray game.  Here’s an excerpt from the Times:

“Ohio State doesn’t have a beach!” he said. “I don’t blame our fans. It gets loud in here in the fall.”

Are you kidding me, thats your excuse?  If anything the weather in Columbus saturday made people feel like having cookouts, going to Buckeye Lake, or a variety of things, but our fans showed their loyalty by sitting in a crowded stadium cheering on their team.  Sorry USC but thats what real fans are all about.

Another excerpt says:

“In Los Angeles, we say there’s football and a thing called a life. So, in relatively obscurity, our two teams tinkered in their workshops.”

Well…. You keep tinkering USC because come Sept 12th our Scarlet & Gray is gonna be ready for you when you come to the shoe and maybe you’ll wish you took your spring game a little more seriously!

Update: See our latest response to the L.A. Times – Let L.A. Float Away

Sudden Impact Countdown—10 Buckeyes You Don’t Know About Yet: Part I

First off, let me say this article is not for die-hard Ohio State fans. I suspect you will know the players I highlight.

Instead, I wrote this in response to my recent preview article about the OSU/USC football matchup in Columbus this fall. A lot has been made by non-OSU fans of how USC will be reloaded as usual, and thus, many of these people believe that Ohio State will have zero chance of…
Continue reading at Bleacher Report – Big Ten Football

Sudden Impact Countdown—10 Buckeyes You Don’t Know about Yet

First off, let me say this article is not for die-hard Ohio State fans. I suspect you will know the players I highlight.

Instead, I wrote this in response to my recent preview article about the OSU/USC football matchup in Columbus this fall. A lot has been made by non-OSU fans of how USC will be reloaded as usual, and thus, many of these people believe that Ohio State will have zero chance of…
Continue reading at Bleacher Report – Big Ten Football

Time-Warner loves the Big Ten again….maybe

Lots of stuff to discuss, so here goes…..
The Big Ten Network
Last night, Time Warner Cable announced that it had reached an agreement with the Big Ten Network. Thankfully, Ohio State fans will get to see every game from the comforts of home.
UPDATE – Some of my readers have pointed out that the BTN is [...]
Continue reading at The Buckeye Battle Cry

A year of YouTubes (and, yes, the 1995 Notre Dame game)

This day a year ago, I uploaded my first batch of YouTubes taken from the Illinois game.  I remember all 3 of us here, back when it was more of a collaborative effort as opposed to just me doing everything, were mystified that Ohio State fans were left wanting for some great moments in Buckeye [...]
Story By Our Honor Defend

OSU QB Pryor a no-show at Fiesta media day

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Freshman Terrelle Pryor is the starting quarterback for Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. Yet he isn’t talking, at least for now.

 

The Buckeyes did not bring Pryor to the Fiesta Bowl media day on Friday, snubbing bowl officials who had hoped that Ohio State and Texas would make their starters available ahead of Monday night’s game.

 

Ohio State Jim Tressel said it would be better for Pryor to attend meetings instead of the 30-minute session with reporters on Friday at the Fiesta’s resort headquarters.

 

“My feeling is he probably had something that would be more impactful on our cause and that was to spend time in the meeting room,” Tressel said. “We were asked to bring 30 players and we sent in a list of players. We did get one call, ’Did you happen to miss any?”’

 

Pryor’s absence was notable in the ballroom set aside for media day. Frustrated Fiesta Bowl officials had to tell reporters that the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback wasn’t present — and that there was nothing they could do about it.

 

Fiesta Bowl president and CEO John Junker said he’d like the Bowl Championship Series to provide clearer rules for media access to players.

 

“Any policy is workable only if there are consequences in place, which is currently not the case,” Junker said. “The present arrangement puts the team in question and the bowl in question in a difficult circumstance.”

 

Tressel shrugged off the stir caused by Pryor’s absence.

 

Asked if Ohio State fans would like to hear from their starting quarterback before the game, Tressel replied, “Well, I think we owe a lot to our fans. Unfortunately, you can’t do everything you’d like to do.

 

“I would like all of our kids and coaches to be able to sign every autograph that every fan would like and, you know, all those kinds of things. But you can only do so many things. You have to make decisions. Some of them are well thought of, some of them aren’t.”

 

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy had no trouble attending media day for the Longhorns, who were snubbed in their efforts to reach the BCS title game.

 

“We’re here,” McCoy said. “We want to play the best game we have played all year. We’ve prepared so far and now it is kind of polishing up, getting ready. We’ll see what happens.”

Story By Buckeye Buzz

Memo To Ohio State and Fans: Be Thankful For The Pepole at The Fiesta Bowl

Okay, Buckeye fans, we need to have a talk. A heart to heart if you will. I am not here to play negative Nelly on Ohio State’s selection to the Fiesta Bowl because I am a huge Buckeye fan myself, however, I am also not the one to wear scarlet color blinders ether!

I am just as excited about the opportunity to be able to watch the Buckeyes take on the Texas Longhorns on January 5, and I was also not wanting to go to the Capital One bowl and play an SEC team. Been there done that, too many times as a matter of fact.

Before our excitement turns into a case of myopia and we start running our mouths at all ready fired up Texas fans let’s be frank with each other about out team shall we? First of all, I would like to thank the people at the Fiesta Bowl for bailing us out because that is exactly what they did.

They could have easily taken Boise State who put on a great show against Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl two years, or they also could have gone with another popular pick that much of America wanted to see with a re-match of Texas and Texas Tech.

If they would have chosen one of those two teams to participate who could have blamed them? After all, Texas Tech had a big win vs Texas and another quality win over Oklahoma State (who also finished higher in the rankings then the Buckeyes) Boise State finished the season undefeated for crying out loud!

Instead they decided to go with what for them was the safest play. A team that they where a little more familiar with, a team that three previous times out of the last five seasons has played in their bowl game and done quite well. A team that they knew for sure they could make mad money, because they would bring fans and alumni that would pay unruly amounts of money to come see there team play. Let’s see who could that be? Oh yea, the Ohio State Buckeyes!

So with that in mind look out Glendale Arizona because Jim Tressel and the Ohio State Buckeyes are on their way back you town! This time thier just may not be that  much to see though!

This year has not exactly been what Buckeye fans have come to now as being typical of this team, and this team is not playing the type of football it has been typically known to play.  In fact it has been pretty uninspired most of the year. The offense has been a big detriment to this team whereas in years past it has been their rock so to say. 

They have difficulty running the ball at times because Dan Heron and Brandon Saine are not exactly extracting the type of fear into opponents hearts the Buckeyes thought they would while they were trying to recruit them. 

The Buckeyes also have trouble moving the ball down field sometimes because Terrell Pryor still just does not have the ability that Troy Smith did to throw the ball down  field yet, and when he does  the wide receiver are not catching the ball and making plays like they have in the past. Of course it may have bee n different if the offensive line was not playing like garbage or banged up

The Buckeyes defense has actually played very well the last month, but t can only do so much because of the above mentioned reasons. It is hard for a defense to be succesfully when your offense can not compliment it and do it’s part by putting points on the board.

Hey Jimmy T as Buckeye fans call you let me give you some advice. You better plan prepare, and do whatever it takes to win this game. If you have to spend endless day’s and sleepless nights to put together a winning strategy or a game plan that will not totally embarrass this team or it’s fans like it has been the last couple season in the BCS NC game then I suggest that is exactly what you do. I guarantee you that is what Mac Brown and his staff are doing right now.

Could this game be intresting at all? Sure both teams have reasons to have a chip on thier shoulder. Texas is boiling mad about being left out of both the big 12 and National Championship picture and are looking to take it out on someone.

Ohio State was mercifully given another chance to prove it can play with the big boys and try to make a season gone bad up to the seniors who came back with aspirations of winning a national title. That won’t happen but they been given an opportunity to have a very big win on a stage in which they have been humiliated in the past two seasons. Nether the Ohio State Fans or national media will accept   failure again.

Ohio State has everything on the line for them in this game. If they win the pepole at the Fiesta Bowl look like genius for bailing the Buckeyes out, if they lose I don not want to think about what will happen next. Fans let’s hope for the best but not be surprised if we see the worse.

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Revisiting the Big Ten bowl travel costs

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

There were absolutely no surprises in the Big Ten’s bowl lineup Sunday, further illustrating why some if not all of the invitations could have been extended earlier, possibly giving fans a chance to save money on travel expenses.

Last Wednesday, I took a look at some sample airfares from Big Ten cities to bowl destinations. At that time, Penn State fans were the only ones who could book their flights to the Rose Bowl.

Using the same major travel Web site, here’s what the airfares would cost if you booked them now, based on a two- or three-night stay. Let’s see if the delayed announcements made a difference.

OHIO STATE

• Bowl destination: Tostitos Fiesta (Jan. 5 Glendale, Ariz.)
• Roundtrip airfare on Dec. 9: 8, departing Columbus on Jan. 3 and returning from Phoenix on Jan. 6. 
• Roundtrip airfare on Dec. 3: 5, departing Columbus on Jan. 3 and returning from Phoenix on Jan. 6. 
• Fare difference due to delayed announcement:

MICHIGAN STATE

• Bowl destination: Capital One (Jan. 1 Orlando, Fla.)
• Roundtrip airfare on Dec. 9: 3, departing Detroit on Dec. 30 and returning from Orlando on Jan. 2
• Roundtrip airfare on Dec. 3: 3, departing Detroit on Dec. 30 and returning from Orlando on Jan. 2.
• Fare difference due to delayed announcement: It was actually cheaper afterward. 

IOWA

• Bowl destination: Outback (Jan. 1 in Tampa, Fla.)
• Roundtrip airfare on Dec. 9: 2 (with two stops), departing Cedar Rapids on Dec. 30 and returning from Tampa on Jan. 2
• Roundtrip airfare on Dec. 3: 9, departing Cedar Rapids on Dec. 30 and returning from Tampa on Jan. 2.
• Fare difference because of delayed announcement: 3

NORTHWESTERN

• Bowl destination: Valero Alamo (Dec. 29 in San Antonio)
• Roundtrip airfare on Dec. 9: 2 departing Chicago on Dec. 27 and returning from San Antonio on Dec. 30.
• Roundtrip airfare on Dec. 3: 2.50, departing Chicago on Dec. 27 and returning from San Antonio on Dec. 30.
• Fare difference because of delayed announcement: It was cheaper afterward. 

WISCONSIN

• Bowl destination: Champs Sports (Dec. 27 in Orlando, Fla.)
• Roundtrip airfare on Dec. 9: 4 (with two stops), departing Madison, Wis., on Dec. 26 and returning from Orlando on Dec. 28. The cost would be 5 nonstop departing from Milwaukee.
• Roundtrip airfare on Dec. 3: 4 (with two stops), departing Madison, Wis., on Dec. 26 and returning from Orlando on Dec. 28. The cost would be 5 nonstop departing from Milwaukee.
• Fare difference because of delayed announcement: from Madison, no difference from Milwaukee. 

MINNESOTA

• Bowl destination: Insight (Dec. 31 Tempe, Ariz.)
• Roundtrip airfare on Dec. 9: 0, departing Minneapolis on Dec. 29 and returning from Phoenix on Jan. 1
  
• Roundtrip airfare on Dec. 3: 0, departing Minneapolis on Dec. 29 and returning from Phoenix on Jan. 1.
• Fare difference because of delayed announcement:

The delayed announcement wasn’t too expensive except for Iowa fans, who could have saved a lot by booking their Outback Bowl flights last week. Ohio State fans living in an area hit especially hard by the economic downturn also wouldn’t mind holding onto an extra 0. 

I understand the BCS and the bowls wanting to make a big splash by announcing all the selections on one day, like college basketball does in March. But for once, it would be nice to see the college football powers-that-be do something that actually benefits the fans. It was painfully obvious that Ohio State would receive an at-large BCS berth early last week, so why the delay? All the other Big Ten tie-in bowls could have given out their invitations last week.

College football probably will never give the fans what most of them want (a playoff system), so the least it could do is allow them to save some dough on bowl travel. 

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Three Big Ten coaches named finalists for award

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

Penn State’s Joe Paterno, Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald and Ohio State’s Jim Tressel are among the 10 finalists for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award.

Voting for the award will take place Dec. 12-22, with the winner being announced Dec. 31 during halftime of the Music City Bowl. Fans can cast their votes here, and votes from College Football Hall of Fame members and national media also will be included in the selection process.

The 10 finalists are:

• Mack Brown, Texas
• Brady Hoke, Ball State
• Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern
• Urban Meyer, Florida
• Joe Paterno, Penn State
• Chris Petersen, Boise State
• Nick Saban, Alabama
• Bob Stoops, Oklahoma
• Jim Tressel, Ohio State
• Kyle Whittingham, Utah

Paterno, named Big Ten Coach of the Year last month, guided Penn State to an 11-1 record, a share of the league title and a Rose Bowl appearance. Fitzgerald led an underrated Northwestern team to a 9-3 mark and an Alamo Bowl appearance. Tressel helped Ohio State to a share of the Big Ten title and a BCS bowl appearance for the fourth consecutive season.

My vote goes to Saban, though there are strong arguments for Brown and the three non-BCS coaches (Whittingham, Petersen and Hoke). Paterno and Fitzgerald certainly deserve to be on the list, but I’m a little surprised about Tressel. Though he did a good job transitioning Terrelle Pryor and helping Ohio State bounce back from the USC disaster, the Buckeyes were a preseason national title contender and finished 10-2. Most Ohio State fans were somewhat disappointed with this season.

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