2006 Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

link

8/1/06

Big Ten has lots of good questions



Published August 1, 2006


You wonder if there will be a moment Tuesday at Big Ten football media day when Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald thinks to himself: What am I doing here?

As he makes his way to the podium at the Hyatt Regency, he might bump into Joe Paterno, who guided Penn State to three perfect seasons before Fitzgerald was born.

Or he might make eye contact with Ohio State's Jim Tressel, who has four victories over Michigan and five national championships (four in Division I-AA). Even more impressive: Tressel survived Maurice Clarett.

At 31, Fitzgerald was thrust into the head seat last month after the death of coach Randy Walker. Now his contemporaries are some of the most accomplished men in the sport.

How will Fitzgerald handle his new role? How will he respond the first time a player gripes about the depth chart?

Those will be among the key questions asked Tuesday. Here's a look at some other talking points:

- Can Ohio State still thrive after a colossal talent drain? Nine Buckeyes were snapped up in the NFL draft, including five in the first round. Only Miami, with six in 2004, ever lost more top-flight players. Yet the Buckeyes appear in every genius' preseason Top 5.

- Can Lloyd Carr survive another five-loss season? Shoot, would he even want to? The vultures are circling around Carr (see: www.sackcarr.com) after Michigan's ragged 2005 campaign ended with come-from-ahead losses to Ohio State and Nebraska. Carr responded by bouncing his coordinators and hiring Mike DeBord (offense) and Ron English (defense). But the buck stops with Carr.

- Just how much did Michael Robinson mean to Penn State? The Nittany Lions didn't win until Paterno took the slashes out of Robinson's job description and put him under center. Now the quarterback job falls to Anthony Morelli, a junior with prime-time targets Derrick Williams and Deon Butler.

- Which tandem will be tougher for Iowa to replace--linebackers Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge, or wideouts Ed Hinkel and Clinton Solomon? Might be the receivers. Hodge and Greenway ranked 1-2 in the Big Ten in tackles last season, but a strong defensive line could compensate. Losing Hinkel and Solomon could stifle fiery QB Drew Tate.

- Will the handoff from Barry Alvarez to Bret Bielema be smooth at Wisconsin? By naming his successor a year ago, Alvarez gave Bielema time to picture himself in the big chair. That decision should pay off, but the Badgers still have to replace eight offensive players and the neck-snapping speed of tailback Brian Calhoun.

- Will the Minnesota defense show up this season? Perhaps it's symbolic that the Golden Gophers are the only team that declined to bring a defensive player to media day. So quarterback Bryan Cupito and tight end Matt Spaeth might have to answer for a group that yielded 52 points to Iowa, 45 to Ohio State and 44 to Penn State.

- Will Michigan State ever stop teasing its fans? Every year, it seems, the Spartans rise up against Notre Dame and flirt with a top-10 ranking, only to crumble once the leaves turn brown. Coach John L. Smith is 2-8 in November, which is why he might not be coach John. L. Smith much longer.

- Was Purdue's fall a blip or the start of a trend? A six-game losing streak last season left the Boilermakers home for the holidays after eight consecutive bowl appearances. Coach Joe Tiller turned to three junior-college transfers to patch up a secondary that gave up 287 passing yards per game last season.

- When will Ron Zook's recruiting efforts bear fruit? Illinois wasn't even competitive in league games last season, losing by 53 to Penn State, 47 to Michigan State and 38 to Ohio State. Picking an MVP off that 2-9 team was a chore.

- Will Indiana's best player remain on the field? Receiver James Hardy, who led the league with 89.3 receiving yards per game, was charged with domestic battery in May after the mother of his child, Kyra Nolan, called 911 and police found probable cause for domestic violence. Nolan has since called the incident a "big misunderstanding" and Hardy is set to stand trial Aug. 23.

 

[chille37]

per the ozone

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=100 align=left border=0><CAPTION align=bottom>[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]OSU quarterback Troy Smith has been named the preseason Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year [/FONT]</CAPTION><TBODY><TR><TD>

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>August 1, 2006 9:00 AM

Football: The Big Ten Football media meetings open today, and the first news is already out.
A media poll has tabbed Ohio State as the preseason favorite to win the Big Ten this season, with Michigan and Iowa selected to finish second and third respectively.
Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith as been named the preseason offensive player of the year, while Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny has been named the preseason defensive player of the year.
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[Buckeye1]

From Official Big 10 site...

Park Ridge, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference announced today that Ohio State has been chosen as the preseason football favorite in a vote by media members attending the conference's media day. The Big Ten announces only the top three teams in its preseason poll. Michigan placed second and Iowa was selected third. The attending media also honored Buckeyes' quarterback Troy Smith as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.<O:p></O:p>

The Buckeyes produced a record of 7-1 in Big Ten action last year to collect their 30th conference crown and second title under head coach Jim Tressel. Ohio State also improved to a perfect 4-0 in Bowl Championship Series (BCS) games, the most wins of any team in the country, by knocking off Notre Dame in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl to wrap up a 10-2 campaign. The Buckeyes return 11 starters this season, including eight on the offensive side of the ball.<O:p></O:p>

Michigan was picked second in the preseason poll after finishing in a tie for third place in the conference last season and advancing to the Alamo Bowl. Lloyd Carr became the 12th Big Ten head coach to reach the 100-victory plateau last season and leads all current conference mentors with five crowns in his 11 years at the helm. The Wolverines welcome back 18 starters, the second-highest total among all conference schools, including eight defensive standouts. <O:p></O:p>

Finishing third in the media poll was Iowa, which tied Michigan for third place last season before playing in the Outback Bowl. Head coach Kirk Ferentz has led the Hawkeyes to four straight January bowl games and enters 2006 with 49 wins in Iowa City, just one victory shy of becoming the third coach in school annals with 50 triumphs. Iowa returns 16 starters, including seven on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.
<!-- STORY AD ENDS HERE -->
In individual honors, Smith was tabbed as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after being named the Offensive Most Valuable Player of the Fiesta Bowl. The senior quarterback set a career-high with 342 passing yards and became the second player in school annals to top the 400-yard mark in total offense against Notre Dame. Smith also led the Big Ten and finished sixth nationally with a 162.7 pass efficiency rating while throwing for 2,282 yards and 16 touchdowns. <O:p></O:p>

Posluszny was named the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year after winning the Bednarik and Butkus Awards, emblematic of the nation's top defensive player and linebacker, respectively. The senior linebacker was also a consensus first-team All-American after boosting the Nittany Lions to a share of the Big Ten Championship and their first BCS berth, a triple-overtime victory over Florida State in the Orange Bowl. Posluszny is the conference's leading returning tackler at 9.7 per game after racking up 116 defensive stops in 2005.<O:p></O:p>

The 111th season of Big Ten football kicks off with two games on Thursday, Aug. 31, with the remaining nine teams taking the field on Saturday, Sept. 2.<O:p></O:p>

 

[Padraig]

From Official Big 10 site...

Park Ridge, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference announced today that Ohio State has been chosen as the preseason football favorite in a vote by media members attending the conference's media day. The Big Ten announces only the top three teams in its preseason poll. Michigan placed second and Iowa was selected third. The attending media also honored Buckeyes' quarterback Troy Smith as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.<O:p></O:p>
The Buckeyes produced a record of 7-1 in Big Ten action last year to collect their 30th conference crown and second title under head coach Jim Tressel. Ohio State also improved to a perfect 4-0 in Bowl Championship Series (BCS) games, the most wins of any team in the country, by knocking off Notre Dame in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl to wrap up a 10-2 campaign. The Buckeyes return 11 starters this season, including eight on the offensive side of the ball.<O:p></O:p>
Michigan was picked second in the preseason poll after finishing in a tie for third place in the conference last season and advancing to the Alamo Bowl. Lloyd Carr became the 12th Big Ten head coach to reach the 100-victory plateau last season and leads all current conference mentors with five crowns in his 11 years at the helm. The Wolverines welcome back 18 starters, the second-highest total among all conference schools, including eight defensive standouts. <O:p></O:p>
Finishing third in the media poll was Iowa, which tied Michigan for third place last season before playing in the Outback Bowl. Head coach Kirk Ferentz has led the Hawkeyes to four straight January bowl games and enters 2006 with 49 wins in Iowa City, just one victory shy of becoming the third coach in school annals with 50 triumphs. Iowa returns 16 starters, including seven on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.
<!-- STORY AD ENDS HERE -->In individual honors, Smith was tabbed as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after being named the Offensive Most Valuable Player of the Fiesta Bowl. The senior quarterback set a career-high with 342 passing yards and became the second player in school annals to top the 400-yard mark in total offense against Notre Dame. Smith also led the Big Ten and finished sixth nationally with a 162.7 pass efficiency rating while throwing for 2,282 yards and 16 touchdowns. <O:p></O:p>
Posluszny was named the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year after winning the Bednarik and Butkus Awards, emblematic of the nation's top defensive player and linebacker, respectively. The senior linebacker was also a consensus first-team All-American after boosting the Nittany Lions to a share of the Big Ten Championship and their first BCS berth, a triple-overtime victory over Florida State in the Orange Bowl. Posluszny is the conference's leading returning tackler at 9.7 per game after racking up 116 defensive stops in 2005.<O:p></O:p>
The 111th season of Big Ten football kicks off with two games on Thursday, Aug. 31, with the remaining nine teams taking the field on Saturday, Sept. 2.<O:p></O:p>

Good info (it was just giving me a headache trying to read it in 'fine print') Does that make me old? :(

Edit: Hmmm, I guess that quote font isn't a whole lot better...oh well.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ToldedoBlade

8/2/06

THE 'EYES HAVE IT

Ohio State gets media nod in Big Ten


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Ohio State coach Jim Tressel lost nine starters off last season's outstanding defense, but at his side yesterday and under center on Saturday's this fall will be Troy Smith, voted preseason offensive player of the year in the Big Ten.
( ASSOCIATED PRESS )

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By MATT MARKEY
BLADE SPORTS WRITER


<CENTER></CENTER>
CHICAGO - Forget the decimated defense - nine starters lost to graduation and most of them coveted by the NFL.


<CENTER></CENTER>Forget the All-Big Ten wide receiver, the All-Big Ten center, and the All-Big Ten offensive guard, all now playing in the pros.


<CENTER></CENTER>Forget the departed kicker, who is pushing for a job here with the Bears after doing his best last season to make returns almost obsolete.

The Ohio State Buckeyes, who lost a virtual all-star team from last year's Big Ten championship group, are right back at the top of the league in the minds of the media who follow the conference, with Michigan the choice for second place. Yesterday at the Big Ten's annual pre-season meetings, Ohio State was named the most likely top dog.

"What I like about something like this is that it gets people talking about college football, arguing about it," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. "We don't put any credence on it, and we won't work any harder if we're not picked, or work less if we do get picked. There's always a bull's-eye on our backs. Maybe this just makes it bigger."


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width=200 align=left bgColor=white border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#acbac7><TD>PRESEASON POLL</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#e5eaf1><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>MEDIA VOTE
The Big Ten Conference announces only the top three teams in its preseason poll.

• 1. Ohio State
• 2. Michigan
• 3. Iowa

ON THE AIR
Blade sports writer Matt Markey talks Big Ten football on the Sports Ticket (1470 AM) today at 5:30.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><CENTER></CENTER>From the media's perspective, the Buckeyes, 7-1 in the Big Ten last year and 10-2 overall after whipping Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, will be able to make things work without the likes of A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter, Donte Whitner, Nate Salley, Nick Mangold, Josh Huston and Santonio Holmes.


<CENTER></CENTER>"We lost some exceptional football players, and what we have coming back is a pretty neat blend of youth and maturity," Tressel said.


<CENTER></CENTER>"Most of our seniors are fifth-year guys, so they've grown through a lot of experiences. Then we've got a whole bunch of guys who are going to be playing for the first time."


<CENTER></CENTER>Tressel, who has taken the Buckeyes to four consecutive bowl victories and is 4-1 against rival Michigan, said plugging in the right people will be the key for Ohio State, both with the frequently mentioned defensive losses, and the key guys missing on offense.


<CENTER></CENTER>"Everybody talks about the great talent we lost on the defensive side, but it's not like we're without challenges on offense," Tressel said. "We lost two guys who went in the first round of the NFL draft, and one who went in the fourth. It's fun for people to predict who might finish where, but we like to talk about reality, about the truth. We want to talk about where we have to get better."


<CENTER></CENTER>Tressel, 50-13 at OSU with two Big Ten titles, said he likes the buzz around the Buckeyes.


<CENTER></CENTER>"We are excited about 2006, and I think it's encouraging to all the people who care about Ohio State that people think so highly of Ohio State to pick us first," he said. "But how legitimate is it? I don't know. We'll find that out by the end of November."


<CENTER></CENTER>Before the end of November the Buckeyes will cross paths with Michigan, picked to rebound strongly from a dismal 7-5 season in 2005. Lloyd Carr has 18 starters back, and indicated a resolve in the Wolverines camp to improve on the 5-3 Big Ten mark from last year.


<CENTER></CENTER>"Any time you are in a program like we have at Michigan, and you have to deal with the kind of disappointment we did, then you find out a lot about what kind of team you have," Carr said. "The attitude and dedication I've seen from our players since January, I think it speaks to their commitment. We think we are capable of doing a lot of special things this year."


<CENTER></CENTER>Iowa, which tied Michigan for third place in the Big Ten last year, was picked to finish third. Only the top three choices in the poll are announced. Iowa, which returns 16 starters, hosts Ohio State on Sept. 30 and travels to Michigan on Oct. 21.


<CENTER></CENTER>Contact Matt Markey at:
[email protected]
or 419-724-6510.

Link

8/2/06

Buckeyes' hurdle is early in Austin

By WENDELL BARNHOUSE

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

GETTY IMAGES/JEFF GROSS
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel has a Heisman Trophy candidate in quarterback Troy Smith.

<!-- begin body-content -->CHICAGO -- Summer's heat has the Windy City gasping. Temperatures have hovered around triple digits.
For Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, the bake oven is good preparation.
"A lot of people are taking note of our game with Texas," Tressel said Tuesday at the Big Ten's football media days. "Everybody's talking about the heat here; it's gonna be a lot hotter in Austin on Sept. 9."
Yes, even coaches can be guilty of looking ahead. The Buckeyes, favored to win the Big Ten and a national championship contender, open the season Sept. 2 at home against Northern Illinois.
A week later, Ohio State faces the defending national champions. Last year's game in Columbus was a classic, with UT's come-from-behind 25-22 victory a statement of things to come for the Longhorns.
"We all remember what that game was like," Ohio State senior center Doug Datish said. "It was like a bowl game. We're expecting a similar atmosphere down there."
While the Buckeyes' season opener against a Mid-American Conference foe will be considered little more than a tuneup for facing the Longhorns, Northern Illinois does feature running back Garrett Wolfe, the top returning rusher in Division I-A.
"A lot of people talk about the Texas game, and they overlook we're playing Northern Illinois in the opener," said Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith, a Heisman Trophy candidate. "If we don't come away with a win in the opener, that game at Texas won't mean as much."
Smith, a senior who can be a game-breaker as a runner or passer, is in charge of an offense that returns eight starters, including big play specialist Ted Ginn Jr.
The defense? That's another story. Ohio State must replace nine starters (including the Cowboys' top draft pick, linebacker Bobby Carpenter).
"I'd rather not lose nine players all at once on either side of the ball," Tressel said. "You can only build experience through time. We're in the beginning stages when it comes to our defense."
In addition to Northern Illinois and Texas, Ohio State's opening month includes a home game against Penn State and a road game at Iowa.
"When you open at home, you want to get the season off to a good start," Tressel said. "How significant are those first two games? Very."
Briefly
If the Twins are in the American League playoffs, the Penn State-Minnesota game Oct. 7 might have to be played on a different day to avoid a conflict at the Metrodome.
The state legislature has approved funding for the University of Minnesota to build a new on-campus stadium so that similar conflicts won't occur. "It's a done deal, it's going to get built," Gophers coach Glen Mason said. "When? Not soon enough. We'll be in there by the 2009 season."
The 12-game schedule, plus the Big Ten's traditional desire to finish the regular season before Thanksgiving, means none of the 11 teams will have an off week. Minnesota and Northwestern open Aug. 31. Purdue will play a 13-game schedule because it closes the season at Hawaii on Nov. 25.
Penn State coach Joe Paterno on last season's 11-1 resurrection: "My wife needed it more than I needed it. She kept saying, 'Did you see what they said about you?' You guys have a job to do, stir things up. But most of the time you don't know what you're talking about. The day will come again when I'm 'over the hill' and 'decrepit.'"
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

8/2/06

Big Ten notebook

OSU picked to win conference

Paterno says Buckeyes probably deserve spot

By Marla Ridenour

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->CHICAGO - After Ohio State has been picked as the No. 1 team in the nation by some publications, its selection as the preseason favorite to win the Big Ten football championship might not seem all that significant.
But for a Buckeyes team that lost nine starters on defense and its kicker, it might not have been a lock to edge out Michigan and Iowa.
``We have to replace a lot of good folks,'' Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said Tuesday at the conference's media days at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. ``How legit it is, I don't know. We'll find out by the end of November. It's always nice to be mentioned.''
Penn State coach Joe Paterno, whose team boasts the preseason defensive player of the year in linebacker Paul Posluszny, said Ohio State ``probably deserves to be No. 1'' in the league.
``Troy Smith is a great athlete, and they have a couple other kids around him who aren't bad,'' Paterno said of the quarterback. ``I used to think I was a pretty decent defensive back, but I don't want to cover (Ted) Ginn (Jr.).''
Asked how this team compares at this point with the 2002 national champions, Tressel said: ``In 2002, we had a lot more experience on the defensive side. The 2006 team on offense probably has a few less question marks. We didn't know who the quarterback was in 2002. It's almost flipped a little bit from the experience standpoint. The good news was (in 2002), a lot of those question marks got answered well. That's what we're going to work trying to figure out on defense this year.''
Not my idea?
Minnesota coach Glen Mason spent 1986-87 as coach at Kent State. But he said he's not enthused about visiting the Golden Flashes for the Aug. 31 opener.
``It's like if you ask me, `Why did you decide to redo the backyard?' I say, `My wife made that decision,' '' he said. ``You might read into it that, because I was the coach at Kent State, that's why we're going there, but that's how it fell out. I didn't want to do it this year because we only had six home games. We're probably the only Big Ten team that has six home games. That's the way it worked out.''
Buckeyes
Seventeen of OSU's 18 seniors are fifth-year players.... Smith received a bachelor's degree in communications after the spring quarter and said he plans to take courses in real estate and African-American studies with hopes of getting a second degree in the latter. He said he'd need about 100 additional hours, but added, ``I wouldn't start it if I wasn't going to finish it.''... With quarterbacks coach Joe Daniels undergoing chemotherapy, Tressel said he must watch Daniels' time in the office and on the hot practice field.
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Canton

8/2/06

College football: Ohio State is favorite in Big Ten


Wednesday, August 2, 2006


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]By Todd Porter REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER [/FONT]



CHICAGO The monster lurks. It is fed in August and Ohio State Head Coach Jim Tressel doesn’t dare bite the hand that feeds his program.
Preseason hype.
The Buckeyes were picked by writers at the Big Ten media days to win the conference championship this year. Quarterback Troy Smith was the conference’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, and Penn State’s Paul Posluszny was the defensive pick Tuesday, the first of two days of press conferences here.
Preseason hype is nothing new. Ohio State is ranked No. 1 in the nation by Street & Smith’s Magazine and CBS Sportsline.
Lindy’s and The Sporting News have the Buckeye second behind Notre Dame.
“The monster at Ohio State was created long before we arrived,” said Tressel, who will start his sixth season in Columbus when players report Sunday.
“Ohio State has always had those great expectations. We’ve had good fortune and good success over many, many, many years. I think you know ... when you become a part of that, you know the expectations. That monster that was created is a fun monster to be around. It’s a challenge to be around that monster.
“The way you manage it is day by day.”
Outsiders seem to shrug off the fact OSU lost nine starters on defense from last year, not to mention losing two offensive starters in the first round the NFL draft and a third who went in the third round.
“We’ve got some things that need answered beyond the defense,” Tressel said.
Tressel’s track record is one of the reasons many overlook OSU’s defensive holes. He has yet to produce a soft defense; he’s won games because of his defense, and in spite of the offense.
Tressel’s OSU teams have been blown out only once, and just four of Tressel’s 13 OSU losses were by more than 9 points.
A legitimate pick?
“It’s encouraging to all the people that care about Ohio State that people think highly about Ohio State,” Tressel said. “Granted, we do have to replace a lot of folks. ... How legitimate is it? I don’t know. We’ll find out by the end of November. It’s always nice to be mentioned.”
“C’mon, you know it’s a legitimate pick,” Illinois Head Coach Ron Zook said. “The guy taking the snaps (Smith) is a pretty good football player, and the guy catching his passes (wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr.), is a pretty darned good football player. ... With Ohio State, they have a guy with every snap he takes he can make something happen.”
Smith and Ginn are preseason Heisman Trophy candidates. The university believes in them so much that Ginn and Smith will do a 30-minute conference call with reporters every week, and the school is setting up a Web site to track their performances that will include video highlights.
A year ago, Smith took control of the Ohio State offense, finding the octane in Tressel’s offense after a midseason loss at Penn State. OSU scored 34 points or more in six of their seven straight wins to finish the season.
“As I look back to when I was a freshman, I see I took a lot of things for granted,” Smith said. “The things Craig Krenzel, Mike Doss, Donnie Nickey, Will Smith and Michael Jenkins did. I was just a young guy on that team, and they were dead serious every day. I’m trying to get everybody on the same page like that.”
Ohio State won the national title in 2002 with that attitude. But it wasn’t something Tressel had a hint of in August.
“Our 2002 team had a lot mor experience on the defensive side, and our team here in 2006 probably has a few less question marks on offense,” Tressel said. “We didn’t know who the quarterback would be in 2002. We have a good idea who we would line up there now. It’s flopped a little bit from the experience standpoint.
“The good news is a lot of those question marks were answered and it went well for us (in 2002).”
Most college football observers believe Ohio State, Notre Dame, USC, Oklahoma and Texas are the top five teams in August. Each team’s holes could be picked apart.
“I don’t know about Oklahoma,” Tressel said. “They pretty much have everyone back. Texas is obviously changing quarterbacks, ourselves we have a lot of people to replace and Southern Cal has to replace a similar amount. It’s interesting. We’re all going to go to work and find out who ends up there at the end.”
Michigan was picked to finish second in the conference. That would be a significant improvement from the Wolverines’ 5-3 conference record last year. They finished tied for third with Wisconsin, Iowa and Northwestern.
Iowa was picked third.
“The thing I will say about the team we had a year ago, is they never stopped fighting,” Carr said. “There were trying times. Certainly everything that happens in Michigan football is a reflection on me. What happened in that season is my responsibility.” That, and the monster. Tressel is 4-1 against Michigan. Reach Repository sports writer Todd Porter at (330) 580-8340 or e-mail: [email protected]


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Dispatch

8/2/06

Buckeyes made Big Ten favorites

Top offensive player Smith persuades media to give nod to Ohio State

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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CHICAGO — As far as Ohio State being named the preseason favorite in the Big Ten, it seemed to be not so much a question of why but why not.

So what if the Buckeyes, coming off a 10-2 season they capped with a Fiesta Bowl victory over Notre Dame, must replace nine starters on defense and three on offense? So what if almost all of those players are in NFL camps and four were first-round picks?

As Illinois coach Ron Zook said, they’ve still got junior quarterback Troy Smith.

"The guy taking that snap is a pretty good football player," Zook said yesterday at the Big Ten meetings.

"And some of the guys he’s throwing it to (including Ted Ginn Jr.) are really good."

But it’s Smith — named the league’s preseason offensive player of the year in media voting — who makes Ohio State special, Zook said, just as Vince Young did for national champion Texas last season. Defense is still important, but quarterbacks who can make plays with their arms or feet are the difference in college football.

"Anytime you’ve got a quarterback like that, it gives you a chance," Zook said.

If you prefer to focus on Ohio State’s holes, well, "This year you cannot find a team considered to be one of the contenders for the national title that doesn’t have something on their own roster they need to overcome, which will make it a heck of a race, and a wide-open race," ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit said.

For example, Texas must replace Young. Southern California must replace two Heisman Trophy winners in quarterback Matt Leinart and running back Reggie Bush. Notre Dame’s mediocre defense of a year ago must rise nearer the level of its potent offense. Have Oklahoma and Adrian Peterson really put a forgettable 2005 behind them? Will Chris Leak and Florida embrace the Urban Meyer system in his second season?

So why not Ohio State?

"They all have big questions," Jerry Palm of CollegeBCS.com said. "That’s why you could see a year similar to … 2003, when a lot of teams at the top had one loss. You could see that this year, with the polls playing a much bigger role in the Bowl Championship Series ratings, where when you lose could make the biggest difference as far as making the national title game."

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel prefers to focus on the present. Between the Buckeyes and a possible spot in the national title game is a 12-game schedule that includes a trip to Texas; a night game at Iowa, which was picked third in the Big Ten; and a finale at home against Michigan, which was picked second.

"Granted, we do have to replace a lot of good folks, and we have been working hard to do that since January," Tressel said. "How legitimate is (being the league favorite)? I don’t know that we know the answer to that. We’ll find out by the end of November, but it’s always nice to be mentioned."

As Zook pointed out, though, the Buckeyes might not have earned their preseason stripes if not for Smith.

"It’s always nice to hear those things, and I am thankful, but I have said it time and time again, it’s a credit to those other 10 guys on the field, because without them I wouldn’t be getting such accolades," Smith said.

That’s also the reason he thinks Ohio State national title talk is legitimate.

"I’m kind of biased when I say it because I think my guys all across the board are the best in the nation," Smith said. "I don’t think there is a better team all across the board than us. And if I did say another team, they’d shoot me, because I think this could be the year for us."

[email protected]

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

 

[Dryden]

http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/080106aab.html

2006 Big Ten Football Media Day Quotes

Aug. 1, 2006

Ron Zook, Illinois
On his team:
"It's good to be back for the second year. We have a lot of work to do, but I think we've made a lot of progress. We helped ourselves on the offensive line with a couple of transfers and position changes. We're fortunate enough to have both our running backs back. We have an excellent kicker returning. Our defense will be young but much improved. We've helped ourselves athletic wise. We'll have a defense that moves around and doesn't stay in one spot."

On senior defensive back Alan Ball:
"One guy we feel particularly good about is Alan Ball. He's a returning starter and had a great summer. He broke his arm in the last week of spring, but we felt like he was beginning to come on and be a Big Ten type defensive back. He is back healthy and has worked extremely hard this summer."

On first half vs. Penn State in 2005:
"As bad as it was, it might have been the best thing that happened to us. I was in shock like everyone else. I told our football team that this is as bad as it's going to get - it's not going to get any worse. I don't think there's any question that since that day we have steadily improved both on and off the field.

On trying to raise Illinois into the top half of the Big Ten:
"Growing up in Ohio, I know how prestigious and competitive this conference is. We have everything we need. There's no reason why our program shouldn't be up there with everyone else. Since the 2000s, there have been four teams that have won the conference and Illinois is one of those teams. We've done it; we just haven't done it consistently.

On the passing of Randy Walker:
"I met Randy in 1972. His track coach was my older brother's football coach so we went back a long way. The one thing Randy said to me before our game last year is you better enjoy it. And he was right."


Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern
On improving the defense:
"We've made improvements in just going to practice and coming together as a group. The first step is that cohesiveness between the players, the coaches and the staff. After last season's Arizona State game, Coach Walker said to all of us in true Randy Walker fashion, "We're going to find a way to get through this," and that is exactly what we're going to do."

On being the youngest coach in the Big Ten:
"It's a great benefit being 31. I'm not too far away from my playing days and I know what it's like to be a student at Northwestern. I know what it's like when the cameras are off, when you have to walk to class in the snow and what it is to sacrifice."

On what it is going to take to win:
"The talent, commitment and coaching staff are what it is going to take to bring the Purple Pack back to the Rose Bowl. I have nine fingers left for rings, but that's not the focus right now. The focus is getting through this difficult time in all of our football families' lives. That's the real focus, and we will move on from there."

On Randy Walker's tragic death earlier this summer:
"This has been a difficult time for all of us. Coach Walker played such a key role in our lives and we are fortunate to have his son Jamie on staff with us this season. We're trying to deal with it as a team. As one family we are coming together to get though this and get ready for the August 31 home opener. It'll be just as tough for Miami (Ohio), where Walker holds the record for most wins. Our seniors have had a lot of trials and tribulations to deal with, so they will need to step up as leaders for our younger guys."

Bret Bielema, Wisconsin
On continuing success from last year:
"We have a lot of great returning players and a lot of younger guys coming up in a program that is known for taking good players and making them great."

On losing Brian Calhoun:
"He had some special talents. In addition to his abilities, he had great composure on the sidelines and could not be rattled easily. He had three freshmen that were able to come in last year and watch and learn from him; people like PJ Hill. I want to have the best guy out there and we will see more at camp. If we have to switch guys on first, second, third and fourth downs to get the job done in the best way possible, then that is what we need to do."

On fluctuations in offense and defense in last two years:
"Consistency in recruiting is the key to solve that. You have to be able to bring in players on both ends on a consistent basis so that when you lose some guys, you have others waiting to take their place that are just as good. Guys need to come in and come out on a regular basis in a program."

On replacing Barry Alvarez:
"He came here and built a program that no one thought could be built. He brought Wisconsin to a level of greatness, and for me to tell you all the great things about him would take longer than 15 minutes."

On Wisconsin fans and players:
"The more you tell people from Wisconsin that they can't do something, the more they want to do it."

Jim Tressel, Ohio State
On being favored to win the Big Ten:
"I think it's encouraging to all the people that care about Ohio State that people think highly of us. And granted we do have to replace a lot of good folks. We have been working hard to do that since January. How legitimate is it? I don't know if we know the answer to that. We will find out by the end of November. But it's always nice to be mentioned."

On opening up at home:
"It's important how you come out of the gate any time you begin the season at home. The first impression that you make is important to yourself and to your fans."

On scheduling a tough non-conference schedule:
"To me Texas is a huge game because it's one that our guys will remember. That series against Texas - they'll remember it. We like to have one of those marquee type series going on at all times. We got USC coming on home and home, and Miami coming on home and home and those are the types of things the guys will remember. I think that's big in itself."

On junior wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr.:
"He's got fabulous hands. He catches the ball with his hands, unlike some excellent receivers who just catch it. Route running - I think that's something that he has gotten better and better in. Now I think you would have to characterize him as an excellent route runner - studying the film and so forth. Has he taken on a leadership role? He is a pretty neat kind of leader. He does a little bit with his energy. He's so bubbly. He's a positive guy. You can see him encouraging the least likely guy that you would imagine. He's just a fun-loving positive guy."

On having an experienced quarterback:
"A guy who has had a lot of time under center is something that any team would consider a luxury. The quarterback position can really add a lot of confidence to the coaching staff, the defensive team and obviously to its own offensive unit."

Joe Tiller, Purdue
On his team:
"I like this team. I've made that comment often and I continue to say that because I believe that and feel that. I like the camaraderie and the way we interact with each other."

On his team's strengths:
"Our strengths will be on the offensive side of the ball. We think we have the best offensive line since our Rose Bowl year in 2000. Our receiving core has added some depth and size. We have some talented youngsters in the program at running back and our quarterback, Curtis Painter, started the last five games last year and improved each time out. "

"We'll continue to throw it until we get hot and when we get hot, we'll continue to throw it."

On his team's weaknesses:
"I'm skeptical about our secondary, but help is on the way. We have three pretty good junior college players joining us that we identified early in the recruiting process and were patient with. We have some work ahead of us on the defensive line although we do have some depth this season which will be critical as we move through the schedule."

On the key to his team's success:
"How we come out of the shoot will say a lot in determining the way our season goes. If we get off to a respectable start, we will have the type of team that improves as the season goes along. Sometimes you have a team that looks the same at the beginning of the season and at the end of the season. I don't think we have that type of team."

On having five new coaches on staff:
"Having five new guys on staff is something I've never experienced before as a coach. It was stressful during recruiting. But I think this is the strongest staff we've had since my first year at Purdue."

John L. Smith, Michigan State
On his excitement for the upcoming season:
"This is probably the most excited I've been for a season since taking the job at Michigan State. We had one of the best springs that I've ever been a part of both on and off the field. The kids have been working very hard and I'm looking forward to seeing what we can get accomplished this season."

On his team's need to be strong defensively:
"In order for us to have a chance, we have to be good on the defensive side of the ball. Our ability to be successful on that side of the ball is mostly dependent on our secondary. Our coverage in the secondary will allow us to do a lot more up front. It was important that (the secondary) had a different mentality this spring."

On his offensive attack being coined `dynamic':
"Yes, I believe we're going to be exciting on the offensive side. I believe we are going to be able to score. We've always been able to do that. It's going to be fun. It's going to be a circus. We're going to enjoy it and we'll put points on the board. But for us to be where we want to be, our defense has to step up. We're going to be exciting to watch offensively, but we better be exciting to watch defensively as well."

On how his senior quarterback Drew Stanton can improve:
"One of the things we worked on with Drew during the spring was him learning to rely on the football team a little bit more and relying on the offense a little bit more. Going into spring ball I made a little bet with him that he couldn't go through the spring without throwing an interception- which he did [successfully]. We're trying to have Drew get a little more confidence in the offense and a little lower interception ratio."

Glen Mason, Minnesota
On his outlook for the 2006 season:
"I'm really anxious for our upcoming season. We're losing very few players from our 2005 ball club, but the players we lost were pretty darn good players. I've been impressed with the work ethic of the returning players. The players and I are growing tired of answering the same questions about the players we lost because we return a lot of guys who played a significant amount of football for us last year."

On his senior quarterback Bryan Cupito being considered `underrated':
"I think it's tough to get the credit you deserve when you play for a run-oriented offense. Without the numbers, you may not get the attention. But without the ability to throw the ball, the running game isn't nearly as successful. The fact that we do run the ball so much is why he is probably considered underrated by many."

On the new football stadium for the university:
"The stadium will be there, it's a done deal. When is it going to be there? Not soon enough. There is a possibility of our game with Penn State (Oct. 7) being moved because the Minnesota Twins are the hottest team in baseball right now. We plan to open the 2009 season in the new venue."

On filling the void at the running back position:
"Our most notable returning running back is junior Amir Pinnix. He's been waiting in the wings for a few years now. Not this last spring, but the two previous springs he had been named Outstanding Player of the Spring Game. We're not going to have the type of talent and depth we've had at running back in the past."

Joe Paterno, Penn State
On the difficulties of August for a football coach:
"August to me is a very demanding time for coaching. In preparing for a championship season, you need August to tie up all the loose ends and replace the exiting football players. We have some good football players returning though. Paul Poluszny and Levi Brown are good football players."

On advising Pat Fitzgerald:
"Pat called me when he was calling a lot of coaches around for advice as he was looking for my input. It is very hard to give advice to anyone in the position Pat's in. I remember playing against Pat; he was a fierce competitor. He's bright; he's got all the ingredients. He knows he's got a tough job and he's lost his mentor [Randy Walker]. The advice I told him was to put `I'm the boss' on his mirror. He's not an assistant anymore but he'll be alright. He's going to make mistakes, but we all make mistakes, so it is important to hang in there and have some fun."

On whether it's possible to achieve success as a young coach:
"Yeah, it's possible to have success at a young age but you must believe in yourself. Young coaches are good for football. They add something to the league. New ideas and an urgency to begin recruiting put more pressure on the other coaches."

On changes in the offense over the past two years:
"Each player you have is different. You must give the team or the player a specific scheme to fit their strengths. We had Michael Robinson who was great in that scheme as well as some young players who gave us a new dimension."

On how long he will remain coach at Penn State:
"I had a physical because I have been feeling pain in my leg, but besides that I'm feeling good. The doctor says I can still coach for 10 more years. I feel great and I feel that I am going to coach as long as I feel good about myself and still be excited about my work."

On Ohio State's talented offense:
"I think he's [Troy Smith] a great football player. He just got better and better as the season went on. They also have good guys on defense. He's [Smith] surrounded by Ginn Jr. and other great players. Ohio State is an awfully good team and Smith is a great player."

Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
On departed senior class:
"We have solid potential for this season despite the loss of a lot of seniors. We had a great group of seniors last year, many who were three or four-year starters. These seniors provided not only great production but leadership. Our focus since January has been to replace these seniors and help our younger players step up."

On the state of the defense and offense:
"We were hit hard by graduation. The inside linebackers, Abdul Hodge and Chad Greenway, who had played like seniors for three years are gone. We have lost two corners that played for three-and-a-half and four years. We also graduated three receivers and two offensive linemen. On the other hand we return some outstanding players. Drew Tate returns for his third season with a chance to add on to what has already been a very good career. Albert Young had a tremendous season last year - the first year he has been fully healthy. We have good depth at the tight end position. With Scott Chandler returning we are three deep. We have depth at the offensive line to fill the gaps left by exiting seniors. Defensively we return every defensive linemen and our safeties are sound."

On playing Ohio State at night:
"It is only the second night game ever played at Kinnick Stadium. Formerly it was a logistical problem to have a night game due to the lack of parking around the stadium. Outside of that, the environment is going to be excellent with Ohio State coming to town."

On young head coaches:
"It's funny that they call the two new coaches [Bielema and Fitzgerald] the next generation. I was once referred to as a new-generation coach. Bret Bielema once played at Iowa, a great story obviously, and Pat Fitzgerald much the same way. They are both outstanding coaches who are intelligent and have enjoyed success. They are highly motivated and my guess is that they will do extremely well. Age is extremely overrated."

On the youth of the offensive line:
"We have three guys who have already played a lot of football for us and they occupy their starting spots. On the other hand we have three more guys competing for the other two line positions. It is necessary for the incumbent underclassmen to fill this void."

On Kinnick Stadium's renovation:
"It is a fantastic stadium, combining storied past and modern amenities. Most importantly it embodies the character of a true student-athlete that its namesake, Nile Kinnick, was."

On playing without a bye:
"Hopefully in a few years they will bring a bye week back. It is nice to have a break in the middle of the season where the players do not have to focus on football. It is also nice from a coach's standpoint to use the bye week to check the mental and physical pulse of a team."

Terry Hoeppner, Indiana
On the loss of Coach Randy Walker:
"It was with mixed emotions that I drove into the city last night because I was here just a short time ago to pay respects to Coach Walker. In fact driving into the city last night I called his brother Rob, but I know `Coach Walk' would all want us to move on and we'll do that. I think that will be part of his legacy for sure."

On the Hoosiers' team speed:
"The motto for the winter at IU was `If you can run, then you can play.' That was our theme. And if you can't run, then you're going to be standing beside me watching. But we are going to be a much faster football team."

On the team's youth:
"We'll be a young football team. The term redshirt may not be used at IU this year. I tell young guys coming in `We're going to play you soon - not too soon - but soon."

On the excitement of the upcoming season:
"There's an excitement throughout the state - the Hoosier Nation. There is an enthusiasm. And to the groups I've had an opportunity to speak with I thanked them for their patience because they're more patient with me than I am with me."

About the Big Ten Conference:
"It's a great league. I've always respected the league. I've been an IU fan and a Big Ten fan and now getting to be a part of it is a special thing for me and my family."

On the Hoosiers' recruiting class:
"We are light years ahead of where we were a year ago at this time simply because of the knowledge we have about our players and the trust we've been able to develop with them. We may have some young offensive linemen - which the hardest position to play might be the offensive line - and we think we've recruited well at that position."

On the Hoosiers' running backs:
"That's an inexperienced position, but I've always felt as a coach that was a talent position that you can play early on. We're going to hand off the football and tell them not to get tackled - and if they can do that well, then that's good for us. The hardest part of being a running back is to learn to pass protect so that's going to be a challenge for them. We think we have some talent there for sure."

Lloyd Carr, Michigan
On the expectations for the upcoming season:
"I'm very excited about this Michigan team. We have an excellent nucleus of returning players offensively, defensively and in the kicking game. We've had a great offseason, with the only disappointment being the loss of Antonio Bass in the spring. With that exception we go into fall practice healthy. I think we have a great attitude, a strong nucleus of leaders and our goals are extremely high."

On the team's defense:
"Defensively, I think the strength of our team is going to be the front four with LaMarr Woodley and Alan Branch - two of the finest defensive linemen we've had at Michigan. Leon Hall has a chance to be one of the best corners in the country - one of the best corners we've had as well.

On the Michigan running game:
"Our situation at running back is as good as it's been since I've been at Michigan. I think Mike Hart is a great football player - one of the best I've coached. He is a great leader and he has no weaknesses. He can run the football, he's a great pass receiver, a great pass protector and a guy that plays with great energy. When he's healthy he brings something special to the table."

On quarterback Chad Henne:
"Chad Henne is ready to take another step. I think at some point he'll be a great quarterback. He's got everything it takes to be a great quarterback."

Jim Delany, Big Ten Commissioner
On the death of Randy Walker:
"He was a good friend and a great college football coach. He will be missed. Not only from the standpoint of a conference commissioner but as a friend. He represented a lot of the qualities we like to see in our coaches. He was a tough guy, a fair guy, an honest guy, a great representative of Northwestern and the Big Ten as well as North Carolina, Miami of Ohio and other places he visited."

On the conference's new bowl lineup:
"We thought that the change was the right change, playing in the Insight Bowl against the Big 12. It should be a great game and we're real excited about that. Then in the state of Florida we renewed our relationship with the Capital One Bowl in Orlando as well as the Outback Bowl in Tampa. Then we divvied out the selections so that we will be playing in San Antonio at the Alamo Bowl as well as the Champs Bowl in Orlando. Our bowl lineup provides us an opportunity to compete in the BCS annually at the championship level if we are No. 1 or No. 2. We also have the opportunity to receive an at-large bid to the Rose Bowl Game which has been reestablished under the double hosting. I think you will pretty much see a Big Ten and Pac-10 opponent competing in that game every year."

 

[BB73]

I attended the kickoff luncheon on Wednesday. I posted a report in the News forum, and right now it also appears on the front page.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

If this needs moved to another thread, feel free.

Dispatch

8/3/06

Quartermasters

Skilled set of QBs proves how Big Ten has evolved from run-oriented league

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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CHICAGO — Behind those trademark Coke-bottle glasses, Joe Paterno’s eyebrows arched. During a recent film session, the Penn State coach felt like he was watching Groundhog Day.
He saw tape after tape of athletic, strong-armed quarterbacks.
"This league has got a lot of outstanding quarterbacks," Paterno concluded. "I’ve been watching tapes of people we’re going to play and I’m like, ‘There’s one, there’s another one, this one’s great, that one’s great.’ "
A few hundred miles away, Indiana safety Will Meyers had a similar experience while studying his future opponents.
"It’s kind of like, ‘Wow, this guy is good,’ " Meyers said, "and the scouting reports are telling me, ‘Good arm, real athletic,’ and you’re thinking, ‘All right, again?’ "
Yes, again. Meyers and his defensive buddies better be ready for another year of seeing experienced, strong-armed, athletic quarterbacks week after week.
Eight of the 11 Big Ten teams return their starting quarterbacks. That list includes a Heisman Trophy candidate (Ohio State’s Troy Smith), last season’s preseason Big Ten offensive player of the year (Iowa’s Drew Tate) and a 3,000-yard passer who completed an impressive two-thirds of his throws (Michigan State’s Drew Stanton).
Even lesser-known quarterbacks such as John Stocco of Wisconsin and Bryan Cupito of Minnesota had impressive seasons. And don’t forget Michigan’s Chad Henne, who had a fine freshman season in 2004 before his numbers were hurt by an inconsistent running game last year.
It’s a far cry from the old days, when the league was dominated by power-running teams.
"The game in this league has changed so much in the last 10 years," said Bret Bielema, a longtime defensive assistant who takes over as coach this year at Wisconsin. "It has brought quarterbacks into the league that are complete football players.
"I remember growing up in an era where there were some good players, but they were mainly stay-in-thepocket guys, and they were throwing the ball down the field and doing the simple things, what a traditional quarterback is all about.
"Now, you have quarterbacks that are running the shotgun one series, guys that are running a little bit of option, quarterback traps and doing different things."
But the Big Ten still lags behind other leagues when it comes to producing big-name, marquee QBs. No Big Ten quarterback has won a Heisman since Ohio State quarterback/ halfback Les Horvath in 1944.
The Southeastern Conference produces Peyton and Eli Manning. The Pacific-10 produces Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart. All of those players threw for gazillions of yards and touchdowns.
In comparison, the Big Ten’s poster boy in the NFL is New England quarterback Tom Brady, a Michigan product who didn’t even start his senior year and was a sixth-round draft pick.
But Brady is what most Big Ten quarterbacks are: a smart, efficient winner. They manage games well and don’t turn the ball over.
Of the top 100 quarterbacks in last year’s NCAA passing efficiency rankings, five of the Big Ten’s returning starters were ranked in the top 25 — Smith (fourth), Stanton (10 th), Stocco (13 th), Tate (20 th) and Cupito (21 st).
"There are some pretty solid defenses in our league and it’s going to be hard to throw for all those numbers," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. "But you’ll be able to see the older they get, just like the older Troy has gotten, the more efficient he is."
This frustrates defensive players.
"You can hit them three or four times and they still have lots of composure, stay calm and go on to the next play," Buckeyes defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock said. "They’re following through with their throw even though (there is) pressure around, compared to somebody who’s getting pressure and might lean one way and he just tosses it for an interception."
Meyers said, "They are smart. There are situations where I think I definitely have an interception, where I read the formation or I read the play, break on the ball and they just don’t throw it. They’ll throw out of bounds.
"A lot of these quarterbacks have been around for quite awhile and have experience."
And it’s just going to get worse for defenders.
Minnesota is promising to throw a lot more with its running-back situation unsettled and the veteran Cupito at the helm.
Stanton spent time at Peyton Manning’s quarterback camp for high schoolers in July and came away with a better understanding of how to study defenses and break down film.
His coach, John L. Smith, said he lost a bet with Stanton that the player couldn’t go through spring practice without throwing an interception.
Even the few incoming starters probably will acquit themselves well. Tressel spoke glowingly of Penn State junior Anthony Morelli, whom the Buckeyes tried to recruit.
"The thing I’ve noticed about this league is even when it’s an inexperienced quarterback, by the time you play them, they’ve got experience and they’re pretty decent," Tressel said. "We’ve had a lot of good quarterbacks in the Big Ten, and they’re smart and they study and their staffs are smart.
"I haven’t met a quarterback yet in the Big Ten that didn’t give you a lot of problems."
[email protected]

Thursday, August 03, 2006

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[osugrad21]

Canton

[FONT=Verdana,Times New Roman,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Big Ten media days: Buckeyes baby-faced on defense[/FONT]
Thursday, August 3, 2006 [FONT=Verdana,Times New Roman,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]By Todd Porter REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER [/FONT]

CHICAGO Jim Tressel likes his linebackers big, burly and hairy. Last year, Ohio State linebackers A.J. Hawk, Anthony Schlegel and Bobby Carpenter grew out their hair.
Tressel isn’t even sure if this year’s group can grow hair.
“Man,” Tressel said laughing, “those guys are young. I don’t know if any of those guys shave yet.”
Baby-faced linebacker James Laurinaitis joins John Kerr and Marcus Freeman in trying to replace the best linebacking corps in the country. Ohio State also will start a brand new secondary.
“I don’t know if I could pick the youngest (unit),” Tressel said. “They all look pretty young.”
The Buckeyes had one of the best defenses in the country a year ago. Losing nine of those starters will hurt.
Tressel begins the task of replacing his defense Sunday when players report for camp. The first practice is Monday.
The defensive coaches got an idea of how much their young players understand the system during 15 spring practices.
“The next three weeks we need to incrementally keep growing in what they really understand,” Tressel said. “Then we need to send them out and let them get shot at.”
Ohio State’s saving grace on defense is the front four aren’t rookies. They all have facial hair.
David Patterson and Quinn Pitcock return inside while ends Lawrence Wilson and Jay Richardson aren’t complete strangers to real fire.
The line is one of the reasons Ohio State won’t change its defensive philosophy.
Still, four rookies on the back end of the defense would entice any offensive coordinator to throw.
“Absolutely, they’re going to throw at them,” Tressel said.
That shouldn’t be any different than most seasons. The game plan to beat the Buckeyes has been to throw the football. Last season, Ohio State had an impressive pass rush with Carpenter coming off the edge along with stellar lock down cornerbacks.
“Our first job is to stop the run,” Tressel said. “We’re always putting extra hats in the box. When you do that, you lose a little on the corner and the guys covering the seams down the middle.
“Our philosophy has always been, ‘Beat us with the pass.’ So they’re going to come after our young guys.”
Did Tressel and his coaches even consider changing the philosophy?
“No. That’s who we are,” Tressel said. “We put pressure on you. Our goal is for you not to be able to seize tempo of the game running the football.”
“Our front four will be very similar or better than a year ago. The test of time is what last season’s group passed. They had many days of being ‘Bs’ and worked themselves into ‘As.’”
The first test this year won’t wait. Northern Illinois brings in one of the country’s top running backs. Garrett Wolfe led the country in rushing a year ago with more than 1,500 yards. He is only 5-foot-7 but received Heisman votes.

RULES CHANGES In addition to a fifth BCS bowl game — the national title game — the NCAA is taking steps to make games quicker. Among the changes are shorter halftimes (15 minutes from 20), the clock will start on a kickoff when the ball is kicked instead of when the returner touches the ball and officials will start the clock when the ball is ready for play on a change of possession. The length of the kicking tee will be shorter by an inch to limit touchbacks. Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney likes the changes. He is concerned conference games will approach four hours. Last year, he said, Big Ten games averaged more than three hours. “Games should be about three hours. Even 3 1/2 hours is an awful long time.”
NEW BOWLS The Big Ten has dropped its association with the Sun Bowl but has added affiliations with the Insight Bowl and Champs Sports Bowl.
YOUTHFUL ENERGY Northwestern Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald was the most energetic coach during the two days. At 31, he’s the youngest head coach in Division I-A. Fitzgerald was hired a week after Randy Walker died of a heart attack at the end of June. Fitzgerald’s goal? He is shooting for the Rose Bowl. “I believe it will happen, and happen on multiple occasions,” Fitzgerald said. “I have nine more fingers for Rose Bowl rings.” He earned one as a player at Northwestern.
ROCK BOTTOM Illinois Head Coach Ron Zook said his team’s 63-10 loss to Penn State won’t be forgotten. “I told our team after that game, ‘This is as bad as it’s going to get,’ ” Zook said. “Since that day, we have steadily improved. As bad as that day was, it might have been the best thing for us.” Zook said incoming Stark County freshmen Antonio James, Joe Morgan and Ryan Palmer should report with the attitude of expecting to play. “If you don’t expect to play, you won’t.”


Link

Dynamic duo
OSU's Smith, Ginn should sparkle; defense is green


Dave Dye / The Detroit News
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Stops along the way
Today: Ohio State
Friday: Northwestern
Saturday: Purdue
Monday: Indiana
Tuesday: Wisconsin
Wednesday, Aug. 9: Illinois
Thursday, Aug. 10: Penn State
Friday, Aug. 11: Minnesota
Saturday, Aug. 12:<!-- EDITORIAL: end first photo and fact box --><!-- EDITORIAL: begin related items --><!-- EDITORIAL: end related items --><!-- EDITORIAL: begin rest of pix and print, comment, email, subscribe links --> Iowa
For Ohio State to be picked to win the national championship, despite losing nine defensive starters, shows the preseason uncertainty in college football this season.
It also shows tremendous respect for the Buckeyes' dynamic duo of quarterback Troy Smith and receiver/return specialist Ted Ginn Jr.
The Buckeyes not only were anointed this week by the media as the favorite to win the Big Ten, they also were picked No. 1 by three preseason magazines (Street & Smith's, Blue Ribbon and CBS Sportsline.com) and No. 2 by two others (The Sporting News and Lindy's).
All this love, even though they've got to replace five first-round draft picks, including linebackers A.J. Hawk and Bobby Carpenter, and safety Donte Whitner.
"We do have to replace a lot of good folks," coach Jim Tressel said.
"How legitimate is it?" he added, referring to being picked so high. "I don't know that we know the answer to that. We'll find out by the end of November. But it's always nice to be mentioned."
Illinois coach Ron Zook doesn't doubt the Buckeyes are right where they belong in the projections.
"You know it's a legit pick," Zook said. "That guy taking the snaps is a pretty good player. Some of those guys he's throwing to are really good. Now, in college, you have to have a trigger. They've got a guy that every snap he takes, he's going to make something happen whether he's throwing or running. He's an experienced young man."
Tressel's track record is that he's going to develop a sound defense and special teams year in and year out. And now that he's got some offensive firepower? Well, watch out.
At least that's the thinking, and the reason the Buckeyes are picked for only the third time in the last 11 years to win the Big Ten. They're loaded with talent, even if many of their players lack starting experience.
Smith and Ginn might have to carry this team early in the season while the defense develops.
Both are mentioned as Heisman Trophy candidates. Smith passed for 2,282 yards and 16 touchdowns, and ran for 611 yards and 11 scores last season. Ginn scored seven touchdowns -- four receiving, one rushing, one punt return and one kick return.
"My expectation for him is to be the best wide receiver, the best punt returner and kick returner, the best player in the nation," Smith said of Ginn, who has electrifying speed. "He can do that. He has all the tools, a great mind. Hopefully, we can get the ball in his hands enough to flourish.
"Having two guys (as Heisman candidates) really shows how good a football team we have. If he's doing great, I'm doing great also. His push will be my push. Hopefully, we'll push each other."
Smith, a Cleveland native, appears to have matured considerably since he was suspended for the 2004 Alamo Bowl and 2005 season opener after accepting money from a booster.
The embarrassment and adversity caused by the incident forced him to take a closer look at how he was handling himself and the things he was taking for granted.
"It's something that had to happen to me," Smith said of getting knocked down. "It changed me.
"I know the team comes first. Running out on the field with my guys I will never take advantage of that again. That feeling is the best feeling in the world. I want to be a part of that."
The Buckeyes have dealt with more adversity this summer.
Offensive coordinator Jim Bollman, a former Michigan State assistant, recently returned full-time while still recovering from heart bypass surgery.
Meanwhile, quarterbacks coach Joe Daniels, who is working part-time, suffered a heart attack and is undergoing chemotherapy for a malignant tumor.
"I think it will make us all stronger," Smith said of how the team is dealing with the situation.
And just what is this offense capable of?
"We have to play together," Smith said. "And then we will be as good as we want to be."

 

[Dryden]

"The next three weeks we need to incrementally keep growing in what they really understand," Tressel said. "Then we need to send them out and let them get shot at."

When I said I was happy to see Lichter's presence brought out a swagger and attitude in the players resembling the dominant Miami, Fla. teams, I didn't think that meant Tressel would take it to the next step so soon.

 

[osugrad21]

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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Big Ten rules changes designed to speed up game
By JIM NAVEAU
419-993-2087
08/04/2006
[email protected]

CHICAGO — Some rules changes could make Big Ten football games shorter and a little more challenging this season.
One change will start the game clock when the ball is spotted, not when it is snapped. The clock also will start when the kicker’s foot touches the ball on kickoffs, not when the receiver handles it. Another modification will allow coaches to challenge one play per game in the replay system.
Big Ten coordinator of officials Dave Parry estimated it will save “five to 10 minutes a game” at the Big Ten football meetings Wednesday.
Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said speeding up the game is something the conference is concerned about.
“We want to slow down the growth of the length of the game,” he said. “In a perfect world, the game should be in the three-hour range, not in the three-and-a-half hour range. If you look at the viewing habits of the next generation, three and a half minutes is a long time, much less three and a half hours.”
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said he wasn’t concerned about that change, but Purdue’s Joe Tiller didn’t like it.
“It’s not a good rule. I don’t know why we have to change our game to be like the pros. We have a good product,” Tiller said.
Penn State coach Joe Paterno doesn’t like it either: “I don’t particularly like it because I think it’s geared to speed up the game for television. Television, I think, is dominating everything we do.”
Minnesota coach Glen Mason would like to shorten halftimes from their current 20 minutes but knows that suggestion would be blown away in a blast of marching band music.
“Our games are too long,” Mason said. “But you know you’re not going to touch the halftime because we’d have 300 mothers and fathers after us like you wouldn’t believe.”
Under the replay system the Big Ten has been using, only a replay official determined which plays would be reviewed. Unlike the NFL’s replay system, coaches could not challenge officials’ calls.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is a convert to giving a challenge to coaches.
“Up until a year ago, I was against having the coaches involved. I think when we discussed it, we all thought it was just one more way to get second-guessed,” he said.
“But I think after some recent experiences I’m totally in favor of it. There were times in games where we burned timeouts in hopes of getting a play reviewed. In the future, I’m hoping we get the opportunity to get two challenges instead of just one.”

BIG TEN SUED: Former Big Ten official Jim Filson has filed a lawsuit against the Big Ten, alleging that it fired him because he has vision in only one eye.
Filson lost the sight in his right eye six years ago. He returned to officiating several months after the accident and worked an Orange Bowl game. His suit claims he was fired after Michigan coach Lloyd Carr complained to Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany in 2005.
Delany said Tuesday he had been advised by legal counsel not to comment on the case, but did say the Big Ten had offered Filson another position at the same pay as he received for officiating games and that offer was rejected.
Carr said he contacted the Big Ten office after being called by another official, but he offered no opinion on what should be done.

TEE TIME: Indiana coach Terry Hoeppner, an avid golfer, was invited to play a round of golf this summer with Arnold Palmer in Palmer’s hometown of Latrobe, Pa. The invitation came from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who played for Hoeppner at Miami University.

NEW STADIUM: Minnesota is moving forward with plans to build an on-campus 50,000-seat stadium, scheduled to open in 2009.
The university has hired HOK Sports of Kansas City, the designer of Jacobs Field, Camden Yards and several other baseball stadiums, as the architect for the project.
Minnesota has played in the Metrodome since the 1980s.
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