1. TRESSELBALL
JT can say what he wants, but this was a scrimmage. Just read the quotes. One player stated their intent was to "work on their passing game". JT himself said they wanted to throw on first down every series in the first half to give their QBs a chance to throw on something other than third and long.
That is not how you game plan to win a game. It is how you game plan for a scrimmage.
So take nothing from the score or any of the other stats. When major Div IA programs play Div IAA schools (or whatever they are now called) they are glorified scrimmages and nothing more. A major Div IA program has never lost such a game and never will. It simply can't happen.
2. THE PERFECT STORM
It doesn't get much better than this if you are a Buckeye fan.
Sure, we could have put up 73 like Louisville. But that is not JT's style. And we did win handily, our new QB looks solid, and the new kids bring some flash to the program. A fun day all around (less the Wilson injury) and a great start to build from.
But wait, there's more..
Add to that the ND loss.
Not just a loss, but a putrid performance (rumor is CW wont tell PSU or his own players who the starting OL will be next week). A performance bad enough to push even the die-hard ND fans to the point of asking the same questions the rest of the country has been asking for three years. Is CW might be the second coming of the Lord Almighty - or the second coming of Ty Willingham? It was enough of a loss to make the Domers suffer. Really hurt. Not quite like we felt last January, but it is a start. And it is going to get much worse.
But wait, there's more....
Let's look at the eye of this perfect storm.
Three NFL first rounders passied up the millions to come back and compete for the NC. To sacrifice for the Maize and Blue. To show the country what a real football team looks like when they get the second chance that Michael Hart has been pleading for.
And it is all gone. After one pathetic performance - it is gone. And there is pain. Visceral, gut wrenching, pain. Pain that will go on and on - for generations.
Sure, they can still proclaim goals of winning the Big Ten Championship and beating OSU. But there is a problem. This wasn't a fluke. Not completely.
Sure, they could have won this game. They could have kicked the field goal. They could have avoided a few of the penalties and turnovers. They could have won by 1, 7, even 10 or more.
But that doesn't change the fact that a Div IAA school put up 34. That they had six scoring drives. That even after regaining the lead Michigan could not keep them from coming back one more time. It doesn't change the fact that Michigan's lack of D and lack of coaching are very, very real.
When my grandkids are talking football in 50 years and the topic of great upsets comes along, they may struggle to remember who the Div IAA team was that pulled it off - but they will surely recall that it was Michigan - # 5 ranked Michigan - the Michigan team that two coaches thought was the best in the country - THAT Michigan - who embarrassed themselves at home.
Can it get any sweeter?
3. THEN AGAIN ...
Imagine driving down the freeway and some clown cuts you off. Your first involuntary reaction is to wish that he would run off the road into a bridge abutment. And then it happens - right in front of you. Off he goes and his car explodes against concrete.
Heck, all he did was cut you off. You didn't really wish anything THAT bad to happen.
I have been over to the Michigan board (in fact, I can't keep myself from going back) - and they are lower than low. They know what this means. They know what my grandkids will be talking about 50 years from now. I am not sure how they pull themselves together and go on from here. A bit of the soul of the Michigan program is missing. It may fall short of the biggest upset in CFB history - but only because the game in and of itself had so little meaning - it wasn't really "for anything" other than the win.
And there were other passengers when this car hit the abutment as well.
Despite some solid games from most of the conference, the Big Ten still has some work to do to restore its reputation after last year's Rose and Fiesta. This little upset gave a few thousand rounds of ammo to the nay-sayers.
And The Game is The Game because we are who we are and they are who they are. Anything that seriously tarnishes Michigan tarnishes The Game.
It was a sad day for Michigan.
It was a sad day for The Game.
It was a sad day for the Big Ten.
...so why can't I stop smiling?
4. OVER/UNDER
Anybody take the over at 116?
ImageShack - Hosting :: img4162zz3.jpg
5. YOUTH MOVEMENT
Much has been made that three true Frosh scored in this game. Let's not forget that one of the TD passes was from a RS Frosh and another TD was scored by a true Soph.
Youth indeed.
6. NACHO REPORT
Very nice. I asked for the usual. Super Nacho with cheese on both sides and plenty of hot peppers. The Cheese Bitch gave me a knowing nod and filled things right to the brim with piping hot nacho cheese flavored product. So many peppers they were spilling from the tray.
I think she might be a nacho lover herself. And not bad looking - as Cheese Bitches go.
7. QB CONTROVERSEY
OK, Boeckman was solid. He is the man. Mobility could be an issue, but he had some very nice throws and will only get better. You might also look to the QB position to solve some of those motion penalties. It is also true that a few of those passes threaded needles that will have much smaller eyes against more athletic teams. But overall he has the #10 rated QB in CFB this morning among those with 20 or more completions. Boeckman is the man - no argument.
As for #2. It is completely unfair to pass any sort of judgment based on one or two series - but. Schoenhoft looked soooo bad throwing the ball and Henton was soooo effective.
In any case, the rumor thread on Henton being the 4th string QB can be relabeled :"Soundly Refuted".
8. AN INTERESTING SCENARIO
As stated, I think Michigan's problems are real and fundamental. But, it is possible - just possible - that they could run the table. Even beat a powerful OSU team in AA (we are just talking possibilities here). It is also possible that numerous other top teams could struggle and the OSU win could get Michigan an invite to the NC game. It is then possible they could win it.. Forget the likelihood, just consider the possibility.
Then consider the more realistic potential for Appalachian St to win the title at their level.
Who now is your BCS champ?
On the other hand, in the real world .
IF Michigan beats Oregon
AND IF Michigan beats ND
AND IF Michigan beats PSU?
They will then be playing .500 ball over their past 6 games.
9. BOOING
I have always been opposed to fans booing in college venues - almost without exception. Well, yesterday was an exception.
They didn't boo the YSU team or its band. They didn't even boo Irizarry.
But when they flashed a commercial for the Big Ten Network on the scoreboard the home crowd really let them have it.
When you are starting a new venture - an ENTERTAINMENT that requires a fan base to be successful - and when you are booed by that fan base... You are doing something wrong. (Even if TW is in the wrong your PR has failed.)
Hopefully that message was received.
10. ND TO JOIN A CONFERENCE
Solid rumors are coming out of South Bend today that ND is in fact ready to join a conference. The one they have always wanted and where they really belong.
Only hold up is awaiting the official word that Bowling Green is moving to the Big East to make room.
11. MEANINGLESS STATS
At one point late in the first half the scoreboard indicated YSU had 123 total yards and OSU 107 (or numbers something close to that).
Final numbers were 176 and 417. That's a difference of 53 and 310 for the math challenged. Nice finish to a somewhat slow start.
And up until the 4th quarter YSU had only one drive longer than 6 plays (an inexplicable 14 play drive for a FG). OSU had three drives all day shorter than three plays - and one of those ended in a TD while a second was the Boeckman blind side fumble.
12. FIELD TURF
If you like this:
http://www.velvetpaintings.com/galleries/tjstandards/black-velvet-elvis/black-velvet-elvis101a.jpg
You'll like this:
ImageShack - Hosting :: img4158sb3.jpg
OK, the colors are a bit unnatural - a bit too reminiscent of a "Velvet Elvis". But if an old traditionalist like me can get past it so can the rest of the Buckeye Nation. Despite the lady behind me calling the artificial surface "an abomination", if it allows my Buckeyes to execute crisply, letss carpet the entire campus with it.
But why not go further still. A green field is simply a choice with Field Turf - like the Blue in Boise. Why not go with a white field with green stripes? Or a scarlet field with gray end zones?
ImageShack - Hosting :: redgrayzw1.jpg
Imagine the color combinations we can introduce and how they will "pop" in HiDef?
13. RECRUITING CHALLENGES
Even after a kid has recruited coaching staffs keep in touch just to maintain continuity. Imagine being Voyd or Charlie and having to call your key recruits and answer their questions about Saturday's performance.
But here is my question. Who has the bigger challenge? Michigan, trying to keep their commits in line knowing that the coaching staff WON'T be back next year? Or Notre Dame - knowing that it WILL?
14. RUNNING BACKS
My Oh My!
Imagine going into the season with a new QB and the fan base relying on our Soph running sensation to carry the team. Then imagine that same fan base calling for a different running back by the second quarter.
One of the finest first carries I have ever seen. Saine is going to be spectacular. He is going to make some runs that we are just going to rewind time after time.
But Beanie is still the man. I would like to see the replay of the first few plays where he was stopped just to figure out what happened to the blocking. But by the end of the game he was busting some chops. He will be just fine and he will deliver as promised. But what an abundance of riches.
Not only did Saine shine, but Mo Wells made some plays I never thought I would see from #34.
Barring an injury Mr. Herron will be keeping the RS on.
15. OBESITY HITS HOME
There was a girl sitting in the aisle in the row in front of us - said there was no room as her row was full. Inexplicably, instead of figuring out where her seat was the usher challenged everyone in the row for their tickets. The guy in front of me could not find his, and - despite being with three friends who all vouched for him - was asked to leave.
Once he was gone we started discussing the problem. There are 16 seats in that row. There were only 15 people. They were just fat.
What a world. All I could do was eat my nachos and shake my head.
16. INJURY REPORT
N surprises on the sidelines other than expected Small to at least be in pads.
17. FIRST HITS OF THE SEASON
This is football and I always look forward to that first hit after the long layoff.
Fortunately, neither the lady I clotheslined nor representatives of the nursing home where she resides are interested in pursuing legal action.
18. FINAL THOUGHT ON THE MICHIGAN GAME
Er, make that the Appalachian State game (hopefully I will receive the Mountaineer shirt I just ordered in time for Akron).
We may be getting ahead of ourselves. We are all marking this up as a Michigan loss, but that may be a bit premature. But first we should wait to hear from Mr. Hart and find out if this one even counted.
19. STELLAR PERFORMANCES
Wish I could see a complete replay, but short of that - Gibson was a beast, especially in the return game. And who expected the top four tacklers to include the names Russell, Homan and Spitler?
I also loved the Jenkins return. He needs to teach some of those dance moves to Teddy.
And despite sitting in C Deck, I swear I was looking up at Robiskie on one of his catches.
As for the OL - I was pleased. At times they were great. At others there were mistakes. But those were missed assignments, not failures to execute. Consistent blocking across the line against schemes that you may not have seen before is difficult to come by and takes time. Overall I am happier than most of the folks I have spoken to. The talent is there.
Truth is there were great performances all over. A bit disappointed we did not create any turnovers, but there were opportunities. And far too many penalties. But a good start, albeit it in a game against a Div IAA opponent where the win was absolutely guaranteed from the moment it was scheduled.
Right?
JT can say what he wants, but this was a scrimmage. Just read the quotes. One player stated their intent was to "work on their passing game". JT himself said they wanted to throw on first down every series in the first half to give their QBs a chance to throw on something other than third and long.
That is not how you game plan to win a game. It is how you game plan for a scrimmage.
So take nothing from the score or any of the other stats. When major Div IA programs play Div IAA schools (or whatever they are now called) they are glorified scrimmages and nothing more. A major Div IA program has never lost such a game and never will. It simply can't happen.
2. THE PERFECT STORM
It doesn't get much better than this if you are a Buckeye fan.
Sure, we could have put up 73 like Louisville. But that is not JT's style. And we did win handily, our new QB looks solid, and the new kids bring some flash to the program. A fun day all around (less the Wilson injury) and a great start to build from.
But wait, there's more..
Add to that the ND loss.
Not just a loss, but a putrid performance (rumor is CW wont tell PSU or his own players who the starting OL will be next week). A performance bad enough to push even the die-hard ND fans to the point of asking the same questions the rest of the country has been asking for three years. Is CW might be the second coming of the Lord Almighty - or the second coming of Ty Willingham? It was enough of a loss to make the Domers suffer. Really hurt. Not quite like we felt last January, but it is a start. And it is going to get much worse.
But wait, there's more....
Let's look at the eye of this perfect storm.
Three NFL first rounders passied up the millions to come back and compete for the NC. To sacrifice for the Maize and Blue. To show the country what a real football team looks like when they get the second chance that Michael Hart has been pleading for.
And it is all gone. After one pathetic performance - it is gone. And there is pain. Visceral, gut wrenching, pain. Pain that will go on and on - for generations.
Sure, they can still proclaim goals of winning the Big Ten Championship and beating OSU. But there is a problem. This wasn't a fluke. Not completely.
Sure, they could have won this game. They could have kicked the field goal. They could have avoided a few of the penalties and turnovers. They could have won by 1, 7, even 10 or more.
But that doesn't change the fact that a Div IAA school put up 34. That they had six scoring drives. That even after regaining the lead Michigan could not keep them from coming back one more time. It doesn't change the fact that Michigan's lack of D and lack of coaching are very, very real.
When my grandkids are talking football in 50 years and the topic of great upsets comes along, they may struggle to remember who the Div IAA team was that pulled it off - but they will surely recall that it was Michigan - # 5 ranked Michigan - the Michigan team that two coaches thought was the best in the country - THAT Michigan - who embarrassed themselves at home.
Can it get any sweeter?
3. THEN AGAIN ...
Imagine driving down the freeway and some clown cuts you off. Your first involuntary reaction is to wish that he would run off the road into a bridge abutment. And then it happens - right in front of you. Off he goes and his car explodes against concrete.
Heck, all he did was cut you off. You didn't really wish anything THAT bad to happen.
I have been over to the Michigan board (in fact, I can't keep myself from going back) - and they are lower than low. They know what this means. They know what my grandkids will be talking about 50 years from now. I am not sure how they pull themselves together and go on from here. A bit of the soul of the Michigan program is missing. It may fall short of the biggest upset in CFB history - but only because the game in and of itself had so little meaning - it wasn't really "for anything" other than the win.
And there were other passengers when this car hit the abutment as well.
Despite some solid games from most of the conference, the Big Ten still has some work to do to restore its reputation after last year's Rose and Fiesta. This little upset gave a few thousand rounds of ammo to the nay-sayers.
And The Game is The Game because we are who we are and they are who they are. Anything that seriously tarnishes Michigan tarnishes The Game.
It was a sad day for Michigan.
It was a sad day for The Game.
It was a sad day for the Big Ten.
...so why can't I stop smiling?
4. OVER/UNDER
Anybody take the over at 116?
ImageShack - Hosting :: img4162zz3.jpg
5. YOUTH MOVEMENT
Much has been made that three true Frosh scored in this game. Let's not forget that one of the TD passes was from a RS Frosh and another TD was scored by a true Soph.
Youth indeed.
6. NACHO REPORT
Very nice. I asked for the usual. Super Nacho with cheese on both sides and plenty of hot peppers. The Cheese Bitch gave me a knowing nod and filled things right to the brim with piping hot nacho cheese flavored product. So many peppers they were spilling from the tray.
I think she might be a nacho lover herself. And not bad looking - as Cheese Bitches go.
7. QB CONTROVERSEY
OK, Boeckman was solid. He is the man. Mobility could be an issue, but he had some very nice throws and will only get better. You might also look to the QB position to solve some of those motion penalties. It is also true that a few of those passes threaded needles that will have much smaller eyes against more athletic teams. But overall he has the #10 rated QB in CFB this morning among those with 20 or more completions. Boeckman is the man - no argument.
As for #2. It is completely unfair to pass any sort of judgment based on one or two series - but. Schoenhoft looked soooo bad throwing the ball and Henton was soooo effective.
In any case, the rumor thread on Henton being the 4th string QB can be relabeled :"Soundly Refuted".
8. AN INTERESTING SCENARIO
As stated, I think Michigan's problems are real and fundamental. But, it is possible - just possible - that they could run the table. Even beat a powerful OSU team in AA (we are just talking possibilities here). It is also possible that numerous other top teams could struggle and the OSU win could get Michigan an invite to the NC game. It is then possible they could win it.. Forget the likelihood, just consider the possibility.
Then consider the more realistic potential for Appalachian St to win the title at their level.
Who now is your BCS champ?
On the other hand, in the real world .
IF Michigan beats Oregon
AND IF Michigan beats ND
AND IF Michigan beats PSU?
They will then be playing .500 ball over their past 6 games.
9. BOOING
I have always been opposed to fans booing in college venues - almost without exception. Well, yesterday was an exception.
They didn't boo the YSU team or its band. They didn't even boo Irizarry.
But when they flashed a commercial for the Big Ten Network on the scoreboard the home crowd really let them have it.
When you are starting a new venture - an ENTERTAINMENT that requires a fan base to be successful - and when you are booed by that fan base... You are doing something wrong. (Even if TW is in the wrong your PR has failed.)
Hopefully that message was received.
10. ND TO JOIN A CONFERENCE
Solid rumors are coming out of South Bend today that ND is in fact ready to join a conference. The one they have always wanted and where they really belong.
Only hold up is awaiting the official word that Bowling Green is moving to the Big East to make room.
11. MEANINGLESS STATS
At one point late in the first half the scoreboard indicated YSU had 123 total yards and OSU 107 (or numbers something close to that).
Final numbers were 176 and 417. That's a difference of 53 and 310 for the math challenged. Nice finish to a somewhat slow start.
And up until the 4th quarter YSU had only one drive longer than 6 plays (an inexplicable 14 play drive for a FG). OSU had three drives all day shorter than three plays - and one of those ended in a TD while a second was the Boeckman blind side fumble.
12. FIELD TURF
If you like this:
http://www.velvetpaintings.com/galleries/tjstandards/black-velvet-elvis/black-velvet-elvis101a.jpg
You'll like this:
ImageShack - Hosting :: img4158sb3.jpg
OK, the colors are a bit unnatural - a bit too reminiscent of a "Velvet Elvis". But if an old traditionalist like me can get past it so can the rest of the Buckeye Nation. Despite the lady behind me calling the artificial surface "an abomination", if it allows my Buckeyes to execute crisply, letss carpet the entire campus with it.
But why not go further still. A green field is simply a choice with Field Turf - like the Blue in Boise. Why not go with a white field with green stripes? Or a scarlet field with gray end zones?
ImageShack - Hosting :: redgrayzw1.jpg
Imagine the color combinations we can introduce and how they will "pop" in HiDef?
13. RECRUITING CHALLENGES
Even after a kid has recruited coaching staffs keep in touch just to maintain continuity. Imagine being Voyd or Charlie and having to call your key recruits and answer their questions about Saturday's performance.
But here is my question. Who has the bigger challenge? Michigan, trying to keep their commits in line knowing that the coaching staff WON'T be back next year? Or Notre Dame - knowing that it WILL?
14. RUNNING BACKS
My Oh My!
Imagine going into the season with a new QB and the fan base relying on our Soph running sensation to carry the team. Then imagine that same fan base calling for a different running back by the second quarter.
One of the finest first carries I have ever seen. Saine is going to be spectacular. He is going to make some runs that we are just going to rewind time after time.
But Beanie is still the man. I would like to see the replay of the first few plays where he was stopped just to figure out what happened to the blocking. But by the end of the game he was busting some chops. He will be just fine and he will deliver as promised. But what an abundance of riches.
Not only did Saine shine, but Mo Wells made some plays I never thought I would see from #34.
Barring an injury Mr. Herron will be keeping the RS on.
15. OBESITY HITS HOME
There was a girl sitting in the aisle in the row in front of us - said there was no room as her row was full. Inexplicably, instead of figuring out where her seat was the usher challenged everyone in the row for their tickets. The guy in front of me could not find his, and - despite being with three friends who all vouched for him - was asked to leave.
Once he was gone we started discussing the problem. There are 16 seats in that row. There were only 15 people. They were just fat.
What a world. All I could do was eat my nachos and shake my head.
16. INJURY REPORT
N surprises on the sidelines other than expected Small to at least be in pads.
17. FIRST HITS OF THE SEASON
This is football and I always look forward to that first hit after the long layoff.
Fortunately, neither the lady I clotheslined nor representatives of the nursing home where she resides are interested in pursuing legal action.
18. FINAL THOUGHT ON THE MICHIGAN GAME
Er, make that the Appalachian State game (hopefully I will receive the Mountaineer shirt I just ordered in time for Akron).
We may be getting ahead of ourselves. We are all marking this up as a Michigan loss, but that may be a bit premature. But first we should wait to hear from Mr. Hart and find out if this one even counted.
19. STELLAR PERFORMANCES
Wish I could see a complete replay, but short of that - Gibson was a beast, especially in the return game. And who expected the top four tacklers to include the names Russell, Homan and Spitler?
I also loved the Jenkins return. He needs to teach some of those dance moves to Teddy.
And despite sitting in C Deck, I swear I was looking up at Robiskie on one of his catches.
As for the OL - I was pleased. At times they were great. At others there were mistakes. But those were missed assignments, not failures to execute. Consistent blocking across the line against schemes that you may not have seen before is difficult to come by and takes time. Overall I am happier than most of the folks I have spoken to. The talent is there.
Truth is there were great performances all over. A bit disappointed we did not create any turnovers, but there were opportunities. And far too many penalties. But a good start, albeit it in a game against a Div IAA opponent where the win was absolutely guaranteed from the moment it was scheduled.
Right?
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