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Let?s compare the schools? situations as they prepare their defenses:
1. Tennessee?s violations were committed by a number of coaches in two different sports (with Pearl?s actions being the most serious). Ohio State?s violations were committed by one man in one sport ? Tressel.
Advantage: Ohio State
2. Tennessee had not gotten into trouble previously. Ohio State ? as the NCAA noted in its letter ? could be smacked as a repeat offender following violations in its football and basketball programs earlier this decade.
Advantage: Tennessee
3. Tennessee?s violations stemmed from recruiting efforts. Ohio State?s violations were tied to an attempt to keep ineligible players eligible.
Advantage: That depends on the NCAA?s point of view, though we see this as a push. Just because Tennessee didn?t land all of the players they were chasing doesn?t mean they should be forgiven for their attempts at cheating.
4. Pearl lied directly to NCAA investigators. Tressel lied via written document.
Advantage: Again, this is a matter of opinion. In our opinion, false information is false information. Push.
If Ohio State parts ways with Tressel and then makes it clear to the NCAA that he was the only person in the wrong, it?s likely that the Buckeyes will get off ? as a program ? a bit easier than the Volunteers.
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