And Now We Wait

OSU 14 Michigan 3

OSU will be at worst #5 in the next BCS

Here we go upsets, here we go.

Oregon Goes Down

Only 5 teams ahead of OSU in the BCS and two of them are guaranteed to lose one more game this year(Big XII). OSU needs to beat UM and hope for only two upsets to have what seemed to be an improbable chance to reach the national title just 5 days ago.

M*ch*g*n's Goals

About the 3 prominent Michigan seniors.

Remember Chad Henne, Mike Hart, and Jake Long all came back to school for three reasons: 1) Beat OSU (the are 0 for 3) 2) Win a bowl game (0-3) and 3) Win a national title.

Goal 3 is out of the question.

Michigan will probably accomplish goals 1 or 2 but not both.

Here is why:

If Michigan beats Ohio State they will play in the Rose Bowl (possible opponents ASU, USC, or Oregon who is currently getting whooped by Arizona). Assuming all of their players are healthy these 3 teams are superior in talent (and coaching) to Michigan (or so I believe).

If Michigan is to lose to Ohio State they will probably be heading to the Champs Sports Bowl in Tampa to face off against the 4^th bowl eligible team from the ACC. This currently looks like Virginia or possibly Boston College. Assuming Virginia Tech beat Virginia, the Champs Sports bowl should be Michigan vs. Virginia. Michigan should be a solid favorite against a team that has only beat two decent teams (UConn and Wake Forest both by one point) and was absolutely manhandled by 5-5 Wyoming in the first week of the season.

So it looks like Mike Hart and company will get one of their goals.

Saturday’s pick: OSU 31 Michigan 24.

On Tap (the abbreviated version)

Helping you get your weekend viewing priorities straight since 2007

9:00 (ESPN) Oregon @ Arizona. Key Fact: Oregon needs to win and win big if they want to think about a possible national championship.

Friday

11:00 (ESPN2) Hawaii @ Nevada. Key Fact: Colt Brennan got knocked the f#$@ out last week, combine that with his effectiveness away from the islands and I smell upset.

Saturday

12:00 (ABC) Ohio State @ Michigan. Key Fact: It is Thursday Nov. 15th and Michigan still sucks.

12:00 (ESPN) Northwestern @ Illinois. Key Fact: A win gives Illinois an outside shot at a BCS bowl.

2:30 (NBC) Duke @ Notre Dame. Key Fact: Duke fans are getting a little too excited about a chance to be Chucky Weis, Notre Dame in a laugher.

3:30 (ABC) Iowa State @ Kansas. Key Fact: Yes, Kansas is still undefeated.

3:30 (CBS) LSU @ Misississippi. Key Fact: Closer than the experts think.

7:45 (ESPN) West Virginia @ Cincinnati. Key Fact: If Cinci pulls the upset (they will) the Big East will be back in disarray.

7:45 (ESPN2) Boston College @ Clemson. Key Fact: Clemson controls their ACC destiny.

8:00 (ABC) Texas Tech @ Oklahoma. Key Fact: Texas Tech play little to no defense, combined final score closer to 85 than 50.

Sunday

1:00 (CBS) Cleveland @ Baltimore. Key Fact: The Browns have a chance to separate themselves from the rest of the division (minus Pittsburgh).

OSU Basketball (the year after)

I got a chance to catch my first OSU basketball action last night (second half against Columbia).

Here are my initial impressions.

Kosta Koufus (C, Fr): He's tall and moves very well for his size. Koufus does a great job getting position on the block and finds ways to get his shots off (even most of the ugly ones went in). He has more offensive moves right now than Oden had at the end of last year.

Jon Diebler (SF, Fr): Looks a lot more physically ready for the college game than I would have thought. Still needs to put on some more muscle but has done a good job since the high school games I saw him play. Also he holds the record for most points scored in Ohio history, that does not happen by accident, he can play.

Jamar Butler (PG, Sr.): Can knock down the three ball with the best of them. I thought he would be better suited off the ball last year but he seems more comfortable running the offense and taking his shot when it comes. It looks like he will have to carry this team while the freshman learn how to play.

Othello Hunter (PF-C, Sr): Had a calf issue so did not see much, but had 7 boards when he left the game.

Matt Terwilliger (PF-C, Sr): Fills in when needed, is not going to get you a lot of points.

Dallas Lauderdale (PF, Fr.): Filled in for Hunter for awhile, but Thad seemed content with keeping the starters on the floor for most of the half. Not many minutes to judge Dallas on.

David Lighty (G-F, So.): I feel he is going to be the glue guy for this team. He is going to get done what needs to get done, not excelling in any one category but not lacking in any either.

Evan Turner (G, Fr.): Ran the floor well and knocked down a nice kick out three, but not much to go on here either.

Transition defense was very poor early in the second half.

Transition offense looked very good in the middle part of the half.

Late in the game Thad had Butler, Lighty, Diebler, Turner and Koufus on the floor. I think this is a lineup to look out for as the year goes on, two lights out shooters, two slashers, with the big man in the middle and you don't give up some much size that you are going to get killed on the boards.

The problem with evaluating a game against Columbia is the good things are probably not quite as good as they seem and the bad are probably worse.

Columbia lived and died by the three (mostly cause they could not buy a non dunk two for their lives). I will be scary this year against more talented teams. Hopefully the freshman grow up fast, and thankfully this is not football so losing a few games early in the season while your team in learning will not kill you.

Final words about this season: I am going to be watching a lot of the games in the bar to the %$#&% Big Ten Network.

Way Late Way Short Bar Golf Recap

Did people actually show up? Yes.

18 bars 18 drinks can it be done? Yes.

Was it a good idea? Probably not.

Will it happen again? More than likely.

Will it be better organized? For damn sure.

Will you hear about it? If you are lucky.

Is the Fat Lady Singing?

A ridiculous scenario in which Ohio State can still make it to the National Championship game.

Here is how it could happen: Ohio State currently sits 7^th in the BCS standing with West Virginia, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Oregon and Louisiana State in front of them.

1) #7 Ohio State beats Michigan (preferably convincingly)

2) #6 West Virginia loses at Cincinnati or to Pittsburgh in the backyard brawl.

3) #1 LSU loses to Arkansas or in the SEC championship game (Georgia or Tennessee)

4) #2 Oregon loses at Arizona or in the Civil War to Oregon State

5) Now it gets confusing with the three Big 12 teams. Most likely #4 Oklahoma will be playing either # 3 Kansas or #5 Mizzou in the Big 12 championship. All three of these teams will need to lose one game. There are a few possible ways this could happen.

Scenario 1: Oklahoma loses to Oklahoma state and then comes back to beat an undefeated Kansas in the Big 12 CG.

Scenario 2: Oklahoma wins out. Mizzou loses to Kansas State. Kansas loses to Mizzou. Kansas beats Oklahoma in the Big 12 CG.

Scenario 3: Kansas loses to Iowa State. Oklahoma loses to Oklahoma State. Mizzou wins out, but loses to Oklahoma in the Big 12 CG.

Confused? Good so am I. I read over that Big 12 thing 4 times and am still not sure if it works out right, but for the sake of argument lets say it does.

Now if the first four things happen OSU would likely move up to #2 and #1 would likely come from the survivor of the Big 12 disaster.

With as crazy as this season has been there is an outside chance of something like this happening. First and foremost OSU must beat Michigan this weekend and then sit back and watch the carnage of the rest of the college football landscape.

One last thing, if OSU and Arizona State lose one more game each and all of that other crap up there happens we could have a two loss team playing for the national title. How crazy would that be? Good luck picking what 2 loss team would be most deserving.

Playoff! Playoff! Playoff!

Beer of the Week

Week of November 12 2007 --- Beer of the Week


Natural Light








This beer of the week of the week is cheap and can be found in mass quantities at any corner store. This is particularly helpful to Ohio State fans trying to recover from last Saturday as well as prepare for next Saturday against the state up north. With the OSU-M*ch*g*n game kicking off at noon this year it is very important to have a beer that is an easy drink since you will have to start sometime around 8:30 AM to be in good form for the game.

So this weeks beer of the week will be the favorite of Ohio college kids, Natty Light.

On Tap

Helping you get your weekend viewing priorities straight since 2007

Thursday

7:45 (ESPN) Louisville @ West Virginia. What was supposed to be the game of the year in the Big East has become a must win for WVU to keep any outside chance at an appearance in the national championship game. Also a WVU win keeps them on a collision course with UConn to play for the Big East title in the final game of the year. Key Fact: Brian Brohm (UL QB) deserves better than playing for a team that has absolutely no defense.

Friday

8:00 (ESPN2) Rutgers @ Army. Not real sure what to say about this game, usually the fun of watching a service academy play is watching what kind of offense they use to take advantage of the particular kind of athlete they have (smart and insanely disciplined). Army on the other hand tries to operate in a more “modern” offense. Key Fact: Ray Rice should run wild against a smaller Army defense.

Saturday

12:00 (ESPN) Michigan @ Wisconsin. Back in September people would have argued that this game would decided the Big Ten title, but know we know that the OSU-Michigan game will have that honor. Key Fact: Wisconsin will not fake a punt inside of their own 40 in the 4^th quarter, unless the punter misses the sign … again.

12:00 (ESPN2) Wake Forest @ Clemson. Wake Forest would need to run they table and have BC slip up twice the rest of the way for them to have a chance to represent the Atlantic division in the ACC championship game. Clemson still has a game remaining with BC and controls their own destiny (with a win this week). Key Fact: When the Tigers wear their purple jerseys, they look like a team of Grimace’s.

2:30 (NBC) Air Force @ Notre Dame. Can Notre Dame find a way to lose to a service academy two weeks in a row? I am sure Cheeseburger Weis will find a way to go for a 4^th and 17 from his own 37 with 34 seconds remaining in a tied game only to have Evan Sharpley fumble leading to a game winning 41 yard field goal from Air Force. Seriously who tries a 41 yard field goal when the game is tied and time is running out? Key Fact: I almost feel bad about piling on Notre Dame in the middle of their horrendous season, almost, but if they are beat by a second straight military academy Notre Dame fans lose all rights to defend their current team or Cheeseburger Weis. Seriously.

3:30 (ABC) Illinois @ Ohio State. The battle for the Illibuck (a turtleish looking creature). Illinois has given OSU fits in its last two undefeated seasons and looks to finally knock them off this year. Unfortunately OSU seems to be most susceptible to a team with a good passing game, Illinois is not that team (152 ypg). It will take a great defensive effort for the Illini to pull this game out. Key Fact: It will be senior day in the Shoe, but how many juniors will the Buckeye faithful be watching for the last time? (Laurinaitis, Gholston, Jenkins, Boone, Boeckman, Freeman, ….)

3:30 (CBS) Auburn @ Georgia. The Bulldogs need to win out, and hope that UT slips up one time, to secure the SEC East championship. Auburn has given people fits on the road this year, I don't expect this game to be any different. Key Fact: After the first Georgia touchdown scored the entire student section will rush the field to celebrate with the team in a heart felt display of school unity.

7:45 (ESPN) Florida @ South Carolina. I am pretty sure not many people thought these team would come in with a combined 7 losses (all in SEC play). Florida needs a win to still have an outside chance (way outside) of making the SEC championship game and a rematch with LSU. South Carolina is playing to try and knock of Spurrier’s old team for the second time in 3 years. Key Fact: Late in the 4^th quarter, down 3 points, Urban Meyer inserts Tim Tebow at safety; Tebow promptly intercepts a Smelley pass, breaks free down the sideline only to be clotheslined by Spurrier as time expires. Unfazed Tebow kicks a 67 yard field goal to send the game into over time where the Gators go onto win and thus a legend is born. Excuse me? Tebow is already a legend? Whatever.

8:00 (ABC) Kansas @ Oklahoma State. Holy undefeated Kansas, 76 points last week against Nebraska? Oklahoma State can also put up some points, so this game should turn into a scoring extravaganza. Key Fact: Kansas is playing a Saturday night high profile game and most of the nation will be tuning in surprised to find out that the game is being played on grass and not hardwood.

11:00 (ESPN2) Fresno State @ Hawaii. Nothing like a game that will end sometime after the bars close. Hawaii needs a win to remain undefeated in anticipation for their Nov 23^rd match up out in the islands with Boise State. Key Fact: Hawaii may not really be deserving of a BCS game, but I would really like to see that offense go up against a BCS caliber defense, so root for the (Rainbow) Warriors.

Sunday

1:00 (CBS) Cleveland @ Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh absolutely destroyed Baltimore on Monday night, here is to hoping that the short week will some how slow them down giving the Browns the edge. A Browns win will have these two teams tied atop the AFC north, a Steelers win gives them a stranglehold on the division. Key Fact: Cleveland could be on top of their division after this game and the year is not 1987.

College Basketball games will start taking up this space when some better match ups are being played. In other words YES college basketball is back, and it is on every night, just channel surf until you find a D-II team beating up on the national runner-up.

* there is very little respect for the word fact around here.

all times eastern

Breaking down 15 laterals

Slate diagrams the Millsaps Miracle




(HT:SMQB)

Navy/ND

You are a Division 1 football team and you don't try a 41 yard field goal to win a game that is currently tied? So what if you miss it.

Enjoy the video











(HT:Fanhouse)

Holy Cleveland Ohio

If the Ravens can find away to knock off the Steelers tonight the Browns will be in a three way tie (5-3) for the lead in the AFC North. At worst the Brownies will be one game out of the lead half way through the season. It looks like the patience of staying the course with Fathead Crennel might finally be paying off.






As much as I would like the Browns to be tied for the division lead, nothing can bring me to root for the Ravens. Cleveland will just have to take the division lead by beating the Steelers in Shittsburgh next Sunday.

Beer of the Week

Week of November 5 2007 --- Beer of the Week


Killian's Irish Red




























Now that it is getting colder outside, well at least in Yetiland it is, we will need a little fuller beer to serve as beer of the week. Killian's Irish Red will be the beer of the week. Killian's derives its color and taste from a special caramel malted barely that is roasted at a high temperature longer and more slowly than most malts. Bet you didn't know that (neither did I, thanks wikipedia)

Dumbest thing I heard last weekend.

Trust me watching the game with 9 Penn State fans made this a pretty difficult choice.

From a Michigan State fan none the less.

“You better hope Ohio State loses a game here shortly so they are not embarrassed in the national championship again.”

Why should I hope Ohio State loses a game before the end of the year? Did it suck sitting in Pink Taco stadium last year watching Florida wipe the field with us? Yes. Would I rather sit in Ohio Stadium and watch the Bucks lose to Illinois, Wisconsin, or god forbid watch them fall to UM in the big house? A resounding Hell No!

Just because MSU had not been to the Rose Bowl since 1988 or won a Big Ten title since 1990 that is no reason to think that Ohio State fans would be happier watching their team win the Capital One Bowl than competing for the national championship.

I know it must be tough watching a team that self destructs ever year in the 5^th or 6^th week of the season, but to think I would rather have my team finish 11-1 without a shot at the national title is ludicrous.

Maybe Ohio State is over rated and maybe the Big Ten sucks. Maybe LSU, BC, or ASU would beat OSU by 14 points 9 out of 10 times (I don’t believe this is the case, but for the sake of argument) but there would be that one time. Look what the 2002 team did; no one believed they had a chance against a far superior Miami team.

That is why they play the games.

GO BUCKS!!

On Tap

Helping you get your weekend viewing priorities straight since 2007

Thursday

7:45 (ESPN) Virginia Tech @ Georgia Tech. Coming off last Thursday nights performance against BC, Virginia Tech will look to right the ship to look for a possible rematch with the Eagles in the ACC championship game. Key Fact: Beware the rambling wreck at home in a prime time nationally televised contest.

Friday

8:00 (ESPN2) Nevada @ New Mexico State. Hopefully you have something better to do than watch this game. Key Fact: Friday night WAC games have been pretty solid so far this season; this game should be the same.

Saturday

12:00 (ESPN) Purdue @ Penn State. PSU has had a tough time stopping the pass this season and playing against Purdue is not the answer to this problem. Both teams are in contention for the 3^rd bowl slot in Big Ten. Key Fact: Purdue fans better watch out for flying half empty beer cans.

12:00 (%$*^%$* BTN) Wisconsin @ Ohio State. OSU’s one conference game on the BTN. This game was supposed to be the game of the year in the Big Ten, but now all that is left is for the Badgers to prove that they are not pushovers, and ruin Ohio State’s unexpected season. Key Fact: Wisconsin has owned OSU of late, expect that to change Saturday.

2:30 (NBC) Navy @ Notre Dame. The Midshipmen have lost 43 in a row to the pillow Fighting Irish, if there was any year that the Middies were going to have a chance to get a win this is it. ND has already been eliminated from bowl contention and is now playing the rest of the year for pride. Key Fact: If Navy finds a way to pull this off I am not sure I want to talk to any ND fans that I know.

3:30 (ABC) Michigan @ Michigan State. MSU needs to win this game to prove that they are not going to get oh so close to being bowl eligible only to fall apart yet another year. UM is trying to remain on track for a Big Ten championship showdown with OSU. Key Fact: Some people think this is a bigger rivalry than OSU/Michigan, whatever.

5:00 (CBS) LSU @ Alabama. Nick Saban and his Crimson Tide have a chance to knock his old team out of the national championship race. Key Fact: Les Miles will make a call in this game that will cost his team, it may not cost them the game, but it will make it closer than it should be.

6:40 (ESPN) Arizona State @ Oregon. Nice of ESPN to pick up the game of the day so that it could be viewed outside of Arizona and Oregon. Denis Dixon continues his Heisman like season taking on the upstart Sun Devils. Key Fact: Dennis Erickson like to recruit criminals (probably not true, but look at the teams he had at Miami and Oregon State).

8:00 (ESPN2) South Carolina @ Arkansas. I don’t intend to watch much of this game, but this blog randomly gets linked to by an Arkansas blog when I say bad things about the razorbacks. So here goes: Darren McFadden is a fraud, that’s right fraud. 19 carries for 61 yards against Florida International??? (I choose to ignore the 4 TDs) Granted McFadden is having a fine season, will be a top 7 NFL draft pick and would be in the Heisman talk if he did not play for such a lousy team. Key Fact: A South Carolina win keeps the SEC East in complete disarray leaving the possibility of every team finishing 4-4 (technically a loss for USC would keep this alive, but I don’t see them getting by Florida next week).

8:00 (ABC) Florida State @ Boston College. FSU looks to knock BC from the ranks of the undefeated. Key Fact: Playing 56 shitty minutes followed by 4 fantastic minutes does not make you the Heisman frontrunner, well not in a normal year it doesn’t.

Sunday

4:00 (CBS) New England @ Indianapolis. It is like the Super Bowl in November, only no NFC team, the game is in Indy, no bye week for build up, and no Phil Simms. What? Phil Simms will be there, Damn. Key Fact: Someone will still be undefeated after this game, but since there is a playoff in the NFL it does not matter much does it?

* there is very little respect for the word fact around here.

all times eastern