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2008 Ohio State Buckeyes - Additional Info

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2008 Ohio State Additional Information​
Coaching Staff

Head Coach:
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Official School Bio - Jim Tressel

Assistant Coaches:
Official School Bios - Assistant Coaches/Staff
Jim Bollman - Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line
Jim Heacock - Defensive Coordinator
Joe Daniels - Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Luke Fickell - Co-Def Coord/LB Coach
Paul Haynes - Safeties Coach
Darrell Hazell - Ast. Head Coach and Wide Receivers Coach
Taver Johnson - Cornerbacks Coach
John Peterson - Tight Ends Coach and Recruiting Coord.
Dick Tressel - Running Backs Coach
Bob Tucker - Director of Football Operations
Stan Jefferson - Director of Player Development
Eric Lichter - Director of Football Performance
Dave Adolph - Program Assistant
Greg Gillum - Assistant Recruiting Coordinator
Chris Hauser - Defensive Quality Control
Fred Pagac - Defensive Graduate Assistant
Chad Rogosheske - Offensive Graduate Assistant
Nick Siciliano - Offensive Quality Control
Betty Affeldt - Administrative Assistant
Jim Borchers - Team Physician
Debbie Broeker - Administrative Office Associate
Amy Burgess - Supervisor of Internal Operations
Doug Calland - Head Athletic Trainer
Chris Kaeding - Head Team Physician
Rob Lachey - Equipment Manager
Shelly Poe - Communications and Public Relations
Ray Pongonis - Team Physician
Mark Quisenberry - Video Coordinator
Larry Romanoff - Director of External Affairs
Steve Snapp - Associate AD, Broadcasting
Robert Sweeney - Athletic Trainer
Jeff Uhlenhake - Strength Coorinator
Lewis VanHoose - Football Equipment Manager
Doug Davis - Coordinator of Strength and Conditioning
Troy Sutton - Coordinator of Strength and Conditioning
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Recruiting
Starters Returning: 20 (Offense 9, Defense 9, Special Teams 2)
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Letterman Returning: 52 (Offense 20, Defense 28, Special Teams 4)
Notable Returners: Well, pretty much the whole team is back, so take your pick.

Starters Lost: 4 (Offense 2, Defense 2, Special Teams 0)
Letterman Lost: 14 (Offense 7, Defense 4, Special Teams 3)
Notable Losses: DL Vernon Gholston, OT Kirk Barton, LB Larry Grant, FB Dionte Johnson
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Class of 2008:
Mike Adams (OL, Dublin Coffman; 6' 7", 305 lbs; committed to Ohio State on 03/10/07)
Michael Brewster (OL, Orlando Edgewater; 6' 5", 280 lbs; committed to Ohio State on 04/21/07)
Ben Buchanan (P/K, Westerville Central; 5' 10", 175 lbs; committed to Ohio State on 03/02/07)
Nic DiLillo (TE, Madison; 6' 5", 245 lbs; committed to Ohio State on 07/30/07)
Zach Domicone (ATH, Xenia Beavercreek; 6'3", 215 lbs; committed 1/13/08)
Garrett Goebel (DL, Lombard (Illinois) Montini; 6' 5", 270 lbs; committed to Ohio State on 07/27/07)
Travis Howard (CB, Miami (Fla) Dr. Krop; 6'0", 172 lbs; committed to Ohio State on 10/26/07)
Orhian Johnson (ATH, Boca Ciega (Fla) Boca Ciega; 6'4", 184 lbs, committed to Ohio State on 2/6/08)
Jermil Martin (FB, Cleveland Glenville; 6'1", 230 lbs; committed to Ohio State on 1/13/08)
Willie Mobley (DL, Eden Prairie (MN) Eden Prairie, 6'2", 263; committed to Ohio State on 11/30/07)
DeVier Posey (WR, Cincinnati LaSalle; 6' 3", 190 lbs; committed to Ohio State on 03/13/07)
Terrelle Pryor (Jeannette (PA) Jeannette; 6'6", 220 lbs; committed to Ohio State on 3/19/08)
Shawntel Rowell (OL/DL, Cleveland Glenville; 6'3", 300 lbs; committed to Ohio State on 12/17/07)
Etienne Sabino (LB, Miami (Fla) Dr. Krop; 6'3", 228 lbs; committed to Ohio State on 11/08/07)
J.B. Shugarts (OL, Klein (TX) Klein; 6' 7", 290 lbs; committed to Ohio State on 04/24/07)
Jake Stoneburner (WR, Dublin Coffman; 6' 6", 223 lbs; committed to Ohio State on 3/26/07)
Andrew Sweat (LB, Washington (PA) Trinity; 6'2", 225 lbs; committed to Ohio State on 05/31/07)
Lamaar Thomas (WR, Mount Washington (Md.) Friendly; 5'10", 166 lbs; committed to Ohio State on 10/18/07)
Keith Wells (DE, Gainesville (Ga.) Gainesville; 6'5", 225 lbs; committed to Ohio State on 2/4/08)
Nathan Williams (DL, Miami (Oh) Trace; 6' 5", 245 lbs; committed to Ohio State on 04/24/07)
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Class of 2009 - verbals (Links to recruiting discussion threads):
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C.J. Barnett (CB, Englewood (Oh), Clayton Northmont; 6'0", 171 lbs; committed to Ohio State on 2/10/08)
Dorian Bell (LB, Monroeville (Pa), Gateway; 6'0", 210 lbs, 4.50 40; committed to Ohio State on 4/21/08)
Adam Bellamy (DL, Aurora (Oh), Aurora; 6'4", 270 lbs, 4.80 40; committed to Ohio State on 6/10/08)
Zach Boren (FB/LB, Pickerington Central; 6'0", 255 lbs, 4.65 40; committed to Ohio State on 4/30/08)
Corey Brown (WR, Monroeville (Pa), Gateway; 6'1", 180 lbs, 4.75 40; committed to Ohio State on 6/23/08)
Duron Carter (WR, Ft. Lauderdale (Fl), St. Thomas Aquinas; 6'2", 170 lbs, 4.66 40; 6/20/08)
Dominic Clarke (CB, Frederick (MD) Tuscarora; 5'10", 178 lbs, 4.41 40; committed to Ohio State on 6/8/08)
Melvin Fellows (DE, Garfield Heights (Oh), Garfield Heights; 6'5", 245 lbs; committed to Ohio State on 4/24/08)
Chris Fields (WR, Painesville (Oh), Harvey; 6'1", 185 lbs, 4.46 40; committed to Ohio State on 2/19/08)
Reid Fragel (TE, Gross Pointe (Mi), South; 6'8", 251 lbs, 4.88 40; committed to Ohio State on 5/27/08)
Justin Green (CB, Louisville (Ky) Male; 5'10" 170 lbs, 4.70 40; committed to Ohio State on 6/22/08)
Jordan Hall (RB, Jeanette (Pa) Jeanette; 5'9", 185 lbs, 4.50 40; committed to Ohio State on 4/21/08)
Adam Homan (LB, Coldwater (Oh) Coldwater; 6'2", 230 lbs., 4.70 40; committed to Ohio State on 12/29/07)
Carlos Hyde (RB, Naples (Fl) Naples; 6'1", 230 lbs, 4.55 40; committed to Ohio State on 6/22/08)
James Jackson (WR, Grand Ledge (Mi) Grand Ledge; 6'0", 175 lbs, 4.31 40; committed to Ohio state on 5/12/08)
Storm Klein (LB, Newark (Oh) Licking Valley; 6'2", 210 lbs, 4.50 40; committed to Ohio State on 10/14/07)
Corey Linsley (OL, Boardman (Oh) Boardman; 6'4", 285 lbs, 5.20 40; committed to Ohio State on 4/28/08)
Sam Longo (OL, Bellbrook (Oh) Bellbrook; 6'5", 250 lbs, 4.94 40; committed to Ohio State on 7/7/08)
Brad McDougald (S, Dublin (Oh) Scioto; 6'1", 188 lbs, 4.50 40; committed to Ohio State on 6/23/08)
Jack Mewhort (OL Toledo (Oh) St. John's; 6'6", 283 lbs, 4.70 40; committed to Ohio State 12/28/07)
Jonathan Newsome (DE/LB Cleveland (Oh) Glenville; 6'3", 215 lbs, 5.10; committed to Ohio State on 6/24/08)
John Simon (DL, Youngstown (Oh) Cardinal Mooney; 6'3", 249 lbs, 4.70 40, committed to Ohio State on 12/26/07)
Jordan Whiting (LB, Louisville (Ky), Trinity, 6'0", 220 lbs, 4.71 40; committed to Ohio State on 9/1/07)
Jamie Wood (WR/DB, Pickerington (Oh) Central; 6'1", 175 lbs, 4.50 40; committed to Ohio State on 2/24/08)
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Class of 2009 - Notable Offers (links to recruiting discussion threads):
Corey Adams (DT, Scottsdale (Az) Saguaro; 6'4", 272, 4.85 40, 1*)
Kraig Appleton (WR, St. Louis (Mo) East; 6'2", 190 lbs, 4.66 40, 4*)
Jamaal Berry (RB, Miami (Fl) Palmetto; 5'11", 185 lbs, 4.43 40, 5*)
Vladimir Emilien (DB, Lauderhill (Fl) Plantation; 6'1", 188 lbs, 1*)
Marcus Hall (DL, Cleveland (Oh) Glenville; 6'4", 285 lbs, 5.85 40, 5*)
Jelani Jenkins (LB, Wheaton (Md) Our Lady of Good Counsel; 6'0", 203 lbs, 4.45 40, 4*)
Brandon McGee (DB, Lauderhill (Fl) Plantation; 6'0", 169 lbs, 4.59, 1*)
Pat Muldoon (DE, Cincinnati (Oh) St. Xavier; 6'4", 240 lbs, 1*)
Frankie Telfort (LB, Miami (Fl) Gulliver Prep; 5'11", 194 lbs, 4.50 40, 4*)
​
* Note - this list is not intended to be all inclusive of outstanding offers at this time, nor indicative of Ohio State's chances to receive a committment from any particular recruit.
​
Behind the Numbers

It is next to impossible to say with numbers what has not already been said about the 2008 Buckeyes. They are experienced and loaded. How many ways can you say that?

On the other hand, the Buckeyes who take the field for the final time this year are being unfairly portrayed as underachievers by a significant portion of fans and media members. While they have only lost 5 games since first taking the field in 2005; those losses have been discussed far more than this team's successes.

It does not help that 3 of those 5 losses have come to the eventual National Champion. In fact, having lost in such widely viewed games is a big part of the problem. For lukewarm college football fans, those games represent the sum of their knowledge about the Buckeyes.

If you are reading this though, you are more than a lukewarm college football fan. You know that the participants of Senior Tackle 2008 will be able to look back on their OSU careers with pride. And it is high time that you were given a break down of the good things that these young men have done.

Differential Statistical Analysis

While Differential Statistical Analysis (DSA) usually will not debut until 4 weeks or so into the season; it is probably the best tool to show the dominance, yes dominance, that this team has displayed over the last 3 years.

Those familiar with DSA can skip to the numbers.

DSA is a straight-forward analysis that has been done in various forms on numerous message boards for years. It is called DSA only on BP, but is not unheard of elsewhere. DSA simply compares a team's statistics for each game to that game's opponent's average statistics. The best way to describe it is with an example.

If Ohio State scores 50 points against YSU, and YSU gives up 25 points on average to everyone else they play; then Ohio State had a Differential Scoring Offense (DSO) of 50/25 = 200% for that game. Saying their DSO is 200% is the same as saying that they scored twice as many points as YSU usually gives up.

Similarly, if YSU gains 400 yards per game against everyone else but is held to 100 yards by the Buckeyes; then OSU can be said to have a Differential Total Defense (DTD) of 100/400 = 25% for that game. So a DTD of 25% means that Ohio State gave up one-fourth as many yards as YSU typically gains.



Clearly, YSU needs to play games against teams other than Ohio State for these calculations to be made. This illustrates two important points about DSA:
  1. DSA eliminates head-to-head competition from calculations. (Note that in the example YSU gained 400 yards per game against everyone else.)
  2. DSA eliminates games vs. D-IAA (FCS) teams. Hence, the example vs. YSU will never actually be calculated, whatever the numbers end up being.
DSA Acronyms

So much for explanation. Here are the offensive DSA statistics, their acronyms and what they mean:

DSO :: Differential Scoring Offense: How much you score expressed as a percentage of how many points your D-IA (FBS) opponents typically give up.
​
DTO :: Differential Total Offense: How many yards you gain expressed as a percentage of how many yards your D-IA (FBS) opponents typically give up.

DRO :: Differential Rushing Offense: How many yards you gain on the ground expressed as a percentage of how many rushing yards your D-IA (FBS) opponents typically give up.

DPO :: Differential Passing Offense: How many yards you gain through the air expressed as a percentage of how many passing yards your D-IA (FBS) opponents typically give up.

DPE :: Differential Passing Efficiency: Your pass efficiency divided by the average pass efficiency defense of your D-IA (FBS) opponents.

DYPC :: Differential Yards Per Carry: How many yards you gain on the ground per carry expressed as a percentage of how many YPC your D-IA (FBS) opponents typically give up.

DYPA :: Differential Yards Per Attempt: How many yards you gain per pass attempt expressed as a percentage of how many YPA your D-IA (FBS) opponents typically give up.


The Defensive DSA statistics are pretty much the same, except the O's in the acronyms are replaced by D's (or an extra 'D' is added in the case of the last 3 stats).

Obviously, a good offensive DSA number will be greater than 100% and a good defensive DSA number will be less. Hence, one can divide the offensive statistics by their corresponding defensive statistics to get "composite" statistics that provide a single metric for a single facet of the game that covers both offensive and defensive performance. Even more obviously, the king of such statistics is the "Differential Scoring Composite" (DSC).

The composite categories are:

DSC :: Differential Scoring Composite = DSO/DSD

DYC :: Differential Yardage Composite = DTO/DTD

DRC :: Differential Rushing Composite = DRO/DRD

DPEC :: Differential Passing Efficiency Composite = DPE/DPED

DYPCC :: Differential Yards Per Carry Composite = DYPC/DYPCD

DYPAC :: Differential Yards Per Attempt Composite = DYPA/DYPAD


THE NUMBERS

Average Differential Scoring Composite (DSC) for 2005-2007:

Rank__Team_________DSC
1_____Ohio State___2.871
2_____LSU__________2.484
3_____Texas________2.442
4_____Va Tech______2.433
5_____USC__________2.424
6_____WVU__________2.139
7_____Fla__________2.102
8_____Oklahoma_____1.937
9_____Michigan_____1.926
10____Auburn_______1.889
11____Penn St._____1.862
12____Georgia______1.789




Notes about DSC:
  • Yes, that is a very big margin between #1 and #2
  • Ohio State was #4 in DSC for 2005.
  • Ohio State was #1 in DSC for both 2006 and 2007, and yes that includes the bowl games.
  • Do you remember how good Texas was in 2005?
    • Texas '05: 3.731
    • Ohio St. '06: 3.110
    • No other team had a DSC in excess of 3.0 for any season
  • Ohio State's DSC of 2.649 last season, while it led the nation, was actually OSU's worst DSC number of the last 3 years.
    • Only Va Tech, USC and LSU had a DSC of 2 or more in their worst season.
    • Only LSU's worst DSC of 2.240 was within half a point of Ohio State's worst DSC.
  • How many teams have ever been this dominant for 3 years and THEN returned a team with this much experience?
    • I have no intention of ever taking DSA to earlier than the 2000 season, so the world may never know.
    • But consider: This level of dominance is rare. Returning 18 starters is rare. It would be exceptionally rare for the two to coincide even if it weren't for the fact that being young enough to return this much experience has a negative correlation to past dominance (even more rare than if they were independent events).
    • Point being: This combination of dominance and experience is very possibly a once in a lifetime event.
Average Differential Yardage Composite (DYC) for 2005-2007:


Rank__Team__________DYC
1_____Ohio State____1.684
2_____LSU___________1.631
3_____USC___________1.620
4_____Texas_________1.524
5_____Florida_______1.425
6_____Va Tech_______1.404
7_____WVU___________1.385
8_____Texas Tech____1.383
9_____TCU___________1.375
10____Oklahoma______1.358
11____Louisville____1.336
12____Michigan______1.329
13____Oregon________1.324
14____Penn St.______1.317




Notes about DYC:
  • Tressel-Ball has a lot to do with not having to move the ball as much as other teams to do your scoring. But as DYC shows, if the game were all about moving the ball; the Buckeyes do that as well as anyone.
  • Look for this number to move way up this year.
Rankings

While DSC and DYC show the Buckeyes' dominance better than any other numbers; the ranking's for ALL of the stats, when seen together, tell a pretty compelling tale of their own. Here are Ohio State's rankings for 3-year-average in all DSA stats as well as the traditional stats.


Category_____Nat.Rank

OFFENSE

SO___________12___________
Scoring Offense: Good, not great

DSO___________9___________
Differential Scoring Offense: Better than most

TO___________32___________
Total Offense: Limited by Tressel-ball

DTO__________30___________
Differential Total Offense: ditto

RO___________16___________
Rushing Offense: The Buckeyes run a lot, but not enough to be in the top 15

DRO__________11___________
Differential Rushing Offense: This class will be Top-10 in DRO after '08

PO___________75___________
Passing Offense: The lowest rank of any category...

DPO__________78___________
Differential Passing Offense: ...except for this one. Bucks pass less than most teams their opponents face

PE____________3___________
Passing Efficiency: But when Ohio State does throw the ball, they do it well

DPE___________4___________
Differential Passing Efficiency: How many casual fans would expect the Buckeyes were 4th nationally in DPE over the last 3 years?

DYPC_________14___________
Differential Yards Per Carry: This would be higher if we didn't run when expected to run so often. But considering the Buckeyes DSC numbers, it appears that Tressel-Ball works where it counts.

DYPA__________4___________
Differential Yards Per Attempt: A big part of the Differential Passing Efficiency number, so not surprising.

DEFENSE

SD____________1___________
Scoring Defense: #1 by a hair

DSD___________1___________
Differential Scoring Defense: #1 by a mile - Ohio State is the ONLY team to hold opponents to LESS than 1/2 of what they usually score over the last 3 years

TD____________3___________
Total Defense: Three is good, but seems out of place among all these 'ones'

DTD___________1___________
Differential Total Defense: Why do some people call Ohio State's defense a bend-but-don't-break defense? Being number 1 in DTD shows without doubt that they are better at shutting teams down than anybody else.

RD____________1___________
Rushing Defense: A Tressel Trademark

DRD___________1___________
Differential Rushing Defense: #1 by a mile - Ohio State is the ONLY team to hold opponents to LESS than 1/2 of what they usually rush for over the last 3 years.

PD____________7___________
Passing Defense: Teams have to throw the ball a lot against the Bucks. But consider this: The #7 rank makes this the worst defensive category for the Buckeyes. But it is a better ranking than in 9 of the 12 offensive categories.

DPD___________3___________
Differential Pass Defense: Again, #3 isn't bad when you focus on the run as much as the Buckeyes do.

PEd___________4___________
Pass Efficiency, defense: As the interception totals go up this year, so will this ranking.

DPEd__________5___________
Differential Pass Efficiency, defense: ditto

DYPCd_________1___________
Differential Yards Per Carry, defense: Even with less than awesome DTs... With the improvement of the Tackles being reported from camp, this year it will be just plain unfair.

DYPAd_________2___________
Differential Yards Per Attempt, defense: Sure to be #1 after this season


COMPOSITE RANKINGS

DSC___________1___________
Differential Scoring Composite: The king of statistics - broken down above

DYC___________1___________
Differential Yardage Composite: Also broken down above

DRC___________1___________
Differential Rushing Composite: This ranking isn't likely to change soon.

DPEC__________2___________
Differential Pass Efficiency Composite: Only #2?

DYPCC_________2___________
Differential Yards Per Carry Composite: The class of '08/'09 is sure to be #1 in this category after this season.

DYPAC_________1___________
Differential Yards Per Attempt Composite: Ho-hum, another #1 ranking

Composite Dominance

The six composite statistics above are as good a measure of a team as you will find. They combine offensive and defensive performance, and taken together these half-dozen numbers cover every facet of the game.

Ohio State is #1 in 4 of the 6 categories, and is #2 in the others. Think about that. Think about what it takes to be that good in every facet of the game. Think about what it means to be that good when the team is so young that the graduation-losses from the two-deep can be counted on one hand. Now think about that team coming back with all of that experience and a 2-ton chip on their shoulder.

If you're not smiling, you must be a Michigan fan.

The Final Word: Defense

As excited as OSU fans are about Beanie Wells and the prospects for the running game this year; the Buckeyes dominance is predicated on stout defense. Over the last 3 years, Ohio State is #1 in 6 of 12 defensive categories and is in the top 5 in 5 of the remaining 6. The defense, class of '08/'09, has been better than everybody else by a mile. This year projects to be no different.

Before lauding the Buckeyes, a special shout out goes to the 2005 Alabama team. Not only were they the only team to beat Ohio State's worst Differential Scoring Defense number of the last 3 years: but their DSD of 43.2% also beat OSU's BEST DSD # of the era (44.7%). That is truly a remarkable feat.

To put it another way: When Ohio State replaced 9 of 11 defensive starters (2006), they proceeded to hold their opponents to 51.0% of their opponents' usual scoring offense. In spite of losing 9/11 starters, only three teams had a better DSD number in any of the last three years: the 2005 Buckeyes, the 2007 Buckeyes and 2005 Alabama.

So when only one defense from the rest of college football in 3 years can top Ohio State's performance when the Buckeyes replace 9 of 11; how will the Buckeyes fare when they RETAIN 9 of 11 defenders? And does the rest of the college football world even want to know the answer to that question?

Which begs a larger question: Who has it worse: the offenses who have to face that Buckeye defense or the defenses who have to face Beanie's stiff arm?

While our opponents argue amongst themselves about that, we'll be having fun poring over the numbers that the Scarlet & Gray produce on both sides of the ball. But the most fun numbers to watch will be the numbers in the "W" column. BtN predicts that Buckeye fans are going to like the number "13" this season.
​
The Lighter Side

To begin the 2008 season, the Lighter Side takes a look at the BCS Conferences.
​

The ACC

If there is any conference in major college football which owes the Big Ten and Ohio State a huge thank you, it's the ACC. Why? Because Ohio State's having lost the last two National Championship games has deflected attention away from the misery that is the ACC conference. The ACC is 1-9 in BCS appearances, but what you need to know is that Ohio State lost to LSU and Florida. Never mind the fact that the ACC has not once, in the ten year history of the BCS, sent an at large team to a BCS Game. What you need to realize is the Big Ten's second place team, Michigan in 2006 and Illinois in 2007, weren't even good enough to beat Pac 10 Champion USC in the Rose Bowl. Paired with Ohio State's losses in the BCS Championship games, that makes the Big Ten Oh for their last four. And that, friends, shows the Big Ten stinks on ice.

Now then... where was I. Oh, right. The ACC. Well, all you need to know about the ACC is this. Clemson is the pick to win it. Always 8 - 4 Clemson. Not Florida State. Not Virginia Tech. Not Miami (which didn't even recieve a single vote in the Coaches preseason poll, how funny is that?). If Tommy Tuberville had been paying attention, he might have taken a few pot shots at Clemson and its chances in the SEC. Afterall, Tuberville claimed Ohio State would finish 5th in the SEC. According to the preseason Coaches poll, Clemson actually would finish 4th, behind Georgia, Florida, and LSU (and just in front of Tuberville's own Auburn team.) At this point, ACC Brass oughta just see if the Big East would be willing to take Boston College, Virginia Tech and Miami back.

The Big East

In the history of the BCS, the knee jerk response to the question "Which is the worst BCS Confernece?" has always been "The Big East." Indeed, when the ACC raided the Big East, some were even saying that the Big East should get its BCS autobid revoked. Like the ACC, the Big East has never once sent a second team to a BCS Bowl game. When the BCS was forced to take mid-major Utah, they said "Well, put em up against Pitt, I guess" knowing well that it's best to have one clunker (The Fiesta Bowl, in this case) than it would be to have two (whatever two bowls would have had to take one or the other).

To its credit, however, the Big East has actually done much better in BCS bowls since Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College's depature for the ACC, going 3 and 1. While it's true Pitt lost to Utah and Louisville beat Wake Forest (Big deal), West Virginia surprised Georgia a few years back and then completely dismantled Oklahoma last year. Not what most would have expected. That said, it's still a conference which has to deal with the likes of Syracuse and Conference USA also rans weighing it down. I think the coaches felt obligated to put some Big East team in the top 10, placing West Virginia 8th, but they didn't feel obligated to do much else, throwing a bone to South Florida (21) for some reason or another. Nope, formerly "Hot" teams, Rutgers, Louisville, and UConn are back to "ho hum" status leaving Big East brass saying, ironically, "Thank God for the ACC."

Big XII

You wouldn't know it be listening to the media, but the Big XII is more appropriately the "Big 1, little 11." This will make Texas fans mad, but it's really just 5 time Champion Oklahoma and a bunch of other guys. Like you hear about the Big Ten being Ohio State and the also-rans, the Big XII is dominated by one team. Actually, when you think about it, the Big XII is exactly everything they tell you the Big Ten is, top heavy and generally awful. Consider:

Big XII Champion Oklahoma has suffered the following BCS defeats:
West Virginia 48 Oklahoma 28;
Boise State (Yes... Boise State) 43 Oklahoma 42 (OT)
USC 55, Oklahoma 19

Now, Ohio State has lost two straight BCS games, true enough.... but each came to the eventual National Champion. OU's lost to a West Virginia team that had no coach, a Boise State team which was another "Utah-esque" flavor of the week, and a shellacking at the hands of the Trojans (Even when this score gets vacated by the Reggie Bush thing, it won't change the fact that OU got demolished). I digress...

You will be asked to believe Missouri and Kansas are top 10 caliber teams. They're not. Kansas.... For God's sake. Seriously? Kansas? Missouri, I guess is somewhat serviceable in light of Colorado and Nebraska being awful (I mean, someone had to be the "new" Kansas State, right?), but Kansas? Give me a break. Likewise, while Texas Tech is great for college fantasy football, let's call a gimmick what it is - a GIMMICK. Don't believe they're for real. They're not. Oklahoma will glide through this conference once again, probably drop a game they shouldn't, and Stoops will continue to be given a pass for bowl game disaster(s).

Big Ten

There's no need to go in to depth here about the Big Ten. A few observations. I cannot accept Michigan or Penn State being ranked in the top 25. I just can't. Michigan is breaking in a new system and still has the same slow footed defense they've been ballin' with for years. They're just not a top 25 team and are getting by on reputation. Same with Penn State. The losses PSU has had in recruiting has relegated them to "better than average" at best. At best. Likewise, I am not sold on Illinois yet either. A "great year" for Illinois was still 9 - 4, and if the media is right, they benefitted greatly from a "down" Big Ten. Wisconsin too. I'm just not convinced the new regime is going to sustain the success of the former. While the Big Ten is better than the perception this much is true: Ohio State is far and away the most superior team in the conference. If the stars align correctly, some also-ran might beat the Buckeyes (see 1998, for example) but safe money takes the Buckeyes to represent the Big Ten in the BCS once again.

Pac 10

Known for offense, offense, and more offense, every media hack just loves the Pac 10. Now, I know you hear "East Coast Bias" out of these people all the time, but let's look at reality here. There is no team - with the exception of Oklahoma - which gets more of a pass than USC. USC lost to a 40 point underdog. No media declared them posers. USC may have to forfeit every game Reggie Bush played in, and yet Mark May and Trev Alberts aren't breaking into halftime shows calling for Carroll's head. Yes, SC is a very good team, and yes they have a great deal of talent. But, we're not talking Mount Union dominance here. Last I looked, they're going with a green QB behind a re-tooled line. That doesn't spell National Championship to me.

Want more evidence that there's no bias? Arizona State is being hyped as a real challenge for Georgia. While, ironically, this is true, it's not because Arizona State is possibly the number one team in the nation. It's because Georgia is more like the number 10 team in the nation (more on this below). More evidence? Oregon is ranked. You know what Oregon is without Dennis Dixon? 1 - 3 (the victory being a Sun Bowl win over media darling, South Florida) And that was with Jonathan Stewart.

SEC

Talk about flavor of the week. It's bad enough that Ohio State had to lose at all, but that they lost to SEC teams is some special kind of hell. Why? Because when an SEC team wins, every SEC team wins. When Florida beat the Buckeyes in 2006, idiots at Ole Miss puffed their chests as if it was their Championship too. When LSU won in 2007 (no small feat, considering the talent it takes to overcome Les Miles' lunacy), hilljacks in Kentucky were firing pistols in the air and doing whatever hilljacks do when they celebrate championships they didn't really win but think they did. When Georgia enters 2008 ranked number 1, Mississippi State fans think they're ranked number 1 as well.

The Lighter Side has spoken before about the relationship the football gods have with the media. As you may recall, that relationship is best summed up as such: the football god hate the media. That being the case, the SEC is soon to suffer the wrath of the football gods as a consequence of its being media darling. Don't believe me? A perfect storm is brewing. LSU, for example, has no quarterback. None. That's not top 10, folks. Gerogia, having complained its way in to people thinking they're the "Hot" team that deserved a shot at the title in 2007, and then beating "hot" but overrated non-BCS sensation Hawaii finds itself being overranked at 1, a position they simply cannot maintain. Florida is coming off a 9-4 mark which included a loss to Michigan (Remember, the Big Ten is no good, so... Michigan's in the Big Ten, in case you've forgotten...do the math). Tommy Tuberville at Auburn is still living off the perception his Citadel playing 2004 Tigers somehow got jobbed and people are getting sick of it.

Don't get me wrong, there are solid football teams playing in the SEC, and even the ones I named just above. I'm surely not suggesting the SEC is all hype and no substance. The point is, they're not as good as the media makes them out to be. Time is running out on the SEC. If you ask me, it can't happen soon enough.

Here's to a great ride in 2008! Go Bucks!
​
Traditions
Ohio State football, perhaps more than any other program, is steeped in tradition, pageantry and ritual. It is often hard to explain why or how such a wealth of ritual came to be. Perhaps it simply follows from a long history of success. Possibly it stems from the fanatical following of the fan base. Most likely it is because Buckeyes embrace their customs. Not afraid to show their spirit, nor afraid of the possible ridicule of opposing fans, Buckeyes pay homage to the traditions with a respect and reverence that is difficult to understand ... unless you are a Buckeye. Covering them all in depth isn't practical so we'll touch on the main ones and give a brief summary.
​
Block O - Originally located at the North end of Ohio Stadium (closed end), Block O now resides in the South Stands (behind the goal posts) and consists of the most boisterous fans in the stadium. Students comprise this organization (the largest on campus) using organized cheers and signs during game day to urge the Bucks to victory. Since 1938.

Brutus (and Cheerleaders) - The Buckeye Mascot has prowled the sidelines since 1965. Originally a large Buckeye nut made up the entire costume except for 2 holes for the legs. Since 1981, Brutus has been seen in his current configuration with a scarlet & gray outfit and smaller Buckeye nut for the head. The cheerleaders that team up with Brutus to cheer on the Bucks are quite good in their own right, having gone to the College Cheerleading National Championships 17 out of the last 19 years.

Buckeye Grove - Since 1934, every Buckeye football player to win first team All-American accolades has been honored with a Buckeye Tree and commemorative plaque in the Buckeye Grove. Located to the south of Ohio Stadium, 125 players have their spot in history along the gently winding path through Buckeye Grove.

Buckeye Leaves - Ernie Biggs (trainer) and Woody Hayes began the tradition in 1968 as a way to reward and motivate the players. Some say it was Woody's fascination with the military that lead him to signify special events much like flying aces displayed "kill" badges on their planes. Currently the helmet stickers are only awarded for meeting team goals and only after a victory.

Captain's Breakfast (now Brunch) - Originally held at Scioto Country Club, a breakfast is held for all past captains the weekend of homecoming. During the event, the current captains are welcomed into the club by past captains and given mugs engraved with their name and season. Since 1934.

Carmen Ohio - Born after the greatest loss in Buckeye history, the school's alma mater was penned by Fred Cornell in 1902 on the train ride after the game. The haunting strains often bring tears to many an eye and has recently been the genesis for some of the most memorable scenes in Buckeye history. At the conclusion of each home game since 2001 (win or lose), the football team and cheerleaders face the band and together sing/play the alma mater for and with the Ohio Stadium crowd.

Oh! Come let's sing Ohio's praise,
​
and songs to Alma Mater raise;
While our hearts rebounding thrill,
with joy which death alone can still.

Summer's heat or winter's cold.
The seasons pass, the years will roll;
Time and change will surely show
How firm thy friendship O-hi-o.

These jolly days of priceless worth,
By far the gladdest days on earth,
Soon will pass and we not know,
How dearly we love O-hi-o.

We should strive to keep the name,
Of fair repute and spotless fame,
So, in college halls we'll grow,
To love the better, O-hi-o.

Tho' age may dim our mem'ry's store,
We'll think of happy days of yore,
True to friend and frank to foe,
As sturdy sons of O-hi-o.

If on seas of care we roll,
'Neath blackened sky, o'er barren shoal,
Tho'ts of thee bid darkness go,
Dear Alma Mater O-hi-o.
​
Gold Pants - In 1934, coach Francis Schmidt said "They put their pants on one leg at a time, the same as we do!" speaking of rival Michigan. Thus was born the Gold Pants club and each player and coach to log a win over Michigan in "the Game" receives a miniature pair of gold pants.

Illibuck Trophy - Ohio State's only "trophy" game is the second oldest in Big Ten history. Since 1925 the Buckeyes and Illinois Fighting Illini compete for the Illibuck Trophy. Originally a live turtle, a wooden replica has been used since 1927.

Ohio Stadium - Opened in 1922 and since listed in the National Registry of Historic Places, Ohio Stadium has served as the shrine for Buckeye football. Dubbed the "Horseshoe" or simply the "Shoe", the stadium's visionary size, architecture and engineering has been an integral part of football success at Ohio State.

Retired Numbers - 7 numbers, in addition to Woody Hayes' name adorn the closed end of the Horseshoe in honor of their achievements at Ohio State. Those numbers (22 Horvath, 27 George, 31 Janowicz, 40 Cassady, 45 Griffin, 47 Harley, 99 Willis) will no longer be issued to Ohio State players out of respect to those that came before. To have a number retired a player must have won the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Award, the Associated Press Player of the Year Award, the Football Writers Player of the Year Award, or the American Football Coaches Player of the Year Award. Since 1999.

Senior Tackle - In 1913, after the final practice, Dr. John Wilce (then head coach at OSU) was asked by his players if they could have one last hit on the blocking sled. This event has changed from a public to a private affair (and back again) various times over the years. Generally it was held before the final game (usually Michigan) but has since taken place before a bowl trip in front of family and friends.

Skull Session - Since 1932 the Ohio State University Marching Band, at the direction of band director Eugene Weigel, began memorizing their music. They would have a final rehersal before the game in their rehersal hall. This became know as "Skull Session". In 1957 this event was moved to St. John Arena and along the way has become a pep-rally as much as it is a reversal. Crowds often number 10,000 or more and in 2001 the football team began a weekly visit to Skull Session before each game.

Tunnel of Pride - Former AD Andy Geiger and former QB Rex Kern searched for a way to connect former players to current ones. In 1994 the Tunnel of Pride was born. All former players attending a home game are asked to form a "tunnel" for the current players to run through as they take the field. Generally, this is reserved only for home games versus Michigan, but has also been used for other "big" games.

T.B.D.B.I.T.L. - Known as "The pride of the Buckeyes" or T.B.D.B.I.T.L. "The Best Damn Band in the Land", the Ohio State Marching Band lends more to Ohio State tradition then any other single entity. To cover it all in length would dwarf all the other traditions combined. The largest all-brass band (at 225 members) in the world has given birth to "Ramp" Entrance, The Back Bend, Across the Field/Fight the Team, Script Ohio/Le Regiment, Dotting of the i, Hang on Sloopy, Neutron Dance, Skull Session and many more. Since 1879.

Victory Bell - Weighing 2,420 pounds the Victory Bell (located in the southeast tower at Ohio Stadium) is rung for 15 minutes after every Ohio State victory and up to 30 minutes after a victory over Michigan. Members of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity are in charge of this task. Since 1953.
​
Historical Data

The Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio) Founded in 1870
Football 1st Season: 1889
​
Stadium: Ohio Stadium (The Horseshoe, The Shoe), Columbus, Ohio
Constructed: 1922 (Renovated 2001)
Seating Capacity: 101,568
Playing Surface: FieldTurf (2007)
Conference: Big Ten Conference (since 1913) Independent from 1890-1901, Ohio Athletic Conference from 1902-1921
Colors: Scarlet & Gray
Mascot: Buckeye (Brutus)
College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1937 (first year of NCAA classification)
Conference Championships: 32 Big Ten Titles and 2 OAC Titles
Consensus All-Americans: 75 (58 different players as of 2007)
College Hall-of-Famers: 26 - Chic Harley, Howard Jones, Wes Fesler, John Wilce, Les Horvath, Bill Willis, Francis Schmidt, Gaylord Stinchcomb, Jim Parker, Gust Zarnas, Vic Janowicz, Jim Daniell, Gomer Jones, Hopalong Cassady, Woody Hayes, Warren Amling, Archie Griffin, Aurealius Thomas, Jim Stillwagon, Bob Eugene Ferguson, Randy Gradishar, John Hicks, Jack "The Assassin" Tatum, Jim Houston, Rex Kern, Earle Bruce
Pro Hall-of-Famers: 7 - Paul Brown, Sid Gillman, Lou Groza, Dante Lavelli, Jim Parker, Paul Warfield, Bill Willis
Award Winners:
COY (AFCA) - Widdoes, Hayes, Bruce, Tressel
​
COY (Bobby Dodd) - Tressel
COY (Eddie Robinson) - Hayes (3), Bruce, Tressel
COY (Bear Byrant) - Hayes (3), Bruce, Tressel
COY (Walter Camp) - Hayes
ACOY (Frank Broyles) - Jim Heacock
Archie Griffin Award - Troy Smith
Bronko Nagurski Award - James Laurinaitis
Chic Harley Award - Howard Cassady, Archie Griffin (2), Chris Spielman, Eddie George, Troy Smith
Dave Rimington Trophy - LeCharles Bentley
Davey O'Brien Award - Troy Smith
Dick Butkus Award - Andy Katzenmoyer, James Laurinaitis
Dick Butkus Silver Anniversary Winner - Randy Gradishar, Bob Brudzinski, Tom Cousineau
Doak Walker Award - Eddie George
Doak Walker Legends Award - Archie Griffin
ESPY - Best Football Player - Eddie George
Fred Biletnikoff Award - Terry Glenn
Heisman Memorial Trophy Award - Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, Howard Cassady, Archie Griffin (2), Eddie George, Troy Smith
Jim Thorpe Award - Antoine Winfield
Lombardi Award - Jim Stillwagon, John Hicks, Chris Spielman, Orlando Pace (2), A. J. Hawk
Lou Groza Award - Mike Nugent
Maxwell Award - Howard Cassady, Bob Ferguson, Archie Griffin, Eddie George
Mosi Tatupu Award - A.J. Trapasso
Outland Trophy - Jim Parker, Jim Stillwagon, John Hicks, Orlando Pace
Player of the Year (AP) - Troy Smith
Player of the Year (Walter Camp) - Les Horvath, Howard Cassady (2), Bob Ferguson, John Hicks, Archie Griffin (2), Troy Smith
Player of the Year (TSN) - Archie Griffin (2), Eddie George, Troy Smith
Ray Guy Award - B.J. Sander
Socrates Award (TSN) - Craig Krenzel
Vincent dePaul Draddy Trophy (Academic Heisman) - Bobby Hoying, Craig Krenzel
Wuerffel Trophy - Joel Penton
​
National Championships: 5 Recognized - 1942, 1954, 1957, 1968, 2002, 15 unrecognized title years
Number of AP/Coaches final rankings: AP-48 years, Coaches-42 years
​


Records

All Time: 798-302-54 (.715)
​
Bowl Games: 18-21-0 (.462) Most recently a 38-24 loss to LSU in the 2007 BCS Championship Game (2008 Sugar Bowl)
All Time vs the BigTen: 441-166-24 (.718) versus teams with conference membership at time of game.
Coach's Record: Jim Tressel, at Ohio State (2001-current) 73-16-0 (.820), overall (1986-current) 208-73-2 (.739)

2007 Season: 11-2-0 (.846)
Sep 1 - W vs. Youngstown St, 38-6
Sep 8 - W vs. Akron, 20-2
Sep 15 - W at Washington, 33-14
Sep 22 - W vs. Northwestern, 58-7
Sep 29 - W at Minnesota, 30-7
Oct 6 - W at Purdue, 23-7
Oct 13 - W vs. Kent State, 48-3
Oct 20 - W vs. Michigan State, 24-17
Oct 27 - W at Penn State, 37-17
Nov 3 - W vs. Wisconsin, 38-17
Nov 10 - L vs. Illinois, 21-28
Nov 17 - W at Michigan, 14-3
Jan 7 - L vs. L-S-U, 24-38

2008 Schedule
Aug 30 - vs. Youngstown St, 12:00 PM
Sep 6 - vs. Ohio U, 12:00 PM
Sep 13 - at U-S-C, 8:00 PM
Sep 20 - vs. Troy, 12:00 PM
Sep 27 - vs. Minnesota, TBA
Oct 4 - at Wisconsin, 8:00 PM
Oct 11 - vs. Purdue, TBA
Oct 18 - at Michigan State, TBA
Oct 25 - vs. Penn State, 8:00 PM
Nov 1 - Open
Nov 8 - at Northwestern, TBA
Nov 15 - at Illinois, TBA
Nov 22 - vs. Michigan, TBA
​




Links

Official Sites:
​
Official School Site - The Ohio State University
Official Alumni Site - The Ohio State University - Alumni
Student Newspaper - The Lantern
Official Athletic Site - Ohio State Buckeyes
Official Conference Site - Big Ten Conference

Message Boards & Team Pages:
Message Boards - Buckeye Planet (Independent)
Message Boards - The Ozone (Independent)
Message Boards - Coach Tressel (Independent)
Message Boards - Buckeye 50 Yardline (Independent)
Message Boards - Golden Buckeye (Independent)
Message Boards - OSU Homebase (Independent)
Message Boards - Scarlet & Gray News (just kidding!)
Message Boards - UWeekly (Independent)
Message Boards - Bucknuts (Independent)
Message Boards - Ohio State (Scout - Formerly Bucknuts)
Message Boards - Buckeye Grove (Rivals - Formerly BSB)

Blog - The Armchair Blogger
Blog - Buckeye Banter
Blog - Buckeye Commentary
Blog - Men of the Scarlet & Gray
Blog - Pfef's Sports Blog
Blog - Go Buckeyes
Blog - The Subsidiary
Blog - The Ohio LeBlog
Blog - Around The Oval
Blog - Ohio Sports Time
Blog - The 614 (dead)
Blog - Buckeye Battle Cry
Blog - The Buckeye Blog
Blog - The Buckeye Expat (dead)
Blog - Buckeyes 24/7
Blog - Death Cab for Woody
Blog - Eleven Warriors
Blog - My Casual Thoughts
Blog - Ohio State Fanhouse Blog
Blog - Ohio State Online
Blog - The Penalty Kill
Blog - The POJO Dojo
Blog - Double Deuce: Second Rate News
Blog - Bucknut Bobby
Blog - Buckeye Maniac
Blog - Buckeye Lane
Blog - The Horseshoe

Team Page - NCAA
Team Page - ESPN
Team Page - USA Today
Team Page - Fox Sports
Team Page - Sporting News
Team Page - CBS Sportsline
Team Page - CNN/SI
Team Page - Yahoo Sports
Team Page - AOL
Team Page - CSTV
Team Page - ATSH2H
Team Page - Covers

Local News Sources:
Columbus Dispatch - Local News
Buckeye Xtra - Local News
CentralOhio - BuckeyeBuzz - Local News
Dayton Daily News - Local News
Cleveland Plain Dealer - Local News
Akron Beacon Journal - Local News
Canton Repository - Local News
Toledo Blade - Local News
Cincinnati Enquirer - Local News

Team Previews and Breakdowns:
2008 Media Guide (PDF Links) - Ohio State Buckeyes
2008 Schedule/Results - Ohio State Buckeyes
2008 Roster - Ohio State Buckeyes
2008 Spring Roster (PDF) - Ohio State Buckeyes
2008 Spring Game Recap - Ohio State Buckeyes
2008 OSU Team Breakdown (PDF) - BigTen (PDF)
2007 OSU Overall Stats (PDF) - BigTen (PDF)
2007 OSU Conference Stats (PDF) - BigTen (PDF)
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - Ohio State Buckeyes (Video Preview)
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - OSU Alumni Association

2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - CFN
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - Offense - CFN
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - Defense - CFN
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - Depth Chart - CFN
2007 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - CFN
2007 Ohio State Buckeyes Season WrapUp - CFN
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - ESPN Blue Ribbon
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - Athlon
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - CNN/SI
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - NationalChamps
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - Rivals.com / USCFootball.com
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - TSN
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - BigTen Fans
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - College Football Poll
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - Lindy's
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - Bleacher Report I
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - Bleacher Report II
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - Bleacher Report - Offense
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - Bleacher Report - Defense
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - Bleacher Report - Special Teams
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - WNUR Sports
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - NBC10 (Philly)

2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - Vegas Sports-Odds
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - BetFirms
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - Online Sports Handicapping
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview - Point-Spreads

B10 Conference Previews and Breakdowns:
2008 BigTen Prospectus (PDF) - BigTen
2008 BigTen Team Breakdowns (PDF) - BigTen
2008 BigTen Media Info(PDF) - BigTen
2008 BigTen Composite Schedule (PDF) - BigTen
2007 BigTen Season in Review (PDF) - BigTen
2007 BigTen Overall Stats (PDF) - BigTen
2007 BigTen Conference Stats (PDF) - BigTen
2008 CFN Big Ten Preview - CFN
2008 CFN Preseason All-Big Ten Team - CFN
2008 CFN B10 Schedules & Predictions - CFN
2008 CFN B10 Team Capsules - CFN
2008 CFN B10 Unit Rankings - CFN
2007 CFN B10 Season WrapUp - CFN
2008 BigTen Football Preview - CNN/Si
2008 BigTen Football Preview - CollegeSports-Fans
2008 BigTen Football Preview - College Football Poll
2008 BigTen Football Preview - MSNBC

Travel:
2008 Transportation & Parking Guide - Ohio State Buckeyes
2008 ADA Guide - Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio Stadium Guide (Detailed Info) - OSU
Campus Visitor's Guide - OSU
Tickets & Merchandise - Hang On Sloopy
2008 Travel Guide - Ohio State Buckeyes
Visitor's Bureau - Experience Columbus
​


Preseason Rankings

1 - CBS Sportsline (Dodd)
​
1 - CFN
1 - Blue Ribbon Yearbook
1 - National Champs
1 - Vegas Insider
1 - College Football Poll
2 - Phil Steele
2 - AP
2 - Athlon
2 - Southern Pigskin
2 - Sporting News
2 - CNN/SI
2 - SI (Mandel)
2 - ESPN (Schlabach)
2 - Surefire Scouting
2 - Jim Feist
2 - CSTV (Caparell)
2 - NBC Sports (Johnston)
2 - Sports Projections
3 - USA Today
3 - Rivals
3 - Lindy's
3 - Game Plan
3 - Gold Sheet
3 - Bleacher Report
3 - Autumn Spectacle
3 - ESPN Power Ranking
3 - Dallas Star Telegram
4 - Gainsville Sun
5 - AJC
​


Preseason Watch Lists

Outland (Line) - Alex Boone, Steve Rehring
​
Davey O'Brien (QB) - Todd Boeckman
Bronko Nagurski (Def.) - Malcolm Jenkins, Marcus Freeman, James Laurinaitis
Rotary Lombardi (Line) - James Laurinaitis
Rimington (C) - Jim Cordle
Lott (Def.) - Malcolm Jenkins, James Laurinaitis
Ray Guy (P) - A.J. Trapasso
Maxwell (Overall) - Todd Boeckman, Brian Robiskie, Chris Wells
Butkus (LB) - Marcus Freeman, James Laurinaitis
Chuck Bednarik (Def.) - Malcolm Jenkins, Marcus Freeman, James Laurinaitis
Jim Thorpe (DB) - Malcolm Jenkins
​


Preseason Accolades

BigTen Preseason Media Poll
​
1. Ohio State
2. Wisconsin
3. Illinois

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year - Chris ?Beanie? Wells - Ohio State

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year - James Laurinaitis - Ohio State
​


Note: Statistical data was complied using a variety of sources, including:
Stassen (Chris Stassen) - Data
College Football Data Warehouse - Data
American College Football-RSFC (Dave Wilson) - Data
D1A Football (Formerly WALJ 10 College Football) - Data
National Champs.net - Data
Hickok Sports - Data


 
Last edited by a moderator:
The band has a reversal in their reversal hall....cool!

OSUMB.jpg
 
Upvote 0
Great job everyone! I have one little issue though...
Retired Numbers - 6 numbers, in addition to Woody Hayes' name adorn the closed end of the Horseshoe in honor of their achievements at Ohio State. Those number (22 Horvath, 27 George, 31 Janowicz, 40 Cassady, 45 Griffin, 47 Harley) will no longer be issued to Ohio State players out of respect to those that came before. To have a number retired a player must have won the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Award, the Associated Press Player of the Year Award, the Football Writers Player of the Year Award, or the American Football Coaches Player of the Year Award. Since 1999.
Click to expand...
Bill Willis, #99, also has his number retired.

Message Boards - Scarlet & Gray News (just kidding!)
Click to expand...
:lol:
 
Upvote 0
Gatorubet;1233890; said:
The band has a reversal in their reversal hall....cool!
Click to expand...

You think script "oihO" just happens? Like Mili just snaps his fingers and the band magically knows the complicated marching required to create script "OHHO"? No. Those ladies and gentlemen in that reversal hall reverse JUST as hard as the football players!

Fixed.
 
Upvote 0
It's bad enough that Ohio State had to lose at all, but that they lost to SEC teams is some special kind of hell. Why? Because when an SEC team wins, every SEC team wins. When Florida beat the Buckeyes in 2006, idiots at Ole Miss puffed their chests as if it was their Championship too. When LSU won in 2007 (no small feat, considering the talent it takes to overcome Les Miles' lunacy), hilljacks in Kentucky were firing pistols in the air and doing whatever hilljacks do when they celebrate championships they didn't really win but think they did.
Click to expand...

:slappy:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZSiXNGHka0"]YouTube - UGA fans chanting "SEC" at the 2008 Sugar Bowl[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc98Xf_zPEU"]YouTube - SEC Chant at 2007 BCS National Championship game[/ame]
 
Upvote 0
Absolutely fantastic analysis.

The only correction I can see is in the traditions section. Block O will actually have sections on the North and South sides of the stadium this year. (South side same as before, roughly in the same spot they used to be on the North side I guess) This will start with the Minnesota game (only 4 games on the student package thsi year)
 
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