I see what you're saying re: the at large issue. Believe it or not, there were a few of us who wouldn't have been entirely shocked to have not made a BcS bowl. And in fact, in the early going I even commented that I almost would have preferred that. Not so anymore though. I'm happy with where we're going, I'm fine with who we're playing. Take it as a sign of respect that I/we weren't (or still aren't perhaps) excited about it, it's the whole issue about KSU being a dangerous team.
I've actually been aware of Ell and Darren for a while now. I can't claim to follow KSU, but I watch quite a bit of the Big XII as I'm able (have a buddy who is a Husker, got used to watching his games as well when he lived in the area -- kind of kept going when he left, but didn't limit to the Huskers). Both are impressive, both will be great to watch against our D.
What Michigan had going for it was its offensive line. I'd stack our defensive front 4 against anyone else's in the nation (yes, including LSU and OU). Ours *may* not be the best, but they're in the right company. scUM was able to effectively neutralize them, which allowed Navarre to throw, which allowed Perry to run, which allowed Navarre to throw, which ... you get the point.
Your OL (in my opinion) is going to be the biggest deciding factor in this game. If Will Smith, Tim Anderson, Simon Fraser and Darrion Scott (and I list them in the order that you should probably be concerned) can get the job done, then clearly that takes the pressure of what is sometimes considered a suspect backfield. Our LB play will obviously also be key. And I suspect you'll discover why Herbstreit calls our punter the best player on our offense. Punting and kicking are nearly ideal for us, sadly, that may or may not come to an abrupt end after this bowl game.
I really don't know how to call this game. I feel good about a win, but I bet you and your peers do too, and with sound reasoning behind it. After all, you just came off the OU upset, we just got upset by scUM. Our offense is suspect, we're lacking an OSU signature running game, our best player from last year will be watching the game from a sofa (or stretch Hummer -- who knows). There are plenty of reasons to like either side. If Vegas liked you all a bit more, I might have explored the betting scene this year.
Regarding Maurice, there are a few threads around here about him where you can read comments that are recent, and some that go back throughout the season, and a few before.
Feelings about the kid and the possibility of him being back with the team (or in the NFL, CFL, I-AA, the couch again, etc.) next year, are of course a mixed bag. At his age, I was responsible for my actions to a high degree in the military. There are some floating around who feel that his age should excuse some of his antics and decisions. I don't fault them for that line of thinking, because we all know the reality of life at that age is often more action, and less concern for consequences. I think we're all a little hedonistic and less goal oriented and focused in those final teen years. My personal position though is that despite that, you still have to make the decisions, and that it's literally impossible for the coaches to monitor the players around the clock. And if they could, the players would revolt, and/or find ways to circumvent the microscope lens. I don't know if Reece is a good kid or not, a good adult or not. I don't think he particularly cares for or about OSU as an institution, and while that bugs me as a fan a bit, I appreciate the reality that it's not going to mean the same to everyone that it does to me, for example, or a player like Craig Krenzel. So I don't fault him for that necessarily. Actually, I'm going to stop there -- I could go on for days on this issue, and only scratch the surface of just my own personal thoughts on the topic. Take that depth, multiply it just by several thousand active OSU fans floating around a nexus of OSU online fan sites -- and you can imagine some of the debate that goes on.
I enjoyed watching him play, I appreciate what he did for us on-field last year (with a few notable exceptions). I would be cautiously happy and excited were he to return next year, but downright fearful of more problems and chaos. I would also want to *know* that he's there as a TEAM player who is going to do what his coaches and peers ask of him, without question. Short of that, I can only hope he does go to the NFL, or sits out another year, or transfers elsewhere.
I'll say this though, if he were to come back and cause more problems for the program and/or the university -- I'd be quick to some pretty harsh thoughts and words. Mo's reality is going to be that wherever he goes (pro, back to us, etc.), he's going to be on a short leash with all around him. The fans don't matter, but his fellow players and coaches do. I hope for his sake that he doesn't learn how difficult and lonely things can get when you burn ALL the bridges around you.
