Michigan State's Darqueze Dennard wins the Jack Tatum Award

Michigan State cornerback Darqueze Dennard was honored by the Touchdown Club of Columbus, Ohio as the winner of the Jack Tatum Award, given to the defensive back they feel is the best in college football. The award named after former Ohio State Buckeye and Oakland Raider great, Jack Tatum.

Ironically, the Spartans knocked off the Buckeyes in the Big Ten championship game with the help of a stellar effort by Dennard.

Dennard is also a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, the top award given to the best defensive back in college football.

Dennard is a physical corner who also excels in coverage. Dennard had 33 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, 10 pass deflections and 2 forced fumbles this season for the Spartans.

Tom Izzo to Michigan State students: 'Learn how to celebrate something with some class'

After Saturday night's stirring win over Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game, some students in East Lansing decided to take their celebrations over the top.

This has become a recurring theme in East Lansing as every time Michigan State comes up with a big win in football or basketball, celebrations turn into civil disturbances. The school has a reputation with setting furniture, and other things on fire.  

“It’s more tradition than anything,” Michigan State senior Joe Sheena told the Lansing State Journal. “We’re not a school of pyromaniacs.”

Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo would like to see that "tradition" done away with.

Izzo said he was "disgusted" at how the students celebrated the big win Saturday night. I can see why when there was a reported 57 fires and 12 students arrested.

Izzo later said that the students need to learn how to celebrate with some class.  

"If we really want to show the class that I think we are, then we better start walking it and learning how to celebrate something with some class, with some dignity," said Izzo, whose team's success has preceded couch-burnings in the past.

"If football wins a championship, I don't expect the players to be out causing all those problems. Why do we expect any less of our students?"

"We can't do something that puts an incredible star on our university and then do something two hours later that puts an incredible dent on our university," Izzo said.

I agree with Izzo. Celebrate, but do it responsibly. Every time the Spartans get a big win others figure that East Lansing will have a near riot. If the Spartans compete for a national championship in basketball all eyes will be on that city to see what foolishness they can catch on camera.

Another black eye for East Lansing and  Michigan State.  

SEC commissioner hoping for a Michigan State win Saturday

As it stands, the Ohio State Buckeyes are locked into the number two ranking which means they'd be facing the Florida State Seminoles for the BCS national title, barring a massive collapse against Duke in the ACC championship game.

That would leave one loss Auburn or Missouri on the outside looking in. Also being left out would be one loss Alabama, which I don't see leapfrogging anyone right now.

SEC commissioner Mike Slive is hoping that he can still get one of his teams in the championship game. He's taken to openly rooting for Michigan State to knock off Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game so the Auburn-Missouri winner could possibly claim a spot to represent the SEC against Florida State.      

“I’m planning on wearing a green tie (to the SEC title game),” Slive told FoxSports.com writer Clay Travis. “I’ll be a Spartan for a day.”

My guess is that a one loss SEC school will most likely play for the title if the Buckeyes lose. If not, they can thank Auburn for breaking the conference stranglehold on the championship.

Urban Meyer won't suspend ejected Ohio State players involved in fight

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer says the players ejected from the Michigan game for fighting will not be suspended for the Big Ten championship game.

Running back Dontre Wilson and offensive lineman Marcus Hall were kicked out of Saturday's game when a skirmish broke out after a kickoff return in the second quarter.

Meyer said Sunday that he will meet with athletic director Gene Smith and speak with Big Ten officials about the fight.

A Big Ten spokesman said Saturday that the league would have to review video of the play before deciding if any players would be punished further.

After Hall was ejected, he made an obscene gesture toward Michigan fans while heading to the locker room.

The second-ranked Buckeyes face No. 9 Michigan State Saturday in Indianapolis.

Urban Meyer rewards Ohio State players for 12-0 season

The Ohio State Buckeyes could consider themselves the uncrowned champions if they wanted to. They finished the season 12-0 but since they were on probation and couldn't participate in a bowl they weren't allowed to compete for the national championship.

The fact that that the Buckeyes went 12-0 wasn't lost on head coach Urban Meyer. Meyer rewarded the players with rings for finishing undefeated. 



There are some who are offended by this including ESPN's Mark May. May tweeted:


Just a checking my integrity meter didn't know you could give out 12-0 rings when your on probation or banned from bowls..just a thought.

I'm no Buckeye slappy but I have no problem with Meyer rewarding the players for their hard work. They were Big Ten divisional champions even though they didn't get to play in the conference championship game they probably would've won. It's not like they calling themselves the national champions.

Michigan football commit threatens Ohio State fans

The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry has started to take form on the recruiting trail. Over the holiday weekend Michigan recruit Logan Tuley-Tillman  lit a recruiting letter from Ohio State on fire.

Buckeye nation didn't take too kindly to Tuley-Tillman's actions and responded by making alleged death threats to Tillman.

Michigan commit Kyle Bosch has jumped into the fire feet first by coming to Tillman's defense as he lashed back at Ohio State "fans" and made a threat of his own on Twitter.

“OSU fans giving @LoganTillman threats on your way to his house make a stop by mine and I’ll show you what a real death threat is#bringagun”


The message has since been deleted and he has clarified his comments.

Bosch: "I'm just trying to defend my teammate and my friend. Logan is like a brother to me and when somebody threatens his life and his family's life, I am going to come to his defense. The gun comment has been taken out of context. I'm only saying that if you're going to threaten my friend and brother that you better bring a gun because if you're truly threatening his life, you'll have to take mine too. I should have realized that it may have been misinterpreted, but it's hard not to be angry when he and his mother have gone through so much."

Let's hope that everyone can control their temper and act accordingly.

Ohio State Refuses To List Michigan On Its Schedule

When Brady Hoke took over at Michigan he promised to get back to Michigan roots. Part of those roots are the hatred for Ohio State. Hoke never mentioned the Buckeyes by name always referring to them as Ohio.

After an off year by the Buckeyes which Michigan broke the seemingly decade long losing streak to Ohio State, the Bucks decided to go Woody Hayes on Michigan when they made their schedule.

 It's vintage Michigan vs. Ohio State. Hoke vs. Meyer. The new faces of the best rivalry in the Big Ten.

Ohio State vs. Michigan....In October?

Wolverine and Buckeye might find themselves on the same side of the fence again in their fight for tradition.

Once again the Big Ten is threatning to move the Michigan/Ohio State game to October, away from their traditonal late November, season ending clash. the reasoning behind it all. To keep the rivals from a possible following week rematch in the conference title game.

It's only a rumor right now, but according to a report on Bucknuts.com , it may be closer than reality than some think.



That’s right, “The Game” might no longer be the final game of the regular season for both schools. And while we despise the idea of the Buckeyes and Wolverines not playing the last game of the regular season, this move was inevitable when the Big Ten made the foolish decision to put OSU and UM in separate divisions. If “The Game” was kept as the final regular-season tilt of the year, there would be a good chance each season that Ohio State and Michigan would meet exactly one week after “The Game” to play in the Big Ten Championship Game.


Now, is this move official? No. But we have people we trust telling us that it’s eventually going to happen.

I won't say yay or nay on this, but I say just leave well enough alone, but I'm not the decision maker.










    

Ex-Buckeyes Have Doubts About Pryor Being NFL Ready

Terrelle Pryor has limited his options for his future since he spurned the Canadian Football League and the UFL for that matter. There are some who think he can make it in the NFL like Jon Gruden and some who don't like Mel Kiper Jr.

There are two former Ohio St. Buckeyes that feel Pryor isn't ready for the bright lights of the NFL. Chris Spielman and former Buckeye quarterback Greg Frey seem to fall in the camp of those who think Pryor could be a failure.

"I would be surprised if somebody took him before the fifth round in a supplemental draft," said ESPN college football analyst Chris Spielman, a former All-American linebacker at Ohio State who played 10 years in the NFL, including eight with the Lions. "That's the obvious statement that you're not ready to play (but) you'll maybe have an opportunity to grow into the job. Right now, he's not close. That's not to say he can't get there, but right now he's not ready to play at all in the NFL."


"The big question I think everybody wants to know is: Can he play in the NFL? Yes. But there's got to be some growth, certainly, from a fundamental standpoint and a maturity standpoint," Frey said.
"From what I can see of the NFL game there are a lot of progression-type reads where you have to see the whole field. And that takes a special quarterback."

If anyone would know it would be Frey. Considering he tried and failed to make it in the NFL.

I always say all someone needs is a chance. Pryor will get that chance, with who, I don't know. He plans on entering the NFL's supplemental draft and there will be a team that will take a flyer on a guy who was MVP in two BCS bowl games.

 

Poking Fun At Tressel's Expense

Since the black cloud appeared at Ohio State and isn't leaving anytime soon, it's been real easy for rival fans to poke fun at Jim Tressel.

First there was the billboard along I-94 up here in Michigan, the minor league promotion, and now from Sportscrack.com is the latest t-shirt for Michigan fans to wear.

I'm a Michigan fan, but let's get some respect back and some wins over OSU under our belt before we start crowing about anything.  

It Might Go From Bad To Worse At Ohio State

If things were bad at Ohio State now, it's looking to get significantly worse if the NCAA has it's way with the Buckeyes.

After Jim Tressel's resignation earlier today, the NCAA will be starting an inquiry about quarterback Terrelle Pryor's dealings.

Ohio State spokesman Jim Lynch wouldn't confirm whether Pryor is being investigated.

"The university continues to work with the NCAA as they investigate matters involving our football program, and we will continue to do so until the conclusion of the investigation," Lynch said. "We are unable to comment on specific players' situations because of federal law."


Sounds like a roundabout denial to me.

Pryor has been questioned before by OSU, specifically surrounding the cars that he has been tooling around campus with since he became a Buckeye. Pryor has been linked to Columbus area car salesman Aaron Kniffin.  Kniffin reportedly has sold cars to Pryor's mother and brother as well.

Right now it looks like Ohio State's cover up might tumble like a house of cards. If it's anyhting like what happened to Michigan's basketball program, not even having Tressel step might not help them.

If Pryor is guilty of more than penny-ante infractions, this will be a bizarre case of what goes around comes around.

Tressel chose to cover up Pryor’s shenanigans, which came to light anyway. Once they came to light, it cost Pryor five games. The only reason he’s here to serve his five games is because he promised Tressel he wouldn’t go pro. But now Tressel is gone, and if anything else comes out, Pryor will probably have to sit out the season. That will hurt his NFL draft prospects.

If Pryor had held off on selling the trinkets, none of this would have happened and he’d either be looking forward to signing a lucrative NFL contract or making an NCAA championship run.

If Tressell had told the truth, Pryor would have served a one- or two-game suspension that wouldn’t have harmed his career, and Tressel would still have a job.

If everyone had agreed to Pryor being suspended for the Sugar Bowl–as he should have been–he could have gone pro after the season. Then he could spend the 2011 season locked out by the NFL instead of suspended by the NCAA. At least he’d have a job when the lockout ends. Instead he stays at OSU out of respect for a coach who won’t be there. And if these reports are right, he’ll wind up with more than a five-game suspension. So his draft stock, if he comes out at season’s end, will plummet.

This is like an Aesop’s Fable with a moral on the importance of truth-telling.

Michigan fans should consider themselves lucky that he didn't end up with the Wolverines. In a strange way it's almost like had got two coaches fired.

 

It's Back On Between Michigan and Ohio State

The Michigan football Wolverines or their fans haven't had much to talk about lately, especially when it comes to the rivalry with Ohio State.

Now with Rich Rodriguez being blown out of town and Brady Hoke providing a breath of fresh air it looks like the rivalry won't be as one-sided as in years past. That remains to be seen, but the Ohio State University has been reeling from an NCAA investigation.

Now there is a billboard in Michigan on I-94 poking fun at Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel.  

It looks like it's on now between these two bitter rivals. For Michigan's sake lets hope they put together a better effort on the field than they did in the Rodriguez error, I mean era.

Beano Cook Guarantees Urban Meyer Will Coach Ohio State In 2012

With the toruble Jim Tressel is having at Ohio State, there are many predicting his demise. I don't think he'll be there much longer but only time will reveal.

One man thinks this year will be his swan song and that there is only one man for the job.

Beano Cook guarantees Urban Meyer will be the coach at Ohio State in 2012.  Here we go again. I hate to say this but Cook comes off as a senile old man.

“I think Ohio State has major problems and I think Jim Tressel has major problems. I’ve said on my Podcast. . . (that) Urban Meyer will be the coach at Ohio State in 2012. That was my prediction and I stick by that prediction. Urban Meyer will be ready to coach somewhere. He said when he was coaching Florida that there were only three schools he would ever coach at – Michigan, Ohio State and Notre Dame. I think Brian Kelly is going to do the job at Notre Dame and Michigan just hired a new coach, and I think this will be Jim Tressel’s last year. I’m not saying it should be. . . . This is a mess, it isn’t over yet and I think this is his last year coaching at Ohio State.”



“I just think that now that it’s come out that he talked about this problem with an alumnus from Jeannette, Pa., (Terrelle) Pryor’s hometown about selling these jerseys and other things and he did not tell the president or athletic director. I think Ohio State will get hit by the NCAA because they were misled. The worst thing you can do with the NCAA is not tell them the truth right away and that’s what happened. I think Ohio State is going to get hit.


“I just think it’s a mess. … I just think he will resign. That’s my opinion. That’s all. It’s just a prediction and that’s what we do in this business. Predict.”

Ok, more of a prediction than a guarantee, but remember this is the same guy that said Ron Powlus would win two Heisman's and scores of national championships. So take this how you want. I'm not writing off Tressel, but it would take an act of Houdini like proportions to escape the mess he's in right now.

Jon Gruden Thinks Terrelle Pryor Can Succeed In The NFL

A few weeks ago NFL draftnik Mel Kiper Jr. came out and said that Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor basically had no chance at being an NFL quarterback. He even went as far as saying that he might want to switch positions for his senior year.

Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden  is singing a different tune about the Buckeyes signal caller. Gruden says that Pryor has "dominated college football" and can make it in the NFL.

"I have met Terrelle Pryor, had a chance to watch him," Gruden told the media after speaking at the 80th annual Ohio State Football Clinic. "This is a freak of nature. This guy is really something with the ball in his hands."


I agree and disagree with Gruden. Pryor is an athletic freak and I think he's been shackled by Jim Tressel's offensive system. That may be sound harsh, but he should've turned Pryor loose a long time ago. I'm sure there are some Buckeye fans that will disagree with me. I think Cam Newton was everything Terrelle Pryor should be. But by no means has he dominated college football. Just check out last year's Wisconsin game for further proof.

"Terrelle Pryor can run and he can throw and he's a hell of a competitor," Gruden said. "You might have to cater your offense, to a degree, towards his strengths, but I think this guy can develop his passing.


I do think Pryor should be given a chance to prove he can be an NFL quarterback. I don't see any NFL offensive coordinators catering their offense to accomdate Pryor. If they're not going to do it with Newton, why would they do it with Pryor. He can develop his passing if given chance. He's not a once in a lifetime talent, but shouldn't switch positions to make it in the NFL.
If Gruden takes another NFL coaching job, Pryor has someone in his corner.







   

Kiper Says Pryor Will Be A Tight End In The NFL

Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor will be suspended for the first five games of the upcoming college football season. Almost everyone knows that. The question is how much will it hurt his NFL aspirations. If it's up to draftnik Mel Kiper he would have Pryor switch positions. Maybe moving him to wide receiver while still at Ohio State.

Kiper also thinks Pryor will project to being an H-back or tight end in the NFL, pretty much the same thoughts he had about Tim Tebow.

"I've thought all along he was a tight end," Kiper said on a conference call. "I talked about (former Florida quarterback) Tim Tebow the same way last year.



"I think his best chance to be a very good NFL player is as an H-back. I think Pryor is going to be a projection to tight end."


Kiper feels that Pryor needs to work on some things, mainly throwing to succeed as a quarterback. I feel Pryor is an athletic wonder but he needed those five games to hone his skills at the position.

"Accuracy," Kiper said when asked what he could improve on. "Throwing the football is the main thing.


"He has to throw the ball, and he has to be precise with the football, and he has to do the things from a pure passing standpoint."


"Did he need to play those five games to prove he can be a quarterback? Yeah, he did," Kiper said. "I think there is going to be some concern whether he is going to be a quarterback or a position change, like I said, to a tight end spot."

Kiper is not the end all, be all of how a person does in the NFL. Maybe Pryor will surprise his skeptics and prove that he is an NFL worthy talent at quarterback and not tight end or some novelty player. I feel he should get a chance to play quarterback before they try to switch positions.

I think the talk of switching him to a different position might hurt him more than the five game suspension. That will get into the heads of the league executives before he gets a chance to prove he's worthy of being a quarterback.  

Sullinger Says He's Coming Back To Ohio State

After putting the final nail in my bracket last night, Jared Sullinger is trying to ruin my dream of the Detroit Pistons drafting him. He says he's coming back to Ohio State next year.

The Big Ten freshman of the year and averaged 17.1 points and 10.0 rebounds and will probably be named to plenty of first team all american lists. Not to mention he's a possible player of the year candidate. He would be a top 5 NBA draft pick if he came out, maybe top 3. I know I would love to see him in a Detroit Pistons uniform.

After losing to Kentucky in a Sweet 16 matchup, he announced he would be coming back to Columbus.

“I did make a decision and I’m definitely coming back next year,” Sullinger said. “I need to work on a lot of things. I have to come back. I’m coming back to win.”


Whether he follows through on that promise remains to be seen. We've seen this one before. Star player says he's coming back and then changes his mind when those high dollar figures start getting thrown around.

If he does come back he'll be playing for a young Buckeyes team that will reload with top notch talent once again.

"I'm going to be an Ohio State Buckeye next year," he said at his post-game press conference following Friday night's tournament loss to Kentucky as reported by ESPN. "This isn't why I came here, to come in here and see my seniors in here crying."



"I came here to win a national championship," he added. ""I'm a man of my word. I don't change my word and no one changes it for me. This is what I want."

With the NBA's current labor situation in question that would be a good decision. For Ohio State fans they better hope this doesn't end up like Shareef Abdur-Rahim's press conference in a few weeks.

 

Tressel Is The Biggest Fraud In College Football

Jim Tressel is the most fraudulent human walking around right now. This isn't a biased opinion, it's damn true. I know it'll burn up the Ohio State faithful, but I don't care. The guy is a liar, cheat, and flat out dirty. it just isn't him either, the school president and athletic director are both cosigning this mountain of bullsherky.

He knew about his players selling their athletic gear/merchandise for eight months, but says he didn't want to put his players in danger. Ok Jim, you didn't know what to do. You call the compliance office and report the transgressions you dope! Instead you sit by and let things slide and basically play a whole season with ineligible players. Instead he offered the confidentiality defense. He covering up something and I can't wait for the NCAA to come to toen and blow the lid off Columbus. I'm not saying this because I'm a Michigan fan, only because if you're caught cheating you should get hammered. I mean major violations, not for spending 5 minutes extra on the practice field. I know it would give the Big Ten a black eye, especially since head honcho Jim Delany went to bat for the Buckeyes before the Sugar Bowl.

 The Ohio State Universtity has nearly 400 violations Tressel's watch. He had violations at Youngstown State. This isn't Ed Martin bad, but it's bad. In my opinion, this looks like lack of institutional control. There was the Maurice Clarett deal, the Troy Smith violation, and now this. Not to mention lots of minor violations that were self reported. I bet Ohio State is hoping that since they self reported so many times, the NCAA will have mercy on them. I hope the NCAA burns that program down like General Sherman. If they don't the NCAA are a bunch of hypocrites. If Dez Bryant can lose a year of football for lying to investigators, then the Buckeyes should be going on probation for Tressel's lies on top of lies.

Tressel should be fired for, just like Steve Fisher was ran out of Michigan for his role in the Ed Martin case. He knew about this and didn't say anything and now he's acting like he's actually sorry for this whole mess. I hate to say this though, Ohio State will get a slap on the wrist and will go on winning and competing for Big Ten titles and national championship. If I'm Pat Hill of Fresno State I'd be worried because somehow the mighty hammer of the NCAA will come down on you and your program, because that's the way the system works.      

DeVier Posey Hates Wisconsin

After Wisconsin knocked off number one Ohio State on the hardwood and the football field, Ohio State wide receiver DeVier Posey had some strong words for Wisconsin. From the almighty Twitter account.

"I'll be totally honest I hate wisconsin.. With a passion Yeah I said it !!! I can't wait to play them again next season!!! Just being honest."Watching a game like that gets yo competitive juices going something crazy !!! Can't wait."



I'm sure Buckeye big man Jared Sullinger feels the same way after Badger fans provided fuel for these two teams by spitting on Sullinger. I'm down with a lot of the antics college kids do, but this isn't one of them. As far as Posey goes, he was on the wrong end as a player and spectator and I see where he's coming from. He's also one of the Buckeye 5 who are suspended for the first five games of the year. He better hope the Buckeyes aren't in the toilet by then.

Also Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith feels the same way. He responded, via Twitter of course, with "Feel ya bro!!!" . Nothing like some good ol' Buckeye solidarity.

Your turn Wisconsin.  
 

 





 

Illegal Touching: Buckeye Recruit Arrested

Buckeye recruit Chris Carter was arrested when a girl filed a complaint against him for fondling her while he pretended to measure her for a ROTC uniform.

More Buckeye hijinks. First the Maurice Clarett scandal, then tattoogate, now this. Carter is a 6-4, 325 pound offensive lineman, so he truly was a big man on campus. He was expected to sign with Ohio State, so you know he didn't have to resort to such tactics to get a piece of chicken if you know what I mean.

A 15 year old girl told police that Carter came to one of her classes and told her to come with him to measure her for an ROTC uniform. They proceeed to a room behind the schools auditorium. He then went into action, alledgedly.

“Once inside the room, (Carter) asked the victim to take off her sweat shirt and shirt so he could take her measurements,” the police report said. “He cut off the lights … and stated `I need you to take your bra off.’ The arrested male than put his arms under her arms from behind and attempted to pull her bra up.”

The police are investigating whether he fondled at least eight other girls. Jim Tressel was giving this kid a scholarship? We all know Tressel recruits questionable players, but that usually surfaces when they get there, not before arrival.

“He is not guilty and we will proceed with it. I know that he’s innocent. He’s a nice kid.” said Harvey Bruner, Carter's attorney.

According to Bruner the scholarship is being held for Carter. Considering the clouds swirling around the Buckeyes, Tressel needs to pull the offer until further notice. If he's guilty, he's gotta go. I know every kid's not a saint but if he has problems now, he'll have them later.

A Big 0 For The Big Ten

Well, Gordon Gee. It's all up to your Ohio State Buckeyes to salvage the reputation of the battered and bruised Big Ten. That was a mighty pimp slap the rest of the college football world put on the boys from the midwest. Throw in Nebraska's loss to a mediocre Washington team they whacked by 35 earlier this season, that makes it a little bit worse.

For starters Northwestern fought the good fight in losing to Texas Tech 45-38. The Wildcats dug themselves too big of a hole to climb out of, but at least they made a game of it. More than what i can say about the next two games. That would be the simultaneous beatdown suffered by Michigan and Michigan State. The Michgan schools were outscored 101-21 and thoroughly embarassed by Alabama and Mississippi State. The Rodriguez era will end on an ugly note, no matter what David Brandon is saying. The Spartans are not ready for prime time. Penn State and Florida went down to the end until the Gators finally locked up an Outback Bowl victory with a pick 6, 37-24. Then in the Grandaddy of them all, the Rose Bowl, Wisconsin lost to an unbeaten TCU squad, 21-19. No shame in that, except if Ohio State president Gordon Gee didn't make those ridiculous comments about teams like TCU not playing anyone. It's not like anyone wants to sign up to play them. Anyway, how did that taste Gordon.

The bowl season actually started out pretty good for the Big Ten, with wins by Iowa and Illinois, only to see the roof cave in during the postseason. Five losses in five games. And I'm not feeling to confident about Ohio State, with the distractions created by the Buckeye 5 and all.