SportsNation Blog Archives
Ohio State Buckeyes
- Vote: Would expanding to 12 teams really help the Big Ten?
- Chat: Ivan Maisel, 2 ET | Beano Cook, 3 ET | Big East blogger Brian Bennett, 4 ET
Dollar Stores. Super 8 Motels. The Six Million Dollar Man. We get that names involving numbers aren't always accurate to the last decimal. But if the Big Ten is going to expand to 12 teams, we need to come up with a new name. And we're pretty sure the Big 12 is taken.
Not surprisingly, Big Ten expansion is a hot topic in SportsNation blogs.
- "The University of Chicago will remain as the school "where fun comes to die" and will not return to Division I athletics. The University of Notre Dame needs more time to rebuild, and if it were asked to join, ND would merely become the Big Ten's Catholic counterpart to Indiana. This would not improve the Big Ten's current reputation as underachievers on the national gridiron. ... Also, given its location near the Ohio border, Pitt would add to the legitimacy of Penn State's membership in a conference otherwise based entirely in the Upper Midwest." -- Read GMU_OSU_Fan's full post.
- "I do like the idea of the Big Ten adding another team. However, I would like that team to be Notre Dame ... or forget it. I think a Big 12 team (save Iowa State) would bring something to the table, as well, i.e. Missouri. But aside from the fact that they won't come to us, Mizzou is a bit too far away." -- Read nunyabiz81's full post.
Andrew (Nashville)
Let's play conference dominos! If the Big 10's newly announced expanision takes a Big East team, who joins the Big East? If they take Missouri, does the Big 12 replace them with T.C.U.?
Graham Watson
That's what I was telling Adam Rittenberg yesterday. It seems like the logical move. Full transcript
Paul (Dothan, AL)
I've been hearing how the Big 10 wants to expand to 12 teams. How would that affect conference realignment in the Non-AQ conferences?
Graham Watson
It just depends who it is. If it's Pitt, then probably East Carolina or Southern Miss would be a favorite to go to the Big East. If it's Missouri, then maybe TCU heads to the Big 12... So yeah, the non-AQs would be affected in some way. With C-USA, it might present an interesting opportunity for a MAC team to move to C-USA and put the MAC back at 12 teams. Full transcript
- Vote: Does Michigan have a chance at home against Ohio State? | Pick all the games
- Your Rankings: How does your Heisman Watch look without Jimmy Clausen?
- Chat: Check out what Pat Forde has to say on all things gridiron.
This probably isn't what fans of Michigan and Notre Dame had in mind when they hoped for meaningful November games to watch this season.
After a loss at home against Navy, any hope Charlie Weis has (and 60 percent of SportsNation believes it's no hope at all) of keeping his job beyond this season probably rides on sweeping Connecticut, Stanford and a non-BCS bowl game. And the situation may be even less complicated in Ann Arbor, where Rich Rodriguez faces rival Ohio State this weekend needing a win to avoid a second consecutive losing season.
SportsNation blogger and Michigan fan nunyabiz81 breaks down what's on the line:
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"Frankly, for me, there's a fine line between RR failing this year and his not failing this year. Beating OSU and making a bowl, at this moment, is that line. I suspect a lot of fans feel the same way. And it didn't have to come down to OSU, either, because the thing that we feel worst about is missing bowl games. And that's because it's the one thing we always do -- make bowl games. ... And if RR pulls off a win against OSU and a miracle bowl appearance, a lot of people will quiet down." -- Read the full post.
joe (chicago)
assuming that ND is going to have a new coach next year, should they be acting now or is swarbrick really going to wait until the season is said and done to make a move?
Mark Schlabach
[Athletic director Jack Swarbrick] told me Saturday night in Pittsburgh that he was going to wait until the end of the season, and I think that's only fair to Weis and his players. They can still get to the Gator Bowl, perhaps, by winning their last two games. I think they know who they're going after. Full transcript
- Vote: GameDay Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | SportsNation Top 25
- Vote on big topics: Charlie Weis' future | Auburn at Georgia
- Blogger chat wraps: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Others
- More wraps: Mark Schlabach | Pat Forde | Mel Kiper | Ivan Maisel | Bruce Feldman
- Special guests: Brad Edwards | Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson
It won't be an easy weekend for BCS Cinderellas, even though they're all playing at home. Cincinnati faces No. 25 West Virginia, TCU gets the pressure of GameDay and No. 16 Utah, and Boise State deals with a surprising 7-3 Idaho (and a visiting AD who doesn't like to fly on planes with Broncos markings).
USC fans still have BCS hope, but know their team can't lose again. Boise State, Cincinnati and Iowa fans wonder what more their teams can do, besides pray for a loss by one of the top 3.
Now that Ohio State has two losses SportsNation thinks Ohio State is using Terrelle Pryor incorrectly. Fans, however, still think Sam Bradford is a first-round pick.
Florida State kicked off Week 8 with a needed win, and Alabama, Florida and Texas face opponents they shouldn't overlook.
- Vote: "GameDay" Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | SportsNation Top 25
- Vote on big games: Tennessee at Alabama | Texas at Missouri
- Blogger chat wraps: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Others
- Other wraps: Brad Edwards | Bruce Feldman | Ivan Maisel | Pat Forde | Mark Schlabach
“Mark Ingram is a good reason for [Alabama's] passing to be less of a factor. Wait until next year for any shot of a Vols upset.
” -- Beano Cook
“I pick Florida to win this game, but to be seen as legitimately No. 1, the Gators should win convincingly, even more so than against Arkansas.
” -- IdahoanTyke
“My ranking: 1. Iowa; 2. Florida; 3. Alabama; 4. Texas; 5. Virginia Tech; 6. TCU; 7. Boise State; 8. USC; 9. Oregon; 10. LSU.
” -- CheezusCrust
Fan blogger predictions for Week 8: nunyabiz81 | jodiemeeks23ppat54 | dfpsports | IdahoanTyke | codywin25 | gbirkem2 | utesfan2 | Sportsguru6
Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd will be waving their pennants on "SportsNation" TV.
Argue the hot topics of the day and vote on the biggest stories from the world of sports. The show airs on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. and midnight ET.
Note: Broadcast voting results as of this afternoon (ET).
If Terrelle Pryor could choose again, where would you tell him to go?
Ohio State's quarterback has been in the news all week. Would he have been better off going to Michigan out of high school?
What do you think of NBA players fighting in the preseason?
The Celtics and Cavs, warming up for their battle in the East this season, brawled in their final preseason game.
What do you think of Richard Seymour's Raiders playoffs prediction?
Oakland is 2-4 but only one game out of the wild-card chase. Despite the coach and quarterback turmoil, Seymour is confident in his teammates.
What do you think of a showy two-point conversion in a blowout?
QB Will Briscoe completed a behind-the-back pass for a two-point conversion against Zachary in a 58-0 romp in Louisiana high school football.
What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.
One week does not make a championship season, but a win this week against Notre Dame would throw Michigan fans into a frenzy of unrealistic postseason expectations.
"Each fan base can look a little more fondly toward the future and they can have a little hope, something that has been lacking recently," writes buckifan927.
Fans are also excited about Big 10 rival Ohio State, which can do much to burnish the conference's national reputation against No. 3 USC.
Check out the predictions from bloggers and read up on the opinions of fans below.
Week 2 predictions: utesfan2 | bball4life578 | Joe50119 | tjroundup | pettyofficerkeller2
Rankings: ADEVARTS | Slaton_20 | pigtailedtigerpiccolo | Lionsfanatic52 | pnthrsfn1012
Heisman: NDIrishof84 | ndgunner22
“Joe McKnight's speed is the key to a USC victory. Ohio State is coming off one of its closest games in a long time against an average Navy team. I just don't think Ohio State can win with Terrelle Pryor having no solid back or recievers and the loss on D. USC 27-6.
” -- tjroundup
“This game will go one of two ways. USC will jump out to a huge lead and the game will be over by halftime, or OSU will stick around and win the game in the last quarter. Score: OSU 27, USC 23 (and this is my optimism talking).
” -- Donovant22
“Tate Forcier looked really good against WMU, but in a game that means a lot, give me the more experienced QB in Jimmy Clausen. My Call: Notre Dame 34, Michigan 31.
” -- bball4life578
Big 12: blackshirt red (Nebraska) | AustinBrando (Oklahoma) | yourqueen2b (Oklahoma) | This girl loves football (Oklahoma) | rgadawg (Texas)
Big East: FutureJournlst (Cincinnati)
Big Ten: jlkendzior (Michigan) | methodjose17 (Michigan) | nunyabiz81 (Michigan) | Donovant22 (Ohio State) | ken1534 (Ohio State)
C-USA: wvmafia (Marshall)
MWC: ZZSpence (BYU) | smichie5 (BYU)
Other: Palehorse52G (Navy) | ADEVARTS (playoff) | kd1244 (playoff) | JayBird 67
Pac-10: enviroregon (Oregon) | outfieldforlife (UCLA) | AllanFlash-1 (Washington) | DedaloRafael | goddard91776
SEC: cardon032 (Georgia) | volsandtitansfans101 (Tennessee) | theballguy | SeAGoBLin15
WAC: BalleR96734 (Hawaii)
Week 1 looking back: buckifan927 | kjctnorris | JoeRevs300 | alexholliday | The_Messenjah1980 | orionben666 | spiritsunami | jonhawaiian | SlideLikeRose | 55mikebacker | cardon032 | rah_4_NU | armchaircoach101 | nunyabiz81 | KiaraK99 | fusebox2010
The weekend starts on Thursday in college, and that's good enough for us when it comes to the weekend's biggest game on the college gridiron. USC's visit to Ohio State offer the home team yet another chance to prove the Big Ten can hold its own on the biggest stage, but it could also be the coming out party for the next great USC quarterback. Pat Forde talked about all sort of college football topics in Thursday's chat, but we've got these two teams on the brain.
Rob (New Orleans)
Pat, does Ohio State have to "Win" this Saturday to truly salvage itself and the Big 10? Most outside the Big Ten seem to forget OSU was within seconds of Beating a Texas team everyone thought should be playing in the NC game. Even if OSU beats USC, does that totally erase the perception of the nation? It seems only another NC will sway the nation back to believing OSU is one of the elite programs in the country. Thanks Pat!
Pat Forde
Rob: Ohio State does need to win for its own credibility and the credibility of the league, I believe that. Look, you're not going to find USC this vulnerable (at least on paper) very often: freshman QB, rebuilt defense, home game for the Buckeyes. If Ohio State is a truly elite program -- top five in the country -- it wins this game. That said, I'm picking USC.
Jason (Dallas)
Alot of talk about Pryor this season, even comparison to VY. Do you see Pryor having the "X" Factor, like Young had?
Pat Forde
Jason: I don't think we'll know that this year. VY didn't have that factor until he was a junior and didn't REALLY have that factor until he was a senior -- and I'm defining that factor as a charisma/leadership ability that goes beyond elite physical tools. So far I'd say Pryor is still a little bit immature and not yet ready to take command of a team the way VY did. Full transcript
SportsNation is a place for optimism. We don't mind if you think your team is disrespected by everyone else, including the four letters at the top of the screen. We probably won't agree with you, but that's the point. Players play; fans argue. It just makes it more fun for the rest of SportsNation if you argue more effectively than Yuniesky Betancourt plays.
As examples we present two Ohio State fans with optimistic views of Saturday's showdown against USC but also realistic arguments for why the Buckeyes stand a chance.
"One of the loudest stadiums in the country plus a freshman quarterback making the second start of his career is not exactly a formula for winning. However, a Buckeye team with a revamped roster and a defense that has trouble with the run against one of the best running games in the nation isn't a promising formula either. Still, going under the assumption that last weekend was merely and aberration and the product of under preparation for a complex and seldom seen offense, Ohio State has a better shot at pulling this off than most give them credit for." -- Read buckifan927's full post.
"Maybe the best receiver of all was Tight End Ballard who had some great catches underneath. He could be the go-to guy in short yardage situations. Pryor looked improved as a passer in the pocket, and this should be where Ohio State should attack." -- Read Donovant22's full post.
- Expert Chats: Big Ten blogger Adam Rittenberg | Pac-10 blogger Ted Miller
- Your Rankings: Do you agree Saturday's game is No. 3 against No. 8?
Our long national nightmare is at an end. No, we're still not sure what to do about health care. And it sure seems like the economy is still in Pirates-Nationals mode, no matter what the experts say. But we're talking about the important issue. College football is back.
- Vote: Pick the winner of Boise State-Oregon and all of the opening week's big games.
- Your Rankings: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | MWC | WAC
- More Rankings: Conference strength | Heisman contenders | Top 25
- More Votes: Pick the Herbies | Pick the conference winners
The NFL preseason is occasionally a passable substitute (at least judging by how many people watched the Vikings and Texans on Monday Night Football), but Thursday brings the start of college football and the arrival of games that count.
So like Scrooge McDuck swimming in his money, we choose to revel in the opulence of a full fall schedule and pick out five of the biggest games ahead.
- SportsNation blogger nunyabiz81, who has curiously split loyalties with Michigan, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Georgia and Memphis listed as favorite teams, runs through her self-proclaimed "pointless" top 10, which actually makes numerous good points. Florida is No. 1, but she predicts the Gators will lose and names LSU the best bet to beat them.
- For those more interested in the moment, blogger Sportsguru6 returns with 10 games to watch for the opening weekend of college football. Thursday's game between Oregon and Boise State checks in at No. 4.
ESPN.com's college football writers and bloggers will be going conference by conference in the coming weeks to preview the season ahead, and we're looking for your rankings along the way. Things roll on with the Big Ten, where blogger Adam Rittenberg's rankings include a couple of familiar names at the top but also some teams looking to crash the BCS party in the top half of the standings.
1. Ohio State
2. Penn State
3. Iowa
4. Michigan State
5. Northwestern
Check out Rittenberg's complete rankings.
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