Muck Fichigan

I’ve been a Buckeye fan since the days of Andy Katzenmoyer wearing the “four-five” with pride and dignity. Happy Birthday Big Kat. I’ve been a Buckeye fan since the days of coach Copper, Eddie George, David Boston, Orlando Pace, Joe Germaine, and Na’il Diggs. Long story short, I just didn’t feel like reporting Ohio State’s recent loss to Michigan.

Michigan has only won three out of the last eleven games against the Buckeyes since 2011, but the Wolverines just silenced those asking, “What have you done for me lately,” by winning the last two. Last week, both teams came into the game undefeated, so once again, the stage was set. It was a traditionally typical Big Ten showdown, 11-0 vs, 11-0, number one in the conference versus number two, and both teams ranked nationally.

The world was watching, and Buckeye fans were feeling confident as Ryan Day and company headed into the locker room leading by three. OSU Quarterback, CJ Stroud, connected with WR Emeka Egbuka on a short completion, and the Buckeyes were on the board first. A couple of field goals were kicked, and Ohio State was up 10-3 to start the second.

Michigan said, “Hell no, we ain’t going out like this,” and Wolverine Quarterback, J.J. McCarthy completed a pass to his 6’3′ senior wideout, Cornelius Johnson. Johnson ran with it for 60 yards and scored Michigan’s first touchdown.

The game was tied at 10.

Ohio state kicked a field goal with 5:41 left in the second quarter.

13-10 Ohio State.

On the next drive, J.J. McCarthy connected with Cornelius Johnson once again, and this time, the result was an 80-yard touchdown pass. Michigan was leading 17-13, but Ohio State answered the call with a touchdown pass of their own. It was Stroud to Marvin Harrison Jr., and the Buckeyes took the momentum back before the half ended.

20-17 Ohio State.

Little did we know, that was just about it for Ohio State. I don’t even think they came back out for the second half. Michigan scored 28 second half points, and ended up winning the game 45-23.

Michigan running back, Donovan Edwards had one hell of a day; 216 yards on 22 carries and 2 touchdowns! J.J. McCarthy threw for over 200 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Like I said, I wasn’t in the mood to write about this Buckeye loss, but I was motivated by the chance Purdue has tonight to be a spoiler. Tonight, at 8 PM, it’s another Big Ten showdown between the Boilermakers and the Wolverines!

Upset Alert!

Big Ten Football

The NCAA College football season has begun, and I thought it’d be a good idea to reacquaint ourselves with the confusing split between teams in the Big Ten Conference. So, here it is.

BIG TEN

EAST
Indiana 1-0
Penn State 1-0
Maryland 1-0
Michigan 1-0
Michigan State 1-0
Ohio State 1-0
Rutgers 1-0

WEST
Northwestern 1-0
Iowa 1-0
Minnesota 1-0
Wisconsin 1-0
Illinois 1-0
Purdue 0-1
Nebraska 1-1

Big Ten Football Conference

If you look at the chart, you can see by the records that every Big Ten team has played at least one game so far in this 2022 season. Nebraska is the only team to have played two games, and Purdue is the only team in the conference without a win.

Week 1 comes to an end tomorrow when the final game is played between Clemson and Georgia Tech, and then week 2 action picks up again next weekend, Saturday, September 10th.

What Are Those Buckeyes Up To?

Ryan Day and the rest of the Ohio State coaching staff are working extra hard to prepare this 2021 Buckeye football team. In an interview, Day has used words like competition and camaraderie, which is a good sign. It means the team, with all the offseason changes and newcomers are coming together as a unit, and peaking at the right time we all hope. Well, us Buckeye fans anyway. Coach Day has also talked about physical and mental preparation and toughness.

He encourages his team to visualize, and visualization is no doubt important. You prepare for something, you visualize yourself doing it, and then you go out and execute. This season, coach Day will expect his team to prepare, visualize, and execute for the entire season-a 12-game season that ends in Ann Arbor on November 27th with a rivalry game against the Michigan Wolverines.

Ohio State didn’t play Michigan last season, and they didn’t play twelve games either. With all the real world issues going on that cut into my beloved football season, the Buckeyes only played five regular season games before meeting Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship.

In the regular season finale, OSU beat Michigan State 52-12. They beat Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship game 22-10, and those two wins basically set the stage for the Sugar Bowl showdown against #2 Clemson. The Buckeyes won 49-28.

Ohio State’s 2020 season ended on January 11th with a 52-24 loss to Alabama in the 2021 CFP National Championship game.

Winning is now an expectation at Ohio State so you can bet Coach Day and company are preparing with their eyes on the prize….and Michigan too. Like I said, there has been some changes and newcomers this offseason, but things seem to be coming together.

There’s a 3-way competition going on at the quarterback position, but it looks like redshirt freshman CJ Stroud is the frontrunner. Kyle McCord and Jack Miller are battling for playing time. Stroud’s redshirt should prove to be worth it now as the 6’3″ 220 pound Quarterback has four years to play!

Whoever gets the starting job at QB will definitely have help from the wide receiver position. Senior Chris Olave provides leadership, experience, and clutch-play-making ability, and junior Garrett Wilson can be just as good. Both are up for preseason awards. Senior TE Jeremy Ruckert is big, fast, and a real threat in the seams. He’s 6″5″ 250 and a preseason candidate for the Mackey Award.

Center Harry Miller anchors an impressive offensive line. Miller and OT Thayer Munford, a 6’6″ 320 pound senior, will provide plenty of push for a productive ground game.

Three names come up often when you start talking defense are Sevyn Banks, Haskell Garrett, and Zach Harrison.

Junior DE Zach Harrison is 6’6″ 272. That’s a big man! Outland Trophy candidate, Haskell Garrett, is next to him at tackle. CB Sevyn Banks is a senior and a leader on defense. He has the speed, and at 6’1″, he has the height to compete with those big receivers we often see. Banks is up for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Thorpe Award.

The 2021 Ohio State Buckeye Football season opener is on Thursday, September 2nd. They’re on the road travelling to Minnesota to play the Golden Gophers. Kickoff is at 8:00 PM.

I’m looking forward to a full 12-game season, and I know every other Ohio State fan is as well!