Twas the Night Before The Game

Twas the Night Before THE Game, and all through the house
All of the creatures were stirring, including a mouse

Why start with this poem? It seems like the Ohio State Buckeyes have had distraction after distraction in the last twelve months. This time a year ago, it seemed like the Buckeyes were invincible after a convincing 37-7 romp over Michigan at Ohio Stadium, a record seventh consecutive win (which the Bucks later vacated of course, along with their 12 other games), one that spelled doom for then-Michigan Head Coach Rich Rodriguez, and guaranteed that then-Buckeye Head Coach Jim Tressel would coach the Buckeyes either for life, or until he got sick and tired of it.

Then a few weeks later, the rug came from underneath the Buckeye football program as reports of high-profile Buckeye football players selling gold pants, jerseys, and other memorabilia in exchange for things such as cars, cash, and tattoos. Five Ohio State football players (Terrelle Pryor, Daniel "Boom" Herron, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams, and Solomon Thomas) were suspended for five games, along with Tressel subsequently.

Think that this was the end of it? Hardly. Apparently, Terrelle Pryor's mentor, a man by the name of Ted Sarniak e-mailed the Tressel camp, and then Tressel got word that the aforementioned players were selling aforementioned items in exchange for aforementioned tattoos and cash. Tressel's reputation as an upstanding pillar in the NCAA community was tarnished, and as the spring progressed, it seemed that Tressel was not long for the Buckeyes. On May 30, Tressel was forced to resign, and Luke Fickell became the interim head coach for the season (more on Fickell later). Eight days later, it was announced that Pryor would not return for his senior season.

Still with us? Posey's suspension was doubled, and Pryor was taken in the supplemental draft by the Oakland Raiders, only to have to serve the five game suspension, and then be expendable (by the acquisition for Carson Palmer- another song for another dance). Tressel took a consulting job for the Indianapolis Colts, where he served a six-game suspension. The Buckeyes vacated all of their wins from last season, and are still awaiting word on the NCAA, in terms of sanctions.

Meanwhile, news is heating up that ex-Florida Head Coach Urban Meyer will be announced as the new Head Coach at next Tuesday's OSU-Duke Men's Basketball Game. This is not what the current crop of Buckeyes need as they head up north to play their biggest rival right now, another distraction. When asked about the Meyer situation on Wednesday, Fickell responded, "All I know is that there is a game at Noon on Saturday, and my ass will be there."

On the other side of the ball, Michigan fired trainwreck Rich Rodriguez after a 15-22 mark at Michigan, and hired San Diego State coach and former Michigan assistant Brady Hoke, whom from Day One, has only referred to Ohio State as "OHIO", and implemented a whole new attitude and look.

This year, there was a countdown clock, counting down the days and minutes until kickoff for the Ohio State and Michigan State games, as well as a clock counting the number of days it has been since Michigan beat the aforementioned schools in football. Never in the 133 years of Wolverine football has a senior class gone 0-8 against the top two rivals (sorry Notre Dame, you don't count, ditto for Minnesota). Can these Michigan seniors knock off the Scarlet and Gray? The answer is...find out at about Noon tomorrow in the Big House.

Last week, Michigan put out a show against a really good Nebraska team, capitalizing on turnovers and special teams mistakes (which a couple of them were also turnovers) to put away the Cornhuskers 45-17. In Columbus, an emotional Penn State team held off the Buckeyes 20-14 in the Horseshoe, as DeVier Posey made his 2011 debut. The Buckeyes made some big plays, but not enough big plays (like against Wisconsin).

Tomorrow, expect the Buckeyes to make some big plays on offense, and a couple of big plays will keep them in the game for a while, but the Buckeyes did not finish last week against Penn State. This Ohio State team is better than their 6-5 record.

Michigan, an eight and a half point favorite, they will be ready. They are starving for a win against a Buckeye team in a recession. They are wanting to end the Tressel-era of domination. They are wanting to usher in the Brady Hoke era with a "W" over their hated rivals.

1929 was the last time that both Ohio State and Michigan entered "THE Game" with first-year head coached. The Buckeyes won that game. Hoke is Michigan's own Woody Hayes. Hoke only likes to refer to the Buckeyes as "OHIO", and the hungry Michigan players are looking to feast on the Buckeyes tomorrow in the Big House. Look for Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson to be let loose on the field, like Desmond Howard, Tshimanga "Tim" Biakabutuka, Charles Woodson, and Chris Perry before him against the Buckeyes. Look for Robinson to have a BIG day, as the Michigan receivers will try to outsmart the strong Buckeye defense.

The outcome will be closer than you think. Michigan has only beaten Ohio State by more than 20 points only twice in the last 30 years (1991- 31-3 and 1993- 28-0, both in the Big House). The Buckeyes will show up, but not when the going gets tough, and the Maize and Blue tough get going.

Prediction: Michigan 38, Ohio State 34