How about just renaming it "BLOAT"?

Could probably do the same sort of clever 10 thing with the "L" and the "O" (so we don't forget the original name of the conference).

This way it won't matter if we go to 16, 18, or even 20 teams. We can just keep on adding as new and worthwhile opportunities arise.

Bring on TX, FSU, OU, NC (Tarheels) etc etc. Anyone with the ability to add value through partnership. Woooo hooooo...keep 'em coming. Let's just make 4 uber conferences and call it a day.

Maybe one too many egg nogs today?

Any idea who the 15th and 16th schools will be?

Even better.

Not to be overly cynical...but, this would be a PR windfall for anybody willing to help put this together and broadcast it for charity.

So, yeah, every penny of net profit from all revenue streams created by the game...excellent suggestion.

I'm in.

As well as both of these teams fanbases travel for bowl games (seeing as how they have nowhere to go this year)...I can almost guarantee that a game like this for a worthy cause would sell out faster than you can say, "NCAA Infraction."

And, by the way, eff the NCAA. It's for charity; not for lining any NCAA or university coffers.

The PR backlash created when the NCAA says no to this might finally knock those NCAA blowhards off their high horse for awhile.

Spelunking...

Maybe have the Maryland booster and Under Armour guy create team uni's meant to honor the young people traumatized by Sandusky?

Although, I can't for the life of me figure out how one might go about doing that.

Just thinking that because it is extremely rare for both tOSU and PSU to be out of the bowl season, an exhibition match could be a way to make a huge negative into a decent positive by raising a large amount of money to ehlp the victims rebuild their lives.

Also a way for PSU to continue to focus on making amends (is that even possible???) rather than on how well the team has performed under difficult circumstances.

I choke a little every time Bill O'Brien and the current players are praised for how well they are playing "despite the hardships placed on them by the NCAA."

I understand that none of this was O'Brien's fault and that the players had nothing to do with the previous regime's cover up of Sandusky's vile, criminal abuse of innocents.


And, I understand that the narrative needed to be shifted lest we spend so much collective media attention on something so tragic.

I just see the interests of the children wounded and abused getting swept away.

Maybe take one more grand opportunity to make another right act on behalf of the victims. Doesn't fix it. Doesn't mean it never happened. But, I believe it more than worth doing.


But,

"I'm pulling for Illinois as the surprise contender this year...just a gut feeling."

Been awhile since I've been here.

Forgot that I put this one out there.

If anyone can find a worse prediction of what might happen this season, I'd love to see it.

Oops. Illini went kersplat!

My eldest daughter has just informed me that going into her senior year of high school, she has decided that she's going to attend THE Ohio State University...just like her daddy.

I'm not a vindictive man generally. But, the devil on my shoulder got a small and perverse satisfaction over that fact that she chose my alma mater over her mother's (ex-wife).

Plus, it is such a joy to see her eyes light up as she walked through some of the same places I used to love when I was a student there.

She may even attempt a tryout with The Best Damn Band in the Land (plays trumpet).

Proud papa. Go Bucks!

I'm pulling for Illinois as the surprise contender this year...just a gut feeling.

I'd also love to see Minnesota become something more with Jerry Kill at the helm. How do you not dominate when your coach is named Kill?

With the Buckeyes in the NCAA deadzone this year, I'm expanding my interest and vowing to get to know some of the other teams even better this year. Just to give myself a useful distraction from the inevitable disappointment I'll feel after regular season ends for us. Even with a miracle undefeated season, I'm sure I'll have some withdrawl issues heading into bowl season.

Also, will Sparty sustain 10+ win success again this year and finally get over they're strange up and down history of the past 25 years?

Just a few questions I'll use to keep me going through the season.

Buckeye Bump

Undefeated? Would be interesting footnote in CFB history. Only undefeated team to not play in a bowl game?

It's a thought.

I'd truly rather just snap Jerry's neck and be done with it.

But, vengence belongs to God. And, I obey that even when every fiber in my soul says, "kill him, the world will be better off with Sandusky out of it."

By the way, has that evil **** been sentenced officially yet? This is not a possible death penalty offense?

Pray for those boys. Let's put our focus on their recovery rather than PSU penalties. Not blaming the media for where they aim their cameras. But, I do wish they would start using their audiovisual soapbox for something wiser and more useful.

Like all of you, I am deeply saddened for all of the victims here. There is no course of action the NCAA can take currently that will alleviate the suffering these kids (now adults?) have and will continue to endure.

That said, the 60 million should go directly to the actual victims of Sandusky. I'm all for setting up a trust that will help prevent future victims. But, I believe the young men abused by Sandusky would have a better handle on where and how to effectively use that money towards that purpose. Just setting up a fund is too generalized and vague a solution. Give it to the people who will have a lifelong, sincere burning to make it count in preventing future abuse.

Also, the NCAA had to do something, of course. But, this is sort of like Grandpa coming over and punishing the grandson for something the father did during his own childhood years ago.

It kinda strikes me as ill-fitting. But, you can't punish Joe Paterno (moratorium on JoePa as it is a nickname of endearment and I have no endearing sentiments left for him)...he's passed away.

You can't really punish the others through the NCAA...the real justice system is taking care of that.

So, who is left to penalize at Penn State? Wish I had a better solution.

Just some thoughts...Prayers for all of the boys abused by that sick and evil man. Prayers for their future mental health. May they all recover to live happy, fulfilling lives.

Bielema (don't care enough to learn correct spelling of his name) looks to have been slapped down by his AD, other B1G coaches and league commish.

Can't blame Urban when someone else fabricates and/or exaggerates a story about him.

As for Urban's response...how do you typically react when someone accuses you without merit? I'm okay with it.

Time for the coaches to get back to coaching. Less campaigning for subtle advantages by backstabbing and undercutting each other via the press.

Been keeping up with recent recruiting efforts of Urban and new staff.

Impressive.

O-H...

Except for the fact that I get to live my life, while you're stuck living yours.

Attagirl!

Rather than my typical long-winded posts...

I'll just say, I am now able to turn the page and look forward, with a healthy repect and perspective of all things past (good, bad and ugly).

It is good to find so many of my Buckeye brethren (and sisters) already there.

Hang On Sloopy

Always hated the fans that say, "we would have won that game if only..."

So, I'm not going to do that. I will, however, say congratulations to Nebraska on the win before I say this...

We, absolutely SHOULD have been able to hold that lead. Certainly, when Braxton Miller hurt his ankle, I knew that our lead was in serious jeopardy. Because I feared that our coaching staff might just be obstinant enough to trot Bauserman back out there. Putting J Bow Wow Wowserman back on the field after the overwhelming evidence of his simple lack of playmaking skills opened the door for one of the most memorable (read: painful) come from behind victories in recent Big12Ten history.

Silver Lining: Braxton appears to be warming up for an electric run as one of the more exciting playmakers on our roster for the next few years.

Hopefully, we'll see much much more of a healthy Braxton Miller for the rest of this tumultuous season.

Let's get to bowl eligible and get these kids as much quality experience as possible.

Sheesh!

Go Bucks!

O - H...

What does everybody think about the game against Nebraska tomorrow?

Do you believe that the Buckeyes can execute well enough on offense to keep the "Blackshirts" honest? And, if so, will it be enough to score at least 20 points?

My thinking is 20 points can be enough for our defense to protect the win.

Delusional? Or, possible?

How much of a negative force in the hiring process do you all think it will be for Gene Smith (aka the guy who threw Jim Tressel under the train) to remain as AD for the new head football coach?

I don't know about you...but, the parachute clause in any contract I sign with Gene Smith at the helm would have to not only be golden, but also badazzled from top to bottom with retirement cash for me when I find myself in the same place "The Vest" is now.

Or is it at all possible that Luke Fickell could become a long term success?

It could be argued that he is playing with his hands tied behind his back right now. Who among us wouldn't wind up looking a little foolish while trying to compete under those conditions.

Everyone has to cut their teeth somewhere. Why not allow us to benefit from the trial by fire education he is receiving as we speak?

Something to think about. I'm still crushing on the Urban Meyer idea.

I'm just gonna relax and try to enjoy whatever this season winds up giving.

I'm starting to fall hard for the idea of Urban Meyer as the next HC at tOSU.

Are there any other candidates that might be capable of hitting the ground running? Bring this thing back up to code without enduring a second subpar season?