My Thoughts: Wisconsin

Fickell gaining respect

For those of you who have recently read my posts I know I have been a bit negative as of late. I have constantly attacked Coach Fickell and many of the decisions that he and the coaching staff have made, though I am still not sold on him being our head coach, I am thrilled with how the Wisconsin game turned out. This is not just for the fact that because the Buckeyes won, my brother (a Wisconsin alumnus) had to dress in a Buckeye uniform for Halloween, and I did not have to repeat last year when I wore a Badger uniform, revenge is sweet. I am happy because the Buckeyes played with much of the heart and skill that we have become accustomed too. For 3 and a half quarters our defense played like the Silver Bullets.

Wisconsin is a running team, both Monte Ball and Russell Wilson are as dangerous a QB and RB rushing tandem as there is in college football. They run behind a monster offensive line who many people thought would push around a talented but young Buckeye defensive line. Well guess what, that young Buckeye defensive line had the last laugh. They held the powerful Badger running attack to 89 yards (most of that gained on 1 big run).

Let's See What The Buckeyes Got

Coming To C-Bus

In my last post, prior to the Illinois game, I wrote how important it was for me to have bragging rights (my wife went to Illinois) in my house. Well, the Buckeyes won what it turns out may not have been as big a game (Illinois subsequently lost to Purdue) as we all thought/hoped it would be, but a win is a win and Illinois was ranked so the Buckeyes beat an undefeated ranked team on the road and that is great. Having bragging rights is fun, but honestly my wife could care less, so there was not a lot of residual gloating. Living in Chicago though I can smile a bit brighter around all of the Illini here. This week’s game though is almost as big a rivalry for me as the game against that team from up north (almost, but not quite). 

You see my older brother, my closest blood relative is a 1994 graduate of Wisconsin. He is almost as passionate for his Badgers as I am for my Buckeyes. He shares in season tickets to Wisconsin, has taken me to many a game in Madison. I have been to Madison for ties, wins and losses. For years since the early 1990s we have a “traveling trophy” (a small football) that goes to the winner of the game. Before last season we added to our bet, the loser has to dress in the other’s team uniform for Halloween. Last year on Halloween (my daughter’s birthday) there I was dressed in a Wisconsin uniform, it was a rough and tough night for me (though I did sneak a little Block O on my undershirt to keep OSU closest to my heart).

How Big Of A Game Is This For Fickell?

Can Luke stay with a win?

I really don’t think that our young coach has any shot of hanging on past this season despite the news he finally is coaching under a legit contract until the end of 2012. It’s true that Fickell was dropped into an impossible situation with all of the suspensions and the turmoil surrounding the program but most fans still believe he is in way over his head. Ohio St. is one of the few jobs in America that other coaches pine for and the school should be able to hit a home run once this season comes to an end.

However, if Luke wants to put a HUGE notch under his belt and make the brass at Ohio St. second-guess their impending coaching search, this weekend certainly presents the opportunity. Wisconsin will be a great challenge for this team and its’ coaching staff moving forward.

Will the Buckeye’s be able to throw or even move the ball against a stout Wisconsin defense? Can Braxton escape this Saturday with body intact and all wits about him? Will Bollman dial up some plays that don’t remind us of leather helmets? I don’t really have the answers to these questions but I am dying to find out the answers in person this weekend at the 'Shoe!

Random Thoughts: Blog, BCS

Happy birthday, us. Yeah, I can't believe that last Friday, the 29th, was our birthday. Inside The Shoe is now 1 year old. I'm pretty proud that we have come this far. We now have a total of 2 3 whole readers compared to 0, and we're not at .blogspot.com anymore. People are starting to take notice of our blog, thanks in large part put forth by out outstanding crew, SBB, Danny, and Brady. They continue to put up phenomanal work and are able to help me run this blog. Although we didn't get the Blogpoll for this year, next year is right around the corner, and we might just end up on that. I would first like to thank the people that helped make this blog a success, at least in my eyes, through the first year. Eleven Warriors, for giving me some advice, posting some links from our site to theirs, etc. The Buckeye Battle Cry, for becoming our first "friends" on the blog-o-sphere and giving us many, many appreciated pointers. (Some of you might remember when our blog color was bright red, don't ask me what I was thinking!) Finally, all the people at Off Tackle Empire, for listening to my irrational thoughts, and even checking out our blog from time to time. Of course, I need to thank all our readers or fans. Whether it be the conversations on Twitter or the likings on Facebook, you guys make this blog very interesting. There are plenty more years under my belt, so stick around, we plan to be the best. (No shot to any of the other Buckeye blogs, it should be their goal too.)

Alright, now that the teary thank you is over, back to some more football.

The BCS Standings came out last night and the Buckeyes stayed at 11th. 11th!! It's madness in my eyes that LSU and Nebraska could jump up that high in front of the Buckeyes after they smeared Gopher all over the road. Obviously the media has a serious problem once more, because they don't like to see the Buckeyes in the Top 10 after a loss. It's the same thing every year. Oregon got the #1 spot, which they deserved in the first place, and I'm telling you right now that Oklahoma is going to lose another game. Maybe even two!

Alabama is sitting in the damn drivers seat, they are #6 and are just waiting for a couple more teams to fall. Luckily they have LSU and Auburn (plus SECG if they make it) to stand in the way of going back to the Championship game. Overall, I'm pretty bitter about what has happened to the Buckeyes in the polls, because in both human polls, (AP, Coaches) they stand at 8th, where they should be.