Never underestimated a team scorned. Luke Fickell, Jim Tressel’s interim replacement for 2011, will call upon the respect card throughout the coming season, telling his players that A) no one likes them; B) no one wants them to win; C) no one thinks they will win; D) and to paraphrase a great moment in sports movie history, the only thing to do is to go out and win the whole (redacted) thing. Ohio State remains good enough to make a B.C.S. run, even without Terrelle Pryor, if push comes to shove, and even if that B.C.S. berth is eventually made off-limits by a forthcoming N.C.A.A. ruling.
Let’s go off one of two thoughts. One, that Ohio State will be good enough to challenge for nine wins, give or take, even with missing several key starters – but that the Buckeyes won’t have what it takes to continue its run of B.C.S. and Big Ten success. Two, that even if Ohio State is able to put together another conference title, that the program would not be allowed to continue on to bowl play due to its infractions.
Just to be clear: it took the N.C.A.A. years to come to a ruling on U.S.C., so expecting a ruling to come down prior to September may just be wishful thinking. Ohio State wants to know the score, even if it is very scared of what lies ahead.
So who makes hay off an Ohio State slide? Two teams in the Leaders Division come to mind: Wisconsin and Penn State, the former more than the latter. A decade or so ago, the Nittany Lions would have salivated at the idea of an Ohio State or Michigan sliding into obscurity; for Penn State, losing a chief competitor to the Big Ten throne would have opened a clear path towards a B.C.S. bowl, if not a national title.
Not anymore. But Penn State will be better than 7-6, as it was a year ago, and with Ohio State perhaps facing a multiple-year step back, the Nittany Lions are in position to reclaim a spot among the Big Ten’s best on a yearly basis. Wisconsin did win the conference title last fall, after all, and should be considered the division’s favorite in 2011.
What about Nebraska? I keep thinking of Virginia Tech’s foray into the A.C.C. in 2004: Florida State was down, Miami (Fla.) – which joined the same year – wasn’t the same, and the time was ripe for the Hokies to experience immediate success. The Cornhuskers are in the same boat: Ohio State is in trouble and Penn State and Michigan aren’t what they once were, so Nebraska’s chances of an immediate Big Ten title are increased exponentially.
What about Colorado and the aforementioned Hurricanes? It’s interesting: both programs have a new head coach, and each coach would love a marquee win in September. Jon Embree’s hire wasn’t greeted with much fanfare in Boulder and elsewhere, but a win would provide early validation for the rookie coach and give his Buffaloes a potential launching bid towards a bowl trip.
At Miami, a win over the Buckeyes would allow Al Golden to do something that Randy Shannon really couldn’t, minus a 2009 win over an injury-ravaged Oklahoma team: beat a premier program outside of A.C.C. play. Like Embree, Golden would land a significant boost with a home win over Ohio State.
It’s micro vs. macro: on a smaller level – 2011 – a sanctioned or down Ohio State could do wonders for a Colorado, Miami or Wisconsin. On a bigger level, Nebraska’s a program that could take full advantage of a power gap atop the Big Ten.
Oh, and then there’s Michigan. No one is happier than the Wolverines, thanks to the schadenfreude associated with Ohio State’s comeuppance. But with hopes high following Brady Hoke’s arrival, Michigan can begin to dream of turning the table against a hated rival that has had its number for a decade. Michigan wins most of all.
Similar Posts:
- The F.B.S. and the N.C.A.A. Tournament
- Forecasting the MAC in 2011
- At Long Last, the MAC’s 2012 Schedule
- Turnover Runs at a High Clip
- A Conference Title Weekend What-If
Post Comment