Adman and JMB both finished 6-5 in the playoffs and both picked Pittsburgh to win the Super Bowl, but Adman’s choice of 45 total points was closer to the actual 50 than JMB’s 35.

Should Adman find himself in Central Ohio before next football season starts, and should the 15-21 people who regularly made picks find it convenient to gather together at an eating establishment, a meal will be purchased for Adman.

No Morton’s, Ruth’s Chris or Hyde Park, though. Previous winners have eaten their victory meal at Thurman Cafe and Red Robin.

Final Playoff Standings

Adman 6-5
JMB 6-5
Crazed Wolverine 5-6
Kara 5-6
Brian 4-3
Grandpa 4-7
Big Game 3-3
Seth 3-8
The CPA 3-8
Jeremiah 2-7
Randy 1-3
Jessica 0-1

Say it ain’t so A-Rod

Alex Rodriguez has officially admitted to using banned substances, although he’s not sure what he took, and won’t confirm that the frosted tips in his hair during the time between 2001-03 was a direct result of the roids, or that the fact he’d failed to obtain his loftiest goal of joining a boy band was the real cause for the tips, or for that matter the roids.

As someone who just wants to see this story go away, I’ll say this: Let’s move on from this “loosy-goosy culture” and just get back to playing the game. The reality now is HGH is still out there without a test, so I’m sure many players are operating on a don’t ask, don’t tell basis in the clubhouse with needles appearing only behind closed doors.

One fearless prediction: A-Rod will have his best season in ’09, having put this admission behind him. He may even be productive in the postseason, which my friend Brian will be shocked to see.

The only thing I’m interested in at this point when it comes to steroids is that Texas Rangers clubhouse. From the time Jose Canseco joined Texas partway through the 1992 season, that place was a cesspool of felonious activity!

Think about the players he played with in the following few seasons: Ivan Rodriguez, Rafael “I’ll point my finger wherever I want” Palmeiro, Juan Gonzalez and Julio “the ageless one” Franco to name a few.

Then A-Rod joins the fray in ’01 where Pudge Rodriguez is still there, Palmeiro has returned, as has Ruben Sierra. Ken Caminiti, who won the NL MVP in 1998, but later admitted to abusing steroids before dying at age 41 was there, too.

If the Rangers from ’92 through the start of actual testing in the big leagues in ’03 or ’04 are a microcosm for the rest of baseball, then no amount of cleansing agent is going to get it clean.

We can only hope the influx of new players, and the fact the league is testing now, can point things in the right direction.

The thing that stinks now, though, is that A-Rod still has nine-plus years remaining in the league. This isn’t a group of on-their-way-out of the league guys who we can just close the door on and forget about.

This is an A-bomb from A-Rod! And not the kind that play-by-play man John Sterling screams about as the ball leaves the park.

Submit comments about this or other topics by clicking the “Comment” link under the headline.

It didn’t have much affect on the sports world when the news came across the board Sunday, but I sat up and took notice.

Sean Casey, a Cincinnati Red for eight years, retired over the weekend at just 33-years of age. Casey hit .322 in limited duty for the Boston Red Sox last season, proving, in my opinion, that he would’ve been better served playing every day for a Kansas City or Toronto.

Casey is known throughout baseball as “The Mayor” and it’s not an act. Sometimes when folks refer to Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel as “Senator Tressel” I wonder how sincere they’re being, but anybody who even got to watch Casey interact with others on the field knew “The Mayor” was apt.

Sean Casey

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to be around Casey a few times during his time with the Reds.

In the late summer of 1998, the season he was traded to Cincinnati from Cleveland, my grandparents and I traveled to Chicago to attend a game at Wrigley Field. Casey and other young Reds like Aaron Boone took some time to talk to a few fans gathered near the dugout, and Casey signed a baseball and chatted me up for a few minutes.

That Christmas, my grandpa presented me with a great gift, a blown up version of a picture he took of Casey as he stood near the dugout railing talking to me. The shot was framed and you could see the backdrop of Wrigley beyond the young Casey.

That was my sophomore year of college at Ohio State, and when the Reds Caravan came through town, I had an opportunity to meet up with my new favorite player again — as mentioned, Casey came from the Indians, but he’d only played in 10 big league games in ’97. He suffered an injury to his eye early in the season when a thrown ball during batting practice struck him in the face, but Reds fans quickly gravitated to him.

The Reds were guests at a luncheon at the Columbus Rotary Club, and it was announced in the paper and on the internet where they’d be, but it turned out the event was for members and “guests” only. A kind member quickly sponsored me and there I was, in a room of dignitaries looking up to a dais that featured a few other players, announcer Marty Brennaman and Casey.

Casey talked about his first season with the team and how he looked forward to being the everyday first sacker in the future. Afterward I showed him the picture, removed it from the frame and he graciously signed it. He was genuinely impressed with the shot, knowing immediately it wasn’t just some cheap picture you could find in a card shop. Other guests at the luncheon inquired as to whether I was selling copies of the picture, which no doubt impressed my grandpa when I told him about it later.

What was most memorable, though, wasn’t the fact he signed the picture, but that he took a genuine interest in me. He asked about college — he played for the University of Richmond — and about the football team, girls, etc. He even imparted a story about his laundry piling up at school while he waited on his mom to be around to help him out.

He walked with me out of the building and toward the tour bus, but didn’t at all seem like he was in a hurry to get going. In fact, Brennaman had to hurry him along from the step of the bus.

I interviewed him a few years later as a member of the media, and while I’m sure he didn’t remember me from that day, he treated me like he did everyone else, with class and as if he had known me for years.

He didn’t turn into the batting champ former Reds manager Jack McKeon predicted he’d be, and he never hit for the power a lot of people in Cincinnati would’ve liked a first baseman to hit, but he was consistent and if you needed any kind of hit, he could get it for you.

His best year had to be ’99, when he and the Reds took us fans on a magic ride that included everything but the exclamation point. That season he hit .332, with 25 home runs, 99 RBI and 100 runs. He clubbed 197 hits, the most any Reds player has in years.

A close second had to be 2004, when he hit .324, with 24 home runs and 99 RBI. In an era when hitters strike out all the time, he only went down swinging 36 times in ’04, and had an on base average of .381.

Casey played in a World Series for Detroit in ’06, but the Tigers fell to St. Louis.

As mentioned, that ’99 season was amazing all the way around, and he was the centerpiece of the younger faction of that team.

Barry Larkin was the captain, and Greg Vaughn was a huge clubhouse leader, but Casey, Pokey Reese, Aaron Boone, Dmitri Young, Mike Cameron, Danny Graves and Scott Williamson made up a nucleus of young talent that was really ahead of schedule.

Despite loving very minute of the ’90 World Series team, I was only 11-years old that year, and I followed the ’95 squad every day, but going to games wasn’t as big an option as I was still in high school.

The ’99 season included a lot of shared experiences with a lot of people, including my Grandpa, but also my roommate Randy, who also loved the team, and eventually, the CPA, whom I started dating just as the pennant race heated up.

We attended a game in late September that was pivotal in the race with the Astros for the division, one which the Reds won over the Cardinals in 11 innings on a Reese home run. I twirled the CPA around and we were dancing in the aisles!

That season ended in a one-game playoff against the Mets, and as history says, the Reds couldn’t harness the magic of that year, when they won 96 games and didn’t make the playoffs — the ’90 team won only 91 — in the coming seasons.

Casey will be seen on the newly formed MLB Network, alongside Larkin, this season, but I’m hoping he’ll eventually become a fixture in the Reds front office.

The Super Bowl

Conference Championship Results

Seth 2-0
Kara 2-0
Crazed Wolverine 2-0
The CPA 1-1
JMB 1-1
Big Game 1-1
Grandpa 1-1
Brian 1-1
Adman 1-1

Overall Playoff Standings

Crazed Wolverine 5-5
Adman 5-5
JMB 5-5
Kara 4-6
Brian 3-3
Big Game 3-3
Seth 3-7
The CPA 3-7
Grandpa 3-7
Jeremiah 2-6
Randy 1-3

Super Bowl

Make your pick, with the overall points and we’ll determine a winner. Looks like only a handful of people are capable of getting it done.

For parity-sake please don’t let Adman win!

Arizona vs. Pittsburgh Pts.______

Make your picks by using the “Comments” section under the headline.

Many questions will be answered this week, like:

Will the Bengals have a better record than the Browns?
Can the Lions reach imperfection?
How else can the Cowboys screw up?
Will the dreaded tie actually help the Eagles back into the playoffs?
Can Adman avoid a total collapse and win the seth’s50centers.com bowl?

No Thursday or Saturday games this week, so make sure you get the picks in by Sunday.

Crazed Wolverine 11-5 (plus 1 for winning the week)
Adman 9-7
mary the nurse 9-7
Howard 9-7
Kara 8-8
bermuda funk 8-8
Brian 8-8
Grandpa 8-8
gatorbuckeye 8-8
Jack 10 8-8
Jessica 8-8
Seth 7-9
tgd 7-9
The CPA 7-9
Jeremiah 7-9
JMB 7-9
Big Game 6-10
nora peanut 5-11

Overall standings

Adman 157-82 (plus 1)
The CPA 152-87
Howard 151-88 (plus 1)
Brian 150-89
Seth 149-90
Kara 147-92 (plus 2)
gatorbuckeye 147-92 (plus 1)
Big Game 146-93 (plus 2)
Jessica 144-95
Crazed Wolverine 139-100 (plus 2)
JMB 137-69 (plus 2)
Jack 10 137-102 (plus 1)
mary the nurse 133-106
bermuda funk 132-91
Grandpa 129-79 (plus 1)
nora peanut 123-116
Jeremiah 118-77 (plus 1)
tom s 110-67 (plus 1)
tgd 109-73 (plus 1)
Steve-o 76-69
Nick 47-39
tgm 20-12
Randy 9-7

NFL Week Seventeen

St. Louis (2-13) at Atlanta (10-5)
New England (10-5) at Buffalo (7-8)
Kansas City (2-13) at Cincinnati (3-11-1)
Detroit (0-15) at Green Bay (5-10)
Tennessee (13-2) at Indianapolis (11-4)
NY Giants (12-3) at Minnesota (9-6)
Carolina (11-4) at New Orleans (8-7)
Cleveland (4-11) at Pittsburgh (11-4)
Oakland (4-11) at Tampa Bay (9-6)
Chicago (9-6) at Houston (7-8)
Washington (8-7) at San Francisco (6-9)
Jacksonville (5-10) at Baltimore (10-5)
Miami (10-5) at NY Jets (9-6)
Dallas (9-6) at Philadelphia (8-6-1)
Seattle (4-11) at Arizona (8-7)
Denver (8-7) at San Diego (7-8) Pts._____

Make your picks by using the “Comments” section under the headline.

Nationally, this tie is being viewed as the Eagles’ ineptitude given the ease with which many thought they’d beat the Bengals, but nobody reeks of ineptitude like those silly Bengals!

This one was ugly, to be sure, but the Bengals’ defense played so well it deserved a much better fate.

My friend Jeff was in the man cave watching with us and he made a comment about next season, if and when Carson Palmer is back, when the offense gets it together we should be OK given the improvements on defense.

Normally, that statement would be right on, but the Bengals aren’t normal! They’ve proven each and every season that if it’s not one thing, it’s quite literally another.

I’m sure if both the offense and defense got it together they’d set some sort of record for kickoff and punt returns against for touchdowns!

NFL Picks

We’ll count the tie as a big fat nothing, although feel free to choose “tie” for any game in the future. I bet you’d be the only one if and when it happens again!

Adman responded to having company in the overall lead with a vicious right cross, knocking me from first place with a 13-win week, edging Kara via the overall points choice of 41 — it was a 29-27 Browns win.

Adman 13-2 (plus 1 for winning the week)
Kara 13-2
tgd 12-3
tom s 12-3
Howard 11-4
Steve-o 11-4
gatorbuckeye 11-4
Jack 10 11-4
Jeremiah 11-4
Grandpa 11-4
JMB 11-4
Jessica 11-4
bermuda funk 11-4
The CPA 10-5
Seth 10-5
Brian 10-5
Big Game 10-5
mary the nurse 9-6
Crazed Wolverine 8-7
nora peanut 7-8

Overall Standings

Adman 106-53 (plus 1)
Seth 103-56
Howard 102-57 (plus 1)
The CPA 102-57
Brian 101-58
Big Game 100-59 (plus 1)
Kara 99-60 (plus 2)
JMB 97-46 (plus 2)
gatorbuckeye 97-62 (plus 1)
bermuda funk 97-62
Jessica 93-66
Crazed Wolverine 90-69 (plus 1)
tom s 89-56 (plus 1)
mary the nurse 88-71
nora peanut 86-73
Jack 10 86-73
Grandpa 78-50 (plus 1)
Steve-o 76-69
Jeremiah 71-44
tgd 67-45
Nick 47-39
Randy 9-7

NFL Week Twelve

Cincinnati (1-8-1) at Pittsburgh (7-3)
Houston (3-7) at Cleveland (4-6)
San Francisco (3-7) at Dallas (6-4)
Tampa Bay (7-3) at Detroit (0-10)
NY Jets (7-3) at Tennessee (10-0)
Buffalo (5-5) at Kansas City (1-9)
Chicago (5-5) at St. Louis (2-8)
New England (6-4) at Miami (6-4)
Minnesota (5-5) at Jacksonville (4-6)
Philadelphia (5-4-1) at Baltimore (6-4)
Oakland (2-8) at Denver (6-4)
Carolina (8-2) at Atlanta (6-4)
NY Giants (9-1) at Arizona (7-3)
Washington (6-4) at Seattle (2-8)
Indianapolis (6-4) at San Diego (4-6)
Green Bay (5-5) at New Orleans (5-5) Pts.______

Make your picks by using the “Comments” section under the headline.

It’s a hodge-podge of schools, most of them competitive, with perspective coming from students at the school, alumni, those who live in the area, or simply those who’re a little out of place living in enemy territory.

I just got some thoughts on the Georgia Tech football team from cousin Becky and her friends in Atlanta:

Out with the old and in with the new! With Georgia Tech’s firing of Chan Gailey and subsequent hiring of Navy’s Pat Johnson last spring, the Yellow Jackets have committed to some major changes.

No changes are as obvious as those on offense. Gailey’s pro-style offense has been replaced by Johnson’s triple option offense. Although sophomore quarterback Josh Nesbitt is the perfect fit for this offense, it will take time for the team to completely understand the system and for Nesbitt to consistently make correct decisions.

After many fumble-prone practices this spring and summer, if the offense is able to maintain possession of the football, the defense is strong enough to keep the Yellow Jackets in the game, thanks to returning sack leader Michael Johnson (DE) and returning tackle leader Morgan Burnett (safety).

A major factor working against Georgia Tech this year is the schedule. Their road schedule is brutal and features ACC contenders Boston College, Virginia Tech, Clemson, and North Carolina as well as intrastate rival and preseason No. 1 Georgia. Conversely, Tech’s home schedule includes more favorable games against Jacksonville State, Gardner-Webb, Duke, Miami and Virginia.

The Yellow Jackets look poised to use this season as a stepping stone to many strong years with Pat Johnson at the helm.

Game day experience: It’s never a bad day in the South on game day, as temperatures remain mild (if you’re from the North) throughout the season. Grills and yard games populate the campus as a strong alumni presence descends on the area to re-live their glory days. Playing in a city offers the unique experience of watching football with the Atlanta skyline providing the back-drop.

Matt’s OSU thoughts

I see this team with more talent than any other I’ve followed as a Buckeye!

That doesn’t always mean taking the title. I can be quite the pessimist at times when it comes to my sports teams. I’ve got a different light, a different feeling about this bunch.

IF and WHEN they win in the Coliseum, it will propel them through an undefeated season (with scares @MSU, @ Wisky and a home “holy buckeye” type moment). Beanie battles Tebow for the Heisman, and the Buckeyes and Gators meet again, this time in Miami!

It should be a fun ride buddy. Hopefully we stay healthy and have a ride to remember!

GO BUCKS!

Diesel’s 2008 fall preview

The Ohio State defense will set the tone this year. Expect many 3 & outs, many turnovers, and many eye-popping moments (a possible castration may be in the works for Joe McKnight as well, accidental of course). Improved motion on defense as well as overall communication will lead to a more sound group. Look for Donald Washington to do something really stupid and have to sit out for the Michigan game.

Obviously we will see new formations as we exploit the talents of Saine and Pryor. The first play Pryor is in the game against USC will be a direct snap to Saine. Look for Sanzenbacher to become a terrific third option with Devier Posey not too far behind.

At least 3 games will be decided by a field goal or less, and neither of these will be USC or Illinois.
Whoever becomes the starting Right Tackle and Fullback will not matter a whole lot. They will be successful whoever Tressel puts in there.

Fourth quarter has to be Beanie Time, not Boeckman throw interceptions and (throw) away opportunity after opportunity time. I cannot emphasize this enough, POUND POUND POUND the ball. If he has to carry 20 times on a drive, POUND the ball and chew up the clock in the fourth.

My wild prediction for the Buckeyes will be a perfect season capped with a national title in Miami. As far as the opponent, probably whoever wins the Big 12 or Big East will play the Buckeyes.

Most overrated team in the top 5: Florida (Capital One Bowl…nuf said).

Former Buckeye who tries too hard to not show bias to the Buckeyes by never giving them credit for anything: Kirk Herbstreit.

Most underrated team in the Big Ten: Michigan State

Conference Champion Predictions:
Big Ten: Ohio State
Pac-10: USC (does anybody else field a decent team in the Pac-10, we can start calling it the Pac-1)
Big-12: Oklahoma
SEC: LSU
Big East: West Virginia
ACC: Clemson

Expect great things from our team, as I noted above, this will be a tremendously fun year, and win or lose, our guys set a great example for the sport, for the school, and for themselves, I am so proud to be a Buckeye!!!

- Diesel

Gator Mike with some Buckeye love

This Gator-Buckeye’s crystal ball reveals a rematch

First, full but brief disclosure – I’ve got deep ties to and a genuine love for UF and OSU. Pretty rare, but true. It will be harder for Florida to pull this off, but it also plays into my rationale for the winner of the BCS National Championship Jan. 8 in Miami.

A long-time columnist with the Gainesville Sun calls this Florida football season the most important in Urban Meyer’s head coaching career. Pat Dooley’s reasoning stems from the idea that a solid season will help maintain the momentum Meyer has right now, especially when compared to Free Shoes…I mean Florida State and Miami, the other programs in the state’s so-called Big 3. I tend to disagree because that momentum extends beyond the football field.

Meyer – like Jim Tressel at Ohio State – has ultimate job security. Barring some bizarre event or NCAA violation, Meyer and Tressel can stay as long at they wish. Sure they win games. Both coaches inherited programs that were underachieving, and won national titles in their second year in charge. But they also emphasized the traditions of the schools and keenly built some of their own. Many are similar.

Both coaches have their teams walk to the stadium in the middle of fans before home games. Both coaches have their teams sing with the band after games. Both coaches make a sincere effort to get to know their players off the field, and they make sure the players know each other. That closeness often translates to a competitive group on gameday and can make the difference in those games that often come down to who wants it more.

How similar Meyer and Tressel are in how they run their programs has to be attributed to one key mentor they both have in common – Earle Bruce, who coincidentally and appropriately can be seen choking my brother-in-law in a picture accompanying the Meeeshigan report (below). I still owe the CPA’s brother for the Wolverines whipping the Gators in last year’s bowl game. Still not sure I’m over that one, but it just proves that when a team hears for more than a month how they don’t belong on the same field with their opponent (Michigan with Florida, Florida with OSU), the disrespected team enters the game like Rocky Balboa in the second fight against Clubber Lang. I’m not sure why that didn’t work for the Buckeyes against LSU, but that’s not important right now.

I know Buckeye fans and Big Ten backers have grown weary of all this talk about the SEC being so much better than other conferences. But just look at the coaches in SEC. Based on their credentials alone, not necessarily their reputation as human beings, you have to be impressed with that bunch. Pat Forde’s recent column notes that five SEC coaches have national championship rings. The conference includes Fulmer, Saban, Miles, Richt, Petrino and that former Gator Spurrier – who someone out there reading this has referred to as Steve Superior, Darth Visor or maybe something unfit for print. I miss Steve, and it’s still strange seeing him throw a visor with a different logo – but it doesn’t get any better than Meyer or Tressel.

But Buckeye fans, can you imagine three Michigan-like games in one season. That’s essentially what you have with Florida in Tennessee, Georgia and FSU. Now I say Michigan-like because no game can match the rivalry and intensity of the game, but the Gators have three that are nearly equal to that even before you mention Auburn and LSU.

Now, I’m not making excuses or complaining. I love these games. It makes the season more exciting. Are those teams stellar every year – no. But like any rival, the records are irrelevant. So Florida will lose one of those games this season. I think it’s Tennessee – the third game on the schedule. The Buckeyes too will lose their third game of the year at USC. Then Florida and Ohio State will win the rest of their games leading up to their rematch in Miami, where the Buckeyes beat Florida in a game that goes into 6 overtimes – one for each year since the overtime fun the Buckeyes had the last time they won a title. This also prompts the NCAA to dump this ridiculous overtime rule and makes Tressel admit that maybe some good things do happen after 10pm.

Seriously, I see OSU doing with Todd Boeckman and Terrelle Pryor what Florida did with Chris Leak and Tim Tebow. And because this will be the third straight title game for the Buckeyes, they will be so ridiculed by every analyst and every column that Tressel will come out with another edition of his winner’s manual featuring the opinions as motivation.

Some quick thoughts on why Florida will be good and isn’t overrated:

The offense returns seven starters, including Heisman winner Tim Tebow. An eighth and big-time team leader TE Cornelius Ingram was lost for the year to injury. Percy Harvin – the Ted Ginn of Florida – continues to battle injuries. Harvin led the team in receptions and receiving yards as a sophomore last season and also ran for another 764 rushing yards. So his health remains critical down the stretch, but Tebow makes the difference. Still, there’s no way the Orange and Blue version of Superman can duplicate what he did last year, and he won’t have to because the backfield is much better this year. Whereas Tebow led the team in rushing a year ago with nearly 900 yards, Meyer expects that production from Kestahn Moore and USC transfer Emmanuel Moody. Speedster Chris Rainey will likely be used in the Harvin role until Percy recovers. Good depth on the line, so Tebow should have plenty of time to throw. As for Tebow’s Heisman hopes, I like his chances more if he returns for a senior season next year, and there’s no reason he won’t come back.

The defense – Eight starters back as well, and the corners that Michigan exposed in the bowl game have improved according to Meyer’s assessment. Linebackers are solid led by Brandon Spikes, though he will miss the opener. Meyer has raved about the improvement on the defensive line too. Hawaii will be a nice test to see how better this defense is.

Special teams – Returner Brandon James truly is a game-changer. Florida’s freshman kicker will boot a 60-yard or more field goal sometime during the season.

The CPA’s brother’s (we’ll leave his name out of this for his safety) thoughts on that school up north

Below is a picture of the CPA’s brother being a handful for former OSU coach Earle Bruce.

Way to go Earle!

As a longtime reader and first-time guest blogger, I invite you to read with the same passion you have for your Buckeyes!

The 2008 Football Season will truly test the Michigan motto of “Those who stay will be Champions!” Not since 1969 has there truly been a season of doubts in Ann Arbor among the faithful. Rich Rodriguez brings a new aggressive style to Ann Arbor, one much needed from this fans vision. With little Michigan returning starters (4 on offensive and 8 on defensive); Michigan team is young and inexperienced….but that does not mean they are not hungry and dangerous. Michigan has very tough road games in South Bend, State College, West Lafayette and of course Columbus. Notre Dame, Penn State and Purdue all must be salivating at thought of sticking it to Wolverines; who for years have dominated these games. Joe Pa, Joe Tiller and Charlie Weiss all must be having a secret conference call on the terror they want to unleash on the young Wolverines. Before you place a W in your column…lets review the Michigan Wolverines.

Offense
Steven Threet seems to be odd favorite to be the next Michigan Quarterback, redshirt Sophomore transfer from Georgia Tech and local Michigan product is a good fit for this team. Much is made about the graduation of Henne and transfer of Mallet, but any quarterback on the Michigan team was going to have to learn a new offensive, so why not a High School Valedictorian. Watch out for True Florida HS Justin Feagin to get some snaps as well. He is Pat White model that Rodriguez is looking for the future. Running back is stocked as usual with Brandon Minor, Carlos Brown and newcomer Sam McGuffie (Texas); who from my sources in Dallas, Texas area is going to really help this Michigan team immediately. Mack Brown was very disappointed to hear the Mr. McGuffie signed with Wolverines in February! Wide receiver is one of two key spots for offensive team…..Greg Matthews continues in his possession receiver position and we all know how key this spot is for an offensive. Expect sophomore Junior Hemingway and junior LaTerryal Savoy to line up in the three wideout set on offense. Both are relatively inexperienced…but are big tall, fast receivers and saw action on special teams all of last year. Offensive line is the final key to this offensive team…..with only Steve Schilling as a returning starter…this is the biggest key to 2008, but also the deepest position on the team. This is one reason Michigan spent $1M in upgrading the seight room in Schembechler Hall. Michigan will be quicker and stronger in 2008. Expect Juniors Mark Ortmann, Tim McAvoy, David Moosman and Cory Zirbel to complete a quick O-line for the Wolverines in 2008.

Defense
This is the strength of the 2008 team. Eight of the 11 starters return on this team….yes, the defense was not exactly a strong part of 2007…but with lumps come experience and 2007 saw a lot of lumps. It is 2008 and Michigan returns Morgan Trent and Donovan Warren at CBs, Brandon Harrison at FS, Obi Ezeh at ILB and DTs Terrance Taylor, Will Johnson and DEs Tim Jamison and Brandon Graham. Expect Steve Brown to take the field at SS and at OLBs, John Thompson and Austin Panter, both 5th year seniors. The Michigan offseason saw the new coaching staff strengthen this team and increase the endurance of the defense. I firmly believe this defense will steal 2-3 games for Michigan in 2008. Mark my words…don’t sleep on this defense.

Schedule
Michigan kicks off the 2008 season with a contest against Utah in the construction at the Big House, followed by a visit from Miami of Ohio before the trip to South Bend. Then the Big Ten conference begins. Most of the answers of this Michigan team will be answered before 7pm on August 30th….so tune in to ABC and witness the new Era of Michigan Football. I am excited and eager to engage in the most passionate sport among fans that I know! Go BLUE!

Predictions
I am fan of Michigan, but also am not an idiot….Michigan needed this change, (much like the changes to Big House) to continue the tradition of the all time Victories (869) and Winning percentage (77.45%) for NCAA Football. However, I do see bumps in the road in 2008 to the delight of several of my family, friends and neighbors….how soon we forget the past!!! But, this Michigan team is bowl bound with 8-4 or 7-5 record. I know that is shocking….but come on….this is not Notre Dame!!!!!!!

Warm up the band……Hail to Victors Valiant….Hail to the Conquering Heroes…Hail Hail to Michigan….the Leaders and best…………

- The CPA’s brother

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Please send your predictions/thoughts my way by clicking the “Contact” button at the top of this page.

Ohio State, to the shock and horror of the rest of the country, is poised to have another monster season. With less than a handful of starters missing from a year ago, not to mention an exciting game at USC Sept. 13, it could be a fun year.

Let’s start up front on the offense. Seniors Alex Boone and Steve Rehring, the left tackle and guard, are as good as it gets on the left side of your line. Jimmy Cordle, his new haircut aside, is as fine a center as we’ve had, including Nick Mangold, which is saying a ton since Mangold forced himself into the lineup as early as his freshman season (that year we won it all in the desert).

The team entered camp with senior Ben Person and sophomore Bryant Browning at right guard and tackle. I doubt much will change there unless prized recruit from Dublin Coffman Mike Adams overcomes a shoulder injury to push for time. Senior Kyle Mitchum, who has never really lived up to his potential, is hurt right now, but could play some later…sophomore Connor Smith is listed as a backup at right guard. They have a lot of guys, which is a good thing. The O-line should be a positive with Kirk Barton being the only real loss to graduation.

Everywhere else on the offense is loaded, I mean loaded, but Brian Robiskie has been seen with a sling of late…should be ready by the first game according to Tressel. Junior Brian Hartline is a great No. 2 and sophomore Taurian Washington could make a splash. Not that this matters, but junior Ray Small is really fast on NCAA Football 09, I mean Ted Ginn fast, but he’s in Tressel’s dog house — see the fact he made Small switch to No. 82 in the spring and even now from his old No. 4 — but as a returner and receiver, if he could help out I’m sure he’ll be front and center. Some people were really encouraged by Dane Sanzenbacher’s play early last year. It was cool seeing a little guy catch a TD in the ‘Shoe, but I really don’t look for him to make a huge impact. I think it’s Robiskie, Hartline, Small and Washington and that’s about it as far as major impact.

Here’s how we get to the “how could I bury the lead” portion of the story. Chris “Beanie” Wells will win the Heisman Trophy IF and only IF he starts fast. Last year he really struggled against Youngstown and Akron, maybe even later than that. It wasn’t until Tressel publicly challenged his toughness that he really started steamrolling people. 967 of his 1,609 yards came in the final six games, and those were the toughest defenses they faced all year. He had 146 in the title game, most of that before halftime when, of course we had to start passing it. If he gets 16 carries again against Y-town, he’d better not have just 46 yards! But think what he can do if he puts up huge numbers against the Penguins, OU, Troy, etc. He won’t play much in the second half if those games go to plan, but he has to do better with the carries he does get. And I think he will. We don’t want someone to win back-to-back Heismans unless it’s another Buckeye, right?

Fullback is kind of a plug in position in Tressel’s offense so it’s not a big deal that Dionte Johnson and Stan White are gone. Rory Nicol and Jake Ballard are both back at tight end. Look for us to use those guys a little more considering the fact LSU gashed us with the tight end up the middle.

Now to QB. Boeckman faltered worse than Derek Anderson at the end of last year (sorry Browns fans). A guy I work with questions his arm strength and after defending him through much of last season I had a hard time questioning it later. I suppose nerves could’ve been more a part of it, or even the wet ball in Ann Arbor. It’s a debate we hopefully won’t have to have because hopefully he’ll be just fine this year, but do great receivers cover up for enough poor passes by leaping in the air that it can give you a false confidence in a QB?

On to Terrelle Pryor. He’ll play, don’t worry about that, but Joe Bauserman is listed as the second string QB, and probably for good reason. Pryor will come in and play in change-of-pace situations, probably scrambling around and making plays. The Tim Tebow comparisons are apt, but where Tebow is a bruiser, I’d say Pryor is more elusive. Tressel was raving about his speed the other day, something he normally doesn’t do about a freshman in preseason camp. Some of the players are excited about his ability to throw on the run, like Troy Smith. Pryor has a long way to go to be the leader Smith was, and I have to see his arm to know if he is capable of some of the things Troy did, but he has six inches on Troy and is supposedly a lot faster.

DEFENSE

I don’t know where there is a real problem on this side of the ball, but because the rest is so strong, you have to put a microscope to the interior line. Juniors Todd Denlinger and Doug Worthington (DUI aside) are listed as starters, but the line has gone deep ever since Florida State absolutely handed it to us in the 1998 Sugar Bowl, with a deep D-line. Senior Nader Abdallah and sophomore Dexter Larimore can get it done in there, too. I guess the problem is we just don’t know for sure that they can all get it done well enough. There aren’t any Tim Andersons, Mike Kudlas or Luke Fickells in this group, at least not yet. I like Larimore because of his wrestling background.

Yes, Vernon Gholstin had 14 sacks last year, and yes he was awesome, but remember Lawrence Wilson was the starter on the other side of the line in the first game before breaking his leg. That means he and Cameron Heyward, just a sophomore, are really returning starters. Throw in sophomore Thaddeus Gibson, who is undersized but really quick, and a hope that Robert Rose is finally healthy and ready to go, the outer edges are good to go.

James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman are the best two linebackers in the conference, with Laurinaitis possibly the best in the country. I like sophomore Ross Homan for the third starting spot, but junior Austin Spitler might have something to say about that. Senior Curtis Terry got moved to fullback, but is now back at LB, and sophomore Tyler Moeller is supposed to be OK. What’s happened at this position is guys who were expected to go pro early didn’t, creating extra depth, which is a good thing!

Senior Malcolm Jenkins is as good a lockdown corner as there is. My hope is the rest of the country realizes it and gives him credit. It usually takes a ton of interceptions to get recognized with the Thorpe Award, but he might not have many because QBs won’t throw his way as much…especially with junior Donald Washington in trouble…he’ll be suspended for the first two games, but he’ll be needed in the USC game. Sophomore Chimdi Chekwa is listed as the starter opposite Jenkins, and he did a fine job in nickel packages last year. I’d rather have him there again, so hopefully Washington has his act together.

I really like junior safety Anderson Russell. He’s hard-hitting and has speed. He’ll play pro ball. I’m not worried about him at all. Now to the other safety position. Junior Kurt Coleman is a big hitter, but that’s it. His coverage skills scare me, which is all the more reason we need Washington for USC and the rest of the year. His backup, senior Jamario O’Neal, never really panned out and is really someone who gets picked on by opposing QBs. He’s suspended at least the first game I believe, but if he’s in a game, hold your breath!

The kicking game isn’t in any trouble, except in one area. Trapasso is as good a punter as there is, and Pretorius and Pettrey are both good enough kickers. The spot that is scary is the long snapper. For the first time since I went to college (yeah, that long ago) long snapping was an issue last year. Sophomore Jake McQuaide snapped last year, but again it wasn’t so good. There’s a freshman from Grove City by the name of Gar Chappelear, who is being given the chance to win the job, and a scholarship, during camp. End of camp comes the winner gets the free ride!

PREDICTIONS

Okay, I see this season going one of two ways. First, the USC game really is important because an undefeated OSU team come BCS announcement time can’t be denied. A one-loss Buckeye bunch could be turned away because the rest of the country is sick of us!

So, either all these guys came back for their senior year to really get the job done, or like Michigan’s Henne, Hart and Long last year, they fold like a house of cards. The key in my opinion is that Michigan bunch didn’t have the winning pedigree this one does. These Buckeyes have seen success most teams dream of, up to the point of playing in that last game, yet they still have the hunger to win that game because they haven’t yet.

Another argument is that maybe these guys got full of themselves in the offeseason, decided they’re already good enough and didn’t work as hard. Only time will tell.

I say they could lose one game in the regular season, but if they beat USC the chances of that go down tremendously.

Another trip to the BCS title game, only this time it’s not against an SEC team. If it’s not USC (because it’d be really hard to beat them twice) I say we win this one, but the rest of the country won’t give us the respect if we beat an Oklahoma or Missouri or Arizona State for the title…because we still wouldn’t have beaten an SEC school and if it’s Oklahoma they’ve struggled more than us in the BCS lately.

But, if we win a title, do I care if SEC fan thinks his team’s schedule is tougher than ours in the league and we shouldn’t have been there in the first place? Nope, we’re national champs, baby! (plus, this is the first time in like 30-50 years that Georgia is leaving the south for a game!!! Don’t talk to me about our schedule!)

The NFL Draft seemed a bit down this year to me. I’m sure it had something to do with the fact Ohio State only had three players drafted, and only one in the first round, but the fact James Laurinaitis, Malcolm Jenkins, Alex Boone and Marcus Freeman all opted to stay in school another year. Laurinaitis would’ve easily been a top 10 pick and Jenkins and possibly Boone would’ve been in the first round. Freeman was rated around the third round just after bowl season. I’m ecstatic that those guys stayed in school, but it did make for a less attractive draft. I don’t think that was the only reason it was a bit of a down year, though. So many small schools had guys drafted I hadn’t really heard of, even in the early rounds, and there weren’t all that many can’t miss guys atop the board. Next year will prove to be an exciting time for OSU fans who like to see their players in the league. Players other than the aforementioned ones who likely will go pro include, Chris Wells, Brian Robiskie, Todd Boeckman and Steve Rehring,

The Cincinnati Bengals’ situation didn’t help my view of the draft. First, the cutting of oft-troubled wide receiver Chris Henry, and the negative actions of Chad Johnson, caused the team to have to go after multiple receivers in the draft. That should’ve been a position of strength, but it has turned into a position of need because of those two, hurting the team. Then Marvin Lewis and Co. takes a guy named Jason Shirley in the fifth round. Shirley had a DUI last year and was suspended multiple times by Fresno State, but the Bengals’ issues with character in the past didn’t scare Marvin from taking this guy anyway! Allan Cutler finishes every postgame following a Bengals win by saying “It’s a great day to be a Bengal,” well I’m not buying that today!

I’ve never seen a guy use the LEFT side of the infield in a hit and run situation like the Reds’ Jeff Keppinger. On two different occasions in the past few weeks there has been a situation where a runner on second bolts to third, or a runner on first runs to second, and Keppinger has slapped the ball through the left side. The first time he hit it where the third basemen had been before covering the bag, and the second time, Sunday at San Francisco, he hit it right where the shortstop had been before covering second. He’s a smart hitter and he’s earned a spot on my favorite team.

Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James has been criticized in the past for giving up the ball in key situations. I’ve been one of those who felt he should’ve taken the shot rather than give it off to Donyell Marshall or some other stiff on his team, but not Sunday. The difference? It was a tie game. James came up the floor in a 97-97 and when he saw the defense leave Delonte West to come double him he gave West the ball on the left wing. Of course it helps that West drained the three-pointer for the game winner, but I don’t think I would’ve been as critical anyway. If the Cavs were down in that situation then I’d want James to take the shot no matter what.

I went to Detroit’s Comerica Park with my friend Steve Friday night. The place is beautiful and I recommend it to anyone who likes touring ballparks like I do. I saw a few things that impressed me. First, I had been in the stadium in 2000, when it opened, but the fences in left field have been moved in since. I saw Dante Bichette struggle to get the ball to the wall in batting practice back then, but when Vladimir Guerrero hit one into the seats out there, over the new fence and the original one, in the game, I was impressed. I was also impressed with the crowd. It just goes to show that a team that wins – the Tigers went to the World Series in 2006 and competed well last season before picking up some solid hitters prior to this season – will draw well.

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Bob Knight, much like Super Bowl losing coach Bill Belichick, was an easy read. Either you liked him or hated him, but at times I felt a bit of each.

As a student at Ohio State, I was fully aware of Knight’s existence as a player off the bench in the golden age of OSU hoops — the Buckeyes won the 1960 national title and were runners-up the next two seasons as Knight joined classmates like John Havlicek and Jerry Lucas on the run.

Havlicek had his number retired at Ohio State, as did Lucas, and during a media session he made sure to mention that Knight wasn’t just the towel boy who sat the bench all the time. He said he had a solid game.

Knight obviously went on to become a much more well-known coach than player. He grabbed his first head coaching job at Army at the age of 24, went on to win three national titles at Indiana and won over 900 games.

He also threw a chair across the court, nearly got arrested at the Pan-Am games and allegedly choked Neil Reid on the court. He was fired for an altercation with an IU student.

My experience with Knight was exactly what you’d imagine, and I think back fondly to the day he yelled at me!

It was after an OSU win at the Schottenstein Center in 1999 that I got my first taste of Knight’s angry scowl. I was a sophomore calling the play-by-play on the student radio station and it was a great thrill for me to go down to the press room following each game to see the opposing team’s coach.

This was the first year in the new arena and the media was set up in a much smaller room than it uses now for post game press conferences. I stood against the back wall only about 20 or so feet away from the table where Knight sat. He made an opening statement and opened it up for questions.

Honestly, it felt like a lifetime and no one had a question for the coach of the team that just lost by nearly 20 points, so I went ahead and pulled one from under my hat!

OK, as a back story, Ohio State was a surprise team that year. After going 8-22 the year before, this team was beating teams up that had dominated it just a season earlier! So, I wanted to get this great OSU alum’s take on the remarkable turnaround of a team his Hoosiers had swept in three games the year before.

The question went something like, “Coach, were you surprised with the solid team play, specifically from the point guard, from the Buckeyes?”

Again, it felt like an eternity as he stared me down. You could hear the tape swirling in the video cameras it was so quiet.

“Let me ask you a question,” Knight said as he followed that with something like, “if I just said this is a team that did a really good job against us, don’t you think that means I was impressed by them?”

There wasn’t any swearing that I recall, and he didn’t really yell at me, but the entire room kind of just froze. Another token question or two and Knight was gone from the room as quickly as he’d entered.

As I stopped my tape recorder a few TV guys came over to make sure I was OK. Was I OK? I was great! The most outspoken coach ever to sit at a post game microphone had just laid into me! I thought it was one of the coolest things ever.

I still have that tape somewhere, but the last time I played it I remember it not being nearly as dramatic as it felt.

I think I’ll keep my memories of that fire-breathing man staring down at me in tact by not digging up that tape anytime soon!

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