Beanie

So at the beginning of the year I wrote a little something about one Chris "beanie" Wells and sited him as the big reason that Buckeye fans are excited about the year. I think Saturday pretty clearly showed why. Mike Hart rushed for all of 44 yards on the day in going 0-4 against Ohio State for his career and Beanie ran for 222 yards on 39 carries for 2 TD's in a 14-3 win. I would have to say that he lived up to the hype. That was just awesome. A cold gray rainy day in the midwest means plenty of running and low scoring football. Illustrating why Big Ten teams will recruit mammoth offensive linemen and D-lineman. The southern schools can get away with moving a linebacker to DE, a Safety to Linebacker, etc, etc and maximize team speed. (which is really where this whole southern speed myth really comes from. The SEC teams set up their defenses for speed and only speed. They don't have to deal with late season games in 40 degrees and rain.. or even snow. For that weather you need mudders, big plodding immovable objects, because speed is useless if you can't get the footing to run around the O-line. I really would love for a team line Miami, or LSU etc to make a trip up to Columbus in November. That would be a very eye opening experience for a lot of the SEC fans out there.

You know what really sucks though.. passing up on the NFL because you had unfinished business and needed to come back to beat your rival. And not only do you lose the first game of the season to a 1AA team, but you lose the first 2, then you end the season by losing the last 2 as well, including a home loss to the rival that you came back to beat. That really really sucks. It would really suck to be that guy, or in this case guys... and in plural.. ahhhh 3 losses in the big house in your senior year has to sting a bit.

I'm Back

I have basically been avoiding posting anything on here for fear of saying something to jinx the Buckeyes unexpected undefeated season. After Saturday, that is no longer a problem. That one sucked.. there have most assuredly been worse losses to take though.. That one wasn't fun, but the truth is they couldn't make a stop and deserved to lose.

Moving on from that, At the beginning of the year I was thinking something like 2-3 losses and a possible capital one bowl or an outside chance at a BCS bowl, so a win Saturday and a trip to the Rose would be great.. Better than great actually... depending on who comes back from the D, 08 could be a monster.. and that is really what I have been expecting all along. Here is hoping that Mr Laurinitus, Jenkins and Gholston all decide that they still have something to prove once it's all said and done.. I will say no more for fear of jinxing the game Saturday... Analysis is that no analysis is possible.. something unexpected will happen.. a play will occur that could go either way.. Mike Hart could get hurt again... or not.. Chad Henne could as well.. Beanie could do the same... it is a true toss up and I can't freaking wait.. Here's hoping my opinion of football is still high sometime around 3:30 Saturday afternoon.

Basketball season is starting finally as well.. and Duke looks different to say the least. playing 10-11 guys.. running and playing extra aggressive defense.. felt like I was watching a for real duke game last night for the first time in about 5 years. The recruiting is improving as well.. I mentioned some names that would tell the story on coach K's next few year several months back.. They were Greg Monroe (committed to G-town, big loss, but not the end of the world) who they missed on, but the good news is that the net has widened for 09.. they aren't targeting just 3 guys and hoping for the best anymore. The 08 class got Elliot Williams (another name I mentioned and he will be a MASSIVE addition as far as a super athletic guard) and another athlete in the Polish kid from Reno (apparently 6'8 240ish with a 40+ vert.) not bad at all.. and like I said 09 is looking better good. The rumors of Duke's downfall were vastly overrated. I'm just happy to finally be able to enjoy watching their games again... less walking the ball up, more high pressure, less 35+minutes a game for the backcourt, fresher legs, more athletes. About damn time.