To all 4 of you who actually read this blog on a regular basis, sorry for the extended absence of fresh material from my brain. Been a busy few months, what with weddings, weekend trips, winning club championships, and joining my first fantasy football league (I'm gonna get rolled).
I'm gonna take the time today to discuss my Alma Mater, and how I see the season progressing, on a game by game breakdown of the Buckeyes' schedule. I will be attending this weekend's game against MAC powerhouse, Akron. Thanks Alumni Lottery, how did you know that I really wanted the Akron game? What a waste of $150.
Anyway, here we go...
Akron- Sept. 3
One of the 2-3 cupcake games that OSU puts on the schedule every year. A little more than a glorified practice. Buckeyes Record: 1-0
Toledo- Sept. 10
The cupcake games I just referenced...you guessed it, here is #2. Buckeyes Record: 2-0
@ Miami (FL.)- Sept. 17
The Battle of the Broken Programs. With all of the offseason issues both of these programs have faced, it will be interesting to see how each one comes out and plays (Miami only plays at Maryland prior to the OSU game, and should be prepared, but with what players remains unknown.) Ohio State will have yet to face a formidable opponent, but I think Ohio State still is victorious, and the QB debate has been solidified after this game. Buckeyes Record: 3-0
Colorado- Sept. 24
Don't know much about the Buffaloes. It's a home game though, and for that reason alone, I see OSU being victorious against a mid to bottom level Pac-12 opponent. Buckeyes Record: 4-0
Michigan State- Oct. 1
Michigan State is much improved from previous years. With their success last year (winning a share of the Big Ten Title, New Year's Day bowl), they are riding a high right now under the direction of former OSU assistant Mark Dantonio. Michigan State has not played well in Ohio Stadium though, and although the game may be tighter than some in the recent past, Ohio State holds on thanks to the defense.
Buckeyes Record: 5-0
@ Nebraska- Oct. 8
All of the suspended players who made a promise to remain at Ohio State and not leave like a pussy will be back for this game, the largest of the season up to this point.. It's not gonna matter. Nebraska, in a night game, will prevail, handing Ohio State their first loss of the season. Buckeyes Record: 5-1
@ Illinois- Oct. 15
The Fighting Illini always seem to bring their best when they are facing Ohio State. My senior year, they delivered a loss to OSU at home that would have sent them tumbling from the National Championship picture in their second to last game of the season, but divine intervention stepped in and allowed us to lose our second straight National Title game. Awesome. Anyway, OSU is bigger, and wins in a tight one. That's what she said. Buckeyes Record: 6-1
Wisconsin- Oct. 29
This game will decide whether Ohio State plays in the first ever Big Ten Championship game in Indianapolis on Dec. 3.
Coming off a Bye Week will be the saving grace for Luke's boys. Wisconsin travels to Michigan State the week before for a night game, and then comes to Columbus for another away, night game. With all the success that we had against Michigan over my tenure as a student, I really developed a hatred for Wisconsin. I even hate the dumbass "W" their band has on their unis. Over the last 4 meetings, we are 2-2 with the Badgers. Anyway, as I said earlier, the home field advantage proves important, as does the week of rest. Buckeyes prevail. Buckeyes Record: 7-1
Indiana- Nov. 5
It's Indiana....Buckeyes win. Buckeyes Record: 8-1
@ Purdue- Nov. 12
Another middle of the pack Big Ten team that Ohio State should have no problem dispatching.
Buckeyes Record: 8-1
Penn State- Nov. 19
If Penn State had a QB from the get go that they trusted, I could see this being a difficult game, but with all the issues surrounding a Penn State team that has only had a tie of a Big Ten title twice in the last 15 years, I don't see this game being a problem. Buckeyes Record: 9-1
@Michigan- Nov. 26
This will be one of the closest games in the rivalry since the 2006 1 vs. 2 matchup in Columbus. I could see Ohio State losing this game, but for the sake of this prediction, I am going to say they prevail, and continue their streak of victories over the Team from Up North to 8 (although the records will not show such a streak due to the vacating of all of 2010's victories).
I see Ohio State playing Nebraska again in the Big Ten Championship game, and unfortunately losing to them. I just hope to see a season of good games with some success for Luke Fickell after he has been thrust into this position where people all expect him to fail. Enjoy the games, everybody.
Cheers,
Bobbaganoosh
