This is some next-level trolling. This is a sign at the Indians game today against the Detroit Tigers.

4 hours ago, KJP said:

This is some next-level trolling. This is a sign at the Indians game today against the Detroit Tigers.

 

That is not trolling.  That is pure Shade!   

Maybe they're trying to get TTUN hyped to beat OSU

Finally had a look at the schedule for this year.

 

Cincinnati should be a tough game because they'll be at peak enthusiasm and motivation, but even if we win it, it won't give us the kind of rankings points we got when we had early-season matchups against Texas and USC back at their last-decade peaks.  Even West Virginia has turned into a pretty solid program.  Kind of wish we'd schedule another at least mid-tier opponent in the non-league games.  Needless to say, if we lose to Florida Atlantic in the season opener, that an Appalachian State-level collapse.

 

Big Ten looks disturbingly weak this year and I hope some of our league opponents win some big nonconference games in the early season.  It's a bit of a new world when Wisconsin and Michigan State are unranked, even though Penn State's reemergence is good for the conference (and obviously good for us if we get the win at home.  Still waiting for Nebraska to have a similar revival; we play them at their place in Week 5, but they play no ranked teams before us (Colorado and Illinois are their biggest challenges--meh).

 

Unfortunately, it looks like a lot of games that could be landmines for us and not that many that really give us a chance at standout, playoff-case-making-even-with-a-loss wins.  We run the table or we're out, most likely.

8 minutes ago, Gramarye said:

 Appalachian State-level collapse.

 

 

 

Forever a part of the OSU lexicon

There was some news from the Buckeyes training camp today -- but before that gets posted, here's fifth-year senior long snapper Liam McCullough arriving at the training camp check-in earlier this month.  McCullough brought a five-year t-shirt series to completion by wearing a t-shirt that features himself checking into camp in 2018 wearing a shirt featuring himself checking into camp in 2017 wearing a shirt featuring himself checking into camp in 2016 wearing a shirt featuring himself checking into champ in 2015.

 

That's a total of four Liam McCullough's on a t-shirt worn by one real-life Liam McCullough for the 2019 check-in (image below).  Although this brings Liam McCullough's t-shirt series to an end, his younger brother Roen – a true freshman this season and also a long snapper – says he will take up the torch and keep this tradition alive in 2020(!)

 

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019/08/105729/liam-mccullough-rocks-his-famous-inception-t-shirt-to-his-final-camp-check-in

 

 

Ohio State officially named its captains today for the 2019 season:  

 

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019/08/105982/ohio-state-names-its-captains-for-the-2019-season

https://247sports.com/college/ohio-state/Article/Ohio-State-Buckeyes-football-names-2019-captains-134570714/

• junior defensive end Chase Young
• senior safety Jordan Fuller (returning captain from 2018)
• fifth-year senior wide receiver K.J. Hill
• senior defensive end Jonathon Cooper
• fifth-year senior wide receiver C.J. Saunders
• junior running back J.K. Dobbins
• fourth-year junior middle linebacker Tuf Borland (returning captain from 2018)

 

And also announced today (to the surprise of no one) Coach Ryan Day officially named Justin Fields as Ohio State's starting QB.  The announcement comes 12 days before the Buckeyes' season opener against Florida Atlantic on August 31, and after Fields competed with Gunnar Hoak and Chris Chugunov for the starting quarterback job in the fall training camp, which concluded today:

 

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019/08/105746/ryan-day-names-justin-fields-ohio-states-starting-quarterback-in-2019

16 hours ago, Columbo said:

Ohio State officially named its captains today for the 2019 season:  

 

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019/08/105982/ohio-state-names-its-captains-for-the-2019-season

https://247sports.com/college/ohio-state/Article/Ohio-State-Buckeyes-football-names-2019-captains-134570714/

• junior defensive end Chase Young
• senior safety Jordan Fuller (returning captain from 2018)
• fifth-year senior wide receiver K.J. Hill
• senior defensive end Jonathon Cooper
• fifth-year senior wide receiver C.J. Saunders
• junior running back J.K. Dobbins
• fourth-year junior middle linebacker Tuf Borland (returning captain from 2018)

 

This is fine as long as Borland isn't a starter by week 4.  Too slow.

For the gambling folks. Cincinnati covering against OSU week 2 will be the easiest scratch you make this season 

On 8/20/2019 at 10:22 AM, DarkandStormy said:

 

This is fine as long as Borland isn't a starter by week 4.  Too slow.

 

To be fair, Borland suffered an achilles injury during practice in Spring 2018.  And although he returned and played in every game during the 2018 season - its pretty clear he wasn't 100 percent.  He's not the fastest LB out there - but he should be faster than last season (if healthy, which he appears to be).

 

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019/08/105999/tuf-borland-feels-night-and-day-difference-from-last-year-to-this-year-due-to-clean-bill-of-health

The Buckeyes released their football schedules for the next four seasons.  The most notable non-B1G games are a home-and-away series with Oregon in 2020 & 2021 and a home-and-away series with Notre Dame in 2022 & 2023.  Full schedules for 2019 thru 2023 at the link below:

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2019/08/22/hello-arkansas-state-ohio-state-releases-football.html

The eve of Buckeye football season is once again upon us.  And I don't think I've seen quite this mixture of confidence/apprehension before from Buckeye Nation.  There's reason to feel both ways.

• Confidence:  We've got a bright new head coach in Ryan Day.  At only 40 years old, he brings a fresh outlook to the team.  He's led the offense to record levels last year .  He was interim head coach for three games last year and looked good.  Other programs have handed off the reins from an established head coach to a young up-and-comer (most notably Oklahoma with Lincoln Riley taking over from Bob Stoops).

• Apprehension:  We've got a head coach going into his first full season.  Maybe that three-game audition last year proved Ryan Day can make the big leap forward.  But maybe not.  Can't know for sure until you play the games.

• Confidence:  We've got bright new starting quarterback in Justin Fields.  The highly-touted sophomore transferred from Georgia after failing to take the starting QB job from their established starter last season.  He was as highly rated in his recruiting class as Trevor Lawrence, who won the starting QB job at Clemson and led them to a 15-0 National Championship season.

• Apprehension:  Fields is still a young first-year starter.  It wouldn't be surprising if he struggled at times.  Plus he's a dual-threat QB.  Which means he'll be running and exposing himself to extra hits and possible injury.  And with two of OSU's best QB recruits (Martell & Baldwin) transferring to other schools, the QB depth is a concern.  The two backups have some college QB experience and could be adequate game-managers - but the days of having JT Barrett and Cardale Jones come off the bench are over.

So how's it gonna go?  Well...

... here's the position-by-position rundown for the 2019 season from Eleven Warriors:

 

OFFENSE

 

QB:  https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019-season-preview/2019/08/105858/2019-season-preview-justin-fields-expected-to-lead-brand-new-group-of-ohio-state-quarterbacks --  Justin Fields is surrounded by hype entering his first season at Ohio State while Gunnar Hoak and Chris Chugunov join him in an inexperienced, transfer-filled quarterback room.

 

RB:  https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019-season-preview/2019/08/105868/2019-season-preview-jk-dobbins-leads-backfield-as-bellcow-running-back-without-a-clear-backup  -- J.K. Dobbins returns as Ohio State's undisputed lead running back, aiming to redeem himself from his self-described "failure" of a 2018 season.

 

WR:  https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019-season-preview/2019/08/105907/young-playmakers-with-star-potential-join-trio-of-seniors-in-ohio-state-wide-receiver-rotation  -- K.J. Hill, Binjimen Victor and Austin Mack return as seniors while Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaelen Gill are among Ohio State's potential young stars at wide receiver this season.

 

TE:  https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019-season-preview/2019/08/105924/2019-season-preview-ohio-states-deeper-than-usual-tight-end-group-features-three-diverse -- Ohio State isn't hurting for depth at tight end. Luke Farrell, Rashod Berry and Jeremy Ruckert are all expected to make an impact this season.

 

OL:  https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019-season-preview/2019/08/105957/ohio-states-offensive-line-has-high-expectations-despite-only-one-returning-starter -- Ohio State's offensive line has high expectations and could be better than last year, particularly in the run game, even though left tackle Thayer Munford is the only returning starter. Although right tackle Branden Bowen is returning after starting in 2017, breaking his leg midway thru 2017 and missing all of 2018.

 

DEFENSE

 

DL:  https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019-season-preview/2019/08/105953/chase-young-heads-ohio-states-as-deep-ever-defensive-line -- With Larry Johnson at the helm and Chase Young coming off the edge, Ohio State's defensive line should be as impactful as ever in 2019.

 

LB:  https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019-season-preview/2019/08/106064/2019-season-preview-experienced-group-of-ohio-state-linebackers-seeks-redemption-in-new -- Ohio State has an experienced group of returning linebackers but a lot to prove at the position after disappointing play over the past couple years.

 

DB:  https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019/08/106072/ohio-states-defensive-backfield-filled-with-returning-talent-playing-in-new-scheme -- The return of seniors Damon Arnette and Jordan Fuller to pair with Jeff Okudah and Shaun Wade gives Ohio State a talented, experienced group of defensive backs.

 

Special Teams:  https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019-season-preview/2019/08/106109/ohio-state-still-seeking-excellence-on-special-teams-with-returning-specialists-new-coaching-staff -- Ohio State returns its starting kicker, punter and long snapper but look for more big plays in the return game.

Here's the Week 1 Depth Chart and analysis for tomorrow's opener hosting Florida Atlantic University:

 

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019/08/106187/ohio-state-releases-its-depth-chart-for-season-opener-against-florida-atlantic

 

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019/08/106281/first-thoughts-on-ohio-states-opening-week-depth-chart

So the Buckeyes are 27.5 point favorites over Florida Atlantic today, and you're not too excited about today's matchup.  Well, let FAU head coach Lane Kiffin fire you up!

 

 

WEEK 1:  OSU 45 - FAU 21

https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=401112251

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019/08/106320/hot-start-leads-ohio-state-to-45-21-win-over-florida-atlantic-in-season-opener

 

The Buckeyes started their opening game about as well as it was possible to start.  Scoring TD's in their first four possessions and holding FAU to four straight 3-and-out drives with -5 total offense.  After only 8 minutes and 10 seconds, Ohio State was up 28-0 (covering the 27.5 point spread BTW!).  And then...FAU basically played OSU even for the remainder of the game - particularly in the second half.

 

Did the Buckeyes take the foot off the gas and lose focus?  Did FAU finally play up to their abilities after a horrid start?  Don't know.  But the first game did nothing to erase that confidence/apprehension duality that Buckeye fans are feeling.

 

The final numbers still had OSU dominant over FAU.  Total yardage was 469 for OSU vs. 228 for FAU.  The closest FAU got was within 21 points in the fourth quarter.  And QB Justin Fields looked as good as advertised with 18/25 for 234 yards and 4 TD passes plus a dazzling 51-yd TD run in the first quarter.

 

But despite the relatively easy victory, the only clear winners were the bettors that took the point spread(!)

FAU grad Carrot Top accurately predicting the final score of yesterday's OSU-FAU game could be a sign of the apocalypse:

 

"THE" FAU...

 

subversively sick burn.

22 minutes ago, GCrites80s said:

"THE" FAU...

 

subversively sick burn.

 

Carrot Top is so under-rated (has anyone ever said?)

The last time Cincinnati beat Ohio State...

 

https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2019/09/what-was-america-like-the-last-time-cincinnati-beat-ohio-state-buckeye-breakfast.html

Fields is definitely talented and will do well at OSU but the offense reminded me too much of the JT Barrett years with all the run-read options looking like a scramble instead of a designed play...  yes it often results in big gains but it also results in no-yards.  I miss Dwayne Haskins in true drop back QB fashion. 

 

Anyone see the Joe Burrows highlights from LSU and wonder what it would be like if he was starter at OSU?

19 minutes ago, gottaplan said:

Fields is definitely talented and will do well at OSU but the offense reminded me too much of the JT Barrett years with all the run-read options looking like a scramble instead of a designed play... 

 

I must have missed those times when Barrett lined up under center, an I-formation behind him, and then hit a TE for a touchdown.

3 hours ago, gottaplan said:

I miss Dwayne Haskins in true drop back QB fashion. 

 

Anyone see the Joe Burrows highlights from LSU and wonder what it would be like if he was starter at OSU?

 

I think we all miss Haskins.  One brilliant season and then gone.

 

I saw Burrows and wondered that.  But that was before the NCAA's "TRANSFER PORTAL" was created.  Now backup QB's don't need to sit for one or two years before they start.  Clemson's former starter-then backup is now at Missouri.  Alabama's former starter-then backup is now at Oklahoma.  Georgia lost two QB's - just like OSU did - over this off-season.  It's dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!

After FAU grad Carrot Top's amazingly accurate game prediction last week, I was looking forward to the Dispatch's guest picker for today's OSU-UC game.  Disappointingly, the UC guest picker was just the UC beat writer for the Cincinnati Enquirer - Fletcher Page (see below).  The interesting thing about Fletcher Page's prediction is that he thinks UC will lose by a greater margin then all of the Columbus-area predictors(!)  I don't know anything else about Fletcher Page, but if I were him, I'd lay low after that prediction:

 

 

As for my prediction - it's hard to glean much knowledge from each team's opening game.  OSU was dominant over FAU - until they weren't - and sleepwalked through the second half.  UC looked very good in their opening win over UCLA.  But is this the UCLA and Chip Kelly with an impressive past.  Or is this just a UCLA team with 89 freshman and sophomores on their roster and a Chip Kelly with 3-10 record at UCLA (i.e. a team predicted to finish 9th in the PAC-12).

 

I can't see Ohio State sleepwalking against Cincinnati.  But I also can't see them reeling off 4 TD's to start the game either against a strong UC defense.  OSU is a 15.5-point betting favorite.  That seems almost right.  I'll give my Buckeyes a 34-20 win.  It doesn't beat the point spread, but it shows more faith in UC then the Enquirer's beat writer does(!)

maybe he knows something everyone else doesn't

4 hours ago, GCrites80s said:

maybe he knows something everyone else doesn't

 

he did - but wasn't pessimistic enough ⚠️??

Week 2:  OHIO STATE 42 - CINCINNATI 0

 

https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=401112252

 

Fields and Dobbins put up some very good numbers - but the real story of today's game was the complete domination of OSU's offensive and defensive lines.  When that happens it just becomes a matter of what the final score will be.  OSU was up 28-0 at halftime and finished the game up 42-0.

 

Meanwhile, Michigan eked out a 2OT win over Army in the Big House - with Harbaugh narrowly avoiding his App State moment(!)

 

It's been a good Saturday afternoon.?

 

Zach Osterman is no Fletcher Page.  And Jane Pauley is no Carrot Top.

WEEK 3:  OHIO STATE 51 - INDIANA 10

 

https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=401112159

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019/09/106752/ohio-state-rolls-to-victory-at-indiana-51-10-in-first-big-ten-game-of-the-season

 

Fields and Dobbins look good again - and so did Dobbins' backup Master Teague III - but the dominant Buckeye defense looked great.

Interesting discussion on the broadcast this past weekend in regards to Fields's throwing motion, or more specifically his grip.  Fields utilizes a "U" shape throwing motion, meaning when he grips the ball, his hand is more in a U shape.  He never really gets "on top" of the ball to drive it down field.  This leads to a lot of "floating" balls or passes that can sail high, especially if he's under pressure.

 

The more conventional theory is for QBs to throw with a "C" shape - that is, their hand looks like a C and their four non-thumb fingers are on top of the ball as it's released.  This ensures very few overthrows or balls that float.

 

The one nitpick in Fields's game through three weeks is that when he misses it's often high.  I don't have a current breakdown of C vs. U quarterbacks but it'd be interesting.

Football can at times be an all-consuming passion for coaches, players and fans.  But there is life outside the gridiron.  And two moments on Thursday and Friday reminded us of this.

 

On Thursday, Head Coach Ryan Day wrote a blue shirt to his press conference.  It wasn't "Michigan Blue" but instead it was "New Hampshire Blue" and said "MAC STRONG" in honor of Sean McDonnell, longtime New Hampshire football head coach, who announced he was taking a leave of absence from NH after being diagnosed with cancer.  Day was a former quarterback for McDonnell and Day’s first coaching opportunity came on McDonnell’s staff as a tight ends coach.

 

https://www.buckeyextra.com/sports/20190919/ohio-states-ryan-day-pays-tribute-to-coaching-mentor-with-cancer

 

 

 

Then on Friday morning, it was reported that Ohio State football legend Howard “Hopalong” Cassady had died at the age of 85.  Cassady led the Buckeyes to a national championship in 1954 - played on all sides of the ball as both a runner and pass-catcher on offense, returning kicks on special teams and playing defensive back on defense.  He was a two-time All-American in 1954 and 1955.  And he became the third Buckeye to win the Heisman Trophy in 1955.  (Les Horvath (1944) and Vic Janowicz (1950) won it prior to Cassady - and he was the last Buckeye to win it prior to two-time winner Archie Griffin in 1974 & 1975).

 

Cassady was selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the 1956 NFL draft and went on to play eight NFL seasons with the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles.  Following his retirement from football, Cassady spent more than three decades working for the New York Yankees organization, including a stint as the first-base coach for the Columbus Clippers (which were then the Yankees' AAA affiliate).

 

Former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer and current running backs coach Tony Alford were among those who took to social media to share their thoughts on Cassady.

 

 

 

Cassady will be honored at Ohio Stadium during tomorrow's Ohio State game against Miami (Ohio).

 

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019/09/106924/ohio-state-great-howard-cassady-passes-at-age-85

So ... Ohio State beat Cincinnati 42-0 in week 2 ... then Cincinnati beat Miami (Ohio) 35-13 in week 3 ... now OSU plays Miami in week 4.

 

The oddmakers have OSU as a 40-point favorite over the RedHawks today.  Is that enough to entice some sharpies to take the lads from Oxford (and the points) over the Buckeyes?  Not if this week's game predictions from the Dispatch are any indication:

 

WEEK 4:  https://www.espn.com/college-football/playbyplay?gameId=401112253

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019/09/106983/record-setting-42-point-second-quarter-leads-ohio-state-to-76-5-victory-over-miami-ohio-in-final-non-conference

 

The RedHawks score the game's first five points on a safety and a field goal.  Then the Buckeyes score the final 76 points of the game.⚠️

 

Justin Fields throws 4 TD passes and runs for 2 TD's - all in the second quarter(!)  Fields doesn't even play in the second half.  Backup QB Chris Chugunov plays the third quarter and backup QB Gunnar Hoak plays in the fourth quarter.

 

Oh, and Harbaugh's over-rated Michigan team got throttled by Wisconsin in Camp Randall.  Another enjoyable Saturday afternoon.?

4 hours ago, Columbo said:

WEEK 4:  https://www.espn.com/college-football/playbyplay?gameId=401112253

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019/09/106983/record-setting-42-point-second-quarter-leads-ohio-state-to-76-5-victory-over-miami-ohio-in-final-non-conference

 

The RedHawks score the game's first five points on a safety and a field goal.  Then the Buckeyes score the final 76 points of the game.⚠️

 

Justin Fields throws 4 TD passes and runs for 2 TD's - all in the second quarter(!)  Fields doesn't even play in the second half.  Backup QB Chris Chugunov plays the third quarter and backup QB Gunnar Hoak plays in the fourth quarter.

 

Oh, and Harbaugh's over-rated Michigan team got throttled by Wisconsin in Camp Randall.  Another enjoyable Saturday afternoon.?

As much as I enjoy OSU doing well, I enjoy Michigan's suffering almost as much. 

10 hours ago, Toddguy said:

As much as I enjoy OSU doing well, I enjoy Michigan's suffering almost as much. 

I enjoy seeing that team up north suffer more.

 

Ohio State plays at Nebraska tonight, 7:30 PM on ABC.  ESPN's College GameDay was in full force in Lincoln this morning for the primetime showdown.

 

College GameDay always concludes with the picks for the upcoming Saturday games.  The Buckeyes are 17-point favorites over the Cornhuskers.  First, Desmond Howard picked the Buckeyes (yes, that Desmond Howard who won a Heisman at Michigan).  Kirk Herbstreit didn't get a pick because he'll be calling tonight's game.  Then the guest pickers, Omaha native Gabrielle Union and her husband Dwyane Wade, selected the Cornhuskers to win.  Cue the cheers!

 

And then Lee Corso gets the last pick - which he signifies by putting on the mascot headgear of the school he picks.  Corso picked Ohio State and donned the Brutus Buckeye headgear - much to the dismay of Gabrielle Union and the fans of Big Red(!)

 

On 9/22/2019 at 10:11 AM, MyTwoSense said:

I enjoy seeing that team up north suffer more.

 

 

 

"Rival fans’ treatment of one another is hardly more reassuring. A recent neuroimaging study found that fans experienced greater pleasure when watching a rival team fail, as opposed to non-rivals. The same subjects were significantly more willing to heckle, threaten, or hit rival fans. [6] This ill will extends even to the health and welfare of opposing players. Fans in another study reported feeling schadenfreude when reading about the injury of a rival team’s player, and gluckschmerz (sadness at others’ good fortune) when later reading about the player’s unexpectedly speedy recovery. [7]"

 

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/is-fandom-really-worth-it?utm_source=pocket-newtab

27 minutes ago, GCrites80s said:

 

 

"Rival fans’ treatment of one another is hardly more reassuring. A recent neuroimaging study found that fans experienced greater pleasure when watching a rival team fail, as opposed to non-rivals. The same subjects were significantly more willing to heckle, threaten, or hit rival fans. [6] This ill will extends even to the health and welfare of opposing players. Fans in another study reported feeling schadenfreude when reading about the injury of a rival team’s player, and gluckschmerz (sadness at others’ good fortune) when later reading about the player’s unexpectedly speedy recovery. [7]"

 

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/is-fandom-really-worth-it?utm_source=pocket-newtab

Me and every Ohio State alum and fan!

 

 

?

Corso picked the right headgear again.  Sorry Gaby.

 

WEEK 5:  OHIO STATE 48 - NEBRASKA 7

https://www.espn.com/college-football/playbyplay?gameId=401112241

 

Nebraska was a trendy preseason pick to win the B1G West.  Second-year coach Scott Frost and second-year starting QB Adrian Martinez were expected to take a big step forward in 2019.  And they've started out 3-1, with their only loss at Colorado by 3 in OT - not a bad start.  But OSU made them look terrible with the way the Buckeye defense just smothered Martinez in the first half.

 

The OSU defense forced 3 interceptions in the first half and the Buckeye offense made the most those with 17 points off those 3 INT's.  Not that the OSU offense needed the help, as their first six drives all ended in scores.  That added up to a 38-0 halftime lead.  The lead expanded to 48-0 in the third quarter before Nebraska got their lone TD.  The Buckeyes had zero turnovers and only one punt in the entire game(!)

 

Fields put up fine passing numbers - 15/21 for 212 yards with 3 TD's and 0 int's (16 TD/0 INT for the season!) plus a 15-yd TD run.  Dobbins had 177 rushing yards.  His backup Master Teague had 77 yards and 2 rushing TD's.  And the defense held Martinez to only 47 passing yards to go along with those three picks.

 

Ohio State returns home for another primetime Big Ten matchup with #25 Michigan State next Saturday.

On 9/28/2019 at 3:30 PM, GCrites80s said:

 

 

"Rival fans’ treatment of one another is hardly more reassuring. A recent neuroimaging study found that fans experienced greater pleasure when watching a rival team fail, as opposed to non-rivals. The same subjects were significantly more willing to heckle, threaten, or hit rival fans. [6] This ill will extends even to the health and welfare of opposing players. Fans in another study reported feeling schadenfreude when reading about the injury of a rival team’s player, and gluckschmerz (sadness at others’ good fortune) when later reading about the player’s unexpectedly speedy recovery. [7]"

 

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/is-fandom-really-worth-it?utm_source=pocket-newtab

Of course nobody was talking about actual physical suffering. smh. It must  be all due to partriarchy, toxic masculinity, and the fact that gender neutral pronouns have not been universally adopted(ze, zir, zim, etc).  And I am a liberal alphabet person saying this in jest of course! ? 

 

 

Also if you are going to quote from an article, try a little more balance...

Quote

Yet a substantial volume of research shows that being a fan can also have positive effects

And the ending of the article:

 

Quote

 Amid all the birging and schadenfreude and gluckschmerz, being a fan seems more than anything else to be a matter of managing responses to things one can’t control. Sports fans are inclined to respond to reminders of mortality with optimism, [12] and to remember victories much more clearly than defeats. [13] There are surely worse ways to live.

 

So does being a fan in the (arguably) greatest sports rivalry in US history also give us cancer? ?  Damn as someone who grew up on the far west side and now lives outside of *gasp* West Jefferson(if that is not part of the uncool crescent I don't know what is)I probably am already doomed to cancer lol.

Edited September 29, 20195 yr by Toddguy

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019/09/107298/ohio-state-to-wear-black-uniforms-against-michigan-state-urges-fans-to-wear-black

 

Another blackout game at the Shoe saturday night.  The team will be wearing their all-black uniforms for the third time since they were introduced in 2015.  Those all-black unis look good (especially the scarlet buckeye leaves on the helmet).  But for me, the highlight is having all the fans wear black to a night game.  It produces an eerie effect of making over 100,000 people almost visually disappear(!)

 

Below is a photo of the first blackout game in 2015.

 

WEEK 6:  OHIO STATE 34 - MICHIGAN STATE 10

 

https://www.espn.com/college-football/playbyplay?gameId=401112216

 

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019/10/107498/ohio-state-faces-resistance-for-the-first-time-in-six-games-but-still-finishes-with-a-convincing-win-against

 

The #4 ranked Buckeyes faced their first real resistance against the #25 ranked Spartans early in this nationally televised blackout game.  OSU was only leading 3-0 at the beginning of the second quarter.  But two big scoring plays - a 60-yd TD pass from Fields to Binjimen Victor and a 67-yard TD run by Dobbins - broke the game open and the Buckeyes were up 27-10 at halftime - en route to a 34-10 win.

 

Justin Fields threw his first INT of the year (he now has 18 passing TD's to 1 INT) and went 17 of 25 for 206 yards with 2 passing TD's while also running for 61 yards with a rushing TD.  The Buckeyes running game was dominant - totaling 323 yards on Dobbins' 24 carries for 172 yards and 1 TD plus Teague's 14 carries for 90 yards plus Fields' 61 yards and 1 TD.  And the Buckeye defense held MSU to under 300 total yards while forcing 2 fumbles lost and 1 INT.

 

The 6-0 Buckeyes have a bye week before returning to play at Northwestern on 10/18.

The Buckeyes play a rare Friday night game tonight at Northwestern.

 

When the Big Ten signed a TV deal with Fox Sports a few years ago, one of the conditions Fox Sports made was Friday night B1G conference games.  Ohio State (and many of the other schools) initially balked at this request, due to the conflicts with Friday night high school football.  But then Fox Sports waved a bunch of cash in front of the Big Ten, and the Big Ten said "too bad OSU and everyone else, you're playing on Fridays".  So its Ohio State's turn under the Friday Night Lights.

 

Ironically, one of the reasons given by Fox Sports and the Big Ten for these Friday Night games was to have B1G games with greater national exposure.  Less games on Friday vs Saturday, and, more importantly for Fox, broadcasting on their FS1 channel.  Well, it turns out that the OSU/NW game will not be on their FS1 channel tonight after all.  Because of a Wednesday rainout, the ALCS Games 4 & 5 broadcast by FS1 got moved back a day.  So, Thursday's Game 5 is being played tonight (and is contractually obligated to be shown on FS1)!

 

So tonight's OSU/NW game is getting bumped onto the Big Ten Network instead(!)  So much for that "national exposure" Big Ten(!)

 

Maybe its for the best though.  NW is having a down year and is a 28-point underdog to the undefeated Buckeyes.  But is all hope lost for NW?  Not in the least.  Below are five helpful hints from the Eleven Warriors website - plus a tweet from NW with a strategy of their own:

 

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019/10/107816/all-the-things-northwestern-can-do-to-even-the-odds-for-friday-nights-showdown-against-ohio-state

 

Holding Saturday night races is how NASCAR's main series killed local asphalt oval racing tracks.

 

Everyone assume Big Ten Network viewing positions!

 

Edited October 18, 20195 yr by GCrites80s

27 minutes ago, GCrites80s said:

Everyone assume Big Ten Network viewing positions!

 

 

A Married With Children meme - a show that takes place in Chicago.  How appropriate for tonight's game(!)

 

* Oddly enough, the Blue Jackets also play in Chicago tonight.  Both games start at 8:30PM our time.  That return button on the remote is getting used tonight!

My niece, nephew and cousins son flew to Chicago to be with my other niece and cousins daughter for the game.  My nieces boyfriend is a NW Alum.  He had to go to the game with 8 OSU alum.  He so mad. 

 

The Buckeyes looked really good in this game.  That 55 yard field goal was bananas.

WEEK 7:  OHIO STATE 52 - NORTHWESTERN 3

https://www.espn.com/college-football/playbyplay?gameId=401112248

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019/10/107886/another-second-quarter-explosion-propels-ohio-state-to-blowout-win-over-northwestern-52-3

 

Pity poor Northwestern.  OSU scores a TD on their opening drive to go up 7-0.  NW gets a field goal to make it 7-3 at the end of the first quarter.  NW fans are thinking "Okay, maybe we've got a shot tonight."  Then it's 31-3 at halftime (including that amazing 55-yard FG to end the half) en route to a 52-3 final score(!)  I wouldn't be surprised if NW students broke out the "That's alright, That's okay. You're gonna work for us someday" chant.

 

Recap:  Offense still great.  Defense still even better!

 

The OSU defense has now allowed only 10 points or less in six consecutive games.  Ohio State has also won their first seven games by 20+ points - the last time an OSU team did that was in 1973!

But for all the dominance of the opening seven games - it can be negated if the Buckeyes don't play well when #6 Wisconsin comes to Ohio Stadium next Saturday.  And speaking of that game:

 

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019/10/107823/foxs-big-noon-kickoff-to-broadcast-live-from-columbus-before-ohio-state-wisconsin-game

 

It will be a noon kickoff broadcast on FOX, with FOX's Big Noon Kickoff show inside the stadium.  According to the above 11W link:

Quote

 

Urban Meyer and the rest of the Big Noon Kickoff crew, including host Rob Stone and fellow analysts Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush and Brady Quinn, will be inside the Shoe for a live on-site broadcast of Fox's new Saturday college football pregame show next weekend before the Buckeyes' highly anticipated clash with the Badgers, Fox Sports announced Friday.

 

Next week's episode will be the second on-site broadcast for Big Noon Kickoff and the first to originate from a college campus. ... That means next week will also be the first time all season that Meyer will be on campus for an Ohio State football game.  While the Buckeyes' former coach still lives in the Columbus area and is an assistant athletic director at Ohio State, his new role with Fox has had him spending his Saturdays in Los Angeles.

 

1 hour ago, Columbo said:

WEEK 7:  OHIO STATE 52 - NORTHWESTERN 3

https://www.espn.com/college-football/playbyplay?gameId=401112248

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019/10/107886/another-second-quarter-explosion-propels-ohio-state-to-blowout-win-over-northwestern-52-3

 

Pity poor Northwestern.  OSU scores a TD on their opening drive to go up 7-0.  NW gets a field goal to make it 7-3 at the end of the first quarter.  NW fans are thinking "Okay, maybe we've got a shot tonight."  Then it's 31-3 at halftime (including that amazing 55-yard FG to end the half) en route to a 52-3 final score(!)  I wouldn't be surprised if NW students broke out the "That's alright, That's okay. You're gonna work for us someday" chant.

 

Recap:  Offense still great.  Defense still even better!

 

The OSU defense has now allowed only 10 points or less in six consecutive games.  Ohio State has also won their first seven games by 20+ points - the last time an OSU team did that was in 1973!

 

My nephew was sending video from the game.  The NW fans were like zombies.  They looked shell shocked.  We were talking as they walked to the train, after the game, they said it was as if the NW fans just blended into the shadows and disappeared. 

 

My nieces boyfriend didn't hang out with them after.  I'm like, "welcome to the Ohio State Univ family".  My cousins daughters boyfriend, who attended Loyola, and is neutral, is like, "that was crazy.  Big Ten fans are rabid."

Edited October 19, 20195 yr by MyTwoSense