New Bowl Game for the Big Ten
November 28, 2009 10:00 am EST
Now that we are getting close to bowl selections, this is probably a good time to mention a new Bowl game that has signed an agreement with the Big Ten. The Dallas Football Classic is one of two new additions to the Big Ten's bowl lineup, which begins in the 2010 season. Unlike the other Big Ten postseason games, the league will face opponents from both the Big 12 and Conference USA on New Years Day in Cotton Bowl stadium.
Here's how the matchups will work during the four-year cycle:
Jan. 1, 2011 -- Big Ten (No. 6 team) vs. Big 12 (No. 7 team)
Jan. 1, 2012 -- Big Ten (No. 6 team) vs. Conference USA team
Jan. 1, 2013 -- Big Ten (No. 6 team) vs. Big 12 (No. 7 team)
Jan. 1, 2014 -- Big Ten (No. 6 team) vs. Conference USA team
If the bowl requires an at-large team, Conference USA will provide one in 2011 and 2013 and the Big 12 will provide one in 2012 and 2014. The new bowl will become official after receiving its licensing from the NCAA at bowl meetings in April.
"The Big Ten has played at least one postseason game in the state of Texas in every season since 1995," Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said in a statement. "With the number of Big Ten alumni in Texas, playing a postseason game in the city of Dallas is a natural fit and should provide an outstanding experience for our student-athletes, coaches, and fans."
I like this addition for several reasons. The Big Ten needed to maintain a postseason presence in Texas after losing the Alamo Bowl, a favorite among Big Ten fans. It does that with both the Dallas Football Classic and the Texas Bowl, played in Houston. Another factor is that the Big Ten finally isn't "playing up" in a bowl game, as the Big 12 actually will have the lower-seeded team. Perhaps the conference will secure a few more wins although we have not done too poorly against the Big 12.
Captains Named
November 13, 2009 5:30 pm EST
Saturday, Ohio State plays Iowa for the Big Ten Championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl. They need a leader that can motivate them to victory and they have one. John Hicks has been named the honorary captain for the game. Hicks played for the Buckeyes from 1970-73, was a two-time All-American, was awarded both the Outland and Lombardi Trophies in 1973 and came in second in the Heisman that same year. He is a member of the College football Hall of Fame and the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame.
Jim Cordle will be the designated offensive captain for the game.
Buckeyes Award Top Conference Honors
November 8, 2009 9:00 pm EST
As reported on the Big Ten web site, Ohio State had the best special teams player (Ray Small) and the best defensive player (Cameron Heyward) this past week.
Heyward produced a team-high and career-best 11 tackles, including three tackles for loss and a career-high two sacks, to help hold Penn State to a single touchdown in the 24-7 road victory. The junior defensive end pushed the Nittany Lions’ offense back 17 yards with his three tackles for loss, including 13 yards on two sacks. His 11 defensive stops surpassed his previous career best of seven tackles. The Georgia native spearheaded a Buckeyes defense that limited one of the conference’s top offenses to seven points, 76 rushing yards and 201 total offensive yards. PSU entered the game leading the Big Ten in conference games only with 423.4 total offensive yards per contest, while rating second in the conference with 26.8 points and 190.6 rushing yards per outing. Heyward earns his first career weekly accolade and becomes the third Ohio State defender to be honored in the last five weeks along with defensive end Thaddeus Gibson (October. 25) and linebacker Ross Homan (October 11).
Small helped Ohio State win the battle for field position with seven punt returns for 130 yards, including a pair of returns over 40 yards to set up Buckeye's touchdowns in the victory at Penn State. The senior wide receiver averaged 18.6 yards per punt return and also added a seven-yard reception and a 13-yard reverse. After the Ohio State defense forced a three-and-out on PSU’s first offensive possession, Small returned the ensuing punt 41 yards to the Nittany Lion’s nine-yard line. Two plays later, the Buckeyes took a 7-0 lead. With a 17-7 advantage, Small set up another scoring drive with a 45-yard return to the hosts’ 47-yard line on the final play of the third quarter. The Ohio State offense drove the remaining 47 yards to take a 24-7 lead on the way to the victory. Small ranks second in Big Ten games only with 10.2 yards per punt return. The Ohio native nabs the first weekly honor of his career.
Buckeyes to Wear 1954 Uniforms at Michigan Game
November 4, 2009 9:45 pm EST
You can add Ohio State to the list of teams participating in a rivalry uniform program sponsored by Nike. Gene Smith has confirmed this story which showed up on a couple of blogs this week, but also reiterated several times in a statement released today that the uniforms will be worn one time only. This will be the first time since the early 90's that Ohio State will wear an alternate jersey.
"Nike offered us a chance to try a new uniform product featuring cutting-edge fabrics and technology," Smith said in the statement. "Participation in the program also offered us a one-time opportunity to salute one of those great championship teams that have built the Ohio State football tradition."
The uniforms are still in production and will be unveiled November 15th on Ohio State's athletics Web site. Ohio State celebrated the 55th anniversary of the 1954 team on October 24 against Minnesota.
"Again, this is a one-time opportunity to honor a great championship team," Smith said. "We have no plans to make any changes to the traditional Buckeye uniform for the foreseeable future."
Iowa Game Time Announced
November 1, 2009 8:30 pm EST
The Big Ten has announced the November 14th match-up between Ohio State and Iowa will be a 3:30 kick-off on ABC. At least they will be able to pronounce the tough words like Olentangy correctly. No time set yet for the season finally against Michigan in Ann Arbor.
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