The Portland Buckeyes

After the big win in Happy Valley and Iowa’s shocking loss at home to Northwestern, Tressel has the perfect opportunity to get to his first Rose Bowl.  All we need to do is take care of business the next 2 weeks.

Come join The Portland Buckeyes as we watch the biggest game of the year. OSU/Iowa kicks off at 12:30 PDX time so come on down to The Blitz and make the PDX crowd loud!  This is for the Big Ten Championship and Trip to Rose Bowl!

Please show up as early as possible to reserve your prime seat as The Blitz  has advertised the Ducks game as well,  which starts at the same time. Come early and bring the entire gang as we need to show those Ducks they can’t invade our home turf!!

Our weekly raffle will be loaded with more Buckeye classic stuff than ever!!

Along with our raffle we will do a SPLIT THE POT WHERE THE WINNER TAKES HOME 40% OF THE PRIZE MONEY!!!

See you there!

The blog Eleven Warriors has obtained a photo of The Ohio State Buckeyes new Throwback Rivalry Uniforms for the Michigan game to end the season.

What do you think?

by Matt Johnson – Nov. 5th, 2009

Tressels,

I remember playing football at recess in Northam Park when I was a kid. Some kids wore jerseys to school and fancy sweatbands – they looked the part. Some kids wore new corduroy pants and they would be ruined before the bell. One kid wore green jeans, so try to guess what we called him. We were a pretty random bunch. But, there were always three constants: every boy in our grade was playing, we used a nerf football…and acted as if we were playing on the biggest stage possible — the Rose Bowl.

Now we have the BCS Championship game, it’s great and all…but I still love the Rose Bowl. There’s something about it that is larger than life. It’s the way things should be. The pinnacle of college football. Midwest grit vs. West coast glitz. Violent and regal all at the same time.

Does Ohio State deserve to go this year? It’s up to them. If the Bucks beat Penn State this weekend, I think they win out. If they win out, they go. It’s as simple as recess and a nerf ball.

Happy Valley is not the easiest place to remain civil. Penn State fanaticism is as obnoxious and over-the-top as Ohio State fanaticism. If the Bucks thought the Purdue train-whistle-nerd-dom created a hostile environment, just wait until the 109,000 Penn State faithful extend their homecoming wishes to Terrelle. He’s mostly played in either Ohio Stadium or sister stadiums (i.e. Indiana, Northwestern..). This is going to be a heavyweight fight with lucifer providing the backdrop.

I don’t think the Bucks can play error-free and win a low-scoring game. If this is a game of execution only, you have to believe Penn State will hold the advantage. There is nothing that would lead us to believe Terrelle will not commit a couple turnovers. Also, Ohio State needs to stay away from “the most important play in football.” Jon Thoma’s punting has been mediocre the last few games. Also, Ohio State can’t rely on FGs with Aaron “True Story” Pettrey out for the year. (Or, maybe they can rely on FGs shorter than 40 yards now…)

Can Penn State commit less errors than Ohio State? Probably. Last year, they had ZERO turnover and ZERO penalties. OSU had one turnover and that was the game. It is comforting to know that is unlikely the Nittany Lions will have zero turnovers and zero penalties. How unlikely? It only happens every 25 years. More frequently than Haley’s comet, but less frequently than Dimitrious Stanley wearing kahkis. And, what the Mewhort is a “Nittany” anyway?

I do think that the OSU defense can give Penn State major fits. The PSU offensive line has had its share of troubles and OSU’s defensive line knows how to find trouble. If he’s comfortable, Daryll Clark is probably the best QB in the Big Ten right now. When he’s in control, Clark makes very sound decisions and throws an accurate ball. If Penn State plays its base offense, I think the Silver Bullets can make Clark uncomfortable. But, if I’m Penn State, I negate OSU’s best defensive assests — speed, depth and rush defense. Purdue showed other teams how to move the ball and score on Ohio State. I would have to think the PSU coaching staffing was paying attention. Ohio State likes to rotate guys through on defense and have time to bring many confusing looks/blitzes. But, the Bucks are unable to do either when teams go into the hurry-up offense. Also, if an opposing QB tries to sit in the pocket, OSU’s speed rush will eat him up. But, if Penn State concentrates on the quick-release, underneath passing game (esp. with crossing routes) in hurry-up mode, then they are going to score some points. (more…)

Tressels,

Yes, I threw something across the living room when Purdue kicked a FG to take the lead before halftime. I threw Baby Jake’s burp cloth. Our eldest son went into the other room to play. Did I feel small? Yes. Did I feel better? Yes. By the fourth quarter, I resigned myself to the fact that IF the Bucks had pulled out a victory, some sort of social injustice would have occured. Purdue deserved to win. That was what it was.

I didn’t watch the post game press conference, or any college football for that matter, after the debacle ended. I built a marble run with our eldest. We went to a family get-together Saturday evening and had really good smoked ribs my uncle made. On Sunday, I read the paper before sunrise woke up the rest of the family (spending much more time with any section other than Sports); I went into work for a little while; watched the marathon go by the end of our block thinking that I’d like to run another; and visited Leeds Farm with the family to get pumpkins and play in the haybarn. After immersing myself into my real life, is it hard to think about the game and write this email? Yes.

With our 3-year-old son, you never symptom prompt. If he’s crying and something is wrong, you never ask “does your tummy hurt?” – the answer will always be “yes” through fat tears. Symptom prompting is unproductive. You could ask, “does your arthritis hurt?” and he would say “yes” and sob even more loudly. Usually, his “illness” is everything and nothing all at once.

What’s really wrong with the OSU offense?…we’ve been symptom prompting. Last year, “is it tough to win with a freshman quarterback?” — the easy answer follows: “yes.” This year, “is it tough to win if you turn the ball over?” — “yes,” that’s it, turnovers are the issue. Or, “is the team inexperienced at key positions?” — “yes,” that’s a nice tidy label. “Is the QB coach too green?” – “yes,” he’s an easy target, that must be it. “Should Coach Tressel hire someone to call the plays?” – “yes,” Ohio State can only win if they have the right play called. “Is the offensive line slow and underwhelming? – “yes,” that sounds like a good reason. (more…)

We’ve heard everyone in America with a pen or a microphone take their shots at our young Buckeye offense this week.  Come on down to Blitz to watch the Buckeyes get back on track by feasting on some Gophers. Read Matt’s Week 7 Preview

Kick off is at 9:00am PST, so arrive early to get the best seats and enjoy Blitz’s breakfast buffet. Blitz Ladd is located at 2239 SE 11th Ave. (Corner of SE 11th and SE Sherman).

Get Directions

Where do they go from here?
from Blogging the Buckeyes by Ken Gordon

Train Wreck
from The Columbus Dispatch by Ken Gordon

Take Pryor off his pedestal
from The Columbus Dispatch by Bob Hunter

Terrelle Pryor must be Ohio State’s answer at quarterback
from The Plain Dealer by Doug Lesmerises

Ohio State must figure out how to utilize Pryor’s athletic gifts
from SI.com by Andy Staples

by Matt Johnson – October 8th, 2009

Tressels,
So, I don’t mean to brag, but…I met Brutus last week.  No, not just some Brutus, but the real Brutus Buckeye.  That’s right.  I have the picture to prove it.

We were at a wedding and Brutus showed up.  In Columbus, Ohio, Brutus is always good for a little excitement generation.  The mother of the groom asked me to show Brutus to another section of the wedding pavillion.  So, I guess you could say I was momentarily Brutus’ “handler.”  I was pretty good at acting as if I wasn’t in a position of extreme importance, but that’s tough to mask with humility when you are Brutus’ handler.

Having this moment of close connection with Brutus made me think about how sick we are in Columbus.  (If there are children reading this email that still “believe in the magic of Christmas,” as a responsible parent, please close this email now and read it after they go to bed.)  The real Brutus Buckeye reminded me of days when I was the real Santa Claus at Lazarus Santaland downtown.  That’s right, I was Santa for one winter break when I was 20.  About 1,400 people have the picture to prove it. (more…)

by Matt Johnson – October 3rd

Tressels,

Typically, the least interesting thing you can do with your free time is listen to any interview with Coach Tressel.

Bob Hunter wrote a funny editorial in the Dispatch describing a pre-season press conference where Coach Tressel was saying he was excited for the start of the 2009 season, but his body language and tone would suggest the exact opposite.  Juxtapose a Coach Tressel interview with an Earle Bruce interview.  Someone could ask Earle Bruce what the weather will be like tomorrow and he’ll quickly digress into a passionate plea for Ohio State to punch someone in the nose.  He’ll also somehow boldly work in – “if you think you can, you can; if you think you can’t, you can’t.”  If you ask Coach Tressel about the weather tomorrow, somehow he’ll work in “(insert name of next opponent) cannot be taken lightly and so forth.”

I was floored to see Ohio State score a TD late in the game against Illinois last weekend.  Under Coach Tressel, Ohio State NEVER runs up the score – even if they should.  After the game, I actually watched the post-game news conference because something as rare as Lydell Ross getting past the line of scrimmage had just occured.  There was no way Coach Tressel could avoid “interesting” with this one.  The question came up right away – why go for the TD late in the game?  Coach Tressel said that they felt not going for the TD would have been risky because the Bucks were only up by three scores at that time (it was 23-0).  There were 2 minutes left in the game and the possibility of The Illini scoring 3 TDs and 3 two-point conversions in that time was as likely as Mark Dantonio sending Mike Hart a birthday e-card with pictures of Anne Geddes babies.

So, how did Coach Tressel feel about it?  We’ll never really know…   (more…)

Join your local Portland Buckeyes to kick off the Big Ten Season vs. Illinois. OSU has won 4 of the past 5 meetings with the Illini. That one defeat, however, ruined the Buckeyes’ 10-0 start in 2007.  Ohio State must find a way to contain QB Williams, who can beat you with both his arms and his legs.

Revenge is a dish best served with beer, wings, and Buckeyes.

Kick off is at 12:30pm PST, so arrive early to get the best seats.

What do you think so far of our new home at Bltiz?

A dozen new members will be inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame this weekend

Allison Hanna – Golf 2000-04

A two-time All-American, Allison Hanna was the Big Ten Player of the Year and Ohio State Female Athlete of the Year in 2004, as well as the 2001 Big Ten Freshman of the Year. She was a three-time First Team All-Big Ten selection and won the 2003 Big Ten Championships individual title. Hanna, a two-time team captain, was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and a four-time Ohio State Scholar-Athlete. A member of the All-NCAA West Regional Team in 2004, Hanna ended her career with the lowest scoring average (72.58) in program history. She turned professional in 2004 and has played several seasons on the LPGA Tour.