The Portland Buckeyes

Tressels,

I want the Bucks to beat Michigan BADLY this weekend. I don’t want to see the Bucks play a good game, but come up short. I don’t want to see a moral victory. I want to see them win BIG. I want to beat Michigan because of Tim Biakabatuka. I want to beat Michigan because of The Slip. I want to beat them because of wide-left FG attempts in the Eighties. I want to beat them to make the winter seem shorter. I want to beat them to make beer taste better. I want to beat them because of their annoying fight song. I want to beat them because of their ugly helmets. I want to beat them for Charles Lovett Palmer III, Charles Lovett Palmer IV and Charles Lovett Palmer V. I want to beat them because of Charles Woodson. I want to beat them because of Braylon Edwards. I want to beat them for my Uncle Garth. I want the Bucks to pull a “Woody Hayes” & go for 2 even if they are up big late in the 4th quarter. I want Michigan fans to know that OSU is no longer an automatic win – as it was during the Cooper era. I want Michigan fans to quit their annoying counter that Michigan State is their big rival. I want to beat them, so people wearing Michigan apparel in Columbus put that crap in the closet. I want to dash Michigan’s hopes of salvaging their season. I want to beat them for Mr. Kingsboro who annually led us as kids in Script Ohio on the playground @ Tremont Elementry the Friday before the Michigan game. I want to beat them for the Portland Buckeyes. I want to beat them because of Prescott Burgess and Mario Manningham. I want to beat them for Tino. I want to beat them because of Mike Hart. I want to beat them for Austin and his proud singing of his “Ohio State Football Song.” I want to beat them, so we can go win the Rose Bowl (keep your fingers crossed). I want to beat them for Jason “Mr. Green Jeans” Blackburn and his Buckeye-fanatic wife who go to every game — home and away. I want to beat them for (or because of) apple bottom jeans. I want to beat them because of the little dog that bit my friend John after the IU game a few seasons ago. I want to beat them for the Congo van. I want to beat them for kids playing football at Northam Park until early late-Fall sunsets. I want to beat them for 1711 Cardiff Road. I want to beat them for displaced Buckeye fans who think of home. I want to beat them for our gracious host in Phoenix for the 2002 Championship Game. I want to beat them for bragging rights to the biggest rivalry in College Football. I want to beat them for Nels and his generous tailgates. I want to beat them for the Dougherty brothers and their outstanding fried turkey. I want to beat them for those long-time fans who revere the Rose Bowl as the ultimate College Football game — and always will. I want to beat them for my cooking, pacing friend who hosted me for the Penn State game in 2007. I want to beat them because of my frustration trying to get a hot dog in Evanston. I want to beat them for memories under the Buckeye tree in my grandma’s side yard. I want to beat them for family reunions using football Saturdays as the catalyst. I want to beat them for the Buckeye necklaces my Aunt Penny made. I want to beat them to make the Friday night Tommy’s wait shorter. I want to beat them for “Jake’s Place.” I want to beat them for Steiny-gate. I want to beat them for Mike’s sloppy joes. I want to beat them for Brandon Saine taking the time to sign an autograph for every kid in Mrs. Emery’s third grade class. I want to beat them for the kids at Children’s Hospital who unexpectedly received a visit from Troy Smith and Antonio Smith a few years ago the night before the #1 vs. #2 Michigan game.

This list could have no end…

For this game, forget everything you know about these teams up to this point. It doesn’t matter. The numbers don’t mean anything. The previous wins and previous losses have no affect on the outcome of this one game. This game IS the season. All the other games just give us things to cheer about. They are a nice distraction — reasons to get everyone together despite errands and bills. They are comforting traditions — like Buckeyes from the tree in Grandma’s sideyard, running around the stadium with family early gameday Saturdays and the Sunday morning Dispatch.

This week, I’ve been conflicted with simultaneous feelings of masochism and paranoia.

I find myself hoping that Michigan is not this bad. Is there something wrong with me? Oddly, it gives me no pleasure having the sworn enemy viewed as a museum. A place where people can go to view artifacts from a great war that took place a long time ago. An antagonist preserved at 72 degrees and 50% humidity. No real threat of modern-day escape.

However, I can still vividly remember when things were all too real. When Buckeye wide receivers prematurely guaranteed victory. When Jonathan Wells mistakenly cut a run back to the middle of the field and was caught from behind. When pompous Heisman poses were struck.

I find myself projecting these images to 2009 and become uneasy. I know there is something wrong with me.

On paper, the Michigan defense wouldn’t seem formidable. (more…)

The Ohio State University Alumni Association has emailed us asking how many tickets we want.  If you would like to request tickets through our club, you’ll have to be a dues paying member to both our club and the home office and there will be a  limit of 2 each. We need to get back to home office by end of Friday in Ohio.

If you would like to put in a request, please send an email to John Bruns – JBruns1119[AT]aol.com – with a subject line of “ROSE BOWL TICKETS”.

This isn’t guaranteed that everyone will get them, but the chances are good.

Tressels,

Jan. 1st, 1955: Ohio State 20 Southern Cal 7…Woody’s first National Championship.

Jan. 1st, 1969: Ohio State 27 Southern Cal 16…the Super Sophs become legendary.

Jan. 1st, 1997: Ohio State 20 Arizona State 17…Joey Germaine to David Boston in the final minutes.

Four straight for Archie.

It’s the pinnacle…still is and always will be.  Ohio State first went in 1921…a couple weeks before Southeast Ohio native Kenesaw Mountain Landis became the first baseball commissioner…and it feels as if it’s been that long since their last appearance.  It creates history and rememberance.

So, here we are.  In a season where the motto at the outset was “embracing uncertainty,” words like “rememberance” are within reach.

Before the season began, one of my buddies said that he thought this season would be like 2004.  A young team would show flashes but have an embarrasing, early stumble.  Things would start to come together as the season progressed (see: Troy Smith and the Shot-Ginn in 2004) and end on a high note.  You kinda get the feeling he will be right.     (more…)

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…)