IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY:
OSU 14, Michigan 3

Some things bore me, OSU wins over Michigan do not. The disappointment this Buckeyes fan and OSU alum experienced during the Cooper years is slowly becoming a distant memory as The Vest imposes his will on Carr and The Big House faithful year after year.

Things I liked watching during this year's edition of college football's greatest rivalry:

• Mike Hart's trash-talking

You Buckeye fans will remember David Boston's embarrassing performance as he grabbed his Michigan opponent's (the name's not worth remembering) facemask, shook it, and ran his mouth for all to see on ABC's national coverage. The video clip always makes its way into montages illustrating the passion of the rivalry, but it truly was nothing short of embarrassing. It seems, though, that Michigan has now offered up an equally, if not a more embarrassing performance to blot David Boston's name from the top of the list. Hart began running his mouth in the days before the game when he said, "I'd rather lose to Appalachian State than lose to Ohio State." It continued into the pregame "celebration," and on through the early part of the game. Apparently he needed to be reminded that his record against OSU at the time was 0-3. He got the message loud and clear along the way, and this leads me to the second thing that was fun to watch:

• Mike Hart's lack of production

Hart's line: 18 carries, 44 yards, 0 TD

• Mike Hart & Chad Henne falling to 0-4 against OSU

I'm not including Jake Long on this list because I actually respect his talent (though it was entertaining to see Gholston get around him a couple of times, see below). Hart & Henne, on the other hand, were over-hyped from their freshman year. Sure, Hart is #1 on the Michigan rushing list, but that's like talking about John Cooper's final season rankings. Tell me how they did in the big games. Enough said.

• Chris Wells' 39 carries, 222 yards, 2 TDs

Simply the best performance I've witnessed by a Buckeye against UM. Jonathan Wells' performance in 2001 sticks out in many OSU fans' minds, with 25 carries for 129 yards. J-Wells' day was most impressive because it was unexpected. Beanie, though, was the focus from snap #1, and he still ran it down Wolverine throat.

• Sad Maize&Blue-painted faces

• Vernon Gholston's 3 Sacks

• Lllllloyd Carr's record against Jim Tressel falling to 1-6

Wolverine forecast:
Henne's gone, Hart's gone (good riddance, both), Long's gone; Wells is back; Boeckman's back; Robiskie, Hartline & Small are back. OSU may be reloading on defense, but this stories been played before, and I've liked the results. I'll also mention that A.J. Trapasso will be back, and the #1 play in football, acording to The Vest, is the punt. Bring it, Mallet!

Can't wait 'til next year!

11/18/2007