Family Feud is a feature where Dave and Drew throw their opinions in on various Buckeye football subjects, which many times are quite opposite. This edition takes a look at some of the hot topics in and around the B1G Conference.
1. What do make of the situation with Joe Paterno and Penn State?
Dave: Wow! I never saw this coming in a million years. This has the potential of making Tatgate look like shoplifting candy from the drug store. Obviously there has been a big time coverup. The question is whether or not Joe was involved. My gut says that he didn't know the full story but knew enough that he should have intervened and dug deeper. This is just a tragedy when you consider the lives impacted. And considering how many young kids Sandusky worked with you have to believe there are dozens more who were at least approached if not abused. In the end I think there is a total housecleaning of PSU administration and coaching staff. Although Penn State fans annoy me, I have always respected JoePa and hate to see him go in this way, if that is what occurs.
Drew: I definitely think it is a sad day for college football. I don't like Penn State, and was quite bothered by their better than thou attitude during the Tatgate scandal, but I have always respected Joe Paterno. One my earliest memories of watching football on television was watching him sprint down the sideline to stop the Penn State student section from throwing snowballs on the field at their opponents. Moments like that have always made me think of him as one of the classiest coaches in the business, a coach that did things the right way. Obviously, like many Penn State fans, that idea has been rocked thanks by the recent discoveries. As Buckeye fans, we just went through the same emotions with Tressel. As much as I hate to see what is going on with Paterno, my thoughts definitely are much more focused on the well being of all the victims involved.
2. The conference has a lot of parity this season and teams have beat up on each other. Who do think is the best team in the conference and who wins the conference title game?
Drew: That's a good question, and there really are two different answers. I still believe the best team in the conference is Wisconsin. While there defense isn't championship caliber they are a very complete offensive team, they are two hail mary's away from being undefeated. The problem is those two wins killed them in Leaders Division, and they need Penn State and Ohio State to help them out a lot to get into the conference title game. My prediction is that Penn State falls apart with everything going on and loses two of the next three games, including at Ohio State. I still believe the Buckeyes can run the table and I see them facing Michigan State in Indianapolis. While the Buckeyes are hoping for some sweet revenge, I'll pick Michigan State because they matchup so well against OSU.
Dave: It is pretty close between a number of teams, and I would have never thought that to be the case three weeks ago. At that point I thought Wisconsin was head and shoulders above the rest. But right now, it is a close race between the Badgers, Michigan State, and Nebraska, with the Buckeyes gaining ground. Penn State has the best record but their schedule has been a joke, and they have some tough games left, to say nothing of their off the field distractions. I agree that Wisconsin has the strongest overall team, and also agree that Michigan State will win the Leaders. I would love to pick the Buckeyes in the Legends but think they stumble and lose one more game on the road. So I'll take the Badgers over the Spartans in the conference title game.
1. What do make of the situation with Joe Paterno and Penn State?
Dave: Wow! I never saw this coming in a million years. This has the potential of making Tatgate look like shoplifting candy from the drug store. Obviously there has been a big time coverup. The question is whether or not Joe was involved. My gut says that he didn't know the full story but knew enough that he should have intervened and dug deeper. This is just a tragedy when you consider the lives impacted. And considering how many young kids Sandusky worked with you have to believe there are dozens more who were at least approached if not abused. In the end I think there is a total housecleaning of PSU administration and coaching staff. Although Penn State fans annoy me, I have always respected JoePa and hate to see him go in this way, if that is what occurs.
Drew: I definitely think it is a sad day for college football. I don't like Penn State, and was quite bothered by their better than thou attitude during the Tatgate scandal, but I have always respected Joe Paterno. One my earliest memories of watching football on television was watching him sprint down the sideline to stop the Penn State student section from throwing snowballs on the field at their opponents. Moments like that have always made me think of him as one of the classiest coaches in the business, a coach that did things the right way. Obviously, like many Penn State fans, that idea has been rocked thanks by the recent discoveries. As Buckeye fans, we just went through the same emotions with Tressel. As much as I hate to see what is going on with Paterno, my thoughts definitely are much more focused on the well being of all the victims involved.
2. The conference has a lot of parity this season and teams have beat up on each other. Who do think is the best team in the conference and who wins the conference title game?
Drew: That's a good question, and there really are two different answers. I still believe the best team in the conference is Wisconsin. While there defense isn't championship caliber they are a very complete offensive team, they are two hail mary's away from being undefeated. The problem is those two wins killed them in Leaders Division, and they need Penn State and Ohio State to help them out a lot to get into the conference title game. My prediction is that Penn State falls apart with everything going on and loses two of the next three games, including at Ohio State. I still believe the Buckeyes can run the table and I see them facing Michigan State in Indianapolis. While the Buckeyes are hoping for some sweet revenge, I'll pick Michigan State because they matchup so well against OSU.
Dave: It is pretty close between a number of teams, and I would have never thought that to be the case three weeks ago. At that point I thought Wisconsin was head and shoulders above the rest. But right now, it is a close race between the Badgers, Michigan State, and Nebraska, with the Buckeyes gaining ground. Penn State has the best record but their schedule has been a joke, and they have some tough games left, to say nothing of their off the field distractions. I agree that Wisconsin has the strongest overall team, and also agree that Michigan State will win the Leaders. I would love to pick the Buckeyes in the Legends but think they stumble and lose one more game on the road. So I'll take the Badgers over the Spartans in the conference title game.
3. Tressel is gone. Paterno will be gone. Zook could be gone. Nebraska is here for good. Michigan seems to be on the rise. The conference is definitely in a time of transition, who do you see gaining momentum for next season?
Dave: It is always fun to try and peer into the looking glass. With Michigan playing better and having a great recruiting class they seem to be the clear candidate. Hoke may not be a great coach but he is a huge upgrade in Ann Arbor. Meanwhile Dantonio has done a nice job down the road at East Lansing, and they have slowly been improving, but do lose quite a bit of talent after this season. So as much as it pains me, my pick is those pesky Wolverines. All of this could change, though, if Urban Meyer signs on at Ohio State. Then the Buckeyes would suddenly become the team with all the momentum, and recruits would start lining up.
Drew: Michigan is an obvious choice. Hoke has brought a renewed sense of physicality to the program, and has a top 5 recruiting class full of offensive and defensive lineman. They definitely are on an upward trend. Michigan State and Wisconsin have positioned themselves as top tier teams in the conference for the next few years. Obviously I'm a homer, but I also think the Buckeyes are on an upward trend. Though there have been lots of setbacks this year, if the NCAA doesn't come down hard, the young crop of talent on this team is going to be hard to bet against moving forward. As you mentioned, though, who the coach is moving forward will make the difference.
4. To the Buckeyes - How do you see them finishing the last 3 games?
Drew: I already alluded to this above, I really can see this team winning out. None of the games are easy though. Purdue has been solid at home and appear to be a vastly improving team. Like many lower tier teams in the conference, they will give their best effort of the season against the Buckeyes. The next week OSU returns home to play Penn State. In many ways both teams mirror each other on and off the field. On the field, both just need some consistent quarterback play to be very good. While it's tough to predict because it will be a defensive showdown, coming down to turnovers and field position, I think the OSU wins at home. Then everything finishes up in Ann Arbor November 26th. I see the Buckeyes doing what Michigan State and Iowa have done, just being too physical for the Wolverines to handle. So, I'm predicting 3-0 and I feel semi-confident with that pick.
Dave: Man if hope you are right, Drew. However, when I see how shaky the young Bucks played Saturday, and consider how little room for error this team has, due to a weaker defense than in the past, plus a freshman quarterback, I just think that they fall either at Purdue or at Michigan. So I think they wind up 8-4, and head off to a middle of the road bowl game so long as the NCAA doesn't hand down a ban.
5. If it was your decision to make, would you keep Luke Fickell?
Dave: Simple answer: No! I really like Luke and think he is a class act who has handled a tough situation with dignity and discernment. But I don't think he is an elite coach at this point, and that is what Ohio State needs and expects. While I think he could lead OSU to a B1G championship at some point in the future (maybe sooner rather than later), I do not think he can lead them to a National Championship, and we all know that is the expectation in Columbus. If Urban Meyer is interested in the job, as many insiders believe, you have to go after him. In fact, even winning out this season would not be enough for Fickell, in my opinion, if Meyer wants the position.
Drew: This is going to sound weird, but I only replace Fickell if I can definitely get Urban Meyer. I know that sounds shady, like some moron that only will stay with his girlfriend if he can't get someone hotter, but in this situation I feel it's best. Urban Meyer is the slam dunk hire that the fanbase wants and who has the ability to bring the fresh offensive perspective needed to get the Buckeyes another national title. Outside of Meyer, what candidate really is that exciting? Bo Pelini wants the job, but hasn't done anything to prove he's ready. Mark Dantonio is like Tressel lite. The other candidates will either want to stay put or will be a reach. That's why I take the risk on Fickell if Meyer turns me down behind closed doors. He's had relative success both in coaching up this young team and on the recruiting front, and I see a bright future. Getting the Buckeyes to a Big Ten Championship Game would only make that decision easier.
Dave: It is always fun to try and peer into the looking glass. With Michigan playing better and having a great recruiting class they seem to be the clear candidate. Hoke may not be a great coach but he is a huge upgrade in Ann Arbor. Meanwhile Dantonio has done a nice job down the road at East Lansing, and they have slowly been improving, but do lose quite a bit of talent after this season. So as much as it pains me, my pick is those pesky Wolverines. All of this could change, though, if Urban Meyer signs on at Ohio State. Then the Buckeyes would suddenly become the team with all the momentum, and recruits would start lining up.
Drew: Michigan is an obvious choice. Hoke has brought a renewed sense of physicality to the program, and has a top 5 recruiting class full of offensive and defensive lineman. They definitely are on an upward trend. Michigan State and Wisconsin have positioned themselves as top tier teams in the conference for the next few years. Obviously I'm a homer, but I also think the Buckeyes are on an upward trend. Though there have been lots of setbacks this year, if the NCAA doesn't come down hard, the young crop of talent on this team is going to be hard to bet against moving forward. As you mentioned, though, who the coach is moving forward will make the difference.
4. To the Buckeyes - How do you see them finishing the last 3 games?
Drew: I already alluded to this above, I really can see this team winning out. None of the games are easy though. Purdue has been solid at home and appear to be a vastly improving team. Like many lower tier teams in the conference, they will give their best effort of the season against the Buckeyes. The next week OSU returns home to play Penn State. In many ways both teams mirror each other on and off the field. On the field, both just need some consistent quarterback play to be very good. While it's tough to predict because it will be a defensive showdown, coming down to turnovers and field position, I think the OSU wins at home. Then everything finishes up in Ann Arbor November 26th. I see the Buckeyes doing what Michigan State and Iowa have done, just being too physical for the Wolverines to handle. So, I'm predicting 3-0 and I feel semi-confident with that pick.
Dave: Man if hope you are right, Drew. However, when I see how shaky the young Bucks played Saturday, and consider how little room for error this team has, due to a weaker defense than in the past, plus a freshman quarterback, I just think that they fall either at Purdue or at Michigan. So I think they wind up 8-4, and head off to a middle of the road bowl game so long as the NCAA doesn't hand down a ban.
5. If it was your decision to make, would you keep Luke Fickell?
Dave: Simple answer: No! I really like Luke and think he is a class act who has handled a tough situation with dignity and discernment. But I don't think he is an elite coach at this point, and that is what Ohio State needs and expects. While I think he could lead OSU to a B1G championship at some point in the future (maybe sooner rather than later), I do not think he can lead them to a National Championship, and we all know that is the expectation in Columbus. If Urban Meyer is interested in the job, as many insiders believe, you have to go after him. In fact, even winning out this season would not be enough for Fickell, in my opinion, if Meyer wants the position.
Drew: This is going to sound weird, but I only replace Fickell if I can definitely get Urban Meyer. I know that sounds shady, like some moron that only will stay with his girlfriend if he can't get someone hotter, but in this situation I feel it's best. Urban Meyer is the slam dunk hire that the fanbase wants and who has the ability to bring the fresh offensive perspective needed to get the Buckeyes another national title. Outside of Meyer, what candidate really is that exciting? Bo Pelini wants the job, but hasn't done anything to prove he's ready. Mark Dantonio is like Tressel lite. The other candidates will either want to stay put or will be a reach. That's why I take the risk on Fickell if Meyer turns me down behind closed doors. He's had relative success both in coaching up this young team and on the recruiting front, and I see a bright future. Getting the Buckeyes to a Big Ten Championship Game would only make that decision easier.
RSS Feed
