Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, May 29, 2013
The SEC meetings are going on. So, you know some juicy stuff is going to come out. Well, here?s some: Alabama?s Nick Saban was asked how Ohio State would have fared in the SEC last season, when the league had six teams-Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Texas A&M, South Carolina–in the top 11 of the final BCS standings before bowl season. How many of those teams would the 12-0 Buckeyes have beaten, Nick?
?Would they have won three? I don't know," Saban said.
Saban on strength of SEC six in top 10 last year: "How many would Ohio St have beaten? Would they have won 3? I don't know."
— Matt Hayes (@MattHayesCFB) May 28, 2013
I think Ohio State would have been lucky to have won one or two against that set of six teams. As the story points out: The Buckeyes beat Cal by a touchdown, Michigan State by a point, Indiana by a field goal and Purdue and Wisconsin in overtime.
More Buckeyes for your Wednesday: Doug Lesmerises of the Cleveland Plain Dealer tries to peak into the future as to what each of the next four seasons will mean for Ohio State. In the first segment of his ?future watch,? Lesmerises looks at what could be in store for the Buckeyes in 2013. Yes, it could be another unbeaten season. And, yes, it could end with a game vs. Alabama in Pasadena in the final BCS title game. How sweet would that be? (If not in the title game, OSU should at least play in the 100th Rose Bowl.)
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Who will be Penn State?s 2013 offensive breakout star? Audrey Snyder of PennLive.com wonders.
Could it be running back Akeel Lynch? Tight end Jesse James? Either would be a good choice. I?ll go with Lynch, even though Zach Zwinak is coming off a surprising 1,000-yard season.
Speaking of Penn State, did you ever wonder what Bill O?Brien?s recruiting pitch was like? Well, check it out here on YouTube.
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It looks like none of us can agree on a favorite in the Legends Division.
Will it be Nebraska? (My pick) Michigan? Michigan State? Perhaps Northwestern? Hmmmm. The Leaders Division debate takes a nanosecond: It?s Ohio State-and everyone else. Sorry, Wisconsin.
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With Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson out because of academics, Michigan State?s new ?toughest? game is at Nebraska on Nov. 16. (Michigan plays in East Lansing on Nov. 2).
In case you have forgotten, the Spartans are 0-2 vs. the Cornhuskers in Big Ten play. This year?s Nebraska-Michigan State clash could feature the Big Ten?s best offense (Huskers) vs. the Big Ten?s best defense (Spartans). Can?t wait!
Michigan State projected starting right tackle Skyler Burkland is going to quit football because of injuries. This is a rough blow.
Without Burkland, MSU likely will turn to redshirt freshman Jack Conklin. Sophomore Donavan Clark is another option. A final option: former tackle Dan France could move back to tackle from guard, with 2012 freshman sensation Jack Allen taking France?s guard spot.
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Michigan Nation is still buzzing about the commitment of Jabrill Peppers, the No. 1 cornerback in the nation. So, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com decided to take a look at the top five commitments of the Brady Hoke era.
Yes, it?s good to be Brady Hoke, and a Michigan fan, too.
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My man Matty Hayes of Sporting News released his Top 25.
Wisconsin is No. 24; Nebraska 21; Michigan 13; Ohio State 5. I approve, except for having Michigan ahead of Nebraska. Oh, and I think Northwestern should be ranked.
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That trading card for little Jack Hoffman, the 7-year-old star of the Nebraska spring game, has found new buyers. And among them is James Denton, who played on ?Desperate Housewives.?
Why didn?t Larry the Cable Guy step up? He?s a huge Nebraska fan, right?
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No doubt, Trey Burke will be missed at Michigan. Into that massive void steps freshman Derrick Walton. Can he carry the load from the point?
The Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year, Walton inherits a program that won a Big Ten title and went to the national title game in two seasons under Burke. Let?s all say it together: ?pressure.?
Speaking of Burke, it seems his NBA draft stock may be slipping. ESPN.com's Chad Ford says both former Syracuse point guard Michael Carter-Williams and ex-Lehigh star C.J. McCollum could be selected ahead of Burke in the draft.
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The transfers keep rolling in for Illinois. The latest: Oregon State point guard Ahmad Starks.
Starks opted to leave Corvallis to be closer to his sick grandmother in Chicago. He will seek a family hardship waiver from the NCAA and could be eligible next season. Starks is the fourth transfer Illinois has taken since the end of last season. Illinois State junior forward Jon Ekey, Seton Hall sophomore guard Aaron Cosby and Western Michigan freshman forward Darius Paul. Prior to last season, Drake?s Rayvonte Rice and Coastal Carolina?s Sam McLaurin joined the Illini.
Got all of that?
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Myron Medcalf of ESPN.com has a ranking of the top 10 impactful sophomores for 2013-14.
Wisconsin?s Sam Dekker is No. 2. Indiana?s Yogi Ferrell is No. 4. Alas, there is no Glenn Robinson or Mitch McGary of Michigan. And what about Gary Harris of Michigan State? What?
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I?ll leave you with this from the always-hilarious Mike Hlas of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, who has five things Rutgers doesn?t want you to know.
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TWEETS THAT MATTER
Do you think ticket prices for Nebraska football are too expensive? #Huskers
— Mike'l Severe (@MikelSevere) May 28, 2013
My take: Well, if the Huskers are winning, I KNOW the tickets aren?t too expensive.
Victor Oladipo rising on the NBA Draft charts. Good. Seems like some NBA teams are getting their heads out of their rear ends.
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) May 28, 2013
My take: The guy could be special. He?s so versatile and does everything well. Oh, and he works hard. All the time.
New @B1Gfootball bowl lineup should be out this week. A reminder to the @bigtenconf: Noon is an inconsiderate time to release info.
— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) May 28, 2013
My take: Among other things, expect the Holiday and Pinstripe Bowls to be added.
Starting to suspect the people on Rutgers' search committee aren't particularly internet savvy when it comes to research.
— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) May 28, 2013
My take: How difficult is it to Bing or Google someone? Honestly. C?mon.
https://twitter.com/audsnyder4/status/339413776795303937
My take: It would have been a silent picture starring Charlie Chaplin and Fatty Arbuckle.
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| About Tom Dienhart | BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men's basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, read all of his work at btn.com/tomdienhart, and subscribe to his posts via RSS. Also, send questions to his weekly mailbag using the form below and read all of his previous answers in his reader mailbag section. |
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