tOSU Says Their Peace In Indy, Forfeits Their Piece From New Orleans

(HT: WBNS-TV Columbus))

Ohio State University officials and former coach Jim Tressel appeared before an NCAA infractions committee for about four hours in Indianapolis, getting the third degree from the Committee on Infractions and defending their life in and around the Tattoo Six...

It'll take about another 8 to 12 weeks for any word to trickle out one way or the other on any kind of punishment. If more charges come to the surface, another meeting could be called by the CoI, but for every subsequent meeting it'll take another 8 to 12 weeks for another judgment to come down from the mountain...

Oh, and Terrelle Pryor testifying...???
tOSU doesn't want that...

Here's AD Gene Smith talking about the day and giving up the one piece of news on the day- the fact that the Buckeyes gave up their Sugar Bowl share...


Why he and Gordon Gee are still employed are anyone's guess...

Hey, did you know we wrote a book...???

OSU Fans show Jim Tressel love...at his house

March for Tressel/Courtesy: Columbus Dispatch

 ((ht: columbus dispatch))

You could say they stormed the Tressel. Or conquered the vest...or something like that.

Anyway, apparently a couple hundred Ohio State fans banded together in Columbus on Saturday and marched to now former head football coach Jim Tressel's house to show their support.

Tressel turned in his resignation Monday after admitting he withheld NCAA infractions regarding his players from his bosses at the school.

The resulting investigation(s), have put Ohio State at the forefront of a couple of investigations from the college football authorities.

Tressel spent nearly an hour posing for pictures, shaking hands and signing autographs for those who marched.

More from the Columbus Dispatch RIGHT HERE

We applaud the fans for showing their love for their coach. But unfortunately, it won't undo what has been done. One fan said he's going to boycott the school until president E.Gordon Gee and AD Gene Smith are gone. That's just idiotic.

Appreciate Tressel for some of the good things he did, and he did a bunch up in Columbus. But he made a mistake, one that he had to pay for. Morally right or not, he broke the rules...and then lied about it and you can't do that. It's no different than you doing something against your company's rules, then lying about it to your boss who has documentation to prove that you broke the rules... and lied. Bottom line...PERIOD!

And more from our friends at 10TV...

More Ohio State woes: Compliance department warned in audit

E.Gordon Gee/courtesy: coacheshotseat.com

((ht: Columbus Dispatch))

Is this like piling on? Or is this the set-up for when the hammer drops so there is someone to blame that isn't E. Gordon Gee or Gene Smith?

A report released in this mornings Columbus Dispatch details an Ohio State University audit this past November that says tOSU's Compliance Department, under director Doug Archie "Wasn't doing enough to monitor the use of cars, uniforms and equipment by the schools athletes."

And considering the problems and allegations that have spawned out of the athletic department since that audit, there may be a problem.

According to the Dispatch, E.Gordon Gee says the school is "Taking a look at our failures" in the compliance department. But in the kiss of death, added "He wants Ohio State to set the standard for how a compliance department should operate."


Read the interestingly timed story RIGHT HERE

Here's the report from our friends at NBC4...
((HT: NBC4i.com))


We find it interesting that the department has six people monitoring some 1,000 plus athletes. There's no way they can keep up with that. Though they supposedly are adding two more positions.

With all the allegations, which you can read if you scan the OSG Sports archives over the past couple of months, we wonder if there may be a plan for some scapegoating going on here. That isn't to absolve Archie, though we seriously doubt he or his staff could keep up with every detail involving that many athletes.

What we do know is the school is in serious trouble and is in damage control mode. Don't think for a minute that Coach Jim Tressel's resignation wasn't suggested or asked for. There appears, at least on the surface, an atmosphere of entitlement for Football players who seem to be able to do whatever they want, when they want and it will always be taken care of. No, Columbus is not the 1st place this has ever happened and it isn't the only place it's happening now. But its not right and somebody is going to be taking the fall for this, the question is only who?

Tattoo You: Gee Says Gene Smith Is Safe

((HT: NBC4i.com Columbus))

Although the HQ would tend to wholly and unequivocally disagree, Ohio State University president Gordon Gee maintains that the job of his Athletics Director, Gene Smith, is safe in light of all the current allegations on campus...

We don't think he mentioned the compliance department in the interview below, though.

Here's the interview in full...


The HQ still thinks that Smith is on a short leash in all of this, and if the situation gets worse ((which we think it will in light of George Dohrmann's laughter on "The Dan Patrick Show" yesterday)) Smith is gone...

And Gee may be gone after this all settles...
Maybe Tressel's firing will get Gee fired after all...

Tressel- check...
Smith- waiting...
Gee- we're thinking Nixonian here...

Here's WBNS-TV's Kevin Landers with his version...
((HT: 10TV Columbus))


More when we know more...

tOSU Starts Spring Practice, Fickell Interim Coach

((HT: WBNS-TV))

Ohio State announced that Luke Fickell has been promoted to assistant head football coach and will be the interim head coach for the first five games of the 2011 season.

Fickell keeps his role as linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator.

"I am honored to be able to grow at a place and in a program that I know, love and respect. It is extremely humbling," Fickell said in a statement.

Today was the first day of Spring practice in Columbus, and it was another day for THe Vest to be raked over the coals for his behavior- which he continued to apologize for at the same presser that Fickell was announced interim HC.

Here's Tressel again...
((HT: ESPN))

Tressel's E-Mails: Now We Know...Maybe...

((HT: Columbus Dispatch/Wagner, May))

Apparently, when tOSU head coach Jim Tressel acknowledged that the infamous/shot-across-the-bow e-mail warning was sent somewhere and his AD Gene Smith cut him off from any further details, we now know where they were sent...

We think...

An advisor to Terelle Pryor in his home town...

Ted Sarniak lives in Jeannette, Pennsylvania. He became friends with Pryor and had accompanied him on recruiting trips in the past. The university, however, will not identify Sarniak as a booster.

When asked by the Dispatch whether or not Tressel had passed the information in the e-mail to Sarniak, OSU officials said, "We are not discussing any issues relative to the case until it is resolved with the NCAA."

Of course not...

More when we know more...
The e-mails can be found hyah...

Here's your Gordon Gee flashback from the presser...
((HT: WBNS-TV Columbus))

More on Jim Tressel lying: Why he deserves more punishment

Jim Tressel/File

We, like most outlets, reported on Ohio State coach Jim Tressel getting caught lying to his bosses, investigators and pretty much everyone else. And yet it is being looked at by those in Columbus and other players as a "Boo-boo".

Really, there isn't any excuse for what he did, yet Tuesday night in his press conference he offered one: "I am sincerely saddened by the fact I let some people down and didn't do things as well as I possibly could".


Really. Even though it was a deliberate act that can easily be interpreted as trying to cover up and protect his pre-season ranking. Even though it was an attempt to cover up and protect his star player. Even though you lied and said that you 1st heard of all this in December when your bosses did.... Hmmm.

Here's a play by play on what happened from the Columbus Dispatch READ HERE

Read the e-mail exchange with the "Un-named" attorney RIGHT HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE

Several things can be discerned from these e-mails:

One, the "Un-named" attorney is in a heap of trouble. Not only did he aid and abet in the cover-up. He disclosed confidential information from a client to Tressel.

Two, both parties engaged in deceiving both the local district attorney and Federal investigators. Whether Tressel's deceit was intentional or not, the fact is, he did it.

Three, Tressel apparently didn't think this was an urgent matter. He seems to have taken his time addressing it, if he ever addressed it. Had the report from the Feds not shown up in his bosses office in December, we are betting it would never have been addressed.

Perhaps the most offensive thing from yesterday, Ohio State's willingness to slough the whole thing off. Yeah, sure, Tressel will serve a 2-game suspension and be fined from the school. Big deal. Based on their responses at the presser, neither Athletic Director Gene Smith nor President G.Gordon "Little Sisters of the Poor" Gee seemed to be really concerned about this. Sure, they self reported, but not until they were outed by Charles Robinson and Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports. And yeah, they penalized Tressel 2-games. Games against Gordon Gee's favorites, the "Little Sisters of the Poor". Ask Bruce Pearl about a penalty for lying. He lost his contract and was forced to sit for half his teams conference basketball games this year. That...is more along the lines of what Tressel should suffer.

At this point, the Big 10 nor the NCAA have made any rulings in regards to this. We don't expect the Big 10 to do anything. Jim Delany, for all his posturing about how great his conference is and that they "Aren't the SEC", has a problem on his hands. But we don't expect him to do much of anything to his "Marquee" team.

As for the NCAA, they need to act. What they do, we don't know. We do know that this is willful deceit on the part of Tressel. What may be worse is they haven't even gotten into potential phone conversations yet. The NCAA had no problem placing penalties on USC and we are pretty sure, Tennessee is going to get a really stiff sentence too. We won't be convinced that they'll do anything to Ohio State until they actually do it.

Perhaps the most galling thing about this. The people in high places who don't seem to think this is a big deal. Heck, Gordon "Little Sisters of the Poor" Gee said when asked about Tressel's job security "I just hope he doesn't fire me". Really. And now ESPN commentator Bob Knight gushing about how great Tressel is as a human being and coach. Really.


Enough soapbox. 

WCMH-TV in Columbus has the presser video:

OSG Polls: The Dirty Dozen and Bottom of the Barrel: The Gordon Gee is a Turkey Edition...

G.Gordon Gee is a Turkey/Courtesy: osu.edu

Yes, like everyone else in the free, civilized world, we hope that everyone has a Happy Turkey....when they are happy, they taste better. Thank you very much, I'll be here all week.

We've finally gotten to the point where things are sorting out. No Cam Newton stories in the past week...and for that, we thank you.

However we are seriously mulling a "G. Gordon Gee is a Turkey" campaign in light of his asinine comments that Boise St. and TCU shouldn't be allowed to play for the "BCS Championship". Well, gee...Gordon....your school played Eastern Michigan and Indiana and Minnesota...they suck worse than anyone on Boise or TCU's schedule...so what does that say about your "Alleged Powerhouse"? And for that matter, both schools are ahead of any of your "Big/Mediocre 10 Conference teams"...wonder why that is?

In lieu of our weekly Dirty Dozen movie clip, on this holiday, we feel it important to remind you all of this important fact:



Again, thanks...we'll be here all week. Make sure to tip your waiters and waitresses.

Now, with that all behind us, we had another 11-2 week last week, making us 122-25 straight up this year. Not bad Gordon? Even if we play "Little Sisters of the poor"....

So with that we say "Gordon Gee is a Turkey" or on with the Countdown...

The Dirty Dozen:


1) Boise State 10-0. We've said it before we'll say it again, maybe Gordon will hear us this time. THEY ARE THE MOST COMPLETE TEAM IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL. Period. They would beat Ohio St. 10 out of 10 times if they played. Still, they'll get screwed because of narrow minded dorks like Mr. Gee. This Week: Boise St. 45, Nevada 23


2) Auburn 11-0. Good news: They escaped the bye week with no Cam Newton stories. The bad news, they play Alabama this week. At 'Bama. Yes, Mr. Gee, this is "Big Boy" football. Something they don't play in your conference. I'm going to get grief for this pick. This Week: Alabama 41, Auburn 39


3) Oregon 10-0. They were exposed vs. Cal. They do have a weakness if you can slow them down. I don't believe anyone in the PAC 10/12 is the best at anything. Though they could beat Gordon's Buckeye's....handily. This Week: Oregon 34, Arizona 28


4) TCU 11-0. They too could beat any of your Big 10 teams Gordon. Really. It wouldn't be hard. Look it up, your teams gag against every good team outside the conference they play. It's tradition. TCU is as good as anyone, though they too will get screwed and may not even get to play in a BCS game of any sorts...shows how corrupt the system is. This Week: TCU 112, New Mexico 0


5) Stanford 10-1. Despite what we said earlier about Oregon, we like Stanford. They are a really good team. Not the best, but this year, nobody is aside from Boise State. So by virtue of a lack of contenders, they get to be #5 on our list. This Week: Stanford 35, Oregon St. 27


6) Wisconsin 10-1. The best team in Gordon's conference. Any other season they'd be ranked around #10. But not this year. Hey Gordon, if they are so tough than why did Wisconsin play crappy San Jose St., Austin Peay and crappy UNLV this year? Strength of schedule? I'm waiting........This Week: Wisconsin 31, Northwestern 17


7) LSU 10-1. Proof positive that it's better to be lucky than good. They've done just enough to win all but one game and really, that is all that matters. And oh...Gordon, LSU would be the best team in your conference....by a really large margin. This Week: Arkansas 41, LSU 28


8) Alabama 9-2. Again, further proof that you just need to hang around to be considered. They are in an interesting place this week. They can't win a title...we don't think. But they could have a really big voice in who could. Gee, Gordon, you better hope they lose, cause otherwise Boise State will get to play for the title. This Week: See #2.


9) Oklahoma St. 10-1. They look to be the favorites to win the Big 12/10. Like it or not. If you want a "Little Sisters of the poor" argument Gordon, look at 4 of their first 5 games. The Fighting Gundy's couldn't beat TCU, Boise or most of the SEC West. This Week: Oklahoma 49, Okie St. 45


10) Arkansas 9-2. We've gone on record multiple times about Bobby Petrino's "Douchiness" but give him credit, he's a damn good college coach. Arkansas is very similar to his successful Louisville teams. Hey Gordon...just so you know, Arkansas would beat any team in your conference. This Week: See #7


11) Ohio St. 10-1. Okay, Gordon. Here is about where your "Team" should be. They are they poster boys for the non-SEC teams. Gosh, we forgot how much of a Powerhouse Ohio U. is. Guess you have us there. Good thing Michigan's defense is so good. Gordon, your a "Dumb Ass". This Week: Ohio St. 39, Michigan 28


12) Va. Tech 9-2. Because this affords us a chance to mock the lame ACC. Oh wait. They are a "BCS" conference. They would never play the "Little Sisters of the Poor". Gosh Gordon, they'd beat most of your conferences teams too. And Boise beat them. Hmmmm....wonder how that happened? This Week: Va. Tech 41, UVA 21


The Bottom of the Barrel:


Because of course, we know nobody from a BCS conference would ever be caught dead playing any of these teams. Right Gordon?

5) Buffalo 2-9. Where have you gone Turner Gill? Oh...wait, Kansas isn't much better either? Well, but they play in a BCS conference so they must be better. Anyway, these guys lost to Eastern Michigan last week, so that makes them B of B eligible. This Week: I think we've found our TURKEY BOWL--Buffalo 1, Akron 0.


4) Texas 5-6. Because Georgia non-withstanding, these guys are the single most disappointing team in NCAA football. Hey Gordon-did we mention that they played "The Little Sisters of the Poor/Florida Atlantic" last week. And FAU kept in close in the 1st half. This Week: Texas A&M 24, Texas 16


3) Wake Forest 2-9. This one is for you J-Dub. Your alma mater sucks dude. Bad. But according to Gordon Gee are more worthy of the BCS Championship game than Boise St. or TCU. Yeah right. And NBC will talk to a star from another network during the Macy's parade. Right. This Week: Wake Forest 0, Vanderbilt 0--A TIE!


2) New Mexico 1-10. The only team in Division 1 with a coach that has 2 career wins and the state won't buy out his contract. Guess they are doomed to suck for a very long time. Gordon, this might very well be Little Sisters of the Poor. Oh wait...TCU plays them...damn! This Week: See #4 in the Dozen.


1) Akron 0-11-- See Video--





This Week: See #5--


There really is nothing more than I can say here. I'm still trying to figure out why G.Gordon Gee would say what he did. It may be the stupidist thing I've ever heard. Although it may help bolster the Utah/WAC/Mountain West pending lawsuit against the Ass-clowns in the BCS. 


Just because you have a bigger name school doesn't mean it is better. The Big 10, they've sucked for years. They can't beat anyone outside their conference, yet they are always in the Top 10. The SEC...at least this year is a bit down and the Big 12 has been awful this season. So where exactly is "Gordon's" argument coming from?