Buckeyes make Lloyd Blue in 14-3 win

In a game that basically brought back memories of the old days of ground game oriented football,The Ohio State Buckeyes won THE GAME and the Big Ten title with a 14-3 win over michigan in what was likely the final game for Lloyd Carr as the wolverine field boss.
Chris Wells smashed through the michigan defense for 220 yards and both touchdowns to lead the Buckeyes to victory for the fourth time in a row and sixth in seven years over the hated rivals.
The 220 yards for Wells was the most for a Buckeye in the long history of the series and likely would have had more,if not coming down with what appeared to be a hamstring problem in the second half.
Wells returned and continued to carry the ball,but lacked the breakaway speed that he showed during the game previously.
Verno Gholston sacked Chad Henne three times including one that looked like it was right out of the old Tecmo Bowl video game by just running right over him.
For those lovers of the game,remember when the offense called the QB Waggle and all you had to do was call the play and watch the QB run into you crushed?LOL
Enough on my game geekiness.
The downside on the game?
Another poor performance by Todd Boeckman,who was only 7 for 13 on the day passing.
In the second half,Jim Tressel was running offensive possessions of nothing but Wells runs.
It appeared that after the first half performance of Boeckman,Tressel was afraid to have his passer put the ball into the air.
Of course,I cannot blame after watching poor throws,slips on the turf and fumbles without contact,the strategy seemed to be a winning one.
If Boeckman's play doesn't improve from his final two games,it will be difficult for the Buckeyes to win their bowl game,which appears to be the Rose Bowl for now.
Can OSU get to the title game?
Yes,.but things have to happen tonight that are not finals at the time of this writing.
In any event-let us enjoy another year of bragging right over michigan.
It really hasn't been that long since Ohio State was losing this game every year and I don't want to forget just how good it feels to win this game,just because it is happening more often.

The New Jersey Devils were finally able to give Marty Brodeur his 500th win in a 6-2 smashing of the Flyers in Philly.
Zach Parise led the offense with a goal and two assists,while Karel Rachunek scored his first goal of the season on shot from the blueline to beat Martin Biron.
The Devils return to action Wednesday in Pittsburgh.

The Cleveland Browns play in the biggest game of the year thus far as they travel to Baltimore against the Ravens.
A win here is a must as a 6-4 record sets up a possible playoff run far better than a 5-5 record.
Baltimore is struggling on offense and has to start Kyle "Jesus in cleats" Boller.
This is always a physical game,but .....
Our pick;Browns 24-13

The Seattle Seahawks stay home for a game against the erratic Bears.
This is a winnable game,but the Seahawks have struggled against decent teams and the offense is still not totally healthy.
Have a bad feeling about this one,but the home field is worth three points and that might be the difference.
Our pick:Seahawks 20-17

Bullpen Notes

Ohio State needed to pass 5 teams to make it to the BCS title game and with yesterdays results in,they will pass at least two in the next poll and are guaranteed to pass the Kansas-Missouri loser next week .
So then,you hope Oklahoma beats the Kansas-Missouri winner in the Big 12 title game and hope for either LSU or West Virginia to lose and OSU is in.
Likely?
No,but they passed two this week that I would not have thought they would,so one can never tell.

And finally,wonder when this years excuse/rant is coming from Mike Hart?
After all,he came back to beat Ohio State blah blah..........
One could not ask for more than a loss for Hart to ponder and and perhaps finally show some class.
Stay tuned for Hart's comments from the Outback or Alamo Bowl on these topics....

Photo Credits
OSU-Neal Lauton-Columbus Dispatch
Helmets-Helmet Project