All is not lost! - OSU AD running scared
My appologizes if someone already posted this -
OSU AD Smith felt compelled to put out a video on the web because he is getting so much pressure on moving the game. It sounds like there is some hope the powers that be may cave if the fan bases keep up the pressure.
August 27th, 2010 at 3:48 PM ^
I don't think it's smart, but I'm not buying out the pitchfork and torch store over it. I'd prefer same divisions, but I can see the other side, to a little extent. And can handle different divisions IF IT'S THE LAST GAME. That's what matters most, and if I have to give, to get, I can compromise.
August 27th, 2010 at 4:04 PM ^
This is what I have been arguing for. I think that separate divisions are superior to the same division when talking about keeping the rivalry at the level it has been at. FWIW, I decided last night that I think this compromise is the best possible outcome of all of this and I emailed both ADs this morning to state why I think we should have separate divisions but keep the game at the end of the season. It's been hard arguing any part of this on the boards, though, because everyone considers them to be the same change, while I was trying to argue one point at a time.
I'm still kind of hoping they do something out of the ordinary like make the cross-divisional rivalry count toward your division record, and then use the division record as the first round in deciding division champions. That would allow for a loss to really hurt your chances of getting into the BTCG, but still allow for the rematch they are hoping for.
August 27th, 2010 at 5:03 PM ^
It's always tough bearing the unpopular opinion. Kudos to you for sticking it out.
August 27th, 2010 at 4:04 PM ^
being in different divisions and playing on the last game would keep the rivalry very similar to what it would be if we were in the same division. many years a team will be playing spoiler and many years at least one of the teams will be playing for their division. the one downside to this is a possible game where both divisions are locked up, but as we've gone over this is extremely unlikely.
August 27th, 2010 at 4:30 PM ^
Agreed. I looked through the last 20 years and Michigan OSU would have had a rematch 5 times. 1992, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2006
1992, 1997, and 2006 we were undefeated going into the game. I know that OSU would have loved to steal the Rose Bowl and undefeated seasons in the first 2 and how bloody would it have been if we beat OSU in the rematch and neither team got to go to the NCG?
1998 would have been a rematch if Wisconsin was in our division as some are projecting they will be. Otherwise, we would have played Wisconsin and we probably beat them again to go to the Rose Bowl instead of them.
2003 is the best (and only) example of what they are fearing. Both had the divisions locked up. Neither had a perfect season on the line. Who knows what that game would be like.
So, once every 4 years we get a rematch and once ever 20 we get a game with nothing on the line.
Sign me up for that plan.
August 27th, 2010 at 6:35 PM ^
Sold.
August 27th, 2010 at 5:02 PM ^
This problem with this is that every year, our protected out of division game is against the best team in the other division (OSU) while half of our divisional opponents get to miss them. The same problem exists for OSU once we get back to being Michigan. This is a serious handicap for both teams--we play OSU ever year and MSU plays Northwestern in place of that game many years. Big disadvantage for UM.
August 27th, 2010 at 5:04 PM ^
It is a glorious sacrifice, this disadvantage of which you speak. And with great risk comes the opportunity for great reward! May the benevolent football gods smile upon us
August 27th, 2010 at 5:23 PM ^
Win your games against them and it won't matter. Michigan and PSU already have the burden of playing OSU every year. So, how is this proposal any different than what we already currently have?
August 27th, 2010 at 5:39 PM ^
Dinner.
August 27th, 2010 at 1:42 PM ^
I googled him because I wanted to know more about him. I figured he was a DB because he was doing some good back-peddling in that video. Turns out he's a former ND DE.
Good work Buckeyes. I think the next step would be to have Chris Spielman and maybe Mike Vrabel have a "talk" with him.
I hope DB is making the same kind of video now.
http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=17300&ATCLID=1051911
August 27th, 2010 at 1:50 PM ^
Speaking of which it would be nice to hear from Herbstiet on this issue. He has a bigger national voice than anyone.
August 27th, 2010 at 1:53 PM ^
The Notre Dame alum who works for OSU is emerging as my hero in this whole affair.
That's how you know this is effed up
August 27th, 2010 at 3:21 PM ^
What's F-ed up is that some people here are hoping the OSU fans save The Game.
August 27th, 2010 at 3:31 PM ^
Who says it's just OSU fans? We are more than free to email Gene Smith, too. We have a vested interest in playing his school the last week of the season.
August 27th, 2010 at 3:49 PM ^
Michigan fans saying, "I think you know what your fans want, and are willing to consider it...well, it's what Michigan fans want to, you're not on an island...even if OUR athletic director makes you think otherwise..." can only strengthen any resolve to stand up against it.
August 27th, 2010 at 1:53 PM ^
You know what to do, and where to do it. That is all.
August 27th, 2010 at 2:25 PM ^
Perhaps some of these emails should be sent to the other ADs as well. Alvarez comes to mind.
August 27th, 2010 at 3:02 PM ^
Alvarez wants Michigan and Ohio State to be knocked down a peg at all costs. It only stands to help his school's standing. Especially if he is able to parlay it into a Wisconsin v Nebraska matchup on the final weekend.
Alvarez, Hollis, and Paterno are the enemies here.
August 27th, 2010 at 2:45 PM ^
Sounds like the deluge of fan mail has made them reconsider and there still may be a small chance. Keep up the pressure, folks.
August 27th, 2010 at 3:08 PM ^
An OSU fan posted elsewhere that Gordon Gee actually welcomed fan email on this topic. Keep 'em coming!
August 27th, 2010 at 3:24 PM ^
held the position of Ohio State's Athletic Director.
August 27th, 2010 at 3:51 PM ^
I noticed at the end he mentioned having history to look at how other conferences managed the divisional split, and I took that as a reference to the Big 12 and ACC and what that did to certain rivalries. I hope that means he's in it for the fight to keep it at the end, and I hope their President is too after all of this.
Now we need to do our part to make sure Dave and MSC are in it as well. We don't get along on much, but when it comes to The Game, us and the Bucknuts are in it togteher, and we know what we both want.