Skull Session: The Buckeyes Rank First in Stop Rate, Will Howard Shares His Introduction to the Ohio State-Michigan Rivalry and Ross Bjork Discusses Ohio State’s Travel Budget

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Buckeye6266's picture

Anyone ready for some soup and quackers on Saturday??

I want to make it around the track without blowing up the car. -- Brian Hartline

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JoeZipp's picture

The Defense will say to the Duck's Offense:  DO YOU MINE IF WE DANCE WITH YOUR DATES!

JoeZipp

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Poisonous Nuts's picture

”If I was in your shoes, I’d be..”

”LEAVING! What a good idea!”

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Brute Buck's picture

White jerseys and black arm sleeves and gloves (wink,wink)IYKYK.

Seo

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bornbredbuckeye's picture

Are you suggesting a scUM move?

GO BUCKS!!! *ichigan sucks!!!

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Brute Buck's picture

Nothing illegal just a little games manship.

Seo

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GareBear's picture

Come on, man. Everyone does it and it's not like it affects the outcome of the game. You still have to stop it. Ndisoan,,,,,,,,,

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GareBear's picture

Apologies, my moral compass was making me dry heave while typing those shitty excuses. Kudos to the Michigan apologists who soldier through that when spewing that shit.

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OG Buck's picture

ichigan. FIFY

Go Bucks!!!

David Peck

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rock flag and eagle's picture

Remember, stop rate measures “the percentage of a defense’s drives that end in punts, turnovers or turnovers on downs.”

Given that OSU has played Akron (128th in total offense), Western Michigan (91st), Marshall (81st), Michigan State (99th), and Iowa (90th), I'm surprised their stop rate isn't higher.  

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bull1214's picture

What’s higher than #1? 

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PhillyNut's picture

And beyond!

I don't buy one goddam drop of gas in the state of Michigan!

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pcola_buckeye's picture

Here's to being #1-er!

"College football cannot be explained by science or religion, which is why it remains perfect." ~ Ramzy Nasrallah

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StoveBuck's picture

Yeah... a whole bunch a nuthin'

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Run_Fido_Run's picture

I know, because all the other elite programs barely played any cupcakes in September.

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allinosu's picture

A lot of the reason those rankings are so bad is because we took a bad toll on their stats. Take OSU out of those stas and they look much better.

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buckeyedude's picture

I'm not sure what's up with those cleats. 

I'm squeamishly optimistic. 

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The Rill Dill's picture

Just win. It’s a football game not a runway event.

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GareBear's picture

I mean, the bucks are hitting a runway at least twice this trip tho...

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iowabuckeyes's picture

Black is very slimming. Some runway models have been known to disappear when they turn sideways wearing black. Maybe Oregon’s planning to play peekaboo. It takes two to play that game.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke

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HOLYbucknut's picture

Are those cleats brown? Please don’t tell me those are brown.

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Todd Gack's picture

I believe they are "eggplant".

That's a nice name. Todd Gack. Is that Dutch?

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iowabuckeyes's picture

I noticed Oregon is tied for 24th in stop rate, three spots behind Iowa, which the Buckeyes just lit up for 35 points. That’s the problem with averages. 

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke

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BloomingtonBuckeye's picture

Agreed, Iowa! What jumped out at me was Colorado at 13 - those guys are giving up 23 pts per game!?

In every battle there comes a time when both sides consider themselves beaten, then he who continues the attack wins. - Ulysses S. Grant

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JohnnyKozmo's picture

It may have been Klatt on Cowherd yesterday...but whoever it was brought up what the Boise St RB did to Oregon in Autzen...190+yds 3 TDs I believe.  

1st bold prediction...Trey and Q both eclipse 100yds rushing on Saturday.  I think Ryan and Chip will want to take the crowd out early with long, time-consuming drives that focuses on running the ball.  Turnovers early are the quickest way to keep the crowd in it.  Minimize the risk and pound the Ducks to break their will.  

You're too stupid to have a good time. -Dalton

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AltaBuck's picture

I think the ducks will sell out to stop the run which should open things up regarding RPOs. One of Howard's best strengths is his RPO reads. Love to see some slants to Smith and Egbuka if their LBs are crashing.

"Friendship means little when it's convenient." - Shimazu

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JohnnyKozmo's picture

Yep.  RPOs right over the LBs after they get gashed over and over by Q&T.  Negates Burch on the pass rush as well.   

You're too stupid to have a good time. -Dalton

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depbuck's picture

Not to nitpick, but September has 30 days

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BuxLax's picture

Someone should get nitwhacked for that oversight 

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PhillyNut's picture

I wonder if the all black with most of the fans wearing black might make seeing the ball leave the quarterback's hand harder. Not that it is anything like baseball for a batter trying to pick up a pitch but if there is a momentary delay in being able to see the QB is throwing the ball does that disadvantage the defense? Will the ball be harder to spot against a mostly black background even with the lights?

I don't buy one goddam drop of gas in the state of Michigan!

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StoveBuck's picture

The Ducks also got approved to use this football.

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B07841's picture

It's not going to be close to dark out when the game starts. I think people keep forgetting that.

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PNWBuckeye's picture

Looks like 1st half will be sunny, 2nd half dark.  I'll be playing my part to brighten it up.

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PhillyNut's picture

So they will add 10 more teams from the West Coast, essentially rebuilding the PAC 12, and have it like the pro sports that have two conferences within the league. Then you primarily play those who are geographically closer to you with a few crossovers.

Wouldn't that just be typical of the thinking of those pushing further expansion.

I don't buy one goddam drop of gas in the state of Michigan!

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vball10set's picture

After all, he (LBJ) is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. (He’s the greatest.)

No, he's not...typical GenZ'r response. However, I do agree with your "all whites" suggestion--love the contrast idea.

Leave no doubt

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ChesapeakeBuck's picture

Gen X here - I guess my judgement is aligned with Gen Z.  Not to open that whole internet rage bait can of worms, but having lived through/watched both, either side you take is a legitimate take, depending on what you value most.

One chance is all you need. Jesse Owens

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Buckabroad's picture

Gen X here as well who watched them both. Respect your opinion, but LeBron is the GOAT to me. 

"The minute we stop expecting greatness, we become Wisconsin."

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Solomon's picture

LeBron James is certainly not better than Michael Jordan.  He's definitely top 10 all-time, maybe top 5.  I'd have to dig into it more.  But Jordan was definitely better.

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Dillon G's picture

A great metric to view stats is relative performance. A team's averages will plummet against a lights out defense. What if they didn't play that team, is it middle of the pack? Depends. What did other team's defenses do against them?

Self crowned Eleven Warriors humble-off champion.

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Freddog's picture

Happy to see that Will Howard has embraced the hatred for UM.  Screw Blue. 

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StoveBuck's picture

Not wearing blue or saying the state's name are the 1st steps... you don't learn a life-long hatred overnight.

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Urbstache's picture

Gotta be a typo, Oregon is 32nd in offensive ppg (35).

Urban Warfare

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StarBuck's picture

I do find it amusing and somehow expected that Day would immediately give a Pavlov’s dog response to hearing’Michigan’ at dinner to respond “It’s the Team up North” without even looking up from his mashed potatoes 

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Buckfrombirth's picture

"(He couldn’t remember, which could be an insult to McLaughlin’s girlfriend or a compliment to McLaughlin’s mom.)"

Sure, I read and appreciated the whole Skully, but that line made me laugh. It also reminded me of the Iowa QB's mom (I believe from the '09 game - can't remember for sure????) who the cameramen clearly all believed was worth some major airtime.

For what it's worth, they were right, and that decision saved us all from multiple shots of Buck-I-Guy doing his seat-takeover nonsense.

I survived Cooper and I hate Tai Streets.

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AZ Buckeye13's picture

The way I read the comment, I think both Seth’s mom and girlfriend were present at the dinner. Howard just couldn’t remember which one said Michigan. 

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stlbuckeye15's picture

That makes a lot of sense, AZ. 

"In weightlifting, I don't think sudden, uncontrolled urination should automatically disqualify you."
-Jack Handey

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Run_Fido_Run's picture

The all-time football mom was Dee Dee Bonner, mother of AJ McCarron.

[P.S., when ABC would show crowd shots of Dee Dee Bonner sitting with AJ McCarron's model girlfriend, and Musberger would say something pervy about the 20 year old model, I was always thinking, "Forget that skinny thing. Look at that sweet momma next to her!").

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iowabuckeyes's picture

Dee Dee Bonner was cute but you’d be nutz to take very many women over Katherine Webb.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke

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Poisonous Nuts's picture

I’m so glad I haven’t seen his (or any superfans’) ass in a minute. I hope it lasts.

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LeftCoastBuckeye's picture

I'm with you, but I have it on good authority he's going to be in Eugene. No doubt he'll be mugging for the TV.

My aim, then, is to whip the Weasels, to humble their pride, to follow them to their inmost recesses, and make them fear and dread us. Fear is the beginning of wisdom.   - William Tecumseh Sherman (with apologies)

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Poisonous Nuts's picture

I kept yelling VandeWhore the whole game when she came on. I was still drinking then but regret nothing.

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Eph97's picture

I was watching the Chiefs game this weekend and when Xavier Worthy scored a TD he ran over and gave the football to a woman in the stands. I thought it must be his gf or sister and the announcer said it was his mom!

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LeftCoastBuckeye's picture

Isn't she the one that cost scUM his recruitment for 'reasons' or am I misremembering?

My aim, then, is to whip the Weasels, to humble their pride, to follow them to their inmost recesses, and make them fear and dread us. Fear is the beginning of wisdom.   - William Tecumseh Sherman (with apologies)

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Iwannagobacktoohiostate's picture

A appreciate when outsiders of the program assist in purchasing and supplying the Buckeyes.

But, do the athletes even like the apparel or is it any good?  Just asking for a friend.

Less than half of the Buckeyes wear the same shoes....or same color shoes... ever

And before we agree that shoes are an individual thing, I'm willing to bet that damn near all of Oregon will wear the same cleats this week.

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StoveBuck's picture

Position groups wear different styles of shoes...

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GFaux's picture

Given the offensive competition thus far, take defensive stats with a bit of the proverbial grain of salt. Saturday provides a better picture. Will know a bit more if “elite” should be a word thrown around. 

GFaux

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AZ Buckeye13's picture

Absolutely. Just think, Marshall has scored half the TDs that Ohio State has given up this year.

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bull1214's picture

Did Georgia vs bama determine anything about who is elite or not since that’s a clear cut matchup game? Point being: no one single game determines anything except the NC game. 

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chicagobuck38's picture

LOL at James being the greatest.  Most physically gifted, probably, but no way the greatest.

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PNWBuckeye's picture

I think I can guess at who you think is the greatest....and I agree  

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Eph97's picture

Lebron would beat MJ in a game of 1 on 1.

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vball10set's picture

Lebron would beat MJ in a game of 1 on 1.

wtf does that have to do with being the GOAT?!?

Leave no doubt

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ChesapeakeBuck's picture

LOL at Usain Bolt being the greatest sprinter of all time.  Most physically gifted, probably, but no way the greatest.

What?!  In sports, being the most physically gifted is usually a pretty big determinant of an athlete's greatness.  Unless there's an issue with work eithic (nope) or decision making (again, nope).

Some of my fellow Gen X'ers bought the Nike advertising Kool-Aid so hard back in the 80's, they have damn near deified the man.  

In every sport, the athletes of today perform at a higher level than the athletes in the 80s.  For example:

- every single finalist at this year's Olympic 100m Dash had a faster time than the Gold medal winner in 1988 (MJ's era). 

- Joe Montana (who I loved) ruled the NFL, but thrown into today's game he's going to struggle.  The average OL player back then was 272lbs, today it's 315; The fastest DB at the '88 combine ran a 4.42, this year it was 4.28. 

- Only one team in 1988 had a higher 3P% in the NBA (Celtics) than NBA Centers had last year. 

To think that somehow Basketball is immune to the trend is naive.  Jordan was great in his era, LeBron is great in his.  Depending on what you value (relative to their own era, or absolute), you can make an argument for both.  My favorite Buckeye of all time - Jesse Owens - is the greatest track athlete if what you are measuring is greatness relative to his own era.  However, today his times don't even win a state HS championship.  Usain Bolt is the greatest sprinter of all time.  Jesse Owens is probably more important, considering his place as a historical figure.

What I don't doubt at all is that LeBron is a better basketball player than Jordan, and that an NBA Championship team from this era would beat any NBA championship team from that era (just as the '72 Dolphins would lose badly to the 2024 Dolphins - even though they're a middling team today).

One chance is all you need. Jesse Owens

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vball10set's picture

 What I don't doubt at all is that LeBron is a better basketball player than Jordan, and that an NBA Championship team from this era would beat any NBA championship team from that era

You had a decent, well thought out post until this sentence. Since you're a self proclaimed Gen X'r, who pretty much always defer to their era, I'll give you a pass.

But, you're wrong--on both counts.

edit: no dv from me, because, like I said--it's expected.

Leave no doubt

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OSUaboveallothers's picture

MJ all the way! I would love to proclaim a fellow Ohio native as the greatest but I’m just being honest. Jordan made his teams what they were but LeBron had to pair up with other super stars to win his championships. I was so happy when he brought a championship to Ohio. 

I bleed Scarlet and Gray

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ChesapeakeBuck's picture

It's fair for you to see MJ as the greatest - it's such a subjective word, it can be interpreted in a number of ways.  Really, the only thing I push back on is the notion that it's somehow obvious and settled - like there's no argument to the contrary.

Incidentally, if I'm always deferring to my era, I would be team MJ all the way.  My formative sports years were the 80s/early 90s.  The posters I had on my walls were Ricky Henderson, Bo Jackson, and Clyde Drexler.  However, I try not to be stuck in the nostalgia of my youth: I've been able to enjoy Star Wars outside the original trilogy; I recognize that objectively, Crystal Pepsi wasn't that good; and I appreciate each new generation of sports stars for their greatness.

One chance is all you need. Jesse Owens

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Solomon's picture

Joe Montana played in a brutal era for QBs.  Tom Brady would have missed a lot more games had he played back then.  Defenders would get 15 yards for giving Brady a dirty look.

Most pyiscally gifted is not the same as greatest.  Randy Moss was probably the most gifted WR ever, but Jerry Rice was the best WR.  Moss took too many plays off and did not maximize his talents, although he still had a very good career.

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ChesapeakeBuck's picture

I agree with you on Moss and Rice - which is why I pointed out work ethic as one thing that can negate physical gifts.  Neither BBall player we're discussing can be accused of not working hard.

You do have a good point about the punishment QBs used to take in the NFL.  Montana was certainly hardy, and I'm sure Brady would have struggled more in that regard (you won't find me arguing in favor of that skunkweasel).  I do wonder how some of today's QBs would have done back then, given their speed.  Steve Young was pretty good at running, and was fairly accurate with the ball, and that got him to the HOF in that era.  It's a fun thought experiment to wonder how good someone like Justin Fields would be against the slower defenses of that era.  

Thanks for playing along, everyone.  As always, screw m***gan!

One chance is all you need. Jesse Owens

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The Rill Dill's picture

I agree. Skinny ass Rodgers, Brady and the like would’ve gotten KILLED thirty years ago. The fact that they now can’t be breathed on leads DIRECTLY to their gaudy stats.

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Arizona_Buckeye's picture

I am elated to see the Ducks coming out with black uniforms - that way I don't have to watch 3 hours of them playing in bright fluorescent, seizure inducing uniforms!

I think we all know Chip is going to come out running in an effort to bludgeon the feathers off the quackers, but I'd love to see him come out and just light it up in the air immediately!!! Let's dazzle them with WR talent, then start pounding them relentlessly!  But that's just me! 

The best thing about Pastafarianism? It is not only acceptable, but advisable, to be heavily sauced

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moopdawg's picture

Not feeling these dumbass eggplant shoes.   It reminds me of how NBA players wear fluorescent sneakers which totally clash with their uniforms.  Wish we'd just show up in our regular uniforms, or at least stick to our team colors: scarlet and gray.  I'm cool with black because to me that 's a shout-out to Woody Hayes, specifically, Woody's ball cap and black slacks he always wore.  Eggplant, though?  C'mon man.

But whatever.  Let's get to Oregon and handle our business.  Come back to Columbus ranked #1.  

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OSUaboveallothers's picture

The cleats are definitely putrid looking. Kids will think that the cleats are cool since they came from LBJ

I bleed Scarlet and Gray

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The Rill Dill's picture

Should not be allowed to wear any colors if they are not your school colors.

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RunEddieRun1983's picture

I do love seeing the team get some of those defensive accolades... But let's wait and make sure this defense is elite against an offense that can score a lot of points? This Saturday should do the trick. 

The Excellence of Execution, the Best there is, the Best there was, the Best there ever will be!

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BigBuckFan25's picture

The cleats that LeBron provided are Nike made. Hopefully Phil Knight didn't oversee their production or they could fall apart at the seams mid-way through the 4th quarter. Better bring backup pairs! Lol!!

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B07841's picture

Lost in the shuffle today is comments about the stupidity of having west coast teams in the Big Ten. While it is fine for football, with all the non-revenue and Olympic sports, it is not financially practical to send them out there. I know, all anybody cares about is football, but it takes more money and creates more stress on athletes, the majority of are at Ohio State to get a good education while player sports at the highest collegiate level.

There needs to be a better way.

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LeftCoastBuckeye's picture

Football is the only sport that is logisticly challenging and expensive. Other sports fly commercial and dont have that much kit to transport. Many of the other sports have been out here for games, tourneys, invitationals. They will just be doing it more frequently going forward.

My aim, then, is to whip the Weasels, to humble their pride, to follow them to their inmost recesses, and make them fear and dread us. Fear is the beginning of wisdom.   - William Tecumseh Sherman (with apologies)

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osu_nerd's picture

I'm glad Will gets a shit ton of NIL money. Why else would subject yourself to taking to these three chucklefucks: "Rob Stone, Mark Ingram II and Matt Leinart".

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