Ace-Deuce. MONEY.

Ron Lewis nailed an unbelievable 3 with seconds left against scrappy 9th seeded Xavier to send the game to OT. With Greg Oden fouled out, Mike Conley took over the game and saved the Buckeyes season.

On the Sweet 16. Drink up, Ohio State fans. Happy St. Patrick's Day! Go buy a #12 jersey, he deserves it.

Amaker..CANNED.

Ding. Dong. The Turtleneck is dead.

ODEN TIME

Still waiting for the NIT breakdown. Bring on CC State.

Also...

All of the new information that was announced today regarding Michigan's depth chart, etc. is a great example of why you can only read so much into recruiting needs and why you can only go so far when projecting a high school player's actual college position.

Silly to panic

A lot of Michigan football fans are panicking over much of what Lloyd Carr said in his press conference to begin spring practice. When I have more time I will write about the large amount of new and important information that was revealed. BUT, let me make a few points as an overview.

1. So much can change between now and the start of the season.

2. You don't know why Lloyd said some of the things he said. He very well could have been talking trees when most of us listeners were listening for forests. He might have been trying to motivate a player or players. So on and so forth.

3. Don't dwell on one or two words that Lloyd used when responding to a million quick questions in a casual-style press conference.

4. Lloyd was answering questions based on what he and the other coaches were feeling on Wednesday, March 14.

5. Empirically Lloyd is not the greatest communicator or the most forthcoming individual at a press conference. I've complained about Michigan football's lack of providing info to media/fans for a long time now.

6. Remember, UM's coaches aren't trying to destroy the team or create huge holes. You (the fan) don't need to tell them there is a need for consistent depth across positions and throughout the team.

7. Fans aren't on the field or with the kids all the time and many fans haven't been on a football team &/or don't really know the game that much so they shouldn't act like they know football facts that can't possibly be disputed by Carr or the rest of the UM staff.

8. So much will occur over the next several weeks of spring practice that its almost pointless to comb through every detail today.

9. There were many positive things that were brought out in the press conference as well.

10. The major writers from Scout, Rivals, and local newspapers haven't even weighed in on the conference yet so let the insiders talk before the fans worry themselves to death.

11. Remember, our stars are still looking spectacular and nothing but great things were said about them. College championships are won mostly by the stars and not the 3rd string defensive ends or the fifth receiving option. Remember Troy Smith anyone?

Etc., Etc., Etc.

JUST RELAX! You all are making me nervous for no good reason!

Ohio State: Breaking Down the Running Backs

Ohio State lost a number of key juniors to the NFL this season, including starting tailback Antonio Pittman. Somewhat overlooked because of Troy Smith and Ted Ginn, Pittman put together back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons. Pittman had a solid workout at the NFL combine and is projected as a second round pick.

Pittman shared time this season with freshman standout Chris "Beanie" Wells, who will take over as the starting RB. The former five-star had some issues with fumbling as a freshman, but so did Eddie George. Wells exploded for a key touchdown run against Michigan's vaunted run defense in The Game. He is expected to carry a heavy load since Ohio State is breaking in a new QB and lost it's top 2 WR's.

Wells will be backed up by junior Maurice Wells, who considered transferring this offseason but ultimately decided to stay in Columbus. A four-star recruit from Florida, he felt that ACC or SEC schools might better use a player of his skill set. I don't disagree, as the coaching staff seems content to run him into the middle of the line. They should utilize his speed on draws, screen and off-tackle plays. But I digress...joining Wells and Wells are two standout freshmen from this year's class. Brandon Saine and Daniel "Boom" Herron are both four-star recruits from Ohio that were offered by Michigan. Saine was ranked the #5 RB in the country, while Herron was #18. Both are expected to contribute this season.

The Buckeyes will add at least one quality prospect in the 2008 class. That player will most likely be Devoe Torrence, brother of 2007 Ohio State commit Devon Torrence. Torrence, a top-notch linebacker last year, and has drawn offers from Michigan and a number of other top schools. Long considered an Ohio State lock, there was cause for worry when Torrence announced that OSU and Michigan were "50/50". Apparently Michigan coaches told him that OSU would bury him on the bench at LB, while could quickly start at RB for the Wolverines. That turned out to be a bold-faced lie, as Michigan is now saying Sam McGuffie is the only RB they offered.

Other highly-rated targets include Richard Watson (Florida) and Josh Haden (Maryland). The Buckeyes were in on Watson very early, but he could be shut out if Torrence commits. Haden's brother chose Florida over Ohio State, and there's nothing to indicate he won't join his brother at UF. There are a couple of intriguing in-state players that are still under consideration. Darius Ashley from St. Xavier's in Cincinnati and Isiah Pead from Columbus Eastmoor could get an offer down the road.

Buckeyes Add Commit #3

After a disappointing end to the 2007 recruiting season, and a sluggish start in February, the OSU coaching staff is now on fire. They received another verbal commitment from Lasalle WR DeVier Posey. He is conisdered one of the top two WR's in the state of Ohio.

Posey visited this past weekend and there were numerous reports that a commitment was coming soon. Posey said he enjoyed the trip but was going to "take some time off" before making a final decision. Apparently the plan was to announce on his birthday Thursday. But when word leaked out, he decided to go public.

*photo from Rivals.com

UPDATE to Michigan's 2008 Commitments & Targets

A few corrections to the previous post need to be made.

1. Boo Boo is wearing jersey number 2 but that number has already been promised to McGuffie.

2. The linebackers should be divided into the categories "small and quick" or "big and strong" because it is nearly impossible this far out to project an inside/outside distinction for a player. However there are different reports on exactly what above category a player should be in right now. Even though you can find listed measurables on a particular player, there is a good chance that those measurables are either currently wrong or were never even correct to begin with. Additionally, there are some players who are in-between the above two categories or even excel at all of the above. Bottom line: I will be grouping the linebackers together in my next addition of the list and I will state that Michigan will likely take 2 or 3.

3. WR/S- V. Carraway (PA) will be added to the list as Michigan has offered and is in his top two along with Pitt (the favorite I think). I just don't know what I think of him right now or where he fits in. BTW- I am aware of the two Minnesota DEs but I don't think there is strong interest on either end so they don't make the list at this point.

Finally, I will shortly post a breakdown of how I anticipate (at this early stage) things will break for the wolverines with respect to the list.

Michigan's Top 2008 Recruiting Commitments & Targets

Inroduction

Obviously, understanding the current depth chart is important to understanding why I prioritize the way that I did. When I have more time I will post a comprehensive breakdown of the Michigan depth chart but since that will be greatly effected by spring ball I consider it a low priority right now.

Other than depth chart needs, how good a player is and how likely the player will be a Wolverine play into whether and where a player appears on this ranking. Obviously, this list has lots of “hopeful thinking” throughout it. Prior years have indicated that Michigan’s class is not going to actual closely resemble this list. On one hand I am optimistic about the upcoming recruiting season but I also worry about a pending head coaching change effect and the possibility that we are now facing two giants (SC and UF). At least at Michigan you always have “hopeful thinking” instead of “wishful thinking.”

Finally, this is an inexact science and player evaluations as well as anticipated college positions are extremely fluid. As we go through summer camps and the ‘07 high school football season things will certainly change but alas here it is…

Top 17 Targets

17. QB- B. Kay (MI) - Best in MI. Important in case Forcier ever transfers.

16. TE- K. Rudolph (OH) – Need another solid all-around TE. Not a major need. J. Stoneburner (OH), B. Moore (OH), M. Wedderburn (PA), H. Graham (PA), N. Dilillo (OH), and A. Holt (UT) are the backups in order.

15. DT- S. Barnett (IND) – Another Warren Central kid. Not a very high priority. C. Henderson (PA), O. Hunter (GA), and A. Woods (Det., MI) are backup plans 1, 2, & 3.

14. CB- P. Johnson (FLA) - R. Bolden (CA- Another Edison kid (J. Sears)), J. Holley (PA) and L. Green (PA) are backup plans 1, 2, & 3.

13. WR- D. Stonum (TX) – Don’t really need a second WR but he is too good to pass up and wants UM. From Herron and Woolfolk’s school. F. Smith (Det., MI) and M. Floyd (MN) are the backups.

12. FS- R. Blanton (NC) - Will take over for S. Brown in two years. R. Butler (TX), J. Wade (best Ann Arbor prospect since C. Tabb), and T. Tidwell (Det., MI) are the backup plans.

11. OG- K. Wermers (IND) - A. Sampson (CO) is the backup plan. Might take a third interior lineman also.

10. OG- T. Robinson (NE) – V. Dotsy (CA) is the backup plan.

9. WR- J. Baldwin (PA)

8. RB- S. McGuffie (TX), D. Scott (CA), D. Torrence (OH), & J. Grey (Det., MI) are backup plans 1, 2, & 3. Might take two.

7. OT- D. O’Neil (MI) - He’ll be blue but the backup plan is B. Givens (CO), L. Nix (PA), and G. Pocic (ILL) 1, 2, & 3. Might take a third tackle.

6. OLB- S. Filler (ILL) – The backup plan in order: B. Beachum (OH), N. Bradham (FLA), M. Witherspoon (NJ), D. Posluszny (PA), L. Murray (NY- M. Hart’s school), M. Dowtin (VA), J. Staples (OH), S. Blake (PA).

5. WSDE- D. Heyman (TN) – K. Middleton (WA), N.Price (Det., MI), Darius Flemming (ILL), P. Phillips (Det., MI) are the backups in order. May take two here.

4. SS- W. Hill (NJ) – S. Adams (NC), D. McCarthy (OH), B. Smith (NJ), B. Leslie (CA), E. Biakabatuka (CAN), & C. Burrell (Det., MI), are backup plans 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6.

3. MLB- S. Hale (PA) - ATH C. Saddler (think M. Maize) is from Hale’s school and may be offered in order to facilitate Hale’s recruitment. A. Brown (KAN), J. Major (CO), C. Wilson (PA), A. Sweat (PA), J.B. Fitzgerald (NJ), J. Williams (OH) are the backup plans in order.

2. CB- B. Cissoko (Det., MI) – Already a wolverine

1. OT- J.B. Shugarts (TX) – K. Holmes (CA- legacy but SC battle) & Z. Sanders (OH) are the backup plans.

Ohio State Wins Big Ten Tournament, Clinches #1 Seed

Ohio State beat Wisconsin in the rubber match between the two top ranked schools, 66-49. Freshman point guard Mike Conley led the Buckeyes with 18 points, and Greg Oden finished with a double double. The Buckeyes held Big Ten POY Alando Tucker to just ten points.

Ohio State was announced as the #1 seed in the South region and the third rated #1 seed overall. They will face Central Connecticut State in the first round.

Get your NCAA Bracket here, and check back for more tournament commentary this week.

Enjoy the Past When It's All You Have

Our resident Michigan blogger Bill got off to a flaming start with his first post. For those that don't want to scroll down to read his one sentence diatribe, let me sum it up: Michigan used to be really good, and that historical performance is more important than Ohio State's current superiority.

Big. Freakin'. Deal.

If you're bored at work or can't figure out your NCAA bracket, look up Michigan's daunting records. Bill's right...Michigan won lots of games and national titles back during the pre-World War I era. One of their national title seasons even included a win against a nurse's college. This is before bowls, before African-American athletes, heck before people even really cared enough to formalize rules, eligibility, and other important aspects of today's game.

This an ongoing coversation between Michigan and Notre Dame fans, trying to stay relavant. You remember those days, before the Golden Domers were gang-raped in every big game they played, and before LLLLLoyd Carr finished every season with two losses.

As Smiling Jack Ross said in A Few Good Men, "These are the facts of the case. And they are undisputed."

Ohio State's football team has won 3 in a row and 5 of 6 against Michigan. This stretch includes 3 Big Ten titles, 1 national title, 1 Heisman trophy winner, and 3-1 record in BCS games.

Ohio State's basketball team has won 6 in a row against Michigan. This includes back-to-back Big Ten regular season championships.

In the two primary college sports, no Michigan team has defeated an Ohio State team in more than three years.

So go ahead, brag about stuff that happened before your great grandfather was born. Because apparently, Michigan fans can't handle the truth.

Introducing the Ohio State vs. Michigan Blog

There is no greater rivalry in college sports that Ohio State and Michigan. And there are plenty of web site that provide excellent coverage of these two universities and their athletic programs. But with the intensity, passion and sometimes outright hatred, it's difficult to find a comprehensive analysis from both Ohio State and Michigan perspective. This blog brings it all together, with insightful commentary on the latest news and updates around the Big Ten. Sure, you'll get plenty of snarky remarks, insults and bitterness after a loss. But it's all done with a healthy dose of respect from two professional stiffs who love to drop everything and talk sports.

Make no mistake, this is a "bipartisan" blog. But the blog template will remain scarlet and gray until next November, when Chad Henne has his last chance to turn this site maize and blue. As for the content, it's up to the Michigan contingent to keep populating the blog with Michigan updates, lest they be overrun by the Buckeyes. Again.