The Way I See it

VIETNAM FRIENDS SAN RAMON & FRESNO

2011-12-30T14:59:00.011-10:00

In 1981 I sponsored a Vietnam brother and sister into the US An and his sister Thuan. Even though I was financially responsible for them for four years, I did not do very much to help them, only a few hundred dollars each a few times and of course some meals and showing them around. An, worked his way through college with a Computer Science degree. An now owns his own computer company in Fairfax, Virginia, and employs about 150 workers. Thuan, now living in San Ramon, attended an electrical training school along with her future husband Richard and they both have worked in that industry for many years since. They, along with about 30 other Vietnam people I sponsored into the US are all doing better in business and their professions, than I ever did in my working career.

I visited An in July of 2011 for five days. We had a fabulous time with him,Kim his wife and Chris and Mai his son and daughter-in-law, both at his home and a house on the river with 5 acres about 3 hours south of Fairfax, still in Virginia.

From November 19 until Thanksgiving Day I visited with Thuan (American name Julia) and her husband Richard and their son Henry (Henry is a graduate of Cal Poly and is currently employed by Apple). Another son Louis could not make the visit with me as he was very busy with his studies at UCLA Computer Sciences. To say the boys are taking their educations serious, is putting it mildly, they are both honors students and working for Apple speaks for itself.

My trip to San Ramon, California was fabulous. My friends Julia and Richard were waiting for me at the airport when I arrived at Oakland. My Vietnam friends, both took off work to spend time with me. They had a beautiful home in a new neighborhood. The town of San Ramon was only created in 1983. There was a lottery for lots to build on. My friends wanted to move from Fremont CA. to San Ramon, because San Ramon had one of the very best public school system in the state of CA.. They missed getting a lot for the 1st and 2nd lotteries, but got lucky on the third and last lottery and their number was called. Richard and Julia's house is like a Mexican or Spanish style Stucco (top picture above from street view), very nice modern design. The ceiling in the main living room is 30 ft. high. They have lived there 8 years and have put both boys through high school there. First day we all went to a Car Show in San Francisco at the huge Mosconi Center. The second day we checked out the gorgeous landscaping in their back yard, the local park a block from their house, with full court basketball, tennis courts, softball field, picnic area, bathrooms etc., first class, with a beautiful golf course connected to it. We spent the afternoon driving up to the top of Mt. Diablo, where one has 360 degree views. On a clear day one can see 200 miles. We could see the Golden Gate bridge 45 miles away and San Francisco and other bridges in the Bay area. On top of the Observatory was an old oil very large lantern (last picture above), that was turned off during the Pearl Harbor attack because they thought the bright light would make a target for the Japanese and now they light it only on the eve of that date each year. The third day we drove the 3 hours one way to Fresno and ate at Mimi's Inn, a nice casual restaurant, where we met Linda, a former ex-sister-in-law of mine and her two daughters, Cathy and Kim. Cathy and Linda both have jobs in Fresno. Kim has graduated from college at UCLA and is now working as Manager of Admissions Operations for the UCLA School of Law. A really nice young lady with a great personality.

The whole time I was visiting my friends a TV and Radio was never turned on, Also I never got on their computer, we just visited, talked story and ate. That is what a vacation is supposed to be like!!

Buckeye Bob

TTUP GOT THEIR XMAS WISH

2011-12-01T10:55:00.008-10:00

First of all, I wish to thank my partner for taking her valuable time to upload these photos to my blog!

We had a big turnout for the game Saturday, although the results was not what we wanted we did do some passing.

The guests in the above pictures were Tom and Sandy Troxell from Bend, Oregon, Rick and Lori from Atlanta, Ga., Doug Farmer and Erin Berhman from Kailua, Hawaii on Oahu plus many of our regulars.

Were beaten in 1st downs 23 to 18. Total yards 444 to 372. Possession 35:10 to 24:50. The good news is we now have Urban Meyer if he can repeat what he has done at other schools. That remains to be seen.

Our Basketball team is on fire, winning over Duke. If they can keep this up we may be in the Final Four this year.

Happy Holidays to you all

Buckeye Bob

sample from tmobile

2011-11-28T17:04:00.002-10:00

BITTEN BY PURDUE MENTALLY DISTURBED BY PENN STATE

2011-11-18T05:46:00.009-10:00

Picture above courtesy of Brett. Top row in back is Justin, Katie, Buckeye Bob, Cat and Leah. Middle row is Craig, Jacalyn, Barbara, Richard, Doreen, (in black shirt wife of Rick with Red shirt and hat they are from Georgia) and gray shirt Mick. Front row kneeling Howard, Zing and Zac Purdue fans and Brett.

Well our Buckeye team seemed to Psych themselves out and allowed Purdue to walk all over us. Teams have been running all over them, but our mighty buckeyes turned to cheese cake trying to run the ball. Ha! And our Defense did not play well either, disappointing everyone. In fact in almost every statistic Purdue was better than Ohio State. No one could ever believe Drew Basil could kick an extra point too low which enabled Purdue to block the kick and allowed Purdue to go on in OT and beat us. Purdue played two quarterbacks Celeb Terbash and Robert Marve and our Defense could not even muster up any type pressure on either one of them. While Braxton Miller had his best passing game 8 of 18 for 132 yards and the super pass to Jordan Hall to tie the game. The QB I liked from the get go was Kenny Guiton, but again regardless of the condition of the game, he was at best an after thought. Besides Guiton my other Great player who I believe should be starting every game is freshman Evan Spencer, whom I consider the best receiver on the team.

Purdue's best athletic on the field Silas Reed only got 15 carries for 53 yards. They mainly used Stephon Green who had 71 yards on 17 carries.

As a result of Drew Basil not having the capacity under pressure to either kick the long field goal or the GIVEN extra point, either one which would have given Ohio State the victory in regulation time, there are Three Big Losers. It dashed my hopes and The Buckeyes of going to The Big Ten Championship game. It dashed any hopes Luke Fickell had of being retained as the Ohio State head coach. While I almost liked Fickell, he definitely is not an innovative coach who could install an offense around Braxton Miller but instead he continued to be a Coach who attempted to emulate Tressel. Too bad Luke it cost you your career at Ohio State. And all of this after I believed with all my heart that we had a TEAM after our defeat of Illinois and Wisconsin. Some fans and observers say Fickell was looking over his shoulder during the Purdue game and looked sick at times. Whew, you can say that for me and a lot of other Buckeye fans as well.

Next up Penn State a distraught team in psychological turmoil concerning the allegations against Sandusky. Now Sandusky is saying he is innocent and the Penn State campus police say they have NO record of McQueary filing a report with them concerning the incident he said he witnessed in 2002. Either the Police Chief, who has since retired was corrupt and disposed of the report or McQueary is lying and never made a report or the file was just miss placed. In any case confusion is being put forth. Also, I wonder about Ray Gricar the DA who did nothing with the initial report on Sandusky in 1998. No one knows his reason and he was the only one who had the info on Sandusky and he disappeared in 2005, while taking a drive from home. His car was found and his hard drive (which is the only place the info on Sandusky was kept) and computer were found in separate locations in a river nearby. His body has never been found. To say the least this is indeed a peculiar case and makes one wonder if foul play occurred that may be linked to Sandusky. Of course this is only speculation on many people's minds. I did watch an old TV show "Disappeared" which ran an episode on Ray Gricar and I also watched a TV show on Fox last Saturday "Justice with Judge Jeanine" where she recapped the story about Mr. Gricar and also put in her own speculation that him missing and Sandusky may be linked.

Back to football, we are looking at two badly dismantled teams in Ohio State and Penn State and many fans have little hope that our Buckeyes can win another game this year. On top of many other excuses, we have more Key players injured. Hankins says he will play, in case he cannot another True Freshman Michael Bennett will take his place and he has 14 tackles in 10 games. Out for sure is Andrew Sweat and he will also be replaced by a true freshman Ryan Shazier who has seen a lot of action as a reserve so far this year. In the Purdue game he had 7 tackles and a sack. Ohio State is 10th in the nation at playing the most True Freshman this year. We have had 6 start in games and 14 who have at least played in one game so far.

Penn State has not given up 200 yards yet on the ground this year. And I doubt if any of our backs can get 100 yards in this game. Our passing attack is the worst in Big Ten and 118th in the Nation. Also I doubt if Miller can get over 100 yards passing unless our Offensive Line comes up with their Best game of the Year. Penn States Defense is not planning on giving up anything to Ohio State. Probably the first team to score will win the game. Both of our offenses are ANEMIC. While Penn States Defense is better than Ohio States. It will be a very close game and I can not understand for the life of me how Ohio State could be a 7 point favorite. Ohio State has lost their 3 Big Ten games by a total of 13 points!!! And it seems funny that out of the last 25 matches between Ohio State and Penn State, the Buckeyes have won 13 and the Nittany Lions have won 12.

As Buckeye fans we must all remember and pay our respect to the 24 Seniors who will play their last game at Ohio Stadium this Saturday. Nine of them have started games this year. They are Mike Brewster, J. B. Shugarts, Devier Posey, Mike Adams, Boon Herron, Andrew Sweat, Tyler Moeller, Joe Bauserman and Solomon Thomas.

Miracles do happen and it will take several for The Buckeyes to make it yet to The Big Ten Conference championship game. The biggest one this week will be Illinois beating Wisconsin. If that does not happen, regardless of what Ohio State does in their final two games, we will not play in the Championship game.

Good Luck Buckeye Nation.

Buckeye Bob signing off until my next post.

OSU 2011 WIN OVER INDIANA & PENN STATE SANDUSKY SCANDAL

2011-11-09T12:58:00.018-10:00

We had a good turn out at The Sports Page Bar and Grill on Saturday to watch our Buckeyes claw and scratch their way to a close victory over Indiana, especially when the spread was OSU giving 30 points. The above pictures are courtesy of Doreen Needham, Katie Cook and Ashie.

The top picture taken with Doreen's cell phone shows front row: Craig Haveisen (welcome back), Barbara, Joann Freberg (Katie's local friend), Cat and Doreen. Second row: Doreen's sister Jacalyn, Buckeye Bob, Buckeye Katie behind Bob, Justin, Richard, Brett and Leah. A note, Doreen and Jacalyn were visiting Maui from Worthington, Ohio.

The second picture down from top is Buckeye Bob showing off his new collectible Ohio State Stein given to him by his loving sister Sue as a Birthday gift. Bob is accompanied by model Genvieve.

Third picture down from top is Buckeye Bob again with new Stein and other Buckeye collectibles including OSU Aloha shirt, Buckeye Socks, glass from 1970 Rose Bowl, another stein from 1971 Rose Bowl and of course a small towel from this year depicting the 75th year of Script Ohio. On that note, a girl dotted the eye when I was at the Ohio State vs. Wisconsin game and I believe again for the Indiana game.

Last picture down from top is Buckeye Katie our official cheer leader and Public Relations person for our local group of Buckeye fans toasting her friend Joann Freberg with a Bloody Mary for our victory over Indiana. Note about Katie, she and Justin plan to marry next fall 2012.

As Ohio State was expected to win by a large margin in this game, that did not happen. I personally did not expect a lopsided victory. I know and believe Ohio State has enough energy and talent on the team to squeak by their next three opponents and go to the Big Ten Championship game, but I do not expect to win any game by more than two touchdowns. They are a 7 point favorite this week at Purdue. And we have lost the last two out of four games at Purdue, more about that game review in a couple days, on my next blog.

The freshman QB Tre Roberson for Indiana played a great game. He was 11 for 21 passing for 127 yards passing and one TD vs. Miller 5 for 11 and 55 yards passing and NO TD. Tre also ran for 70 yards. The Indiana Defense played much better than expected making it tough for OSU to move the chains.

They had 19 first downs compared to our 17. They had 10 first downs passing compared to our 2. On Third Down conversions they were 10 of 17 compared to our 3 of 9. Time of possession they also lead with 30:54 to our 29:06. We did have three (3) hundred yard rushers with Herron having 141, Miller and Hyde with 105 yards each. Our one Big injury loss of the game was J. B. Shugarts and the Buckeyes will have to scramble a bit on the Offensive Line to replace him.

Dan from North Carolina gave me a heads up on how bad the situation is at Penn State during a phone conversation on Monday. After talking to him, I spent an hour and a half reading articles about the situation and the fact that Paterno will be OUT at Penn State. He knew about this situation in 2002, or perhaps even before. He said he did the right thing by reporting to the University. Also, he said he did not know the details of what the coach reported to him. I'm sorry but in my opinion I believe he is simply lying (that coach told him the direct details of what occurred). And as Dan said, if you care about the well being of young folks or even if you do not "You report this type behavior directly to the Police" Paterno is like a lot of the Good Ole Boy clicks, who will overlook such behavior and laugh about it if one of their own is doing it. In other words I now believe Paterno is a farce and a hypocrite!! If the University did nothing, after a short wait, Joe should have turned the Jerk Sandusky over to the authorities (how else would he protect other young man?) He also said if what is reported is true, we have all been fooled (what a joke)!! I think the whole group should be put in prison and throw away the key. They were all accomplices to very serious crimes. Anyone would say it was a BIG crime if it was their kid who was molested or worse yet, if they were ANY of the victims. And Sandusky had been conducting these heinous crimes way before 2002. How many kids he destroyed we do not know yet, but more will be stepping forward and there will probably remain many who will not step forward, so we will never really know how many kids he molested. I can not believe Joe Pa was at Penn State football practice today (how can he believe he is innocent?). How could he possibly have the nerve to be anywhere close to campus? And of course the same goes for the coach who reported this matter to Joe in 2002, who witnessed Sandusky sodomising a child in the locker room. How could that coach not approach Sandusky at that time and knock the crap out of him, what was he running to Paterno for? Please forgive me if you believe I am going overboard concerning this matter, but I'm infuriated by this situation!!!

I'm upset that this situation happened at Penn State. I wanted them to be at their best and full potential as a football team when OSU plays them and beats them. Now a victory unfortunatelly will mean much less.

I Congratulation Dan from North Carolina on his WIN at golf with Danny and I at the prestigious Longaburger Golf Course near Newark, Ohio when I was back for the Ohio State vs. Wisconsin game. He was the only one who had any consistency in the 36% weather, cart path only and on top of that we had a FROST delay for an hour and a half.

On that note I just received the latest e-mail from Dan in North Carolina today bearing gifts, which follows: Thanks Dan.

"It looks more and more like OSU may get a chance at the Big Ten Championship Game. And while I in no way acknowledge the lame ass bet you have laid at my feet, I will buy you(and me as well) a ticket to that game should they make it. You'll have to worry about your own airfare. We could go to dinner everyday at 4:30 if that would make you feel more comfortable."

Also, Dan told me about a website he likes about college football www.bleacherreport.com I will add this to my Blog site later as a link. It includes in depth info concerning Ohio State.

News just came in that Paterno has been officially retired by the Penn State University effective immediately. That is very GOOD news and is the only way it could be. They say they have 5 potential candidates for the replacement coaching job and none of those are on the present coaching staff.

During my trip home to witness the Buckeyes upset of Wisconsin, I had a marathon trip. I left Maui on October 25th at 6:30am on Pacific Wings airlines, 9 passenger small plane to the island of Molokai. Molokai to Honolulu on Pacific Wings, arriving at 8:30am. Since I did not leave Honolulu on United airlines until 8:45pm, I decided to take a taxi from the airport to one of the closest golf courses Pearl Country Club, which is owned by Honda. The taxi turned out to be a Limousine. I played 36 holes (two rounds) with a great lunch in between rounds. During the first round I was astounded when the Marshall came out to greet me on the 4th hole, with a cup of fresh coffee!! That was a first for me and I have been playing golf for over 40 years. The golf course and staff were fabulous!! I also took a shower and shaved before I left Pearl Country Club. I left for San Francisco at 8:45pm and arrived there at 4:50am on October 26th. I left San Francisco for Denver at 8:30am arriving at Denver at 11:59am. Left Denver at 2:22pm and finally arrived at Columbus, Ohio at 7pm.

Buckeye Bob until review of upcoming blog on Purdue game. GO BUCKS!!!

OHIO STATE DEFEATS ILLINOIS WE HAVE A TEAM

2011-10-15T13:40:00.007-10:00

Wow! A victory over Illinois!! Above picture taken of our small group of Buckeye faithful at the Sports Page Bar and Grill on Saturday October 15th, 2011, compliments of Buckeye Katies Cell Telephone. While the picture is not the clearest, it is a picture of our happy group toasting Champagne. From left to right, Cat, Barbara in back, Richard, Katie in back, Joe visiting from Las Vegas, Justin behind Joe, Melissa, Buckeye Bob, Leah in back and Brett.

Joe in the center of the picture was visiting Maui with his wife Amy for their 7th Wedding Anniversary from Las Vegas. Joe is a fantastic Buckeye and great supporter of our football team. He also has a great personality and vast knowledge of The Ohio State football team. Thanks for you input Joe.

Now the Buckeyes victory, the Defense was the Star and came through Big Time. The Offense mustered only a field goal off any of their drives down the field. And we could have been beat 7 to 3, but because the Defense got three turnovers and we scored off two of them, we prevailed with the 17-7 Victory. Bradley Roby, thanks to the wind carrying a pass 10 yards over its target made an interception and returned it to the Illinois 12 yard line where returning running back Herron ran his first touchdown into the end zone this year. Also A. J. Jenkins fumbled the ball at the Illinois 37 yard line and we also scored off that Illinois turnover.

The first half the score was Ohio State 3 Illinois 0. On one drive in fourth quarter Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhasse finally got the only score of the game for Illinois on a 3 yard pass. Coach Zook said the difference in the game was the 3 Illinois turnovers and I agree 100%.

Coach Fickell had a game plan of run, run and run, which Woody Hayes would have been proud of. Also, Richard of our small group of fans, said the same thing. Richard was upset when they tried to make any pass, saying the pass attempts usually ending in Miller getting sacked just stopped potential touchdown drives. Richard is probably right.

Now completing only One pass out of Four attempts is not good, but two of the passes were dropped. Our receivers have to catch the ball when it hits them on the numbers. The last time Ohio State only completed one pass in a game was in 1976 when Rod Gerald was quarterback and Ohio State was ranked 2nd in the country. Missouri beat us in that game 22 to 21. We did not even attempt a pass until 7:22 of second quarter in this game. The first pass we completed was very good, at least it was for a touchdown of 17 yards to Jake Stoneburner, who was wide open in the end zone and happened at 13:06 in the game.

Illinois came into the game 6 and 0 and averaging 450 yards and 34.7 points per game. We held them to 285 yards and their only touchdown came with 6:22 left in game. Nathan Scheelhasse was 20-34 with 169 yards passing. He was also the leading rusher for Illinois with 49 yards. Jason Ford their Senior running back and leading rusher this year got hurt in 3rd quarter and left game with only 30 yards in 6 carries. Their leading receiver A. J. Jenkins who came into game averaging 135 yards per game, was held to 8 catches for 80 yards. Illinois had a total of 285 yards for the game. Ohio State only had 228 yards total Offense with 211 on ground and 17 in air.

Herron did the bulk of the rushing work with 114 yards and one touchdown in his first game of the season. The Buckeyes only had 14 first downs compared to 18 for Illinois. We had only 3 out of 12 on third down conversions, a 25% ratio while Illinois got 5 of 12 for 42% on third down conversions. Ohio State did not have any turnovers and their Defense was swarming to the ball all game long and got three turnovers.

We have two weeks to prepare for the Wisconsin game and perhaps we can make a good showing in that game, if not a victory perhaps a very close and good game. I believe it is great that Wisconsin plays Michigan State this coming Saturday October 22. The Michigan State Defense appears like it is for real, but Wisconsin will be their Best test of the year. My wishes is for Michigan State to have the upset of the year and defeat Wisconsin some way. And for Ohio State to follow up with another victory over Wisconsin. Now would that make our season suddenly smelling like roses instead of smelling of skunks?

Talking about Michigan State they have now beat Michigan four games in a row. The last time that happened was 1959-62. Michigan tried to get a first down four times on Fourth down and only pulled it off twice. The worst try was Fourth and One on Michigan States nine yard line with 6:16 left in the game. Cousins only had 120 yards passing and Edwin Baker ran for 167 yards in the victory for Michigan State and enabled them to walk away with the Paul Bunyan trophy. Robinson was ineffective against a stiff Michigan State Defense that had 7 sacks. Michigan had 0 sacks Back up quarterback for Michigan Devin Gardner came in for Robinson and was also ineffective.

Buckeye Bob will do a blog on the upcoming Michigan State vs. Wisconsin game this week and another blog after that game.

With hope finally that we may win 4 of our last 5 games, the only possible loss being Wisconsin.
Buckeye Bob positive and Alive on Maui. GO BUCKS THE COMEBACK IN ON FOR 2011. We finally have a TEAM, especially a DEFENSE.

OHIO STATE TURNING POINT OR SCRIMMAGE

2011-10-14T21:54:00.003-10:00

So far it has been a dismal football season for The Ohio State University football team. Will the addition of Mike Adams really make a difference? Will Braxton Miller continue to improve? Can Boom Herron show up and will he be ready to play and be an influence on Offense? Can the Defense play well when they are needed most?

Actually my Quarterback of choice from the get Go was Kenny Guiton, will he get a chance to be a leader? Well the experts feel if Ohio State plays their best game, they will still only have a 33% chance of winning. Thus, it seems to be a foregone conclusion that our Buckeyes will loose their third game in a row. If that is the case, then we may as well consider we are playing the opponents the balance of the season with a Scrimmage team. It can no longer be considered a legitimate college football team

On the bright side, everyone on the team is holding their heads high as though they were an undefeated team. There may be some credibility to their positive attitudes, since Ohio State probably has as many four and five Star players on the field as any team in the nation (the only problem is many of them lack experience and are young). The Offensive Line has the most experience and could be one of the most talented in the Big Ten.

On the Negative side, Whitney Mercilus leads the nation with 8.5 sacks and the Illinois team leads the nation with 22 sacks. As it did not seem that Nebraska tried to rush the quarterback much last week, this week we can expect that Illinois will be relentless in trying to get to the quarterback. Michigan State destroyed us with 9 sacks. However, all our Offensive lineman are available, can they pull it together to save the day for our Buckeyes?

Talking about Michigan State, if their Defense is for real, will they be able to beat Michigan, some experts are picking Michigan State. It was Michigan State that sealed the fate of Michigan the last few years.

We all know what quarterback Scheelhasse can do. And there are few receivers in the nation as hot as A. J. Jenkins who caught 18 passes for 450 yards and five touchdowns in the past two games.

In conclusion, if we bring our A game, we may prevent a rout. Otherwise, it will be a long day.

As everyone knows who watched last weeks game against Nebraska, anything is possible in college football, and we Buckeyes fans will be holding our heads high Win or Lose.

Buckeye Bob

MILLER STRIPPED AND DEFENSE DISAPEARS

2011-10-12T19:20:00.005-10:00

I had a winning trip to Nebraska, even though The Ohio State football team lost.

I got home at 3am Monday morning. The plane out of LA had a mechanical problem. They finally bussed us to another terminal for a back-up plane but to find out they did not have a crew. At 10pm had a crew, missing two stewardesses, the management said they did not know where the other two were. They got there by 11pm, which made a 5 hour delay for our flight. Other than that I had a smooth trip to Omaha and over to Lincoln for the loss.

While I had a great time touring the campus, the Capital and all their best restaurants (the only Cajun restaurant in Town Buzzard Billy's and the only two health food restaurants in town The Grateful Greens and Maggies), of course I was not surprised we lost. However, like everyone else I had surrendered any expectations of any Offense and was in shock to be ahead by 27-6 in the 3rd quarter. Then I was in TOTAL SHOCK when our Defense could not hold them, and seemingly left the field to allow Nebraska an uncontested practice session, where there was NO defense on the field, which allowed Nebraska's greatest come back in the history of Nebraska football, scoring four touchdowns in the last quarter and a half!!!

I also played golf Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 18 holes each day. I toured Omaha some, since I flew in and out of there and rented a car there. My golfing buddy Shanti could not make it. I told him I had the room, car and would pay for all his golf and food. He tried for two days but could not find any seats on planes coming into Lincoln or Omaha. The best he could find was a rate of $580, but to get that he would have to stay in Phoenix one night and he lives in Sedona, Arizona. So unfortunately, he did not make it. The reason is of course because of the Nebraska football game, they have the longest record of sold out crowds in the history of college football, sold out since 1965. It is the only big thing going on in the State of Nebraska!! I played golf by myself, started about 3pm each day. Even on the golf course they were very nice. On Maui they are very strict and tell you to be back at the club house by 6:30pm. There they said enjoy yourself, someone will be in the club house after dark, play as long as you want. I would get in at dark every night.

The people I met were unsurpassed in their kindness, consideration and they went out of their way to make sure I was welcome in their neck of the woods so to speak, even all the Nebraska fans I sat with in the stadium were great!!

My favorite lady I met was staying at our hotel. She was 92 and drove 150 miles from her house where she lives alone to pick her son up at the Lincoln airport. I saw her at breakfast Saturday and Sunday mornings. I asked her if she stopped often when she drove the 150 miles? And she replied "why would I stop it is such a short trip and my car holds plenty of gas". This lady lives alone, her husband passed away 7 years ago. She has no hip or knee replacements and does not need any aids when she gets around. On Sunday morning she got up at 4:30am took her son and dropped him back at the Lincoln airport by 5:30am. I asked her if she stayed for the whole football game Saturday?. She replied that she certainly did, she always stays until the end of the game. She has been a season ticket holder for over 50 years. I said did you get cold and wet and she said heck No, that little bit of rain and cold weather felt good. She got to the game early with her son and they toured a couple museums on campus, so she was probably walking for an hour or so, plus climbing all the steps to her seat. I asked her what was the success for a long healthy life. She said keep busy. She is involved with her church and she belongs to several Bridge groups and a garden club and she is the Secretary of a couple of the groups. What an amazing lady, God bless her!!!

The Ohio State University is due for a major face over, from the President down to and including every coach known to have associated with this current mess.

Also, the NCAA could make some changes as well. Unless a student commits a crime, let the University themselves deal with the petty stuff. And of course have a University and Coaching staff capable of doing such.

Buckeye Bob GO BUCKS

OHIO STATE COACH BOLLMAN HAS TO GO

2011-10-01T13:34:00.005-10:00

I have TWO positive things to say after today's game and neither one has anything to do with The Ohio State football team. And I have to put the positive out first before I lay a verbal licking on The Ohio State football team, Yes Verbal ABUSE, arrest me if you wish.

The positive news of the day. When I arrived at the Sports Page, I noticed Misha the owner and Melissa our waitress were wearing Ohio State t-shirts, but not the ones I gave them last week, instead they went shopping this past week and bought everyone on the staff at the Sports Page Bar and Grill new Ohio State t-shirts. Now I have to go out and buy another Ohio State T-shirt to be just like theirs, so the next time we are not crying so hard and it is possible to take a picture, we will all have matching T-shirts on.

The other positive of the day, the first person I met at the Sports Page Bar and Grill today was Tyler Hanson, who is on the Fiesta Bowl committee. He lives in Phoenix and has been on the committee that hosted Ohio State twice. He said one committee member spends the week with one of the two teams represented in the Fiesta Bowl. He had the privilege of spending ONE week with our Buckeye team and being the host to Jim and Ellen Tressel. He said he can honestly say that Coach Tressel is the best coach he has ever had the privilege of meeting as a coach and as a person. He said Ellen, Tressel's wife, is equally as nice. He only had compliments for both. That was good to hear, although, I know a lot of people do not agree.

Brett said he forgot his camera today, but I believe it was because all us looser Buckeyes were crying so much, he did not want to embarrass us or himself. It would not be good to show the Nation that a few fans DO CARE about our Beloved Ohio State team, but it is tough to see them slaughtered.

This is not me saying this but the announcers of the game. They said a Scout Team or Scrimmage Team could muster up more Offense than Ohio State today. Let us put it this way, if you are DEAD last in passing Offense in the Nation and not far behind in your Running game, I do not care if you have ALL freshman on the field, this is Ohio State, supposed to be a Big Ten Team???.....you have to be better than what we saw today!!!!! Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, a high school coach could call a better game offensively than BOLLMAN. I do not believe in hanging anyone, but please Ohio State get rid of this Jerk of a Coach.

Also, the announcers said in the fourth quarter, if this were a boxing match, they would have stopped it. That is 100% correct. And that was demonstrated by the coaches NOT calling a time out at the end of the first half, to even DARE try an offensive play, instead, LIKE THE COWARDS they are they GLADLY let the Clock expire. That is it boys, run off the field with your tail between your legs!!

This team is not as bad as Dan suggested, they are TWICE as bad. Let me put it this way if Ohio State looses three games in a row, I deserve to pay Dan $100 instead of the $60 we have bet. Here is the situation, the FOUR CROOKS that come back next week. Boooooo!!! We do not need you bums, good bye!!!! I would rather loose with what we have NOTHING. How do they think they will improve the game??? They were not allowed to practice with the team, they have not played a game all year, they are probably out of shape just like Jordan Hall was when he came back. They are not that good to begin with!!! They are not going to help this team one bit, only make it worse if that is possible!!! The only TWO peple who I feel can make a POSITIVE contribution to this helpless team (A LARGE PART OF THEIR INEPTNESS IS THE PLAY CALLING OF OUR STUPID OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR BOLLMAN, have I mentioned that he should be fired immediateley?) is Defensive End Nathan Williams if he returns from an injury next week and the best receiver we have had all year EVAN SPENCER, who caught the touchdown today and who made the spectacular catch against Akron in game one. After the Akron game, the genius that Bollman is put him on the shelf for awhile, until it seemed hopeless today, they then stick him in the game and guess what happens he makes a catch and scores a touchdown. Have I told anyone Bollman is not qualified to be a high school coach!!! He could not see talent if it slapped him in the face!!!

I will be gone next week, Yes I will be at the Nebraska game. I will check out the hot spots around campus and on campus. I look at it this way, after I have had a good couple days checking the place out, it will be the same as a victory to me, so if the team looses so what, I already have a personal victory. If they WIN, heaven forbid, I have a Victory of The Ohio State football team to celebrate as well. Anyway one looks at my situation, I cannot loose. Do not fill sorry for me. Do not send me flowers!!

Unless I can get a blog out before I leave for Nebraska this Tuesday, I will put my next blog out after our LOSS to Nebraska.

I guess the experts are correct. The Buckeye Nation and The Ohio State University has given up completely on the 2011 version of The Ohio State football team and are looking ahead to greener pastures in the future.

I do appreciate all the fans that showed up at the Sports Page today. Of course Brett, Leaha and Cat. Also, welcome back to Justin (Katie could not make it because of work). And thanks to our extended family and host for the games on Maui, The Sports Page Bar and Grill and Misha, Melissa, Steve and Giselle.

Buckeye Bob GO BUCKS!! Never give up, miracles do happen, but perhaps none are in store for us this year.

OHIO STATE vs. MICHIGAN STATE

2011-09-30T22:27:00.004-10:00

It is a mixed bag as to who will win this game. Neither team has yet to get their game where they would like it. Some experts like Las Vegas odds makers are picking Ohio State by three point, while College Football News is picking Michigan State by three. It seems to be a toss up according to the experts.

When one reflects on the statistics compiled so far by each team, that favors MSU in almost every statistic both on Offense and Defense. In Total Defense and Pass Defense the Spartans are number one in the nation. While conversely, Ohio State is worst in the nation or close to it in Passing Offense. There is only one category where our Buckeyes have the edge and that is Rushing Offense and before anyone gets excited, we are only 7th in the Big Ten, While MSU is 9th.

We both lost our only road game by exactly 18 points.

Kirk Cousins is the big gun for MSU, completing 69.2% of his passes for 947 yards and 5 touchdowns with 2 interceptions. his favorite target is B. J. Cunningham with 29 catches for 428 yards, almost half of Cousins passing yards. Running Back Leveon Bell has 217 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Ohio State only has two starting Seniors on defense Andrew Sweat and Tyler Moeller. We are missing receiver Philly Brown and Defensive End Nathan Williams for this game, but both may be back for the Nebraska game. Devin Smith will be the fastest receiver on the field for the Buckeyes.

The Spartans are allowing only 101 yards passing per game and have intercepted 6 passes. Opposing QB's are only completing 49.5% of their passes. Michigan State has one of the best secondaries in the conference in Safeties Trenton Robinson and Isaiah Lewis.

I expect Braxton Miller to continue to improve in both his running and passing. If he continues to improve and the Defense can improve, we will prevail in this contest. All we can ask for as fans is improvement overall each week coupled with a Win.

I am anxious to see how the Big Ten season begins. Hopefully on a high note for us Buckeyes, GO BUCKS!!!

Richard and Barbara Long part of our core group of Buckeye supporters on Maui will be attending the game.

Also, I would like to give credit to Brett for supplying all the pictures for us at the Sports Page Bar and Grill.

BUCKEYE BOB

OSU VICTORY vs. COLORADO & CHAMPAGNE FLOWS

2011-09-28T12:21:00.016-10:00

Sports Page Bar and Grill is becoming a family affair. Top picture of Buckeye Bob, Cat and Brett toasting our champagne in front of NEW large screen TV, compliments of new owner Misha. Middle picture is Buckeye Bob accepting gift from visiting President of Las Vegas alumni club Christopher Burke, a small silver flask. Above picture is of our new family of Buckeyes, thanks to Misha new owner of the Sports Page Bar and Grill. Those pictured are Giselle left with all the beautiful hair, Melissa our waitress (she is great), behind her is Brett, next is Cat and Buckeye Bob behind her, Misha the new owner of The Sports Page Bar and Grill and Steve on right. Steve has been the TV man, who knows what team is on what satellite or channel for the past 10 years. Steve also let our group in early at 5am for our 6am games many times even though the Sports Page has never officially opened until 8am. Steve also helps with the cooking when needed. Thanks to all of you for making our Saturdays very SPECIAL during the football season.

The first person I met this past Saturday at the Sports Page was Larry Baber who is on the Holiday Bowl committee and responsible for the Team Selections. I told him the way Ohio State is playing we may be back in that bowl this year. He said that cannot happen because Ohio State no longer has a contract with that bowl.

Ohio State performed the way I expected them to against Colorado. With the new QB Braxton Miller they played well enough for an easy victory. Yes they got some big breaks, the defense did not look stellar and Braxton's arm throwing the ball was below average. However on a few tosses he did show that he had the potential to be average or above somewhere down the road.

What we are looking for is a steady improvement each week in all factors of The Ohio State football team and I believe that will happen. Just a little better each week. Michigan State is only an average football team with an above average QB in Cousins a senior. However, I believe Ohio State can squeak by them. Next is Nebraska?

My hope is, that Nebraska will beat Wisconsin this Saturday night. I know the chances of that happening are very slim, since the game is at Camp Randall and the Badgers do appear so far to be the standout team in the Big Ten. Strange things do happen occasionally!! So if Nebraska beats Wisconsin and we beat MSU this week and beat Nebraska at home the week after, it will be Ohio State looking the best in the Big Ten or at least in the Leaders Division. It could all happen. However, if Ohio State does not beat Wisconsin on October 29, we will be out of the Big Ten Championship game, since both Wisconsin and Ohio State are in the Leaders Division, unless Wisconsin looses two games and Ohio State only looses one. So even if Wisconsin does beat Nebraska this Saturday, if we beat Wisconsin and do not loose another Big Ten game, we will define our own destiny. This conversation has too many if's, so lets put it on hold for the time being.

After the game against Colorado and after the Champagne my good friend Dan called me from Ohio, where he attended the game. He went to the game with his Uncle Herb and my sister Ann. During our phone conversation, we somehow made a bet. I said Ohio State would win the next three games and he said No, so we have a $20 bet on for each of the next three games. Below is what Dan said about our game against Colorado:

"The game Saturday was not a good one and I think they would have been better off scrimmaging with themselves. Jordan Hall should have been kicked off the team just because of his association with TP. He should be benched when the TAT5 returns. What I did see that was good was the O-Line sustaining their blocks. But the whole offense looked like a version of the single wing. And that decision to go for a Field Goal from the one yard line was vintage Tressel. I'm figuring how to spend that $60."

Dan is from Laurinsburg, North Carolina and this is what he said next:

"Laurinburg is in Scotland County and they are having the annual Scottish Games on Saturday. It might be better to watch a bunch of guys in skirts compete than watching MSU/OSU. I actually don't think MSU is anything better than mediocre so you may have a chance. "

Next Dan was trying to give me a chance to get out of the bet we made for the next three weeks.

"Because I like you and you're sorta family, I'm gonna offer you a buyout. Agree to paying me $40 now and I'll let you out of the bet. My advice is just write the check and blame it on the Champagne you drank on Saturday. You sounded sloshed. Hell, you must have been to make the bet you made. Don't hesitate on this. I might change my mind I've gotta go; Las Vegas is calling, they want to get my input for setting the lines for next week."

Dan did not care for my e-mail reply to him where I was doing my best job of building the Buckeyes up. I also told him if the Buckeyes go to the Big Ten Championship game at Indianapolis I expect him to pay for my ticket to attend that game. Here is his reply:

"Try to keep up. You are delusional about the Suckeyes. Just show this ranting email to your psychiatrist and they will agree that you have a problem. But be careful, you may end up in a straight jacket. As far as the so called bet for a ticket to the Big Ten Championship, it is an invalid bet. There is nothing offered to me if I win the bet. In Business Law it's called a "lack of consideration". You should know this. Oh, I forgot where you went to school. Besides that, OSU and Wisconsin are in the same division and you've acknowledged that OSU will likely lose to Wisconsin. Ergo, even if Wisconsin loses a game, they will still represent the division because of the head-to-head win against OSU. Again, try to keep up. Your statement about your QB being "the best on the field" only would be valid if Braxton Miller were throwing footballs in one of Joanne's pastures (referring to his wife's horse farm). Bob, it's becoming clear that Assisted Living is in your near future. Dan"

Dan was telling me about his son and the possibility that he may apply for Med school soon and if that happens the possibility of his son helping me. Also, a comment about his Bull dogs and a slur against our beloved Buckeyes. Lucky we Buckeyes have thick skin. Ha!

"My son got his MCAT scores yesterday and he did quite well. He scored a 30(80th percentile). He will wait till June to apply to Med School because that's when the new classes start to be filled. Otherwise, he's competing for fewer slots. If he decides to study gerontology, he could possibly help you. Oh, no, wait-by then you'll be strapped to a Nursing Home bed, drooling and yelling Bring Back Tressel. One of my Bulldogs is having a real flatulence problem. To an OSU alum, that means he's farting. Speaking of OSU alums, I need to go to Walmart to do some grocery shopping."

Correction from my last blog: My friend Bob Garner from Indiana, I said only held jobs for the railroads his entire life. That is incorrect, sorry Bob. He did work for the Indiana Department of Transportation as Deputy Director-Division of Railroads from 1984 to 1988. Even though he did not work directly for a railroad, he was working with the railroad operations connected to the Indiana Department of Transportation. When we met last Tuesday Bob and I hit it off just like we had when we first met 39 years ago. We must have been put on Earth to be friends.

Buckeye Bob until preview of Michigan State game.

OHIO STATE BRAXTON MILLER MOVE FORWARD

2011-09-23T15:13:00.010-10:00

Above picture of Buckeye Bob and Bob Garner. Got a call Monday from my long time friend Bob Garner, whom I had not seen in person since 1972. My mate Ashleea and I had lunch with him at the Westin on Tuesday September 20, 2011. Bob took my place at Sterling yard, Michigan in 1972, where I was a Yard Master for the Penn Central railroad. Bob also took over my apartment at Mt. Clemons, Michigan including all my belongings, silverware, the whole shebang!!
I was promoted to Train Master and moved on to Lansing Michigan, where I was in charge of the railroad territory from Lansing South to Jackson, Michigan. Bob is now retired, last job as President of a small railroad line in Indiana. Bob with his wife Sherry and two daughters resides in Brownsburg, Indiana. One of his daughters graduated from Miami, Ohio and his other daughter is attending Penn State. Bob is a graduate of Purdue. Bob had a unique career, beginning with the Penn Central railroad as a Management Trainee, while in High School and continued to work for different Railroads for the rest of his career until retirement.

Now for my two cents for the Colorado vs. Ohio State game tomorrow and Braxton Miller and Ohio State football for the balance of 2011.

Brace yourself, The Buckeyes are back!!! It may not be pretty the rest of the season, but our team will begin to eek out victory after victory. Braxton Miller may make his share of Freshman mistakes but in the long run, I believe he will be better than Pryor. Also, have you noticed that there are very few Seniors on this team. Thus I believe we have a bright future (barring NO more scandals).

Last week I was so ashamed of Jordan Hall whom I really think is a great player. He let himself get out of shape during his time away from the team and that is inexcusable!! He kept getting leg cramps, which kept him out of a lot of plays last week. If he was serious about the game of football and would have kept himself in shape the offense may have scored a couple touchdowns. But none the less we would still no doubt have lost that game

The right choice was made on QB,and now I believe the team will begin to gel into a legitimate contender. Look out, hopefully my intuition is not out of whack and I'm not just delirious with Buckeye fever. Let us see what happens, and hopefully our mouths will begin to drop open with surprise and Awe at our teams success!! Yes, I feel it coming and it is all good for Ohio State.

A lot of teams are going to lose games this year and I do not believe any team will go undefeated, perhaps with the exception of Boise State.

Colorado is 1 win and 2 losses so far, winning their first game against Colorado State last week 28-14. Now like Toledo and Miami last week, they will be coming in thinking they can beat Ohio State. Their main running back is Rodney Stewart from Westerville 25 miles from the Ohio State campus, so he will be trying especially hard to impress his friends and family. Colorado is led by first year coach Jon Embree who is trying to resurrect his alma mater and his Buff Defense ranks 12th in the nation in sacks with 12. The guys putting pressure on our QB will be DE Chidera Uzo-Diribe and Linebackers John Hartigan and Douglas Rippey. They have a good WR Paul Richardson with 7 TD receptions from QB Tyler Hansen.

Look for John Simon and Jonathan Hankins to put pressure on the Colorado QB, with help from Linebackers Andrew Sweat and Etienne Sabino.

If I were a betting man, I believe I would take Colorado and the 14.5 points, but Ohio State will win. Also, I believe I would take San Diego State and the 10.5 points against Michigan. As inept as they are, I would even take Florida Atlanta and the 33.5 points against Auburn. There are going to many good college football games again this weekend.

I saw a strange thing this week. I noticed a Big Ten preview of this week's games in The USA Today. However, they previewed every game except The Ohio State game, how strange is that?

GO BUCKS!!! Buckeye Bob until next blog

OHIO STATE ABSENT COACH PLAYERS OR BOTH

2011-09-20T18:49:00.023-10:00

Melissa our waitress did a fantastic job on Saturday making sure everyone in our group of Buckeyes were well taken care of. Thank you Melissa. Since Brett is the only one who brought a camera, he did not get it out of his car until the game was over. Unfortunately, some of our OSU group had to leave early because of other obligations. I was shocked when I walked into the Sports Page at 10:30am to save the table in front of the only Big TV for our group for the 1:30pm game. There was another Buckeye fan dressed almost exactly as I was. He had the same Eddie George shirt and same red cap as I was wearing. So the above picture is of Ryan and Buckeye Bob. The top picture is Richard, Brett in back, Barbara, Ryan in back of his wife Kelly (from Cincinatti on Maui for their honeymoon), Chris Burke (President of Las Vegas OSU alumni club), Lena his friend, Buckeye Bob in back and Red (Chris Garinger) from Las Vegas.

Some of group not in picture were: Leah, Bob Kendall from Seattle, Cat, Karen & John Amos from Seattle. A visiting alumni on Maui Adam Hoy, with a group of 8 other Buckeyes was going to attend the game at the Sports Page with us, but he e-mailed me the morning of the game that his group had to catch a shuttle at 2:45pm for the wedding they were here to attend and they would not make it to the Sports Page. After the game this was my reply to Adam:

"Adam

Sorry you could not make it but you saved yourself a lot of pain. Offense nonexistent (not even an effort). Look for Braxton Miller to start the next game and for Ohio State to move forward from there. Sorry but coach Fickell has to go also, he is too fickel, unable to even call a time out. Time to clean out all the coaching staff, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, Fickell and so forth and so on. Also need to get rid of Gene Smith Athletic director and The President of the University Gordon Gee. We Buckeye fans have had enough of this CHAINING the players up and not allowing them to play. The defense did play but was on the field way too much, they should have had 4 interceptions instead of 2 and scored a couple touchdowns, only chance we had of winning today as pityful as it sounds."

At least one Buckeye, who did attend the game at the Sports Page Bar and Grill on Saturday had a good time. Red (Chris Garinger) from Las Vegas as he joined a table of seven young women who had NO interest in football and partied the whole time, he did glance at the game late in the third quarter and said "We need a rally shot, to get our Buckeyes going", that was the highlight of the game, us all chugging down a shot of Whiskey to drown out our pain, those sober knew we did not have a chance nor did the coaches seem to care. Last time I saw Red was outside the Sports Page Bar and Grill and Chris the driver of the convertible trying to convince him to get into the car for the ride back to Kaanapali on North West side of Maui. He was refusing to get in, saying he would not ride with anyone to go anywhere if they did not drive over 20 mph. Finally I saw him collapse over into the back seat never to be seen or heard from again and away the car went. Lucky Red!! Anyhow, I did have two Guiness beers at The Sports Page Saturday because I was there for so long. They even had a big sign on the ONE new big screen TV, saying "This TV reserved for the Ohio State group and Ohiio State vs. Miami game will be shown on this TV at 1:30pm."

Before the game on Saturday I received the comments below from Dan:

"I'll guarantee you'll only have one Guinness today and by the fourth quarter, you'll probably be ready to puke it up. This is the beginning of the end. Within a few weeks people won't have such a benevolent feeling toward Mr. Integrity-Jim Tressel. They'll be ready to tar and feather him and run him out of town."

Dan was going to go on a low carb diet because he had too much sugar show up in his latest blood work, so he told me he would probably begin to get grumpy. And I replied to him that I thought he was born grumpy. Ha!! Here was his surprise answer to me, which I thought was very funny.

"Yes, I was born mean. In fact, one of my New Year's resolutions was "to be mean". The next year it was "to be even meaner". No doubt I succeeded in both.

Oh well, go enjoy YOUR Buckeyes. I predict that they will smell as bad as the cat pee on Joanne (they were taking their cat to the vet and it peed on his wife Joanne and the smell was terrible). Go Pioneers(Marietta College who is still undefeated with a victory over Thiel College in Pennsylvania.) I bet you didn't know that Marietta College played Ohio State six times and actually beat them once. Note-we have always beat OSU in the quality of our Alums. Have you ever seen the typical Buckeye fan- 75 pounds overweight, beer guzzling and the furthest they've been away from home is that one year when they went to the game in Iowa. Buckeye fans are what made WalMart great. And Buckeye fans better get ready for No Bowl or some insignificant bowl like the ones they play in Hawaii where they have seven fans in the stands.

I grow weary of this conversation. I must go and consume some raw meat.

Dan"

Dan's e-mail to me after the Ohio State loss on Saturday:

"I'm trying to believe the old adage-things are never as bad or as good as they may seem. Things surely looked bad last night. That was the most futile offensive effort I've ever seen by a Buckeye team. I haven't seen this bad of quarterback play since Kirk Herbstreet; and it ain't gonna get better, chump. I hereby withdraw my $50 offer for your Nebraska ticket; it's worthless. Actually, it's now a liability. No matter what the line on the OSU/Nebraska game, even if it's Nebraska by 40, you should take Nebraska and bet heavily. It will pay for your trip and it will make you feel better. The biggest outcome of the Mess in Miami is that Luke Fickell sealed his fate. How can you not use your timeouts in that situation? What he basically said was- "It's impossible. Let's get out of here." Good riddance. I told you he wasn't experienced enough for the job. I predict that next year he'll be the defensive coordinator for Oberlin.

Here are my thoughts:

*A five loss season is guaranteed and the carnage could be much worse.

*If they go with Braxton Miller, he'll produce more turnovers than Sara Lee.

*If they stay with Bauserman, he'll go down in history as the worst qb in OSU history.

*They should bench both and have open tryouts from the intramural leagues.

*The defense will eventually get tired and pissed off that the offense is so inept and they will quit.

*The locker room will implode.

*There are no remaining games on the schedule which can be considered a "sure thing". Indiana is licking their chops.

I told you that last night was the beginning of the end. The blame should all fall on Mr. Integrity-Jim Tressel, the Anti-Christ. Woody is spinning in his grave.

Did you puke up your Guinness?

I think Tressel will go down in history as the worst thing that ever happened to Ohio State. After all, you can't think about Nixon without thinking about Watergate. He should be disgraced and never allowed to coach again. And I certainly don't want to hear him as a commentator."

My comment to Dan about Marietta playing Ohio State six times and winning one.

"I know Ohio State began football in 1890. They never beat Michigan until 1919. I know they played Marietta in 1898, when they loaned Marietta a player and Marietta won that game. I'm going to continue answering your e-mail after I let Ashleea have the computer. Her and her daughter do a light puppet show about once a week on Sundays. Genvieve is the talker and Ashleea is the producer. Check it out www.youtube.com/user/kuanyinfree33 That is just one step better use of one's time than being an Ohio State fan. And the site is Dumb by Design and meant to be Smile Bites"

My last comment about the loss to Miami. Slap me in the face to wake me up, but how did Bauserman look so good in that first game and then collapse in the next two games. That does not make sense? What is the explanation?

Buckeye Bob until next blog

OHIO STATE at MIAMI BAD BOY BOWL

2011-09-16T20:32:00.005-10:00

Well Buckeye fans it is always a Big game when OSU duels it out with Miami. Even though both teams are going through some troubled times, it will be monumental to see which team can begin pulling it together for the balance of the 2011 football season. This game is a pivotal point for one of the storied teams to emerge from the troubled waters.

It will be Jacory Harris's first game of the year as QB for Miami. he is a senior and he has been hyped a lot, but he has never lived up to his potential or his billing. Keep in mind during his career he has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns. Last year against our Buckeyes was one of his worst performances. During his first drive he was intercepted by Nathan Williams and overall he threw 4 interceptions. Cameron Heyward returned one of the interceptions 80 yards

So Miami will likely do plenty of running to take the pressure off Jacory. Now keep in mind, Miami's strongest part of their team this year was supposed to be their offensive line and Ohio State's strong point so far is stopping the running game in the first two games against Akron and Toledo. Miami is certainly a long way from the times they ruled college football with the massive talent pool they once possessed.

If Miami can beat Ohio State, it might be enough that the fans may believe new coach Al Golden can lead the team back to the good times again. To get a victory Miami will have to make big improvements over their ten penalties and four turnovers they displayed against Maryland. Also, the Miami defense did not touch Danny O'Brien the Maryland QB and he threw for 348 yards. If Ohio State dominates on both lines, Miami does not have a chance.

Miami is far more athletic than Toledo and has the receivers to stretch the field and make big things happen on the move. Miami should be able to find ways to to get its speedsters to crank out yards in chunks. Miami thinks they have the defensive line to shut down the Buckeye middling running game. We will all find out soon enough.

Our Buckeyes need help from the receiving corps on the outside to help Jake Stoneburner (I love to see the Tight ends get action, but not all the action). Jake had 4 catches for 50 yards and 3 touchdowns in game one and 4 catches for 45 yds and 1 TD in the second game.

Helping the Buckeyes this week should be Jordan Hall. He can be a triple threat with his running, pass catching and kick returning abilities. Also corner Travis Howard and backup safety Corey Brown should add more pop to key areas. Also, I can guarantee that Braxton Miller will see action this week, how soon and how long he will play are unknowns. But it may be possible he could start, although unlikely.

One downer for Ohio State is that DE Nathan Williams will miss the next few games after hurting his knee in the Akron game. Taking his place will be red shirt freshman J. T. Moore and his back up will be true freshman Steve Miller.

There are a lot of exciting college football games this weekend. In the early games LSU proved they have a good defense, but not so much offense. Boise shows they are very good, but Toledo self destructed again, otherwise that could have been a tight game. Lou Holtz picks Florida State to beat Oklahoma. The experts are picking Arizona State over Illinois and Nebraska over Washington. I will pick Tennessee over Florida. Last year Michigan State managed to beat Notre Dame with a fake field goal and the excitement and stress almost killed coach Mark Dantonio with his heart scare. If Notre Dame can cut out the mistakes I believe they may win this contest tomorrow along with coach Kelly getting control of his emotions and taking it a little easier on his players. With his tantrums coach Kelly makes me nervous and I am only watching the game. I do not believe Notre Dame University Directors will tolerate his actions for long, so expect him to calm down a bit.

Buckeye Bob expecting to see a lot of Ohio state fans at the Sports Page Bar and Grill tomorrow.
GO BUCKS!!

Buckeye Bob Mourns The Loss of Friend Brian O'Leary

2011-09-15T09:11:00.002-10:00

Another one of my long time good friends has passed. Brian O'Leary passed away July 29, 2011.

Brian sent the following e-mail to us July 24th, 2011:
"I was just diagnosed with cancer in the duodenum, just below the stomach. The tumor has almost completely plugged the duodenum, and according to the surgeons, would have to be removed within a week and the operation itself would be extremely highly risky, both because of its unfortunate location. We've chosen nevertheless to go the natural path with two basic approaches, the first using a potent herbal tonic ( stuff that cured my skin cancer of three years ago) and the protocols of an Ecuadorian medicine man--as well as asking for your prayers. There is much pain and sleepless involved. I'll need to stay away from the computer. I get lots of treatment ideas, many thanks, but we really need to focus now on the current protocols and be quiet, for the next few days to weeks. Please send your prayers, I'm optimistic in spite of the physical odds and loved ones are around us."

I first met Brian in 1989 at the Unity Church on Maui. He had talked about a group taking a trip to Russia in 1990. Since I had not been to Russia, I told him to put me on the list. The next year, the USA was having some problems with Russian and that trip was put on hold. So the alternative trip was to go to England and see the Crop Circles which were a fascinating topic at the time. We had a great time on that trip and Brian stopped by Maui and stayed at my house for a week before returning to his home in Ashland, Oregon.

In 1991, Ashleea my new mate, joined Brian, Kevin and others for another trip to see the Crop Circles in England. We also, went to Stone Henge and Glastonbury for the second time as well. Brian had found the love of his life Meredith, a visionary artist, who was in Brian's arms when he passed. Funny thing is, that Ashleea and Meredith were friends in Del Mar, California before Ashleea moved to Maui in 1991.

In 1992, we went on a third trip with Brian, Kevin and the gang on a "Holy Man and Saints trip" to India. This was also the high school graduation gift from me to Ashleea's daughter Genvieve. That trip started in Southern India at Mysore. We spent time at Puttaparti, the Sai Baba ashram, where 13 of us had a private audience with Sai Baba. It was Brians fourth time visiting Sai Baba who referred to Brian as "Moon Man", because Brian had been one of the early Astronauts who specialized in Mars. When the Mars trip was cancelled, Brian ended his Astronaut employment. There were over 10,000 Sai Baba devotees at the Ashram, man and women segregated and there is NO way we could have seen Sai Baba in private without Brian. Funny transformation occurred for Ashleea there.

Other highlights of that trip was a visit to see Mother Theresa at Calcutta. Also, in Calcutta we visited with Yogananda's nephew, who was in his late 60's. He lived at the same house where Yogananda had his first visions of the Divine Mother and Lord Krishna in his meditation attic. We were allowed to meditate in the same attic.

We went to New Delhi and North to Rishikesh and futher North yet into the jungles where tigers were still stalking and killing people. That is where we went river rafting down a jungle river.

Over the years Brian and Meredith made their home in Maui for about seven years. They stayed with us for about a month when they first began to look for a home to rent. When they moved to Washington, California, we visited them for a week. Meredith & Ashleea were best friends.

And when Brian & Meredith built their Art home in Vilcabamba, Ecuador Ashleea, Genvieve and I went to visit them for a couple weeks in 2008 (I did a blog of that trip and our experiences there with a slide show of pictures in October 2008). Their home there was named Montesuenos and they had many energy conferences there. Genvieve and I helped Brian choose the name for his last book finished while we were there visiting "The Energy Solution Revolution". Brian was very good at the piano and always played us a medley of improvised songs when we visited him. The pictures below were taken during that trip of Brian and Brian and myself.

Here is a link to my earlier posting of October 2008 where I wrote about our visit to Vilcabamba, Ecuador at the home of Brian & Meredith. Just scroll down past the post about Pryor.

Here is a link which highlights a musical improvisation with Brian & Sue Terry in 2009.

Brian leaves behind his wife (and our very good friend) Meredith of twenty years, his son Brian and daughter Erin. We will all miss you Brian but think of you often. Brian was on a path for free energy for years and wrote many books on the subject and in his own words I will leave everyone with Brian's message: "We're all on a Spiritual path that is all the more urgent for us to observe as we each pick our way through the great darkness of our times, that we do have the solutions that can be ethically implemented through grace, synchronicity, intelligence and kindred fellowship".

Buckeye Bob

OHIO STATE ADVERSITY AND BORING FOOTBALL

2011-09-12T14:14:00.003-10:00

Our small group of devoted Buckeye fans gathered once again at the Sports Page Bar and Grill to watch our beloved Buckeyes. This time Misha the new owner of one week provided us with a brand new 62 inch thin screen TV to allow us the opportunity to enjoy viewing the game. Thank you Misha. The picture above is of Richard, Barbara, Buckeye Bob, Katy in the back, Justin squatting down in front of her, Joe and his wife Linda visiting from Pennsylvania (Linda is the Mother of one of our fans Joe who was working), Cat and Brett. That is the Hawaiian Shaka sign me, Justin and Brett are displaying and not the hook Em Big Horns that Texas displays.

The conduct unbecoming of college football players has put more pressure on a young immature Ohio State football squad. The result is worst than "Tressel ball", because now we have a group of players in chaos, just trying to survive the game clock let alone the other team. There is no sense or reason to the scheme of the offense and they played like they were scared to death. It unfolds into boring play for the fans. And it does not show the trust or faith in allowing the players to play football. Just stick your tail behind your butt and do a hail marry in reverse, throw the damm ball as far as you can into the stands. Maybe the result will be knocking some unfortunate unaware fan out in the process to get some sort of excitement for the fans. When Bauserman threw the ball into the stands on the second possession, second play from scrimmage, I knew it was pretty much all over for the Buckeye fans on Saturday. We did get a few lucky plays here and there that saved the day for us on Offense along with the Defense finally getting a stop before the clock ran out.

Toledo showed they were a good football team, but the real excitement and knowing they could beat the Buckeyes did them in and let them fall short of their goal of a victory. They could smell blood, but could not follow up on what they knew they could accomplish. That thought overcame them and allowed them not to merit the play to give them the reward at hand. Seeing an easy pray in Ohio State was too much for their Psyche!! They had 14 penalties resulting in 102 yards. They missed a 45-yard field-goal. They miss handled the snap on a 50-yard field-goal, gave up a special teams touchdown and continually made mistakes that saved Ohio State drives or shortened their own. Toledo was not disconsolate that they lost so much as upset that they had a hand in their own undoing!

If Luke lets them play ball and has faith and trust in our Buckeyes they could have won the game by three touchdowns in my opinion. Also, put Braxton in the game as they had planned instead of being down right cowards (a lot like Tressel showed in the past). Braxton coming in and playing football would have stunned Toledo and gave us Buckeyes something to root for. Obviouselly Bauserman was under strict orders, to throw the ball away regardless of what, heaven forbid they forgot he was on the field to play football. Braxton being young and used to playing football, after all he is still a kid, would have put a spark in the game, stunning the asshole coaches but pleasing us fans who wanted to see our team play football. Does a win playing hardly any football take precedence over playing football and possibly loosing. The fact is if that is how the coaches precede and continue to play like losers, they will get what they deserve and end up with about four losses this year. Where is the PRIDE of the Buckeyes and where is our reputation?

Of course Toledo ended up with more offensive yardage than Ohio State on Saturday, 338 yards to Ohio State's 301. And Rod Smith the freshman running back continues to not impress us with his second fumble in as many games.

I'm praying as a fan that Ohio State goes to Miami ready to play football and uplifts us starving- for-action Buckeye Nation with some Ohio State PRIDE!

OHIO STATE FACES TOLEDO

2011-09-09T14:34:00.003-10:00

Well we can call this an official game and get the season started to find out perhaps what the balance of 2011 may shape up to be for all us Ohio State football fans. Toledo is picked to be the favorite to win the Mid-American Conference. And their coach Tim Beckman has done a good job in his two years there turning a 5-7 1st year into a 8-5 second year. Not a feather in his cap by any means, but he was an assistant at Ohio State under Jim Tressel.

While Toledo had a weak first opponent in New Hampshire, they put up better offensive numbers than Ohio State did against Akron. Almost 600 yards of offense 287 rushing and 304 passing. There are 17 starters returning from last year including Junior QB Austin Dantin (6-2, 200). He is backed up by Sophomore QB Terrance Owens (6-4, 200), who is almost equally as good.

They return over 1,000 yards rushing back Adonis Thomas (5-10, 185). He is also the second leading receiver on the team. He led the MAC with 6.3 yards per rush average.

Toledo's senior receiver Eric Page was a first-team All-American last year who caught 99 passes for 1,105 yards and 8 touchdowns. That is not why he was an All-American, that was as Kick Returner, averaging 31.1 yards per return and scoring 3 touchdowns last year.

Bernard Reedy is also a good receiver who had 131 yards in last weeks game.

Three starters return on the Offensive line, they include left tackle, left guard and right tackle with respectively weights and heights of (6-7, 304), (6-5, 309) and (6-5, 301), that is some size for Ohio State to contend with.

On the Defensive side of the ball, nine starters return, including middle linebacker Dan Molls the leading tackler who had 143 tackles last year. Also, four starters on the defensive line including Junior defensive end Fatinikun who lead the team with 13.0 tackles for loss and had 5 sacks last year. In the secondary all four starters are back.

In summary, Toledo has plenty of skill and experience and enough weapons to give the Ohio State team some real competition. So let us see what happens tomorrow, will it be a close game or will Ohio State impress again, signifying the possibility of a brilliant team against all the adversity. The latter would surely put a lot of smiles on the Buckeye world.

Buckeye Bob signing off until next blog. Looking forward to seeing all my Buckeye faithful at 5:45am Saturday at the Sports Page Bar and Grill.

OHIO STATE vs. AKRON GOOD SCRIMMAGE

2011-09-06T19:07:00.015-10:00

Pictures above taken at the Sports Page Bar and Grill Saturday September 3, 2011. Top picture Buckeye Bob, Katie and Brett. Middle picture Buckeye Bob and Brett toasting with their Guiness. Bottom picture, newcomer to Maui traveling nurse Catherine, Buckeye Bob, Katie, Justin, Brett peeking through, Barbara and Richard.

After nine years of enjoying our football TV games at The Sports Page Bar and Grill, Barry the owner passed away last year. The new owner Manesh allowed us in on Saturday at 5:45am (regular opening time is 8:00am) with a smile on her face and Tasty Kreme donuts in her hand for all of us. Manesh just took over the business September 1, 2011, so we were all very appreciative and in great gratitude for her generosity, mindfulness and kindness shown a small group of Ohio State fans.

I was very impressed that Joe Bauserman made a very good showing with his first start in college football. Both his passing and running were good.

Braxton Miller did very well and would have made a better showing had one of his passes not been dropped and our All-American center Mike Brewster not make an errant snap to him.

The running backs led by Carlos Hyde with 93 yards looked solid.

The receivers were excellent and it was very pleasing to me to see the Tight Ends being utilized. Stoneburner with 3 touchdowns may have been close to an Ohio State record. Evan Spencer made the catch of the day and one of the best receptions I have ever seen at Ohio State!! And Oh in case you did not notice, when was the last time anyone witnessed eleven different receivers catching passes for Ohio State??

The Defense was stellar in allowing less than 100 yards total offense and they had one interception.

The two biggest negatives for Ohio State was First: Drew Basil missing two easy field goals. We knew Fickell was trying to give him some practice, but after the 5 yard penalty it made perfect sense to try to make a first down with only one yard to go and excellent field position. Second: Redshirt Freshman Rod Smith making a fumble inside the Akron 5 yard line.

The following is Dan's two cents from the weekend of college football:

First off Congratulations to Dan and his wife on their 18th wedding anniversary!! This is how Dan said they spent celebrating:

"Today is our anniversary-eighteen years. She spent the day trimming around fences and I was cutting wood with the chainsaw. 90 degrees and 70 percent humidity."

" Unusual first weekend of college football. The delayed and weather shortened games was unprecedented and shows that Armageddon is upon us. I have to admit that Boise State can probably play with anybody. While I thought the new Georgia uniforms were a shock, they seem fairly benign opposite the Maryland uniforms I'm watching tonight. It will be hard to imagine a better game than Friday night's Baylor/TCU. And I hope Stanford has something otherwise the Pac-12 is dry. USC had to hold on to beat Minnee-ha-ha at home and we all saw what the Ducks didn't do on Saturday night. Looks like some good ones this weekend-Alabama will destroy Penn State, national champion Auburn will suffer their first defeat and Michigan will nose Notre Dame.

Dan"

Dan and I were exchanging stories about the different medications we take and Dan had this to say about side effects of his medication:

" The side effects from some of these may be worse than not taking them. I sometimes start barking like a dog uncontrollably. This is very embarrassing in Walmart."

Dan's last remarks concerning the first week of college football 2011:

"Re: last weekends college football, I have an observation. Why does ESPN continue to subject us to two analysts who are older than dirt, namely, Lou Holtz and Lee Corso? Lou laughs uncontrollably and Corso practically drools on himself. Shouldn't one of them be named the Coach in Waiting for Penn State?

Dan "

This is Buckeye Bob and Dan signing off until next time.

PLEASE STOP THE PAIN OHIO STATE

2011-09-02T11:30:00.005-10:00

BREAKING NEWS.... JIM TRESSEL JUST HIRED BY THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AS A GAME DAY CONSULTANT!!!

With the Ohio State news that came out yesterday concerning the Ohio State football team, I'm devastated!!! Hope I do not come across too harshly on my beloved Buckeyes, but I'm letting off a lot of steam and I wish to express how I feel and I do not feel good.

The Buckeyes may as well hang up their cleats Three more players suspended today, Starter Jordon Hall, whom I really liked, Travis Howard starting LCB and backup right safety Corey Brown. I definitely think Ohio State should clean house and get rid of all the existing coaches who had anything to do with Tressel, including Fickell. I have never cared for the Offensive and Defensive coordinators from the get go. Also must get rid of Gene Smith and the President Gordon Gee. You know it will not end with these 3 players! I believe Ohio State may get the DEATH penalty and they deserve it.

This is probably not related to the subject at hand but since I'm letting off steam I feel Ohio State has been gouging the fans raising the prices of tickets every year and I'm irked with it and have had enough of their nonsense! It would serve the greedy people responsible for running the University right if Ohio State gets the Death Penalty or a similar fate. It is about time their KARMA and true colors came through and they paid their dues!!! I'm so Damm disgusted!! This could be a ten year setback for the program.

It will not spoil my love for Ohio State. It is just time to clean the bad shit out and put it into a manure spreader. I hope I'm still alive when they finally get their program together in a respectful, responsible and professional manner and learn how to control their players. Only about 50,000 fans should turn out for the game this Saturday, but that will never happen. Of course you can rely on me to be at the Sports Page Bar and Grill watching the game with my other faithful Buckeye fans at 5:45am NO LESS. Admit me to the nearest Psych Ward, I'm ready and deserve my Karma as well. I would laugh but it is NO laughing matter!!

The following is my reply when Dan told me he may get a little time off on Saturday to watch the Ohio State vs. Akron game. "Dan you did not catch a break on Saturday, if your going to watch the Buckeyes (but there will be many other teams to watch). Like you said you will not miss anything, especially with the mess they now have on their hands."

Russell Wilson did a great job and Wisconsin looked good yesterday in their opening game of 2011 on Offense, but again it is all relevant considering it was UNLV. The Defense against the run and some against the pass was not that impressive. UNLV was in the red zone three times and did not score. Either penalties or poor judgement and poor passes on the part of the QB was more the problem than the Wisconsin defense.

Dan's response to the above information involving the three new Buckeyes to be suspended follows:

"Buckeye Bob
Bob,
Simmer down. It won't do your blood pressure any good. You have now come around to what I've been saying for the past six months, although I don't think it's a ten year time horizon, more like five. I don't care how well Fickell does, he shouldn't be the next coach. He lacks experience and maturity, not to mention his only mentor was Mr. Integrity himself(Tressel). OSU is selling themselves short if they don't go out and get one of the best coaches in the business. I'd put at the top of my list Jon Gruden-Ohio ties, a brilliant football mind and he would be able to recruit whoever he wants, because the top kids would think of him as a springboard to the NFL. I would steer clear of Urban Meyer; he's already proven himself to be a quitter. The first thing any prospective coach will want to know is what are the sanctions against OSU, i.e., how deep is the hole I have to dig out of. Secondly, he will want to know who does he work for and what kind of support will he get. That's why I agree with you that the two numb nuts, Smith and Gee, need to go. I doubt if the Trustees have the balls to do it though. That's why we'll end up with some young, promising, up and coming coach that will leave people scratching their heads as to why he was selected-like a Tressel.
I think college football is rapidly approaching a new era, one of SUPER-CONFERENCES. I can see 4 regional based super-conferences arising in the next five years. And playoffs will follow. The Bowls are the biggest impediment to this. They are ripe with corruption. Just look at what happened with the Fiesta Bowl.

Last night's games were a bit of a bore. However, I did see some weakness in the Wisconsin defense, especially up front and against the run. The game which concerns me the most this weekend is Boise State - Georgia, not because I care about either one but because I don't want to hear about Boise State all year if they win and how they should be given a shot at the title game if they go undefeated.
I heard Tressel getting interviewed and when asked if he had any regrets he replied-"No I wouldn't change anything about my career, even for a TATTOO of the world." That's a joke. Take your medication."
Dan "

This is Buckeye Bob signing off and hoping for the Best for our Buckeye team and every Ohio State Buckeye fan who is passionate in a positive way and part of the Buckeye Nation. We have the largest Alumni club in the nation and none of us need this agony. Is there anything any of us can do? Or is this a hopeless situation?

Buckeye Bob

----- Original Message -----

AKRON REVIEW AND DAN"S TOP 10 SANCTIONS

2011-08-30T16:04:00.004-10:00

Almost embarrassed to say it, but Akron only won one game last year. Out of 120 college football teams in Division 1-A, Akron was near the bottom in almost every offensive statistic in the nation, ranking 100th or worse. On the defensive side they were a little better. They were 99th in total defense, 72nd in rushing defense and 113th in pass defense.

Does this mean the Ohio State Buckeyes will begin the season playing the WORST college team in the Nation? Probably very close. So the first game, in other words, will be a glorified scrimmage or another practice game. It should offer OSU the opportunity to take a good look at themselves to see what talent they have. Of course, many players will see action, so it may not tell us too much.

The one bright spot for Akron is their QB Patrick Nicely a Jr. who has started 19 straight games. He has thrown 13 interceptions and 10 touchdowns. He is one of 5 returning starters on offense. They return 8 players on defense.

OSU's two-deep roster is out for the Akron game. The only note of interest here is that coach Fickell has put down Joe Bauserman OR Braxton Miller as the starting QB. Does anyone think the coach will start a True Freshman? Hmmm!! We know because Ohio State is playing a very weak opponent that both Quarterbacks will see action. How Fickell will divide the playing time or who will start may be interesting. Miller at 6-3,210lbs is 2 inches taller and 20 lbs. lighter than Bauserman.

The more interesting games for the start of football season for the nation as a whole will be the contests between Oregon and LSU and Georgia vs. Boise State. Do not forget that Wisconsin kicks off the Big Ten season on Thursday night against UNLV. UNLV gave Wisconsin a good half last year, but Wisconsin prevailed for the victory easily in the second half.

A note of interest is the game between Boise State and Georgia (Boise never receiving any respect for the National Championship game). Georgia could conceivably lose it's first two games and end up winning the SEC championship. Georgia's second game is against South Carolina. After that Georgia has an easy schedule, other than Florida. Georgia does not play Alabama, Arkansas and LSU (three of the potential top five teams in the nation). Coach Mark Richt of Georgia is a bit on the hot seat this season after a 6-7 won loss record last year. Completely unacceptable for Georgia football. So the dilemma exists that Georgia could end the season 10 and 2, while Boise State could end with a 12 and 0 record and still Boise State may be overlooked for the National Championship game. I'm sorry Gordon Gee, I do not agree with this. It is time to give the little guy his due. Last year again Wisconsin was beat on January 1, 2011 by TCU 21 to 19 in the Rose Bowl.

University of Miami update. Eight players got suspended, five for one game including QB Jacory Harris. Two players miss 4 games and DL Oliver Vernon gets a 6 game suspension. All of the players are requested to repay the improper benefits they received. They play Maryland this Saturday.

As everyone knows, The Ohio State University has been in trouble of late and Dan and his friends came up with a David Letterman type Top Ten for the situation at hand. Poking fun at Ohio State is not cool Dan, but the situation is what is, so the list follows:

This is what I received from Dan:

"I've been working on a new Top Ten List(ala David Letterman). As you are aware the NCAA is trying to come up with sanctions that hurt. So my inside source at the NCAA has given me a heads up on some of the sanctions they are considering imposing on Ohio State for their recent indiscretions.

Top Ten NCAA Sanctions Being Considered For Ohio State

10. Require that Brutus Buckeye be neutered.

9. Change the Alma Mater from Carmen Ohio to Who Let The Dogs Out

8. Require all football players to wear burlap jock straps.

7. Change the team's nickname to a tamer nut, for example, the Ohio State Almonds or the Ohio State Pistacchios.

6. Use Lloyd Carr to dot the "i" in Script Ohio.

5. Hire Glenn Beck as the new Compliance Director; he's looking for work..

4. Insist that Gene Smith get a tatoo saying " I cannot be believed" on one arm and on the other arm(which points to Gordon Gee) saying"I'm with stupid."
3. When they play Miami, require that each lockerroom be equipped with a stripper pole.

2. Require that Gordon Gee do a solo halftime show of Broadway tunes dressed only in a bowtie.

1. Hire Tressel back for a day with the sole purpose of firing Gordon Gee.

Blog that, Big Boy!
Dan "

That is it for this week, all the Buckeyes fans are eager to see how OSU begin their season.

Buckeye Bob and Borderline Buckeye Dan...GO BUCKS!!

Bob and Dan talk Ohio State football 2011

2011-08-25T14:16:00.008-10:00

A good friend and relative turned up after 20 years, his name is Dan and you will no doubt hear his WISDOM, well lets say comments and opinions, on Ohio State football and about what he thinks of ME this year. His Dad Ralph, was one of my biggest mentors on being an Ohio State football fan. Dan presently resides on a horse farm in North Carolina.

From Dan's very first e-mail to me he was already talking about Ohio State football. He said "I think you're about to experience a world of disappointment when it comes to your beloved Buckeyes. I'll give you $50 for your Nebraska ticket right now." When Terrell Pryor was drafted a few days ago Dan said. "Well, your boy Pryor now has a job. He and the Raiders deserve each other."

Then he made an off-beat comment about me, remember he has a horse farm. "I don't think you understand the "manure gathering process". You pick it up with a flimsy little rake and either put it in a manure spreader or simply fling it. The latter process you are clearly familiar with, as you have been flinging shit for years!" Hey Dan, take it easy on me, your beginning to sound like Will Rogers!! Good thing I have a good sense of humor.

Next Dan began making some constructive statements as follows: "Here's something for your blog-Wisconsin will win the Big Ten easily. The addition of Russell Wilson makes all the difference. They will beat OSU by 10 points in Columbus. On the national side, Alabama will win the title in a cake walk. Very easy schedule. Remember where you heard all this first." Good comment Dan, we will see if you are right or not. I told Dan if Ohio State wins in their division, including a win over Wisconsin, I would expect him to buy me a ticket to the Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis....does anyone out there think he will do it?

I told Dan that I wore out my welcome when I spent three months this summer with my sister Ann and her husband Herb in Pickerington, Ohio. This was Dan's comment. "Bob, I can't blame Ann. Haven't you heard the old story-fish and relatives are a lot alike; after a few days they start to stink! I can remember when I had a visit from my in-laws several years ago. They also flew their own airplane and came here in January and got socked in by the weather for TEN days. This goes beyond the marriage vowels and I had to be medicated." As one can tell Dan is a colorful and personable friend and likes to tell it the way it is.

When I told Dan I liked horses and they were my favorite animal, he had this to say:
"You are more like our horses; you're a herd animal and you need to be around other members of your herd. That's why you like horses. Eat a couple of carrots and you'll feel better." Well I just about agree with Dan, I do love carrots!!

Dan's 2011 Heisman picks are-1) Trent Richardson-Alabama, 2) Andrew Luck, Stanford and 3) Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina.

Now let us discuss The 2011 Ohio State football season. Luke Fickell was interviewed today Thursday August 25th and stated he is instilling in his team the idea of adversity. Bringing forth every team members energy and effort and the idea of a team is the most important factor as of now. He said right now the coaching staff is attempting to challenge the players minds, so they can excel in front of 106,000 screaming fans without making a lot of mistakes. He said of his players we know what your body can do, how you use your minds in a game situation is what matters. Right now Luke says in the practices we are still focused on ourselves to see if we can get better. Next week they will begin the game plan against Akron. When asked about the quarterback position, he said we need two players at every position. He said when he last played for Ohio State in 1996 they had a two quarterback system and it worked well. Luke said there is tremendous enthusiasm, energy and talent on the team but how this carries over into a game situation is yet to be known. When asked what the coaching staff did to reward the players at the end of two-a-day practices, he said the coaches played music for them to make them happy. The reporter asked what kind of music and Fickell replied, I do not know and laughed. He ended his interview by saying please do not walk into our locker room and listen to the music!

With all the Drama concerning Ohio State and a lot of personnel losses, everything seems to be set up for a Down Year. But not so fast my friends, Ohio State still may have the most talent in the Big Ten.

Ohio State has to climb a very big mountain if they are to have success this year that is without question. Replacing 3 starters in the Secondary, 2 great linebackers, 2 top Defensive Lineman, steady Placekicker Devin Barclay, 2 starting Offensive Guards and leading receiver Dane Sanzenbacher. Of Course Terrell Pryor. And for 5 games the absence of the top running back Dan Herron, receiver Posey and Jr. OL Adams.

But first of all remember this, Fickell has something Tressel never had: the "us against the world" rallying cry. And also remember there will not be any sense of entitlement on a team full of players looking to prove they can play.

Center Mike Brewster is ALL AMERICAN material, John Simon and Jonathan Hawkins will dominate up front. The line is versatile, big and great for the ground game. If we get the quarterback position fixed quickly and if the idea of Tressel Ball is shelved to allow for more downfield passing, the offense will be fine. But will that happen with Bauserman at QB, one is probably looking at rely-on-the-D-and-lets try to win in a conservative manner. Braxton on the other hand, has the size, the arm and the mobility to be a Franchise-maker. Because he is a true Freshman he will NO doubt make mistakes. In a division with Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson and Nathan Scheelhaase, Ohio State has to match up against other GOOD quarterbacks and they better not get the call wrong.

Of course Injuries and turnovers (fumbles and interceptions) will have a lot to do with our upcoming season. Last year Ohio State was fourth in the nation in doing a great job of avoiding these maladies. They fumbled 9 times but only lost 2 and they had 13 interceptions (11 by Pryor). With a young group of running backs one would expect more fumbles and with a new QB there always seems to be more interceptions.

We do have speed on the team with Philly Brown, Chris Fields and Verlon Reed providing plenty at the receiver core. These guys were coming on slow and doubtful at first but recently have been showing signs of becoming a BIG plus for the team. Also, we are good with Jake Stoneburner and Reid Fragel, both experienced, with good hands and good size. Look out for Jr. Jordon Hall the number three tailback a year ago, to help with the receiving. If they line him up in the slot to get him out in space, he has great hands and can run well once he gets the ball. We also have two good back up receivers in freshman Devin Smith and Evan Spencer.

Well that is it for the preseason preview. However, a lot of the experts must think Ohio State has some potential. While the preseason rankings show Nebraska and Wisconsin at numbers 10 and 11 nationally, they are ranking Ohio State 16th and Michigan State 17th followed by Penn State at 25.

Buckeye Bob and Friend Dan.

BUCKEYES 2011 MEET, MOURN LOSS AND CELEBRATE BIRTHDAY

2011-08-06T12:47:00.013-10:00

Our Buckeye group did a blessing and prayer for Larry Hamlin Saturday July 30, 2011 at The Sports Page Bar and Grill in Kihei. Larry was born October 7, 1939 and passed on May 1, 2011. I just got back from a three month trip July 27, so this was the first time I could reflect on Larry's life and his passing. Our hearts and prayers go out to Larry's four children Jody, Joey, Jeff and Bubba.

Larry Hamlin (noted in a newspaper article by the Columbus Dispatch) was the Number One Buckeye fan at the 2003 National Championship game. That game was won by Ohio State in a defeat of Miami. Larry had a great time at that game with his friend Rick (owner of the Waterfront restaurant) as he did at all the Ohio State football games. I also attended that game. Larry along with his son Joey and myself also attended the Washington Husky vs. Ohio State game at Seattle a few years ago. Larry and I met in Oregon and drove up to Seattle together. Larry gave me his seat to the USC vs. Ohio State game at LA a couple years ago. I attended that game with Larry's son Bubba. Larry could not attend that game because his diabetes was causing him a lot of trouble with his feet and he did not feel he could make it up the steps of the stadium (Thanks Dear Friend Larry). When I first met Larry around 1996, he became my first Buckeye fan buddy on the island of Maui. Larry made very good chili and several times we watched the games at his apartment and ate his chili.

Larry had a thriving water business and I had his water filtering system at my home and at my business. Larry was born in Akron, Ohio, lived in Arizona, California and for the past 30 years in Hawaii, partly on Oahu but most of the time on Maui. Larry was a fun upbeat individual and had 100's of friends in almost every State, many of whom he stayed at their homes etc.. At one time he was even friends of Evil Knievel, who visited Larry's home on the mainland and even took his kids a ride on his motorcycle. We will all miss you Larry but think of you often, especially when Ohio State scores a touchdown.

We Buckeye fans celebrated Buckeye Brett's 30th Birthday party July 30th also. The Sports Page Bar and Grill did a fantastic job of accommodating our Ohio State group, providing a cake for Brett, who was 30 officially on July 22. Wow! to be so young and I have known Brett for six years. The bartender Cbass did an incredible balancing act of putting many glasses together in a tower and than pouring a mixed drink down over the tower into four waiting glasses below, which our group shared (a delicious drink). The other people at the Sports Page Bar and Grill who made our afternoon memorable was the manager Nisha, our waitress Carmen and last but not least the owner Mark (who said there may be a strong possibilty that we Buckeye fans may watch our games on a New Big Screen TV this fall!!!, thanks Mark). Our group of Buckeyes have been gathering at the Sports Page Bar and Grill for the past 10 years and the Sports Page Bar and Grill is mentioned on The Ohio State alumni website out of Honolulu as The place to watch The Ohio State football games on Maui. Thanks again Mark and gang.

This past year has been a troubled time for Ohio State and its football program. Our noted coach for the past 10 years Jim Tressell is gone, having won one National title and beating Michigan 9 out of 10 times. We are all rooting for the new coach Fickell. Also we are praying and hoping we have the problems behind us. While there are varying views about our problems, the Sports Illustrated article in the June 6, 2011 edition leaves little doubt there has been a degree of wrong doing for some time (the article is 8 pages long and goes back into Tressel's coaching days at Youngstown and continues up to the present time).

The four pictures below taken at the Sports Page Bar and Grill are of the drink I spoke of above, Brett the Birthday boy and his Birthday cake and our small core group of Buckeye fans on Maui.

We still look forward to our Ohio State football season and as fans we will be there for our Buckeye football team for better or worse, but hoping better forever!!

The Ohio State game at Nebraska will be a huge and historic game this year (as Nebraska is a new member of the Big Ten). I will have the privilege to attend that game on October 8th, since I have purchased my ticket already!! Lincoln, Nebraska here I come, can not wait!!

Buckeye Bob

FAMILY FROM CT AND OSU SUSPENDED PLAYERS DEBATE

2011-01-04T12:45:00.007-10:00

Good news first. Just had a wonderful fabulous visit from family Debi and Tim from Ct. (above photo taken at Four Seasons resort, Wailea, Maui, Hawaii after a long beach walk and stop for refreshments, my lady and Buckeye Bob left side of photo). Debbie is daughter of Donna, who grew up with my sister Ann in Wills Creek, Ohio. Thanks Debbie and Tim for taking the time to visit us, we are in great appreciation and gratitude for this special visit.

The bad news is the problems several Buckeyes recently got involved in. As Ohio State fans, this kind of news hurts us a lot and belittles us as a faithful Buckeye Nation. The Ohio State University fan base internationally is disturbed by this type of bad news and it is hard to stomach.

Below is Buckeye Kelly (almost former Buckeye Kelly's) statements and comments and one can tell he is more than a little bit disturbed. As for all things Kelly is part of, he is passionate and speaks from his broken heart on this particular issue.

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Well,

Bobby I have to say how deeply discouraged I am at the hoopla going on in the Buckeye camp right now. I think it is a very big disgrace that Jim Tressell has not suspended all five of those guys for this game. That he would take the gull and audacity to make a deal with five thugs to add an extra day of suspension and trust those same low life's to come back for their senior season which is highly unlikely. I have no respect left for Jim Tressell. The winners manual means nothing to him. When you are a coach you have two main goals before athletics. Discipline and making sure your team attends class and becomes good moral people. Then your goal is to win Championships.

You never hear him say our goal is to win a national title. You only hear him say to win the Big Ten title. Well what does winning the Big Ten title mean if only two or three out of eight teams wins their bowl games???? Truly. I am so disgusted that I cannot see straight. What kind of idiot truly believes that all five of those guys will come back next year. I mean really they sold their sole to the devil, how can they be trusted? Pryor has already alluded to the fact that some may well not be coming back.

Pryor, what a big waste of time that dumb ass has been. Tressell put all his eggs in the Pryor basket and now has egg on his face. We have lost valuable recruits that would have served us so much better. Our recruiting class this time is pathetic for a second year in a row. Its time for Tressell to go!!!! He is a nice man, I believe he works on the crony platform like most politicians do. Firing Bollman and Heacock would be first on my list. We should have had Tyrod Taylor. He would have developed so much better with our line and defense. But we let that one go. Great work there coach.

Gene Smith needs to go as well. He is one of Tressells cronies too. I say fire them all. Get the broom out and prove you mean business.

If by some luck of God we win this game tonight it will be a miracle. Most odds say a 3 /12 point difference. I say we get blown out. Ryan Mallet is very talented and Arkansas has an outstanding coach and defense. I never thought we belonged in the Sugar Bowl to begin with.

Help me regain some faith here ole brother.

Kelly

----------------- Buckeye Bob's response to Kelly follows below.

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Kelly

Those are very strong sentiments you are professing. While my sister Ann
would agree with you almost 100%, I'm not sure the Buckeye Nation would go
to the extent that you have expressed. Of course we know that politics and
Big Sports programs almost go hand-in-hand. Even when Woody was coach, he
had his picture with Nixon and was very proud of it!! And some big time
sports figures end up in Politics!!

We are certainly faced with an unusual situation. Tressell is known to
inflict instant punishment. Gene Smith made it well known from the get-go
we must please the Sugar Bowl committee who has many sponsor dollars at
risk!! Gene Smith said we must please the fans who have made the effort in
time and money to attend the game. These premises are both phony moronies!!! First the Sugar Bowl has an obligation to have Ohio State there regardless of what players take the field. And if the fans are true Buckeye fans, they want Tressell to do what is right and they will still attend the game...let the chips fall where they may. There was group decisions and Tressell
stated that he did not agree with some of them. Now can he can stand up and
as coach make his OWN decisions to suspend the players (that is what is in
his nature and what one would expect from him), if he does, Gene Smith would
have to fire him. When in fact, as you have stated, it is Gene Smith and
the whole crew who need to be fired and replaced. That guy who did a blog
on Tressell coaching his last game may be right.

What I wanted to see happen was suspend all five players and tell them NOT
to come back next year, they are finished at Ohio State, as you stated who
wants those thugs around anyhow, they are going to cause more problems. Get
those lazy under achieving second stringers off their butts and on their
feet and tell them to go out and perform. I would like to see this happen
and for the second stringers to play like they can and still beat Arkansas.
We do not need thugs and trouble makers on the team and I'm tired of Gene
Smith, our immature President Gee and unstable coach Tressell to stick up
for and make excuses for players who are constantly causing trouble and think
they are primadona's (better than other people or other players). Let the
OSU Buckeye Nation stand as ONE on this issue and be men (or mature adults men and women alike) and DO WHAT IS RIGHT!!

BUCKEYE BOB, GO BUCKS!!!

OHIO STATE MAUI FANS CELEBRATE VICTORY OVER MICHIGAN

2010-12-02T11:48:00.009-10:00

Pictures above courtesy of Juan Rivera and wife Gwen (The couple In first photo above), 2nd photo OSU going for touchdown, Third and bottom photo of Maui Buckeye Nation at the Sports Page Bar and Grill in Kihei, Maui, Hawaii.

Due to four Michigan plunders inside the ten yard line, it appears from the score to be an easy victory over The Team Up North, but if they score four more touch downs, the score could have been 31 points for them and if one takes back the Ohio State kick off return for a touch down, it may have been a whole different football game. Fortunately for us Ohio State fans it goes down in the records as a lopsided seemingly easy victory for our Buckeyes.

At times Pryor looked fantastic, getting into the flow of the game and reacting athletically instead of thinking. A few times he still made mistakes. He did however learn to throw the ball out of bounds a few times, which was an improvement. It is great that Pryor is returning next year. We will loose some good seniors, but there is a possibility that we may come back stronger than ever for the 2011 football season. Who knows, we are all hopeful for a National Championship game next year. As I recall the same expectations we had for this year, until we let Wisconsin dominate us. In that game Tressel was too conservative and afraid to take the necessary chances and gambles to win, especially in the first half. He began to make a come back in the second half, but Wisconsin got a second wind and turned it on again, taking the game out of our reach. No one can be blamed for that loss except for our head coach. That is exactly the same mentality that Saban had in his loss to Auburn, being ahead 24 - 0 , only to play the same conservative football and stand by doing nothing and letting Auburn come right on slowly back inch by inch and win the game. I am hoping that coach Spurrier uses a different mentality when South Carolina plays Auburn this weekend and hopefully defeats them. Looking for Oregon State (who know which of their team shows up for them) to play there A+ game and somehow pull out a victory over Oregon. This would really throw the BCS bowl committee into a frenzy trying to figure out which teams would play in what bowls. While most teams that lose a game fall back at least 7 or 8 places in the BCS polls each week, there are many football media people who are saying even if Auburn gets beat by South Carolina, they will still be selected to play in the National Championship game. If that happens, I for one, would loose all respect for that bowl committee. If enough fans feel the same way I do, if the situation presents itself, it will almost certainly force the BCS people to get serious about having a play-off for the National Championship. That sure would be nice and a step in the right direction to fairly settle the National Championship issue.

I'm sure all Ohio State fans are aware of our Men's Basketball team being currently rated number two in the Nation behind Duke. I have seen the Basketball team play three times on TV and in the last two games the offense has really cooled off. However, the defense still continues to shine and are keeping opponents to very low scores. If they keep that up, they may not need as much offense, let us hope so.

Until later, this is Buckeye Bob signing off. I sure appreciate the support of The Ohio State fans who join us for the TV games at the Sports Page Bar and Grill. About ten of our Buckeye fans left before the group picture shown above was taken. Next time we will take our group picture at half time. A special thanks to Juan and Gwen for sharing their pictures. Love and Happy Holidays to everyone.

Buckeye Bob

BUCKEYE KELLY IOWA REVIEW, THANKSGIVING

2010-11-27T10:54:00.004-10:00

Above picture of Thanksgiving setup at Buckeye's Bob's humble abode.

"Buckeye Bob replies to short review of Iowa game by Buckeye Kelly"

Buckeye Kelly

Thanks for another good review. That game against Iowa reminded me of the 2002 season where we had a perfect season, but just squeaked by so many of our opponents. It was truly a cardiac arrest year and we probably lost much of our Buckeye faithful who passed away from the heart attacks they succumbed too!!

Thanks for your comments to A., G. and J. They along with me send their love to you and all the family and wish you a tremendous Thanksgiving.

A. made Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans, Cranberry sauce and two salads. G. and J. are doing the Pumpkin pies, Stuffing, Corn Bread, Dinner Rolls and lots of desserts. Tom and Nancy are bringing the turkey. Shanti and Debi are bringing a Grain dish with vegetables and Asparagus with a very strong Garlic sauce. Of course, I am providing Beer, Wine, Water and various Soft drinks, Assorted Cheeses, Assorted Nut Tray, Dips, Crackers, Various Fruits, Etc..

A. has the table arrangements, flowers and orchids all over the place for a very lovely ambience. We brought in an 8 foot table, so that three people would be sitting on each side and me at the head. There is another five foot table at the other end where four people will sit, making the seating arrangement into a T. Of course there are beautiful tablecloths, place mats, napkins and China embellishing the whole aura of the room. We will use our regular Dining Room Table for the buffet table and an extra table for deserts. It is all so beautiful and festive thanks to A.'s design and hard work. Only thing left is for me to mop all the hardwood floors before everyone shows up at about 4pm.

Go Bucks, beat the Blue up North November 27, 2010, give us Buckeye fans a good ending to our
regular season!!!

Buckeye Bob

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"Short Review of Iowa game by Buckeye Kelly"

Buckeye Bob,

Happy Thanksgiving to you, the beautiful A. and the beautiful G. and husband. Turkey is in the oven and we are preparing for a small feast here. Much Love to you all.

I apologize for taking so long to set down and write the "Iowa squeaker" review but the doctor just released me for reviewing after my cardiac arrest last Saturday'! I truly must say I didn't have much hope through the middle of the 3rd quarter. But something inside me said we are going to make a comeback, somehow I just knew it would happen.

Now I sit here in my easy chair with the smell of a turkey roasting, coffee in hand wondering why I am out of nerve pills and it occurred to me that I took them all last Saturday! I don't understand why with all the talent we have on the "O" line we aren't any better than we are. Someone needs to explain this to me. I will say that until last week I had not been impressed with "Boom" Herron. Iowa was the first game he has shown, in my opinion, that he showed signs of greatness to come. If we are going to become a National Championship team we will have to work on an attitude and make no mistakes. Penalties killed us. In all the big stage that it was last Saturday our beloved "Scarlet and Grey" made a very big step by winning a big game. I am very proud of the result and effort in the end.

I am now preparing to go watch Tressel kick Rich Rod's ass and send him back to Ann Arbor with plenty of tissues to wipe his tears away.

Until next time, much love to all.

Buckeye Kelly

The Buckeye Bob and Buckeye Kelly Conversation Continues

2010-11-20T09:50:00.003-10:00

Buckeye Bob,

First of all please let me send my profound apologies for failing to give my views and or opinions of the recent Penn State game. Second I want to say that I am very thankful to have Pryor and Moeller both commit to coming back next year. This should help with our recruiting efforts. The only worry I have is that with Pryor continuing we really don't have any prospect to groom for when he returns. None the less we will worry about that another day.

Penn State sure came out with fire and brimstone the first half. Our defense and offense were inept to say it as nicely as I can. I could not understand the reasoning for the play calling on both sides of the ball. So when the end of the first half came I debated turning off the TV and doing
something else. But, I remembered that I must have faith, believe in our Scarlet and Gray. That is just what I did. I prepared myself a bourbon, no surprise there to the readers that know me I am sure and I prepared myself for a comeback. And to much my surprise that is exactly what happened. The play calling on both sides of the ball was very different. Tress must have heard the call for change. Its funny that Obama with such big ears has trouble hearing the call for change. Maybe he should read the " Winners Manual".

So I look to this week. Iowa has been beaten twice. Most notably by Northwestern. They will be preparing extra for the Buckeye challenge. If we can rise to the call, go into Iowa with mental toughness and focus on no mistakes and execute our plays well. We can win the game. Then we are just one game away from a trip by most predictions to the Sugar Bowl against LSU. I have reserved a hotel in New Orleans. That would be a great game in my opinion. Not sure how
we would fare. I believe LSU would probably be the favorite. If somehow Michigan this week is able to beat Wisconsin then we will go back to the Rosebowl. So the hope now is to win out, and best case scenario is that Wisconsin looses before then. There is much excitement and remember my pledge to go back to my rightful name,

Buckeye Kelly.

Until the next review,

Almost Former Buckeye Kelly

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Buckeye Kelly

Thanks for your review. You are a damn good reporter, I agree with everything you said. Pryor has no choice but to come back next year and redeem himself, make fewer mistakes, play smarter and win the Heisman and lead us to the National Championship!! Moeller is a great player and will be a great addition. Our recruiting will be fantastic!!

How about our basketball team? Matta is coming of age at Ohio State. I watched the OSU vs. Florida game and thought we looked very good for this early in the season. I believe this team will be the best for many years.

I liked your strategy about the approach to the second half against Penn State, pour yourself a nice Bourbon, brace yourself, tell yourself your now Buckeye Kelly and enjoy the comeback Ohio State made against Joe Pa.

GO BUCKS!!!

Buckeye Bob

PURDUE REVIEW BY ALMOST FORMER BUCKEYE KELLY

2010-10-28T09:13:00.004-10:00

KELLY REPORT TO BUCKEYE BOB:

Buckeye Bob,

Another Sunday morning, the bright spot is that OSU did defeat Purdue. The headlines at various places read, "Ohio State Pounds, Purdue in shut out". That headline would have had much greater merit to it had we won last week. Let's give Purdue some credit here. Not only were they about three strings back at quarter back, but also at running back too. Come on Columbus and Buckeye fans around the world, we should view this for what it is. A win. Wisconsin's win over Iowa didn't help matter's much either for us. The only real test Wisconsin has left is at Michigan. Michigan State plays Iowa at Iowa next week. We still have to play Iowa at Iowa. Now lets see, is there really a scenario where we can share the big ten? Because an outright Big Ten title went out the door the moment the clock stopped in Wisconsin. So in order for us to even share in the title, Michigan State has to loose this coming week, Michigan will have to beat Wisconsin and we will have to beat Iowa and we will have to win out. How likely does this sound? Further our chance of heading out to the Rose Bowl are more than a pipe dream. So the focus now is to win the rest of our games and the most likely outcome would be that we would play in the Fiesta Bowl. They love Ohio State out there. Remember they like our following and our dollars. So at this point if Michigan State defeats Iowa next week they will be the outright, Big Ten Champs and all but be assured unless they have injuries to play in the Rose Bowl. As Big Ten fans it is kind of a magical story if you will how much adversity they have had this year and how they have pulled together. I wish them all the best.

At this point in the season when we have lost one game and we have given up any national championship hopes to recruiting and what we will have to look forward to next year. As it stand currently we are about 7th in the nation in our next recruiting class. we have zero five stars and eight 4 stars depending on which scouting site you view. Why is it that we cannot recruit with the big schools? I have some theories I will share on that in my next editorial. For now study up on our recruiting.

Almost Former Buckeye Kelly

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Buckeye Bob's reply to Kelly:

Almost Former Buckeye Kelly

Thanks for your review of the Purdue game. While I agree 100% about why Purdue could not score. What happened to their defense, while they have not been great all year, they have not been as bad as they were Sat.

Number one their game plan was for us to come out passing, instead we came out running. Once we established that, it threw them off balance and the passing was easy. They adjusted during half-time and we could not do anything the second half. Pryor again made a fool of himself, by coming out and even trying to play the second half, it was not necessary!!! For sure, he proves over and over again how immature he is!! He better stick around for his senior year to hone and fine tune his talents and make vast improvements in his maturity and intelligence and also give him a chance to
win the Heisman.

Now on to the Minn vs. Ohio State game. We are picked to win by 25 points. Let us continue to hope we can win out and let the chips fall where they may.

And a special salute to my dear friend and fellow Buckeye fan, Buckeye Larry. He is waiting to go from Maui to Honolulu, Oahu for surgery and I wish him every success. Love you Buckeye Larry. Larry is my oldest Buckeye buddy on Maui. We have been watching games together for 15 years and have attended several games together.

GO BUCKS, Buckeye Bob

ALMOST FORMER BUCKEYE KELLY'S WISCONSIN REVIEW

2010-10-17T10:19:00.009-10:00

Kelly's comments and concerns about our Buckeyes to Buckeye Bob:

As I set here this morning awake for several hours going over in my mind what I call our worst play in many games I wonder to myself how we got to be ranked so high. Last January we went to the Rose Bowl together, we enjoyed our time and for the first time in Tressel's ten years as our coach we had a game on the national stage that we could be very proud of. It was a feeling of great satisfaction that as a Buckeye fan you needed after so many let downs. We won the Big Ten, we won the Rose Bowl we proved who we were. Saturday October 16, 2010 we proved that celebration was for not. It was our inner fan coming to expect to much. We were duped outright. Our O-Line couldn't block, our D-Line couldn't tackle, special teams again was a problem. Pryor played like he was a rookie just learning the ropes. He made bad decisions. He definitely did not deserve even being mentioned in the Heisman race. It left me wondering about a whole host of things. The media likes to be your friend when you are on top of the polls and sing your praises and when you loose point out all the flaws. As a long time fan even when we are on top I am always skeptical while you my friend remain always proud and hopeful of our team. That is why I am going back to my name as " the almost former Buckeye Kelly". It worked the last time and until we are back in the saddle again with solid play, we go beat Iowa on the road and we beat Michigan at home and win the rest of our games I will stay " almost former Buckeye Kelly".

The fact that Michigan State beat Wisconsin speaks volumes about what Dantonio has built in East Lansing. My word I am so thankful that we don't have to face them. For us to make it to the Rose Bowl again we are going to have to win out all of our remaining games. Iowa will have to beat MSU and Wisconsin and we will have to beat Iowa. After last nights play. I just don't see that happening. So the fact remains that this year, the year that we were supposed to do it all. The year that we loose most of our Senior line we have given that dream up. Its very likely Pryor will not return next year which leaves us reeling at quarterback. We loose Brandon Saine, Sanzenbacher and Taurian Washington on Offense and on defense oh my word we are screwed. We loose Chekwa, Boren, Coleman, Cordle, Homan, Larimore and Moeller just to name a few. How can Tressel be the author of the Winners Manual, when he himself has not proven to be an outright true winner day in and day out on the field. Sure in his personal life I believe him to be a successful winner. No doubt there. My point to all this is that in the game of football you are given one chance to prove you are the best. We were given that chance. So with the lack of experience our defensive line will have next year that leaves us in a very vulnerable state especially since we will be welcoming Nebraska to our conference next year. Notice in my rant I did not even talk about the very real possibility that our O-Line which are all Juniors may not return as well. If that happens, expect as fans given our inability to recruit at the top for a very dismal future in Columbus. If we are going to prove to the up and coming kids that they should choose Ohio State, we must win our remaining games. Last night was make or break.

Almost Former Buckeye Kelly =

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Buckeye Bob's reply to Kelly:

Considering you did not use one cuss word, your description was crisp and clear of the disaster that occurred yesterday.

I was mostly disappointed in Pryor! All his bragging about "I only need 3 seconds to make a good decision and pass" was talk from an immature kid (as a player you have to keep your mouth shut about what you can do and let youractions speak for themselves), he had plenty of time to pass and lost it. Some of the complete passes were only because of spectacular catches and the
five low passes to Posey were pathetic.

We had a nice crowd of Buckeyes at The Sports Page Bar and Grill yesterday for the game and of course we were all very disappointed fans.

Until next time Buckeye Bob GO BUCKS!!

BUCKEYE BOB MEETS WALLY AMOS

2010-10-02T18:00:00.007-10:00

Today October 2, 2010, after watching Ohio State struggle with Illinois and eventually win the game 24 - 13 with our Buckeye group of fans at the Sports Page Bar and Grill in Kihei, we decided to drive to Kahului to get my bluetooth exchanged at T-Mobile.

While we were at the shopping center, my mate Ashleea saw The famous Cookie Man, Wally Amos, signing his newest book, "Watermelon Credo" at Borders book store. She suggested we go in, buy a book and insisted I get my picture taken with Wally.

Just after Wally autographed the book for us, and I was going to get my picture taken was when I saw an old dear friend approaching, Mr. David Kapralick, famous in his own right as a record producer for CBS and Columbia. We had met David around 1992 when we became friends with Paul Horn, the famous flute player. Paul began his big record career in the New Age genre with "Inside The Taj Mahal", and David had signed him up with the record company.

I did not know David was good friends with Wally, and they have known each other for years and go way back. Therefore, we decided to have a group picture taken. Thank you David for joining in the picture with us. And thanks for your friendship for the many years on Maui.

When I got home, I read Wally's new book which is based on his belief system based on the theme of the Watermelon named "Watermelon Credo". The book shares Wally's positive belief system, and I enjoyed reading it. I needed the inspiration! Thanks Wally.

Until next week when we play Indiana,

GO BUCKS!

Buckeye Bob

OHIO STATE DID GOOD JOB AGAINST MARSHALL

2010-09-08T10:30:00.007-10:00

We looked real good against Marshall. However, Marshall is only picked fourth in a six team conference, so we cannot say too much about that game, except we looked as good as one would expect us to look against a lesser opponent

The 529 yards of total offense were the most in a season opener under Jim Tressel. Also, the most in a season opener since totaling 632 against Rice on Sept. 7, 1996.

How about that Tyler Moeller?? After making it back to the football team this year after a serious head injury before the start of last season, all he does is WIN "Big Ten Defensive player of the week" because of his seven tackles, two TFL, one sack and a forced fumble. Yea, your a great Ohio State come-back story Tyler and we salute you.

Our next opponent this Saturday September 11 is Miami and they also won big in their first game 45 to 0 over Florida A & M. They are ranked number 12, so this week will be a good test for our Buckeyes. They have a good quarter back in Jacory Harris who completed 12 of 15 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns. Over half his passing yards went to one receiver last week, Leonard Hankerson six catches for 115 yards. The Hurricanes defense were impressive last week with 8 sacks, with the main sack player being Olivier Vernon. The Canes defense only gave up a total of 110 yards of total offense. Ohio State and Miami have met three times with the Buckeyes holding a 2 to 1 edge. Ohio State won 10 to 0 in the 1977 home opener, while the Canes captured a 23-12 contest in the 1999 Kickoff Classic played in the Meadowlands. OSU won 31-24 in a double-overtime victory in the 2002 National Championship game.

I have purchased four college football magazines and they do not put any of our Buckeyes in their first or second All-American selections. Cameron Heyward finally makes it on the third team defense. Yet Ohio State is ranked number two and Terrelle Pryor is in the hunt for the Heisman trophy. So that means one thing, we have good players, but it will be up to their efforts during the season to get them on any All-American teams. That means Ohio State has to get a TEAM performance with all their units working precisely in order to accomplish our number two ranking. Of course, all of us Buckeye fans are wishing for a National Championship game against an undefeated Boise State team. It would even be nice if Penn State could upset Alabama this Saturday (slim chance). But this is the first year ever that Joe Paterno has ever started a true Freshman quarterback Robert Bolden, who had impressive statistics in his first game, very similar to Pryor.

We had a great group of Buckeye fans at the Sports Page Bar and Grill to watch the first game against Marshall on TV. Buckeye Katie brought out her home made Buckeye candy at the end for a surprise treat (it was fantastic Katie thank you). Mike from Lahaina one of our regulars, was hit by a truck while riding his bicycle in July. He was hurt pretty severely and is expected to miss 8 months of work, but we were happy to see him at the game(sorry for hitting you too hard on your shoulder that you had surgery on Mike). We had out of town guests Lynn (a Super Inspirational Buckeye fan full of Spirit and personality!!) and Keith her husband (he is an Iowa guy but very nice), from California and Lou and Maggie (Maggie was the Penguin mascot for Youngstown State!!) from Columbus. Lou and Maggie was on their honeymoon and the only ones in the group who brought a camera. They will send me pictures to put on this blog soon. They also gave Katie and I Buckeye leis, they hand made (thank you two so much.) Both out of town couples were also at the Rose Bowl game which I also attended, in our defeat of Oregon.
It was good to see regulars Brett, Justin, Richard and Barbara once again.

GO BUCKS!!! Buckeye Bob

Morgan's Wedding

2010-07-04T14:21:00.015-10:00

Morgan Brunslik is my first Goddaughter. Her sister Kristin is my second Goddaughter.

We were honored to attend Morgan's marriage to Travis Loewen on June 19, 2010 at Sebastopol, California about 40 miles North of the Golden Gate Bridge. My mate took well over 100 pictures before, during and after the wedding, and she whittled the photos down to create the above slide show of 36 photos.

The weather was perfect with clear skies--about 70 degrees in the daytime and in the low 50's at night. We arrived from Maui on the Redeye flight with no sleep, and to get over our jet-lag we first stayed at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn in the heart of wine country. Our highlight visit to the wine country was the champagne company Domaine Carneros by Taittinger. We tried seven of their champagnes accompanied by a gourmet cheese tray, sturgeon caviar and a gourmet pastry tray. We really enjoyed it all!!

The Spa at the Inn was superb with 5 heated mineral pools and many jacuzzies. There was complimentary fresh fruit and nuts everywhere. We both enjoyed fantastic massages and worked out in the exercise room every day.

On Friday we took the short drive to Petaluma, Ca. through the back roads and enjoyed the scenery, vineyards and dairy farms. We arrived at the Sheraton Petaluma by noon.

We drove north on Highway 101 the short 8 miles to Sebastapol for the wedding rehearsal. When we arrived, Morgan ran and hugged me for about five minutes. That was probably the greatest greeting I have ever had in my life, and I almost cried as I could feel her love for me and appreciation that we came for the wedding.

Mr. and Mrs. Loewen had the people from the wedding rehearsal gather at their home in Santa Rosa where Russell cooked some of the best steak and salmon on his barbecue grill that I've ever tasted. The rib-eye steak literally melted in the mouth it was so tender. And the desert was out of this world delicious (had to have two pieces of that cake!).

Saturday was the wedding and officiated by Morgan's cousin from South Carolina, a warm,kind personality and articulate minister. He and his wife got an extra bonus of attending the Pebble Beach golf tournament for a couple days prior to the wedding. Kristin was a beautiful and elegant bridesmaid, and Morgan was awesome and really lit the place up with her charisma, charm and grace. Everyone was excited for Morgan.

Pat, the father of the bride, has been my friend since 1975. His father and mother, John and Lee were my best friends when I lived in Marin county for ten years and the strong friendship continued until their passing. When I lived in Marin County, Pat and I played racqueball a lot. Pat distinguished himself as a Marin County Sheriffs department officer which he retired from a few years ago. Pat also retired from the Coast Guard. Pat has a witty sense of humor and is a wonderful, generous, intelligent, and kind person to be around. It was so good to see him!!,

Cheryl, the mother of the bride is a very kind and benevolent lady. She's something of a Saint since she is now working with her 42nd foster baby. All the babies are from mothers who had drug or alcohol addictions while pregnant. This is a challenging task dealing with these newborns, but she takes it all in stride and makes such a challenge seem easy. There were parents at the wedding whom had adopted some of the babies she had cared for as infants. Those kids were as cute and adorable as could be. A couple of them were even in the wedding ceremony.

Kristin has her own condo in Santa Rosa and attends college. She will no doubt be contacting us in the next couple years to attend her wedding.

I love my two god daughters Morgan and Kristin. I am honored and thank you Pat and Cheryl for giving me this distinction. Thank you Pat and Cheryl for inviting my partner and me to the wedding...it was a privilege and honor. It was so much fun to visit with the entire family and renew the heart connection.

Mark one of Cheryl's brothers and his new wife Sue were in attendance at the wedding. Mark is a tremendous artist carving animals out of wood and also has many other artistic abilities. I had met him 25 years ago and really liked him and it was so good to see him again.

KELLY'S ANGELS AT ROSE BOWL 2010

2010-01-29T22:25:00.005-10:00

The picture above is of Charlies Angels or in this case KELLY'S ANGELS, taken at the Rose Bowl game between Ohio State and Oregon, January 1, 2010. Click on picture to make it bigger. Notice in the picture that the beautiful ladies have their fingers posed as pistols, just like the real Charlies Angels.

Below, is Kelly's short synopsis of our trip together at the Rose Bowl, with my niece Mindi.

"My Brother, the trip to LA was beyond magical. The great time there was more then any other Buckeye adventure I have ever been on. The sights we saw, the dinners the parade and game were awesome and Mindi and I were very honored to have you as our guest. The buck's played at a level I didn't believe was possible. Now here I set reading about the possible recruits we could get, looking at the fact that preseason we are ranked second, I have hope once again. This hope though is basend on the fact that Jim Tressel learned a few things about not being so concervative just like I hope Obama learned that the Mass-a-two-shits was a referendum on his hard headed un popular idea's. None the less I have hope for our Buckeye's. I hope Pryor has finally grown and I hope we can hang on to ball better. I hope our offensive line can grow at a fast pace and protect him much better.

The trip was great and we met some interesting folks at the parade and game. Attached is a picture of what i coined as "Charlies Angels". The age group in our seating was in their 40's except for these girls. They were our cheerleades. They kept the moral of our section high. Much love to these angels. As for next year I look forward to at least the Rose Bowl again if not the National Championship. It was really cool getting our picture taken with Gene Smith (Athletic Director at Ohio State) and Barry Alverez (Athletic Director at Wisconsin) not to mention eating lunch with Brett Biliema (the Head Coach of the Wisconsin football team) and his staff. Brother Bob, much love to you and the beautiful Ashleea. See you soon my brother.
Buckeye Kelly"

I will do a more in depth follow up story on the Rose Bowl soon with many more pictures, Buckeye Bob

OHIO STATE AT PENN STATE 2009, A DREAM COME TRUE

2009-11-26T15:12:00.009-10:00

My dream for the past 20 years was to attend an Ohio State football game at Penn State. I had attended games at every Big Ten University except Penn State. I love to visit the different campus's and explore the small towns they are part of. Once you experience the area, see some of the historic or special points of interest and meet the very nice people who are part of the community, I feel that I have won already (even if our team does not win).

Two very special people made this trip possible. First Kevin Horan, who was on a trip to the base camp, North face of Mt. Everest, with a group of 11 of us in April 2009, told me that his sister Maureen worked for Penn State and perhaps could help get me tickets to the Penn State game. The second person is his sister Maureen Horan. When I contacted her about tickets, she got back to me in early August telling me she could not get any tickets for me. I surrendered that I would not be going to Penn State this year again. However, a couple days later Maureen contacted me, that she was interviewing a job applicant, who just spoke up "By the way if you know anyone who wants three tickets to the Penn State vs. Ohio State game, my friend has tickets and can not go." Well that is how I got the tickets. I was ecstatic, but I can not say everyone in my family was. My sister Ann was a little disgruntled, considering the economy and everything, it was probably not the wisest thing I could do, considering that I lived on Maui, Hawaii and had just been back to Ohio for the Navy and USC games in September. However, I could not pass up this opportunity and asked Buckeye Kelly and my niece Mindi if they would attend the game with me, which they immediately said YES. We have a cousin Sheri living in Baltimore, Maryland and she and her husband Joe have a cabin about an hours drive North of State College above Lockhaven in the mountains and they invited us to stay with them.

Thus, we began to put together a family gathering to coincide with the football game. Ashleea my mate and I would fly to Columbus from Maui Hawaii. Kelly and Mindi, who live in Pickerington, Ohio (a suburb of Columbus) have a new Suburban van, so we, Mindi, Kelly, Ashleea and I would pick up my brother-in-law Jim from Newark, Ohio and pick up my sister Sue from Coshocton, Ohio and make the 5 hours drive to our cousins lodge.

After Maureen's great deed for me in getting the tickets for us, we were all going to stop at her house and originally she had offered for us all to stay at a friends house close to where she lived on the Lake about an hour from the Penn State campus. If we did not stop at her house, at least we would see her on campus. Strange thing is Maureen was invited to go to the Ohio State vs. Penn State game and sit in the Presidents Box, with other selected faculty. But unfortunately, I never got to meet Maureen because of the following scenario. What follows is my reply to Maureen after my return to Maui, explaining what happened in not contacting her at the game.

"Maureen, first Thank you, Thank you and Thank YOU!!! You know how they say Truth is stranger then fiction, well that is what happened in us NOT contacting you while we at the game. A tragedy of errors, in the rush and confusion and chaos. First of all my niece called me before we left when I was driving my car and told me the hotel where they would all be tailgaiting with friends (Residence Inn) and I could not remember the name except it started with an R, so I gave you the wrong Hotel on campus. Next both Ashleea and I forgot to put your telephone number in with my tickets for the game (both thinking the other person had done so). No big deal we would e-mail you from Ohio. Thursday afternoon when we arrived in Ohio, we did get on my niece's computer, but when I went to put in Rita Horan, your address did not come up (We had your address in our computer at home, but since we had never e-mailed you from THEIR computer, nothing happened!!! With all the hoopla of family being there, that was that. We had planned to leave from Ohio for Pa, Thursday night, but my sister who we were going to pick up on the way could not leave Thursday night because two of her grandsons Shawn and Chase were in a Musical stage show and she had promised to see it. So, there was a big dinner with ten other relatives Thursday night in Columbus and of course I was very involved with relatives I do not see often. Friday we left at 6am and drove 45 minutes to pick up my brother in law Jim (his wife my sister Maddie had passed away) than on to pick up my sister Sue (her husband Tom had also passed away) another half hour away. We had six people in a Suburban van plus all our bags. When we got on the first big Turnpike in Pa (there had been an accident and the road was closed). We took a detour, 5 to ten miles per hour for three hours, through small towns. We got into our cousins lodge about 35 minute drive North of Lockhaven at 5pm. While everyone else went into the lodge to meet other family member there . I went to say hello to my cousins husband who was working in the yard. His small bubble helicopter was in the yard and he told me to get in (we took a half hour flight over the forest, it was so cool just as it was getting dark.. Next we had dinner and visiting and found out None of our cell phones worked there and they had no phone at the cabin. It was off the grid for AT&T, T Mobile and Verizon. No way to call you and ask for information in the hopes that your telephone number was listed. Left the lodge at 6am in the morning Saturday, we stopped at WalMart in Lockhaven to get $145 worth of goodies for the tailgate. Got to the Residence Inn at 7:30am. We tail gated had a breakfast that was out of this world by Chef Kelly. The two people staying at the Inn since July!!! had a crock pot going with a roast and vegetables for after the game in their room (Suite with living room and small kitchen). After breakfast, while the rest of them continued to tailgate, my niece Mindi and I went down town State College and began our tour. We went all over campus (as I love to do at every college where I attend a game). After that great experience one wins even if there team does not and I sure was not expecting Ohio State to Win, I was expecting Penn State to beat us bad. We went and had our pictures taken with the Nittany Lions statues on campus (long lines for everything). We were walking and taking pictures of the Elm grove (even though all the leaves were off the trees) when this man walks up to us (the friendliest and warmest person as a stranger one could ever meet). He said my wife just dropped me off and I noticed you Ohio State people taking pictures of everything and I wanted to take your picture together. He was wearing shorts (I said if I knew you were wearing shorts I would have brought mine, I'm from Maui. He introduced himself as "Mike the Postman" (30 years of running the post office on campus). We went into the student union with him and he pointed out the Penn State football poster. His picture was on the poster along with Joe Paterno's wife,President Obama, Sports broadcasters, football players past and present and many others. We had him autograph the poster for us. We got two and left one at the lodge as a memorable of the occasion (autographed by all the people at the lodge) and I brought mine home. We went to the Penn State Book store where I bought T-shirts. On to the Creamery, oldest ice cream place in USA, where we waited in the longest line ever for the Best Ice cream in the world. On down to Jordan center, where we watched the Penn State band, Cheerleaders, Nittany lion, Dance team and special guest "Jared" the Icon for Subway sandwich stores, who I did not know was a graduate of Penn State. They let him conduct the band for a few minutes and speak a few words. Then on to the stadium for the game row 93 three rows from the top in the end Zone right between the goal posts (GREAT SEATS). I loved them right among all the Penn State fans, who were very nice, as were all the people we met on campus. What a fantastic experience and a Win too boot, just as Iowa got beat by Northwestern. It took us 2 hours to get back to the Residence Inn. We ate our Pot Roast and drove back to the lodge, got back at 11pm. Next day Sunday Joe my cousins husband took Ashleea and I down to Lockhaven, where he has a small plane in a hanger there. Another 45 minute small plane ride! After another huge dinner at the lodge, we got up at 5am and left for Ohio by 6am. A fast moving trip.

Since my lady Ashleea is not a football fan, I usually spend part of the vacation to Ohio, taking her somewhere she would like to go to. She is a spiritual person, so we usually take a trip related to her interests. This trip was no exception. She wanted to go to The Syncrenecity center in VA. (near the Robert Monroe Institute where out of body experiences are conducted by the CIA and others..). The trip was an 8 hour drive with Ashleea and another niece Sherry in a rental car. We made our first stop at Charlottseville, Va., where we toured the Thomas Jefferson mansion there. We also visited the wineries in the area. We finally arrived at the Spiritual center which covered 400 acres, where apparitions of the Divine Mother have been seen. Up on the top of a mountain, with a huge statue of The Divine Mother. Lights, music and incense burning embellished the setting while we all meditated for an hour. Awesome experience. On the way back to Columbus we made a stop at the very famous "Green Briar" in West Virginia, for another great experience. Our trip was non stop driving and doing tourist things. My trip was for football but Ashleea had to have a bit of Spiritual added, which is OK for me as well.

We ended our trip with two nights in Las Vegas at the Encore. When we arrived back on Maui I could not get the fact that we missed Maureen off my mind and I felt so bad we did not meet, so I could thank her in person. Please forgive me Maureen.

Love Bob Neal and Ashleea, Buckeye Bob. Have tickets, hotel and car rental for the Rose Bowl and Parade already. No airline tickets yet but will be working on it. If you go by the Post Office on campus, ask Mike the Postman if he remembers meeting Buckeye Bob and Mindi on Campus? Say hello to him for us.

So that is the essence of my dream come true after 20 years of wanting to attend an Ohio State football game at Penn State.

Buckeye Bob

SPORTS PAGE FANS FOR MICHIGAN GAME

2009-11-25T19:59:00.013-10:00

Click on the above pictures to enlarge them.

The pictures above were taken by Juan Rivera, a fantastic Buckeye fan, of our group of Buckeye fans watching the Ohio State vs. Michigan football game on Saturday November 21st, 2009 at the Sports Page Bar and Grill in Kihei, Maui, Hawaii. The top picture is of Laura and Joe Speakman from Pickerington, Ohio now residing in LA and Juan"s wife Gwen. Next picture is of Laura and Joe again, third picture down is of Buckeye Bob in front with Buckeye fans behind him. Fourth picture down is of Juan Rivera and family doing O H I O (Joe, Gwen, Laura and Juan). Fifth picture down is The special GIFT Juan brought us all to feast on (Buckeye Nut candy). Last picture is of the Buckeye group picture (Buckeye Bob in Middle back row). Thanks Juan for the pictures and the candy!!!

OHIO STATE BIG TEN CHAMPIONS

2009-11-25T07:57:00.005-10:00

After our trip to Penn State and attending the Iowa game together Buckeye Kelly is back. He is not exactly happy with the Buckeyes play making abilities or style of play, but none-the-less he is eager to attend the Rose Bowl with me and see what the Buckeyes have left and will they become the team he believes they can be. Below are Buckeye Kelly's deepest and most heart felt thoughts concerning our beloved Buckeyes.

"I still hold fast to the theories of my last ranting. Even though we did beat Iowa and Michigan we sure didn't deserve to do so. If it had not been for all the Michigan turn overs they would have won that game. Between Pryor's inability to move the ball and the O line just breaking down its amazing we pulled off a Rose Bowl Trip. Iowa in my mind was a better team. Had they not missed the field goal early on they would be headed to Pasadena. I believe our trip to Pasadena is yet another opportunity to drown on the national stage. Given that, if we do some how pull off a victory with what looks like a game with Oregon it will be amazing. I believe the PAC this year is much stronger then most have given them credit for. Maybe even as strong as the SEC as there are only two really good teams in the SEC maybe three. Tressel said in his interview after the Michigan game that if we have a chance to win out there we have to get much better passing the ball. Uh, No shit Coach! You don't say! Seems like Coach Tressell finally had the light come on up stairs. Gosh coach. Do you think you might have worked on this a little more seeing how your O Line stinks? And this crap about our goal is to win the big ten title. Hell coach, shouldn't your goal every year be winning the national championship? I know we as Buckeye's aren't going to get that. We expect it but won't get it. So with that said, shouldn't we maybe try to recruit players that can compete better against non conference players. Put some teams on the beginning of the year other then Youngstown or Akron. Play Cincy for God Sake. Oh wait, they are good now and we don't want to schedule a tough game early in the season.

As Buckeye's, next year will be Pryor's Junior season. If he plans on a career past College I sure hope he develops well in the off season. He better take the summer off and go work on his foot work and brain skills.

As for the Penn State game, either Penn State is not that good or we somehow managed to get it together. Either way we came off with a win. Iowa we got lucky. Michigan even more Lucky.

I hope this year will be a year of growing for the Buck's. I know I joke about being "almost former Buckeye Kelly" but I am very passionate and love the game. I would be happy if I just saw Tressell make some changes that moved him from being so conservative. I can take the losses when we take the chances. You never know what could have been if you don't try. And as far as the Purdue game goes. That one is hard to take. They deserved what they got there.

Buckeye Kelly"

Thanks Buckeye Kelly for your thoughts.

In my forthcoming blogs I will tell about our Penn State adventure and show pictures at Penn State.

I will also be featuring a blog with pictures taken by Mr. Buckeye Juan Rivera at the Sports Page during the Ohio State vs. Michigan game. Juan also did a short video of me (without my knowing it) high fiving other Buckeyes after the last touchdown of the regular season (third quarter against Michigan). I need help in getting all these photos and video to my blog. Love you all, Buckeye Bob. GO BUCKS, put it together team and lets win the ROSE BOWL, which I will be attending.

CRUNCH TIME FOR THE BUCKEYES

2009-11-04T07:08:00.002-10:00

Current gathering at the Sports Page, picture above of newly weds from Columbus and Buckeye Bob and Buckeye Brett.

Ohio State takes on Penn State this Saturday and I will be their with my niece Mindi and almost former Buckeye Kelly (however with a few more OSU victories it will be back to Buckeye Kelly).

"God Willing and The Creeks Don't Rise", the Buckeyes will win their last three games against Penn State, Iowa and Michigan and be on their Merry way to the Rose Bowl against USC or Oregon. That is the very best scenario we can hope for this year.

A lot of fans believe we will be lucky to win one of the last three remaining games. We are all just going to watch one play and one game at a time and see what kind of strength and determination is in this group of Buckeye players and their coaches. It is a TEAM effort!! They have the ingredients to get the job done, if the COOK shows up.

Love all you Buckeye fans. I will be their for the Buckeyes in person to witness our fate for the Penn State game and the Iowa game. It has been a dream of mine for twenty years to attend an Ohio State football game at Penn State. It has been the only place in the Big Ten that I have not attended a game.

Aloha and Thank you all, Buckeye Bob....GO BUCKS!!!

BUCKEYE FANS STILL PEEVED WITH FOOTBALL TEAM

2009-10-29T15:36:00.006-10:00

After a pathetical weak showing of the Ohio State football offense beginning with the last half of the Indiana game through the Wisconsin, Purdue and the first two quarters of the Minnesota game (a total of three games worth of football) many fans are still understandably very upset and some are going forth with their venom and emotions about Terrelle Pryor and the offensive line and some of the coaches. My good friend (almost former Ohio State Buckeye Kelly) had the following to say. One may agree or disagree, but the fact of the matter is, many Buckeye faithful have similar feelings.

"Buckeye Bob,

Brother the one thing I would like to point out is that Pryor seems so stupid at times. You would think that a quarter back with intelligence would have a far more humble approach. Just like his footwork, defensive reads he just doesn't have what I call "football smarts". Seems to me just like John McCain in our last election that Ohio state would have "vetted" their quarterbacks intelligence level a little better. Maybe with all the huge losses on the national stage the "football smarts:" needs to start with the coaching staff and who they recruit and how they develop them. Ohio State has the most under achieving offensive line in the country. Just two seasons ago incoming J.B Shugarts, Mike Adams and Michael Brewster were suppose to be the best offensive line in the country. Here we are two seasons later and they stink. How is it that a coaching staff can take 5 star players and make them worse then when they played pee wee football? Its amazing to me how the personalities on the field just don't seem to mesh. I think Ohio State has much bigger problems then just Terrelle Pryor. Ohio State has major coaching issues that need addressed first. I guarantee you if Mack Brown or Nick Saban had our group of guys with their staff, OSU would not be where it is today. The liiberal nancy's at OSU starting with Gene Smith, let Tressel go, fire Bollman first. You might keep Heacock but what the hell, fire them all. We as Buckeyes deserve much better.

Almost Former Buckeye Kelly"

Buckeye Bob until next week. New Mexico State should be an easy scrimmage game.

OHIO STATE PURE POSITIVE ENERGY

2009-10-23T22:00:00.003-10:00

Think about what it is you want and believe what you think--this type of philosophy will result in manifesting what one wants. This seems to be the strategy of the Ohio State football program and friends of Terrelle Pryor.

This week all the coaches have come out in support of Pryor, as though he had never played a bad play in his life (although they admitted he was not playing up to par). Coach Tressel being interviewed by ESPN today Friday stated that the public and the fans do not see Pryor working in practice and becoming a better player all the time. Tressel stated that Pryor will be a great quarterback!! Co Defensive Coordinator coach Luke Fickell called Terrelle and told him to relax and not to try to make anything happen.

LeBron James called Pryor and told him to relax. He said he understood the hype that surrounds Pryor and told him to go with the flow. Marcus Forston the 2nd year defensive tackle for Miami introduced Terrelle to Miami quarterback Jacory Harris and this week Jacory told Pryor about his game against Oklahoma and how he tried to do things he was not able to do and how he settled down and just took what the Oklahoma defense gave him. Pryor even talked to Jimmy Clausen, the Notre Dame quarterback this week. They talk on a regular basis and he gave Terrelle confidence that he would excel.

From all this advice, philosophy and support from his friends, team mates and coaches this is what Pryor's conclusion was for his strategy for the Minnesota game tomorrow. "I will just take what they give me. It will lead to big plays and make some drives and get this thing exciting again. I love Columbus and I love the Ohio State football fans and I want to make them happy".

It is a shame that Minnesota has a worst ranked offense than Ohio State. They are 105th ranked in rushing offense, 103.4 yards per game. They are 88th in passing offense. Adam Weber is the passing quarterback. The freshman quarterback who comes in occasionally, MarQueis Gray has had ten carries for 55 yards rushing. Minnesota is 4 wins and 3 losses with the terrible team they have. The teams brightest star so far is receiver Eric Decker who has 104 yards per game in receptions and leads the Big Ten and can catch everything thrown close to him.

Aaron Pettrey will be the 4th Ohio State Captain for the Minnesota game.

In case you're wondering, Brutus the Buckeye has been to every game since 1965. I'm sure he will show up for the remaining games of 2009, just like the rest of us Buckeye fanatics!!!

Buckeye Bob....until next week.

PRYOR HYPES OFFENSE CAN HE DELIVER??

2009-10-16T19:52:00.005-10:00

Going back to the second half of the Indiana game, I felt something terrible was wrong with Terrelle Pryor. First I might add something was wrong with Jim Tressel. With the game well under control, why did he leave Pryor in the game? It would have been a good time to give Bauserman some work. Instead Pryor makes a fool of himself, passing wildly to Posey two times low short passes and another wild pass to Sanzenbacher three yards over his head!!! He looked worse than a high school quarterback. That is obviously why the quarterbacks coach says that Pryors greatness right now is his ability to run. What a joke, he only does an average job of doing that.

During the Wisconsin game Pryor showed zero improvement, having only two drives of more than twelve yards and five times going three and out. Pryor made Wisconsin's pass rusher O'Brien Schofield appear freakishly athletic and tremendously effective.

Further speaking if anyone is interested, the Big Ten is lousy. The only bright spot is Ohio State's defense that ranks fairly well nationally. Also Place-kicker Aaron Pettrey leads the Big Ten is scoring averaging 8.7 points per game (this is an indicator of how bad the offense is in the Red Zone). Our punter Jon Thoma is currently tenth in the Big Ten.

Now Pryor is saying wait until we see the offense perform in the remaining six games. Well they have always had the potential, it is only very poor coaching and very poor execution that has held this bunch of great athletes back. I understand, the coaches have now settled on plays they feel will work for the Purdue game. They have worked and looked very well in practice. Can that effort carry over to improvement in the actual game. Purdue should be like a scrimmage game, since they are a very weak opponent. But do not believe it until we actually show that we do have an offense and our defense continues to shine.

I almost feel like the Illinois coach who benched Juice Williams for his lack of performance. If I was the coach I would have benched Pryor and gave Bauserman a chance, he could not do a worse job. Look at the Michigan coach who blasted his main quarterback Tate Forcier and humiliated him after some poor plays. He replaced him with Denard Robinson who looked great in a scoring drive and the next drive he threw an interception that caused Michigan to lose to Iowa. I do not approve of the Michigan coach's behavior. However, Illinois and Michigan do not have a PRIMA DONNA whom the coaches cannot criticize or try someone else out. When there was Troy Smith and Justin Zwick, at least if one did not do well they would put the other quarter back in. However, with Pryor, it is like he is our future and regardless of how badly he performs, we are not giving anyone else a chance. In my opinion, if Pryor does not perform in the next couple games and show signs that he is improving (albeit against very weak opponents), I do not know what to think about our beloved Ohio State football team.

Our Defense may be able to carry us to winning out our remaining games including a bowl game, but it would be very pleasing if we had a little offense also.

All of us Buckeye football fans will have to refresh our memories and go back to when Tressel won the whole Enchilada in 2002, Jan 2003 with quarterback Craig Krenzel running a sputtering offense, we had fantastic defense, sterling special teams play and a strong combination of good karma mixed with serendipity!!! Tressel's philosophy than was 1.No bad or sloppy decisions. 2. Don't lose the game on offense. 3. Control the clock. 4. Win with defense and special teams.

GO BUCKS!!! LETS WIN REGARDLESS OF HOW IT LOOKS, BEAT PURDUE AND CONTINUE WINNING!!! BUCKEYE BOB

MAUI BUCKEYE MEETS PRESIDENT GEE

2009-10-09T17:22:00.006-10:00

The above picture is of Brett Davis and Ohio State President Gordon Gee. Click on picture to enlarge.

Brett Davis has been part of our Buckeye family here on Maui for the past four years. Not only has Brett been a fantastic Ohio State football fan, but he has recently investigated the possibility of Maui having its own Ohio State University alumni club along with another inspired fan Katie Cook.

Brett was recently back in Ohio on vacation and had the honor and pleasure to attend the Ohio State vs. Toledo football game at Cleveland, Ohio.

He never planned or dreamed that he would meet the President of The Ohio State University. Brett was caught up in the pre-game football hype before the game when his Dad and Mother called for him to come to where they were. Brett went over to them, and there was President Gee with his security entourage. Somehow Brett's father grabbed the opportunity for a photo shoot, and they all had their picture taken with the President. As you can see in the above photo, Brett is so happy he is just short of levitating. What an opportunity and what a great picture!!! A rare opportunity indeed. Way to go Buckeye Brett!

Brett has a very good job on Maui, working as a Land Use Planner for Chris Hart and Partners, Inc..

ILLINOIS DOWN AS EXPECTED, INDIANA NEXT

2009-09-26T13:57:00.005-10:00

Top picture, my lady Ashleea and I after a 2 mile beach walk and swim in the ocean, having breakfast at Fred's in Kihei. Middle picture, Ashleea ready for a party the same night. Last picture, Buckeye Bob, Ohio State from top to bottom, shoes, socks shorts, shirt and hat (that is a Buckeye fan for you)!!

Last week against Illinois, they were without their top defensive player and Juice Williams was all padded up on his thigh and did not have the mobility he had back in 2007. Considering it was a torrential downpour the first half, our offense played pretty good (no yards passing the first half is unusual for any team). The second half our offense played pretty good, but either Pryor is not nearly as good as advertised or our coaches keep calling plays that the players do not resonate with. Although we won, I was not impressed or pleased with our offensive play.

The defense again did a great job, making big plays and I might say lucky plays when needed to keep Illinois from scoring. Kurt Coleman being suspended is really NO surprise to me. The last couple games I have noticed him being a little more aggressive than needed. He is a good player that could be a great player (but keep it clean) and earn your honors by exemplifying accepatable behavior on the field of play.

Indiana is now 3 - 1 having lost their first game at Michigan last week (a game they could have won). They out gained Michigan 467 yards to 372. If one of their four field goals was a touchdown, they would have won by a point. Darius Willis had an 85 yard touchdown run and 152 yards for the game. That was the longest run from scrimmage against Michigan since 1987. It was the most points and yards by an Indiana team against a Michigan team ever. Tanden Doss their best receiver had 197 al-purpose yards, including 5 catches for 104 yards. Their head football coach Bill Lynch was very proud of his QB Ben Chappell who is coming along strong and improving every week. The only turnover by Indiana was the last play when Chappell was picked off, otherwise, he played a masterful game. On Defense Matt Mayberry led with 10 tackles. Nick Freeland tied an Indiana record with 4 field goals in one game (he was 4 out of 5).

Buckeye Bob until next week, GO BUCKS, beat Indiana!!!

OHIO STATE FANS MAY HAVE HOPE

2009-09-18T17:12:00.008-10:00

Above picture with my new Ohio State aloha shirt, compliments of my niece Sherry, Thanks. Also, my new OSU hat from my recent trip back to Ohio for the Navy and USC games.

The Navy game was not pretty, in that the Buckeyes played lack luster football and nearly lost to the midshipmen.

Most fans expected USC to defeat our Buckeyes and I believe we psyched ourselves out and the team gave that game away without a decent effort. There was an effort on Defense, but when we needed the stop, we did not get it. Conversely, when Washington needed a stop today they got it along with some other breaks an interception and a fumble recovery to pull off the upset against a sluggish USC team. The same sluggish team we let beat us (Shame on us)!!

Today against Toledo, who has been giving up over 500 yards and 45 points a game against opponents Purdue and Colorado (much lesser teams than OSU supposedly), we did get our 500 yards also. It is an embarasement that we could not score over 50 points. In my opinion an offensive effort of less than 50 points against Toledo is not that great. Again the defensive effort was very good. They put a lot of pressure on the QB (who was among the leaders in the nation in offense numbers) and they also held the running game in check. We did have a fumble recovery and an interception and Coleman knocked the ball loose, preventing Toledo's only threat at a touchdown. Pryor finally began to show some promise, but still has a long way to go if we are going to beat a quality Pac Ten, Big Twelve or SEC top five team. Not counting just beating Penn State and Michigan in the Big Ten (considered the 5th worst conference out of the top six).

If our defense can continue to improve and Pryor and the offense can play up to their potential than we Buckeye faithful fans have hope. What the future holds is anyone's guess. Next opponent Illinois who is hot and cold and we do not know what to expect out of Juice Williams their QB, who does have great potential as a passer and a runner.

I really enjoyed watching the freshman running back Hall carry the ball with some authority today. I believe he is the best running back we have had on the field so far this year. Also, the freshman receiver Carter, seems to have very good potential.

Ohio State football has all the ingredients, if the coaches will step back and allow them to play. There is no doubt in my mind that we have the team to be undefeated to this point. What will happen in the future is up to our coaches (not the players).

I have NO regrets in going to Ohio for the first two games and I am really looking forward to my trip to the Penn State game Nov. 7th and the Iowa game the following week. I have been waiting to visit Happy Valley for the past 20 years and now I can finally fulfill my dream. It will complete my visits to every campus in the Big Ten.

We will be staying at my cousin Sheri and her husband Joe's Lodge (Camp Millie) located at Lockhaven, Pa. about a one hour drive North of State College. There will be at least 9 family members present at the Lodge for a great weekend. Thanks Sheri and Joe.

Although there was a small showing of Buckeye fans at the Sports Page today to watch the OSU vs. Toledo game on TV, it was very rewarding for me To see Buckeye Larry and his son Bubba there. Larry has had health problems for the last year and a half and seems to be on the mend. God Bless You Larry, keep up your return to good health. Also our faithful fans Richard and Barbara were present after returning from a long trip to Ohio. Buckeye Katie and Buckeye Brett were back in Ohio for the game today. We look forward to seeing them back at the Sports Page to watch the next Ohio State football game with us.

The hospitality and cooking of my niece Mindi and her man Kelly were awesome while back in Ohio. And I had great visits with my sisters Ann and Sue (who became a great grandmother as her daughter Robin's daughter Ryeale gave birth to Serenity), brothers-in-laws Herb and Jim, nieces Bobby and her family, Janet and her family and Sherry. Also, had a good visit with my cousin Sheri and husband Joe from Baltimore, Maryland. I even got three rounds of golf in with my good friend Danny, including a round at the prestigious Scarlet Course at Ohio State, the fourth ranked college golf course in the USA.

Buckeye Bob until next time and have faith there is a lot of good Ohio State football ahead of us to witness.

ARCHIE GRIFFIN AUTOGRAPHED FOOTBALL

2009-08-19T11:59:00.008-10:00

Thanks to my niece Sherry, I recently received the above gift. Sherry has a clothing boutique named "Damsels in Destress" in Worthington, Ohio, North of Columbus. She will also be attending the Navy game with me, my sister Ann and brother-in-law Herb. Kelly made the ticket available to Sherry as he will stay home and entertain guests from Maryland, Joe and Sheri, and have a huge meal prepared for all of us after the game. Thanks Sherry, Thanks Kelly.

In the above photo of me, I am wearing my Archie Griffin autographed hat, from the Texas game at Austin, when we beat Texas. Also, I'm wearing my Eddie George autographed OSU jersey. Does one believe I fit the role of an Ohio State football fan (fanatic)?

As most football fans know Archie is the only two-time Heisman trophy winner. He won four Big Ten Conference titiles with the Ohio State Buckeyes and was the first player ever to start in four Rose Bowls. His years with the Buckeyes was from 1972-75.

Griffin introduced himself to Ohio State fans in his second game as a freshman by setting a school single-game rushing record of 239 yards in the second game of the 1972 season against North Carolina, breaking a team record that had stood for 27 seasons. Coincidentally, his only carry in his first game had resulted in a fumble. He broke his own rushing record as a sophomore with 246 rushing yards against Iowa. Over his four-year collegiate career, Griffin rushed for at least 100 yards in 34 games, including an NCAA record 31 consecutive games.

Funny ending note about Archie. When he got called upon to play in his first game at Ohio State, he was so excited that he ran onto the field without his helmet!! Ha!!

Archie is currently the President of The Ohio State University Alumni Association. Archie has 6 brothers and one sister. He is married to Bonita and has three sons, Anthony, Adam and Andre.

Buckeye Bob, Maui, Hawaii

CAN OHIO STATE CHANGE ITS FOOTBALL PHILOSOPHY

2009-08-14T20:22:00.004-10:00

Here I am at the NEW infinity pool at the Four Seasons Resort on Maui. One can only access this pool if they are a guest at the hotel. The Al Gore family is visiting there now and the hotel is 97% occupancy (extremely good in these economic times). Beyond the infinity pool one can see Wailea Beach and the ocean.

While taking in this new addition to the Wailea Hotel experience on Wednesday night, I received a call from Buckeye Kelly staying in another luxury hotel at the Wheeling Country Club golf course. We were of course talking Ohio State football and Kelly had just made some comments to one of my recent blogs.

Why is it that for the last couple years, the Big Ten is rated by college football experts as one of the worst football conferences out of the top six conferences. Some rate the Big Ten as fourth worse, while others rate us 5th worse for 2009. Of course for Ohio State, we have been beaten in four straight games by other conferences, Florida, LSU, USC and Texas. Many Buckeye fans believe a change in football philosophy at Ohio State is way over due. The Woody Hayes way is not getting it done in todays (very fast) game. The Jim Tressell way (very conservative football not far from Woody's style) has not been getting it done either. The philosophy of playing good football, getting a lead and than playing not to make mistakes and allowing the other team to catch up and beat you is no longer in vogue. I believe Kelly explains what changes may be needed about as good as anyone can explain it!! Below is Kelly's thoughts from his heart and logic mind.

"You make some good points but you are right, rankings are mere ramblings of folks paid to make predictions. Everything is settled on the field. My take on the Big Ten is we need to get away from the old 3 yards and a cloud of dust and at the high school level build speed and endurance. The Big Ten is so poor in the category speed and I love them and bleed for them just like you do. God knows that is true. But in order to beat Texas, FLA or LSU we have to be able to play their game the way they do because history shows us that its better then our way or style of playing. I think our traditional style of recruiting "Ohio's Best" hasn't gotten us anywhere. We have come close. But in war there is one winner. And second in my book is the first looser. If I were Gene Smith, I would fire Heacock and Bollman, they have done well but not good enough. I would bring in some coaches that know the spread from the SEC. I would implement those offenses and defenses and I would hammer Fla and TX for recruiting and force the Ohio High School Coaches to move to teaching those kids at that level to be able to play the spread and defend the spread with some speed. It all comes down to speed in my book. Each heart breaking loss has come down to one thing, speed. As long as Ted Ginn SR teaches his kids the old school Woody Hayes methods, that is what we will recruit and will get and be thirty years behind where we need to be. I love the Buck's with all my heart and cherish each game I go to and win or loose will continue to go to games. But if we as Buckeye's including coaches and OSU faculty really want to be a superior program to the SEC or Southern Cal. We have to look to Speed.

Much Love,
Buckeye Kelly"

Thanks for your comments Buckeye Kelly!! Buckeye Bob until my next blog

THE BEST OHIO STATE UNIT FOR 2009

2009-08-14T20:17:00.005-10:00

The above picture is the Potala Palace. It represents the hierarchy for Tibetan Buddism both spiritual and government. It is where His Holiness The Dalai Lama lived and ruled Tibet. This picture was taken from a roof of a restaurant about one mile from the palace.

At Ohio State going into the 2009 season, the top of the hierarchy for the best unit that Ohio State has is there Defensive Line unit. Some college football experts rate this unit at Ohio State as the third best in the country behind Oklahoma and Florida.

Before going into remarks about the above unit we have to mention that our star and leader on the Offensive line Justin Boren has strained his knee and will be out at least two weeks...not a good start. Also, starting linebacker Tyler Moeller is lost for the year. Regardless of who replaces these two players Ohio State will lose some cohesiveness in its play making and that is not good when your second game is USC.

Let us hope the Defensive line unit can be healthy. Lawrence Wilson was a starter is his last two years as a buckeye, only to have injuries end his season both times. Now he is healthy at the present and is listed as back up to Cameron Heyward at defensive end. Last years two fantastic hopefuls coming in as freshman were Nathan Williams and Keith Wells. Nathan had great potential and leadership when he played but got hurt. Wells was hurt and never got to play at all last year. Both are hungry to put pressure on starters for playing time.

This year there is so much talent on defense that it will be difficult to get them all on the field. Three of the ten best players on the team are on the defensive unit. They are Thaddeus Gibson considered to be the second best player. A star player who may become an all-american. Cameron Heyward is productive inside and out and considered the fourth best player on the team. DT Doug Worthington Sr. is considered the 8th best player on the team. Doug and fellow starter Dexter Larimore should be able to eat things up on the inside and that should leave the ends free to blow into oppossing teams backfields

There are also two super freshman Melvin Fellows and John Simon who are eager to impress for playing time. Ohio State is about four deep at every position on defense and they all want playing time and are busting their butts in practice.

Buckeye Bob until my next blog in a few days. Aloha from Maui

BUCKEYE QB'S STAND TALL

2009-07-22T16:19:00.007-10:00

Buckeye Bob above looking at the horses used by the Terra Cotta soldiers in Xian, China. Second picture of Terra Cotta soldiers standing tall and straight. Click on pictures to enlarge them.

The quarterbacks are the unit on a team who usually stand tall for the team. This year Ohio State has five quarterbacks. If one looks at the depth chart you see Terrelle Pryor, followed by Joe Bauserman and Ross Oltorik. The two you probably have not heard too much about are Justin Siems and Kenny Guiton.

Justin Siems is a walk on and a good scout team player who had a great Spring.

Some experts believe the recruit of the future to take over for Pryor eventually is 6-3 180 lb Kenny Guiton, who may be the third best QB right now. Like Pryor he is a dual threat, with super speed for running and a great arm for throwing and very intelligent. He is such a great athlete that the coaching staff may want to get him on the field in another position besides QB. However, the most likely choice will be to red shirt him this year, so he may take over for Pryor in a few years.

Now lets get to the meat of the matter as far as QB's are concerned this year. Quarter Back Terrelle Pryor worked so much on his throwing this offseason that he suffered tendonitis. He is completely healthy now including his legs, which means he could run for over a 1,000 yards 10 plus TD's and throw for 2500 yards and 20 plus TD's this year. If he is on as a passer the offense should be devastating!! If that be the case, he may be touted as the best quarterback in the USA college ranks as the season comes to a close this year and YES I know Tebow, Brandford and McCoy are still in the college ranks and have not turned PRO yet!!

And have no fear Buckeye fans, there is a 23 year old 6-2 220 lb. calm, cool, former pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system named Joe Bauserman who can step in for a stretch if something happens to Pryor and keep the team on a winning streak. His arm is very strong and his release is like a flash. He is very mature and knows when and how to run if he has to.

Not only does Pryor have the size, the speed, the athleticism and the arm, but he showed this off season that he has the work ethics and the drive to become very special!! He is definitely the real deal!!

For the offense to be extremely successful and live up to their potential it will be up to the Offensive line I spoke of in my last blog to be at its peak. That means 75 LT Mike Adams, 65 LG Justin Boren, 50 Center Michael Brewster, 70 RG Bryant Browning and 64 RT Jim Cordle to be an elite group in 2009. Buckeye Bob...Lets get the job done in 2009, we can do it!!!

THE GREAT WALL OF OHIO STATE

2009-07-18T15:09:00.004-10:00

Click on this picture of yours truly at the Great Wall of China two months ago, to see part of the Great Wall behind me.

The Offensive Lineman are Ohio State's great wall!! Let us all hope so, especially Terrelle Pryor, the running backs and receivers. There are continuing questions about an offensive line that did not perform well last year. Therefore, one can easily see why it would be difficult to throw a resounding stamp of approval on these Buckeyes and turn them into the bright national spotlight. All one has to do is look at our 2008 National rankings on offense. We scored 27.6 ppg - 45th in the nation, rushing thanks to Beanie 192.5 ypg - 24th in the nation, Passing a dismal 150.2 ypg are you ready for this 105th in the nation, we had a total of 342.7 ypg which was 76th in the nation.

Because the line was so talented last year but so soft, many believe it is time for an attitude upgrade. Enter Justin Boren, the 6' 3"315 pound junior is said to be plain nasty. He seems to be exactly what the line needs, a bear of a run blocker, he was dominant throughout the off season and should immediately be the one the offense works behind at left guard.

We are really looking for Mike Adams a 6 8 sophomore to really shine. He's a fantastic athletic and has a world of talent, but needs a lot of work at left tackle. He really needs work on getting his hands locked on or he'll get blown past by speedy backs early on, but lets hope he grows rapidly into the job, say the week after the Navy game? He replaces Alex Boone who was a bust last year, who was over hyped and underperformed.

6 5 296lb Michael Brewster some say was the teams 2nd best recruit last year behind Pryor. He is versatile enough to play either guard position, but he's too valuable in the middle where he's smart enough at his young age to be able to make all the right line calls and he still hasn't reached his potential after improving game by game last year. He started ten games taking over for Jim Cordle and he'll be the leader of the line at center for the next three seasons.

At right guard Junior Bryant Browning started every game last year and was a turnstyle in pass protection. At 6 4 312 he has the basics as a guard, but he is too slow against the better pass rushers and was not great at getting down the field in a hurry. Sources say he blossomed during the spring and may be more of natural at his position this fall, let us hope so.

At right tackle will be 6 4 297 lb. Jim Cordle, who was the starting center last year for the first three games. Some say he's a bit of square peg being forced into a round hole. He is a leader, and a tough veteran.

Backups will be 6 7 295 lb. Andrew Miller on the right side after showing he can be fine in pass protection and tough for the ground game. Also, sophomore J. B. Shugarts has the talent and size to push Adams or Cordle out of a starting job. We can not overlook Connor Smith the 6 4 321 lb. junior, the teams biggest lineman who will back up Boren.

Watch out for Boren who is coming in with a chip on his shoulder, and lets hope he backs it up by being among the Big Ten's best lineman. He will be the tone-setter for the line and he is likely to grow into the most talented blocker. Buckeye Bob until my next blog

OHIO STATE FOOTBALL TO THE TOP in 2009??

2009-07-04T13:44:00.008-10:00

Click on the above picture to enlarge.

The above picture is yours truly at the top of Base Camp One at the North Face of Mt. Everest. The spiritual pilgrims who visit this site have placed their Prayer Flags on a wall behind me. That wall will protect one from the strong cold winds blowing through the area. Sitting below the wall to stay out of the strong winds are a few of my buddies smoking their cigars in celebration of the accomplishment of making it to base camp.

The similarity to this accomplishment and our Beloved Ohio State Football team is this. From Base camp one, it is like Ohio State being ranked number thirteen in the nation. Above Base camp one is Base camp two and Base camp three and than on up to the summit of Mt. Everest. That is about what is in front of our young talented Ohio State football team. Do they have the talent to make it to the top? Of course by all means but it would entail a hand full of these young unhearalded players to step up to the plate and be counted. Meaning, about three to six Buckeyes being named All- Americans at the ending of the season. This will be no small task, since right now NONE are on the National Radar. Looking at most authorities picking of pre-season all-americans Ohio State does not have One player on the First Team, Second Team or Third Team selections!!! However, the guys one would expect to step up and compete for All-American honors would be Defensive players Kurt Coleman, Thaddeus Gibson and Anderson Russell. Offensive players Terrell Pryor and Justin Boren (the transfer from the team up North). Special teams Ray Small punt returner.

It is difficult to understand how Athlon College Football ranked OSU number five and how Sporting News ranked OSU number nine in their preseason predictions?? I believe College Football News was close when they ranked the Buckeyes preseason number thirteen and also Penn State twelve.

My pick for a Dark Horse contender from the Big Ten (if a lot of teams loose at least one game and they go undefeated is Michigan State). They do not play Ohio State. They have four pretty good tests however in Central Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa and Penn State. They have coach Dantonio in his third year, a very good coach. They have 14 starters returning with an improving defense and very good talent to replace the quarterback and running back positions. I know must of you are probably saying I'm crazy, since MSU lost 96.7 percent of its running game from last year. Javon Ringer carried the ball 390 times compared to 43 carries by all other running backs on the team.

GO BUCKS, Buckeye Bob, until next week.

FLORIDA MASTIFF DOG OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL

2009-06-26T11:02:00.005-10:00

Click on picture above to enlarge.

Had my picture taken with the Mastiff Dog in Tibet on my recent trip there. This dog is part of the family in nomadic life in Tibet. It boasts ferocity rivaling that of lions and tigers, aristocratic aloofness and elegance, unquestionalble loyalty, and an amazingly high degree of intelligence. The Tibetan Mastiff is one of the oldest breed of dogs known. It is said that one Mastiff can put three wolves to flight and two Tibetan Mastiffs can subdue a tiger.

That is why I give Florida, the title of Mastiff Dog of College football. While the preseason predictions and rankings do not mean much to most college teams, there is a consensus among college football experts everywhere that Florida deserves the preseason ranking of number ONE!!! Below, I list the top ten picks by three sources, College Football News, Athlon College Football and Sporting News College Football.

College Football News - Athlon College Football - Sporting News College Football
1. Florida ------------------ Florida -------------------- Florida
2. Oklahoma - -------------Oklahoma ------------------- Texas
3. Texas - -------------------Texas - -------------------Oklahoma
4. USC - ---------------------USC ------------------------ USC
5. Oklahoma State -------- Ohio State ------------------- Ole Miss
6. LSU --------------------- Alabama ------------------ Virginia Tech
7. Oregon ------------------Penn State ------------------- Oregon
8. Ole Miss ---------------- Virginia Tech ------------------ LSU
9. North Carolina ---------- Oklahoma State ------------- Ohio State
10. Alabama - ----------------Ole Miss ----------------- Oklahoma State

According to many college football experts of the seven units comprising a football team, Florida is ranked number one in QB Units, number two in top DL units, number one as top LB Unit, number one as top DB units. Three number one's and a number two ranking out of the seven units is super good. Do they have any weaknesses? Well that is to be seen, but they were not ranked in the top five of the three remaining units, running back units Okla number one, Penn State number four; Top WR/TE units, USC number one; Top OL units, USC number one, Iowa number four.

The Big Ten was ranked in the top five in the nation in the seven units SIX times. Penn State number 5 QB units, number four RB units, and number three LB units. Iowa number four OL units and number five LB units. Ohio State was number three in DL units.

Oklahoma was ranked in the top five in five different categories (the Most), number two QB, number one RB, number three WR/TE, number one DL units and number two LB units. USC in four, number five RB, number one WR/TE, number one OL, and number two DB units. Texas was in top five in three of the categories, three QB, number five WR/TE and number two OL unit.

Buckeye Bob until next weeks addition. GO BUCKS

PRESEASON FOOTBALL POLLS A JOKE

2009-06-18T16:08:00.003-10:00

Click on above picture to enlarge it.

That is me above on a Yak, while I was in Tibet recently, on my way to The North Face of Mt. Everesst Base Camp. My lady Ashleea made a JOKE of a movie poster and sent it out to friends for a laugh!!

And that is just about what the preseason polls are a JOKE as well!! According to my sister Ann who is older and wiser than me, she says a poll should not be done until about the 5th week of the season after each team hopefully has a chance to play at least one worthy opponent. Of course I agree with her.

Because of the preseason hype which the sports media make their living at and the sports fans who seem to eat this sort of thing up, one can understand why these preseason polls are done. They are basically not more than someone's opinion.

Are you ready, here is how College Football News broke down and ranked all of Ohio State football opponents this year. They have Ohio State ranked 13th. They have our first opponent Navy ranked 73rd. They have USC ranked fourth. They have Toledo ranked 105. Illinois ranked 41, Indianna 85th, Wisconsin 36. Purdue 83. Minn 44th. New Mexico State 117. Penn State 12th. Iowa 31st. Michigan 57th.

Go figure, can anyone make any sense of these predictions? As we all know, regardless of what the predictions are, on any given day any team can beat any other team if the ball bounces their way and they get a few breaks or a few lucky plays (plays they would not normally make). Buckeye Bob, until next week, Aloha

GO BUCKS 2009 FIRST BLOG

2009-06-10T07:01:00.005-10:00

Please click on the pictures if you wish to make them bigger for easier viewing.

The two pictures above are courtesy of our good Buckeye friends Rick and Laureen Barnhart, who joined us last year at the Sports Page Bar and Grill for the Ohio U game. Rick and I have exchanged e-mails about the upcoming season and below is the condensed version of our hopes and aspirations for our beloved Ohio State football team this fall. We already have the fever and hope that you do as well.

Rick: On the bright side Pryor now has a full year under his young belt and should be a much improved qb this season. If we can somehow get by USC, we should have a chance to contend for the National Championship again. That is a big "if", but I'm always the optimist.

Buckeye Bob followed with: I'm very excited about the upcoming Buckeye season (Of course it seems every year at this time I'm excited). Like you said Pryor should be very much improved and it seems he will have three good receivers to throw to. We may be surprised at the running game, again about three good prospects. The defense should be solid and a good surprise. The Offensive line will be better. Special teams should be solid. I'm going back to Ohio for the first two games, Navy and USC. If we look good beating USC, Pryor will immediatly be in the hunt for the Heismann, although one would think Tebow would be a shoe in. However, if he falters and Texas is on que, Colt should get it, of course we have Okla. qb, but look out for Pryor if we have a tremendous season. I will use your pictures in my first football blog for the 2009 season. I just came back from visiting base camp at the North face of Mt Everestt (it was a bit of a challenge for me), since I did not take any altitude medicine. We began in Beijing, than Xian (terra cotta soldiers). Took the 40 hour train ride to Lhasa, Tibet. Went by jeep to Mt. Everest and on to Khatmandu, Nepal. Quite a trip. One of the people in our group of 11, Kevin who lives in Flagstaff, Az. has a sister who is a professor in the athletic department at Penn State and he told me he will try to get his sister to get me two tickets for the Penn State vs. Ohio State game Nov. 7. Happy Valley is the only place in the Big Ten I have never visited and attended a game. So if those tickets come through, I will go again to the Penn State game and the Iowa game the next week. If Ohio State goes to the National Championship game, I will try to make that one also.

Rick wrote:

Wow, sounds like you've had some interesting travels! While you were at base camp why didn't you just go ahead and take a little day hike up to the summit? :-)

Can't wait until the Navy game. I agree that we have some fine prospects at the receiver and running back positions. My only concern is the inexperience. Veteran players just don't make the mistakes the younger guys do. But on the other hand, an inexperienced player with more talent might make up for it by making more plays. And you know a player like Pryor will make everyone better. He could be selfish given his immense talent, but he is a team player who is willing to distribute the ball. I expect the defense to be very good, although we will surely miss James L and Malcolm. Should be an exciting season and I hope to be there at every turn.

Buckeye Bob: Also, the latest news on Maui among the Ohio State core group of us here, is that a couple of the younger people have dreams of starting a local Ohio State Alumni Club for Maui County, which comprises three islands (Maui, Molokai and Lanai). We will keep you posted if this dream becomes reality. GO BUCKS, Buckeye Bob

Halloween 2008

2008-11-01T12:04:00.000-10:00

PRYOR GIVES JOE ONE ON A SILVER BUCKEYE PLATTER

2008-10-29T20:06:00.005-10:00

Could it be destiny that Penn State was supposed to win against our Buckeyes and there just was nothing that our team could have done to alter the outcome of the game?

Terrelle certainly seemed to have a clear seam to the end zone if he could get by one defender! He made it past the defender for the first down, but the instinct in him gave him an instant awareness that he could go for it all rather than tuck the football away and be satisfied with the first down!!! Wrong--that defender in his desperate attempt to keep Terrelle from getting a first down could do nothing more than get his one hand close to Pryor, but it was close enough to have a perfect hit on the football and knock it forever loose to turn the tide and put the perspective of the game in Penn States driving lane where they made the most of the opportunity and the rest is history.

Otherwise, OSU may have had a 13-3 lead, and I believe our defense could have held Penn State. At the very worst, Penn State would have to score two times either to beat us or tie us and send the game into overtime!!!

Again, I do take exception to the way Jim Tressel coached the game, his decisions and play selection. It seems that when we had to pass at the end of the game and a few times during the game it worked with pretty good success, except when Terrelle threw a few passes so low that his receivers could not catch the ball.

When Beanie Wells could not buy yards rushing, the play that seemed to work was Terrelle keeping and going around the end, as he was attempting when he had the ball slapped out of his hand. As a suggestion, perhaps, there could have been a few more passes, a few more keepers with Terrelle going around the end or up the field through an open running lane in the defense or a attempt at an end around, or even a properly executed option play (the several they tried were not even close to being executed well and the defenders nailed the play dead way behind the line of scrimmage).

Is our senior laden offensive line completely overrated, untalented, un-athletic, not coached well, or a bunch of non-intelligent wimps that lack any motivation??

Anyone's guess is as good as mine using hindsight. However, I do believe, even though I may not agree with the play selection made by our coaches, this game should have been won by Ohio State. During that last drive, when Terrelle had the ball smashed from his hand, we had been moving the ball pretty good with some determination and extra effort on the part of all our offensive players.

Jim Tressel started his career great for Ohio State--and again that could just be fate at play--winning a National Championship with close win after heart wrenching close win during a 14-0 2002 season. That was followed by winning several lower grade bowl games. But then great teams followed since 2006 that could have won several National Championships and brought on an era of Ohio State Dynasty in college football.

If we could have beat Texas at home in 2005 when they went on to beat USC in that awesome championship game, we may have missed our opportunity for being national champions that year. Then in 2006, when we had the Troy Smith Heisman jinx on us and lost to Florida, when we were a heavy favorite, again we could have been national champions.

The Heisman jinx has happened to so many teams after a player was selected as the Heisman winner. It happened to Florida's Tebow last year, even though he was only playing in a lesser bowl against a very low opponent in a very weak and demoralized Michigan team. In 2007, we had a great Todd Boeckman led team, but went to sleep against Illinois...then still had a shot at the championship and managed to loose to a two loss LSU team.

We really can not blame this lack of success on the caliber of our players. We have had more than our share of players go on to the pro's where most of them are doing well. What can we blame our lack of success on? It seems it would have to come down to the realization that our coaches are not managing our Ohio State football teams well.

Are there two many Tressels coaching? You know, it is not if your qualified for the job but who your brother is. Hopefully it is not true, that it is more important to filling the coaching jobs by keeping the jobs in the family, rather than getting the best people available to coach our talented players. What ever the reason is, Ohio State has a steak going of loosing big games.

Florida, LSU, USC and Penn State, not counting lesser teams like Illinois, who got pounded by USC in the Rose Bowl last year--it seems a disgrace to us Buckeye fans that our team continues this loosing trend. What is wrong with our OSU team's lack of winning when it has superior players? Will someone please explain the reasons to me?

My focus now is on Joe Pa and Penn State winning the National Championship. It would certainly bring some comfort to our Big Ten conference which is hurting and looked upon as about the fifth best conference by most college football experts.

There are many good teams out there right now. Penn State will need some help to get into position to play for the National championship game but I do believe it will happen, and I believe our Big Ten conference will be well represented by the Penn State Nittany lions.

If Penn State wins, it certainly does not follow that Joe Pa will go out on top. It seems that he would love to return in 2009 if his health in any way will cooperate with him. His health does seem to be in a bit of a down turn. For now Joe, regardless if you continue to coach after this year, please win the National Championship for the Big Ten! We desperately need it.

And by the way. Joe and Penn State do not forget to thank our beloved Terrelle Pryor for handing you the Ohio State victory on a Buckeye Silver Platter!!! That certainly will never happen again!!

Buckeye Bob

ECUADOR-- VISIT TO MONTESUENOS

2008-10-15T11:41:00.009-10:00

After four years of invitations from our friends Brian and Meredith, my lady Ashleea, her daughter Genvieve and myself finally had the privilege of visiting them in September of 2008.

It is a long flight from LA to Panama City on COPA airlines --leaving LA at 2:12am and landing at 10:30 am, about a 7 hour flight. From Panama City the flight to Guayaquil, Ecuador is a little over 2 hours, and we arrived at 2:17 pm.

From Guayaquil we took a small plane on TAME airlines which departed at 4:15pm and landed at the city of Loja, high up in the Andes mountains at about 5pm. We were greeted there by Brian's aide who had a pickup truck waiting to transport us for about one and one half hours through winding mountain roads to the village of Vilcabamba and than to the home of Brian and Meredith named MONTESUENOS (mountain of dreams).

Montesuenos is a classy Destination Resort and Retreat Center. It easily gets its name by being surrounded by mountains and facing the most famous mountain landmark in the area, Mandango. The main house and cottage are literally pieces of art done on a grand scale by artists Meredith Miller and Brian O'Leary using various woods and trees of the area as part of the interior of the house along with rocks, tile, and ceramic which are incorporated into the curving walls and stairs, bedrooms, bathrooms and living rooms of the house.

The use of old (some over 100 years old) doors of all kinds and designs embellish the house like a castle. There are awesome views from the multi-level home and cottage with verandas or decks everywhere, along with many kinds of windows. The beautiful home is completed with a large water fall on the back side of the house-about a 40 foot drop from top to bottom through lush tropical foliage.

The separate cottage (really another house that 10 people can live in) on the property is complete with a bell tower and huge beautiful chimney. From the Montesuenos web site, an architect and builder from Dallas, Texas BEST describes the two houses:

“I ran across your web site with pictures of your completed centre and it is everything and more than I saw under construction—you really did something special, just as I said thirty-six times—each time I came to see it at various stages—no trained architect or builder could top what you’ve accomplished. You truly listened to your hearts and spirits and the exercise speaks for itself—and the picture of Meredith in her studio is a picture of an artist at home. I wish you well in your environment and many visitations in spirit—you’ve earned it and deserve it. Jeff L,..architect and builder, Dallas, TX."

The house and cottage recently had 27 people at one time for a retreat!! Meredith is a world class visionary artist, and her art work will appear in a 2009 calendar.

The pictures we list below of the house and sites at the village of Vilcabamba on our slide show do not do Montesuenos justice. We had two cameras we took pictures with, and these pictures are from only one of the cameras. We still have many beautiful photos on the other camera, which we did not get on this slideshow.

To see more large beautiful pictures of Montesuenos, click on their website. Simply scroll down all the way to see many photos.

The main activities for tourists in the area are trekking and horseback riding--which we did both. The walk from Montesuennos to the nearest village of Vilcabamba (which is located in the Valley of Longevity, where it is said it is the only place in the world where years are added to your life....and life is added to your years) is about two miles.

On the walk to the village one meets more people on donkeys, horseback, and on foot than in vehicles. The temperature in the area is a low of 60 degrees at night and a high of 80 degrees in the daytime--a very beautiful environment with an elevation of about 6,000 feet above sea level. Many tropical fruits, vegetables, and flowers flourish. There is no snow in the area, although there is some snow in other areas of Ecuador. There is a distinct rainy season and some afternoon showers could occur when conditions are right during any time of the year. The size of the property is about three acres--formerly a coffee plantation. Several coffee trees are still on the property and producing. There are choice sites on the property where more housing could be built.

The slide show consists of pictures in and around the house and cottage and the village of Vilcabamba. The photos show art in the house, the art studio of Meredith, Brian and Bob, Meredith, views of mountains and village below, their dog Seda (beautiful and well disciplined), their cat Luna (a tree climber), a visit from a Opossum (it got into the house and was hiding in the ceiling, you can see its curling tail and face as it peers down at us), some of the 300 or so pigs Brian has in his pig collection (the large Blue Muppet Pig, the Ivory pig, the Lapis pig and so on), a young picture of Brian when he was an Astronaut, and some old huge vases which were found on the property.

While we were visiting, two government dignitaries came to the village of Vilcabamba. That is why there are military and many police cars in some pictures. The vice president Lenin Moreno who is handicapped and needs a wheelchair is in some pictures (also me. Can you spot me?).

On another occasion, Mr Albert Acosta came with news of the new Ecuador Constitution in which "rights are granted to Nature" (a first for any country). One picture has Brian sitting behind Mr. Acosta. On the subject of politics, the new president of Ecuador, Mr. Rafael Correa has his PH.d in economics from the University of Illinois. And last but not least, while we were visiting, Brian finished his latest and best book to date, "The Energy Solution Revolution ".

Thanks to Brian and Meredith for being superb hosts and allowing us to share their tranquil and serene environment.

Buckeye Bob

OHIO STATE COACHES POOR DECISIONS AND OVERRATED DEFENSE COST OHIO STATE GAME AGAINST USC.

2008-09-30T18:41:00.004-10:00

I really enjoyed my visit to the University of Southern California campus. It is a very unusual situation, as the only hotel on campus is the Radisson Hotel and is owned by the university and the place that I stayed for two nights. It had a small restaurant, which served food and alcohol. To go anywhere else for alcohol or food, one has to take a taxi, since the neighborhood next to where USC is located is very dangerous to walk in, as it is considered to be a ghetto. So after the game, many OSU fans ended up at the hotel restaurant, which was overwhelmed with business. It seemed like they were 30 deep. I went on to the sundry hotel store and got a banana, a few snacks, a bottle of water and a fresh cup of coffee and took them to my room. Fans were coming into the store and demanding alcohol and so disappointed that the store did not sell alcohol, it was really a comedy. What other university campus in the United States would one find any thing similar to USC.

While the campus is small, I really enjoyed it, there was lots to do and see. USC is a private university and very expensive to attend. It also has high academic standards and is difficult to get accepted into as a student.

The day of the game, I got up at 5:30am and at 6:30am walked about 15 to 20 minutes through campus to the coliseum to arrive there in time for the ESPN game day at 7am. There was already a large gathering of fans present. Bubba and his friend Rich showed up about 8am and we all stayed there until 9am when the game day TV show ended. Of course both Corso and Herbstreet both picked USC to defeat OSU. USC was favored by 11 to 14 points.

We left the coliseum and made our way back to the middle of campus to the tailgate party, to join Bubba's USC buddies Rich, Joe and ten other USC fans, who had a flat big screen TV set up. We ate, drank and watched part of the Maryland vs. Cal game, in which Maryland upset Cal. We also milled about the area visiting the famous Trojan statue, the gardens on campus, the library and book store. About noon, we went for about a five minute walk and attended the OSU bash on campus. There was approximately several thousand Buckeye fans present. The Ohio State cheerleaders, Archie Griffin and Brutus the Buckeye mascot were available to take pictures with. And they had a rock and roll band from Columbus to entertain the crowd. It was a lot of fun.

From the OSU bash, we went back to the tailgate. Unlike the Ohio State campus, alcohol is allowed on campus and was abundant at the hundreds of tailgate parties on campus. Joe and Rich took us on a tour of the Heritage House, where all the USC sporting trophies are housed, including their seven Heisman trophies. After this, the USC band came right through the tailgate parties on campus and performed right in front of us, so close, we could reach out and touch the band members, who were very relaxed and having a great time. The music was great and it was a good pre-game energy booster to get one excited about the game.

At 4pm, we entered the stadium along with the other 92,000 plus fans, which was the largest crowd since the early 1990's during a USC vs UCLA game. The game had potential for OSU at the start. We drove to the five yard line and than fell apart with penalties and settled for our only points of the game a field goal. USC moved the ball with ease all game long and beat us easily 35 to 3, what an embarasement!!! I blame the loss on 1: lousy coaching (switching the two quarterbacks in and out with no logical reason for it), 2: an overrated OSU defense who made very few good plays with terrible tackling and 3: the fact that Beanie Wells could not play (which I'm not sure would have made much difference considering the non-play of the defense).

The pictures are mostly of Buckeye Bubba and myself with the OSU cheerleaders, Archie Griffin and Brutus the Buckeye plus many more pictures taken on campus. Joe Padilla provided Bubba, myself and his brother Rich with tickets to the game, one picture is of the four of us together with me holding my ticket in the air, which was given to me at about 10am the day of the game. Joe and Rich were very good hosts and made both Bubba and me feel very much at ease among the thousands of USC tailgaters. We met many of their friends, including Roy Nwaisser, who has attended every USC football game home and away since 1992, 194 games and counting (he is holding the California license plate (USC SYCO) and is a very famous and well known USC fan. One of my dreams has always been to attend every OSU football game home and away for one season!!!Ha!! Pale in comparison to Roy and besides that, at 65 I have not yet lived out my dream

Notes of that day: Buckeye Bubba has a tatoo of Brutus The Buckeye on his shoulder, he showed this tatoo to Archie Griffin and Brutus The Buckeye, who thought it was interesting. Well Brutus fell in love with Bubba when he saw the tatoo of himself on Bubba's shoulder, pictures included below of these events. Buckeye Bubba and I found the great Ohio State basketball star Jimmy Jackson cruising in the crowds and had our picture taken with him. He said he remembered Bubba waiting on him at Roy's restaurant on Maui. I met a man at the tailgate James Hinkle, who I nicknamed Palm Tree James, a transplant from Ohio, who has lived all over the world. We had a good conversation because after the game I was going to Ecuador and he had lived there for six years and still has a home there. Somehow he has ended up in LA and has become a USC and LA Dodgers fan, which does not make him a bad guy.Ha!! Also, I met some fantastic Ohio State football fans while I was staying at the hotel, the one who stands out the most is Jerry and his son from Richfield, Ohio, who goes way back to the Woody Hayes days and had many very interesting stories to tell and enlightened me about many tidbits of trivia I had not known before. Thanks Jerry.

Buckeye Bob, It is now one game at a time for Ohio State football, how many games we can win is anyone's guess and how far we can go this year depends on how much the team and coaches mature during the season. The big game looming ahead is the Penn State game, provided we do not stumble before that game. GO GO BUCKS!!!

NOTE: If one wants to see the pictures below better put your cursor on "View All Images" and click. Each photo will come up one at a time. If you want to make that photo bigger, click on the photo and it will become larger. Thanks Buckeye Bob

CAN THE OHIO STATE EXPERIENCE PREVAIL

2008-09-10T22:16:00.004-10:00

After hearing the Jim Tressell interview and the Pete Carroll interview before the BIG game this weekend, I noted that both coaches complimented the other team tremendously. Both coaches mentioned balance. They both mentioned that if their teams played well, they would have a chance to win. This is what one would expect from class act coaches, who are in the utmost spot light as the game is being touted as the Pre-conference game of the year. As Pete Carroll was an Ohio State football assistant coach under Earl Bruce, he brought up how he had wanted to meet Woody Hayes. He saw Woody walking outside the St. John arena and he ran and caught up with Woody and walked and talked with him for about ten minutes. Woody knew who he was and was very cordial to him. That one year that Carroll was an assistant at OSU they lost to USC in the Rose Bowl due to Charlie Whites spectacular running. With all the great running backs he has now, is that where Pete Carroll plans to sock it to the Buckeyes in his efforts for USC to prevail in this game and come out on top?

Is Terrelle Pryor going to start for the Buckeyes? There have been some Columbus reporters who have really been pushing how important everyone's number one recruit is to Ohio State's future and to the outcome of the game against USC. They were saying that it was imperative that Ohio State give Terrelle the majority of snaps against Ohio University last week, to prepare him for the USC game. They saw NO way that Ohio State could win without Terrelle. This may or not be true, as in fact Boeckman has not looked his best in the BIG games. But does he have enough experience now to do better against USC than Todd?

Besides quarterbacks, there are many other players who have to play extremely well for either team to have a chance of winning. USC has a different style of offense and if they can get an early lead, they will be on fire and really open up their offense and Ohio State would be in big trouble.

In looking at how the experts rate the two teams positions, five being the highest and 1 the lowest, they have the quarterback position tied at 4.5, RB's, they have OSU 5 and USC 4.5, Receivers OSU 4.5 and USC 3.5, O line OSU 4.5 USC 4, D line USC 4.5 and OSU 4, Linebackers and Secondary 5 for both teams, and special teams 5 for OSU and 3 for USC. Looking at these ratings, one would believe that the Buckeyes have the edge. In reality, I find these ratings are somewhat miss leading. USC is loaded and are favored by 11 points. Home field advantage and their convincing victory over Virginia also makes for the reason they are such a big favorite.

While Beanie Wells may play, we do not how much or how good he will be. While he is mentioned as a Heisman candidate, this game will also put Mark Sanchez as the front runner for the Heisman if he shines in this game with a victory. On the other hand, If both play well and Ohio State wins, Beanie will be back in the hunt for the Heisman.

What do I think will happen. As we all know Tressell has a reputation of playing down to his lesser opponents, like in 2002 with so many close game and than beating Miami, who was the unbeatable team and a double digit favorite. USC may have a bit of overconfidence after watching the close game against Ohio. Both teams are good, fast and athletic, but the difference will be Ohio States experience. That is how LSU beat Ohio State with their superior experience. That means Ohio State wins the turnover battle including some interceptions of a very good Sanchez. Beanie may not be spectacular, but Ohio State does have a good defense against the run and are expected to hold the USC runners below their normal performance. With Todd Boeckmans experience, he will be expected not to make any mistakes. Enter Terrelle Pryor coming in at the right moment, he may be enough of a difference with the spread offense, some option plays and perhaps an end around and a few good passes and runs and scoring a touchdown to win this one for our beloved Buckeyes. I believe this would shock the football world!!! This could be the moment we have all been waiting for to regain National respect, after being a punching bag after our two National championship losses. As I have been talking to my Buckeye friends Rick Barnhart, Larry, Richard, Bubba and my sister Ann and Brother in law Herb, we have all been around this game to long to have our expectations too high!!! Better to keep a low profile.

About eleven players in this game will no doubt go on to the Professional level next year. Seven of them probabaly going in the first round. These players for Ohio State will be James Laurinatis, Marcus Freeman, Beanie Wells and Malcolm Jenkins. For USC it will be Rey Maulaluga, Brian Cushing, Fill Moala, Videl Hazelton and Patrick Turner. Another star on the rise for USC is the receiver Damian Williams the Arkansas transfer.

This is the game we have all been waiting for, lets get it ON!!! Buckeye Bob will get to experience this game in person with his good friend Buckeye Bubba!!! GO BUCKS,

MORE BUCKEYE GIFTS

2008-09-07T16:23:00.007-10:00

Our friend Mike Barr and his lady Sandy arrived on Maui August 29. They met me at the Sports Page Bar and Grill for the first Ohio State football game of 2008 against Youngstown State August 30. The game on TV was at 6am Maui Time. They presented me with many Ohio State football gifts, some of which are pictured above. I am very grateful and appreciative of their kindness and thoughtfulness. Our farewell with them was spent at the Five Palms restaurant Friday night, September 5th, meeting Sandy's request to eat dinner at a beach front restaurant. They are from the Columbus, Ohio area

The first picture above is of Mike, Sandy and Buckeye Bob. The second picture is of the three of us in the lobby of the Five Palms restaurant.

In the picture of the gifts, the t-shirt at the bottom, was a gift from Buckeye Bubba, of the West Maui All Star baseball team. His son Kepa was a baseball all-star this summer and his name along with the other all-stars are listed on the back of the T-shirt. Thanks Bubba and congratulations to Kepa on being an all-star.

Well the first two games of the year have been like scrimmages. The game against Youngstown State especially, where many freshman got some experience. The game against Ohio University was a close game until OSU got two late touchdowns in the fourth quarter to win 26 to 14.

Because of the lack of good play by the Buckeyes in their first two games, they have been dropping in the polls. They started at two, went to three and now are at number five.

They will have to put an A game together if they expect to have any chance at all against USC. Of course I still expect them to beat USC, but quite frankly I have not a clue of how that will happen at the moment. I do know one thing, Ohio State has plenty of excellent athletes with lots of experience. Ohio State has extreme talent at all positions. However, we will have to wait to see if they have 'Team Chemistry'. As USC was clicking on all cylinders for their first game, they immediately went from 3rd in the polls to number ONE.

I am so thrilled to have a ticket to the USC vs OSU game this Saturday, thanks again Buckeye Bubba.. Win or lose, I expect the game to be exciting. USC has lots of speed, an abundance of running backs, an excellent quarterback and a SUPER defense. Whoever wins this game, will have a good chance of becoming the national champs this year.

For the Ohio University game, it was great to have Buckeye Katie, Justin, Richard and Barbara back on Maui from Ohio, where they all attended the first Ohio State football game.

Also, for the Ohio University game we had some newcomers visiting Maui from Ohio join our Buckeye group at The Sports Page Bar and Grill to watch the game on TV. They were Rick and Laureen Barnhart and Kyle and Emily . It was a delight to have their presence and good energy. They will be sending me pictures which I will post on a later blog.

Rick and Laureen will be leaving Maui and going to LA for the OSU vs. USC game also. I hope to see them again at that game.

Buckeye Bob, GO BUCKS,!!!

Andrea Woo and Steve Huyn Wedding 8/30/2008

2008-09-01T08:36:00.013-10:00

My lady Ashleea, her daughter Genvieve, and myself (Uncle Bob) were honored to attend and witness the beautiful marriage of my nephew Steve (or Taro as he was nicknamed as a child) to the lovely and gracious Andrea Woo this past Saturday, August 30th.

As this was our first time to meet Andrea, her father Kenneth, her mother Marie, and brother Jonathan, this was our opportunity to know them. And from our experience of meeting them at the wedding, we immediately knew they were first class citizens of this earth we live on. They are gracious, humble, generous, loving, compassionate, and hard-working people.

As we heard some of Steve and Andrea's friends speak about Steve and Andrea at the wedding roast, one thing hit me about Steve. His friends referred to him as a straight-shooter and a non-risk taking person. I thought to myself about the latter the non-risk taker--that is not the Steve I know.

From my perspective (while Steve follows the laws of the land, as we all are expected to do), he has always been a risk taker. At two years old when he was visiting our home in Novato, California (Northern Marin county), he saw the pool and jumped right in! Of course, I followed him in with all my clothes on.

When Steve saw "Superman" and how Superman could fly a few years later, Steve put a cape on, got on top of a ladder, and jumped off thinking he could fly (and broke his arm). After Steve graduated from high school, he came to visit us on Maui.

When we were out on Ashleea's dolphin expedition in the ocean, the captain stopped the boat where locals would dive into the ocean from high rocks (which was very dangerous)...you guessed it.. the next thing I knew Steve was up on the rocks and did a perfect dive just like the locals.

So while Steve is a prince of a man and very aware of all the laws and obeys them to the letter, he also has another side to him which is a fearless warrior. To me he is very brave, daring, and filled with adventure. We have the utmost appreciation and respect for Steve who is one of the most brilliant and fascinating people we know.

When Steve was born in 1977, he was a gift to the family who needed his bright and positive energy and he was so very cute and adorable. For his family he was truly a magnificant 'shining star' as we were all ( I was married to Steve's aunt Kim, sister of Chanh) able to focus somewhat on Steve instead of other emotional trauma of life. As I worked as a civilian in Vietnam and had a friendship with Ambasador Graham's son, that son provided me with the official paper work to allow many of my friends and family out of Vietnam in April of 1975 and get them into the USA. That was referred to as 'The Fall of Vietnam'.

As Chanh's father and mother Hoc and Hien had just arrived in the US with part of their family (and part of the family still in Vietnam), it was the emotional time I refer to above.

Mr. Hoc was a building contractor in Viet Nam, having built some very prestigious buildings like the new World Health Organization headquarters, the new Hyatt hotel, and many others. Mr Hoc had started as a school teacher in North Vietnam and because of the war and his influence with the French, ended up in South Vietnam meeting his wife and raising his family. I loved Mr. Hoc, who was very intelligent, wise, courteous, and respectful with a good sense of humor.

I loved and respected Hien equally who was independent, a free spirit, and very much her own person. I worked very closely with her for years in a family business in Marin county.

Chanh was a scholar (quite frankly a genius) who was in the top of his class in Japan competing with the most intelligent students of Japan-- second in his class. This was good enough to get Chanh a full scholarship at UC Berkely, where he received his PhD.

Speaking Japanese well, Chanh met and married Mitsuko in a simple ceremony in Japan. Chanh is a businessman who has had many different enterprises while working full time at other careers such as National Semi Conductor where he was a highly recognized engineer. He retired a few years ago from National Semi Conductor.

Chanh chose UC Berkely because Steve's uncle Vic,(Chanh's brother) was a student at that time at San Jose State University. Vic now helps run a hotel in Vietnam with his brother Alex. Vic made the trip to the wedding, and it was so good to see him and visit with him a little. He's a tremendous man.

The wedding was also blessed with the presence of Steve's Aunt Kim (my former wife) who resides in Honolulu, Hawaii with her husband David who was unfortunately unable to attend.

As every one can attest to who has been around or who have been honored to know Steve's mother Mitsuko, she's the most gracious, generous, friendly, and down-to-earth person one could ever meet. She is also very intelligent, wise, thoughtful, kind, the 'rock of gibraltar', and the glue that holds the family traditions and values together. She had about 15 of her family members and relatives present who came all the way from Japan for the wedding.

We were honored to sit at the wedding with Steve's next door neighbors in San Jose--Chuck and Katy Collins and their children Jeff (who participated in the wedding) and Amy. They were a delight to be around. Katy used to babysit Steve in the afternoon after school when he was younger, and they told us other stories about the risk-taker Steve, some of which were very funny.

One story was when Steve had the idea to tie all these rubber bands together and stretch them from one house to the other. He told Jeff, "whatever you do, do not let go of the rubber bands", and then Jeff let go...and pop! Steve ended up with big welts and bruises on his face.

The pictures of the wedding were taken by Ashleea, who also put this slide show together of select photos. Mahalo Ashleea.

I hope you all enjoy these pictures that may give one a 'feeling' of the wedding. The wedding was the most organized, magnificent, and wonderful wedding I have ever attended and it was completed with a very special sacred, traditional 'tea ceremony'.

Mahalo Nui Loa Andrea and Steve!!! May your lives be filled with abundant blessings!!!

Uncle Bob, (Robert Neal, Maui, Hawaii) (Buckeye Bob to all of the UCLA people). Congratulations to all you UCLA fans as you start your first game of 2008, with an upset, overtime victory over Tennessee 27 to 24, this evening September 1, 2008.

And yes, I will be attending the game against your arch rival USC trojans September 13, 2008. My lucky number is 13, so I feel good about Ohio States chances against The University of Southern California!

Go Bucks!

SISTER SUE'S TIMELY BUCKEYE GIFTS FOR THE 2008 FOOTBALL SEASON

2008-08-27T19:07:00.007-10:00

I have the sweetest sister, and every year she sends me many Ohio State Buckeye gifts. Today I received a beautiful tan Ohio State dress shirt (not in the photo above). In the photo above you'll see a nice pair of tan walking shorts with red belt, a red Ohio State shorts for leisure wear, and a pair of beautiful Ohio State socks which I plan to wear to the OSU-USC game.

Some of the other gifts I'll be wearing this Saturday as we watch the first Ohio State football game against Youngstown State on tv at the Sports Page Bar and Grill in Kihei, Maui. Some of the other gifts were Ohio State chewing gum (a new item I've not seen before), an Ohio State key chain, a beautiful Ohio State buckeye bandanna, and two golf balls--one white and one red. I do not know how long those will last as I am somewhat wild on the golf course at times. Ha!!

In this package there was an Ohio State telephone holder, another new item that I have not seen before. Also included was an Ohio State beer holder which keeps beer cold. What a wonderful group of surprise gifts from my sister Sue!

Sue lives in rural Coshocton County, close to the home where my three sisters and one brother were raised. This town is about 70 miles East of Columbus, close to Zanesville, Ohio. This area is the beautiful rolling hills of Ohio and prime farm country. Her two daughters Robin and Bobbie live with their families within a five minute walk of Sue.

Sue's husband, Tom, was a career Air Force member and an Air Traffic Controller with many well-deserved medals from his days in the Vietnam war. He was stationed at Da Nang, Vietnam. Because of Tom's career, Sue and their family lived in Rapid City, South Dakota, Columbia, Mississippi and Dayton, Ohio. Tom passed at the age of 62, about eight years ago. Tom retired from the Air Force as a Master Sargent. He was the Ohio State Commander of Amvets and began Amvets at Post 36 in Coshocton, which he managed for years.

Before Sue married Tom, she had a fabulous career working for the Columbus and Southern Ohio Electric company.

Sue has previously sent me many Ohio State gifts, including many shirts, watches, hats, toothbrushes, football helmets, banners, etc.. Her gifts are always welcome, and I am in deep appreciation and gratitude to her. She is very kind, has a great sense of humor, is very positive and always upbeat. What a lucky and fortunate person I am to have such a sweet and loving sister.

Thanks Sue. I love you.

Your brother, Buckeye Bob

PRESEASON BUCKEYE PARTY GOES THROUGH THE ROOF

2008-08-19T16:19:00.015-10:00

Buckeye group on roof screaming to the world OH......IO! What fun!
Buckeye Brett, Derrick, Billy with Bubba and his wife in background
Buckeye Katie and Buckeye Larry
Owners Josh and Jim Richardson of 808 Deli with their good friend Buckeye Katie
Night time falls on Buckeye group on roof
The cheering and laughter continues on the roof

When Ashleea and I renovated our home in 2004, we built two floors over the carport. Since the height limit for residential housing on Maui is 30 feet, we put on a flat roof. The access to the roof is through a walk in closet with an attic ladder leading to a scuttle door to the roof . It is not very glamorous, but for the brave of heart, a yearning for adventure, and for those people not afraid of heights, many have made it up the narrow ladder to the roof and to an amazing view. There is no railing on the roof, so we always caution everyone to stay towards the middle and not to wander to the edges of the roof.

We usually do not entertain more than 6 or 8 people at a time on the roof. However, because so much is expected of our Ohio State football team this year, that is going to the top by winning the National Championship game this year, it seemed appropriate that we go as high as we could at this Buckeye pre-season party to support our Beloved Buckeyes.

It was almost dark when the idea struck me to go on the roof, and we never thought of taking any pictures until the group was up there. By that time the sun had gone down, and only a little light was still available on the ocean's horizon. If one clicks on the pictures, they become LARGER and one can see them more clearly. We began to wonder if any other Buckeye parties have ever taken place on the roof of one's home?

Newcomers to our party was Tom and Nancy, Taylor, Bob and Sandi, David and Grace, Derrick and Billy. We were honored with their presence along with the rest of our regular Buckeye group.

The party was catered by Josh and Jim Richardson owners of 808 Deli in Kihei, and they did a suburb job. We chose them because Buckeye Katie is friends of the owners. She is down at their business often helping them make her famous Buckeye candy which is delicious and in great demand at the deli. Everyone at the party had Buckeye candy and we even had enough for each of them to take a few pieces home.
We had enough food for about 100 people at the party, so all our guests also took food home with them as well.

We believe this is going to be a tremendous year for our Buckeye team. I can't wait to attend the OSU-USC game. I am staying two nights at the Radisson hotel on campus with a ten minute walk to the stadium.

I am presently reading the new book by Jim Tressell, "THE WINNERS MANUAL", which is good for me because it brings the reader into the team consciousness. Besides football, it instills what the coach is doing to help his players grow as good people with or without a future in professional football. This autographed copy of the book was a gift to me from my niece Sherry.

The captains for this years football team have been named: Todd Boeckman and Brian Robiskie on offense and James Laurinaitis and Malcolm Jenkins on defense.

I have not seen any rankings out yet that have the Buckeyes lower than third. Of course, my sister Ann who resides in Pickerington, Ohio, feels strongly that NO polls should come out until after the third game of the season. Many may agree with her, but the main reason for the pre-season polls is for the press to have something to talk about and to get the country hyped-up about the football season and get the fans in a competitive temperament.

While Georgia seems to be the favorite in most polls, the Athlon Sports College football magazine has Georgia ranked number five. They have Florida ranked number One, Ohio State two, Oklahoma three, USC four.

To take the polls a step further, there are those that rank the different football units, main components of a football team, into the ten top colleges for that particular unit. I was somewhat surprised when I saw these interesting rankings.

For the top QB units, they have Florida first and Ohio State number seven! For the top RB units, they have Clemson first, Wisconsin fourth, Ohio State number six and USC number nine. Top OL units, they have West Virginia first, Ohio State fourth and Wisconsin number five. Top WR/TE units, they have Florida first and Ohio State number six. Top DL units, Oklahoma first, Penn State third, Illinois number six and Ohio State IS NOT in the top ten. Top LB units, I would expect OSU to be number one, but they have USC number one, Ohio State number five and Wisconsin number seven.

The biggest surprise for Ohio State fans in these rankings is that for the Top DB units(for Ohio State this would be Malcolm Jenkins, Chimdi Chekwa,Anderson Russe3ll and Kurt Coleman), Ohio State is number ONE and USC third. Of the seven different units ranked, Ohio State was in the top ten in six out of seven-- the most for any college. Second place was a tie between Clemson and Oklahoma with four top ten rankings out of the seven categories.

If one looks at this type of info ( the team within the teams-those cohesive little units bound together by their shared responsibilities within the larger team context), one may conclude that Ohio State is the best team in the nation or the number ONE team!

As my sister Ann said, it may be too early to make such predictions, but if nothing else, it does give us Ohio State fans a lot to look forward to. For me it was the reason to have a preseason party and go to our roof to show the extent of our support for our Beloved Ohio State University Buckeyes.

GO GO BUCKS!!!

BUCKEYE BOB GETS MIRACLE FROM HAMLINS

2008-08-14T14:55:00.022-10:00

The one Ohio State football gift, that I have been dreaming of since LSU beat our beloved Buckeyes January of this year, was to be able to attend the OSU-USC game September 13. Recently I had surrendered any hopes I had of getting a ticket at face value and I had disciplined myself that I would not purchase a high priced ticket between $700 and $2500, as I did for the Texas game in 2006.

To ease the pain somewhat, I had a good friend from college, Terry Moore, from Sedona, Arizona, arriving on Maui September 12 and we were to attend a party to be given by our mutual friend Tom Vendetti (by the way Tom is my best friend on Maui and there is a featured interview of Tom in the latest Hana Hou magazine, which is the magazine of Hawaiian Airlines, please check it out), that evening. The following morning the 13th, I had a surprise Birthday party planned for my friend Tom and his wife Nancy, which Terry would be part of along with my mate Ashleea and her daughter Genvieve. I had not seen Terry for many years and a reunion was way over due. The party was to end around noon and Tom would take Terry to the airport for his return home and I would head for The Sports Page Bar and Grill to join the rest of my OSU Buckeye fanatic friends on Maui to watch the BIG game on TV, which would be broadcast at 2pm, hawaii time.

I had tried to get a ticket to the game every way one could imagine. Of course, first the University, next the Oahu alumni group, my friend Francois a USC graduate, Big John a USC graduate, my friend Trevor from LA with many connections, my friend Jeff, a spiritual guru, whose good friend had a son attending USC and so on. As it was apparent the game was getting more and more hype every week building up to the preseason college football polls, which were showing OSU and USC second or third and by some both number one. There was no poll that had either team out of the top five. Thus many college football experts were touting the game as the college football game of the year, which I felt it would be all along. The winner possibly going on to win the national college football championship. As we all know the football season is long with many unexpected challenges and stumbling blocks along the way. But it was also being said that even the loser of the OSU-USC game could possibly still be in the National Championship game if it was a close game and they did not loose another game the rest of the year. As a 65 year old Buckeye fan who bleeds scarlet and gray, one could imagine the yearning I had to attend the game. Yes one can see the game better on TV, but to me there is nothing like attending these games in person. The energy of the whole football day is a fantastic experience. Being at a pregame football rally, with the OSU cheerleaders, Archie Griffin or others present and if real lucky The Ohio State University marching band, really gets me pumped up emotionally to watch the game. So feeling this Ohio State team may be the best team in Ohio State history, after all, we have more returning seniors on this team than any I have known, meaning a vast amount of experience, was I ever in an Ohio State blues moment in surrendering to the idea that I would not be attending the game.

Enter the Hamlin family, Buckeye Larry the father and Buckeye Bubba the son. I have been living on Maui, since January 1, 1985 and the first fellow Ohio State football friend I had met was Buckeye Larry. The next person, was of course Larry's son Bubba. Many times over the years we have enjoyed watching OSU football games on TV, many of those times at Buckeye Larry's house enjoying his famous chili, many very good memories. Larry and I attended the Miami National Championship game and we attended the Washington game together last year.

Buckeye Bubba, was born and raised in Southern California, while there he became friends with some of his little league baseball players, whom he has remained friends with over the years. His best friends father attended USC and has had USC football season tickets for the past 35 years. The four tickets are on the 43 yard line give or take a few yards on either side. Two of the tickets was for the father and his wife and the other two tickets were for the two sons. Earlier this year, sadly the father passed away. Bubba's friend offererd the two tickets of his Mom and Dad to Bubba (now that is a friend and than some!!!) Bubba and Larry had planned to attend the game and stay with Larry's daughter in Long Beach, Ca... If Larry did not attend, Bubba had two older Buckeye brothers who would love to attend, plus another thousand fans who would snap a ticket like that up in a heart beat.

This year, for the first time in my 65 years, I was driven to have an Ohio State football preseason party at my house and invite all the Buckeye regulars who are available to attend. This party was held last Saturday night August 9. Buckeye Bubba along with his lovely wife and Buckeye Larry were part of the celebration party hosted by my mate Ashleea and her daughter Genvieve and catered by 808 Deli of Kihei. We had a feast present, enough food for about 100 people. I knew Buckeye Bubba's birthday was a few days from the party, so I thought it would be cool if I got him a Birthday cake. Also, at this party I had an excuse to get some of my OSU football memorabilia souvenirs and display them on one table, including an intact full six-pack of Coca Cola from the 1968 national championship season. An unopened large bottle of Lemon Lime from the 1997 Rose Bowl, when we beat the snake (Jake Plummer), from Arizona State. One of my favorites on the table was the Woody Hayes commemorative pocket knife, with a picture of Woody on the blade along with the date of his birth and the date he passed.

When Buckeye Bubba saw his cake, it brought some tears to his eyes, I did not realize it would touch him in such a way. Next, he really was wishing he could add that Woody Hayes knife to his Buckeye collection. He jokingly mentioned that he would like the knife and I gave it to him. It was not easy for me to do since this was a gift from my dear loving sister Maddie, who had passed away a few years ago. But I really wanted Bubba to have it. Bubba hesitantly took the knife with reserved feelings, but I insisted, I wanted to give it to him as a Birthday gift. The next afternoon, Bubba called me and said I have to give the knife back to you. I talked this over with my wife and we decided we must give it back. I again insisted that it was his and I refused to take it back. To me it was to identify and signify the great Buckeye friendship we have been part of for many years.

Miracle, a couple days later Bubba called me and asked me if I was sitting down, to brace myself. Immediately, I thought that something may have happened to his dad Larry. Bubba assured me his dad was OK. Than he went on to tell me that he had a ticket for the USC game and did I want it? At first I thought I was dreaming, this cannot be true. As it turned out Larry had a problem with his feet and did not feel he would be better by the USC game and therefore did not believe he could comfortably climb the stairs to his seat. Thus, he told Bubba, he would still fly to LA and stay with his daughter during the game. But rather than attend the game he would watch the game on TV with his other son. When Larry says something, he means it and he guaranteed me he would not change his mind. Of course the tickets belonged to Bubba and he could use the extra ticket any way he chose to. He chose to give it to me and I was surprised and in shock, never dreaming or ever entertaining the possibility of such a thought!!!.

There you have it, my first Buckeye blog of this football season, a MIRACLE indeed, thanks Buckeye Bubba, I am forever in your debt!!! Please see pictures below which go with this story.

Buckeye Bob and Larry. Autographed T-shirt gift from Mike Barr, who will be visiting Maui for first time August 29th. Autographed hat gift from Greg, my niece Sherry's husband. Many of the autographs on the hat and T-shirt are from players still on this years team.

Buckeye Bubba and Buckeye Bob at preseason party August 9th
Buckeye Bob preparing for August 9 OSU party with Vernon Gholston autographed banner, a gift from my niece Sherry.

Buckeye Bob with Buckeye memorabilia preparing for party
Buckeye Bubba clapping as the group sings Happy Birthday to him
Buckeye Larry relaxing at the party
Our Buckeye flags welcoming guests to the party
Woody Hayes commemorative knife

OSU memorabilia and souvenirs
The Birthday cake for Buckeye Bubba

Kalima, Will, and Jeff's Going Away Party for Shantibaba

2008-05-01T12:02:00.000-10:00

Maui Memorial For my friend Tom Driggers

2008-04-24T17:41:00.001-10:00

Our Costa Cruise

2008-04-21T17:07:00.003-10:00

LSU EXPERIENCE PREVAILED OVER OSU MISTAKES

2008-01-30T14:46:00.001-10:00

I believe after watching the game several times, that OSU had the team to beat LSU, but instead of beating LSU, they defeated themselves, along with some big miscues on the part of the coaching staff. After getting off to a fast start, OSU surprised themselves, became complacent and seemed to get flat on defense, allowing LSU to get back into the game too easily. By the time OSU realized they were in for a game, they than began to make mistake after mistake and just about the time one would think they may have a chance again, Robiske of all people would drop a touchdown pass. The penalties by the Buckeyes were inexcusable and likely the result of inexperience. The mistakes by the coaching staff, were just bad judgement in the heat of the battle. Of course, if the calls would have worked we might believe the coaches to be geniuses. I believe we should have gone for it on the second scoring drive on fourth down and short yardage (first coaching mistake), instead of settling for a field goal. Of course, a penalty put us in that fourth down situation, after we were moving the ball with ease. Later in the game, when the coaches decided to rush the punter on 4th down and 23, when we were still in the game and may have a chance to do something to win the game, seemed stupid. And than the penalties that followed that finally allowed their offense to score another touchdown, and put us pretty much out of the game. The final drive by the Buckeyes, hitting on quick passing plays worked to perfection (of course the game was out of reach by that time and maybe the LSU defense did not care). But why couldn't the Buckeyes at least try this early in the fourth quarter, instead of Boeckman taking too much time and being crushed by the LSU defense?? On the other hand Boeckman did not have to attempt to pass so much, with Beanie running so well, what was that all about not letting Beanie run more? The defense did a good enough job in the second half for OSU to win the game, except for all the crazy penalties they made!! Too little on offense and defense and the inexperience and inmaturity of the players spelled doom for the Buckeyes on this fateful day. LSU on the other hand just hung in their, did not make mistakes and a lot of their seniors expressed that experience can pay big dividends. In retrospect, I feel it is a game we should never have lost!!

I arrived at 1pm at the stadium for a 7pm game, so there were only a few people present. Not like at OSU when the place is going crazy with the Heiny party, OSU band to preview, tailgaters etc.. The three pictures above are the first three pictures I took of the stadium and the one of a Mardi Gras lady LSU fan, who seemed too willing to have her picture taken with Buckeye Bob. The LSU people were friendly and very nice.

On my airline journey getting to the game from Maui, Hawaii, I had a couple funny experiences. First experience was on the flight from The Big Island of Hawaii to Chicago, when about half way there, this steward from first class was walking through the economy section, he saw my new Brutus the Buckeye hat (a gift from my niece Sherry) and began to comment quite loud and
noticeably to other passengers, how beautiful my hat was. He asked various nearby passengers if they had ever seen such a beautiful hat. It really got my attention and I was a little embarrassed and caught off guard. After several trips up the isle and talking to me each time, I found out he was a former pitcher on the Ohio State baseball team in the early 70's. When I told him I was going into New Orleans and out again, without a hotel, he misunderstood me and thought I could not get a room because there were no rooms available. He had several airline stewardess come down the aisle to check me out. He would say, look at that face, doesn't he look like a good honest man you can trust. I again did not know what he was talking about until he came back and told me that some of the crew were going on to New Orleans and they might be willing to share their room with me if I would offer them $100 (of course twin beds). I really began to crack up laughing, as he did not realize I had no time to get a hotel room, since I was departing on a plane at 6am the morning after the game, which ended about midnight. What I did with my time, was I walked straight from the stadium about a 30 minute brisk walk to Harrah's casino in downtown New Orleans. I gambled until about 3am and than got a taxi to the airport.

The second funny story is when I arrived at Chicago, I was walking to the airport gate to go to New Orleans. When I arrived there, these two ladies got up from where they were sitting and approached me very excited and asked me if I had their tickets for the game. I said no, and they said don't you have two tickets? When I replied that I had two tickets, they wanted to see them and hold them and have their picture taken with me. They still thought the tickets were for them. The two ladies were both graduates of Ohio State. However, both their husbands were from LSU. The husbands were big business man and one of the husbands friends another LSU man said because OSU was playing LSU, he would buy the ladies tickets and have them delivered to the airport in Chicago before their flight left for New Orleans. Therefore, they thought I was the bearer of the tickets. It was funny, but it took me by surprise so much and I was got up in their drama, that it never occurred to me to take a picture with them, even though they were taking many pictures with me with their cameras. The lady did tell me that she felt very strongly that LSU would win. She was right, but as an OSU alumni, it seemed that she had been brain washed a little by her LSU connections over the years. Also, her son would be attending LSU and trying out for the football team. It just did not seem like an OSU alumni, especially since the two ladies were decked out in the best OSU outfits that one could imagine. I will have more pictures that I took at the game and more stories on a following blog. Buckeye Bob, Sad, Disappointed, but still PROUD to be a Buckeye!!

BUCKEYE BOB RECEIVES HIS MIRACLE TICKETS FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

2008-01-05T21:23:00.000-10:00

Only once before in my 64 years, have I received tickets for a championship game from the University at face value. Actually it was not directly to me--The Oahu Hawaii Alumni Club received ten tickets to the National Championship game between OSU and Miami. And since I was a dues- paying member and not too many members were prepared to go the game, I received one of the tickets. Thank you Hawaii Alumni Club, for that ticket, which enabled me the great joy of watching in person, one of the best games ever-- Ohio State winning the 2002 National Championship, entering the game as huge underdogs!!

This time, I can not really tell what miracle occurred to allow me the privilege of going to the game this year. I tried immediately to get on the list to have a chance to get tickets for the game through the lottery system, over the internet (no way I could get through to register). I tried again the following day, again I could not get into the system over the internet to get registered. In despair, I tried to call The Ohio State University ticket office. The first 30 calls all I got was a busy signal. On the 31st call, I finally got my call answered, only to find out I was going to listen to Ohio State upcoming events for 30 minutes while I was on hold!!! Ugh, not what I was expecting. Finally a human being came on, a very nice young man. I told him my situation and that I wanted to get registered to be in the lottery for tickets. He told me to go back to the internet and I would probably get through. I told him, I would not be home for another 12 hours and it may be too late to even get in for the lottery. After some persuasion on my part, the gentlemen finally agreed to get me registered himself, even though he was not supposed to do such things. I gave him my password and he did register me and sent me an e-mail confirmation that I was registered. While talking to the man, I told him I was Buckeye Bob and responsible for getting a small group of Maui Ohio State fans and visiting Buckeye fans together to watch the football games on TV at The Sports Page Bar and Grill on Maui. I also told him I did this Ohio State football blog. That seemed to get his attention and he asked me the address of this blog, which I provided for him. All I can figure, is that he must have looked at my blog and believed I was worthy to receive tickets. Thank God, I finally got tickets from the University for the National Championship game. And so one of my dreams has come true as a Buckeye fan.

The sad news is that after I got word that I was going to receive tickets (see pictures of the two beautiful tickets above), I than tried for hours to get reservations on the airlines for a trip from Maui to New Orleans. I could only find one seat available out of Maui and only one seat available returning to Maui in a reasonable time frame for the date of the game. Here is what I got: I am scheduled to leave Maui at 4:10pm Sunday, January 6, 2008. I am scheduled to arrive at New Orleans on the day of the game at Noon. The game is at 7pm New Orleans time. The only flight returning to Maui is scheduled to leave New Orleans at 6am on Tuesday, January 8, the morning after the game. The game will probably end around midnight on the 7th, so I will be taking a taxi back to the airport after the game for my flight out. That will be a 48 hour trip leaving Sunday afternoon and returning Tuesday afternoon: NO hotels, no bags, only the clothes on my back and hopefully a little sleep on the plane to Chicago, a ten hour flight. I'm praying for NO delays in Chicago. This is literally a crazy trip by a mad man, Buckeye Bob, who is no fair weather fan. I consider myself to be a hardcore Buckeye fan and I bleed scarlet and gray!! It is my great pleasure to have this opportunity, and I am indeed privileged and thank you Ohio State University!! This is an In and Out trip to New Orleans from Maui to watch my beloved Buckeyes!

GO GO GO, Buckeye Bob

OHIO STATE DOES BELONG IN THE BCS GAME

2008-01-05T20:15:00.000-10:00

The pictures above were taken by Brian, who was visiting Maui from Cleveland, Ohio and watched the OSU - Michigan game with us, with his wife Susan. The second picture from the top is Buckeye Bob with Brian and Susan.

There has been much discussion about The Big Ten Conference, and Ohio State in particular not being qualified to play for the National Championship BCS Title game against LSU. Most football fans and experts believe it is perfectly fitting that LSU with 2 losses should be in the Championship game. If LSU defeats OSU, than USC and Georgia will be screaming that they too are The Number One Team in the Nation, because both of them only have two losses!!! If there was ever a case to have a play off system (at least 8 teams), the case seems to be presenting itself this year and I do believe it will have a strong bearing on having a play off system, sooner than most experts would expect.

Thank God for Michigan defeating Florida!! Florida was a strong favorite, but perhaps it was the jinx of Tim Tebow winning the Heisman trophy! Ha! More importantly, Florida is an SEC team and it shows the The Big Ten can defeat SEC teams!! Now, if OSU defeats LSU another SEC team, I believe the experts and fans around the nation may have a different perspective about how weak The Big Ten is and how qualified Ohio State is in playing for the Big Game. And as underdogs, I believe OSU has its best chance of winning. They have a strong motivator in the fact that Florida demolished us last year. And last, The Ohio State players have been working their butts off for this one and seem very focused and humbled. They know what they are up against in Mr. Dorsey, the consensus All-American Defensive End from LSU. The players also know, how fast and how powerful the rest of the LSU Defense is and are practicing for this element and OSU will not be complacent and caught off guard like they were last year against Florida. I do believe Ohio State will prevail in a very good game. I'm not going to the game to see Ohio State get defeated!!! The fact of the matter is there are many teams on any given Saturday that can beat the highly favored, highly ranked teams. We all saw this happen many times this year. So really I do not believe any conference can BOAST that they are that much better than any other conference. Every conference this year has had teams ranked in the top ten, being defeated by unranked teams!! Thus, if Ohio State defeats LSU, I'm not saying that The Big Ten Conference is Better than the SEC, but I am saying that it points out that Ohio State very much Belongs In The BCS title Championship game and Ohio State will be deserving of The Number One Team in the Nation, with the victory over LSU. And Buckeye Bob will be going to Las Vegas to collect his wager on Ohio State winning the National Championship!! Yea Ha!!!

In a few hours I will be flying off for the game at New Orleans. GO GO GO GO BUCKS!!! Buckeye Bob.

OSU VS. LSU, THIS TIME WE WIN

2007-12-02T16:42:00.001-10:00

We had a small but mighty group of energized Buckeye fans present at the Sports Page in Kihei, to watch Ohio State beat Michigan. The pictures above are of the group and some of the decorations done by Katie, Justin and myself. And of course Katie came through again with the special treat of Buckeye candy assisted by Jackie and I contributed the champagne to celebrate the victory. First picture is of our special guests Brian and his wife Sue from Cleveland, Ohio. There was Josh from Montans, there was Linda and her daughter Sarah, from Kaui and Marshall from Ashland, Ohio. There was Rick and Lori Gangwisch from Atlanta, Georgia, who was with us for the second year in a row (next to last picture). The last picture is of Kat and I, who was representing Buckeye Pete from Santa Cruz, California.

Now to the matter at hand, our second opportunity in two years to beat an SEC team for the National Championship game. This time LSU is the early favorite by 4 1/2 points. I know that the OSU team is preparing much harder this year and are more focused on this game. I do not believe we will be embarrassed nationally two years in a row. I believe it will be a good game and OSU will win.

More about LSU later, for the moment, two thoughts I have. Number one is that I believe we should be playing Hawaii for the National championship. Hawaii 12 - 0 deserve it more than a two loss team (the first time a 2-loss team has played for the BCS Championship game). Number two, is that Georgia got the axe in all the bowl games. Before this weeks games, Georgia was ranked fourth behind OSU. Therefore, they should have moved up with OSU and be playing OSU for the championship game. They not only did not get the main event, but did not even get to play USC in the Rose Bowl, which would have been the second choice. They do however, make a good game for Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl, so Hawaii gets a very worthy opponent. Congratulations to Hawaii!!!

OHIO STATE VICTORY OVER MICHIGAN COULD SEAL LLOYD CARR'S FATE

2007-11-15T20:24:00.000-10:00

The heavy rumor this week, is that if Ohio State defeats Michigan on Saturday, it will be Lloyd Carr's last game coaching at Michigan. And coach Miles from LSU would become the new Michigan coach.

Injuries on both teams could play the important role in who will win on Saturday. Coach Carr is not saying if his star offensive players Hart and Henne will play on Saturday. On the other hand Ohio States two main running backs, the Wells boys were both banged up in the game against Illinois and Beanie has been banged up since the Purdue game and playing hurt. On the defensive side of the ball, both teams have been making major blunders, missing tackles like they have never played the game before. There is NO excuse for the Illinois quarterback, doing the same play four times in a row on third and fourth downs and keeping the football out of the hands of the Ohio State offense the last eight minutes of last week's game. You know, even though Juice Williams had four touchdown passes, three to wide open receivers, he is not going to chance throwing the ball down the stretch. So after two running plays come up short and it is third down, he keeps the ball himself and runs right up the gut of the Ohio State defense. You mean to tell me the Ohio State coaches cannot figure this one out. You have to stuff this play, with your linebackers or some other player. Why couldn't James Laurinaitis, stay back watch for this play to develop and come up the open gap and blast Juice Williams? And Jim Tressel was right when he impressed upon his players before the Illinois game "Who have you tackled lately?" Illinois gets 260 yards on the ground. To me, I blame the schedule, we get push overs for most of the season and the tougher games at the end and we are just not up to it. We need all tough games to instill some toughness into our defense, so if they can endure the early hard games, they have a good chance at sustaining the tough games at the end of the season instead of being push overs. The last two games last year against Michigan and Florida. This year it is Illinois (Michigan I doubt), but if we won all twelve of our games, we would probably still be in the same boat we were in last year against Florida, during the National Championship game. Also, I have to acknowledge what my sister Ann told me before the season began, that Illinois was the team this year that she thought OSU would have the most trouble with.

I still believe Ohio State has a National Championship caliber team. What they lack, to me is obvious, better coaches. What the Ohio State naysayers and doubters seem to be saying all year is becoming a hard truthful reality for the Buckeye Fan Kingdom. The Big Ten is a lesser conference than at least three other conferences. The Ohio State team was over hyped and not a good team and did not deserve to be number ONE at any time this year.

After all the negativity concerning the Buckeyes above, it does not make me any less an Ohio State fan. As Earle Bruce said this week, if Ohio State beats Michigan this Saturday, he still believes they will be playing for a National Championship. He warned earlier that Appalachian State would beat Michigan in the first game of the year. He warned that Kentucky would beat LSU. He now says definitely, that it will not be LSU playing for the National Championship game. As we all know at least two of the teams ahead of Ohio State in the standings now, will have at least two losses, so maybe fortune teller Bruce is correct, there is still a long shot chance that Ohio State will still be playing for a National Championship, if they beat Michigan on Saturday.

Michigan has the three best receivers that Ohio State will face all year, with the standout star among them being number 86 Mario Manningham an Ohio product , who has over 100 receiving yards in his last six games. And of course if Hart plays, they will face the best running back they have faced all year.

As in every game this year there always seems to be a local Ohio product as a STAR player for the opposing team, this week, besides Manningham mentioned above, that player is a Pickerington, Ohio native Justin Boren, who at 6 feet 3 and 310lbs plays as an offensive lineman. He was only the fourth true freshman to ever start as an offensive lineman for Michigan. In his Sophomore year, he has started every game. He has quick feet and great football instincts. His dad Mike, played for Eastmoor high school in Columbus and was not recruited by Ohio State. He ended up as the leading tackler for Michigan in 1982-83 as a linebacker and always had a vendetta against Ohio State.

Through my friend Larry, this week I have come to know another great Buckeye. His name is Phil and he lives on the Lahaina area of Maui. He recorded the HBO documentary for Larry and I and said it was a very good presentation. Two other people I talked to who watched the special this week actually cried, it was that touching. I hope a lot of you out there in Buckeye land got to see this special. This week at the Sports Page Grill and Bar we will get their early and decorate the place with lots of Buckeye items. We will have pictures I will post on this blog next week. And of course Buckeye Katie, as she has done for the last four years will have her Buckeye candy for everyone present to enjoy and is it ever good!!! Yummy! Thanks Buckeye Katie. Last week, during the Illinois game we intended to take pictures, but because of our shock at the loss, we completely forgot. Last week we had some great Buckeye fans present. They were John and Heidi from Columbus, Ohio, who had tickets to go the Illinois game, but because of a great deal for a trip to Maui, Hawaii, they gave their seats up and we were happy to have them join us for the game. Rick and Lori Gangwisch were with us once again, Lori was our leading cheerleader last year during the Michigan game at the Sports Page and they are from Atlanta, Georgia. We had Mitch and Marge Henry from Dublin, Ohio, a very lovely couple (Marge did a little shopping during half time, Ha!). And we had Chris Fowler present from Portland, Oregon a wonderful Buckeye fan. GO GO GO BUCKS!!! Buckeye Bob

BUCKEYES TAKING ILLINOIS GAME SERIOUSLY

2007-11-09T20:05:00.000-10:00

The two top pictures taken last week at the Wisconsin game---the second picture down is of Buckeye Bob and Buckeye Katie, and the third picture is of our small core group of Buckeyes on Maui. The main reason I have these pictures posted is because it represents the evolution of my affiliation with other Beloved Buckeyes on Maui.

Buckeye Larry and I met in 1997 and began watching Ohio State games with him and his son Bubba in 1997. The next photo is Buckeye Katie whom I met about four years ago and helps me with Ohio State matters and who is a people lover--especially Buckeye fans. The next photos are Buckeye Barbara and her husband Buckeye Richard whom I met six years ago and have been helpful in watching the games on TV and supplying me with Ohio State information. On the right hand side of me are Buckeye Brett, an A+ human being in every respect, and Buckeye Jen, who works at the Sports Page and was a former writer for The Ohio State University Lantern (the on-campus newspaper).

There was a wonderful group of Ohio State fans present at the Sports Page Bar and Grill in Kihei for the Wisconsin game. Among them were Jay and Cathy Strauch of Westerville, Ohio. The strange thing about these nice people is that they had several couples with them dressed in Texas garb. One of the couples have a daughter who is a cheerleader for the Texas Longhorns and they were lending their support to her, which is very respectful and dangerous! Ha! As it turned out they were all Buckeye fans. There was Jack Ries and his wife Patti (originally from St. Louis) from Greenwood Village, Colorado. The unusual thing about them is that they are a husband and wife golf team and enjoy their sport about three to four times a week. Since the golf courses on Maui represent some of the best scenic spots to be found on earth, I'm sure they feel they are in heaven here!!! I hope I can be as fortunate as them in a future life. There were Buckeye David Mardis from Orville, Ohio. Davey Allan from Chandler, Arizona; Jeff Sachs Dayton, Ohio; Bob Wells, Richfield, Ohio; Brian and Tammy Locasto, North Richland Hills, Texas and Kevin from Lansing, Michigan (who gave me a T-shirt to wear for the Michigan, game). Thanks Kevin.

Now lets reflect on the Illinois game tomorrow: As we all know Illinois is no longer the Bottom Feeder of the Big Ten. Last year when facing the number one Buckeyes, Coach Ron Zook was upbeat. "Were coming along as a football team," safety Kevin Mitchell said then. "We can be dangerous" Mitchell, a senior now, was right, Illinois gave us fits before we finally won 17-10. Illinois led by an offense bursting with young talent and a defense built around workhorse linebacker J Leman, is 7-3, 4-2 and alone in third place in the Big Ten.

No matter what happens in their final two games, Illinois are almost assured of playing in their first bowl game since 2002.

Running back Rashard Mendenhall (1,314 yards) and Leman (102 tackles) are All-American candidates. The Illini have the Big Ten's top rushing offense. Kicker Jason Reda has made 13 of 14 field- goal attempts. Coach Zook is in the running for national coach of the year honors.

Illinois have beaten Penn State and Wisconsin this year and rolled up 655 yards of offense, third most in school history, last week against the Gophers.

Ron Zook has a very strong work ethic. As you may know, he is from Loudonville, 17 miles southeast of Mansfield, Ohio. He was an assistant Ohio State coach from 1988 to 1990. He played his college football at Miami, University as a defensive back and was a captain on the team. Jim Tressel said Zook is a ferocious competitor.

The Buckeyes lead the Big Ten in every major defensive category and lead the NATION in two of the most important categories, allowing 221.2 yards per game and 9.7 points. But as we all know there have been missed tackles this year (too many). Thus, coach Tressel in preperation for the Illinois game, is putting an emphasis on "who have you tackled lately?" Last season the defense was cruising along before giving up 80 points in the last two games. Tressel said "The one thing I know is, the better games we play on defense are the ones we don't miss many tackles, Now, No. 5, No.9, No. 7, we better not miss any tackles on them." He was referring to, in order, runnig back Rashard Mendenhall, quarterback Juice Williams and receiver Arrelious Benn.

In all respect to everything that coach Zook and his team has accomplished this year, we are the Number One Buckeyes and I feel we will prevail by a couple touchdowns in an exciting game.

Some Ohio State Tidbits: 'Pepper' to be honorary captain Saturday. That is Thomas "Pepper" Johnson, an All-American linebacker who served as team captain in 1984 and 1985. He is currently an assistant coach for the New England Patriots. His son Dionte, one of the 2007 captains, will be playing his final game in Ohio Stadium on Saturday.

The seniors will be introduced, along with their parents during the pre-game ceremonies. OSU's defensive game captain will be Larry Grant.

The Ohio State University just landed a HUGE recruit from Florida. Take that SEC!! Etienne Sabino chose the Buckeyes over USC.

Also, on Tuesday November 13, at 5:30 pm HST, watch the HBO first time ever Sports Documentary titled "The Rivalry" and you do not have to guess who it is about.

GO GO GO GO BUCKS!! Buckeye Bob

NUMBER ONE BUCKEYES PUT WISCONSIN WIN STREAK TO AN END

2007-11-02T18:01:00.000-10:00

After trailing in the last three games at Ohio Stadium, Wisconsin won all three games. Jim Tressel is 1 - 3 against the Badgers, so doesn't everyone agree it is time to get on the winning track against Wisconsin!!! Wisconsin was not ranked number five in the preseason rankings for no reason. They have a tremendous team, but because of some missfortunes, have not been hitting on all cylinders this year. Most of the trouble, is because their starting star running back P. J. Hill has not been 100% this year and his very great back up Lance Smith averaging 6.5 yards per carry is on probation because of some trouble he got into by abusing his girl friend. The Wisconsin University will not allow him to travel outside the state of Wisconsin, therefore he can only play in home games. This week, coach Brett Bielema asked the University to lift the ban, so Smith, an Ohio native, could travel to the Ohio State game. However, the University stood by their punishment and said Smith could not travel outside the State. P. J. Hill injured an ankle in the Indiana game last week, Smith stepped in and scored two touchdowns. For the game tomorrow, Hill has a green light, his x-rays showed everything was OK. So he will start, how long he lasts or how good he does, will be seen tomorrow. We haven't beaten Wisconsin in Columbus since 1996. I really wish every player on the Wisconsin team was healthy, so we could beat them when they had their A + team on the field. True freshman Zach Brown will fill in for Hill if needed and is 198 lbs. compared with Hills 227 lbs.

Quarterback Tyler Donovan is very mobile. His favorite target as a receiver is Tight End Travis Beckum. The other Tight End Garrett Graham leads the team in touchdown receptions with four. We have to look out for freshmen receiver Kyle Jefferson 6'5" 195 being from our famous high school in Ohio Cleveland Glenville. Because of the Badger running attack, they are number two in the nation in time of possession averaging 34:08 per game.

Wisconsin special teams is good led by speedy freshman David Gilreath averaging 11.1 per punt return and 23.2 yards per kickoff return. Punter Ken DeBauche is an All-American candidate. Place kicker Taylor Mehlhaff is 14-16 on field goal attempts and has 17 touchbacks on his 53 kickoffs. Wisconsin danced on the Ohio Block O last time they beat us, so that is another reason the victory over Wisconsin will be so sweet.

Of course, I believe Ohio State will again win in a great performance by the Offense and Defense. GO GO BUCKS, Buckeye Bob

This week I had the honor to meet a lovely couple from Columbus, who were visiting Hawaii for their first time, Bill and Nancy. Bill is a retired Captain from the Columbus Fire Department. Bill and Nancy are the parents of my sister Ann's next door neighbor Jena and the proud grandparents of Jena's two boys Bobby and Andy. We had a wonderful visit on Maui and they revealed to me a most unbelievable story. They were out buying a TV one time and they both remarked how wonderful the salesman was. About a month later, their daughter Jena, was telling them about this amazingly kind and wonderful gentleman she had met. She did not have to say his name, they knew it was Bob, the salesman who sold them the TV and now Jena's husband and father of their two boys!!! Anyone who meets Bob, understands easily why everyone loves him so much, he is indeed a special man. I took Bill and Nancy to the Hailimaile General Store restaurant for lunch. The small world that it is, I had my Ohio State hat on and Mike a manager walks up to me and asks if we are from Columbus. I told Mike I have lived on Maui for 23 years and am known as Buckeye Bob. Mike told me he was from Columbus and his Dad Pete Pullium was the HEAD USHER at the Ohio State stadium from 1950 to 2001. Pete just passed away a few years ago. Pete introduced his son Mike to many famous Ohio State football personalities, Woody Hayes, Earl Bruce, Archie Griffin etc.. I invited Mike to join our Buckeye group at the Sports Page tomorrow for the Wisconsin game.

Last week at the Sports Page helping us root on the Buckeye victory over Penn State was Chuck and Carolyn Babbert from Canal Winchester, Ohio. Of course Buckeye Richard and his wife Barbara used to live there, so they had a lot to talk about besides football. And can you believe Carolyn and Chuck were staying here at the most delux hotel on the Island of Maui, the Grand Wailea, way to go, what a special treat that has to be for any visitor to Maui.

TRESSEL OPENS UP OFFENSE AND OSU WINS BIG AT PENN STATE

2007-10-26T19:18:00.000-10:00

The picture above was taken with Jason's camera during the OSU group on Maui watching the Minnesota vs OSU game earlier in the year. Jason and his lovely wife Nikol were visiting Maui for the first time from the mainland.

There are a lot of reasons, to play football tomorrow, for Ohio State that means opening up their offense to nearly their full potential. And of course to show up with the A-game for the defense. Everyone in the country, are saying that OSU does not deserve the number one ranking (we could go on and just simply win the rest of the games by a few points) and still get to play for the national championship by being undefeated. But we have a statement to make and for the next four games, I believe everyone in the country will become believers that Ohio State is for real and definitely deserve to be number ONE. And it will not end there, Ohio State this year will go right on and win the National Championship hands down, NO DOUBT!!!

So Joe Paterno and the rest of the Nittany Lion Nation, be warned, all those pep rallies, the tail gate parties and the best football that Penn State can muster on the field will go for naught. The Buckeyes are coming to town and the Lion has never heard a roar, like a lights out tremendousely good performance, by a highly qualified Ohio State truly number ONE football team can make!!!

So here is the plan for Joe Paterno, his football team and all their fans, to disrupt the Buckeye players and cause them to lose their focus and lose the game. On Friday night (tonight) there was a "Rally in the Valley" like no other Penn State Pep rally. Joe Paterno was there, the football players were there, the Penn State cheerleaders, the Lionettes dance team,the Blue band,and the Nittany Lion mascot were all there stoking the fire for the Saturday game. On Saturday, the Pep rally will lead to hundreds of tail gate parties, which will continue until game time at 8pm. Than all the Ohio State players will have to walk the gauntlet with the crowd of Penn State fans on both sides of them as they pass a concession stand to get to the field (this is the only place where so many fans can get into the faces of the Ohio State team and their coaches. Some of the fans taunt the players, some spit on the players, some slap the players on their helmets or back and some fans swear at our players. Malcolm Jenkins and Tyler Whaley, have gone through this before and have told the other Ohio State players what to expect. This experience plus the White Out of over 20,000 students wearing white T-shirts and waving white Hankies in the stands to greet the Ohio State team once they get inside the stadium. This is what coach Jim Tressel told his team. "That Sea of White will be revved up, Its going to be LOUD, there's no question. If your expecting to hear, forget it. We want to take some of that energy and use it to our benefit. But on the other hand, you've got to be calm and you've got to be poised and you've got to keep your FOCUS on the task at hand."

Both teams match up pretty close in the offense and defense statistics, with Ohio State having an edge, except for special teams where Penn State has the edge. Ohio State becomes the first NUMBER ONE team to play in Happy Valley since top-ranked Notre Dame beat Penn State 34-23 in 1989. I look for this victory by the Buckeyes to be more lopsided than that score. GO GO GO GO BUCKS, Buckeye Bob, enjoy this game Buckeye nation and the three that follow and of course our National Championship victory. We are not stopping this time until we win them all.

DANTONIO OLD OSU COACH HAS BLUEPRINT FOR MICHIGAN STATE UPSET

2007-10-19T19:44:00.000-10:00

The picture above, taken at the Sports Page last week, with Buckeye Katie's camera, during the Kent State game, is of our dedicated core group, showing up at 6am to watch the Buckeyes on TV.

Mark Dantonio, in his first season at Michigan State University, was defensive coordinator at The Ohio State University under coach Jim Tressel from 2001 to 2003 before becoming head coach at The University of Cincinnati. Tressel said this week that Datonio "set the blueprint" for the defense Tressel's teams have played at Ohio State. "It was a blueprint of toughness, preparation and speed", Tressel said. The ink isn't yet dry on Dantonio's plans at Michigan State, but he can look at Ohio State and see the future. "The longer you're in that system, offensively or defensively, and the more continuity you have, the better your going to become," he said. "This is the seventh year they've been doing this. When you do something that long, your pretty good at it." Therefore, what Dantonio is alluding to, is that he will use the same system used at Ohio State and in a few years he will have great teams. In the meantime, he knows the Ohio State offense and particularly the defense inside and out and since nothing has changed, except for seven years of hard work of OSU getting better at what they do, it would be reasonable to expect Dantonio and Michigan State to have a slight edge over Ohio State during this Saturdays game. We as Ohio State fans will have to see how this plays out.

Justin Kershaw (6-5, 265 Jr.) number 97, defensive tackle for Michigan State, is from Reynoldsburg, Ohio and is very anxious to return to Ohio stadium and demonstrate to his friends and relatives what he can do. As a freshman and sophomore he wore number 95, but last year Michigan State retired that number in honor of legendary Bubba Smith. Justin gladly took the jersey off and changed numbers. Justin was a state champion in the shot put and discus, played tight end and linebacker in high school. He is very fast, so look for him to be a factor in the Michigan State defense against Ohio State. The Michigan State defensive line is making more plays this year. End Jonal Saint-Dic has eight sacks and has forced seven fumbles, tying the Big Ten record for a season (and there are still five games left this season). Michigan State ranks second nationally in sacks with 29 and third in tackles for loss with 66. A year ago the Spartans ranked 103rd of 119 Division 1 teams in sacks, with 16 in 12 games. Can anyone question that Dantonio has contributed to a great improvement in the Michigan State defense?

Michigan State's last victory over Ohio State was in 1999, winning 23-7. The Buckeyes come into this game with 25-consecutive regular season wins, which is a school record. They have also won 17 consecutive Big Ten games, which ties an Ohio State record. The Big Ten record is 19, held by The team up North from 1990-92.

As Buckeye Richard Long would recognize (I say this because Richard was the play by play radio announcer for Bowling Green University for several years), Michigan State runs multiple formations,and runs the ball out of all of them. The Spartans are second in the conference (and ninth in the nation) in rushing, averaging 242.7 yards per game. Michigan uses two backs and uses them for distinct purposes. Together Javon Ringer (133.1 ypg) (and we might add offensive player of the week last week in the Big Ten with 203 yards rushing against Indiana) and Jehuu Caulcrick (71.3 ypg) have rushed for 1,431 yards and 19 touchdowns. The starter is Ringer and he usually gets 18-25 touches per game including pass receptions. On short yardage the 6-0 255 lb. Caulcrick will get the ball, and he rarely gets denied. He leads the conference in scoring with 11.1 points per game. Some believe that since The Ohio State defense is allowing only 62.8 yards per game, Michigan State will have to at least triple that number, that is, get about 190 yards rushing, if they are to have a chance of winning. One would expect the Ohio State defense to come out irritable and excited in an attempt to redeem them selves after the success Kent State had rushing the ball last week 46 attempts gaining 161 yards. Ohio State only had 138 yards in 36 attempts. Wide receiver Devin Thomas is second in the nation in all-purpose yardage. He is averaging about 100 yards per game receiving, about 23 yards rushing per game and about 32 yards per kickoff return. Brian Hoyer the quarterback is not bad either, throwing 115-188 for 1476 yards with 11 touchdowns and only three interceptions. His other main receiver besides Thomas is Kellen Davis. The Spartans have the best offense in the Big Ten, scoring 42.3 points per game. As good as Michigan State is on offense, there defense is giving up 37.3 points per game.

Place kicker Ryan Pretorious is currently second in the conference, making 85.7% of his field goals (12 of 14).

Interesting Note: Jim Cordle, the Ohio State center injured his right snapping hand three weeks ago. He has a cast on it and it is impossible for him to snap with his right hand. Since he is ambidextrous, he has been successfully snapping to quarterback Boeckman with his left hand, a significant fact. I believe this is a first for a center. He can also handle the shotgun snaps with out any problems, simply amazing!!.

Again, I expect the Buckeyes to win this one, but it may prove to be a bit tougher than any game they have played so far this year. Buckeye Bob GO GO BUCKS!!!