Behind Enemy Lines—What It's Like To Be a Buckeye Fan Living In SEC Country

By Brad Washington —BlockONation.com Special Contributor

Ever since November 22, 1997, I’ve been hooked on Ohio State Football.

Every Ohio State fan and every Michigan fan should always remember that day.

For Michigan fans, Charles Woodson sealed the Heisman Trophy. For Ohio State, it was a blown chance to go to the Rose Bowl and even possibly compete for the national title.

For me, it was the beginning of a lifelong fandom and dedication to Ohio State football.

Unfortunately, I live in Columbia, South Carolina—The home of the South Carolina Gamecocks. There wasn’t much room for me to express my love for my favorite team at first, but I made room anyway.

The life of being a Buckeye fan in SEC country is, well, rough.

In elementary school, I let my fandom be known, and was called a traitor, idiot and all sorts of names routinely for not succumbing to liking the USC Gamecocks.

They didn’t understand that beating Michigan was more important than their rivalry with Clemson.

And without a doubt, it was.

As Jim Tressel came and succeeded in winning Big Ten titles as well as a national title, I was always the target of jokes whenever we had an embarrassing loss or whatever the case was.

Because I live in South Carolina, everyone expects that if you aren’t a USC or Clemson fan, you must like another team in in the SEC.

For me, how I saw an SEC fan: An SEC fan wouldn’t let you live down that infamous bowl record. And I mean that literally.

I could recall in high school not wanting to go to school the day after both national championship games,because I knew I would be brutally teased by the Florida and LSU fans respectively.

Any Ohio State football fan can tell you that those two years were the hardest. Being reminded that your team can’t compete with the speed of the SEC stings a bit.

I knew better. I knew Jim Tressel wasn’t being aggressive enough. I knew he came in thinking Tresselball would be successful. But to them that never mattered.

In the midst of that, I had to deal with USC fans who didn’t know their place.

I can’t remember a time when a USC fan didn’t bring up how Ohio State lost to the Gamecocks twice in the Outback bowl.

Yes, the two games held in the 2000 and 2001 bowl seasons.

All of that ended whenever I would ask how many conference/national titles they won though.

Although it was a burden, I never backed down from my pride in Ohio State.

If Ohio State was the brunt of jokes in America after those national title losses, the state of South Carolina convinced me it was the chairman of the board, assisting the charge.

Everyone else lead behind Florida and continued to add insult to injury to every Buckeye fan imaginable. Including me, of course.

But, that wouldn't last forever. The greatest, most recent great memory I have is our win versus Arkansas in the 2011 Sugar Bowl.



When I heard that Ohio State was to battle Arkansas that January, the jokes and SEC criticism started coming back slowly but surely.

Had I lived in Columbus or anywhere in Ohio, I would have been able to celebrate with fellow Buckeye fans and join in their optimism and hopefulness. We would have all believed that this game would finally end the streak against the SEC.

But I wasn’t, I was in South Carolina being reminded that my Ohio State Buckeyes couldn’t compete with Arkansas because we’re too slow.

I knew we had the potential to win, but wasn’t allowed to believe it.

But when Ohio State did actually beat Arkansas, I had a tear come down. Finally, there was no more "too slow" or "not good enough to compete" talk. It was finally over and so were the jokes.

Being an Ohio State Buckeye fan in Columbia South Carolina is like being the black sheep of a family. After the win over Arkansas, the SEC jokes died down, but USC didn’t forget to tell me about their success the past two seasons.

I more than likely will be a Buckeye fan for life. The love is that strong. But growing up a Buckeye in South Carolina, more specifically SEC country isn’t an easy thing to do.

Buckeye fans from Ohio to California go through the same thing, except for me, it's worse than for most. I’m in the heart of the criticism, and it's not always an easy thing to swallow.

I'll still be here in South Carolina for the time being, representing Ohio State football on Saturdays, during every off season, and come bowl time (after this season).

It doesn’t matter where I am. My allegiance to Ohio State will remain. Yes, even here in SEC country.

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@BlockONation


Brad @theGURO15

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Early Fuel For the Rivalry Fire: Why the Buckeyes Will Dominate Michigan in 2012

By Shane Darrow — BlockONation.com Guest Contributor

There is no question that the Ohio State vs. University of Michigan matchup is one of the greatest rivalries in college sports.


Actually, let's just come right out and say it. OSU-UM is the BEST Rivalry in sports, period.
Whether it is basketball, hockey or baseball, these teams always give a little extra when it is against the other program. But the rivalry in football stands alone.

It's not simply known as "The Game" for nothing.

Here are some reasons why the Buckeyes will return to, and continue, their dominance this season.

Urban Meyer

Last year was the first year that the Wolverines defeated the Buckeyes since 2003, but with the addition of the legendary Urban Meyer, the momentum already feels like it is shifting to Ohio State.

Meyer brings in a history of success, and will implement the spread offense into a Buckeye system that is more than capable of being able to run it to a tee.

As a head coach, Meyer has a record of 104-23—that's a winning percentage of 81.8 percent. The Buckeyes have fallen a little over the last few years as the SEC has continued to run dominance on college football as a whole, but Meyer will be the one to turn that around.

He brings an SEC mentality to a historic Big Ten program. If the Buckeyes want to once again contend for a national title, Meyer is the perfect candidate to lead the cause.

Braxton Miller

Miller started nine games last season and had a very mediocre record of 4-5, but under Meyer's system he will undoubtedly shine. Even though his record may not show it, his statistics were actually very solid last year.

Miller finished the season with 18 combined touchdowns (11 through the air, seven on the ground), and had a QB rating of 133.6. He reminds me of a young Vince Young. Meyer is going to implement a system that will put Miller in a position to succeed.

Now that the reigns are officially with him, Miller will gain the confidence in camp that will lead to success on the field. When the Michigan game comes, he will be facing a more experienced Denard Robinson, but Miller has the skills to match him throw for throw, as well as run for run.

Home-Field Advantage

Over the past decade, the Buckeyes have found a way to win when playing at the Big House. Fortunately for Ohio State, the Wolverines haven't been able to win a game in Columbus since 2000. There is no denying that the Buckeyes are a different team on their home field, and that has shown over the last 11 seasons.

Urban Meyer is going to bring in a scouting class that will be awaiting the opportunity to compete against Michigan on their home field, and I can't even imagine the adrenaline rush that will overtake those players.

I don't only think the Buckeyes will just win the game...

I think they will absolutely control and bulldoze the Wolverines on both sides of the ball.

Final Score Prediction

Ohio State 42
Michigan 24

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Ann Arbor Football Coach Brady "Corky" Hoke — Interview Champion (Ahhhhhhh, not so much...)

Ann Arbor football coach Brady Hoke recently sat for this gem of an interview with the infamous blog, mgoblue.

Surely, there were questions about Ohio State and its' new head football coach Urban Meyer, and as you'll see below, Hoke was practically speechless with fear.

What ensued isn't pretty if you're an ann arbor fan, but for Buckeye fans, this is the definition of priceless — and pure, LOL, comedy gold!

Perhaps this is what Charlie Sheen would refer to as "WINNING" if he were a Buckeye fan (and maybe he is, as his family has Ohio roots)!

Keep an eye out for coach Hoke, who will be starring in the return of the popular, early-90's TV series, Life Goes On.

In the meantime, enjoy this masterpiece Buckeye Nation!



Follow HD @BlockONation on Twitter.

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Michigan Football: Coach Rich Rodriguez Needs Help Raising Up—Can Anyone Spare a Cialis?

Surely everyone has heard by now that Michigan Wolverines Coach Rich Rodriguez turned the UM banquet for his players, specifically his seniors, into a one man show.

He basically made it all about himself, and his sorrowful struggles during the last three years in Ann Arbor. It's been rough on the DickRod. He wants so badly to be a Michigan Man (cough, please don't fire me, cough)...

When times are tough and life has you down, everyone knows the best bet is to pray to and take solace in the words of,..........Josh Groban?

Watch the video below...It's absolute gold!

We here at BlockONation love you Coach Rodriguez!

Four more years, four more years, four more years......




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An Ohio State Thanksgiving: The Top 10 Things to Give Thanks for During HATE Michigan Week

Thanksgiving can mean so many different things to different people.

For me, it is a time to reflect upon, and appreciate the people, and things in life that I care for and cherish the most like my parents, my children, my wife, my closest friends, etc....

If you're a sports fan, it also can be applied to the teams you love, or those you love to hate.


Here are my top 10 things to be thankful for this year—Buckeye Football Fan Edition.


No. 10—I was not born in TSUN.

I'm not a fan of potholes, ugly women, or the smell of hot dog water, so I am very happy to be from Ohio and not from the abyss to our North.




No. 9—I am not a fan of a certain hated, and currently God-awful team from TSUN.

UM football has been horrible over the last four seasons, and since 2001, the Wolverines are just 1-8 vs. the Buckeyes. Why anyone would voluntarily want to be a fan of such a down-trodden program is beyond me.

UM is a meager 15-20 since 2008 under Dickrod.


No. 8—It has been 2,559 days and counting since UM beat Ohio State in football.

While the Buckeyes are in position to play in yet another BCS bowl game this post season, UM is just happy to finally be bowl eligible again (thank goodness for those four out-of-conference cupcake games) after missing a bowl game the past two seasons.

Motor City or Little Caesars Bowl, here comes the Wolverines!

LOSERS, LOSERS...


No. 7—For the fourth straight year, the OSU seniors can finish their careers 4-0 vs. TTUN.

Each year Ohio State wins the rivalry game, the players earn a set of gold pants. There sure have been a lot of them handed out lately!

In March of 1934, when asked how his Buckeyes would do against Michigan, coach Frances Schmidt replied, "They put their pants on one leg at a time, the same as we do," and the tradition was born.



No. 6—SCOREBOARD, SCOREBOARD, SCOREBOARD...

Ohio State has won a school record six meetings in a row over UM. Barring an act of God, they should make it seven in a row and nine of the last ten this Saturday in Ohio Stadium.




No. 5—Having Terrelle Pryor playing quarterback for my Buckeyes.

Pryor has improved so much as a passer in his three years and the scary thing is he still can be even better next year.

He is now 29-4 as the starting QB for OSU and he is practically a lock to finish his Buckeye career with over 40 wins. A Heisman Trophy and a National Championship could also be in his future.



No. 4—Having six Heisman Trophy winners.

Pryor could become number seven in 2011.

In the meantime, last years winner, Alabama's Mark Ingram, has no shot at the 2010 Heisman. That means Ohio State still has the only two-time winner, the great Archie Griffin!


No. 3—Having seven National Championships, and 34 Big Ten Championships.

We might have to wait until 2011 to get a shot at another college football national title, but a win this week secures at least a share of the conference title.

That would be Ohio State's sixth straight shared or outright Big Ten title and their 35th overall. There's really no end in sight to them winning many more in the coming seasons either.




No. 2—Having been lucky enough to go to several OSU games with my Dad.

Having that time with him in the greatest venue in all of sports, Ohio Stadium is priceless.

It is a great father-son experience that I recommend to all.

The Horseshoe is a true National Treasure and I still get chills every time I walk through the gates. There really is nothing like a Saturday in "The Shoe."




No. 1—This was a very easy choice for the top slot.

Having this guy...



instead of this guy...



leading our football program.

It's not always pretty, and Tressel-ball certainly isn't flashy, but a 103-22 record in 10 seasons, six conference championships, eight 10-plus win seasons, 10 bowl games in 10 years with a 5-4 record, including the 2002 BCS Championship. speaks volumes about Coach Tressel.

I could go on, but the point here is that Tressel is a winner, and so too are we, the fans, and also the young men that suit up and proudly wear the Scarlet and Gray under Tressel.

The 2010 season has flown by and I'm not thankful for that, but I am thankful for the opportunity to see the Buckeyes play Michigan this week, and one more game in January.

I also want to give thanks for the visions I don't want to get out of my head of more Heisman, and National Championship trophies that could each end up in Columbus in the very near future.

In closing, I'm also thankful that Mike Hart came back for his senior season to, in his words, "Beat the Buckeyes, and win a National Championship..."

Thanks for the memories (of epic failure) Mikey!


Happy Thanksgiving to the entire Buckeye Nation.

To those that hate and/or do not root for THE Ohio State Buckeyes:



Just kidding...Happy Thanksgiving to scUm fans too, from BlockONation!


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Turn Out the Lights, the Competition's Over...

Down goes Bama, down goes Bama...




And as we predicted, back to reality up North...





The new No. 1 team in the nation?

Around The Big Ten: Michigan Stadium Turf Hit by Vandals

A section of the block "M" logo was removed from the turf by unknown suspects over the weekend. The incident is under investigation and U of M police are asking that anyone with information come forward.

The stadium, which is undergoing significant renovation, is closed and locked on weekends during the off season so it may have been an inside job.

I can't help but wonder though—who in their right minds would actually want that?

Personally, I'd rather shoot myself in the face at point blank range with a sawed off shotgun than to possess the block "M" from UM's field, but to each their own.

Maybe those responsible could auction off the section of turf they stole on eBay.

Given the economy in Michigan these days, and the low level at which their football program has performed recently, they should easily be able to cash in.

Let's start the bidding at say, two bits...

Anyone?

Anybody willing to bid two bits?

OK, how about a small stash of pocket lint instead...?

mGOBLOW!



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Photo copyright of marylea / Flickr.com

Michigan Football Forecast 2010: Mostly Cloudy With a Chance of Failure...AGAIN

by HD Handshoe
Founder—Block-O-Nation



Before the 2009 season, I wrote an article entitled Michigan Football Forecast 2009: Mostly Cloudy With a Chance of Failure, that was met with much resistance and venom from Michigan fans.

I also met the same fate with my Michigan's Tate Forcier: Lofty Expectations Will Lead to Major Letdown article.

I was called idiot, moron, and hater, and those are just the names I can repeat. There were plenty of "R" rated terms tossed my way that are not safe for reposting.

In the Forecast article, I predicted that Michigan would win four games in 2009. In all honesty, I really thought they might win six and maybe even seven games, but as it turned out, they only won five.

They beat a couple teams that I thought they would lose to and they lost to a few teams I thought they could, or would beat, but in the end, my 4-8 prediction was almost exact.

Not to gloat, but who looks like idiots and morons now UM fans? I digress.

Since the Wolverines 2009 season is over and they are not playing in a bowl game for the second straight year, I thought I'd get an early jump on what 2010 will hold for them.

These predictions assume that RichRod will return as head coach, no current players file transfer papers, and that none of the 2010 UM recruits decommit before signing day.

Nothing is written in stone up North and you know what they say happens when you assume too much, so stay tuned...

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Game One vs. UCONN



I actually believe UCONN could win this game, but I will give the talent edge to UM and it is in Ann Arbor so for those reasons, I have to go with Michigan in this one, but I do think it will be closer than most UM fans will expect it to be.

Win (1-0)


Game Two @ Notre Dame



I'm sure Charlie Weis, Jimmy Clausen, and Golden Tate will all be gone, but not all is lost at Notre Dame. There's speculation that ND wants to land Brian Kelly, Bob Stoops, Pat Fitzgerald, or Urban Meyer. I think Kelly is the most likely get, but in my opinion any of these coaches might consider taking the job, and any one of them would be able to coach the Irish to a win over UM. The cupboard isn't exactly bare in South Bend either. Dayne Crist was the nations' top QB recruit in 2008 and star-sophomore WR Michael Floyd will return as well.

Loss (1-1)


Game Three vs. UMASS



No disrespect meant, but UMASS is an FCS team, and they are no Richmond or Appalachian State. This game should be a lead-pipe lock for the Wolverines. Think Delaware State from this past year. UM won that game 63-6.

Win (2-1)


Game Four vs. BGSU



Lucky for Michigan that QB Tyler Sheehan and WR Freddie Barnes are both Seniors and won't be on the field for BG in this game. Otherwise, they may have been headed for another loss to a MAC team (see Toledo 2008). Without those two guys, I don't see UM having too much trouble vs. the Falcons.

Win (3-1)


Game Five @ Indiana



The Hoosiers gave UM all they could handle back in September when the Wolverines escaped with a 36-33 home win after a controversial interception call that went against IU. QB Ben Chappell, RB Darius Willis, and WR's Tandon Doss and Damarlo Belcher, all starters, will each return for Indiana in 2010. This game could go either way, and in toss up games, I almost always go with the home team.

Loss (3-2)


Game Six vs. Michigan State



The Spartans have won the last two meetings and return one of the best starting QB's in the Big Ten in Kirk Cousins, starting RB Larry Caper, and top WR's B.J. Cunningham and Mark Dell. Coach Mark Dantonio is 2-1 overall vs. Michigan and 2-0 vs. RichRod. I won't be in shock if Michigan wins, and I believe this one could be close, and a borderline toss up, but I'm taking the Spartans to win their third straight over UM.

Loss (3-3)


Game Seven vs. Iowa



I don't see Kirk Ferentz leaving Iowa City and the Hawkeyes will return QB Ricky Stanzi, RB's Adam Robinson and the 2009 projected starter (before missing the season due to injury) Jewell Hampton, and top wide outs Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and Marvin McNutt, in addition to another solid defensive unit. I just can't see UM winning this game if Iowa comes into Ann Arbor with all these guys healthy.

Loss (3-4)


Game Eight @ Penn State



Daryll Clark will be gone, but the Big Ten's second leading rusher Evan Royster will likely return. Sophomore QB Kevin Newsome will take over for the Nittany Lions. He has been favorably compared to OSU's Terrelle Pryor. He is also a former 2009 UM commit that decommitted and chose PSU over the Wolverines. He sounds more and more like Pryor, who shunned UM for Ohio State, and is now 2-0 vs. his former suitors. I expect Penn State, led by Newsome, to win their third straight over the Wolverines.

Loss (3-5)


Game Nine vs. Illinois



If a coach's seat was ever hotter than that of Charlie Weis, it would have to be Ron Zook's. I don't think Zook will be back in 2010, and neither will QB Juice Williams. The cupboard is looking bare in Champaign and Illinois could be the worst team in the Big Ten next season. In my estimation, Michigan should win this game easily.

Win (4-5)


Game 10 @ Purdue



Purdue has beaten Michigan in the last two meetings and they have hope, as in Coach Danny Hope, of doing it again in 2010. If they can find a QB to replace Senior Joey Elliott, they just might do it. RB Ralph Boldin returns after a solid year in which he was only out-gained on the ground by PSU's Evan Royster and Wisconsin's John Clay. This game falls under my toss up rule so I am going with the home team Purdue, but Michigan certainly has a shot at winning.

Loss (4-6)


Game 11 vs. Wisconsin



Badger RB John Clay led the Big Ten in rushing in 2009 as a sophomore and will have a legit chance to repeat that feat in 2010. Also returning will be starting QB Scott Tolzien and top WR Nick Toon. UW has won two of the last three vs. UM, and I see that trend continuing in 2010.

Loss (4-7)


Game 12 @ Ohio State



I really don't think I need to say much else here other than Ohio State has now won six in a row over UM, Tressel is 8-1, and Terrelle is 2-0. I know Michigan fans that think UM is getting better believe that UM will start beating the Buckeyes again sooner than later, but I say to them, even if UM gets better, it's not like OSU is getting worse. In terms of quality over quantity, the Bucks are recruiting as well or better than Michigan and the running backs that the Buckeyes are going to have in Pryor's final two years makes USC's recent "stable" of backs look like a bunch of old gray mares. The Buckeyes will make it seven in a row and nine of 10. After their third straight losing season, and assuming RichRod wasn't already fired earlier in the 2010 season, there will be little doubt that his fate is sealed after going 0-3 in THE GAME.

Loss (4-8)

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Now, having said everything I said above, there are those three toss up games that I consider swing games (Indiana, Michigan State, Purdue) so ultimately with some lucky breaks going their way, or if UM somehow improves more than I expect, or if a couple of the teams I picked to beat them regress, then Michigan could probably win as many as seven games or eight games, but eight is really super-optimistic.

Let's assume they do win seven games next year.

Will 7-5 be enough to satisfy UM fans, alums, and the new AD?

Will it keep RichRod from losing his job, despite his third loss to the Buckeyes in three attempts?

Even though I feel fairly confident in my projections, these questions really cannot be definitively answered until sometime during the 2010 season so I'll just say it again—stay tuned.


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