The first two minutes of the game should have snapped them back to the reality that they were in for a real test. After scoring on a two play drive to open the game, the Buckeye defense let running back Daniel Dufrene go through the line unmolested for an 80 yard run. At the conclusion of the run, Donald Washington shoved Dufrene down, the ball came loose at the 3, and was then knocked out of the end zone by safety Kurt Coleman. Buckeye ball. But wait! Rather than calling one of the most clear cut fumbles I've seen all year, the refs marked Dufrene down. The replay official, who apparently was napping or burning an effigy of Jim Tressel, ignored the blatant fumble and Illinois scored on the next play.

After I calmed down (AKA threw my voice out screaming with rage), I couldn't help but think that this may not be the Bucks' day. The bad call/no review reeked of the "there's no way you are winning this game if we have anything to do with it" syndrome that happened last Sunday in the Patriots/Colts game. Unfortunately, the Bucks are not the Patriots and they were unable to overcome this inexcusable call. While I realize that they had their chances, giving a good team 7 free points that they didn't earn in a conference game is difficult to overcome, and somebody should be fired.

OSU did answer on the ensuing drive. Mo Wells, probably my favorite human, came in in relief of Chris Wells who injured his thumb. Mo delivered one of his patented "make eight moves behind the line and be tackled for a loss" runs, making me long for the days of Lydell Ross...seriously. Then, in a moment that I had to see five replays of to believe, Mo took an outside toss 19 yards for a score. After re-starting my heart, I awoke to Illinois tying the game with a beautiful toss from Juice Williams to Jacob Willis. This was a coming out party for Juice. He completed barely 50% of his passes, but he made so many huge plays at crucial times. He did it with his arms and his legs, and the Bucks got their world rocked.

Todd Boeckman proved that he is no Troy Smith, despite the favorable comparisons many made this past week. He reminded me of Ben Roethlisberger several times with his ability to stay upright long enough to get the ball away while taking a hit. His ability to escape the pocket and run 8 yards in 12 seconds was also quite Roethlisbergian. But three interceptions in a game where the zebras gifted your opponent 7 points? That's not going to get the job done.

Jay Leman is a terrifying human. He murdered the Bucks in Illinois' near upset last season, and he was all over the field again. He's the kind of guy who probably passes out with excitement before games, then wakes up, pukes, and crushes his forehead against a wall just because he likes the pain. Leman and Laurinaitis are such monsters, I don't know why opposing runners don't just give up. Chris Wells and Reshard Mendenhall were both stifled in this game, in no small part because of those two tackle monsters.

So now the Bucks head to Ann Arbor with no National Title hopes, but a big ass chip on their shoulder. Nothing turns a season around like winning this game. Tressel has owned Lloyd Carr, and there's no reason to believe he won't do it again. The Buckeyes are playing for a BCS bowl game, pride, and their fans' right to taunt Jake Long, Mike Hart, and Chad Henne mercilessly for the rest of their lives for being four-time losers in the only games they played that anybody remembers or cares about. You better believe the Bucks will be ready to play this game. I wouldn't be surprised to see Boeckman have the game of his life. If Chad Henne doesn't play, Michigan will lose this game by two touchdowns or more. If he does, they'll probably still lose because they are the anti-clutch and Ann Arbor is a whore. A crushing domination of Michigan is the only thing that can get rid of the bad taste in my mouth after the Illinois debacle.

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Lloyds Apple said:

	Too bad for OSU Mo got hurt. He made a couple really nice runs and picked up a key first down. Brandon "I slow down before contact" Saine was hurt too. The Michigan game won't be easy, never is. But it would be great to send Lloyd Carr off a loser. Or, should I say, send him off with 1/2 of a title.
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November 11, 2007
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Lloyds Apple said:

Also, only 2 penalties on Illinois is a JOKE. Check this out that I ripped off a forum: A suspension and possible firings are coming for a Big Ten officiating crew that worked Saturday's game between Purdue and Penn State. A source told me Big Ten coordinator of officials David Parry told Purdue coach Joe Tiller that the crew missed several calls during the game in State College, Pa. "We sent in our usual (report), but there were more than normal this particular game," Tiller said at his weekly press conference. "I have talked with the Big Ten office. They agreed with us on numerous instances. I'm convinced they'll take the proper action." The crew is working a game this weekend but will be suspended for games on November 17, according to my source. I also was told some members of the crew might be fired. The Big Ten doesn't comment on specific officiating issues. The crew that worked Penn State's 26-19 victory comprised referee Stephen Pamon, umpire Pat Bayers, linesman Jack Teitz, line judge Robert Davis, back judge Dennis Morris, field judge Bobby Sagers and side judge Joe Duncan. Tom Dienhart is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . Here is an excerpt from the OSU - Illinois boxscore: Kickoff time: 3:37 pm • End of Game: 6:26 • Total elapsed time: 2:49 Referee: Steve Pamon • Umpire: Dave Nowak • Linesman: Jack Teitz • Line judge: Robert Davis • Back judge: Dennis Morris • Field judge: Bobby Sagers • Side judge: Joe Duncan • Scorer: Paul Hummel • Temperature: 48 • Wind: NW 7MPH • Weather: Cloudy

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November 11, 2007
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Al said:

So a few years ago, I had to miss the The Game to be at a buddy's wedding in New Orleans. His wife ( went to Duke, so she doesn't understand college football) controlled the timing of the event, None of the guys were happy about it, but hey you only get married once (the first time). The event was fun, New Orleans is a great town and, more importantly, we won. So every year since, I've gone to the Big Easy for the game and every other year sell my tickets to finance Christmas. Any way = doing my part to help us win - leaving Wednesday and drinking the town dry. Go BUcks

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wpeery said:

This is a hilarious article Petrello. I can feel your anger scrreaming through the keyboard. I probably would've been just as mad about a call like that, although Virginia has only been number 1 before for three weeks, so I cannot speak on what it would feel like to be in national title contention so late in the season. Scott Scisson and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets ended Virginia's dream season on a game-winning field goal in 1990. My dad told me there was a touchdown that was called back in that game hat was a bad call, but I was too young to remember(7 years old). I picked Ohio State to win that game and while I thought it was going to be close--I didn't think the Buckeyes would go down this soon. I figured Michigan had the best shot of ending their national championship dreams. I think OSU will be a favorite to beat Michigan this weekend and a favorite to win their Rose Bowl matchup, depending on who they face of course. Although, if I was the Buckeyes I certainly woudn't want to draw either Oregon, Missouri, or Kasnas--all three of those teams I think can beat the Buckeyes. I saw a bowl projection that projected the Kansas Jayhawks to fall to the Gator Bowl and face my beloved Cavaliers. I will definitely be going to the bowl game wherever they end up, but I have a feeling that I will get a feeling what it is like to be Bugeater for a day. I realize that Virgina actually plays defense, but Todd Reesing will have a field day with Virginia's suspect secondary. I pray that Virginia doesn't have to face them, because it will be a massacre of epic proportions.

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November 12, 2007
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