Recap- Changes

The last time I posted, bowl preparation was under way.

I did not have a preview for the game, nor did I break down any of the Big Ten bowl games.

Let's recap everything we missed:

OSU was bad against Florida. The defense played it's best game since Wisconsin, but the offense barely produced 17 points while the special teams gave up 14 points. While the final score was only 24-17, it was just a bad game. Good news, though: no one cared about that game.

What else did we miss regarding the Buckeyes? Oh yeah, the bowl ban. Awesome. It really sucks that kids are being punished for a few people's actions, but that's the nature of the game, and the reality of life. It may not always be fair, but as an institution you need to suffer the consequences. Jim Tressel is one of the most respected coaches in football - informed individuals will tell you as much - but his ignorance to the players that committed NCAA violations, which led to him withholding information, is basis enough for punishment against the program. A true black eye for the university, but time will heal all. I still miss Coach Tressel.

The Big Ten sucked in bowl games, as expected. Michigan State and Michigan were the saving graces for the conference, as MSU beat SEC East champ Georgia and Big Blue beat ACC runner-up Virginia Tech (both won in overtime). Everyone else laid a HUGE egg. The Rose Bowl featuring Wisconsin and Oregon was truly entertaining, but the Badgers really let that one slide out of their hands. It won't get any better for the conference next season, as OSU has a bowl ban, Wisconsin will be down from the past two years, as will MSU, Michigan and Nebraska have some retooling to do on the defensive side of the ball, Penn State is in shambles, Iowa lost their star tailback in Coker, as well as star receiver McNutt, and the likes of Illinois, Purdue and Northwestern aren't exactly going to hoist the banner for the Big Ten. 2012 is not going to be a good year for the conference - guaranteed.

Now...on to the class of 2012 for Ohio State.