OK so I'm not doing much traveling Around the B1G this week.... just staying home to look at the last Conference game of the year... The Championship.
Saturday 12/06 at 8:15 pm the B1G Championship game kicks off between Ohio State (11-1) and Wisconsin (10-2). While the rest of the conference waits at home for invitations to Bowl Games, these two teams, who have traditionally played each other very tough, face off in a game with Playoff implications. However, to me, the big story is not so much who's playing this weekend, but which players will NOT be on the field.
OSU DE Noah Spence: after testing positive for ecstasy last season, Spence was given a one year suspension that was appealed down to three game, based on the defense that it was in a drink he was given at a party and he didn't know about it. He sat out last year's Orange Bowl and the first two games of this season. Just as he was about to return to active status in September, a second
failed drug test caused him to be suspended indefinitely. A hearing in late November confirmed that he would be declared ineligible permanently by the NCAA. OSU is doing what it can to help Spence deal with his "medical issues" and has stated he will be allowed to finish his college studies if that is what he wants. My guess is he'll try for the NFL next year. I hope he's able to get his head right and fix any drug issues he has because the talent he displayed in his short career on the football field would be a shame to waste.OSU QB JT Barrett: In a blow that was heard as a collective "SIGH" all across Ohio, the rivalry game between the Buckeyes and Wolverines turned out to have a more lasting impact than any of us expected. Losing Heisman-hopeful Braxton Miller just before the season started left all Buckeye fans wondering if JT Barrett was ready to take this team to the playoffs in the new system implemented for this season... and we were all very excited to see how well he moved into the starting role. After a rocky couple of games to start the year, JT showed himself to be quite the Passer with nearly 3,000 yards and 34 TDs. A broken ankle during the Michigan game has knocked him out for the rest of the season.
Sophomore Cardale Jones from Cleveland's own Glenville High School has taken over behind center. At 6-5 and 250 pounds, we are all hoping he can lead the Buckeyes to a B1G Championship this weekend. The Playoff Committee will definitely be watching and they MUST have a good showing to move up from the 5th spot and into the playoffs. Yeah, I know all about his stupid tweet from last year about his job being football and not getting a college education, and blah blah blah, but that's all part of being young and immature. It may sound callous, but that stuff doesn't bother me. It's time for Cardale to put up or shut up.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cleveland Kate
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