O-H!

Since I drown my blog in all kinds of NFL talk, I think I've neglected my favorite college team.

Tonight, Ohio State played their first game of the season. Due to their #2 pre-season ranking, expectations were extraordinarily high. Luckily, they did not disappoint. They pummeled Marshall, 45-7...and I must admit, it felt good to be back.

As a life-long Bengals fan, I've become very accustomed to losing. Don't get me wrong - I still shed real tears after every Bengal loss, but I've also become very realistic with the prospect of defeat. Ohio State, however, is another story.

As I've stated before, I grew up in a strictly UVA-loving household. As a result, it took me a while to branch out in my football taste. I really started looking for a new team to renew my faith in college football in 2001. This, of course, was perfect timing.

The nearby Ohio State Buckeyes quickly caught my attention. Hype surrounded Jim Tressel, as it was his first year as head coach. The team only finished with a 7-5 record, but I was highly intrigued. The next year, my undying love was confirmed after the team went 14-0 and won the 2003 Fiesta Bowl...and I happened to notice a player named A.J. Hawk. ;)

I know...hot with short hair, right?

With the not so small exceptions of the 2007 and 2008 national championship games, my Buckeyes rarely disappoint me. Year-in and year-out, I always walk away feeling satisfied with the team. Jim Tressel has wonderfully coached the likes of AJ Hawk, Bobby Carpenter, Nick Mangold, Mike Nugent, Troy Smith, Beanie Wells, and James Laurinaitis before my very eyes. OSU truly does have "the best damn band in the land" and the script Ohio (with the sousaphone-dotted I) makes me proud to be an Ohioan. I love the passion in Columbus on game day. I live for the intensity of the OSU/Michigan rivalry and trash-talk with the best of them. ...and like I said, the Bucks rarely disappoint.

Tonight was no exception. Unlike previous years, the team didn't play 'Tressel ball' (a term affectionately used by Buck fans to describe his conservative play-calling). Terrelle Pryor was unleashed to take some serious shots downfield. As always, I'm loving our defense, but I'm a bit worried about our kicking team. I realize we were playing Marshall, but it felt good to see a win, especially with that kind of score. No slow start this year. They seem ready and willing to prove why they are considered contenders for the national championship title. Bring on Miami!

We will defend, we will fight 'til the end for O-HI-O!