Beat Down in the Big House

Today I witnessed the great Jim Tressel lead the Ohio State Buckeyes to victory over the hated Michigan Wolverines for the 4th consecutive year. Even in my wildest Buckeye dreams I would have never thought 4 straight wins was possible. Rivalry games are so unpredictable and so emotionally charged that even if one team is 10-0 and one is 0-10, you expect a close game.

This one brings distinct pleasure because it means the vaunted Wolverine senior class of Chad Henne, Jake Long, and (in particular) Mike Hart went winless against OSU during their careers. Mike Hart ticks me off. He has AMAZING talent but he runs his mouth way too much, especially for a guy who's never quite been able to live up to the Heisman potential he's had since day one. Today was no different. He started off the game by being the aggressor in a pregame shouting match with the whole Buckeye team. Then on the first drive of the game he laid a huge hit on an OSU defender (great play) but of course followed it up by jawing and taunting the guy he'd just laid out. It's not that he's classless, it's that he's annoying. And in true Mike Hart fashion he ended the game with a a whopping 44 yards rushing while leading his team to 3 points. I think most people around the country expected a huge day from Hart but instead were treated to a lot of this:

(That's Hart there in the middle getting sandwiched)
And this:

And this:

(Beanie Wells 222 yards 2 TDs)
And ultimately this:


In the end, THE Ohio State University will make its 6th BCS Bowl Appearance in 7 years (and a National Title game with a little help) and 4 straight against Michigan (and 6 of 7 in the Tressel era) while Hart and Henne go home winless for their careers and Michigan gets to spend the off season looking for a new coach. It's a good day in Buckeye land. Now if we could just get a little help from anyone playing OU, West Virginia, and LSU. O! H! I! O!