How many people are terrified of a centralized Totalitarian government imposing their rule of law upon you?  Anyone?  Because I am terrified of it…

One of the biggest problems with it is the control of the media and the spread of disinformation.  This is done through a monopoly over the flow of information.  When an entity has that monopoly over the flow of information, they can manipulate public opinion.  A good example of such an idea is the movie "V for Vendetta".  Real world examples are the Nazi party and Hugo Chavez’ attempts at controlling the Venezuelan media.  Essentially, with state controlled media the public has no opposing viewpoint to allow for any opportunity to form an opinion.  Because the only information they are subject to, is the information that the media provides which is dictated by the governing body that controls it.

Let’s consider that notion for a moment, and then consider ESPN's stranglehold over sports information.  Sure there are other media for sports.  But the main player out there is ESPN which is owned by the Walt Disney Company.  ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNNEWS, ESPNU and ABC combined absolutely obliterate all sports TV networks in viewership.  It’s not even close.  There are no competitors.  ESPN.com also leads all sports websites in market share.  Do we even need to go into nationally syndicated sports radio?  And print media, which is almost irrelevant as it’s a dying breed, is beginning to slowly lose out as well to ESPN The Magazine.  Without question, as it pertains to sports, ESPN controls the flow of information.  I say “control” in the sense that they literally dictate what “news” is.  Then ESPN funnels their “News” through their various mediums and personalities to dictate what America is be excited or angry about.  All the while, the public is none the wiser.

Back to Totalitarianism…  Al Jazeera has control over the spread of information in the Middle East.  Is it any surprise that they dictate the Middle East’s opinions of America?  History has provided many examples of when a powerful entity controls something.  Their nature is to only exploit it for their gain and self-preservation.  This is done via the spread of propaganda and dis-information to the public through their controlled mediums of information.

I think of Totalitarian regimes and their control of information, and then I think of ESPN.  Who is truly there to combat them?  Who can outbid ESPN?  The ones that try later find out that it’s a wasted effort.  Fox picks its battles but leaves the big meat for the Alpha male in the pride that is ESPN.  Jim Delaney decided that he wasn’t going to be pushed around any longer.  The Big Ten did the work.  Analyzed the metrics and had a line in the sand.  ESPN had to meet us at point “X” or else we decided that it was in our best interest in moving in a different direction.  ESPN called Delaney’s bluff and they were wrong.  Now what are they doing?  They are gobbling up the other conferences in the Pac 10 and SEC.  They signed a deal with the biggest player in Sports that is Texas.  To me, this is ESPN seeking to establish a monopolistic stranglehold over the market.  And how do they beat their only competitor?  As Duane Long alluded to in his recent post and LeCharles Bentley so eloquently bantered about in his radio show, by attacking the Big Ten’s prize horse.  The biggest money earner in the Big Ten is unquestionably OSU.  Given the agreed upon revenue sharing in the Big Ten, attacking OSU is the easiest and most efficient way of attacking all 12 members.  Why?  Because ESPN does not want to lose control of the flow of information which would eat into their overall market share and brand equity. 

Teddy Roosevelt paved the way for the modern day anti-trust legislation that we know today.  His Presidency saw the adoption of the Elkins Act.  The intent of the Elkins Act was to eliminate the unjust abuse of powers from the railroads that provided unequal benefits to favored institutions.  Sound like any company we know?  The railroads would alienate the small farmers making it difficult for them to benefit from the railroad system.  The Elkins Act placed fines on railroads for offering such rebates.  Doing this equaled the playing field.  It gave rise to competitive ideas such as trucking which eventually rendered much of the railroad system obsolete.  This is what needs to happen in College Football. 

We need the NCAA to start proposing a “Square Deal”.  Let’s enable competition and opposing ideas.  Let’s celebrate an independent Big Ten network and not force other conferences to succumb to the influences of an overpowering ESPN conglomerate.  Let’s end ESPN’s monopolistic control of information that unjustly shapes the minds of America in order to support their Corporate Business Model.  And let’s free American’s options to give them the choice as strong consumers to decide where and how they get their information.  ESPN isn’t just an enemy to OSU or the Big Ten.  ESPN should be the enemy to all sports.  Without you knowing it, they’ve been telling you how to think for 30 years.

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A never ending debate right now is whether the media is biased against the Buckeyes. The number of pieces of mail I have received on the subject is getting upwards of a third of my mail. Buckeye Nation, it is time to address the issue. Drumroll please. There is no media bias.

Ohio State won its first national championship in 1942 under the Buckeyes first legendary coach, Paul Brown. Even before that Ohio State was a winning program. From 1932 to 1935, Ohio State went 25-1-3. The Ohio State University has won 7 national championships. Only 8 teams have won more national championships, and three of those do not count as Harvard, Yale and Princeton no longer matter. None has won the national title since 1935. Oklahoma has also won 7. Nebraska has won 5. Texas has won 4. Tennessee and Penn State have won 4 each. Simply put, Ohio State is one of the most decorated college football programs in the history of the game. Ohio State has won over such a long period of time that doing a word association with anyone, even a non-sports fan, would likely get you a response of "football" if someone said to that person, "Ohio State." Simply put, Ohio State is a big deal.

Fans are incensed about the lack of coverage of the more current problems for the Oregon football program. It is not complicated. Oregon is not a big deal. It is a program with no history. It is having a golden moment in no comments

A Kansas City media outlet is calling Mike Vrabel the Buckeyes new defensive coordinator. We know that is wrong. Here we know it is for linebacker coach. Is it that we know that or are we just assuming that.

Maybe it is that the Kansas City news outlet does not have the facts. I think that is the likely scenario. The sports writers there know nothing of our team. Then again maybe they are hearing it from the other end of the spectrum. One not tainted by the state of affairs here. We know Jim Heacock is the defensive coordinator. I doubt any writer working in Missouri, which is not even a Big ten state let alone Kansas City being a Big Ten city, knows anything about who Jim Heacock is. There is definitely the possibility that they are the ones who have it right. Even todays story on the hire in the Dispatch does not mention linebacker coach. The term used is "assistant." We know Heacock wants to retire. He has wanted to for years. Maybe no comments

One of the things that is getting overlooked because of the bad news with the elite defensive lineman is the remarkable success otherwise. This is a great looking class so far.

It is going to take a headline pair of backs from anyone to do better than the Buckeyes pair of Warren Ball and Brionte Dunn. Notice I said pair. You are probably surprised to see me say that. I have felt for some time that Dunn would go elsewhere. Recent events have me believing Dunn will be a Buckeye. There have been a couple of dates recently where Dunn would have had prime opportunities to be someplace else but he showed up at Ohio State. He could have went to any other schools camp. It is a perfect opportunity to get to know a staff and take a look around.  He came here. He could have just stayed home and nobody would have given it a second thought. I think he is trying to make a statement. I think he is trying to say that this is where he is going to be this time next year.

I think the Buckeyes have landed a really nice defensive backfield lot. You know I will not spew the company line. If I didn't like them I would say so. Bucknuts subscribers can see that a no comments

I am back. I needed to step away from it for a few days. There is so much going on right now. More than any off-season I can remember. Then again, there has never been an off-season with investigations and a head coaching change.

The 4th of July is a special holiday for me. In addition to being an unabashed  flag waving patriot, my late father was born on the 4th of July so it has a very special place on my calendar.

I wanted to touch on a number of things concerning coaching that have occurred since my last blog.

First, Luke Fickell went on the Dan Patrick Show last week. The one thing he said that is most significant is his declaration that he is the head coach. The interim label has been taken off. What? This is how we learn that the "interim" tag has been removed, on the Dan Patrick Show? Who came up with this stroke of genius? The only reason to take the interim label off at this stage is to stop the bleeding with recruiting. That doesn't rate a press conference, some kind of no comments

The smartest move Luke Fickell has made as head coach is to get out early with the 2013 offers. First, this is still Ohio State. It is the same school that has been a college football powerhouse for as long as they can remember. These younger kids are still going to be bouncing off the walls over a Buckeye offer. What makes it so much more a big deal is getting in early. Ohio State is the first major program to offer these kids. The first offers are always remembered. The 2013 kids are not nearly so concerned about the coaching situation or the possible sanctions. The coaching situation will have long ironed itself out before they are ready to think about committing. Unless the sanctions are more severe than anyone has predicted, the 2013 players will not be impacted by them.

Jaylon Smith, DE, 6-3, 210, Indiana. Smith was offered before camp. When I look at Smith I see a bigger version of Ifeadi Odenigo. He is the younger brother of current Buckeye Rod no comments

Someone asked me if there was anyway I could put together a list for the offensive line like I did for the defensive line. I have put some thought into it overnight. I have looked at more film. I just don't see it. Not unless the staff wants to try to do some poaching. With the defensive line there are still great looking kids out there who could be Buckeye caliber kids. Not so with the offensive line. Even with the next level of kids, the ones who are not a sure thing like Kalis, Dodson, McGowan, Decker and Tony Matteo, but ones who could be possibles. We are finding them committed. AJ Williams from Cincinnati Sycamore has been a high school tight end but is a kid who will likely be a tackle in time. I have a report that he will play tackle his senior year. He is committed to Michigan. Zack Higgins was a player the Buckeyes were looking at. He is committed to Michigan State. Caleb Stacey is a guard I am very high on. Committed to Michigan. There weren't as many elites in the offensive line class as there was with the defensive line and there were not that many maybes. The maybes have already made decisions. I would not project any players in Ohio who are not already committed to some school to be players the Buckeyes might take a look at, with the exception of the de-committed Kyle Kalis and the uncommitted Tony Matteo. Bill Kurelic is confident that the Buckeyes have no comments

The odds are very much against the Buckeyes in the fight for the signatures of the best of the best defensive linemen in the class. Greg McMullen made it official. He committed to Nebraska. That is two of my top five in less than a week. We have accepted that another, Chris Wormley is headed to Michigan. It is just a matter of time.  There are no positive signs with Adolphus Washington. In fact, I recently had someone tell me he has family ties to the state of Alabama. I have not been able to confirm that yet but it would explain his long time interest in Alabama. That and the fact that most of the top NFL linemen come out of the south. I never believed Ifeadi Odenigbo was as much a sure thing as the accepted wisdom seemed to suggest. He is a Centerville kid, a pipeline program for the Buckeyes. He is a high academic/high character kid. Very down to earth young man. He was surely going to be a Buckeye. What is being left out is that this kid is doing it the right way. Academics will be just as important as football in his college decision. Maybe more important. I have been told that both his parents are doctors but I have never confirmed that. Other than Wormley he was the one I thought most likely to not end up a Buckeye. I don't know what is going to happen with Odenigbo. We will see. This is the best class of linemen by far that we have ever seen in the state. The bad news is the best are leaving. The good news is there are still some kids in the state of Ohio that need a hard look.

First, I want to say that this weeks senior camp produced another elite defensive line prospect. You already know the name. He is a Buckeye verbal. Josh Perry lit up the camp. He came in to no comments

I have not spoken about the recent commitment of Najee Murray. I remember when I first saw this kid a couple of months ago. Mark Porter and I saw a big time kid. It was not about whether he would be a Big Five kid. It was a matter of what position. In the end we both thought corner. He lit up the camp and soon after was offered. He did not hesitate to accept the offer. He is a nice sized corner with all the tools to be a good player here. He has played all over the field. Once he settles in and gets the reps at one spot this could be a special player in this class. I love the two DBs the Buckeyes have gotten in this class. Stop chasing national kids who were longshots from the start. With what all is going on they are not coming this way. We come to our senses soon enough that we still get a pair of great instate talents. I could not be happier. It is really unbelievable that we are looking at another great defensive lineman in this class. Deon Dawson from Cincinnati Western Hills is a Big Five kid. 6-1 and right about 300 right now, as I hear. It seemed we saw the ends in this class come out early. Now we are seeing the tackles. He is 290 in his film as a junior in high school. This kid is 320 lb three-technique or a nose tackle in two years. He will carry that weight so well you will not believe he is that big. I told Mark Porter when I first saw the film a weeks ago that Dawson is the most explosive player in a class full of explosive players. 290 lb kids are not supposed to be that athletic. He has to have a huge frame to be 290 but carry it that well. He will not be a back. Look at the plays of him as a DL. They are even more impressive in a football sense. It is because of the novelty of such a big back, and it is very impressive to see this kid run with the ball like he does, but the plays where he really impresses is as a defensive lineman. He shows the same kind of explosion that we see in Michael Bennett but this kid is bigger. There is some Youtube film out there but the 247 network has the best film of 2013 defensive end/linebacker Jaylon Smith from Indiana. You should get over there and sign-up. Take a look at this kid. Why? He loves Ohio State. He reminds me of a bigger version of Ifeadi Odenigbo. I would give a slight speed edge to Odenigbo, but this kid is plenty fast. He is 6-3 and already around 215. Long arms. Motor. Strong. Uses his hands extremely well. Mississippi State has come up from the SEC to make an offer. Purdue and Indiana have come in with offers on what amounts to a high school sophmore. I thought the Buckeyes might wait until he camped to make an offer but the new staff did not wait. Coach Fickell made an offer to Smith last week. Taco Charlton on the strong side and this kid for the weak side. That is a class I would happily take right now if you offered it to me. Smith is a scholarship worthy running back. That reminds me. I almost forgot the best part. He is Rod Smiths younger brother. Another 2013 player who has caught my eye recently is Springfield Central Catholic athlete Corey Timmons. Most of his film is as a running back. He would be number two on list of top backs in the state behind Dymonte Thomas. He has a perfect body for his age at 6-1 and about 195. He is excellent between the tackles as well as running wide. Good feet. He makes tacklers miss in tight spaces. Runs with power. Uses his pads well and has a good stiff arm. The thing is, I think he might be an even better safety. I would like to see more of him there. Dymonte Thomas is the only better two-way player in the state. Another very important area where he is much like Thomas is the fact that he is a good student.  Timmons is a big time kid. no comments

I am a big fan of the Fourth of July. Christmas, News Years Day (but not this coming News Years Day as there is not a single bowl game on), and the Fourth of July. Those are my favorite holidays. I have been happy about way Luke Fickell has gotten some verbals from several great looking players since he took over. An interim coach should not get players of this quality. Most don't get any at all. Fickell has added quality football players. Kyle Kalis is obviously the biggest recruit Fickell has landed. Yes, I say landed because the kid called to de-commit. For all intents and purposes that is a recruiting win for Fickell. At the time that call was made Kalis was not a Buckeye. The problem is, the other big names in the class that the Buckeyes have offered are committing elsewhere. Tom Strobel got the ball rolling with a verbal to Michigan. Kyle Dodson was offered on the very day it appears he was set to announce for Wisconsin. The biggest bad news came on Sunday. Se'Von Pittman committed to Michigan State. Huge loss in my mind. Today we learn that Kalis is going to visit Michigan. This is not on Fickell. This is the instability in the coaching situation. The word "interim" is going to have a dramatic effect on this recruiting class. Someone tell me why it was important to force JT to resign now? If we wait until after August 12 we could have stayed in the game on some of these recruits. It would have been so much closer to the season that they could have seen a Luke Fickell coached team in action right away and gotten excited about the program all over again. If there was going to be a coaching change it would have been okay. Naming an interim coach makes no sense. The powers that be left months more interim than was needed. Months for other programs to point out the fact that there is no coach at Ohio State. The recent verbals were not contentious recruits. Pittman would have been a Buckeye. I think Dodson was always a Buckeye lean until the staff started to stall. Strobel is one I can only go on rumor about. The buzz is Strobel would have been a Buckeye. There is a report out now that Urban Meyer will not come back to Ohio State, that he will not leave the warm weather part of the country period. You already know where I am headed. Is there anyone out there other than Meyer who is so appealing that the powers that be want to wait on him? Don't say Gruden. He is not currently employed as a football coach. There is nothing to keep him from getting the job right now if he was a target coach. I don't believe it anyway. I don't think he wants to be a college football coach. Does anybody you are confident would be on the short list at the end of the season be so much more a great get than Fickell? Some want to dismiss the Meyer report. I think it is solid. Without Meyer on the board, hiring Fickell right now is making more sense. The best class that I have ever seen in Ohio is coming apart. The best defensive line class that we will ever see is being chipped away at. A couple more defections and it is lost. Some want to say that there are so many good linemen in the state that the loss of Pittman is not that big a deal. Yes, it is. He was elite. As many really good linemen as there are in state this year, there are five difference makers. Five that are a cut above. Five who you want no matter what. Pittman was one. Chris Wormley is another, and no doubt a Michigan lean. That instate depth that some are pointing to is not what it was when we first started talking about this class as that next tier of Big Five caliber recruits are also committing. Pharaoh Brown and Tom Strobel to Michigan. Evan Jones to Michigan State. Right now it is still very salvageable. Jim Tressel was fired on Memorial Day. Se'Von Pittman committed to Michigan State on Father's Day. The next holiday is the Fourth of July. I think I am staying in bed.   no comments