No Joy In Columbus - Penalty Flag Finally Flies

brentroad.com

The long awaited and dreaded penalty flag was finally thrown at the Buckeyes today as the NCAA striped official  announced that all self-imposed penalties by Ohio State have been accepted.  Added on for good measure by the NCAA is a post-season bowl ban for the 2012 season along with additional loss of scholarships.  The review flag has not been tossed in Columbus and by most estimates Ohio State will not appeal the penalties. 

Also announced was that Jim Tressel, former Ohio State coach, will carry with him a boat load of baggage for any school that might be thinking of employing him.  He will carry with him to any future employment, sanctions that would be onerous to any program of note.  Good thing that Tressel latched on to the Indianapolis Colts as his days of coaching college football are long gone.  What a pity.  Part of me feels sorry for Coach Tressel but then I think of the players of Ohio State who will be unable to fully participate in 2012 and my sorrow ebbs. 

bleacherreport.com

As I have written before, I really believe the right penalty for any school violating NCAA rules should be a stiff monetary fine.  Had Ohio State received a $5,000,000 fine for the infractions, you get bet the farm that President Gordon Gee would make sure nothing of the sort would happen again.  Coaches must be getting the message by now as the severe penalty for Tressel all but ends his coaching career.  Why should next year's players be penalized for the mistakes of former players.  I still don't get that. 

Who will succumb to NCAA violations in 2012?  It is anyone's guess but rest assured, some team will.  Every year, year in and year out, a program is singled out and finds itself under the NCAA microscope.  My best guess is that LSU and Alabama will see their programs investigated by somebody.  Hope they are clean.  If not them, some other school will have a disgruntled employee, a malcontent non-playing student athlete or a booster who didn't get what he wanted, report some type of rule violation.  All it takes is one person who has a case of "sour grapes" and the whole bubble bursts. 

I continue to believe that penalizing players for past violations is not a fair way to penalize schools.  My hope for 2012 is simply that Ohio State runs the table.  We beat everybody but can't play in the Big Ten Championship nor the National Championship Game.  Had USC had their act together early in the year, they might have done it this year.  I would not be surprised at all if Ohio State makes a run next year.  They'll be playing for experience and pride next year.  I can't imagine anyone who would like to have them on their schedule. 

thebostonhotspot.yolasite.com

I keep thinking about "The Game".  I sure hope Michigan savors their recent victory because next year, Ohio State has nothing to look forward to other than "The Game".  I do not envy the Wolverines.