Happy Sunday Midwest Blog readers:
Even though I'm relative "pup" as a contributor to the Life In The Great Midwest Blog, one of the things I have found out is that follow contributors Dan and Carl foam at the mouth at any negative mention of their beloved Illini football and basketball teams.
As an Ohio State fan, I was told that I could "choke on a Buckeye" after the Ohio State Basketball team won the Big Ten Conference this year. One can argue about the maturity of such comments, but I understand their frustration. Mediocrity and losing teams just wears on you. The last thing you want to hear is about another team winning a Conference Title here, a National Football Championship there, welcome to my world as an Ohio State fan.
But winning is expected as Ohio State and the boosters and fans make sure that the Ohio State Administration are aware of it as well. And maybe that's the problem with Ilinois: Their alumni, fans, and boosters aren't demanding a winning program from Illinois sports teams.
Let's take the football team this year. Last year, they went 0-8 in the Conference. For 2006, at the Big Ten Football luncheon, their coach, Ron Zook, made the following quote:
"Its good to back for the second year (a.k.a, they didn't fire me). We have a lot of work to do (We're doomed), but I think we've made a lot progress (we won't get shut out). We've helped ourselves on the offensive line with a couple transfers and position changes (Our players suck and I'm praying to Jesus for what we have, we can compete). We're fortunate enough to have both our running backs back (Lucky me!!). We'll have a defense that moves around and doesn't stay in one spot (Obviously, making tackles 20 yards downfield).
Now, if you're an Illini fan, does this inspire any confidence? But Illnois doesn't care. It knows that on Satudays, the alumni will turn out to tail gate, party, and pay up to $50 for the right to do so. Those same fans should stay away on Saturdays. Don't go or listen to the games. Show the Administration that failure on the field will not tolerated.
But that's the Title of my Blog, its a wet dream. Both you and I know that Illini fans won't do it, and until then . . . .well, there's always next year.
P.S. By the way Midwest Blog readers, did I mention that Ohio State is ranked # 1?
P.S.S. November 4th, Ohio State @ Illinois (Dan and Carl, pray for death)
6 comments:
This is almost like picking apart a Paul Krugman column...not challenging. Making fun of the Illini football program? Whoa doggie. Hey, in the latest CBS sportsline poll we are ranked 105 out of 119. Better than 14 whole teams.
Anyway, looking forward to the day that the OSU football program goes on probation. Should be any day now.
Shining grads like Maurice Clarett should make the fans very proud.
Make fun of the Illini all you want - doesn't matter to us. Just doesn't seem too challenging.
Dan's back! Or did the stench of a pro-buckeye column on the blog bring him home early :)
A lot of people are staying away from the Illini these days, on football, at least. I don't think they are filling up the stands and god knows I haven't been going down there recently with the horrendous ass-whuppings that they have been receiving. I only see the carnage when I go to a UW game w/Dan
How come a Hoosier HotShot is an Ohio fan??? Oh wait, did I see the name Hobart? Strategically located at the meeting of I90/94 and I65. We used to visit my cousin's family when they lived there. (They moved to Indianoplace ASAP.)
Hobart Indiana, famous for - - - wait wait don't tell me - - - bricks. (The local school team is the "brickies") Yea, I'd rather root for some out-of-state team too.
Dan, Carl, Frank, and any other Illini booster that may be reading . . .
There's nothing to be ashamed about. I know the truth isn't pretty but the point of my Blog wasn't to get you to hate Ohio State even more.
I want you all to get mad at the Athletics Department at Illinois. Let them know that you won't tolerate 56-0 whitewashes to Penn State, Ohio State, or Michigan anymore.
In the mean time, why you argue amongst yourselves, the Buckeye Dyansty will gladly do its part to delivery misery and hopelessness for years to come
PS said:
"I know the truth isn't pretty but the point of my Blog wasn't to get you to hate Ohio State even more."
No worries, we can't hate Ohio State even more.
According to an old Readers Digest snippet, during WWII, Japanese soldiers would try various ways to infiltrate American lines. One came running toward a bunch of dug in marines yelling, "Don't shoot, I went to Ohio State"
One marine quickly drilled him and then remarked, "Sorry bub, I went to Michigan."
I guess it's easier being an Ohio State fan nowdays.
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