Ohio State To Play In National Title Game!!

I must admit I haven't watched much (American) Football this year. For whatever reason it just doesn't hold my interest terribly long (and not nearly enough to Blog about it most days). You can call me Un-American if you want, I suppose. That said, when it comes to either the New England Patriots, or the college I attended, Ohio State, I become all that much more interested. Well, today the Buckeyes got a bunch of good news, as their National Title hopes (and opportunity to avenge last years crap showing in the title game) have not been dashed yet!

Three weeks after their unbeaten season, No. 1 ranking and dreams of redemption in the BCS title game seemed to turn to ashes, Ohio State is headed back to the ultimate game in college football.

The Buckeyes, No. 3 in the Bowl Championship Series rankings going into Saturday's final regular-season and conference title games, will make a return trip to the national championship game to meet a yet-to-be determined opponent on Jan. 7 at 8 p.m. in the Sugar Bowl.

Having waited two weeks since beating Michigan in their last game, the Buckeyes will have to wait a little longer to find out who they'll play. The possibilities include Georgia, Kansas, Virginia Tech, LSU and USC -- the teams ranked Nos. 4 through 8 in the most recent rankings.

Ohio State appears to be a lock for the game. A combination of human and computer polls will decide the final rankings on Sunday afternoon, making the 1-2 matchup official.

West Virginia, No. 2 in the BCS rankings, played at home against Pittsburgh in its regular season finale on Saturday night. Quarterback Pat White was hurt, crippling the Mountaineers' hopes, as they fell 13-9 in a colossal upset.

That was enough to punch the Buckeyes' ticket for the BCS title game.

Missouri, No. 1 in the latest BCS rankings, played Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship game in San Antonio later on Saturday night. The Sooners pounded the top-ranked Tigers 38-17, but Ohio State was already all but assured of being in the top two even as that game was being played out.

The Buckeyes look to avenge last year's humiliating defeat in the National Title Game. A year ago, the Buckeyes were ranked No. 1 from the preseason through the bowl games. In the BCS title game against Florida, Ted Ginn Jr. returned the opening kickoff and it appeared Ohio State would back up its lofty ranking.

However, the Gators dominated the rest of the night in Glendale, Ariz., winning 41-14 and saddling the Buckeyes with a defeat that still hurts.

GO BUCKS!

TomC

Celtic FC Settle For Uninspired Draw At Tynecastle

Scottish Premier League
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh

HEARTS… 1
(Velicka 91 pen.)

CELTIC… 1
(McDonald 72)

HEARTS (4-5-1) Basso; Neilson, Berra, Tall, Goncalves; Driver, Kingston, Zaliukas (Elliot 79), Palazuelos (Mikoliunas 79), Ksanavicius; Nade (Velicka 71).
Subs: Banks, Wallace, McGowan, Ivaskevicius.

CELTIC (4-4-2) Boruc; Caldwell, Pressley, McManus, O’Dea; McGeady, S Brown, Hartley, Jarosik; Vennegoor of Hesselink (Killen 87), McDonald.

Subs: M Brown, Zurawski, Donati, Sno, Riordan, Caddis.

CELTIC left Tynecastle with a point after Andrius Velicka scored a late penalty to cancel out Scott McDonald’s 72nd minute opener.

The Australian’s opportunistic strike after an error from Anthony Basso looked to have handed Celtic the win, that was until Gary Caldwell conceded a spot-kick in the 91st minute to allow Hearts a share of the spoils.

Trips to Tynecastle are rarely quiet affairs, with the crowd packed in close to the touchline and within three minutes of kick-off the home sections were in full voice with Audrius Ksanavicius screwing the first clear chance wide of the target.

It was a great opportunity for the Hearts man, but as it transpired, not the signal for an explosive opening 45 minutes.

Instead this was a cagey, slow-burning half that was largely devoid of any sustained pressure or clear cut chances from either side.

Article


Not the best result, but perhaps they were thinking ahead to Milan during the week. Thankfully they do maintain one point lead over Rangers, though.

TomC