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Boeckman is lauded by former Wolverine
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal columnist
Published on Tuesday, Oct 30, 2007
Just when it seemed we were out of the Big Ten Network's grip, they pull us back in.
The Ohio State-Wisconsin game will air on Big Ten Network at noon Saturday in what can be viewed as a huge mistake.
A TV industry source said the Big Ten Conference's contract with its network requires each team to appear in one conference game on the channel each season. The Buckeyes and their fans are being trapped by a numbers game.
ABC-ESPN isn't about to give up OSU-Michigan on its broadcast schedule. So it was either the Wisconsin or Illinois game next week. OSU-Wisconsin, it's your lucky week.
Let's be straight about this. I've defended the Big Ten Network on more than one occasion. In Ohio, and other states where Big Ten institutions reside, it should be on a basic tier of service with local cable companies. Cable companies, as is their right, said no to that demand, and the two parties remain in a stalemate. Until now there have have been few complaints about the lack of the Big Ten Network on Time Warner Cable. So much for that.
In this instance, the Big Ten Network benefits from the serious good fortune. With Ohio State on a potential national championship run, fans here would have been riveted to their sets Saturday. Instead, this will force many people from their homes to crowded sports bars or to a friend's who has either DirecTV, DISH Network or AT&T U-verse.
Nonconference games against Mid-American Conference opponents are one matter, but the rest of OSU's schedule has been on ESPN or ABC, which is where this game belongs or I must sing the refrain again: ''BTN belongs on basic cable.''
Unfortunately, in this case, no one seems to be listening, but at least the bar owners will be happy.
Herbstreit's take
Count ESPN analyst and former Buckeyes quarterback Kirk Herbstreit as one of those not surprised by the fact that his alma mater entered the game Saturday against Penn State undefeated.
''What will be surprising is if they're able to get through Penn State and to Michigan,'' he said. ''What's surprising is when you replace a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, two first-round receivers and a 1,200-yard back and you get back to 12-0, who does that? That's just not human.''
Because of ESPN's College GameDay, Herbstreit finds himself playing the role of de facto Big Ten ambassador, hearing the mumblings of college football fans nationwide. The perception of OSU is simple:
''Ohio State could beat Penn State, beat Illinois, they can beat Wisconsin and they can beat Michigan and 85 to 90 percent of America will still think that Ohio
State is overrated,'' he said. ''So the only thing that's going to happen for Ohio State is to get to their bowl game and beat a team from the South. That's the only thing that will make people around the country say they're a good team.''
Boeckman's watch?
So if, like me, you took in GameDay, or in my case watched in person, and heard former Michigan Wolverine and Cleveland native Desmond Howard mutter the words that Buckeyes quarterback Todd Boeckman deserves Heisman Trophy consideration should he perform well against Penn State, you should know that Howard did clarify those statements after the show.
The former Heisman-winner took note of the fact that it's a less-than-spectacular year even with the play of Andre Woodson and Dennis Dixon, the lightning-rod playmakers for Kentucky and Oregon, respectively.
''It's national TV. If he does well (Saturday night), his name can be mentioned in the conversation,'' Howard said.
His words proved prescient. Boeckman had a superstar kind of game, completing 19-of-26 for 253 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. On Monday, Boeckman was named a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award.
George M. Thomas can be reached at gmthomas@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/sportsblitz/.
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