Shockingly, we are 25% done with the regular season and
as of Saturday evening, we will be at 33% completed (sniff). This week
it's Miami, or Miami University, or Miami (Ohio), but NOT Miami of Ohio
or University of Miami, as the Redhawks' weekly
Game Notes advises:
PLEASE NOTE: When
referring to Miami, please use either Miami, Miami University or Miami
(Ohio). Please do not use Miami of Ohio or University of Miami, etc. The
latter are not the proper names for our institution.
Thank you.
Well, I still call them the Redskins, which is what they
were when I traveled to Oxford, Ohio for a week- long basketball camp. I
don't know what a Redhawk is anyway and not sure they exist. Which
reminds me of a funny story.
Back in the fall of 19-something when I was a Freshman at
The Ohio State University, during the weekend of the first away
football game, I first became aware of the Olentangy Surfing Classic.
Two of my Park Hall floor mates told me about this must see event. (I won't
single them out, only to tell you that their last names are
literally Powell and Kesselring). Anyway, they described in
magnificent detail: how the police shut down Lane Avenue (thus the need
for an away game); how this big semi brought in a huge wave machine
designed by the fabulous OSU engineering department;
how two cranes lowered it over the Lane Ave. bridge into the Olentangy
River; how it generated waves for surfing; and how many girls would be
in bikinis on the banks of the river. So, a couple freshman in the room
next to me went along and we set off on the
20 minute walk to the Lane Ave bridge from South Campus.
The scene was spectacular. Fortunately, I have a photo.
20 minutes later we returned to Park Hall slightly angry
but more embarrassed. After Don and Gerry stopped laughing we turned on
ABC and watch the Buckeyes thump MSU. One year later, when I was a
Sophomore, I told the tale of the Olentangy
Surfing Classic to a couple of new Freshman and they made the journey
the Lane Ave bridge as well (shout out to Jeff Hart, if anyone knows
him).
Now you may be wondering how I fell for that obvious ruse. Well, what if I told you there were t-shirts?
That gets your attention, doesn't it? However, neither Don nor Gerry had a t-shirt. The fact is, as Malcolm
Gladwell's new book details, we humans have a Truth Default Setting.
We naturally believe people are being truthful. Sure I had doubts
about the Classic, but those doubts were not sufficient enough to
overcome the default setting. Liars are rarely caught
red-handed at the time. It is not until one has sufficient time to
build up evidence (the doubts) that tip the balance from truth to
falsehood.
So what does this have to do with Miami? Absolutely
nothing. I wanted to tell this story last week since it was Ohio State's
first away game, but I didn't have time. This week I have nothing to
say about Miami, Miami University, or Miami (Ohio).
I am asking you to believe me, that I am telling you the
truth and you should have no doubts, that Ohio State will win the game
this weekend. That being said, you should have doubts about the point
spread, which started at 37 but has climbed
to 39 (with an over/under of 58). I've done some analysis about the
Buckeyes as huge betting favorites in the past. Updating those stats to
today we find Ohio State is 12-13 ATS when favored by 25-29; 8-11 when
favored by 30-34; and 4-3 when favored by 35+.
In short, there are no good trends here. You should have major doubts.
If you believe the doubts have tipped the scales then you should
Listen to Admiral Akbar.
As for me, while I have my doubts, the feeling that I get
from the 2019 Buckeyes is that they are not fooling around. I think the
offense is gelling and going to continue to score. A. Lot. And the
defense looks very tough and ready to post another
shutout. To paraphrase the immortal words of Steven Tyler, I think the train keeps a rollin'. That leaves the question of
the over/under because Ohio State may have to score 59 points themselves to make it. I think they do.
Schaef says: Ohio State 59, Miami/Miami University/Miami (Ohio) 7.
Season totals: 3-0 S/U
2-1 ATS
2-1 O/U
Bonus: If you have never been to Oxford and need directions,
ask El Monte Slim.
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