I'm trying to decipher what's going on in C-bus lately.

Why?

Because I think the OSU schedule gods are finally listening to the naysayers. You know, the ones who dissed that thing called a schedule last year. Although, in all fairness, that line-up of cream pu…errr…ummm football teams was set up to help a team that was viewed to be in a rebuilding year.

Those critics were right. Last year's schedule wasn't befitting a football program that views itself as a perennial powerhouse. Apparently, however, the times they are a changin'.

The Buckeyes, who previously announced a home-and-home match-up with the Oklahoma Sooners, just announced the same deal with the Tennessee Volunteers. Yes, those Volunteers. That would be an SEC team. In the regular season.

Perhaps they got tired of hearing about all of the experts proclaiming the SEC the best conference - even if it is correct. Even if that is the case, this continues to be a step in the right direction for Buckeyes. It gives them legitimacy in one respect.

However, they will continue to beat up on the state's usual suspects. I have no way of knowing what the future holds, but with these other powerhouses, the Buckeyes need to add one team just below the likes of the Oklahomas and Tennessees to add further legitimacy. The Tennessee series begins in 2018. Gee, get your tickets now.

Look for the Gladiators on these days and times: No broadcast teams have been selected.

3.15.08 at Columbus – 7:00 p.m. Time Warner (Ohio News Network) (LIVE)
Cox (COX 45) (LIVE)
SportsTime Ohio (Tape Delayed, 4:00 p.m. Sunday)
4.19.08 at Los Angeles – 10:30 p.m. FSN Ohio (LIVE)
4.26.08 at New York – 7:00 p.m. FSN Ohio (LIVE)
5.31.08 vs. Dallas – 7:00 p.m. FSN Ohio (LIVE)
6.7.08 vs. Chicago – 7:00 p.m. FSN Ohio (LIVE)
6.14.08 at Philadelphia – 7:00 p.m. FSN Ohio (LIVE)
6.21.08 vs. Columbus – 7:00 p.m. FSN Ohio (LIVE)

It's a goofy game to be sure and although I'm still trying to wrap my head around the AFL's version of America's passion, I'm beginning to develop and affinity for it.

This is where my head has been these past few weeks - hanging around Cleveland Gladiators practices, learning the rules of the game and I've received the pleasure of being assigned to cover the team.

Will it ever equal the NFL in terms of popularity? I highly doubt it, but I will never say never. I will, however, give the brain trust behind Cleveland's second AFL team (the Cleveland Thunderbolts were the first) for putting together an entertaining package. For those who don't know, that would include Bernie Kosar, formerly of the Cleveland Browns.

The game itself is fast paced. I liken it to watching a game of pick-up football in the backyard. It's fun to watch and rarely boring, especially if you like offense.

But what's shocked me is the fact that the crowds have actually shown up the first two game. It was to be expected at the home opener - more than 17K came - but on the day after a snowstorm dumped more than two feet on most people, another 14K watched at the Quicken Loans Arena.

The AFL may have something here. The Gladiators may succeed where the Thunderbolts failed because of stable ownership, a stable league with a national TV contract and a partner in ESPN that has a vested interest in expanding the audience and the league. It doesn't hurt that the team plays in a venue that can't be equated to being a "white elephant on the prairie."