If anyone can point out anytime when Mark May of ESPN's college football coverage has ever given the Ohio State Buckeyes their due, will you please post a link in the comments section?

I sit here at almost 8 a.m. this morning watching reruns of yesterday's college football coverage and May, a Pitt (thanks Larry D., maybe I thought it was USC because his nose is always up their … oh… nevermind) alum, give his Top Five. He placed the University of South Florida at No. 1 in front of the Buckeyes. Of course, that's his choice.

I try not to be a homer. In the interest of full disclosure, I went to OSU for a couple of years. But once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye. However, I have been able to see their athletic teams in a realistic light since I was a teen.

May gave USF the benefit of a doubt based on their upset of West Virginia and a victory over Auburn. The Buckeyes only victory against a ranked opponent came last week against Purdue. But I recall May having his doubts during the regular season last year and I also remember him piling on during the Bucks' miraculous championship run in 2002.

Watching May I often get the impression that if he could spew venom in OSU's direction without regard to ESPN directors, he would.

So tell me? Am I imagining this?

Kent State University Coach Doug Martin could have allowed sportswriters to have some hopes and dreams that we'd have a competitive game today. Then he had to open his mouth.

For the record Martin told reporters earlier this week that he wouldn't be playing his front line players because he wants to save them for the final games in the MAC. Oh that's just ducky. So instead of a Waterloo, we get to witness a Little Big Horn. How do I contain my enthusiasm?

Nevermind that this "game" comes in the middle of the conference schedule, but it's against the Kent State Golden Flashes. That in itself assures that I will need mega doses of stimulants to stay awake.

In reply to Martin resting his players, OSU Coach Tressel adopted the philosophy that if "you rest, you rust." That means his front line players will be in the game until KSU is suitably beat into submission.

For anyone sitting and watching this, it could be a long afternoon. Of course, the broadcast will have one saving grace - it's on the Big Ten Network. Not many folks will see it.

Far be it for me to second guess a coach that's already won one national championship and played for two, but I'm a sportswriter. That's why they pay me the chump change.

But I don't get some moves Jim Tressel made while up in the second quarter. There's some serious inconsistencies. For example, after recovering a fumble on a kickoff return at the Purdue 33 and going a mere eight yards on the drive, Tressel elected to go for it on fourth and two instead of kicking a field goal. Beanie Wells promptly lost three yards and they turned the ball over on downs.

Yet when the Buckeyes got the ball back with 1:47 left on their 36 with plenty of time to mount some kind of drive and essentially put the game way, they come out running and that drive eventually stalled. Gambler or conservate cleric? A little consistency please. They may have missed an opportunity to go up by at least 20.

Yeah, it would seem that the Buckeyes aren't looking to repeat history in this Purdue game. The Boilermakers typically play them close.

After one quarter it's 14-0 and the Buckeyes are dominating every aspect of the game.

Boeckman looks to be in confident and in control. He got Ray Small, the speedster out of Cleveland involved in the offense with two pass receptions and a score. That was needed to take some heat off Brian Robiskie who was certainly going to see his share of double coverage.

The Wells Brothers - Beanie and Mo - ran with authority and the special teams kept everything else in check.

How complete was the domination? The Bucks ran 19 plays and gained 148 yards to Purdue's 18 plays for 61 yards.

After watching Illinois effectively smack the Badgers on the nose earlier this afternoon, I'm beginning to believe the Big Ten Conference is up for grabs.

Certainly the Ohio State Buckeyes can take a big step toward claiming the title by dispensing with Purdue tonight, but it's seriously beginning to look like a cage match or some serious cannibalization as the conference's also rans - Indiana, Illinois, Michigan State - are beginning to show some bite this year.

What is certain is there's nothing a given this year. If I'm going to give anyone an advantage, however, it's going to be the Buckeyes, primarily because they have a coach in JIm Tressel who keeps his team on an even keel. Talk to them and they come off like a bunch of Stepford Kids, and that's primairly due to Tresselization. And I'm sure most Buckeyes fans don't care as long as they win.

I believe that Wisconsin was unmasked today, but they certainly aren't out of it. But the team the Bucks need to watch for is the Illinois Fighting Illini, who for some inexplicable reason play the Buckeyes tough every time they meet. And no one should ever believe that the Wolverines are out of things, despite the fact they've still looked iffy in the past couple of weeks.

So I'm sitting here in the pressbox at Husky Stadium in Seattle and there in the stands sit an ocean of scarlet.

I'm sitting here wondering how these Bucks fans got tix all the way out here in the Pacific Northwest. I've been seeing them all weekend. That kind of fan loyalty is unreal.

I also got the opportunity to check out how the Bucks are perceived in other parts of the country. One interesting perspective is offered here.

End of the first half:

It's painfully evident from the score 7-3 that any success the Buckeyes are going to enjoy this season will be because of the defense. With Boeckman at QB there is absolutely no spark whatsoever.

He forced the ball into receivers and he's been off most of the day. Of course the Buckeyes could be up by two points had one field goal not been missed and another blocked, but that's football. The offensive unit expressed disappointment in its performance last week. One can only imagine what's going on in that locker room now.

Let me know what you think.

See there, it wasn't two weeks for another post.

I didn't want to post just following the U of A-Bucks game yesterday because…well…I was tired as all get out. Last time I ever drive down there the day of the game. Plus I wanted to have a clear head when ripping the offense. Although I'm not really sure that's what was required given the debacle that was yesterday's game.

A 3-2 halftime score? C'mon. How pathetic was the Bucks' offense? They gave up more points than the D…that says it all. There are serious problems on that unit and Coach Jim Tressel and one of his captains - Kirk Barton - realize it.

I have never ever seen an athlete as ticked off as Barton was after yesterday's game. Lips pursed into a plastery, immovable scowl, he didn't even want to give opening comments it seems. And he was right. The Buckeyes looked out of sync and out of sorts. Receivers ran the wrong routes, they dropped balls and quarterback Todd Boeckman's decision making proved questionable. Had this been any team other than a MAC opponent, the Buckeyes would be 1-1 today.

To their credit they showed some signs of life after the half. Akron native Chris "Beanie" Wells played like he wanted to be there, eventually racking up 143 yards, but this kind of play will eventually come back to bite them in their hind parts. No doubt about that and they know it.

If the offense doesn't get its act together that could come this week. Why? Because Ty Willingham has the Washington Huskies ready to bite and they are looking to build on a 24-10 over the Boise St. Broncos from yesterday.

They can't rely on the defense to keep Jake Locker in lockdown the entire game. The Huskies QB is speedy, mobile, strong and the real deal.

Been catching up on what was happening before I started on the Buckeyes. Therefore, many apologies.

Larry and Alan, you guys remind me of the infamous hecklers on The Muppet Show - only less funny.

Whether you can believe it or not, adjust to different sports cultures can be a bit different. Not being a regular in the Buckeyes media circle, I had little idea what to expect. Now I do. Now I can breathe.

So what of the Buckeyes? Eh…if you read the paper you saw my Big Ten preview. I fully expect the Michigan Wolverines to win the conference - even moreso now. Why? They've really got nothing else to play for. Do you really believe that with a loss against Appalachian Community College on the 2007 resume they have a shot at the national championship? Doubtful.

But I won't be sold on the Buckeyes as a conference or national power until several key games - a week from this Saturday in Washington and Oct. 27th at Penn State. Until then this is a team that is relatively young on both sides of the ball and they may have growing pains.

Now About Michigan

Gee, is Buckeye Nation still grinning about the Wolverines? Don't. Do NOT. Stop it now.

Why? Remember way back when B.T. (that's Before Tressel) when grins plastered Wolverines fans' faces permanently? Yeah. Now they have their own personal John Cooper and it ain't a purty sight for them is it? Not at all.

Rest assured, Lloyd Carr will pack it in or be sent packing some time soon and when he's gone do you really think the Wolverines will be content to hire someone from within the program to restore it to past glory? I think not.

Better the devil you know folks.