TP: Diaper Dandy. No, Really.

"I knew I should have gone to Michigan..."

OMG recruit commit Terrelle Pryor spent his first few days as a Buckeye in diapers.

Literally.

As a part of some sort of ritualistic hazing biometric technology study, Terrelle was stripped of his clothing, and forced to wear the blue diaper thingy you see above. Now, if it were Beauford up there gettin' all that fancy testin', that diaper would have to be much, much bigger (hey-oh!).

The dots represent anatomical points that will appear on a computer used to map Terrelle's specific movements. This technology should sound familiar to video gamers; motion capture technology has been around for quite some time. Instead of using this data to graphically represent Terrelle breaking you on NCAA 2010, it will be used by Ohio State to better understand the stresses Terrelle will place on various anatomical trouble points, and will presumably aid in injury prevention.

In related news, Ohio State University has now partnered with the U.S.S.R. in a groundbreaking study of athletics and kineseology.

Whatever he hits, he destroys!

HT to Ozone for the pic.

Vegas Bound, Pryor Searches for a Pen

As I mentioned in a previous post, I will be in Vegas for the opening rounds of the NCAA tournament. I expect nothing less than destitution upon my return. As such, content will be non-existent past this post until Monday - and maybe beyond that depending on whether my laptop is in the possession of a guy named Jerry at the Pawn Shop in Revere. This is Jerry:



Also of note, today is D-Day for OMG recruit 2008. Eleven Warriors is calling it the worst kept secret in sports, and has changed their tagline from "Terrelle Pryor is thinking things over" to "Terrelle Pryor is searching for his favorite pen."

An OSU insider (insofar as an anonymous message boarder can be an "insider") has claimed that the OSU staff has already lit their celebratory couches, and the LOI is signed and faxed. He has a history of accuracy with these sorts of things, and has never wavered from the "don't worry, Terrelle's going to be a Buckeye" message. As such, let me be the first to present: Terrelle Pryor. Buckeye.


/circus

Enjoy the opening rounds of the Tourney. If you want to win your bracket here are some cold hard facts:

Butler goes to the sweet 16 (yes, by beating Tennessee), Xavier goes to the sweet 16, and Kansas gets beat in the 2nd round.

That is all. Enjoy your weekend.

It's on....

...like Donkey Kong, bitches. Which is to say that something that should have happened months ago is now taking place Wednesday. OMG Recruit 2008 will be announcing which school he will attend on Wednesday, noon Eastern. If he places an OSU hat on his head, look for thousands of "we didn't want him anyways" posts and bulletins from Ann Arbor. If he places a UM hat on his head, look for a mushroom cloud over Columbus.

Seriously, would that be the most devastating blow a recruit has ever landed on a school? I mean, Ohio State fans have bought for the past 3 months the "Pryor is soooooooo going to Ohio State" line, what would happen if he..like..didn't? OMG! I'm so excited!

Ramblin Gamblin Takes an Independent Study

Carty Drops Bomb, Explosion Still Pending: There has been a considerable amount of smoke rising from Michigan message boards regarding a piece by Jim Carty at the Ann Arbor News about the academic requirements of athletes at the University. That piece has dropped. The Upshot: Michigan athletes take independent studies with one professor at an alarming frequency. Said professor then doles out A's for work that...shall we say...is less demanding than other academic courses. Michigan responds to the accusations as such. Read the .pdf's to get a better idea of where they're coming from. I'm sure that Champ will have some thoughts on this, but to me it seems like a steaming pile of absolutely nothing. If Carty's goal was to tell me that athletes at big-time programs take easy classes, then mission accomplished. Then again, I was an athlete at a less than big-time program, and I took some easy classes too. This piece just doesn't do it for me - it's too long, all icing, and no cake. If I'm going to get worked up about a scandal, I at least need there to be substance to get worked up over. Perhaps parts 3-4 will have some sort of "LOST" like reveal that he's been building up to, but until he can prove that athletes were given A's for nothing (which doesn't seem to be the case) or that athletes were able to enroll in classes that non-athletes were forbade from (again - not the case) then this is hardly the smoking gun Michigan fans were bracing themselves for.

UPDATE: Part II is up, and it's more of the same.

RichRod Talks Spring: It wasn't pretty, but they got through it. Sounds like my first time (it never gets old, does it?). Michigan started spring workouts, and as expected, it was...ugly. Audio can be found here. Some of the more interesting bits:

On how the kids feel about the new strength program: "I really haven't asked their opinion … don't care. They will work hard. They don't have much choice. But I think they are getting more confident in themselves.

On whether the quarterbacks on staff have any experience with his type of offense: "I didn't know and didn't ask. I almost have a blank canvas for all the guys. We watched a little film from last year, but none of the quarterbacks played so it's wide open there. I know they are eager and they are learning pretty well. They made some mistakes, but they'll be able to quickly rectify those … at least I hope. Coach [Rod] Smith will watch the film with them Monday and start that process.

"It's a focal point and a concern simply because they've never played … that and running a different system, we'll see what they can do. But I like their attitude."

On who is working at quarterback besides Steve Threet and David Cone: "Nick Sheridan. He was the No. 3 guy last year, I believe, and he did a nice job. Nick and Steve are taking most of the reps with the first group, and David will get in there, too. They'll all have a shot. One thing about the quarterbacks is you can see pretty quickly if they are picking it up."

On whether Carlos Brown might take snaps: "We haven't got to that. If we did it would be a secret and I wouldn't tell you."

On whether he might play a spring game at the University of Toledo: "No. What state's that in?"

Rodriguez then stood up, handed the interviewer a cloth and stated "Here, you've got some knowledge on your chin."

In all seriousness, this is like manna from heaven for Michigan fans, who are used to Fort Schembechler being locked down in DefCon 5 permanently. To have a coach willing to discuss certain points is...refreshing. The more I hear from Rodriguez on a football level, the more I like him. I especially like the "What state's that in?" response. I think he gets it.

OMG Recruit to announce this week: According to this from the Altoona Mirror website. He's down to two schools, and according to The Wiz and Kevin at We Are Penn State, Penn State's out. That leaves...UM and OSU. I've long considered UM off his list. My guess is he commits to OSU this week.

Ramblin' Gamblin' Rambles On

Jim Tressel Scurred?: In a report by gleaned from The Wiz (and to a lesser extent the Tampa Tribune), Big Ten coaches are making pilgrimages to learn the secrets to defeating the Rich Rodriguez spread. Who is this spread-defeating kryptonite-toting Ravi Shankar? None other than South Florida defensive coordinator Wally Burnham, who has made a nasty habit of kicking the shit out of West Virginia in much the same way West Virginia kicks the shit out of the superiorly talented teams they play. Ohio State has sent down their secondary coach to learn from the great master, who sits on top of the highest hill in Florida eating mostly olives and virgins. Mention to an Ohio State fan that their coaching staff is...um...concerned...will earn you a tongue lashing consisting mostly of incomplete sentences consisting of the term "dickrod."


Is this man scurred?

My own take? The decidedly sub-par performances by West Virginia against South Florida are more a result of the "Northwestern effect" than anything. This effect occurs when two things happen simultaneously. First, your team must think they're pretty good, and must be reading press clippings saying they're pretty good. Second, they must be playing a team that they think is pretty bad. When these two things happen in conjunction, you get the Northwestern effect. Common symptoms include droopy eyes, reported hallucinations involving the color purple, and being down at half 14-3. Teams like Michigan and Ohio State usually overcome the Northwestern effect. Teams like West Virginia do not.


Welcome to the "Somewhat Big House:"

Michigan Stadium Pre-Renovation

You've no doubt read by now that Michigan's newly renovated stadium will not be the biggest house in the land, the title being usurped by Penn State. This is mostly a result of ADA compliance for which I'd love to be pissed about but...well...I feel too much like a douchenozzle. So my anger has been redirected towards inanimate objects such as phones, silly putty, my cat, and the idiots who didn't plan for this ahead of time. At least now the "I'm too old and rich to actually participate in this football game" crowd behind the wheelchair sections won't have to yell "down in front."

Michigan Stadium Post-Renovation (HT 11W)



March Madness: It's upon us! Hide the children! I'll be in Vegas next week for opening rounds. If that sounds like a bad idea to you, you're 100% correct. I plan on parking my fat ass in a sports book and not moving until I get cut off, kicked out, or run out of cash. In other words, I'll be there for an hour or so.


Terrelle Pryor is thinking things over: In response to Champ's post from a few days ago, I would just offer this: we're crazy. I write a website nobody reads (thank you to those who do) about college football because...um...I'm crazy. Absolute window-licking batshit crazy. Normal people don't do this. So, when Terrelle Pryor doesn't decide to choose a school, we go more crazy. The kid will make up his mind when he makes up his mind. I, unlike most buckeyes I know, don't think he's "like, sooooooo going to Ohio State." I think he's genuinely torn between a few options, and is thinking things over. And playing basketball. And being a high school senior. As for the recent fights - see previous sentence. When I was a high school senior, I loved fights. I loved watching them, I loved backing up my boys, and I loved the fact that very, very rarely was a punch thrown. I would only be upset if it came out that his teammates were throwing down, and Pryor didn't back them up. He's not a bad kid, he's not a drama queen, and he's not an attention whore. He's a high school senior who is getting put down from all angles by complete dweebs who write college football websites and post on message boards. I somehow think it'll work out for him.


Above: Not an Attention Whore; Drama Queen
Above: High School Senior

In Honor of St. Paticks Day: I command you, dear reader, to play this on repeat until I post the "Leak/Tebow Spreadin' Like Butter" feature, which at this rate will come out sometime before Memorial Day.

OMG Recruit - Michigan Fan Style...

Champ Summers helps us out today, offering yet another insight into the maize and blue sections of the brain, which is located just left of the "I'm batshit crazy" section. Consume, dear reader, consume. I think I may actually weigh in on this one, because I think much of the Maize and Blue section in Champ's head is rationalizing the fact that this year's OMG recruit isn't going to be attending Michigan. Of course, just saying this will elicit some sort of snarky retort in the comments section. But...without further ado, I bring you Champ Summers:



I want to commit this to text right now, I want it written down somewhere for future reference, whether I am proven right by the course of time or proven to be a fool a few years down the road. Here it is, straight from a dyed in the wool Maize and Blue fan: I want absolutely no part of Terrelle Pryor, none, nada, zip. I’m tired of watching people make excuses for this kid because he has some serious potential on the gridiron. His act is tired, and as time marches onward, the red flags are starting to accumulate. It’s in times like these that people need to remember that one player will never be bigger than the team, let me go ahead and say that again: never. One of the things that I’ve always been proud of as a Michigan fan is that despite astronomical expectations, the program and the fan base have never been about win at all costs, and now is no time to start. I’m not saying that Pryor is a bad kid, I’m not trying to say that he will be bust, but there are too many signs and symptoms of a Mo-C type of situation here for my liking and folks, I don’t care if he beats Michigan four years in a row, I want no part of that humiliation. Bring up the name Maurice Clarett to any true Ohio State fan and watch their face contort in pain and anger, I want no part of that. The very fact that there is even a concern in that direction makes me want to simply walk away and pick up a very talented QB recruit next winter (which is a virtual lock at this point).

As I walk back along the timeline of Pryor’s recruitment, I find that it simply does not add up. For a player who was a virtual lock (according to a number of sources) to head to Columbus, why on earth has he not reached a decision yet? No one else finds it a bit odd that somehow, someway, nearly every other player who's going to be playing D1 football on scholarship managed to go ahead and figure out which school they'd like to attend despite what are no doubt very busy schedules?? But poor Terrelle Pryor plays basketball!!! You’re kidding? A high school football recruit who plays basketball?? When has that EVER happened before? How does he even find time to eat with that kind of schedule? Frankly I think the kids on the swim team at Jeannette High ought to seek out Mr. Pryor and one by one go over what their day-to-day schedule entails. I’m also not going to buy into the whole “huge magnitude of the decision” nonsense either. Guess what Terrelle, you knew that after this year, you'd be going to school, likely to play a sport of some nature, and perhaps in spite of all your time spent with your two sports that nearly EVERY talented highschool recruit participates in you should've set some time aside to decide a few things regarding your future. Now then, let’s say he was all set to make a decision and his father decided to nix it… does that make you feel any better about this whole mess? Me either.

Terrelle Pryor may or may not turn out to be a once in a great while type of college football player, but frankly, at this point, I don’t think he’s worth the gamble. It’s sad in a way, because now even if he somehow ends up at Michigan, the microscope will be on this guy from day one, and my anxiety level will be that much higher (selfish I know). I may end up eating these words, I may end up regretting the fact that I passed on the next great thing, or maybe I’ll be writing in this space in a few years about what a tremendous Michigan Man Terrelle Pryor has been and what his legacy will be… but standing here now, without the benefit of hindsight to aid me, can you honestly say you’d be all aboard for taking on this circus act? Not me, no thanks. I'll take a kid like Justin Feagin who's thrilled with the opportunity to play in Ann Arbor and certainly appears to have a good head on his shoulders… even though he may be rated as less talented. Why? Because it's about the team, the team, the team and thus far Terrelle Pryor has shown that he’s about nothing but me, me, me.

Champ. Out.

OMG recruit update II - late night edition

So. Um. I try to go to bed right? And I decide to check some things, you know, real quick like. Of course I stumble upon this, from Bucknuts. The pertinent info for those disinclined to link out:

"Terrelle Pryor just called me a few minutes ago and said he's now not signing tomorrow. He said he's 100-percent sure he's not signing. He said he's going to take an official visit to Penn State for sure, hopefully a weekend visit, and might visit Oregon. He said he is just not sure of his choice as of right now.

He has had numerous discussions with his father who really likes the way Penn State has recruited Terrelle. Penn State has been to Terrelle's father's house numerous times and had done a good job making him feel comfortable that PSU is the right place for his son.

So as of now it's OSU, Michigan, PSU and Oregon for his services with no signing date set. He could change his mind again when he wakes up, so I am simply reporting what he's telling me.

Trust me, he is not doing this for the attention, this kid sounds as torn up about a decision as any I've covered. And he is aware of the reputation that some folks are pinning on him and to that he told me he has to do what is right for him and can't worry about public opinion. He and his family come first and this is an important decision that he's not going to rush for anyone.

Good news for PSU fans here no doubt."

How reliable are we? Well, according to the thread, Rivals is reporting it, so it at least has a shred of believability. FWIW, the guy posting this isn't the guy talking to Pryor, he's linking premium info. Shady? Probably. Do I feel bad about this? Not really.

What happens from here is anyone's guess. If Terrelle doesn't sign tomorrow, expect a collective "aaaarrrrrrrghhhghhhhhhhh blech" from both Columbus and Ann Arbor, marking the first time in decades that the two cities have been able to agree on something. U-N-I-T-Y baby, that's how you spell it, and that's how Terrelle rolls.

UPDATE: The guy talking to Pryor in question is Rivals.com analyst Mike Farrell, so that clears that up. Also, cruise over to umgoblue.com's beautiful new message board for more verification/retching.

OMG Recruit Alert!!

Pryor will announce tomorrow per mgoblog. Yaaay.

I'm a trained professional right? I mean - I troll these internets with the wary eye of a stone-cold killer. I ain't never dropped a fool who wasn't in the game, mind you, but these internets are tough. That's why I don't recommend you troll the message boards alone. Leave that to men like me.

But, if you're the type who looks danger in the eye and makes it blink, you've probably noticed that Ohio State message boards (most notably Bucknuts) have been awash in "insiders" claiming that Pryor will be theirs. Don't worry, be happy Ohio State fans. Combine these insiders with speculation from coaches close to Pryor, and you've got the following equation: Pryor = Ohio State.

Today, we get our first rumblings that this may not be the case. Witness the offspring of ProFootballTalk, CollegeFootballTalk complete with large headline saying "Michigan thinks they have Pryor."

Then, a few moments later, this from a message board, which once again, I cannot recommend you take seriously in any way shape of form. Seriously. Leave the message boarding to professionals like me.

I just flew back from Pittsburg and guess who sat nect to me on the flight. Jerome Bettis. I sat and talked football with him for about 2 hours. Guess what he told me. Terrell Pryor is going to Michigan. Was never a doubt in his mind after the official visit. This was passed onto him from Charlie Batch who he had just been out with the night prior to his flight with me. As a Buckeye fan I'm crushed, and don't want to believe it. It even took away from the fact that I was sitting next to an NFL future HOF player and talking with him. I can furnish a photo upon request of myself and "The Bus" if needed. I hate when Darth Rodruigez and the evil empire wins.

My guess? Pot stirring. Your guess can be anything - but these are the first rumblings that Pryor may be headed for a future in blue rather than scarlet.

OMG! Pryor! Check out mgoblog if you want more analysis than I've provided. I, frankly, won't care until tomorrow when I know where he'll be playing.

Two Coaches Walk Into a Basketball Game...

A plague of coaches descended on the small town of Jeanette PA last weekend, headlined by Jim Tressel and Rich Rodriguez, of Ohio State and Michigan respectively. Luckily, State of Game was there to catch the conversation between the two. We were even lucky enough to snap off the following picture with our cell phone.



What follows is the conversation, furiously transcribed by Beauford Bixel and Champ Summers. We had staked out our spot under the bleachers, and were snacking on discarded super-rope and popcorn.



Jim: Hello Richard, how does this evening find you?

Rich: James [nods politely]

The two regard each other with a combination of respect and fear. Jim turns around briefly.

Rich: Here James, let me get that off your back [reaches and pulls a sticky note from Jim's back, and hands it to Jim]

Jim: [reading] Thanks for the wonderful evening last night, sincerely…

[Jim is suddenly blinded by a spot of light that dances on his face. Trying to find the source, his gaze focuses on a Championship Ring worn by Les Miles, who is across the court wearing a cowboy hat of purest white, along with complimentary vest and chaps, surrounded by 3 women in corsets.]

Les: [guffawing from across the court] Whooooooooo-eeeeeeeeee!

Jim: [muttering] Curses... that darn fool just isn't proper, and do you see the state of undress of his harem? Honestly [averts his eyes].

Rich: Don't worry about him Jim, he has only the conviction of his own
vanity, anyways I'm sure you'll get another chance at it soon. [slight grin] While I'm here, I do have to say that I believe you're in my seat old chap!

Jim: You speak with such sincerity. I see you are still a consummate competitor Richard, but I believe you doth protest too much, you see this is quite clearly my seat, let me just find my vouchers here that will put this matter to rest.

[Meanwhile, the starting lineups are announced, Pryor takes the floor to quite a commotion, and some especially loud cat-calls]

Les Miles: Whooooooooo-eeeeeeeeeeeeeee! [loses his hat briefly] Hey thar TP, lookeeeeeeeeeeee here! [The women disrobe and bend over to pick up objects that simply are not there, the entire gymnasium freezes...somewhere a husband is slapped] Mmmmmmmmmmmmm....mmm! You enjoy that there game of yours TP, leave the rest to ol' uncle Les...Whooooooooo-eeeeeeeeeee giggity!

Rich: [sighs] Did you happen to catch a glance of that brunette James, I think she winked at you

Jim: [exasperated] Heavens no, that man has no sense of decorum, and those women....

Rich: [taking one more good long look] Well, someone once said that vanity is a sin, but sometimes, a necessary one, and I gotta tell you James, I'm inclined to agree here

Jim: [still fumbling in his pockets] Where are those tickets?

[Suddenly, Jamarcus Russel enters the gymnasium wearing a sweater that is all of the colors of the visible spectrum and takes a seat next to Les]

Jamarcus: Hey coach, weawew lkljouw dgwetaga lknoldogu, adgweonliinkoij knougjww?

Miles: Hail yes she has a tremendous iknoldogu JaMarcus, whoooooooooo-eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!! Damn strong team here eh?!!!

Jim: Ok honestly, where are those tickets? Surely I couldn't have lost them... [Emptying his pockets a few pieces of paper fall to the floor, Rich picks them up]

Rich: Appears you dropped something there James, allow me to grab that for you [he picks up the pieces of paper: three Tressel-bucks, and an academic waiver with Terrelle Pryor's name scrawled across it] I say James, what with this chicanery?

Jim [stammering]: I'm not sure what you're talking about Richard, surely one of these cretins slipped those into my pantaloons while I wasn't paying attention

Rich: Excuse me for being incredulous James, it's not my nature, but this seems to be more than just a coincidence if you don't mind my saying so.

[The gym doors fly open, and a drunk stammers onto the floor, he sports a coon-skin cap and reeks of moonshine]

West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin: THAT WAS A CHARGE...MMPHREHGMPHHHH!!

Rich: This isn't all that surprising really... happened in practice once or twice a month

Jim: Really? That's ghastly, why I remember one time where I got so incensed at Maurice for coming in..... er..... nevermind

Rich: Just watch...

Manchin: AWWWWWW PEACHES!!!! BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA RAGGGGLEFRAGGLE! RICH IS THAT YOU? YOU SONSABITCHES I OUGHTA.... [suddenly talking to himself] OHHH JOE WHAT HAVE YOU GOTTEN YOURSELF INTO??? FIPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPS SHREDDERED OUR PLANSSSSSARB! YOU OWESSS USSS FORTITYHUNDRED DOLLAAAAAAARS EEEEEEEEEEEEEERS RULE! [he breaks down
crying and is unceremoniously removed from the gym]

Rich: Now then James, back to the matter at hand, I still contend you are in my seat

Jim: Richard, let's be reasonable here, I'm sure there's something that can be worked out twixt our two camps here, afterall, we're all just here to enjoy the wonder of amateur competition on the hardwood

Rich: Perhaps...

Jim: Actually Rich, you go right on ahead and have a seat here for a moment, I need some fresh air, missed out on my evening constitutional what with all the traveling and hullabaloo

Rich: That's mighty kind of you James, don't mind if I do

[Tressel ambles down to the sideline and stuffs an overflowing envelope of Tressel bucks into the coat pocket of Pryor's basketball coach, he does this with a smoothness and effortless nature, a move he's made 1000's of times before and continues on his way to the bathroom]

Miles: WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-HOOOOOOOOOOO GIGGITY, I DO BELIEVE THAT BOY KNOWS HOW TO PLAY, HEY TERRELLE YOU KNOW HOW TO MOTORBOAT??!

[Terrelle continues to play basketball, apparently unaware of the proceedings. Rich looks around, and quietly begins to shred his ticket and program, and basketball that he brought. He is stumped on the basketball, and looks around confused.]

Jim: [returning from the bathroom] I say, Richard, what seems to be the problem?

Rich: I was just...ummm...shredding some notes. Personal stuff, you know. Standard operating procedure.

Jim: Richard, what is this? [He holds aloft the player files of every player on UM's squad - all marked "single copy" and "confidential."]

[The final buzzer sounds, and Les exits the building entourage in tow. He blows kisses to Jim and Rich, apparently satisfied not to talk to Pryor. Pryor approaches the two coaches.]

Pryor: Hey coach Tress, Coach Rich [he extends his hand to both]

Jim: Now Richard - I simply will not tolerate this lack of class. What exactly do you have to hide there in those papers?

Rich: Oh, sure, sure - classy. What about those Tressel Bucks?

Pryor: Hey Coach - I didn't know if...

Rich: [interrupting] See here, James, I will simply not tolerate this sort of buffoonery. It simply won't stand!

Jim: [getting aggressive] Oh, that's RICH, Richard. You stand there and cast stones while you shred the only documentation that your student ahtletes were ever enrolled!

Rich: [chest to chest with Jim] Well, James, if this is going to come to fisticuffs, I've got what you want right here!

[The two leave to the parking lot, with a bewildered Terrelle Pryor behind. Scene shifts to a mostly deserted parking lot save for one white limo with steer horns on the front, and Mardi Gras beads dangling from the window. Rich and Jim take off their jackets and begin circling each other.]

Les: [Guffawing from the Limo] Hey Terrelle, you ever seen what happens when you light an entire steer on fire? How d'ya think I got them horns? Whooooooo-eeeeeeeee! [topless women are now dancing through the moonroof of the limo.]

[Rich has Jim in a headlock, but Jim squirms his way out]

Rich: My goodness James, you certainly are slippery!

Pryor: Hey, Coach Miles, you got room in there for one more?

[Pryor enters the Limo, and they drive off into the night with sounds of "whooooo-eeeeeeeeeee" echoing down the deserted lane.]

Jim and Rich, now separated, look bewildered. Both regain a sense of dignity, and return to their town cars. From the passenger window, they meet for the final time

Jim: Richard, it was a pleasure. [nods politely]

Rich: James, as always, adieu.


So there you have it - exclusive from Terrelle Pryor's basketball game from last Friday.

Expect Terrelle Pryor's committment to LSU on signing day, Wednesday, February 6th.

OMG recruit update II

Big news on the OMG recruit front.

Earlier reports have said that Terrelle Pryor will be making his decision on NLOI day, February 6th. Now, according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Pryor is backing off that original date.

High school football players can sign a binding letter of intent with a college, starting next Wednesday. But Jeannette quarterback Terrelle Pryor might not sign with anyone that day.

Pryor had planned to announce his college decision live on ESPN next Wednesday. But he said today he might wait at least a few days to make his choice.

"I'd say it's about 50-50 that I'll push things back," Pryor said.

One of the main reasons Pryor might not sign next Wednesday is because he is thinking about making an official visit to the University of Oregon some time next week.

Earlier this week, it seemed the race was down to Ohio State and Michigan because Pryor wasn't going to visit Oregon. If Pryor visits Oregon, the Ducks will still have a chance at landing him.

Pryor also said yesterday Penn State is not out of the running. Penn State coach Joe Paterno visited with Pryor at Jeannette yesterday. Paterno's son, Jay, Penn State's quarterbacks coach, and PSU defensive coordinator Tom Bradley also were there. They also visited with Pryor's father at his home.

Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch and Pryor's mother were in on the meeting with the Penn State coaches at Jeannette. Batch is helping Pryor in the recruiting process as a mentor.

"It went OK," Pryor said of the meeting. "I just don't know about the area up there. I don't know if I'd like being in that kind of area."

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel and Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez plan to attend Pryor's basketball game Saturday night and meet with him afterward. Jeannette football coach Ray Reitz said Rodriguez is planning to bring seven assistant coaches with him.

This could potentially be GREAT news for Oregon, who would have the last chance at an "official" visit with Pryor. IMHO, Penn State is not a real threat to land Pryor, and the race will be between Ohio State, Michigan, and (if a visit is taken) Oregon.

Rich Rodriguez plans to bring seven(!) assistant coaches with him to Pryor's basketball game. Yes, that's the same game that Jim Tressel will be at. My boy Rich rolls deep.

More as development warrents

OMG recruit update

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that this year's OMG recruit's (Pryor) Quarterbacks Coach has a "gut feeling" that he will go to Ohio State.

An Ohio paper. Reporting that OMG recruit will go to Ohio State. Shocking. I wasn't aware that newspapers dealt with "gut feelings." I thought they left that to us lowly bloggers.

OMG *insert recruit*

Beauford doesn't get recruiting. In my world, kids will all be treated the same. Like dogs. Lawn mowing, dish washing dogs. That's how I rear mine. There's even a joke there that I'm not going to make. I don't need to, for reasons detailed below.

I should make a distinction, subtle that it may be. I don't have a problem with recruiting, I have a problem with obsessive fans who perhaps follow it a bit too closely - and everyone knows who those people are. They sweat over the moves of 18 year old boys. Trust me, I've been on the message boards, and I half expect to see Chris Hanson walk in with a trail of dateline cameras.

Chris Hanson: What are you doing?

Beauford Bixel: Uhh..nothing man, nothing. He was confused, I'm just trying to help him with a...a...a difficult decision.

CH: Yeah, what about that brand new Corvette you brought?

BB: That's nothing man, nothing. I just thought...you know...he would enjoy that. He was only using it for the prom, you know.

CH: Do you know who I am?

BB: (starting to break) Yeah man, yeah. Whooooooo..shit.. I'm gonna go away for this aren't I? I know there's a whole department outside in fucking ninja suits waiting to taze me. Right?

CH: Walk out that door, you'll find out.

Man - that's just not my scene. Beauford can't go away for some punk shit like that. That's what I don't sweat the recruiting too much. Chris Hansen. Seriously.

So this year it's Terrelle Pryor, a 6'5" robot, and I'm not talking C-3PO. I'm talking fast as hell, cold as ice, football playing "I Robot" type android. This kid will kill Will Smith no questions asked. If you're an Ohio State fan, you are supremely confident that he's wearing Scarlet and Gray. If you're a Michigan fan, you're quietly praying he fills in the Quarterback position that is a huge man eating question mark at this point in time. You want to know a secret?

Both football teams will play next year - with or without Pryor. If losing one 5 star recruit was enough to sink either program, they'd be sunk by now. Both programs are big enough to continue, and both program's respective cupboards are stocked with premium china - we're not talking bullshit Bed Bath and Beyond 20% off crap. We're talking Grade "A" Pottery Barn shit with fancy designs on them. If either program were bare, they'd be Ball State. But they're not - they're Ohio State and Michigan.

So, take it from Beauford, this year's OMG recruit, Terrelle Pryor, will make his decision on February 6th. Until then, Michigan and Ohio State fans, keep Chris Hansen out of your kitchen, and stop sweating so hard. You're dripping on the counter.