It wasn’t a dominating performance, but second-ranked Ohio State did what it needed to do to remain in the BCS Championship hunt.

Miami? The No. 12 Hurricanes must focus on winning the ACC to get into a BCS bowl. In all likelihood, Miami’s hopes of returning to the biggest game of the season were likely snuffed out with a 36-24 loss to the Buckeyes Saturday at Ohio Stadium.

“That was two good teams battling hard at the beginning of the year,” said Ohio State coach Jim Tressel. “It’s going to be fun to watch both those teams the rest of the season and we’ve got to make sure that we get back to work.”

Tressel said he believe Miami is a Top 10 team, but “I was also interested to see if we were a Top 10 team, and I thought we played a very good team. So now if we’ll keep growing from that, we’ve got a chance.”

Here's the thing about Miami: even when they're just saying normal "the crowd won't affect our game" typical pre-game blather - they come across as complete a-holes.

Like this Miami Herald quote from Randy Shannon:

Twenty-four hours after Ohio State finished its season-opening romp, I've come down off my Ohio Stadium contact (Buckeye) high enough to try and be reasonable about what I saw. Simply, it was the best season opener I can recall during the Tressel era. That's not saying much as the Vest's teams tend to look like crap early in the non-conference season and squeak past overmatched opponents.

But, what I liked most about this opener wasn't necessarily the score or the big plays, but the veteran calm this team exudes. Honestly, it's a far cry from the outright panic that seemed to infect this team last year (ahem, Purdue.)

Other thoughts:

- I love Boom Herron, but Brandon Saine has a strange combination of speed and power that can create short yardage gains and big plays. Boom is tough, but he's just not the threat that Saine is. Oh yeah, and Jordan Hall and Jamaal Berry. And Carlos Hyde. It's a nice group.

- Terrelle Pryor is improved. Vastly. But some of the throws he completed Thursday aren't going to be there against better competition. Will he be okay with throwing the ball away?

- Still need a third receiver.

- Nice work by the offensive line. Mike Adams was okay, but struggled with a smaller quicker DE.

- Offense continued to build on the Rose Bowl schemes with lots of sprint draws and pass-run rollouts. But there was no read option and no unbalanced lines (well, one I think. It's a Tress standby). In other words, it seems they put up 38 points without showing anything Miami it hasn't already seen.

- Defensively, same theme. The Bucks didn't show much and were able to shut down Marshall, although the Herd played it so conservatively there was no way they were going to make much head way.

- DL knows how to muck it up, LBs know how to clean it up. DBs are still a concern. As i've said, only a team that can throw the ball vertically is going to hurt this defense.

- Need Nate Williams back next week to help the pass rush, especially if OSU decides not to blitz as much. There was some corner and safety blitzing, but not much stunting.

Either way, the best start of the Tress era with an experienced Miami team coming into Columbus next week. While I've said Miami's ability to throw the ball vertically will challenge OSU, I think if the Bucks can stop the run and force Harris to throw with bad downs and distances - it could be a long night for Miami. Of course, that's the key to every football game isn't it? More on this game during the week.

As nearly everyone in college football media was reporting today (way to stop those leaks, guys) the Big Ten announced its new divisional format for 2011 (and probably until 2015).

So, Ohio State and Michigan get split, but according to Big 10 Commisioner Jim Delany will continue to play each other in the final weekend of the regular season.

Delany also claimed that contrary to reports surfacing the past couple weeks, pitting Ohio State and Michigan against each other in October was never discussed. Yeah, okay Jim, sure. Athletic directors were making it all up.

As far as the rivalry goes, this was probably the best compromise that was going to happen. Ohio State and Michigan were just never going to be in the same division. Penn State just wasn't going to be shipped out west with Nebraska.

Teams will have five division games, one protected rival from the other division and rotate the other two games - at least until 2015, when a nine-game Big Ten schedule could happen.

But the news from Big Ten League of Justice headquarters didn't stop there as the 2011 and 2012 schedules were released. For the Buckeyes, who were already traveling to Miami in the non-conference - a trip to Lincoln, Neb. was added. Ouch. I guess that's offset by Penn State coming to Columbus for a second straight year.

I haven't written anything on the topic of the week, the possible move of the Ohio State - Michigan game, because I truly don't know what to say. (Although I managed a few choice words in our podcast from earlier this week.)

It's also frustrating because it seems, as with most Big 10 decisions, this thing is three-quarters done before the powers that be decide the paying public gets to know what's going to happen. Most of the time I sense Jim Delaney just wants to come down from the mount with his new rules on stone tablets and we're all supposed to bow down and thank him.

See? I'm already off track because this whole thing is so infuritating.

Yesterday, Delaney spoke with ESPN Big Ten blogger Adam Rittenberg and offered up a series of lame analogies to Duke - North Carolina basketball (basketball?!?! do apples taste like oranges in your world, Jim?) and explaining how much Ohio State and Michigan would mean meeting a second time in a Big Ten championship game.

This smells completely bogus. Today, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith offered up a vague video on the web site speaking of "sensitive issues that cannot be revealed" which sounds a lot like our government's "we know better than you because we know things but can't tell you" explanation for -- well, doing just about anything.

I've sat around and gone through just about all the long-term scenarios I can -- Notre Dame eventually joining the Big Ten; super conferences; a football playoff; etc. -- and I can't think of a single reason that justifies moving this game.

Most people who are up in arms speak of tradition, which is no doubt important. I've heard many others claim that moving the game to October would be no big deal -- after all it works for Texas-Oklahoma. Yet Auburn-Alabama remain in the same division, the week before the SEC title game and it seems to get along just fine. There just isn't really justification for moving this game. I've never heard an argument that made a single lick of sense in this whole debate.

But, I'll add in marketing speak, moving this game diminishes it and any change that diminishes this game hurts the Big Ten "brand."

That's my head talking.

My heart is slightly less rational. That Big Ten Championship game? Who gives a crap?

Beat Blue!

Hopefully at the end of November.

In an idea cribbed straight from the other half of this blog - the 'Eer - I thought I'd take a quick tour through Ohio State's 2010 opponents. While the Buckeyes' schedule isn't the toughest they've ever faced, there are some big challenges coming up in 2010, especially on the road.

12. vs. Eastern Michigan (Sept. 25)

I can't believe i'm going to shell out $70 for this nightmare. EMU may not be the worst team in college football, but they're real, real close. Next time you complain about your big, favorite D. I squad playing a Non-Bowl Subdivision squad, remember this - they could be playing Eastern Michigan.

All-time record: 0-0-0

11. vs. Indiana (Oct. 9)

The Hoosiers are typically a scrappy bunch under Bill Lynch, but this team doesn't appear to have much in the tank and seem headed for the bottom of the Big 10. IU typically doesn't fare well in Ohio Stadium.

All-time record: OSU 66-12-5

10. vs. Marshall (Sept. 2)

In 2004 the Thundering Herd came to Ohio Stadium and were a last-second Mike Nugent field goal from at least sending the game to overtime. That Herd team was pretty good and this squad under first-year coach Doc Holliday should be solid, returning lots of starters from last year's 7-6 team.

But that Ohio State 2004 team was a trainwreck at the start of the year and this group isn't.

All-time record: 1-0-0

9. vs. Ohio University (Sept. 18)

Ah, the Bobcats. A few people know my disdain for the plucky little school located in the heart of Appalachian Ohio, mostly because of their chip-on-the-shoulder alumni. Anyway, OU will keep it close for a half because this is their Super Bowl. The Bucks will end their dreams of upset in the third quarter and the OU fans will get really, really drunk.

All-time record: OSU 6-0-0

8. vs. Purdue (Oct. 23)

The Boilermakers are improving under Danny Hope and bring new quarterback Robert Marve and a solid receiver in Keith Smith to Columbus. But after last year's debaucle, this is a game Ohio State's been looking forward to.

All-time record: OSU 37-13-2

7. at Illinois (Oct. 2)

The Zooker has taken Illini to the highest highs - and now - the lowest lows. Even if Memorial Stadium has been a tough place for the Buckeyes historically, it's hard to imagine this year's group of Illini giving much of a fight.

All-time record: OSU 62-30-4

6. at Minnesota (Oct. 30)

Tim Brewster, the Zooker of Minneapolis, will be fighting for his job one year after the Gophers opened TCF Stadium. Mostly because a beautiful new facility shouldn't have empty seats. Considering UM isn't going to win the league, only an upset of a power like OSU could help save Brewster. Uh, that'll be tough.

All-time record: OSU 42-7-0

5. vs. Michigan (Nov. 20)

It was difficult to rank the Wolverines as the fifth-toughest game on OSU's schedule, but I'm giving them some historical benefit of the doubt. One just has to assume the Buckeyes will get UM's best effort, just because of how lopsided the series has been in recent years. RichRod will be fighting for his job. A win here could save it.

All-time record: Michigan 57-43-6

4. vs. Penn State (Nov. 13)

This seems like it should be a good game, but the Nits have rarely put up a fight in Columbus. Quarterback questions could hamper a strong rushing attack led by Evan Royster.

All-time record: Ohio State 13-12-0

3. vs. Miami, Fla. (Sept. 11)

The highlight game of the Big Ten's non-conference season (sorry, Penn State-'Bama) this is an interesting game with lots of historical subplots. From the 2002 national title game loss which sent Miami, Fla. into a Larry Coker-induced tailspin, to all the South Florida players on the Buckeye roster, these two teams will be plenty excited. The Canes are looking for a big non-conference win. But Miami's poor performance against Wisconsin last year makes me skeptical they'll be the biggest challenge on Ohio State's schedule.

All-time record: 2-1-0

2. at Iowa (Nov. 20)

Iowa is loaded again this year and last year's game was a nailbiter in Ohio Stadium. Ricky Stanzi and a stout defensive line will make the Hawkeyes a difficult challenge. Plus, Kinnick Stadium is one of the toughest places in the league to play. But Kirk Ferentz hasn't had a ton of success against Jim Tressel and the Buckeyes.

All-time record: OSU 45-14-3

1. at Wisconsin (Oct. 16)

While I think Iowa might be a better team than Wisconsin, the combination of a liquored up Camp Randall, the bruising running of John Clay and a talented Wisky offensive line will make this Ohio State's biggest challenge of 2010. Last year, the Badgers outgained and pretty much outplayed Ohio State in Columbus, but were undone by turnovers. Plus I still have nightmares of all those games Earle Bruce dropped in the early 80s against truly poor Badger teams.

All-time record: OSU 53-17-5

Crap, not this again.

Yes, it appears the Nike Pro Combat Soul Sucker Unis are back for 2010.

You may recall their appearance in 2009. Magically, 10 select Nike schools wore the Pro Combat (what kind of f*ing name is that? It's football, not war. Drama queens) for their matchup with opponents who just happened to be outfitted by rival companies such as adidas or Under Armour.

For example, Ohio State showed up at adidas-owned Michigan  in those weird white helmets and flat gray nightmares. Nike State chose to market the uniforms as "throwbacks" to ease fan pain and handwringing, when naturally, they don't really resemble any past Buckeye uniforms.

I know, I'm being old and stodgy and curmudgeonly and everybody is supposed to ooh and ahh over whatever atrocity Oregon is wearing this week, but c'mon, if you want to roll this crap out against Eastern Michigan - I'm all for it. But let's keep it out of the actual Michigan game. Of course, the way things are going for the Blue, Eastern might be a bigger game soon enough.

The punt, according to Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel, is the most important play in football.

You'll notice he didn't say most exciting.

But hey, Tress is Tress, and that's what makes him the cold, calculating, sweatervest-wearing, completely unloveable head of the Buckeyes.

Today,  Ohio State trudged over to Ohio Stadium for the fall Kick Scrimmage. Yep, in case you didn't know, the Buckeyes got a whole scrimmage of nothing but kickoffs, punts, field goals and fakes.

Yee. Haw. Now that's fun, Buckeye style. Who needs anything but a nice long snap?

Anyway, in not that surprising news, Ohio State kickers and punters look good. Place kickers were a combined 21 of 24 in the scrimmage, which is about the same number of field goal attempts OSU kickers typically get in the first three games. Former Major League Soccer midfield Devin Barclay is expected to retain his hold on the starting job - at least for shorter kicks. Freshman Drew Basil will likely kick off and get the longer tries.

I'm not going to pretend I understand this, or why the need to do it. But it seems having students perform like they are on an episode of Glee is popular everywhere. Even at Ohio State.

Just one question, with 60,000 students in Columbus are any of them not white? Apparently none of them are members of the Flash Mob.

Former Ohio State and Oakland Raiders great Jack Tatum passed away from a heart attack today, at the age of 61.

Tatum, rightly or wrongly, will mostly be rememberd for the hit that paralyzed New England Patriots wide receiver Daryl Stingley. Tatum was widely criticized for the hit and for never apologizing. Gannett's Mike Lopresti has a good take on the whole situation here.

At Ohio State Tatum hadn't really earned that reputation. He entered OSU as a running back as a member of a class that would win the national title in 1968.

Tatum came to OSU as a running back but was moved to defensive back, supposedly due at the request.

While Tatum became a vicious hitter in the pros, but much of his reputation was publicity and how Tatum embraced his "Assassin" persona and his association with the Raiders, widely considered the league's renegade team. Off the field, Tatum was considered a kind man by most of his teammates and friends.