Goodbye Columbus?

Dave Sez has a good post regarding the issues that face the athletic program at Ohio State.

I am not sure how all of this turn out, but it really doesn't look good, does it?

All coaches should learn that the kids who have their hands out are nothing but trouble. Especially when the kids who don't have their hands out have to bear witness. Robert Smith, was one who did not, and he could prove to be a troublesome witness for Ohio State, because you may recall his well-publicized battles with the Ohio State athletic program over his classroom schedules, as the fleet running back dared to want to take laboratory courses so that he could go to medical school. Basically, Ohio State ticked Robert Smith off royally, so it will be interesting to see how the story plays out from this angle. (Robert Smith played 9 seasons for the Minnesota Vikings).

There is smoke in Columbus, and soon we'll see whether the smoke is only that created by disgruntled players and former players who have an axe to grind with the current athletic administration or whether there is an inferno beneath it.

I have been critical of Joe Paterno over the course of the past few months. Clearly, Paterno's situation is different from Ohio State's, and the stories really should not intersect. Except for one thing: I'd rather have Joe Paterno and the Penn State program any day of the week than a program that pays for players and does all sorts of things to keep kids in school who should not be there. Say what you want about Penn State, but they have never done that sort of thing. Not even close.

And Ohio State fans, those who earned their degrees the right way (and especially those who worked their way through school to do so), sure as heck are hoping that the controversy surrounding their beloved Buckeyes is nothing more than smoke.

Otherwise, Columbus should say goodbye to national titles for a long time to come.