Last year :  https://mgoblog.com/diaries/mgococktail-ohio-state-2021

Last year I talked about OSU being the monster at the end of the book, fearing it would be Freddie, Jason, The Creeper, and Michael Myers all rolled into one.  Turned out it was indeed, Grover.

                  Who then turned into a whinier Elmo after the loss. 

In the first installment of any creature or horror movie,  the creature or villain is almost invariably defeated by the young righteous group of teenagers.  The problem is if the movie is profitable enough, it will invariably lead to sequels.

The villain will universally be brought back stronger than ever and being hell bent on revenge.  Learning from the last movie to lure the new crop of teenagers, with 2-3 from the old cast to provide some “We’ve seen this shit before scenes.”

The problem with sequels is that the villain has been defeated, the audience knows it will happen again, there’s no possibility the villain will surprise and win, like SPOILER ALERT, Jeepers Creepers, Saw, or Cabin in the Woods.

All season Michigan has looked unbeatable over the course of a full game, and OSU’s lines on both sides of the ball have looked vulnerable.  Just like last year, the thought that the lines would dominate and growing set of confidence of going into hell and coming out alive.  Then the Corum hit happened and we’re right back in the sewer with the clowns from Columbus. 

Michigan and Ohio State have both been prepping for this game for seemingly weeks.  “Injured guys” have been held out.   Plays have been held back and hidden even as both teams were in danger in losing.   The math once both teams disposed of PSU was depressingly concrete, lose one, win the game go to the playoffs.

As I become a ball of nerves starting Thursday right after the turkey is cooked.  The questions will all be answered and its very possible the worry trolls and “I told you so’s people” worrying about pressuring Stroud,  covering  Marvin Harrison, or that pesky “passing offense”  will be proven correct.

I’m paranoid enough that I’m expecting Jackson Smith-Njigwa will be back and at full strength Saturday.  You mean a guy who would have gone in the top 10 in the NFL draft last year was conveniently held out with a “hamstring” for weeks just to show up for the game?  OSU has no level when it comes to winning this game.  

It’s all on the table, win and you’re in the CFP likely vs TCU.  Lose and maybe can still get in with an USC, or TCU and LSU loss, just to matchup with Georgia again.   6 weeks of buildup for 3.5 hours of nerve racking football.

The Boozy Buckeye

If drinking at noon or earlier, its really frowned upon to pull out the hard stuff, or at least what the wife tells me.  Let’s hide the booze/nerve duller in a hot chocolate.  It’s a pretty good idea for the long weekend.  Or for cold tailgates, if someone has the hot chocolate, and one of those prepared tailgates, easy to bring a jar of peanut butter. 

This is for a 20 oz mug or cup or mason jar. 

Ingredients:

12 oz Hot water

2 Hot chocolate packets

2 oz bailey’s or bourbon (Why not both is my opinion)

Whipped cream

1 tsp peanut butter  Melt it in the microwave so its easier to stir in

Chocolate / Caramel

Take your hot water and stir in your hot chocolate packets.  Take your liquor of choice and stir that in as well.  Finish stirring in the peanut butter.  Top with the whipped cream.  Be fancy and drizzle some chocolate or caramel on it.  Make a 2nd one for your partner to watch the kids while you devote 4 hours or more intensely on the game.  Or be the super hero and make a big batch of hot chocolate for everyone. 

MgoSalut!