We'll get back to welcoming Nebraska soon enough. For now, it's much more fun to pile on the the carcass of Jim Tressel's integrity.
What do we know at this point:
- We know that Ohio State has suspended Jim Tressel for the first two games of the season (Akron and Toledo).
- We know that Ohio State has fined Jim Tressel $250,000.
- We know that Ohio State will issue a public reprimand of Jim Tressel.
- We know that Ohio State did not vacate any wins from 2010.
- We know that Ohio State imposed no scholarship restrictions upon itself.
- We know that Jim Tressel wears gray sweater vests for home games, red sweater vests for road games, and black sweater vests when he is trying to demonstrate his repentance.
I think that Ohio State will vacate their 11 regular season wins. The team knowingly played ineligible players. This isn't even a "should have known" situation, which caused the recent vacating of wins by Florida State, USC, and Alabama. The head coach knowingly played ineligible players. I suspect that the Arkansas bowl win will stand, because the team had reported the violation by then, and punishment had been handed down. Ohio State's final record for 2010: 1-12 (0-8). Their streak of Big Ten Conference Championships ended with 2009. [Note: since we in the Big Ten don't have as much experience as the SEC with vacated games versus forfeited games, a vacated win does NOT mean that the opponent gets credit for the victory. Michigan does not credit for beating Ohio State. That game had no winner.]
I think that the NCAA asks for no additional dollars from Tressel (beyond the $250K). It's just not their style.
I think that the NCAA puts Ohio State on two years probation. Meaning: We're watching you. Slip up in the next two years and we'll come down hard.
I think that the NCAA does not dock any scholarships. Not this time. But if anything ANYTHING is found in the near future...
I think that Jim Tressel will be suspended for five games. Is there a symmetry to the punishment given to the players? Yes.
I think that Jim Tressel puts the black sweater vest away.
If I'm Ohio State and the NCAA tells me that this is the penalty, I say thank you and quickly announce it before they change their mind.
Final NCAA prediction:
Wins Vacated: 11
Tressel Suspension: 5 Games
Years of Probation: 2
Scholarships Lost: 0
Additional Fines: $0
Now, brilliant reader, take your best shot. In those five categories, list what punishment you expect to see levied. Let's see who can get closest to the pin...