Our Honor Defend

Justin Boren rather infamously left the University of Michigan and enrolled at The Ohio State University.  He discussed the decision in part at the time and, to my knowledge, said nothing further about the decision.

Until now.

Justin Boren, with father Mike, sat down and elaborated on some of the inner workings that eventually led him to Ohio State and what has transpired since that time.  Naturally, Michigan fans can reach for the nearest bucket of nails in order to start spitting.  After reading, though, a few things come to mind.

First, just to get it out of the way, apparently Gary Moeller’s contribution to traitory goodness still goes underappreciated.  Jack Park has mentioned the two former Buckeye players who returned from WWII duty to play for the Wolvereenies, but still no mention of Gary O. Moeller.  You know, an alumnus of The Ohio State University who gets taken under Schembechler’s wing, unleashes Desmond Howard and that forgettable 1993 game on Ohio State fans, and all of it while quite possibly drunk or hungover?  Fine, whatever, on to Boren.

Though Justin decided to elaborate on some things, it’s clear from what he had to share that any illwill over the saga won’t go away before too long.  The Borens cap off their conversation on the transfer itself by saying that they don’t want to add too much until Justin’s playing days are over, but what was made available won’t sit well with Michigan fans for sure.  Even when praising Tressel for the emphasis he and staff place on education, spiritual development and “respect”, it’s implicit in these comments (and indeed inferred from results) that Boren says Rodriguez lacks these.  Saying that the Michigan fans most upset (and sending him less than flattering text messages) about the transfer are “a bunch of idiots” doesn’t help things. To be honest, and knowing that there’s just no easy way to address this issue without ruffling a few feathers, I would’ve been a little more pleased if Justin handled this right now by saying that it’s ultimately his (Justin’s) decision, that he’s thrilled to be at Ohio State and to work for Jim Tressel, and that the obscene text messages he’s been getting over the decision are beyond petty and childish. I can’t (and won’t) speak to Justin’s experiences under RichRod, though, and will credit RichRod for opting not to comment.

Also sure to upset Michigan fans is Mike Boren’s comment that the negative energy feeds Justin Boren’s will to compete because, indeed, more than a few of them — if not all of them — will ask why this negative energy didn’t motivate Justin under RichRod. For my purpose, though, I’m not interested in why there would be this discrepancy. Indeed, I’m not a Michigan fan and am only hoping that Mike Boren’s comments are true now. Justin Boren isn’t the first second generation Wolverine to play for Ohio State (Anthony Gonzalez should sound familiar), but he does have one of the most intriguing potentials of any incoming Buckeye in recent memory.  As basically a non-scholarship JUCO player and a transfer from TSUN, Justin has the possibility to be one of the all-time legends (villain or hero, take your pick) in the history of the rivalry or one of the all-time goats. I’ll be pulling for Justin to become the former in this dichotomy, but I hope he’s aware that he’s not only going to have to stick it to those “bunch of idiots” in Michigan, but prove to Buckeye fans everywhere that he’s serious about it.  From what he and his dad have shared, and knowing the company he will keep for the next two years (the Brew Crew), I feel confident he’ll come through. I’m sure Michigan fans reading this while still spitting nails are going to disagree.

Some miscellaneous things of note:

• Mike Boren is a much better father than I would’ve been regarding the recruiting battle between Ohio State and Michigan.  The first kid of mine to attend the University of Michigan is the first kid of mine to live in a cardboard box before he/she graduates from high school.  But again, this is why I’m not allowed to have children… court order…
• I’m surprised with what Mike Boren shared on some of Bo Schembechler’s recruiting tactics regarding Justin.  I’m not saying it’s wrong, but I don’t think I would respond kindly to it if I were Mike Boren.  Of course, I won’t throw stones, because Woody Hayes pulled similar ploys on this regard.
• It’s always good to read fluff on how much people admire Jim Tressel.  You won’t be disappointed on that part after reading this.
• The Borens are letting on that there might actually be something to the Dispatch report on Carr having some hand in the transfer.  Naturally, it’s basically a “no comment” at the point.

And lastly:

“I’ll always root for Justin, but I’ll never root for Ohio State,” Hart says.

Classy (and I mean that), but I’m still compelled to say: H20-4, buddy.  Don’t give yourself nicknames.