November 28 - We're Number One

National Championships in both sports would be a crowning achievement. For the time being, Ohio State can savor being the first school in nearly 33 years to be ranked #1 simultaneously in football and men's basketball.

Ohio State is only the third school to hold No. 1 rankings in both sports at the same time.

The last time was in January 1974 when the Notre Dame football team was voted #1 after defeating Alabama in the Sugar Bowl on Dec. 31, 1973. Less than three weeks later, on Jan. 19, 1974, the Notre Dame basketball team was #1 by ending UCLA’s 88-game winning streak.

The only other school known to have been #1 in football and men’s basketball simultaneously was UCLA in 1967. The Bruins held the #1 ranking in football for one week in November, when the basketball team was the reigning NCAA champion but the season had not begun.

Two things will define the argument.

The #1 OSU football team will play for the National Championship on January 8, 2007.

The OSU Basketball team may not hold onto the #1 ranking all season long. In basketball , you have the undeniable championship because of the playoff design of March Madness.

So, until then, enjoy the moment.

As I was exiting my Columbus hotel the morning after the OSU-michigan game, someone said to me, “It’s a good day to be a Buckeye.”

I responded, “Every Day is a Good Day to be a BUCKEYE.”