Sports

Buckeyes Don’t Believe They’re Underdogs Against Oregon

Published

11 years ago

January 9, 2015

Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) runs Alabama in the first half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal game, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

RUSTY MILLER, AP Sports Writer

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Offensive tackle Taylor Decker doesn’t believe that Ohio State is an underdog to Oregon in the national championship game on Monday.

In fact, Decker refuses to recognize that anything so outlandish is even possible.

“I know Vegas or ESPN or whatever has us as a 7- or 9-point underdog or something like that but we are not,” Decker said, clearly agitated. “We are not an underdog. Ohio State is never going to be an underdog, and that is just how it is.”

Oddsmakers in Las Vegas have the Ducks as a 6 1/2-point favorite, a spread driven up from an initial straight-up pick by bettors backing Oregon. Many TV pundits also like Oregon to grab the inaugural playoff crown.

Meanwhile, the Buckeyes take it personally, privately and sometimes publicly seething while awaiting a chance to prove people wrong in a third consecutive game — the third of four games this season Ohio State will play as an underdog.

Wisconsin was favored over the Buckeyes in the Big Ten championship game. The Badgers did not cover the 3 1/2-point spread, however, losing 59-0. Then, Alabama was an 8-point favorite pick to win the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day against the Buckeyes. Ohio State came out on top 42-35.

It’s been a driving force all season for Ohio State: Somebody puts them down or praises an opponent and next thing you know, the Buckeyes are celebrating when they leave the field.

That was the case in their biggest win of the regular season, when they were 3 1/2-point underdogs traveling to No. 8 Michigan State on Nov. 8, then beat the Spartans by 12 points.

“Everyone chose us to lose. We took that to heart. We went out there and played,” said Ohio State defensive tackle Adolphus Washington. “It was a good thing to carry over throughout the rest of the season.”

The Buckeyes, like Oregon a winner in 13 of 14 starts, have won a nation’s best 12 games in a row since a dismal 35-21 loss to Virginia Tech in its second game.

They’re 9-5 against the spread this year (compared with Oregon at 10-4 against the spread), and face two big elements swaying public perception toward the Ducks in the national championship game, gambling expert R.J. Bell of Pregame.com said.

Oregon is appealing to bettors because it plays fast, scores a lot of points, and just beat a team that hadn’t lost in two years, Bell said. Meanwhile, some bettors perceive the Big Ten as a second-rate conference in college football — teams in the conference were underdogs in all 10 bowl games played so far this year before the title game, Bell said.

“It’s just very unusual that it would fall this way,” Bell said. “It’s really a perfect storm of public bias.”

It makes most of the Buckeyes angry.

“Shocker. That’s a shock that we’re the underdogs again even after we beat the No. 1 team in the nation,” said linebacker Darron Lee. “But, hey, whatever.”

Safety Tyvis Powell also bristles at the mention of the ‘u’ word.

“We still don’t get the respect that we deserve,” he said. “I’ve seen some things on the Internet where, like, 66 percent of the world is picking Oregon. I mean I understand why, everybody sees Oregon and they’re like, ‘Oh, wow.’ But it’s just motivation to come out here and make sure we get the job done.”

Others are disinterested in what others say or think.

“I don’t care if we’re the underdogs or favorites,” quarterback Cardale Jones said. “We’re going to go out there and play like it’s the last game of the season.”

Because, well, it is the last game of the season — with the first CFP playoff title riding on the outcome.

Bell said being pegged as an underdog often motivates elite teams and gives them a psychological edge.

“Bowl games in particular, underdogs have an advantage because they have a significant leadup time to the bowl game in which they’re told they’re not supposed to win,” Bell said.

Since 2000, Ohio State has been an underdog 31 times. It beat the spread 20 times and won 16 of those games outright, Bell said.

Coach Urban Meyer said he may conjure up the underdog label to fire up his team, if need be.

“I don’t, like, pull out my ‘underdog script’ that we have in my file,” he said, tongue in cheek. “It’s what kind of team you’ve got and who you’re playing. Since I’ve been a head coach, we’ve gone berserk with it a few times and there’s other times — this last one (against Alabama) — we didn’t really play it up much.”

Several of the Buckeyes said they welcomed being an underdog. After all, it’s easier to surprise your opponent (and the experts) that way.

“It’s kind of an unsaid feeling, a vibe that we all get. It kind of goes to the hunger we have as a team,” wide receiver Evan Spencer said. “Them putting us as underdogs? Let ’em, I don’t care. We play so well as underdogs, I don’t really care what they predict the score to be because I know what we’re going to go out there and do. Let’s go play ball.”

___

Follow Rusty Miller on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/RustyMillerAP

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

2 months ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

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Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

9 months ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

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McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

Published

12 months ago

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Oakland Post

Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.