For once, there’s actually a lot of news surround Lil’ Animal and I’m going to run through it right quick:

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The 2008 14th Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List has been released and we once again see a host of familiar names from Buckeye Nation, including James Laurinaitis.

The Bednarik Award goes to the top defensive player in the country.

Joining him on the list are Malcolm Jenkins and Marcus Freeman. Again, not a surprise there.

The list will be shortened in early November to reveal the semifinalists, with the 3 finalists being announced at the end of that month. ESPN’s College Football Awards, which will air in early December, will provide the winner announcement.

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USA Today’s Sports Weekly has recently published and released 6 regional versions of it’s 2008 College Football Preview.

James is one of 6 elite players to grace one of the covers. Big deal? Yes, indeedy.

The issue, on newsstands now, will remain available until July 28, 2008 for the price of $4.95. [MORE INFO]

The meat of the 64 page special centers around Sports Weekly’s top 10 teams which naturally include the loaded Buckeyes.

I swear, if I go to a newsstand and see Pitt’s LeSean McCoy on the cover, I will be drafting a strongly worded WTF letter to the people at Sports Weekly.

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James Laurinaitis continues to be showered with preseason recognition. This is almost getting out of hand. I said, almost!

This update contains the latest All-America and All-Conference honors as bestowed by Phil Steele in his annual “College Football Preview”.

James was named to the All-America 1st team along with his Buckeye teammates Beanie Wells, Marcus Freeman, Malcolm Jenkins, and Alex Boone. Steve Rehring and Brian Robiskie were 3rd and 4th team respectively.

Steele’s Big Ten All-Conference list is out as well. To no one’s surprise, Ohio State cleaned up there too.

The same 1st teamers from the national All-America list, were also 1st team All-Conference. Robiskie and Rehring jumped up to 1st team, joining them, as well as Anderson Russell. QB Todd Boeckman, Safety Kurt Coleman, Kicker Ryan Pretorious, and Punter AJ Trapasso made the 2nd team.

I’m entirely too lazy to type out all the Buckeye pwnage in the All-Conference honors, so be sure to check it out for yourself!

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Rivals has released their 2008 Power Rankings of the Top 25 players and coaches in college football at the conclusion of spring practices. Ohio State boasts two #1s at their respective positions; Chris “Beanie” Wells is the top ranked RB in the nation while James Laurinaitis takes the top spot in the linebacker corps.

Not too shabby!

Be sure to check out the full list as a number of other Buckeye players and coaches are ranked.

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As fans of James Laurinaitis, we’ve become accustomed to accolades being showered upon Lil’ Animal. And no, it doesn’t ever get old.

The newest in James’ long list of honors is a 2nd straight Playboy Preseason All-American appearance. JL and teammate Malcolm Jenkins were both spotted in Phoenix last weekend, likely attending the photoshoot and corresponding weekend of events which included an awards dinner and sports competition.

The September issue, containing the 52nd annual list, will hit newsstands mid-August.

HT: Buckeye Commentary

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To no one’s surprise, James Laurinaitis has been named to the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. Sponsored by the Charlotte Touchdown Club, the annual award is given to college football’s best defensive player.

Buckeye teammates Marcus Freeman and Malcolm Jenkins also appear on the newly released list.

James won this award in 2006 and was a finalist for the 2007 season. By default he almost has to be considered the front-runner. We shall see!

Find more information at www.touchdownclub.com.

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With the conclusion of Spring Practices, ESPN has revised its pre-season Top 25 poll. Apparently they were impressed with what they saw in Columbus because the Ohio State Buckeyes are the new #1 team.

Raise your hand if you want to see the Buckeyes back in the BCS title game … didn’t think so. But with an extraordinary number of juniors and seniors returning, Ohio State seems poised to become the first team in the 112-year history of the Big Ten to win three straight outright league titles. Even if the Buckeyes lose at USC on Sept. 13, they might end up playing in the BCS title game in Miami on Jan. 8.

I can pretty much hear the rest of the country bitching, can’t you? That’s right. Suck it!

Here is the Top 10:

1. Ohio State
2. Georgia
3. Oklahoma
4. USC
5. Florida
6. Missouri
7. Clemson
8. Texas
9. West Virginia
10. Auburn

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I’m not known for being patient. I went and found the 2 minute piece on Ohio State’s spring practice myself and have uploaded here for all to see. So, you won’t have to suffer through SportsCenter tonight if you don’t want to.

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Yea, this oughtta be good.

I’m just kidding. I’m not really one of those Ohio State fans that think the mainstream media is out to get us and disrespect Buckeye Nation and its football program.

This series of in-depth looks at college football’s top programs are positive. SportsCenter is taking a team each night and giving an “All Access” look at spring practice. Considering how hard it was for the media to get in and cover OSU’s sessions so far, this should be good.

Tonight they put the spotlight on the Nick Saban-led Alabama Crimson Tide. Nice little fluff piece complete with interviews from some of the players, as well as Saban himself. The OSU preview leads me to believe that the focus will be on how OSU can make it back to the title game, plus the addition of Terrelle Pryor.

For those of us who can’t get enough football during this lean off-season, I’m interested in seeing what ESPN puts together. Watch a short preview below:

The feature will air during tomorrow’s SportsCenter show.

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