“Players are like tea bags. You don’t know what you got until you put them in hot water.” – Ohio State OC Chip Kelly
Ever since the dust settled in the transfer portal, the ink dried on NFL contracts, and Spring practice began, the hype around this Ohio State team has grown. Several analysts have proclaimed this team as one of the most talented rosters they’ve ever been around.
“This is one of the most talented rosters in the last decade, maybe ever.” – former Ohio State HC Urban Meyer stated in an interview earlier this season.
Even Marshall’s Head Coach Charlie Huff has weighed in on how talented the Buckeyes are, even trying to persuade some of them to throw their name in the transfer portal in exchange for an NIL deal with the beloved West Virginia staple, Tudors Biscuit World. Huff offered players at Ohio State an all you could eat NIL deal If they decided to follow the country roads to Huntington, WV.
But that’s never been something Ohio State has lacked, in fact, it’s been one of the most consistent parts of this program since I can remember.
Since I was young enough to understand the game of football, Ohio State has never had any trouble fielding a team littered with NFL talent, Heisman finalists, and other various award winners.
Players like Braxton Miller, Troy Smith, the Bosa brothers, Terrelle Pryor, Denzel Ward, James Laurenitis, CJ Stroud, Marvin Harrison Jr have all walked the halls of The Shoe. The list of talent that’s worn scarlet and grey could go on forever.
But over the past several seasons all the talent in the world just hasn’t been enough. You can blame some of that on Ryan Day’s game management (Looking at you 2022 CFP game against Georgia), or his lack of aggressiveness in last years game against TTUN. You can blame it on the inexperience of Kyle McCord, the defense of Kerry Coombs, the offensive line, or whatever else you want, but at the end of the day, there’s been one key quality the Buckeyes have been missing. Their ability to respond when they’re put in hot water.
This year’s team will have its fair share of tests, the first coming in a few weeks when they will travel to Eugene, OR for a battle under the lights against a top ranked Oregon team.
We’re going to find out here soon how these players respond when they’re dipped in hot water.
And this team feels different than prior years. They’re experienced, talented, and motivated.
Will Howard brings experience and leadership to the QB position, something they missed last season.
The elite defense from last year is almost entirely back, and with a chip on their shoulder.
And Ryan Day knows this season holds his future in the palm of its hand.
The expectations couldn’t be higher in Columbus, and Marshall is jut the next team standing in the way of the goal this team all came back to achieve.
And they’re not going to let anyone stand in their way.
Ohio State 49 Marshall 0
