Going Out the Right Way
The disappointment of not making the College Football Playoffs has already been addressed to the point where it no longer has any meaning.
What still does have meaning, however, is Ohio State’s upcoming game against USC, as well as the accomplishments that this team has already achieved.
There is one final opportunity for this Buckeye team to go out and play the way they know they can, and play the way they know they’ll need to in order to beat USC.
“Ultimately, our goal is to win our conference, which we did, then look forward to bigger and better things, which is the playoffs,” H-back Parris Campbell said.
“It was definitely disappointing to watch that and not be chosen, but at the end of the day we still have a game to play. It’s a big-time bowl, the Cotton Bowl, against a very good team. They won their conference as well. At the end of the day, we’ve got to send our seniors out with a win. It is what it is at this point.”
A Different Feel
A year ago at this time, the Buckeyes were preparing for the playoffs. Two more possible games. They were practicing for the long haul and getting ready for the toughest two-game stretch of the season.
That first game didn’t go so well, ending their season before they were expecting it to end.
This time around, however, everyone is going into the game knowing that this is it. This is the final time that this team will play together; the final time for these seniors to be on the field together.
So, yeah, things are different now.
“I think it’s just a different approach. For the seniors, they know it’s their last game. They’ll give everything they’ve got,” said defensive end Sam Hubbard.
“There’s no uncertainty. I’m not sure, I think it’s just a different feel. Maybe less pressure, but it’s still a huge matchup. We still want to win this game. Knowing that once we win this game, we know we’re conference champs, versus having to play again. I don’t know, I think it’s just less pressure.”
Next Year’s Quarterback
This spring, there will be four candidates vying to be Ohio State’s starting quarterback.
Joe Burrow and Dwayne Haskins will be the stars of that competition, but Tate Martell isn’t planning on playing third fiddle to anybody. The Buckeyes will also have 2018 signee Matthew Baldwin on campus beginning next month. There will be a lot going on.
If you were to ask Vegas — and it wouldn’t be a surprise at all if there was actually odds on this — they would probably tell you that Haskins is the favorite to start. Based on his play this season, that doesn’t seem to be such a bad option for the Buckeyes.
So what kind of player could he be for Ohio State next year?
“Dwayne is an elite quarterback,” said receiver Terry McLaurin. “He still has some growing up to do with his leadership qualities. Obviously, we all can see that the kid can play anywhere, any time. Dwayne is a very elite quarterback.
“I think with this offseason, spring practice, winter training, he’s just going to develop into a great leader, and yeah, so definitely that would be a fun guy to play with for sure.”