This is the 39th in a series of 100 daily posts, a Countdown to College Football. (Sort of.)
Welcome to the 39th introduction of your daily fix of daily introductions.
In today’s edition, you can read about the man who got the Michigan domination started, a Group of 5 showdown, my week one schedule, and a matchup between dynamic Marylanders…?…Marylandians…?…Marylandsmen?…human beings from Maryland.
Ironically, even though we have been calling this feature “100 Days to Football” for over a month now, today is actually 100 days from the Oregon State game, which is pretty cool. Also pretty cool is yesterday’s edition of this series here.
Now please join us as we continue our countdown of the 100 greatest Buckeyes of The Ozone era (1996-present).
We will also preview one of the 100 most exciting games on this fall’s college football schedule, and one of the 100 things we’re most looking forward to this fall.
Plus, we’ll preview one of this season’s 100 biggest personnel matchups.
Greatest Buckeyes Of The Ozone Era
#62 Jonathan Wells, 1998-2001
Jonathan Wells is one of the few Buckeyes who came to Ohio State from Louisiana. He’s basically the reverse Joe Burrow.
Wells was part of a 1998 class with Steve Bellisari, LeCharles Bentley, Nate Clements, Willie Grant — whom you might remember as “Cie,” Jamar Martin, Kenny Peterson, and Donnie Nickey.
Wells’ first three years were a build toward his senior season. As a freshman in 1998, he rushed for 197 yards, followed by 292 yards as a sophomore, and then 598 yards as a junior.
Then came 2001 and his senior year. Jim Tressel’s first year.
Wells rushed for 1,257 yards that season, but it was his performance against Michigan that will never be forgotten.
Even though he had rushed for over 100 yards in each of the four games prior to the Michigan game, the Wolverines were still completely unprepared for what would hit them.
Leading 7-0 at the start of the second quarter from the Michigan 46-yard line, Tressel decided to go for it. The give went to Wells, who broke up the middle and went 46 yards for the touchdown. The score gave the Buckeyes a 14-0 lead and for the first time since 1998, Ohio State fans began to think they might actually win this.
Wells added a third first-half touchdown later in the quarter. He rushed for 122 yards on 23 carries in the first half. Cramps in the second half would limit him to just two more touches, but the damage had been done, and a legend had been born.
Best Games This Fall
#62 Fresno State at Boise State
This is one of those games you hope is on when all of the more important games are over and you can just relax and have some fun. This is basically a massage game.
This could very well be a preview of the Mountain West Championship Game, just as it was last season. These two teams actually played in consecutive weeks last year because the regular season matchup was also the regular season finale. The conference smartened up this time around and put this game in early November.
Fresno State had an incredible turnaround in 2017, and more is expected of them this year. Boise State may have finally moved past Chris Petersen’s shadow. This might not seem like much now, but by the time November comes around, it could be the biggest Group of 5 game of the year.
What We Can’t Wait To See
#62 Anything and Everything in Week One
I don’t know when kickoff will be between Oregon State and Ohio State, but I’m hoping it’s a noon kick. If it is, I’ll be planning on leaving the press box by about 6:45 so that I have time to swing by and pick up some grub on my way home to see Michigan at Notre Dame. I’m already thinking Cane’s.
The unfortunate thing about a 7:30 kick in that game is that I might be stuck in the press box watching a close finish in a 3:30 game. Perhaps Texas at Maryland, or Washington v. Auburn from Georgia.
If Oregon State is a 3:30 kick, however, then I shudder to think of the noon kickoffs that I’ll be happily watching. Northern Illinois at Iowa? Akron at Nebraska? Kent State at Illinois? (Just kidding.)
If it is a 3:30 kick, then Tom and I are probably going to be doing a Facebook Live for 45 minutes and then we’ll get back up to the press box to watch the fourth quarter of Michigan and Notre Dame. Cane’s will have to wait.
One hundred days from this very day.
Matchup To Watch
#62 Ty Johnson, Maryland RB vs. Keandre Jones
Nearly two-and-a-half years ago, Maryland natives Keandre Jones and Dwayne Haskins decommitted from Maryland and committed to Ohio State. Haskins is about to take over as the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback, and Jones worked this spring to do the same at linebacker.
If Jones does end up winning a starting linebacker spot, he better be prepared for what is to come when the Buckeyes head to College Park the week before the Michigan game. Maryland running back Ty Johnson is one of the most explosive players in the Big Ten, averaging 7.6 yards per carry over the last two seasons.
For his part, Jones is one of the more athletic linebackers in the conference. He can cover ground like few others, and with the way the Terps like to run Johnson wide, Jones is going to have to cover even more ground in this one.