Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer stood at the podium Monday for his weekly press conference, holding a sheet of paper in one hand as he rattled off accomplishments for his senior class.
"Three division championships, won 35 of the last 38 games they've played. Twenty-four straight wins, longest in Ohio State history," Meyer said. "Three straight years without losing a conference game, first time ever in the Big Ten, and the second-winningest group of players in college football right now in the last three years."
Pretty impressive list, right? Well, there's one thing missing.
"One thing you'll notice I did not mention in there was a championship," Meyer added. "And that is an opportunity to get it done this week."
It's an opportunity the Buckeyes need to take full advantage of, too.
In Meyer's first season as Ohio State's coach, the Buckeyes went 12-0 but were banned from participating in post-season play as a result of the Tatoo-gate scandal. That meant no shot to play for a Big Ten title and no bowl game.
Last season, Ohio State rattled of 12 more wins in a row, but this time was eligible to play for a Big Ten championship. The Buckeyes, however, fell to Michigan State, 34-24. They then went on and lost to Clemson, 40-35, in the Orange Bowl.
But Ohio State, after an 11-1 season and 8-0 mark in the Big Ten, finds itself in the same position this year — a chance to win a championship with a victory over 13th-ranked Wisconsin on Saturday night in Indianapolis.
"The whole offseason, that's what you're working for to compete for championships in November," senior tight end Jeff Heuerman said. "We're back there ... and we're ready to get back to Indy."
It's certainly not going to be easy for the Buckeyes, though. After all, they did lose their Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback in last week's 42-28 win over arch-rival Michigan. The guy they're replacing him with, Cardale Jones, has thrown just 19 passes in his Ohio State career.
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“It’s obviously tough. It’s not the ideal situation but we’re trained for events like this," Heuerman said. "We’re going to have to guys step up to the plate and everyone will have to pick it up a notch around Cardale and make up for what we’re missing with J.T.”
All of the Buckeyes' preseason goals — a Big Ten title and berth in the first-ever College Football Playoff — are still there for the taking.
"It's Championship Week here at Ohio State," Meyer said.
Now, the Buckeyes just need to win one.
