Congratulations everyone, you've officially made it to game week.
Well, sort of.
Exactly one week from Monday evening, the treacherous end to the offseason will be upon the Ohio State football program. College football will have been back for an entire weekend — starting even on Thursday — yet the 2014 College Football Playoff national champions must wait an extra two days to get their season in gear.
So with seven days standing between Ohio State and it's season opener, let's take a look at what to watch for before the Buckeyes take Blacksburg, Va., Labor Day Night at 8 p.m.
Game Week Media Availability
Even though Ohio State plays two days later than normal in game week, the Buckeyes still plan to hold their media availability like it was a customary game week.
Head coach Urban Meyer is set to speak to the media Monday around 11:45 a.m. It'll be the first time he's scheduled to hold a press conference since Aug. 22 and is sure to provide updates on how the team reacted to Noah Brown's left leg injury, the quarterback competition, overall general health of the team and more.
TFW the offseason's been eight months long.
Later Monday, we'll get to speak with an offensive line coach and offensive coordinator Ed Warinner as well as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Luke Fickell. When they're finished, Ohio State's said we'll hear from Joshua Perry, Tommy Schutt, Tyvis Powell, Nick Vannett and Michael Thomas starting at approximately 12:30 p.m. That'll be more or less the schedule for every Monday during the regular season with the players and assistants changing.
Meyer will hop on the Big Ten teleconference Tuesdays during the regular season, then he and a few players and coaches are set to be available Wednesday nights following practice. This Wednesday in particular, Taylor Decker, Jacoby Boren, Adolphus Washington, Ezekiel Elliott and Eli Apple are scheduled to be available. Thursdays then bring the Urban Meyer Call-In Show on 97.1 The Fan.
Eleven Warriors will provide updates following each availability in addition to other stories throughout the week as normal.
Something to keep in mind: Ohio State typically releases it's depth chart on Tuesdays during the game weeks, but since it doesn't play until Monday that could mean we might have to wait two more days. Or, it could still come out Tuesday. Or, it might not even come out at all.
Virginia Tech Storylines
Obviously, the biggest story of them all is who will get the start at quarterback for Ohio State. Meyer is bound to discuss the battle between Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett Monday, but don't count on him tipping his hand on who leads.
Barrett was named a captain Friday unlike Jones, something that could lean the scales in his favor in the quarterback derby. Or, it couldn't at all.
"I try to be as honest as I can, they're neck and neck," Meyer said Aug. 22. "I really thought in my mind two days ago one guy was trying to move ahead the other but guess what today is? They're back to (even)."
Outside of quarterback, how Braxton Miller's body responded to another week of wide receiver training — remember, Meyer said his hamstrings were sore after camp — is of interest. Brown's leg injury knocks out another starting wide receiver for Week 1 against the Hokies, so it appears Miller will play a huge role in Ohio State's offense Sept. 7.
The overall health of the team is something to keep an eye on as well, as is who will replace Joey Bosa at defensive end (likely Sam Hubbard) and how the interior defensive line is developing.
Scarlet and Gray Days Wraps Up
Wednesday marks the final episode of Scarlet and Gray Days, the Big Ten Network's inside look of Ohio State training camp.
Eleven Warriors spoke with Coordinating Producer Bill Friedman last week to get an idea of what is coming on the finale. You can see his comments here.
Football, Football and More Football
FCS opponents North Dakota State and Montana ignited the fire to the 2015 college football season Saturday, complete with everything from the sultry voice of Brent Musburger to #StittHappening and a bonkers finish.
TFW it's finally game week.
If you missed that game, shame on you. It was outstanding.
The big boys get back in action Thursday night with a border rivalry. North Carolina takes on Steve Spurrier and South Carolina at 6 p.m., the first of 19 games that night. The Jim Harbaugh era at Michigan also gets under way out in Utah Thursday at 8:30 p.m. and Minnesota hosts No. 2 TCU at 9 p.m. The excitement is palpable.
Big Ten squads Michigan State and Illinois lace 'em up Friday night against Western Michigan and Kent State, respectively, before the rest of the conference except for Ohio State plays Saturday and Sunday (Purdue plays at Marshall).
Before the Buckeyes play the Hokies, it's hard to find a bigger opening week matchup than No. 20 Wisconsin facing off against No. 3 Alabama at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Saturday night at 8 p.m.
We're almost there, friends.
