Tressels, Fickells, Urbans, Days, Johnsons and Days,

I don't know about you, but it's been tough for me to think about this game.  
 

The last time I wrote this line before an Ohio State football game was in my OSU prediction write-up on December 6th, 2014.  

It was tough to be a Buckeye fan that week.  Even a decade later, you might remember it all.  

Kosta Karageorge, an OSU football walk-on and popular teammate committed suicide a few days prior.  It was awful.  Kosta's suicide brought up a lot of discussion about youth sports and undiagnosed concussions, something not discussed much back in 2014.  

Ohio State would go into the postseason without one of my all-time favorite Buckeyes.  JT Barrett was hurt in the Michigan game the weekend prior leaving Ohio State down to its third-string quarterback.  I loved watching JT play; he was one of the toughest players I've seen live.  On 3rd and 7, I knew JT would find a way to get a first down.

I was kind of dreading the upcoming match-up.  Throughout the Ohio State fan base, there was a feeling that the Buckeyes had little hope against the heavily-favored Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten Championship Game.  OSU wasn't playing very well and the cards seemed to be stacking up against them.  Beyond that, playing in the first-ever College Football Playoff felt like a pipedream.  

I was in Lucas Oil Stadium for the 2014 Big Ten Championship Game and eager Badgers fans were well represented.  I was surrounded.  They were excited before the game anticipating it was going to be a great night for Wisconsin.  Once the ball kicked, that night ripped me back in.  59-0.  At halftime, a shell-shocked Badgers fan sitting near me, turned and sheepishly asked, "are you having fun?"

Even though I wasn't sure how it would happen, I signed off my pre-game 2014 Big Ten Championship prediction saying I hoped the game lifts my spirits on Ohio State football.
 

I'm right back here 10 years later.  We're on the doorstep of the new 12-team playoff, and Ohio Stadium is hosting this Saturday under the lights.  I hope I get ripped back in.  
 

Touchdowns:  Quinshon, Emeka, Jeremiah Smith

OSU 24 Tennessee 14

Go Bucks!  Beat Tennessee!  Harry Miller and Tyleik Williams for Heisman!

Stout Pops