Ohio State has gotten a series of jolts in the last seven days, in what Urban Meyer says has “been a tough week.” A series of occurrences—some unfortunate and others shocking—will test the mettle of the 2014 Buckeyes in the quest for their first Big Ten championship under Meyer.
While the news of Noah Spence becoming permanently ineligible last Tuesday was disappointing, it probably didn't affect the team much. The Buckeyes played all season without last year’s leading sack man, and if they couldn't exactly replace him, they have at least came to terms with his absence.
Wednesday brought a second jolt, as walk-on defensive lineman Kosta Karageorge first went missing. This was a bit more upsetting, but without knowing what really happened, it was a situation in stasis. Players expressed concern, but held out hope that their teammate would turn up soon.
During Saturday’s game, things got worse, when J.T. Barrett’s ankle broke on the first play of the fourth quarter. Barrett’s Heisman-worthy, record-breaking season ended with one awkward tackle, leaving the Buckeyes in a tight spot with the game and season still on the line against their most bitter rivals.
And Sunday’s news about Karageorge became the latest and most devastating part of the toughest week at Ohio State in recent memory.
Even a contest as big as the one looming Saturday night in Indianapolis is a trivial afterthought when mourning the loss of a friend and teammate. Meyer is well aware of that.
“To overcome the incredible tragedy that happened last night, that’s a real challenge...This is so much deeper than lining up on a football field."
Saving Ohio State’s season, while put sharply into perspective by a tragic event, doesn’t rest on sophomore quarterback Cardale Jones. Despite infrequent game snaps, Jones acquitted himself well in the lone meaningful minutes of his career—a 5/9, 82-yard, two-touchdown performance over an entire half against Illinois, with 47 rushing yards on seven attempts and no turnovers.
Whether the Buckeyes can win their conference championship game and potentially enter the first-ever College Football Playoff behind their third-string quarterback comes down to leadership, both on and off the field.
The coaching staff must lead this team into December by performing the Herculean task of preparing it—not just by getting Jones comfortable and calm, but also by rallying a team that has had its morale shaken by a series of blows over the final week of November.
On the field, how Ohio State responds to this adversity will also speak volumes about the makeup of its current player leadership. It is not a veteran team, which is cause for concern. However, the mental fortitude shown thus far also creates hope.
A lot of young players start for Ohio State. But there are veterans. Guys like Evan Spencer, Jeff Heuerman, Devin Smith, Doran Grant and Michael Bennett, who William Wallace’d his troops during the Michigan game, must become the Buckeye fulcrum for Ohio State to win the league and possibly reach the football final four.
The way the Buckeyes finished the Michigan game may be a sign of that leadership. Barrett left with a one-touchdown lead that ballooned to a 21-point advantage after his injury.
Now Barrett, like Miller, can only lead so much from the sidelines (or press box). Jones’ leadership will play a role in deciding the rest of this season’s story. But, more than that, it is on Ohio State’s coaching staff and veteran players to rally the team.
Ultimately, the 2014 Buckeyes will want to be remembered for all the right reasons, and not for the adversity of the regular season’s final week. With the right leadership, it will be.