No football in Columbus meant a week for the Ohio State fan base to catch its collective breath. Not many groups could have used the break more.
Since the Buckeyes beat Penn State, emotions in the city have been running high. What is Urban Meyer's future? What happened against Purdue? Why is it so similar to the Iowa game? Why have none of the problems been fixed?
It's hard to answer those questions on an off week, but maybe that's a good thing for Ohio State fans after what happened the prior week.
Let's begin.
Stock Up
Football in Columbus
You’re tired about hearing and reading about everything wrong with Ohio State. In all honesty, we’re tired about writing about the same things for the past week. That’s just what happens, though, when the second-ranked team in the country loses by 29 points to an unranked conference opponent. Certain questions need to be asked, and while they’ve been given verbal answers, the Buckeyes haven’t been able to prove they’re a changed team on the field.
It’s hard to give them the benefit of the doubt considering they’ve given up big plays since the season opener, have struggled with penalties the entire season and have presided over a declining run game for over a month. But, Ohio State will finally have a chance to prove it has (begun to) overcome some of its issues that have plagued the team this season on Saturday. Plus, the game also serves as one of the final times to see the Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in 2018.
The noon matchup against Nebraska will be the team’s first home game in three weeks and, amazingly enough, will be the second-to-last game of the season. Only the Michigan game will remain after the game against the Cornhuskers concludes. Don’t take football in Columbus for granted – it’ll be gone sooner than you realize.
Matt Campbell and Lincoln Riley
This weekend, Iowa State beat Texas Tech and Oklahoma decimated Kansas State. Putting Matt Campbell and Lincoln Riley in this category has nothing to do with the performances of their respective teams, though. Both college head coaches were listed as potential targets of the Cleveland Browns.
College coaches seem to go in and out of style in the NFL. Every few years, the tide shifts. Right now, with Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan succeeding, the archetype of the young, up-and-comer with fresh ideas is en vogue.
Lincoln Rileys full comment on coaching in the NFL and #Browns rumors. #Sooners pic.twitter.com/yE2eesL7Gu
— Dylan Buckingham (@DylanBuckingham) October 29, 2018
It’s too early to know whether either will be serious candidates, but if either opts to head for the NFL, it would shake up the college coaching picture. Riley is in his second season at the helm of Oklahoma after replacing Bob Stoops, and he has done an admirable job following the 18-year veteran. Campbell has been discussed as a potential replacement for Urban Meyer down the line, and he has strong Ohio ties.
Fans angry at the College Football Playoff committee
It’s back, folks. When the College Football Playoff rankings are released Tuesday night, you’ll once again have a chance to release your inner rage at the committee that ranked your team too low.
Every year when the first rankings drop, some teams are higher or lower than they’re ranked in the Associated Press top-25 poll, which, of course, enrages their fans. This year, more than even in recent years, fans might be more angry.
Six members of last year’s committee had their terms run out, so nearly half of the people in the room will be first timers. It’s hard to have a consistent criteria if the people change so frequently, so trends from past years won’t necessarily translate to this year’s group. Thus, prepare for the hot takes.
Stock Down
Blackouts at noon
I’m not an uniform stickler one way or another. Is tradition a good thing? Yes. Is it sinful to change up the traditional uniforms once or twice a year? No. I understand why folks take their positions on both sides, but I'm mostly an alternate uniform agnostic.
One thing I think we all can agree on, though, is the nonsensical nature of the crowd wearing all-black for a noon game. This one doesn't need any explanation. It's illogical. It somewhat makes sense that Ohio State wanted to wear its black uniforms, but didn't have the opportunity to do so for a night game, since it doesn't have any home games under the lights this season. Still, no one can convince me the noon game matches up well with a blackout.
XI.III.XVIII #GoBucks #WinTheMoment pic.twitter.com/ntgp4wEVx6
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 26, 2018
Cool video, though.
Coaches in Cleveland
Terry Francona better have his head on a swivel. After the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Cavaliers fired their head coaches in the span of 48 hours, one has to wonder about the other man at the helm in Cleveland. (Yes, I'm joking)
Hue Jackson and Tyronn Lue were each fired under wildly different circumstances. Jackson managed to achieve the feat of winning one game in two years before completing his stint with a stupendous 3-34-1 record. He deserved to be fired a while ago. Lue, on the other hand, coached the Cavaliers for six games without Lebron James before getting the axe. He was just over two years from coaching them to a title.
We certainly can envy them for getting paid millions of dollars not to coach the Browns and Cavaliers.
