Skull Session: Michael Thomas Explodes in the Playoffs, Mike Yurcich Praise, and Tate Martell Transfer Destinations

If y'all want proof that drafting Buckeyes pays off, Michael Thomas and Marshon Lattimore almost single-handedly won an NFL playoff game last night.

If you missed it, they'll probably just do it again next week.

ICYMI

• Ohio State will have much more experience in 2019 than it did in 2018.
• Chris Holtmann is searching for answers after Ohio State lost its third-straight game.
• New Orleans Saints win a playoff game on the backs of former Buckeyes.
• A look at the next wave of Buckeye playmakers.
• A numerical look back at Ohio State's 2018 season.

Word of the Day: Feckless.

 MICHAEL THOMAS WENT OFF. In case you missed the New Orleans Buckeyes win last night, this is essentially the Saints' entire offensive highlight reel:

12 catches, 171 yards and a TD.

Every @Cantguardmike catch from the Divisional Round! #NFLPlayoffs #HomeInTheDome pic.twitter.com/uFkr4HTrQq

— NFL (@NFL) January 14, 2019

He finished with 12 catches for 171 yards and a touchdown. He had more than double the production of any offensive player on either team. Contrary to current backup cornerback Jourdan Lewis' pre-NFL slander, Thomas is a legit superstar.

I know I bring this up a lot, but it's because it hurts a lot – I'm not sure I'll ever get over the fact that Ohio State had a future Hall of Fame receiver as a starter on its roster for two seasons and his most productive season earned him third-team All-Big Ten honors.

The dude has made two Pro Bowls in his first three seasons but was underutilized in college so bad that Aaron Burbridge, Jehu Chesson, Alex Erickson, Chris Godwin and Jordan Westerkamp finished above him in the all-conference voting.

He was arguably the most talented receiver in Ohio State history and he had 781 yards his final season. That makes me feel sick, and I'm praying Garrett Wilson washes that taste out of my mouth.

 HIGH PRAISE FOR YURCICH. Bowling Green fired head football coach Mike Jinks in the middle of this season and ultimately hired Boston College offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler.

But before that was two months of searching.

That search, according to a records request performed by noted good-dresser Nick Piotrowicz of the Toledo Blade, included a few candidates with Buckeye ties: Greg Studrawa and Marcus Freeman.

The records request also revealed emphatic praise of Ohio State's newest offensive coordinator.

From Nick Piotrowicz of the Toledo Blade:

Bill Ruud, the president of Marietta College, wrote Moosbrugger and BG athletics donor and former trustee Mike Wilcox to advocate for Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich. Ruud called Yurcich “your next Head FB Coach at BGSU” and called Yurcich “an offensive genius.” Ruud wrote Yurcich “will bring BGSU back into the winning column and wants to come back to Ohio!!!”

Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy said of Yurcich before the Liberty Bowl that it’s “interesting how some of the fans view him, but everybody else in the country wants him.”

Anyone who uses three exclamation points in an email has my undying trust, so I'm ready to ride or die with Yurcich. And the guy got a nice little signing bonus with Justin Fields.

"Hey, welcome to Columbus. Here's the highest-rated player in Ohio State football history to lead your unit."

 WHERE'S TATE GOING? It's looking like the Tate Martell sweepstakes – a  SweepsTates, if you will – has become a three-horse race.

From Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports:

247Sports has learned that Ohio State quarterback Tate Martell is looking at Louisville, Miami and West Virginia as potential transfer destinations.

Martell is expected to visit all three this week beginning with West Virginia on Sunday. Per Eersports insider Chris Anderson, Martell will head to Miami on Monday. 247Sports has been told the Louisville visit will be Wednesday and Thursday.

Martell is expected to make a final decision the following week.

Something about Tate Martell to Miami just seems so right, and I'm not sure I can even explain it. And with a few former high school teammates heading that direction too, that's looking like a prime marriage.

Really, I want nothing more than for him to get immediate eligibility and play for a school that gives him the best chance of meeting LSU in a bowl game, which would probably be West Virginia.

I just think the world needs a duel between two Buckeye quarterback transfers.

 HAPPY STICKER DAY. My interns neglected to inform me that yesterday was national sticker day, and thus I was unable to prepare a history lesson for you in advance. So it looks like we're going to be playing a little catchup.

What better way to celebrate #NationalStickerDay than learn the history behind the first football helmet sticker in college football. pic.twitter.com/uSJiVJYL9D

— Ohio State (@OhioState) January 13, 2019

As I've come to know, the quickest and most effective way to find out actual facts is to present wrong ones confidently and wait patiently to be vigorously corrected.

And it turns out, my beloved alma mater ain't immune to a good and valid #WellActually:

Actually, Woody Hayes and Ohio State Football Trainer Ernie Biggs began this in 1967 when OSU wore Scarlet Helmets. Here are some photos from that season. Most people assume that it began in 1968 because it's the first year of the Silver Helmets pic.twitter.com/DfPRbX0zrD

— George Ashburn (@jamdawg1) January 13, 2019

I'd be a huge fan of brining back the scarlet domes for one game. Make it so, Nike.

 GREG SCHIANO TO NEW ENGLAND? This just seemed inevitable to me, but there's a less-than-zero chance Greg Schiano is coordinating the New England Patriots' defense next year.

From @gmfb Weekend: The #Patriots will lose defensive play-caller Brian Flores to the #Dolphins when their season is done, while Greg Schiano looms as a possible replacement. pic.twitter.com/ID08GV6OhY

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 13, 2019

I think this would work. I firmly believe Schiano's scheme built more for the NFL, and he's got two sons currently at Amherst College in Massachusetts. Plus, Schiano and Belichick together honestly just makes too much sense in my mind.

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