Welcome to the Skull Session.
Terry McLaurin is a Man of the People.
A leader on and off the field#WPMOYChallenge McLaurin pic.twitter.com/2DSVeWkwGX
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) December 12, 2023
Let’s have a good Friday, shall we?
HE IS MARVELOUS. Ever heard of Orlando Pace, Archie Griffin, Bob Ferguson or Howard “Hopalong” Cassady? Want to know what all four have in common?
Of the thousands of men to wear an Ohio State uniform since the program’s inception in 1890, Pace, Griffin, Ferguson and Cassady were the select Buckeyes to be named a unanimous All-American twice.
Then, Marvin Harrison Jr. came along.
This week, Harrison accompanied those Ohio State legends in the record books as he received first-team All-American honors from the American Football Coaches Association, Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News and Walter Camp Football Foundation. (For the record, Harrison also received All-American recognition from CBS Sports, ESPN, Pro Football Focus, The Athletic and USA TODAY).
Harrison’s All-American honors were, of course, well-deserved. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound pass-catcher collected 67 receptions for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns in 12 regular-season games. His performance and statistics earned him the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year award, the Biletnikoff Award and an appearance in New York City for the Heisman Trophy ceremony.
With all of those accolades (plus the assortment of awards he received in 2022) and career statistics of 155 receptions, 2,613 yards and 32 total touchdowns, Harrison – in the opinion of Eleven Warriors’ smooth-brained Skull Session writer (me) – should be considered the greatest Ohio State wide receiver of all time.
And, for me – Eleven Warriors’ smooth-brained Skull Session writer – that’s not a hot take.
Before the 2023 season, our readers voted Cris Carter, David Boston, Chris Olave and Harrison as the “Four Kings” of Ohio State’s wide receiver position.
Indeed, after one year as a full-time starter for the Buckeyes, Harrison was already considered one of the greatest Ohio State wide receivers of all time. Given what Harrison accomplished in his second year as a full-time starter (and third year overall), it stands to reason that most, if not all, of our readers now consider him the greatest Ohio State wide receiver of all time.
I do.
You should, too.
A NO. 7 SEED, YOU SAY? In his latest ESPN Bracketology, Joe Lunardi named Ohio State (8-2, 1-1 Big Ten) as the No. 7 seed in the West Region.
In such a scenario, the Buckeyes would face No. 10 seed Mississippi State in the Round of 64, Creighton or South Dakota State in the Round of 32 and Colorado State, Washington/Butler, Gonzaga or Vermont in the Sweet 16.
2024 NCAA Tournament Bracketology https://t.co/raCbQfMrSF. Once upon a time, as in five weeks ago, Michigan State was a consensus No. 1 seed.
— Joe Lunardi (@ESPNLunardi) December 12, 2023
I know someone scoffed at the term “Sweet 16” and its connection to a Chris Holtmann-coached Ohio State team.
And that’s fair.
In six complete seasons as Ohio State’s head coach, the Buckeyes reached the Round of 32 three times and the Round of 64 once. The NCAA Tournament was canceled due to COVID-19 in 2020 and the Buckeyes missed the tournament in 2023.
As I said, that's fair.
But for Holtmann to break through that wall and lead Ohio State to a Sweet 16 in 2024, the Buckeyes would need to defeat the teams mentioned above – or teams of the same caliber after 10 games in the regular season.
As it stands, the other No. 7 seeds in Lundardi's Bracketology are San Diego State, Northwestern and Texas A&M, who Ohio State lost to, 73-66, earlier in the season. At the same time, the other No. 10 seeds are Utah, Providence and South Carolina, the other No. 2 seeds are Houston, Baylor and Marquette and the other No. 15 seeds are Portland State, Youngstown State and Longwood.
In a make-or-break season for Holtmann, those teams could be what stands between Ohio State and the second weekend of the Big Dance. We will see if Holtmann and Co. have what it takes to make it there.
THIS AND THAT. Another Skull Session, another This and That™.
You know the drill.
Wake up, Babe. A new Marvin Harrison Jr. nickname dropped.
Hardware Harrison
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 14, 2023
@MarvHarrisonJr x @biletnikoffawrd x @B1Gfootball pic.twitter.com/LsTQaCYuAW
This Ohio State football post warms the heart.
Buckeye visit Nationwide Childrens Hospital during the holiday season pic.twitter.com/nT0qj18kzF
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 13, 2023
This Ohio State women’s basketball post also warms the heart.
What a moment seeing Madison Greene return after two ACL injuries in the past two years pic.twitter.com/Qu1xAWf6EO
— Ohio State WBB (@OhioStateWBB) December 14, 2023
To attend the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium, Ohio State and Missouri fans will need some deep pockets. As it stands, resale tickets for the New Year’s Six top-10 showdown have surpassed $100 a seat and continue to inflate.
- StubHub: $140
- SeatGeek: $135
- Vivid Seats: $135
- Ticketmaster: $150
Archie Griffin, Eddie George and Troy Smith – Ohio State legends.
. @OhioStateFB took over the @HeismanTrophy ceremony. Blessed to be with legendary Archie Griffin & @EddieGeorge2727 !! #GoBucks @TSUTigersFB . pic.twitter.com/hDYNTYrmn5
— Troy Smith (@yn_TroySmith) December 14, 2023
That’s all, folks.
JOIN OUR PICK’ EM. Whether in our comments, our forums, or our social networks, you claim that you know ball. Now, it’s time to prove it!
Bowl season is upon us. It’s time to showcase your ball knowledge in the Eleven Warriors 2023 Bowl Pick’ Em, where you, dear reader, can put your college football bowl game predictions to the test against 400 entrants (and counting).
Join Here: https://fantasy.espn.com/games/college-football-bowl-mania-2023/group?id=cc531df8-58bb-4ce3-8eae-7d95d70eaad5
Group Password: scarletandgray
It’s simple. You’ll pick winners. No need to deal with point spreads.
What’s on the line? An Eleven Warriors Dry Goods gift card worth 100 bones!
Be quick. Time is of the essence ... tick, tock... tick, tock... tick, tock...
The contest locks at the kickoff of the first bowl game, the Myrtle Beach Bowl, where Georgia Southern will battle the Ohio Bobcats, at 11 a.m. on Dec. 16. Don’t miss your shot at, one, GLORY and, two, Dry Goods merchandise.
Spread the word, challenge your friends, and may the best ball knower take home that gift card and a year’s worth of bragging rights.
Good luck!
For complete contest rules, see here.
SONG OF THE DAY. “Paradise” - Coldplay.
CUT TO THE CHASE. Raja the elephant, a big draw at the St. Louis Zoo, is moving to Columbus to breed... Andre Braugher died from lung cancer, rep for “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “Homicide” star says... Mickey Mouse will soon belong to you and me — with some caveats... Bull running on New Jersey train tracks causes delays near NYC... Unique ways Americans celebrate the holidays, from skiing Santas to Festivus feats.
