Welcome to the Skull Session.
Ohio State's winter workouts continue. So do we.
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 31, 2024
Have a good Thursday.
WHERE CREDIT IS DUE. When last season's College Football Playoff ended, national college football writers from The Athletic, ESPN, CBS Sports, Sporting News, Pro Football Focus and USA TODAY released their “way-too-early” rankings for the 2024 season. Here is where Ohio State ranked in all of them:
- The Athletic (Stewart Mandel): No. 4
- ESPN (Mark Schlabach): No. 5
- CBS Sports (Brad Crawford): No. 5
- Sporting News (Bill Bender): No. 6
- Pro Football Focus (Max Chadwick): No. 7
- USA TODAY (Paul Myerberg): No. 9
After an impressive month for Ohio State football (20 BOOMs!) and a tumultuous month for Alabama, Michigan and Washington, all of those ranks look ridiculous in retrospect.
Ohio State at No. 4?!
Ohio State at No. 9?!
Despite their ridiculousness (Remember “Ridiculousness” with Rob Dyrdek? Is that show still on?), none of the writers cared to update their polls. At least, that was the case until Mandel released a second version – and revised version – of his “way-too-early” rankings for 2024. And what are the chances? The Buckeyes improved two spots in the poll and checked in behind Georgia as the second-ranked team.
No 1 - Georgia (Previous: 1)
No notable changes to report in Athens, besides Kirby Smart plucking new co-defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson from Alabama. The Dawgs, 42-2 over the past three seasons, return a wealth of experience on defense, led by LB Smael Mondon Jr. and S Malaki Starks. Florida transfer Trevor Etienne should be the new go-to running back, and QB Carson Beck gets new targets in Miami WR Colbie Young and Vanderbilt WR London Humphreys.
No. 2 - Ohio State (Previous: 4)
Since Michigan’s national title, Ohio State has been on an apparent NIL spending spree. Nearly every major Buckeyes underclass draft prospect — RB TreVeyon Henderson, WR Emeka Egbuka, CB Denzel Burke and DEs JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer — announced their returns. Meanwhile, Ryan Day has added Kansas State QB Will Howard, Ole Miss RB Quinshon Judkins, Alabama OL Seth McLaughlin and, most stunningly, Alabama S Caleb Downs, named first-team All-SEC as a freshman.
Behind the Buckeyes: Texas, Oregon, Ole Miss, Michigan, Notre Dame, Alabama, Utah, Oklahoma State, Louisville, Missouri, Arizona, Florida State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Tennessee, Kansas, Clemson, LSU, Texas A&M, Iowa, NC State, Iowa State and Miami
Mandel gave Ohio State credit where credit was due. Therefore, I will give him credit where credit is due. These polls don't matter – I know they don't – but I still want to see people put some respect on the name of THE World Famous Ohio State Buckeyes! Good on Mandel for doing that.
TITLE SZN. With Nick Saban now retired and Jim Harbaugh now with the Los Angeles Chargers, there remain three active college football head coaches who have won a national championship: North Carolina's Mack Brown (with Texas in 2005), Clemson's Dabo Swinney 2016 and 2018) and Georgia's Kirby Smart (2021 and 2022).
Who will be the next head coach to break into that tier?
According to Brad Crawford of 247Sports, it's Ryan Day.
Ryan Day and the Buckeyes went scorched earth on college football in the wake of their bowl loss to Missouri, a three-point stinker that followed the program's third-consecutive setback against Michigan. What has transpired since would lead any offseason power ranking of elites in terms of talent acquisition. Ohio State has a top-10 transfer class with six commits, including five of the elite variety who have come to Columbus since Jan. 1. That group includes the No. 1 overall player in the portal — Alabama safety Caleb Downs — the top-ranked quarterback in the portal — Alabama freshman Julian Sayin — and Ole Miss star Quinshon Judkins, the No. 1 running back. Oh, and Day hired Bill O'Brien as his new offensive coordinator as well, a bold move to give up his play-calling responsibilities.
Based on the way Ohio State is recruiting and shifting its attention to NIL, the Buckeyes are serious about gunning for the program's first national championship since 2014 and first under Day next fall. It's obvious this roster will be one of the nation's most talented and with College Football Playoff expansion, the Buckeyes should be a virtual lock to get there. Day's heard the noise associated with his tenure and how important his sixth season will be in Columbus.
Other head coaches mentioned: Steve Sarkisian (Texas), Dan Lanning (Oregon), Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss), Mike Norvell (Florida State), Brian Kelly (LSU) and Kalen DeBoer (Alabama)
Crawford is correct. Day is the best choice of the bunch considering the talent Ohio State will possess next season. But while Day may be the best choice, he may not be the safest.
Ohio State enters 2024 after three consecutive seasons where it did not accomplish any of the program's three stated goals: Beat Michigan, win the Big Ten championship and win the College Football Playoff.
According to Adam Rittenberg of ESPN, that makes Day's seat warm, if not hot, in Columbus:
I won't put a coach with a 56-8 overall record squarely on the hot seat. But after three straight losses to Michigan, no national championships, a new athletic director taking over (Ross Bjork) and Ohio State's all-in approach with personnel this winter, Day faces genuine pressure to win big in 2024. The scenarios are fascinating: What if he beats Michigan but loses early in the CFP? What if he loses to Michigan and makes a deep CFP run? A fourth straight loss to the Wolverines — especially against a likely weakened Michigan team, and once again at Ohio Stadium — would be difficult for Day to overcome, despite all of the clear accomplishments he has had with the Buckeyes.
Ohio State will be considered a favorite to win the national championship next season. However, for the sake of argument, let's say the Buckeyes have another underwhelming year, and Georgia wins it all, leaving the three active coaches with national championships as Brown, Swinney, and Smart. Would Day be around in 2025 to break through the barrier? I'm not so sure.
That's what makes the 2024 season so interesting for Day and the Buckeyes.
If Day wins it all, his ledger could be wiped clean.
If Day doesn't, his ledger could be red scarlet forever.
“I’M HUNGRY TO BEAT THEM.” Caleb Downs has a lot to learn about The Game. However, that doesn’t mean the former Alabama standout doesn't have an opinion of “That Team Up North.”
Downs understands how it feels to have Michigan end his season. One month after the Buckeyes fell to the Wolverines in Ann Arbor, Downs’ Michigan defeat came in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl.
Once Nick Saban retired, Downs entered the transfer portal, and Ohio State – who finished second to Alabama for Downs' services as a high school recruit of Hoschton, Georgia –beat out Georgia (and about 100 other programs) for the 2023 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year. Just like the Buckeyes, Downs can exact revenge on Michigan when the Wolverines come to Columbus on Nov. 30.
“I understand it more,” Downs said of The Game. “I can’t understand it from an Ohio State perspective because I haven’t played in it. I haven’t been through that. I can’t really speak on how (my coaches and teammates) feel. But I’m hungry to beat them myself.”
I hope Downs has that same hunger from February to November.
It's not revenge Ohio State is after; it's a reckoning.
We need Downs – and all the other starved Buckeyes – to deliver the Wolverines' long overdue judgment.
THIS AND THAT. Another Skull Session, another This and That™.
You know the drill.
James Laurinaitis likes to post “THE!!!” on X. I don't know what “THE!!!” means, but it often leads to great outcomes for Ohio State. Be on the lookout for some massive news in Buckeye Nation soon.
THE!!!!!
— James Laurinaitis (@JLaurinaitis55) January 31, 2024
Mike Hall recorded 45 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and six sacks across 26 appearances for for the Buckeyes. While the 6-foot-3, 290-pound defensive tackle never reached his full potential at Ohio State — not week after week, at least —“Baby Aaron Donald” has been one of the standout performers at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, according to Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates.
One of the few underclassmen who took advantage of the new rule that allows juniors to participate in the Senior Bowl, Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. wasted little time in making his presence felt. He flashed on Day 1, but he really stood out on the second day. Hall is a bit undersized at 6-foot-3 and 280 pounds, and he had only 1.5 sacks this season, but his quickness hasn't been matched by interior blockers. He popped in the one-on-one and team portions of practice, and his first step helps him win quickly. Hall was primarily seen as a third-round pick coming in, and he's only rising.
[...]
The trenches of the National team once again were the highlight [of Wednesday's early practice]. Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson continued to stand out but left practice and didn't return. Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga flashed his power to overwhelm defenders, and his wide frame makes it hard for anyone to get around him. As Matt pointed out, Kansas offensive lineman Dominick Puni showcased his versatility, as he received reps at center and guard. Michael Hall Jr. (Ohio State) and Brandon Dorlus (Oregon) stood out on the defensive side. I've been really impressed with the OL-DL battles here, especially with the intensity of the players mentioned above.
Julian Sayin has inked an NIL deal with Panini America, a Texas-based trading card business. The No. 6 overall prospect in the 2024 class, Sayin transferred to Ohio State from Alabama after Nick Saban retired. Panini America is Sayin’s first public NIL deal since he entered the college ranks.
Proud to announce that I am partnering with @paniniamerica for my exclusive autograph trading cards! Very thankful for this opportunity. #ratedprospect pic.twitter.com/fW5Yj7A4M1
— Julian Sayin (@juliansayin2) January 31, 2024
After a clutch performance in Ohio State's win over Michigan, Nick Feldman – the No. 12 wrestler at 285 pounds – received “Black Shirt” status with the Buckeyes. This week, Feldman received two more accolades: Big Ten Wrestler of the Week and NCAA Wrestler of the Week. Is that good?
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) January 29, 2024
To become a Black Shirt, nominees must demonstrate elite discipline, grit, selflessness, and excellence, all of which were on full display vs. TTUN for Nick Feldman. He trades in his gray gear for black becoming the first new Black Shirt of the 2023-24 season. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/jO1XhhRkrj
That's all, folks!
SONG OF THE DAY. “I Think I Like When It Rains” - WILLIS.
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