Skull Session: Ohio State is Now a Double-Digit Favorite Over Michigan; Troy Smith, Ted Ginn Jr. and Braxton Miller All Own “That Team Up North”

By Chase Brown on May 29, 2024 at 5:00 am
Tyleik Williams
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Welcome to the Skull Session.

Drinks on Tyler Sabo.

Have a good Wednesday.

 184 DAYS. We are Mike Vrabel (94) days from the Ohio State football season, and we are a little under double Mike Vrabel days (184) days away from The Game. While a lot can change between now and then, as of Tuesday, the Buckeyes are a 10-point favorite over the Wolverines this fall, according to lines from BetMGM, DraftKings and FanDuel.

Ohio State’s two-score advantage comes after it suffered three consecutive losses to Michigan. For all its negatives, the streak has led to several first-round talents, including TreVeyon Henderson, Emeka Egbuka, JT Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer and Denzel Burke, returning for another season with the Buckeyes.

While Ohio State reloaded its roster (and made some star-studded additions in Will Howard, Quinshon Judkins, Seth McLaughlin and Caleb Downs) this offseason, Michigan rebuilt its roster after a program-record 13 players to the NFL draft, including seven selected in the top 100 picks in 2024. That rebuilding has occurred with new head coach Sherrone Moore, who replaced Jim Harbaugh following his… well-timed departure… from the Los Angeles Chargers.

The two-score advantage also considers Ohio State’s recent dominance when hosting Michigan at Ohio Stadium. Before the Buckeyes fell to the Wolverines in Columbus in 2022, the program had not lost to “That Team Up North” in the Shoe since 2000. Knowing Moore and his assistant coaches won’t have a superfan-turned-recruiting-staffer on the sidelines for the upcoming contest adds even more favor toward the Buckeyes.

Again, Ohio State and Michigan don’t face off until Nov. 30, so a lot can change between now and the 119th edition of The Game. But for now, Vegas likes the Buckeyes in the matchup, and that deserves some recognition in the thick of the offseason.

 “I OWN TTUN” To continue the Ohio State-Michigan discussion, I saw Troy Smith, Ted Ginn Jr. and Braxton Miller interact with a Michigan fan – or perhaps more accurately, a Michigan troll – on X over the weekend.

The beef started when Smith quoted an EA Sports College Football 25 post with the comment, “Biggest brand in the World… (Ohio State) alumni who beat TTUN… DMs open. TTUN was a breeze ask the brotherhood,” to which the Michigan troll replied, “these boys so butthurt dawg.” Smith, Ginn and Miller then flexed their Gold Pants all over the troll’s head.

In three starts against Michigan, Smith collected over 1,100 yards of total offense and was responsible for nine touchdowns (seven passing and two rushing) while leading the Buckeyes to three victories over the Wolverines. Smith became the first Ohio State quarterback to have three wins over Michigan since Tippy Dye (1934, 1935 and 1936). He was also the first quarterback to win three consecutive games against the Wolverines as a starter.

A member of Ohio State’s 2004, 2005 and 2006 teams, Ginn never lost to Michigan in his three years as a Buckeye. He also shined in each of his three appearances against the Wolverines, collecting six catches for 87 yards as a freshman, nine catches for 89 yards as a sophomore and eight catches for 104 yards and one touchdown as a junior. For those without a calculator, that’s 22 catches for 280 yards and one score in his career.

Miller started his Ohio State career with a loss to Michigan but bounced back to win four pairs of Gold Pants. Miller started at quarterback in 2011, 2012 and 2013 editions of The Game, throwing for 557 yards and five touchdowns while adding another 310 yards and four scores as a runner. After missing the 2014 game with an injury, Miller returned in 2015 as a wide receiver and recorded four touches for 12 yards.

Sooooooooo, yes... Smith, Ginn and Miller own TTUN. Case closed.

 WHAT'S THE COST? Remember earlier when I mentioned that Ohio State made some transfer portal additions, such as Will Howard, Quinshon Judkins, Seth McLaughlin and Caleb Downs? Have you ever wondered how much those additions cost the Buckeyes? I sure have.

Last week, John Talty of CBS created a ballpark estimate for each of the current Buckeyes based on anonymous sources and approximations of the NIL marketplace.

According to Talty, the average rate for a Power 4 quarterback pushed into the $2 million range, though most were in the $600,000-$800,000 range. Dillon Gabriel (Oregon), Riley Leonard (Duke) and Cam Ward (Miami) were all mentioned at the top of the market. While Howard was not included in that group, the former Kansas State starter entertained the NFL draft and schools like USC and Texas A&M, so it’s safe to assume Ohio State paid in the high six figures for his services.

At the running back position, Talty learned most teams landed prospects with a $200,000-$300,000 price tag. However, Judkins was mentioned as “well above this range” in the article, with a source calling two-time first-team All-SEC ballcarrier one of the best players to enter the transfer portal this offseason.

Talty then reported that the average Power 4 offensive lineman received $350,000-$400,000 to commit out of the portal, with offensive tackles drawing more. Talty also learned that teams spent significant amounts of their NIL payroll to dissuade offensive linemen from leaving for another school. Following an inconsistent season at Alabama, including a Rose Bowl performance that put him front-and-center (pun intended) in the college football world, McLaughlin likely received a payment close to the figures mentioned above.

That leaves Downs, whom Talty mentioned as a player “multiple programs (were) willing to spend beyond the typical range” to land. Before Downs committed to the Buckeyes in January, a source told Eleven Warriors that Georgia offered the former Alabama defensive back $600,000 while Ohio State offered $1 million and Texas offered $1.3 million. Assuming those numbers increased before Downs pledged his services to Ohio State, it’s safe to assume Downs makes well over $1 million to play for the Buckeyes.

And that’s it. That’s the info.

Isn’t college football nuts?

 RIP, BILL WALTON. A basketball legend died on Monday.

Bill Walton, a former three-time All-American center at UCLA, three-time national college player of the year and two-time NBA champion, passed away at 71 years old following a battle with cancer.

While looking into his UCLA career on Tuesday, I wondered if Walton ever faced Ohio State while leading the Bruins to back-to-back 30-0 seasons and an 88-game winning streak. As it turns out, he did. The Buckeyes were one of 22 teams the Bruins steamrolled in 1971-72 en route to the first of those two undefeated seasons.

Here’s how Walton performed in that game (via Colin Gay of The Columbus Dispatch and The San Bernardino Sun):

No. 1 UCLA recorded its eighth win of the 1971-72 season against No. 6 Ohio State at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles. The Buckeyes were the Bruins' first ranked win of the season, beating Ohio State 79-53.

Walton made an impact against the Buckeyes in limited playing time. Walton, a sophomore, recorded 14 points and 13 rebounds in 17 minutes. He had four fouls early in the second half, which limited his usage.

In 1971-72, Walton averaged 21.1 points and 15.5 rebounds per game.

Ohio State 7-foot center Luke Witte had 19 points and 13 rebounds against the Bruins.

I may have to investigate this game in depth for our “Remember When” series. Look for it soon.

 SONG OF THE DAY. “You've Got a Friend” - Carole King.

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