Welcome to the Skull Session.
Wait, Justin Fields is goated...
On Tuesday, @justnfields held a Thanksgiving dinner for youth at 412 Youth Zone. The youth also received a gift card to support their holidays. pic.twitter.com/A0RDz2r5H5
— Steelers Community Relations (@SteelersCR) November 27, 2024
Have a good Wednesday.
THE COMPUTERS! It's Wednesday. You know what that means. It's time to examine Ohio State's place in the SP+ and College Football Power Index, as well as how ESPN Analytics views the Buckeyes' chances to win their final regular-season game in 2024.
SP+
| RANK | TEAM | SP SCORE | OFFENSE | DEFENSE | SPECIAL TEAMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OHIO STATE | 31.4 | 39.3 (5) | 9.7 (1) | 1.8 (17) |
| 2 | OLE MISS | 27.4 | 38.2 (8) | 12.9 (6) | 2.1 (2) |
| 2 | OREGON | 27.1 | 40.0 (3) | 14.4 (8) | 1.6 (22) |
| 4 | TEXAS | 26.8 | 39.4 (4) | 11.0 (2) | -1.7 (115) |
| 5 | GEORGIA | 25.6 | 39.1 (6) | 15.6 (9) | 2.1 (5) |
Ohio State's remaining 2024 opponents in the SP+: Michigan (32)
College Football Power Index
| RANK | TEAM | FPI | WIN OUT | WIN CONF | MAKE CFP | WIN CFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TEXAS | 26.5 | 46.0% | 46.0% | 97.8% | 22.0% |
| 2 | OHIO STATE | 26.2 | 64.2% | 64.2% | 99.4% | 21.0% |
| 3 | NOTRE DAME | 24.7 | 70.8% | N/A | 90.1% | 11.0% |
| 4 | ALABAMA | 24.3 | 87.9% | 0% | 37.2% | 3.2% |
| 5 | GEORGIA | 22.5 | 43.0% | 47.6% | 90.8% | 11.0% |
Ohio State's remaining 2024 opponents in the College Football Power Index: Michigan (34)
ESPN Analytics
| OPPONENT | DATE | LOCATION | MATCHUP PREDICTOR % |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHIGAN | NOV. 30 | COLUMBUS, OH | 91.8% OHIO STATE, 8.2% MICHIGAN |
While ESPN Analytics offers Ohio State a 91.8 percent chance to beat Michigan, Ryan Day said that stuff doesn't matter in a week like this. Records don't matter. Point spreads don't matter. Analytics don't matter. All that matters is how the Buckeyes prepare to beat the Wolverines this weekend.
"You make sure to focus on the process," Day said. "You can control when you can control. Every time you start to focus on things that don't matter, you have to get back to work. That was the message on Sunday. That's it. We have to focus on the process; the same process we've been working on all year. Everything we do in the offseason, every decision that's made in terms of the coaching staff, the roster, practice and schematics all worked toward this moment. So let's work, trust the process and focus on what we can get done today."
In case you were wondering how Ohio State's players responded to that message, Day had an answer for that, too.
"To say that this team and those leaders and those seniors want to win this game, it would be one of the biggest understatements of all time," he said. "They don't need any extra motivation. They have to do a great job of preparing themselves – their mind, their body and soul to go play the game – and then trust their training. That's really what it comes down to.
"All the work that's been done, you've seen us talk about our bricks and our foundation and all those things, it's all leading to this point right here. You can't all of a sudden turn it on in a few days for one game. It doesn't work that way. The way we play will be because of how we've built our foundation up to this point. Everything in the entire program has been built to win this game.
"Now we have to trust that. We have to go play with confidence, with great energy, with great passion, playing for your brothers and everybody doing your job. Sometimes it's easy in this game to try and do something extraordinary, but the only thing that needs to be extraordinary is their effort. Everything else, they just need to do their job."
"WE CAN NEVER HAVE THAT HAPPEN AGAIN." Dan Hope and Matt Gutridge posted an article on Tuesday on Day's 10TV interview. Still, those comments evoked such emotion in me that I feel the need to expound upon them here.
"I mean, it's our life. It's our life," Day said when asked about The Game. "We know what this game means and certainly I know what this game means. There's a lot of people counting on this game. This is our identity. It's who we are. We don't have anything else. It's a big responsibility. The last couple of years when it doesn't get done, it just eats at your core. It motivates you every single day to come back and get this done, to stand on the field and to sing 'Carmen Ohio' after winning this game. You know, it's not about me — and I appreciate them – but it's about these seniors who decided to come back. They're the ones who are on the field. They're the true warriors who go put it on the line every game. They came back for a reason. It's to win this game. They've made that very clear."
When asked if Ohio State's roster makes him confident entering The Game, Day didn't hesitate to respond.
"Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. I do. I love these guys. They're an unbelievable group. That's why we have to have that edge. We will because we know what's at stake," he said. "We’ve felt what it’s like to not win this game. It’s bad. It’s one of the worst things that’s happened to me in my life, quite honestly. Other than losing my father and a few other things, it’s quite honestly for my family the worst thing that’s happened. We can never have that happen again. Ever. That's been the approach all season. It will be the same approach for these seniors."
It's that middle portion that struck me.
It's one of the worst things that's happened to me in my life, quite honestly. Other than losing my father and a few other things...
Man, I wanted Ohio State to win Saturday, I needed Ohio State to win Saturday. But those quotes – in particular, the one I extracted – took those desires to a whole new level. Then, I heard Jack Sawyer and Will Howard talk about their head coach on Tuesday, and those desires reached a level I didn't know existed.
"No one deserves this win more than he does," Sawyer said. "The stuff he had to go through is bulls— the past three years. We're excited to go out there and play for him."
Howard added: "Coach Day took a chance on me when he didn't have to. There was some kickback I bet when I committed here, but he believed in me, man. I owe that guy a lot. I want to get this done for him."
Someone find me a brick wall!
FUTURE TWO-WAY STAR? As a finalist for the Jim Thorpe and Bednarik awards, Caleb Downs has established himself as one of the best defenders in college football. While I never want to look too far ahead – not with The Game, the Big Ten championship and the College Football Playoff around the corner – I fear temptation has overcome me. Therefore, I must ask a question: With one season left before he becomes a top-five pick, could Downs evolve into college football's next two-way star?
That question requires more than one "Yes," "No," or "Maybe."
Could Downs become college football's next two-way star?
Yes.
Would Downs want to become college football's next two-way star?
Yes. Read this quote from Day and then watch this new advertisement Downs did with Rhoback and convince me otherwise.
"He wants to always be involved in the games," Day said. "It doesn’t matter what the score is. I mean, he’s bugging me about getting back in the game. Yeah, it doesn't matter what the score is. ‘Give me a shot. Give me one more series.’ That’s the way he’s built. It’s contagious. His energy, his passion for the game, I think it really carries over to the rest of the guys on the team. It’s infectious.”
What cant @caleb_downs2 do? #rhobacku #rhoback #craveactivity pic.twitter.com/0ZvIPdzMqD
— RHOBACK (@rhoback) November 26, 2024
Does Ohio State want Downs to become college football's next two-way star?
Maybe. But also... No.
It's obvious Downs has the talent to do it. The 6-foot, 205-pound defensive back is one of the best defenders in college football, and he's proven to be electric with the ball in his hands.
This view of Caleb Downs' punt return touchdown pic.twitter.com/KrfXlUd0HU
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 23, 2024
Travis Hunter made headlines all season because of his performance as a wide receiver and cornerback for Colorado. It would be cool to see Downs do the same for Ohio State in 2025; however, I will not hold my breath for it. Hunter has needed to be on the field 100 percent of the time for the Buffaloes to have success. I don't think the same would be true of Downs and the Buckeyes next season, as Ohio State will return James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon (and Quinshon Judkins?) at running back and the trio of Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss at receiver.
But, look, a man can dream! So I'll dream!
JUSTICE FOR BRUTUS. After Ohio State's win over Indiana, some hooligan vandalized the Brutus statue outside the College Traditions store on Lane Avenue. Ever since the vandal knocked the statue off its base, leaving it battered, dented and scratched on the sidewalk, there's been quite a timeline of events to develop. I'll recap them below:
Brutus Statue Vandalized
College Traditions manager Kelly Dawes told NBC4 that Ohio State Police and Columbus Police had launched an investigation into the vandalism. Dawes was hopeful the departments could track down the suspect, whom she said recorded himself vandalizing the statue around 3 a.m. on Sunday.
"He took him down Lane Avenue, in the middle of the street, and just – it was awful," she said. "Then he picked him up and threw him down. He picked him up and threw him against our Woody (Hayes) statue."
Kroger Loans a Brutus Statue to College Traditions
When Kroger's Columbus Division learned College Traditions would be without one of its staple attractions before The Game, corporate affairs manager Mark Bruce decided to lend a hand — or, perhaps more accurately, a Brutus. As of Tuesday, Kroger Columbus Division moved its Brutus statue from Westerville to outside the College Traditions store.
"We felt that after what happened and (the fact) that it's rivalry week, we wanted people to still come and take a picture with the statue," Bruce told The Columbus Dispatch.
Columbus Police Identify 21-Year-Old Suspect
According to ABC6, the Columbus Police identified 21-year-old Thomas Sugar as the vandal of the Brutus statue. The department recommended that Sugar be charged with vandalism and grand theft. Both of those charges are fourth-degree felonies, punishable by six to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
In an all-around bizarre situation, I have one reminder: Do the crime. Pay the time. I hope Mr. Sugar learns that lesson behind some cold, cold bars.
SONG OF THE DAY. "It's Time For War" - LL COOL J.
CUT TO THE CHASE. The world’s oldest man has died in England at 112... The Rip in the World... Samuel L. Jackson is the most franchise-focused actor ever... Winnie the golden retriever service dog supports her owner Gabi, who has POTS, as they march together in the UNI Panther Marching Band... It’s almost time for Spotify Wrapped. When can you expect your 2024 recap?
