Tressels, Fickells, Urbans, Days, Johnsons and Days,
There are moments when I realize how easy it is to be a Buckeye fan - especially a Buckeye fan living in Columbus. When I travel to other cities, discussing favorite sports teams comes up occasionally in casual conversation. In many other parts of the country, it seems universally true that the hometown team doesn’t win over 90% of their games and compete every year for a championship. Also, I don’t find a singular focus on one sport and one team that consumes nearly everyone who lives in that city. If you’re a sports fan in Columbus, typically that means you also are rooting for Ohio State football. And even those who are casual fans - or just enjoy a good party - also root for Ohio State football. I easily forget how fortunate we are to have what we have living in Columbus, it takes leaving my Ohio State football bubble to remind me of that.
On tap this weekend -- the Minnesota Golden Gophers, or as I called them for about 10 years -- the Little Bananas. For those who have not previously heard that reference or forget what it is about, go watch the movie "Bottle Rocket," Luke and Owen Wilson‘s first movie and Wes Anderson’s directorial debut...and then go watch the 2007 Ohio State-Minnesota game when the Golden Gophers, who were awful at the time, donned their all yellow uniforms.
(Momentary break for an open plea: please, Minnesota, please wear your all-yellow unis this weekend even as the away team. They make me chuckle. If you really want to top it off, put a piece of tape on your nose. I'll see if Mr. Little Jeans is around to watch the game with me after we break into a safe with the Gophers game plan.)
It's still early in the season, but even by Ohio State standards it's possible this defense is special. We've seen many great Buckeye defenses over the last 30 years; they start to blend together. Again, it's easy to be a Buckeye fan.
But, I'm beginning to wonder if this year's Silver Bullets will set a new bar for the NFL draft. The most defensive players selected in the first round of a draft was the Miami Hurricanes in 2004 with four. Ohio State fans know those four Miami players well from the 2002 National Championship tilt -- Sean Taylor, Jonathan Vilma, DJ Williams and Vince Wilfork. I can start to see the possibility of Ohio State surpassing that benchmark next April. NFL scouts have to like what they see from Caleb Downs, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Davison Igbinosun, Kayden McDonald and Caden Curry. I can count the 2004 Miami first round defensive draftees on one hand; it's possible I need two hands to count the 2026 Ohio State defensive first rounders.
I'm going to enjoy the OSU game in primetime this weekend, and Saturdays filled the next couple months with College Football, as we head deeper into the conference slate with an Ohio State defense that may stand out among the greats even years from now.
Touchdowns: Max Klare, Jeremiah Smith, Jelani Thurman, Bo Jackson, Carnell Tate, Caden Curry
OSU 42 Minnesota 6
Go Bucks! Beat Minnesota! Harry Miller and Eddrick Houston for Heisman!
Stout Pops
