Today's clash between No. 4 Ohio State and No. 7 Michigan State carries major significance for a host of reasons. Notably, both teams are still in the hunt for a conference title and potential College Football Playoff bid.
But that's not all. Serving as the last home game of the season for the Buckeyes, that means 21 seniors and three redshirt juniors will be participating in pregame festivities to honor their contributions.
Per Ohio State’s game notes, the players who will be honored before kickoff are Aaron Cox, Jack Jamieson, Robert Cope, Austin Kutscher, Jagger LaRoe, Corey Rau, Ryan Batsch, Cade Kacherski, Sam Wiglusz, Chris Booker, Cameron Brown, Master Teague, Mitch Rossi, Tyreke Smith, Nicholas Petit-Frere, Sevyn Banks, Bradley Robinson, Jeremy Ruckert, Marcus Williamson, Antwuan Jackson, Demario McCall, Haskell Garrett, Chris Olave and Thayer Munford.
Brown, Petit-Frere and Teague are those three redshirt juniors and while participating in the pregame event isn't an automatic signal they're gone, it's a pretty good sign.
And man, there's some serious heat in that collection of guys - a lot of sacrifice, leadership and production that will be missed next year.
In advance of the pregame ceremonies, a host of players offered parting words to the world.
Jeremy Ruckert
Master Teague
Mitch Rossi
Haskell Garrett
Cade Kacherski
Jack Jamieson
Chris Olave
Jagger LaRoe
Robert Cope
Austin Kutscher
Nicholas Petit-Frere
Cameron Brown
Antwuan Jackson
Demario McCall
Bradley Robinson
Ryan Batsch
Chris Booker
Sevyn Banks
Marcus Williamson
Corey Rau
Sam Wiglusz
Salute, gentlemen.