Ryan Day and Larry Johnson made Ohio State’s objective clear during the team’s Skull Session before its Saturday night game vs. Minnesota.
Ohio State’s head coach and associate head coach/defensive line coach both talked about the Buckeyes’ goal of being the best team in college football once again this season – and the work that still needs to be done even though they’re 4-0 and ranked No. 1.
“We are on a trek, just like Coach Johnson said, to become the greatest team in the country. But that means you gotta bring it every week,” Day said. “And we’re gonna get everybody’s best shot. It’s always Ohio Against the World. Tonight it’s gonna be Ohio Against Minnesota. But more importantly, it’s gonna be Ohio Against Ohio. We are trying to become the best team in the country, but that’s only gonna happen if we get to 5-0 tonight. And these opportunities don’t come around very often. So let’s make tonight great. Let’s make it loud. Let’s make it the best environment in college football, and go 5-0 tonight.”
Johnson said he believes the Buckeyes are the best team in the country, but there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done for them to reach their goals, starting Saturday night against Minnesota.
“Standing behind me the best team in the land. The best coaches, the best support staff and the best strength staff – we have it all,” Johnson said. “Today is a big day ... when you start the climb to the top of the mountain, you gotta go to the rough side first, you gotta go through some peaks and valleys before you can get there.
“We’re trying to identify who we are: Tough team. Physical team. Play hard. A bunch of grit. That’s what we’re starting to become ... We know in October is when you get ready to play for championships in November ... Our goal is when this is done to be at the summit, to be the best football team in the land.”
Johnson ended his Skull Session speech with a quip about P.J. Fleck’s famous “row the boat” mantra.
“The last time I checked, there is no water in the Shoe, so there will be no rowing today,” Johnson said.
Defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. also addressed the crowd at Skull Session and vowed that the Buckeyes will come to play on Saturday night.
“I can promise you one thing: The guys behind me and myself are going to do our job,” Jackson said. “Let’s have the Shoe rocking tonight.”
