Skull Session: Ohio State Wants to “Ignore The Noise,” C.J. Stroud “Deserves All The Praise He's Receiving” and Sammy Sasso Coaches Teammates at the Clarion Open

By Chase Brown on November 8, 2023 at 5:00 am
Ryan Day
Vincent Carchietta/USA TODAY Sports
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Welcome to the Skull Session.

Ohio State is still the No. 1 team in America.

Also, Joey Galloway speaks facts.

Let's have a good Wednesday, shall we?

 "IGNORE THE NOISE." When I entered the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on Tuesday for Ryan Day's pre-Michigan State press conference, I did not expect the Ohio State head coach to be asked whether he or Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh would win in a boxing match.

He was.

The question, based on "Ryan Day vs. Jim Harbaugh Celebrity Boxing Match" odds from Bovada that were distributed to Ohio State beat reporters on Tuesday, was posed with comedic intent (I think).

Still, the question and its source material speak to the widespread distractions that surround Ohio State with three weeks remaining in the regular season. We have an in-depth report from the Wall Street Journal on Connor Stalions, news that Stalions purchased an expensive home in Ann Arbor (and sold vacuums from it?), reports that Ohio State and Rutgers sent Michigan's signals to Purdue before the 2022 Big Ten Championship Game and so much more. All are distractions. All of them.

Day, who declined to comment on the theoretical battle of fisticuffs, addressed the necessity for the Buckeyes to rid themselves of such distractions if the team wants to accomplish its goals in 2023.

"All you can do is focus on what's important, and what's important now is Michigan State," Day said. "We always say, 'Ignore the noise.' The noise comes in different ways. For instance, the defense has played well to this point. Last year, it took a lot of heat (because it didn't play well). They are getting a lot of positive reinforcement. You have to ignore that noise. (We're) ranked number one in the country. That's noise. There's a lot of other noise out there. We have to get rid of all that stuff.

"The team that can get rid of the distractions and ignore the noise the most this time of year gives them the best chance to play their best football. We all will do that, whether it's coaches or players."

Ignore the noise.

Ignore the noise.

Ignore the noise.

For the next three weeks, Ohio State has one objective: Be 1-0 on Saturday.

Just keep winning. Just keep winning. Just keep winning.

 "HE DESERVES ALL THE SUCCESS." Former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud has been impressive in his rookie season for the Texans, completing 173 of 249 passes (62%) for 2,270 yards, 14 touchdowns and one interception and leading Houston to a 4-4 record in nine weeks.

Stroud's latest performance was a memorable one, as the Rancho Cucamonga, California, native threw for a rookie-record 470 yards and five touchdowns in the Texans' 39-37 come-from-behind win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

On Tuesday, Ryan Day was asked about Stroud's immediate success in the NFL. The Ohio State head coach praised his former signal-caller and explained that all of Stroud's achievements are well-deserved.

"He deserves all the success that he's receiving," Day said. "This is somebody who went through a tough time in the draft process. A lot of people questioned him in certain ways. You never saw him react in any way. He's handled himself like a pro. The players on (the Texans) voted him captain. He's a captain there. For a rookie, out the gate, that's tremendous. He walked in and endeared himself to that organization. Now, you're starting to see him perform on the field. He's given that organization hope. It's the same thing Garrett Wilson did with the New York Jets last year."

How has Stroud provided Houston with hope? He understands what it takes to be great —something he learned to be at THE Ohio State University.

"Our guys understand what the expectation is," Day said. "You're there to win every game. It was great to see him quickly jump into that role and have the success he's had. Still a lot of football ahead of him, though."

With nine weeks left in the regular season, Stroud is the overwhelming favorite to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. Here are his odds across various sportsbooks: -550 (FanDuel), -500 (BetMGM), -800 (Caesars) and -500 (DraftKings). So, yes, he has a lot of football ahead of him — a lot of successful football, at that. I, for one, can't wait to see him be great again and again and again.

 THIS AND THAT. Another Skull Session, another This and That™.

Let's ride.

Ohio State's media team offered fans another look at the Buckeyes' alternate gray uniforms for Saturday's matchup with Michigan State. Once again, the uniforms look cleannnnnnnn.

TreVeyon Henderson put himself in elite company with his performance over the weekend. In the Buckeyes' win over Rutgers, Henderson ran for 120 yards and had another 80 yards as a pass-catcher, becoming the first Ohio State running back to record those numbers since Eddie George in 1995. (Kudos to Eleven Warriors researcher Matt Gutridge, who shared that information with Ohio State.)

This week, the New Orleans Saints nominated former Ohio State linebacker Pete Werner for the NFL's 2023 Salute to Service Award, an honor presented to current NFL players, coaches, staff and alumni "with a proven commitment to honor and support military and veteran communities."

Sammy Sasso will not wrestle for Ohio State in 2023-24. However, the "Savage" will do whatever he can to help the Buckeyes succeed this season. That includes coaching his teammates in their performances, which Sasso did for Ohio State wrestlers at the Clarion Open over the weekend.

That's all for This and That™.

Skull Session readers, we move.

 THE ELEVEN DUBGATE IS HEATED AND COVERED BY TONY'S TAILGATE PARTY RENTALS.

Tony's Tailgate & Party Rentals
Tony's: The Ultimate Party Rental Equipment Service.

In 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, Tony's was voted the BEST of Columbus for Party Equipment Rental Service, and in 2021, was named a top 10 Columbus Wedding Company. They have everything your event needs, from tents, chairs and dance floors to A/V equipment, grills and cocktail tables.

Eleven Dubgate 11 will feature an elegant and durable 20x30 tent donated by Tony's and some heaters in case one finds 50 degrees a bit too chilly. The next time you think about stringing together several 10x10 tents, stop thinking. Call Tony's instead.

Doors open at 3 p.m. for our 11th Eleven Dubgate, which will be held on Saturday before Ohio State's matchup with Michigan State. This event relies on your donations, which will benefit Special Olympics Olentangy. Cash and Venmo (@OSSOSTORM) are both accepted.

If you cannot attend Eleven Dubgate 11 but would still like to donate, use Venmo and type "Dubgate" in the text field. Every donation is appreciated.

 SONG OF THE DAY. "Help!" - The Beatles

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