Welcome to the Skull Session.
It's Christmas!
Here we are — you and me — on Christmas.
I am thankful for you, dear reader, and I hope your holiday season includes wonderful celebrations with friends and fammly.
As for the Skull Session, let's keep this simple and sweet.
ALL 11W WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS — an Ohio State win over Michigan.
Last week, the Eleven Warriors poll asked readers, “What ranks No. 1 on your Ohio State-themed Christmas list?” The possible responses were “Beating Michigan,” “Winning a Big Ten championship,” “Winning a national championship” and “Other.”
Here is how 4,730 11W readers answered the poll:
| LIST ITEM | VOTES | PERCENTAGE |
|---|---|---|
| BEATING MICHIGAN | 2,862 | 61% |
| WINNING A BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP | 97 | 2% |
| WINNING A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP | 1,701 | 36% |
| OTHER | 70 | 1% |
THE CASE FOR BEATING MICHIGAN
BEAT BLUE! - CreekBuck
And the rest is gravy... - StoveBuck
Beating Michigan is the only correct repsonse - Mb5999
Whether winning a plethora in a row, whether losing with intangibles three years running... It's always beat the rival. - Hovenaut
THE CASE FOR WINNING A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
National champions for me — end the season (with Ohio State) considered the best, beating the competition who were the best. Beating Michigan is huge, but I don't want a half-assed season including beating our rival. (I want the Buckeyes) good or great every step of the way, especially in late November and the postseason. - BuckeyeinFlorida
Winning a national title. To me, that still entails beating TCUN and winning the B1G. - BuckeyeDevil
The only stat (Ohio State) is deficient in is national titles in the past 50 years. We have two — the same as Penn State, Notre Dame and Nebraska. We have one more than schools like BYU, Georgia Tech, Colorado and Pitt. - KCAlum
In a normal season, I would rank “Winning a national championship” at the top — no contest. However, 2024 will not be a normal season. Ohio State has suffered three consecutive losses to Michigan. Buckeye Nation cannot bear a fourth.
That said, I’ll adopt the StoveBuck approach.
Beat Michigan.
The rest is gravy...
THE BUCKEYES ARE IN DALLAS. Over the weekend, Ohio State football arrived in Dallas for the Cotton Bowl. After the Buckeyes’ plane landed, Devin Brown — Ohio State’s QB1 — recorded a video for The 1870 Society.
Attention Buckeye Nation
— The 1870 Society (@the1870society) December 23, 2023
QB1 @dbrownqb33 has a message for all of the Buckeye faithful!
We have some fun surprises upcoming for our members!
Join us today by signing up below #BurnTheBoats https://t.co/cQB4LSYANZ pic.twitter.com/1FDhrtg0Jp
This week, Brown and several other Buckeyes will update 1870 Society members on Ohio State’s activities at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, AT&T Stadium, the Children’s Medical Center Dallas and more.
For the price of a cup of coffee a month, you can become a member of The 1870 Society and gain access to these video updates, The Ryan Day Podcast and more. Each of the collective’s nine membership tiers, based on contributions, comes with additional perks: An authentic Buckeye Leaf sticker, a photo autographed by a player, tickets and pregame field access to an Ohio State football game, and tickets to a “Heisman Lunch” featuring past Ohio State Heisman Trophy winners.
THE FUTURE STARTS NOW. This week, Air Noland will be in Dallas for the Cotton Bowl. On Thursday, Buckeye Nation can meet the incoming Ohio State quarterback, who head coach Ryan Day believes will be the “leader of this team” in the future.
Air Noland future leader of Ohio State Buckeyes. pic.twitter.com/aUNAaKuCUs
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) December 23, 2023
In collaboration with Five Star Fans, Noland will participate in ”More Than a Tailgate,” where he will take pictures and participate in a Q&A session with former Buckeye linebacker Obie Stillwell and future Ohio State track and field star Aaliyah Elliott, the younger sister of Ohio State football legend Ezekiel Elliott.
DELICIOUS FOOD AND DRINKS
Open bar and appetizers served to guests in a private space at Dallas' famous, Stan's Blue Note.
ENTERTAINMENT
This will be Air Noland's first ever appearance and panel discussion. He will be accompanied by track and field star Aaliyah Elliott, Ezekiel Elliott's youngest sister. Facilitated by media personality, Obie Stillwell, we will talk about their recruiting journeys' and what it means to be a future Buckeye.
MEET AIR NOLAND, BEHIND THE SCENES ACCESS
VIP attendees meet Ohio State's incoming quarterback, Air Noland, and have a professional photograph taken with him. VIP and regular tickets available here.
Sounds like a fun event.
Unrelated, but the name Air Noland is an incredible name for a quarterback. Air... No Land... This man was born to sling the rock.
"I think he's a baller, and I'm excited to get to work with him."
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) December 20, 2023
Ryan Day joins @MikeHallHere to discuss QB commit Air Noland.@AirNoland_ x @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/ms5M7hHiei
FOR THE BRAND. Last week, Akron, Ohio, native LeBron James hooked up Ohio State men's basketball teams with some new shoes — just in time for Christmas, too!
@kingjames and @nikebasketball hooked us up with a few gifts just in time for the holiday #GoBucks #Team125 pic.twitter.com/vafpKvC8vR
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) December 22, 2023
@kingjames | #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/ZWYyhs9r4a
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) December 22, 2023
Over the weekend, James wore the white Ohio State shoes in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 129-120 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. At almost 39 years old (James’ birthday is on Dec. 30), the NBA superstar scored 40 points on 13-of-20 shooting and added seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
@KingJames got the W tonight rocking the @OhioStateHoops PEs #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/2Lqeqx9VhX
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) December 24, 2023
Talk about being “For The Brand.”
SONG OF THE DAY. “I'll Be Home For Christmas” - Rascal Flatts.
CUT TO THE CHASE. Track Santa here. A military command is keeping a close watch on his sleigh... Suspect arrested in alleged theft of a Banksy stop sign decorated with military drones... International astronaut will be invited on future NASA moon landing... How dogs brought joy in 2023 to the biggest names in college football... Surfing Santas hit the waves for Florida Space Coast tradition.
