Arch… Manning… These guys never learn.

Can't wait for the season to start!

I think they really did about the best they could do with this deadline, and they managed to do it without giving up any real serious prospect capital which is a big plus as well. They did enough to at least give themselves a chance.

Do they know what today is?

Today’s question: What is the biggest thing needed to make a deep run in the College Football Playoff?​

Brett’s answer: A chip on your shoulder​

If you told Ohio State fans they would win the first 12-team College Football Playoff after losing 13-10 at home to Michigan, they likely would have thought you were insane. In the days following the loss to the Wolverines, Buckeye Nation seemed more focused on packing Ryan Day’s bags than the football team winning four games to become national champs. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Tennessee fans thought they were going to turn Ohio Stadium into “Neyland North”.

Obviously, the team was ready to go to war for their head coach, as well as defend their home turf against the invaders from Tennessee. After easily dispatching the Volunteers, the Buckeyes got their revenge on Oregon in the Rose Bowl, and the rest is history. It was obvious Ryan Day’s team spent a few weeks channeling the hatred they were receiving into fuel that they used to destroy their first two opponents before outlasting Texas and Notre Dame.

Last year the Buckeyes were the victim of a team playing with a chip on their shoulder. Many didn’t think Miami belonged in the playoff field after the Hurricanes lost two games across a regular season schedule that was less than impressive. I’ll be honest, I didn’t think Miami had much of a chance against the Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl. Not only did the Hurricanes beat Ohio State in Dallas, but they also went on to take down Ole Miss in the semifinals before giving Indiana a run in the title game.

Teams with a chip on their shoulder have something to rally around, which hasn’t been the case for others during the first two 12-team playoffs. Back in 2024, Oregon didn’t have much turmoil surrounding their team, and they ended up laying an egg against Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. While Indiana didn’t suffer the same fate as the Ducks last year as the top seed, the Hoosiers were still looking for respect nationally since their program had been a doormat for so long, so there was a bit of a chip on the shoulders of Curt Cignetti and his team.

As we work our way towards the playoffs later this year, just remember that the team that has faced adversity and feels like they are disrespected will be a team to watch out for in the postseason. Chances are they’ll make it to the title game, if not win it all.

Matt’s answer: Confidence and resilience to handle pressure​

As we’ve seen numerous times from Ohio State, talent alone can be enough to get a team into the College Football Playoff. Unfortunately for the Buckeyes (and more importantly, us as fans), talent alone rarely proves to be enough to carry a team all the way through the playoffs to a national title, especially now that the tournament has expanded to 12 teams. At some point during a championship run, every contender will face a moment when the game plan fails, the opponent lands the first punch, or the weight of expectations becomes impossible to ignore.

The teams that are usually able to survive are the ones with enough confidence to believe the situation can still be fixed and enough resilience to keep playing when everything begins to go wrong. Unfortunately for Ohio State, they got punched in the face twice last year, and weren’t able to get back up either time.

What felt like the makings of a perfect season (literally and figuratively) was detoured in the Big Ten Championship Game by the Indiana Hoosiers and then ultimately derailed by the Miami Hurricanes in the CFP. Neither was a blowout — IU won 13-10, and The U won 24-14 thanks to a last-minute touchdown — but that just underlines what was missing for last year’s Buckeyes. They had their chances; neither loss was out of reach. Therefore, had they been able to bounce back like championship teams are supposed to be capable of, we could have been talking about back-to-back national titles.

We have seen OSU exhibit this kind of resilience numerous times over the years. The 2024 Buckeyes suffered a devastating fourth consecutive loss to Michigan (one that had many in Buckeye Nation, myself included, throwing in the towel on Ryan Day). However, the team and coaching staff developed that chip on their shoulder that Brett talked about, and responded by going on arguably the greatest run in college football history.
Instead of allowing one painful result to define them, they beat Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame to win the national championship.

Even in the title game, Ohio State had to withstand a Notre Dame comeback before Will Howard’s fourth-quarter third-down completion to Jeremiah Smith finally sealed the 34-23 victory. That run was not simply a demonstration of superior talent; it was proof that a team can absorb disappointment, ignore the noise surrounding it, and recover quickly enough to accomplish something historic.

Both the successful lesson of 2024 and the less successful one of 2025 need to inform the Buckeyes’ approach in 2026. Ohio State again possesses obvious championship talent, led by Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith, and Bo Jackson, and will return four starting offensive linemen. Personally, I believe new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will bring a much-needed added dimension to the offensive game plan this season, while Matt Patricia will need to figure out how to replace a historically elite group of defensive starters.

This year’s team will not be judged solely by how explosive it looks when everything is working, or how it even does against its daunting regular-season schedule. The 2026 Buckeyes’ season will ultimately be determined by how it responds to an early deficit, a costly turnover, a difficult road environment, or a loss that threatens to divide the locker room. Championship pressure cannot be recreated during spring practice or preseason camp; it can only be confronted when it arrives.

Ohio State has enough talent to win another national title, and, as is my annual tradition, I will be picking them to do so. But the question is whether the Buckeyes will be able to find the collective confidence to expect victory even in the face of the most adverse of circumstances and the resilience to keep pursuing it even after things inevitably don’t go their way.

For my sake, and the sake of all Buckeye fans reading this, I sure hope they can.

Tanner said:

Fair enough. I was too harsh. I'm obviously rooting for him. I think McCuin will have more catches than him this year tho

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I'd be very surprised. I think Innis catches 40 balls this year minimum. Smith with 80 and Henry with 55-60 give or take.

ND-USC rivalry renewed; IU nixes series vs. Irish

Notre Dame's reunion with USC, however, also will coincide with the departure of defending national champion Indiana from the Fighting Irish's future schedules, sources told ESPN's Adam Rittenberg.

In 2021, Notre Dame and Indiana announced a home-and-home series with the Hoosiers opening the 2030 season at Notre Dame, the slot USC will now fill. Notre Dame was set to visit Indiana in late September 2031. But both games will not be played, at Indiana's request, a source told Rittenberg. The desire to get USC back on the schedule in early-season slots drove the shuffling, along with Indiana's philosophy toward nonconference scheduling.
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Indiana's scheduling approach has avoided Power 4 opponents, as the school in 2023 withdrew from the final two games of a series against Louisville, and then in 2025 canceled a home-and-home series against Virginia. The Hoosiers' College Football Playoff teams in 2024 and 2025 did not play any Power 4 opponents from outside the Big Ten during the regular season.

Notre Dame had been the only major nonleague opponent on Indiana's schedule, which is filled through 2029. Coach Curt Cignetti has said Indiana is focused on its nine Big Ten games per year, and athletic director Scott Dolson has said the school's approach will remain flexible depending on the size and format of the CFP.

USC, Notre Dame to renew rivalry; Irish-Indiana home-and-home off​

USC and Notre Dame will renew their rivalry matchup starting in 2030 with a four-game series that will feature back-to-back season openers, the schools announced Monday.

Notre Dame's reunion with USC, however, also will coincide with the departure of defending national champion Indiana from the Fighting Irish's future schedules, sources told ESPN's Adam Rittenberg.

In 2021, Notre Dame and Indiana announced a home-and-home series with the Hoosiers opening the 2030 season at Notre Dame, the slot USC will now fill. Notre Dame was set to visit Indiana in late September 2031. But both games will not be played, at Indiana's request, a source told Rittenberg. The desire to get USC back on the schedule in early-season slots drove the shuffling, along with Indiana's philosophy toward nonconference scheduling.

ORD_Buckeye said:

The only thing elite about that guy is his mouth.

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I wouldn't even call that elite. Sounds like every other cockholster that goes there thinking THAT'S the achievment.

Bratwurst and Cheeseburger open face on croissants w/sauerkraut and yellow mustard.

Better Know a Buckeye: Physicality, IQ and Instincts Can Make Kaden Gebhardt A Difference-Making Safety Near the Line of Scrimmage​

Scouting Report​

With a high football IQ, Gebhardt uses his instincts to take the right angle and beat the ball carrier to his spot more often than not. He shines closer to the line of scrimmage as a safety in the box, as Gebhardt is a hard-nosed player who is more physical than his size might show.

While he's best when he's going downhill, Gebhardt's agility and ability to be quick in small areas allow him to be an effective zone defender.

Although his workout and testing numbers might not blow anyone away, Gebhardt's combination of toughness, IQ and quickness allows him to make plays all over the field.

Depth Chart Outlook​

With a loaded group of safeties in 2026 that includes Jaylen McClain, Earl Little Jr., Terry Moore, Leroy Roker III, redshirt freshman Deshawn Stewart and fellow freshmen Blaine Bradford, Simeon Caldwell and Khmari Bing, among others, Gebhardt will likely have to wait his turn before making a significant impact on defense.

Gebhardt – whose physical development as a freshman has been apparent with his “Dude of the Week” recognition earlier this summer – could be a candidate to make an early impact on special teams, which could help his chances of climbing the depth chart starting next season.

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Little and Moore are both fifth-year seniors while McClain is also a candidate to enter the 2027 NFL draft, so there will be playing time up for grabs at safety as early as next season.

Gebhardt will likely be a safety that plays closer to the line of scrimmage and in the box at Ohio State, a specific skill set that could earn him situational playing time earlier than expected as he attempts to work his way up to a future starting role.

RB07OSU said:

The dog bowl diet is pretty hilarious, but low key I might need to get on that. Tons of protein and no carbs, I'm all about that. If he leads us to victory against Tejas, I'll jump on the bandwagon.

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Rice has plenty of carbs

Mike80 said:

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Hmmmm, circle jerk? Shouldn't one of the figures be an ewe to honor aTm?

Saw31 said:

Just watched the H8tful Eight.

Yeah. Quentin Tarantino. You at least have an idea of what you're walking into. I turned off Inglorious Bastards half way through. Fucking stupid movie. Like most of his other stuff though, so one lemon is not turning me off. A lot of people liked Inglorious Bastards, whatever. Different strokes.

H8ful Eight, much much better. But you gotta like a dialogue movie. Gotta listen and pay attention.

Kurt Russell and especially Samuel L Jackson rule this movie...Excellent job by both in my imo.

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Best Buckeye said:

Maybe Daniels has improved ?? Maybe they had him doing ballet or chasing chickens to improve his quickness/agility.

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It’s possible Daniels was caught in the orbit of Tshabola’s constant inconsistency which dragged him down in terms of catching the eye of less than great players.

Yeah, keeping Sayin's jersey clean is kinda key. Opening holes for the RB is also key. Believe going to lose four of the five OL starters this season, and not certain how many back-ups will exhaust their eligibility or transfer. To me, Bowen's rep is still up in the air. The last two games were pretty much horrors, and didn't seem like any mid-course adjustments to stop the DL from causing mayhem. Agreed with the above, haven't had a 5* OL recruit in awhile, not for lack of effort, but getting outbid by competition. But, tOSU has decided not to get into a bidding war. Ergo, Bowen has to develop the existing talent. To me, the #12 OT v the #1 OT is hard to quantify. Hopefully Bowen (and the other OL coaches) can get the #12 OT to a high level. Then the upcoming recruits will come if they see the results of Buckeye training (much like other positions on the team). It is interesting to see how well the OL room is or isn't perceived by the non-Buckeye world.

Happy with the extension.
Dude seems to have a vision for what he wants and expects. Now he gets a full cycle to implement.

Appears that there's alot of talent on the bench. And not enough balls to go around. Am thinking that these new guys and TSC will continue to light it up when game is put away. Hopefully Day & Co will let them keep throwing, instead of belly plays into the middle of the line. tOSU is going to lose two of their best WRs after this season, so gotta get the new kids some reps. Hopefully the new coach will run with more kids than Hartline used to during the waning moments of a game. PS, like the idea of the WRs on put/kick-off return teams, letting them get used to blocking.

Mike80 said:

I mean the show went off the air almost 20 years ago now. None of them were really all that young even then....hell even Drea De Matteo is in her mid-50s now and Meadow is mid-40s.

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The show felt ahead of its time and seems newer than it actually is.

Hey, like his corporate suit. Has got more than the 1/4" of sleeve showing, however. Very corporate. Thing that is/was overlooked was that teams threw away from Downs, and Jaylen stood up admirably to the increased pressure. Now he's got the big stage, and no, he's not going to be all over the field like Downs was last year. Believe he'll hold down his position well, and maybe he'll do some blitzing like Caleb did. Or cream the RB turning the corner. Will be his money season, and hoping he'll respond well. Go Bucks

These early games will hopefully let the cream rise to the top. See plenty of potential, so let he who makes the plays get the minutes. But being true to being Negative Nelly, hope there are enough snaps to go around. LJSr has alot of weapons, now just gotta find the right combination. Maybe see a 'line-out' thing like hockey? Could be a nightmare for B10 opponents. Here's hoping for a better post-season than last year.