Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
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Which Ohio State Buckeye are you most thankful for?
Matt’s answer: Carson Hinzman
Will Howard is an excellent choice by Brett and one that I am clearly very much in support of. But in this moment, this week, heading into this game, I am especially thankful for Carson Hinzman. After starting 12 games at center last year, only to be replaced with seemingly little logic for what turned out to be a shambolic bowl performance from the offensive line, it would have been easy for the junior lineman to become disenchanted in Columbus and look to find greener pastures elsewhere.
However, he did not do that, nor did he opt to leave when OSU brought in a two-year starting center from Alabama via the transfer portal. Instead, he continued to work and learn behind Seth McLaughlin until he was called upon to move a little to his left and fill in at guard following the injuries to Josh Simmons and Zen Michalski.
In his brief time at LG, he played very well, but once McLaughlin went down, he was thrust back into the exact same spot he was in last year. Against Indiana, Hinzman was back at the center of Ohio State’s offensive line which dominated a top-five opponent.
So, I am incredibly grateful that the team has his experience heading into the homestretch following McLaughlin’s Achilles injury, and I am even more grateful that Carson chose to remain a Buckeye. He is not a native Ohioan, I wouldn’t doubt that Luke Fickell likely would have welcomed the Wisconsin native with open arms had Hinzman entered the transfer portal.
But, he did not, and now he is arguably the most important non-quarterback on Ohio State’s roster as the team prepares to enter the postseason as the betting favorite to win the national championship. I shudder to think what could have been in store for the Buckeye offensive line had McLaughlin gone down and Hinzman wasn’t on the team. Yes, Joshua Padilla was the No. 11 interior offensive lineman in the 2023 recruiting cycle, but he has barely played at Ohio State, and that is not the type of guy you want to have to turn to when your season is on the line.
So, Carson Hinzman, I hope that whenever you sit down to your Thanksgiving meal — either on Thursday or after The Game — you have an extra helping of mashed potatoes and know that Buckeye Nation is grateful to have you on our side.