It’s Thanksgiving and we all have reasons to be thankful… food on the table, family and friends, health, and of course our Ohio State Buckeyes. We thought, on this day of thanks, it would be nice to share five things were thankful for concerning the Scarlet and Gray.
Only five reasons to be thankful? There’s plenty more, but we know you only have so much time before the tryptophan kicks in fast asleep in your La-Z-Boy.
Let’s give thanks.
No. 5 – The Transfer Portal
Let’s give thanks for the transfer portal. Without it, no Justin Fields. That’s not a knock on Tate Martell, but let’s be honest, Fields has been better than anyone could’ve expected.
Maybe Tate Martell could’ve been the guy for the Buckeyes this season. But Justin Fields has shown poise and maturity far beyond his years. His numbers aren’t as gaudy as some other QBs on nationally ranked teams, but he has been one of the best in college football all season long.
And without the transfer portal, Buckeye fans would have had to wait a year or maybe he never even transfers with the old rules of having to sit out a year.
Maybe the portal comes back to bite OSU in the future and we lose a prize recruit, but for now, we give thanks for the transfer portal that brought us Justin Fields.
Now about Joe Burrow … well – there’s that.
Next … the new head man in charge
No. 4 – Ryan Day
We give thanks for head coach Ryan Day. I know, I know, it’s only his first season, but what a heck of a job Ryan Day is doing now that he’s the man in charge.
Make no mistake, Urban Meyer is a legend and will be revered for the rest of time as one of the greatest college football coaches ever. And he taught coach Day well.
Everyone was a little worried when Urban announced his retirement before the Rose Bowl last year and Ryan Day was immediately named the new head coach. Can he recruit like Urban? Will he be able to lead a big time program like Ohio State? Can he win? And can he continue to beat Michigan?
We’ll find out the answer to the last question soon, but everything else seems to be falling right into place as the Buckeye train chugs along.
Think about it… finding a good head coach is no easy task. Replacing an icon is even more difficult. Remember when everyone thought Tom Herman was going to bring Texas back to glory?
Let’s give thanks Buckeye Nation. We’ve got a good one in Ryan Day.
Next … one of the best
No. 3 – Ohio State is a “Blue Blood”
Let’s give thanks that we get to cheer for a program like The Ohio State University.
I’ve often wondered… what if I would have grown up in someplace like, let’s say, Ames, Iowa. Nothing againsy Iowa State, but they’re probably not winning a national title or even a conference title anytime soon.
We’re blessed to be Buckeye fans. Year in and year out, Ohio State will be in the discussion for Big Ten titles and National Championships, in multiple sports.
Sometimes we act a little spoiled… because we are. Not many universities have the same kind of all around success. So let’s not forget to count our blessings.
Next … owning Darth Vader
No. 2 – Success Against TTUN
We give thanks for recent success against TTUN. Unless you’re over the age of 35, you might think that Ohio State has always had success against the Wolverines. Over the past two decades, it’s just become expected that the Buckeyes are going to put an annual beatdown on their arch rival. But it hasn’t always been this way.
The 80’s and 90’s were a tough time for Ohio State fans and Ohio State coaches. Earle Bruce had modest success, and John Cooper –who is in the College Football Hall of Fame, lost his job at OSU because he couldn’t get the job done against the Maize and Blue.
Enter Jim Tressel and his famous speech at halftime of a Buckeye basketball game after being introduced as the new head coach on January 18, 2001.
“I assure you that you will be proud of our young people, in the classroom, in the community, and most-especially in 310 days in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on the football field.”
Still gives me chills.
It’s all been history since then with the Buckeyes owning a 16-2 record over the Wolverines (including the vacated 2010 OSU win). It’s truly been a golden era in Ohio State football.
Next … The Game
No. 1 – The Rivalry
We give thanks for the best rivalry in all of sports. Everyone believes their rivalry is the biggest rivalry in sports. And to an extent, I suppose they are right if that’s what they care about. But the Ohio State Michigan rivalry goes much farther than any other.
Simply known as The Game gives you an understanding of how big this rivalry is. Both sides prepare 365 days a year for The Game. Coaches lose their job for not winning The Game. It’s intense and it is ours.
There are no trophies on the line such as, Paul Bunyon’s Ax, Floyd of Rosedale, or the Apple Cup. Just bragging rights for players and fans for the entire year. That’s all that’s needed or desired. Well, aside from a bushel of gold pants.
Even though the Buckeyes have owned the rivalry in recent years, it is one of the most even in terms of record, with Michigan owning a 58-50-6 advantage. Together Ohio State and Michigan own 19 National Titles, 168 All Americans, 79 conference championships, and 10 Heisman Trophies.
No matter who you root for, you want to know who won the Ohio State Michigan game as it almost always has national implications.
The Game is simply the biggest game every single year… and it’s ours and we give thanks!
Okay, so that’s what we’re thankful for. How about you, what are you thankful for as a Buckeye fan?
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