Redemption is sweet.
Ohio State left the field in Arizona last year believing (and rightfully so), they were the better team against Clemson. Some bad breaks, missed opportunities, and controversial calls doomed a Buckeye squad that seemed to be on the way towards a shot at a national championship.
All the offseason workouts that involved sweat and tears, not to mention fighting for a season in 2020 was all about getting a chance to right a wrong and show the world Ohio State is one of the current blue bloods in the sport despite all the national narratives.
Consider it done. Ohio State throttled the No. 2 team in the country to the tune of 49-28, and frankly, it could have been worse.
As we do with every game, we give you five takeaways from what we witnessed, this time in the glow of sweet victory after a College Football Playoff win in the Sugar Bowl.
NEXT … Ohio State is definitely NOT the No. 11 team in the country
Ohio State showed everyone it was worthy of a playoff invite
After the first half of the Sugar Bowl, fans are wondering: Is Ohio State the greatest No.11-ranked team ever? https://t.co/zcpJ6FK3AF
— Columbus Dispatch (@DispatchAlerts) January 2, 2021
Take that Dabo. After several comments about Ohio State’s schedule and the Buckeyes not belonging in the College Football Playoff, and with the revelation that Swinney ranked the Buckeyes No. 11 in his final Amway Coaches Poll, there had to be added motivation in this one for OSU.
The Clemson head coach was right that Ohio State didn’t belong on the same field with the Tigers, but that was because it was far superior than Clemson Friday night. We have a feeling Swinney has changed his tune on that one right about now.
NEXT … Trey Sermon might have made himself a lot of money
Trey Sermon has really blossomed the last few games
trey sermon knew pic.twitter.com/Yr6ZIx0Glo
— Harry Lyles Jr. (@harrylylesjr) January 2, 2021
Trey Sermon further solidified that he’s one whale of a back. He split carries early on with Master Teague, but once Teague was not healthy enough to fill that role, Sermon has seemed to embrace being the guy and has taken off.
This is the type of player everyone was hoping Sermon was going to be for Ohio State, and he is showing up at just the right time. He doesn’t have top-end straight-line speed, but it’s more than adequate enough. Add his vision, wiggle, and balance, and he may have just put himself on NFL teams’ maps.
Will he still be a Buckeye next year is the big question?
NEXT … Justin Fields is still good at this football thing
Justin Fields didn’t go anywhere
The two games Justin Fields struggled a little in this year seem all but a distant memory after this one. He stood with poise in the pocket, made some key runs, threw the deep ball with precision while reading progressions, and even shook off a vicious hit to play through it all. Yeah, he’s pretty good.
Fields accounted for almost 400 yards of offense through the air and chipped in 42 on the ground. But man, was he also a gutsy leader that simply outplayed Trevor Lawrence in the biggest of ways.
Now, about that injury. Let’s hope he’s okay for the next one.
NEXT … Chris Olave is a difference-maker
The offense is its best self with Chris Olave available
I’m not sure we’ll ever appreciate Chris Olave as much as we should. He’s so smooth, runs great routes, and has underappreciated top-end speed to stretch defenses beyond their capacity. He was sorely missed against Northwestern and it through everything out of rhythm.
It was clear against Clemson that he makes everyone around him better. From the big-play, to the timing, to more balance, everything just works better with him as the No. 1 guy and everyone else playing their dangerous selves in concert.
NEXT … Time to give Ryan Day the credit he deserves
Stop thinking of Ryan Day as a coach that inherited what Urban Meyer built
I’ve defended the type of coach Ryan Day is from day one when he took over the reins from Urban Meyer. People called us a homer because Day hadn’t proven himself. And while there’s some truth to that, you can also understand that I guy has the right stuff to continue to take the program to the heights it belongs.
Day outcoached Swinney in this one, and there’s no way around it. From adjustments in the passing game, to the way the plays were called in the face of the so-called sign stealing by Clemson, to situational things that presented themselves, he’s a superstar coach in the making. Time to realize it.
Eat your heart out Michigan. The beating of the backsides are likely still coming.
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