The 2018 Ohio State Buckeyes

How do we feel about this team?

I wanted to write a post about this current team because there's just something about this group. The start of the season has been a slightly odd mix of incredible results, like beating Penn State for the second straight comeback win against the Nittany Lions, passing an early against against a ranked TCU and lighting up the scoreboard like very few (or any) Ohio State teams have since I can remember.

But then there are the odd, gashing big plays given up by the defense. I mean, this was THE year that we gave up the longest running play in the history of the program. And an unusually high number of big passing plays given up against the cornerbacks. 

So, how are we feeling about this team so far?

The talent on offense is at the highest level that I believe I've personally seen at Ohio State. The 2005 Buckeyes had some big offensive names - Troy Smith, Santonio Holmes and Tedd Ginn Jr. The 2015 team also had some great weapons - Braxton Miller, Michael Thomas, Curtis Samuel, Ezekiel Elliot, to name a few. But this team seems to be the deepest I've seen at wide receiver and running back. Then you throw in Dwayne Haskins, who is making a case for most talented quarterback the Buckeyes have ever had. He probably won't finish with the career resumes to rival Troy Smith or JT Barrett, so it may be hard to tell at the end of Haskins' college career exactly where he fits in that conversation. It's possible that we might have just a fleeting memory of Haskins and this offense when it's all said and done. 

And I think that could be one of the things that makes this team unique and special. It seems reasonable to think that Dwayne Haskins, JK Dobbins, Nick Bosa, Dre'Mont Jones, KJ Hill and potentially a few others will all be gone in a blink of an eye. It's almost like the 2018 Ohio State Buckeyes is the modern Kentucky basketball program of college football. A team full of all-stars that have to put a season together knowing that the NFL draft is around the corner. 

This is obviously not to say that going to the NFL is a bad thing. It's realistic and justified. But it does make me nostalgic of the linebacker corp of AJ Hawk and Bobby Carpenter spending multiple seasons together, battling year after year. It does make me think fondly of the 1996 defense with seniors Greg Bellisari, Luke Fickell, Rob Kelley and Mike Vrabel making one of the most memorable comebacks that I've ever seen against Arizona State in the Rose Bowl.

Will we see a team like that in the current Urban-era of Ohio State football?

Urban Meyer has made a name for himself as an elite level recruiter. And because of that, he has been bringing in NFL-caliber talent at a higher rate than many, if not all, previous Ohio State head coaches. And as a result, the players have been increasingly quick to jettison to the NFL. And rightfully so. As far as first round talent goes, this team looks like it has a lot. I think Meyer's recruiting has reached a pinnacle this season, especially since all of these players have a chance to be on the field at the same time. It's almost like a stellar collision has occurred with multiple recruiting classes being able to compete on the field together on offense.

But maybe the recruited talent level has also hurt the defense. The talent has congealed on the offense side of the ball, but the NFL seems to have pulled some defensive talent away quicker than Ohio State has been able to refill it. At least for a season. 

Regardless, this is a fascinating team and I think that's a good thing. I don't believe I've ever heard as many TV commentators talk about Ohio State having as much talent as Alabama than I have this year in particular. On a national scale, this Ohio State team is turning heads and rightfully so. From a nostalgic 90's and early 2000's Ohio State football fan, I selfishly hope some of these guys decide to stay for another year. But they more than likely won't.

I think we'll simply have to enjoy this ride while we can and not take for granted all of the talent and the names that are on this team. I believe we'll look back on this 2018 Ohio State football team as one of the best.

Go Bucks.