Colin: There are many great things about winning a National Championship but one of the best is Buckeye fans can relax just a little and actually enjoy themselves for a bit. I mean, I’d like to beat Texas… but whatever, we just beat them when it counted and if this season goes as planned for either team, they may go at it again with real chips on the table this winter.
So with that in mind, is this the funnest opener in Ohio State Football History? Is there anything comparable?
Baver: I hear ya, though starting 0-1 would bring me a few stomach issues, I think ...ha. I went to the opener in ’98 when #1 Ohio St played West Va in Morgantown. Boatload of fun, but the Mountaineers were no match for Joe Germaine, David Boston, and company. I was in 4th grade when Penn St visited Ohio St for Art Schlichter’s debut in ‘78. Both teams were highly ranked, but there was nothing fun about watching Penn St hammer Ohio St 19-0. Notre Dame coming to the ‘Shoe to open the ‘22 campaign was lots of fun, but nothing compares to the buildup for this one.
Colin: Both these teams lost a lot since the semifinals last year and are attempting to reload with zero breathing room. Who do you feel has the advantage in week one?
Baver: An edge to the Horns, having the more game-ready QB in Arch Manning. I’ll side with Ryan Day in these kinds of games over Sarkisian, though I think Sark could still win a title this year. Add home field, and it makes sense to me that Ohio St is a slight favorite. And I am glad you mentioned the Texas personnel losses. Many in the media point out OSU’s personnel losses, but fail to mention that every top team in the country not named Clemson lost A TON of talent from its 2024 team.
Colin: OSU lost two special running backs from last year’s squad. What are realistic expectations for the backfield this year?
Baver: James Peoples had just two carries in the spring game. I had read an online comment about this where someone said, “…this tells you all you need to know about the staff’s confidence in Peoples.” I totally agree; Peoples is ready for the 1a role. And I like WVU transfer CJ Donaldson as the 1b (big) back. You’ll have a downgrade from TreVeyon and Quinshon, though maybe not as much as some think. But if OSU loses (say) 10% of the 2024 run game production, that would qualify as a success.
Colin: Only Buckeye fans could grumble with hiring a DC who won TWO Super Bowls doing the same job in the NFL. Are we sure Jim Knowles was the genius everyone and Matt Patricia is some huge step down?
Baver: I’d rather have Knowles, but you make a good point. I think that losing Chip Kelly is a bigger concern this year. I’d be surprised if this Buckeye defense was not elite under Patricia in ‘25.
Colin: You made it to one of the open practices…what can you tell us about it?
Baver: Was it worth the 38 bucks to attend? For a diehard, absolutely. Just watching Jeremiah Smith run a zig-zag warmup drill up close is a sight to behold. It's like watching The Terminator run and cut at full speed. It was the first practice of fall camp, and frosh tailback Anthony “Turbo” Rogers, who had just arrived in June, looked great. In some 11-on-11 action, Julian Sayin threw a perfect touch pass that Jelani Thurman dropped. (For the uninitiated, that’s been Thurman’s achilles heel since he arrived here.)
In other 11-on-11 action, Caleb Downs blew up a screen pass. It’s funny; it was “thud-tackling”, where defenders are supposed to simply wrap up the ball carriers, without tackling them. The play was blown dead as Downs approached, and he hadn't laid a hand on the ball catcher. The staff was obviously NOT going to let Downs go down to injury in the first fall camp practice.
Colin: Do you have any favorites out of the gate to win the CFP this year?
Baver: As much as I despise Dabo, I think Clemson is a legit challenger for the ’25 title. He finally brought in some needed transfers, and his team has basically everybody back.
I think Notre Dame and PSU are getting a bit more hype than they deserve. Is Jim Knowles an upgrade at DC this year for Penn St? He is in the long run, but year one of a Knowles-coached D puts defenders through a steep learning curve. I’d take my chances with Texas, Ohio St, Clemson, Bama, and Georgia (in that order) over Penn St and Notre Dame on a neutral field. Still, there is not much separating any of those 7 teams. There is far more parity at the top of today’s CFB food chain. This year’s title is truly up for grabs.
Colin: Final thoughts on OSU-Texas tomorrow?
Baver: A big key will be the Texas O-line with 4 new starters facing a banged-up Buckeye D-line that is replacing every starter. The Bucks need legacy recruit Will Smith Jr to come of age quickly at DT. OSU may use more 3-DE and 4-DE sets than usual, sliding one or both DEs inside to counter its depth issues on the interior.
OSU will also have to protect Sayin (duh). And OSU will have to do that with new starters at both OT spots. Texas soph DE Colin Simmons is big-time; he had 9 sacks as a true frosh in ‘24.
There's not much separating the two teams. I like Ohio State in a lower scoring game. I’ll say Ohio St 24 Texas 20.
Go Bucks.