Jerod Smalley commentary: The great Buckeyes reboot
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- We’ve all had computer problems at work. When you call the IT department, they’ll likely ask you, “Did you try rebooting it?”
Sometimes, it works. Sometimes, it’s a waste of time. But it’s an action toward a solution.
When Ohio State showed up and boat-raced a talented Tennessee team Saturday night, it served as a program reboot at a critical moment.
Think about how consequential this game was. If OSU goes out shaken after the Michigan loss and allows that loss to create another one, then we are having an entirely different conversation about the Buckeyes program. Bad vibes, more transfer portal traffic and maybe even (although still highly unlikely) a regime change. Truly, enough to call the IT department.
Instead, coach Ryan Day and his staff decided to attack with their strength instead of scheming into weaknesses in a 42-17 win. The restrictor plate was taken off the receiver room. The “just throw it to Jeremiah Smith” plan is a wise one. Six catches for 103 yards and two scores was Smith’s final line, and had the game been more competitive, that could have been doubled.
The offensive line held up quite well, especially in pass protection. That allowed Will Howard to get dialed in for, arguably, his best game as a Buckeye. He completed better than 80% of his passes for the seventh time this season, and he did it against a top-five ranked defense. As for the defense, the line (Jack Sawyer specifically) defeated their opponents down after down. J.T. Tuimoloau, who has been often criticized for lack of production, turned in two sacks and led the team in tackles for loss.
This is the team capable of winning the national championship in this first year with a 12-team College Football Playoff. And yes, it makes what happened Nov. 30 even more frustrating. But it just doesn’t matter. Truly. Michigan doesn’t matter now. And this performance against Tennessee is the only way to prove that Michigan doesn’t matter anymore.
The opportunity to play in a Rose Bowl (the true, undisputed greatest bowl game … and I’ve seen them all) is still a fantastic showcase. People know Ohio State vs. Oregon — Part Deux — will be sensational football. High-level passing games and fierce defenses are capable of delivering another classic. It’s entirely possible these are the best two teams of the remaining eight.
And after the UT performance, Ohio State opened as a small betting favorite over the Ducks. Yes, the 8 seed is favored over the undefeated 1 seed that already owns a victory over that 8 seed. That’s how much respect people give Ohio State’s strengths. And now that its coaching staff respects those strengths, they have a real chance.
Some fans will never get over the Michigan four-game losing streak, and I promise I know how much it matters. But there’s also some folks who may just also be allergic to happiness and will focus on the program’s rivalry game problem despite the program’s successes. Even those fans have to give Day, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and the offensive staff credit for admitting fault and sticking to the commitment to give the best players a chance in the biggest game so far.
All you can do is (channeling Woody) pay it forward. And they did.
The staff and players benefited greatly from the reboot. Fans needed it, too. I get why thousands of fans sold their tickets and chose to let Volunteers lovers pack into Ohio Stadium. Buckeyes fans were terrified of the chance their team would underperform in another high-profile, potentially season-ending game. The diehards who braved the cold and showed up loud and proud deserve a special badge of honor. To quote legendary executive Michael Scott, they were “ready to get hurt again.”
The pressure surrounding Saturday night in Ohio Stadium ended up producing one of OSU’s best efforts in years. The national perception and appreciation for Ohio State football got a massive lift Saturday.
A similar performance on Jan. 1 in Pasadena, and people will care even less about Nov. 30.