‘What if’ Ohio State had self-imposed a bowl ban in 2011?

Ohio Sate was in a position to win a nationwide championship underneath City Meyer, taking residence the first-ever Faculty Soccer Playoff with a 42-20 win over Oregon on the finish of the 2014 season. As nice because it was to see the Buckeyes hoist the trophy, Meyer ought to have received a pair extra titles throughout his time in Columbus. A kind of titles that ought to have been was Meyer’s fault, since all he needed to do was feed Ezekiel Elliott towards Michigan State in 2015.

The opposite yr by which Ohio State might probably have a nationwide title was in 2012. This missed alternative wasn’t Meyer’s fault, although. Athletic director Gene Smith must be blamed for this, since he didn’t self-impose a bowl ban for the Buckeyes within the 2011 season. There’s no assure that the NCAA wouldn’t have nonetheless dominated Ohio State ineligible for postseason play in 2012, but it surely’s onerous to think about the Buckeyes being ignored of bowl season two years in a row, particularly in the event that they took swift motion towards themselves.

I can perceive how Smith in all probability did every thing in energy to reward interim head coach Luke Fickell and his gamers for his or her onerous work throughout a attempting season in 2011. Had Smith and firm regarded on the large image, they’d have tried to place the season behind them as rapidly as potential. With Meyer named as Ohio State’s subsequent head coach just some days after the Michigan recreation, brighter days had been undoubtedly forward for the soccer program.

As a substitute, Smith and his braintrust thought it was essential to play within the prestigious Gator Bowl, the place they’d tackle Florida, who was additionally 6-6. Perhaps Smith needed to get some revenge on the Gators for the nationwide title recreation just a few years prior, I simply don’t know what a win over a mediocre Florida group would actually show. Including insult to damage, Ohio State didn’t even win the sport, falling to the Gators 24-17.

The choice would look much more silly on the finish of the 2012 season when Ohio State was the one undefeated group within the nation following Alabama’s destruction of Notre Dame within the BCS Nationwide Championship Sport. Had the Buckeyes been eligible to play within the postseason in 2012, you understand ABC/ESPN would have been salivating at an undefeated Notre Dame group taking up an unblemished Ohio State group.

The Combating Irish had been positively examined all through the season, profitable six video games by seven factors or much less. Notre Dame answered each take a look at previous to the sport towards Alabama, profitable 4 ranked groups, with two of these victories coming towards Massive Ten foes Michigan State and Michigan. The calling card of the Combating Irish was their protection, permitting greater than 20 factors simply as soon as in a 29-26 win over Pitt in triple additional time.

The star of the Notre Dame group that yr was Manti Te’o, who grew to become a media darling after he introduced each his grandmother and girlfriend had died on the identical day. Following the season, it was revealed that Te’o was catfished, and Lennay Kekua wasn’t actual. If Ohio State performed Notre Dame in Miami, simply think about how a lot protection would have been spent on the matchup of Braxton Miller towards Te’o, with each gamers ending within the top-five in Heisman Trophy voting.

Issues weren’t excellent with Ohio State’s first group underneath Meyer. The Buckeyes weren’t precisely convincing in non-conference wins over UCF, California, and UAB. Later within the yr Ohio State went to additional time twice, outlasting Purdue 29-22 in Columbus, and Wisconsin 21-14 in Madison. One of the best efficiency of the yr previous to the Michigan recreation got here in a 63-38 win over Nebraska within the Cornhuskers’ first journey to Columbus as a Massive Ten member.

What makes me factor that Ohio State might have overwhelmed Notre Dame regardless of not having an entire group was the truth that the Buckeyes had game-changers on either side of the soccer. Miller accounted for 28 touchdowns in his sophomore season, whereas Ryan Shazier registered 115 tackles, with 17 of them being for loss. The 2 positively had the potential to energy Ohio State to a title, particularly in a yr the place there was no true dominant group in school soccer.

One hurdle Ohio State would have needed to clear had they been eligible for the 2012 postseason is a Massive Ten Championship Sport towards Nebraska. Because the Buckeyes crushed the Cornhuskers at Ohio Stadium, I don’t suppose City Meyer’s group would have had too large of a problem towards Nebraska in Indianapolis. The win would have bolstered Ohio State’s resumé, for the reason that Cornhuskers entered the 2012 Massive Ten Championship Sport towards Wisconsin ranked 14th.

Alabama would have seemingly tried to argue they need to have been within the title recreation over Ohio State had the Buckeyes been eligible, it simply would have been onerous to cross up a battle of two unbeaten groups. Had Notre Dame and Ohio State battled, I can’t actually see the Buckeyes having a lot bother attending to Everett Golson and the offense of the Combating Irish.

Clearly Te’o and the remainder of the protection would have brought on some points for Ohio State, however Miller was so electrical and the operating recreation of the Buckeyes was so dominant that I believe Ohio State would have worn Notre Dame down. Alabama rolled up 529 yards on the Combating Irish, with half of these approaching the bottom. I don’t see why Ohio State couldn’t have put up some numbers on Notre Dame.

It’s simple to say this 10 years later, but it surely turns into much more apparent as we age. We shouldn’t take a look at the 2012 season as a misplaced season although, for the reason that Buckeyes nonetheless had a memorable yr, gaining confidence in what Meyer might do for them. The season was a enjoyable trip, with a number of classes being discovered all year long. Hopefully the identical determination by no means must be made once more.