Championship Monday is finally here.
In just a few short hours, we might finally be able to call Ohio State head coach Ryan Day a national champion.
With everything on the line, the Buckeyes have garnered attention for their loaded roster and dominant run through the playoffs to this point.
Now, the last obstacle standing in their way is Marcus Freeman and the gritty Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Recent weeks have been filled with discussions about Ohio Stateās impressive freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, their top-tier defense, and the leadership of Day and defensive captain Jack Sawyer.
However, former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer has zeroed in on another topic: the intensity and expectations of the Buckeyesā fanbase.
Speaking on the The Triple Option podcast, Meyer addressed the perception that Buckeyes fans have overly lofty expectations for their team.
Meyer was quick to defend the passionate following, emphasizing that high expectations are simply part of the culture in Ohio.
“There’s really one place, and I’m biasedā¦ I’m from the great state of Ohio, where football is born in your blood,” Meyer said. “You realize when you are born in Columbus, Ohio, they give you a ‘beat that team up north’ shirt? In Canton, Ohio, you’re born, in Massillon, they put a football, if you’re a boy, in your crib when you’re born.
“And people say that’s insanity, I agree with you. You’re out of your mind. But I’ll tell you one thing, you can never worry about an open seat at Ohio Stadium. You can never worry about a program that’s not gonna be funded by the people, because they are complete, absolute, nut jobs.”
Meyer doubled down on his stance on social media, making his feelings for Ohio State’s obsessed fanbase perfectly clear.
“The Buckeye faithful are as passionate as they come, and it shouldnāt be any other way! #GoBucks,” Meyer posted on X.
For Buckeyes fans, this championship run is a welcome change after years of frustration.
Over the past four seasons, Ohio State has been stymied in Big Ten title contention by bitter rival Michigan, with losses to the Wolverines setting the stage for postseason disappointment.
Since Meyer led the Buckeyes to a national championship in 2014, the team has struggled to replicate that success on the grand stage.
But now, the Buckeyes are riding high and enter tonight’s title game as the clear-cut favorites.
Ryan Day has faced a mountain of criticism over the past few years. Some of the venom has been warranted. Some not.
While the loss to Michigan in the regular season finale is still inexplicable, the fact of the matter is Day and company will accomplish their ultimate goal with a win tonight.
What are your thoughts on Meyer’s passionate defense of Ohio State’s fanbase?
More importantly, what’s your prediction for tonight’s clash? … Will Day and the Buckeyes get the job done???
