NFL
By: Brock Vierra
As Ohio State prepares for their Cotton Bowl Classic matchup against Missouri, the 2023 season has already been a failure for the Buckeyes or at least that is the feeling around Columbus. Despite their 11-1 record, a record that is highly respectable, Ohio State has once again failed to beat their arch-rival Michigan, now owning a three-game losing streak to the Wolverines. To add insult to injury, Michigan captured its third straight Big 10 title, a conference once dominated by the Buckeyes and while Michigan is the number one team in the country, Ohio State is out of the College Football Playoffs.
There are many questions currently surrounding the program regarding the direction of the team, the job security of Ryan Day, and who will be the Buckeyes QB1 in 2024. To help bridge the gap between inquiry and answer, I sat down with Buckeyes Wire contributor Josh Keatley. Keatley is a dear friend and College Football Forecast’s number-one friend of the show. A knowledgeable mind who answered a lot of questions for us, Keatley’s inside track into the Ohio State program will hopefully shine some light on what has been a cloudy six weeks.
Let’s talk Ohio State
Vierra: Hello Josh, thank you for joining us. On a scale of 1 to 10, grade Ohio State’s season?
Keatley: 5.
Vierra: What is the reasoning behind your assessment?
Keatley: It was an average season. They defeated Notre Dame and Penn State, but losing to Michigan and once again missing out on a Big Ten Championship keep it from being good.
Vierra: How big of a loss is Kyle McCord?
Keatley: Losing Kyle McCord in my eyes is huge. So much time was wasted developing him and he left. McCord was not the issue with this team, but it was very clear Ryan Day was ready to move on from him as well.
Vierra: Who do you have slated to replace McCord?
Keatley: Devin Brown is going to start the Cotton Bowl and he is more than capable to lead them to a victory.
Vierra: Any possibility Marvin Harrison Jr comes back to Ohio State and if not, who is the Buckeyes WR1 in 2024?
Keatley: There are some rumors about some serious NIL money floating around to keep Marvin Harrison, but I think he leaves. The real question is whether or not Emeka Egbuka leaves and if he wants to stay and be the number one guy.
Vierra: What does Ohio State need to do this offseason to finally beat Michigan?
Keatley: It all comes down to Ryan Day. He needs to coach more aggressively.
Vierra: Are there any potential transfers that you like to see Ohio State acquire?
Keatley: I am super interested in KJ Jefferson. I think he would be a fun player to have for special packages.
Vierra: Who do you believe Ohio State should target in the portal?
Keatley: Its hard to say who they should target, because the focus needs to be on trying to keep some guys from declaring for the NFL
Vierra: Big matchup with Missouri in the Cotton Bowl Classic, how will Ohio state contain Brady Cook and the Tigers’ offense?
Keatley: Ohio State has enough talent on the defensive line (assuming everyone plays) to disrupt this Missouri offense. This will be a huge game for Denzel Burke, matching up against Luther Burden.
Vierra: There’s a lot of hype around Devin Brown coming into this game. What are your thoughts?
Keatley: Devin Brown is big, athletic and throws a great ball, but the biggest difference between him and McCord is his confidence and that is a good thing.
Vierra: Give us your Cotton Bowl Classic prediction?
Keatley: I plan on putting money on Ohio State to cover this game. Despite missing out on the playoffs this team should be motivated.
Vierra: How will Ohio State handle the incoming competition in the new Big 10?
Keatley: Ohio State is at a critical point where they are slowly losing grip of the Big Ten and Michigan is the big beast. Right now Ohio State is still a better program than everyone coming in, but if Day doesn’t make some changes, I could see Washington and Oregon passing them up.
Vierra: What are your expectations for 2024?
Keatley: My expectations are that Ohio State wins the Big Ten, because if they don’t, Ryan Day may not be here.
Vierra: Will Ryan Day be the head coach of the Buckeyes in 2025?
Keatley: I think Ryan Day will be a great head coach, I don’t think Ohio State is the place to have your growing pains and I don’t think he is the best fit right now, so no.
I would like to once again thank Josh for his time and efforts. Josh and his fellow Buckeyes Wire contributor Mike Chen host a podcast titled “Ohio State of Mind.” For more insight into Ohio State, give them a listen.
