It's really hard not to be a spoiled and entitled Ohio State fan when in fact, as fans of the Buckeyes, are just that. Though we like to deny it as well as try our best to not act as such, with a football team as elite and consistent as the Buckeyes, it's easy to walk into each and every contest with the confidence of a shark chasing its prey.
This is, after all, The Ohio State University and we expect national championships year in and year out. While many pegged the 2016 season as a rebuilding project -- I'm proud to say that I predicted the Buckeyes would not even come close to taking a step back (there's my cocky statement for this article) -- it's clear based on Saturday night's game against Oklahoma that Ohio State is a force to be reckoned with.
Even with all of the inexperience this team possesses, how is it that the Buckeyes continue to be the team in the Big Ten? Two words: Urban Meyer.
The future Hall of Fame coach is now in his fifth season as head coach of the Buckeyes, and he has this freight train on another level. The coach with the highest winning percentage among active FBS coaches has done nothing but win since he arrived in Columbus, sporting a a 52-4 record overall while also being an unreal 19-0 on the road. To find the last time the Buckeyes lost a game on the road, you have to go all the way back to 2011 against That Team Up North, which also happens to be the last time the Buckeyes lost to their hated rivals.
After watching Ohio State obliterate the Oklahoma Sooners in their own house, a place where Bob Stoops has hardly lost since he took over the program back in 1999, I can hardly see this team losing again this season. That may be a bold and premature statement, considering the Buckeyes still have to play at Wisconsin, Nebraska, at Michigan State, and then at home against the Wolverines to finish the season. Currently, all of those teams are ranked, and that list doesn't even include the prime time matchup against the Nittany Lions in Happy Valley.
But as of right now, Ohio State has made one thing abundantly clear: the Big Ten still goes through Columbus. Despite losing twelve players to the NFL in what is considered one of the best modern draft classes ever, the Buckeyes are still loaded with budding stars like Noah Brown, Marshon Lattimore, Malik Hooker, and so many more.
And we're only three games into the season. Meyer and the players have mentioned numerous times how many mistakes are being made, and yet the Buckeyes are still blowing teams out, outscoring their opponents 170-37 over the first three games. The defense has scored four touchdowns on its own, and J.T. Barrett has been masterful in orchestrating what has the makings of a legendary offense. If the Buckeyes are already this good before September is even over, how good could this team be come November?
Brace yourselves for the ride of a lifetime Buckeye fans. This team is as young and hungry as it is fun to watch, and as long as Urban Meyer remains at the helm, I like our chances in any game, no matter what the odds.
