Crunch time for Urban Meyer and the Ohio State football program.
The stage is set for a blockbuster game on Saturday night when No. 2 Penn State rolls into Columbus to take on No. 6 Ohio State.
Revenge is being used to describe this game. Both teams are alluding to it, but are not really saying the game is about revenge.
I doubt either team needs the extra motivation, but there is no denying its place in this game. Penn State won the Big Ten in 2016, but was snubbed by the College Football Playoff Committee in favor of Ohio State despite the Nittany Lions beating the Buckeyes.
Beyond getting another win, and keeping their goals alive of winning the Big Ten and making the playoff, this game has a deeper significance for the Buckeyes. Power.
A loss will mean three seasons without a Big Ten Football Championship or College Football Playoff Championship. It would be the first-time Urban Meyer has lost to the same Big Ten team two years in a row as well.
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That alone is not devastating since Ohio State has been the most consistent winner in the Big Ten, and the only team with multiple national titles over the last 20 years. The Buckeyes will stay at or near the top as long as coach Meyer is in charge.
It does make you wonder how a team with the best talent cannot put it together to win more championships.
Context is important. Meyer has only lost seven games in five and a half seasons. That is impressive because Nick Saban is the only other FBS coach with the same amount of losses over the same period. Coaches would kill to have Meyer’s resume.
Regardless, the pressure is on Meyer to deliver a signature win. If the Buckeyes lose, the power will shift away from Columbus for the first time in 16 years. It also resets the pecking order in the Big Ten.
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My advice to Meyer is stay away from revenge in his pep talk. Instead, focus on power, respect, winning championships and being the best team on the field on Saturday.