Ohio State Football: Controversy builds championship character

While Ohio State football fans may be discouraged by the Chase Young situation, the controversy might end up benefitting the Buckeyes.

Just last week as this year’s first College Football Playoff rankings were released I was getting ready to write an article about how the Ohio State football team needed some kind of push back or controversy to keep us on our toes.

The idea was that whether it was an on-field battle or something distracting the Buckeyes off the field, they needed something to show themselves that they can stay focused on the big prize through all the smoke.

Although OSU dominated in every facet of the game against Maryland on Saturday, and it sure didn’t look like they needed a “wake-up call,” we all know that a run at a National Title doesn’t come without its hiccups.

My point was going to be that it’s better to go through adversity now than when it matters most. This is so they can fight through it and be ready for the toughest remaining schedule in the country with games against Penn State, Michigan and possibly whoever is in the Big Ten Championship game.

Well, we got a controversy. Unless you live under a rock with no access to the open world at all, you know about the Chase Young situation.

Let me be perfectly clear, the rule is dumb.

The NCAA’s guidelines for the punishment of the rule itself is even dumber. But it is, unfortunately, something we are dealing with.

The Ohio State University and the football program are handling it with flying colors. So, what happens now?

Anger, pain, resentment and the Buckeyes shoving this entire situation into everyone’s face by hopefully winning another national title.

We don’t like this situation, but believe it or not we needed something. We have all seen the “trap” game or the “got too full of themselves” game because a team got comfortable and didn’t think it could happen to them.

This is a re-focus, re-anger and reset button on the hunger that I think can catapult the Buckeyes to a potential dominant run to the Big Ten Title and the National Title.

I say whether it be Big Ten foes, the CFP foes or the NCAA – bring it. We are The Ohio State Buckeyes and we accept any and all opponents on the field and off. It’s your funeral, not ours. Free Chase Young and Go Buckeyes.