Scarlet and Game
Fansided

Ohio State Football: All Buckeye tournament, which team is the best?

By Frank Teriaca

ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 12: Head Coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes hoist the trophy after defeating the Oregon Ducks 42 to 20 in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at AT
ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 12: Head Coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes hoist the trophy after defeating the Oregon Ducks 42 to 20 in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at AT /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 18: Quarterback Troy Smith #10 of the Ohio State Buckeyes throws a 3 quarter interception under pressure from the Michigan Wolverines defense November 18, 2006 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 18: Quarterback Troy Smith #10 of the Ohio State Buckeyes throws a 3 quarter interception under pressure from the Michigan Wolverines defense November 18, 2006 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Game No. 2: 2002 vs. 2015

The 2002 National Championship squad led by Craig Krenzel and coach Jim Tressel completely embodied the word ‘team.’ They were selfless, playing for each other, and furthermore they were good. True freshman running back Maurice Clarett is still the best true freshman that I have ever seen play for Ohio State.

The 2015 Buckeye team was the complete opposite of that. Coming of the 2014 title run, this team mostly returned all its key players. However they didn’t seem to grasp the team aspect of things. Something was off that season. Whether it was leadership or accountability, that team had all the talent in the world but struggled to put away opponents.

That is why I have the 2002 team moving on in this game 24-17.

Game No. 3: 2006 vs. 2019

This might just be the best game in the first round of this tournament. The 2006 version of Ohio State featured Heisman trophy winner Troy Smith and players such as Ted Ginn, Anthony Gonzalez, James Laurinaitis, Malcolm Jenkins and Vernon Gholston.

Both the talent on defense and offense for the 2006 squad was off the charts. But so was the 2019 team led by Justin Fields, JK Dobbins, Chris Olave, Chase Young and Jeff Okudah.

Both the 2006 and 2019 teams had high-octane offenses and defenses that were stellar. It may be bias here because we just watched the 2019 team play, but I think the defense on the 2019 team gives them an edge over the 2006 squad. 2019 wins 34-24.

Game No. 4: 2012 vs. 1996

The 1996 Ohio State team very well could have been crowned National Champions if it was not for an awful way of selecting National Champions back then. After beating Arizona State in the Rose Bowl, it was assumed that the Buckeyes would be voted No. 1 but that wasn’t the case.

Still, they were one of the best teams I ever watched and were one of the reasons why I became such an Ohio State football fan. A sophomore quarterback in Joe Germaine, future hall of fame tackle Orlando Pace, David Boston, Shawn Springs, Mike Vrabel and Luke Fickell were members of that team.

The 1996 team was loaded, and if it wasn’t for a 13-9 loss to the Wolverines would probably have been crowned college football champions.

But the 2012 Ohio State team was probably my favorite of all time. There was a lack of talent compared to the other teams on this list, but much like the 2002 team the 2012 Buckeye squad just did whatever it took to win.

It was Urban Meyer’s first season as head coach and the team was led by quarterback Braxton Miller on offense, and on defense by Ryan Shazier and John Simon. This would have been one heck of a football game.

That being said, the 1996 team just had too much talent for the 2012 team to handle. I’ve got the 1996 team winning 26-23 in a close battle.

Home/Ohio State Football