Ohio State Football: No spring game gives new appreciation for it

Ohio State football fans always look forward to watching the spring game but there won’t be one this year. It was scheduled for last Saturday afternoon.

Head coach Ryan Day and the Ohio State football team are missing out on key practice time for the upcoming season thanks to the COVID-19 virus. After all spring practices were canceled, the Buckeyes also missed out on the annual spring football game last Saturday afternoon.

The spring game always draws a ton of fans to Ohio Stadium. Last years game drew over 60,000 people and has drawn up to 100,000 before. When the game rolls around it is a reminder to me that spring is here and summer is right around the corner. And at five bucks per ticket, it gives every Buckeye fan a chance to come to the historic Horseshoe to watch the Scarlet and Gray first hand.

It’s also fun to see how the young players have evolved over the practice period. Last season we were able to see five-star receiver Garrett Wilson flash in the game and it translated into the season as he got significant game reps early in the 2019 campaign.

It also gives the coaching staff the ability to try players in different positions, helping the staff find spots for players on the field. Again, Wilson was to have all eyes upon him in the spring game as Ryan Day and wide receivers coach Brian Hartline were planning on having him play the H-back role.

The game also gives players fighting to make the rotation an opportunity to show the staff what they can do. This would have been especially true on the defensive line as all the tackle rotational spots are up for grabs.

The annual spring games plays a vital role for the football team but it also is a reminder to fans the season and good weather are right around the corner. It gives this rabid fan base a taste of Buckeye football that hopefully carries them through the rest of the offseason. Now we have a full year to wait for the next spring football game in Columbus.