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Ohio State Football: Split-second changes course of OSU history

By Frank Teriaca

Nov 25, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Kyle McCord (6) is hit by Michigan Wolverines defensive end Jaylen Harrell (32) as he throws an interception during the second half of the NCAA football game at Michigan Stadium. Ohio State lost 30-24.
Nov 25, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Kyle McCord (6) is hit by Michigan Wolverines defensive end Jaylen Harrell (32) as he throws an interception during the second half of the NCAA football game at Michigan Stadium. Ohio State lost 30-24. /
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The Ohio State football team was a split-second away from making the College Football Playoffs. Football is truly a game of inches.

The Ohio State football team has lived in ‘would have, should have, could have’ moments the past few seasons. In 2022, what if Marvin Harrison Jr. and Cade Stover stayed healthy against Georgia? What if Noah Ruggles would have made a 50-yard field goal? 2023 was not any different.

What if Donovan Jackson hadn’t tripped on Carson Hinzman’s foot and could have held his block for a second longer? What if McCord could have cleanly made that last throw? Then we probably would be looking at Ohio State as the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoffs right now and staring down a matchup with Alabama.

It’s crazy to think that one split second can change the course of history, but it has. Kyle McCord hit the transfer portal yesterday. If Ohio State is the No. 1 seed in the playoffs right now and had a win vs. Michigan, there is no chance in heck that anyone but Kyle McCord is starting at quarterback for the Buckeyes next season.

I for one am definitely sick and tired of these moments. Whether it was COVID-19 in the 2021 National title game or the 2019 scoop and score by Jeff Okudah against Clemson that was ridiculously overturned, it is time for Ryan Day to get on the other side of these plays. It has been 10 years since Ohio State’s last national championship and three since their last Big Ten title.

dark. Next. Grading the 2023 Buckeye coaching staff

This is a massive off-season for the program. They are losing a ton of depth to the transfer portal and also lost their starting quarterback. Day and his staff must get the quarterback position figured out, and they need to be right about whomever they choose to start in 2024. If they don’t, we could see a season like we haven’t seen in a long time in Columbus.

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