Matthew McConaughey was talking about the Texas side of the Longhorns' 24-23 win over Ohio State on Saturday night, but he sure summed up what the Buckeyes were missing in their massive blown opportunity.
“Belief. Backbone. Heart. That’s Texas Fight," the Hollywood Actor and Lone Star State native said.
That fight is exactly what was lacking on the Forty Acres from Ohio State. In the first three quarters, it was clear the Buckeyes had a superior talent base. Arthur Smith and Matt Patricia were game-planning the Week 2 main event perfectly.
Somehow, every key coaching mistake Ryan Day could've made reared its ugly head in the final 15 minutes. He mismanaged the clock on Texas's final drive. He didn't deploy Legend Bey as much as he should've.
Now, there won't be clarity on who this team really is until October. There won't be opponents that test Ohio State's fight. If somehow one pops up, then there are even bigger problems with Day than previously understood. Kent State and Illinois need to be major blowouts at the "Shoe."
Ohio State must have fight as October gauntlet looms
It looks like Oregon may not be the formidable opponent most expected it to be on November 7. That home game could be a resume-booster for the Buckeyes as opposed to a true test. Through two weeks, the Ducks look underwhelming at best.
October might be tougher than originally anticipated, though. Iowa handled business against Iowa State and has given up 13 points all year. Defending champion Indiana is delivering the goods with a reloaded roster, while USC has put up 39 or more points every game.
Ohio State cannot fold when the going gets tough, as it did in the fourth quarter at DKR Stadium in Week 2.
Ryan Day needs to fix whatever chemistry issues exist
There's no talent issue in Columbus this year. The talent is overwhelming, actually. The fact that the Buckeyes got beaten so decisively in the last quarter feels like more of an indictment of how the team is being run.
Day calling out Bey and then not giving him chances on Saturday may have left some players with a sour taste in their mouths. Young players make mistakes and don't need to be overly punished for it.
Why couldn't Bey play when the lead was substantial? Ohio State had a chance to put its foot on Texas's throat and just...didn't. That was pure cockiness on Day's part, if not even a hint of fear. The way Julian Sayin was playing -- namely, avoiding mistakes and slyly evading the pass rush on multiple occasions -- there should've been more effort to score the football.
Let's hope Day and Arthur Smith aren't butting heads. The offense looked completely different as the game unfolded. It definitely looked more like a Day offense in the fourth quarter.
Let's hope whatever the hell caused the Buckeyes' downfall is properly addressed. That was such a bad loss that plenty needs to be assessed ASAP before the schedule turns into a meat grinder.
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