Every year, FOX puts the Ohio State football team in front of fans at noon as much as they can. This week against Northwestern will be the fourth time this season that the game will be the Big Noon Kickoff game of the week. Fans have been tired of it for years.
Besides the fact that it robs the Buckeyes of having great environments against good teams, Gus Johnson has rapidly declined. He used to be perhaps the best play-by-play guy in football. Now, he's sleepy, apathetic, and continuously gets things wrong. Ohio State fans won't have to listen to him today.
Why isn't Gus Johnson calling the Ohio State vs. Northwestern game?
Buckeye fans will get a reprieve from Johnson on Saturday. He and Joel Klatt will not be on the call due to the FAA grounding flights. Instead, Connor Onion and Robert Griffin III will be calling the game. Johnson and Klatt have been moved to the Utah vs. Arizona game at 10:30 pm ET.
It will be nice not to have to listen to Johnson, but Klatt is perhaps the best analyst in the country. His insight is great. I'd much rather listen to him than RG3, who is about as corny as it gets. Still, at least the play-by-play guy will not get multiple things wrong over the course of the game.
If you're missing Johnson and Klatt, don't fret. They will announce at least one more Buckeye game this season. They will do The Game, as FOX always has the Ohio State/Michigan game. There is a chance that they will do next week's game against Nebraska, as well.
Personally, the fall of Johnson as a great play-by-play guy is something I take no joy in. I have loved him for years. Now, he seems to have let his anti-Buckeye bias infiltrate his commentary, especially when it comes to the Ohio State/Michigan game. It's sad.
Ohio State desperately needs a win vs. Northwestern
Of course, who is calling the game doesn't have any bearing on how the Ohio State Buckeyes are going to play against the Wildcats. They desperately need a win to stop the two-game skid they have been on. This is already the worst season that Ohio State has had in 15 years.
Another loss would put Ryan Day's job in severe jeopardy. Not only would it slam shut any chance of making the College Football Playoff, but it would make the Buckeyes just 6-6 in their last 12 games. That is not a standard that the Buckeyes will allow the program to fall to.
Ohio State should beat Northwestern just based purely on talent, but they have been the most talented team on the field in every game they've played this year. Yet, they have three losses on their record. The coaches and the players need to step up and get a win.
Gus Johnson or not Gus Johnson, this is a critical game for the Bucks. A win would really feel good after how the last two weeks have gone.
Add us as a preferred source on Google